Alpine Division 080524

ON PARADE

THE Wangaratta Pipe Band led this year’s Gala Day parade in Bright on Saturday, featuring a range of local groups in their best 60s-themed get-ups to mark the 61st anniversary of the Autumn Festival.

■ Stories and photos page 8. PHOTO: Jean-Pierre Ronco

POWER OUTAGE ANGER

The wheels are turning

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

THE developer of Mystic Park’s Hero Trail, Elevation Parks, have been awarded the contract for the management, operations and maintenance of Bright’s popular mountain biking park following Alpine Shire Council’s April meeting.

Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr John Forsyth, said that this appointment is an exceptional development for Mystic Park.

“Elevation Parks has shown that they value safety and inclusivity within the sport of mountain biking, prioritising thrilling experiences alongside economic

Elevation Parks awarded contract for Mystic Park y

benefit for the community,” he said.

HVP Plantations General Manager Northern Region, Mick Evans, said HVP welcomes this progress by council to establish ongoing operating arrangements for Mystic Park.

“Our work with council and community has enabled a terrific range of outdoor activities for residents and visitors for over a decade,” he said.

“We look forward to Mystic’s coexistence of plantation forestry and recreation to continue.”

The Alpine Cycling Club were

also pleased with the decision.

“We have a long and proud association with Mystic Park with our members being at the forefront of building and maintaining many of the trails in the park from the beginning,” a spokesperson said.

“Along with this the club has had representation on the Alpine Community Plantation (ACP) board for a number of years with involvement in the strategic development of the park.

“We are very pleased that the future of the park has now been secured and that our members

will be able to continue riding in the park we all love so much and have such a strong history with.

“As a primary stakeholder in the park, we have been invited to meet with Elevation Parks management, and we look forward to working together with them in a mutually-beneficial way into the future.”

Bright District Chamber of Commerce representative on the ACP, Andrew Geekie, said the chamber were excited to see where the new contractor takes Mystic Park.

“We see it as very positive, it’s great for Bright,” he said.

“We see it’s going to continue to keep Mystic as an important destination for mountain bikers in Australia and we look forward to working with the contractor in the community to continue our position as a leading mountain biking destination.”

Cr Forsyth thanked Blue Dirt for their maintenance and shuttle provision in Mystic Park up to this point.

Elevation Parks will begin their contract in July 2024.

Blue Dirt will continue maintenance and shuttle provision up until this time.

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They’re acting up

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

MARIAN College students are ready to tread the boards this week with four performances of their latest production ‘G.R.O.W. Up’, featuring a combination of characters and settings from beloved children’s stories.

Devised by drama teacher Vicki McGowan, the story depicts a badly-behaved brother and sister whose dreams take them into the worlds of Willy Wonka, The Jungle Book, The Cat in the Hat and Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline, to name a few.

The play centres around the school’s positive framework of generosity, respect, ownership and wholeheartedness – forming the acronym GROW.

Throughout the play, Umberto and Polly learn these values through interacting with characters from classic stories.

Ms McGowan said the play’s combination of well-known characters and settings will speak to generations of attendees.

“These are stories that we were read as children and that we read to our children,” she said.

“There isn’t a person my age who doesn’t remember Baloo singing the Bare Necessities, or Madeline heading off in two straight lines with all her little girlfriends in Paris.”

Ms McGowan said school students have been working on the production since term four last year.

“It’s a devised production around our framework,” she said.

“When I discussed this notion with the students who wanted to be in the

MARIAN MASHUP TELLS A TOP TALE

CRACKING COSTUMES: (front) Kahlee O’Sullivan and Tate

Seuss’s Cat in the Hat and (back) Mietta

a recent rehearsal.

play, I said, ‘how do you learn those things?’

“Other than from your parents and specific learning, they said they learnt a lot of that stuff from what they read and stories and activities that involve lots of imagination.

“Madeline teaches us manners and Jungle Book characters teach us that it’s okay to be quite different from others, as does the Wizard of Oz.”

The production will

feature students from years seven to twelve, as well as special appearances from grade three St Mary’s Primary School students as little monkeys and munchkins.

Audiences are also encouraged to participate.

The production will have a run of four shows at the Education Myrtleford Performng Arts Centre.

Grade six students from across the region will attend the first show tomorrow,

followed by the production’s opening night on May 9.

The May 10 afternoon show will be attended by prep to grade four students from Myrtleford P12 College and St Mary’s Primary School, and the production’s final show will play that evening.

Bookings can be made through the Marian College office by calling 5752 1596.

Tickets cost $15 per adult, $8 concession and $40 for a family of five.

SPARKLY: St Mary’s Primary School students as the Lullaby League and munchkins.

Reeve as characters from Dr

Nocentini and Olivia Cannata as Oompa Loompas at

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Estate will help Bright’s housing shortage, says developer

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

THE Bright Valley development will help address the town’s long-term accommodation woes, according to Will Deague, the developer behind the project.

Around 50 attended the development’s sales launch last Thursday on the property outside of Bright, Where the chief executive officer of the Deague Group said the approximately 350-house estate would help tackle housing affordability.

“We believe by adding this many houses, it has to add some longer-term rental accommodation and some beautiful houses to Bright,” he said.

“In the last three or four years, there’s been about 130 new houses built in Bright, so obviously an additional 350 houses done the right way will be a great addition to Bright for the housing affordability issue.”

Mr Deague said the properties are “not exactly affordable” but will be below the Bright median house price.

“The town needs it,” he said.

“It’s busting at the seams for accommodation, and they can’t attract doctors, they can’t attract people to work at the pub.

“I believe it needs some really decent accommodation and the houses and the quality can be brand new.”

Mr Deague said the company are working to ensure a

mix of investors and owneroccupiers on the estate.

“Because we don’t have to rush sales, because this project will be delivered over a number of years, we’ve got time to wait for the owneroccupiers,” he said.

According to the Deague Group, the estate will be one of the largest masterplanned communities in any subdivision in regional Victoria.

Homes on offer range from two bedrooms to five bedroom two-storey houses, with furniture packs available for purchase.

Mr Deague said the estate will feature walking trails, playgrounds, an outdoor gym pump tracks and a pos-

sible general store.

“Every single house and landscaping is designed right down to the last detail,” Mr Deague said.

“We’re spending a significant amount of money, millions of dollars, on what is going to be the largest masterplan landscape area that you’ve ever seen in the regions.”

The Deague Group predict over 300 jobs will be created during the building phase of the estate.

Mr Deague said they had already registered more than 1500 expressions of interest.

Guests at the launch included Alpine Shire mayor John Forsyth, councillor

Sarah Nicholas and council chief executive officer Will Jeremy, however Cr Forsyth declined to comment on the development.

According to Mr Deague, the buildings will adhere to a bushfire attack level rating of 29 across the site, following a recent finalising of a VCAT appeal over a permit condition relating to bushfire standards.

“We’ve done a deal to accept BAL 29 [on the lower section of the property], and that’ll obviously be a BAL 29 across the whole site, which will be a benefit for the buyers and their insurance and their sense of wellbeing,” he said.

“It adds a significant cost

per house, so hopefully we can absorb that in the in the build price and we don’t make things more unaffordable, but we’re prepared to accept that and move on and get going.”

Concerns last year over the loss of trees on the Great Alpine Road due to a road into the estate led to a community petition as well as the formation of Bright’s Gateway Protection Group.

Two mature avenue trees are slated for removal while three juvenile trees will be relocated.

A nomination for heritage protection of the avenue, as well as other street trees in Bright, was recently accepted for considera-

tion by Heritage Victoria.

“We’ve had confirmation yesterday (May 1) that council and VicRoads are going to continue with the application for the entrance which is which I believe is weeks off and the heritage listing doesn’t affect that,” Mr Deague said.

“Hopefully all these trees get heritage listed, and all the others in Bright.

“It’s been a contentious issue, and it’s been a hard one for us when there’s been petitions and 1000s of people signing up and talking about 13 or 15 trees being lost, which never entered our heads to do something like that.

“We worked very hard to only lose two trees and, hopefully with the tick from council, we’re going to infill with some mature trees in gaps in the avenue behind me, and we’re replacing the two trees that are being removed with four trees.

“Hopefully it’s a net benefit for the beautiful avenue of trees.”

Leanne Boyd, president of Bright’s Gateway Protection Group, said they still hope all trees can be retained along the avenue.

“They will put in mature trees in and that’s great,” she said

“But those two trees are 80 years old, you can’t cut them down and replace them somewhere else.

“You cut them down, they’re gone.”

Mr Deague said he expects the first homes to be built on the site by the second half of 2025.

Alpine Shire Council draft budget open for feedback

By BRODIE EVERIST

ALPINE Shire councillors received the council 2024-25 draft budget at their meeting last week and it is now available for public inspection.

The draft budget proposes a 2.75 per cent rate rise in line with the State Government’s ‘Fair Go Rates System’, which caps Victorian council rate increases each year. It also projects an operating surplus of $5.11 million.

The budget’s $15.45 million capital works spend

includes the completion of several major projects, including the Tawonga Memorial Hall upgrade, the Myrtleford Memorial Hall upgrade, the Nimmo Pedestrian Bridge, the Myrtleford Splashpark and the Tronoh Dredge Hole precinct upgrade.

At the meeting councillors and council staff discussed pressures around maintaining a budget surplus amidst a rate cap below inflation.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, the consumer price index (CPI) sits

at 3.6 per cent for the March 2024 quarter.

Cr Simon Kelley said the budget’s future projections showed council was heading towards “a break-even kind of story”.

“We remain highly reliant on government grants form other levels of government, both federal and state, primarily federal I might add, from an operational perspective to make the books balance,” he said.

The report to council also notes “an increase in materials and service charges re-

flecting inflationary impact on costs such as insurance premiums projections”.

In a statement released by council last week, shire mayor John Forsyth said despite current financial pressures, council is proposing to continue to deliver its full range of services.

“We know that many in our community are doing it tough at the moment and that is not unique to council,” he said.

“We are working together in the face of continuing price increases of materi-

als and services to prioritise completion of grant funded projects, the majority of which have a funding deadline of June 2025.

“Delivery of these projects are important so that our community can enjoy modern, safe and versatile facilities.”

Cr Forsyth said around 30 per cent of the capital works budget has been allocated to renewals across roads, drainage, footpaths, bridges, playgrounds and buildings.

The draft budget can be viewed online, or in hard copy at council’s Bright office, and at libraries in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.

Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday, 5 June 2024. Submissions can be made at engage.alpineshire.vic.gov. au or by emailing submissions@alpineshire.vic.gov.au. They can also be posted to Submissions - Alpine Shire Council, PO Box 139, BRIGHT VIC 3741. The council report recommended councillors adopt the budget at their June 25 meeting.

SOIL TURNING: (From left) Gerard Gray, principal at Dickens Real Estate in Bright, Deague Group development manager Anthony Deague, David Deague, former property owner Malcolm Milne, Deague Group managing director Jonathan Deague and company CEO Wil Deague at the sales launch of the Bright Valley development on Thursday. PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Local businesses decry power outage timing

By BRODIE EVERIST

OUTAGES of both power and telecommunications drew the ire of Bright businesses last week during the Autumn Festival, with the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce criticising the timing of the disruptions and power company AusNet’s decision not to reschedule the outage.

Prior to a planned power outage from 9:30-4pm on Friday, the chamber of commerce sent out a statement detailing the affected businesses on Gavan Street, including the cinema, Visitor Information Centre and cafes and restaurants.

According to the statement, the chamber and individual businesses contacted AusNet asking for the outage to be rescheduled.

They also engaged Federal MP Helen Haines and received support from Alpine Shire Council, but AusNet said they were unable to move the planned outage.

On Thursday Bright chamber president Marcus Warner said businesses were informed

around two weeks ago.

“To us that was very short notice,” he said.

“This is at one of our peak tourist periods, so a bit of a devastating blow for businesses.”

According to Mr Warner, Ausnet had said the works were essential maintenance.

“The business that I run in Ovens, we’ve had three of those this year,” Mr Warner said.

“We often ask them to postpone it until a bit of a quieter period of the year.

“On this occasion, they’ve said, unfortunately, no, this maintenance has to happen, because if they don’t get it done this month, we’re into the ski season, and the impact on tourism could be even greater.”

Cherie Woodbury, manager of a Bright yoghurt bar, said Friday’s outage meant she couldn’t operate the bar on Thursday.

“We’re closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays, that’s when we clean our machines and we make fresh yoghurt and we put it in the machines to open on a Thursday,” she said.

“We didn’t open today, be-

Mount Beauty op shop to celebrate 10 years

TO celebrate 10 years of operation the Mount Beauty Hospital Op Shop will be holding a morning tea at the shop on Tawonga Crescent on Saturday, May 18 from 10am. All are welcome to have a chat, a cup of tea and a piece of the birthday cake.

The op shop opened on May 15 2014 and has raised over $570,000 to purchase medical equipment and mobility products.

Locals Barb Talbot and a group of retired nurses – Lynda Barter, Jan Driver, Gwen Goss and Margaret Ranton - had been discussing the lack of funding and support for the Mount Beauty Hospital and Kiewa Valley House, and from that emerged the idea for the shop.

Op shop president Lyn Blandford said the shop is an incredible asset in the valley.

“Without the foresight of the original team members our local health providers would not be able to provide such a wide range of quality services,” she said.

cause there was no point putting fresh yogurt in our machines for today and then having to replace it because there’s no power tomorrow.”

She estimated a loss of $300400 of revenue on Thursday and $600-800 on Friday.

An AusNet spokesperson said significant planning goes into scheduled maintenance to minimise impacts, particularly for locations such as Bright where winter and summer weekends are busy.

“AusNet takes maintenance very seriously and we know that there is never a good time to be without power,” they said.

We’ve communicated with those impacted ahead of time so they can make contingency arrangements.”

According to Telstra, an upgrade to Bright’s Apex Hill tower for improved 4G capacity and 5G coverage was expected to bring service disruptions between April 24 and May 3, with a complete shutdown between Monday and Thursday last week.

Telstra’s Victorian regional engagement manager Daniel

Flack said the majority of the work has now been completed and the mobile site was back on air with 3G and 4G coverage on Thursday evening, with no disruption over the weekend.

“There is never a good time to take the site off air for extended periods to get this work done,” he said.

“Where possible we try to avoid having network disruptions during the summer holidays, events and public holidays, but we also have to manage logistics like crew and specialist equipment availability, such as cranes, to do the work.”

“With winter and the snow season fast approaching, we needed to get the work done in May otherwise the upgrade work may not be able to occur until late in the year.

Mr Flack said works to activate 5G will continue next week but any further interruptions will be during the day and only for short periods, with work expected to be completed by May 10.

“Residents and visitors should notice an improvement in services once complete,“ he said.

Extra spend for childcare centre designs

By BRODIE EVERIST

ALPINE Shire councillors unanimously approved a contract variation for the designs of the Mountain View Children’s Centre at their meeting last week, paving the way for construction of a new facility, instead of the previously planned redevelopment.

In December 2022 council awarded a $178,300 tender for a lead design consultant to develop and document tender documentation for the expansion of the facility.

According to council, during the design development phase, and following extensive consultation with the lead consultant, operators and officers, the option to reconsider a new purpose-built space was presented as a more effective and efficient proposal than redeveloping the existing facility.

