Alpine Division 150524

MOTHER’S DAY MAGIC:

Wandiligong Primary

School students Victoria, Lexie, Quinn and Vera were making the most of a Mother’s Day stall organised at the school by teacher Cass Clarkson on Thursday.

Police call out

BRIGHT Police and organisers of a local mountain bike event have denounced the “totally unacceptable” behaviour of a group of teenagers on Friday night who allegedly lit fires at a local pump track and turned off power at local houses while riding bikes around town.

Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll of Bright Police said an estimated group of 40 teenagers lit two fires at the pump track at Pioneer Park on Friday night and threw aerosol cans into the fires.

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

could easily be turned back on,” he said.

was curbed.”

A 15-year-old was arrested but was released after further enquiries.

Sen Sgt Incoll also said a group of teenagers turned off power to units opposite the Bright Hospital.

“There were a few power boxes there that were turned off, but luckily it didn’t cause any major issues, and they

When police arrived at the scene the teenagers dispersed, he said.

One of the unit residents, who did not wish to be named, said their power was turned off four times by the group on Friday.

Sen Sgt Incoll said some incidents also occurred on Saturday night.

“Police issued numerous tickets, penalty notices for not wearing helmets while riding their bikes, and this inquiry is ongoing,” he said.

“The police were out and about, and they got the message and the behaviour

The teenagers were allegedly attending the Pineapple Express mountain biking event at Mystic Mountain Bike Park, which ran from Friday to Sunday.

“The behaviour is totally unacceptable, and it’s a tarnish on the event itself,” Sen Sgt incoll said.

He said a debrief will be conducted between police, the shire and the event organisers in regard to future events.

On a local Facebook page it was alleged that the teen-

agers were riding their bikes recklessly around town, even crashing into pedestrians.

Sen Sgt Incoll said some accounts on social media were exaggerated.

“The kids running around with burning stakes and running elderly people over and all that - none of that occurred,” he said.

The owner of Blue Dirt, which ran the Pineapple Express event over the weekend, said they had worked with police to stop the behaviour and identify the perpetrators.

Company owner Brett

Hollis said after liaising with police they sent a text to all ticket holders, detailing the incidents and reminding attendees and their parents that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

According to Mr Hollis, that day’s event had finished at 4pm before the reported incidents.

“We’re bitterly disappointed with how it reflects on the mountain bike community, and also for the community of Bright,” he said.

“We did everything that we could to work with police.”

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Honouring community

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

THREE Myrtleford locals have been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Myrtleford, recognising their outstanding contribution to the community. At a joint meeting of Rotary and the Bright Lions at Club Savoy last Wednesday local butcher Steve Dale was presented with a fellowship for his weekly gym and boxing classes at the Myrtleford Showgrounds.

“He‘s been working for 30-odd years with youth and boxing,” said former Myrtleford rotary president Evan Jones.

“Teaching a bit of selfdefence and self-discipline.”

Mr Dale said the award was completely unexpected, after having been invited to the meeting by his son Damian Dale.

“It was a good night, a complete surprise,” he said.

Mr Dale is a former boxer who competed on Channel 7’s TV Ringside.

He runs regular Monday night fitness classes with his mate Kevin Grealy at

the Richardson Pavilion.

Local art due ‘The Crackpots’ also received Paul Harris Fellowships in recognition of their work on Myrtleford Mosaic Trial, having populated the trail with mosaics since 2019 and enhancing the muchloved walk.

Similarly, Mr Jones said the pair didn’t know they would be receiving the award.

“We were really proud to be able to present them,“ he said.

“There’s been many [Paul Harris Fellows] over the years, they’re usually to someone who’s been contributing quietly away to the community.

“Steve was a little bit embarrassed, he doesn’t like to have the light shone on what he does too much.”

Coincidentally, Mr Dale

was immortalised by The Crackpots in July 2022 with a mosaic outside the butcher on Standish Street. The night also featured guest speakers Phil and Joyce Ogden, former Myrtleford Rotarians who are undertaking a 3000km tandem bicycle fundraiser to support Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

■ More on their story on page 12.

Myrtleford P12 College students and staff with Senior Constable Hayley McDonald (left) on their way to school last Friday morning as part of an initiative to encourage pedestrian safety.

■ Story page 2

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Budget backs bowls club’s all-weather project

GOVERNMENT ROLLS IN WITH $350,000 SPEND, BUT CLUB’S PLANS ARE MORE AMBITIOUS

THE Victorian Government has committed $350,000 for the synthetic resurfacing of one of the Myrtleford Bowls Club’s greens, in another successful step towards the club’s goal to modernise their facilities.

Attorney-General and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, visited the bowls club last week to tell members the news of the funding, announced as part of the Victorian Budget.

Club president Lance Symons said he was “thrilled to pieces” and the funding was “an amazing result” for the club.

He said it showed state support for the club’s aim to have two synthetic greens and a canopy, and it would giver further impetus to their requests for funding at the local or federal government level.

“To think that we’re the first club between Moama and Shepparton to achieve even this stage, it’s just an amazing result,” Mr Symons said.

He said the funding will pay for the installation of a synthetic green, which will include digging up the current green, improving drainage, installing a ramp, reshaping the perimeter and placing the synthetic surface.

“It’s just stage one of what will be a fantastic development for the region,” Mr Symons said.

He expected the $350,000 would be paid to the Alpine Shire Council,

to be administered by council as the project progresses.

Mr Symons estimates the total project cost, including a second synthetic green and a greens roof, at $3-4 million.

He said it would be ideal to install the roof and greens at the same time to reduce costs, but conceded that was “less likely”.

The greens and canopy project aims to deliver greens that could be used year-round, resulting in more usage by schools, the community and bowlers from across the North East.

The club recently had soil tests conducted at the greens to inform the selection of the synthetic surface and provide important data for the installation of a canopy.

Alpine Shire Councillor Sarah Nicholas said the funding commitment from the State Government was a recognition of Mr Symon’s commitment to the project.

“Lance’s input has been exemplary, and probably, without Lance’s push, it wouldn’t have got as far as it’s got,“ she said.

Cr Nicholas said Mr Symons has twice presented plans to council briefing sessions, once for a budget submission.

“The passion just shone through,” she said.

“And when you put the whole project in the context of bowls, it’s a popular sport, so across the region it’s a good step forward to be able to have a multipurpose and yearround facility.”

The $350,000 for the bowls club was part of a series of budget announcements from Ms Symes’ office last week, including a $400 School Savings Bonus and the continuation of the Get Active Kids vouchers to help eligible families with the cost of sporting club registration, uniforms and equipment.

“With its first budget, the Allan Labor Government is focused on helping families in Northern Victoria, delivering the projects and services our community deserves,” Ms Symes said.

“From the $400 School Savings Bonus to free vision tests and glasses for kids who need them, this budget provides real cost of living support for local families.”

Students stride in the name of safety

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

PRIMARY school students across the region were stopping to look, listen and think of the safe steps to walking to school for National Walk to School Day last week.

Throughout the week Wangaratta police officers were attending school crossings at Wangaratta’s St Patrick’s and St Bernard’s primary schools and Myrtleford P12 College, promoting the safe walking message. On Thursday morning a host of Myrtleford P12 College students and teachers were joined by Wangaratta police officer Senior Constable Hayley McDonald to stroll to school.

Sen Const McDonald said the force tries to show students not only the health benefits of walking to school, but spotting for safe points on the road to cross.

“We want to make sure everyone thinks about their safety, whatever age group we’re talking to,” she said.

Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event when all primary school children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school, seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

Juggling roles as an advocate for safety on our roads with police and as a primary school student parent, Sen Const McDonald said she hoped people would continue to be role models for our youth when walking across the road.

“You do see parents crossing in spots 30 or 40 metres away from the crossing,” she said.

“I saw a parent one day with kids either side of her in the middle of the road away from the crossing while it was operating.

“Even when the crossing is not manned, it still provides an island in the middle.

“When people are in a hurry, they just cross wherever they are and you see it in the main street a bit too.

“Don’t be in too much of a hurry, cross at safe points and teach our kids to cross at safe points.”

Hospital hopes dashed in Victorian Budget

By BRODIE EVERIST

ALPINE Health has expressed dismay at the lack of funding for the Bright Health Precinct, following the release of the Victorian Budget last week.

The 2024-25 state budget announced on May 7 provided no funding commitment for the proposed residential care facility for the Bright community, with Alpine Health CEO Nick Shaw suggesting the government had scaled back its commitment to infrastructure development.

“This is very disappointing news for Alpine Health and the Bright community considering this year is the 25th anniversary of approaching the state to provide funding to address the community’s health need for

such a facility,” he said.

“We strongly believe this delay in funding will continue to have a negative impact on the health of the Bright and district community.

“Residents will continue to require that they move from their community in order to access ageing in place residential care, with the dislocation from family, friends and community persisting as older members of our community seek to have their aged care need met.

“Despite this disappointing news, Alpine Health remains determined and committed to keep advocating for a new ageing in place care facility to support the needs of the Bright and district community.”

The Bright Health Precinct aims to bring together a range of health and well-

being services, including hospital, aged care, medical and aged services and health education services that will deliver a stronger set of benefits for the community by providing a ‘one stop shop’ for services.

Mr Shaw said the Rural and Regional Public Sector Residential Aged Care Revitalisation Fund will continue to be their focus for funding the major infrastructure project.

“Despite the budget news, we remain hopeful the State Government’s commitment to funding new builds of public aged care facilities will find a way of focusing on the Bright and district community,” he said.

Ian Nicholls, spokesperson for the Bright Hospital Redevelopment Committee, said the decision demonstrates the North East

“seems to be neglected”.

“We’re disappointed that the Minister for Health hasn’t shown us as a priority,” he said.

Nationals MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said

the government continues to invest in health upgrades in Melbourne, but Bright had missed out.

“We know people are leaving Bright because of the lack of services for older

people,” he said.

Mr McCurdy also raised concerns over potential amalgamation of Victorian health services, suggesting Alpine Health could be merged with Northeast Health Wangaratta.

Several media reports have suggested an expert advisory committee to the Victorian Government is considering the amalgamation of many local health services as part of developing a Health Services Plan.

“There was some investment in regional hospitals across Victoria - an amount of about $230 million to be spread across some hospitals - but that’s only going to pave the way for mergers,” Mr McCurdy said.

“We’ve always said constantly - health should remain local.”

MISSING OUT: Alpine Health has expressed dismay at the lack of funding for the Bright Health Precinct, following the release of the Victorian Budget last week.

GO FOR GREEN: (From left) Alpine Shire Councillor Sarah Nicholas, MP for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, Myrtleford Bowls Club president Lance Symons and Alpine Shire CEO Will Jeremy last Tuesday.

Festival taking another sustainability step

By BRODIE EVERIST

ONE of Myrtleford’s most popular festivals is leading the way on waste with a FOGO bin trial in collaboration with council and Myrtleford Landcare.

Alpine Shire Council are supplying FOGO (food organics and garden organics) bins for La Fiera’s ‘La Festa’ at the Myrtleford Piazza on May 18, with landcare members assisting patrons to put their waste in the right bins.

Stallholders, providing a range of authentic Italian foods, will be supplying compostable plates and cutlery to help cut waste, as seen in previous years.

Landcare member Claire Stock, who is creating the roster for landcare to man the bins, said they are aiming to cut landfill waste to only ten per cent of total waste produced.

Ms Stock said that the increasing use of FOGO bins across the state is likely to assist patrons’ un-

derstanding of waste streams.

“I feel that festivalgoers are getting better each year,” said Ms Stock.

“There’s always questions – the big one that we struggle with is takeaway coffee cups.”

According to festival co-organiser Louise Benini, their emphasis on reducing waste began with a small trial of compostable plates in 2019.

This was followed by a further trial in 2021 to cut plastic use, with

landcare members assisting patrons and compostable waste going to the Myrtleford Community Garden.

This year they’re going a step further in supplying FOGO bins to handle the increasing amount of compostable waste produced by the event.

“Events are responsible for huge amount of waste, and I think whatever we can do to reduce that is a win-win,” Ms Benini said.

“It’s exciting for us to get to be the first major event to try the FOGO bins.”

Ms Benini said they hope to include the FOGO bins at Il Mercato, the major Sunday event, next year.

To join the bin roster contact Claire Stock on 0439 488 378.

This year’s festival, in its 15th year, promises a long line-up of events to appeal to everyone, from food and wine enthusiasts to history buffs and families looking for a weekend of fun.

Public commended after Bright house fire

By BRODIE EVERIST

FIREFIGHTERS responded to a house fire in Bright’s Coronation Street within six minutes last week, alerted by a passer-by who heard the smoke alarm.

According to Bright CFA Captain Brad Drennan, the call to triple zero was received at 1:25pm on Thursday following a call from a passer-by who heard the smoke alarm and checked the house for occupants.

Capt Drennan said firefighters were on scene within six minutes of the call, where they entered the unoccupied property and confined the blaze to a single part of the home.

He said the fire caused some smoke damage and minimal damage to the front of the property.

According to Capt Drennan, the incident was attended by 20 firefighters and five appliances from Bright and Porepunkah fire brigades.

He commended the actions of the triple zero caller and stressed the need for working smoke alarms.

“If there were no smoke

alarms present it would definitely have led to a more significant loss of personal items and property,” he said.

With winter approaching he reminded local residents to check their smoke alarms, make sure wood heaters are serviced, and that chimneys and flues are maintained.

Following the incident the Bright Fire Brigade posted on a Facebook community page detailing the incident and thanking members of the public for their assistance.

“Your quick response in calling and alerting the fire service was instrumental in our brigade’s response and turnout,” the post read.

“Thanks to the property owners who had working smoke alarms, a passer-by was alerted promptly, and emergency services were contacted without delay.

“This highlights the crucial role of working smoke alarms in ensuring the safety of our homes and community.”

Capt Drennan said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Spring Festival moves to one-day event

THE Bright Spring Festival is moving from a 10-day festival to a one-day community ‘tastings’ event in the centre of Bright, to feature a range of local produce, cuisine and live music.

Former president of the Bright Spring Festival, Amanda Hore, announced the ‘Bright Twilight Tastings’ would replace the festival with a unique community-based event that is hoped to grow in coming years.

The new event follows the cancellation of the 2023 Spring Festival last year.

“Over the years community interests have changed, and we have noticed dwindling attendances and events through the Spring Festival, including the Spring Carnival,” Ms Hore said.

“Whilst we are disappointed to not see the Spring Carnival continue we look forward to working with local businesses and producers to showcase their products and plan this new event. “

The event will run on October 17 from 5pm on Ireland Street.

Highlights include local food, wine tastings, locally made gin, beer and cider and live music and entertainment.

According to the announcement, the event will feature “culinary wonders crafted by Bright’s talented chefs, featuring an array of locally-sourced ingredients bursting with freshness”, and the chance to “indulge in the rich aromas and complex flavours of our local wines, expertly paired to complement the delectable dishes on offer”.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

IN THE RIGHT BIN: Myrtleford Landcare member Claire Stock said they are aiming to cut landfill waste at ‘La Festa’ to only ten per cent of total waste produced.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

LETTERS

A

great way to get involved in democracy

I RECENTLY had the opportunity to volunteer in Helen Haines’ parliamentary office at Parliament House.

I wanted to share my experience and my admiration for the work done by Helen and her team of dedicated staff.

Over the three days I spoke to numerous people (politicians, staff and public).

Without exception, all held Helen and her staff in extremely high esteem.

It made me ridiculously proud to be from Indi.

Why is Helen Haines held in such high esteem?

Helen sets a very high bar professionally and personally, and I believe this continues to have an impact on the standard of behaviour and quality of debate in parliament.

She is genuine about transparent and consultative decision-making and open representation.

This is reflected in voting decisions that she makes on Indi’s behalf and in her commitment to the volunteer program.

Helen and the team showed a great deal of generosity to the volunteers.

They shared their knowledge of issues, provided insights into the political workings of decisions and always included the volunteers in their work discussions.

Much happens behind the scenes in Canberra.

While parliament is sitting, a breathtaking number of meetings, delegations and policy presentations are being held.

These represent the spectrum of Australian society and its complex issues.

So much is happening in fact, that it is impossible for an MP, in particularly an independent MP, to attend them all.

Volunteers represent Helen at these events.

They ‘increase her footprint’ at Parliament House and report back with information or issues that will affect Indi.

Over three days I went to over 15 events covering issues such as global health, energy, bushfires, climate

AURORA AUSTRALIS: Bright auroras were visible across much of Southern Australia on Saturday night.

