Alpine Division 160823

A banking boon

Community bank gifts $187k

to Alpine Health in special grants round yg$ppg

ALPINE Health Mount Beauty has received a $187,000 donation from the Mount Beauty and District Community Bank for equipment and upgrades as part of a special grants round from the bank.

The funding will go towards colonoscopy equipment, the upgrading of low beds and wardrobes at Kiewa Valley House, the development of a sensory garden at Kiewa Valley House and the replacement of bathroom vanity units in the hospital’s acute ward.

Alpine Health chief executive officer Nick Shaw thanked the bank and said they are fortunate to have such generous community organisations to help improve their equipment and subsequently the quality of care they can provide.

“It has an immediate impact,” he said.

“It gets used straight away, it creates a better amenity for people

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

who are in our facilities.”

Mr Shaw said Alpine Health has grown its capacity for surgery in the region, and the new colonoscopy equipment will further grow the number of services they can provide.

According to Leanne Kilpatrick, Alpine Health’s director of health services for Mount Beauty, they have transported colonoscopy equipment between hospitals in the past, but the new equipment will help prevent that.

She said the funding will also see two beds and four wardrobes replaced at Kiewa Valley House.

The beds can be lowered close to the floor to assist elderly residents.

Ms Kilpatrick said the sensory

garden will be situated on the highway side of the aged care facility and will feature raised beds with plants that attend to a range of human senses.

She said local hospital volunteers the ’Garden Girls’ will work with the hospital and the patients to create the garden.

“The Mount Beauty health care team look forward to the arrival of these new items, which we know the members of our community and residents of Kiewa Valley House will greatly appreciate and benefit from,” Ms Kilpatrick said.

She said the new beds have already been purchased and the colonoscopy equipment ordered.

Andrew Randell, chairman of the Mount Beauty and District Community Bank said they are delighted to be able to return funds raised by community members to assist a local health service with

the purchase of much-needed equipment.

“This is what community banking is all about,” he said.

According to Mr Randell, the grant forms part of their 15th anniversary Special Community Grants round, where almost $500,000 was distributed to a wide range of local organisations.

Dorothy Morrison from Kiewa Mitta Murray Community Enterprises ltd, the operators of the community bank, said their special grants round had eight recipients, including locals schools.

“We knew they needed things that were perhaps out of their reach,” she said.

“Andrew (Randell) went around and spoke to the various organisations, we ended up with eight varying projects.

“We were thrilled to bits, it was just wonderful to be able to do it.”

CHEQUEING IN: (From left) Leanne Kilpatrick, Alpine Health’s director of health services for Mount Beauty; Community Bank Mount Beauty and District assistant manager Alana Goznik; Dorothy Morrison, director and company secretary for Kiewa Mitta Murray Community Enterprises Ltd; and Alpine Health chief executive officer Nick Shaw at Mount Beauty Hospital last week.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

GETTING THE JOB DONE

Myrtleford history will be celebrated

UNDERSTANDING

the past and celebrating Myrtleford’s strong migrant history is at the forefront of a new project, being led by U3A Myrtleford and District and the local Crackpots. The project, recently boosted by a $5000 Alpine Shire Council community grant, will see the Crackpots design and make three large mosaics telling the story of the local migrants, as well as the installation of a metal ship to illustrate the means by which the majority of the

U3A Myrtleford and Crackpots project boosted by council funding yppjyg

BY LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE landersonbyrne@ nemedia.com.au

migrants arrived in Australia.

U3A Myrtleford and District secretary Jan Mock said the project was inspired by the book they produced in 2020 called, For A Better Life.

“This book documented the Italian Migration to Myrtleford and we wanted

to do something for our U3A members and for Myrtleford from the sales of the book,” she said.

“The U3A is paying for the actual mosaics; a specific sub-committee was formed to investigate numerous ideas and eventually we settled on commissioning some mosaics to further enhance this story of how Myrtleford came to be what it is today.

“Myrtleford has a strong migration story, whether

it be migrants coming for the gold rush or the largely European migration during various periods in the twentieth century.

“Myrtleford has been heavily influenced by these waves of migration; they are responsible for the type of town Myrtleford is today.

“It is always important to understand the past, to appreciate the present and then be able to plan for the future.”

Ms Mock said the com-

munity grant funding would pay for a metal sculpture of a ship which will be installed amongst the mosaics.

“It will be typical of those that many of our migrants came to Australia on,” she said.

“The Bendigo Community Bank is also contributing funds to allow us to make a permanent sign that will give context to the mosaics; tell the story and also to acknowledge any contributors to the project.

“After considering many ideas we thought mosaics were in keeping with public art in Myrtleford and as we had such amazing mosaic artists in Myrtleford it was not a hard decision to commission them to do the work.

“Myrtleford is becoming known for its mosaics and we are happy to be part of that story.

“We are hoping the mosaics will be installed early in 2024.”

THE Lions Club of Myrtleford has recently begun maintenance at the Myrtleford Pioneer Cemetery, with many helping hands at a working bee on the weekend. The club would welcome volunteers to help out.  Story page 2

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Riders are rolling in town’s new pump track

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE new Mount Beauty pump track at the town’s recreation reserve is proving a hit with local riders after its official opening on August 3.

According to members of Team Mount Beauty, the group behind the project, the asphalt track has been popular since the opening, and even on an early Tuesday afternoon bikers were racing on the sloped, undulating surface.

Tim McKechnie, who is a general committee member for Team Mount Beauty, said he has been on the pump track several times, and his three-year-old son uses the pump track nearly every day on his balance bike.

“It’s hard to get him out of kinder and not bring him here,” Mr McKechnie said.

He said the pump track was particularly good because it works for all ages – less experienced riders can follow the track’s natural loop, while more daring riders can jump between mounds or change directions on the banked corners.

Team Mount Beauty president Rob Vandenberg said the design helps riders, whether on skateboards, bikes or scooters, to develop their riding skills.

“It can help in the mountain bike park, it can help in the skate park, it can help them to BMX track,” he said.

“It’s really just another way of progression, as well as just hav-

ing fun on the pump track.”

Jamie Armitage, Team Mount Beauty committee member, helped spearhead the establishment of the pump track and said they first started working on the project around 2020.

He formed a subcommittee of the mountain bike club, with interested community members also involved, and they received $356,000 from a Bushfire Recovery Victoria grant.

With community contributions and around $25,000 seed funding from AGL they had

around half a million dollars for the project, he said.

According to Mr Armitage, the subcommittee then contracted a project manager and obtained the parcel of land at the recreation reserve.

He said a tender was then awarded to a trail building company and construction works began in 2022 after several rounds of design consultation between the company and the subcommittee.

“By June they were finished,” he said.

Arrest warrant issued for Bright man after failing to appear in court

AN arrest warrant has been issued for a man accused by health authorities of claiming to be a health practitioner and providing health services while suspended.

The man was due to face Myrtleford Magistrate’s Court last Friday but did not appear.

Krista Weymouth, representing the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), said legal documents had been sent to the accused, but they had been returned unopened with notes attached saying “unsolicited mail, legal fiction, not at this address, return to sender” and similar statements.

She sought an arrest warrant and said the matter was unable to proceed without the accused present.

The charges allege the man’s registration as a chiropractor was suspended from March 9, 2022, however he continued to practice in Bright between March and October that year, with one charge alleging the man provided services to more than 300 patients during his suspension.

Magistrate Ian Watkins issued a warrant for the man’s arrest.

The matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Myrtleford Lions take over cemetery maintenance

By BRODIE EVERIST

“From there was just finishing touches, working with Alpine Shire to get in place the handover for them to take on the asset.”

Fourteen-year-old Jaylen (JJ) Featherton was using the pump track last Tuesday and said it was a great addition to Mount Beauty and thanked Team Mount Beauty for their work.

“They’ve designed it really well, there’s lots of fun little jumps, it’s good for all levels,” he said.

“Everybody loves it.”

Deague Group CEO meets with chamber and addresses contribution concerns

By BRODIE EVERIST

CHIEF executive officer of the Deague Group, Will Deague, has said they are contributing around $4.1 million in site infrastructure for the Bright Valley Development at a meeting with members of the Bright Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday night.

In a video of the meeting obtained by the Myrtleford Times/Alpine Observer, Mr Deague showed some of their plans for the Bright Valley Development and spoke on many of the concerns raised since the site was mooted for development, including the lack of a development contributions plan, in which developers pay a contribution for local infrastructure.

“In a normal greenfield site

in Melbourne, in a situation like this, we would have four to five developers around the road we are developing,” he said.

“It’s normally the council’s responsibility to deliver things such as on-site drainage, external outfall, intersections, external services and sewerage and treatment upgrades and because they have four to five developers they will get the money out of those developers and spend the money.

“In our situation, we’re paying for all of that and handing it over to council and it becomes a council asset.”

“It works out to $157,000 a hectare, which is very similar to what the developers pay in a normal greenfield site in Melbourne.”

Mr Deague said they are also talking to council about con-

tributing a “significant amount of money” to a community project.

On the land’s soil concerns, due to a history of pesticide use decades prior, Mr Deague said they have done extensive groundwater testing and the soil was also tested in 1996 and 2021.

“In May 2023 our consultant did extensive groundwater testing and pesticides were not detected in any of the groundwater samples, and all the reports that have been done the pesticides in the soil are below the national derived guidelines for residential land use,” he said.

According to Mr Deague, the fate of some trees on the Great Alpine Road remains uncertain, however he said VicRoads have verbally agreed to reduce the speed limit on that section

of the road from 80km/h to 60km/h.

Mr Deague showed plans where up to five of the avenue’s trees would be impacted, depending on the need for a left hand turn lane into the estate.

He said two small trees will be relocated, and if a left hand turn lane is needed, another two trees will be removed and one replaced.

“Notwithstanding how many trees are removed or replaced we are going to infill the avenue where there’s gaps to enhance the avenue,” he said.

Mr Deague said the estate’s housing options will include a small two bedroom, two bathroom villa unit, a two-bedroom standalone house with a multipurpose room, a three bedroom house, and two different sizes of four bedroom house.

MEMBERS of the Lions Club of Myrtleford were hard at work spreading mulch and gravel, and cutting carpet, at the Myrtleford Pioneer Cemetery last Sunday morning in their first working bee maintaining the heritage cemetery after taking over the work from cemetery trust members.

Myrtleford Cemetery Trust member Trevor Isherwood thanked the Lions club for generously offering to maintain the cemetery, and he said they will evaluate what further work needs to be done.

Mr Isherwood, with other trust members, had been doing maintenance of the cemetery on the corner of Mummery Road and Prince Street since October/November last year, which included spreading thick layers of mulch to stop the weeds.

On Sunday the Lions club members were also putting down carpet, provided by Myrtleford Furnishings, beneath the mulch to further prevent weeds.

Myrtleford Lions Club president Tom White said they welcome volunteers for the cemetery maintenance working bees.

The next will be on Sunday, October 8 from 9pm.

Refreshments will be provided afterwards at the Myrtleford Men’s Shed, but volunteers need to bring their own shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes and gloves.

Mr Isherwood also showed the MyrtlefordTimes/Alpine Observer a new headstone and grave top for Martin Valentine Gavin, who served in the Australian Light Horse.

It is one of three recently refurbished graves by the War Graves Commissions to mark their service in World War I or II.

New headstones have also been installed for C A Mills and Victoria Cross recipient A D Lowerson.

Mr Isherwood said he had called the War Graves Commission after discovering Mr Gavin had served in World War I, and some months ago a man from the commission had taken photos and measurements of graves at the cemetery, and then new headstones and grave tops been installed.

He said the headstone for Mr Gavin had previously been a small plaque.

ROLLING IN: Jaylen Featherton (left) and Rock McLean were enjoying the Mount Beauty pump track last Tuesday.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Still no update on Tawonga hall

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

TAWONGA and District Community Association (TDCA) celebrated a year of advocacy and engagement at their annual general meeting early this month, marking 15 years of the organisation.

Despite a successful year, the group is still awaiting further discussions with Alpine Shire Council on the fate of upgrades to the Tawonga Memorial Hall, which faces a significant funding shortfall.

TDCA president Mark Redmond said he’s still waiting on council to reach out.

“We believe it will be completed in two or even three stages, but we’re interested in a conversation about what works can be done now,” he said.

“I do understand the project manager is on leave at the moment so that could be holding up the timeline.”

Mr Redmond thanked the

Snow

falls

again at resorts

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

FRESH snow falls across both Hotham and Falls Creek last week was a welcomed sight.

Falls Creek had 5cm of snow, while Hotham had 10cm of snow Thursday morning, with more still falling over the course of the day.

Falls Creek Ski Lifts marketing manager Betony Pitcher said the snowfall shows how things can change with the weather and offers insight into next week’s forecast of snow.

“Conditions can and do change and today’s snowfall is a testament to that and a promising sign of things to come,” she said.

“We have welcomed 5cm of snow here at Falls Creek and the vibes in the village are high.”

Over at Hotham, Australia’s highest alpine village saw 10cm of snow.

“It’s great to see the snow return to the mountain” said Emi-

many volunteers involved in the running of the organisation and looked ahead to the year 2024.

“At the meeting we looked over a summary of activities in the year from all the different groups and individuals that contribute so generously of their skill, time, and effort,” he said.

“Consider the contribution these people are making if all the volunteer hours were translated into dollar value.

“Tawonga and District citizens, Alpine Shire Council and many others acknowledge our important contribution and I hope all TDCA members take pride in being part of this active volunteer organisation.

“Our 15th year was a time of advocacy and engagement; important local projects were underway.

“The Alpine Better Places Tawonga project reached the milestone of concept design completed, supported by

Alpine Shire Council and a large majority of local community.

“Subsequently TDCA made submission to the 2023-24 council budget deliberations for council funding of priority project components.

“At this time council, however, is seeking full-project

federal or state funding.

“The Tawonga Memorial Hall BRV funded upgrade went to tender after completing with the inputs of TDCA, detailed design and engineering.

“The tender evaluation process resulted in a final tender cost of $1.51 million

compared to the original cost estimation and project budget of $850,000, a variance of $660,000 more than the project budget.

“TDCA discussions continue with council on prioritisation and staging of the full project.”

Mr Redmond thanked the

associations office bearers for their hard work also,

“We want TDCA to be an efficient organisation,” he said.

“For this we tend to rely heavily on the office and our thanks to Sue Ryder, our secretary who brings her broad network and extensive experience to many TDCA tasks.

“The efficiency and organisation performed there is an enormous contribution to our organisation.

“Likewise our other 2023 committee members; Gina Sauervein our vice president, Trish Ryder our treasurer, and our committee members Melissa Wiffen, Maureen Hardidge and Marie Lucas-Gear. Special mention of Bruce Vine and Harold Coad, nominees to the TDCA on behalf of the Tawonga CFA.

“TDCA has plans in place and there will be many opportunities in 2024 to connect and support our community.”

ly Smith, marketing manager at Hotham.

“A wintry blast delivered 10cm this morning and the village is buzzing.

“With more snow in the forecast over the next couple of weeks we’re looking forward to some great August skiing.

Despite the positive news,

Mount Buffalo Ski School owner David Chitty said he doesn’t personally predict much more snow arriving soon.

“Buffalo got a dusting of snow, just 5cm so it’s really sight seeing only,” he said.

“I personally doubt we’re going to get much more snow, a dusting this week still but most-

ly sight seeing snow or snow play and great views; maybe not even tobogganing.

“It’s still beautiful conditions to come and visit, everyone still enjoys their time here at Buffalo.

“You can check out my snow cameras to look at conditions at Visit Mount Buffalo online.”

HALL HOPES: TDCA president Mark Redmond said they are hoping to receive further detail from council on the funding shortfall for the upgrades to the Tawonga Memorial Hall.

PHOTO: Fay Mason

SNOWY AUGUST: Fresh snow fell across Alpine mountains last week.

PHOTO: Hotham Skiing Company

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

My week in parliament

I HAVE just had the privilege of attending our Parliament for a week as a volunteer helper for our federal independent MP for Indi, Dr Helen Haines - and what a week that was.

Many years ago I had experience of the UK Parliament but this was a real eye opener.

Helen’s week starts early on a Sunday morning with a four hour drive to Canberra where she meets up with a member of her team who has been researching the parliamentary program for that week.

It is then that Helen has to decide which debates she is going to attend and contribute to, which committee meetings she should attend and around those, arrange the timing to meet various organisations wanting to press their point or seek her advice.