As a result of these changes to the original scope, council was recommended to approve an extra $64,427, taking the total contract to $242,727.

“There was always a need to improve the Mountain View Children’s Centre facility, so it’s great to see that is on track and I’m happy to support that variance to make sure that it’s redeveloped correctly,” councillor Tony Keeble said.

“I know there’s many people that would probably like to get their children to some of the centres and they can’t, so if we can increase the capacity by redevelopment that’s fantastic.”

The expansion of the centre proposes to increase capacity of the centre from 90 to 160 childcare places.

Responding to a question from Cr Simon Kelley, director of assets Alan Rees said 160 places is the optimal size for operational efficiencies.

Cr Katarina Hughes was absent from the meeting.

NO POWER, NO YOGHURT: Cherie Woodbury, manager of a Bright yoghurt bar, said Friday’s outage meant she couldn’t operate the bar on Thursday or Friday. PHOTO: Brodie Everist

DAYCARE DOSH: Alpine Shire councillors have approved extra money for the designs of a Myrtleford childcare centre.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

MALLET MASTERS

The Bright Croquet Club held their annual open day last Thursday in perfect weather.

Pictured (from left) are club member Ruth Hibberd, Kevin Nash from Geelong, Kevn Pollard from Lismore and club member Kathy Lewis.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Bright has room for improvement

MUCH as I enjoy a lot about Bright, there is a lot of improvement needed.

I find it almost unbelievable that people would choose to save trees over people having homes, I’ve also noticed lately while driving through that section of road the trees are encroaching over the highway (more hassle and expense for them to be pruned regularly, I guess).

It is the lower income residents of Bright in hospitality and tourism that

make huge money for their business operator bosses who are missing out, without cleaners, dishies, kitchen hands etc, these businesses would fail.

If every business in Bright had their workers go on strike for a week they wouldn’t cope.

The river can be great to swim in but becomes contaminated and makes people sick by the middle of summer and I’d love to see a three-pool complex – toddlers, non-swimmers and fullsized pool – the same as in neighbouring towns.

In Bright, the heated pool is a lovely option over winter but

Garden club to host local chef

By LINDA MEIGHAN, Bright Garden Club

THE Bright Garden Club hosted horticulturist and presenter Chloe Thomson as part of the Autumn Festival program last Tuesday, with 60 people enjoying a night of garden hints and tips, raffle prizes and a great supper. Approximately half the attendees were visitors, with folk from north of Brisbane, Yepoon, Sale, Euroa, and Benalla amongst them.

The next garden club meeting will welcome well-known local chef, Patrizia Simone, who will talk (and cook a little) on ‘Herbs and Flowers - from Garden to Table’.

Ms Simone is the author of her cookbook ‘My Umbrian Kitchen’.

Visitors are welcome to join us for the evening, at 7.30pm on Tuesday May 14 at the Bright RSL Hall. Entry is just $2, with a light supper included.

not enough for all year.

I am sure I’m not the only one sick to death of dead animals, potholes and glass on local roads, left for weeks/ months, especially the glass (no doubt bottles or glasses smashed by drunks or idiots) around the town centre.

You call the shire and are told “it’s VicRoads’ job but like the Bright Shire outdoor crew, they are pretty useless”.

Well, why aren’t they held accountable and sacked?

Sometimes it seems like ‘greed’ overrules any behaviour in Bright, as long as the dollars are coming in ‘need’ is out

the window and people can get away with pretty much anything.

A bulk billing practice and high-care aged care facilities should have been provided long, long ago, Bright has a lot of residents in their 80s and 90s, so when a family member needs high care we have to travel long distances, this would be hard on elderly partners still at home especially.

I don’t know if there are any high-care residents currently in low-care facilities, but there were years ago, which meant they weren’t getting the care needed.

LETTERS to the editor must be signed with the full name, address and contact telephone number of the author provided. Letters under 250 words are preferred and we reserve the right to edit letters to fit available space. Nom de plumes will only be published at the editor’s discretion. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.

Email: edit.timesobserver@nemedia.com.au

Post: North East Media 76 Standish Street, Myrtleford, Vic 3737

Val Artley, Bright

La bella Italia: Students immersed in Italian life

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

MARIAN College students and staff returned last month from their language and cultural tour of Italy, an 18-day trip exploring Venezia, Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany.

The nine students and four school staff members spent over two weeks travelling to some of the country’s most rich and varied sites in a tour designed to immerse students in history, arts and culture.

The journey began on March 28, where they flew from Melbourne to Rome, spending three days in the ancient city. Highlights included a visit to the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Vatican museums and the popular Trevi Fountain.

On day 4 they travelled to Orvieto, in southwestern Umbria, staying there for one night before heading to the Tuscan city of Siena.

Siena was then a base for nine days of travel around

Tuscany, including to the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as Michelangelo’s statue of David and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

It wasn’t all sightseeing though, while in Siena the students were enrolled in a language and cultural school.

On day 14 they took the Frecciarossa (a high-speed train) to Venice and the next day saw some of the traditional sights, including the Bridge of Sighs, and they took

a gondola cruise through the canals.

Maria Fin, Marian College’s head of communities and catholic identity, said the trip was designed to be a true immersive experience.

“They visited four regions, which is quite a lot, but still done at a pace where they’re able to absorb what was going on,” she said.

“Their experiences were incredibly varied during this period of time.

“From rowing on the lagoon, then an opera on the Grand Canal - La Traviata.

“Our students do always come back transformed; the change is one of the most wonderful things that we experience.”

While the school has run the biennial trips to Italy since 2002, this was the school’s first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a lot of organisation because we don’t go

through a company, we do it ourselves,” Ms Fin said.

Students shared their favourite experiences as comments in the school newsletter.

Logan Bonacci said one of his favourite memories was exploring the underground tunnels of Orvieto, which date back to the city’s Etruscan origins.

“It was amazing because it showed what we can do without machines and how smart

the people that made them were,” Logan said.

Martine Valentine particularly enjoyed visiting Monteriggioni, a walled town near Siena.

“I loved learning from Mrs Fin that this walled town was part of the Via Francigena as mentioned by Chaucer in his famous book ‘The Canterbury Tales’, and used by thousands of pilgrims on their way to Rome in mediaeval times,” Martine said.

Teacher Jane Dean had fond memories of the students rowing on Venice’s Northern Lagoon, where, at short notice, the priest at their accommodation roped in a friend to take them out.

“I just thought it was going to be a bit of a tour, he was going to row us around, but the next minute he stops, he tethers us, and then he’s teaching the students how to actually row,” she said.

“The experts were out there rowing, and our kids are all over the place.

“It was a spectacular day, and it was just the best experience for everybody.”

GOOD GONDOLA: Darcy Zeinert, Connor Sacco, Ebony Langley and Jack Byrne on a gondola.

MAKING MEMORIES: Students enjoying gelati in Rome.

PHOTOS: Supplied

SEEING HISTORY: Inside the Pantheon, a Catholic church and former Roman temple.

SIGHTSEEING: Students outside the Colosseum.

Local man guilty of animal cruelty charges

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to a 12-month community correction order and ordered to complete 160 hours of community work after admitting to animal cruelty offences he filmed involving his pet dogs mauling and killing animals at his property near Myrtleford on multiple occasions between 2020 and 2023, according to the Conservation Regulator.

At Wodonga Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, the

man pleaded guilty to six charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, including three of aggravated cruelty, for deliberately allowing and encouraging his four dogs to fight with or fatally attack a wombat, a sambar deer, two kangaroos, and two cats.

He also admitted to a seventh charge related to the illegal possession of eastern grey kangaroo remains, an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975.

PEOPLE AROUND TOWN

Joy O’Connor

How long have you lived in Mount Beauty?

All of my life. I was born in Wodonga, I attended both primary and secondary schools here. I left to study nursing in Melbourne, returning in 1979.

What do you like about living here?

Belonging to the community, the safety, the beauty of the landscape, the fact that’s it’s only an hour away from Albury/Wodonga where all our needs are met.

Would you like to see any additions or changes?

More and better footpaths.

What do you do, your hobbies and interests?

I work as a practice nurse

Presiding Magistrate Watkins described video evidence of the man’s offending as “confronting and disturbing” and stated that “a civilised society does not allow or tolerate” animal cruelty.

In sentencing, Magistrate Watkins specified the conditions of the man’s community correction order including that he cannot reoffend or leave Victoria without permission, and he must undertake treatment and rehabilitation

at the Mount Beauty Medical Centre. I am a member of the local CFA (non-operational), I am a leader and treasurer of the Uniting Church, I help dementia carers one on one. I like to read, cycle, and I enjoy walking. My middle daughter is an ambassador for breast and ovarian cancer. I am joining the rest of my family

in a four kilometre walk‘The Mothers Day Classic’ in Geelong to help fund raising for breast and ovarian cancer. Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Up to Fainter Falls and Rocky Valley, walks to Pebble Beach, the Gorge, and around the Pondage.

programs as directed by Corrections Victoria.

The man was also ordered to pay $686.57 in legal costs.

According to the Conservation Regulator, the result follows their investigation after receiving information and images from RSPCA Victoria relating to allegations of wildlife cruelty.

Authorised officers, with assistance from Game Management Authority, executed a search warrant at the man’s

Hugh Jolowicz

How long have you lived in Bright?

41 years. I came to Bright to work at Mount Hotham, and I worked up there in ’83. I was in the ski school there, and then we stayed and I’ve been here ever since. I did lawn mowing, window cleaning, shop front cleaning and all that kind of stuff and then I worked at Mount Buffalo in the ski school up there.

What are your hobbies or interests?

Music. I play the guitar. I earned a living here, I played in all the pubs, clubs, restaurants, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, everywhere. What do you like about the area?

property and recovered photo and video evidence of the offending.

The footage showed different animals being attacked by up to four hunting dogs at a time and the man failing to intervene, and he can be heard in several videos actively encouraging the dogs to fight, shouting phrases such as “get him” and “rough him up”.

The recordings also showed one of the kangaroo attacks being committed in

front of his young daughter, and the man is heard saying that they were “smashing roos” together.

“In Victoria, the inhumane treatment of animals is illegal, and the court’s decision today is a reminder to the community that the Conservation Regulator does not tolerate animal cruelty and we will take action against offenders,” Hume Conservation Regulator regional manager Greg Chant said.

I like to be able to go skiing. I like the bush, the trees, and probably most of all, I like the people.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Probably Mount Buffalo. Go for a spin up there and you get good view of the whole area. Is there anything you would change about the area?

I think there’ll come a time when they have to restrict how many people come into the town. They’re trying it out in Venice. They haven’t proved that it’s worked yet, but the town is just overcrowded and can’t cope with the amount of people that are coming in. Have you got any ambitions for the future? A happy death.

Something for everyone at Saturday’s picnic

By FAY MASON,

THERE was lots of activity in Mount Beauty last Saturday including the Resilience Picnic and the Junior Soccer Red Rover Competition.

The teams came from clubs in Myrtleford, Yackandandah, Bright and Mount Beauty.

There was a good turnout of organisations with Red Cross, CFA, Ambulance Victoria, Men’s Shed, AGL, Towards Renewable Energy Kiewa (TREK), and more in attednance.

AGL was present for the first time, giving out valuable advice on how to save on your power bills.

Young volunteers from the CFA gave a realistic demonstration of fire extinguishing, the Men’s Shed cooked dozens of sausages and burgers, Red Cross held a cake stall that sold out very quickly. It was great to see the kids

demonstrating the extinguising of a fire.

from the soccer competition coming over to grab a sausage, with one dad saying “it’s a perfect combination, hopefully it can happen again when both events are on at the same time”.

Alpine FM were there to conduct interviews with various organisations.

“This is our fifth picnic and it is going from strength to strength, so good to see such a big turnout,” Resilience Picnic representative Kitty Vigo said.

Close by these two events was the Community Market in Hydro Park, with the usual stalls in place with something for everyone.

THINGS are underway for the next Mount Beauty Writers Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 12 this year.

One of the featured authors for the festival, Satyajit Das, will be featured on Alpine FM’s Brunch program today at 10:10am, along with Dr Helen

Haines, federal MP for Indi, at 9:30am and Alpine Shire mayor John Forsyth at 11:10am.

The Writers Festival is pleased to announce that AGL will sponsor the school age children’s writing competition again this year, with prizemoney totalling $500.

Entry forms will be available in June.

For enquiries on the competition please call me on 0410 738 266.

Annual bush market hosts 1000

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

FOR a market that comes around just once a year, the Freeburgh community can’t get enough of the homemade goods and community feel of the local bush market.

Bruce and Lynn Miller, who have been coordinating the market for 16 years, said this year’s event was a hit with around 1000 visitors on Sunday.

“One of the highlights for us was how many people were involved; we had over 17 stallholders and 10 car boots on the day,” he said.

“Many of those stallholders stayed on Sunday after the Rotary market in town on the Saturday which was lovely.

“The homemade cakes stall went well as usual and the Devonshire teas with scones and jam and cream were very popular.

“The Bright Vehicle Preservation Society had 10 cars displayed in the middle of the oval behind the community hall as well.

“We’d also like to thank Bright Woolworths for donating food to the barbecue.

“I think people just enjoy the friendliness of our market and the atmosphere; it’s an old fashioned country market and not too commercialised.

“You might not see many people around in Freeburgh but once there’s an event on everyone comes out of the woodwork to help; it’s a great community activity.

“It’s also a great way to spend a Sunday morning and all proceeds go towards maintaining the hall for another year.

“We have regular commitments using the hall, such as karate and table tennis and we want it to stay open for the community.

“We are also currently trying to raise funds for two handicapped parking spots so hopefully we can get the ball rolling there.”

AWESOME EXTINGUISHING: Three young CFA members Noah Tanzen, Lily Bye and Baylin Ford

Kiewa Valley Correspondent

Fay, who is also a regular host on Alpine Radio, can be contactedon

GETTING

Parade a blitz of colour and fun

By BRODIE EVERIST

BRIGHT’S annual Gala Day was the pinnacle of a stellar Autumn Festival last Saturday, with a packed town of locals and visitors checking out stalls and lining the streets for the 60s-themed 1:45pm parade.

Before the parade Autumn Festival Committee president Brendan Holland spoke, as did the three parade float judges – Indi MP Helen Haines, Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy and Alpine Shire deputy mayor Simon Kelley.

“Locals and visitors alike adore the autumn festival, and it’s no surprise why they do,” Dr Haines said.

“Driving in from Wangaratta to-

By BRODIE EVERIST

VENDORS at Bright’s Gala Day on Saturday reported good trade, noting the good weather compared to last year’s rain.

Kristy and Rob Buck from Killawarra said their sales of jams, preserves and chutneys had been reasonable.

“It was hot off the presses for the jams, not so much on the chutneys and there’ll be quite a few cockles of the heart warmed with pickled onions,” Ms Buck said.

They said they were in the same place on Ireland Street as last year’s Gala Day, where it was “beautiful weather for ducks,” due to the rain.

Mr Buck said earlier in the day customers were a little nervous about paying with card due to local mobile tower upgrades, but the EFTPOS had been problem-free.