Local photographer Jean-Pierre Ronco captured this stunning image in the Buckland Valley at around 7pm.

change, Telstra and mobile phone coverage, housing, long COVID, Aboriginal health and Australia’s involvement in nuclear disarmament.

If you are ever interested in volunteering or learning more about how democracy works, this is the best immersive experience you could have.

It will open your eyes and fill you with a renewed commitment to contribute to the social good.

Democracy really works when we all dig in and get our hands dirty, rather than commentate from the sidelines.

It also needs diversity of views, experiences and political stances, all debated in a civil and constructive environment.

Kjirsten Robb, Eurobin

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

“A PHOTOGRAPHER’S PARADISE”

Shutterbugs travel to region for fine foliage

By BRODIE EVERIST

IT’S that time again, when the russets, auburns and golden shades of autumn bring tourists and photographers to Bright and surrounds.

Canberra resident Rodney Garnett was one such photographer last week in Myrtleford, taking photos of a striking Gingko tree in front of a silver birch.

For a good photo he was looking at the condition of the tree, for peak autumn colours, and the quality of the light.

“It’s the avenues of trees, it’s the grouping of the trees, that’s what’s probably more important in the area,” he said.

Mr Garnett said he consid-

ers himself a heritage photographer, including natural and built heritage.

“In terms of a photographer’s paradise it’s hard to beat this district,” he said.

“The whole of North East Victoria, it’s really superb.”

He was particularly looking for misty conditions, created by high humidity and cool nights.

“It’s the fog behind all the trees that makes it attractive for photographers,” he said.

“The atmosphere you can get with an avenue of trees with mist behind is absolutely ideal.”

He was staying in Bright with his wife for a week enjoying the autumn colours and some of the area’s striking mountain landscapes.

They had been up to Mount Buffalo and travelled to Fainter Falls in Bogong yesterday.

While had been taking some streetscapes in Bright, he said the sun had been too strong, creating too much contrast between shadows and the light, but it still made for some good tree photos.

“We came this week because it ticked all the boxes,” Mr Garnett said.

“No school holidays, ANZAC Day’s over, no Easter and the Autumn Festival’s finished, so no tourists.

“The only people we’ve got to worry about is old people we have to dodge, and journalists.”

Over in Bright, Sydney resi-

DON’T DUMP: Alpine Shire Council has said illegal dumping is becoming a persistent concern across public amenities in the shire.

Council concerns over illegal dumping

THE Alpine Shire Council has said illegal dumping is becoming a persistent concern across public amenities in the shire.

In a statement released last month, the council said a heightened amount of household waste is being disposed of in public waste bins, impacting the work of cleaning contractor SSX Group, who remove waste from public bins in the shire.

“Staff are facing a persistent problem that is making it very challenging for them to complete their day-to-day duties.”

All public amenities across the Alpine Shire have signage to encourage reporting of cleaning and waste issues.

This signage contains a QR Code for the public to access when facilities require attention.

dent Peter Nguyen was on a one-day bus trip from Melbourne to see the autumn foliage, but not for tree photos. He was there to photograph his mother while she did the landscape shots.

“I’m not a picture-type of person, but I just follow her and take a picture for her,” he said.

According to council, the public amenities provided across the Alpine Shire are to be used for public waste only and are not to be used for household waste or any other items, including waste derived from holidays.

Alpine Shire mayor, Cr John Forsyth, encouraged the community to work together to keep public spaces clean.

“The SSX team are doing their absolute best in the face of ongoing illegal dumping,” Cr Forsyth said.

This signage will soon be implemented on all public waste bins to make reporting easier for residents, ratepayers, and holidaymakers.

Cr Forsyth said that this issue can be resolved with the support of community members.

“We pride ourselves on the beauty on our public spaces,” he said.

“When we work together, we can continue to create clean and safe places for everyone to enjoy.”

According to council, illegal dumping can incur on-the-spot fines of over $300.

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Whorouly school celebrating 150 years 150 years

By BRODIE EVERIST

WHOROULY Primary School are celebrating their 150th anniversary this week, starting with a school-hours celebration today followed by a community event on Saturday.

School principal Pauline McPherson said school celebrations today, coinciding with the exact opening of the school in 1874, will comprise a birthday party then a ‘talent quest’ series of performances by students.

At 10am on Saturday the school will mark the anniversary with a tree planting and the unveiling of commemorative pavers and artwork.

Ms McPherson said the tree is planned to be planted by the school’s two youngest students

and one of Whorouly’s oldest residents.

ByBRODIEEVERIST andoneofWhorouly’soldest

The artwork was created by school students from grades three to six depicting the school in 1874, 1999 and today.

Following the ceremony attendees are welcome to tour the school, view historical records, photos and student and parent reflections of their time at Whorouly Primary School.

That evening past students, teachers and families are invited to dinner at a local function centre.

Ms McPherson has worked at the school ongoing since 1991 and as a principal for the past seven years.

She estimated 14 of their 27 students are the children of former students.

Wheels turning on major alpine rail trail upgrades

By BRODIE EVERIST

ALPINE Shire councillors awarded three contracts worth a total of almost a million dollars for upgrades to the Murray to Mountain Rail Trail between Bright and Porepunkah at their meeting last month.

Works include the widening of the trail between Bright and Porepunkah and

the delivery of a new Roberts Creek pedestrian and cyclist bridge, which will provide a much-needed improvement over the old narrow structure currently in place, according to council.

The works are funded by $8.5 million in State Government funding, announced in 2022.

As part of the funding delivery, council is respon-

sible for the design, procurement and construction of the infrastructure upgrades.

Councillors unanimously voted to award the contracts and spoke favourably of the planned upgrades.

“For those people that have been on the rail trails, especially the one between Bright and Porepunkah, it does need widening, so this

a great outcome,” Cr Tony Keeble said.

In response to a question from Cr Sarah Nicholas, director of assets Alan Rees said the upgrade designs will avoid or mitigate damage of native vegetation.

The works form part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project, developed in 2016 by Tourism North East.

The project includes the development and installation of public art, landscaping, improved amenity and new commercial opportunities along the trail.

Mr Rees said the infrastructure upgrades comprise the first phase of the project, with artworks planned for Roberts Bridge and Eurobin Station in a second phase.

roadmap

ALPINE Resorts Victoria (ARV) has successfully secured $125,000 from the Risk and Resilience Grant Program for the development of the ARV Strategic Natural Disaster Risk and Resilience Roadmap, the statutory authority announced last week.

The Risk and Resilience grants program is funded in partnership with the Commonwealth Government’s National Emergency Management Agency through the National Partnership Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction, to provide support to organisations to deliver locally identified initiatives that reduce the impact of natural disasters and build community resilience.

According to ARV, their Strategic Natural Disaster Risk and Resilience Roadmap will confirm ARV’s essential infrastructure, holistically assess the strength of current defence mechanisms to protect these resources, rapidly identify priority areas for structural and process change to establish a higher level of defence and resilience, and assess disaster recovery protocol provides improved community and business continuity when faced with natural disasters.

The development of the roadmap will help to strengthen ARV’s emergency management response and capability to maintain business continuity during and after these events, providing a clear benefit to the ARV community and visitor experience.

READY TO CELEBRATE: Students (from left) William Whitehead, Evie Fitridge, Willow Pianegonda, Audrey Fitridge and George Harrison are looking forward to the Whorouly Primary School’s 150th anniversary celebrations this week.

PHOTO: Pauline McPherson

Stories and stellar performances in local school production

By BRODIE EVERIST

MARIAN College’s recent production, ‘G.R.O.W. Up’, was a great success, with positive feedback from audiences, according to school drama teacher Vicky McGowan.

Devised by Ms McGowan, the play centred around the school’s positive framework of generosity, respect, ownership and wholeheartedness – making the acronym GROW.

It depicted a badly-behaved brother and sister whose dreams take them into the worlds of many beloved children’s stories, including Willy Wonka, The Jungle Book, and The Cat in the Hat.

Ms McGowan made special mention of Davide Genero’s performance as the Cowardly Lion (from the Wizard of Oz), and the shadow play sequence during the ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ section.

According to Ms McGowan, some students had to take on unexpected roles in the play after two students became ill, which she said was “a wonderful testament to their resilience”.

Ms McGowan thanked school staff Anna Fin Genero and Michael Guinane for their assistance in organising the production.

The production featured students from years seven to 12, as well as special appearances from grade three St Mary’s Primary School students as little monkeys and munchkins.

The play’s interactive elements were particularly popular, said Ms McGowan.

“There were grandparents and proud parents who were able to sing along and remember the stories that they had told to their own children and their grandchildren,” she said.

“A couple of people came up after the show and said they had really enjoyed this year’s production, perhaps more than others, because it touched the heart of the growing up, learning, that we’ve all done.

“Where we’ve learned some important lessons that we don’t actually recognise until much later in life.”

The production consisted of four performances, including to school groups from across the region.

“It certainly was a community show,” Ms McGowan said.

“We had both St Mary’s and Myrtleford P12 primary schools in full attendance.”

“We had students from Beechworth attending as well.”

Winemakers optimistic as vintage ends

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

LOCAL winemakers are celebrating the end of this year’s vintage with the projected lower volume but excellent quality coming to fruition.

Gapsted Estate chief executive officer Andrew Santarossa said the beginning of May brought the official end to the 2024 vintage, with great results across the board.

“There’s even more confidence in the quality of the vintage than when we last spoke in late March,” he told the Alpine Observer and Myrtleford Times.

“It was really a factor of getting through vintage and being able to assess them

more honestly.

“Now that we’ve had a good assessment of the finished ferments, although they’re young, there is an improved confidence in quality.

“We’ve ended up being 10 per cent down in volume, which is a far better result than last year, and coupled with the fact we have excellent quality it’s a great result.”

He said the decrease was due to the patchy start of growing season with a late winter and early spring weather with plenty of rainfall creating an uneven time of year.

“The start of new year had this amazing run of beautiful weather and that’s con-

tinued with only one or two rain events that threatened but once we got through them March and April have been perfect to finish off the year,” he said.

“It’s still cool but with lovely sunny days allowing us to get those grapes off.”

This year Gapsted took in 4502 tonnes of grapes.

“Ideally we aim for 5000 but that’s a good result for us and as a business it allows continued supplies for the channels we have and it’s really the high quality as an aim for us,” Mr Santarossa said.

“We call the official end to vintage when we press the last of the red, which was last week, so that means everything has not only come

into winery but we’ve also finished fermentation.

“Considering the start of the season and where we’ve got to that timeline was where we were expecting to be.

“Compared to the start of vintage to now, there’s a lot more optimism and positive lights at the end of tunnel.

“I think the wine industry has still got some tough trading for the next 12 months but there’s more positivity and this vintage bodes well.

“Having a good vintage gives us a lot to be proud about and I think we should be focusing on positives rather than negatives affecting the industry.

“Celebrate the wins, and 2024 is a win we can cel-

ebrate.”

Over at the Michelini Wines vineyards, winemaker Matthew Kilby said this year was an ideal season for ripening grapes.

“After three wet ripening seasons, following the disastrous fire affected 2020, 2024 finally presented us with an ideal season for ripening grapes,” he said.

“A good amount of rain falling in the period before Christmas meant that water reserves in the vineyard were high, with timely rain events throughout the summer tiding us over through the hottest part of the year.

“The heat really kicked in in February as the fruit was entering its ripening stage

and this led to an early and compressed season, beginning a month earlier than usual and wrapping up with our final pick in the second week of April.

“Due to the acquisition of a 270 acre vineyard in the King Valley, production through our Myrtleford winery increased by about 30 per cent to almost 1000 tonnes with the bulk of that being processed under contract.

“Early indications for wine quality are very promising with the whites displaying good concentration of flavour and the reds achieving a higher than usual level of ripeness.

“After a run of tough years, we have some cause for optimism for the 2014 vintage.”

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE: (From left) Olivia Cannata and Ella McMasters as Dorothy and Toto from the Wizard of Oz scene.

MADEMOISELLES: (From left) Ada Tracey, Ella McMasters, Olivia Cannata, Mia Perryman and Ava Stevens as Madeline and her classmates.

Pasqualotto, Jack Byrne, Lily Houston and Louis Walker in a scene with main characters Umberto and Polly with their parents.

OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD: Glenda the Good Witch with the Munchkins (Grade 3 students) and other Wizard of Oz characters during the Wizard of Oz scene. PHOTOS: Michael Guinane.

THE MANE EVENT: Davide Genero as the Lion from Wizard of Oz

TEA TIME: (From left) Thomas Costenaro, Nova Byrne, Benjamin Russell and Libby Boland at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Local cub scout leader welcomed statewide

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

FOR Myrtleford’s Jo McIntyre, volunteering with her local cub scouts in 2012 was an easy decision, and one that has since led to her stepping into the role of state commissioner last week.

The local mother said she became a trainee with 1st Myrtleford when her son expressed an interest in becoming a cub scout, following in her footsteps.

Over the next 12 years she took on roles as cub unit leader at 1st Myrtleford, district leader for Alpine Gateway and five years ago took on the commissioner role for the Northern Region.

“Growing up in Melbourne I was a brownie and a guide and my mum was a guide leader,” she said.

“There’s about a 35-year gap before I became a parent myself and my son expressed an interest so I joined in again too.

“It was definitely a source of pride and excitement and it reignited the flame because I loved it myself as a kid.

“It’s also a chance to get involved and give back to my community and I do love it.

“I think the most exciting thing is seeing the development of young people around town, they call out hello and you remember them even after they’ve grown up and moved on.

“Seeing them grown from

age eight and move into scouts at 11; it’s such an important age bracket for their personal development and they become resilient and focused and chart their own path.

“Scouts obviously has

the core outdoor adventure skills like bush craft and bush walks and camping; those three are still fundamental program elements, but all the other elements such as the confidence and personal development and

Some relief on lingering HECS debts

By STEVE KELLY

PEOPLE with a HECS/ HELP debt are expected to feel some relief with the Federal Government announcing a change in the way indexation on loans is calculated.

In response to the Australian Universities Accord, the government will cap the HELP indexation rate to be the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI) with effect from June 1, 2023.

The government will backdate this relief to all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other student support loan accounts that existed on June 1 last year.

This will benefit all Australians with a HELP debt, fixing the issue of last year’s spike

in the CPI indexation rate of 7.1 per cent and preventing growth in debt from outpacing wages in the future.

The 2023 indexation rate based on WPI would only have been 3.2 per cent instead of 7.1pc.

An individual with an average HELP debt of $26,500 will see around $1200 wiped from their outstanding HELP loans this year, pending the passage of legislation.

Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines said this is a big win for three million Australians, young and older, carrying a HECS/HELP debt that was increasing faster than wages growth.

“These changes come after significant campaigning, particularly from the crossbench,” Dr Haines said, noting more than

280,000 people signed the petition championed by the Independent Member for Kooyong Monique Ryan calling for the change.

Dr Haines has also welcomed the government’s announcement on Monday that it will reform unpaid work placements for teachers, social workers, nurses and midwives.

She said there is still more work to be done to make university education accessible for young Australians so that we can strengthen our workforce, particularly in regional and rural areas.

Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, said the changes continue the government’s work to ease cost of living pressures and reduce and remove financial barriers to education and training.

skills and abilities they gain and showing them how to become our leaders is the basis of the scouting program.”

Ms McIntyre will be moving from a section-based role on a Monday night in Myrtleford and taking her leadership to the masses, working with leaders across the state to deliver programs for the more than 5000 scouts in Victoria.

“All of a sudden instead of making sure leaders are running challenging and creative program for a core group of, say, 12 cub scouts, we’re now making sure leaders across Victoria are running them for thousands,” she said.

“My role now is not so much working with youth but working with our adults.

“That’s the big challenge because we’ve got such an amazing, diverse range of leaders across the state and seeing how they’re putting their own slant on the programs is really important.

“For me it’s really bout making sure our youth are getting the programs they need and providing support to leaders so they can do that.

“My aim is to get around to see as many as our cub scout groups as I can, when I can.

“I’m a parent first and a partner with work commitments and volunteering for scouting is an added bonus.”

For Ms McIntyre, the scouting program is a vital part of building leadership in communities.

“Not every kid is sporty or a team player in that respect so scouting offers the opportunity for a diverse range of activities for so many different kids,” she said.

“It’s the most inclusive environment in that regard and the huge variety of programs caters to children on the spectrum or children with learning difficulties, which is so important.

“I’m looking forward to working with the state cub council to facilitate events and programs across the state for my three year term; there’s a team working hard with me and they will also work directly with the leaders.