It is all full on, all day and every day and she often also has to attend meetings and events in the evenings.

My first personal experience and difficulty was finding my way around.

Parliament House has to be large to accommodate the offices of 151 MPs and 76 Senators and their staff and that’s just the beginning.

There is the Parliamentary Library with 120 librarians, 90 just doing research on a variety of subjects for MPs.

There are public halls, conference rooms by the dozen, together with a number of eating venues.

Even with my map I was constantly getting lost.

Helen just can’t possibly attend all the meetings and events taking place every day and as a volunteer you frequently attend, representing Helen and reporting back.

You do have a choice of the

meetings that most interest you and many of them are very informative.

It’s like getting facts straight from the horse’s mouth.

You also have the opportunity to write for Helen a 90-second statement for the House or write an article for the Cockatoo.

Whatever you do is contributing a little.

At my visit I was accompanied by Helen McGowan and Ann Marie Humphries, both of whom had been accepted as volunteers before and were a great help.

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.

Should you think “I’d like to do that” don’t just wait for Helen to ask you, get in touch with one of her local offices and make enquiries.

When it comes to helping out Helen employs a small young team who are first class and a really great support for her but I think her greatest support comes from her very caring husband, Phil.

He is her rock, a really switched on guy and a delightful person to know.

Thank you Helen for the opportunity you gave me.

Brian Edwards, Bright

Email: edit.timesobserver@nemedia.com.au

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

A PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE: (From left) Ann Marie Humphries, Dr Helen Haines MP, Brian Edwards and Helen McGowan on the roof of Parliament House.

Mountains of love for Mt Hotham couple

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

AFTER almost eight years together, local couple Jordyn Kaston and Toshi Pander were last week engaged by the light of August’s first super moon on top of Mount Hotham, where they had met for the first in 2015.

The couple have both worked nine winter seasons at Hotham and Jordyn said they met through mutual friends all those years ago.

“We got pretty close right from the start but we did go separate ways after the 2015 season,” she said.

“I went back to my hometown in Perth and he went to work another snow season in Japan.

“Toshi is from Christchurch, New Zealand, but he has also spent a lot of his life in Japan.

“We re-connected in 2016 back at Mount Hotham and the relationship took off from there.

“I loved Toshi’s drive and passion for skiing and photography, he is also a great cook and I was always impressed by his skiing ability.

“He says he loves that I put up with him and let him play a lot of golf.”

The pair love the Hotham community and said they’ve both made some life-long friends on

the mountain, so it was a fitting venue for the engagement.

“I love the cruisey village loops and Toshi’s personal favourite would be the summit park,” Jordyn said.

“We also enjoy working here, I’m in the retail department and Toshi is the Terrain Parks manager.

Test & Tune Days

“Toshi knew it was going to be a great sunset on the day; the weather that day was really nice.

“It wasn’t until we got to the top of the summit we realised how full and beautiful the moon was.

“Toshi is a photographer for the Mount Hotham Resort Management Board so when he asked

Dedicated Test & Tune Days are for the preparation and setup of race cars. Test days may be broken into sessions (if applicable) which allows for sedans and open wheelers to share the track independently, this ensures the Test & Tune Day is perfect for any race car from Production Specification to V8 Supercar to S5000 and everything in between.

me to help him take some sunset photos with a bottle of champagne to advertise the sunset tours I didn’t think much of it as we have done a photoshoot like this before.

“I was very surprised when he got down on one knee.

“Afterwards we were both feeling very happy and loved.”

MORE BUSINESS: Council has leased another aircraft hangar at Porepunkah Aerodrome. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

Council leases another Porepunkah hangar

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Alpine Shire Council unanimously voted to lease another hangar for a 10-year term at the Porepunkah Airfield at their meeting last month.

The commencement annual lease income for the lease is $1249.20 (GST exclusive).

Income collected from hangar rentals at the airfield is paid to the Porepunkah Aerodrome Association to assist it in fulfilling its responsibilities to operations and day to day maintenance of the airfield.

Councillor Ron Janas asked how it is determined that hangars are rented for aeronautical purposes, to which council’s director assets Alan Rees said the airfield association vets potential candidates.

He said if they are deemed suitable, candidates are then directed to proceed to the planning permit stage with council’s planning team.

“I’m just conscious and wary of someone sneaking in there and putting a bit of toxic waste for 10 years,” Cr Janas said.

Cr Tony Keeble was absent from the meeting.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: Jordyn Kaston and Toshi Pander were engaged this month under a Mt Hotham sunset.

PHOTO: Jake Rast

MT BEAUTY

Nick Manson

How long have you lived here?

I came up here five years ago from the Eastern suburbs in Melbourne. I am a third generation member of the Bogong Ski Club.

What do you like about living here?

The range of activities and the community groups - CFA for one; the Alpine environment. I like everything here.

Would you like to see any changes or additions?

No, except more housing with affordable rent.

What do you do?

I am a ski Instructor at Falls Creek in winter, and in the summer I work for Parks Victoria helping to get rid of a state prohibited weed - Hawkweed.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like skiing, mountain biking, bushwalking and road cycling.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

In winter up to Falls Creek to ski, in summer up to Falls Creek to take some walks, to Fainter Falls, and a 3km walk on Mount Cope.

Ian Richardson

How long have you lived in the area?

51 years. We came in 1972 with my wife and three kids, and produced two more after that. They’ve all left Bright since then to take up their own careers around the country, around the world.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Unfortunately, I barrack for St Kilda. I did see their one and only grand final in 1966. I’m hoping to see one more before I go.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

What most people say - the best thing is to get somebody

up Mount Buffalo and have a good look back over the area and see what we’ve got. Take them out to various places for a nice cup of coffee, Nightingales, Mount Porepunkah, the whole area’s good and attractive. Is there anything you would change about the area?

Not really. I think probably the biggest problem is when we get the influx of tourists or visitors - there’s no quiet periods anymore. The shire council could look at improving parking around the area so the town’s not quite so jammed up. But other than that it’s good. All the recent progressions around the town have been worthwhile.

How has the area changed since you first moved here?

When we came the cars used to park in the middle of Ireland Street and they’d come back and forward from there without looking where they were going because there weren’t many cars around. It was a very different town. I remember the early days when we arrived, my wife asked me to mind the kids over lunchtime so she could do some shopping, but she found the street was shut - all the shops were shut for lunch as well, which is a bit different to what it is these days. It’s amazing over 50 years how much it’s grown and grownmost of it for the better.

BRIGHT

Clare Breheny

How long have you lived in the area?

I used to live in Ovens, but in Myrtleford I’ve lived for almost two years.

What do you do for a living?

I work at Coles as a cashier.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like to write, but I don’t do a lot of it because I lack motivation. But I do like video games and I do a lot of those. I like listening to music and I’m the introverted type so I don’t really go out much, but I see my family down in Geelong occasionally.

What do you like about the area?

I like that it’s quiet. As someone who was born in the city, the traffic is not as chaotic, and sometimes in small towns people are a lot more friendly.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Alpine Gate – I like their coffee and I like caffeine so I’m always happy to get coffee with someone.

I’m a big fan of Burgerville as well and the bakehouse and the crystal shop. I’m friends with Liz at the crystal shop. She’s a great person. I’ve got some crystals and oracle decks from her.

Is there anything you would change about the area?

I’d put a Maccas in, and a KFC. We’ve got to drive to Wang for that. So I’d definitely put a McDonalds in. Do you have any ambitions for the future?

Stay alive, I suppose. Don’t go broke, and succeed somehow.

MYRTLEFORD

Installation helps EVs charge ahead in Bright

By BRODIE EVERIST

SUSTAINABILITY advocates and the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry have welcomed the installation of a new 50kW DC fast charger in Bright’s Wills Street, behind the IGA.

The new Evie-branded charging station has a CHAdeMO charger, used on the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charger, common on cars from European and US manufacturers.

Bruce Hore, technology and telecommunications spokesman for the chamber of commerce said the charger helps eliminate range anxiety for EV owners.

“Range anxiety is still a thing and while there is fast charging for Teslas located in nearby Ovens, this charger is the first independent, multi-brand, DC fast charger along the Great Alpine Road and opens up the entire Myrtleford to Omeo route, via Mount Hotham or Falls Creek, to all electric vehicles,” he said.

“That provides confidence for a whole range of new visitors, offering charging options that will reduce charging anxiety and encourage longer stays.”

According to the chamber, they have also been encouraging members to install AC ‘Type 3’ chargers that allow visitors to charge at accommodation and destination attractions that will further elevate range anxiety while ensuring those venues will receive a higher rating in search engines.

“Now that people are searching for charging options within their top three requirements for destination, we need to get ahead of our competition,” Mr Hore said.

“A full charge overnight with

Council creates specific rates hardship policy

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Alpine Shire Council signed off on their financial hardship and debtor management policies at their meeting last month, splitting two previously combined policies.

According to council, their hardship policies were previously contained in the Rates and Debtor Management Policy, but creating a specific financial hardship policy better aligns them with a 2020 Victorian Government review that recommended improved transparency to assist ratepayers experiencing financial hardship.

The recommendation to council also cited a 2021 Victorian Ombudsman report that outlined several aspects of a good approach to financial hardship, including having a rates hardship policy that sets out hardship relief options, eligibility for those options and how to apply, as well as having the policy easily accessible and well-communicated to the public.

Council’s Financial Hardship Policy says council will ensure the policy is easily accessible on their website, hard copies are available at their customer service centres, and they will provide easy-to-understand information on annual rates notices.

off peak rates can be below $10, with the technology now able to control when to charge and even integrate to use only excess solar generation.”

Scott Brandon, president of the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce said DC fast charging opens up the area for local businesses and suppliers to consider the opportunities that electric vehicles can provide.

“It’s not for everyone or may not be the right time but by having the infrastructure in place increases their options and reduces

a barrier for adoption,” he said.

According to Evie Networks, the 50kW DC fast charger should take between 20 and 60 minutes to fully charge an electric vehicle.

Dennis Lambert, from Sustainability Upper Ovens, said he tried the new charger last Wednesday on his Nissan Leaf.

“Getting started and all the rest of it – that was easy,” he said.

“How to unplug it was a bit more difficult.”

According to a recent report from the Electric Vehicles Coun-

cil, EVs are projected to make up over 8 per cent of all new car sales in Australia this year, and Mr Lambert said that recent growth in sales was reflected in the number of EVs he has seen in the region.

“Not a day would go past that I’m not seeing a Tesla or another electric vehicle in Bright now,” he said.

The charger was installed through a partnership between the Alpine Shire Council, Evie Networks and the State Government.

Director customer and community Helen Havercroft said council is currently developing a communications strategy for the policy so they can better reach ratepayers in hardship.

She urged those struggling to pay rates to approach council, where they can have a confidential meeting to discuss payment plans.

In response to a question from Councillor Ron Janas, she said ratepayers can apply for financial hardship online or get hard copy forms at their Bright customer service centre.

Ratepayers can also call the council service centre and have the form posted to them.

Cr Tony Keeble was absent from the meeting.

PLUG IN: Bruce Hore (left) and Dennis Lambert at the new charging station on Wills Street in Bright.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Food organics, accepted household items and garden organics only. Remove stickers from fruit. Council provided compostable liners only.

Accepted items

This is not a full list

Inedible food

Coffee grounds, tea bags

Paper towel, facial tissues

All dairy products

Pizza boxes and other soiled cardboard

Fruit and vegetable waste

Meat, seafood, bones, egg shells

Leaves, plants, twigs, grass, noxious weeds

Mixed recycling

Items must be loose and clean of food scraps when placed in the bin. Do not put them in plastic bags. Flatten boxes to save space.

Accepted items

This is not a full list

Cardboard, cereal boxes, egg cartons

Paper, newspapers, magazines, paper envelopes

Accepted plastic bottles and containers

Aluminium and steel tins, cans, foil

Glass bottles and jars

General waste

Use this bin for items that can’t be reused or recycled. Food waste no longer goes in this bin.

Accepted items

This is not a full list

Broken glassware, crockery and mirrors

Nappies and wet-wipes

Soft plastics

Old clothing, shoes or textiles that can’t be repaired or donated

Loose jar lids and bottle caps, pumps, sprays, droppers

Not accepted

Plastic, including biodegradable or non-certified compostable plastics, coffee pods, treated timber, clothing, nappies, wet wipes, recyclable materials.

Fortnightly service

Scan the QR code for an A-Z list for FOGO, general waste, recycling.

Not accepted

Plastic bags, other soft plastics, clothing, shoes, textiles, coated or waxed cardboard, electronic waste and batteries, crockery, polystyrene (styrofoam), coffee cups.

Fortnightly service

Not accepted

Electronic waste and batteries, food and garden waste, household chemicals, recyclable items, soil, building materials.

Myrtleford flood study

ALPINE Shire Council is calling on Myrtleford residents who have been impacted by floods to contribute to a flood study.

In conjunction with North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), the Myrtleford Flood Study will assess the impacts of a breakaway event that may involve surrounding rivers and creeks.

The information collected throughout this study will be used to inform planning decisions and emergency response.

If you live or work in Myrtleford, have experienced previous flooding events in the area, or could be directly impacted by future flooding events in Myrtleford you can attend two sessions today at the Myrtleford Library, 20 O’Donnell Street.

The first session runs from 2pm to 4pm, the second session runs from 6pm to 8pm.

If people cannot attend the sessions they can take a survey at https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/myrt-flood-study.

Local schools to host training courses

TWO Myrtleford schools will be holding maths and literacy courses from the Dyslexia Orton-Gillingham Institute this September.

Orton-Gillingham Basic Training is a four-day structured linguistic training program which empowers attendees to understand and implement scientifically based reading and writing instruction.

This program will be conducted in partnership with Ashley Pasqualotto from St Mary’s Primary School.

All are welcome to attend, including educators, speech pathologists and parents.

According to the institute, the training prepares educators to successfully provide reading instruction to all students and targeted instruction to struggling readers, including those who have dyslexia.

Yoshimoto Multi-sensory Maths training is a two-day course designed to provide educators with an understanding of problems that students experience in mathematics and strategies for teaching mathematics using multi-sensory procedures and manipulatives.

This will be held in partnership with Adam Lindsay, Ladeane Lindsay and Rachael Cavallin from Myrtleford P12 College.

This training is also suited to all students, not just those who have dyslexia.

The Orton-Gillingham Basic Training course will be held at St Mary’s Primary School from September 21-24.

The Yoshimoto Multi-sensory Maths Training course will be held at Myrtleford P12 College from September 25-26.

For tickets or more information go to https://www.dogi.com.au/courses.

Gapsted Wines well ahead of national grape crush decline

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

GAPSTED Estate Wines is in a positive position thanks to forward planning, despite the winery’s overall crush of grapes down 18 per cent for the season.

The Alpine Shire winery is in a better position than the national results, as the recently released National Vintage Report 2023 by Wine Australia revealed that a challenging season delivered the smallest vintage in a generation. While nationally the total crush of grapes was down 24 per cent (and value down 19 per cent), Victoria’s crush volume was hardest hit, down 40 per cent.

Gapsted chief executive officer Andrew Santarossa said the winery’s more positive position

was partly due to the variety of grapes it grows.

“We work more heavily in sparkling and white varieties than red, which were more severely affected,” he said.

“This was a growing season where you had to be very much on the ball and the entire team did a good job maximising what we had.

“Our usual balance is 65 per cent sparkling and white varieties and 35 per cent red varieties but this year we saw 75 per cent white and 25 per cent red.

“Weather played a significant part in the season but I think the labour shortages are still playing havoc with the wine industry as it’s a blend of agriculture and manufacturing.

“There are also still some sup-

plier chain issues so getting access to certain things at certain times of the year was difficult.

“We did a lot of our ordering six to nine months in advance so we had appropriate additives and I think that forward planning and investing in machinery if you couldn’t invest in staff were wise choices we made and delivered really good returns for us.”

Following the season Gapsted is currently bottling its wines and Mr Santarossa said he’s seeing a strong growth in demand for the sparkling and white varieties, and some varieties of red wine.

“As Gapsted Estate we really want to push the varieties of sparkling, white and red that are growing in interest,” he said.

“Wines like Tempranillo and Pinot Noir are a focus for us; consumers are looking for emerging reds and whites and sparkling is still in growth so in terms of our portfolio we’re still seeing strong demand.