WANDI REPRESENTS: Wandiligong Primary School’s parade entry.

day, seeing the bank up of traffic getting here and seeing the fantastic crowd lining the street for this wonderful parade, it’s absolutely thrilling to see that people embrace our gorgeous Ovens Valley the way you have.”

Mr McCurdy thanked the committee and the Bright community for the invitation to judge the parade.

“There’s a lot of work that goes in behind the scenes,” he said.

“For the people who have come to visit we really hope you enjoy your stay.”

Councillor Kelley said the Gala Day was to Bright what Moomba is

It was jewellery seller Margy Valentin’s first time at the day, and she said she expected sales a little better than what occurred.

“I thought it might be a little higher but it’s not too bad,” she said.

“I think over the road they did very well.”

Bright resident Lucy Leggett was selling imported woollen clothes from Nepal.

“Last year it was raining, so it’s been much, much easier, and a little bit busier as well,” she said.

Finally, the Pepo Farms stall estimated attendance at the gala day was double on last year.

Shops in the street also appeared to be doing good business after the parade with many people enjoying ice cream outside the ice creamery and the line at the pizzeria on Gavan Street reaching the door.

Town

wifi to

end after fund reallocation

By BRODIE EVERIST

BRIGHT’S free wifi across the riverfront is set to shut down, signalling the end of a project that was once touted to solve the town’s internet problems.

According to Bright and District Chamber of Commerce communications spokesperson Bruce Hore, state government grant funding that was to extend the project across the town has since been reallocated by the Alpine Shire Council, and Mr Hore and the chamber no longer have funds to keep the current wifi infrastructure running.

“We just don’t have the grant money that we thought we would have, and that money’s now been reallocated,” Mr Hore said.

“We just can’t afford it anymore.”

According to an Alpine Shire Council spokesperson, council allocated funding from a bushfire recovery grant towards the Bright wifi project.

“Council and the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce scoped the project and determined that the cost would be significantly higher than originally budgeted for,” they said.

good weather for the whole festival so that was a good start,” he said.

to Melbourne, or even Carnaval to Rio De Janeiro.

“It’s our biggest celebration in Bright of the year, our biggest town gathering,” he said.

Speaking on Monday, Bright Autumn Festival president Brendan Holland said he has received good feedback on the parade.

“From what I’m hearing, people seem to really make great effort to embrace the theme,” he said.

“We were really happy with how the floats looked, really colourful.”

Mr Holland said the weather had been ideal for the Autumn Festival.

“We were blessed with some

“The town and the region’s been looking great.”

Mr Holland thanked the Alpine Shire Council, the festival committee, their sponsors, volunteers and the many locals who get involved.

“It’s a celebration of what a rich community Bright is,” he said.

“So for all the schools and the community groups and businesses that get behind and support it, it’s fantastic.”

Some of the float winners included Bright P-12 College for Most Outstanding ‘Back to the 60s’ Float, Freeburgh Public Hall for best Float Entry, and Bright Auskick for best community group entry.

“Owing to the shortfall in funds, council worked with the grant funding body to repurpose the funds for an alternate project that met the grant guidelines.”

They said council and the chamber are currently scoping the possibility of wifi hotspots in various locations around Bright.

Mr Hore said the grant was to fund the installation of highspeed internet across various sites in Bright.

“We had an opportunity to work with council to put in fibre bandwidth into the Visitor Information Centre, the library, and a new connection into the community centre,” he said.

“With this fibre connection, the community could take advantage of it, the council could take advantage of it, and some of it could be redistributed to the community or the free wifi system without impacting anyone else.”

Bright has often been plagued with unreliable internet due to the town’s fluctuating population, often placing strain on mobile infrastructure during hightourism periods.

Mr Hore said the free wifi was initially established by the chamber of commerce over two years ago to assist tourists and provide a connection to emergency services at the riverfront.

The project was also a proof of concept for a planned series of wifi hubs across the town.

Mr Hore thanked the Bright Brewery for donating space and power for the project, as well as the chamber for their support.

He expects the wifi service to end after the conclusion of the town’s Autumn Festival, which ended last Sunday.

WARM AND WOOLLY: Bright resident Lucy Leggett was selling imported woollen clothes from Nepal at the Gala Day in Bright on Saturday, and said it was a little busier than last year.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

GROOVY: Porepunkah Primary School students in the parade on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Jean-Pierre Ronco

GOT TALENT: A parade entry for the Bright talent show later that day.

DRIVE MY CAR: Bright Rotary’s float featured a tribute to the Beatles.

Regional Australia left in waiting room by Federal Government: MP

TWO weeks before the Federal Government hands down its third budget, regional communities are still waiting on funding promises announced in its first budget in 2022.

Independent federal MP for Indi Helen Haines has questioned the government’s delay in delivering funding to regional Australia, saying regional communities deserve better.

“The government announced $1 billion across the Growing Regions Program and Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program in October 2022, but now 18 months later no money has actually been delivered to our communities,” Dr Haines said.

“I welcome due diligence and careful, fair consideration in the assessment of applications, but this process is taking too long.

“These funds are vital to deliver housing, health precincts and other infrastructure for regional Australia and we can’t keep endlessly waiting.

“The Labor Government is preparing to deliver its third budget on May 14, yet they have not delivered much needed funding for regional communities that

BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au

they committed to in their first budget.”

The Growing Regions Program was established to provide new opportunities for regional local councils and not-for-profit organisations through an annual competitive grants process, while the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program was a new funding scheme for larger-scale place-making projects that benefit regional communities.

“When I meet with organisations across Indi, and I hear they need funding for upgrades and developments that will help our communities thrive, I advise them to apply for these programs,” Dr Haines said.

“Applicants spend much time preparing their submissions and then are left waiting for many months to find out whether they have been successful.

“This creates uncertainty and is a handbrake on regional planning.

“Communities are feeling the pinch of a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis.

“Investments from grants

programs boost local economies and accelerate much needed infrastructure projects.”

Another grant program that is yet to deliver promised funding is the Housing Support Program.

“Following my meeting with Prime Minister An-

thony Albanese in August last year, he announced the Housing Support Program, a $500 million funding program for local governments to invest in the critical infrastructure that enables housing developments to get started,” Dr Haines said.

Government

says

things in motion Governments are expected to deliver on their promises.

- HELEN HAINES (MHR, INDI)

“This program only opened for applications in March and is critical to addressing the regional housing supply crisis.

“It is not simply enough to make big announcements.

“Governments are expected to deliver on their promises.”

A SPOKESWOMAN for the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, told the Myrtleford Times/Alpine Observer the Federal Government was committed to developing communities, including by funding projects that create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth.

“Round one of the Growing Regions Program has a two-stage application process to ensure program integrity and transparency,” the spokeswoman said.

“Second stage applications under round one are currently being assessed in accordance with the program guidelines and probity requirements.

“Applications for the regional Precincts and Partnership Program are also being assessed in accordance with the program guidelines and probity requirements.

“Details of successful grant recipients will be published in due course.

“Applications for Stream One of the Australian Government’s $500 million Housing Support Program opened at the end of March and have just closed.”

For further information visit https://www.infrastructure.gov. au/territories-regions-cities/cities/ housing-support-program

YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED TRAVEL ADVISORS

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carolyn.wodonga @helloworld.com.au

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sami.wangaratta @helloworld.com.au

Nikki Feehan Travel Advisor Wangaratta

nikki.wangaratta @helloworld.com.au

Carrie O’Shannessy Senior Travel Advisor Wangaratta

carrie.wangaratta @helloworld.com.au

Sarah Crockett-Sibraa Office Manager Albury

sarah.albury @helloworld.com.au

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Yvette van Urk Senior Travel Advisor Albury

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Sue Spencer Senior Travel Advisor Albury

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Brooke Nightingale Office Account Manager Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta

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WHERE’S THE CASH? Indi MP Helen Haines has slammed the Federal Government over lack of delivery of regional grants programs.

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Seeking assurance on wild dog controls

By EMMA OLIVER

ON MARCH 14 the unprotection order for dingoes in the northwest of the state was revoked, and with no government commitment as to whether the Wild Dog Control Program will be renewed after its current term ends on October 1, farmers across the North East are concerned.

The revoked order was triggered by research conducted by the Arthur Rylah Institute suggesting the dingo population in the northwest of Victoria is at imminent risk of extinction if threats to the population are not addressed.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said “we are currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of Victoria’s dingo population to guide management practices that most appropriately balance the protection of livestock and the conservation of dingoes”.

Defined as both a native animal and an agricultural pest, along with holding cultural significance for First Nations people, the challenge now lies in finding that balance.

In Victoria, dingoes are listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.

However, there are allowances.

Currently the Wild Dog Control Program allows the control of dingoes where they threaten livestock, with wild dogs declared unprotected within a 3km Livestock Protection Buffer zone on public land in eastern Victoria, and on most private land across the state.

This is under review, with the government assessing future policy for dingo conservation and management in light of new scientific research suggesting a significantly greater proportion of Victoria’s wild dogs or dingo-dog hybrids may in fact be purebred dingoes.

Members of the North East Wild Dog Action Group are skeptical that any promised consultation with farmers and other stakeholders will eventuate.

The group is also requesting that any data on wild dog populations in the Victorian high country and surrounding areas be made publicly available and placed on the table for discussion.

“We are very concerned and fear the lack of support from our state government will see the program closed, possibly overnight and before the October 1 deadline as happened in the north-west,” group member Libbe Paton said.

“This snap decision now protects dingoes on both public and private land, leaving sheep and cattle producers unable to protect their own livestock.”

Where dingoes threaten livestock in the north-west, farmers must now apply for an Authority to Control Wildlife to use lethal control in circumstances where no other options are available.

The committee is also dubious of recent research used to inform the government’s new policy of dingo protection.

Farmers fearful state government will end gpgprogram

OLD DOGS: One of seven wild dogs killed over a period of two weeks at the Booroolite property of sheep farmer Steven Marshall.

has a strategy for an agriculture sector that is strong, innovative and sustainable.

“One of the aims of the strategy was to make Victorian agriculture an engine of growth for the state’s economy: attracting investment, supporting jobs and helping communities thrive.

“It will be challenging to achieve this goal if wild dogs are allowed to run rampant across the state.”

“The study claims that 87 per cent of all wild dogs in Victoria are purebred dingoes compared with previous data showing one to three per cent were pure dingo,” Ms Paton said.

A further 6.5 per cent of the sample were identified as backcrosses with more than 93 per cent dingo ancestry.

“This study was based on only 62 dog samples of questionable origin in Victoria and was funded by the Dingo Conservation Foundation,” Ms Paton said.

The nationwide study identified four genetically separate wild dingo populations that had previously been misidentified.

Researchers now believe the vast majority of wild canines are in fact pure dingoes and are calling on the removal of the term ‘wild dog’ from the lexicon, with the misnomer allowing animals to be target for eradication.

The term ‘wild dog’ currently identifies “any dog living in the wild including, including feral domestic dogs, dingoes and their hybrids”.

All are considered invasive species and subject to lethal control measures, including within the perimeter of conservation areas like National Parks where native animals are protected.

Legislation has been determined by the belief that interbreeding between dogs and dingoes was widespread, and the resulting hybrids were the main issue.

However recent DNA research shows dingo-dog hybrids are rare, with most dingoes having little to no dog ancestry.

This has led to scientists, conservationists and First Nations people demanding a change to dingo policies and calling for acknowledgment of the species as an apex predator that serves an important role within the environment.

Farmers are concerned that any changes to policy will find themselves on the wrong side of the law, forced to choose between

protecting their flock or risk fines and court cases shooting a protected species.

Nationals MP for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy is demanding assurance from the government that producers will be able to protect their livestock long term by keeping wild dog populations in check.

“The government refuses to provide long-term security and instead keep extending the Wild Dog Control Program in sixmonth blocks to appease innercity voters who have no idea the damage these creatures do,” said Mr McCurdy.

“I can assure farmers we will continue fighting for them so they can continue to protect their livestock and livelihoods.”

The National Wild Dog Action Plan is Australia’s blueprint strategy for wild dog management that guides state, regional and local plans in accordance with the principles of the Australian Pest Animal Strategy 2017-2027.

Greg Mifsud, the National Wild Dog Management coordinator believes if the Victorian Government ends the Wild Dog Control Program, there will be serious and far-reaching implications for Victoria’s wildlife, the economy and its biodiversity.

“Changes to the program would put at risk the state’s $4.5 billion sheep and wool industry and the 9,200 jobs that it provides for rural Victorian residents,” said Mr Mifsud.

“Sheep and wool producers would be almost powerless to protect the welfare of their animals from wild dog attacks, which raises important questions about how we prioritise the welfare of one animal over another.

“There’s also a substantial emotional toll on producers when they experience attacks on their livestock, so it is likely we would see an increasing level of stress and impacts to producer wellbeing if the Wild Dog Control Program is changed.

“The Victorian government

Mr Mifsud said there is very limited publicly available information on the actual number of wild dogs in Victoria.

“The only information available is the number of wild dogs trapped by the wild dog control program,” he said.

“Since 2017 numbers have remained relatively constant between 500 and 630 trapped per year.

“This is in addition to those that are aerial and ground baited in the livestock protection zone, of which we have no figures for.”

Mr Mifsud believes that available data indicates the population of dingoes in the 2.6 million hectares of public lands where no control occurs is in fact healthy and sustainable.

“Industry doesn’t want to eradicate dingoes, just control their numbers,” he said.

“The wild dog control program allows us to strike a balance between dingo conservation, the growth of the livestock industry and the protection of Victoria’s biodiversity.

“Whilst we acknowledge the environmental and cultural significance of the dingo, legislative mechanisms like the unprotection order are critical to ensure livestock, wildlife and domestic pets are protected.”

Dr Matt Mahoney of Agridome Consultancy coordinated the three-year ‘Less Predators, More Lambs’ project.

Funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and supported by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions along with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, eight sheep producers primarily within the Goulburn Broken catchment participated in the program.

Over the time-period, producers observed a clear impact from predators, with the project estimating that improved predator management would benefit the entire region.

“The core producers experienced substantial losses due to wild dog attacks during the project,” said Dr Mahoney.

“These attacks did only affect a small proportion of the group, however despite their infrequency, when these attacks did occur, they proved devastating to the ewe flock concerned.

“Looking ahead the project highlighted the need for further investment and focus on wild dog management, as this remains a significant issue for producers.”

HAVOC IN THE PADDOCK: One of the injured sheep on sheep farmer Steve Marshall’s Booroolite property.

Bright Rotary initiates renovation project for East Timor hospital

THE Rotary Club of Bright continues its longstanding commitment to community service and global outreach with a recent visit to East Timor by three members: Rob Moore, Patrick O’Shea and Brent Moore (Rotary Club of Taipei).

The purpose of their trip was to inspect a project in the Bobonaro district of East Timor, reflecting over 20 years of the club’s involvement in the region.

Over time, the Rotary Club of Bright has led many projects to help improve conditions in East Timor, one of the world’s poorest nations.

Due to its reputation for making a difference, the club was asked to inspect the conditions at the maternity hospital in the village of Atabae.

According to the club, the hospital lacks running water, hot water, it has intermittent power supply, outdated delivery beds, absence of cooling systems and deteriorating infrastructure.

It struggles to meet the most basic needs of pregnant women.