“We welcome all enquiries and would love to have families who haven’t thought of scouting before to give it a try.”

PEOPLE POWER: Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and Indi MP Helen Haines with a petition that helped bring on the change to indexation for HECS/HELP debts.

GREAT JOB: Long-time scouts volunteer Jo McIntyre has become a state commissioner for Scouts Victoria.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Victorian Government decision leaves local landscape “exposed”

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

ALPINE Shire Council feel the region is left “exposed” following the Victorian Government’s announcement declaring the development of renewable energy facilities as Significant Economic Development projects, removing third-party appeals from the process.

The government’s recent decision comes with the aim to facilitate meeting Victoria’s renewable energy target of net zero by 2045.

Planning permits for renewable energy facilities, utility installations and associated subdivision will now be decided under a fast-track planning process, removing communities from the decision-making process.

Local town planner, Cazz Redding, said the region may be at a disadvantage due to the lack of a comprehensive strategic landscape assessment.

“A comprehensive strategic landscape assessment has not yet been undertaken for Victoria’s High Country and the alpine regions, which may place the region at a disadvantage as there is limited protection via plan-

ning policy for our significant alpine and rural landscapes across the region,” she said.

“This means the value of the landscape will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis until this work is done.

“There has not been a region-wide assessment of strategically significant agricultural land, which also needs to be considered under the renewable energy planning provisions.

“Although some councils, including Towong, Indigo, Wodonga and Murrindindi have done this work and included protections for strategically significant agricultural land in the local planning scheme, the other councils in the region are yet to do the same.”

Ms Redding, together with local state MPs Tim McCurdy (MLA, Ovens Valley) and Annabelle Cleeland (MLA, Euroa), facilitated a meeting between councils around North East Victoria last week to discuss significant landscape overlays.

Alpine Shire chief executive officer, Will Jeremy, who attended the meeting, said council feels there is a gap in current planning controls.

“There’s a gap around significant landscape overlays and there’s recognition that other councils feel the same in our region,” he said.

“Because of this we are seeking a collaborative approach to seek funding or direct support from the State Government to address those gaps in our planning controls.

“We’ve got a relatively small area covered by significant landscape overlays and they were put in place around the 1960s or 70s and were based on the best practise at the time, which we feel are now out of date.

“We’re now looking through a lens of what the best practise will be to approach significant landscapes and how to protect them.

“It’s a beautiful place and many people visit and move here for the landscape so we want to protect that.

“We feel exposed by the lack of significant overlays and the fact the government is running a process to determine where things might be sited.

“Our planning controls at the moment don’t provide an adequate oversight of where

significant landscapes are and our concern is a decision will be made in the absence of that information.

“We see a strong link in getting these overlays done and the transition into renewables.”

Mr Jeremy said Alpine Shire Council has put its

hand up to coordinate the work towards overlays and engaging with the Victorian Government.

“We will lead that, collaborating with other councils and as a group we’ll pitch our position to the state government,” he said.

“Nothing happens quickly

Bicycle built for two’s epic polio mission

By JORDAN DUURSMA

A FORMER North East couple were back in Wangaratta last week as part of their epic 3000km tandem bicycle fundraiser to support Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

The 74-year-old Rotarians, Phil and Joyce Ogden, who now live in Tasmania, are riding from Adelaide to Sydney.

They set off on April 3 and hope to complete their approximate 3000km journey in eight weeks.

With 30 years of tandem cycling behind them, the pair have planned and self funded their current trip, with support from the Rotary Club of South Launceston.

They are staying with Rotarians along the ride and addressed Rotary clubs in Wangaratta this week, who are backing their cause.

Phil witnessed the terrible legacy of the polio epidemic of the fifties in his medical career and is passionate about making a difference.

“We feel that the enormous effort which has gone into turning the tide of the disease will be lost if pressure and fund raising are not maintained until the disease is totally eradicated,” he said.

“If we take our collective eyes off the ball, the disease will reestablish.

“So, we are still committed to harnessing another of our passions, cycling, to push things along.”

The couple ride approxi-

mately 100km per day, and estimate they’ve ridden 100,000km throughout their tandem adventures together across the globe, including unsupported crossings of the European Alps, the Pyrenees and the Rockies.

Joyce said cycling is a big part of their life.

“We would cycle together as a family with our two children,” she said.

“Our introduction into tan-

dem biking was in Launceston in 1993, we rode down a hill, turned the corner and fell off

“I was on the back with my eyes closed.

“But we went and brought a tandem bike and we have had lots of adventures since.”

The couple lived in Myrtleford for 12 years and have a special connection to North East Victoria.

“As we were riding north it

in strategic planning but if you don’t start somewhere you won’t get anywhere so we’re currently gathering information and looking at who wants to partner with us before we finalise our pitch.

“We know there are concerns from the community.

“We’ve had quite a lot of engagement with the Friends of the Kiewa and Alpine Valleys who have been in to brief us on their concerns.

“Council has also been briefed by Mint Renewables, a proponent of one of the battery energy storage systems.

“We’ve since been in contact with the relevant Victorian Government minister to further this process of gathering information and ensuring the concerned parties have a direct voice into the minister.

“Overall we were impressed by the collaboration across North East councils; it was great to see them working together as then we have a larger voice than we do individually.

“It’s a credit to Cazz at Schemology who initiated the meeting and giving it the momentum.”

Biggest Morning Tea next Thursday at Bright Senior Citizens Centre

BRIGHT’S Biggest Morning Tea 2024 will be held on Thursday, May 23 at the Senior Citizens Centre on Cobden Street, from 9am to midday.

The guest speaker will be registered nurse Laura Nish who is the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Nurse with Alpine Health. Laura will speak about the work that she and her colleagues do with cancer patients.

Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines will also attend from 9:15-9:45am and make a brief speech.

Wonnangatta murder trial begins

THE trial of former commercial pilot Greg Lynn commenced on Tuesday in the Supreme Court on two charges of murder allegedly committed in the Wonnangatta Valley.

Mr Lynn has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering Carol Clay and Russell Hill while they were on a camping trip in March 2020.

felt a bit like coming home,” Joyce said.

The pair have raised just over a third of their goal of $40,000 for their journey.

Phil said they are asking people to donate the cost of a coffee.

“If everyone can donate just six dollars, it would be a significant amount of money,” he said.

Those able to support the cause can donate at https://raise. rotary.org/joyce+phil/challenge.

The campers’ disappearance sparked a major police search and investigation, which led to the arrest and charges of Mr Lynn in November 2021.

The 14 jurors who were paneled for the trial last Thursday were discharged before opening statements on Friday by Justice Michael Croucher for “technical reasons” after an application was filed by the defence and supported by the prosecution.

Opening addresses from the prosecution and defence were due to commence Tuesday.

More than 100 witnesses are expected to be called in a trial that could run for up to six weeks.

CYCLING FOR A CAUSE: Joyce and Phil Ogden are riding from Adelaide to Sydney in a campaign to end polio.

PHOTOS: Jordan Duursma.

COUNCILS CONCERNED: Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy (left) with Alpine Shire chief executive officer Will Jeremy at last week’s meeting with North East councils to discuss significant landscape overlays.

Council seeking feedback on major sustainability plan

By BRODIE EVERIST

Alpine Shire councillors unanimously voted to place their draft Community Energy Prospectus Executive Summary on public exhibition at their last meeting, allowing the public to examine plans for community energy and electric vehicle chargers on council land.

The council-commissioned draft prospectus provides detailed design and business models for community batteries and public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on council owned, managed, tenanted, or maintained sites.

Written by Indigo Power, the document recommends 10 shire sites for community and EV charging infrastructure, comprising five large-scale community power plant systems with oversized solar and battery systems, and five small-scale energy nodes capable of providing back up power to smaller sites.

Sites deemed suitable for larger CPP systems are Alpine View Children’s Centre, Bright Pioneer Park Recreation Reserve, Myrtleford McNamara Reserve, Myrtleford Recreation Reserve and the Mount Beauty Stadium and Pool.

Sites recommended for energy node systems are the Dederang Recreation Reserve, Dinner Plain School Community Centre, Harrietville Community Hall, Mudgegonga Community Hall and the Running Creek Community Hall.

The executive summary of the prospectus says all five potential CPP sites are strong candidates for government funding for community batteries.

“From a technical perspective, the best CPP site is the Myrtleford Showgrounds, which can host a very large solar and battery system,” the executive summary said.

It also said the Myrtleford McNamara Reserve and the Alpine View Children’s Centre have the strongest financial cases for a CPP, but notes the childcare centre is an unlikely candidate as the site owner, the Victorian Department of Education, is unlikely to agree to host the CPP facility.

Council’s director of assets Alan Rees said the models proposed in the prospectus are reliant on government funding.

“The viability of these models really depends on grant funding

for the infrastructure to establish and get the installation up and running,” he said.

“We’re in a period of around a two-year pilot that government is funding to determine the viability of this approach, as a source of energy and so the objective of this prospectus is to enable council to be eligible to applying for funding for the installation of these to test the model.

“The business model is really being tested at the moment and this work that council has invested in puts us in the game and a participant in this market to determine opportunities for our community.”

Councillor Sarah Nicholas

voiced her support for the prospectus.

“I think it’s fantastic that we’re finally getting out in the public space with some attempts to put some battery storage in and build our own resilience – it’s great,” she said.

In a statement, local group Sustainable Upper Ovens congratulated council for its draft Community Energy Prospectus.

“Sustainable Upper Ovens Inc believes this is the first council in Victoria, if not Australia, to commission a behind-the-meter solar panels, battery and electric vehicle study of this kind,” they said.

While the draft CEP gives council a valuable assessment for future

funding assistance, they said, they raised concerns the document only acknowledges high-power EV charging (25-50kW) and does not acknowledge low-power charging availability.

“Low-power destination chargers would fill a totally different niche in EV and electrification transition,” they said.

“It would be significant if we could charge our EVs when at work, at sport, shopping.”

Sustainable Upper Ovens estimates 4-10 low power destination chargers could be installed for the cost of one fast or high-power charger at Pioneer Park or the Harrietville Community Hall.

Community feedback sought on draft master plans

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

IMPORTANT upgrades and new assets for existing facilities in the Mount Beauty Sports and Education Precinct, Myrtleford town centre and Pioneer Park in Bright have been endorsed by Alpine Shire Council with its three draft Sports and Active Recreation Master Plans now up for public exhibition.

Last month’s council meeting saw councillors endorse the draft master plans for public released and comment.

The plans focus on key reserves and parks in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford, seeking to have inclusive, accessible and diverse facilities and infrastructure to support ongoing community participation in sport and active recreation.

Master plans for Pioneer Park in Bright, the Mount Beauty Sport and Education Precinct, and Myrtleford town centre began in October 2022.

The report read the three plans have been developed in consultation with key internal and external stakeholders, as well as sport and active recreation auditors and planners.

The three master plans provide a strategic framework for project development and have identified important upgrades to existing facilities and infrastructure, as well as new assets, where required.

Consideration has been given to current and future community use of the identified reserves and parks, ongoing maintenance requirements and costs, user feedback and experience, and key updates that will ensure facilities and infrastructure are safe, accessible, and inclusive.

Councillor Sarah Nicholas thanked Alpine Shire staff for their hard work on the drafts.

“I know they’ve been backwards and forwards with the community trying to iron out concerns before it goes to public,” she said.

“I really look forward to seeing that community feedback and how people think the plans fit what they see their community needing so I urge people to have a look at those drafts and provide feedback.”

You can view the master plans on the council website at https:// www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/council/major-projects/current-projects/sport-and-active-recreationmaster-plans.

SUSTAINABLE STEPS: Sustainable Upper Ovens members Dennis Lambert and Brian Edwards are pleased council is developing a community energy prospectus.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Benton Ching - visiting artist

What are you doing in the area?

I am doing a three week residency at the Bogong Centre of Sounds. I come from Melbourne.

What do you like about the area?

I like the proximity to nature, hiking in the high plains, particularly around Mt Jim, south of the Tawonga Huts.

What do you do , hobbies and interests?

I primarily work as a

musician and designer, I have studied philosophy and I have a masters degree in design. I love to read and spend time cooking.

What are your future plans and ambitions?

I am a guitarist with a rock band called ‘Bollard’, we are about to release our third album, yet to be named. Then I’m travelling to the Netherlands to work on a project on sound sculpture using ceramics.

Simon SiShShute

Local fund’s wine drive returns

MYRTLEFORD and district residents are being urged to throw their support behind the latest Grow Myrtleford+ wine fundraiser.

Chair Fiona Nicholls said in the past two years, Grow Myrtleford+ has proven its commitment to nurturing the future of its community through grants worth more

than $45,000 to various initiatives enriching the lives of Myrtleford residents.

“We have held our wine fundraiser successfully in the past and we are very excited to offer the last wines in our current order,” she said.

“It is a chance to embrace the essence of our region with a curated six-pack of wines, featur-

ing three exquisite reds and three crisp whites, all sourced from the talented vignerons based right here in Myrtleford.

“For just $150, you can indulge in a selection that embodies the craftsmanship of our local winemakers, while simultaneously contributing to the growth and prosperity of our com-

munity.

“We would like to remind people that any purchase of the wine is more than just a transaction - every dollar raised through this initiative will be channeled directly back into Grow Myrtleford+, ensuring that our town and its surrounds continue to thrive and flourish.”

Ms Nicholls said Grow

Myrtleford+ had some exciting plans to strengthen its impact in the community.

“This year, we are working towards running the Myrtleford Christmas carols and some of the money we raised from the wine sales will go towards this great community event,” she said.

“The carols event is a

great chance to further unite the community and we are really looking forward to being involved.”

Grow Myrtleford+ is a subfund of the Into Our Hands community foundation.

The wine packs are available until May 27 at: https:// intoourhandsfoundation. com.au/grow-myrtlefordwine-fundraiser/.

MYRTLEFORD BRIGHT

BOGONG VILLAGE

Local bank helping our CFA

THE Mount Beauty and District Community Bank has pledged $10,000 each year for the next two years to assist the Mount Beauty CFA Youth Crew with training course expenses and travel costs during their two-year commitment.

Youth Crew members from Corryong, Tallangatta, and Mount Beauty gathered at the Mount Beauty CFA last week, where they were joined by representatives of the bank board and staff.

When making the announcement of ongoing funding, bank director and company secretary Dorothy Morrison stressed the importance of this youth program and said the funding grant is made to ensure the important initiative continues into the future.

Students from years 10 and 11 are eligible to be selected

By FAY MASON, Kiewa Valley Correspondent

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

as CFA Youth Crew members after going through an interview process.

Attendee Annika Keeble said: “It makes me feel good to think we are helping save and protect our community and surrounds”.

Annika is also a volunteer at the Mount Beauty CFA and attends training there on Monday evenings.

Zoe Gray observed: “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to learn what CFA is about and how it operates, it can lead to becoming a permanent volunteer”.

Evelyn Niedzwiedski noted her family commitment with the comment: “Both my parents and older brother are volunteers of CFA, so I was inspired to join the Youth Crew”.

“Next year in year 11, I will be old enough to volunteer at the Mount Beauty CFA like the rest of my family.”

Youth Crew coordinator Brad Redmond confirmed the benefits of the combined program with the comment: “It’s great for students to mix with other schools in the North East area”.

“The interaction is valuable and very important,“ he said.

The CFA Youth Crew is another very worthwhile pro-

ject supported by the Mount Beauty and District Bank.

THE Mount Beauty Men’s Shed took their annual fourwheel drive trip to Blair’s Hut in the West Kiewa Valley on Thursday May 9th.

Shed member Paul L’Huillier said: “The journey was thrilling, with 21 adven-

turous participants and seven vehicles”.

“The West Kiewa logging Track was in excellent condition, and several river crossings added to the excitement.

“Highlights included a delightful morning tea at the Diamantina Stockyards and a scrumptious barbecue lunch beside the West Kiewa River.“

NEXT week is volunteer’s week and Alpine FM will be hosting a morning tea during the Brunch program on Wednesday morning to thank all the volunteer presenters at the station.

Special guest and regular on the Brunch program will be Dr Helen Haines, Federal MP for Indi.

All proceeds to the Grow Myrtleford+ fund, which empowers and enhances the Myrtleford community. Grow Myrtleford+ is a sub-fund of the Into Our Hands community foundation.

BRIGADE TO BENEFIT: The Mount Beauty and District Community Bank pledged $20,000 for the next two years to assist the Mount Beauty CFA Youth Crew at the Mount Beauty brigade station last week.

