Alpine Division 060923

COURT IN THE ACT

Amenities advance

ALPINE Shire Council committed to the purchase of a parcel of land in Tawonga South for public toilets, a car park and walkway to the West Kiewa River at their monthly meeting last week, taking the town one step closer to having much-needed public amenities.

Councillors endorsed the recommendation to delegate to CEO Will Jeremy the authority to commit, subject to contract, to the purchase of around 1175m2 of land comprising part of 244-252 Kiewa Valley Highway.

At a price of $336.20 per

Council to buy Tawonga South land slated for public toilet ygp

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

square metre, the purchase equates to around $395,000, which excludes GST, stamp duty, statutory fees or any legal costs associated with the purchase, but the price does include subdivision costs to create a separately titled piece of land.

According to council, the site underwent an independent valuation.

The plans for the land

show four unisex accessible toilets, 11 car parks (with two disabled bays) and a 2.5 metre wide walkway and cycle path following the northwestern side of the property that is to link with a future bridge crossing. Council stipulates the design is not finalised, and if the purchase proceeds successfully then further planning work will be done, including engagement with interested stakeholders.

According to the plans, the carpark will also link with a future carriageway

into the rest of the 244-252 Kiewa Valley Highway site.

Mr Jeremy said council will prioritise the establishment of the public toilet before the carpark and pathway.

Councillor Tony Keeble called the land purchase a “strategic buy” and thanked council staff for their commitment in finding a solution to the lack of public amenities.

“It’s a strategic bit of land for the shire to purchase for amenities in Tawonga South, which has a lot of tourism and a lot of people

walking through that way,” he said.

“It is good to see this on the table and council staff have been really committed to this process right from the start.”

Councillor Sarah Nicholas commended the recommendation to purchase the land.

“It’s a great outcome for Tawonga South, which is increasingly developing into its own hub,” she said.

“Part of the development being access to the river and a carpark really lends itself to helping the Tawonga

South community to be what it can be, which is a great place.”

In response to a question earlier in the meeting on funds for building the toilet, council director of assets Alan Rees said they are investigating a two-stepped approach to the delivery of the public toilet, where a short-term facility may be available before the final facility is built.

However, he said costings for the facility have not been completed.

According to council, annual maintenance costs for the site have not been estimated.

THE Bright Alpine Actors, including Bill Connolly, Darren Ferrier and Phyl Swindley, are hoping to return to regular performances - they just need more volunteers.  Story page 2.

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

OVENS residents and business workers are speaking up on road safety through the town, with dangerous manoeuvres a common sight along the stretch of the Great Alpine Road and the intersection into Happy Valley Road.

Julian de Graaf, who works at the Happy Valley Hub, has a boxseat view onto the intersection and says he regularly sees near-misses.

“I hear a lot of horns, I see a lot of close calls and, I definitely think it’s not a safe intersection,” he said.

According to Mr de Graaf, motorists turning off Happy Valley Road aren’t always aware they need to give way as they enter the Great Alpine Highway, and he believes there should be a stop sign instead of the current give way sign.

“There should be things like rumble strips, more warning that there’s an intersection ahead,“ he said.

He said occasionally motorists think the road exiting into the Great Alpine Road is two lanes, one each for turning left and right, when they are actually in the lane for oncoming traffic.

Ovens resident Claire Stock has been lobbying for a safer intersection and a lower speed limit at Ovens for over a year.

She said it’s common for drivers heading from Bright to miss the right turn into Happy Valley Road and do a U-turn into the slip lane that is for drivers of the opposite lane.

Other times she said drivers are often too close to the vehicle in

front and must brake sharply when the vehicle in front stops to turn into Happy Valley Road.

“There are lots of near misses and people getting rear ended,” she said.

Nick Waight, business manager at the local hotel, is less concerned about the intersection and said overtaking and possible rear collisions are the main problems

Speaking last Thursday, Mr Waight estimated he had seen

almost 10 near-crashes over the previous seven days due to drivers entering the opposite lane to overtake.

He’s also concerned for patrons of the hotel who cross the road.

“We’ve got our parking here, but once we’re full they park over on the other side of the road and walk over,” he said.

“It’s quite a dangerous stretch at 80kph.”

Mr Waight believes the entire

road between Myrtleford and Ovens should have a 60kph limit.

“A reduced speed limit here - it’s definitely step one to creating a safer area for people,” he said.

A spokesperson for Oven Valley MP Tim McCurdy said Mr McCurdy is aware of the issues surrounding the Happy Valley Road intersection in Ovens and has had discussions with VicRoads on ways in which the intersection can be improved.

They also noted that some

changes were made in late March to the give-way procedures.

“Safe roads in our regions are critical to reducing the road toll and ensuring everyone travels safely,” they said.

“Mr McCurdy will continue to engage with VicRoads, the community, and the department to ensure the right solution is found.”

VicRoads were contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.

SLOW DOWN: Nick Waight, business manager at the local hotel, estimated he had recently seen almost 10 nearcrashes over a week due to drivers entering the opposite lane to overtake. He’d like to see the entire stretch from Myrtleford to the pumpkin seed company in Ovens with a 60kph limit.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Recovery committee to launch community connection framework

A NETWORK designed to support community to prepare for and recover from emergencies will be officially launched in Bright today at the Pavilion.

Spearheaded by the volunteer Alpine Community Recovery Committee (CRC), The Loop amplifies preparedness and recovery support information from agencies to the Alpine region through existing community communication channels.

The Loop emerged as a possible solution with the support of key agencies after the CRC identified a major gap in the ability of its community to prepare for and recover from emergencies and natural disasters.

According to the CRC, despite the availability of valuable information from

agencies, evidence showed the community’s access to this information remained inconsistent.

Alpine CRC chair Fiona Nicholls said local connection and communication before and after emergencies were critical.

“After the devastating bushfires of 2019-20, we found connecting the community with available recovery information was challenging,” Ms Nicholls said.

“We wanted to address this by creating a system that improved how the information was communicated, and we hope The Loop is a better way.”

The Loop operates through dedicated Community Connectors who receive approved agency information on preparedness and

recovery activities, such as seasonal bushfire outlooks and road closures, through a curated email newsletter.

These connectors then leverage their existing networks, databases, and communication channels in-

cluding email, social media, newsletters, and word-ofmouth, to share this critical information.

The network’s threemonth pilot took place earlier this year, which was funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) and Alpine Shire Council at a cost of around $70,000.

ERV signed on as an official agency in the pilot, along with the Country Fire Authority (CFA); Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), State Emergency Service (SES) and Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV).

These agencies will continue in the network after today’s official launch, with Alpine CRC in discussions to enrol more.

CFA Commander Carl Sti-

bilj said the pilot revealed The Loop’s potential, filling a crucial communications gap.

“I can see genuine value in a service like this, as a kind of loud hailer for getting information out there further into the community,” Mr Stibilj said.

“I support the Alpine CRC’s bid to have The Loop fully operational in time for the community to improve its preparations for the upcoming bushfire season.”

Since the pilot’s completion in June, the Alpine CRC has increased the number of Community Connectors from 20 to more than 50 and is still seeking additional volunteers.

Community Connector Kellie Gray said she joined The Loop because she un-

derstood how crucial it was to avoid complacency in high-risk natural disaster areas like the Alpine region.

“I encourage anyone with a wide local network in the area to join The Loop as a Community Connector and help share information not only with other locals but also with visitors and new arrivals,” Ms Gray said.

“By simply using your existing ways of communicating with your networks, you have the power to better protect yourselves and your communities, and recover, when disaster arrives at your doorstop.”

Anyone in the Alpine region who is interested in becoming a Community Connector is encouraged to register their interest at theloop.com.au.

Bright’s local community theatre group needs you

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

BRIGHT’S local community theatre group, Bright Alpine Actors, are attempting to see its return after the club was forced to shut down during COVID.

In the middle of rehearsals for their autumn production in 2019, directed by Phyl Swindley, the group hit pause but haven’t seen member numbers come back since.

“I was quite sad to see our production shut down so I’m really hoping people support us to get back up and running again,” Phyl said.

“A few of us have got together and decided to see if there’s enough local interest to see us return, we need lots of new blood, new enthusiasm and new skills.

She said they are holding a meeting this Sunday, 4pm at the Bright Courthouse, for those interesting in getting involved with the acting group.

“I’ve already had a reasonable amount of interest from people who can’t come on the day,” she said.

According to Ms Swinley, everyone has something to offer a theatre company.

“Writing, acting, photography, lighting and sound tech, accountant; there’s so much you need to run and the more people you get the easier it is on the producer,” she said.

“I think it would be a great loss for arts in Bright if we had to shut down permanently; I don’t think we’ll fold because of

the interest we’ve already seen and we’ve hopefully got some exciting things coming.

“There’s some new people in the area with specialised skills

that gives us reason to believe that the community still is keen for a local theatre company.

“We want people from all walks of life to share their skills

including communication skills for newsletter or secretary, organisational skills for stage managers and back stage, set builders and props collection,

craft, design skills, sewing skills, tech skills and more, and if you don’t have any of these come along anyway and learn from others; BAA needs you.”

Bright Alpine Actors vice president Bill Conolly, secretary Phyl Swindley and president Darren Ferrier are hoping to see their theatre group

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre leads local support

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

MYRTLEFORD Neighbourhood Centre is taking an active approach to preparing their regions for future disaster, thanks to a partnership with FRRR’s Disaster Resilient: Future Ready (DR:FR) Victorian program.

As part of the place-based DR:FR program, three regional communities shared a total of $120,839 in grants.

Myrtleford is fortunate to have a range of community groups and resources that can be mobilised to support the community during a disaster.

FRRR funding has been used to engage a person in a community connector role for the Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre to understand each group’s facilities and resources.

The centre will then continue to work with the groups to plan

how they can collectively support residents in the first 72 hours of an emergency event such as flooding or bushfire, and develop a contacts directory and community assets map to make communication and coordination of resources easier in an emergency.

Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre manager Jill Graham said putting together the contacts directory and assets map is well underway.

“These resources are being further enhanced with the running of a number of emergency scenarios and workshops,” she said.

“The first of these was run by Myrtleford SES, considering an earthquake scenario.

“It proved to be a very thoughtprovoking exercise, with discussions on the time-of-day a disaster hits, to potential flow-on impacts for power outages, col-

lapsed buildings and a landslide blocking the Great Alpine Road.

“The community is keen to build on this work and engage further with groups that have not been part of the process so far, particularly those supporting vulnerable residents.

“We’ve had four workshops so far and it’s all been about how community can support each other.

“We’re not taking away from what the emergency services do, but it usually takes a little while before they get those services in place so this is about what community can do on the ground level.

“We want this group to be community led and so many groups have many assets of their own such as generators and this directory will let us know who to call if people need anything.”

Ms Graham said the group

Myrtleford retiree wins life-changing lotto prize

By BRODIE EVERIST

A MYRTLEFORD man’s heart swelled with joy on Father’s Day when his wife delivered the incredible news that they had won a life-changing $2.5 million TattsLotto prize.

The Victorian held one of the eight division one winning entries nationally in TattsLotto draw 4395, drawn Saturday September 2 2023 and took home a total prize of $2,500,000.

The retiree said he had been playing TattsLotto since he was 18 years old and couldn’t believe his winning day had finally come.

“My wife came home yesterday afternoon in tears - I didn’t know what had happened,” he said.

“She told me that we had won $25,000 on TattsLotto, and she couldn’t believe it.

“We looked at the ticket together and that’s when we realised it was $2.5 million.

“We just sat there, completely numb.

“She said to me, ‘Well, this is the best Father’s Day isn’t it!’. Definitely will be a Father’s Day to remember!

“I’ve been playing since I was of the legal age, and I remember one day I had forgotten to put a ticket on and of course my numbers had won division one.

“Back in the day the prize was only

Bright Courthouse public meeting

A PUBLIC meeting for the Bright Courthouse Committee Incorporated will be held at Bright Courthouse, 1-3 Park St, Bright on Thursday, September 14, commencing at 6pm.

has another meeting later this month to formalise the efforts.

“We’re still in early stages so at the moment have been focusing on major community groups, before expanding that and eventually this will be something the public can access,” she said.

“The community directory will be kept up to date by the centre and we’re really looking forward to seeing this happen as it really clusters the community together.

“Any community groups or members who want to be involved please contact the neighbourhood centre; we welcome anyone’s input.

“The more people who have knowledge and get involved the better it is for community and word gets out easier.”

You can find information about the Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre at https:// www.myrtlefordnc.org.au/.

The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less than three or more than nine persons as the Committee of Management for the Bright Courthouse for a term of three years.

The current committee’s term will expire on November 24, 2023.

All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night.

Nominations from women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged.

Further information, nomination forms and nominee declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action office or at the meeting.

For further enquiries please contact the secretary@brightcourthouse.com.au.

Locals to take part in tree painting project

THIS RUOK day on September 14 a local arborist, Alpine Shire staff and a local painting company will be painting a tree blue at Bright’s Pioneer Park to promote awareness of mental health.

The initiative is part of the Blue Tree Project, a charity to help spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.

More coverage in next week’s paper.

$12,000 but it was a lot for that time period.

“Surprisingly, my wife still woke up and went to work today.”

When asked how he and his wife planned to enjoy being newly made millionaires, the winning dad shared their plans to buy a new family home.

“We would love to move into a new home and be closer to our children,” he said.

“It’s life changing.”

His winning 36-game entry was purchased at Myrtleford Lotto, Gifts and Hairdressing, 13 Clyde Street, Myrtleford.

Co-owner Jeff Phillips said his team were ecstatic to have sold a division one winning entry to a local family.

“It’s wonderful news and we couldn’t be happier to have sold a division one winning entry in the weekend’s TattsLotto Superdraw,” he said.

“Myrtleford Lotto, Gifts and Hairdressing has operated in the local community for more than 31 years and we’ve made a flurry of winners in the last three decades.