Alarmed by the deplorable conditions, the Rotary Club of Bright has made a commitment to renovate the hospital, including the addition of an extension to the existing building and necessary repairs to ensure its safety and functionality.

Furthermore, the club has secured pledges for hospital beds

and equipment from a local health service, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to provide critical care.

The Rotary Club of Taipei has agreed to assist with funding and logistics for the project as well.

According to Bright Rotary, once finished, the local hospital committee of management will look after the building and ongoing maintenance.

With infant mortality rates alarmingly high in East Timor, the Rotary Club of Bright hopes that its intervention will contribute positively to improving healthcare outcomes in the region.

Plans are underway for a team from Bright to return to East Timor later this year to execute the renovation project in collaboration with local stakeholders.

“We are deeply moved by the conditions we witnessed at the maternity hospital in Atabae,” Rob Moore said.

“Our club is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of the people in East Timor and renovating this vital healthcare facility is a crucial step towards that goal.

“This type of support is only made possible through the tireless fundraising efforts of our club and the incredible support from our community, whose unwavering dedication continues to fuel these vital humanitarian projects.”

Still no confidence in GMW fee calculations, say locals

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

THE Essential Services Commission (ESC) has instructed Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) to recalculate its service point fees for unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers following an ongoing disagreement over pricing.

Ovens Valley residents have again expressed their frustration over fees for domestic and stock water services in the area and, despite the draft decision from the ESC, they don’t believe much will change.

The ESC published their draft decision in a report on the proposed prices by GMW, stating it does not accept GMW’s proposed tariff structure for the service point fees applying to unmetered customers.

The report instructs GMW to “recalculate its service point fees for unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers considering Egis’s findings and recommendations on deeming costs.

The report stated the recalculation model should clearly set out the assumptions and formulas used, should include notes on the workings of the model and GMW should also provide information supporting its assumptions. It also asked GMW to

consider review of its tariff name for service point fees or tariff description applying to unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers.

ESC suggested over the medium term, GMW should improve the collection of actual activity data to improve the robustness of its calculations, in order to support the achievement of objectives in the pricing framework related to efficiency, including cost reflective tariffs.

GMW business and finance general manager Michael Gomez said the GMW price submission outlines the intention to improve how it communicates with diversion customers about the nature of their charges.

“The ESC’s draft determination has supported this step,” he said.

“We are grateful to all the customers who helped shape the submission with their feedback throughout the engagement program, which included several meetings with unregulated water users from the Upper Ovens.

“The ESC’s draft determination states that our price submission is of a high quality and focuses on minimising costs for GMW customers.

“Our price submission proposes a small decrease to the average customer bill and a decrease of eight per

cent to the typical customer bill for Diversions Unregulated Surface (Small Customers).

“We are working through the ESC’s request to give further consideration to the calculation of service point fees for unmetered customers, and we will seek to address this in line with the advice provided by the ESC. “

ESC conducted a meeting to present their draft decision in Shepparton on Tuesday, April 23.

Two customers, Cameron Reid and Nick Legge, attended and were not satisfied with the discussion.

“At first we were happy that at least the ESC have decided to do something but after thinking it through we don’t believe they’re doing much,” Mr Reid said.

“Rather than directing GMW with a solution, they’ve told them to figure it out themselves and we simply have no confidence that GMW will do anything.

“The guidelines issued by ESC have been fairly wanting; we think they should be managing the standard that would be acceptable and giving GMW a specific solution.

“We think it’s just a routine process they’re going through of consulting people but not really wanting to change anything to accommodate customers.

“We’re in a holding pat-

tern at the moment and it would’ve given us more confidence if GMW outlined what they’re actually doing about it at the meeting.

“We’re running out of

time before ESC have to hand out its final decision on June 30.”

GMW submitted its response to the ESC’s Draft Determination on May 7.

Customers can view the draft determination and provide further feedback at Goulburn-Murray Water price review 2024 (esc.vic. gov.au).

Wangaratta's

HELPING OUT: Rotary members, patients and staff at the hospital in East Timor.

PHOTO: Supplied

Global demand change allows for local hops rebalance

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

HOP Products Australia (HPA) have completed this year’s harvest with 670 hectares and 1340 tonnes of hops across Victoria and Tasmania.

HPA’s head of sales and marketing Owen Johnston said this was a 177 hectare decrease and a 480 tonne decrease year-on-year across six proprietary varieties: Eclipse, Ella, Enigma, Galaxy, Topaz and Vic Secret, as well as Cascade.

“Crop 2024 looks a little different to previous years,” he said.

“Some changes to global demand led us to idle 20 per cent of their gardens.

“This production decrease was a necessary

step towards rebalancing supply and demand, and an opportunity to get hyperfocused on Aussie hop quality.

“We had greater flexibility to fine tune our standard operating procedures and harvest each variety at optimal maturity.

“Impact in beer is expected to remain strong, with this year’s average oil content coming in equal or above the five year average for all proprietary hops.

“Galaxy and Enigma were the star performers with both oils and alphas above the five year average, which should lead to a great year of true-to-type flavours and aromas in beer.”

HPA general manager operations Hans Dreyer said the production decrease also

meant an earlier finish to the season.

“Early on in the season we had a wet weather spell so we changed the program to adjust for waterlogging in some of the blocks, but later on through the season it dried up and we had quite an average season; temperaturewise,” he said.

“This assisted with the growth so it recovered later on in the season.

“Quality wise, the internal quality of oil is higher with an uptick of content; all good indicators towards quality as far as harvest timing goes.

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“We started as per the planned schedule in the first days of March and, because of the reduction in hectares this year which were left idle to rebalance that supply and demand, we ended a bit earlier, around March 23, but this also helped with the very early Easter weekend we had.”

Mr Dreyer said this gives HPA a window of opportunity to look at current stock in the ground, all plantings, and give some blocks a year of rest.

“It’s an opportunity to get on top of some of the weeds and other maintenance issues we had in older gardens and it also gives us the opportunity now to replant and look at some of the experimental varieties,” he said.

“Like any other agriculture product you have a lifespan for any plant and at this stage the overall yield as the plant ages would reduce.

“With a demand to have 100 per cent of our operational areas in production, that maintenance gets put to back burner whereas the opportunity in the market now gives us a window to reassess some of these yields in older areas and make decisions for future planting.

“Now we’re just in post-harvest stages so we’ve started some weed control in various areas, both mechanical and chemical, and at this stage it’s just maintenance and cleaning on equipment and facilities.”

New bill aims to improve council governance

THE State Government introduced new legislation to parliament last week aimed at improving council governance and integrity standards in a reform of the Local Government Act 2020.

According to the government, the legislation will elevate governance and integrity standards in Victoria’s 79 councils, to be in place for the new council term following the local government elections this October.

In a statement released last week, the government said 56 councillors have resigned and 11 councils have had municipal monitors appointed since the last council elections in 2020, with one council suspended and one dismissed as a result of governance issues.

According to the statement, councils will have a uniform councillor code of conduct to create consistent standards of behaviour and increase accountability.

A program of mandatory training will also be introduced for councillors and mayors, including annual professional development.

The bill will introduce stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved processes to resolve conduct matters earlier.

The Minister for Local Government will also have strengthened powers to deal with councillors who are putting health and safety at risk or are preventing their council from performing its functions.

“Victorians deserve councils that represent them and meet their needs – our reforms will enhance governance and accountability across all our councils,” Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said.

“Our reforms will create a uniform code of conduct across all councillors and introduce mandatory training, supporting councils to best represent the communities they serve.”

According to the government, the reforms have been developed in response to reports and recommendations of IBAC, the chief municipal inspector and other interventions which highlighted the need for stronger processes and powers to resolve conduct issues, and better training so councillors can perform their roles effectively.

HOP HARVEST: Hop Products Australia (HPA) have completed this year’s harvest with 670 hectares and 1340 tonnes of hops across Victoria and Tasmania.

SHOWCASING DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

Helping students achieve their dream careers

IN 2023 while unemployed, Adam Golding was looking at changing his direction by getting into the mental health and disability industries.

After talking to his partner, he found that it would be an advantage course in Individual Support.

Adam came to The Centre for Continuing Education, seeking to learn more.

Adam enrolled in the Individual Support (aged care & disability) course, a decision that has since reshaped his future.

Adam’s training began with the “Success For You” pre-accredited program that was a vital stepping stone that equipped him with the skills and knowledge to help with his course completion.

Through the duration of his learning there were barriers and challenges for Adam that he overcame and trainers that help with various solutions and options that he could use.

“The classroom environment was awesome,” he said.

friendly and inclusive, just a friendly learning environment for everyone.”

Currently, Adam is immersed in his on-site work placement with a wonderful disability organisation.

Through this hands-on experience, Adam is not only applying his newfound classroom skills but is also actively contributing to the lives of individuals with disabilities.

“Placement is great,” he said.

“It’s good to get hands-on experience and to learn new things.

“You can only learn so much from a book.

“It’s been a great experience”.

Looking ahead, Adam is poised to receive his hard work and commitment.

With this milestone within reach, he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to transition from student to employee within the disability organisation he is currently with. Adam really enjoys what he is doing at the moment and is now focussed on a career in the disability

that he can continue to nurture and grow. The Centre currently

“I had a sense of enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment every day”

SUCCESS STORY: The Centre helped Adam Golding pursue what he’s passionate about.

Open the door to your future - with supported, flexible enabling courses

WANT to go to university but don’t know where to start?

Well, Charles Sturt University can help.

that can help bridge gaps in your knowledge and teach you important foundational skills.

Whether you haven’t studied in a while, don’t have the prerequisites needed for a particular course, or want to update your academic skills –Charles Sturt has something for you.

Get set for success with Access Charles Sturt Entry

This free enabling course will get you up to speed with the skills you need to succeed at uni, like academic writing, foundational maths and critical thinking.

It’s ideal if you didn’t do year 12, been a few years since you did any formal learning.

Plus, when you complete it, you’ll get entry into the uni’s second enabling course.

Take the next step with an University Preparation

Move onto this unique start your university journey.

If you didn’t quite get the ATAR you wanted, or you’re considering a career change, this course is for you.

You’ll develop your academic skills and choose from a range of subjects in science, history, writing and maths – to match your future study goals.

And once you’re done, you’ll get guaranteed entry into – and credit towards – many of Charles Sturt’s bachelor’s degrees.

You can choose to study either of our enabling courses:

Dubbo, Port Macquarie or Wagga Wagga campuses;

Victoria – at the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre; or like.

Study with Australia’s most experienced online university

Whether you love to read

quickly or take your time, work at the crack of dawn or burn the midnight oil – online study works around you.

All you need to do is meet your course’s key deadlines.

When you study online, you’ll

That means you choose how, when and where you learn.

Everything is there for you at the click of a mouse: lectures, tutorials, assessments, resources and community spaces.

Be supported from start to Study Centre

Prefer to study on campus?

No problem.

Charles Sturt understand what it’s like to live in regional Australia – and the importance of connecting with a community.

That’s why you’re always welcome on any of its campuses when you study with Charles Sturt – like the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre.

Here, you can get personalised health, wellbeing, study and career support.

facilities and spaces.

Ready to get started?

Learn more at study.csu.edu.au/

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Job opportunities in shift to clean energy

THE clean energy sector has career opportunities at all levels.

There are many pathways to enter the sector, from entry level jobs that require no formal training through to higher

The sector is expected to grow throughout Australia, in both regional and metropolitan locations.

Jobs vary depending on where you live certain technologies.

For example, the Rural City of Wangaratta has been inundated with solar farms across the region, hydropower is dominant in Tasmania and the Snowy Mountains and wind power is more dispersed with higher concentrations in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

related to the clean energy sector visit https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/resources/ clean-energy.

What is clean energy?

Clean energy is sometimes referred to as ‘green’, ‘new’ or ‘renewable’ energy. It comes from natural resources that are constantly replaced and never run out.

There are many clean energy sources and technologies such as:

- Solar

- Wind

- Hydroelectricity

- Hydrogen

- Geothermal and bioenergy

Clean energy can include:

Generation, storage, transmission and distribution of the energy we use through the design, construction and operation of clean energy infrastructure.

energy is used.

Installation and maintenance of clean energy technology.

Within these areas, there are many occupations you can explore depending on your skills and interests.

EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

2024 Dates

Edition 2: Jul 12

Edition 3: Sep 6

Edition 4: Dec 13

The feature is aimed at giving current and future students the tools & information they need when considering further study at university and tafe. It’s also an opportunity to promote job vacancies and development.

Amazing resource for studying here

COUNTRY Universities Centre (CUC) - Ovens Murray continues to support local students’ university and higher education journeys in Wangaratta.

The CUC is a free service for any student currently studying a degree or higher education course with any institution.

Tyome Thompson of Psychology student studying with Swinburne about the CUC through an email from her university.

“I had actually gone to the library in Wangaratta to study when I saw a sign to the CUC, I remembered something was emailed to me about it, so I thought I’d pop in and see what it was,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe this resource was here in Wangaratta, it’s a really great place to study.

“Dual screen computers, printing has made studying 20 times easier than at home.

“It’s been great to have

other students around who are all studying, so you don’t feel like you’re on your own with online study.”

Tyome said she also recommended CUC to others.

“I have a friend who is doing his Masters and I had to let him know about the CUC and he’s really happy to have found this place too,” she said.

“The learning skills advisor, Roxanne, has been

study spaces

We are a safe, secure study facility open from 7am to midnight, 7 days a week

fantastic at supporting student with my planning, developing good study habits, providing resources and help with referencing - which has set me up well for the rest of my degree. and snacks to get you through are amazing.” For more information or to register for this free service, visit www. cucovensmurray.edu.au.

The CUC provided me a place to study in the evenings and weekends that was away from the interruptions at

AMAZING SUPPORT: Tyome Thompson is grateful for all the support she’s received from the Country Universities Centre.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: There are many careers available in the clean energy sector.

Start your career with high quality training

1STOP Driving school has recently changed its name to 1Stop Training Centre.

While they have rebranded, they will service as they did previously.

With campuses in Wangaratta, Bundalong and Barmah, 1 Stop Training Centre is centrally placed to deliver high quality training.

delivering training and assessment in the and driving operations, and as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO #46133) 1 Stop has earnt a reputation as a leader in services.

These courses, among others, are currently running and can help get you where you want to be.

Plant Operations

plant operator with this nationally accredited course.

loaders, skid steers and rollers, as well as projects, White Card and First Aid topics and more in a booming industry.

In this course you will learn how to not only operate heavy machinery required to be a plant operator, but also how to

Truck licence ridged.

situations.

Whether you need a licence to drive a smaller truck or a truck with additional trailers, 1 Stop has got you covered. 1 Stop’s goal is to provide students with to participate in their training and assessment, and to ensure they are

or want to enter sectors such as civil or timber, road transport, driver training and licence endorsement, materials handling, industrial licensing or maritime, 1 Stop Driving School can help you get the

EDUCATION

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Pursue your dreams with GOTAFE

THE journey to reaching your career goals can be challenging at times, but with GOTAFE by your side, you’ve got this.

GOTAFE provides people with the opportunity to realise their potential and follow their passions.

Mature age veterinary nursing student Tracey Paterson is a testament to never being too late to pursue your dream.