TAKING A TRIP:

Members of the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed on their annual four-wheel drive trip to Blair’s Hut in the West Kiewa Valley.

Alpine

& ProfessionalConsultants Guide

Accountants

BRIGHT ACCOUNTING

Certified Practising Accountants – C.P.A.

Accounting for small businesses and individuals.

4-1a Camp Street, Bright Phone: 5755 5105 E enquiries@brightaccounting.com.au

BELMORES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

(formerly CRM Business Advisers) Certified Practising Accountants

Myrtleford, 1-7 Albert Street Phone: 5752 2288

Bright, 3 Ireland Street Phone: 5755 1327 www.belmores.com.au

PAYNTER & ASSOCIATES

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors

25 Clyde Street Myrtleford

Phone: 5751 1995

Email admin@paynterassoc.com.au www.paynterandassociates.com.au

Clinical Massage

MYOTHERAPY, MUSCLE HEALTH & FITNESS

Dennis Kersting Dip. RM CM. Myrtleford - 18 Rayner Street Phone: 0427 440 744

Pony club rallies for breast cancer research

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

MYRTLEFORD Pony Club’s annual Pink Rally was a huge success over the weekend, with more than $700 raised for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Club vice president Ashlee Hutchinson said it was a fantastic day and everyone had a ball.

“It was incredible and we raised such a significant amount with a total of $730.50, with $210.50 of that just from the donation box collections on the day,” she said.

“Everyone had a ball; I think the parents enjoyed themselves as much as the kids did and everyone put in so much effort with the dress-up and activities and really got behind the cause.

“Every May we hold this rally in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

“The kids have a day of show jumping, games, working equation as well as unmounted activities.

“The kids have so much fun; we make sure it’s very familyoriented and they do really have equal time riding and playing.

“The pink dress-up was a whole event in itself and everyone enjoyed a barbecue lunch.

“It’s such a great community day, and although we’re growing we are a small club so it’s great to see it happen so well.”

FUTURE FARMERS: Program participants

and Jethro Novak (right) with Oxley Primary School students William Perkins, Aurdey Hester and William Leochel were excited to work together in the garden.

Agricultural exchange students gets hands-on experience

By JORDAN DUURSMA

NINE aspiring young farmers from Queensland and Victoria made the North East their home last week while participating in the Australian Future Farmers exchange program.

JO ROSS-JACKSON HEARING CENTRES

Now at 29 Clyde Street Myrtleford Plus Standish Street Surgery & Bright Allied Health For appointments call 5752 2817 Hearing

OVENS VALLEY INSURANCE BROKERS

Myrtleford, 47 Clyde Street Phone: 5752 1151

Bright, 104 Gavan St Phone: 5715 9705

Email: info@ovib.com.au

DICK & WILLIAMS

Solicitors & Attorneys Vic & NSW

Myrtleford, 5B Clyde Street. Phone: 5752 2363.

Email: email@dwlawalbury.com.au

TONER & MAY LEGAL

BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS

86 Standish Street, Myrtleford.

Phone: 03 5752 1493

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Promote your service here!

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

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

GOULBURN Murray Water has submitted its official response to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) review of GMW’s 2024-28 pricing submission, committing to form a customer reference group for diversion customers.

The ESC last month instructed GMW to recalculate its service point fees for unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers following an ongoing disagreement over pricing.

The ESC published its 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.

GMW business and finance general manager Michael Gomez said he was grateful for the feedback provided by the ESC.

“We are pleased they found our submission showed GMW to be ‘committed to efficiencies to minimise prices’,” he said.

“As the ESC requested, GMW has conducted additional analysis on its fees for unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers.

“This additional analysis provided further support for the prices we proposed for unmetered diverters and domestic and stock customers’ service point

fees in our price submission.

“We will continue to improve our data collection to ensure we have a robust methodology for the costs we attribute to diversion activities.

“As part of this further work, we will form a customer reference group with our diversion customers to ensure transparency and that all views are considered.”

GMW’s response to the pricing review stated it “recalculated the unmetered service point fee based on revised assumptions”.

The report read that, to clarify the assumptions, a matrix of activities was created based on discussions with diversion inspec-

Program participants spent their days in the Ovens and King valleys immersed in a variety of industries, including viticulture, intensive beef production, boutique farming enterprises and the strong links to tourism in the area.

Amanda Naish from the Australian Future Farmers exchange program said participants had thoroughly enjoyed their visit.

Brooklyn Friels, who travelled from Queensland for the program, said it was an opportunity to learn about diverse farming and agricultural practices to help plan for a future career.

Jethro Novak from Myrtleford said he signed up for the program because he loves farming.

“It’s what I see myself doing in the future,” he said.

Consultation promise on water fees comes too late

tors and management to better capture the tasks performed by diversions operations and associated costs.

The two main categories of costs included in the calculation of service point fees were listed as monitoring and surveillance, and estimating water use via deeming and area depth methods.

Porepunkah resident and GMW customer Cameron Reid said cost for these services have been wanting.

“The facts remain that unregulated domestic customers were not consulted leading up to prices commencing in 2016 and the problem with fees and charges levy against unregulated domestic stock customers have perpetuated since then,” he said.

“They then have just been approved every four years by the ESC as a given and not investigated since that time.

“When the ESC have asked for more information on the costs relating to these fees, GMW has not been able to substantiate costs.

“Methods used by GMW to arrive at the prices being charged use terms such as deeming, averaging, and assumptions.

“GMW has not been able to demonstrate any costs for services to unregulated domestic and stock customers in more than eight years.”

GMW customer Rod Hall said

the ESC and GMW continue to adopt a revenue stream approach to pricing for unregulated domestic and stock customers.

“This remains despite their own promoted outcomes of fair pricing and continued monitoring and compliance charges,” he said.

“All of which have no application to UDS customers who have to maintain their own intermittent and seasonal water availability and infrastructure to source; let alone the non-potable quality.

“GMW gave been ‘caught out’ with a pricing model that does not provide any customer value or water reliability to UDS.

“Yet their response to the ESC review is not in any way accepting customer values as the model is subsidising other diverters who engage in irrigation and commercial use.

“GMW appear to have no independent data that can justify the imposition of charges for a defined service that UDS customers never receive based on GMW definitions of service and access points.

“Customer engagement in the above respects has truly been left wanting.”

For the full response document from GMW, go to https:// www.esc.vic.gov.au/water/water-prices-tariffs-and-specialdrainage/water-price-reviews.

Brooklyn Friels (left)

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

PESKY PRICES: Porepunkah resident Cameron Reid remains dissatisfied with Goulburn Murray Water’s service fees.

BEST DRESSED: Pink pony and rider best dressed was Harper Kuczko.

SWEET: Winner of the best pink dessert brought on the day was Oakley Deveson.

COMING

TOGETHER:

The College community came together to play games, embrace and appreciate the cultural richness and heritage of all individuals on Harmony Day. (From left) students Chloe Pasquinelli, Gemma Corcoran and Zahra Hazeldine were playing a game of bocce.

Marian College: Smaller community - big opportunity

MARIAN College offers itself as an excellent option for any child and family who seek a school with deep connections to the local community, and who values a well-rounded education that nurtures academic excellence, personal growth, and strong moral values rooted in Catholic traditions.

Marian College is proud of the connections and mutual support it has established within the local and wider community.

These relationships enable the College to provide depth and breadth of opportunities for students in all areas of academic, personal and spiritual development.

The College focuses on personalised learning in an environment where all students are known and

their individual learning needs are understood.

Together with a diverse co-curricular programme, students have access to individual and team sports, cultural pursuits, the performing and creative arts, and an extensive camps and excursions programme.

The College also encourages student participation in leadership and social justice initiatives, firmly connected to the Marian faith tradition and charism of our founding Presentation Sisters.

The wellbeing of each and every student is at the forefront of all the College does.

Our dedication to pastoral care supports students to achieve their best personal and educational outcomes, to grow into well rounded

young people who make positive contributions to their community.

Marian College is situated in a beautiful regional setting with a modern campus that is once again expanding to include a new Wellbeing Centre ready for use in 2025.

Education Week is a time when many families begin to look at the options for students entering secondary education in the following year.

We welcome the opportunity for families to tour our school at a time that is convenient to them, remembering that every day is open day at Marian College.

Please contact us via email info@mcm.vic.edu.au or phone (03) 5752 1596 to arrange a time to tour our magnificent College.

IN REMEMBRANCE: Marian College’s Student Leadership Team led the school community in an assembly honouring and remembering the brave ANZACs who served our country. Pictured from left Mia La Spina, Jaz Rossato, Kylie Quin, Maddison Pasqualotto, Lily Cuskelly, Tomas Juhasz, Yuri Fortaliza, guest speaker John Twyford, Maria Fin, Genavieve Cusack and Isabelle Cooke.

A year filled with opportunities

By JEAN OLLEY, Bright P-12 College Principal

IT’S been a busy year so far at Bright P-12 College.

Our students and staff have embraced the many opportunities presented with great enthusiasm.

We have arranged several trips to Melbourne, including with VCE Art and Media Studies students as

well as our VCE VM cohort in term one and another Melbourne trip to the Writer’s Festival just last week.

This year, the theme for Education Week is Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

We are fortunate to have a team of excellent STEM teachers at Bright P-12 College who challenge

our students to explore the world around them and think critically about how they can achieve their best in all areas of their education.

Highlights for the college from this term include two fantastic community events – the Fun Run and Autumn Festival Gala Day Parade.

The community spirit on show on both days

Celebrating 150 years at Whorouly Primary School 1874-2024

was inspiring and we are grateful to everyone involved in putting together such positive events that bring our community together.

Our Sustainability Program has ramped up this year and we are working with students across all year levels from Prep to Year 12 to create a large new garden space which includes native

flora and food production for our canteen.

We are also collaborating with the Bright Food Co-op, which is now located in our stadium.

Looking to the rest of the year, we are gearing up for the snow season and our students are getting excited about spending time at Hotham and Falls Creek, working on their skiing and

snowboarding skills. We have enjoyed meeting parents and children at the tours we’ve been running this term for families with children starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. There are more tours open to families and we encourage you to explore our school and meet our fantastic team of dedicated staff

Ensuring small classes, Individual Education Plans for all and a focus on explicit teaching of literacy and numeracy. Specialist programs in Music, Science, Art, Library, and Italian and our programs are enriched through SAKG, STEAM and Bluearth. Outside School Hours Program available. Contact the school for a personalised tour, further information and enrolment forms. Our values: Learning, Relationships, Persistence, Respect, Teamwork

Whorouly Primary School - School Principal: Pauline McPherson 18 Church Street, Whorouly | p: 03 5727 1363 e: whorouly.ps@education.vic.gov.au | w: whorouly.vic.edu.au

2025 Prep & Year 7 Tours

HARD AT WORK: Bright P-12 College year 7 seven science students honing their measurement skills.

St Mary’s at the forefront of education

ST Mary’s Primary School is forging ahead with the latest education strategies, and it shows.

According to the school, their students have performed above average in writing in a recently released assessment across 96 Australian schools.

Called ‘No More Marking’, it is a UK-based assessment system that is growing in popularity, providing an informative assessment for schools nationwide and utilises comparative judgement for student writing, which is often one of the most complex and difficult areas to objectively mark.

Grade four students were in the top 90 per cent of all schools.

“All our students have done a great job,” learner diversity coordinator and literacy leader Ashley Pasqualotto said.

“At Year four, they’re actually two years above the average.

“This is a testament to the amazing teaching and learning happening across all classrooms and we congratulate both our students and teachers.”

Ms Pasqualotto puts their

great performance down to the school’s commitment to professional development and learning the latest in teaching methods.

This commitment to education is supported by St Mary’s Primary School data leader April Nannipieri, who works with staff in driving data-informed decision-making and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Her role involves implementing a framework for data collection and moderation, how the school provides assessments and assessment schedules, and most importantly, how that data provides feedback to improve teaching practice. With a team at the school

Ms Pasqualotto recently organised a conference for teachers across the North East to share best practices, which included keynote speakers from Melbourne.

Meanwhile, next week a team at school will be presenting at a conference in Wangaratta, sharing their experiences around ‘explicit direct instruction’, a teaching method that benefits students by providing clear learning objectives, breaking down complex concepts, and giving step-by-step guidance.

“We’re just really lucky that St Mary’s is allowing us to do really great stuff, not just for our school, but for the greater community,” Ms Pasqaulotto said.

Wandi students thrive with personalised education

By BOB CLYNE, Wandiligong Primary School principal

WANDILIGONG

Primary School stands out for its exceptional approach to education, centred on fostering curiosity, academic success, empathy, critical thinking and independence.

Our teachers are dedicated to ensuring every student thrives, using a variety of strategies to achieve outstanding outcomes.

Our daily timetable places a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, whilst other core subjects like science, humanities, health, and technology are taught using an engaging, inquiry-based approach.

This holistic approach allows students to explore their interests while receiving personalised feedback that boosts understanding of curriculum areas whilst developing transferable

skills and dispositions needed throughout our lives.

We are committed to excellence in teaching and learning, offering a rich curriculum that nurtures the whole child.

Our flexible class structure caters to individual learning styles, preparing our students for success in an ever-changing world.

At Wandiligong Primary School, we believe in equipping our students

with the skills they need to thrive, both now and in the future.

We are proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional education for our students.

Every week feels like Education Week at Wandiligong Primary School, we encourage you to have a look for yourself and see the difference that a small school education can make.

Myrtleford P12 College Inspirational

At Myrtleford P12 College, we are committed to ensuring every student has the best opportunity to develop essential skills, knowing that literacy is not merely a skill but a gateway to personal growth, social inclusion, and lifelong learning. We recognise that an orderly learning environment, high expectations and a strong home-school relationship are necessary elements in ensuring that all our students learn and reach their full potential.

Our college is a busy place with excellent numeracy and literacy results. We have high expectations of staff, students and parents. As a member of the college community you will have clearly defined and understood rights and responsibilities. We are both passionate and determined to teach our students the necessary expertise, discipline and values needed to become successful 21st century learners and responsible members of the community.

The College offers our students

• Small class sizes

• A strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy skills

• A growing school with excellent facilities

• Teachers who know their students and how they learn

• Modern facilities with access to the latest technology and software

• Career pathways to cater for student needs and interests

• Large school options with small school advantages

• Involvement in the arts, sporting, community and leadership activities

Myrtleford P12 College students experience a sense of belonging and enjoy learning in a safe, disciplined and well organised environment.

For a tour of the college or further information regarding what the college can offer your child please contact the College Principal, Mr Zlatko Pear.

5752 1174

myrtleford.p12@edumail.vic.gov.au

LEARNING FOR LIFE: (From left) St Mary’s Primary School students Zoe Richter, Phoebe Cresswell, Thomas Mullane Grant and John Carroll.

HAVING A GOOD TIME: A group of Wandiligong Primary School students enjoying the school playground last week.

Developing life-changing literacy skills

IN an era where educational practices are scrutinised and understandings of cognitive science continue to deepen, Myrtleford P12 College stands out as a leader of innovative teaching and student-centred learning.

At the heart of this are our teachers and support staff, whose dedicated educators are committed

to understanding how the brain learns and to tailoring teaching practices that ensure every student thrives.

“We’re dedicated to providing the best possible education for all our students, including those who may require additional support, or opportunities to be challenged and extended,” said Assistant principal Adam Lindsay.

“Our goal is to create an inclusive learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential.”

With this aim, a recent initiative is the implementation of OrtonGillingham (OG) sessions across grade levels.

Using explicit OrtonGillingham methods, which

are promoted and upheld by international Dyslexia Associations and Structured Literacy experts, students are clustered based on their identified point of need in word attack skills which involves both decoding reading skills and encoding spelling skills.

This approach allows teachers to collectively provide targeted instruction and support, ensuring that every child receives the necessary tools and strategies to excel in this important aspect of literacy.

“Clustering students according to their needs during OG sessions has been transformative,” literacy specialist Mrs Ladeane Lindsay said.

“By grouping students with similar learning profiles, we can target instruction more effectively, providing tailored support that accelerates their progress.

“Students requiring more support are clustered into small groups which allow for repetitive practise, whilst those ready for extension, move at a faster pace.

TARGETED TEACHING:

At Myrtleford P12 College, students are clustered according to their literacy needs, allowing for targeted instruction.

These clusters represent only one part of students’ daily Literacy learning.”

At Myrtleford P12, we believe that this personalised approach will not only enhance a child’s learning experience but also empower them to develop confidence and proficiency with word reading and spelling.