“We would like to say a huge congratulations to the winning man and his family and thank you for supporting us.

“We hope this prize allows to you fulfil some amazing dreams for years to come.”

A SPECIAL BREAKFAST: Last Friday St Mary’s Primary School hosted a Father’s Day breakfast for dads, father figures and special people in their lives. They had egg and bacon rolls, cereal, fresh fruit and yogurt. “It was lovely to see so many dads and special people turn up,” administrator and teacher aide Lucia Southern said. Pictured are Harrison and Brendan Wood at the breakfast last Friday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Police warning on September lives lost

VICTORIA Police has issued an urgent road safety warning to all motorists as the state enters a high-risk period for death and serious injury.

There were 28 lives lost on Victoria’s roads in September last year - the highest number of fatalities recorded for the month in 16 years.

Police are determined to avoid a repeat of last September’s concerning road trauma trend and will prioritise road policing enforcement across the month.

Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir, said with the increase of 40 on this year’s lives lost on roads compared to last year, it is not the time to be complacent.

“The number of lives being lost on our roads this year should absolutely be cause for concern for everyone,” he said.

“We want everyone to think about not only their own safety but how their decisions and behaviour behind the wheel can impact the safety of others.”

Motorcyclists made up almost 40 per cent of all road users killed during September last year.

Police suspect excessive and inappropriate speed, unauthorised riding, not wearing appropriate protective riding gear and driver behaviour around sharing the road with motorcyclists were key factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.

The warning was issued after a fatal collision on the Hume Freeway near Chiltern last Thursday morning, claiming the lives of four people.

Speaking to media following the incident on Friday morning, Assistant Commissioner Weir said he was nervous going into a busy September and the impact of trauma on people using the roads.

“Like everyone I’m sick of it, and you wonder about what else you have to do or say, how many times I have to stand here and appeal to people to consider what they’re doing to limit the risk taking behaviour,” he said.

“We can talk about numbers and metrics but they’re all people, every person who was seriously injured or killed has so many people behind

them, the ripple effect of trauma is terrible.

“We [police] can’t be a sole responsibility for the outcomes on the road, we really need people using the road to self-govern, self-manage; if they don’t we’ll be there to hold them to account and if they need a ticket, they’ll get one.

“September is a fantastic time of year – it’s the start of spring, footy finals, spring racing… there’s lots to look forward to; let’s ensure it stays that way – we don’t want September to be renowned for road trauma.”

Police will come together for a landmark road safety forum on September 14 aimed at finding new ways to tackle the growing number of lives lost this year.

A statewide road policing operation will come into effect at month’s end coinciding with the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Tessa Ellen Ivone

TESSA was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, August 31 at 9:58am and weighed 3.6kg (7lb 14oz). She is the sister of Sam and Lucy Ivone and daughter of Michaela and Anthony Ivone of Whorouly.

NEMEDiA will be in attendance at the NHW midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings. Photos are also available for purchase by contacting 5752 1058.

RSL recognises locals

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE owner of a local Myrtleford eatery was recognised for her ANZAC efforts last Wednesday morning receiving a certificate of appreciation from the Myrtleford RSL.

On Anzac Day Kara Watson, owner of Ruby’s Cafe, donates all profits from the morning’s coffees to the Anzac Appeal, which supports veterans and their families.

Along with customer donations the cafe raised over $800 this year.

Some years ago she realised attendees for the dawn service were perfect customers for an early morning coffee.

“So many people were floating around in the morning looking for a coffee, so we open up and make coffees and transfer money over to the RSL,” Ms Watson said.

“We do it every year and it’s for good cause.”

Myrtleford RSL president

Bryan Meehan said he was extremely appreciative of Ms Watson’s donation and appeal collection.

“It makes such a difference to our collection, and we encourage all businesses to follow her lead,” he said.

He also thanked the RSL’s appeals officer Janet Toner, who organises the ANZAC appeal stalls around town in the lead up to ANZAC Day.

“She is the coordinator of all of this - she’s doing a fantastic job,” he said.

“It’s hands on, and feet on the ground that makes all the difference.”

Along with the cafe, Myrtleford RSL secretary John Twyford said they have also recently thanked Carboor resident Graeme Gibb for a generous donation of wood for their wood raffle, and McPherson Earthmoving for supplying crushed rock and concrete to make a base for a generator and waste bin enclosure at the RSL.

Satisfaction with council down according to survey

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Alpine Shire Council has seen an across-theboard drop in community satisfaction rates, according to their annual Community Satisfaction Survey, which shows the lowest score on overall performance in nine years.

Of the nine questions, all but one have an index score out of 100 based on either respondents indicating ‘very good’, ‘average’, ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ in the survey; or indicating ‘improved’, ‘stayed the same’ or ‘deteriorated’ .

On overall performance council dropped seven points to 52, the lowest council has ever scored on the survey, according to the report on the survey data.

On value for money council saw a nine point drop to

Shire commits to increased engagement gg

47, down from 56 last year.

Meanwhile, overall council direction received a score of 41, down from 53 last year and six points below the small rural council average of 47.

Customer service only dropped by one point and still remains high at 62.

On waste management council scored 62, down from 70 last year; while on consultation and engagement council dropped to 50 from 55 last year.

Community decisions also saw a drop of five points to 51.

Finally, council’s average score for sealed local roads is 49, a drop of 11 points last year.

On average, all small rural councils saw a drop in these metrics compared to 2022.

The survey also recorded 65 per cent of respondents having contact with the Alpine Shire Council, up from 60 percent last year.

Council noted the survey at their meeting last week, where director of customer and community Helen Havercroft said it was difficult to identify specific issues or specific demographics that may have impacted the results.

“We’re doing really well in some areas, and that is reflected in certain pockets where we’re getting really good results,” she said.

“It’s just when they’re aggregated at an overall level they get slightly diluted.”

According to council, the survey consisted of phone interviews with 400 residents selected to match the

demographic profile of the Alpine Shire according to the most recently available Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates.

Surveys were conducted from late January through to mid-March 2023.

In a statement released by council chief executive officer Will Jeremy, he said the results are disappointing, but they provide additional guidance for areas of improvement for the next year.

“The report suggests that community consultation and engagement should be a focus in 2023, as this is one of several areas that are now lower than the small rural average,” he said.

“Our first step to address this will be to launch our dedicated online engagement platform in spring

this year, which will provide community members with meaningful and accessible engagement opportunities on a wide range of council projects, topics and issues.”

Mr Jeremy said the platform is widely used by Victorian councils, with the aim of increasing participation and supporting council to make informed decisions based on the knowledge, perspectives and priorities of the community.

“Our online engagement platform will help us establish and maintain a consistent feedback loop with those who have participated, and assist us to continue making our engagement and decision making processes as accessible, accountable and transparent as possible,” he said.

Other results from the survey saw satisfaction with

sealed local roads fall compared with the previous year, however, it remains as the one measure where council is performing better than other small rural councils.

“A wet winter and spring last year has resulted in a deterioration of sealed road surfaces across the shire, and our team continues to work as quickly as possible to make repairs to our local roads,” Mr Jeremy said. Going forward, council has elected to conduct quarterly surveying in the 2023/24 year, rather than the single period of JanuaryMarch.

According to council, this aims to reduce seasonal or single issue impacts over results, and provide council with more frequent feedback and opportunities for improvement.

THANKS A LATTE: Myrtleford RSL appeals officer Janet Toner (left) and RSL president Bryan Meehan (right) thanked Ruby’s Cafe owner Kara Watson for the cafe’s donations and efforts to raise money money for the ANZAC Appeal.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

A RECORD number of young people aged 12 to 21 from across the shire were nominated for the nine award categories of the Alpine Shire Youth Awards this year, with 56 nominations submitted, according to the Alpine Shire Council,

Held at the Mount Beauty Community Centre, 130 people attended the awards night, which was organised by the Youth Awards Committee and hosted by Mount Beauty Secondary College students Baylin, Zoe and Natalie.

Alpine Shire mayor, John Forsyth, said he was thrilled to celebrate the outstanding efforts and talents of our local young achievers.

“They all have blown us away with their hard work, dedication, and brilliance - the quality of nominations truly impressed us, making it quite a challenge to select the winners,” he said.

“What makes our shire really special is the abundance of young people who excel in various fields – be it sports, arts, academics, community work, or the workplace.”

Cr Forsyth said the awards encompass a diverse range of categories, acknowledging the remarkable abilities of our youth and the areas they excel in - academics, proud and deadly, community, endurance and persistence, sport and recreation, performing arts, visual arts and media, and in the workplace.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thankyou to our local businesses and organisations for sponsoring these awards,” he said.

“Their support truly makes a difference and it’s heart-warming to

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Alpine Shire Council agreed to issue a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for a Tawonga South development at their monthly meeting last week, with questions raised over the parking spaces for the multi-use proposal.

The planning application for 228-230 Kiewa Valley Highway consists of a restaurant, a rooftop bar, seven dwellings, two shops and an office on the approximately 3126 square metre block.

Three of the dwellings will be three storeys high, four dwellings will be two

see our community rallying behind our young community members year after year.

“Let’s also not forget those who took the time to nominate these incredible young individuals; teachers, parents, employers, friends,

and family – their recognition and efforts are appreciated.”

Attendees also enjoyed the musical talents of Eliza Murrells and Josh Lindsay, as well as an inspiring speech by guest speaker James Eggleston.

green light for

storeys high, the shops will be single-storey, while the restaurant will be around 6 metres high with an office in the roof space.

The restaurant and shops will be placed at the front of the block, facing the street.

Capacity for the restaurant and bar will be relatively low, with a maximum of 39 and 18 patrons, respectively.

According to council’s planning assessment, the proposed development is the first of its kind within the local area in terms of its scale and design, however, applicable planning policy supports intensification of

development in this location.

The planning assessment also cites concerns with the size of the three-storey dwellings at the rear of the

site, near the adjacent caravan park, due to visual bulk and overlooking.

To address this, conditions placed on the application include the removal or offset-

ting of the roof top of two of the dwellings, opaque windows and other measures.

Based on the proposal, council calculated that 39 parking spaces would be needed, however, the planning permit only has 22 parking spaces, with the applicant citing a parking demand assessment that suggests much of the licensed premises will be used by in-house guests and demand between the licensed premises and the shops will not coincide.

According to council, the car parking demand assessment’s anticipated demand was reduced to 26 spaces,

resulting in a shortfall of only four spaces that can be catered for by six street car parking spaces immediately adjacent to the development.

“We talk a lot about the need for housing and this is very commensurate with some of the other blocks on the other side of the highway where the accommodation is at the back of the block and the commercial part is at the front,” Councillor Keeble said.

Five councillors voted to grant the notice of decision, while councillors Katarina Hughes and Ron Janas voted against.

TOGETHER: The Alpine Shire Youth Awards nominees in attendance at Mount Beauty last week.

TAWONGA

Mitch Adcock

How long have you lived in the area?

Almost seven years, we are a skiing family and have been coming up here for 20 years from Cedar Grove near Brisbane. Eventually deciding to move here permanently.

What do you like about living here?

The fact that is quiet, no traffic lights, not super busy, and the lifestyle.

Would you like to see any additions or changes?

Not really, I don’t want it to become like Bright, there is not a lot for teenagers to do, although it’s picking up. It’s not far to go to Albury to the cinema and other activities.

What do you do , your hobbies and interests?

I’m a barista at Honey Bird Coffee, I’m a skier, snowboarder. I dabble in visual arts and designing computer programs.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Up to Fainter Falls and Falls Creek, down to the main strip for coffee and, if the timing was right, to watch the Three Peaks Challenge.

Finn Rosser

How long have you lived in the area?

20 years.

What do you do for a living?

This is what I do right here - fish and chips.

How did you get into that?

I think I was 14, I needed a job. I came here. George and Irene were very lovely, they were the owners before they sold this place, and I just never left.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like taking photos - outfit photos. It’s very good around here because there’s trees and beautiful cherry blossoms. You’ve got all the backdrops you need, and the mountains and the snow. I design clothes as well.

What do you like about the area?

The scenery I have to say - it’s just beautiful. I love waking up and I look out, the sun’s on my face. You don’t really get that anywhere else like in Australia. It’s a little bubble we live in here – it’s beautiful, I love it.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

I’d probably go through the main street. I love op shopping, so I’ll probably take them op shopping as well. And then we’d go to a view spot. The view spots are probably the best things around here, I reckon.

Is there anything you would change about the area?

Maybe a 24 hour shop. I don’t know if there’ll be enough people up that late.

Not a 7-Eleven, but something like that. Just quick food or quick drinks. Maybe more men’s clothing shops as well. There are a lot of women’s clothing shops but no men’s really.

How long have you lived in the area?

For three years since I started year 10, and I’m going to be leaving at the end of year 12 to go to Sydney.

What are your hobbies and interests?

BRIGHT

Dominic Cooper

to a loop of one, four, two, one. No one’s been able to prove that’s the case for all numbers.

What do you like about the area?

MYRTLEFORD

I love maths and I want to get more into computer science. I love unsolved problems like the Collatz conjecture. It occupies my mind thinking about it. Basically, if you’ve got an even number, then you divide it by two. And if it’s an odd number, then you times that by three and add one. And if you keep repeating that process, eventually all numbers converge

I love the school. The school is good because it‘s a close-knit group of students that I can talk to and the teachers know all about the students.

As well, I love the overall scenery of the place - the trees, I love swimming in the lake when it’s warmer.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Probably the mosaic trail, it’s a good walk.

Is there anything you would change about the area?

A bookshop is always good, in my opinion, there’s so much knowledge in books. Do you have any ambitions for the future?

When I move up to Sydney I want to be a Sydney Harbour Bridge tour guide. So I’m going to be doing an interview in less than one week to see if I get the role.