After many career changes – from accounting to computer programming – she made the decision to follow her passion, IV in veterinary nursing (ACM40418) at GOTAFE’s Tone Road campus in Wangaratta.

“Vet nursing was the only thing I actually ever wanted to do,” she said.

“I tried to get into vet nursing as a teenager, but there was nothing – or you had to be already employed.”

Tracey’s decision to pursue a career in vet nursing came after losing her job to COVID.

“I thought to myself, ‘how could I be born to do something and never get to achieve it?’” she said.

“There were nights I would come home from work at 8.30pm and have to pick up the books,” she said.

“My husband and kids have been so supportive of me.” With the help of

GOTAFE’s trainers and her family, Tracey managed to complete her studies and featured as a speaker at GOTAFE’s graduation ceremonies throughout March.

Committed to lifelong learning, Tracey has recently embarked on further studies with Charles Sturt University in a parttime capacity.

If you are starting out in your career, aiming for a change like Tracey, upskilling or seeking professional growth, with GOTAFE by your side, you’ve got this! Still not sure what career path you’d like to follow?

GOTAFE’s Skills and Jobs Centres are one-stop-shops for anyone looking for career planning advice.

The skills and jobs centres and their services are free and accessible to all Victorians, but are prospective students; current students; apprentices and trainees; unemployed or retrenched workers; anyone seeking a career change; and employers and industry.

Applications for semester two are now open - to browse GOTAFE’s course with a career advisor, visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au.

During her studies with GOTAFE, Tracey got a job at the Chelsea Veterinary Clinic as practice manager.

PURSUING DREAMS: Thanks to the help of GOTAFE, Tracey Paterson was able to achieve her dream of becoming a veterinary nurse.

SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS:

With support from CVGT Employment, Ebony found

CVGT Employment support people to achieve their career goals.

They can help you build your skills, boost your career path.

Whether you’re starting out or looking for a new direction, their friendly

Wangaratta team can support you toward success.

Like many young people Ebony ‘hadn’t had a paid job before’ but knew she wanted to work for an inclusive employer.

Ebony connected with CVGT Employment

needing support.

Since October 2022, she’s been working in her dream job at the Gorge Restaurant.

“I am so grateful for CVGT Employment and all their support,” Ebony said.

“Work’s been a huge step. It’s helped me grow.”

- CVGT Employment participant Ebony.

Support to achieve your career goals

There is a range of employment programs they up their future.

“We offer training support, help to write your resume, and succeed in interviews,” CVGT Employment Wangaratta branch manager, Deb

Remlein, said.

“We can equip you with trade tools, personal protection equipment, help with transport costs and support you to overcome any barriers including mental health.”

“Whether you already have an employment

opportunity lined up or need help getting connected to local employers ready to hire, we can help you.”

Visit their website cvgt. com.au, call 132 848 or visit the friendly team at 8/10 Ford St Wangaratta

One owner, prime location

THIS home might be just the one you have been waiting for.

Showcasing the charm of yesteryear, this Les Brown built home has given much joy to its current owner for more than 50 years.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase an original, well-kept three bedroom home in a desirable central corner location.

The well-presented home’s main bedroom includes walk-in robe, recently renovated ensuite and split system.

The separate study offers space for the into a fourth bedroom.

Original unique features include a sunken lounge, dining and kitchen space, shadow line cornices, archways and a two way serving bar which connects the kitchen to the formal lounge.

Comfort is assured year-round with the inclusion of evaporative cooling, ducted gas heating, split system and ceiling fans to the living, bedrooms and

Myrtleford Autumn Special Cattle Sale

COWS & CALVES/JOINED FEMALES

A/c A & L Wood-Markwood

17x17 Angus Heifers 2YO Alpine

Angus Blood w Angus CAF 1-2m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c Twin Mountains-Merriang

15x15 Angus/Hereford x Heifers by Cluden Newry Angus Bull with CAF 2-5m by Valma Poll Hereford Bull. Not Rej

A/c Paragunyah-Mudgegonga

10x10 Angus Cows w 2nd CAF 2m Not Rej.

A/c IBP-Havilah

7x7 Angus Heifers 2YO with Angus CAF 1-2m Not Rej.

A/c KJ Morrison-Barwidgee Creek

6x6 Angus Cows w Angus CAF 2m Not Rej

A/c Southfork-Whorouly South

5x5 Angus Heifers w Angus CAF 24wks Not rej.

A/c JN Carroll-Mudgegonga

21 Angus Heifers 21m Stellar Livestock Angus Blood PTIC to Stellar Livestock Angus Bulls TCC 1st week of Aug for 10weeks. DNA sire verified & Heifers select genomic predictions.

A/c Zeinert F/T-Mudgegonga

14 Angus Cows 6YO PTIC to Scott’s Angus Bull TCC Jul/Aug

WEANERS

A/c JR & NM Faithfull-Colac Colac

outdoor entertaining area.

A double width concrete driveway provides off-street parking and clean access to the enclosed double carport and through to the secure rear yard.

The undercover paved area and a true fernery offer a perfect space for entertaining and relaxation.

With walking tracks, public transport, city centre and shops at your doorstep, this one may just be the perfect home for you.

Location: Nutrien Ivone Yards - Corner of Mathesons lane/Great Alpine

150 Angus M/S 6-8m By Alpine Angus Bulls

WEANED

A/c IK Junor- Hinnomunjie

100 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine & Ardrossan Bulls NE Accr.

A/c D Rae-Murmungee

100 Angus & SimAngus x Steers 7-10m by Woonallee Black Simmental & Alpine Angus Bulls WEANED NE Accr.

A/c A Browne-Ovens

86 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c J & L Townsend-Germantown

65 Angus/Hereford x M/S 7-9m by Alpine & Stellar Angus Bulls

A/c L, S & T Witherow-Murmungee

55 Angus M/S 8-9m by Black Aqua Angus

Bull

A/c S Robertson-Buffalo River

50 Angus Steers 12m by Alpine Angus Bulls

WEANED

A/c K & A McCormack-Ovens

50 Angus M/S 9-10m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c D Hamilton-Whorouly

50 Angus M/S 9m by Alpine & Jarobee bulls NE Accr.

A/c Yarumpa-Buffalo River

40 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bull

A/c Carroll & Dunn-Mudgegonga

37 Angus M/S 8-10m by Connamara Angus

Bulls WEANED

A/c MV Carroll-Mudgegonga

Wangaratta

A/c Southfork-Whorouly South

35 Angus M/S 9-11m by Stellar Livestock & Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c Spring Creek Cattle-Edi Upper

30 Angus M/S 10m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c CJ & CA Hall-Buckland Valley

30 Black Baldy M/S 12-14m by Jarobee Angus

Bull

A/c A & J Brain-Eurobin

30 Angus & Angus x M/S 10m by Stellar Angus

Bull WEANED

A/c A & B Malcolm-Milawa

30 Angus/Simmental x M/S 8-10m by Woonallee

Black Simmental Bull

A/c Broughton Ag-Merriang

25 Black Baldy M/S 10m by Prime Angus Bulls

A/c H & L Martin-Buckland Valley

25 Angus/Hereford x M/S 10-12m by Alpine

Angus Bull WEANED

A/c Modtage-Rosewhite

24 Angus M/S 7-10m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c NJ Four-Buffalo River

21 Angus & Angus/Hereford x M/S 8-9m by Murramungee Angus Bulls

A/c Clayfield-Rosewhite

20 Angus/Charolais x M/S 12-14m WEANED

A/c KJ Morrison-Barwidgee Creek

20 Angus M/S 12m by Alpine Angus Bull

WEANED

A/c RT Moorhead-Myrrhee

20 Angus Steers 9m by Injemira Angus Bulls

WEANED

20 Fleckvieh Steers 7-8m by Serpell Fleckvieh Bull WEANED NE Accr.

A/c Lucas & Smith-Mudgegonga

10 Speckle Park/Friesian x Heifers 12m by Snowline Speckle Park bull WEANED

9 Angus/Friesian x Heifers 12m WEANED A/c L Fraser-Mudgegonga

15 Hereford & Black Baldy M/S 17-18m by Rosstulla Hereford & Murramungee Angus Bulls NE Accr.

A/c R Shaw & S Brindley-Buckland Valley

15 Angus Heifers 16m by Alpine Angus Bulls

A/c One Oak-Harrietville

13 Angus & Black Baldy M/S 10-12m by Murramungee Angus Bulls WEANED

A/c E & M Notarianni-Myrtleford

10 Angus Steers 10m by Alpine Angus Bull A/c Andalaur-Byawatha

10 Simmental x M/S 7-9m by Sammi Bella Simmental Bull Multimin Vacc 28/4

A/c D & C Bennett-Everton Upper

10 Angus Heifers 12m by Banquet Angus Bull WEANED A/c Zeinert F/T-Mudgegonga

9 Angus M/S 12m by Scott’s Angus Bull WEANED

A/c The Elms-Nug Nug

7 Fleckvieh Steers 8m by Seprell Fleckvieh Bulls WEANED A/c Mt Jack-Londrigan

5 Angus Steers 9m by Alpine Angus Bulls WEANED

Wangaratta

Central

Wangaratta 2 Appin Street 740m22 11

Renovate

Nutrien

Wangaratta 2/5 Kathleen Court 371m23 12

Quality,

Harcourts

Harcourts Wangaratta

Harcourts Wangaratta

Harcourts Wangaratta

ONLINE CLEARING SALE

475+ Lots A/C: Estate of E.J. Irvine 475+ Lots

Radios, Cameras, Records, Military Goods, Manuals & 4x Ford Falcons

AUCTION START: Friday 10 th May 10:00am

AUCTION FINISH: Monday 13 th May from 1:00pm

2 LOCATIONS - 1432 & 1697 Goorambat-Thoona Rd, Thoona 3726 sales@nemedia.com.au

VIEWING DATES: Saturday 4 th & 11 th May - 9:00am to 1:00pm

Please note: Both locations have accessibility challenges for those with limited mobility. Multiple steep steps. No wheelchair access.

Auctioneers remarks: This is a lifetime of collecting with many rare valves, domestic, police, military & car radios, cameras, photographic equipment, journals & books, bric-a-brac, collectables & sundry items. Attendance to view items highly recommended NB. VIEW FULL LISTING & PHOTOS ONLINE.

Register to bid by scanning the QR code here View photos, T&C’s or download the full catalogue.

Terms: No GST applicable. 5%

Premium, applicable on all goods Goods must be paid and funds cleared prior to collection date. Copy of receipt by authorised person must be shown when collecting items.

Kia Cerato: well equipped and very keenly priced

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY, Marque Motoring

LAUNCHED here in 2004, the small Cerato hatch or sedan has been one of Kia’s biggest sellers, often sharing the Australian sales podium alongside Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Mazda3.

The current, fourth generation, Cerato has been on sale here since 2018 with an upgrade in 2021 adding new tech features as well as the fresh new Kia logo.

The next generation Cerato is due early in 2025 but it will be given a name change, adopting the global name of K4.

Let’s hope that Kia doesn’t face the same negative buyer reaction that Nissan did back in 2006 when, under instructions from its Tokyo head office, the popular and well-established Pulsar nameplate was dropped and replaced by the unknown Tiida leaving potential buyers either confused, angry, or both.

We don’t anticipate that happening with the Cerato/ K4 change.

Kia has one of the smartest marketing teams in the business, as shown by its brilliant sporting superstar advert for the upcoming Tasman ute.

But, enough about the future, the Cerato remains on sale now as an excellent alternative in its small hatch/ sedan category.

It comes with the choice of

four variants: S, Sport, Sport + and GT, all with either fivedoor hatchback or four-door sedan bodies.

Prices range from $27,060 for the S through to $36,860 for the GT.

There’s no difference between the hatch and sedan.

Don’t get too excited about the use of the Sport and Sports + name.

Both models get the same 2.0-litre petrol engine with the same modest outputs as the S.

Sport and Sport+ do get 17-inch alloy wheels while the S has 16-inch steels.

Our test vehicle was the Sport + hatch.

STYLING

The 2021 Cerato upgrade was one of the first models to get the new stylised badge which has now spread across the Kia range.

Other new features include a revised headlamp design extending the grille pattern out to the car’s flanks, the reworked front bumper adding a sleek sporty character.

Front foglamps are slotted into the air intake grille, sharpening the looks up front.

In profile the Cerato hatch is a model of restraint, with one exception, an alternative design for the 17-inch alloy wheels differentiates the Sport and Sport + from the rest of the range.

At the rear the exhaust has been concealed for an up-todate hatchback appearance.

DRIVELINES

Cerato S, Sport and Sport+ are powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 112 kW and 192 Nm, while the GT comes with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder motor with 150 kW and 265 Nm.

The 2.0-litre engine is paired to a six-speed automatic while the GT’s turbo engine gets a double-clutch (DCT) seven-speed auto.

Minimal sales saw the demise of the previous six-speed manual gearbox at the 2021 upgrade.

INTERIOR

Kia Cerato has a welldesigned and practical interior with everything in the right place.

There’s reasonable rear legroom although the sunroof in the GT does limit head space.

Rear seat occupants also get a fold down armrest with cup holders, USB socket and air vents.

Sport+ has leather-appointed seats, heated upfront, that are comfortable without being supportive in a lateral context.

Other carryover features include electrochromic mirror, and power exterior folding mirrors, soft-touch trim, illuminated glovebox and passenger-side seat-back pocket.

Luggage space with the rear seatbacks folded is 428 litres in the hatch and 502 litres in the sedan.

SAFETY

Cerato comes with a comprehensive list of safety features that include six airbags, enhanced ABS brakes, stability control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, lane departure warning and driver attention alert.

There are also front and rear parking sensors, high beam assist; reversing camera; and two IsoFix child seat anchor points.

Sport + and GT add blind spot recognition; blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit warning; and enhanced AEB to include pedestrian and cyclist recognition.

An optional $1000 Safety Pack is available for the S and Sport models that adds a Cyclist AEB, electronic parking brake; blind spot detection; and rear cross traffic alert.

DRIVING

As mentioned previously, performance from the 2.0-litre models is only modest but it’s the same story with its direct competitors.

Zero to 100 km/h is just under 10 seconds.

It’s left to the GT with 1.6-litre turbo power to carry the sporty flag, with the speed from a standstill coming up in roughly seven seconds.

Ride and handling remain pleasantly unchanged, with the Sport + keeping the tried-andtrue McPherson Strut front end and couple torsion beam axle

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE:

KIA CERATO S: $27,060

KIA CERATO S SAFETY: $28,060

KIA CERATO SPORT: $29,160

KIA CERATO SPORT SAFETY: $30,060:

KIA CERATO SPORT +: $32,210

KIA CERATO GT: $36,860

NOTE: These are driveaway prices and include all government charges and dealer delivery costs.

at the back tuned especially for Australia by our own engineers.

Suspension is reasonably supple, though rough Aussie country roads can occasionally trouble it. Noise and vibration are well damped.

The latest Korean models are almost up with the Europeans due to their driving dynamics being uprated to suit Australian drivers’ tastes.

Steering provides a quick response from good feedback.

Fuel consumption from the 2.0-litre engine is listed as 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the combined urban / highway cycle.

We averaged 8.3 L/100km during our week-long test the of the Sport + hatch.

SUMMING UP

Cerato has played a significant part in the spectacular rise of Kia in Australia over the past decade or so.

It’s been the brand’s bestselling model for much of that time and still, despite the current model due for imminent replacement, sitting in second place behind the Sportage SUV.

The modest performance isn’t especially important to most of its owners who just want a compact, affordable and reliable vehicle.

The upcoming K4 will almost certainly come with a significant price hike so it might be an opportune time to check out the Cerato and do a bit of haggling with your local dealer.

ON SALE NOW: The Cerato remains on sale now as an excellent alternative in its small hatch/sedan category.

Bright Lions welcome you to a free BBQ and information session in Lions Park Bright on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 12noon, to meet members and find out more about being part of a local service club. For more information 0407 500 028 admin@brightlions.org.au

Bright Bowls Club Inc. is holding its AGM

Sunday, May 26, 2024 commencing at 1pm All members welcome

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER, reg (UDQ911), auto, ST diesel, 7 seater, 180,000km, cruise control, 1 owner, VGC, extras rear park camera, $8000 ono. Call Robin 0412 485 113.

HONDA Accord Euro sedan 2005, red, auto, one owner, regularly serviced, runs well, reg (TNC309), no RWC, straight, 466,686km, Whitfield, $2200 ono. Ph 0447 526 403.

REDUCED!

4.6 Fibre Glass boat/trailer, 70hp Yamaha, very little use, all safety gear, new seats, awning, paint and gel coat, t otally refur bished, new transom, GPS, Sounder, $10,500. Ph 0407 161 665.

FREE RANGE HENS

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

HUNT, Ann. 29/3/1937 – 28/4/2024

The family of Ann is saddened to announce her passing at the age of 87. Privately Cremated.

Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

SABLJO, Jadwiga Marie “Jenny”. 5/2/1950 – 26/4/2024

Dearly loved and loving wife of Branko. Adored mother and mother-in-law to Anna and Andrew, Andrew, Anthony and Robert. Adored Nana to Jason (dec), Michael and Michelle, Adam, Katherine and Adam, Justin (dec), James, Nicholas and Samantha. Adored Great-Nana to Sebastian and Christian.

SMITH (nee Welch), Pamela.

Passed away suddenly at Barwidgee Lodge Myrtleford April 30, 2024. Much loved wife of Jim. Loving Mum to Brendan and Terri. Devoted Nana to Blake and Courtney, and mother-in-law to Nikki. Forever in our memories.

SABLJO

A requiem mass for the repose of the soul of Jenny Sabljo will be offered in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Lawrence Street, Myrtleford on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 commencing at 11am, followed by interment at Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery.

SMITH

The service to celebrate the life of Pamela Smith will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta TODAY Wednesday, May 8, 2024 commencing at 10.30am. Burial will follow at the Myrtleford Cemetery, arriving at 2.30pm. Pam has requested that those attending her service wear colours – not black. Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

In loving memory of GIOFFREDI, Ugolino. 10/5/1920 – 11/5/2009 Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed. ~ Love Umiliana, Barry, Stephanie and Alexander.

TOMASONI, Vic.

May 5, 2018

Time has changed so many things, Never the sadness this day brings. Missing you always. ~ Rosa and family.

Honouring the Journey Mason Park Funerals P. 03 5721 5060 W. masonpark.com.au

only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta

John & Christine Haddrick

Mixed results for fighting Panthers

THE A grade side had a great battle with the Albury Bears, just falling short in a close finish.

The Bears came out in the first innings and applied the pressure with four quick runs.

The Panther responded with Heath Anders and Adam Rosser both hitting safely and rounding the bases.

Trailing 4–3, the Panthers played some great defensive baseball, allowing the Bears to score only one run in the next four innings.

Some nice outfield catches by ‘Rosco’, Aiden Quinton and Paul Meddings helped the cause.

With Porepunkah up 8-5, Adam Rosser racked up his third safe hit for the day and was advanced by Damon

Barker’s hit and scored.

Albury Bears then scored two runs to put the game on a knifes edge.

Porepunkah went into the last innings one run up and fought hard, with a nice double play to end the game, involving pitcher Heath Anders throwing to catcher Lachie Rosser to get a forced out, then Lachie throwing the batter out at first base.

The Bears scored four runs to sneak past Porepunkah to win.

Final score: Albury Bears 11 def Porepunkah Panthers 8.

Due to the fixture the C grade Porepunkah Panthers found themselves playing the same team they easily accounted for last weekend.

Maybe thinking things may just unfold for a win,

the team had a quick awakening with the Albury Bears scoring a maximum seven runs in the first innings.

Panther Liam Quinton started on the mound for the Panthers, finding his radar in the latter half of the first innings to strike out two batters.

The Panthers team went to work with the bat, with Devon Turner, Geordie McEwan, Ayla McCallum and Jayden Eastwood all hitting safely and rounding the bases to score.

With the Porepunkah Panthers behind 7-5, a pitching change to Luca Barthelmes was just the answer, working with catcher Mason Anders in all three outs, allowing the Bears only one run.

Sitting three runs behind,

it was a tight finish - good baserunning and another hit by Luca managed to bring in the three runs to have the match even at 7-7.

Panthers’ starting Pitcher Paige Anders allowed only one run to cross in the first innings of the under 15 match, striking out two batters, and shortstop Eamon Thompson took a nice catch to finish the innings.

The Panthers’ innings started well with Paige Anders and Ayla McCallum both receiving walks and stealing their way around.

Ollie Brown stepped up and had the hit of the day, bringing in the two runners and then scoring himself on a wild pitch.

With the Panthers up 3-1 they didn’t allow the Bears a run in the next innings, with

another two strikeouts to pitcher Paige.

The Panthers then managed one more run thanks to Violet Harrison who hit safely to get on base.

Leading 4-1 in the last innings, the Panthers had to be clean in the field and they were Final score: Porepunkah Panthers 4 def Albury Bears 3.

In a high-scoring game the under 12 Porepunkah team started slowly, and after the second innings found themselves 10-1 down.

The Panthers managed the outs, with Yuna Meddings being involved with two playing first base and a ripper flyball catch to Charlie Smith at shortstop to end an innings.

The Panthers’ bats then

ran hot in the third innings, turning the tide on the Bears.

Safe hits to Zara Gauld, Ollie Smith and Byron Smith helped drive runs in and the Panthers scored a maximum seven runs.

The Panthers then only allowed the Bears to score six more runs in two innings to trail 16–8 going into the last innings.

Cohen Guest Smith and Dylan McCormack both found their second safe hit for the day and were the Panthers’ top batters.

First gamer Xanthie McCormack and Yuna Meddings also hit safely and lapped the bases to score, with a total of five runs coming in.

Final score: Albury Bears 16 def Porepunkah Panthers 13.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Charlotte Kilner and Richard Xerri were at Pioneer Park on Saturday to capture some of the action from Bright’s senior football and A grade netball matches against Goorambat. Bright won seven out of seven matches for the day.

ASH FARMER

MIKKA PAULSEN

SAM DALBOSCO

MAX RAMPLING

RILEY BACON

KRISTI HACKETT

GEORGINA MATTERS

JAMES LOVE

MICHAEL ELLIOTT

Monthly Medal contested at Mount Beauty Golf Club

SATURDAY, May 4 was Monthly Medal day for the men of the Mount Beauty Golf Club.

Allan Retallick broke a bit of a drought to take home the coveted glass mug with a net 66 from Alec Harrowfield on a countback.

Net 71 was enough to secure a ball for Len Tonn with Ron Gallagher scoring net 73 to win his ball.

NTP on the seventh was Stephen Short, along with the Tatts Ticket from the Tawonga South Newsagency & Post Office.

Alec Harrowfield got closest on the ninth, Dave Browning was closest on the 17th while the money on the 18th went to Victor Selway.

The ladies of the Mount Beauty Golf Club played 18

holes on Wednesday, May 1, with Liz Harvey victorious on 37 points to Carol Bartholomew’s 33 points.

Carol took the NTP on the seventh (second shot).

On Saturday, May 4, the Ladies played 18 holes again.

This time, Ruth Rynehart proved too strong with 36 points from Liz Harvey 37 points - NTP

on the seventh (second shot) was Ruth.

Syd Thomas easily shot his age (93 years old) with his 23 points on the back nine competition on Wednesday, May 1. Steuart Snooks was next in with 20 points on a countback from Len Tonn, while NTP on the 17th was Syd with the club keeping the ball on the 18th.

BEST: IMPERIALS: Kai McPhan, Charlie Flynn, Luke Griffiths, Marshall Semmens, Declan O’Sullivan, Angus Schultz. KANGAROOS: Jamie Scheier, Zac O’Shannessy, Mario Sacco, Ryley Downing, ollie kent, Brady O’Keefe. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Marshall Semmens 7, Will Prebble 5, Charlie Flynn 2, Archer Direen 1, Luke Griffiths 1, Declan O’Sullivan 1. KANGAROOS: Ryley Downing 3, Will Graham 2, Sonny McCormack 2, Corey Marjanovic 1, Zac O’Shannessy 1, Ollie Reynolds 1, Mario Sacco 1. College

BEST: COLLEGE: Christian Ashworth, Fraser Burgan, Fraser Mennie, Harrison Bowman, Thomas Fieldew, Judd McGennisken. TIGERS: Mitchell Benton, Jack Preston, Oliver Mullane, Dane Fountain, Jake Wall, Kayden Mckelvie. GOALS: COLLEGE: Christian Ashworth 1, Harrison Bowman 1, Fraser Burgan 1, Selby Doyle 1. TIGERS: Kayden Mckelvie 3, Jake Wall 3, Zack Carroll 2, Mac Correll 2, Dane Fountain 2. Myrtleford

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Oscar Benson, Bailey Robb, Adam Morgan, Tai Miller, Joshua Bruneau, Zeke Menz. BENALLA: Josh Mathieson, Xavier Rhodes, Sam Gates, Bryce Cooney, Logan Hyland, Mitchell Cooney. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Bailey Robb 3, Adam Morgan 1. BENALLA: Josh Hart 3, Mitchell Cooney 2, Christian Squires 1.

BEST: BRIGHT: Alan Grasser, Aidan Hargreaves, Jack Thomson, Otis Dalbosco, Ethan White, Hamish Johnston. MANSFILED: Noah Whitta, Edwin Morphett, Jaxon McCormack, Charlie Dobson, Andrew Friday, Hayden Desmond. GOALS: BRIGHT: Otis Dalbosco 4, Jack Thomson 2, Angus Murrells 1. MANSFIELD: James Benton 3, Hayden Desmond 1, Andrew Friday 1, Oscar Guppy 1, Ethan Pigdon 1.

Magpies

BEST: CENTRALS: Solomon Steer, Connor Breheny, Hayden Currie, Kaiden Wohlers, Cooper Boman, Hunter Fraser. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Alex Cairncross, Mossy Alker-Jones, Hamish Ormond, William Baker, Jack Holmes, Noah Murphy. GOALS: CENTRALS: Charlie Curr 1, Kaiden Wohlers 1. JUNIOR MAGPIES: William Petersen 3, Riley Burrows 1, Alex Cairncross 1, Joel Comensoli 1, Jackson Hewitt 1, Corey Petersen 1.

Ackerly, Jack Pople, Urban Holt. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Zeke Hogan 2. KANGAROOS: Oscar Edwards 6, Mitchell Murphy 3, Archie Symons 3, Henry Ackerly 1, Maddox Coleman 1, Charlie Kelly 1, River Mackinnon-Burman 1, Jack Pople 1, Hudson Wallace 1.

BEST: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims, Charlie OBrien, Luke OBrien, Cooper Bowman, Luke Dillon, Tom Hill. TIGERS: Marlon Togolo, Mia Simpson, Riley Webb, Blake Kantor, Murphy Flanigan, Paige-Lee Dummet. GOALS: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims 6, Luke OBrien 5, Reegan Monk 2, Charlie OBrien 2, Nathan Allan 1, Cooper Bowman 1. TIGERS: Hugh Sharp 1. Myrtleford

Benalla Red

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Blake Parolin, Taylor McPherson, Sam Lupo, Max McMahon, Matthew Morgan, Hudson Durling. BENALLA RED: Harrison Skelton, Noah Hogan, Riley McCarthy, Noah Cooney, Xavier De Fazio, Jack Hart. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Sam Lupo 5, Blake Parolin 3, Tex Cartwright 2, Taylor McPherson 2, Noah Harris 1, Max McMahon 1, Matthew Morgan 1 BENALLA RED: No goal scorers allocated. Bright

Benalla Black

BEST: BRIGHT: Noah White, Harry West, Cash Garratt, Harris Bruneau, Oscar Lewis, Archer Crawley. BENALLA BLACK: Kobi Thwaites, Joshua Montgomery, Jackson Fry, Ryan White, Nicholas White, Charlie Bell. BEST: BRIGHT: Alex Tanaskovic 4, Gabriel Banks 3, Darcy Andersen 2, Harris Bruneau 1, Brock Buckland 1, Cash Garratt 1, Kaegan Hall-Bidois 1. BENALLA BLACK: Oliver Wardill 2; Ryder Humphries 1;

Little run, big changes for Mount Beauty Running Festival

THE 47th Mount Beauty Running Festival is scheduled to take place next weekend on Saturday, May 18.

While it is one of the smaller running events in Victoria, the setting in the Kiewa Valley, overlooked by Mount Bogong, makes it one of the most scenic and the range of distances on offer gives participants of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be part of the action.

The event started life in the 1970s as the Mount Beauty Marathon, with a half marathon added in later.

Then in the 1980s a quarter marathon was added and shortly after, the full marathon was dropped and the event became the Mount Beauty Half Marathon.

After COVID the half marathon was dropped and the event became the Mount Beauty Running Festival,

with a 14km trail run added to the offering.

This year, the committee has put a great deal of effort into improving course routes, by taking them off road onto sealed walking tracks making them more user friendly and even more

scenic, as well as reintroducing the 21km half marathon distance to the festival.

The 21.1km and 10.6km running events follow the pristine Kiewa River and feature panoramic views of the surrounding mountains that hug the upper Kiewa Valley, while the shorter ‘pram and child friendly’ 3km event involves a circuit of the Mount Beauty pondage.

teams cover the 42.2km marathon distance by combining team member’s results across the 3km, 10.6km or 21.1km events.

Points are awarded for the positions in which team members cross the line overall in their respective events - for example, if an athlete comes fifth overall but is the first female in the half marathon, this athlete will score the points for their team. This event would not be possible without the support of the Mount Beauty & District Community Bank, Alpine Shire and Mount Beauty Foodworks, and of course a large team of volunteers from the local community.

Organisers have also added an Ekiden Team Marathon Challenge and School Challenge Competition.

The Ekiden challenge lets

Meanwhile, the 18km trail run makes use of the extensive network of forest trails that surround the town, taking athletes into the bush and pushing them to new limits with steep climbs, descents and two river crossings.

Prime time for alpine golf action

THE end of April and start of May provided perfect golfing weather across the region.

MYRTLEFORD GOLF CLUB

Saturday, May 4

Drummond Golf Albury Monthly Medal Stroke AMCR 71 AWCR 74

A Grade and Medal Winner: Craig Piazza (6) 70/64. A Grade Runner Up: Alan Rockliff (13) 83/70

c/b. B Grade Winner: Andrew Roseby (18) 90/72. B Grade Runner Up: Bruce Fleming (21) 94/73 c/b.