“Clusters are not fixed, but flexible, and it is expected that students

St Mary’s currently has seven classrooms with most classes having approximately 20 children in each. St Mary’s over the years has continued to go from strength to strength. Children are educated in a calm and respectful environment with teachers delivering lessons that are explicit and at each child’s learning needs. St Mary’s has achieved excellent results academically, well above other Australian schools.

Students in year 3 in 2023 had scores in NAPLAN that were within the top ten schools in Victoria. This has been achieved through consistency in teaching and excellent behaviour management across the school and a strong emphasis on the core subjects of reading, writing, spelling, and numeracy. When students are successful, which is the experience of students at St Mary’s, it supports the wellbeing and self esteem of students. St Mary’s teachers are attuned at supporting all students and with parent contributions put in place support for students who may require extra teaching ensuring students do not fall behind.

Due to our excellent results and high levels of teaching ability, St

will always move to where they’re receiving the most appropriate instruction,” Mrs Lindsay said.

Students are also busy in regular classes studying a variety of literature aimed at enriching vocabulary, developing comprehension, and building background knowledge.

During recent forums seeking student voice about OG sessions, students from across the primary school confidently articulated their learning goals.

Collins from Grade 2, explained, “We’ve been learning about the morpheme ‘struct’ which means to build”, and Cody from Prep who told us, “I’ve been learning all about the letters and sounds s,a,t,i and p.”

Collectively, students described OG sessions as fun and important, with Jagger exclaiming, “It’s good for our brains!”

When asked about being in clusters with people from other grades, Sigrid said, “It’s great! We get to meet new people and make new friends”.

Mary’s has become a school leading the way with many other schools visiting St Mary’s for professional development. Staff at St Mary’s have been asked several times to present at various forums and have led professional development for which we are very proud.

St Mary’s continues to provide excellent programs in the subjects of physical education, music, Italian and art.

This year St Mary’s will see major building works, as part of the school will be refurbished which will see a beautiful library, parent area and art room developed. We look forward to the library being central to the school.

St Mary’s is open to all and welcomes tours. Please contact the office for an appointment on 57521808.

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

3 What is a woman who has never married (8)

7 To regain something, is to do what (6)

8 To be seductive, is to be what (8)

9 What is intense, overpowering fear (6)

10 Which term describes that which has the most thin cutting edge (8)

11 What is a bank cashier called (6)

14 Juneau is the capital of which US State (6)

17 What is a numbat also known as (8)

18 To be rectangular, is to be what (6)

19 What is a circular or spiral motion (8)

20 What are profits, as from investments (6)

21 Name a more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in fevers, etc (8)

DOWN

1 To mislead by a false statement, is to do what (7)

2 What is an alternative name for a diary (7)

3 To be more thinly scattered, is to be what (7)

4 Which term describes that which is neither positive nor negative (7)

5 Name a muscle having three heads (7)

6 What is a boat race (7)

11 To have given out a sharp ringing sound, is to have done what (7)

12 Which term implies that which relates to the side (7)

13 What is a decree also known as (7)

E-QUATIONS

14 What is a word formed from the initial letters of other words (7)

15 Name an artist’s workshop (7)

16 What was the former name of Cape Canaveral (7)

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

a)

b)

c)

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

CLUES:

Aged (3)

Courageously (7)

Heating chambers (5)

Make changes (5)

Opposed to con (3)

Perambulators (coll) (5)

Surf Life Saving (3) Takes a trip (7)

Theatre: well done (5)

Undergarment (3)

Outstanding “Burrayang”

SIMPLY outstanding water supply on this Ovens River frontage property, situated between Tarrawingee and Everton. A substantial quantity of high reliable Ovens water currently with property negotiable but the Ovens water, Deep Creek, Bore and tanks make this productive farming operation droughtproof.

Modern designed and installed irrigation system of risers, pump and suction all in place and stay with the farm. Summer crops, Autumn watering and/or a it at your disposal.

Crops in recent years when required in 2019 included summer crops, or stands of Balansia and Rye for exceptional fodder results of hay or silage. Deisel Cummins motor on pump, set on trailer for ease of movement if required.

3 Bedroom home with verandah and shedding, sundry shedding and yards all in place. High exposure, if that’s what and superb Remnant Gums over the Deep Creek and down to the sandbars

15 or more paddocks, from improved

Red loam soils to the Phalaris and PasFishing, Sambar and Fallow Deer as well as your own stock is exciting as it is unique.

17 km to Wangaratta Rural City for shops, hospitals and secondary schools, 5 km to Tarrawingee or Everton for Food or Fuel. Freeway on our doorstep, 125

kms to Melbourne Airport if you want to go international.

Property is superb opportunity to gain River frontage.. Inspections to suit.

Wangaratta branch

76 Reid Street

Open weekdays

9am to 5pm (closed 1pm to 1:45pm)

1300 004 863 humebank.com.au

Classic spacious home in a great central location

PERFECTLY located in Gray Street, occupying a generous 701m2 allotment, this 1950s triple-fronted brick veneer residence provides the perfect foundation for all buyers seeking space and a central location in Wangaratta.

Upon entry, you are greeted with high 9ft ceilings and polished pine floors throughout.

The spacious home offers four generously sized bedrooms accompanied by a

The fantastic sized primary bedroom offers an ensuite and WIR.

The open plan kitchen, living and dining space features French doors for access to the outdoor entertaining and rear yard.

The home provides a second living space with an adjoining study at the front of natural light thanks to its orientation. The traditional main bathroom offers a full bath and separate shower.

Modern home offering low maintenance living

11A WILLIAMS Road provides the perfect opportunity for someone looking to downsize to a low maintenance property or looking for a great returning investment.

The home consists of two separate living areas, three bedrooms all with built in wardrobes and the main having an ensuite and walk in wardrobe.

Heating and cooling are well catered for with gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling throughout, gas cooktop, electric oven and gas boosted solar hot water service.

Externally there is a concreted outdoor entertaining area, garden beds and the property is on its own title.

WANGARATTA STORE CATTLE SALE

The home is approximately seven years old and is in a great location closeing tracks.

THURSDAY 16th MAY 2024 – 9am

* INTERFACED WITH AUCTIONS PLUS *

D & B Scott – Mansfield (CP)

** Herd Dispersal - Property Leased ** Myrrhee Meadow Highlands- Myrrhee ( NUTR)

7 Registered Highland Cows Springing to Highland Bull (to be Preg tested)

4 Highland Bulls 1-3 years

7 Highland Steers 18 months

(** Above cattle will be sold at Completion of store sale. All to be sold Individually **)

GROWN CATTLE

Width Farm - Keithbrook (CP)

25 Angus M/Sex 12-14mths

YOUNG CATTLE

Brewer Pastoral Co- Koetong (ELD)

80 Angus & Angus/Simmental X Steers 7-9 months Sired by Brewer beef bulls, bred out of Banquet, Dunoon, Alpine, Moogenilla Angus & Brewer Pastoral Simmental Angus Cows.

5in1x2 drenched Cydectin P/O 7/4/24 VB Grass fed,

Antibiotic free & cross weaned 7 weeks

Barley & Cox “Quartz Hill”- Jindera (ELD)

30 black baldy M/Sex Jarobee blood VB Weaned & Grass fed

20 Angus steers 8-9mths ‘Riga blood’ 5in1x2

20 Angus heifers 8-9mths ‘Riga blood’

JJ & LE Northey - Myrrhee (AWN)

35 Angus & Angus Cross M/Sex 11-12mths

‘Jade Park Blood’ Weaned

WH, GM & SW Swinburne – Cheshunt (AWN)

25 Angus Heifers 12mths ‘Witherswood & Jarobee Blood’ Weaned

L Fowler – Violet Town (AWN)

20 Angus M/Sex 12mths Weaned

Andrew Watson- Whitfield (CP)

10 Angus steers Black star Angus blood VB GA

10 Angus heifers Black star Angus blood VB GA

Warrick Armstrong - Tatong (CP)

20 Black Baldy M/Sex 9-11mths

JH & TM Parton - Benalla (AWN)

15 Angus M/Sex, 9-10mths ‘Riga Blood’ Weaned

BC & MB Kelly – Creightons Creek (AWN)

15 Angus Steers 12mths ‘Rennylea Blood’ Weaned

NJ Blewett – Myrtleford (AWN)

15 Limousin M/Sex 7-8mths 7in1x2 Moximax

– 10th April ‘Chateau Blood’

MA & BM Ford - Invergordon (AWN)

4 Speckle Park X Steers 12mths Weaned

12 Speckle Park X M/Sex 7-8mths Weaned

R Hughan – Tatong (CP)

12 Hereford M/Sex 9-11mths

RF & VJ Allen – Byawatha (AWN)

12 Angus M/Sex 10-11mths Weaned

M Griffiths – Greta South (AWN)

10 Angus M/Sex 9mths Weaned

M Brennan - Laceby (AWN)

10 Angus Heifers 9-10mths ‘Witherswood Blood’ Weaned

J Pherson - Benalla (CP)

10 Red M/Sex 10-12mths

J Allen – Everton (AWN)

6 Angus/Friesian X Heifers 10-12mths Bucket Reared

Curtis & Stevenson-Upper Ryans Creek (NUTR)

4 Belgian blue x Steers 9mths WEANED

Nutrien Harcourts

ONLINE CLEARING SALE

475+ Lots

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

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

2 LOCATIONS - 1432 & 1697 Goorambat-Thoona Rd, Thoona 3726

AUCTION START: Friday 10 th May 10:00am

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

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% Buyers 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.

Modest four room Fibro cottage on the edge of Thoona township Cottage relocated on site Circa 1980

• Power connected, rain water tank and septic system

Potential to connect to Thoona & District town water supply

One main paddock with some established trees and a small dam

• Excellent position with Rural

23 Baker St,

Four Bedroom home with the hard work done

SALE BY FIXED DATE – all offers to be submitted by Tuesday 4th June 1pm.

Located in the popular new Baltimore Estate, this 2020 built brick veneer home consists of four bedrooms, two spacious living areas, two bathrooms and double lock up garage with internal access.

Stylish open plan living with the adjoining kitchen offering a seamless flow into the dining, light filled rooms and north facing outdoor entertainment zones are a highlight of this home.

Well-appointed central kitchen with large breakfast bar and 900mm stove/oven cooking appliances. Master suite provides walk in robe and ensuite whilst three further guestrooms are generous in size and fitted with built in robes.

The 4th bedroom offers the option to be used as a perfect study space, the main bathroom features shower and separate bath, gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling-

takes good care of the climate control throughout the home. Other impressive features include;

• Ceiling fans to 3 of the bedrooms and main living room

• Professionally landscaped and manicured low maintenance native gardens

• 19 panel, 6.55Kw Solar System

• Sunblinds fitted throughout for optimal weather protection

• New Westinghouse dishwasher

• Swann security camera

• Security flywire screens to front and rear doors

• Keyed window locks throughout

• Close proximity to local schools including, Galen college, Wangaratta High School and St Bernards Primary. This immaculate home is move in ready. Contact our office today to book your inspection. Hugh Amery 0487 777 311

Joe McKenziePaul ReidHugh AmeryDanial Siperki

Why it is crucial to know the motivations of the vendor

AS a buyer, the one person you really need to convince to accept your offer is, simply, the vendor.

This is the individual, or possibly a to the price you have suggested you’ll pay for their home and the terms that you have presented to them.

Each vendor is likely selling for a different reason.

Some will be simply looking to move on, possibly tentatively seeing if their home will sell so they can upgrade.

Others will be needing to sell due to a change in circumstances or even a move overseas or to a different place.

For this reason, the mindset and motivations of the vendor are crucial for you to understand to determine three things:

1. How much to offer

2. How hard to push

3. What terms to include

Vendor motivations

nancial and emotional stake in their home and reasons for selling will vary.

The big question is what this reason for selling is. Real estate transactions can be stressful and expensive.

Undertaking a sale is not something that a vendor enters into easily.

If they need to sell the home quickly, they may opt for a shorter settlement and a lower price. Meanwhile, others may actually want a longer settlement.

How to contact the vendor

Most commonly, the vendor’s agent will be the way you communicate to the vendor and will know their circumstances. It is worth asking them the following queries:

Some vendors will be more open to negotiation than others.

However, this may be due to personality or some other factor.

On its own this isn’t necessarily an indicator of motivation.

There is a limit to what the real estate agent can tell you and, remember, they act on behalf of the vendor and so are likely to present information that is more positive about them.

Things to look out for

Look to see if there is furniture in the home, and consider looking for rental records - perhaps this hasn’t been their primary place of residence for a period of time.

If the property is actually a rental home, and the owner is an investor, then that may also be a clue as to their perspective.

It’s worth knowing whether it was used as a holiday home or for some other purpose.

Sometimes real estate agents will let you know some of these details in their advertisement or in their usual spiel about the home.

They may be downgrading due to

Most commonly, the vendor’s agent will be the way you communicate to the vendor and will know their circumstances.

children moving out of home and they may have already moved overseas.

If your offer is knocked back, remember that price isn’t the only factor.

didn’t accept the offer as you could adjust your terms in a way that they might be more interested in.

While common ground may not always be possible and their expectations could simply be beyond your far off of what they want to achieve.

It’s worth knowing if the seller is facing a loss on the purchase.

ing on portals offering sales history of houses. When was it last purchased and

They can also be useful for determining whether there have been any discounts already that may suggest an increasing desire to sell the home.

While a price drop or falling rent can indicate why a homeowner or investor may be selling, it can also be worth ensuring that the reason isn’t the property itself or the area.

Have a look and see how many other properties on the street are selling.

and any upcoming developments or changes that may affect the home’s value.

The owner may be trying to sell before a price drop.

Tip: Bear in mind that most vendors have an emotional connection with the home and you don’t always want to make negative comments about that the agent can pass on to the seller to put them on the defensive.

However, it sometimes doesn’t pay to seem too enthusiastic for the same reason.

Being genuine, but explaining that you have a number of considerations, is usually the best option when asking about the vendor and the home.

PHONE 5723 0101

MORNING TEA 2024

Thursday, May 23, 2024 9am to 12 noon. $7 includes morning tea. Guest Speaker U3A HQ Cobden Street, Bright (top end).

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

Booking deadline: 12 noon Monday prior to print

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

Booking deadline: 2pm business day prior to print.

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

Booking deadline:

3pm Monday prior to print.

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

Phone for quarterly booking deadline

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

Booking deadline: Second Friday of month

> CAR ADVERTISERS

Private vendors of motor cars

advertised for sale must include in their advertisement

• Cash price of motor car

• If car is registered, registration number

• If unregistered, the engine number

> PHOTOGRAPHS

All photographs appearing in this issue that are taken by our photographers are available as reprints.

> FOUND ADVERTISEMENTS

All found advertisements are published free. for publication.

> PERSONAL ADVERTISERS

• All personal photos submitted for printing in this issue must be collected within the next 4 weeks.

• All engagement and marriage notices must carry the signatures of BOTH parties, if under 18 the parents’ signatures as well.

• Birth notices require signatures

> ADDITIONS

• Bold heading

• A various selection of logos are available.

> INTERNET

In lodging an advertisement with us you agree that we may publish the advertisement on our website. The general terms and condition that apply to publication apply also to publication of material on our website.

MUMMERY

The celebration of the life of Darryl Mummery will be held at the Len Ablett Pavilion, Lewis Avenue, Myrtleford, TODAY Wednesday, May 15, 2024, commencing at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Myrtleford Cemetery.

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MUMMERY, Darryl George. Passed away peacefully at home on May 8, 2024. Aged 67 years.

Beloved husband of Helen and devoted father, father-in-law and friend of Ben and Hannah, Rohan and Magnus and Bryce and Emily. Proud and adoring Pa of Jack, Mia and Beau.

Cherished son of Claude (dec) and Peggy and much loved brother and brother-in-law of Cheryl and Chris (Walkear). Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Loved and remembered always.

MUMMERY, Darryl “Daz”. Passed away May 8, 2024. No more suffering, you are now at peace. We have lost a link in our chain.

Much loved friend and brother-in-law of Paul and Marina, Biddy and George, Tony and Vicki. Loved and respected Uncle to all his nieces and nephews and their families.

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MUMMERY, Darryl.

To Helen, Ben, Rohan, Bryce and families. Sincere condolences from Rob, Dot, Michelle and Damon, Greg, Meagan, Kerrie and Aaron, and families.

Blockbuster week for alpine golf

LOCAL golf courses were bustling over the past week, with a number of out-of-town golfers experiencing the pristine courses in Myrtleford and Bright.