I’ve got a lot of invention ideas and entrepreneurial ideas that I’m wanting to take off, like an automatic subway machine for Subway and a shower machine where you walk out of the shower and instead of grabbing a towel it sprays hot air on you.

Alarming number of women, children living in poverty

More needs to be done by government to assist women and children living in poverty: WHGNE M d b d g i d hild li i g i p y WHGNE

By STEVE KELLY

THE percentage of women and children living in poverty in the Alpine Shire and the North East remain at worrying rates.

According to the most recent data from the Victorian Council of Social Services, the percentage of children living in poverty in Alpine is 15.8 per cent, with Wangaratta at 16.6pc, Wodonga 16.5pc, Mansfield 15.9pc and Indigo 14.5pc.

For women the percentage living in poverty in Alpine is 11.4pc, Wangaratta 13pc, Wodonga 12.9pc, Mansfield 11.2pc and Indigo 10.9pc.

Amanda Kelly, Women’s Health Goulburn North East CEO, said the figures are alarming for our region.

“We should be concerned about the fact that women and children are among those who are most acutely impacted,” she said.

“What the figures don’t do is show us what this poverty means for people,” she said.

“Families are having to choose between paying the

rent and putting food on the table.

“Children are showing up to our local schools hungry or without the equipment they need to learn and participate and establish good foundations for good future lives.

“Women are having to choose between staying in a violent relationship or potentially experiencing homelessness because of how hard it is to afford rent in our region.

“People are being left behind, and do not have the opportunities or resources they need to participate fully in our communities - and that’s to the detriment of us all.”

Ms Kelly said government needs to do more to address poverty in our communities, “because people experiencing poverty have told us”.

“We need social support payments that reflect the true cost of living and offer people dignity and agency,” she said.

“We need rent caps and long-term, secure rental tenures that offer people who rent on the private market a degree of certainty and

Poverty rates in North East Victoria

In rural and regional Victoria, the highest rates of poverty are found in in Hume, Bendigo, Latrobe – Gippsland, Ballarat, the North West, Shepparton and Geelong.

security over their housing, and to see government prioritise the building and maintenance of public housing stock in our communities.

“We also need to close the gendered pay gap, which relies on us balancing the way care is shared, making early childhood education more affordable and accessible, and paying superannuation to people when they take parental leave to ensure women aren’t being tipped into a lifetime of poverty when they reach retirement age.”

Data breakdowns those living in poverty AROUND 11.3 per cent of the overall population in Alpine Shire are living in poverty, according to new data.

Victorian Council of Social Services statistics show that 1340 shire residents are living in poverty, below the overall state average of 13.3pc and the 13.4pc regional Victorian figure.

The data shows around 15.8 per cent of children and 11.4 per cent of women in the shire are living in poverty - as are around

Source: Census 2021

13 per cent of the over 65 population, around 2.5 per cent of residents employed full-time, more than 26 per cent of those not employed, around nine per cent of those with a mortgage and around 19 per cent of private renters.

A total of 12,779 people in the five local government areas (LGAs) of Alpine, Indigo, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Mansfield are living in poverty according to modelling that’s based on 2021 Census data collected around August 2021.

There are over 50,000 more women than men living in poverty, with women representing 55 per cent of the people over the age of 15 experiencing significant economic disadvantage. Similarly, economic disadvantage mirrors other social inequalities, with groups who are often marginalised or experience discrimination worst affected.

Census data was taken at a time the pandemic caused significant disruption to lives and livelihoods with COVID restrictions and while government assistance supported incomes until March 2021, the fallout from the pandemic was ingrained.

The high cost of living has also sustained this poverty throughout 2022 and this year with people on lower incomes affected the most by these changes.

TOUGH TIMES: The poverty rates in North East Victoria show how levels of poverty in each municpality differ between societal groups.

MARK ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP FOR RURAL HEALTH

The Alpine Health Mark Robinson Scholarship for Rural Health is now open for applications!

The Alpine Health Mark Robinson Scholarship for Rural Health is offered to residents of the Alpine Shire who are taking up studies in health-related disciplines at either undergraduate or postgraduate levels and want to return to practice in the Alpine Shire.

One scholarship to the value of $6,000 will be awarded annually on a competitive basis.

Applications close on the second Friday in October 2023

For more information and how to apply visit www.alpinehealth.org.au/aboutus/scholarships

Audiology Biomedicine

Dentistry

Health Sciences

Medical Imaging Technology

Medicine

Nuclear Medicine Technology

Nursing

Nutrition and Dietetics

Occupational Therapy

Optometry

Orthoptics

Orthotics and Prosthetics

Paramedics

Pharmacy

Physiotherapy

Podiatry

Psychology

Radiation Therapy

Social Work

Speech Pathology

A new local hotspot

Empire Dining welcomes a new team of management, employees, and a creative menu. New General Manager Tim Briggs has extensive experience in customer service and will deliver those high standards at Empire Dining.

“I have been working with our head chef David Danks to create a delicious new menu using locally sourced ingredients. We look forward to hosting you with our local team who are keen to share their knowledge and experience”.

Following its recent extensive renovation, Empire Dining can now host an array of events from small intimate gatherings to weddings and everything in between. Boasting a private dining space and an outdoor area equipped for all seasons, this hospitality venue offers limitless options. Not to mention the newly established Whiskey Bar, William Walker & Co, open from 4pm on selected days, the perfect place to unwind with your favourite tipple, be it a whiskey from Backwards Distillery or a Mayford Red Wine.

“We are passionate about presenting locals with a unique customer experience with the quality and attention to detail you can expect from fellow locals, invested in our beautiful high country. With that in mind, we have adapted our menu to incorporate options for all dietary needs and with a lean towards shared platters and meals, so that everyone gets to partake in the fun.”

For more information or to book visit. https://www.empirebright.com.au/

AL A CARTE: Duck breast with parsnip cream, cherry and dried scallop- one of Empire Dining’s signature dishes.

ALL TOGETHER: The dedicated team at Empire Dining.

Kitchen grand opening at Neighbourhood Centre

MOUNT Beauty Neighbourhood Centre is happy to announce they will be holding the ‘Kitchen Grand Opening’ on Thursday, September 21 at 2pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Following the opening they will be holding their AGM meeting at 3pm.

Everyone welcome, there is a zoom link if required.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the centre, please lodge your expression of interest by contacting the centre on (03) 5754 1166.

Great news that the kitchen will be operating again, initially for catering, homecare meals, coffee and cake on a regular basis.

There are lots of good activity on offer at the NHC including a card playing group, ukulele sessions, cheese making, food safety training course, crafts and more.

They are gearing up once again for the resilience picnic

By FAY MASON, Kiewa Valley Correspondent

Fay, who is also a regular host on Alpine Radio, can be contactedon 0410 738 266, or email faymariemason@ gmail.com

that promises to be bigger and better than ever, happening on Saturday, November 4 outside the CFA, there will be displays and demonstrations throughout the morning, come along and get some advice on your fire plan. There will be give away showbags, food, hot and cold drinks,and a very welcoming atmosphere.

If you would like to be involved please register your interest at the Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Tennis Court Ave, Mount Beauty, or call (03) 57541166.

DON’T forget the Mount Beauty and District Men’s Shed is holding

their AGM this Friday, September 8. There will be a sit down barbecue lunch at 12 noon before the meeting, cost $7, please bring correct amount. Bring a friend and introduce them to the shed, go for a tour of the building including the new additions.

A LARGE crowd attended the Mount Beauty Market last Saturday, the special feature being the Alpine FM outside broadcast celebrating the station’s 20th birthday.

Free raffle tickets were given out with three fabulous prizes on offer.

Winners were Judith Falle, Heather Botterill and Susie Bracknell.

Alpine FM, your emergency broadcaster, would like to thank all the generous businesses who donated prizes valued at over $2000.

Happy Birthday!

Shire CEO receives 3.5 per cent pay rise

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Alpine Shire Council unanimously voted to endorse a 3.5 per cent increase pay rise for Alpine Shire chief executive officer Will Jeremy at their meeting last week.

The initial recommendation before council suggested a 2.5 per cent increase to Mr Jeremy’s base salary, however councillor Tony

Keeble put forward a motion to increase the pay rise by one percentage point.

“industry increases are around 4 per cent,” Cr Keeble said.

“I think 2.5 per cent doesn’t send a good message out to the wider world about how we respect that position.”

Cr Simon Kelley said councillors had spoken highly of the chief

executive officer’s performance at their June meeting, where council noted an assessment of Mr Jeremy’s performance in his first 10 months in the role.

He also noted the recent 3.5 percent increase in council rates and current inflation rates, and said it was important to maintain a salary competitive with similar jobs.

“It’s important we’re putting

a role in the marketplace that is competitive and attractive to successors in that role,” he said.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest figures place annual inflation rates at 6 per cent.

The 2.5 per cent pay increase was recommended by the CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee, comprising an independent chair and at least three

councillors, including mayor John Forsyth.

This committee is established by council’s CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy and is also responsible for performance monitoring of the chief executive officer, including the annual review that council noted in June.

The pay increase takes effect from July 1 2023.

Tuna

Pasta

Pasta sauce

Tomato sauce

WE’RE LISTENING: (Left) Alpine FM secretary Helen McDougall conducting a survey with Helen L’ Huillier at the Mount Beauty Market at the weekend as part of the station’s 20th anniversary.

Shots fired: parliamentary inquiry recommends duck hunting ends

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry released last week is calling for a complete ban on recreational duck and quail shooting in Victoria from next year.

The Select Committee inquiry into Victoria’s native bird hunting arrangements handed down its final report in the Victorian Parliament on Thursday, with the first recommendation calling for the ban on shooting on private and public land from 2024.

It comes after a sixmonth inquiry process with more than 10,000 submissions received – the largest ever in Victorian parliament history.

The committee also conducted public hearings across Melbourne and regional Victoria, as well as attending the opening morning of this year’s recreational duck shooting season.

The Select Committee has backed in its support for greater access to outdoor recreation, recommending that State Game Reserves be transformed into Outdoor Recreation Reserves, with updated infrastructure to support activities like boating and camping.

Other recommendations also include a ban on lead ammunition for all forms of hunting in Victoria, and greater protections for Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

Have your say

What do you think?

Should the Victorian Government adopt the inquiry recommendation to ban duck and quail hunting?

Email your opinion/ letter to the editor to edit. timesobserver@nemedia. com.au, including your name, address and contact number.

Duck hunting report ‘sham’, says local MP

WANGARATTA-based Nationals’ MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has slammed the findings of the Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements.

He accused Labor, the Greens and Animal Justice Party MPs on the inquiry of voting “based on their hard-left environmental ideology and not on the facts” in recommending the end of duck hunting.

“Labor has abandoned regional Victorians in favour of the hard-left environmentalist factions that make up their inner-city voter base,” Mr McCurdy said.

Recreational duck and quail shooting was outlawed in Western Australia in 1990, New South Wales in 1995 and Queensland in 2005.

The campaign in Victoria has been running for almost 40 years, and these recommendations bring the state closer than ever before to doing the same.

Northern Victoria Region upper house Animal Justice Party MP and Select Committee member, Georgie Purcell, wants the Victorian Government to immediately act on all of the recommendations before any arrangements are made for a 2024 season.

First impressions matter.

“When I was elected as an Animal Justice Party MP in Victoria, I made a commitment that I would do all I can to end duck shooting,” she said.

“It has been my priority and today, we are now closer than ever before.

“Victorians love our wildlife - they don’t want to see native animals shot for a thrill kill.

“The recommendations by the Select Committee are commonsense and in line with long-held community sentiment.”

Ms Purcell said it has been made abundantly clear through a parliamentary inquiry that no matter

how well resourced the Game Management Authority is, monitoring duck shooter compliance is near impossible due to the enormous number of places that shooting can take place. She said evidence from hunters, rescuers, animal welfare groups and shooting organisations all acknowledged that duck shooting without wounding was simply not possible, and the committee has determined this an unacceptable animal welfare outcome that can only be addressed with a ban.

But Eastern Victoria Region MP Jeff Bourman

described the main recommendation to ban the sport as “farcical”.

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP said a ban is “in complete contradiction to the credible evidence presented to the committee”.

“In fact, the report should really start, ‘once upon a time’, it’s so far removed from what we heard.

“It’s proof that the whole process was a sham, that the outcome was predetermined and that a lot of people have wasted time and resources for nothing.”

“They have sold themselves out to the radical anti-farmer policies of the Greens and the Animal Justice Party, all because they are terrified of losing votes in the inner-city to the Greens.

“We know the duck hunting is an activity which is undertaken by trained and licenced hunters, who conduct themselves in a responsible manner.

“We also know that it has economic and land conservation benefits, which is why we need to ensure we are sustaining our wetlands.

“Our (Opposition) minority report recommends the continuation of bird harvesting in Victoria in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.

“It is clear that the only purpose of this committee was to tell the Labor Government want it wanted to hear, not engage in building genuine outcomes for the regions.”

END OF DAYS: Hunters from across Victoria may have already shot their last duck hunting season with a parliamentary inquiry recommending that the practice end in 2024.

PHOTO: Game Management Authority

Residents say a tiny house opens up big opportunities &

Accountants

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

Clinical Massage

MYOTHERAPY, MUSCLE HEALTH & FITNESS

Dennis Kersting Dip. RM CM. Myrtleford - 18 Rayner Street

Phone: 0427 440 744

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

DICK & WILLIAMS

Solicitors & Attorneys Vic & NSW

Myrtleford, 5B Clyde Street.

Phone: 5752 2363.

Email: email@dwlawalbury.com.au

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

Promote your service here!

Phone Jenny on 57313305 or email jking@nemedia.com.au

By BRODIE EVERIST

MANY homeowners dream big, but Mongans Bridge residents David Menhennett and Lizzie Villestas are going small.

The pair are living in a tiny house - eight metres long, just under 2.5 metres wide and 4.3 metres high - at Mongans Bridge Caravan Park, and they’re loving it.