Ladies Winner: Nada Guyatt (30) 100/70 Beechworth. Ladies Runner Up: Jan Roseby (15) 90/75

c/b.

Ball Winners: T Purss 70, P Veldman 73, J Mercuri 74, J Martin 74, D Jackson 74, C McKerral 75, B Wheeler 75, D Clark 75 c/b.

Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Geoff Veldman, 4th 2nd Shot: Andy Loftus, 8th: David Rowe, 14th: Brian Caldwell, 16th: Spider Hancock.

Matthews Cleaning Award: Dan Brown 95 nett.

Raffle Winner: Paul Cowman

Thursday, May 2

Myrtleford BWS - StablefordAWCR 74

A Grade Winner : Carolyn Prowse (28) 31pts. A Grade runner up: Sandra Piazza (17) 28pts.

Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Suzette Kelly, 2/4th: Sandra Piazza, 8th: Carolyn Prowse.

Nine Hole Winner: Margaret Fitridge (33) 20pts. Nine Hole Runner Up: Suzette Kelly (43) 18pts.

Wednesday, May 1

Myrtleford BWS Stableford AMCR 71

A Grade Winner: Chris Rowney 261) 41 pts. A Grade Runner Up: Brian Caldwell (17) 39 pts.

Ball Winners: J Costello 38, A Rockliff 35, J Harrington 35.

Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Chris Rowney, 4th 2nd Shot: Brian Caldwell, 14th: Alan Rockliff, 16th: Alan Rockliff.

Tuesday, April 30

Myrtleford Alpine Dairy - Club Championships Round 3 - Stroke - AWCR 74

A Grade Winner: Sarah Deas

(24) 97/73 c/b. A Grade Runner Up: Angela O’Shaughnessy (17) 90/73 c/b. Ball Winners: Barb Welch 95/74, Marnie Broz 95/75, Kerry Chapman 112/75.

Putting Competition: Jan Harper 27 putts.

Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Lizzie Orton, 8th: Angela O’Shaughnessy, 14th: Marnie Broz, 16th: Sarah Deas.

Nine Hole Winner: Betty Newton (31) 23 pts. Nine Hole Runner Up: Suzette Kelly (49) 20pts.

Scratch Winner: Jan Roseby 271. Scratch R/Up: Sandra Piazza 275. Scratch Rundown: Marnie Broz 284, Angela O’Shaughnessy 286, Kerry Newton 287, Barb Welch 293, Liz Orton 293, Sarah Deas 298, Judy Bynon 306, Kerry Chapman 334, Annie Wilson 345.

Handicap Winner: Annie Wilson (41) 216. Handicap R/Up: Kerry Chapman (37) 223, Sandra Piazza (17) 223. Handicap Rundown: Marnie Broz 224, Kerry Newton 225, Jan Roseby 226, Sarah Deas 226, Barb Welch 230, Angela O’Shaughnessy 236, Judy Bynon

246, Annie Wilson 251.

BRIGHT GOLF CLUB

Veterans, Monday, April 29, Stableford

Winner: Mark Stephenson (20) 30 points. NTPs - 3rd: Joel Mathews, 11th: Joel Mathews.

Ladies, Wednesday, May 1, Stroke Monthly Medal

Winner: Di Anders (26) 66.

NTPs - 3rd: Tina Cook, 6th: Di Anders, 11th: Di Anders, 16th: Di Anders.

Men, Thursday, May 2, Stableford

Winners: John Forbes (22) 39 points, Jake Grayson (22) 38 c/b, Jake Woods (6) 38 points.

NTPs – 3rd: Peter McGrath, 6th: Andrew Robertson, 11th: Joel Mathews, 16th: David Kelly. Saturday, May 4, Anniversary Stableford

Winners: Jenny Ritcher (17) 39 points, Jake Grayson (19) 38 points, Ian Browne (23) 37 points.

NTPs - 3rd: Nick Aloizos, 11th: Gavin Hunt, 16th: Cameron Wickes.

Organisers are set to go and looking forward to a brilliant day of running. More information and the online entry form can be found at www.hoppet.com.au.

DMB attack Yack to continue winning streak

■ From back page

“We expect them to want to come out hard and try to get as many goals as possible on the board that they can, however, we are confident in our abilities and expect to come away with a convincing win if we continue to play the way we have been.” It was another tough afternoon for Dederang-Mount Beauty’s senior football team at Butson Park, who were easily defeated by Yackandandah in a one-sided contest.

The Kangaroos kept the travelling Bombers goalless for the entirety of the game and slammed on 28 goals of their own, including 11 majors in a massive final term in the 191-point thumping – 28.26 (194) to 0.3 (3).

William Webb and Matt Paddle were once again standouts in a losing side, along with Jacob Ozolins and Cameron Jones.

DMB will hoping for a more competitive matchup this weekend in Mount Beauty against the tenth-placed Wodonga Saints, who will be full of confidence after ending their own winless streak against Mitta United in their last outing.

OFF AND RACING: The 47th Mount Beauty Running Festival will take place next weekend on Saturday, May 18.

Win over ‘Spurs preps Savoy for FA Cup final

By NATHAN DE VRIES

A GRITTY 4-3 win over Albury Hotspurs with a vastly altered squad showed Myrtleford Savoy’s senior men’s side are ones to watch this season, and will hold them in good stead ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Savoy travelled to Aloysius Park on Sunday undefeated, but looked in trouble early after conceding early goals.

Myrtleford opened the scoring, but with six changes from last weekend’s side, defensive errors reared their heads and Hotspurs pounced, sinking Savoy to 1-3 within 40 minutes.

A handball in Hotspurs’ defensive box – and the ensuing argument – saw Albury’s Brandon Vescio handed his marching orders, and veteran Nagus Henry slotted the subsequent penalty to breathe some life back into the match, Myrtleford trailing 2-3 at the half.

Some magic from Nathan Mirt equalised, and when Matt Richardson came off the bench he wasted no time, almost immediately finding Myrtleford’s fourth.

The altered defensive structure held firm late in the match, and Savoy walked away winners after a scare.

Coach Jayden Vescio said despite the result, it was a poor performance early under tough circumstances.

“We were playing poorly, it was probably the first time in the last 10 games we haven’t lost that we were really challenged,” he said.

“I really put it on the boys with the position they’re in in the league, you can’t let up, especially now and to their credit, they responded.

“At the end of the day I was happy to get the three points, but not overly happy with our performance.

“I think we made about six changes from last Sunday’s side through a couple of unavailabilities and a couple injury concerns creeping in - it

was a bit of a restructure to our back five or six.

“Six out of 11 wasn’t ideal, but we managed to get the job done.”

The senior men sit on top of the league ladder undefeated, and will head into this Saturday night’s FA Cup final against Twin City Wanderers as favourites.

Vescio said he had every confidence his side could raise the cup, but it won’t be easy.

“We’re expecting a pretty fierce contest,” he said.

“A lot of people look at past results, and I know we were able to open Twin City up in the league 7-2 but this time around will be a completely different story.

“They’ve got some really

good players and they like to attack, so I’m not shying away from the fact there will be goals in it on Saturday night.

“Both teams have really good attacking weapons –we’ll have to watch one of our ex-players Josh Zito very cautiously, he’s a good player, one of the best in the league in my opinion.

“We’ve done the work, we’ve played midweek games, we’ve played league games and we’re unbeaten.

“The boys deserve their spot in the final, and hopefully they can get some reward.”

Myrtleford Savoy take on Twin City Wanderers this Saturday from 7pm at LaTrobe Ground.

By NATHAN DE VRIES

MYRTLEFORD’S senior women’s soccer side will aim to shake off the weekend’s result and move forward with their season.

Up against the league’s top side, Albury Hotspurs, Savoy held firm early but couldn’t keep Hotspurs’ attackers at bay for the full 90 minutes, downed 0-12.

The dangerous Hotspurs strikers, who have now scored a total of 62 goals, came out firing but took some time to get past Myrtleford’s defenders.

Co-coach Tom Scott said there was a lot the side could take from the match, despite the one-sided result.

“We expected it to be tough, but we look at the result as a good learning curve and as a positive,’ he said.

“Hotspurs are probably the best team in the competition, and for good reason - how they move the ball and how they set up behind the ball is really impressive, and they’ve got a really high calibre of players.

“I think we were able to keep them scoreless in the first 15 (minutes), which Will (Robinson-Dunn, co-coach) and I were really impressed with.

“They were able to counter when Hotspurs were attacking, and played the percentages really well.

“It was a good day for the girls, regardless.”

Scott said playing against the better sides in the competition was one way his team can improve.

“Whenever you play against a higher competition, you learn a lot more than you do at training or any other exercise,” he said.

“It was good to see how they move the ball around, considering some of those players have played at a national level or close to it.

“It was really exciting to see how they were able to pass the ball through different players and channels, which is something we’ve been trying to do.

“It’s good for the girls to see what it looks like when it’s done effectively, so they can build on that.”

The division one women head across to Cobram to take on the Roar this Sunday.

The two sides are even on points, with the match shaping up to be a hotly contested one.

“Cobram play their ground very well, so it’s always a big day travelling, but I think the girls will want to put this one behind them and really learn from their mistakes,” Scott said.

“Hopefully next week we should be back on the winners’ list.

“We always look to improve and grow.”

The reserve women will also be looking to bounce back after their 0-4 loss to Hotspurs.

FOOTWORK: Jake Miles cuts on the inside.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

THAT WINNING FEELING: Nathan Mirt celebrates one of Myrtleford’s four goals from Sunday, while Hotspurs defender Hugo Elwood can’t believe it.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND MURRAY SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD

THURSDAY, APRIL 25 - ANZAC DAY

GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: B Kantilla 2, T Bracher 1, C Taylor 1, D Wyatt 1. WODONGA: N Spiteri 4, E Redcliffe 3, K Winter-Irving 3, C Ainsworth 2, J C O’Sullivan 2, N Bradshaw 1, T Miller 1, C Morrison 1. BEST: WODONGA RAIDERS: N Bracher, S Darley, W McCarty, N Bowey, H Cribbes, A Scammell. WODONGA: N Bradshaw, J Mathey, T Johnson, M Wilson, C Ainsworth, A Jorgensen.

GOALS: ALBURY: B O’Hara 3, J Male 1, A Miles 1, J Page 1, M Walker 1. NORTH ALBURY: F Gardiner 2, I Campbell 1, N Dennis 1, J Murphy 1. BEST: ALBURY: J Page, H Gilmore, T O’Brien, B O’Hara, M Byrne, I Muller. NORTH ALBURY: A Gardiner, F Ramage, F Gardiner, J Weidemann, J Penny, J Reynolds.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

NETBALL SCORES THIRDS RESULTS

A GRADE

Albury 35 def by North Albury 44 Wodonga Raiders 52 def Wodonga 39 Wangaratta 64 def Myrtleford 41 Corowa R’glen 41 def Yarrawonga 33 Lavington 40 def Wangaratta Rovers 31

B GRADE: Albury 41 def by North Albury 48 Wodonga Raiders 44 def by Wodonga 55 Wangaratta 37 def Myrtleford 36 Corowa R’glen 30 def by Yarrawonga 55 Lavington 29 def by Wangaratta Rovers 44

C GRADE: Albury 39 def North Albury 24 Wodonga Raiders 48 def Wodonga 44 Wangaratta 35 def Myrtleford 26 Corowa R’glen 36 def by Yarrawonga 43 Lavington 38 def by Wangaratta Rovers 49

17 & UNDER: Albury 28 def by North Albury 48 Wodonga Raiders 48 def by Wodonga 57 Wangaratta 35 def by Myrtleford 37 Corowa R’glen 49 def Yarrawonga 25 Lavington 24 def by Wangaratta Rovers 49

15 & UNDER: Albury 52 def North Albury 30 Wodonga Raiders 35 def Wodonga 29 Wangaratta 34 def by Myrtleford 65

52

Lavington 3.5.23 def by Wangaratta Rovers 8.7.5

BEST: LAVINGTON: Mason Plunkett, Thomas Goonan, Archy Cohalan, Brodie Nicholson, Isaiah Robertson, Damon Meani. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Jock Correll, Trey Vincent, Harry McMonigle, Harvey Correll, Cormac McNamara, Cooper Gracie. GOALS:

LAVINGTON: Isaiah Robertson 2, Flynn Scott 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Oscar Clelland 2, Cormac McNamara 2, Preston Coleman 1, Jock Correll 1, Bay Pellegrino 1, Noah Scholte 1.

Wangaratta 16.11.107 def Myrtleford 3.5.23 Albury 11.7.73 def North Albury 5.7.37 Wod. Raiders 7.18.60 def Wodonga 3.5.23

Corowa R’glen 10.12.72 def Yarrawonga 6.5.41

ROUND 6 - MAY 11

YARRAWONGA vs WODONGA RAIDERS

MYRTLEFORD vs COROWA RUTHERGLEN

WANGARATTA vs LAVINGTON WODONGA vs ALBURY

NORTH ALBURY vs WANG ROVERS

BEST: WANGARATTA: Alex Federico, Nick Richards, Fraser Holland-Dean, Charley HollandDean, Michael Newton, Chris Knowles. MYRTLEFORD: Brody Ricardi, Zac Pethybridge, Ryley Bouker, Jaxon East, Bowen Calogero. GOALS: WANGARATTA: Michael Newton 5, Charley Holland-Dean 3, Fraser Holland-Dean 3, Callum Moore 2, Braeden Marjanovic 1, Bradley Melville 1, Will O’Keefe 1. MYRTLEFORD: Charlie Crisp 3, Brody Ricardi 3, Ryley Bouker 1, Lachlan Murphy-Dale 1, Levi Young 1.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

GOALS: COROWA RUTHERGLEN: D Hope 1, N Jetta 1, J Marks 1, C Masson Moyle 1. YARRAWONGA: L Williams 5, M Casey 3, P Lewis-Smith 2, B Frauenfelder 1, N Irvine 1.

BEST: COROWA RUTHERGLEN: J Eyers, N Dunstan, J Longmire, D Hope, R Eyers, N Jetta.

YARRAWONGA: M Holgate, R Einsporn, N Pendergast, L Williams, P Lewis-Smith, C Wilson.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

LAVINGTON 3.1 4.3 9.6 11.11.77 WANGARATTA ROVERS 5.2 7.3

GOALS: LAVINGTON: Shaun Driscoll 3, William Glanvill 2, Jack Driscoll 1, Samuel Hargreave 1, Tom Hargreave 1, Jake O’Brien 1, Tim Oosterhoff 1, Conor Willis 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Shane Gaston 6, Alexander Marklew 2, Will Christie 1, Brodie Filo 1, Alex McCarthy 1, Lochie O’Brien 1. BEST: LAVINGTON: William Glanvill, Tim Hanna, Shaun Driscoll, Benjamin AshleyCooper, Tom Hargreave, Christopher Annett. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Shane Gaston, Brodie Filo, Tom Boyd, Stuart Booth, Jace Mcquade, Charles Ledger.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

GOALS: BRIGHT: Cooper Thomason 7, Luke Quirk

Patrick

Samuel Dalbosco 2, Kieren Jamieson 1, James Love 1. GOORAMBAT: Dylan Beavis 3, Lachlan Boyle 2, Jamie Dunne 2, Duane Haebich 1, Travers Nolan 1. BEST: BRIGHT: Samuel Dalbosco, Max Rampling, Kieren Jamieson, Rodrigo Arguello, Michael Elliott, Cooper Thomason. GOORAMBAT: Charles Hunter, Brayden Wapling, Dylan Beavis, Jamie Dunne, Rhys Goodley, Sully Malay.

*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.

A GRADE:

Tarrawingee 43 def by Bonnie Doon 45

Whorouly 34 def by King Valley 41 Greta 83 def Benalla All Blacks 26 Milawa 86 def Nth Wangaratta 17

B GRADE:

Tarrawingee 33 def by Bonnie Doon 54; Whorouly 51 def King Valley 27; Greta 49 def Benalla All Blacks 15; Milawa 61 def Nth Wangaratta 34

B RESERVE:

Tarrawingee 30 def by Bonnie Doon 58; Whorouly 47 def King Valley 30; Milawa 61 def Nth Wangaratta 23;

C GRADE:

Tarrawingee 16 def by Bonnie Doon 65; Whorouly 33 def by King Valley 41; Greta 88 def Benalla All Blacks 10; Milawa 26 def by Nth Wangaratta 32 15 & UNDER:

Tarrawingee 7 def by Bonnie Doon 48; Whorouly 24 def King Valley 16; Greta 28 def Benalla All Blacks 10; Milawa 21 def Nth Wangaratta 19

Not all scores available at time of print.

ROUND 7

SATURDAY, MAY 11

BENALLA vs KING VALLEY

GRETA vs WHOROULY

GOORAMBAT vs BONNIE DOON NORTH

WANGARATTA vs TARRAWINGEE

MOYHU vs MILAWA

BRIGHT - BYE

GOALS: GRETA Cody Crawford 7, James McClounan 6, Frazer Judd 3, Tyler Arrowsmith 2, Lachie Kennett 2, Brenton Newbold 2, Frazer Dent 1, Dale Walker 1. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Sam Cox 2, David Button 1, Dylan Sinclair 1, Jordan Smith 1. BEST: GRETA: Jack Kelly, James McClounan, Mark Wettern, Lachie Kennett, Jack Baker, Dale Walker. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Sam Cox, Tom Levy, Chelton Orchard, Jayden Brady, Dwaine Lancaster, Damian Broughton.

MILAWA

GOALS: MILAWA: Brady Bartlett 3, Matt Graham 3, Braydon Kearns 2, Jarryd Wallace 2, James Flynn 1, Jared Lea 1, Simon Pane 1, Steven Williamson 1. NORTH WANGARATTA: Tyler Nanson 2, Damien Bradley 1. BEST: MILAWA: James Flynn, xavier Ham, Jarryd Wallace, Brady Bartlett, Kyle Collisson, Brandon Fitzpatrick. NORTH WANGARATTA: Andrew Knights, Sean Gales, Matthew Curtis, Kyle McQuade, Adam Enever, Tyler Nanson.

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: Sam Peters 3, Austin Amery 1, Reiley Murtagh 1, William Sharp 1. BONNIE DOON: Al Bennett 7, Luke Murray 5, Will Foster 4, Conor Heaslip 4, Connor Humphrey 3, James Law 3, Sean Campitelli 2, Campbell Smedley 2, James Fox 1, Matthew Hedin 1, Patrick Revell 1. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Sam Piper, William Styles, Hugh Amery, Jarrod Everitt, Daniel Everitt. BONNIE DOON: Peter Cairns, Jack Goonan, Matthew Hedin, Luke Murray, Conor Heaslip, Will Foster.

GOALS: WHOROULY: Andrew Newton 2, Joshua Newton

Samuel Ferguson 1, Daniel Harris 1, Jacob Penn 1. KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 2, Daniel Maples 1, Hayden Sims 1, Ryan Wait 1, Beau Wheeler 1. BEST: WHOROULY: William Allen, Darcy O’Shannessy, Samuel Ferguson, Cameron Wood, Andrew Newton, Daniel Harris. KING VALLEY: Charlie Davies, Ryan Wait, Sam Evans, Parker Voigt, Connor Shanley, Thomas Stewart.

Marc Costenaro, Harrison Colville, Jarrod Lewin. KING VALLEY: Josh Kelly, Daniel Eldridge, Beau Dickson, Jack Parrott, David Lang, Harry White.

Bright hit Bats for six

By DANIEL SAVILLE

ANOTHER victory at home has enabled Bright to continue their unbeaten start to the season, this time against a spirited Goorambat on Saturday.

It was one-way traffic in the first half as the Mountain Men created a 47-point half-time buffer as the four premiership points never really looked in doubt on their way to a 16.14 (110) to 9.7 (61) triumph.

In what was going to be Bright’s biggest test to date, fourth-placed Goorambat showed their credentials in the second half to breakeven with their more-fancied opponents, with both sides kicking seven goals after the main break.

Led by captain and best-onground Sam Dalbosco, along with Max Rampling and Rod Arguello to name a few, Bright brought great intensity to the contest and its defensive pressure around the ground was evident, with several chase-down tackles leading to free kicks and turnovers.

In the absence of Declan Bren, Cooper Thomason (seven goals) and Luke Quirk (three goals) worked well together to finish with ten majors between them and were helped with impeccable service inside their forward arc.

Vice-captain Michael Elliott said that his side was ready for the occasion despite missing a few regu-

lar starters, and it showed against a finals contender.

“We really set ourselves for this game and we knew they were a top four side for a reason, credit to them for bringing the heat early,”

Elliott said.

“I thought we managed to settle after the first five minutes and get the game back onto our terms.

“We probably came back out

after half time and we got a little complacent - Goorambat took it right up to us in the second half as you would expect and made it a real arm wrestle.

“It was a great opportunity for a few younger fellas to get another taste of senior football, that’s what’s so great about our team - our depth is so strong at the moment that anyone can come into

PHOTO: Richard Xerri

the side and play their role.”

After six rounds, Bright remain on top of the ladder and will have the chance to rest this weekend with their first of two byes coming up.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our football and minimise lapses in quarters, but to be sitting 6-0 going into the bye, it’s a great position to be in,” Elliott said.

One point heartbreak for Lions

By NATHAN DE VRIES

WHOROULY’S senior squad fell agonisingly close to victory on the club’s celebration of 120 years in the O&K, defeated by a single point 7.6 (48) to King Valley’s 6.13 (49).

The Lions started strong, booting five unanswered goals in the first quarter, before the Roos started finding their feet and began pressuring Whorouly’s defenders.

With 23 points in it at three quarter time, King Valley surged, keeping the Lions goalless to take the win by a single point late in the final term.

Whorouly coach Lachy Moore said the loss hurt, especially on such a mas-

NORTH East Bushrangers

sive day for the club.

“To say the least, the loss on the weekend was heartbreaking,” he said.

“We had an awesome crowd and we came out so strong, but after the initial first quarter it felt like we were protecting the score rather than continuing to put the heat on.

“Both Josh (Newton) and Andy (Newton) showed their class but, unfortunately, both came in under injury clouds - Josh wasn’t able to take part in the second half which really took some life out of the game.

“Football isn’t a fairy tale, it doesn’t always have happy endings and we weren’t able to celebrate a win with a giant

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

ROUND RESULTS:

crowd for the 120th year celebrations.”

Over on the netball court, the A grade Lions suffered their first loss of the season, downed 34-41.

Whorouly held the lead by three goals at the half-time break, but the Valley refused to back down, turning in a strong second half performance to take the win by seven goals.

This weekend’s fixture is a great chance for players to bounce back, taking on Greta on the road.

The Blues are favourites to feature in finals across the football and netball, and will present a tough opponent for the Lions.

Moore said a positive at-

U14 Boys 1 27 def by Broadmeadows 1 59

(Top Scorers: S. Oguche 7, N. Atukorala 5, C. Hueston 4)

U14 Boys 2 46 def Craigieburn 2 35

(Top Scorers: C. Keatch 14, U, Saxton 11, J. Kynnersley 8)

U14 Girls 1 31 def   Broadmeadows 1 28

(Top Scorers: M. Moscrop 15, E. O’Neill 5, M. Hanley 4, 9)

U14 Girls 2 14 def by Melbourne 5 29

(Top Scorers: H.DeKoeyer 4, Q. Saltmarsh 3, L. Nedelkovski 3)

U16 Boys 1 59 def  Frankston 2 37

(Top Scorers: S. Kain 14, C. Clark 13, E. Ockenden 10)

U16 Boys 2 43 def Diamond Valley 5 30

(Top Scorers: H. Spierings 8, H. Kain 8, J. Kelly 8)

U16 Boys 3 43 def by Melton 2 44

(Top Scorers: A. Richardson 12, I. Lacey 12, C. Hart 11)

U16 Girls 1 21 def by Camberwell 2 32

(Top Scorers: E. Napier 8, L.Wright 4, L. Purss 3)

U16 Girls 2 45 def Westgate 1 35

(Top Scorers: E. Gray 21, M. Watson 9, P. Male 5)

U18 Boys  55 def Warrandyte 2 51

(Top Scorers: A. Button 15, R. Hamilton 13, J. Walker 10)

titude was key to performing well against Greta.

“They have some great players in their side, obviously ‘Macca’ (James McClounan) and ‘Juddy’ (Frazer Judd) are superstars of the Ovens and King,” he said.

“We have to look to bounce back and compete as well as we can, and limit their influence.

“We can’t just go into the game being feeling defeated.”

In other results from the King Valley fixture, the B grade (51-27), B reserve (4730), and 15 and under (24-16) netballers tasted success, while the C grade lost 33-41.

The reserve footballers held on in a thriller 7.7 (49) to 6.8 (44).

Two from two for Bright netballers

BRIGHT’S A grade netball squad recorded their second win in as many games on the weekend, with an emphatic 49-41 win over Goorambat at Pioneer Park.

The match was hotly contested early, with the visitors taking a one-goal lead at the first break.

Bright’s midcourt players started to move the ball well and hit their targets in the shooting circle, clawing the lead back and taking a 27-21 advantage into half-time.

The third term essentially went goal for goal, with both sides struggling to turn the tide of momentum in their favour.

With Bright up by seven goals heading into the final quarter, the defenders stepped up and kept the margin in the home team’s favour until the final siren.

Molly Whitty was immense in the role of goal keeper, while Kate Buckley shot well under the ring, ending with 37 goals at 72.55 per cent accuracy.

Bright heads into the bye sitting eighth on the A grade ladder with a 2-4 record, but if recent results are any indicator, more successes are on the horizon.

The home club enjoyed a brilliant day on the court, taking wins in B grade (39-33), B reserve (68-28), C grade (55-49) and under 15 (53-3) matches.

TALL ORDER: Whorouly coach Lachy Moore (centre) said his squad needs to approach this weekend’s match against Greta with a positive mindset. PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

FROM THE FRONT: Bright skipper Sam Dalbosco was best on ground in the Mountain Men’s 49-point win over the Bats on Saturday.

2024 afl businesstipping footy

Myrtleford:

DMB attack

Yack to continue winning streak

By DANIEL SAVILLE

A FAST start from DederangMount Beauty was the catalyst for a comfortable 25-goal victory against a dangerous Yackandandah in round five of the Tallangatta and District Netball Association.

After an 18-goal first quarter where the margin rapidly blew out to ten goals by the first break, the Bombers managed to flip the script from last year’s loss to record a runaway 64-39 win.

There was a stalemate as both sides traded goals to tie the third quarter, but DMB outmuscled Yack in each of the remaining three periods to edge ahead.

Mandy Fairbairn and Keely Bullivant were the Bombers’ best players on court, while the goal scoring efficiency of Alysha de Koeyer, Paige Tuohey and Bullivant was critical to ensure that their side kept the scoreboard ticking over.

A grade netball coach Alex Dyde was happy to jump a reasonably significant hurdle in her team’s pursuit for finals action.

“Yackandandah have been unpredictable each week so we knew we needed to put our best foot forward early, not only to get a strong lead from the start but to showcase across all four quarters that we can put forward quality netball,” she said.

“I was super pleased with the shooters’ efforts yesterday - this week was about focusing on the psychological elements of their game and they were able to mentally prepare and execute shooting percentages that we know they’re capable of.”

The consecutive run of wins has now extended to four.

Despite currently sitting in that all-important fifth position on the ladder, DMB is keeping up with the top teams and are a game and percentage above Mitta United in sixth spot.

Dederang-Mount Beauty will be aiming for five wins in a row against Wodonga Saints at home and Dyde is looking for her team to continue their strong start to the season.

“They have struggled in the past few years but with some fresh faces and a new coach, we know they’ll be looking to try and turn that around this season,” she said.

■ Continued page 29

Paulsen dominates Goorambat’s Darcy Edgar in the ruck, as the Mountain Men ran out 49-point winners.

Back in action

Myrtleford Saints retake field & court this weekend against Roos yg

AFTER waiting on the sidelines as the Ovens and Murray competition wrapped up the split round five on the weekend, Myrtleford’s footballers and netballers will be eager to crack back into the season on Saturday.

The Saints will be back home at McNamara Reserve this weekend, taking on the revamped Corowa Rutherglen for the first time in the home and away season since August 27, 2022.

On the football side of things, the match looms as an important one for the Saints, who are currently winless in the senior football competition.

The Saints have been so close in their five matches, only losing by an average of just over 22 points – their largest losing margin was

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

last weekend’s 46-point result, which only blew out late in the final term.

The Roos have also struggled since coming back into the O&M, and both sides will be desperate to claim precious premiership points and find reward for all the effort they’ve put into the year so far.

First year Saints Zac Pethybridge, Bowen Cologero and Jaxon East have been consistent performers since crossing to McNamara Reserve, alongside established players Brody Ricardi, Matt Munro and Mitch Dalbosco. Dalbosco, East, Munro,

Pethybridge and Ricardi were also named in the O&M senior interleague squad, set to take on GVL on May 25.

Over on the netball court, the A grade clash between the Saints and the Roos will have a personal touch.

Corowa Rutherglen superstar Sophie Hanrahan played with the Saints last season while the Roos were getting back on their feet as a club, and not only took out the Saints’ best and fairest award, but was also named joint recipient of the Toni Wilson Medal while playing in the red, white and black.

After falling 41-64 in their last match against Wangaratta, the A grade Saints will be keen to bounce back.

Coach Olivia La Spina said her

squad would focus on playing their brand of netball.

“We’re excited to come up against Corowa this weekend, they’ve shown in the early part of this season that they’re a force,” she said.

“I’m sure it will be a strange feeling to go up against Sophie, who is my best friend, but we’ll enjoy that time together on court again.

“I think as much as we had a tough loss last week against Wangaratta, our team is becoming more settled each week.

“We have some great depth at our club and I think that will shine through in all of our games on Saturday.”

The Myrtleford Saints host Corowa Rutherglen this Saturday at McNamara Reserve.

Saturday May 11

Round 6 (Sponsors Day) Myrtleford V Corowa Rutherglen

MIKKA

■ Story page 32.

PHOTO: Richard Xerri