MYRTLEFORD GOLF CLUB

Saturday, May 11

Rinlatech Scratch & Handicap Stroke Tournament AMCR 71 AWCR 74

A Grade Scratch Winner: Darren Edwards (3) 75, Beechworth. A Grade Scratch Runner Up: Joshua Hayes (1) 76, Wodonga.

B Grade Scratch Winner: Ian Wales (12) 78, Thurgoona. B Grade Scratch Runner Up: Craig Shewell (15) 85.

C Grade Scratch Winner: John Costello (20) 90. C Grade Scratch Runner Up: Andrew Loftus (19) 95.

Nett A Grade Winner: Aaron Jose (9) 72. Nett A Grade Runner Up: Craig Piazza (4) 73. Nett B Grade Winner:

Gerard Black (15) 65. Nett B Grade Runner Up: Michael Dunne (18) 73 c/b, Bright.

Nett C Grade Winner: Warren Rowney (25) 72. Nett C Grade Runner Up: William Kelty (22) 75, Bright.

Ladies’ Winner: Kerry Newton (21) 93/72. Ladies’ Runner Up: Carol Bailey (17) 94/77 c/b, Bright.

Ball Winners: Jeremy Ezard, Robert Toal, Tynan Cundy, Brad Carroll, Alex Manzella, Trevor Britton, Stephen French, Ethan Bell, Jim Martin.

NTPs - 1st: John Costello, 8th: Jeremy Ezard, 14th: Ian Wales, 16th: David Clark, Carol Bailey.

Raffle Winner/Golf Bag: Aaron Jose. Raffle Winner: Barrie Bynon. Friday, May 10

Rinletech/WAW Credit Union Tournament - 4BBB Stableford AWCR 74 AMCR 71

MASSIVE TURNOUT: The Myrtleford Golf Club was well attended for their annual tournament.

Men’s Winners: Jade Galvan & Chris Rowney 48pts. Men’s Runners Up: Andrew Loftus & Peter Stewart 45pts c/b.

Ball Winners: Spider Hancock & Aaron Jose 45pts. Craig Shewell & Barrie Bynon 43pts, Trout Batt & Bill O’Donohue 42pts.

Ladies’ Winners: Margo Northey & Debbie Tully 47pts. Ladies’ Runners Up: Jan Harper & Sandra Piazza 46pts. Ball Winners: Susan Crow & Patricia Smiles 44pts, Tina Cook & Robyn McGrath 43pts, Liz Harvey & Carol Bartholomew 42 c/b.

NTPs - 1st: Margo Northey, Peter Stewart, 8th: Patricia

Smiles, Peter Stewart, 14th: Jade Galvan, Gail Smith, 16th: Robert Taylor.

Thursday, May 9

WAW Credit Union Stableford Ladies Bowl AWCR 74

A Grade Winner: Robyn McGrath (19) 38pts, Bright. A Grade Runner Up: Jan Lang (17) 37 c/b, Howlong.

B Grade Winner: Angela Bishop (22) 44pts, Yackandandah. B Grade Runner Up: Lauri Morgan (25) 39pts, Thurgoona.

C Grade Winner: Andrea Simmons (31) 44pts, Tarrawingee. C Grade Runner Up: Toni Wilson (32) 41pts, Tarrawingee.

D Grade Winner : Sue

Clayton (42) 38pts, Jubilee.

D Grade Runner Up: Virginia Clayton (36) 37pts c/b, Commercial Club Albury.

Ball Winners: Vicky Kirby 38 c/b, Susan Crow 38 c/b, Jeannette Belsher 38, Marg Franke-Williams 37 c/b, Ruth Nugent 37 c/b, Wendy Philips 37 c/b, Suzette Kelly 37 c/b, Diane I’Anson 37, Allison Coonan 36 c/b, Babara Carroll 36 c/b, Patsy Smiles 36 c/b, Liz Orton 36 c/b.

NTPs - 1st: Margaret Curtis, 8th: Gail Smith, 14th: Andrea Simmons, 16th: Louise Holden.

Bowl Winners – Tarrawingee, 120pts: Toni Wilson 41pts,

Young Panthers fire against Wangaratta

THE under 12 Porepunkah Panthers finished strongly to overcome the Wangaratta Rangers side at home on Sunday.

The first innings had both sides scoring six runs apiece.

Panthers Yuna Meddings and Ollie Smith both hit safely and rounded the bases, followed up by nice hits by Ryland McCormack, Xanthe McCormack and Mina Meddings who also scored.

The last innings had some brilliant fielding from the Panthers to get the three outs and allow only two runs.

Needing three to win, the Panthers were able to bring in six to come out on top.

Final score Porepunkah 17 def Wangaratta 13. It was another tight threeinnings match in the under 15s clash, but it was Wangaratta who came away with the win.

Heading into the second inning equal, Wangaratta scored five runs, with a

nice out to Panther Sophie Anders who threw to first baseman Ollie Brown for the out.

Five runs down the Panthers then showed some great eyes to even up the score.

The last innings had Panther Wade Pronk take the mound and throw down some heat, restricting the Rangers to only five more runs.

The Panthers, needing six to win, could not score in the last dig.

Final score Wangaratta 10 def Porepunkah 5. The C grade side once again took care of business with a convincing win against the Rangers. This was on the back of a big scoring second innings, with Geordie McEwans’ hit bringing in one run, Jayden Eastwood and Mason Anders both hitting big bombs bring in two runs apiece, before Lachie Rosser then hit the third ‘double’ of the innings bringing in another two runs.

Mason Anders was on the hill first for the Panthers, giving up one hit and one run over five innings.

Luka Barthelmez then came on as relief pitcher and finished the game strongly, allowing only one more run.

Final score Porepunkah 13 def Wangaratta 2.

Porepunkah Panthers just fell to the Wangaratta Rangers 13-7 in the B grade match, despite out-hitting them seven to six.

At the end of the second innings the Panther held a narrow 2-1 lead, and continued to hit the ball well and score.

Panther David Clebna impressed in his first game, topping the batting with two safe hits.

The Panthers also ran well on base accumulating 11 stolen bases for the game.

Jarred Smith was on pitching duties most of the day for the Panthers, throwing well in tough conditions.

In a close game it was

good to see improvement overall in the team.

The A grade Porepunkah Panthers couldn’t quite keep up with the Wangaratta Rangers and fell 9-3 down on the day.

Panther Lachie Rosser led the day with the bat, going four from four and batting in two runs, while Adam Rosser also had a good day with the bat, helping himself to two safe hits.

In the field for the Panthers there was plenty of action with outfielder Paul Meddings who took two nice catches

Ball magnet Luca Barthelmez, playing right field, made the difficult look easy with a full sprint catch to end an innings.

The Rangers managed to put a bit more pressure on and the Panthers left a lot of runners on base for the day, and will look to improve on that.

Damon Barker came on as relief pitcher and pitched the last three digs, striking out two batters.

Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Peter Stewart, 4th 2nd Shot: Peter Vasey, 8th: Chris Rowney, 14th: Bill O’Donohue. Tuesday, May 7 Drummond Golf Albury Monthly Medal Stroke AWCR 74 Winner & Medal Winner: Heather Street (38) 114/73. Runner Up: Jan Harper (34) 108/74. 9 Hole Winner: Margaret Curtis (17) 44/36. 9 Hole Runner Up: Jennifer Leita (53) 64/38. Ball Winners: Jan Roseby, Kerry Newton, Barb Welch. Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Marg Curtis, 4th/2nd Shot: Kerry Newton, 14th: Jan Roseby. Putting Competition: Barb Welch, 29 putts.

BRIGHT GOLF CLUB

Veterans, Monday, May 6, Stableford

Winners: Joel Mathews (18) 41 points, Fran Bentley (33) 40 points, Mary Lavery (31) 38 points, Graham Barrow (22) 37 points.

NTPs - 3rd: Ray Ousley, 6th: Joel Mathews, 11th: Mick Dunne, 16th: Colin Richardson.

Ladies, Wednesday, May 8, Hepburn Cup Foursomes

Andrea Simmonds 44pts, Lucia Da Pos 32pts, Joan Quarrell 35pts. Small Teams: Toni Wilson 41pts, Andrea Simmonds 44pts, Joan Quarell 35pts. Young Chicks 50+: Suzette Kelly 37pts. Vets 60+: Angela Bishop 44pts. Super Vets 70+: Lauri Morgan 39pts. Wednesday, May 8 Myrtleford BWS Stableford AMCR 71 A Grade Winner: Andrew Roseby (18) 38pts. A Grade Runner Up: Alan Rockliff (13) 36 pts.

Ball Winners: T Chapman 35, B O’Donohue 35, S Piddington 35.

Winners: Penny White & Fran Bentley 69.5. NTPs - 3rd: Elizabeth Barker, 6th: Penny White, 11th: Tina Cook, 16th: Suzette Heydon.

Men, Thursday, May 9, Stableford

Winners: Tony Chalwell (18) 40 points, Steven Thompson (18) 40 points, Scott Hovenga (33) 40 points.

Men, Saturday, May 11, Stableford

Winners: Brain Taggart (16) 40 points, Joel Mathews (17) 37 points.

Ladies, Saturday, May 11, Stableford

Winner: Elizabeth Barker (25) 35 points.

Best of the best recognised at Bright Bowls Club

THE Bright Bowls Club held their annual presentation day on Sunday, May 5.

On a beautiful sunny day, 18 club members played two enjoyable games of bowls, followed by presentations and the usual high standard afternoon tea provided by the members.

The winning team for the day was Bill Hayes, Jerry Wilson, and Terry McCaw, with club vice president Ernie Vanderwert presenting the trophies.

Men’s club champion win-

ner: Patrick O’Shea. Runner Up: Peter Raduczic.

Open 100-Up winner: Peter Raduczic. Runner up: Greg Pepyat.

Open 21-Up winner: Patrick O’Shea. Runner up: Martin Kupferle.

Open pairs winners: Greg Pepyat, Libby Barker. Runners up: Bill Hayes, Gil Griffith. 5 Year and Under Club Championship, winner: Gil Griffith. Runner up: Terry McCaw.

WINNERS: Bright Bowls Club trophy recipients (from left) Wayne Curtis, Peter Raduczic, Libby Barker, Gilbert Griffin, and Terry McCaw (absent : Patrick O’Shea, Greg Pepyat, Martin Kupferle).

Open Drawn Pairs: Peter Raduczic, Wayne Curtis.

THE second round of the Kiewa Hydro Co-Op Cup was played on Saturday, May 11 at the Mount Beauty Golf Club, and was convincingly won by Ron Gallagher with a net 69 from Dave Etherton, net 74 and Allan Retallick with 75 net.

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

The ninth was Allan Retallick, 17th was Stephen Short, and Peter Hertzog was able to put his ball on the green

to take home the money on the 18th.

Gallagher’s net 69 was just shy of being able to trump Allan Retallick for the Cup - he ended up with a net 142 while Retallick was able to hold the lead with his net 140.

The ladies played 18 on

Wednesday, May 8 which was won by Gill Harrowfield with 47 points to Ruth Rynehart with 46 points.

Jooyon Kang-Redmond got the NTP (second shot) on the seventh.

On Saturday, May 11 the Ladies played 18 again.

This time, the comp was won by Liz Harvey with 37 points to Gill Harrowfield with 35 points on a countback from Carol Bartholomew.

NTP on the 18th (second shot) was Helen Whittaker.

College

Kangaroos 4.2

BEST: COLLEGE: Ayden Peebles, Nevada Monk, Fraser Burgan, Harvey Lyster, Kallam Pensak, Harrison Bowman. KANGAROOS: Jamie Scheier, Zac O’Shannessy, Ruari Adamo, Alexander Hines, Kade Jackson, Archie O’Brien. GOALS: COLLEGE: Thomas Fieldew 3, Harrison Bowman 1, Cashen Monk 1, Kallam Pensak 1. KANGAROOS: Jamie Scheier 4, Leonard Clayton 3, Billy Hiskins 3, Ruari Adamo 2, Alexander Hines 1, Eamon Mullins 1, Zac O’Shannessy 1. Benalla

Junior Magpies

BEST: BENALLA: Mitchell Cooney, Josh Hart, Sam Gates, Jobe Stovell, Logan Hyland, Josh Mathieson. JUNIOR MAGPIES: John Wohlers, Mossy Alker-Jones, Jackson Hewitt, Charlie Suffield, Noah Murphy, Joel Comensoli. GOALS: GOALS: BENALLA: Josh Hart 1. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Mossy Alker-Jones 5, Joel Comensoli 5, Callum Bott 3, Zach Bott 2, Cooper Allan 1, Mark John White 1. Centrals

BEST: CENTRALS: Hunter Barry, Connor Ormond, Reid McNamara, Hayden Currie, Solomon Steer, Max Hernandez. TIGERS: Drew Winter, Jack Preston, Harvey Dodgshun, Lucas Webb, Mitchell Benton, Charlie York. GOALS: CENTRALS: Henry Burke 1, Cohen Hazell 1. TIGERS: Mitchell Benton 2, Jake Wall 2, Harvey Dodgshun 1, Kayden Mckelvie 1, Jensen Perna 1, Lucas Webb 1. Myrtleford

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Benjamin McMasters, Taj Cooper, Bailey Robb, Oscar Benson, Rourke Warner, Adam Morgan. MANSFIELD: Samuel Kain, Hayden Desmond, Edwin Morphett, Liam Smith, Cruz Purday, Alex Kipping. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Bailey Robb 8, Taj Cooper 3, Jordyn Notarianni 2, Rourke Warner 2, Spencer Colson 1, Antonio Iaria 1, Adam Morgan 1, Jethro Novak 1. MANSFIELD: Harry Craddock 4, James Benton 2, Christopher Caminos 1, Hayden Desmond 1, Xavier Maroney 1, Nick Taylor 1. Imperials

BEST: IMPERIALS: Luke Griffiths, Max Marek, Kai McPhan, Charlie Maher, Will Prebble, Nicholas Kjar. BRIGHT: Alan Grasser, Tom Russell, Ryley West, Henry Lindner, Aiden Toy, Ewan Lodge. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Will Prebble 9, Hugo Bandt 2, Nicholas Kjar 2, Marshall Semmens 2, Preston Stamp 2, Harry Allen 1, Seth Ismale 1, Kai McPhan 1, Cooper Young 1. BRIGHT: Tyson Brierty 3, Stefan Barnard 1, Otis Dalbosco 1, Aidan Hargreaves 1, Hamish Johnston 1, Ewan Lodge 1, Lee Robinson 1.

BEST: CENTRALS: Archie Knobel, Noah Paul, Samuel Elkington, sonny gales, Andrew Fraser, Bailey Stewart. TIGERS: Henry Gibb, Nate O’Keefe, Zachariah Akers, Paige-Lee Dummet, Marlon Togolo, Riley Webb. GOALS: CENTRALS: Archie Knobel 3, Aiden Castle 1, Andrew Fraser 1, Harvey Muraca 1. TIGERS: Henry Gibb 3, Cooper Lack 2, Hugh Sharp 2, Kobe Ackroyd 1, Thomas McCully 1, Xavier Sheldon 1, Riley Webb 1. Kangaroos

Mansfield Yellow

BEST: KANGAROOS: Oscar Edwards, Henry Ackerly, Jack Pople, Archie Symons, Kieran White, Maddox Coleman. MANSFIELD YELLOW: Toby Gerrans, Isaac Crowe, James Wellborne, Jack Clydesdale, Hudson George, Levi Stevenson. GOALS: KANGAROOS: Oscar Edwards 6, Jack Pople 2, Harry Chandler 1, Maddox Coleman 1, Mitchell Murphy 1, Archie Symons 1. MANSFIELD YELLOW: James Wellborne 2, Felix Smith 1, Macc Watson 1, Zac Borg 1. Benalla Red 0.1

BEST: BENALLA RED: Charlie Pollard, Noah Cooney, Jack Pollard, Thomas Mount, Xavier De Fazio, Thomas Snell. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Sam McIntosh, Archie Johnson, Alexander Scholes, Jack Vincent, Patrick Alker-Jones, Will James. GOALS: BENALLA RED: Cash Nolen 1, Charlie Pollard 1, Lucas Webster 1. College

Mansfield Blue

BEST: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims, Cooper Bowman, Charlie OBrien, Luke OBrien, Harvey Allan, Dominic Ciccone. MANSFIELD BLUE: Noah Langlands, Archie Dunn, Jacob Fleming, Zander Haslau, Reeve Purday GOALS: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims 8, Luke OBrien 4, Harvey Allan 1, Cooper Bowman 1, Harry Dean 1, Tom Hill 1. MANSFIELD BLUE: Bodhi Killeen 1. Imperials

BEST: IMPERIALS: Kade Ely, Sam Newton, Logan Wilson, Gus Marek. BRIGHT: Oscar Lewis, Noah White, Cash Garratt, Gabriel Banks, Harry West, Kobe Buckland. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Wally Startin 1. BRIGHT: Alex Tanaskovic 4, Noah White 4, Gabriel Banks 3, Harris Bruneau 3, Brock Buckland 3, Kobe Buckland 3, Darcy Andersen 2, Jai Gribble 1, Oliver Kelly 1, Oscar Lewis 1.