When the pair moved back to Australia in 2021, Mr Menhennett said they put all their savings into buying a tiny house.

“Every weekend we’d do road trips around Victoria looking for places that we thought might be good to park the tiny house and that’s when we discovered Mount Beauty, and a little bit later on that’s when we discovered the Mongans Bridge Caravan Park,” Mr Menhennett said.

When they arrived at the caravan park, he said the park was closing to upgrade their amenities block, so the pair organised to stay there for three months at a reduced rate.

Mr Menhennett estimated their tiny house cost between $110-120,000, including solar panels and materials for a veranda.

Much of the building they did themselves too.

“The simple accomplishment of building your own shelter and structure is a fantastic thing for human beings to have a go at,” Mr Menhennett said.

“The only time we sought help from professionals was for the electrics, the plumbing, and then we had a professional contractor come in and help us with things like getting everything squared up with the framework, putting the roof on and putting the skylights in.

“It did save us a lot of money by doing everything ourselves.”

Wife Lizzie Villestas said they were used to small spaces after living in Hong Kong.

“For me, this is a luxury al-

ready because I have my own bath, which is something I can’t have in Hong Kong,” she said.

“Living here with a lot of space, it’s actually really wonderful.”

Despite being a tiny house, Mr Menhennett said the study/ storage loft isn’t even used much.

“Lizzie does her pilates up there - that’s about it,” he said.

Snow forecast brings optimism up the mountain

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

DESPITE a lack of heavy snowfall on the Alpine Resorts, visitors and businesses alike are looking to the positives.

Mount Hotham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Belli said the natural snow falls have been less than ideal this season.

“However, with the snowmaking and snow management that the resort has had in play we have performed some minor miracles in terms of snow experience for people in 2023,” he said.

“In general some consumer spend has been down and businesses that rely solely on natural snow have had an ordinary season.

“Day tripper numbers are up and the resort has had some record breaking visitation in July.

“Some other businesses that have catered for the lodge and school markets have had a very healthy winter.”

Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president Lisa Logan said businesses have been “hanging in there”.

“The season isn’t finishing as a great one but there is some more snow forecast so there’s still hope,” she said.

“For the past 10 years on average we’ve had a great September but that’s not to say

A HAPPY HOME: David Menhennett and Lizzie Villestas are having a great time living in a tiny home at Mongans Bridge.

PHOTO: Fay Mason

CFA twins rise up the ranks

IT all started at CFA’s Mooroolbark Fire Station back in 2007, where Mark Drennan walked through the doors for the first time as a firefighter, followed closely by brother Brad in 2008.

It was seeing their dad’s yellow overalls at the end of the bed every day in their early years that motivated Mark and Brad to first get involved in CFA.

“As a young kid, it was inspiring being around our father’s involvement in Yarra Junction CFA,” Mark said.

“I encourage all families if you can get into CFA, or if your loved ones are already in, to be part of it with them, join the journey with them.”

The brothers continued to match each other’s strides, both being elected as captain at their respective brigades this year, with Mark at Mooroolbark on the eastern edge of Melbourne and Brad in Bright.

“We are identical twins, al-

though we don’t look like it now, but growing up we were very similar,” Mark said.

“People see Drennan on the back of the helmet and are always getting us confused.

“We find it funny when people yell out and we both answer.

“Even though Brad’s moved to Bright, still to this day people will call me his name on the fireground.

“We’ve had a bit of fun over the years, seeing who can get the hose off the truck first, who can put the breathing apparatus gear on the quickest – I win most times.”

Friendly banter aside, both brothers particularly enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves while also adding value to their everyday work – Mark being an engineering surveyor and Brad working for Alpine Shire in emergency management and occupational health and safety.

Upgrades at Barwidgee Lodge completed

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

MAJOR construction works to aged care facilities in Myrtleford are complete and Mount Beauty works are now underway.

The works in Barwidgee Lodge, Myrtleford are now complete with the construction of four private ensuite bathrooms in B wing and Kiewa Valley house has commenced construction of new

private ensuite bathrooms in X wing.

Alpine Health chief executive officer Nick Shaw said Alpine Health received $600,000 from a Commonwealth Multi-Purpose Minor Capital Grant in February 2022, to improve the quality of aged care services through the removal of shared bathrooms in our aged care facilities at Barwidgee Lodge in Myrtleford and

Kiewa Valley House in Mount Beauty.

“The project will have a major impact on improving the resident care experience and we’d like to thank the Commonwealth for helping us make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our residents,” he said.

“The Kiewa Valley House bathroom renovations are expected to take approximately

The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less that three (3) or more than nine (9) persons as the Committee of the Bright Courthouse Inc for a term of three (3) years. All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night.

Nominations from all genders, people of all age groups, people of all abilities and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged. “Our aim is to help build our community arts hub and the preservation of a historic building” Further information, may be obtained by contacting our secretary@brightcourthouse.com.au

three to four months.

“Strategies are in place to ensure minimal disruption to residents however there may be some dust around and we recommend that people who are immune compromised wear P2/N95 masks when approaching and leaving the Mount Beauty site.

“The outdoor construction area will be fenced off for health and safety purposes.”

“We can be quite competitive from a personal point of view, but when the pager goes off, we are very professional and straight down the line, we know our tasks and we feed off each other well in the field.” Brad said.

“Coming from the Alpine Shire up in North East Victoria, we’re a very tight community and we’re very bushfire prone, so that planning and preparedness and community resilience for me is why I like to serve my community.

“I think for us both, it’s all about having a strong family connection. We bounce off each other a lot, help each other through training courses and are supportive after incidents as well.”

The twins look forward to taking on their next exciting challenge as captains of their brigades and will utilise their long CFA history and knowledge to further protect and serve their local community.

WORKS COMPLETE: New private ensuite bathrooms at Barwidgee Lodge.

TWIN CAPTAINS: Firefighters Brad and Mark Drennan are both captains of their local fire brigades - Brad in Bright and Mark in Mooroolbark.

ACROSS

1 Viticulture is the cultivation of what fruit (6)

8 Name a renowned harness racer, ... Adios (8)

9 Name one of the seven dwarfs (6)

10 In which US State is Chicago (8)

11 Which term describes an acquired male offspring (6)

12 Which peninsula lies in Arnhem Land (4)

13 What is a knotty protuberance on a tree (5)

16 What are cormorants also known as (5)

19 To be in a state of wonder and amazement, is to be what (4)

21 Which term describes that which is ingenious (6)

22 To be free from commotion or tumult, is to be what (8)

23 Name a particular woodwind instrument player (6)

24 What are tabular surfaces of high elevation (8)

25 Name the units of inductance (6)

DOWN

2 What was the former name of Myanmar’s capital city (7)

3 What do we call one who forces wool into bales, etc (7)

4 Sidney Reilly earned a living doing what (6)

5 Name animals of the cat family (7)

6 What is a cylindrical rocket-launcher (7)

7 Name a particular temperature scale (7)

13 Who were the secret state police of Nazi Germany (7)

14 What is a calendar of the days of the year (7)

15 Name a resinous varnish (7)

E-QUATIONS

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD QUICK

SUDOKU

17 Which barbed, spearlike missile is used in catching whales (7)

18 To speak or act against, is to do what (7)

20 Which piece of leather runs round the lower part of a shoe’s uppers (6)

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

WHICH WORDS

BIYWORD

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:

City (coll): The Big ... (5)

Hobo (5)

Inquire inquisitively (3)

One of the beat generation (7)

People who edit (7)

Tall and lean (5)

Thermal energy storage

To-do list

Try out

Untruth

THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

SOLUTIONS

Milawa Gourmet Region opportunity

GARRY NASH & CO REAL ESTATE have been favoured with instructions to offer for sale ‘Milawa Muscat Retreat’, which has been developed, owned and operated by highly regarded chef and hospitality partnership, Peter & Denise Hoppach.

Peter and Denice’s vision came to fruition in 2009 when they decided to complement their existing three-bedroom residence with units plus a commercial kitchen on their 8086m2(two acres) rural allotment.

closed walkway or rear patio, all generously appointed units have separate bathrooms and toilets, reverse cycle heating and cool-looking vineyards, grazing country and views to Mt Cobbler and beyond.

Strategically located in the Milawa Gourmet Region, guest are well positioned to thoroughly enjoy the many world class food and wine options nearby including Brown Brothers Winery, Milawa Cheese Company, Milawa Bread and The Olive Shop Milawa.

The accommodation provisions are ideal for groups of 12 who can enjoy the ‘on-property’ hospitality.

Alternatively, the tourist destinations of Beechworth, Bright and the King Valley are only short drives away.

The property and improvements are being offered for sale on a walk-in, walkout basis and represent an exceptional opportunity for buyers whom may wish to expand this established operation.

A full Information Memorandum is available upon request.

Riverside family home in Cambridge Estate

IN THE heart of the esteemed Cambridge Estate, this exceptionally wellmaintained quality home offers the epitome of comfortable, private family living. array of desirable features, this residence is sure to captivate those in search of their dream home.

With its spacious layout, this fourbedroom gem provides ample room for every family member to thrive.

The master bedroom comes complete with a full ensuite, ensuring privacy and convenience.

Additionally, a separate formal lounge room offers a tranquil retreat, perfect for parents seeking solace.

An all-weather alfresco entertaining area provides the ideal backdrop for gatherings, showcasing the unique parkland

Whether it’s a barbecue with friends or a peaceful evening spent admiring nature’s beauty, this outdoor oasis is des-

tined to become a cherished haven for relaxation and enjoyment.

Situated on a generous 1,007m2 (approx.) allotment, this home offers the utmost in privacy.

Ideally located within the popular Cambridge Estate, you will enjoy a sense of community, whilst maintaining you own privacy and tranquillity in this unique and sought after location.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

659m2 approx. allotment, offering plenty of room for future possibilities • Spacious & secure yard with dual access

Spacious in Cambridge

24 Swinburne Drive

• 3 bed, 2 bath & 2 living spaces, room for the whole family situated on a 504m2 allotment

• Master boasting ensuite & generous WIR

• Well appointed kitchen with plenty of bench space, dishwasher & great storage

• Open plan living & dining flowing seamlessly through to the spacious courtyard & yard

• Light filled formal living at front of the home

• 2 split systems & wall heaters, double garage with external access, high colourbond fence

3 2 2

FOR SALE $630,000

COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT

Best of Both Worlds

44 Cambridge Drive

• Residential living with the Ovens River only a short walk from your back gate.

• Exceptionally well maintained quality home providing a functional family floor plan

• Spacious 4 beds with full ensuite to master

• Formal lounge room or parents’ retreat

• Entertainers’ kitchen, quality appliances & open plan living set on 1,007m2 approx.

• All year alfresco entertaining enjoying unique parkland views & amazing river red gums

• Ducted gas heating, evaporative cooling, double garage plus additional storage FOR SALE $894,000 4 2 2

Desirable Classic Home

15 Swan Street

• ‘Bellerive’ - where history and charm meets modern elegance and amenities

• Double brick home renovated in 2018

• Elegant kitchen, European Oak timber floorboards, 2pac cabinetry, over bench touch lighting, soft close drawers

• Upgrades inc. plumbing, wiring, windows new carpet laid over original Murray Pine

• French doors out to an undercover alfresco

• Oversized shed with a wood fire, cedar work benches, power, lighting, and double door

3 1 2

FOR SALE $1,060,000

Allure Luxe

5 Murphy Street, Wangaratta

• Thriving beauty business positioned well along the main street of Wangaratta’s CBD offering plenty of foot traffic and visibility.

• Full training w brand partners after handover

• 5 days per week trading with 2 late nights

• Take control of the business at well below set up cost. Wholesale side, selling its own line of products to its strong database of clients and customers.

• Opportunity to add services and specialties

FOR SALE $100,000 + SAV

No GST, Going Concern

Invest or Occupy

104A Murdoch Rd, Wangaratta

• Located between popular Clydes on Murdoch and Oak FM

• Current 3 year lease expires 8th June 2024

• Tenant negotiable with the 3 x 3 Options (for owner occupiers)

• Net rental income of approx. $14,780 per annum + GST

• High exposure location close to Cathedral College & Our Lady’s schools

• 50% regional stamp duty concession avail.

FOR SALE $269,000

No GST Going Concern

Milawa Muscat Retreat

1422 Snow Road, Milawa

• Providing luxury accommodation in the Milawa Gourmet Region since 2009

• Peaceful, rural setting between Milawa and Oxley townships overlooking Victorian Alps

• Five generous accommodation suites – one being accessibility compliant

• Large commercial kitchen, laundry and separate toilet (ideal for functions)

• Small vineyard and established gardens

• 36 solar panels, plenty of water via tanks & well

BUSINESS & FREEHOLD FOR SALE $1,325,000 WIWO

No GST Going Concern

Wangaratta

763m23 22

Renovated with a great Shed

For Sale $495,000-$515,000

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193554

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Paul Reid

M 0417 537 520

Harcourts Wangaratta

Wangaratta

762m24 22

Central, Quiet & Space

For Sale $595,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L22184166

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Danial Siperki

M 0400 027 473

Harcourts Wangaratta

Moyhu 5 Market Street

3300m23 21

Shedding Supreme. Renovated home and genuine yard For Sale $765,000-$840,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19190720

Wangaratta 5 Filandra Street

813m23 22

Quality Built

For Sale $890,000-$949,000

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L23810217

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Danial Siperki

M 0400 027 473

Harcourts Wangaratta

4.9Ac3 22

Family Living In Oxley

For Sale $985,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L21808529

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Paul Reid

M 0417 537 520

Harcourts Wangaratta

Londrigan

73Ac 6

“Nawarrah Park” Rural Opportunity on 73Ac

For Sale $1,100,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L22638826

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Hugh Amery M 0487 777 311

Harcourts Wangaratta

Waldara 15 Fairway Drive 967m24 32

Wangaratta

1442m24 22

Location, Quality Build and Presentation at the top end For Sale $1,165,000-$1,280,000

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193618

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Joe McKenzie M 0423 655 179

Harcourts Wangaratta

Wangaratta 24 Vernon Terrace 1345m24 22

throughout For Sale

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/ L19190413

Joe McKenzie M 0423 655 179 Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Wangaratta 42-48 Osboldstone Road 6070m2

For Sale

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/ L22947041

Hugh Amery M 0487 777 311 Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

414 Fifteen Mile Creek Road 207Ac5 22

dishwasher held area For Sale

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/ L19192248

Hugh Amery M 0487 777 311

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

GENESIS GV80 30D AWD

By CHRIS RILEY

LAUNCHED here in 2020, GV80 is Genesis’ first and largest SUV in a lineup that now boasts three of them.