“We have embarked on a transition to some new branding and products so the future is very bright for us but we know the decisions we make going forward have to be considered and thoughtful.

“In light of some announcements and things we’re reading about the industry I think there’s still a lot to be really proud about and when people think about the Australian wine industry its dynamic and innovative so I hope the positivity will continue and we’ll bounce back stronger.”

TRAVELLING WELL: Gapsted Estate chief executive officer Andrew Santarossa says the winery is in a positive position.

PHOTO: Jenny Zamperoni

Local man honouring a great Australian legacy

Alan Garside carrying torch to mark charity’s 100th anniversary y g y’ y

By BRODIE EVERIST

IT is said that in the trenches of the Western Front during World War I a soldier said to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and kids”.

This became known as ‘The Promise’, and it lead to the formal establishment of Legacy, a charity helping the families of Australian Defence Force members who lost their lives as a result of their service.

On the 100th anniversary of its establishment, Myrtleford resident Alan Garside will be participating in the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 as it passes through Bendigo on September 21.

Mr Garside is both a beneficiary of the charity, as his father served in World War I, and has been a legatee since 1999.

As a legatee, he assists war widows, widowers and their families in the local area.

According to Mr Garside, his father served as a member of the Machine Gun Corps in the Somme from 1916 to 1918.

As he was too old and medically unfit for active service in World War II, he served in Australia as a medical orderly in an internee camp hospital.

He died in 1952 from war-related illness from his World War I service.

Mr Garside said Legacy looked after his family from when he was around six years old, growing up in Bendigo.

“Things were pretty tough before that,” he said.

“A friend of my brothers found out about Legacy, they took us under their wing and things looked up from then on.

Haines to host constitutional expert for Voice information session

INDEPENDENT federal MP for Indi Helen Haines will host a Voice to Parliament and referendum information session in Bright next Monday, August 21 at the Bright Court House in Park Street, from 6:30pm to 8pm.

Joining Dr Haines on the panel will be constitutional expert and Professor in Law Kim Rubenstein, and Wiradjuri academic and research fellow in Indigenous Diplomacy James Blackwell.

According to Dr Haines, they will share their knowledge and expertise about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Voice to Parliament, and Australia’s history of constitutional reform.

“I’m curious about what people have to say and I’m keen to discuss their questions with them,” Dr Haines said.

“It is necessary that every voter has access to credible, truthful information so they can make an informed choice about how to vote.

“Referendums do not happen very often, and it’s crucial that every voter understands what voting yes will mean and what voting no will mean.

“If you have questions about the referendum, about the Voice to Parliament, or if you’re interested in learning more about the nation’s founding document, I encourage you to come along.”

“I fondly remember the monthly games night at the Bendigo Memorial Hall, the annual picnic at a legatee’s farm at Ravenswood, the annual Christmas party and presents, and particularly the 10-day beach holidays each January at either Warrnambool or Ocean Grove.

“As a now-serving legatee in the Wangaratta-Myrtleford-Bright Group I am thankful to be able to repay them in this small way.”

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay began on ANZAC Day, 2023 at Poziers, France.

It was then carried to London’s Buckingham Palace before being flown to Perth, taken to Adelaide, Darwin, and then flown to Cairns.

It has since been carried by volunteer torch bearers down the east coast of Australia.

Mr Garside, who received a resplendent white uniform for the relay last week, said he will be carrying the torch for up to a kilometre depending on the numbers of participants.

After Bendigo the torch is set to head to Shepparton, the Morn-

ington Peninsula, Sale, and then across the Bass Strait.

After leaving Hobart it will then go to Melbourne.

“It will finally arrive in Melbourne on Friday, October 13 this year to a formal welcome and great celebrations,” Mr Garside said.

He will be speaking on his experience with Legacy and the relay at a joint Myrtleford Rotary and Myrtleford Lions meeting on Wednesday, August 23 at Club Savoy.

According to Dr Haines, Prof Rubenstein will discuss how changes to the Australian Constitution have allowed for a better reflection of contemporary Australia and what the proposal for the upcoming referendum is seeking to achieve.

Mr Blackwell will share his experience and knowledge of the process behind the drafting of the Uluru Statement and what the three pillars - Voice, Treaty, and Truth mean in relation to the referendum.

CARRYING THE FLAME: Alan Garside will be a torch bearer for Legacy’s Centenary Torch Relay when it passes through Bendigo this September.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Works continue on Bogong High Plains Road

CREWS continue to rebuild the slope on the Bogong High Plains Road, located above Bogong Village between Mount Beauty and Falls Creek - where the project team has recently applied around 20,000 square metres of biodegradable mesh to further reduce chances of erosion following heavy rainfall events.

According to Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), the coir matting, which is a thick geotextile made of natural fibres, is a common erosion control measure which is often used on steep hillsides.

No snow snow didn’t stop sled dogs

BY LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE landersonbyrne@ nemedia.com.au

DINNER Plain’s iconic Sled Dog Sprint saw 85 entries compete across a range of trails and distances over the weekend with one big change - no snow on the ground for the first time since the event began.

Race co-ordinator Vaughan Winther said despite the lack of snow the event ran smoothly.

“The week before the race we were advised that the snow wasn’t coming so we started preparations for those conditions,” he said.

“The sled dog community already had the equipment for dirt track racing, as that’s what we do on the other tracks apart from Dinner Plain, but we had to make sure these trails were safe.

“The dirt trails are different without snow and the dogs need fairly flat ground to run on so we ended up putting the trails together and only lost three entries due to the lack of snow.

“The 85 entries is pretty usual for us, we undoubtedly would’ve had more if there was snow.

“We had teams of six, four, three, two and one dogs as well as the social class category for new racers or people with older dogs, that sort of thing.

“We had people on bikes and scooters and also running with their dogs so we had all sorts.

“A big highlight was the mini mushers event which was held for the first time last year, where kids under 12 run on a scooter, rig or cart with their parents or carers... we had 15 entries on the weekend which was fantastic.

“These are the future of the sport and whole families get involved so we want them to enjoy it as well.”

The teams of six and four dogs ran 5km, teams of three and two ran just over 3km and the teams with one dog ran 2.2km with the mini mushers doing 800 metres.

“The trails were challenging with lots of hills, dirt, grass, some snow and ice; a little bit of everything, but the mountain helped make sure they were safe,” Mr Winther said.

“The biggest thing for us is we want to make sure the event keeps going each year, especially after COVID, as people come from all over Australia just for this.

“We had people from Western Australia here and we hosted a young 18 year old man from New

Zealand as well as Queenslanders, South Australians and people from Canberra all coming to Dinner Plain attracting tourism and enjoying our event.

“A big shoutout to our sponsor Black Hawk Pet Care who supplied dog food for our mushers.

“It was their first time attached to the event and they’re here to stay; they were great.

“The event also wouldn’t happen without the Alpine Shire so we thank them for being so flexible and helpful.

“They wanted to see Dinner Plain’s iconic event happen as much as we did.”

“With the site stabilised, we’ve applied biodegradable mesh to the face of the landslip to reduce the risk of any loose material reaching Bogong High Plains Road during severe weather events,” Whelans engineer Sam Newman said.

Twenty-five temporary sensors have also been strategically positioned across the face of the sloped as an additional safety measure to motorists, capable of detecting any movement and instantaneously notifying crews, according to MRPV.

MRPV program director Dipal Sorathia said the reopening of Bogong High Plains Road for this year’s snow season has required crews to work hundreds of hours to clear and remove fallen trees, loose material, and hazards.

“This allowed us to reopen the road with a level of enhanced safety and make this critical tourism road more resilient,” he said.

As part of landslip rectification works, the landslip site continues to be reconstructed to help lessen the chance of a major landslip in the future.

According to MRPV, upgrades to the affected section include drainage and earthworks, major excavation, asphalt resurfacing, installing guardrails, road strengthening, linemarking, and installing new guideposts and signs.

MRPV have said the 300-metre section of road remains open to a single lane of traffic with alternating flow, controlled by traffic signals and with a 40km/h speed limit for the duration of this year’s winter snow season, as works continue to restore two lanes.

There are no restrictions on the type of vehicles that can use Bogong High Plains Road now that access has been restored, except for those that require a permit, such as oversize trucks.

MRPV also encourage cyclists to avoid the area if possible.

SIX DOG RACE: Vaughan Winther (Victoria) in the six dog race.

IN THE SPRINT: Vanessa Joy (Victoria) in the three dog race.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Sam Hughes also competing in the two dog race at Dinner Plain.

FEELING HUSKY: Sam Hughes (New Zealand) in the one dog race.

Strong start for stitchers

By BRODIE EVERIST

AROUND eight people were in attendance at the first session of the Alpine Textiles Group at the Myrtleford Uniting Church Hall last Saturday morning, with a wide range of projects underway.

Myrtleford resident Caitlin Nolan was finishing a smock dress.

At the time she was redoing the cuffs and estimated she had already put in 10 hours of work so far.

Emily Hurley said she came to the group seeking troubleshooting advice for the dark teal merino wool turtleneck she had made.

“Just on the tension and type of stitch to use,” she said.

Emily was also making a costume of ‘the Dreadful Fluff ’ – a giant sentient piece of bellybutton fluff - for Children’s Book Week later this August.

Myrtleford local Angela Isherwood was working on a placemat, the third in a planned series of four, which has taken both hand sewing and machine sewing to create.

Jenny Marshall was working on her 18th century-style nightcap out of linen and linen thread.

“Do hems on each end, and roll it up a bit, then gather the tip and tie it with a ribbon –then you have your hat,” she said.

The nightcap is a current project, but she has also made a shawl and petticoats.

The Alpine Textiles Group meet at the Myrtleford Uniting Church Hall on Albert Street from 10am-4pm every second Saturday and fourth Thursday of the month.

Sue Bolden, one of the four ladies who began the group, said the first session on Saturday was a great start, with two more attendees planning to come that afternoon.

Community hub to visit Whorouly in coming weeks

A MOBILE community hub is visiting Whorouly in August and September.

Sponsored by Pangerang Community Hub in Wangaratta, the mobile community hub will visit the Whorouly Recreation Reserve on Tuesday, August 22 between 2pm and 4pm, offering free digital support.

From 5:30pm on September 8 the hub will host a barbecue and a free screening of film documentary ‘Embrace Kids’.

Embrace Kids is a film by body positivity advocate Taryn Brumfitt, bringing together a collection of stories from young people and famous friends alike, who share their experiences about body image, bullying, gender identity, advocacy, representation and more.

To book go to https://events.humanitix.com/ embracekids-movie-whorouly-rec-reserve.

The hub will also be visiting Tarrawingee and Everton in October and November, respectively.

The barbecue and movie screening will be held at the Tarrawingee Hall, 1114 Great Alpine Road, on October 20 at 5:30pm.

A similar showing will take place at Everton Hall, 2161 Great Alpine Road, on November 10 at 5:30pm.

Nationals’ cost of living survey seeking local input

NATIONALS state MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, is launching a survey to gain a better understanding of how the cost of living crisis is affecting regional Victorian household and business budgets.

NEEDLE AND THREAD: Jenny Marshall was working on her 18th centurystyle nightcap last Saturday.

The ‘Cost of Living Survey’ is a series of short questions to help The Nationals learn more about the plight of hardworking regional Victorians.

Mr McCurdy said regional Victorians are struggling to make ends meet, with additional taxes increasing the burden.

“I am keen to hear from locals about what they need, where they are struggling most, as this will allow us to take the results to government and say, this is what Ovens Valley residents want,” he said.

“I would encourage everyone to submit a response as the more feedback we get, the better.”

Families and businesses are encouraged to complete the survey, which will only take a few minutes of your time, at https://vicn.at/costofliving

The all-new Kona is here - and it's bigger, bolder and more dynamic than ever. Adapted from an electric-derived futuristic design, the upscaled Kona is available with multiple powertrains with unique styling for petrol, hybrid, electric and sporty N Line. Imagine that.

Join us as we step into a new era of mobility.

Drop in and see the team, or book a test drive online today by visiting: www.wangarattahyundai.com.au

NEARLY DONE: Myrtleford residents Emily Hurley and Caitlin Moran with their current clothing projects.

PHOTOS: Brodie Everist

A high school at last, 1960-62

By JOHN TAYLOR OAM, Myrtleford and District Historical Society Inc.

FROM 1927, senior pupils at the old Myrtleford State School 955 in Elgin Street began electing to participate in ‘Central Classes’, having already achieved success in their ‘Merit Certificate’ at Grade 8 level.

Then, when the school relocated to O’Donnell Avenue in 1939, this practice of extending schooling beyond the elementary or primary level continued.

With consolidation of district schooling at Myrtleford in the 1940s to 1952, a ‘Higher Elementary School’ (HES) became established on one site.

By 1948 the school was teaching to Form 3 ‘Proficiency’ level (Year 9).

HES classes were taught by secondary teachers in former closed rural school buildings brought into Myrtleford.

Students at Grade 7 to 10 (Forms 1 to 4) were the responsibility of several primary Head Masters: G M R Rathbone (1940-44), E Baker (1944-47), H McLinden (1948-51) and P R O’Brien (1951-54) and finally Mr Clarrie J Rootsey (195559).

By 1959, the HES enrolment had grown to 126 students taught by eight teachers, two of whom were part time.

From the mid-1950s, parents had begun campaigning for new accommodation and for the opportunity for children to complete a higher educational level beyond Form 4 and perhaps matriculate at a local high school.

And so it was to be. In the June 2 edition of the ‘Myrtleford Times’, readers were advised that on a Sunday afternoon May 31, 1959 “murmurings of jubilation” arose at the official opening of the new Pre School and Infant Welfare Centre on Prince Street.

Cr Angus C McLaughlin, Bright Shire president and chairman of the HES Advisory Council, “intimated that at the commencement of the 1960 school year, Myrtleford would be raised in school status to a High School”.

Hon Ivan Swinburne, MLC, commented the news was just more fine evidence of recent and future developments in the town, such as the Scout and Guide hall, new church buildings, CBD building improvements, ambulance station and the approaching opening of the new hospital.

In his fifth and final HES Speech Night report, delivered on December 17, 1959 at the Memorial Hall, Clarrie Rootsey wished students well in building up “a new educational outlook under the designation of a High School”.

Mr Lindsay L Young was appointed as the foundation Head Master of Myrtleford High School. He conducted parent interviews on February 2, 1960 and classes commenced the following day, sharing the 12 rooms at the Consolidated School.

In late February 1960, 157 students were attending in Years 7 to 11 (Forms 1-5); with only nine students in Form 5, most studied by distance education

Community need answered with establishment of Myrtleford High School C i y d d

(correspondence).

Eight teachers, including three part-timers, laboured in trying conditions, two below the staffing entitlement.

In March, interschool sport got under way and Mr Young anticipated that perhaps two new rooms being built would “be the forerunner of a complete new High School enabling classes to vacate temporary classrooms, such as the shelter shed and storeroom”.

Formation of an Advisory Council got underway in June, with Mrs M Correa, H J Long, L T Duke, L J McGeehan and K A Weller elected as parent representatives.

The two new classrooms were occupied on June 19 and Mr Young urged parents to keep pressing for completion of more rooms.

The first meeting of the Advisory Council was held in July with additional Shire and community representatives present. Rev Eric Gronow was elected chairman.

Additional ‘firsts’ included various displays during ‘Education Week’ in August and in September the house athletics were held at the football ground, won by ‘King’ house led by Meryl Walkear and Brian Fletcher.

On October 19, Mr Young conducted the elections for the

first Ladies Auxiliary which would assist in equipping the school; Mrs Sybil Howells was elected president.

The Hospital Egg Appeal raised 53 dozen eggs in November and the cricket team, led by Malcolm Wallace, Michael Dryden, Peter Howell and Brian Fletcher were interschool premiers.

Tenders for additional site preparation and electrical work were called for the additional rooms and final examinations had to be held elsewhere, at St Mary’s Hall.

At the end of a busy first year, bookings were required for ‘Speech Night’ at Memorial Hall on December 13.

Rev Gronow’s welcome touched briefly on the difficulties confronted in 1960 and expressed special appreciation of the role played by Mr Young in establishing the school.

Among the numerous academic and other awards were those for citizenship and sports, both won by Jennifer Macdonell and Malcolm Wallace.

The remainder of the Speech Night programme featured choral, dramatic and gymnastic presentations.

The 1961 school year commenced on February 8 with a hope that most Form 5 subjects would not be by correspondence.