BEST: BENALLA BLACK: Kobi Thwaites, Jackson Fry, Nicholas White, Tom Osborne, Hudson Blyss, charlie Bell. MYRTLEFORD: Hudson Durling, Matthew Morgan, Austin Robb, Max McMahon, Jake Jennings, Cooper Roman. GOALS: BENALLA BLACK: Joshua Byers 2, Joshua Montgomery 1, Kobi Thwaites 1. MYRTLEFORD: Hudson Durling 5, Sam Lupo 1.

The men played the front nine on Wednesday, May 8 with Ivan Mock scoring 20 points to take the win from Ross Rynehart with 19 points.

NTP on the seventh was Steuart Snooks while Peter Johns was closest on the ninth.

BEST: KANGAROOS: Harry Edwards,

Canning, Ryan Allan, Jax Borschmann, Flynn Mckenzie, Leo Fraser. GOALS: KANGAROOS: Finnbar Carr 2, Bodi Jackson 2, Liam Solimo 1, Max Tucker 1. COLLEGE: Ryan Allan 1, Jack Tonkin 1.

Hernan,

Scholes, Jake Briggs,

Stribley.

BENALLA: Jack Hart 5, Oliver Smith 1, Thomas Snell 1, Georgia Trethowan 1. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Samuel Patterson 2, William Hernan 1, Riley Sessions 1, Robert Stribley 1.

By NATHAN DE VRIES

MYRTLEFORD’S senior women will look to bounce back this weekend after falling 0-3 to Cobram Roar at Cobram on Sunday.

Savoy played well throughout the match, but fell a goal behind in the first half.

Co-coaches Tom Scott and Will Robinson-Dunne made come positional changes in the second half to try and force a goal, and it almost paid off, but Cobram were able to counterattack and utilise their speedy strikers to find two further goals late in the game.

Scott said while the scoreboard may make for harsh reading, it did not reflect how well the side played.

“I think the girls played really well, it was a pretty even contest,” he said.

“We were 1-0 down towards the end of the second half, we just tried a couple of things to try and pinch it at the end, but Cobram are a quick side and they were able to counter it pretty well.

“I think we had a pretty sound defence, but because we were pushing forward there was room they were able to exploit.

“Their striking force is pretty quick in general, and

REDEMPTION:

we’ve got a couple of young girls we’re trying to incorporate into the squad and give them experience.

“There were a couple of

division

different factors but overall, Cobram just used their strengths well.”

The loss sees Myrtleford Savoy sit ninth on the senior

women’s ladder, ahead of this weekend’s clash with thirdplaced Wangaratta City FC.

The two clubs meet every year on La Fiera weekend in Myrtleford, with a bumper crowd set to create a thrilling atmosphere at the club’s first home game for the season.

It’s also a chance for the club to debut their new and improved clubrooms and facilities.

“The La Fiera game is always a big round for the club,” Scott said.

“It’s always good to have the chance of playing for some silverware, so I think the girls will really look forward to it this week.

“I know a lot of them know the Wangaratta girls so there’s always that internal competition there, but overall Wangaratta are doing pretty well in the senior side.

“It’s another opportunity to see how they structure things and see what we can do.

“With it being the first game at home this year, it’ll obviously give the girls another reason to go out there and do their best.”

The reserve women will attack this weekend’s match with intensity and confidence, fresh off their 2-0 win over Cobram on Sunday.

Winter bowls comp underway Savoy women vanquished by Roar

LAST Saturday, Chiltern, Yackandandah, Bright and Myrtleford bowls clubs kicked off the XXXX Winter Bowls Competition in lovely weather, supplemented by some keen bowlers from Tallangatta.

For those who don’t take their caravans north at this time of year, there are many bowlers who still want their fix, so clubs have banded together for some fun bowls without being held to the normal O&M Pennant rules.

The interchange of players and changing roles mid game makes for this unique 12-week competition where there is no premiership or even a winners cup up for grabs, just the chance to introduce new players to the game of lawn bowls in the two bowl triples format, play players in different positions within the team, socialise and stay healthy in body and mind over winter.

It is proving a real winner and the benefits can’t be understated.

Chiltern supplied five teams each with three players while Yackandandah had seven, so one of the Yackandandah teams evened things

up by playing for Chiltern in a display of great sportsmanship, thus enabling all players to join in the fun.

The result was a very tight finish with Yackandandah 103 outscoring Chiltern 96 shots.

Similarly at Myrtleford the home team was able to lend Bright three players to enable play on five rinks.

The Myrtleford men and women came out on top.

Round two on Saturday sees Myrtleford travel to Yackandandah and Chiltern to Bright.

Many of the men have already commented that bowls on a Saturday is far better at this time of the year than staying home and raking up the autumn leaves.

Any new players wishing to join a club can contact any of the clubs, as this is a great way of stepping up from community or barefoot bowls programs to a slightly more competitive competition which bridges the gap between pennant and barefoot bowls, with the added benefit having access to some qualified coaches to accelerate the skills required in this game.

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

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

Our Club offers specialist Basketball Clinics, as well as pathways through Senior Big V Competitions.

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

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

ROUND RESULTS:

CUP HOPES DASHED

U14 Boys 1 43 def by Dandenong 2 86

(Top Scorers: N.Pierce 9, N. Atukorala 7, W. McKenzie 5)

U14 Boys 2 35 def by Whittlesea 3 46

(Top Scorers: U. Saxton 12, J. Kynnersley 10, N. Caccianiga 5)

U14 Girls 1 52 def Frankston 2 37

(Top Scorers: M. Moscrop 17, S. Van Schaik 8, A. Damianopoulos 7)

U14 Girls 2 30 def Keilor 6 27

(Top Scorers: E. Kennedy 7, R. Pickles 6, M. Tomkins 6)

U16 Boys 1 66 def Hawthorn 1 45

(Top Scorers: L. Cashman 14, S. Wright 14, E. Ockenden 12)

U16 Boys 2 72 def Wyndham 3 49

(Top Scorers: A. Kipping 19, A. Morris 13, J. Kelly 13)

U16 Boys 3 45 def by Sunbury 4 51

(Top Scorers: C. Hart 11, I. Lacey 9, O. McGahan 8)

U16 Girls 1 40 def Sandringham 3 36

(Top Scorers: E. Napier 11, M. Evans 7, E. Mercieca 6)

U16 Girls 2 47 def Diamond Valley 3 19

(Top Scorers: E. Gray 17, C. Campbell 8, P. Male 8)

U18 Boys 60 def Craigieburn 3 57

(Top Scorers: J. Hipwell 12, W. Hipwell 11, R. Hamilton 11)

■ From back page

“It is a big day for the club, it’s our sponsors’ day, it’s the first game at our new venue.

“We’re looking to bounce back, we need to bounce back - that’s all I ask for this week, a good week on the track and then a response on the weekend.”

Club president Anthony Zenghellini said the club was looking forward to a massive weekend, and utilising their new facilities for the first time.

“This Sunday rivals Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club and Wangaratta City FC play head-to-head for the La Fiera Cup,” he said.

“Sunday is the first of a long run of home games for the MSSC making this a exciting period for the club, and we also celebrate our

Italo Australian roots, perfectly coinciding with La Feira this weekend.

“Our brand-new state-ofthe-art facilities will proudly be opened for all to enjoy.

“We have the day stacked with different events including chestnut roasting, sponsor day celebration, life member get together, mini roos participation, wood raffle, and much much more.

“Our canteen will have Italian food on offer along with new local products from Alpine Cider, Billsons, Bright Brewery, Politini and Gapsted Wines.

“It will be a huge celebration of everything from the past, present and into a very bright future.”

Entry is free with the festivities kicking off from 9am.

PRESSURE: Jack Milford has to contend with Twin City’s Cayne Wilhelm and Isaac Hawkey-D’Aeth near the sideline.

Gabby Paglia and the

one women will look to take a statement win over Wangaratta City this weekend.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

TEAMMWORK: Savoy converge on Matt Richardson.

RESET: Nathan Gleeson looks for an attacking option after saving a goal.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND MURRAY SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD

GOALS: YARRAWONGA: Matthew Casey 8, Leigh Williams 5, William Wheeler 2, Damien Wilson 2, Ryan Einsporn 1, Bailey Frauenfelder 1, Michael Gibbons 1, Perry Lewis-Smith 1, Geoffrey Montgomery 1, Jordan Urquhart 1, Harrison Wheeler 1, Cameron Wilson 1. WODONGA RAIDERS: Archer Scammell 2, Nick Bracher 1, Ned Conway 1, Cameron EllisYolmen 1. BEST: YARRAWONGA: Lach Howe, Matthew Casey, Perry Lewis-smith, Leigh Williams, William Wheeler, Nicholas Irvine. WODONGA RAIDERS: Nelson Bowey, Archer Scammell, Cooper Daly, Justin Gordon, Nick Bracher, Harry Sweetman. YARRAWONGA

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Lachlan Murphy-Dale 6, Brody Ricardi 4, Charlie Crisp 2, Ryley Bouker 1, Jaxon East 1, Damon Harrington 1, Lachlan Plummer 1, Ned Turner 1, Levi Young 1. COROWA RUTHERGLEN: Sam Dunstan 3, Nathan Dunstan 1, Kade Kuschert 1, Connor Leslie 1, Christian Masson Moyle 1. BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Lachlan Murphy-Dale, Toby Cossor, Brody Ricardi, Simon Curtis, Jaxon East, Zac Pethybridge. COROWA RUTHERGLEN: Christian Masson Moyle, Ryan Eyers, Nathan Dunstan, Kade Kuschert, Sam Dunstan, Darcy Hope.

NETBALL SCORES THIRDS RESULTS

A GRADE

Wangaratta 49 def Lavington 35

Myrtleford 38 def by Corowa Rutherglen 60 North Albury 57 def Wangaratta Rovers 36 Wodonga 44 def Albury 36

Yarrawonga 52 def Wodonga Raiders 36

B GRADE: Wodonga 41 def Albury 40 North Albury 45 def by Wangaratta Rovers 47 Myrtleford 58 def Corowa Rutherglen 38 Wangaratta 45 def Lavington 18 Yarrawonga 44 def Wodonga Raiders 41

C GRADE: Wodonga 42 drew with Albury 42 Myrtleford 34 def Corowa Rutherglen 32 Wangaratta 54 def Lavington 25 Yarrawonga 44 def Wodonga Raiders 33 North Albury 45 def Wangaratta Rovers 31

17 & UNDER: Yarrawonga 9 def by Wodonga Raiders 71

Myrtlefor 36 def Corowa Rutherglen 29 Wangaratta 54 def Lavington 12 North Albury 40 def by Wangaratta Rovers 51 Wodonga 86 def Albury 34

15 & UNDER: Wangaratta 29 def by Lavington 61

Yarrawonga 18 def by Wodonga Raiders 39 North Albury 36 def by Wangaratta Rovers 60

Myrtleford 66 def Corowa Rutherglen 16

Wodonga 29 def by Albury 50

North Albury 3.4.22 def by Wangaratta Rovers 11.14.80

BEST: NORTH ALBURY: Will Clohesy, Connor Hetherton, Christian Moncrieff, Marty Norman, Tyrone Ellis. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Cormac McNamara, Bay Pellegrino, Samuel Comensoli, Ryley Ely, Cooper Gracie, Preston Coleman. GOALS: NORTH ALBURY: Tyrone Ellis 1, Toby Hunt 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Jock Correll 2, Cormac McNamara 2, Jaxon Coleman 1, Samuel Comensoli 1, Trey Vincent 1. Wangaratta 9.8.62 def Lavington 6.6.42

BEST: WANGARATTA: Blake Newton, Charlie Haring, Oscar Roberts, Chad Donald, Max Bihun, Hamish Laverty. LAVINGTON: Thomas Goonan, Mason Plunkett, Archy Cohalan, Daniel Finnimore, Harryson Barber, Thomas McGrath. GOALS: WANGARATTA: Max Bihun 4, Oscar Roberts 2, John Blake 1, Cooper Newton 1, Corey Petersen 1. LAVINGTON: Harryson Barber 4, Thomas McGrath 1, Carson Way 1. Myrtleford 6.8.44 def by Corowa Rutherglen 15.10.100

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Samuel Crisp, Cooper Howden, Nicholas Hall, Ethan Edwards, Jack Hazeldine, Jude Browne. COROWA

RUTHERGLEN: Rory Beattie, Lenny Hill, Angus Williams, Ethan lane, Jay Lavis, Caile Duryea. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Cooper Howden 3, Lachlan Barbour 1, Nicholas Hall 1, Jack Hazeldine 1. COROWA

RUTHERGLEN: Isaac Dickinson 4, Caile Duryea 3, Jay Lavis 3, Angus Williams 3, Cooper Connell 2. Yarrawonga 8.5.53 def by Wod. Raiders 18.6.114 Wodonga 4.9.33 def by Albury 5.8.38

GOALS: WANGARATTA: Callum Moore 6, Fraser Holland-Dean 3, Michael Newton 2, Charley Holland-Dean 1, Jessie Smith 1. LAVINGTON: Tim Oosterhoff 2, Shaun Driscoll 1, Jake O’Brien 1. BEST: WANGARATTA: Alex Federico, Will O’Keefe, Nick Richards, Fraser Ellis, Chris Knowles, Callum Moore. LAVINGTON: William Glanvill, Shaun Driscoll, Jack Costello, Jesse Hart, Nick Paton, Christopher Annett.

GOALS: WODONGA: Matthew Wilson 5, Ethan Redcliffe 2, Jack C O’Sullivan 1, Kyle WinterIrving 1, Jack Yelland 1. ALBURY: Lachlan Tiziani 4, Charlie McGrath 2, Fletcher Carroll 1, Kolby Heiner-Hennessy 1, Mat Walker 1. BEST: WODONGA: Matthew Wilson, Jack O’Sullivan, Jack C O’Sullivan, Noah Bradshaw, Charlie Morrison, Adam Jorgensen. ALBURY: Lachlan Tiziani, Isaac Muller, Max Byrne, Jackson Kelly, Tom O’Brien, Jeff Garlett.

ALBURY

GOALS: NORTH ALBURY: Joshua Minogue 2, Kieran Duncan 1, Ben Fulford 1, Foster Gardiner 1, Jack Penny 1, Keith Tallent 1, Cayden Winter 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Nathan Cooper 5, Alex McCarthy 3, Alexander Marklew 2, Dylan Wilson 2, Stuart Booth 1, Samuel Cattapan 1, Jack Gerrish 1. BEST: NORTH ALBURY: Jack Penny, Julian Hayes, Harry Weaven, Archer Gardiner, Cayden Winter. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Tom Boyd, Nathan Cooper, Lockey McCartney, Brodie Filo, Alex McCarthy, Justin Lewis.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

GOALS: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Damian Broughton 4, Michael Ryan 2, Sam Cox 1, Tom Levy 1, Tyson Ryan 1, Jordan Smith 1. KING VALLEY: Ben Bray 4, Anthony Ciancio 2, Newyear Patiole 2, Dylan Browne 1, William Davies 1, Ryan Wait 1. BEST: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Kieran Linke, Jayden Brady, Chelton Orchard, Sam Cox, Tom Levy, Michael Ryan. KING VALLEY: Ben Bray, Jack Davies, Daniel Maples, Thomas Stewart, Sam Evans, Parker Voigt.