At just under five metres in length and with a kerb weight of about 2300kg, it’s a large, impressive-looking vehicle.

The styling is tasteful, chiselled and eye-catching, highlighted by an imposing, almost heraldic, crest-shaped grille that is flanked by quad, twin-bar LED headlights -motifs that are repeated at the rear of the car.

Competitors include Lexus, Volvo and of course the German contingent.

STYLING

In the context of recent offerings from Kia and Hyundai, the styling of GV80 is fairly conservative and starting to age already.

Despite being the range topper, there’s no electrified version of this wagon either -- not yet anyway.

GV80 is offered in four flavours, with a choice of three powertrains, rear- or allwheel drive, five, six or seven seats, as well as an optional Luxury Pack.

It’s priced from $92,200 for the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive 2.5T.

The same model with allwheel drive costs $5000 more.

Next comes the diesel 3.0D AWD, priced from $105,200 followed by topof-the-line twin turbo petrol 3.5T AWD at $109,700 -- all prices are before on-road costs.

Our test vehicle, the 3.0D AWD, was spec’d up with the 6-seat Lux pack, bringing the total price to $118,700.

GV80 was the subject of

some minor modifications towards the end of last year, including the switch to a raised, easier to use infotainment control dial.

Augmented reality draws on a front camera to add real views of the road ahead to the navigation when you’re following a route.

Believe it or not, the Luxury Pack takes things a step further, with Nappa leather, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, three-zone climate, remote control parking, soft close doors, plus an 18-way power adjustable driver’s seat with ‘Ergo Motion’ massage function, along with heating and ventilation for second row passengers.

GV80 is covered by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and extensive after sales program.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The BMW-esque 3.0-litre, all-aluminium ‘straight’ six diesel produces 204kW of power at 3800 rpm and 588Nm of torque from 15003000 rpm.

It’s exclusive to the Genesis range and we’re informed will not be used in any other Kia or Hyundai -- but never say never.

It’s paired with an eightspeed traditional auto, with paddle shifts for finer control.

SAFETY

Five-star safety comprises 10 airbags, including a front centre side airbag, and an extensive Genesis Active Safety Control suite of technologies.

These include a multifunction Forward CollisionAvoidance Assist (FCA) system, Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist

(BCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go and Machine Learning functions, and a Surround View Monitor (SVM) with 3D function.

DRIVING

The cabin is light, bright and airy, and a comfortable environment to spend an extended period.

The vibe is a cross between Lexus and Volvo, with a deep, wide sweeping dash that provides the platform for the large, low-profile touchscreen.

It’s underpinned by an unusually long, thin air vent that extends across the dash from one side of the car to the other.

The broad centre console has been de-cluttered, with a tempered glass rotary knob replacing the usual transmission lever.

Another circular control supplements the touchscreen, along with handwriting recognition.

The 18-way power-adjustable leather front seats are wide and comfortable, with heating, cooling and massage available.

The second row in our test vehicle was split into two individual seats, separated by a console, with third row seats that are best suited to occasional use.

The second row can be flipped or raised at the touch of a button.

The part-time all-wheel drive system distributes torque to all four wheels as required and it also comes with an electro-mechanical limited slip rear diff

Our test vehicle sat on 22-inch wheels with chunky 265/40 series Michelin rubber.

The well-insulated diesel provides quiet, effortless lin-

ear performance, with maximum torque available over a wide band, from 1500 to 3000 revs.

The eight-speed auto is smooth and refined, with only the occasional glitch.

There are four drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Custom -- along with fairly superfluous multi-terrain settings (I mean, who in their right mind is going to take one of these things to Fraser Island).

Punch the accelerator and the GV80 gets moving, more quickly than it actually feels, with effortless roll-on acceleration.

Widely spaced wheels and big meaty tyres, reduce body roll and supply plenty of grip in corners.

The Electronically Controlled Suspension with Road Preview actively adjusts the GV80’s performance characteristics to deliver the smoothest possible drive.

Using a front camera to detect potential potholes or speed bumps, the system adapts damping to accommodate obstacles and reduce wheel impact from aftershocks.

In the latest update, it has been refined to provide an even more refined and comfortable experience.

The diesel model can tow a 2722kg braked load, with a maximum tow ball weight of 182kg.

Fuel consumption from the 80-litre tank is a claimed 8.8L/100km.

Surprisingly, we managed to better this figure, with 8.2L/100km showing after some 612km of mixed driving.

A tyre repair kit is supplied in case you have a flat, with a pressurised cylinder of goo to get you going again.

AT A GLANCE

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your Genesis dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Genesis GV80 3.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon)

RATINGS:

Looks: 8.0/10; Performance: 8.0/10; Safety: 8.5/10; Thirst: 7.5/10; Practicality: 7.5/10; Comfort: 8.0/10; Tech: 8.5/10; Value: 8.0/10; Overall: 8.0/10

SUMMING UP

It’s not electric, but it will do for now.

You get plenty of bang for your buck with the GV80 including a comprehensive after sales perks program.

Genesis offers guaranteed buy-back too.

ENGINE:

Capacity: 3.0 litres

Configuration: 3.0-litre turbo diesel, in-line 6-cylinder, 24 Valve, Double Overhead Camshaft, Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) single turbocharger, with water-to-air intercooler

Maximum Power: 204 kW @ 3800 rpm

Maximum Torque: 588 Nm @ 1500-3000 rpm

Fuel Type: Diesel Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.8 L/100km

CO2 Emissions: 232 g/km

DRIVELINE:

8-speed automatic, with Active on-demand electronically controlled all-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 4945 mm

Wheelbase: 2955 mm

Width: 1975 mm

Height: 1715 mm

Turning Circle: 11.98 metres

Kerb Mass: 2277 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres

STANDARD WARRANTY:

Five years / Unlimited kilometres

EYE CATCHER: GV80 . . . better value than competitors.

TOMS ROAD DEVIATION AND LAND EXCHANGE

On 5 April 2022, Council considered a report (Initial Report) and passed a resolution (Initial Resolution) in respect of its intention to deviate consider that the Initial Resolution (on 5 April 2022) did not accurately refer to the correct statutory powers under the Local Government Act 1989 (LGA 1989) to effect a road deviation, being clause 2 of Schedule 10 to the LGA 1989. During the scoping phase of formed road was not located entirely in the road reserve and that private infrastructure had been constructed on the road reserve following previous Council approval. Survey work has been undertaken to establish title boundaries and determine land areas impacted and subject to the road discontinuance and land exchange. Following the reaching of in-principle support from adjoining landowners and Council, on Tuesday, 29 August, Councilors moved to correct the resolution from the 5 April 2022 and approve the revised recommendations as outlined:

Noted that it has entered into an agreement with the adjoining landowners to carry out Road Deviation, Sub-division, and Land Exchange on two section of Toms Road, Tawonga referred as North Road and South Road. Passed a resolution to commence the statutory procedures to carry out the proposed Road Deviation and Land Exchanges on two sections of Toms Road, Tawonga referred to North and South Road.

give public notice of the proposed Road Deviation and Land Exchanges. Consider any public submissions received in respect of the proposed road deviation and land exchange and receive decision on whether to proceed with the proposed road deviation and land exchange.

To view the full proposal, please head to https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/council/ community-consultation/exhibition.

If you would like to provide feedback on the proposed road deviation and land exchange, please submit it in writing to submissions@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.

Public exhibition will close on Tuesday, 3 October 2023.

INFORMAL COMMUNITY CHAT

Council is offering an opportunity for community groups and members of the public to come along, ask questions and have a short discussion on any issues of interest with a small panel of Councillors and Council staff.

When: Tuesday, 19 September

Time: 5.30pm until 6.30pm

Where: Avenue, Bright Places are limited to 10 people. Please book online at www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au

ONE-ON-ONE CHAT WITH THE MAYOR & CEO

Council is offering an opportunity for individuals to have a one-on-one chat with Mayor, Cr John Forsyth, and CEO, Will Jeremy. This is a chance to ask questions and have a short discussion on any issues of interest.

When: Friday, 22 September

Time: 9.00am until 10.00am

Where: Buffalo Meeting Room, Myrtleford Library, 20 O’Donnell Ave, Myrtleford Places are limited to four 15-minute timeslots. Please book online at www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Land Act 1958.

Notice of intention to grant licence for the purpose of grazing/riparian management.

Notice is hereby given that it is the intention of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to grant a licence under Section 130 of the Land Act 1958 to:

FREE RANGE HENS

ISA Brown Pullets, POL $28ea. Pick upWang to Bright Becky & Hugh (03) 5798 1868 freerangehens.com.au

FIREWOOD

Mixed wood, bulk loads only. Telephone North East Firewood

Gapsted Recreation Reserve Committee annual meeting will be held at the Gapsted Hall, Monday, September 11, 2023, at 8pm. All welcome. T.Cousins - Secretary.

Ultimate Man Cave

Garage Sale

September 9 & 10, 5 Mystic Lane, Bright, 8am-3.30pm.

Tools, ladders, barrows, nuts, bolts, bicycles and more. Everything must go!

CARAVANS & CAMPERS

KOKODA Endure II

Platinum, semi off-road, 18ft 6in. $50,000. Phone Brian 0427 595 561.

HOLDEN Cruze

SRi-V, (1OK9GX), great first car, 1.6L turbo, auto. Top of the range including heated seats, Bluetooth, Sat.nav, 6 air ags. Registered to Nov. 2023. RW certificate. $10,600. Couple minor scrapes on passenge r side. Contact Brad 0488 095 109.

SOLD

2014 Mazda CX5 Maxx Sport, AWD, 2.2l TurboDiesel, 6 sp Auto, Reg Dec 2023 (1DT2XG), ODO 122,400, towbar, RWC supplied, $20,500 ONO. Ph 0447 381 481.

2020 Toyota Hilux (1SO2UL), 2.8L ute, diesel, 28,000km. $62,000. Phone Brian 0427 595 561.

NISSAN Navara, dual cab ute, JN1CNUD22A0026712, suit wrecking, 2 engines, 2 radiators, bull bar with electric winch, tow bar, good axles and gear box, $500. Ph (03) 5764 4332.

DEATH NOTICES

SHIRLEY, Pauline. “Paula”

21/3/1929 – 20/8/2023

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Aged 94 years.

Dearly loved wife of Annesley (dec). Loved mother of Andy (dec), Maureen-Ann (dec), Jacki, Nick and their families. Rest in peace.

TSITIMBINIS (née Chettle), Lucy Ellie. Passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023.

Loving wife of Kevin Nicholas “Nick” Tsitimbinis (dec). Adored mother of Mareeta, Ruth and Nicole.

Mother-in-law to Dom and Kevin.

FUNERALS

SHIRLEY

The Graveside service for the late Pauline Shirley will be held at the Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery, Myrtleford Yackandandah Rd, Barwidgee at 12pm on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Adored grandmother to Alicia, Jenna and Kristy and great-grandmother to Sienna, Chayse, Archie and Saige. TSITIMBINIS

A funeral service to honour the St Paul’s Anglican Church,

A rivalry without borders

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

THE La Fiera soccer rivalry reached new limits in East Timor recently, with locals battling it out on the pitch with donated playing kits from Myrtleford and Wangaratta City clubs.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Dilor locals were greeted by Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta members who surprised the soccer hungry community with the Myrtleford blue and Wangaratta red and black kits and several brand new footballs.

Teams were quickly formed as locals gathered at the Dilor pitch with boots optional, not nets and a goat track situated traditionally where the edge of the penalty area would be on a pitch.

Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta member liaising in East Timor, Heather Graham, said the jerseys brought great excitement to the community.

“The teams were diverse in age and size so some jerseys were a bit large on the players, but that just added to the fun,” she said.

“There was a very amicable division into teams; as Karen is from Myrtleford and I’m Wangaratta, our loyalties were easily decided.

“The Timorese are soccer mad, and the jerseys enhance that, ensuring they know who is on each team.

“The match brought the neighbours out onto the street, sitting in the late afternoon to watch and

chat as the match went on into dusk.”

According to scorekeepers the match ended in a 7-5 ‘Myrtleford’ win, as Ms Graham said the locals are planning on making the friendly rivalry match a regular occurrence on Friday nights.

“For the Lacluta people, the generosity of the two Australian clubs reinforces a sense that Australians and Timorese are friends who share,” she said.

While the Dilor girls don’t take part in the local competition, they also enjoyed the perks of the new footballs on pitch.

FOL often receive donations from the Myrtleford club on their visits to the Timor Leste villages since its inception in 2008, but due to a demand of different coloured kits and aware of the rivalry between the two clubs, Wangaratta City have been donating kits in recent years as well.

Acting president of the Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club, Danielle Caponecchia, said she was

thrilled when she came across the photos of the Dilor locals donning the kits last week.

“Honestly it’s the best thing, when you see the pictures some kids have got boots, some kids are in bare feet, and it’s just awesome to get some stuff over there,” she said “We’ve always been donating kits to them but I think it got to the point where they were looking for different colours and smaller kits.

“Those photos were awesome, I love the fact there was a goat trail in the middle of the pitch.