The hoped-for class at Form 6 level would wait until 1964.

In March a ceremony was held to invest the 1961 prefects: Janyce Lowerson (head), Judith Hodgens, Pamela Richardson, Margaret Thompson and Veronica Tsitimbinis.

Boys: Maurice Lewis (head), Michael Dryden, Peter Howell, Leigh Rootsey and Graeme Ward.

In April, the school hosted a variety of finals in a summer interschool sports day and 80 people enrolled in evening classes in typing, Italian, art and woodwork.

In July, over 70 parents attended the first meeting of a ParentTeacher Fellowship chaired by Mr Rick Paddick.

In August, 2000 young trees were planted in the State School Plantation and, with some relief, the final ‘Education Week’ displays in the old HES rooms occurred, with displays of needlework, woodwork and science so “visitors will be able to see how well the school is functioning in adverse conditions and how much better it will be when the new building is occupied”.

The September house athletics winner was ‘Buffalo’ led by Kath Jagoe and Maurice Lewis. The school open age champions were Gwenda Jones and Alan Wood.

In late November, the longawaited new school buildings were fully occupied and on December 5 1961 the ‘Myrtleford Times’ proclaimed: “Myrtleford’s New High School: Distinct Asset to Education”.

It was predicted enrolment would grow, but Lindsay Young was to move elsewhere. The newspaper noted: “Mr Young will be leaving; he is being transferred to Morwell High as Assistant Head Master. This means promotion for him”.

At a packed Speech Night on December 15, Lindsay Young described the opening of the new buildings as “easily the greatest event of the year”.

He had done much to achieve it and to create the school as a community centre for study and recreation.

In appreciation of his work, Rev Gronow presented him with a painting of a local scene on behalf of the school.

Many presentations were made to students by parent office bearers and special guest, Mr Keith Dunstan of the ‘Sun News Pictorial’.

These included Sports Champion Awards to Cheryl Smith and Peter Howell and Citizenship Awards to Pam Richardson and Maurice Lewis.

On March 1 1962 the Minister of Education, Mr J S Bloomfield officially opened the High School.

Mr Jack H Cullen, previously Head Master at Mount Beauty HES, was now in charge.

Lindsay Young returned to observe proceedings.

Student enrolment would grow from 186 under the leadership of Jack Cullen (1962-67), Alfred E W Swan (1968-71) and Brian J Souter (1973-92), reaching a peak of 442 in 1975.

MYRTLEFORD HIGH SCHOOL STAFF, 1961: The MHS team, led by Head Master Lindsay Young and Senior Master Jim Chapman.

MYRTLEFORD HIGH SCHOOL, FORMS 4 and 5, 1960: The new high school’s most senior students.

MYRTLEFORD HIGH SCHOOL 2nd BASKETBALL TEAM, 1960: V Tsitimbinis, B Slattery, J Macdonell, J Hodgens, W Mason, M Walkear, K Cazaly.

MYRTLEFORD HIGHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 1st FOOTBALL TEAM, 1958: Premiers in the interschool Ovens and Mitta competition, led by Neil Lewis and Bill Rodda, defeating Mount Beauty HES.

MYRTLEFORD HIGHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HOUSE CAPTAINS, 1957: I Cofield, N Lewis, M Wallace, T Cousins, L Simmons, N Wallace, J Mason, R George.

Haines takes regional housing solutions to the Prime Minister

Reminder for Power Saving Bonus

THE fourth round of the State Government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus is almost over, with applications closing on August 31.

MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, is encouraging those who have not yet applied for the current round to do so before time runs out.

“People are struggling at the moment, bills are skyrocketing, and the cost of living is through the roof,” he said.

INDEPENDENT federal

MP for Indi Helen Haines met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last Wednesday to present solutions to address issues worsening the housing supply crisis in regional Australia.

“People from all over Indi speak to me about the lack of housing availability and affordability in our towns,” Dr Haines said.

“I spoke to the Prime Minister about the housing issues we face in regional Australia, and how the problems and solutions are different than those in the cities.

“He listened and acknowledged the work I have done in this area already.”

Dr Haines also said she has secured a meeting for the Rural City of Wangaratta with Housing Minister Julie Collins to present their plans for the former Ovens College site on Greta Road in Wangaratta.

Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees and Rural City of Wangaratta CEO Brendan McGrath were joined by Alan Takle from not-for-profit social enterprise and housing developer Nestd, which has been contracted to deliver 200 safe, quality, energy-efficient homes for young people, pensioners, women at risk of homelessness and essential workers development at the Greta Road site.

“The proposal for the Ovens College site would go a long way to addressing the lack of social, affordable, and key worker housing in town,” Dr Haines said.

“We just need the tools to

unlock funding for the critical infrastructure to make this project a reality.

“Bringing local government to Canberra and getting them to present their unique solutions to the challenges our community is facing is really powerful.

“The government is listening and hearing the problems that we are facing in regional and

rural areas when it comes to housing.”

Dr Haines wants the government to invest in critical enabling infrastructure to increase housing supply through a dedicated Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund.

“I am the first to acknowledge that there is no silver bullet to solve the housing crisis in regional Australia, but I have

been consulting widely on what the solutions could be and what I’ve heard loud and clear is that funding for critical enabling infrastructure is a major handbrake on housing supply,” Dr Haines said.

“Flexible funding that invests in critical infrastructure like pavements, poles and drainage, would unlock housing supply in regional Australia.”

“I would encourage everyone who hasn’t already applied for this round of funding to get in now while you still can.”

If people need assistance with the application, Mr McCurdy said they can visit his Wangaratta office on 15 Murphy Street, or call 03 5721 6155.

A full copy of a recent power bill is required to apply.

More than $2m in unclaimed cash

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER

NORTH East residents and businesses are being encouraged to go online to find out if they are among thousands of people with a claim on a pool of unclaimed money topping $109 million in Victoria.

The State Revenue Office (SRO) holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months including refunds, rents and bonds, share dividends, salaries and wages, debentures, interest and proceeds from sales.

The majority of entitlements have been held by the SRO for less than 10 years.

According to the SRO, there are more than 1200 entitlements worth almost $175,000 to be claimed within the Alpine Shire.

Across the nine Local Government Areas within the North East the SRO says there are 16,137 entitlements totalling $2,215,786.

To search for unclaimed money, visit sro. vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoney.

You will need your name or company name, and the address that you believe the unclaimed money lodging organisation would have had on file.

All Victorian businesses and trustees holding $20 or more in unclaimed money are reminded they must record and keep the money for at least 12 months, then lodge it with the SRO.

Lodgements can be made via the SRO website.

Independent federal MP for Indi Helen Haines met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last Wednesday to present solutions for the housing supply crisis in regional Australia.

Fallons Bus Lines is all aboard state’s EV plan

Government trials plan for zero emission buses in metro and regional Victoria

By STEVE KELLY

BUS companies like Fallons Bus Lines in Wangaratta are eager to be a part of the State Government’s zero emissions project that aims to have newly manufactured zero emission buses by 2025.

The State Government’s $20 million Zero Emission Bus trial was delivered hand-in-hand with industry to inform the smooth transition of almost 4500 diesel buses to zero emissions.

Brock Fallon of Fallons Bus Service said the plan creates a good opportunity for transport businesses and a few issues will be looked at as part of the consultation period that’s now open.

Fallons Bus Service runs buses across North East Victoria, including Wangaratta, Beechworth and a coach service to Falls Creek.

“One of the issues will be about getting enough electricity into existing depots to power the buses and if there isn’t enough in regional areas, then those substations will need to be upgraded,” Mr Fallon said.

“I still see there are some challenges and I welcome the change 100 per cent - these electric vehicles will be great to see driving around Wangaratta in the local town service.”

Diesel low floor buses cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and their lifespan is about 15 years and it’s expected the new EV buses would cost twice as much.

“The capital outlay for an EV is double the cost of a diesel vehicle, but operating costs are half,” he said.

“In saying that, we are right be-

Climate tool expands to support more farmers

THE Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO have unveiled a new name for their digital information product ‘My Climate View’, along with updates to help more farmers make informed decisions to build climate resilience.

Previously known as the Climate Services for Agriculture online platform, My Climate View provides farmers with critical data to assess how climate trends, including changes to temperature and rainfall, might impact their business for specific commodities and date ranges in their location, to a 5 km2 resolution.

Along with the new name, My Climate View has been updated with climate information for new commodities, improvements to how users access and view their local and commodity-specific climate information, and details on how climate information is calculated.

hind supporting a transition to EV buses and getting the infrastructure in place to make it happen.”

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll launched a consultation paper that lays the groundwork for the transition plan set to be released in 2024.

The three-year trial leading up to 2025 involves six operators across Victoria introducing 52 zero emis-

sion buses into their fleets - 50 electric and two hydrogen - across Melbourne, Traralgon and Seymour.

The trial is fostering vital local industry partnerships and supporting local jobs –with energy providers and bus manufacturers – which are critical to achieving an effective transition.

The trial has provided evidence about performance, depot charging

needs, capacity, infrastructure and energy network requirements, environmental outcomes and customer expectations.

More than 100 hybrid and around 45 zero emission buses are already operating on public transport routes across Victoria.

To find out more and have your say visit engage.vic.gov.au/ZEBtransition by September 3.

Safety agencies issue winter water safety reminder for rural communities

By SHANE DOUTHIE

The Australian Government’s Climate Services for Agriculture program is a collaboration between the Bureau of Meteorology and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

Bureau of Meteorology program director Elizabeth Johnston said My Climate View is a product that has been designed by farmers for farmers.

“The Climate Services for Agriculture team has engaged extensively with Australia’s agricultural sector to understand what climate information and services the sector needs and how it is best presented,” Ms Johnston said.

FARM WATER SAFETY TIPS

LEADING safety agencies

Kidsafe Victoria, Life Saving Victoria and Farmsafe Australia have urged regional families to set up safe play areas and actively supervise children around water, in a bid to reduce the number of childhood drownings on farms.

While farms provide fantastic opportunities and environments for children, Jason Chambers, general manager of Kidsafe Victoria, said it’s important to be aware that they are also have a number of unique water hazards not commonly found in a suburban home.

“Farms and regional properties often contain a number of different bodies of water such as dams, troughs, irrigation channels, water tanks, rivers and lakes, all which can pose a potential drowning hazard for children,” Mr Chambers said.

According to statistics from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, 29 per cent of toddler (0-4 years) drownings in 2021/22 occurred in bodies of water such as lakes, dams, rivers, and creeks.

Dr Bernadette Matthews, general manager - health promotion and communications with Life Saving

Victoria, highlighted the importance of dressing children in brightly coloured clothing, having an emergency plan in place and teaching children to swim.

“Parents and carers of children really do need to prioritise enrolling kids into in swim classes to learn about safety in and around water and ensuring you update your own CPR qualification,” Dr Matthews said.

Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards said ensuring all children are wearing brightly coloured cloth-

 Teach children water safety skills so that they are water confident such as learn to swim classes.

 Make sure children are actively always supervised by an adult when in or around water. For toddlers, this means having an adult within arm’s reach.

 Set up a safe play area away from water hazards such as dams. The play area should be securely fenced, located close to the house, and equipped with adequate shade, as well as a range of fun and engaging activities for children.

 Ensure that water storage areas, such as wells and tanks, are securely covered.

 Remove items floating in dams, where practical, that may attract children into the water.

 Fill in unused holes where water can gather, such as ditches, dips, and post holes.

 Learn CPR and regularly update your skills.

ing can make them easier to spot.

“Avoid dressing kids in dull greens, browns, or greys, and instead opt for something brighter that stands out in all environments,” Ms Richards said.

“This can help you spot them before they slip away and make it easier to find them if they do go missing.

“It’s good advice for kids on farms generally to wear bright clothes. It’s much easier to see a child from a tractor or other farm machinery if they’re in high visibility colours.”

Mr Chambers highlighted that toddlers were particularly at risk of drowning due to their curiosity and top-heavy nature.

“Twenty seconds and a few centimetres of water is all it takes for a toddler to drown,” he said.

“Toddlers are attracted to water, however they don’t understand the dangers that it can pose. Due to their top-heavy nature, they can easily topple over into the water while leaning over or reaching for an object.”

“It is critical Australian farmers and communities have the locally relevant and commodity-specific information they need to prepare for the future,” she said.

“The product presents past and future climate information, all in one place.”

CSIRO’s Drought Resilience Mission lead, Dr Graham Bonnett, said more than 2000 people who work in agriculture had been engaged across Australia.

“My Climate View has been developed to help farmers understand the aspects of future climate that are most relevant to them and what they farm,” Dr Bonnett said.

The Climate Services for Agriculture program is part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund’s investment into the development of better climate information for Australia’s agriculture sector.

DESIRE TO POWER UP: Brock Fallon of Fallons Bus Service is keen to be a part of the rollout of zero emission buses when the time comes.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Tarra’ properties offer a unique opportunity for producers

locals Justin and Amanda Keane are selling their property at Tarrawingee as they relocate to expand their farming operation.

The couple moved to River Road three and a half years ago and now this mixed production potential property offers an outstanding opportunity for new owners.

The property, which is for sale as a whole or in three separate lots, has been well fertilised, and is in a healthy rainfall area. The fully pasture improved, divided into three main paddocks.

“Extensive fertiliser has been dispersed across the property, including 2-tonne of lime and a heavy application of super phosphate, plus pasture renovation,” Mr Keane said.

portunity for owners to grow whatever they like there, as it’s good enough country to grow crop or pasture, fatten cattle or sheep.”

A three-bedroom brick family home “Carlow”, built in 1998, consists of two bathrooms, study and two generous living, includes a carport for two vehicles, plus a three-bay machinery shed. The 72.9ha, known as Across the Creek, is suited to

pasture production, livestock breeding and livestock grazing. It has more than 1km frontage to Hodgson Creek, which borders property to the south, and is only a 15-minute drive from Wangaratta.

There is good stock water via one dam plus four concrete stock troughs. Water to the stock troughs is delivered via a bore with submersible solar pump.

“Water security is excellent and the property is also in a very reliable rainfall area,” Mr Keane said.

Across the Creek is priced at $2.15 million, Pete’s $1.2 million, and the residence “Carlow” is $1.2 million.

GENESIS G80 ELECTRIFIED

ELECTRIFYING:

G80 Electrified . . . as in converted from petrol.

By CHRIS RILEY

GENESIS G80 Electrified is as its name suggests an electrified version of Genesis’ large G80 luxury sedan.

But it is a conversion rather than a dedicated EV, evidenced by the blanked-out radiator grille.

G80 is popular with hire car drivers because it offers plenty of splash for relatively little cash.

However, with a small boot and tight rear seat the electrified version may not be quite as appealing.

STYLING

G80 is a big, impressivelooking car that radiates quality.

It sits a shade over 5.0 metres at 5005mm, with a wheelbase of 3010mm. It’s wide too, at 1925mm and stands 1467mm high.

The raked, fastback design is appealing and in the electrified version features a blanked-out version of the signature crest grille with G-Matrix pattern, with two-stripe quad matrix headlights.

There are three models from which to choose, two petrol and one electric version: 2.5T 2WD, priced from $87,200, 3.5T Luxury AWD, from $116,200 and Electrified, from $147,000 – all before onroad costs.

A choice of 11 exterior colours is offered, 10 shared with G80 2.5T and 3.5T – plus an exclusive hue called Matira Blue.

Named after the beach of the same name, Matira Blue uses a special pigment that

changes colour from different angles – from cobalt to emerald-blue and turquoise.

Our test vehicle, G80 Electrified, was finished in this colour which looks like a sparkling metallic green in full sunlight, but almost becomes black in deep shade or at night.

The glass roof is divided into two sections which look like they could be solar panels (and we later learned that is indeed what they are).

The interior features threezone climate air and is finished in a combination of tobacco brown and this weird, matte, flowery pastel design for the surrounds with suede for the headlining, pillars and rear shelf along with touches of stainless steel.

The interior design is apparently inspired by Korean architectural philosophy that emphasises the ‘Beauty of White Space’, to create a serene and luxurious experience for occupants.

In line with Genesis’ commitment to sustainable mobility, G80 Electrified uses low environmental impact natural and recycled materials throughout the cabin.

The rule of fives applies to after sales care, with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year complimentary servicing with pickup and drop off

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

G80 Electrified is offered with a single battery-electric, all-wheel drive powertrain that delivers 272kW of power and 700Nm of torque, with a 136kW/350Nm electric motor

front and rear.