GOALS: GRETA: Cody Crawford 6, James McClounan

Joshua Bell 2, Tyler Arrowsmith 1, Jack Baker 1, Jack Kelly 1, Lachie Kennett 1, Brenton Newbold 1, Dale Walker 1. WHOROULY: Oliver Dixon 2, Lachlan Moore 1, Samuel Piazza 1, Cody Poulton 1.BEST: GRETA: Mark Wettern, Jack Kelly, James McClounan, Joshua Bell, Ben Hogan, Jarrod Morham. WHOROULY: William Allen, Edward Bramich, Matthew Vescio, Samuel Piazza, Oliver Dixon, Xavier Vogrig. GOORAMBAT

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

A GRADE: Benalla 29 def by King Valley 61 Greta 40 def Whorouly 20 Goorambat 41 def by Bonnie Doon 72 Nth Wangaratta 22 def by Tarrawingee 67

B GRADE: Benalla 39 def King Valley 26; Greta 46 def Whorouly 33; Goorambat 32 def by Bonnie Doon 65; Nth Wangaratta 29 def by Tarrawingee 60

B RESERVE: Greta 28 def by Whorouly 32; Goorambat 18 def by Bonnie Doon 64; Nth Wangaratta 28 def by Tarrawingee 62

C GRADE: Benalla 12 def by King Valley 51; Greta 42 def Whorouly 20; Goorambat 48 def by Bonnie Doon 62; Nth Wangaratta 38 def Tarrawingee 37 15 & UNDER: Benalla 15 def by King Valley 30; Goorambat 6 def by Bonnie Doon 69; Nth Wangaratta 25 def Tarrawingee 20; Greta 16 drew with Whorouly 16

time of print.

ROUND 8

SATURDAY, MAY 18

BONNIE DOON vs KING VALLEY

GOORAMBAT vs BENALLA NORTH

WANGARATTA vs BRIGHT

WHOROULY vs MILAWA

TARRAWINGEE vs MOYHU

GRETA - BYE

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Duane Haebich 5, Dylan Beavis 2, Angus Burston 1, Rhys Goodley 1, Brayden Stepien 1. BONNIE DOON: Conor Heaslip 3, Matthew Hedin 3, Al Bennett 2, Campbell Smedley 2, Will Foster 1, James Law 1. BEST: GOORAMBAT: Jamie Dunne, James Webster, Angus Burston, Dylan Beavis, Brady Purcell, Travers Nolan. BONNIE DOON: Matthew Hedin, Conor Heaslip, Will Foster, Guy Murray, James Fox, Joel Sanford.

NTH WANGARATTA

GOALS: NORTH WANGARATTA: Tyler Nanson 5, Damien Bradley 4, Liam McDonell 2, Matthew Prestianni 2, Jack Brown 1, Matthew Curtis 1, Zach Heard 1, Josh Nanson 1, Taylor O’Brien 1. TARRAWINGEE: William Styles 2, Dylan Adams 1, Seth Coonan 1, Timothy Judd 1, Sam Peters 1. BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: Damien Bradley, Sean Gales, David Killen, Matthew Curtis, Thomas Johnson, Zach Heard. TARRAWINGEE: Reiley Murtagh, Will Creed, William Styles, Sam Piper, Dylan Adams, Deacon Cleal.

GOALS: MOYHU: Harrison Grant 4, Harrison Bell 1, Jett Roberts 1, Darby West 1, Bailey Zimmermann 1. MILAWA: Jarryd Wallace 6, Simon Pane 4, Braydon Kearns 2, Brady Bartlett 1, Aiden Bihun 1. BEST: MOYHU: Noah Campbell, Richard Marais, Dylan Carmody, Matthew Thrum, Harrison Grant, Harry Verdon. MILAWA: Tyler Dunn, Aiden Bihun, Jarryd Wallace, Brandon Fitzpatrick, Daniel Bihun, Simon Pane.

Patrick Sullivan. COROWA-RUTHERGLEN: Lucas Tafft, Jayke Nicholson, Angus Williams, Benjamin Black, Jarrod Bowering, Samuel Haigh.

Bright start to the season

By DANIEL SAVILLE

A RUN of six games and seven rounds have come and gone in the Ovens and King football season and after their first bye on the weekend, Bright has plenty of reasons to smile after an undefeated start to their football campaign.

The Mountain Men have been dealing with a lengthy list of injuries and unavailability at different stages, but their narrowest win of 49 points against likely finalist Goorambat and an average winning margin of 118 points demonstrates their ruthlessness towards their path to redemption.

Bright are yet to taste defeat in 2024, with their last loss coming eight months ago in last season’s grand final against Bonnie Doon who, along with Greta, are currently this year’s top three on the ladder and form the major premiership contenders.

As the squad reloads for another tilt at an elusive flag, Bright’s senior football coach Paul Harrison reflected on the club’s season to date and is happy with what his team has produced so far.

“As a whole I feel we have started the season really well and have been playing some pretty consistent footy most weeks,” Harrison said.

“The bye has come at a nice time as we have been dealt a few cruel cards in the first seven games with injuries as we went into the break with eight of our senior team out, but all the players who have come in have all stepped up and played a role.

“Our depth has grown

over the last few years, and this is clearly showing now with the ability to have so many players step into the senior team and still be able to play some really good footy.

“After the bye we’ll look to get the likes of Nick Lebish, Clay Dillon, Dylan Bursill and Harry Jamieson back

which will really strengthen all lines.”

An exemplary win-loss record is set to be tested in the next five weeks, with some challenging opponents on the horizon including Greta (round 9), Goorambat (round 11) and Bonnie Doon (round 12).

Harrison has high hopes

and expectations for his group, but is aware of the challenges awaiting his team.

“We have broken our season up into five-week blocks where we set smaller goals and so far have ticked them all off,” Harrison added.

“We meet the other top

Competitive Lions fall to Greta

By NATHAN DE VRIES

IT was a tough Saturday for Whorouly’s footballers and netballers, facing up against a strong Greta outfit on the field and court.

The senior footballers performed well in the first half but ultimately lost 5.5 (35) to Greta’s 18.19 (127).

A 20-point margin at the long break blew out late in the game, with Whorouly only managing two behinds in the second half.

Coach Lachy Moore said it was a positive sign his squad was able to fight it out against a difficult opposition.

“Greta are a strong outfit with some really gun players, so we pleased with our efforts,” he said.

“They were a little bit inaccurate in front of goal which gave us a little bit of a sniff to be in the contest.

“Our pressure was quite good for three quarters, however, we weren’t able to hold off the quality opposition.

“We understand that we are an improving side and some weeks are going to be more difficult than others, but we have had some really positive signs.”

It was a special match for the Lions, with Paul Glan-

ville playing in his 300th appearance for the club, and Ed Bramich recording his 50th outing.

The reserve Lions fell short in the midday game, defeated 1.4 (10) to 20.22 (142).

Over on the court, the Lions were up against the reigning A grade premiers and fought hard, but lost 20-40.

Whorouly came out strong but couldn’t penetrate the Blues’ defensive structure, trailing by seven goals at quarter time and nine by the half.

Sally Wood and Ebony Allen worked hard in defence, but Greta’s ball movement and shooting skills proved too strong.

Coach Kelly Cousins said the side would take some real positives from their performance against arguably the best side in the competition.

“Defensively, we kept them to under 50 (goals) so that was a solid achievement for our girls,” she said.

“Our second quarter was super competitive with the the quarter scores being 6-4, so that showed how defensively tough it was out there for both sides.

“Sally Wood and Ebony Allen had a real crack in defence and made the Greta at-

three teams and we have set a goal of four wins after this block – if we can achieve this, we will be well on our way to finishing in the top two.”

Bright will resume their season with a road trip to face the seventh-placed North Wangaratta this Saturday.

tack end accountable.

“Overall, I was really happy with all seven of our girls’ work ethic and they way

they went about their game.”

The Lions fared well in the B reserve match, taking the win 32-28, while the un-

The B grade

and

CAUGHT: Whorouly’s Jake Morey lays a massive tackle on Greta’s Angus Kennedy in Saturday’s reserves footy match.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

ON THE HUNT: Bright’s footballers are looking to maintain their undefeated record this weekend against North Wangaratta.

PHOTO: Daniel Saville

der 15s drew 16-16.

netballers went down 33-46,

the C graders lost 20-42.

The Lions return home to the Whorouly Recreation Reserve this weekend, set to host Milawa.

Reward for effort: Saints record first senior win of 2024

By NATHAN DE VRIES

IT’S been a long time coming for the Myrtleford Saints, but they’ve at last sung the club song after downing Corowa Rutherglen 18.10 (118) to 7.4 (46).

Determined to get a result in front of their home crowd, the Saints ripped into the match, kicking five majors while keeping the Roos scoreless to take a 34-point lead by quarter time.

Corowa Rutherglen fought back after the break, but Myrtleford never let the margin slip too far, with their key playmakers finding plenty of the footy.

Leading by 43 points heading into the last period of play, the Saints brought the hammer down, kicking six goals to one to run out 72-point winners.

Lachlan Murphy-Dale was electric up forward, finishing with six goals to his name, supported by Brody Ricardi (four goals).

Jaxon East (34 disposals, 16 contested possessions, one goal) and Tom Cappellari (32 disposals, 10 score involvements, one goal) were brilliant across the ground, while Diesel Batey and Matt Munro sent the Saints inside 50 time and again.

GET AROUND HIM:

Coach Craig Millar said after six rounds of rough results, it was great to be on the right side of a Saturday.

“There was a degree of validation for the work they’ve been putting in, we were really happy with the way that we played the game out,” he said.

“While Corowa put up a really good fight in the second quarter, and we had a four or five goal lead at half-time, it added a bit of scoreboard pressure which we haven’t been able to do in

any other game.

“We spoke to our mids and our defenders about being really organised at stoppages and behind the ball, and we were on the weekend.

“Our forwards were able to make the most of oppor-

Saints fall to top team Corowa

MYRTLEFORD started their match against Corowa Rutherglen’s A grade netball squad on Saturday in fine form, but couldn’t match the Roos’ class, eventually going down 38-60.

Up against the undefeated ladder leaders, the Saints played some brilliant and clean netball, and shot well to take a 12-9 lead at quarter time.

Sensing the game slipping away from them, the Roos made some positional changes and added Louise Madden to the shooting circle who, along with Indianna Frauenfelder, ate up the margin and put the visitors four goals up by the half.

Not giving up, Myrtleford tried to fight their way back into the game, but Corowa were defensively well structured and only conceded eight goals, the scoreline 2941 with one quarter to play.

The Saints tried to shake things up late in the match, but the Roos were simply too good.

Assistant coach Tina Way said it was a challenge to keep on top of such a strong outfit.

“We just capitalised on our centre passes and were able to convert the handful of turnovers we got to be in front after the first break,” she said.

“Corowa made some changes and brought on a stronger shooter, and slowly clawed that back and as the scoreline shows had a healthy win over us.

“They played a box style defence through our attacking goal third and we struggled to penetrate through and get scoreboard pressure.

“It was a goal, to keep scoreboard pressure up, and we just couldn’t keep the score ticking over as they kept turning our balls over and capitalising on the errors we made.”

Despite the result going the other way, the Saints managed to celebrate a milestone match for two dedicated players.

“Emma Sharp celebrated playing 100 A grade games, she’s a great player and we’re proud of her and what she does at the club and for our side,” Way said.

“Tayla Cartwright played her 50th club game, we love having Tayla around the group, she’s been rewarded by slowly building up into the A grade side over the last couple of years.”

The A grade Saints sit one win outside the five, and will look to complete their busy block of matches this weekend before the interleague bye on May 25.

Myrtleford will travel to Biralee Park this weekend to face the third-placed Raiders, with the A grade match to commence from 1pm.

In other results from the weekend, it was a brilliant performance from the Saints, recording wins in the B grade (58-38), C grade (3432), under 17 (36-29), and under 15 (66-16) matches.

see some of that materialise on the weekend.”

The Saints will look to have strong week on the training track before Saturday’s match against the dangerous Wodonga Raiders at Biralee Park.

Millar said some of the reserve players were making strong cases for inclusion in the senior squad.

“We’ll have a few more players come back in for selection which is exciting for us, we’re starting to get some performance pressure across the 2pm game off the back of some really good reserve grade players on the weekend,” he said.

“We’ll look to have another big week on the track – we spoke about after the game while it was great to win, we need to move on pretty quickly because we’ve got an important game this week.

“We’ll be looking to try and replicate and back up as many parts of our game on the weekend.

tunities, we had our highest inside 50 count for the year (54), and our conversion rate was healthy too, which was another positive outcome from the match.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but it was nice to

“We know Raiders can be a dangerous team on the day.”

The reserve Saints recorded their biggest win for the year in the midday game, smashing the Roos 23.19 (157) to 2.1 (13), while the thirds came up short 6.8 (44) to 15.10 (100).

CALM AND COLLECTED: Daisy O’Kane prepares to take the shot.

ATTACKING PLAY: Olivia La Spina moves the ball up the court in the Saints’ loss to Corowa Rutherglen.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

Brody Ricardi celebrates one of his four goals against Corowa Rutherglen on the weekend.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

FIRST TOUCH: Toby Cossor wins the ruck battle against Nathan Dunstan.

2024 afl businesstipping footy

Bombers succumb to Saints

By DANIEL SAVILLE

A DETERMINED Dederang-Mount Beauty senior football side was outplayed by Wodonga Saints on Saturday afternoon – 6.3 (39) to 18.13 (121).

Despite the 82-point difference between the two sides at the final siren in Mount Beauty, the Bombers were able to match it with the Saints at various stages throughout the four quarters, but their more-fancied opposition played better football for longer.

It was a reasonably even game in the first 25 minutes, but the Saints kicked away from the Bombers in the second and third terms to put the game beyond doubt.

DMB only conceded two goals in the last quarter, which should give them some confidence heading into their next game.

Max Jensen contributed to the scoreboard in a big way with three goals, while Ben Ozolins added two of his own to be the Bombers’ best in the defeat.

It was an important day on and off the field for DMB in the annual ‘Black Dog Cup’ that is contested by these clubs, which is referring to the community organisation Black Dog Institute that raises much-needed funds, awareness and research for mental health.

On the other side of the fence, Dederang-Mount Beauty’s A grade netball side held up their end of the bargain with a commanding 36-goal victory.

It was another step in the right direction for a Bombers side which is building nicely towards a long-awaited return to finals netball, as they produced an ultra-consistent performance to finish the game 66-30.

Scores were once again shared across their three goalers Paige Tuohey (28 goals), Alysha de Koeyer (23 goals) and Keely Bullivant (15 goals), as DMB continue to rotate and experiment with combinations around the court with a squad of nine players.

The Bombers doubled the Saints’ score in every quarter to boost an already healthy percentage of 153, while the win ensures that they keep two wins ahead of the chasing pack to remain in fifth position.

The win makes it a handful of consecutive wins for Dederang-Mount Beauty, and they could easily make it six on the bounce as they travel to Barkly Park to take on tenth-placed Rutherglen this Saturday.

SUPER SAINTS:

Cup hopes dashed

Myrtleford Savoy fall 1-2 to Twin City in FA Cup decider y y - y p r

MYRTLEFORD’S senior men came up short in Saturday night’s FA Cup final at the LaTrobe ground, defeated for the first time this season in any format 2-1 by Twin City Wanderers.

Savoy found the first goal against the run of play, with Wanderers moving the ball with intensity and aggression.

Twin City hit back soon after, and after a free kick was paid 30 yards from Myrtleford’s goal, Wanderers converted to take the lead into the half-time break.

Despite Myrtleford’s best efforts, the second half was controlled by Twin City, able to stifle

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

any attempts to equalise and denying Savoy the silverware.

Coach Jayden Vescio said his side was not the best one on the park that night.

“We had a couple of chances late and I thought we could’ve pushed it to extra time, but I think we were just beaten by a better team on the night,” he said.

“They were a little hungrier

than us, especially in the first half, and prevailed.

“I think with the experience they had in their team, once they had the lead, they were able to slow things down a little bit and absorb the pressure.

“When you’ve beaten a team 7-2 three weeks ago, we looked at the team we were playing and we knew they’d probably be a little bit different this time around, so we didn’t change too much until half-time.

“That probably cost us a little bit, but we weren’t sharp enough on the night, especially in the first 45.”

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The result ends Myrtleford’s flawless run in the season, but Savoy remain undefeated in the Sunday league competition and sit on top of the ladder.

They host eighth-placed Wangaratta City this weekend in the traditional La Fiera fixture at Savoy Park for the first time this year after completing upgrade works on their home facilities.

“It’s probably the best game to be a part of after the weekend, to have Wangaratta at La Fiera after losing the FA Cup is probably the best medicine,” Vescio said.

■ Continued page 31

THERE were smiles of relief and joy after Myrtleford secured their first senior win of the O&M season, downing Corowa Rutherglen by 72 points at McNamara Reserve on Saturday. Lachlan Murphy-Dale (six goals) and Brody Ricardi (four) were dominant up forward in the convincing victory.

■ Story: Page 34.

PHOTO: Janet Watt