“I think seeing those sorts of things makes you appreciate what you actually have back home and also the fact that these kids are so resilient and they just want to play, and they don’t care what they play in.”

Wangaratta City FC president Kristy Mellor was met with a similar excitement when she saw the positive impact the club’s donations were having on the community.

“The pictures were amazing, we haven’t got the best pitches at the minute ourselves but they certainly don’t have a goat track down the middle of them,” she said.

“We’re very keen on promoting football in disadvantaged areas, they want to be able to play and if we can help out in some way then that’s fantastic.”

Ms Capponechia said she endorsed other clubs to donate and help make a difference for those in need as the Myrtleford club explored other ways to donate more resources with the FOL group.

“It’s ok to donate everything, but you also need people to send them over with all of those precautions in place as well,” she said.

“You have to be really careful if you’re sending boots and they’ve got mud and dirt on them.

“We’ve got a boot bin and we’d love to send some over but it’s a matter of who’s going to wash them so it’s all within the legalities.”

NATURAL HAZARD: Players in the Wangaratta City and Myrtleford kits navigate their way around the goat track situate at one end of their pitch.

QUICK FEET: While the local girls don’t take part in the main Dilor football competition, they still found a way to work on their skills at one of the local pitches.

SLICK VOLLEY: One of the rare players in boots for Wangaratta City about to score on the Dilor pitch.

UNITED AS ONE: Dilor players kitted out in their newly donated Myrtleford and Wangaratta City playing kits in their local Timor Leste competition.

Porepunkah take C Grade baseball pennant

THE C Grade Grand Final of the NEBA 2023 season was an action, heart pounding affair from the very start of the match.

After the lead off batter for Wodonga was walked, he stole 2nd base, with the ball being thrown into centerfield, but Jarrod McCormack fielded and threw to Cade Nightingale at 3rd base for the tag to be made.

Starting pitcher, Liam Quinton then struck out the 3rd batter, and a short innings was looking imminent.

However, three fielding errors, a safe hit, three walks and a similar number of hit batters saw Wodonga rally to have six runs on the board.

Ollie Chambers was brought to the pitching mound, and his 1st batter hit to Cade who threw him out at 1st base.

Porepunkah then set about their response.

Jarrod was walked, Ollie was hit by a pitch, while Makiah McCallum had stolen two bases and scored the 1st run on a passed ball.

The power batter, Lachie Rosser belted a monster double to centerfield to score another run.

Liam’s infield hit was errored and scored Lachie.

Cade sent his 1st strike over the left fielder for another double.

Not to be outdone, Luca Bathelmez singled his 1st pitch into rightfield for two more runs.

Ethan Edwards’ little infield hit scored the 6th runner to tie up the game.

Porepunkah was unlucky not to score another run, but Ethan was called out at-

tempting to steal home.

In their 2nd innings, Wodonga began with two outfield singles, but a smart peg off by Ollie to Makiah saw the tag applied at 1st base.

A wild pitch saw Wodonga add another run, before Ollie struck out two batters.

Porepunkah sent seven batters to the plate in their 2nd innings.

Ollie was again hit by a pitch, and scored on Lachie’s infield hit.

With two out, and scores level, Cade singled to leftfield, to be followed by a similar hit by Luca, to have both runners in scoring positions.

Ethan dispatched the 1st pitch he saw to deep shortstop, and put Punkah ahead by one run.

In the 3rd innings Wodon-

ga had six batters, three getting safe hits to score 2 runs.

Luca, in rightfield, took a good catch, Makiah fielded a ground ball and Cade again made an accurate throw across the diamond to Makiah to close the innings.

Wodonga introduced a new pitcher, who quickly struck out the first two batters.

However, walks to Ollie and Lachie saw runners again on the base paths, with Ollie scoring on a wild pitch, to bring the teams level again at the end of the regulation timed game, necessitating an extra innings to be played.

Ollie fielded a comeback hit to retire the first batter of the 4th innings.

Makiah caught a line drive hit to her-her 6th out for the

5752 1058

match, but then a hit batter and a fielding error saw two runners on base with the lead batter up to the plate.

Ollie threw just five strikes - three being foulballs, before striking him out, and keeping the scoreline at nine all.

Cade led off this last innings with a walk, and a wild pitch put him at 2nd base.

Luca again connected with the 1st strike he saw, this time up the centre to the outfield to bring in Cade for the winning run.

A great team effort by all players.

Coach James Rogers paid tribute to all the members of the team for their achievement of losing only one game for the year. Also to be thanked were the parents, supporters and senior players who were in attend-

ance for this game, but also throughout the season and were an important part of this young group’s efforts.

Man of the Match Award went to Luca Bathelmezthree outfield hits - one to each field, batted in three runners, scored once himself and fielded well in rightfield.

Close behind was Cade Nightingale with a double, a single and a walk, all being converted into three runs and involved in three outs from his 3rd base position.

Ethan Edwards went two safe hits from two at bats.

Lachie Rosser was brilliant behind the plate, blocking a number of deliveries, as well as providing good direction for the location of pitches.

Makiah’s glovework was

also magnificent, especially for the wayward pick off attempts.

Liam’s 2/3rd innings saw one strikeout and only one hit allowed.

Ollie’s three and 1/3rd innings saw five safe hits allowed but three strikeouts obtained.

In his last two innings of work, he threw only seven balls over the 11 batters he faced, in a great display.

Details Wodonga 6-1-2-0=9 runs. 1 error & 6 safe hits.

Porepunkah 6-2-1-1=10 runs. 4 errors & 8 safe hits-L Bathelmez 3, C Nightingale, E Edwards 2 each, L Rosser 1. The Porepunkah Baseball Club presentations will be made at the diamond on Sunday, October 8. Details on times and other matters will be communicated later.

READY ON BASE: The Panthers ready to circle the bases in an earlier game this season, as the C grade went on to win a thrilling grand final against Wodonga in Wangaratta.

Thriving through adversity

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AFTER scraping into

finals in the last game in the regular season, Myrtleford have made one of the most improbable cup final runs.

From just six wins in the regular season coming from seventh, the Savoys have won their past four, including two wins against second placed Cobram to eliminate them from finals before a thrilling extra-time win last Saturday night against Melrose booked their place in the big dance.

In what’s been a

rollercoaster season, cocoach Richard Morgan said among the euphoria there was a feeling of relief once the Savoys booked their spot in Saturday night’s final.

“It [relief] is probably the biggest thing because all through the season not a lot seemed to go right,” he said.

“We’ve had some good players come on during the season but not being able to train as much as other teams have has made this season pretty unbelievable really.”

All Myrtleford teams were made to wait until halfway

through the season to have access to their home ground of Savoy Park due to surface redevelopments, which was also closed off during the season and forced match rescheduling on two occasions during the second half of the season.

The Savoys are almost a completely different outfit since they began the season in April, with mid-season additions re-invigorating the team which were winners of just one of their first nine games.

English import Tom Caplin headlined a class

of additions throughout the year including top goal scorer Matt Richardson, defender Jake Miles and midfielder Jack Milford who have complimented the roles of regulars Josh Zito, Kaden Saric and Lee Hughes.

“It’s probably only been three or four games where we’ve had only one player out, when we played Wang earlier in the year we didn’t have Tom Caplin or Matt, when we played Melrose earlier in the year we didn’t have Jack Milford and those sort of things make a huge difference to teams,” Morgan said.

“Everyone has played their role, they’ve all had bits and pieces where they’ve had sensational bits of play.

“You get nervous whenever someone calls because we’ve had so many ring up late and say they haven’t been able to play.”

Myrtleford’s opponents don’t come much tougher than Albury United, who are seeking a second successive league treble with a win at Lavington on Saturday night.

Despite coming into the game as underdogs, the Savoys would be full of

confidence not only on the back of their recent form, but they were also the last team to defeat United at Savoy Park in July, winning 2-0.

Morgan said his team is confident they can spur on one more upset this season with the help of strong community support at Lavington Saturday night.

“They’re a good team and they had a whopping result in their semi-final,” he said.

“It’s good to see people happy and it makes a difference when they can get out there and help the team.”

THAT WINNING FEELING : Myrtleford will be hoping to create similar scenes this Saturday night in Lavington in the cup final.

PHEW: Jake Miles walks off the La Trobe Ground in Wodonga Saturday night with a sigh of relief after booking a spot in the grand final with a 3-1 win against Melrose. PHOTOS: Janet Watt

GAME ON: Tom La Spine will be looking to hold off a potent Albury United attack in defence for the Savoys in their grand final on Saturday night.

Young Savoys ready to break Hearts

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AFTER a sensational regular season, the Myrtleford senior women have been rewarded with the chance to play for cup glory against Wodonga Heart on Saturday.

The women’s side went into the 2023 season dropping their division one team down to division two, striving for further competitiveness.

A loss in experience over the offseason left centre stage for a young nucleus of stars to come through the ranks, with all but four players in the squad named in Saturday’s final 17 years old or under, which propelled the team to a second placed finish and only two losses on the season.

Coach Gabby Paglia said after hard fought recent seasons down the bottom of division one, this year’s success has been a joy to be a part of.

“Over the past few weeks you can see that it means a lot as a team,” she said.

“It was kind of expected [to make the grand final], we assumed with the way the

ladder was panning out we had a real chance, but we knew anything could happen.

“Now that it has happened, I think we’re all in a little bit of shock and I don’t think it’s fully sunk in for anyone yet, especially myself, I don’t think I’ve fully comprehended it.”

Headlined by recent under 14s New South Wales state selectee Sienna Alam at striker, the Savoys youth brigade have enjoyed a consistent season in senior football with the likes of Tuhina Morton, Jess Stringer and Mikaela Hackett thriving

GROUP HUG: The Savoy women celebrating a Shae Justice goal in the semi-final last Saturday, and will be hoping to have more reasons to celebrate in the grand final this weekend.

I’ve had the kids tell me about how they watched the Matildas, then ask how I’ve gone on the weekend, it’s really nice to hear it from them and they come up to me and say they want to start soccer next year, it’s exciting.”

Their grand final opponents in Wodonga Heart also went into this year without a top division side and the two teams have been tied to the hip all year.

After splitting their regular season encounters a win a piece, Heart snuck away with the league title during the season by a solitary point from the Savoys in second place.

While Myrtleford have boasted one of the strongest defences all season, no team in division two has scored more goals than Heart so it will be a thrilling clash of styles.

throughout the year.

Paglia said the young group have inspired her with their willingness to learn throughout the year and taken in their stride the rise of community support, which has been flourishing since the Matildas home

World Cup run.

“We haven’t really seen it much until recently and hopefully with all that’s happened with the Matildas built up a lot of confidence in people and inspired them,” she said.

“I work in childcare and

Paglia said she was hopeful her team can settle the score.

“I think both times we’ve played them I wasn’t quite happy with how we played, hopefully this time we come in all guns blazing, let those nerves go and we can come out with a grand final win,” she said.

ECSTATIC: Gabby Paglia celebrates with Shae Justice after a stunning free-kick goal.

DID YOU SEE THAT ONE?: Tuhina Morton celebrates a goal with Vanessa Leonard.

YOUNG STAR: Sienna Alam was selected last week to represent the under 14s New South Wales representative team later in the year.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

A thrill a minute on way to final

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

MYRTLEFORD Savoy Soccer

Club outgoing president Danielle Caponecchia couldn’t be prouder of the senior team’s cup final runs.

With both teams battling through early season adversity of limited home ground access throughout the year, teams had done most of their training indoors and have played more than 60 per cent of their games this year away from home.

Caponecchia said both teams have done it harder than most to make it to the last game of the year.

“I did not think I would be here having our two senior teams in the grand final,” she said.

“It’s absolutely fantastic especially with a lot of the old committee stepping out, myself included and the new committee coming in it would be really great if we start a new year with the [ground’s] new upgrades, the club sitting in a really good place; it would be absolutely amazing to come away with two wins.”

Caponecchia said the Savoys have never had a division two women’s team make a grand final in their history until now.

“Gabby’s got a very young team and she’s young herself, so to lead them has been fantastic and they’ve done extremely well; the club is very

proud of them,” she said.

“It’s going to be a tough battle against the league winners but I think they can do it, they’ve got the determination and they’ve certainly showed the want for it.”

While the division one men have been a powerhouse in the past,

making five consecutive grand finals from 2015 to 2019, Caponecchia said the men’s cup final run from almost missing finals has been as thrilling to watch as any.

“The boys had to play three games within a week just to make it and win every one of them,” she said.

“To actually be there on Saturday in the grand final, it’s been a crazy ride.

“It’s going to be tough, if we win it’ll be absolutely fantastic and if we don’t well we’ve worked hard to get there so no matter what it’s a great outcome.”

 1 Jess Stringer (GK)

 15 Vanessa Leonard

 5 Gabby Paglia

 13 Zali Feltrin

 10 Frankie Carroll

 4 Amber Howell

 6 Sage Davidson

 8 Tuhina Morton

 12 Shae Justice

 2 Maddy Cherry

 11 Sienna Alam

BENCH

 16 Sienna Hagens

 9 Amber Jones

 3 Harriet Duff

 7 Mikaela Hackett

 14 Annabel Iaria

12:30pm

HOT PURSUIT: Jack Milford has shown exquisite touch this season through the Savoy men midfield.

SUPER GOAL: The Myrtleford women’s side celebrate a Sienna Alam goal in their win last Saturday against Albury Hotspurs. PHOTOS: Janet Watt

FINALS SCOREBOARD

NETBALL RESULTS THIRDS RESULTS

QUALIFYING FINAL

Wodonga Raiders 4.7.31 def by Lavington 4.12.36

GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: Andrej Clark 1, Lincoln Reed 1, Jack Stewart 1, Zac Whitsed 1. LAVINGTON: Harryson Barber 2, Corby Robertson 1, Declan Thiele 1.