SAFETY

G80 Electrified scores five stars for safety.

The safety package is extensive, starting with 10 airbags, including centre bags

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) provides Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist detection (FCA - Car/Ped/Cyc), Junction Turning/Junction Crossing function (FCA - JT/JC), LaneChange Oncoming/LaneChange Side function (FCA - LO/LS) and Evasive Steering Assist function (FCA w/ ESA).

Smart Cruise Control (SCC) offers Stop & Go function (SCC w/ S&G) plus Machine Learning function (SCC w/ ML).

The system combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Smart Cruise Control (SCC) to learn driver patterns and habits, tailoring acceleration and following-distance.

DRIVING

It’s an impressive looking thing.

But for a big car interior space is far from expansive. While Dr Who’s TARDIS is bigger inside than out, the futuristic G80 Electrified is exactly the opposite – larger outside than in.

A wide centre console separates driver and front passenger creating a narrow seating position.

With an 87.2kWh battery, energy consumption is a claimed 19.1kWh/100km with a maximum driving range of 520km based on the newer WLTP testing protocol.

The solar roof system helps to recharge the batteries and

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

GENESIS G80 2.5T RWD, PRICED FROM $87,200

avoids the battery from going flat when the car is parked for long periods.

Depending on the location, weather conditions and time of year, it can add around 0.7kWh of energy in a day which translates to an extra 3km of range.

It’s not to be sneezed at because over the course of a year that can add up to 266.5kWh and an extra 1150 free kilometres.

Performance is typically EV, quick out of the blocks and emphatic, belying its 2325kg heft.

The dash from 0 to 100km/h takes 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 225km/h.

Riding on 19-inch wheels with chunky rubber and a low centre of gravity, it has a planted, big car feel and goes ‘ker-thump’ over bumps and potholes in the road, retaining its composure at all times.

A Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) can separate or connect the motor and drive shaft according to driving conditions, including vehicle speed and driving mode.

The system lets G80 seamlessly switch between RWD and AWD to maximise efficiency.

G80 Electrified features a 400V/800V multi rapid-charging system that lets customers plug into a range of charging infrastructures.

The driving motor and inverter can boost the voltage from 400V to 800V - the optimal level for the system - for stable charging performance.

The charge port is located conveniently at the front of the car, hidden behind a door in the grille.

GENESIS G80 3.5T AWD, PRICED FROM $116,200

GENESIS G80 ELECTRIFIED, PRICED FROM $147,000

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

SPECIFICATIONS (Genesis G80 Electrified, Twin electric motors, Single speed reduction gear, AWD)

RATINGS:

Looks: 7.5/10; Performance: 8/10; Safety: 8.5/10; Thirst: 7.5/10; Practicality: 6/10; Comfort: 7/10; Tech: 8/10; Value: 7/10; Overall: 7.4/10

Plugged into a 350kW rapid charger, Electrified G80 can charge its battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes.

A V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) feature allows households to draw power from the car if needed, with household-grade 3.6kW output).

Preview Electronic Control Suspension (Pre-view ECS), with information supplied from the front camera and navigation system, also helps to create the optimum driving experience.

A world-first, stereoscopic 3D instrument cluster uses a camera that recognises the driver’s eyes to present the display in 3D, with three themes that can be selected individually.

Augmented navigation uses the Surround View camera, the windscreen camera and front radar along with navigation data to form AR view navigation.

SUMMING UP

As much as we like the G80 Electrified in principle, we just couldn’t live with it.

Cramming the batteries and

a second motor into a chassis designed to accept a single petrol engine is too much of a compromise.

Give us the same set up in a dedicated roomier SUV and we’re good to go though.

ENGINE:

Battery: 87.2kWh

Configuration: 2 x 136kW electric motors

Maximum Power: 272 kW

Maximum Torque: 700 Nm

Fuel Type: Electric Energy consumption:

19.1kWh/100km

Range: 520km (WLTP)

CO2 Emissions: N/A

DRIVELINE:

Single speed reduction gear, all-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 5005 mm

Wheelbase: 3010 mm

Width: 1925 mm

Height: 1495 mm

Turning Circle: 11.64 metres

Kerb Mass: 2325 kg

STANDARD WARRANTY:

Five years / unlimited kilometres

That’s

ACROSS

4 What is a period of sixty seconds (6)

7 To engage in a minor but noisy quarrel, is to do what (8)

8 Name the psychic and emotional energy associated with instinctive biological drives (6)

9 What is a gem cut into the form of a narrow rectangle (8)

11 When one divulges or discloses, one does what (7)

13 Name another term for lucerne (7)

15 What might we call a through train (7)

17 Name an alternative term for a hermit (7)

20 Who is between 13 and 19 years of age (8)

23 What is a strong regional accent (6)

24 Which hour is the latest possible time (8)

25 To be dormant, is to be what (6)

DOWN

1 Which combining form indicates water (4)

2 What is an empty space or missing part, especially in an ancient manuscript (6)

3 To touch at one end or side, is to do what (4)

4 What is a confused, hand-to-hand fight (5)

5 To be loftier and more exalted in character, is to be what (6)

6 Which term relates to the rise and fall of the ocean (5)

9 Which open glass cylinder is used as a standard laboratory container (6)

10 What might we call a learner (7)

12 What is a concealed marksman (6)

14 Name a highly infectious, usually fatal, epidemic disease (6)

E-QUATIONS

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

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD QUICK THINK

16 What do we call a weighing machine (6)

18 Name the British peers next in rank above a viscount (5)

19 To be precipitous, is to be what (5)

21 What is a large widemouthed pitcher or jug (4)

22 When one consumes food, one does what (4)

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

WHICH WORDS

BIYWORD

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

CLUES:

AFL: six-pointers (5)

Attics (5)

Calm (5)

Common household fuel (3)

Meadow (3)

Patterned pastries (7)

Peacocks and peahens (7)

Starter’s second command (3)

Two-up (coll)

Weasel-like

SOLUTIONS SUDOKU

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

We invite all current members, parents of junior players, and past players of our soccer community to attend our AGM. We warmly welcome new faces to join the committee to help guide the club through this next exciting chapter of its development.

Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 12.30pm at Savoy Park. Please come along and support the club.

Myrtleford

Junior Football Club AGM

Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 6pm at Ablett Pavilion, Myrtleford.

Ph. 0408 574 337 for more information. All Welcome.

Classifieds Work!

Phone:

Alpine Independent Aged Care Advocacy Service Inc.

The Committee of Management invites you to the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Monday, August 28, 2023 at the Cottage, Bright Church of Christ, 18 Park Street, Bright at 11am.

RSVP: Mrs Fay Gray by Monday, August 21, 2023 Phone: 0408 888 906

FREE IMMUNISATION CLINICS 2023

Victorian Immunisation Schedule

TENDERS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Personal

Notices

Keyte, Wesley.

11/8/1981-5/7/2000

To us his name will be the key that unlocks a memory, Of a dear one gone but cherished yet, A beloved face we will never forget. Love Mum, Jim, Phoenix, Fina, Keyte, Bartrim and Song Families.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Bright P-12 College has an opportunity for a

To apply go to

BYRNE, John Keiran. 16/9/1942 – 8/8/2023

We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Keiran Byrne, a loving husband to Pauline, father of Lisa, David and Matthew, and friend to many.

DEATH NOTICES

KEESING, Daryl Leonard. 25/11/1955 – 8/8/2023

Son of Len and Bev Keesing (both dec). Brother of Cheryl, Gary and Sharon. Brother-in-law to Doug, Neralle and David (dec). Uncle to many. Partner to Tessy. Stepfather to Chook and Michelle and Danny (dec) Nonno to Jethro and Archer. Always loved R.I.P.

KEESING, Daryl Leonard. 25/11/1955 – 8/8/2023

There is a place in my heart that is yours alone, a piece in my life that no one can own, the tears in my eyes I can wipe away, but memories of you will always stay.

~ Your sister Sharon, brother-in-law Bretty (dec), Nephew (godson) Nicholas, Darian, Izzy, Lachy, Tommy and Daisy.

MOUNT BEAUTY

Venue:

Date/time:

MYRTLEFORD Venue:

Date/time:

BRIGHT Venue:

Date/time:

FREE RANGE HENS

ISA Brown Pullets, POL $27ea. Pick upWang to Bright Becky & Hugh (03) 5798 1868 freerangehens.com.au

1993 Subaru Brumby 4WD Ute, (XAY493) Vicroads Reg. due July 30, 2024, 177,500km, $6000 ONO. Ph 0466 887 788.

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

New Online Booking System:

HARLEY Davidson 2006, 1200c xl 1200r sportster roadster cruiser, 5 spd manual, 7640km, p ristine condition, V IN 5HD1CLP186K 455114, plus leathe r jacket, helmet, gloves and backpack, $11,500. Ph 0412 874 585.

HOLDEN Colorado, 2014, auto, 124,000km, dual cab, 4x4, (1EF3ZE), bull bar, UHF, tonneau and tub rack, tow bar, RWC, A/T tyres, side steps, good condition in and out, $28,900 inspection welcome. Ph 0482 586 700.

KEESING, Daryl Leonard.

Memories made forever will never be forgotten. My partner, soulmate and companion.

I will never forget you my darling Daryl.

~Love forever and ever Tessy xxx.

KEESING, Daryl. 25/11/1955-8/8/2023

Passed away August 8, 2023.

Loved brother and brother-in-law of Gary and Neralle Keesing and Uncle to Aaron, Justin, Brendan, Ethan and their families.

Great Uncle to Maddi and Lilly Rest in Peace.

KEESING, Daryl Leonard. 25/11/1955 – 8/8/2023

Loved and adored partner and soul mate of Tessy.

Loved and cherished life-long friend of Chook and Michelle. Much loved and admired Nonni to Archer and Jethro.

A lifetime of memories forever treasured. “Go the ‘Roos”.

KEESING, Daryl.

Much loved brother of Cheryl, brother-in-law to Doug.

Uncle and Aunt to Michael and Dearne, Rebecca and David, Adam and Hollie.

Great Uncle to Olive and Hudson, Callum, Jacob and Samual, Josie, Evelyn, Jack and Lenny.

VAN RUTH

Memorial Prayers to celebrate the life of Mr William “Bill” Van Ruth will be offered in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, August 4, 2023 commencing at 2pm. Private cremation will have preceded this service.

The committal service for the late John Edward Barrett will be held at the Anglican Church in Bright on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 2pm. Followed by an interment at Bright Cemetery.

BYRNE

Funeral prayers will be offered for John Keiran Byrne at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 29 Lawrence St, Myrtleford on Friday, August 18, 2023 commencing at 10am. All welcome to join the family afterwards at the Buffalo Hotel, Clyde Street Myrtleford. Private cremation. Live stream may be viewed at northeastfunerals.com.au/live-streaming KEESING

A graveside funeral service to honour the life of Daryl Keesing will be held at the Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery TODAY at 11.30am.

Robert, Jacinta, Brittany, Olivia and Harry.

Junior Panthers storm in to finals with big win

THE under 12 Porepunkah Panthers baseball team were sitting in fourth place coming into the last home and away round, needing a win against the second placed Wangaratta Rangers to secure a finals berth.

What unfolded was one of the best matches played by the local team to come away with a crushing 25-12 win.

The fact Wangaratta could only manage to get three Porepunkah players out for the entire game shows how well they played.

The Panthers put on a batting display with power hitters Heath and Lincoln Hughes, Rory Clarke, Cohen Guest-Smith and Nate Iles all bombing two base hits.

This, combined with the team’s fast running and crafty hitters, caused mayhem.

Mina Meddings, Kenzie Mallander, Iles Uriah and crowd favourite Heath Hughes all hit the ball towards third base and ran hard to reach base and score multiple times.

In the field the Panthers were also switched on, throwing out 10 Wangaratta batters trying to reach base.

Stephanie Alexander had the catching duties for most of the day and has been relishing the role, improving every game.

The Panthers now have an opportunity next week in Wangaratta against the same side and a win will see them go through to the grand final.

It was great to see so many exited parents and players share in the win and the club is very proud of their efforts - go Panthers!

The under 15 Panther team fell behind early and couldn’t quite recover in a 13-3 loss to ladder leaders Wangaratta Rangers.

The highlight was Porepunkah notching up three runs in the fourth innings, with solid hits to Ayla McCallum, Paige Anders and Makiah McCallum all sending

runners across the plate.

In the field, second base Panther Sophie Anders had two impressive throws to first base to get the batters out.

Sam Bourne started the game off the mound for Porepunkah, pitching three innings and allowing only five hits and striking out an impressive five batters.

Wade Pronk came in as relief pitcher and threw the last innings to close out the game.

This was the U15’s final game of the season as they just missed out on playing finals.

It was another dominant performance by the C grade Panthers team who once again were a cut above the rest, taking the game 11-0.

The Wangaratta Rangers had no answers on Sunday as two Panther pitchers combined to throw a shutout.

Liam Quinton started the game off the mound for the Panthers - the fireballer surrendered zero runs and one hit over three innings, striking out six opposing batters.

The Porepunkah Panthers racked up 11 safe hits for the game.

Club founder James ‘Jimbo’ Rodgers has taken this young team under his wing this year and his cool head, coaching and management skills have played a huge

part in their success.

The B grade Porepunkah Panthers felt the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 14-4 loss to Wangaratta Rangers.

Porepunkah scored their four runs in the fifth innings, led by Jarrod McCormack and coach Randy Skippen, who each had runs batted in.

Cade Nightingale once again led the way for the Panthers’ batting, with two safe hit in his three at bats, also taking two impressive catches in the outfield.

Cam Alexander was again great at shortstop, making important catches and throwing out three opposition batters with some laser beams.

Kaleb Hoare started off the mound for the Panthers - the pitcher went four innings, allowing five hits and eight runs while striking out three.

Amos Fabich and Jarrod Smith also entered the game from the bullpen, both throwing one innings each both doing a great job.

Although not in the finals race this year, the team has certainly gained respect with their competitive finish to the year.

The bats were firing in the A grade match but the Porepunkah Panther couldn’t quite get the job

WHAT A SEASON:

Players and supporters of the Porepunkah Panthers under 15 team

(back, from left) Lisa Anders, Heath Anders, Makiah McCallum, Samara McCallum, Sophie Anders, Ayla McCallum, Ollie Brown, Scott McCallum, (front, from left) Tayge Skippen, Wade Pronk, Paige Anders, and Sam Bourne.

done against the Wangaratta Rangers this week going down 12-6.

Adam Rosser got things started for the Panthers, getting a walk and then making his was around the bases to score and have the score at 1-1 at the end of the first innings.

The Panthers then scored another four runs in the fifth innings, with Rian Banks, Stevie J and coach Paul Meddings all batting in runs with safe hits.

The story of the day was Panther Ollie Chambers taking the mound, quickly progressing through the junior ranks to now be one of the senior side’s best players.

He threw not only some nice heat but mixed it up with some curveballs and sliders.

Chambers pitched three innings allowing only seven hits, Rian Banks then pitched a solid three innings, not giving away an inch.

Steve Johnston then made his pitching debut - normally catcher, he casually took the mound and finished the game throwing only eight pitches to get the three outs.

The Panthers will be playing this Wangaratta team in two weeks’ time to fight it out for a spot in the finals - although having not beaten this team yet this season, confidence is high and if they play smart together then they can win.

SOARING: Gerad Biesboer scored an eagle on the 12th hole, and was awarded with the coveted Eagles Nest.

Mt Beauty golfers’ precision strikes

WEDNESDAY, August 9, saw a group of nine men take on the back nine in a Stableford competition at the Mount Beauty Golf Club.

Ron Gallagher proved he could handle the conditions the best with 21 points.

Ross Rynehart pipped Peter Dilley on a countback for second place with their 18 points apiece.

Allan Retallick got closest to the pin on the 17th while Ross Rynehart took home the money on the 18th.

On a reasonable fine Saturday, August 12, only seven pairs took on the 4BBB Par comp, always a popular event.

The father and son team of Rick and Gerad Biesboer proved victorious with a creditable +3 score, showing the way to Allan Retallick and Ross Rynehart, Roger Church and Ron Gallagher, and Don Mason and Stephen Short with their +2s.

NTPs went to Don Mason on the seventh along with the Tatts Ticket from the Tawonga South Newsagency & Post Office, the ninth went to the club, 17th went to Allan Retallick, and Gerad Biesboer took home the money on the 18th.

During the round, Gerad hit two great shots on the par four 12th hole to score an eagle, rated the hardest hole on the course, and received the Falls Creek Coachlines Eagles Nest.

Finals spot in the balance

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

THE season hangs on a knifes edge for the Savoy senior men’s team as they enter a drama filled final week of the AWFA season.

Just one point separates the Savoys from the Wodonga Diamonds, Albury City and a finals berth in the top eight.

A blockbuster clash was scheduled with the Diamonds tonight, but due to the captivating World Cup run of the Matilda’s and their game scheduled tonight, Football Federation Australia cancelled all matches running concurrently with the fixture.

Albury-Wodonga Football Association (AWFA) representatives met for a second week in a row to decide on the outcome of the ever important match, which has again been re-scheduled for the fol-

lowing Wednesday night.

The match was initially rescheduled from the weekend prior due to an injury in the 59th minute to Diamonds goalkeeper Cameron Mccormack, where the Savoys were up 4-1 at the time.

Despite Myrtleford holding control of the match, AWFA rules state a match must be at least 70 per cent completed before a result could be finalised and the injury took place just six minutes before the requirements could be met.

The re-scheduling of tonight’s match means the daunting task of taking on second placed Cobram at Savoy Park on Sunday will be Myrtleford’s focus.

Co-coach Richard Morgan said amid the uncertainty, the team have been trying to control the controllables in a crazy fortnight.

“The way we can control it ourselves is if we can beat Cobram,” he said.

“The way we were playing against Diamonds, we were up 4-1 I think if we bring that sort of form we should nearly be right.”

The Savoys were just seconds away from going into the final week of the season inside the top eight; with a last minute Melrose equaliser last Wednesday salvaging a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Kelly Park.

Melrose burst out to a 2-0 lead at halftime thanks to a five minute burst of goals in the first half, before an inspired Savoys comeback led by a Josh Zito double saw them take the lead in the 78th minute before Adam Waters, scoring his only two goals of the season, completed his brace in stoppage time.

Morgan said a late lapse in

concentration could prove costly in their finals tilt this week.

“It makes a bit of a difference to our season, because if we had of won that things would have been a lot more open to us,” he said.

“It was a pretty hard contest and I think that showed in the United and Melrose result on the weekend where United just powered through them, which may have had something to do with how tight it was against us.”

Wodonga will be guaranteed three points with their bye for the weekend’s fixture, while Albury City will play off at home against Melrose.

A win on Sunday will certainly see the Savoys in finals, but any other results will put the onus on Melrose to beat or draw with Albury City to make finals, as a Melrose and Myrtleford loss will see the Savoys finish ninth.

Accountants

BELMORES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

(formerly CRM Business Advisers)

Certified Practising Accountants

Myrtleford, 1-7 Albert Street

Phone: 5752 2288

Bright, 3 Ireland Street

Phone: 5755 1327

www.belmores.com.au

PAYNTER & ASSOCIATES

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors 25 Clyde Street Myrtleford

Phone: 5751 1995

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

Clinical Massage MYOTHERAPY, MUSCLE HEALTH & FITNESS

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

Phone: 0427 440 744

Hearing Services

JO ROSS-JACKSON HEARING CENTRES

Now at 29 Clyde Street Myrtleford Plus Standish Street Surgery & Bright Allied Health

For appointments call 5752 2817

Insurance Brokers

OVENS VALLEY INSURANCE BROKERS

Myrtleford, 47 Clyde Street

Phone: 5752 1151

Bright, 104 Gavan St

Phone: 5715 9705

Email: info@ovib.com.au

Solicitors

Lupo stars in a golden week

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

MYRTLEFORD’S Sam Lupo had the week of his young life, helping the under 12s Victorian football team to the gold medal at Lavington.

The School Sport Australia Football National Championships saw the best of the under 12 footballers converge last week with all states and territories represented across the country, playing six games in seven days.

After cruising their way to the gold medal match with an average winning margin of 123 points in their five games against the other states and territories, the Victorian boys played off in a thriller against South Australia in the final and held on for a 13 point triumph.

Lupo said the final siren of the grand final overwhelmed him with happiness and pride, having the hard work of the past three months preparing for the

championships paying off

“The week was probably the best experience of my whole life, I made heaps of friends, not just from my state but other states too and just playing footy together,” he said.

“Now I have new mates from all around Australia, even swapping my playing jersey with one of the boys from NT.

“I felt nervous before each game but once it started I was locked in because I knew I was playing against the best footballers for my age.”

The year six student at Cathedral College Wangaratta played the carnival on the wing and in the midfield, contributing with his gut running and smart decision making with the ball in hand.

Lupo said after playing well against ACT he felt he saved his best until last against the hard-

est of opponents in South Australia.

“One of my most memorable moments was when I took a hanger and assisted a goal in the dying moments of the grand final match,” he said.

The young football stars had a taste of the comradery and high standards expected of them in the big leagues going forward, with ice baths and compression needed after every match, team dinners and caravan park kick to kicks just a snippet of the offfield action.

The Myrleford junior said among all of the fun of the week, he felt grateful for the opportunity presented to him.

“I learnt during the week how important my parents are because if I didn’t have them I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I have in footy,” he said.

DICK & WILLIAMS

Solicitors & Attorneys Vic & NSW

Myrtleford, 5B Clyde Street.

Phone: 5752 2363.

Email: email@dwlawalbury.com.au

TONER & MAY LEGAL BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS

86 Standish Street, Myrtleford.

Phone: 03 5752 1493

2A Camp Street, Bright, Phone: 03 5750 1819

Email: amanda@tonerandmaylegal.com.au or jess@tonerandmaylegal.com.au

Promote your service here!

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

KICKING AWAY: Sam Lupo played on the wing and in the mifield representing Victoria in the under 12s School Sport Australia Football National Championships.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

GOLDEN HOUR: Sam Lupo (right) and Victorian under 12s football coach Leigh McQuillen celebrating their national championship triumph after beating all comers over a week of football in Lavington.

Basics and effort hands junior Bombers a thrilling win

By BRAD REDMOND, U14 coach

IN contrast to our last game, Saturday’s match against Rutherglen was back to being played in winter, with the conditions cold, wet and muddy.

The boys had heard the whispers that Rutherglen were coming for them, and come they did.

The Cats were first out of the centre and clean with the ball - they played tough, hard and high pressure football, kicking the first goal of the game.

Although battling hard, our boys were not going to get our own way and at the first change, Rutherglen had outscored us 1.1, and kept us scoreless.

We told the boys to relish the challenge - take this as an opportunity, dig deep and keep trying; and with a few positional changes, the boys were away.

Our backs were again solid – Jacob (Cooper) turned off the scoring tap with some great one on one defending.

We peppered our forwards, with Hudson (Laidlaw-Grundy) the only one able to take the advantage, kicking the term’s

only goal and to take us to a half time lead 1.4 to 1.1.

The second half was a nail biter, with each team throwing everything into it.

Our centres had the heaviest of feet, running through the mud, all except Darcy (Fallon), who ran with four bounces out of defence and slamming the ball into our attack, but with no one on the bench, we were getting tired and it was now time to lift

Shepherds, tackles, punches in marking contests – all the one percenters.

By the time Rowan (Jones) kicked a goal late in the last, both teams were out on their feet, but Rutherglen had one more push, and kicked a quick goal.

With less than a goal in it and with only minutes left, the ball was in the centre for a ball up again.

Parents and coaches from both sides were having heart palpitations.

Rutherglen took the centre clearance - but as I’ve often said, our backline does not like to be scored against and this time was no exception.

They battled hard, locked it up and had just enough in them to outlast the siren to come

away with a four point win in a low scoring match.

Bombers bounce back against Cats

By DANIEL SAVILLE

AFTER a difficult two-week block of games against quality opposition, Dederang-Mount Beauty senior footballers have returned to the winner’s list with a much-needed win over Rutherglen on Saturday.

Despite the final margin being closer than many predicted, the Bombers took home the four points with a 25-point buffer separating the two teams in a low-scoring contest – 11.11 (77) to 8.4 (52).

The first quarter went against the script that was expected, but DMB regained the ascendancy from the Cats and turned a seven-point quarter-time deficit into a 17-point half-time lead, thanks to a six-goal second quarter.

Both teams kicked only two goals each in what turned out to be a second-half scrap but it didn’t worry the Bombers, who were able to register their seventh win in season 2023.

Jordan Harrington was the Bombers’ leading goalkicker with four majors to his name, which takes his season tally to 31.

The remaining goals were shared between Matt Lee (three goals), Cody Hewat (two), Nick Iaria and Daniel Manning.

Hewat has now kicked 48 goals and will be looking to reach the half-century before the end of the season.

Sam Creamer made his 100th senior appearance for the club on the weekend and made it a day to remember with a best on ground performance.

Manning pulled on a Bombers jumper for the first time this year and was in the best few players in his return game, along with Josh Kable and Harrington.

BEST: Darcy Fallon, Jack Coulston, Hudson LaidlawGrundy, Lucas Anderson, Rylee Gentile. GOALS: Rowan Jones 1, Hudson Laidlaw-Grundy 1.

A-grade performance in Rutherglen by DMB netballers

■ From back page

DMB will be hoping to do some damage in Round 18 as Chiltern (fifth), their final-round opponents, still need to win this weekend to guarantee themselves a spot in the first week of finals.

Tallangatta (sixth) are also snapping at

NORTH East Bushrangers

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

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

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

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

Chiltern’s heels – they are only two points behind and will be a likely winner against Wahgunyah.

Only one win currently separates the Bombers and the Swans, but the goal differential of 79 will be too great for the Bombers to entertain the idea of playing finals in 2023.

ROUND RESULTS:

U14 Boys 1 46 def by Bellarine 1 58

(Top scorers: Keoni Anderson 21, Harris Kain 15, Connah Hart 5)

U14 Boys 2 43 def by Whittlesea 3 53

(Top Scorers: Joseph Milton 17, Cruz McAuliffe 5, Brock Buckland 4)

U14 Girls 1 31 def by Craigieburn 1 33

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 15, Lily Purss 11, Maisy Moscrop 3)

U14 Girls 2 24 def by Diamond Valley 4 34

(Top Scorers: Maria Hanley 8, Ruby Pickles 6, Winnie Heffernan 4)

U16 Boys 1 66 def Knox 2 33

(Top Scorers: Cooper Clark 19, Connor Breheny 18, Charlie Maher 10)

U16 Boys 2 47 def Altona 3 46

(Top Scorers: Sam Kain 13, Seth Graham 7, Mateo Hanley 7)

U16 Girls 1 49 def Frankston 2 41

(Top Scorers: Lily-Anne McClure 11, Molly Moylan 11, Mekenzie Wood 9)

U16 Girls 2 31 def Keilor 4 30

(Top Scorers: Sienna Sampson 6, Sophia Kotzur 5, Amelia Frazer 5)

U18 Boys 1 62 def Frankston 1 31

(Top Scorers: Lochie Harvey 18, Coen Ainsworth 10, Caleb Wharepapa 10)

U18 Boys 2 65 def Broadmeadows 2 39

(Top Scorers: Zach Schluter 17, Cam Cooper 16, Jac Green 7)

U18 Girls 43 drew Sandringham 2 43

(Top Scorers: Jess Freeman 14, Niamh Moylan 8, Milly Evans 7)

All of Dederang-Mount Beauty’s senior netball sides pleasingly recorded wins at Rutherglen on Saturday.

DMB’s B grade side won easily by 40 goals, with a huge 45-goal effort from Emma Cardwell sealing the 65-25 win, while C grade led their game from start to finish to win by 13 goals (43-30).

Dederang-Mount Beauty are placed in ninth position and will play their final game in Chiltern against the fourth-placed Swans, who are full of confidence after beating the previously undefeated Kiewa-Sandy Creek on their home turf.

All but one finals spot has been decided, with Barnawartha and Mitta United jostling for the coveted fifth position this weekend in what should be an exciting end to the home and away season.

DMB’s reserves side couldn’t get the job done against Rutherglen in the earlier game at Barkly Park, eventually losing by 31 points – 5.11 (41) to 11.6 (72).

Inaccurate kicking cost the Bombers when they were on the comeback trail, with six third quarter behinds halted any momentum that were building.

Cameron Jones kicked two goals and was the Bombers’ best player in the away loss.

FINAL GAME OF JUNIORS

CRACKING MARK: Jack Coulston hold onto a tough mark in the Bombers’ win over Rutherglen.

CONTESTED: Zelk Shuttleworth (right) puts a block on while Tully Duggan attemts to break the tackle.

PHOTOS: Sharon Coulston

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND MURRAY SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Thomas Baulch 2, Thomas Boyd 2, Alexander Marklew 2, Alex McCarthy 1, Zak Sartore 1, Joel Smith 1. WODONGA: Matthew Wilson 3, Jett Cassidy

2, Adam Jorgensen 2, Thomas Johnson 1, Noah Spiteri 1, Jordan Taylor 1, Oscar Willding

1. BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: No best players have been selected. WODONGA: No best players have been selected.

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Ryley Sharp 4, Declan Bren 2, Ryley Bouker 1, Mitch Dalbosco 1, Brody Ricardi 1, Elijah Wales 1, Kyle Winter-Irving 1, Levi Young 1. NORTH ALBURY: Tim Broomhead 4, Jamieson Bouffler 2, Isaac Campbell 1, George Godde 1, Joshua Minogue

1, Jack Penny 1, Jack Reynolds 1, Jackson Weidemann 1. BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Ryley

Sharp, Simon Curtis, Kyle Winter-Irving, Mitch Dalbosco, Rhys Grant, Thomas Cappellari. NORTH ALBURY: Tim Broomhead, Isaac Campbell, Kade Brown, Archer Gardiner, Jackson Weidemann, Joshua Minogue.

NETBALL SCORES THIRDS RESULTS

A GRADE

Lavington 39 def Wangaratta 34

GOALS: LAVINGTON: Hidden Player 37, Olivia Sanson 2.

WANGARATTA: Georgia Clark 7, Kellie Keen 7, Amanada Umanski 20

Wangaratta Rovers 45 def by Wodonga 48

GOALS: WANG ROVERS: Sami Kreltszheim 15, Rebecca Kreltszheim 30.

WODONGA: Lisa French 30, Cassi Mathey 18

Myrtleford 46 def by North Albury 51

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: NORTH ALBURY:

Wodonga Raiders 45 def Albury 43

B GRADE:Myrtleford 46 def North Albury 36;

Wodonga Raiders 38 def Albury 29;

Wangaratta Rovers 45 def by Wodonga 56;

Lavington 39 def Wangaratta 32.

C GRADE: Myrtleford 27 def by North Albury 33;

Wodonga Raiders 46 def Albury 40;

Wangaratta Rovers 29 def by Wodonga 47.

17 & UNDER: Myrtleford 20 def by North Albury 63;

Wodonga Raiders 78 def Albury 22;

Wangaratta Rovers 48 def by Wodonga 58;

Lavington 25 def by Wangaratta 33.

15 & UNDER: Myrtleford 28 def by North Albury 40;

Wodonga Raiders 38 def Albury 13;

Wangaratta Rovers 37 def by Wodonga 52;

Lavington 27 drew with Wangaratta 27.

ROUND

Wang Rovers 14.11.95 def Wodonga 2.4.16

BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS : Riley Allan, Jez Rigoni, Jai Dal Zotto, William Ashton, Charlie Philpotts, Judd Schubert.

WODONGA: Reuben Bourke, Jack Mathey, Jackson Dines, Hugh Venturoni, Etienne Tshijika, Riley Thompson. GOALS:

WANGARATTA ROVERS : Judd Schubert 3, William Ashton 2, Ryley Ely 2, Riley Allan 1, Lachlan Barbour 1, Samuel Comensoli

1, Finn Osborne 1, Oliver Sharp 1, Ned Turner 1, Trey Vincent 1.

WODONGA: Declan Kurnof 1, Riley Thompson 1.

Myrtleford 8.4.52 def by Nth Albury 8.9.57

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Sam Rossato, Harry McKerral, Saxon Rosser, Jude Browne, Luke Nannipieri, Jack Hazeldine. NORTH

ALBURY: James Webb, Rylee Kemp, Zach Graham, Thomas Lieschke, Jackson Carey. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Brody Bouker

3, Cy Banks 1, Jack Hazeldine 1, Matthew Milkins 1, Sam Rossato

1, Tyler Thomason 1. NORTH ALBURY: Jackson Carey 4, Liam Hetherton 2, Rylee Kemp 1, Thomas Lieschke 1.

Lavington 9.5.59 def Wangaratta 8.8.56

BEST: LAVINGTON: Oscar Lyons, Nick Paton, Jack Costello, Harryson Barber, Patrick Lavis, Corby Robertson. WANGARATTA: Harry McMonigle, Josh Styles, Oscar Roberts, Daniel Young, Max Bihun, Dylan Browne. GOALS: LAVINGTON: Harryson Barber 3, Patrick Lavis 3, Borey Brown 1, Jack Costello1, Declan Thiele 1. WANGARATTA: Asher Simmonds 3, Max Bihun 1, John Blake 1, Hugh Canning 1, Charley Holland-Dean 1, Connor Hughes 1.

Wodonga Raiders 9.9.63 def Albury 4.6.30

GOALS: LAVINGTON: Ewan Mackinlay 3, Jake O’Brien 2, Aidan Cook 1, Shaun Driscoll 1, Luke Garland 1, Nicholas Newton 1. WANGARATTA: Callum Moore 10, Hunter Gottschling

1, Fraser Holland-Dean 1, Liam Mcveigh 1, Patrick Warner 1. BEST: LAVINGTON: Nicholas Newton, Maclayn Hallows, Ewan Mackinlay, William Glanvill, Tom Hargreave, Andrew Yates. WANGARATTA: Callum Moore, Daniel Sharrock, Michael Bordignon, Hunter Gottschling, Harrison Hewitt, Fraser Holland-Dean.

Wodonga Raiders ............1.2 Albury ....................13.14.92

BEST: WODONGA RAIDERS: Declan Rochow, Baxter Jones, Wade Knights, Angus Eberle, Beau Packer, Aaron Spencer. ALBURY: Jacob BRUNNER, Lachlan Taylor-Nugent, Max Diffey, Spencer Jones, Charlie Lappin, Luke Lowry. Myrtleford ..............10.10.70

North Albury..............5.9.39

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Nicholas Ferguson, jye gribbin, Damon Harrington, Brad Murray, Corey Southern, Tom Laspina. NORTH ALBURY: Angus Maclean, Will Maclean, Mitchell Eyers, Callum Pattinson, Callum Fisher. Lavington ................10.6.66

Wangaratta ...............9.8.62

BEST: LAVINGTON: Caleb Clemson, Nick Brennan, Harrison Thomas, Hunter Galvin, Josh Roscarel, Reece Brennan. WANGARATTA: Darcy Melksham, Daniel Tidball, Nathan Sampson, Tom Montgomery, Patrick Wright, Lachlan Bray. Wangaratta Rovers .10.16.76

Wodonga ..................5.1.31

GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: Nick Bracher 1, Tom Bracher 1, William Donaghey 1, Max Glass 1, Connor Howells 1, Cooper Smith 1, Connor Taylor 1. ALBURY: Ben Kelly 4, Jessy Wilson 4, Jacob Conlan 3, Jeff Garlett 2, Kolby Heiner-Hennessy 2, Isaac Muller 2, Jake Gaynor 1, Jim Grills 1, Charlie McGrath 1, Tom O’Brien 1. BEST: WODONGA RAIDERS: No best players have been selected. ALBURY: No best players have been selected.

ROUND 17 -AUGUST 19

YARRAWONGA V WANGARATTA ROVERS

ALBURY V WODONGA

NORTH ALBURY V COROWA-RUTHERGLEN

WANGARATTA V MYRTLEFORD

WODONGA RAIDERS V LAVINGTON

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

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

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 57 def Whorouly 34; Tarrawingee 65 def

Benalla All Blacks 30; Bright 31 def by North Wangaratta 35; Goorambat 38 def Moyhu 35; Milawa 38 def by Greta 48

B GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 64 def Whorouly 42; Tarrawingee 22 def by

Benalla All Blacks 71; Bright 44 def North Wangaratta 42; Goorambat 41 def Moyhu 31; Milawa 53 def Greta 36

B RESERVE:

Bonnie Doon 54 def Whorouly 32; Tarrawingee 25 def by

Benalla All Blacks 49; Bright 67 def North Wangaratta 11; Goorambat 35 def Moyhu 22; Milawa 51 def Greta 33

17 & UNDER:

Tarrawingee 32 def Benalla All Blacks 29; Bright32 def

North Wangaratta 26; Goorambat 49 def Moyhu 26; Milawa

27 def by Greta 52

15 & UNDER:

Bonnie Doon 28 def Whorouly 24; Tarrawingee 14 def by Benalla All Blacks 27; Bright 34 def North Wangaratta 9; Goorambat 14 def by Moyhu 26; Milawa 8 def by Greta 23

ROUND 20

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

BENALLA ALL BLACKS vs GOORAMBAT

BRIGHT vs MILAWA

NORTH WANGARATTA vs KING VALLEY

WHOROULY vs GRETA

BONNIE DOON vs TARRAWINGEE

MOYHU - BYE

BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Nicholas Redley, Ky Williamson, Connor Shanley, Noah Amery, Connor Crimmins, Sam Allen. WODONGA: No best players have been selected.

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

WHOROULY

GOALS: BONNIE DOON: Al Bennett 4, Luke Murray 4, Jayjay Curtin 3, James Law 3, Will Foster 2, Beau Smith 2, James Octigan 1, Joel Sanford 1. WHOROULY : Simon Chalmers 1, Adam Harris 1. BEST: BONNIE DOON Beau Smith, Luke James, Matthew Hedin, Joel Sanford, Patrick Smith, Jayjay Curtin. WHOROULY: Darcy O’Shannessy, Riley Calvene, Paul Glanville, Andrew Newton, William Allen, Edward Bramich.

TARRAWINGEE

BENALLA ALL BLACKS 1.3

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: Hugh Amery 3, Justin Hoggan 3, Ethan Roach 3, Sam Piper 2, Sam Peters 1, Matt Seymour 1. BENALLA ALL BLACK: Cody Crawford 4, Damian Broughton 1, Alec Crawford 1, Mitchell Dansey 1, Albert Hill 1, Chelton Orchard 1. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Joshua Smart, Sam Piper, Thomas Salmon, Justin Hoggan, Jarrod Everitt, William Styles. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Cody Crawford, Lachlan Sinclair, David Button, Jesse Walker, Kieran Linke, Chelton Orchard.

BRIGHT 4.2 7.5 15.6 18.10.118

NORTH WANGARATTA 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2.2

GOALS: BRIGHT: Cooper Thomason 7, Guy Campbell 4, Patrick Bren 2, Dylan Bursill 1, Alexander Dalbosco 1, Samuel Dalbosco 1, Harry Jamieson 1, Max Rampling 1. BEST: BRIGHT Riley Bacon, Samuel Dalbosco, Cooper Thomason, Rodrigo Arguello, Chad Martin, Riley O’Shea. NORTH WANGARATTA: Ben Schulz-Dahlenburg, Tyler Schulze, Adam Enever, Kyle McQuade, Patrick Kelly, David Killen.

GOORAMBAT 2.2 4.3 7.4 10.5.65

MOYHU 4.4 9.5 12.6 16.6.102

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Kobe Black 2, Aaron Blackburn 2, Charles Hunter 2, Benjamin Reaburn 2, Simon Briggs 1, Sully Malay 1. MOYHU: Harrison Bell 3, Jett Roberts 3, Brady Bartlett 2, Jared Lea 2, Bailey Zimmermann 2, Josh Coonan 1, Harrison Grant 1, Fraser Landgren 1, Nick Stewart 1. BEST: GOORAMBAT: Samuel Gladstone, Travers Nolan, Sully Malay, Benjamin Reaburn, Dylan Beavis, Private player. MOYHU: George Hearn, Bailey Zimmermann, Josh Coonan, Matthew Thrum, Jack Mckinley, Brady Bartlett.

MILAWA 3.4 4.7 6.8 9.9.63

GRETA 5.0 9.5 14.6 18.6.114

GOALS: MILAWA: Jamie Allan 5, Sebastian De Napoli 2, Daniel Bihun 1, Xavier Ham 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 6, Cameron Newbold 3, Bradley Whinray 3, James McClounan 2, Brenton Newbold 2, Lachie Kennett 1, Thomas Rosser 1. BEST: MILAWA: Xavier Ham, Ben Clarke, Jamie Allan, Daniel Bihun, Michael Batey, Matthew Walsh. GRETA: Cameron Newbold, Bryce Ralph, Bradley Whinray, Joshua Bell, Nicholas Pell, Mark Wettern.

Bonnie Doon ...........21.7.133

Whorouly ..................2.1.13

BEST: BONNIE DOON: Jackson Sole, Sam Gunson, Trent Smith, Felix Johnson, Jordan Arbuthnot, Wayne Lockhart. WHOROULY: Harrison Colville, Ryan Harris, Jake Morey, James Neary, Geoffrey Zach, Bayley Power. Tarrawingee ..............2.1.13 Benalla All Blacks .27.13.175

BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Tyler Heywood, Dan Hogarth, Jack Sorrensen, Declan Espejo. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Thomas Grimes, Michael Kelly, John Hughes, Eoghan O Sullivan, Leigh Brazil, Sean O’Rourke. Bright ..................30.15.195 North Wangaratta ......4.1.25

BEST: BRIGHT: Thomas Mullane-Grant, Thomas Gray, Jed Pryor, Clay CambridgeDillon, aidan parmesan, Callum Smith. NORTH WANGARATTA: Corey Dagoli, Dylan Fischer, Blake Marlborough, Joshua Ismale, Michael McKenzie, Jackson Semmens. Goorambat ................2.3.15 Moyhu ...................12.17.89

BEST: GOORAMBAT: Todd Wapling, Josh Heylbut, Peter Cochrane, Declan Lawford, Dallas Spencer, Max Buckley. MOYHU: Noah Crispin, Ryan Hargreaves, Matthew Winter, Jaxon Osmotherlt, Jack Manners, Matt Ryan. Milawa ......................2.2.14 Greta .......................10.5.65

BEST: MILAWA: Tim Leslie, Daniel Larkings, Justin Wickham, Tim Mortimer, John Conroy, Brenton Gray. GRETA: Stewart McLeod, Trent Whitecross, Charlie Garoni, Aaron Cleeland, Corie Hooper, Tom Webster.

Close contests for Bright netballers in A and B grade

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE second-last match of the home and away season produced some nail-biting results on the court at Pioneer Park, as Bright netballers played host to North Wangaratta.

In the A grade match, Bright were in the contest all match and almost got over the line, but fell four goals short, 31-35.

From trailing by six goals at the first break, Bright halved the margin and shot well to head into half-time just three goals behind the Hawks.

Tension grew through the third term as the Hawks started to extend their lead, but coolheaded shooting and desperate defensive efforts across the court saw the home side fight out the match and come so close to victory.

It was a reversal of fates in the B grade contest, which Bright

won by an even smaller margin 44-42, marking the B grade sides’ second win for the season.

A/B grade coach Marlene Steiner said both matches showed how much improvement her squads had made throughout the year.

“We were four goals short of a clean sweep for the day, so all in all the club was really stoked with everyone’s performances,” she said.

“B grade over the last few weeks have just gone in all guns blazing – they’ve basically said they’ve got nothing to lose and they’re playing like that, they’re playing amazingly.

“They’re very excited with how they’re finishing off the season, and full credit to them for getting some things together.

“A grade, for the most part, delivered the ball well too – Maddi (Muller) and Jess (Carnes) shot very well and we didn’t need to

change our defence line.

“Ash (Farmer) was best on court this week in goal defence and goal keeper, her and Lara (Lock) combined beautifully.

“Alecia (Kelly) was my little pocket rocket again, she just seemed to be wherever the ball was - any loose ball, she just seemed to be there, caught it and took some great opportunities with it.”

Bright’s netballers face a daunting task to round out their year, hosting Milawa who sit on top of the table in both A and B grade.

With the club’s final home game set for a Club 100 (past players) and sponsors day, the atmosphere at Pioneer Park this weekend is sure to be electric.

In other matches from the weekend, Bright was dominant with wins in the B reserve (6711), the 17 and under (32-26), and the 15 and under (34-9) matches.

Stunning fortnight at Bright Golf Club

IT has been a very busy few weeks at the Bright Golf Club, with players taking advantage of the spring-like weather when it appeared.

Veterans, Monday, July 31, Stableford

A grade winner: Raymond Ousley (8) 37 points. B grade winner: Barrow (25) 32 points.

NTPs – third: Graham Barrow, 16th: Robert Taylor.

Ladies, Wednesday, August 2, Stroke Monthly Medal

A grade winner: Linda Loftus (23) 73 net. B grade winner: Suzette Heydon (36) 81 net c/b.

NTPs – third: Carol Burgess, sixth: Allison Gilbert, 16th: Elizabeth Barker. Monthly Medal: Linda Loftus.

Men, Thursday, August 3, Stableford

A grade winner: Peter McGrath (9) 37 points. B grade winner: Mark Frost (16) 34 points. C grade winner: John Forbes (23) 33 points.

NTPs – third: Mark Zwiersen, sixth: Phillip O’Neill, 11th: Neville Blewitt, 16th: Heath Thompson.

Men, Saturday, August 5, Stableford

DOMINANT: Alecia Kelly was everywhere in the A grade match, capitalising on turnovers.

Mountain Men’s massive victory

■ From back page Cooper Thomason booted seven majors to take a five goal lead into the O&K league’s senior goal kicking tally with one round remaining.

Riley Bacon, Chad Martin and Sam Dalbosco were also prominent in the 116 point smashing.

The Mountain Men face a tougher contest this weekend, up against fourth placed Milawa at home.

The last time Bright took on the Demons was incredibly all the way back in round one, which Saw Milawa take the win by six goals.

With a top two spot now out of the question and with some strong players available for selection, Harrison said his side would come out firing.

“Coming off byes, I think we can be slow to start and that showed in finals at times last year - I

think us being able to continually play footy week in and week out might help us,” he said.

“We’re definitely going to rest a few of the older guys next week, but in saying that, we’ve got Jonah McIntosh back available, Tex McIntosh back available, Nick Lebish back available, Mikka Paulsen back available, Brad Nightingale back available, who all haven’t been playing.

“We’ve got some guys who are going to need the run under their legs anyway – it’s going to be difficult over the next few weeks, there are going to be some hard decisions which is good.

“If we can get a good win, the boys’ belief will build even more.”

The reserves also enjoyed a comfortable result, locking in the minor premiership with a 30.15 (195) to 4.1 (25) win.

A grade winner: Sam Hall (9) 37 points. B grade winner: Mark Frost (19) 37 points. C grade winner: Nick Aloizos (24) 34 points.

NTPs – third: Jason Filippi, 11th: John O’Shea, 16th: Nick Aloizos.

Ladies, Saturday, August 5, Stableford

Winner: Tina Cook (12) 31 points.

NTPs – third: Tina Cook, sixth: Carol Bailey, 11th: Carol Bailey, 16th: Heather Thompson.

Veterans, Monday, August 7, Stableford

A grade winner: Allison Gilbert (18) 36 points. B grade winner: Colin Richardson (28) 32 points.

NTPs – third: Fran Bentley, sixth: Mick Dunne, 11th: Ray Borschmann, 16th: Ray Ousley.

Ladies, Wednesday, August 9, Stroke

Monthly Medal

A grade winner: Allison Gilbert (18) 75 net. B grade winner: Suzette Heydon (37) 70 net.

NTPs – sixth: Tina Cook, 11th: Suzette Heydon, 16th: Elizabeth Barker.

Monthly Medal: Suzette Heydon.

Men, Thursday, August 10, Stableford

A grade winner: Phil Bardsley Smith (14) 39 points. B grade winner: John O’Shea (17) 32 points c/b.

NTPs – third: Hugh Kirk, 11th: John O’Shea, 16th: Phil Bardsley Smith.

Men, Saturday, August 12, 4BBB

Winners: Steven Thompson and Mark Zwiersen 67.5.

NTPs – third: Nick Aloizos, 11th: Mark Frost, 16th: John O’Shea.

Ladies, Saturday, August 12, Stableford

Winner: Carol Bailey (19) 30 points.

NTPs – third: Robyn McGrath, sixth: Tina Cook, 16th: Carol Bailey.

PHOTOS: Charlotte Kilner

RUCK CRAFT: Joe Gray gave his midfielders first use of the footy on the weekend.

PHOTO: Charlotte Kilner

Lions A graders fall to Bombers MATCH

By NATHAN DE VRIES

WHOROULY A grade netballers came up short against a fired-up and finals ready Bombers side at Bonnie Doon on Saturday, falling 57-34 in their second-last match before finals.

The Bombers shot out of the gates, capitalising on turnovers early to set the tone and take a six goal lead by quarter time.

The barrage continued through the second term, restricting Whorouly to just six goals for the quarter while shooting 13 of their own, breaking out to a 27-14 lead by the half.

The Lions tried to bring the game back to a parity but Bonnie Doon seized upon

any error and made the visitors pay in the shooting circle.

In the end, Bonnie Doon proved too strong for the chastised Lions.

Whorouly coach Ebony Allen said her side were off their game.

“It was definitely a disappointing loss for us on the weekend,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t play as well as we can, we made a lot of silly errors and just couldn’t convert all of our opportunities.

“Credit to the girls at Bonnie Doon, they are a quick, strong side and had great defensive pressure so they had a great game.

“There were still positives to take away from the game,

we had some great patches of play - however, in those tough matches, consistency is key and unfortunately we lacked that on the weekend.”

Whorouly take on top two side Greta this weekend, and with the lessons from the Bombers fresh in their mind, the Lions are sure to rip into the contest.

“We will have another tough match on our hands coming up as we face up against Greta,” Allen said.

“There are a lot of learning and things to work on from the game just gone, so we will address that this week at training and aim to put them into play for the last home and away round.

“Greta are always so strong but if we play as well

I know we can, I am sure it will be a good match.”

The weekend’s loss has the Lions eagerly eyeing the other results from round 20 to determine if they do make finals –should Whorouly lose to Greta this weekend, and if both King Valley (playing ninth placed North Wangaratta) and Goorambat (up against 10th placed Benalla) come away with wins, then it will come down to percentage.

The Lions are currently 16.04 percentage points clear in fifth.

It was a difficult day on the court for the rest of Whorouly’s netballers, with the B grade (42-64), B reserve (3254), C grade (26-49), and the 15 and under side (24-28) all coming up short.

Whorouly battles against Bomber barrage

By NATHAN DE VRIES

IT was a challenging day for Whorouly’s senior footballers on the boggy deck at Bonnie Doon, with the side outmatched 2.0 (12) to 20.12 (132).

While they fought hard all day and kept the pressure up at the contest, the Bombers’ repeat forward 50 entries eventually wore down the Lions’ back six, taking a seven goal lead at half-time.

Whorouly increased their intensity across the ground but Bonnie Doon kept up their offensive pressure and produced a seven goal term while keeping the Lions scoreless.

Despite the result, coach Riley Calvene said there were some great positives to take from the match.

“I think we started off really well, I don’t think the scoreboard reflected how well we played in that first half,” he said.

“I’m happy with most of our efforts, there’s still a lot to work on, but considering what we’ve been through

this year, I’m pretty happy with how the boys went.

“Those repeat inside 50s hurt us, if we’re constantly putting our back six under pressure, it gives the opposition more chances to score.”

Despite their workload, the Lions’ backline played exceptionally well all day, with tall defender Paul Glanville taking intercept mark after intercept mark, and Darcy O’Shannessy stepping up and keeping the side in touch.

“Paul and Darcy have had really consistent years, they both know their role in the side and they’re able to execute it most weeks,” Calvene said.

“With Darcy being a young fella, he’s starting to put his stamp on senior football, and Paul playing down back in a bit of a different role for him, he’s been excellent.

“I’ve been really happy with the two of them.”

The Lions will be without livewire Sam Piazza for this weekend’s season finale against top two side Greta, who suffered a concussion

in the second half of the match.

This weekend also marks Calvene’s final game at the club, as well as club stalwart Simon Chalmers’ 350th outing in the mighty maroon.

“Sam went back to work on Monday, he was pretty dazed after the tackle but it’s just a bit of bad luck – Sam’s had a bit of a history with concussions, but we’re right behind him,” Calvene said.

“We’re up for the challenge again, we’ve just got to approach it with an open mind, get our effort and intensity where it needs to be, which it has been all year.

“I’m looking forward to this week, it’s obviously going to be a bit emotional but I’ve enjoyed my time at Whorouly and all the relationships I’ve made along the way.”

It was a similar tale in the reserves match, with the Lions downed 2.1 (13) to 21.7 (133).

The Lions take on Greta at home this weekend to close out their year on the footy field.

CRUNCH: Riley Calvene lays a firm tackle.

QUICK HANDS: Glenn White gets the ball out before he’s tackled. PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries

LEGEND: Simon Chalmers will suit up for game 350 this weekend.

SOLID SHOT: Katie Ivone only missed six shots under the ring from her 23 attempts. PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

Myrtleford’s shock loss to Hoppers, in Bec’s 300th

By NATHAN DE VRIES

MYRTLEFORD’S A grade netball squad was given a timely reality check ahead of finals, with an upset 46-51 loss to North Albury at home on Saturday.

Despite a positive start, the Saints started to fall away in the middle quarters, as the Hoppers applied court-wide pressure and shot cleanly.

From a three goal deficit at halftime, the Saints trailed by eight heading into the final quarter.

Despite a titanic performance from ever player, Myrtleford was unable to claw the margin back enough.

Co-coach Olivia La Spina said the result came at the right time to ensure the side gave every single match everything they had.

“It’s obviously disappointing to have a loss like that, but I think it’s also a timely reminder that if we’re not bringing that energy each week, it’s just as easy to lose the game,” she said.

“We had a pretty good first quar-

ter, but the second quarter we had a lapse and that allowed them to get back into the game.

“It’s a really great reflection on the league and how close the competition is.

“To North Albury’s credit, they played really well and they’ve been building across the last couple of weeks – they only lost to Lavington the other week by two goals, so we knew they certainly were not going to be easy.

“Maybe coming off the back of last week’s win we took the foot off the pedal a little bit, but now we know we can’t afford to do that against any team.”

The result came on an important day for star player Bec Piazza, who played her 300th A grade match, a feat not many have achieved.

“It’s such a great achievement, it’s actually quite hard to grasp how many games that is, especially A grade games,” La Spina said.

SAINTS ‘DISAPPOINTING’ LOSS TO HOPPERS

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THEY were in the contest for most of the game but the Saints’ senior footballers were unable to ice out the win at home to North Albury, falling in the final minutes to go down 12.5 (77) to 12.8 (80).

After a commanding first term saw Myrtleford ahead by eight points, North Albury worked their way back into the contest with their trademark possession game to flip the script on the Saints and head into the break with an eight point lead of their own.

The battle waged on, with Myrtleford controlling the ruck contest and finding key forwards, while the backs worked hard to limit key Hopper playmakers like Tim Broomhead and Cayden Winter.

With the margin within two kicks heading into the final term, the Saints surged, with 100 gamer Elijah Wales getting his team in front in the dying minutes of the game before Broomhead converted with 30 seconds to go.

Myrtleford coach Craig Millar said the result stung, but there were plenty of great takeaways for his side.

“We got off to a really good start, kicked five goals in the first quarter – we probably could’ve been up by a bit more, but some really undisciplined play early hurt us,” he said.

“We did well to win the third and the fourth quarter.

“Elijah Wales running into an open goal with two minutes to go and he kicks it in his 100th (senior) game, it could’ve nearly been a fairy tale, but unfortunately Tim Broomhead had other ideas at the other end with about 30 seconds to go and he kicked it.

“It was a disappointing loss

and another opportunity we learn from, particularly how to seal out a game when you’re in front with only a couple of minutes to go.

“They were good on the weekend, our forwards – we had some great support, Kyle WinterIrving really got going, and Ryley (Sharp, four goals) was outstanding, they found it hard to match up on him.

“Will McKerral (51 hitouts) was outstanding for us, he absolutely dominated the ruck contest, and

“To be at the top of your game for that long is a credit to her.

“We had a few people say a few different words at the start of the game, and we had a bit of a presentation for her, so it was really nice.”

The Saints will be galvanised by the loss and keep to rectify it this weekend, taking on top two side Wangaratta at the showgrounds.

“We’re definitely excited going into it,” La Spina said.

“It’ll be tough, they’re one of the benchmark teams – we went close to them last time, only losing by a goal (34-35 in round eight), which definitely sets the fire in the belly a bit to make sure we put in a good performance this time around.

“We know these guys are the benchmark, and we strive to have the consistency they do, so hopefully we can go one or two goals better than last time and get the win.”

In other matches, the B grade side triumphed with a 46-36 win, while the C grade (27-33), 17 and under (20-63), and 15 and under (2840) sides all suffered losses.

Community engagement needed for Myrtleford Golf Club

THE Myrtleford Golf Club is seeking community feedback for the direction and future of the club.

The club is inviting people to fill out a survey which takes just five minutes, to help provide vital information on how to best engage with the community.

To participate, visit www. surveymonkey.com/r/ CNHHV9R, or find the link on the Myrtleford Golf Club Facebook page.

In competition news, Ben Holmes took out the August Monthly Medal on Saturday with a stunning 40 points.

Saturday, August 12 Drummond Golf Monthly Medal Stableford AMCR 73

A grade winner: Ben Holmes (17) 40 pts. A grade runner up: Karl O’Shaughnessy (12) 36 pts. Ball winners: D Clark 35, T Batt 31 c/b.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Brendan Wheeler, fifth: David Matthews, 10th: Brendan Wheeler, 14th: Jade Galvan.

Matthews Cleaning

encouragement award: George Browne 19 pts.

Raffle winner: Alan Rockliff

Wednesday, August 9 Myrtleford Bake HouseStableford AMCR 73

A grade winner: Karl O’Shaughnessy (13) 40 pts.

A grade runner up: Steven Jones (+1) 38 pts.

Ball winners: C Morris 35, I Giovannoni 35, W Rowney 35 c/b.

that gave us first use and first look at the footy.”

The Saints head down the Great Alpine Road this weekend to take on Wangaratta at the showgrounds, keen to begin wrapping up their season with some phenomenal footy.

“There’s no doubt they’re in some good form at the moment, they’ve got a couple of key players who are playing really good footy, but it’s another great opportunity for our guys to go up there and

continue to learn from some good players,” Millar said.

“They’ll have a big week on the track this week and look for a really rounded performance on the weekend because last time we played them we were competitive for parts of the game but we didn’t play that game out very well.”

The Saints’ reserves took out a thrilling win in their match with the Hoppers, coming home 10.10 (70) to 5.9 (39), while the thirds fell less than a goal short, 8.4 (52) to 8.9 (57).

Foodworks NTPs - first: David Clark, fifth: Karl O’Shaughnessy, 14th: Steven Jones.

Tuesday, August 8

Myrtleford Bake HouseStableford AMCR 76

A grade winner: Barb Welch (25) 37 C/b. A grade runner up: Faye McLees (35) 37. 9 hole winner: Kerry Chapman (45) 12.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Faye McLees, 16th: Angela O’Shaugnessy.

MILESTONE MAN: Elijah Wales performed well in his 100th senior match for the Saints, and came close to getting his side over the life.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

MILESTONE: Bec Piazza (left) celebrated being the first Saint ever to play 300 A grade matches.

PHOTO: Luke Chapman

WINNER: Ben Holmes took out the August Monthly Medal on Saturday with a stunning 40 points.

afl businesstipping footy

Collingwood Nth Melbourne

Round 17

Saturday 19th August

Yarrawonga v Wang Rovers

Albury v Wodonga

Wangaratta v Myrtleford

Wodonga Raiders v Lavington Bye Nth Albury

Myrtleford: 97 Myrtle Street, Myrtleford Vic 3737 PH: 03 57522874

Beechworth: ‘Gaolers Building’ Old Beechworth

Collingwood

INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR INDI helenhaines.org

Murphy Street Wangaratta 03 5721 7077 helen.hainesmp@aph.gov.au

Authorised by H. Haines MP 117 Murphy Street Wangaratta 3677.

Belmores CRM

Last week - 7 1-7 Albert St, Myrtleford Ph: 5752 2288 3 Ireland St, Bright Ph: 5755 1875

Round 20

Saturday 19th August

Benalla v Goorambat

Bright v Milawa

Nth Wang v King Valley

Whorouly v Greta

Bonnie Doon v Tarrawingee

Bye Moyhu

Round 18

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TIPSTER

Alanna McLees ...........................128

Kyle Arter ...................................128

Rebecca Healy ............................126

Regan Alexander ........................125

Amanda Toner ............................124

Geoff Zach..................................124

Gerard Gray ................................124

Cesare Rizzi ..............................122

Tracey Grenfell ...........................121

Katie Ivone .................................121

Jo Ross-Jackson ........................119

Mark Ditcham .............................118

Paul Maskell ...............................117

Helen Haines .............................106

Friday, Aug 18

Collingwood vs. Brisbane

Saturday, Aug 19

Richmond vs. Nth Melbourne

Gold Coast vs. Carlton

GWS vs. Essendon

Saturday 19th August

Barnawartha v Thurgoona

Chiltern v Dederang

Kiewa v Beechworth Wahgunyah v Tallangatta

St Kilda vs. Geelong

Adelaide vs. Sydney

Sunday, Aug 20

Western Bulldogs vs.

Melbourne vs. Hawthorn

Fremantle vs. Port

ªxHRLEOHy123003z

Mountain Men’s massive victory

BRIGHT senior footballers flexed their muscles over fellow finalists North Wangaratta at Pioneer Park on Saturday, keeping the Hawks goalless and running out 18.10 (118) to 0.2 (2) winners.

North Wangaratta struggled to get on the board all day, playing an overly conservative and reactive brand of footy while Bright hit their forwards consistently.

The Mountain Men kept the Hawks to just one behind to halftime, before launching a barrage in the third quarter worth 8.1 to take an insurmountable 95 point lead into the final term.

Coach Paul Harrison said the entire team performed incredibly well across the park.

“We’re playing some good footy at the moment, which is always nice coming into finals,” he said.

“Our midfield was terrific on the

SAINTS’ SHOCK LOSSES, BEC’S 300TH

Page 30

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

weekend, our connection through our mids to our forward half was really high.

“We did win the majority of clearances, and our backline did well, they didn’t have a high amount of pressure on them for the game.

“North Wangaratta played a very defensive style of footy from the first bounce, they just tried to limit us from scoring, they didn’t have much of an attacking game.

“The amount of pressure we put on through the middle of the ground just gave us repeat after repeat entries inside our forward 50.”

■ Continued page 28

By DANIEL SAVILLE

ANOTHER successful away trip for Dederang-Mount Beauty’s A grade netball side on Saturday ended in a 44-goal victory in Rutherglen.

The Bombers led at every break in what was a ruthless performance against the Cats to snap a two-game

WHOROULY A

grade netballers Ebony Hughes (right) and Ebony Allen prepare for the rebound in the Lions’ loss to Bonnie Doon. The Lions will need either a win over Greta this weekend or other results to go their way to secure their spot in the Ovens and King finals series.

A-grade performance in Rutherglen by DMB netballers

losing streak, with the scoreboard reading 61-17 at full time.

Looking to bounce back after a devastating loss the week before, Dederang-Mount Beauty raced to a 17-3 lead after 15 minutes of play and stretched the lead to an unassailable 28-goal margin at the end of the half.

Rutherglen marginally slowed

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the scoring rate in quarters three and four, but the DMB defence held firm to let through only nine second-half goals.

Caitlin Grambau had a seasonhigh tally of 44 goals and was ably assisted by Mandy Fairbairn (17 goals).

Defensive trio Pip Fairbairn, Emily Jansen van Beek and Dani Beer were named as the Bomb-

The new format Alpine Alive will be printed in full colour on premium white newsprint and will be published six times a year to coincide with key visitor times and local events. As well as being inserted into the Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer, the supplement will also be a stand alone publication with 500 extra copies being distributed at key tourism/visitor locations across the Alpine Shire and Visitor Information Centres throughout North East Victoria.

ers’ best in their ninth win for the season and have a realistic chance of reaching double figures before the season is out.

With one round to play in the regular season, Dederang-Mount Beauty have moved up into seventh position on a congested Tallangatta & District Netball ladder.

■ Continued page 26

3 McGeehan Crescent, Myrtleford.

■ Match report page 29.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

FINAL ROUND FEVER