BEST: WODONGA RAIDERS: Bailey Smith, Andrej Clark, Angus Quinn, Baxter Jones, Archer Scammell, Harry Sweetman. LAVINGTON: Nick Paton, Xavier Russell, Harry Plunkett, Patrick Lavis, Jack Costello, Corby Robertson.

ELIMINATION FINAL

Albury 8.8.56 def by Wangaratta 10.11.71

SENIORS RESULTS RESERVES RESULTS

QUALIFYING FINAL Saturday, Sept 2 Albury ...................14.10.94 Yarrawonga ...............4.8.32

GOALS: ALBURY: Jacob Conlan 5, Riley Bice 4, Jake Gaynor 3, Jim Grills 1, George HorlinSmith 1, Anthony Miles 1, Elliott Powell 1. WANGARATTA: Michael Newton 5, Joe Berry 3, Callum Moore 3, Daniel Sharrock 1. BEST: ALBURY: Jake Gaynor, Anthony Miles, Hamish Gilmore, Riley Bice, Isaac Muller, Rhys King. WANGARATTA: Daniel Sharrock, Braeden Marjanovic, Joe Berry, Michael Newton, Daine Porter, Luke Saunders.

GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Alexander Marklew 3,Will Christie 1,Toby Murray 1,Dylan Wilson 1. WODONGA: Noah Spiteri 4,Adam Jorgensen 3,Angus Baker 1,Noah Bradshaw

1,Samuel Jewell 1,Kade Mimmo 1,Oscar Willding 1,Matthew Wilson 1. BEST: WANGARATTA

BEST: ALBURY: William Blomeley, Jay Hillary, Will Unthank, Zachary Gigliotti, Charlie Lappin, Jacob Brunner. YARRAWONGA: Reid Clarke, Beau Seymour, Hunter Frauenfelder, Cory Pearn, Tom McKimmie, Max Hemphill. ELIMINATION FINAL Sunday, Sept 3 Wangaratta Rovers ....5.5.35 Wangaratta ..............8.13.61

Saige Broz 3, Sally Botter 2, Sophie Hanrahan 1 . GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: Mia Lavis 34, Emily Stewart 15, Taylor Donelan 8.

Sophie Hanrahan 38, Sally Botter 18. B GRADE: Wangaratta 57 def Myrtleford 30 C GRADE: Lavington 43 def by Myrtleford 45

A GRADE: SAT, SEPT 9 @MARTIN PARK, WODONGA Yarrawonga vs Lavington

A GRADE: SUN, SEPT 10 @BUNTON PARK, NTH ALBURY Wangaratta vs Wodonga Raiders

GOALS: ALBURY: Tom Ferguson 4, Dominic Gibbons 2, Jack Hodgson 1, Joseph Muller 1. WANGARATTA: Max Bihun 5, Charley Holland-Dean 2, Blake Newton 2, Hunter Graham 1. BEST: ALBURY: No best players have been selected.

No best players have been selected.

SAT, SEPT 9 @MARTIN PARK, WODONGA Wangaratta Rovers

vs Lavington

SUN, SEPT 10 @BUNTON PARK, NTH ALBURY Wodonga Raiders vs Wangaratta

ROVERS: Cody Schutt, Jace McQuade, Brodie Filo, Jack Gerrish, Thomas Boyd, Will Nolan. WODONGA: Noah Spiteri, Adam Jorgensen, Joshua Mathey, Bailey Griffiths, Harry Kitching, Angus Baker.

OVENS & MURRAY FINALS:

2nd SEMI FINAL - SAT, SEPT 9 @MARTIN PARK, WODONGA Yarrawonga vs Albury

1st SEMI FINAL - SUN, SEPT 10 @BUNTON PARK, NTH ALBURY Wangaratta vs Wodonga

PRELIM. FINAL - SUN, SEPT 17 @BIRALEE PARK, WODONGA

GRAND FINAL - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 @LAVINGTON SPORTS GROUND

FINALS SCOREBOARD

BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Noah Amery, Shane Gaston, Luke Arcuri, Mitch Booth, Nicholas Redley, Luke Peters. WANGARATTA: Will O’keefe, Josh Tweedale, Darcy Melksham, Jesse Bianco, Tom Montgomery, Patrick Wright.

SAT, SEPT 9 @MARTIN PARK, WODONGA

Lavington vs Abury

SUN, SEPT 10 @BUNTON PARK, NTH ALBURY Yarrawonga

vs Wangaratta

NETBALL SCORESSCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

A GRADE:

Greta 48 def Milawa 42

B GRADE:

Milawa 54 def Benalla All Blacks 51

B RESERVE:

Bonnie Doon 55 def Milawa 33

C GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 44 def Bright 30

UNDER 15s:

Bonnie Doon 29 def Greta 28

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

A GRADE:

Tarrawingeee 61 def Bonnie Doon 54

B GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 51 def King Valley 38

B RESERVE:

Benalla All Blacks def Bruight 36

C GRADE:

Greta 44 def Benalla All Blacks 42

UNDER 15s:

Whorouly 24 def Benalla All Blacks 23

FINALS

PRELIMINARY FINAL

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

GRAND FINAL

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

SEMI FINAL 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 @ TARRAWINGEE RECREATION RESERVE

BONNIE DOON

GRETA

GOALS: BONNIE DOON: Al Bennett 2, Will Foster 2, Luke Murray 2, Campbell Smedley 2, Matthew Hedin 1, James Law 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 4, Daniel Cassidy 2, Tyler Arrowsmith 1, Joshua Bell 1, James McClounan 1, Ned Rohrt 1. BEST: BONNIE DOON: Connor Heaslip, Jayjay Curtin, Campbell Smedley, Joel Sanford, Earl Ree-Goodings, Matthew Hedin. GRETA: Mark Wettern, James McClounan, Lachie Kennett, Paul Fruzynski, Bryce Ralph, Bradley Whinray.

SEMI FINAL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

@ NORTH WANGARATTA SPORTS RESERVE

Goals and best players unavailable at time of print.

Bright 12.9.81 def Greta 8.6.54

BEST: BRIGHT: Paul Harrison, Nick Howell, Myles Jamieson, Thomas Mullane-Grant, Thomas Gray, Brodie Brain. GRETA: Joshua Cleeland, Osbert Ramage, Corie Hooper, Damiun Cassidy, Campbell McClounan, Luke Arrowsmith. Bonnie Doon

5.3.33 def by Benalla All Blacks

9.15.69

BEST: BONNIE DOON: Jackson Sole, Trent Smith, Julian Mahon, Ben Hedin, Andrew hill, Luke Jenkins. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Michael Kelly, Ian Holohan, Thomas Grimes, John Hughes, Eoin Fitzgerald, Thomas Whitty.

DMB U14s are grand final bound

By BRAD REDMOND, U14 coach

THE much awaited game between the two undefeated teams took place on a picture postcard day at Sandy Creek.

The first quarter, both teams had opportunities.

Beechworth were running the ball into their forward line, however, our backline, as it has done all year, held up magnificently.

Ferg was clunking marks all over and Billy was like a good old fashioned back man at full back, not giving his man an inch.

Neither team could convert come the quarter time break with DMB holding the smallest of margins, 0-3 to 0-2.

At the break, the boys were told that nothing is more important than kicking the next goal.

Toby was dominating the ruck and his taps behind to Will and in front to Jack were spot on every time and with some clean play, quick handballs, Jack was out and looking at goal, and with that goal we were gaining control.

By the time Jai kicked his first, the boys had a sniff

That’s not to say it was all one way, the backs like always were again as solid as a rock and at halftime, DMB were in front 2-3 to 0-4.

We know that Beechworth are a class outfit.

You don’t go through the year undefeated not being one.

We knew that they would come at us and they they did physically.

As a team, they are stronger than their individual sum.

Prime example is Beau.

He was tasked with tagging their best player, he was knocked down, pushed, but just got back up and played football.

The half-time message was that there was just 30 minutes left but we needed more goals. Our forwards were only too happy to supply with Massimo working hard on the half forward line snagging one early, along with Hamish; and by 3/4 time, we had a convincing lead 4-7 to 0-5. The boys didn’t leave anything out there in the last quarter, piling on three more goals but more importantly, keeping Beechworth

goalless for the first time this year.

The biggest roar of the day was held for Ollie when he went straight into the forward pocket and put on a shepherd for Toby to sneak a goal through.

By the time Hamish kicked his second, we had booked a place in the TDFL U14 grand final.

Final scores.

DMB 7.8 (50) def Beechworth 0.5 (5).

Upsets cause Tallangatta league finals carnage

By DANIEL SAVILLE

IT may be hard to believe, but the second round of Tallangatta league finals were even more unpredictable than the first.

In last Saturday’s second semi-final, where the winner would automatically progress to the grand final in a fortnight, Kiewa-Sandy Creek showed why they are the team to beat in a ruthless display against Yackandandah.

The Hawks, who only lost one game during the regular season, extended their lead at every break to finish with a 50-point win – 13.16 (94) to 6.8 (44).

The biggest story of the weekend was pre-season premiership fancy Beechworth being knocked out of the TDFL finals series in a stunning straight-sets exit.

A rampaging Chiltern showed no mercy in the 55-point drubbing, where they kicked nine goals to two after quarter-time, thanks to impressive hauls from Mark Doolan (five goals) and Kyle Cooper (three goals).

The Swans’ victory sets up a preliminary final showdown against Yackandandah on Saturday afternoon for a spot in the big dance, where both teams will back themselves

to reach the final game of the season. If recent results are anything to go by, with a 64-all draw in their first meeting followed by a 10-point win to the Roos in Round 13, all three possible results remain a genuine chance.

A combined margin of nine goals across both A grade finals highlights the evenness of the TDNA competition with only two finals remaining.

In a shock result on Saturday, Yackandandah were behind on the scoreboard at the first, second and third break, but were in front when it mattered most to defy the odds and beat the pre-

viously undefeated Kiewa-Sandy Creek by two goals (40-38).

Thurgoona has quickly forgotten about last year’s finals loss to Chiltern after exacting revenge against the same opponent in last Sunday’s suddendeath semi-final, with a dominant second quarter the key to their victory.

The seven-goal win (48-41) means that Thurgoona will advance to Saturday’s preliminary final and will play a KiewaSandy Creek side looking to make amends, with the winner to play Yackandandah in the season decider on September 16.

Goals: Jack, Hamish (2), Jai, Toby, Massimo (1).

Best: RJS Tree services

$10: Ryan. Kitchen 95 award: Beau. Falls Creek Coaches $10: Ferg. Grill’d Player of the day: Toby. Coulston Plumbing $10: Mark.

Training at MB Tuesday night for the next two weeks and Dederang for Thursday night.

Please ensure that you get to these sessions.

Roger Church wins Mount Beauty’s monthly medal

ON a glorious September Saturday afternoon, 15 players took on the challenge for the Mount Beauty Golf Club’s monthly medal.

Roger Church proved up to the task with his net 72 while Victor Selway came in with a net 74.

Peter Hertzog just edged out Stephen Short with their 76 net each for a podium position.

NTPs went to Stephen Short on the seventh along with the Tatts Ticket from the Tawonga South Newsagency and Post Office.

The ninth went to Roger Church and 17th to Sam Bellchambers.

Dave Browning took home the money on the 18th.

NORTH East Bushrangers Basketball (NEBB) is a collaboration between local North East basketball associations with the commitment of “Creating Realistic Pathways for all North East Athletes”

Eleven NEBB junior teams compete in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) - the highest level junior competition in Victoria.

One NEBB Youth League Men’s (YLM) team competes in the semi-professional Big V competition.

Big V & VJBL consist of teams from both metropolitan and regional Victoria.

RESULTS:

PRELIMINARY FINAL U14 Girls 1 38 def Bulleen 2 30

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 17, Scarlett Van Schaik 6, Lily Purss 5)

PRELIMINARY FINAL

U16 Boys 1 59 def by Coburg 1 69

(Top Scorers: Dashiell Smith 17, Connor Breheny 13, Blake Newton 11)

PRELIMINARY FINAL

U16 Boys 2 25 def by Melton 2 41

(Top Scorers: Brayden Lincoln 8, Lenny Lonergan 5, Harry Pople 4)

PRELIMINARY FINAL

U16 Girls 2 28 def by Keilor 4 30

(Top Scorers: Sophia Kotzur 7, Amelia Frazer 5, Lily Moffatt 5) SEMI FINAL FINAL

U18 Boys 1 72 def by Nunawading 1 77

(Top Scorers: Lochie Harvey 23, Coen Ainsworth 17, Benjamin Skalic 8)

SHARP MARK: Mark Flay (left) takes a strong grab as Tully Duggan and Tom Docherty make a late play for the ball.

STRONG FORM: Mark Flay launches the ball forward in the under 14s dominant semi-final win on Saturday.

FINALS SCOREBOARD

Bright grind out Milawa in match of the year

BY NATHAN DE VRIES

ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

IN one of the greatest matches seen in the Ovens and King this year, Bright’s senior football squad managed to take beat Milawa 10.13 (73) to 8.10 (58) in yesterday’s semifinal.

Both teams fought hard all day, but struggled to keep their feet on the deck at North Wangaratta, with Bright holding a narrow lead at half-time.

The highly-contested match was played largely between the arcs, with ruckmen Brent Newton and Joe Gray going to-to-toe and shinto-shin in contest after contest.

Jamie Allan was explosive around the contest for the Demons, and produced some clever mid-air footwork up forward to slot a goal and put the Demons within two points heading into the final term.

Not to be outdone, Bright’s forward Guy Campbell pulled off some stunning marks through the final term and kicked true, while Cooper Thomason presented well all day.

Milawa’s Ben Clarke tried to spark a fightback, but by the time the final siren sounded, the Mountain Men were ahead, locking in a match with Greta this coming weekend.

Bright coach Paul Harrison said his side really stepped up in the second half.

“I thought we had the momentum in the first 10-15 minutes,” he said.

“I thought they were a bit quicker than us, but there was nothing in it in the first half.

“At half-time we spoke about what we wanted to iron out, I thought we had just swung the momentum our way, we had to continue that when we came out.

“They’re a very outside-running, clean, skilful team, and if we could bring it back to just a man-on-man game, with repeat stoppages and grind it out, we’d be able to get over the top of them.”

Harrison said his entire list

fought it out to the last siren.

“I really thought they were going to rely on too few for them to be able to get them over the line, whereas I knew if we could have 21 players play a role in that second half, when that opportunity came to just take it, and we’d be able to run over the top of them,” he said.

“Guy (Campbell) has been a very good footballer in his day, he’s a handy, smart man and can take a good mark.

“Riley O’Shea took some good grabs in that last quarter, Chad Martin, Joe Gray, across the board

we were just terrific all day.

“I thought Jonah McIntosh was good on the wing, and Nick Lebish and Rod Arguello, their grunt work through the middle was terrific as well.”

Milawa co-coach Matt Graham said a few minor errors added up to the unfortunate result for the Demons.

“We knew we had to bring the pressure and we did that early, but unfortunately when we had momentum we gave away the ball, and it ended up in a Bright goal,” he said.

Bright reserves book second straight grand final berth

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

BRIGHT’S reserves are heading back to the Ovens and King Football League grand final after a statement 27 point win over Greta.

Despite conceding the first two goals of the match at Tarrawingee on Saturday, the Mountain Men quickly wrestled back control and never looked back.

Reserves coach Darcy Martin said he was relieved to be able to book a spot in the grand final after such a strong regular season.

“It was a team effort, there was a few blokes who had really good games but 22 blokes chipped in,” he said.

“It’s good to get in there now and have a week off being able to control our next two weeks.

“Our main goal for the next week will be to support the seniors; it’d be unreal to have both teams in the grand final.”

The Mountain Men were in a similar position last year, having lost just the one game all year and being defeated twice in three weeks by Benalla to lose out the premiership.

“Bright were just able to wrest the momentum back, every time we had a bit of length on our chain, they were able to wheel it back in.

“It’s a combination of skill errors - trying to move the ball too fast when we needed to be slow, not moving the ball to the right position, a couple of turn overs that ended up with forward entries to them.”

In the earlier reserves match, Benalla All Blacks powered through Bonnie Doon to take the win 9.15 (69) to 5.3 (33).

Bright B res bounced, Whorouly under 15s through

WHOROULY’S under 15s are through to the preliminary final in thrilling fashion, holding off Benalla by a goal at North Wangaratta on Sunday.

After a flying start, the Lions blew out to an 8-2 lead after the first quarter and looked in control at half-time leading by five goals.

A last quarter surge by the Panthers brought the margin to a goal but it wasn’t enough.

Whorouly will play off against Greta for a spot in the grand final at Tarrawingee on Saturday.

Joining them at Tarrawingee will be Bright’s under 17s, who after a week off went down to minor premiers Bonnie Doon 44-30.

An enthralling start couldn’t split the teams after one quarter but the Bombers laid their authority on the

match with a 12 goal to two second quarter which would be the difference in the game.

Mackenzie Lynch was prominent in front of goal as was Hannah Witts as Bright will face Greta in the preliminary final.

Bright’s B reserve team won’t have the same luxury of the second chance as they were eliminated on Sunday in a comprehensive performance from Benalla, going down 36-55.

Coming off a strong win over the Blues last week, Bright was no match for Benalla’s potent attack leading at every change in their 19 goal win.

Taykea Boogaard concluded her strong season with another solid performance, finishing with 19 goals.

Martin said the team has come a long way after their shortcomings last season.

“As a team we hyped it up a little bit too much and probably got a little bit ahead of ourselves and were already talking about the grand final but this year we’re really focusing on one week at a time and treating finals just like any other game,” he said.

“We’ve been able to get it done over the year so just being confident that we’ve got the team to win but making sure we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”

Seniors coach Paul Harrison showed his class in a best afield display while Nick Howell was also dominant coming down from the senior side in their elimination final win last week.

A goalless last quarter was the only blemish on Bright’s dominant day, which Martin said would be a focus at training this week.

“We’ll have a bit of a block in this first week to try and get a tiny bit more fitness up with these longer quarters, because we sort of dropped off in the end so just making sure when we’re out on our legs we’re able to control the play.”

The Mountain Men will play off against the winner of Greta and the surging Benalla at Tarrawingee this week.

PASSING ON: Madelyn Tomasoni fires a pass in Bright B reserve’s loss to Benalla at North Wangaratta on Sunday.

PHOTO: Charlotte Kilner

TAP OUT: Milawa’s Brent Newton and Joe Gray fought a fantastic battle in the ruck.

PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries

PACE: Jamie Allan explodes through the contest

CAUGHT: Daniel Sgambelloni snags some of Sebastian De Napoli’s jumper.

LAUNCHING FORWARD: Myles Jamieson. PHOTO: Charlotte Kilner

Myrtleford’s monthly medal decided on countback

MYRTLEFORD Golf Club’s monthly medal event on Saturday afternoon was met with a beautiful start to spring weather as Brendan Wheeler had a day out to win the B grade along with the club medal.

Saturday, August 5 Drummond Golf Monthly Medal Stableford AMCR 73

A grade winner: Brad Carroll (10) 35 pts c/b. A grade runner up: David Matthews (13) 35 pts c/b.

Heartbreaking end to Saints A grade season

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

MYRTLEFORD’S A grade season has ended in the most agonising of fashions.

Fighting it out in an epic back and forth second half against the Wodonga Raiders, the Saints found themselves on the wrong side of a 57-56 thriller, knocking them out of finals contention at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday.

Co-coach Tina Way said it was a devastating way to have their season end.

“It was a brilliant game of netball to play in and it was just unfortunate when the siren went we were not the team in front,” she said.

“It was a pressure cooker situation that last quarter, errors were made by both sides and it was an arm-wrestle to maintain the lead.

“We gave it everything we had and the support from the Myrtleford community was mammoth, the amount of people there cheering for us was just phenomenal and we were just devastated we couldn’t

get the win for us and for everyone

else.”

Having gone down by 20 goals to the Raiders a week prior, the Saints were bolstered by the returns of key players Georgia Ryan and Sophie Hanrahan, playing her first game in a month.

The Saints came out the better of the two sides scoring 10 of the first 13 goals in the match, with Hanrahan’s move to goal shooter proving inspired.

Myrtleford were able to cling onto their advantage before under 17s Australian netballer Mia Lavis was brought on to goal shooter, which inspired the Raiders early in the second quarter and took to the lead by the nine minute mark of the period.

Nothing could separate the two teams throughout a thrilling second half, which saw seven lead changes and 21 tying goals, until Lavis had the final say in the dying stages, securing the team’s first finals win since 2004.

Way said although it was pleasing to have reached the team’s goal of playing in final

“We set a goal at the start of the year that we wanted to make the five and we did and everthing after that was going to be a bonus, but that’s not denying the face that it hurt that we couldn’t take the win yesterday.”

“We haven’t actually taken to the court in finals for over 15 years and there was girls who played at the club for a long time who have never played finals in Saige Broz and Sally Botter and it was an experience for us all.”

In other grades, the C grade Saints found themselves in a similarly tight contest, but came through for an enthralling 45-43 win to progress to the semi-finals.

Heading into the main break at 22 apiece, the Saints stole control of the match in the third quarter to race out to a seven goal threequarter-time lead on the back of sharp shooting by Felicity Lincoln and Emma Sharp, missing just three shots combined for the period compared to the Panther’s seven.

Lavington made a push to bring

the margin to within a goal early in the last quarter, but the Saints steadied and held on to win by two.

Myrtleford C grade will play against Wangaratta at Bunton Park this Sunday.

The Saints B grade were no match for Wangaratta, who ran over the top of Myrtleford for a 57-30 win.

Bridget Flint was solid in defence for Myrtleford while Leshae Hogan worked hard throughout the midcourt to be among the best for the Saints.

Myrtleford’s under 15 netballers had their season ended by North Albury on Sunday despite an inspired comeback.

Down 11 goals at half-time, the Saints piled on nine goals in the third quarter to be within striking distance of the Hoppers, but were held off in the last quarter, going down 27-31.

Gemma Corcoran was named best of the Saints while Jade Hazeldine and Skylah McPherson gave their all to the very end.

B grade winner and medal winner: Brendan Wheeler (20) 35 pts c/b. B grade runners up: Geoff Veldman (22) 35 pts.

Ball winners: J Galvan 35, S Hancock 34, B Holmes 34, T Batt 34, B O’Donohue 32.

Foodworks NTPs:

first: Jonathan Mercuri, fifth: Trout Batt, 10th: Paul Cowman, 14th: Jim Martin.

Matthews Cleaning encouragement award: Karl O’Shaughnessy 22 pts c/b.

Raffle winner: Jonathan Mercuri

Thursday, August 31 Myrtleford Bake House - Stableford AWCR 76

A grade winner: Denise O’Donohue (51) 41 pts. A grade runner up: Heather Street (54) 31pts.

Ball winners: Marg Curtis (23) 27 pts.

Wednesday, August 30 Myrtleford Bake House - Stableford AMCR 73

A grade winner: David Clark (17) 41 pts.

A grade runner up: Karl O’Shaughnessy (11) 37 pts.

Ball winners: B

O’Donohue 36.

Foodworks NTPs: first: David Clark, 10th: Karl O’Shaughnessy.

HOT BALL: Laura Cartwright tries to get her hands on a loose ball facing pressure from a North Albury defender in the under 15s final on Sunday.

PINPOINT: Maddison Smedley nails a pass down court in Myrtleford C grade’s win over Lavington.

SHARP SHOOTING: Sophie Hanrahan lines up a shot on goal, putting 38 through the ring in the Saints A grade one goal loss on Sunday.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

Page 32 - Wednesday, September 6, 2023 www.myrtlefordtimes.com.au

O&M

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3 McGeehan Crescent, Myrtleford. AH: 5752 2198

Pages 25-27

DMB

delight at awards nights

By DANIEL SAVILLE

THE TDFL and TDNA finals series are currently in full swing, but there is still plenty of action off the field and court as the Barton Medal awards night and DMB Senior Presentation Night were both held last week.

Despite the obvious disappointment of not playing senior finals, players from the netball and football sections of the club featured heavily throughout the league vote count and took home a swag of trophies.

Danielle Beer rocketed up the leaderboard in the A grade netball vote count in the early rounds and could not be dislodged from the top bracket of players, finishing third with 27 votes, which was won by Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Alissa Donaldson.

Josh Kable, Jordan Harrington and Cody Hewat were recognised to be among the league’s best players to be named in the TDFL Team of the Year, in which only minor premiers KiewaSandy Creek had more players in the squad than Dederang-Mount Beauty.

Harrington finished third in the Player of the Year award behind winner Jack Haugen (KSC).

Jai Redmond (Leading Goal Kicker) and Jack Coulston (Runner-Up Best and Fairest) also received trophies at the league presentation event.

At Dederang-Mount Beauty’s senior presentation night held last Friday, the club celebrated the achievements of its senior football and netball teams and players throughout the year.

There were no real surprises in the club best and fairest awards as Danielle Beer and Jordan Harrington capped off outstanding years to win their respective A grade netball and senior football trophies, closely followed by captains Alysha de Koeyer and Josh Kable, who both finished as runners-up.

Chloe Romans (B grade netball), Georgia Michael (C grade netball) and Nick Goznik (reserves football) were also named as their team’s best player in 2023.

The biggest honour of the evening went to John ‘Taff ’ Sullivan, who was awarded life membership by the club for decades of service as a junior and senior player, coach and committee member.

SEMI FINAL DELIGHT: The Savoy men rejoice after their thrilling extra time win on Saturday night, as they and the Savoy women hope to recreate similar scenes this weekend in their grand finals.

Grand final bound

Myrtleford senior men and women sides secure cup finals yppspot

MYRTLEFORD Savoy’s senior sides had a magic Saturday at Wodonga, booking their spots in Saturday’s grand final at Lavington.

The men left their best until the very last securing a drama filled 3-1 extra-time win over Melrose under lights.

In a see-sawing affair, the game looked certain to be heading to penalties before star striker Matt Richardson made his mark in the 117th minute to give his side the lead and sealed the deal in stoppage time with a second goal in the space of three

Gabby Paglia

minutes to send the Myrtleford crowd to a frenzy.

Co-coach Richard Morgan said to win their way through to the grand final in extra time was a thrilling feeling.

“They had a couple of chances late, we had a couple of chances late and once we got to the extra time we were thinking we were going to penalties,” he said.

“To score a second time in the last couple of minutes was really good because we were able to savour it and it was a really nice feeling to have done it.”

Earlier in the afternoon the Myrtleford division two women’s side advanced in more comfort-

able fashion, taking care of business against Albury Hotspurs 3-0.

Striker Sienna Alam capped off selection in the New South Wales under 14 state team during the week with a goal on the weekend, with Tui Morton and set-piece specialist Shae Justice also among the goals.

Coach Gabby Paglia said she was rapt her side was able to keep a clean sheet against a potent attack.

“Overall it was a great game, we were feeling a little bit more nervous this time around but I don’t think that showed at all, I think we were able to keep calm and play how we normally play,” she said.

“It’s good to see Sienna scoring goals again, she always gets in the perfect spot and Tui is just dominating on the right wing, running up and taking on the defence and she’s got the speed and skill for it which is great.”

The under 17s battled it out on Sunday at Wangaratta against Albury Hotspurs, but had their season come to a close going down 9-0.

The undefeated Hotspurs were a class above the Savoys who were coming off an impressive 3-0 quarter-final win against Albury United a week prior.

Full grand final previews for the senior sides will be on pages 25-27.

Tickets: $22 - adults Pensions $16 Kids u16 - free EFTPOS only No Cash for ticket gate purchases

PHOTO: Janet Watt

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN