Alpine Observer - Myrtleford Times 260423

CENTENARIAN’S BIG BIRTHDAY

BRIGHT BLASTS BENALLA ON THE ROAD

Just not good enough

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

LONG-time Freeburgh

resident Adrian Webster used to run a trail riding business through the Snowy Creek track, following the clear water as it winds through the forest from Pyramid Hill.

He still does volunteer trail riding sometimes - and who can blame him?

“This is the road to the Bogong High Plains where they used to drive the cattle up through this valley,” he said.

“It’s God’s own.”

But the tracks have recently been marred by selfish campers, destructive four-wheel driving, and blatant acts of vandalism.

Driving up the track south-eastwards, Mr Webster points out a log strewn with tissues left from campers going to the toilet.

He said there is another location like this nearby.

In the vicinity is a small clearing just off Dungey Track with the ashes of two fires and the burnt remains of what Mr Webster said is a timber seat installed just under 20 years ago.

He said campers had gradually burnt the two seats there for firewood,

with the latest damage since Easter, while the hitching rail had gone 1-2 years ago.

“They just disappeared piece by piece,” he said.

According to Mr Webster, more seats have been destroyed by campers near the West Kiewa River.

Meanwhile closer to

Freeburgh is another clearing where the ground has been ripped up by alleged four-wheel drivers doing donuts.

“When I used to run the rides every day they kept an eye on me - they would count how many horses so I wasn’t chopping up this

area,” Mr Webster said.

“Now look at it.”

When he brings up riders through the track, he said they have been disgusted with the treatment of the area.

“People come here for the views and see that sort of stuff on the way in - it’s not good enough.”

According to Parks Victoria, driving off road or on informal single tracks is illegal, while Forest Fire Management Ovens district manager David Ross said illegal dumping can incur heavy fines.

The Myrtleford Times/ Alpine Observer was unable

to determine what penalties are incurred for campsite vandalism, such as the removal of seating.

However, Mr Webster has a simple rule for staying in the forest.

“The rule of the bush is what you take in you take out,” he said.

CAMPGROUND VANDALISM: Freeburgh resident Adrian Webster with what is left of timber seating near Dungey Track in Freeburgh following campers allegedly using the seats for firewood.

PHOTOS: Brodie Everist

MUDDY MOTORING: A nearby clearing ripped up by alleged four-wheel driving.

TRASH: Tissues left by campers near Snowy Creek track. Mr Webster said there is a similar site nearby.

Bombers sink Saints in highscoring thriller

By DANIEL SAVILLE

AN inspiring performance from Jordan Harrington lifted Dederang-Mount Beauty to a come-frombehind victory in a shootout against the Wodonga Saints on Saturday at Mount Beauty

The Bombers were behind at every break but stormed home in the last quarter to win by eight points 16.13 (109) to 16.5 (101).

Harrington was the star of the show, kicking five goals and finding the footy seemingly at will to help his team bank an important four points.

Playing coach Damien Jones added three secondhalf goals and Matt Lee chipped in with two of his own, while Connor Brodie, Jaydn Chalmers, Trent Barton and captain Josh Kable were the Bombers’ best.

An accurate Wodonga Saints got the early jump on the home team with a six goal to two lead at the first break, before maintaining a 19 point lead at half-time.

After a few positional changes and a mid-game reset, the Bombers played their best half of footy for the season and made amends after their heavy last-start loss to Mitta.

DMB hit the lead halfway through the last quarter and never looked back to seal their second win in three games.

Jones was thrilled with the fight that his team showed after conceding an early lead.

“We weren’t playing the style of footy that we wanted to (in the first half), but then we started to move the ball a lot better and gave our forwards more of a chance,” Jones said.

■ Continued page 31

‘Slamming Sam’ to appear at Saints’ Gold Bullion

STRIKES AWAY

MATT Richardson of the Myrtleford Savoys is a tussle with Albury United defender Sebastian Dalitz as Richardson almost won his side the three points over the reigning champions United scoring a hat trick, but a late equaliser saw the game end at 3-3 in a wild finish.  Full Savoys coverage on page 29.

THE Lambassador himself will be back at his old club this Sunday, with Sam Kekovich set to speak at the Myrtleford Football Netball Club’s Gold Bullion function.

Kekovich lived with his family at Nug Nug and played with the Saints in the mid-1960s, where his accolades included a reserves flag in 1966 and a stunning 59-goal season in 1967.

Drama flared between the Saints and Kekovich’s eventual club North Melbourne in 1968, when the Roos poached Kekovich away from Myrtleford after the season had started.

‘Slamming Sam’, as he became known, would take out North’s best and fairest award in ‘69 and would play in the Roos’ first premiership in 1975.

Kekovich’s departure from Myrtleford is sure to

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

come up when he speaks to attendees at the event, which gets underway from 12pm at the Ablett Pavillion.

Saints’ co-president Luke Chapman said Kekovich was a tremendous speaker to lock in, with his personal history to the club an added bonus.

“Ian Wales (former club president) arranged to get Sam Kekovich, which worked out really well,” Chapman said.

“Sam’s an ex-Myrtleford person who grew up in Myrtleford, who went to primary school and high school in Myrtleford before he was taken by the Kangaroos.

“He’s going to be really, really good.

■ Continued page 34

PHOTO: Janet Watt

local focus

Into Our Hands founding chair steps down, but continues local and farmer support

FOUNDING chair of the Into Our Hands Foundation, Loretta Carroll, may have stood down from the Into Our Hands board, but she remains committed to community advocacy as a member of the Grow Myrtleford+ committee and as part of Cattle Producers Australia.

While she officially stepped down in February, the Into Our Hands Foundation only announced the development earlier this month, with current Into Our Hands chair Ruth Kneebone saying Ms Carroll had left a lasting impact on the foundation.

“After 10 years on the Into Our Hands board and several as chair, we are extremely sad to see Loretta go,” she said.

“Her direction and leadership of this foundation has helped it to become the well-respected community institution it is today.

“Loretta has ensured the foundation continues to operate sustainably which is a significant legacy as our grant-making and philanthropy grows over time.”

Fiona Nicholls, chair of Grow Myrtleford+ and vice-chair of the Into Our Hands Foundation board, said Ms Carroll was pivotal in starting the foundation

and welcomed her to the Grow Myrtleford+ committee.

“Loretta will continue to be engaged, but at the much more local level of Myrtleford and surrounds,” she said.

Grow Myrtleford+ aims to raise funds into a community fund to allow for grants to be made to events, organisations and causes that benefit Myrtleford.

Their goal is to build a corpus of funds that will support this type of community grant making in perpetuity.

Ms Carroll said Grow Myrtleford+ is still working to become well-known in the town

and surrounding areas.

“What we’re trying to create is a fund that people give to locally and it is spent locally,” she said.

Ms Carroll said even small bequests can add up quite quickly, creating a large fund that can even assist on wider community planning.

However, she said the fund recently had some success, raising around $16,000 from local farmers through the cattle sale in December.

“We’re trying to work away on how to make that an ongoing thing,” she said.

Myrtleford’s demand for a community organisation

committed to the long haul has seen some $1.2m injected into North East communities since the foundation’s inception, $970,000 of which occurred under Ms Carroll’s leadership, and resulted in Ms Carroll being named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021.

Since 2012, Into Our Hands has overseen 170 grants, supported more than 130 community and non-profit organisations.

Into Our Hands recently celebrated 10 years of giving, and released an anniversary booklet which can be viewed by visiting https://intoourhandsfoundation. com.au.

MYRTLEFORD locals Tim Ruaro, Sally Webster and their daughter Noah were at the Myrtleford Piazza last Saturday enjoying duo ‘The Stents’ perform covers in the final Summer Series concert of the season.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

ANZAC Day services

RESIDENTS across the Alpine Shire were set to attend ANZAC Day at a series of services at Mount Beauty, Myrtleford and Bright on Tuesday.

The services were to mark the 108-year anniversary of the landing of Australian troops at ANZAC Cove during World War I, which saw more than 28,000 Australian casualties from the Gallipoli campaign.

Full coverage of ANZAC Day services - held after the paper had gone to press - will be in next week’s edition.

Gardens bring to life a fine autumnal show

By BRODIE EVERIST

SOME of the shire’s most appealing gardens are ready for this year’s Autumn Festival, with 11 nurseries and gardens throwing their doors open for tours and walks.

Alison Mahony and Hugh Clasby’s property on the edge of Myrtleford’s Reform Hill is a project the pair have been working on since 2017.

Known as the ‘Gold Assayer’s Garden’, the property was once an entrance to the Reform Hill mine in the 1800s, and it is believed the large pine tree on the property dates from that period.

But much of the garden’s beauty stems from the work done since the pair took over the garden, including the new retaining walls, a small stream and pond, and a walled vegetable garden.

They have also planted a num-

ber of naturalistic perennial beds, an orchard and shady sub-tropical garden.

Dr Mahony said she aims to blend the garden with its surroundings and the local area.

This might include using perennials popular in other parts of town, like canna lilies, or using natives at the upper-part of the property to blend in with the native bush and attract native birds.

“What we’ve tried to do in this design is to protect what was here, and sensitively respond to that,” she said.

According to Dr Mahony, due to the shape of the land, water can rush through the property washing away topsoil - a problem she has worked hard to fix.

The retaining walls and a rock swale that snakes through the garden slows down water flow, meanwhile Dr Mahony has fortified the

soil with compost and other organic matter.

“Now that now I’ve done a good job with the land, I’m able to grow trickier plants,” she said.

She said the rich maroon-flowered amaranth, a common thread through the property, is looking lovely at this time of year, while the deciduous trees on Dr Mahoney’s and her neighbour’s properties are particularly beautiful in the afternoon.

The $4 entry to the garden goes to Riding Develops Ability, an organisation that provides equineassisted activities for people with disabilities.

Harrietville resident John Atkins, whose 14-acre garden was featured in last year’s Spring Festival, said the autumnal colours are particularly vivid this year.

“There are literally over 1000 deciduous trees on our block, plus

Brigades put out Buffalo River blaze

By BRODIE EVERIST

the new bushes like the viburnums which have intense colour at the moment,” he said.

“Then you’ve got the conifers as a contrast behind them - so it’s looking very good.”

According to Mr Atkins, the camellias have begun flowering, hydrangeas are still looking good, and if the frosts don’t get them, visitors might enjoy some late dahlias.

While the garden is primarily trees and perennials, Mr Atkins said they have a new garden of grasses, of a variety of shapes, colours and forms, including liriopes and dianellas.

“We’ve done little mass plantings of different species, so you get quite a different effect,” he said.

Eleven gardens and nurseries are open for tours across the Alpine Shire in Bright’s Autumn Festival, running from April 28 to May 7.

With road now open, Falls Creek looks to winter

SINGLE-lane access was restored to the Bogong High Plains Road on Sunday, more than a day ahead of schedule, with the resort looking to rebound with a strong snow season.

According to Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV), there will be minimal delays to motorists before 8am and after 4pm each day, when works are not taking place.

However, outside of these hours and at times overnight, drivers should allow an additional 15 minutes of travel time each way, with crews periodically needing to halt traffic while they safely continue works.

There are no restrictions on the type of vehicles that can use the road, except for those that require a permit, such as oversize trucks.

Cyclists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

Access to Bogong Village remains closed as services, including emergency water, have not been restored.

Stuart Smythe, chief operating officer of Falls Creek Alpine Resort,

said the resort’s stakeholders and businesses were to be commended on their resilience, following bushfire, pandemics and a landslip isolating the village over the last three years.

“The light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight and they are rebounding to make sure our guests and community get to experience all that Falls Creek is famous for,” he said.

Lisa Logan, president of Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce said they appreciated the work of MRPV and the Department of Transport for securing access in challenging circumstances.

“This period of the road closure has had a significant impact on our community, however, now we can look forward to a busy and successful winter,” she said.

“We hope that our guests and visitors can support us beyond the snow season and come back for our wonderful array of summer experiences and events.”

A BUFFALO River house burnt to the ground on Saturday morning in a fire attended by four local brigades.

Ovens Valley CFA group officer Micheal Freudenstein said the call for assistance came at 10:31am, with the first brigade at the property by 10:49am, but by then the house had already largely burnt to the ground.

Mr Freudenstein said it was a highly flammable weatherboard timber house under renovation, and no one was inside at the time of the fire.

“There was no chance we could save it,” he said.

He said the brigades focused on putting out the fire and protecting a nearby house.

Mr Freudenstein confirmed a fire investigator inspected the site and deemed it not suspicious, however, he wasn’t’ sure if an ignition point was determined.

“It could’ve been electricity, it could’ve been anything,” he said.

“Because of the extensive damage you can’t tell.”

He said the fire was out by 12:30pm.

According to Mr Freudenstein, the fire was attended by the Buffalo River, Myrtleford, Mudgegonga and Gapsted brigades.

He said the Buffalo River Brigade led the operation and commended their quick arrival at the fire.

ROAD OPEN: Major Road Projects Victoria have reopened the Bogong High Plains Road for single-lane access.

PERFECT PLANTING: Alison Mahony, whose garden will be open for the Bright Autumn Festival, said the amaranth running through her property is particularly spectacular at this time of year.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

HOUSE FIRE: A Buffalo River house fire was attended by four brigades last Saturday.

Alpine Shire welcomes mental health trek

By BRODIE EVERIST

MEMBERS of local emergency services greeted Tony Pearce at Willow Grove in Myrtleford last Wednesday as he entered the town on his solo 1500km walk across Victoria, raising funds for mental health programs and research for emergency workers.

The group, including CFA captain Gloria Pizzolitto and SES controller David Coates, walked with him to the Myrtleford Piazza in a show of appreciation for the fundraising effort.

Mr Pearce is raising funds for the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) and raising awareness for mental health for emergency workers by walking in a loop from Melbourne to Mallacoota, Mallacoota to Wodonga, and back to Melbourne.

He said the walk up Mount Hotham was difficult, especially due to a couple of wet, cold days.

“Halfway up it really turned on us,” he said.

“We only got rain, but we got a lot of it and a really low wind chill.

“The next day from Hotham to the Wangaratta Ski Club was snow, sleet,

rain and wind chill - it was horrible.”

Mr Pearce, who is also Victoria’s Inspector General for Emergency Management, said evidence shows emergency workers do poorly on mental health and wellbe-

ing metrics compared to the general population.

According to Mr Pearce, assisting the mental health of local emergency workers has a positive benefit for the whole community; helping retain essential workers

during times of crisis.

“We’ve got a reducing volunteer base all the time - it’s harder to get people to volunteer - and if you’re losing people through their mental health the sustainability of your system is getting de-

Players relive a forgotten wartime story

By BRODIE EVERIST

PLAYWRIGHT Simon Storey admits they may never know the reason Indigenous man Peter Craigie rode more than 1700kms to enlist in World War One - but exploring why makes for a great tale, especially so close to ANZAC Day.

“It tackles the issue of Indigenous soldiers who fought in World War One for this country at a time when many of them were still very oppressed,” he said.

“There is still not enough acknowledgement of the Indigenous men who did that, and why.”

It’s a story that students from across the region will be treated to in an innovative combination of live theatre and cinema this Friday when drama group ‘The Storey Players’ perform at the Education Myrtleford Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC).

Their production, ‘The Forgotten Warrior’, recreates the true story of Queensland Indigenous man Peter Craigie who rode his horse in a circuitous route from Bedourie to

Adelaide to enlist in 1915.

Mr Storey wrote the play and collaborated with Trevina Rogers, a Pitta Pitta woman from north-west Queensland and great niece of Peter Craigie, to understand why he took the journey.

While he didn’t leave any diaries or journals himself, Mr Storey said, one likely motivation for the travel was to marry his love Daisy Cusack, who lived in Birdsville.

According to Mr Storey, their marriage was refused by local authorities, so they both travelled to Adelaide - Mr Craigie by horse and Ms Cusack by horse-

drawn carriage - where they got married.

The production is primarily played by two performers - Bidjara man Jack Mahoney playing Peter Craigie, and Kaanju and Pitta Pitta woman (and Craigie family member) Jazleen David De Busch.

Meanwhile, Mr Storey plays a few smaller roles, like the horse.

This Myrtleford performance follows a tour of more than 20 Indigenous and remote communities in 2022, which received overwhelmingly positive feedback, according to Mr Storey.

“It’s not often that some of these places get live theatre, first

of all, but then to get a show that relates to some of their community and places they know is extra special,” he said.

According to Mr Storey, the production will be performed three times over the day to cater for around 500 students from Harrietville, Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Bright, Beechworth, Wooragee and Wandiligong.

While the performances are only for students, Mr Storey said he hopes the group can return to the area with a public show.

“We wrote it with young people in mind, but it’s a show that we know adults also really enjoy and respond to,” he said.

pleted all the time, so the next time you get a really big event, you’ve got less people to respond to it,” he said.

“It’s about protecting the broad community if you look after emergency workers.”

Mr Pearce had walked from Smoko to Porepunkah the day before, where members of the Bright SES and Harrietville CFA walked with him, while in Porepunkah the Bright SES hosted a barbecue attended by Mr Pearce, representatives of the Alpine Shire Council and several local agencies, and emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp.

Mr Pearce said the community support had been fantastic.

“We’ve had a lot of people walk with me, I would say we’re up around 80 people now that have walked at various stages,” he said.

To donate to Mr Pearce’s trek, go to https://esf.com. au/tonys-trek/.

STORYTELLING: A scene from ‘The Forgotten Warrior’, showing at EMPAC in Myrtleford this Friday for students across the region.

A WARM WELCOME: Mental health advocate Tony Pearce (second from right) was welcomed by many members of Myrtleford emergency services, including (from left) SES member Brooke Sacco, SES controller David Coates, CFA captain Gloria Pizzolitto and Craig Beamish from Ambulance Victoria.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

No point in blame game

“INSECURE leaders surround themselves with ‘yes people’. Effective leaders surround themselves with people who challenge them”.

There is no point in blaming a singular past councillor or a group of past councillors: my belief and my personal opinion is ‘possibly’ for the past 20 years all past and present councillors have been misled about this new development for Bright.

Yes our CEO for the Alpine Shire Council has said we have a shortfall of approximately 1000 new homes for the shire; this will not be achieved with this new development but subsequent developments elsewhere and will aid in this expectation.

The more transparent the better, we all should be able to disagree and if the advice is not accepted we have a civil discussion: “Civility never goes out of style”.

Our good intentions to ‘save Bright’s iconic entrance trees’ has uncovered much information, too much to include and share in a letter.

Our request is achievable and it is our democratic right to question the plans for this development before it is too

late.

We are not anti-development, just care that planning is done sensitively in a rural environment and our magnificent 100-year-old trees are saved and remain standing for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

Kate Farrell, Wandiligong

Raising awareness of emergency workers’ mental health

IT was terrific to attend the welcome barbecue hosted by the Bright SES for Tony’s Trek last Tuesday evening.

Tony’s Trek is being undertaken by the chair of the Emergency Services Foundation, Tony Pearce.

He is walking 1500km across Victoria in 50 days.

Tony’s very familiar with our local significant emergencies, his day job is Victoria’s Inspector-General for Emergency Management.

This fundraiser and Tony’s message is a great reminder that those who volunteer or work in emergency services don’t just put their physical wellbeing at risk for others, they also put their mental health at risk.

The Emergency Services

Foundation is a not-for-profit focused precisely on this, “Protecting those who protect us”, as they state on their website.

If you’d like to donate to his trek and contribute to the mental health of our emergency services personnel, visit www. esf.com.au.

Simon Kelley, Alpine Shire Councillor

Youth squad joins Tony’s trek

ON Tuesday afternoon the Resilient Alpine Youth Squad (RAYS) joined Inspector-General of Emergency Management, Tony Pearce, on his 1500km trek to raise awareness and funds for the Emergency Services Foundation.

During their walk together from Bright to Porepunkah, the RAYS team engaged in insightful conversations about youth involvement in emergency management and supporting communities during times of crisis.

Tony was so impressed he even went on the record to say “it was a huge pleasure for me to have members of the Resilient Alpine Youth Squad walk with me on the Smoko to Porepunkah leg of my trek”.

“While we were walking the

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.

team took the opportunity to update me on their current activities as well as their aspirations for the future.”

RAYS is a group of 13 young people from every corner of the Alpine Shire committed to promoting resilience and preparedness in their community, especially after the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires. They have been involved in various community events, including the 2023 Alpine Colour Fun Run in Porepunkah, which raised awareness for mental health.

The RAYS team’s dedication and passion are truly inspiring, and their involvement with Tony’s Trek is a testament to their commitment to making a difference for Alpine Shire Youth.

Lara May, Alpine Shire Council peer youth worker

Local recycling receives boost

A NEW container recycling scheme set to debut across Victoria later this year is calling on local businesses and not for profit organisations to act as collection point operators across the North East.

Educating for a cosier, cheaper winter

By BRODIE EVERIST

SUSTAINABLE Upper Ovens are spreading insights on energy efficiency in the home ahead of winter, with a lineup of speakers at the Bright Community Centre, from 1-3pm on Sunday, April 30.

Chair of the Bright-based environmental group, Graham Barrow, said the event is for anyone who wants to know more about saving energy in the home - leading to cheaper bills.

“We’re coming up for winter, it’s going get cold, and if people aren’t prepared they’re going to have high energy bills,” he said.

Speakers include Michelle Stark and Bronwyn Westbrook

from the Alpine Shire Council, Nick Mason-Smith from Indigo Power, members of Sustainable Upper Ovens, and Lucinda Flynn, founder of a company specialising in sustainable products and energy efficiency assessments.

There will also be a demonstration of energy efficiency products available from Crispy’s Hardware in Bright.

Mr Barrow said four members of Sustainable Upper Ovens were accredited by Ms Flynn in home energy efficiency assessments last year, and they are available to voluntarily assess the energy efficiency of local homes.

According to Mr Barrow, assessments include using an infra-red camera to find points of heat loss in the building and identify where improvements can be made.

Some improvements might be simple, he said, like keeping internal doors closed or redistributing ceiling insulation, but others can be expensive, like installing double-glazed windows.

“There are tips for people to do it on the cheap right through to the serious renovations,” he said.

For more information got to sustainableupperovens.org. au or visit Sustainable Upper Ovens’ Facebook page.

The State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is set to commence from November 1, offering residents the opportunity to return their used drink cans, bottles and cartons for a 10-cent refund, an initiative which is expected to cut the state’s litter by up to half.

Visy will oversee the service provision throughout Northern Victoria, including the Alpine, Wangaratta, Indigo and Strathbogie municipalities.

Visy chief executive officer Mark De Wit said his company’s experience in the recycling space will help the CDS Vic achieve strong recycling rates, create new local jobs, and reduce waste and emissions from landfill.

“Visy already operates manufacturing and recycling facilities across Victoria, supporting jobs and income,” he said.

“We will empower local schools, charities and sporting groups to reduce litter and fundraise for projects by establishing the most accessible scheme across Australia.

“Visy’s expertise as Australia’s largest processor of kerbside recycling ensures we will operate a con-

tainer deposit scheme Victorians

can be proud of.”

Details on where collection points will be established are yet to be released, however, the government expects at least one collection point for every town of 750 people in regional areas, and one per town of 350 people in remote areas, within 12 months of the project’s launch.

The initiative is also expected to offer charities and local community organisations a new way to raise funds, by allowing groups to receive container donations from the community, run a refund collection point or host a container collection drive.

Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt, said the initiative would become Australia’s most accessible container refund scheme, with estimates to create up to 500 indirect jobs across the state.

“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products, put extra cash in Victorian pockets and will reduce the amount of litter in our environment by half,” she said.

“CDS Vic will be Australia’s most accessible and convenient container deposit scheme, with more than 600 refund collection points across the state.”

To enquire your interest as a collection point for the CDS Vic, visit https://www.visy.com.au/cpo-form.

ALL SET FOR SUSTAINABILITY: Serge Grollo, store manager of Crispy’s Hardware, with Sustainable Upper Ovens chair Graham Barrow.

Local garden needs some extra hands

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

BRIGHT’S community garden is looking for its next group of green thumbs after a drop in membership numbers.

Member Kate Steven, who has been involved with the garden for six years, said members were needed to help continue maintaining and expanding the garden.

“It’s been set up by a group of people with the idea to grow food chemical-free and in harmony with nature and to gather people of like minds together,” she said.

“The goal is to teach each other and to learn from each other through the process of gardening and sharing skills.

“We had about 12-14 regular solid members

for many years and then, coinciding with COVID, half of those moved away and many of them were couples so all of a sudden we were down to four members and now its just been me and my partner and a couple others who come in when we can to keep it rolling.

“The last year or so we’ve just been managing to keep it afloat to keep on top of the grass so we’re looking for enthusiastic members who want to get involved in the committee and have ideas and can commit to regular days so we can upkeep it.”

Katie said as the garden is already very established, sharing the responsibility to run it between a good amount of people will be easy work.

“We’re doing our best and

we do get a lot done as there’s already things like rails, water and wicking beds so there’s very little to do,” she said.

“We just need people being there and loving it and weeding it and looking after it and using it and expanding it into whatever the next group of people would like to do with it.

“We’re very flexible with how it works, it’s just a community feel so we see people sharing garden beds and produce.

“It’s such a great environment, we hope to see some interested people.”

For more information or to become a member, go to the Bright Community Garden Facebook page or call Katie on 0425 763 434.

Rental market cost increases felt in Alpine Shire

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

RENTAL prices have increased across Bright and surrounds, according to one real estate agency, supporting new national data.

Rents nationally increased 2.5 per cent in the March quarter.

CoreLogic’s quarterly rental review read that demand pressures have compounded the pace of rental growth in Australia, as rents reaccelerated and vacancy rates tightened to a near record low of 1.1 per cent in the first three months of 2023.

The review showed after easing through the second half of 2022, the country’s quarterly rental growth trend reaccelerated through the March quarter, with the national rental index rising 2.5 per cent, up from 2.0 per cent in the December quarter.

CoreLogic economist and report author Kaytlin Ezzy said while the annual growth trend is holding steady, it remains high at 10.1 per cent for the year to March, equating to an extra $52 per week or additional $2727 a year.

Regional Victoria recorded a

rent rise over the three months to March with 1.2 per cent.

Agency manager Kellie Gray, of Dickens Real Estate in Bright, said rental prices have increased but it should level off

“It’s definitely to do with demand,” she said.

“We used to see a three bedroom, one bathroom renting around the $350-380 mark and now we’re seeing those houses more around the $400-450 mark.

“We don’t always advertise them as there’s a waitlist, so you only see the ones advertised that doesn’t

suit anyone on our list and maybe that’s out of budget or not what they want.

“It’s always been a tight market around this area with rentals and with house prices going up.

Ms Gray said that houses have become less affordable for the average income earner, so property buyers are looking to holiday let.

With rental prices only able to be reviewed once every 12 months due to recent reforms, Ms Gray said it can be harder with no slight increases.

“You know you only have one opportunity to raise the rent but the majority of owners that have had their property for ages as a permanent rental are quite mindful that a family to suddenly have a $50 a week increase is hard to buffer so we talk through that with them.”

However, Ms Gray said she believes prices will not continue.

“We’ve had to tell owners to come down on their specific amount, to meet the market so I think we’re seeing a correction in prices.”

COMMUNITY FEEL: Members of the Bright Community Garden (from left) Katie Steven, Jez Neill holding Ochre Neill, Astrid Neill, Kirstie May and Iris Neill at the Bright Community Garden.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Four Alpine ANZAC cousins remembered for their sacrifice

By JOHN TAYLOR OAM, Myrtleford

IN March 1920, at the invitation of headmaster

Mr T R Lehane, the Hon.

A A Bilson MLA and Sgt A D Lowerson VC spoke to pupils at the unveiling of the Myrtleford State School World War I Honour Board.

The ‘Myrtleford Mail’ reported: “The Union jack veiled the board dedicated in memory of those whose names were inscribed on it.”

Looking at the board, Sgt Lowerson commented, “it brought back memories of boys who played with him in the school yard. Many of them had been killed.”

The Honour Board contained the names of 110 old pupils, including 25 listed “In Memoriam”, acknowledging their supreme sacrifice.

Among those listed were brothers Thomas and William Willoughby and their cousins, James and George Matthews.

In the late 1850s, five Matthews siblings had left St Just, Cornwall for Australia, the children of William and Caroline Matthews.

Caroline’s father was the inventor of the “Davy Safety Lamp” used in Cornish mines.

They came to seek their fortune on the Victorian gold fields.

William, John, Michael, Richard and Nannie Matthews settled in various locations in the North East, living at Myrtleford, Happy Valley, Eurobin, Wandiligong and the Buckland.

Thomas and William Willoughby were the sons of Nannie Matthews (who had died in 1909) and John Charles Willoughby of Myrtleford.

James Matthews’ parents, Richard (who had died in 1908) and Jane, had lived at Running Creek and Myrtleford.

PVTE JAMES EDWARD MATTHEWS, 60th

BATTALION: Private James E. Matthews, 60th Batt., one of 1,719 Australians killed at Fromelles, France on the night of July 19, 1916.

George Matthews, son of John and Mary, had been born at Happy Valley. His parents relocated to Castlemaine and at the time of his death his mother was contacted as ‘next of kin’.

Private Thomas Willoughby, a butcher by trade and aged 19, enlisted on August 24, 1914 at Randwick, NSW.

He was wounded at ‘Quin’s Post’, Gallipoli and died on the Hospital Ship ‘Galeka’ on May 31, 1915.

He was buried at sea by Chaplin T.J. Mills. His name is recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing, Gallipoli.

Rifleman William Willoughby, enlisted in the 1st

RIFLEMEN GEORGE MATTHEWS, NZ

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE: Riflemen George Matthews, 2nd NZ Rifle Brigade, killed in action at the Somme, France on October 1, 1916.

Battalion, Otago Regiment of the NZ Expeditionary Force whilst working as a labourer at Bluff on the South Island of New Zealand.

He embarked from Wellington, N.Z. on October 9, 1915.

He died of wounds in France on March 31, 1917, aged 32 years, and is buried at the Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerk, France. His name is recorded on the Bluff War Memorial overlooking the Southern Ocean, Southland, NZ.

Private James Edward Matthews, aged 18, joined the 21st Battalion in Melbourne on July 7, 1915.

Being under 21, his mother Jane gave him permission to enlist.

He joined the 60th Battalion in Egypt and embarked for France on June 28, 1916.

Within a month, on July 19 James, aged 18½ years, was one of 1,719 killed at Fromelles, France in action described as a “costly failure” involving 5,533 Australian casualties.

The Gigante excels in uneven terrain due to its class leading range of disc movement, and its precise depth control, provided by the large depth control wheel on each disc. The single disc system is perfect for all conditions, especially with undulating terrain. With minimal disturbance it creates a fine tilth in the slot, creating a perfect germination zone and a consistent firm closure, thanks to the independently mounted press wheels.

Initially listed as ‘Missing in The Field’, it took the findings of a Court of Enquiry to declare James ‘Killed in Action’, on August 4, 1917.

His grave is one of 160 still to be found.

James’ name is recorded on the list of dead and missing at VC Corner Cemetery, Fromelles.

Today, efforts continue today to identify remains recovered from a burial plot, using DNA records.

Rifleman George Matthews enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment of the NZ Expeditionary Force, leaving Wellington by troopship on January 8, 1916.

A little over two months after his brother’s death, George was killed at the Somme in France on October 1, 1916 in his 23rd year.

With 214 New Zealand comrades, he is “Remembered with Honour”, buried at the Caterpillar Valley War Memorial Cemetery, Longueval.

Of the 5000 graves at this cemetery, 3800 remain unidentified.

At Myrtleford in 1923 all four men were honoured by name on the Myrtleford War Memorial and eventually on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

The Old School Honour Board would move to a new school site in 1939 and finally find its way to a prominent place at the RSL Hall.

At the old Methodist Church on Myrtle Street, the entrance porch would house a memorial window dedicated to the four cousins; nearby, their names would also appear on an honour board with comrades from that church congregation.

Today, they remind us of war service and sacrifice at the entrance to the Uniting Church.

At the Myrtleford Pioneer Cemetery, marble memorial shields record Thomas’ and William’s deaths on the gravesite of their infant sister and parents.

Public ‘In Memoriam’ notices in the ‘Myrtleford Mail’ would continue for all four cousins until 1923.

The loss of these four young men was not the only multiple loss experienced by local families.

The McGregors, Rotherys and Woodgates also lost two family members each.

A count of district enlistments who died or who returned to Australia reveals a total of 46 families who had more than one member involved in the “War to End All Wars”.

Lest We Forget.

WILLOUGHBY BROTHERS: Rifleman William Willoughby, 1st NZ Rifle Brigade, died of wounds, France, March 31, 1917. Private Thomas Willoughby, 1st Batt., AIF, wounded and buried at Sea, Gallipoli, May 31, 1915.

and District Historical Society Inc.

Move to two-day festival hailed a success

By BRODIE EVERIST

AROUND 3500 attended the Wandiligong Nut Festival at Alpine Park over the weekend, the first time the festival has grown to two days, with many enjoying the warm sunshine and live music.

President of the Wandiligong Nut Festival committee

Lee Rosser said increasing the festival to two days made economic sense and meant the park wasn’t overfilled.

“For items that were generally set up or hired for the week, it makes a lot more sense to do the two-day thing,” he said.

Mr Rosser thanked the event sponsors, including the Alpine Shire Council, the Bendigo Bank and Nightingale’s Alpine Produce, as well as the community for attending the event.

“We come up with the site itself, and everyone else colours it in,” he said.

“It’s just a really good mix

of local produce, local artisans and music.”

He said they have ideas to grow the event next year, including bringing more community groups on board and adapting the layout of the festival.

Chestnut seller Kevin Hancock said he estimated they would need around 200 kilos for the festival, but they sold around 230 kilos over the two days.

“Really, pretty good,” he said.

According to Mr Hancock, the two-day festival had a different dynamic than last year, with people settling in underneath the tent, so he would take chestnuts to them.

Kathy Ray, owner of a pony ride business that has been at the festival for the past three years, said they had been busy over the two days.

“We’re at the end of the weekend and they’re very tired ponies,” she said.

NUT CRACKERS: Shehzad and Abhivott Singh were busy cracking walnuts at the nut cracking table.

PAINTED FACES: (From left) Jan Xu, Kelda Anderson, Lottie Blomqvist and Kari Norquay had travelled from Albury for the nut festival.

MUSIC MAKERS: Josh Cunningham and Felicity Urquhart were wowing the large crowd under the tent with their dulcet tones.

GOOD FRIENDS: Oliver Freeman, Michaela Boemo and Chris Cornish were enjoying the Wandiligong Nut Festival on Sunday.

TRYING THE CHESTNUTS: (From left) Simon Wright, Glynn Jones, Jill McGinn, Dean McGinn and Fabrice Pierre were selling roasted chestnuts. PHOTOS: Brodie Everist

A chance to meet your council at Mt Beauty

TONIGHT at the Mount Beauty Auditorium starting at 5pm the Alpine Shire will hold its monthly council meeting.

All interested members of the community are welcome to attend, an opportunity to see how the council operates at these very important meetings.

All councillors and the executive staff will be there, questions on notice should be in by now but you can raise any concerns at the end of the meeting.

Alpine Shire chief executive officer Will Jeremy said these meetings will take place in communities throughout the shire, allowing people to see how the process works to reach decisions concerning the many matters affecting ratepayers and the community in general.

He also said it was encouraging to see the large attendances at community meetings in Mount Beauty and District, and is looking forward to meeting people at tonight’s event.

PEOPLE were happy to be out and about at the Mount Beauty Music Festival held over last weekend.

With perfect weather and a picturesque setting, great music food and craft stalls it was very successful event.

On the Sunday a convoy of cars left Wodonga to travel to Mount

By FAY MASON, Kiewa Valley

Beauty to be part of the People’s Choice award.

THE Bogong High Plains Road is open and all is going well I’ve been told, just in time for folk going up to Falls Creek for the Trade Fair being held on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 2 and 3.

Businesses at Falls Creek will hopefully support the local businesses who will be part of this event.

So the season is looking good to go.

ALPINE FM Brunch program today is featuring Dr Helen Haines at 9.30am speaking about the community batteries, and her expectations on the budget.

At 10.40am Les Wienbanga will be giving an update on all things to do with the Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club, and the Talking Heads segment will have its usual surprise topics.

McCurdy calls for Myrtleford CFA upgrades

NATIONALS MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, is calling on the State Government to fund much needed upgrades to the Myrtleford CFA station in the upcoming Victorian budget.

“We need to ensure that communities like Myrtleford, who are especially prone to major bushfires, have the facilities they need to protect them in an emergency.

“This is too important to leave out of the budget.

“Regional communities have been suffering from a lack of investment, and the last thing we need to highlight that is a catastrophic disaster.

“At that stage it is too late.”

Mr McCurdy encouraged the Government to invest in the CFA ahead of a potential El Nino which will increase the risk of bushfires.

“We need to take this opportunity to be prepared for the next big fire season, not spend the money on the wasteful Big Build in Melbourne.

“Preparedness and prevention are the best form of defence, which is why Myrtleford needs these upgrades funded now.”

GUEST SPEAKER: Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will speak at free seminars in Myrtleford and Wangaratta next month.

Free seminars with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

NESAY is bringing Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia’s highest profile child and adolescent psychologists, to Myrtleford and Wangaratta to share his wisdom and learnings with the communities at free seminars next month.

Leah Waring, CEO of NESAY, said the sessions have been designed for any community member who wants to learn and hear of Dr Carr-Gregg’s insights on how we can support our young people and strengthen our family connections, through discussing managing wellbeing, technology, communicating with adolescents and dealing with anxiety.

The community seminars will be held in Wangaratta on Thursday, May 4 and in Myrtleford on Thursday, May 18.

Ms Waring said the seminars are the first of a range of programs in Myrtleford and Wangaratta that are free for the community and designed to build resilience and connection - all while having fun.

She said the events are provided at no cost through funding received by Emergency Recovery Victoria.

“The last few years has had a significant impact on our young people, their families, and the broader community; through bushfires, COVID and flooding events,” Ms Waring said.

“Whilst for some the impact was manageable, others found the compounding natural disasters to test their resilience and connections.

“Over the past 18 months, NESAY has received an increase in referrals for young people and their families who are experiencing school disengagement, increased mental health issues, communication and relationship stress.”

Following Dr Carr-Gregg, NESAY is offering group programs in May and June in Myrtleford and Wangaratta with two local artists - Lisa Bishop and Brianna Slattery - who will each run a program using their expertise to engage and connect families.

Bookings for all events are required, and this can be done through https://nesay.com.au/ upcoming-events/

For more information visit the NESAY website www.nesay.com.au, socials or call (03) 5720 2201.

Losses piling up

ALPINE Shire punters are expected to take almost $3.2m in gaming losses this financial year, a figure not surpassed in over a decade, amid a rise in losses across the North East.

The current average of nearly $266,000 lost each month this financial year, according to Victorian Gambling and Casino Control (VGCCC) data, would mean punters will lose around $3.18m - the highest figure since 2011-2012.

The monthly data, which currently records losses from July 2022 to February this year, shows punters have lost over $2.1m so far, far exceeding the $1.6m lost in the same period last year.

So far in 2022/23 the Rural City of Wangaratta has recorded more than $7.5m in gambling, far exceeding the $5.1m lost in the same period last year, while Wodonga punters have spent more than

$7.3m on EGMs, on track to exceed the $9.19m spent in 2021/22.

The Alpine Shire, along with Towong and Wodonga shires, was recently visited by VGCCC gaming regulators amid the increase in expenditure.

According to VGCCC gambling director, Glorija Kuzman, the regulator targeted venues based on risk factors such as a high projected growth in player loss and a history of not following rules.

“Being led by data and intelligence, we’re sending our inspectors to places and venues where the risk to the community is highest - places we’ve seen a significant jump in gambling spend over the past few years, where there is a high concentration of poker machines, or where we know there have been issues in the past,” she said.

“These venues not only have legal obligations to comply with,

they also have a social licence with their local communities, which includes making sure gambling is safe and fair.”

Wangaratta-based One Nation MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrell said the rise in gambling expenditure locally was “cause for great concern”.

“We know that gambling traditionally appeals to those of lower socio-economic backgroundswith the rising cost of living and ever-increasing interest rates, these are exactly the members of our community that are most vulnerable,” she said.

“I sincerely hope we’re not seeing this trend as a result of desperation - any effort to ‘strike lucky’ and get ahead is likely to fail, as the house always wins in the end.”

Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy serves as a board member for the Responsible Gambling Foundation, and said it was important all

forms of gambling addiction were addressed by government.

“The decline in gambling rates is welcome, however, it is also important to note that many people enjoy the pokies, and gambling in general, on a social level,” he said.

“A balance needs to be struck that will help struggling locals, whilst also not interfering with locals’ right to gamble - we need to ensure that this trend does not mask a change in habit from pokies to online gambling.

“The market is saturated with gambling ads and needs to be addressed by the Federal Government, as they fall under their responsibilities.

“Gambling on your phone or in the privacy of your home can lead to dire consequences, which is why we need to ensure that all forms of gambling are addressed, not just those forms that are easily measured.”

A BIG SPEND: The Alpine Shire is expected to record gaming losses not seen in more than a decade.

track to see over

Nesta Drew celebrates her 100th birthday

By FAY MASON

THERE was a lot of excitement and memories for Tawonga local Nesta Drew celebrating her 100th birthday.

Nesta Mary Cooper- Drew was born on April 15, 1923. Her father was Harry Cooper, her mother Elizabeth Hollond, two well know families in the Upper Kiewa Valley .

Nesta has two children, Mary and David, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Nesta married Sid Drew a few years after she left boarding school in Wangaratta, coming home to Tawonga to live in her parents’ home, the oldest homestead that is still standing in the district.

Nesta and Sid were the fifth generation to live in that house.

There must be something in the water in the Upper Kiewa Valley because Nesta’s cousins, Lyla Higginson still going at 102 and Noel Higginson at 95, while Eric lived to 102.

Nesta never drove a car or travelled in a plane, she did however drive a tractor (only once ) and was a hard working farmer’s wife starting work before the sun came up until sundown.

She then prepared the family dinner, always seven vegetables with meat, the liquid from the vegetables set aside in a glass to be drunk the next morning, a ritual that Nesta claims has helped her

longevity, along with never drinking alcohol or smoking.

She bottlefed poddy calves and nurtured all the animals on the farm, among her favourites were the baby piglets.

Nesta loved her garden where she spent many hours tending the flowers and vegetables.

She was an active member for many years in the CWA and the Tawonga branch of Red Cross, and she is famous for her cake baking.

The furthest Nesta travelled from Tawonga was for a three week holiday to Queensland to see the Expo in Brisbane.

Nesta was proud of her son David who, like his father Sid both played football for the local competition - Sid played for the Bogong club, and David played for Mount Beauty - Dederang.

David, his sister Mary along with his wife Lisa organised a gathering for Nesta’s birthday at the Westmont Nursing home in Baranduda where she now lives with around 50 family and friends who joined in with the celebrations.

Nesta was very excited to receive letters of congratulations from King Charles III, Governor General David Hurley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Daniel Andrews, Victorian Governor Linda Dessau and Federal member for Indi Dr Helen Haines.

Congratulations Nesta on your memorable birthday.

PROUD FAMILY: Nesta Drew with her extended family celbrated Nesta’s 100th birthday at the Westmont Nursing home in Baranduda.

MEMENTO: Nesta Drew with her congratulatory card from King Charles III.

PEOPLE AROUND TOWN

Janet Grealy

How long have you lived in the area?

I was born in the Tawonga Hospital in 1955, the eldest of five children. I lived in Eildon for five years and moved back to Mount Beauty in 1998.

What do you like about living here?

Mount Beauty is home. I like that it’s a small community, close to Albury/ Wodonga for medical, shopping and entertainment. We have a lot of community groups that you can be part of.

Would you like to see any changes or additions?

I don’t think so, I like the charm of Mount Beauty as it is. We have a bakery and cafes for coffee, a well stocked supermarket and a variety of other retail outlets.

What do you do, your hobbies and interests?

I volunteer at the local Neighbourhood Centre, cooking cakes, scones and some home care meals.

I am president of the Mount Beauty Art Group, I love to create mixed media art works. I am a member of U3A and play table tennis every Tuesday. I like to take my two youngest grandchildren to the park when I can.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Up to Falls Creek and Bogong (when the road is open), to Buffalo to see the old chalet, and maybe do some bushwalking. To the local wineries, a walk around the lake and down to Pebble Beach. A coffee at the bakery or one of our cafes, to a dinner at one of the pubs or restaurants.

Council meeting tonight

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

COUNCILLORS are set to decide on discontinuing the Dinner Plain cable tv network due to rising costs, increasing breakdowns and customer complaints at their monthly meeting tonight.

MT BEAUTY

Tomos Lewis

How long have you lived in the area?

Twelve years now.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Soccer, snowboarding and motorbike riding.

What do you like about them?

It’s a good way to socialise with your mates and see parts of the town that you don’t normally see.

What do you like about the area?

I like that everyone’s pretty close and it’s a good community around here.

Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?

Probably up Mount Buffalo, the lake maybe, or just around town. Is there anything you would change about the area?

MYRTLEFORD

Not really, I’m pretty content with how it is. Everything around here is pretty nice.

A special rate for Dinner Plain village may be decided on to defray the expenses associated with services of special benefit to Dinner Plain Commercial/ Industrial ratepayers.

Council has also been recommended to lease two new sites at the Porepunkah Aerodrome for an aircraft hanger.

Councillors will respond to the submissions received as part of the Community Budget.

The Alpine Planning Scheme Review 2023 may also be adopted and implemented, while councillors will received the draft budget for 2023/2024. The meeting will be held in the Mount Beauty auditorium at 26 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty.

The Alpine Observer/ Myrtleford Times will have more information in next week’s edition.

Community garden almost ready to raise the roof

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Myrtleford Community Garden greenhouse is almost complete, with the local group planning to put the roof on the structure this weekend.

Last weekend members were installing roller curtains on the sides of the frame, which will allow for ventilation, and according to former community garden vice-president Alan Mitchinson, they are hoping to install a roof, a vent and a door this weekend, meaning the structure will largely be complete.

Mr Mitchinson said after that they will finish the flooring with a weedmat and blue metal stone.

“We want to try and get it finished off before the weather starts getting too cold,” he said.

According to Mr Mitchinson, the roller curtain and vent will assist in ventilation, keeping the indoor temperature at a balmy 2025 degrees, while the greenhouse will also have overhead irrigation.

The greenhouse was funded by the Bright Community Bank and the Alpine Shire Council.

Mr Mitchinson said they will use the greenhouse for propagating plants for the community garden and for sale, which will help fund the garden.

“I won’t have to propagate everything at home,” he said.

Further plans for the greenhouse include getting power

to automate the roller doors and irrigation, and a nearby shed to store pots.

Mr Mitchinson recently stepped down from his position as vice-president of the group, citing difficulties making meetings due to living in Wangaratta.

Local residents are encouraged to drop off their vegetable scraps in the compost bays and help themselves to any ready-toharvest fruits or vegetables at the garden on Lawrence Street.

The last of the tomato bushes were removed earlier this month, while the brassicas have made a strong start.

The rhubarb, as always, is growing well.

New group to spearhead Kiewa Valley recovery Tea Garden fishway complete

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

ALPINE Shire Council and Emergency Recovery Victoria are coordinating the formation of the volunteer Kiewa Valley Community Recovery Group (CRG).

Alpine Shire Mayor John Forsyth said the establishment of a CRG plays a critical part in supporting community-centred recovery, so that affected communities can “lead and drive their own recovery processes”.

“The CRG will represent communities across the Upper Kiewa Valley, including Bogong Village, Mount Beauty, Tawonga South, Tawonga and Ded-

erang, ensuring local knowledge and expertise are front and centre in creating a long term, community-centred recovery plan,” he said.

“Their role will not only be to plan, coordinate and lead the recovery process, but give a voice to the broad views, priorities and recovery goals of affected communities, providing a link between them, council, Emergency Recovery Victoria, and other state government agencies.”

Some of the responsibilities of the group may be to engage and consult with community members to better understand their recovery needs and listen to

their ideas, develop, implement and update a Community Recovery Plan that includes short, medium and long-term priorities, and keep communities informed of recovery issues, plans and actions.

Council and Emergency Recovery Victoria will provide support to the group, including attending meetings and undertaking secretariat duties.

Cr Forsyth said council is seeking nominations from community members who represent a broad cross-section of interests and views of the affected communities.

“Nominees will be required to demonstrate that they have

an interest in and understand the local community they represent,” he said.

“Group members will be expected to provide insight and two-way communication with their whole community and networks.”

Ratepayers in the Kiewa Valley who live outside of the Alpine Shire can also nominate for the Group.

Nominations will be received up to May 1, 2023.

For more information and to find the online nomination form go to https://www.alpineshire. vic.gov.au/community/news/ calling-community-lead-landslip-recovery.

NORTH East Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Goulburn-Murray Water and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder marked the successful completion of the Tea Garden Creek weir fishway near Everton on Friday, April 14.

This project will have a significant impact on the local ecosystem, opening an additional 270km of habitat and refuge, while still being able to divert water for the Tea Garden Creek irrigators.

According to North East CMA, the fishway will provide a safe and efficient passage for fish through the waterway, thereby promoting their migration and breeding, and will also benefit the local community through increased recreational fishing and eco-tourism opportunities along the river.

HARD AT WORK: Myrtleford Community Garden members Alan Mitchinson and Sjaani van den Berg were busy installing roller curtains on the greenhouse frame last Saturday. PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Beautiful weather for local festival

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

MOUNT Beauty Music Festival was a huge success at their new location over the weekend, with an estimated 800 strong crowd over the course of the two day event.

Organiser Jocelyn Ceccanti said it was a great day all round.

“Over the whole weekend we probably got between 600 to 800 people through and it was a really good location with a lot more room and more central,” she said.

“Everything went really smoothly, the weather was amazing and it was nice with the two different days.

“Saturday was more family friendly with music all day and food and face painting and Sunday we had the two and shows with around 40 cars this year.

“We did the convoy form Wodonga to the show which was a big hit; everyone loved that, no one has really done that before so it was a bit novel.

Ms Ceccanti said Matt Joe Gow and the Dead Leaves was

a great five piece band at the community centre on Saturday night.

The Who’s Got Talent competition, which was held for the second year running, was really popular and the kids getting up and telling jokes.

“It was lots of fun and a nice idea to get people involved and get kids participating,” she said.

“I think people were happy to be out and about and relax with family and at the location you could look up at Mount Bogong and see the autumn leaves and hang gliders; it was very picturesque and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

“A special thanks to the alpine shire and bushfire recovery who were our main funding supporters for the event.

“And a big thank you to the community and those that came out on the day.”

Grant Ryder won the people’s choice vote with his ‘56 Buick and a relative, Mr Ryder senior, won the overall prize with an International farm truck.

Dual winners awarded AJF Bursary

IN an unprecedented turn of events, the Allan J Findlay Memorial Bursary was awarded to two candidates, Maddison Pasqaulotto and Zali Feltrin, with all other applicants recognised for their merit.

According to youth chairperson for the Bright Lions Club, Jennifer Sgambelloni, the judging panel were so impressed by the calibre of all of the applicants, in particular Ms Pasqaulotto and Ms Feltrin, they consulted with the Lions and Rotary Clubs as they couldn’t split the results.

She said both clubs agreed that in the spirit of community support, both appli-

cants should receive a full bursary ($1000 each), with the unsuccessful applicants being gifted $100 each.

Ms Pasqualotto and Ms Feltrin were presented with their winner’s certificates and a full bursary each at a combined Lions and Rotary gathering on Tuesday, April 18.

Allan J Findlay, affectionally known within the community as Big Al, was renowned for the support he gave to many organisations and individuals, his community connections, and for making a huge difference in the lives of so many.

BURSARY BENEFICIARIES: ZalI Feltrin, Andrina Crome (Lions Club of Bright), Paul Dalbosco (Rotary Club of Bright), and Maddison Pasqualotto.

GREAT DAY: (Above right) The Mount Beauty Music Festival was a hit with attendees over the weekend. (Above left) Who’s Got Talent Competition winner Wilbur, with his new guitar.

George greets Germany

MARIAN College Myrtleford Year 12 student George Whitford put his studies on hold in January to spend a year on a Rotary youth exchange in Germany.Â

The 17 year old has been living in East Saxony near the Czech republic border in a town of 22,000.

Here is his report of the first two months.

By GEORGE WHITFORD

EVEN though it’s not situated too far north, Annaberg-Bucholz experiences some of the coldest weather in all of Germany, due to being in the Ore mountains.

This makes the temperature changes pretty big, instantly dropping from weather in the mid 30 degrees celcius to a snowing -5 degrees and it was a bit of a shock.

The beauty of the snow, however, makes up for it - the massive snow-covered forests span over the Erzgeberge, predominantly huge conifers belong amongst the snow with spruce and pine dominating the picturesque landscape.

What I notice most about the difference to the Australian landscape is the absence of wildlife.Â

While you see the occasional deer grazing, the landscape is quiet; not as ‘alive’ as the Australian bush, nor as diverse.

I live in a four-storey house that’s over 100 years old, making it one of the newest houses in the city.

I’m yet to see a house with less than one storey here with plenty of buildings pre-dating Australian colonisation by more than a thousand years; it’s insane.

Due to a teacher deficit in the country, my schooling differs from day to day.

Theoretically, school goes from 7:30am to 3:05pm with eight classes, in practice however it’s common to have four or five classes a day due to staff shortages.

Last week on Monday and Tuesday I went to school for three hours, and on Wednesday it’s seven and a half.

Duck hunting season commences Wednesday

THE Victorian duck hunting season begins at 8am on Wednesday, April 26 and closes 30 minutes after sunset on Tuesday, May 30.

There will be a daily bag limit of four game ducks per day for the entire season.

Hunting the Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead are prohibited for the entire season.

For every day of the 2023 duck season, hunting starts at 8am and finishes 30 minutes after sunset each day.

Six game duck species are permitted to be hunted during the 2023 season including Pacific Black Duck, Mountain Duck, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Pinkeared Duck, and Wood Duck.

The Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead have been listed as threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and cannot be hunted during the 2023 season

Regulations require hunters to make all reasonable efforts to immediately retrieve all downed game ducks and to salvage at least the breast meat from all harvested ducks.

I’m in the 10th grade and I have lots of classes; I take mandatory German, Maths, English, Russian, Ethics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Natural Sciences, Politics, History, Geography, Art, Sport, Music, Coding and Astronomy.

It’s fun to have such diversity, every day is different, of course, its all in German so that certainly spices it up.

In the breaks we are inside, there is no oval, all schooling is inside one huge sprawling building.

The presence of German food is rare outside of restaurants.

Other than a sauerkraut tasting where I thoroughly judged the sauerkraut of seven competitors,

there’s been a lack of the quintessential German food.

It’s common to eat pizza, pasta, curry, and Döner, they absolutely love Döner, and other cuisines.

I can say I’ve eaten more Döner than schnitzel and bratwurst combined.

Even so, the German restaurants that offer traditional food are amazing, I love Käsespätzle, a cheese and onion dish from the south.

The waiters in these restaurants tend to be dressed in Dirdls, or traditional folk dress, they are very stereotypical and just what you’d imagine a German barmaid would wear.

I have been privileged to travel to Prague and watch a Champi-

ons League knockout match live, amongst many other things.

I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to be here and learn German, it’s a dream realised.

I can’t recommend such a program enough nor can I express my gratitude towards Rotary and specifically Myrtleford Rotary for sponsoring me - they are extremely generous and enable such an amazing program.

In the relatively short time I have been on exchange I have already had some of the most fantastic experiences and opportunities of my life.

I’m extremely excited for the next 10 months, thank you Rotary.

All other hunting arrangements remain unchanged.

Only non-toxic shot can be used to hunt ducks anywhere in Victoria.

Lead is not permitted.

Hunters are reminded to review the Game Management Authority (GMA) education material to ensure accurate identification of waterfowl, humane dispatch methods and responsible hunting techniques.

Please monitor the GMA website before and during the season to see if wetlands have been closed to hunting or hunting has been further regulated.

Hunters are reminded to hunt responsibly at all times.

EXCHANGE TRIP: Myrtleford’s George Whitford has pursued his dreams and has left the country for a year in Germany.

Indiah Fletcher–Jackson

Wandiligong teen dons director’s hat

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

FOR Wandiligong

teenager Indiah FletcherJackson, filmmaking and screenwriting has always been a huge passion.

The 18-year-old recently won the Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends’ student award for her film ‘A Book by its Cover’ which was her VCE Media project last year at Cathedral College in Wangaratta.

Indiah employed professional actors from Melbourne and wrote the script, shot, directed and edited the 10 minute short film which she is now entering into various film festivals.

“Filmmaking and screenwriting has always been a passion; when I was little I would make my friends and family act in films I’d make on iMovie,” she said.

“So when I found out we had the opportunity to make our own short film for year 12 media and it was worth 40 per cent of our overall mark, I was ecstatic and felt a determination like no other to make the best film I could possibly make,” she said.

“I wrote two scripts with completely different

storylines before I had a lightbulb moment and produced the script for “A Book by its Cover”.

“I was sitting at my desk, during a bout of COVID, when I looked at my wall covered in posters, and my retro Bates Motel poster caught my eye.

“All at once a whole story came to me that was dying to be told.

“’A Book by its Cover’ was born, and became an adaption of The Bates Motel and Psycho stories with adjusted and unexpected twists and turns.

Indiah said the undertaking was “massive” on top of balancing her other VCE subjects.

“Sleepless nights, skipped meals, countless drives around the North East sourcing filming locations, casting actors for the roles, and finally the 17 hour shoot days, which dragged into the early hours of the morning,” she said.

“But, I wouldn’t change it for the world; I believe that if something is hard work and a challenge, but the final result is something you are proud of, it always feels much more deserved.

“Writing, producing, directing and filming this project confirmed

Fletcher-Jackson, pictured with Wangaratta Arts Gallery exhibition

officer Inga Hanover and Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends Inc member Helen Hill, has won a local award for her short film, awarded by the Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends including

one thing; I know it’s my purpose to bring stories to life.

“It was very encouraging to win the award and I was so grateful for the prizemoney as it will go towards my dream as a young filmmaker.

“My ultimate dream is to become an actress but I know that’s a tough career to get into so I’m glad I have an interest in the industry as a whole and can pursue various careers through script writing or directing as well.”

Indiah’s mother Rose said she believes the Wangaratta Art Gallery were “so impressed” with the extensiveness of Indiah’s project.

“Not only did she produce an edgy short film, she also created a massive 250 page detailed folio which provided extensive details and documented how she was going to bring her film to life,” she said.

“It included things like how she built a dolly from scratch to help with camera angles.

“She approached the Ovens Valley Motel in Bright who were about to close for a major renovations, and they agreed to let her film there.

“She also used the Myrtleford Hotel for some indoor scenes.

“Indiah is having a gap year this year working and saving so that she can head to Los Angeles where she will pursue her love for acting, and filmmaking.

“She is currently writing a script for a feature film.”

‘A Book By Its Cover’

is a spine-tingling psychological thriller that will have you wondering from the first bloody scene. The film centres around motel guest Charlotte Crawford, a travelling writer, and her encounter with William, a peculiar small town motel manager. Charlotte becomes inspired by the history of the motel where she is staying and the strange, but likeable, William.

But, is all as it seems? Should you ever judge a book by its cover?

SHORT FILM: Indiah’s short film is titled ‘A Book by its Cover’.

An open letter to Treasurer Jim Chalmers regarding the Budget

Dear Dr Chalmers, Thereʼs a crisis in our country you can fix in your first budget, at no extra cost.

With the stroke of a pen you could help secure the future of critical regional news services, using money already allocated in the budget.

All you need to do is allocate a fairer percentage of the federal governmentʼs advertising budget to local and regional news services, rather than spending almost all of it with corporate capital city media and foreign-owned digital platforms (which donʼt produce any content or employ any journalists).

This can be achieved by simply adopting the Victorian Govt policy that mandates a weekly full page government advertisement in every regional and community paper.

Local and regional newspapers connect more than 80% of the country, but they get almost 0% of the government advertising spend.

In an era where false news spreads faster on social media than the truth does, trusted local news services reach more regional Australians than any other medium. And unlike other media, every government dollar spent with a local newspaper is also an investment in regional journalism jobs.

This shouldnʼt be controversial.

A recent parliamentary inquiry recommended that a minimum of 20% of government print advertising should be placed with regional news services. A recent study conducted by Deakin University recommended the same thing. In fact, the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, has been advocating for more regional newspaper advertising for many years.

We know there may be bigger budget issues, but this small policy change would be a simple and fair solution to a growing problem for regional Australia. A policy that ensures weekly federal government advertising is placed in regional newspapers would be great news for the country. And it wonʼt cost you a cent.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kendall President Managing Director Country Press Australia Australian Community Media

Andrew Manuel

Authorised by A Manuel, 9 Howe Street Balaklava SA 5461

How buyers can benefit from speaking to a real estate agent

Written by | realestateview.com.au in buying

WHILE a real estate agent is hired by the seller, their expertise in the local market makes them a valuable resource for buyers as well.

It would be unwise for buyers to overlook the insights and information that can be gained from a conversation with a skilled local agent.

Their constant exposure to local auctions and deep knowledge of market dynamics make them invaluable resources for making informed investment decisions.

Collaborating with a local agent can help buyers navigate the complex real estate landscape and optimise their portfolios.

Approaching a real estate agent is typically a simple and direct process, as many are readily accessible via email or phone.

By establishing a clear and open line of communication, you can work collabo-

and preferences.

Localised research

Real estate agents can help home buyers understand the dynamics of the area they wish to purchase in.

They can provide insights on key factors that can impact your decision to buy in an area.

Ask the following questions:

What sort of property tends to be most popular in this area?

Is there a ‘better’ part of the suburb?

Do certain features in a home command a premium?

Has sales activity increased or decreased lately?

Have there been any zoning changes that you know of, or are there likely to be any?

What makes the area unique?

Have there been any recent sales along range?

Is there anything exciting or different coming up for the area that I should know about?

on the pulse of local sales results.

As individuals who have chosen a naturally competitive career, it’s not surprising that they will know what their properties have sold for but also generally what their competitors have sold properties for.

Some of this information will not be available on the leading portals yet as it can be quite recent, so asking will give you an advantage.

In fact, some real estate agents offer this information out through regular emails or text messages to their database.

For those looking to learn about an area, it pays dividends to be on as many of these mailing lists as possible.

Do not be afraid to ask outright to be added to any information send outs and

to be put onto their database.

Some real estate agents include newsletters with updates of new listings, upcoming auctions and even their own perspectives on the market and purchasing tips.

You won’t know what free information is available unless you ask.

The purchasing process

For those who are uncertain about the buyers, real estate agents can be helpful in assisting you through the buying process.

They can explain terms and talk you through the necessary contracts when you are uncertain and let you know any required details around attending an auction.

Of course, all purchasers are encouraged to get their own legal advice and a real estate agent cannot tell you what to buy, however you should not feel wary of

asking them about terminology or what you may need to do to make an offer.

They may also be able to explain to you the differences if you are purchasing in a different state or territory than you are used to.

Some real estate agents will have access to a number of checklists and even sample forms that you can download to have a look at that can assist you.

Points to remember:

Real estate agents are hubs of local expertise.

They can provide you information about local sales.

Ask to be on their databases.

They can tell you about any upcoming homes.

Agents can guide you through the buying process.

They are your link to the seller.

INSPECTION,OPENFORSAT,22APRIL 202312.15PM–12.45PM

Asublime family oasis, this exceptional double fronted Edwardian (c1910) home offers the elegance and charm of yesteryear while maintaining it originality and all the modern requirements to make life grand. Standing tall on a massive 2190 sqm elevated allotment, in one of Wangaratta’s premier pockets, this beautiful home boasts appeal and uniqueness with its stunning period façade. The wide verandah graciously wraps around the front of the home framing twin bay windows. The grand hallway hints to the glamour within, with soaring ceilings, polished timber traditional front bedrooms and leading to a rear extension with stunning kitchen lavished with All overlooking the light bathed open plan living and dining area. Here

all your entertaining is executed in superb style alongside a tranquil pool nestled in a private garden sanctuary. Quality features include ducted gas heating, evap cooling, double bay shed, single carport and automatic watering system and front gates. This home is perfectly positioned and ready to enjoy.

Spectacular in scale, design and level brick 1920 residence brilliantly renovated and extended dimensions set a new

From the breathtaking proportions, every element highlights the extraordinary attention to detail. A tessellated entry introduces a wide entrance hall featuring and soaring ceilings. The deluxe kitchen boasts an expansive stone bench with breakfast bar and the exceptionally spacious living and dining room with covered outdoor area ideal for year round alfresco dining and entertaining. Two additional front rooms are of grand scale botanical gardens and wide verandahs.

Upstairs a deluxe main bedroom enjoys its own WIR, ensuite with corner spa and French doors leading out to a private

balcony. Four additional bedrooms of oversized proportions deliver extensive in a prized location just metres from parks and walking tracks also includes a four car garage, double carport, large shed, bore and 10 kw solar system. With too many exceptional features to list an inspection is essential to fully appreciate this beautiful property.

Aandsituated in a highly sought after area, this immaculately presented home offers the idyllic country lifestyle.

Stepping inside to the traditional brick residence you’re immediately greeted to a wide entrance hall and multiple living and dining areas. The stunning gourmet kitchen lies at the very heart of the home and is a striking space with expansive benchtops with northern light bathing the casual dining/living room. The lavish master bedroom graces the front of the home with WIR and large ensuite, whilst three further robed bedrooms provide plenty of accommodation for everyone. There is much to explore in the expansive outdoors with a number of entertaining/seating areas, lush green grass and all the shedding

you will ever need. Opportunity exists to further enhance the property by adding a pool, tennis court or even the potential of subdividing the 9387sqm (approx) allotment (STCA).

Water is plentiful with an approx. 110,000 litre rain water tank for drinking and house hold, two 22,800 litre tanks for pool water, dam plus a bore with a depth of approx. 170mtrs.

The shedding is to die for with an approx. 10mt x 15mt workshop plus an ad-

joining machinery shed/carport 10mt x 3mt in size and additional double carport for car storage.

There are three main paddocks ideal for all your livestock needs ideal for cattle, sheep, or horses.

This property is presented immaculately and inspections will not disappoint, so contact us now to inspect.

Nutrien Harcourts

5722 9444

Agent | Phone | Price | Location | 4 2 8

$1,100,000-$1,200,000

606 Warby Range Rd, Wangaratta South

• 99 hectares (244.6 acres) established, quality vineyard

• 9 varieties – Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Savagnin, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Saperavi

• Exceptional water supply – 143meg plus 2 dams and springs with high rainfall 1,000-1,100mm pa average

• Undulating terrain providing a selection of rich productive soils

with Join us at the top

income stream ‘Prosecco Point’

return on investment • Two residences set in established and restful park like setting Two machinery sheds, workshop, historic King Valley Hall • Let us work twice as hard for you Travis | 0477 138 372 Karen | 0400 500 681 apex@email.propertyme.com

of

•

• Agent Remarks: ‘Acacia Park’ is one of a kind, and one of the largest vineyards in the highly regarded and sought after King Valley region. One ownership since 1947. Potential and opportunity for development to tourist attracting enterprises and higher levels if des ired. Inspection and tender offers are encouraged for this outstanding rural asset showing positive returns on investment.

10.6 kW GRID CONNECT SOLAR SYSTEM PLUS UNFAILING WATER

Idyllic lifestyle property at beautiful Glen Creek in highly sought after Yackandandah Valley in North East Victoria. Only 5 minutes to Dederang Hotel, 12 minutes to Yackandandah, 17 minutes to Myrtleford and 35 minutes to Albury/Wodonga. Magnificent valley and mountain views plus a wonderful variety of birdlife and amazing stars at night.

The property boasts fertile and drought proof environment with six spring fed dams and reticulated water or dams to all paddocks. Unlimited crystal clear spring water gravity fed to house. A centrally located laneway system for safe and easy stock movement. All fencing in good or new condition. Mature extensive tree plantings are also provided for stock shelter and firewood. The property is suited to equine enthusiasts and to livestock breeding with heavy carrying capacity which can easily support 50+ breeding cows and calves

The property also has a 6 bedroom house with 3 bathrooms, extensive shedding. A studio with bedroom, ensuite and kitchenette.

7 Beds 4 bathrooms 6 cars

Inspections: Strictly By Appointment Only For Sale: $1,695,000

DOIN’ THE TRITON TWO-STEP

By DEREK OGDEN

THE Triton tapped danced up and down the concrete ‘boards’ of the motorway, leaving occupants shakin’ all over.

Thankfully, this was no polka: ‘three-sixties’ here would have been well out of order.

On minor-road bitumen the terpsichorean bobbing up and down stepped aside for the GSR dual cab ute to settle for the odd bounce when encountering surface blemishes.

Let’s face it, most utes exhibit some degree of rodeo riding.

However, there is work to be done here.

The new Triton is a relative late comer to the dual cab ute segment dominated by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, the Mitsubishi relying on value for money in its appeal.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in Triton being seriously challenged by the likes of the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max, not to mention Chinese and Korean offerings.

Mitsubishi Australia offers the MY22 Triton in six variants, with the GLX from a bargain basement $44,240 drive away.

The range is rounded out by the GSR from $65,740 drive away.

The latter was on test.

Accessories across the range are designed to suit most needs.

Select from a Work Pack, Tradie Essential Pack, Starter Pack, Polished Pack or Black Pack.

Out in front with its 10year 200,000-kilometre Diamond Advantage warranty, the maker offers Triton cover, provided all scheduled ser-

vicing is done on time and by an authorised Mitsubishi dealer.

STYLING

The all-over black GSR test vehicle sported 18-inch alloy wheels and blackedout grille, clamshell-style doors, platform side steps and grab handles made for easy access.

Efficient LED headlamps and daytime running lights are in line with the latest look in pick-up truck design.

On the smaller side of the segment, the ‘tucked in’ Triton’s less than 12 metre turning circle does make for easier parking than many of its segment rivals.

INTERIOR

The cabin décor certainly makes a statement with orange leather appointed seats, black leather door trims with orange stitching, the latter repeated on the steering wheel, gear shift knob and park brake lever.

The luxe look is let down somewhat by black plastic surrounds, which are present in abundance.

Front seats are heated, while two rear seat passengers are well catered for with generous leg room and a reclined seatback angle allowing ample, head and shoulder room - three across not so.

The bench seat back folds to expose a slim storage space across the width of the cabin.

Storage, in general, is well covered with cup holders all round, a cubby up front, deep centre console and big-bottle door slots.

Out back, the tub dimensions - 1520mm long, 1470 mm wide, 475mm deep - are some of the smallest in the segment, while four integrat-

ed cargo hooks can safely secure a variety of loads.

INFOTAINMENT

In these days of tabletstyle technology, a small(ish) touchscreen, covering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio, dwells in the past, while a head-up display on the windscreen, covering speed and legal speed limits, catches up with present-day standards.

Analogue instruments literally dial up memories of the old workhorse, the layout relating to modern times only by a digital display between the two gauges.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The MY22 Triton relies on the tried and tested (ageing) 2.4-litre Mitsubishi MIVEC common-rail, intercooled turbodiesel engine putting out 133 kW of power at 3500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 2500 revs.

A six-speed automatic transmission and Super Select II 4x4 system cover the spectrum of on- and off-road capability.

SAFETY

The five-star ANCAP safety grade won in 2015 would not be up to today’s five-star standards.

However, Mitsubishi Intuitive Technology (MITEC) does incorporate such technical advantages as antilock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution; forward collision mitigation; ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation; blind spot and lane departure warning; lane change assist; hill descent control; all-round monitor; hill start assist; reverse parking camera and sensors; and rear cross-traffic alert.

Passive safety is covered by seven airbags and an au-

dible warning to pedestrians when the vehicle is reversing.

DRIVING

Constructed in lightweight materials, including an aluminium block, it’s fuel efficiency over performance with the Triton 2.4-litre turbodiesel powerplant.

Ponderous off the mark but relaxed and co-operative at cruising speeds.

Note: leave the steering wheel-mounted metal shift paddles alone.

They add little to the driving experience. It’s definitely a case of engine management knows best.

Mitsubishi puts fuel consumption in the combined urban / highway cycle at 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres.

On test the GSR recorded 11 litres per 100 kilometres city commuting and 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.

As mentioned above, a rigid ladder chassis; up front, double wishbones with coil springs and stabiliser bar; and above-axle leaf spring rear suspension had their moments.

Super Select II 4x4 system incorporates four modes - 2H, rear-wheel drive; 4H, full-time power to all wheels; 4HLC, 4WD high range with locked centre differential, minimises wheel spin with low grip; 4LCC, 4WD low range with locked centre diff, maximum traction at low speed.

The switch between two and four-wheel drive can be made safely on the fly at speeds up to 100 km/h.

Tow rating is 3100 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked.

The test vehicle tonneau cover provided a test of strength to clip it down until

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLX FROM $44,240 (Drive away)

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLX-R FROM $47,490 (Drive away)

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLX+ FROM $48,490 (Drive away)

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLS FROM $53,240 (Drive away)

MITSUBISHI TRITON SPORT EDITION FROM $60,926 (Drive away)

MITSUBISHI TRITON GSR FROM $65,740 (Drive away)

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mitsubishi dealer for driveaway prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Triton GSR 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, six-speed automatic, selectable 4x4 dual cab ute).

RATINGS:

Looks: 8/10; Performance: 6/10; Safety: 7/10; Thirst: 7/10;

Practicality: 7/10; Comfort: 6/10; Tech: 6/10; Value: 7/10

it finally surrendered to perseverance.

The high-set lined tub (aren’t they all, these days) also offered up a few loading challenges during the test.

Rear seat occupants commented on the efficiency of the climate control back there with its dual air vents in the roof.

SUMMARY

While lacking in some of the niceties of the modern pick-up truck work-and-play combination, the Triton GSR does not carry the load of premium pricing of some of its opposition.

ENGINE:

Capacity: 2.442 litres

Configuration: Four cylinders inline

Combined Maximum Power: 133 kW @ 3500 rpm

Combined Maximum Torque: 430 Nm @ 2500 rpm

Fuel Type: Diesel

Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.6 L/100km

DRIVELINE:

Six-speed automatic, selectable 4x4

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 5305 mm

Wheelbase: 3000 mm

Width: 1815 mm

Height: 1795 mm

Turning Circle: 11.8 metres

Kerb mass: 1999 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres

STANDARD WARRANTY: Ten years/200,000 kilometres

ON THE MOVE: The latest generation Triton GSR is no wallflower when it comes to the practicalities of a dual cab ute.

UPCOMING STREET CLOSURES –BRIGHT AUTUMN FESTIVAL GALA DAY PARADE AND MARKET

From 4pm Friday, 5 May 2022 to 5pm

Saturday, 5 May 2023 - Vline Bus Stop

The V/line bus stop in Anderson St will be moved to Apex Park on Gavan Street (opposite Woolworths) for the duration of the closure.

The following roads will be closed for short periods of time to allow the safe staging of the Bright Autumn Festival Market and Gala Day Parade.

Saturday, 6 May 2023

From 6.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 6 May 2023 - Bright Rotary Markets

Barnard Street at Gavan Street intersection

Camp Street at Wills Street intersection

Ireland Street at the roundabout

Burke Street at the toilet block Anderson Street at Wood Street intersection

Saturday, 6 May 2023

From 1.00pm to approximately 3.30pm –

Gala Day Parade

Back Porepunkah Road Closed at Station Street/Service Street at the roundabout (Porepunkah).

Access Bright via Great Alpine Road Bright Park Street at Deacon Avenue

Bakers Gully Road at Park Street Mill Road at Railway Avenue intersection

Star Road at Riverside Avenue

Gavan Street at the roundabout

Gavan Street at Star Road

Anderson Street at Wood Street

Gavan Street at Camp Street

Howitt Street at Gavan Street

Delany Ave at Hawthorn Lane

Mountbatten Avenue at Rotary Slide Car Park

A detour will be in place at Hawthorn Lane/ Churchill Avenue, to Cobden and Station Street – expect delays. You can learn more about what is planned on the Regional Roads Victoria website at regionalroads.vic.gov.au or call the hotline 133 778.

FREE IMMUNISATION CLINICS 2023

Victorian Immunisation Schedule

Children - 0 to 5 years of age standard

vaccination

Students – Year 7 & Year 10 Secondary School based program including 15 to 19 yo catch ups.

MOUNT BEAUTY

Venue: Lakeview Children’s Centre, Lakeside Avenue, Mt Beauty

Date/time: Wednesday 26th April 9.30am to 10.30am

MYRTLEFORD

Venue: Myrtleford Senior Citizens Centre, Smith Street, Myrtleford

Date/time: Thursday 27Th April 9.30am to 10.30am

BRIGHT

Venue: Alpine View Children’s Centre, 23 Deacon Avenue, Bright

Date/time: Friday 28th April 9.30am to 10.30am

If you are unwell, are a suspected or attend.

No Appointment Necessary

For further information, contact Alpine Shire Council on 03 5755 0555.

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMIT – P.2022.146

The land affected by the application is located at: Corner of Martley and Nicholson Street, Porepunkah - Section 1A CA12 Parish of Porepunkah

The application is for a permit for: Building and Works associated with a minor sports and recreation facility

The applicant for the permit is: Carter Perspective Application and supporting documents can be viewed at the Churchill Avenue, Bright. code below.

Council will not decide on the application before this date: 3 May 2023

‘A full copy of the application and supporting documents document has been copied and made available for the purpose of the planning process as set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The information must not be used for any other purpose. By taking/accepting a copy of this document you acknowledge and agree that you will only use the document for the purpose distribution or copying of this document is strictly prohibited’. Anyone who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Council. Please be aware that copies of objections / submissions received may be used for the consideration of the planning application. If you object, the Council will advise you of its decision.

Contact Details Telephone: (03) 5755 0555 Email: planning@alpineshire.vic.gov.au

TENDER - RFQ22037

Transfer Station 9mx3m Closes – Friday, 5 May 2023 www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/council/tenders

Retail Sales Associate (Casual) Lifestyle Store

Do you love fashion and home decor?

Do you enjoy selling to help your customers achieve their perfect outcome?

Journey Bright is a lifestyle store in beautiful Bright, Victoria. We are looking for a very special person to help us sell stylish clothing, fashion accessories and home décor. We are seeking a person who:

Has some experience in selling and/or customer service (preferably in a retail environment).

Has a mature outlook and is friendly, energetic, and reliable. Is willing to learn and has excellent communication and organizational skills. Has some flexibility regarding days you are available to work.

The position is casual but could become permanent. Initially we are looking for 1-3 days per week including some Saturdays per month.

Starting immediately.

Please email your resume with references and/or questions to dene@journeybright.com.au

Closing date 30/4/2023.

Please quote “Retail Sales Associate Position” No phone calls thank-you.

Join our fun and friendly team at Journey Bright today!

CARAVANS & CAMPERS

REGAL Deluxe pop t op caravan, tandem wheel base, full oven, air conditioner, island double bed, good condition, reg (F21556), $9500. Ph 0407 218 377.

2013 Ford Territory, diesel, auto, 2.7lt V6 turbo, RWD, 7 seater, in excellent condition, services regularly, 4 n ew tyres and RWC, 255,000km, reg (1PB4ON), $11,000 ono. Ph 0407 050 406.

DEATH NOTICES

TINETTI, Barry Patrick

18/5/1938 – 18/4/2023

Passed away aged 84 years.

Loving husband of Elizabeth (dec). Loved father of Anne-Maree, Michael, Jane and Peter.

Adored Pa of Sinead, Ciarán, Jack and Elly-Rose. Great Pa of Tynan and Niah.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Honouring the Journey

Mason Park Funerals

GAZAL Zodiac pop top caravan 17 ft, registered, tare 1150 atm 1450, very good condition, new awning, Reco 3-way fridge, diesel heater, gas/electric hot water, external shower, 2 water tanks, led lighting throughout, windguard aerial, 1500w invertier, 200w solar panel on roof, 2 batteries, privacy screens and walls, $17,000 ono. Ph 0428 398 360.

SUBARU Forester 2021 MY21 2.5iS AWD Wagon Auto, REG (1TF1ZE), 43,000 km, r egistered Feb 2024, black leather interior, sunroof, full service h istory, towbar and tinted windows, $39,950 Call: 0407 000 512.

Personal Notices

DEATH NOTICES

BURNS, William Colin (Wil)

2/1/2000 – 19/4/2023

Passed away suddenly at home. Much loved son of Troy and Kerry. Loving brother of Thomas, Seth, Charlie and Stuart. Cherished grandson of Marilyn and Barry. I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever. Please see next week’s Myrtleford Times for funeral details.

MAXWELL, Douglas Peter.

Passed away peacefully at home in Wangaratta on April 21, 2023. He will be sadly missed by his partner, Linda, her son David, family and friends.

Many thanks to all the help we received at this time. He has not gone. The mountains are full of his steps, wisdom and his love of nature and life.

Love for ever, Linda Rendell. “So mote it be”

Privately cremated.

Personal Notices

may be placed up to 3.00pm each Monday

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

TYRRELL, Barbara May.

16/1/1943 – 19/4/2023

Late of Whorouly and formerly of Cobram. Passed away peacefully at Barwidgee Lodge Myrtleford with family by her side. Dearly loved wife of Kevin. The tears in our eyes we can wipe away, But the ache in our hearts is there to stay.

to Andrea Wood and James McDonald on your engagement.

Love and best wishes

~ Kath, Allan, Chris, Stuart, Paige, Brendan, Linda and Harrison.

FUNERAL NOTICES

HODGKINSON

Brian William

25/11/1944 – 16/4/2023

A graveside funeral service to honour the life of Brian will be held at the Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery on Thursday, April 27, 2023 commencing at 2pm.

TINETTI

A graveside funeral service to honour the life of Barry will be held at the Bright Lawn Cemetery on Friday, April 28, 2023 commencing at 1pm.

TYRRELL

The Graveside Funeral Service for Mrs Barbara May Tyrrell will be held at the Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery, Myrtleford Yackandandah Road, Barwidgee on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10.30am. Barbara’s service can be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/

Porepunkah Panthers off to ripping start to baseball 2023

THE 2023 baseball season began in sunny Porepunkah on Sunday, and the many spectators were treated to a pair of exciting games.

Prior to the commencement of the A grade match, a founding member from 1998, Paul Lewis, threw out the first pitch of the season.

Lewis’ contribution to the club were highlighted, including his 179 games on the field, his administration and coaching duties as well as being the builder of the initial facilities at the ground.

The A grade Panthers went scoreless in their first two innings, but were able to consistently score two runs in four of their next five innings, to set up an 8-2 scoreline with Wodonga to bat.

From being two out from their first three batters, they put together four outfield hits to pull up two runs short.

For the Panthers, Rian Banks was the standout, with his three strong clouts to the outfield resulting in a similar number of runs brought in.

He also began on the mound and went four innings, seeing only 14 batters, none of whom scored.

Of his 44 pitches, 27 were strikes and enabled him to pick up four strikeouts.

He was supported by his field: Damon Barker (third base), Adam Rosser (second base) and Kaleb Hoare (first base) combined for a double play, while in the second innings, a relay throw from coach Paul Meddings in deep leftfield to Barker and onto catcher, Dean Anders, saw the tag easily made on a runner attempting to steal home.

Barker also had three safe

hits, but he was one of four players left on the bases twice during game.

Anders displayed patience with the bat, taking three walks and making two outfield hits, one landing safely.

Heath Anders pitched the last three innings, but had to spend more time on his duties than he expected, with 61 pitches for three strikeouts.

Rightfielder, Stephen Johnstone, held a high fly ball after covering a good distance in the fifth innings.

Youngsters Kaleb Hoare and Lachie Rosser (shortstop), were heavily involved in the plays of the game - Hoare had five putouts and Rosser had one putout and three assists.

The Panthers showed more hustle on the basepaths, stealing 10 bases to Wodonga’s one.

The B grade Panthers scored twice in their first innings, with coach Randy Skippen aboard on a fielding error, while returning player, Mark Fletcher singled to leftfield.

Two wild pitches saw them cross the home plate while Wodonga, with four safe hits and a hit batter, quickly had three runners in.

A line drive to Cam Alexander, at shortstop, saw him tag the advancing runner and then flip the ball to Mark Chambers at second base for an important double play.

5752 1058

innings left, Mark Chambers and Jarrod McCormack were walked.

A single to centerfield by another returning player, Andrew Smith, and a massive homerun by first gamer, Hayden Williams, over the rightfield cones saw Porepunkah race four runs closer.

Alexander’s ‘swinging bunt’ was enough for him to outrun the fielder’s throw.

Another fielding error on Chambers’ hit, plus two passed balls later on saw both come in to score, and just one run behind, but the next out was made at first base.

Next week all baseball games are at Targoora Park, Wangaratta, against the North Albury Bears, except for the B Grade who play the Benalla Bandits.

Both sides went scoreless for the next two innings.

The Panthers’ pitcher, Ollie Chambers, settled into his work, finishing with 53 pitches (29 strikes) for three strikeouts.

He also caught a high fly ball and fielded a grounder for an out at first base.

In the fourth innings, Wodonga made a pitching change, and Chambers singled to centerfield, and scored on a fielding error.

Ethan Edwards made a similar hit and scored on another infield wild throw.

Edwards came to the mound for the fourth innings, and retired the first two batters via a strikeout and a catch at second base.

But two safe hits, three walks, and two hit batters were combined with eight stolen bases and seven passed balls to see Wodonga roar back with six runs.

They were able to add another run in their next innings.

Edwards finished strongly, with two strikeouts and only three safe hits allowed.

His last innings saw three batters up and three out - a catch by youngster Makiah McCallum at first base and two infield throws to her glove.

Cam Alexander continued to attract the ball in leftfield, taking two good catches to finish both the fourth and the fifth innings.

Down 11-4, and with one

It will be good to see the Under 12 and Under 15 juniors in action again, while the new C grade side (an Under 18 squad), will have its maiden run. The Panthers’ two senior teams will add some extra players to help strengthen up the sides for their tough test against the Bears.

Match results

A grade: Panthers 0-0-2-02-2-2=8 runs, 5 errors, 11 safe hits-D Barker, R Banks 3 ea, A Rosser 2, H and D Anders, L Rosser 1 ea. Wodonga 0-00-0-1-1-4=6 runs, 5 errors, 9 safe hits.

B grade: Panthers 2-0-0-20-6=10 runs, 0 errors, 9 safe hits-M Fletcher, H Williams (HR) 2 ea, R Skippen, A Smith, C Alexander, O Chambers, E Edwards 1 ea. Wodonga 4-0-0-6-1-0=11 runs, 5 errors, 7 safe hits.

SEASON START: Founding member of the Porepunkah Panthers Baseball Club, Paul Lewis, threw out the first pitch at their home game on Sunday.

CHASE IS ON: Defender Brayden Gasperotti in pursuit of United’s Melkie Woldemichael as the two teams battled out a hotly contested 3-3 draw.

Points split in wild finish

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

A FRANTIC finish culminated in a thrilling 3-3 draw for the Savoy men who challenged the reigning champions Albury United with everything they could handle at Jelbart Park on Sunday.

With scores locked at two a piece, Savoys striker Matt Richardson found the back of the net in the 86th minute to complete his hat-trick and give the Savoys what looked to be the winning touch late in the game.

But the champions would not be denied, as United captain Alex Howard scored the equaliser in stoppage time to rob the Savoys of the three points.

Savoys co-coach Richard Morgan said while the hectic finish did not go the Savoys way, he was happy with how his team held

themselves together against the top of the table United.

“It was certainly a lively game, it was probably the best game we’ve played so far this year and we were a little unfortunate not to have come home with the result,” he said.

“Even though it was a draw, instantly after the whistle it felt like it had got away from us, but after you let it settle down for a bit, I thought it was a really good game and it kept you on your toes for the whole 90 minutes.”

Captain Tom LaSpina was moved to centre back with Brayden Gasperotti as both players put on standout performances against the high calibre opposition.

On the other end of the pitch the Savoys have thrived with the return of striker Richardson who has scored five times in the

past two games, almost doubling the Savoys’ season total.

Morgan said he can see the confidence and excitement among his team starting to flourish by the week.

“Every time we go forward we look like a threat,” he said.

“Nagus [Henry] played the whole game yesterday which was a great effort and he performed as well.

“It’s a type of thing going in against Melrose; you want it to be Sunday already.”

The Savoys will be hungry for the three points against Melrose this weekend in order to keep in touch with the middle of the table pack, with second and seventh position separated by just a point through six games.

Morgan said due to the evenness of the competition this year, it’s going to take the whole

squad of players to be bringing their best throughout the season.

“If we can get a couple more players in and build that depth a bit more, that’s going to be the difference through the season for most of the teams,” he said.

“Cobram beat us 5-0 when we had a few out that day, they played Albury United the next week and lost 8-0.

“You miss out on one or two players who can’t play and it’s a totally different game.”

The Savoys will be adding a Division three men’s team from this week onwards due to an influx of numbers over the past few weeks and Morgan urged anyone who may be interested in competing as a part of the Savoys thirds to reach out and come to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Savoy women suffer first loss

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

THE unbeaten record of the Savoy women came to an end on Sunday as they went down 1-0 to Albury United in an enthralling top of the table clash at Jelbart Park.

With scores locked at nil all for a majority of the match, it was a late score for United that broke the deadlock and sent them two points clear on top of the ladder in the early stages of the season.

Savoys coach Gabby Paglia said except for an anxious moment in defence which brought along the goal, she was pleased with the improvement of her team from last week’s 1-1 draw against St Pat’s.

“We kept them at bay for the majority of the game, it was just unfortunate with the result, but we’re not kick-

ing ourselves over it,” she said.

“It was a pretty even match, it was up and down at either end and it could’ve gone either way but we just weren’t able to hit the back of the net.

“We had a few more controlled shots at goal compared to last game, there was a couple of shots that went straight to the keeper where she fumbled, but we just weren’t quick enough to catch that fumble.

“Tuhina [Morton] brought in some strength for us up top, our back four was back to normal this week so we had a bit more structure and we were keeping pretty firm.

“We’re excited to see how we go against them next time, to see how both teams grow and adapt.”

In a blow to the Savoys midfield, Sophie Sacco will

be out for a period of time with injury, which saw new recruit Shae Justice step into the team for her first Savoys game on the weekend.

Paglia said with little preparation she was impressed with Justice’s performance in the midfield and will be looking to build back her team’s confidence in front of goal, hitting the back of the net just twice in their past three matches.

“We’re almost there positioning wise with where everyone should be, everyone’s settling into those spots and we’ll be keeping it fairly routine each week,” she said.

“We want to be taking our shots earlier when we’re in space and following them up too to catch those keepers off guard if they do fumble.”

The Savoys will be out to bounce back against Melrose this Sunday at Melrose Park.

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

(formerly CRM Business Advisers)

Certified Practising Accountants Myrtleford, 1-7 Albert Street 5752 2288 Bright, 3 Ireland Street 5755 1327 www.belmores.com.au

PAYNTER & ASSOCIATES

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors 25 Clyde Street Myrtleford

Phone 5751 1995

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

Hearing Services

JO ROSS-JACKSON HEARING CENTRES

Now at 29 Clyde Street Myrtleford

Plus Standish Street Surgery & Bright Allied Health For appointments call 5752 2817

FULL FOCUS: Tuhina Morton was solid in attack for the Myrtleford Savoys women but wasn’t enough as the Savoys went down 1-0 to the top of the table Albury United.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

ON THE TRAP: Kayden Saric looking to snare a loose ball off the feet of United’s Michael Van Oort.

ON EDGE: Striker Matt Richardson couldn’t be stopped on Sunday, scoring all three Savoy goals as he squeezes a shot past United defenders.

PHOTOS: Janet Watt

Mount Beauty golfers continue on course

WEDNESDAY, April 19 saw a field of 13 players fight out the Front Nine Stableford Comp at the Mount Beauty Golf Club.

Victory went to Ross Rynehart with 20 points over Dave Browning with 19, while the NTP on the ninth went to Ron Gallagher.

The club had 24 turn out for their Saturday Par round on Saturday, April 22.

Coming home with an even score was Victor Selway followed by Roger Church, Bruce Plant, Tony Campen and Trevor English with their -2s.

NTPs went to the club on the seventh along with the Tatts Ticket from the Tawonga South Newsagency and PO, while the ninth went to Dave Etherton, 17th to Alan Retallick and the money on the 18th to the club.

Club championships underway at Myrtleford

THE time has come once again for the Myrtleford Golf Club to determine club championships, with two rounds completed in the last week.

Saturday, April 22

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS FIRST

ROUND STROKE AMCR 71

A grade winner: Craig Piazza (6) 78/72. A grade runner up: Brad Carroll (9) 82/73. B grade winner: Trout Batt (24) 97/72. B grade runners up: Warren Rowney (30) 104/74.

Ball winners: P Evans 75, Z Cunneen 75, D Clark 76, G Veldman 76, A Jose 77, K O’Shaughnessy 77, G Browne 77 c/b.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Brad Carroll, fourth second shot: Craig Piazza, eighth: Paul Evans, 14th: David Matthews, 16th: Tony Chapman.

Matthews Cleaning encouragement award: David Rowe 92.

Raffle winner: Aaron Jose.

Thursday, April 20

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS SECOND

ROUND - STROKE AMCR 74

A grade winner: Lesley Browne (31) 104/73 c/b. A grade runner up: Jan Roseby (17) 90/73.

Ball winners: Sandra Piazza (16) 92/76, Marg Curtis (18) 95/77.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Sandra Piazza, eighth: Jan Roseby, 14th: Sandra Piazza.

Putting comp, 18 holes: Marg Curtis 26 putts.

Wednesday, March 19

ROMA PIZZERIA KAFE - STABL-

EFORD AMCR 71

A grade winner: Jade Galvan (11) 33 pts c/b. A grade runner up: Max Rampling (6) 33 pts.

Ball winners: G Veldman 31, S Hnacock 31, J Harrington 29, T Chapman 29.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Max

Rampling, fourth second shot: Max

Rampling, eighth: Evan Jones, 14th: Spider Hancock, 16th: Tony Chapman.

Tuesday, April 18

Roma Pizzeria Kafe - StablefordAMCR 74

A grade winner: Debbie Tully (28) 37pts. A grade runner up: Angela O’Shaughnessy (20) 34pts. 9 hole winner: Penny Dawkins (37) 15pts. 9 hole runners up: Marg Fitridge (37) 12pts.

Ball winners: Lesley Browne 33pts c/b, Beth Roseby 33pts, Sarah Deas 32pts.

Foodworks NTPs - first: Sarah Deas, 14th: Faye McLees.

Dederang-Mount Beauty dominant on the court

By DANIEL SAVILLE

A COMPLETE four-quarter performance from Dederang-Mount Beauty has helped them secure their first home victory for the season.

Playing in Mount Beauty for the second week in a row, the Bombers’ A grade outfit were able to outscore the Wodonga Saints in every quarter to run away with a 67-23 win in brilliant conditions for netball.

Proving that a strong second half against premiership contenders Mitta last week was no fluke, DMB hit the ground running and jumped to an early nine-goal lead

at the first break, then continued to pile on the scoreboard pressure in the second quarter to lead 27-8.

Not content with a comfortable margin at half-time, the Bombers dominated territory and possession to finish with 40 goals in the last 30 minutes of play and a considerable percentage boost.

Alysha de Koeyer was a massive presence in the attacking third for the home side, finishing with 46 goals at 82 per cent, including an incredible individual run of 23 consecutive goals without missing.

The ever-reliable Dani Beer controlled the defensive end of the court once again for the Bombers

and led the way with a swag of intercept possessions to restrict the Saints’ ability to score freely.

Despite a huge score of their own to be proud of, senior coach Alex Novak was really pleased with the team’s defensive efforts.

“Our defenders created a lot of energy on the court and there were so many intercept possessions that ensured that they weren’t scoring, which meant that our attackers were able to convert this into a big score,” Novak said.

Novak also believes that the team’s fast start and the confidence gained from this was another reason behind the Bombers’ big win.

“If we can put in a big effort in the first quarter, we will be able to grow and build from there,” she said.

Dederang-Mount Beauty will be on the road this weekend as they travel to Tangambalanga to face last year’s premiers Kiewa - Sandy Creek, which Novak thinks that is a challenge that the team will be ready for.

“We’ll definitely be able to hold our own - it should be a really fun day for the club,” she said.

In other senior netball results, B grade produced a comeback thrilling draw with 42 goals apiece, while C grade won a close encounter by seven goals (39-32).

Myrtleford miniroos off and running

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE future stars of the Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club are two weeks into their miniroos season, which seeks to promote activity and socialisation coupled with learning new skills.

Some 40 kids between the ages of five and 11 gathered at the soccer ground to learn the basics of the sport and have a bit of fun with new and established friends.

Miniroos coordinator Anthony Zanghellini said he was thrilled to get the program underway.

“The whole idea is to promote good health, meeting new friends, getting the kids active

and hopefully they go on to play soccer a little bit down the track and stay fit and healthy,” he said.

“The program runs at the Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club from 9am-10am Saturday mornings, we have kids aged from 5-11 boys and girls down there.

“We have four coaches who take those groups - the fives, sixes and sevens are taken by Jayden Vescio and Nathan Mirt, and for the eights, nines, 10s and 11s, there’s Carlo Gios and myself.

“The program itself runs for nine weeks, but then we have a series of gala days.

“The gala days are round robin competitions, they involve Mount

Beauty, Yackandandah, Myrtleford and we’re hoping to get a few teams competing from AlburyWodonga as well.”

Zanghellini said while numbers were strong, he’d love to see even more sign up to the fun program

“Registrations have been good, at the moment we’re in the mid40s, and we’re happy with that, but if we can get into the mid-50s, we’re hoping there are still a few registrations to process,” he said.

“Registration include a kitkids get their top, their shorts and they also get a pair of socks, and some pretty comprehensive training, we’ve got quite a few dif-

ferent assistants down there.

“It’s a pretty thorough course we’re offering this year, something a bit different.

“That’s what we’re hoping: to foster a good, safe, progressive culture down at the club and hopefully get all the boys and girls down there, have a bit of fun and celebrate playing a bit of soccer in a pretty great spot in the world.”

Even though the program is underway, it’s never too late to sign up.

For more information, visit the Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club on Facebook, or contact Anthony Zanghellini on 0439 952 998.

FUN AND GAMES: The Savoy Soccer Club’s miniroos sessions are well attended, but there’s always room for more eager participants

Under 12s

Myrtleford Black 0.1, 0.2, 1.2, 2.3.15 College 1.6, 2.7, 5.10, 8.12.60

BEST, Myrtleford Black: Noah Harris, Blake Parolin, Louis Sanderson, Benjamin McLean, Billy McMahon. College: Jax Borschmann, Eli Maher, Tate Llewellyn, Jack Tonkin, Tom Hill.

GOALS, Myrtleford Black: No goal kickers have been selected. College: Luke O’Brien 2; Cooper Bowman 1; Kieran Hope 1; Luke Pensak 1; William Pickett 1; Jack Tonkin 1.

Under 12s Benalla Bulldogs 6.2, 8.3, 12.7, 17.10.112

Myrtleford Red 0.0, 0.1, 0.1, 0.1.1

BEST, Benalla Bulldogs: Hugh Ross, Ben Wells, Joshua Montgomery, Zane Peisley, Charlie Bell, Oliver Wardill. Myrtleford Red: Sam Lupo, Halen

McIntyre, Orlando Hunkin, Jake

Jennings, Claye Corcoran, Cooper Roman.

GOALS, Benalla Bulldogs: Oliver Parker 3; Joshua Bamford 2; Riley Hilton 2; Joshua Montgomery 2; Jordan Streader 2; Ryan White 2; Lily Ramsay 1; Hugh Ross 1; Oliver Wardill 1; Ben Wells 1.

RESULTS

Under 14s Bright 3.3, 4.5, 9.6, 13.9.87 Mansfield Yellow 0.0, 2.1, 2.1, 2.2.14

BEST, Bright: Gus Van Loon, Fraser Stephens, Otis Dalbosco, Noah White, Harry West, Lakitha Samarasinghe. Mansfield Yellow: Felix Smith, Gus Robinson, Nicholas Hoskin, Zander Haslau, Phoebe Guppy, Harry Theodossi.

GOALS, Bright: Gabriel Banks 3; Otis Dalbosco 3; Alax Tanaskovic 3; Hamish Johnston 2; Matthew McCann 1; Wilson Tolliday 1. Mansfield Yellow: Xavier Maroney 2.

Bombers sink Saints in highscoring thriller

■ From back page Speaking about Harrington’s dominant performance on the weekend, Jones said that he lived up to his reputation as being one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition.

“He was easily the best player on the ground,” he said. “Jordy really stepped up when we needed him and put us on his back.”

A tough assignment awaits Dederang-Mount Beauty this weekend as they face rivals and perennial premiership contenders Kiewa-Sandy Creek in Tangambalanga.

DMB’s reserves outfit was not able to get the job done as they went down to the Saints by 19 points 9.7 (61) to 12.8 (80).

Under 14s

Myrtleford 0.0, 2.2, 2.2, 4.2.26 College 4.9, 7.12, 9.17, 13.23.101

BEST, Myrtleford: Noah Robb, Ryder Harris, Hudson Durling, Lucas McKeone, Austin Robb, Leon Gabler. College: Harrison Bowman, Lenny Sims, Harvey Lyster, Nathan Allan, Joshua Duffy, Hudson McKenzie.

GOALS, Myrtleford: Hudson Durling

1; Ryder Harris 1; Luca McKeone 1; Taylor McPherson 1. College: Lenny

Sims 4; Harvey Allan 2, Nathan Allan

2, Harrison Bowman 1; Harvey Lyster

1; Hudson McKenzie 1; Fraser Mennie

1; Sam Reid 1.

Under 17s

Myrtleford 3.1, 4.5, 5.6, 6.7.43 College 4.3, 6.6, 10.7, 13.10.88

BEST, Myrtleford: Taj Cooper, Cooper Howden, Samuel Crisp, Patrick McLean, Jake Skahill, Ryley Skahill. College: Cormac McNamara, Hudson Lloyd, Charlie Lugg, Joshua Cook, Ryan Dillon, Rory Harvey.

GOALS, Myrtleford: Spencer Colson

2; Oscar Benson 1; Tai Miller 1; Adam Morgan 1; Jethro Novak 1. College: Charlie Lugg 4; Cormac McNamara 4; Charles Fitzgerald 2; Hudson Lloyd 2; Cashen Monk 1.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND KING

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

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE: Benalla 38 def Bright 36; Goorambat vs King Valley; Moyhu vs Bonnie Doon; Whorouly 55 def Nth

Wangaratta 30; Tarrawingee 48 def Greta 44

B GRADE: Benalla 67 def Bright 29; Goorambat vs King Valley; Moyhu vs Bonnie Doon; Whorouly 51 def Nth

Wangaratta 36; Tarrawingee 40 def Greta 25

B RESERVE: Benalla 55 def Bright 37; Goorambat vs King Valley; Moyhu vs Bonnie Doon; Whorouly 59 def Nth

Wangaratta 20; Tarrawingee 33 def by Greta 35

C GRADE: Benalla 30 def by Bright 31; Goorambat vs King Valley; Moyhu vs Bonnie Doon; Whorouly 40 def Nth

Wangaratta 26; Tarrawingee 30 def by Greta 46

15 & UNDER: Benalla 24 def Bright 14; Goorambat vs King Valley; Moyhu vs Bonnie Doon; Whorouly 37 def Nth

Wangaratta 16; Tarrawingee 10 def by Greta 42

ROUND 5

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

WHOROULY VS BRIGHT

KING VALLEY VS MOYHU

BONNIE DOON VS GRETA

NORTH WANGARATTA VS GOORAMBAT

TARRAWINGEE VS MILAWA

BENALLA ALL BLACKS - BYE

SCOREBOARD

BRIGHT 4.4 10.10 16.16 23.20.158

GOALS: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Cody Crawford 2; Albert Hill 1; Chelton Orchard 1; Brendon Smith 1. BRIGHT: Cooper Thomason 7; Jack Dalbosco 4; Nick Lebish 4; Patrick Bren 2; Kieren Jamieson 2; Jonah McIntosh 2; Thomas Mullane-Grant 1; Max Rampling 1.

BEST: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Cody Crawford, Ayden Amos, Jake Jones, Kyle Collisson, Regan Williams, Jesse Walker. BRIGHT: Nick Lebish, Darcy Sholl, Cooper Thomason, Michael Elliott, Kieren Jamieson, Max Rampling.

GOORAMBAT 1.3 5.5 11.7 13.9.87

KING VALLEY 5.2 7.3 12.5 14.9.93

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Samuel Gladstone 4; Robert Wilson 3; Kobe Black 1; Aaron Blackburn 1; Charlie Campbell 1; Charles Hunter 1; Dylan Leadingham 1; Gary Priest 1. KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 10; Charlie Arthur 1; Joel Price 1; Charlie Wood 1. BEST: GOORAMBAT: Ryan Burns, Jamie Dunne, Rick Walker, Brady Purcell, Alexander Moloney, Tim Colville. KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio, Charlie Davies, Thomas Stewart, Charlie Wood, Aaron Cheong, Jacob Finger.

MOYHU 2.2 5.2 6.4 8.5.53

BONNIE DOON 3.4 5.13 12.15 16.22.118

GOALS: MOYHU: Jared Lea 3; Samuel Holmes 1; James Kelly 1; Fraser Landgren 1; Harrison McCarthy 1; Bailey Zimmermann 1. BONNIE DOON: Al Bennett 6; James Fox 3; Sean Campitelli 2; Jayjay Curtin 1; Will Foster 1; James Law 1; Luke Murray 1; Joel Sanford

1. BEST: MOYHU: Dylan Carmody, James Kelly, Luke Grady, Bailey Zimmermann, Harrison McCarthy, Private player. BONNIE DOON: Luke Murray, Campbell Smedley, James Fox, Jordan Davey, Beau Smith, Ben Hedin.

WHOROULY 3.1 6.4 8.4 8.8.56

NORTH WANG 2.1 3.4 6.8 8.9.57

GOALS: WHOROULY: Simon Chalmers 4; Riley Calvene 1; Rhys Goodley 1; Lachlan Moore 1; Glenn White 1. NORTH WANGARATTA: Baxter Lane-Gee 3; Damien Bradley 2; David Killen 1; Matthew Prestianni 1; Tyler Schulze 1. BEST: WHOROULY: Edward Bramich, Paul Glanville, Riley Calvene, Samuel Piazza, Rhys Goodley, Josh Jones. NORTH WANGARATTA: David Killen, Taylor Obrien, Damien Bradley, Adam Enever, Flynn Butterworth, Patrick Kelly.

RESERVES RESULTS

King Valley ...............7.12.54

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Haider Alhasnawi 2; Peter Cochrane 2; Wil Hoskins 1; Todd Wapling 1; Bailey Ward 1. KING VALLEY: David Allen 3; Alex Tatulaschwili 3; Brett Sessions 1. Moyhu..................15.12.102 Bonnie Doon ..............7.7.49

GOALS: MOYHU: Harrison Bell 6; Leroy Dowling 2; Logan Reynolds 2; Caleb Bell 1; Josh Coonan 1; kiangkai Douangphosay 1; Zach Evans 1; Matt Ryan 1. BONNIE DOON: Wayne Lockhart 2; Samuel Bennett 1; Ben Kelleher 1; Jed Murray 1; James Reid 1; James Trellu-Coker 1.

Whorouly ....................1.1.7 North Wangaratta .22.16.148

GOALS: WHOROULY: Matthew Harris 1. NTH WANG: Cameron McCormack 8; Matthew Fischer 6; Blake Marlborough 3; Brandon Bowen 1; Hayden Gray 1; Caleb Kuschert 1; Josh McQueen 1; Kye Williams 1. Tarrawingee ..............2.4.16

Greta ...................29.10.184

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: No goal scorers have been selected. GRETA: No goal scorers have been selected. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: No best players have been selected. GRETA: No best players have been selected.

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: No goal scoreres have been selected. GRETA: No goal scoreres have been selected.

WANGARATTA DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FIVE FOR JORDY: Jordan Harrington’s golden boot led the way for the Bombers to clinch the victory over Wodonga Saints.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Bright blasts All Blacks

THE Mountain Men made the long trek down the Hume Highway to Friendlies Oval on Saturday to take on the nominal reigning premiers Benalla All Blacks, and came home victorious in convincing fashion.

From a somewhat even first quarter, Bright exploded on the scoreboard finishing with a 5.9 (39) to 23.20 (158) thrashing.

A tentative first quarter allowed Bright to probe Benalla’s defences, and when they found the weaknesses across the expanse of Friendlies Oval, the Mountain Men worked to capitalise.

The margin had ballooned out by half-time, from 17 points to an almost 10-goal difference, with the Bright forward line hitting their mark more often than not.

Tha damage kept coming, as Bright effectively spread the All Blacks defenders to come home with a 119-point result.

Cooper Thomason was outstanding with seven goals, while Jack Dalbosco (four goals), Nick Lebish (four goals), Kieran Jamieson (two goals), and Mikka Paulsen all performed well.

Senior coach Paul Harrison said it was a well-controlled game against a wily opposition.

“We looked at the scores over the last couple of weeks and saw where Benalla are at, but it’s hard - if you take them lightly, they’ve still got some quality players in their lineup,” he said.

“They had (Nich) Spencer in, (Cody) Crawford in, Kaare Glass, some quality players in the team.

“We didn’t want to be that team that didn’t show them respect, we wanted to respect them and then work off that.

“Don’t get me wrong, they got a couple of clearances early, and they were really good early and their pressure was high, but we knew they wouldn’t be

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

able to keep that pressure up for the whole game.

“We knew it was a limited time where their pressure would be high, then we’d really be able to get our running game going and get on the outside of them.”

Sitting third on the ladder with only one dropped game, the Mountain Men have started strong, but Harrison said they can go even further.

“I still reckon we’ve got another 10 per cent to go up, we’ve definitely still got another gear,” he said.

“We’re playing good footy, and at stages we’ll play terrific footy - if we can get that extra 10 per cent consistency I think we’re going to be a hard team to beat.”

Bright takes on Whorouly this weekend in one of the most heated confrontations of the league.

“It’s always a tough game, no matter where each other are on the ladder, you never go over there thinking you’re going to get an easy win, because it doesn’t happen,” Harrison said.

“Whorouly play their home ground well, it is a smaller, compacted field, and sometimes you can get stuck playing really wide on those wings, which is something we’ll try not to do.

“For us, we know it’s not going to be an easy game, we’ve got to come with our best footy and if we play our best footy, then we can definitely come away with a win and set ourselves up to go into the bye the following week.”

The Bright reserves squad posted a massive win in the grand final rematch, home by 168 points.

Bright netballers fall short of success at Benalla

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE pieces are starting to come together for Bright’s A grade netballers, as they came within striking distance of a win over Benalla All Blacks at Friendlies Oval on Saturday.

Bright had a terrific first half, but fell away after the long break, downed 36-38 in an absolute nail biter.

A strong first term with accurate shooting had Bright up by two goals, but Benalla fought back to even it up at the half.

Bright couldn’t peg back a lead, but were constantly in the game, trailing by two goals at the rest of the breaks.

A marked improvement on previous games, coach Marlene Steiner said her side performed well with a different line-up.

“The court play was outstanding from all players,” she said,

“We played patient netball, looking for the best options, with very few unforced errors.

“Kristi (Hackett) had to

pull out at the last minute with an injury, so a lastminute change brought Jess (Carnes) into goals and GA.

“She was our main goal scorer for the day, cleverly supported by Brydee (Bond) in GS.

“The attack line-up played out the whole game with Ruby (Delacy) and Alecia (Kelly) combining well and feeding the goalers with confidence and accuracy as well as showing their amazing defensive game.

“Lara (Lock), Ash (Farmer) and Monique (Martin) played a great game in defence, combining well with Maddi (Muller) to maintain a very tight defence and made most of every opportunity.”

In other grades, the C grade netballers picked up a narrow victory 31-30, while the B grade, B reserve, and 15 and under sides all suffered losses.

Bright will travel to Whorouly this weekend to take on a rampaging Lions outfit, and Steiner said her side will look for consistency on the court and in the shooting circle to take the fight to their opponents.

“In terms of A grade for the coming week, I will be looking to consolidate the line up from last week, building on the great team work that was evident last Saturday,” she said.

“We still need to have more opportunities in the goal circle and our accuracy needs to improve if we are match it with the teams from now on.”

CLEAN POSSESSION: Maddie Muller gets a defensive ball.

DEFENSIVE STRETCH: Ruby Delacy works to put pressure on Benalla’s Gertie McCallum in Bright’s narrow loss to the All Blacks on Saturday. PHOTOS: Garry Jones

GOAL FRENZY: Cooper Thomason booted seven goals against the Panthers on Saturday, bringing his total to 18 for the season so far.

PHOTOS: Garry Jones

YOU SHALL NOT PASS: Brad Nightingale watches Benalla’s Dylan Sinclair closely as he tries to evade capture.

HIT-OUT: Bright ruck talent Mikka Paulsen competed well against Benalla’s Jake Jones in the Mountain Men’s comprehensive win.

Heartbreak at home as Lions fall to Hawks

ONE of the harshest results in football is a onepoint defeat, a pain the Whorouly Lions seniors know all too well following their 8.8 (56) to 8.9 (57) defeat at the hands of North Wangaratta on Saturday.

It was a dramatic start to the match, with Lions’ ruck Ed Bramich forced off the ground minutes into the first term after sustaining a nasty head gash - Bramich would return to play and fight out the game in a best on ground performance.

The Lions had the game well in control through the first half, with repeat forward entry and immense tackling pressure putting Whorouly three goals up by the long break.

North Wangaratta came out swinging in the third quarter, as the Lions struggled to keep a lid on the Hawks’ midfield.

An eight-point margin in the final quarter was whittled down as the Lions tried to hold on - when the final siren sounded, the scoreboard showed Whorouly up by two points, but it was showing the wrong score, as the Lions’ joy turned to despair once match officials cleared

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

up the error.

Coach Riley Calvene said the loss was extremely hard to take, but his side would move on quickly to their next assignment.

“We’re pretty flat with how it panned out - obviously losing by one point hurts but it’s a long season,” he said.

“If you’re caught up in one moment or one game, you don’t want to drag it out for too long.

“We came out with a slow start (after half-time), and North Wangaratta came out with some fight, so credit to them.

“Their hunt around the ball and their intensity topped ours, we just came out flat.

“We need to be aware we need to play four quarters of consistent footy, if we have lapses and let teams in then they’ll run over the top of us.”

Ed Bramich and Simon Chalmers (four goals) were among the best for the Lions, with Paul Glanville,

Rhys Goodley and Sam Piazza also turning in solid performances.

“’George’ (Chalmers) plays a nice role for us up forward, but he lets our other forwards get to work as well,” Calvene said.

“He can free up a lot of our other guys to lead up at the ball.

“Ed Bramich has had a really great start to the year, he’s such a physical presence around the stoppages.

“We lose Cody Poulton to a broken collarbone - he’s a bit disappointed with that but he’ll have to have a sit on the sidelines.”

The Lions face a soaring Bright side at home this weekend in what is set to be an exciting encounter.

“We really look forward to playing Bright - over the past few years we’ve had some really tight matches, so we look forward to playing them,” Calvene said.

“Obviously they’re a quality side, and you want to play the best teams, so we’re really eager to crack in.”

The Lions’ reserves suffered a brutal loss in their match, outworked 22.16 (148) to 1.1 (7).

Whorouly dispatch Hawks with consistent shooting

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE Lions’ A grade squad cruised to another convincing win in their first home game of the season, a 55-30 shut-out of North Wangaratta.

Shooters Katie Ivone and Sarah Primerano got the Lions off to a six-goal lead through the first quarter, but changes were forced after Primerano dislocated her finger and had to sit the rest of the game out on the bench.

With Ivone moving into

goal shooter and Tayla Allen moving from the midcourt to goal attack, Whorouly maintained their offensive pressure and defensive class, pushing the margin out to 13 goals by half-time.

Coach Ebony Allen shuffled more players around but the result was the same, with the Lions shooting 14 goals per quarter for the second half in a stunning display of consistency.

The Lions are now one of three undefeated sides in the A grade competition, behind powerhouse sides Milawa,

Tarrawingee and Greta.

“It was a bit of a slow start again for us this week, and unfortunately Sarah Primerano went down with a finger injury in the first quarter, so it took us a while to get into it, but once we got some momentum, we were able to continue that on through the rest of the match, which is good,” Allen said.

“North Wangaratta kept up with us for the first quarter, which I think was what threw us off a little bit, they did really well in the first quarter.

“We were pretty consistent throughout the whole game, which was nice to see.

“Sarah’s got a dislocated finger, but a severely dislocated finger.

“We’re just waiting on some confirmations, but it’s probably going to be a couple of weeks on the sidelines for Sarah unfortunately.

“It was a good opportunity for us to try Grace Way in the attack end after Sarah went down - it was unfortunate for Sarah but it did give us the opportunity to try a few different combinations

which worked well for us.”

Allen said the versatility and depth at both ends of the court was a massive advantage going forward.

“Sally Wood has been really strong for us in the defensive end, she’s very consistent every week, but we’re quite a versatile defensive end,” she said.

“We have myself, Ebony Hughes, Grace Way and Sally Wood, and we can all play the three defensive positions.

“It’s good this year we have some versatility, we

can change it up and we know whoever’s coming on into that position is going to do their role.”

The Lions host the winless Bright this Saturday, with Allen backing her side in for a strong performance.

It was a clean-sweep for Whorouly in the netball, with strong results in B grade (51-36), B reserve (5920), C grade (40-26) and the 15 and under (37-16) - it was a special game for the B reserve side, as Tiff Stirling played her 50th club game for the Lions.

GOALING: Tayla Allen shot well against the Hawks, finishing the match with 24 goals. PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries

STAUNCH DEFENCE: Ebony Hughes leaps to try and block the Hawks’ forward movement, while Ebony Allen corrals her opponent.

FORWARD PRESS: Grace Way feeds the ball in to Tayla Allen in the Lions’ 25-goal win over North Wangaratta.

UPHILL TASK: Coach Riley Calvene believes the side can bounce back from the loss and take the fight to Bright this weekend. PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries

CELEBRATE: Simon Chalmers gets pumped up after slotting one of his four majors for the match.

TALL TIMBER: Whorouly ruck Ed Bramich overcame a bloody head wound to compete hard all day in the Lions’ loss to North Wangaratta.

Saints and Rovers a battle for the ages

AFTER the majority of the club’s sides spent the week with a bye, Myrtleford’s footballers and senior netballers return to McNamara Reserve to take on Wangaratta Rovers in what is sure to be a full day of heated contests. Eyes will be on the netball courts, as Myrtleford’s as yet undefeated Saints take on the yet-to-win Rovers.

Due to the limited number of teams Corowa Rutherglen are fielding this season, the Saints scheduled round against the Roos on Saturday resulted in only the under 15, under 17 and C grade squads getting a match, with three wins coming from three games.

The A grade Saints have been flying under the reworked coaching team of Olivia Sinclair and Tina Way, and with quality players across the court, Myrtleford will be tough to beat.

“I think Saturday will be a great match against Rovers - we’ll have Saige Broz back after recovering from broken fingers, which will be nice to have that flexibility in the midcourt,” Sinclair said.

“We know that Rovers have quite a zippy midcourt

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

and shooting circle, so we’ll really put a focus on how we shut that down during training this week.

“They also have quite a young squad which means they certainly run games out well, so we’re prepared for a 60-minute game.

“As a squad we have been enjoying having wins across multiple grades, so the energy around the club has been great.

“I think we’ll really embrace the next month of netball and hopefully get a few more wins on the board.”

It will be an uphill battle in the senior football match, with the Saints up against a Rovers squad who have made quite a name for themselves in the three rounds of the season to date.

The Rovers are yet to drop a game, and sit second on the ladder behind Wodonga Bulldogs on percentage.

It will be a challenging day across all three football grades, as the Rovers also sit within the top two in the re-

serves and thirds.

Senior coach Craig Millar said his squad would be ready for a titanic struggle against a solid outfit.

“It should be a great game, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“They’re in really good form, they’re three and zip, so they’re going to be a tough opposition on Saturday but I can’t wait to take them on.

“Last year in the first elimination final where they beat us by three-and-a-half goals,

I feel like our boys would want to redeem themselves and we’ve got a great opportunity to do it this week.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I feel like we’re up to the challenge.”

After the seniors’ match,

‘Slamming

Myrtleford’s two under 12 sides will go head to head, in what will be a tremendous day for the club.

The seniors match gets underway from 2pm, while the A grade netball hit-out begins from 12.15pm.

Sam’ to appear at Saints’ Gold Bullion

■ From back page “I’ve spoken to him and he said he’s going to put on an A grade performancehow he spoke on the phone is how he speaks on the telly, it’s not a different persona, it’s the same bloke.

“The intellect, the language, the use of words is incredible.

“He’s looking forward to coming back to town and meeting some of the old fellas he used to play with, so it should be good.

“When I spoke to him on the phone, he spoke fondly of Myrtleford, he

spoke fondly with a lot of old blokes who were around that he would’ve played with back in the day.

“I think he’s looking forward to it.”

Kekovich will headline the club’s Gold Bullion event, a major fundraiser for the club organised once again by Richard Piazza.

The $100 ticket admits two people to a light lunch with beer and wine available, a seat to watch Kekovich speak in his unique and entertaining way, and a chance to win $5000.

“It will be a sought-

after event, tickets will sell, they’ve always sold generally well,” Chapman said.

“There will still be tickets left on the day, we auction them off during the day if there are tickets left “It’s going to be a good day.”

To purchase your ticket to support the club and hear from one of the greats of the game, contact Richard Piazza on 0427 511 996.

The Myrtleford Saints’ Gold Bullion event gets underway this Sunday from 12pm-4pm at the Ablett Pavillion.

WELCOME HOME, SAM: MFNC co-presidents Rob Miotto (left) and Luke Chapman, along with former president Ian Wales, will welcome former player Sam Kekovich back to town to speak at the club’s Gold Bullion event this Sunday.

PHOTO: Jenny Zamperoni

TALL TASK: Ryley Sharp (pictured last season) and the Saints will be eager to avenge their finals loss to the Rovers on Saturday at McNamara Reserve.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

2023 afl businesstipping footy

Round 4

Saturday 29th April

Wodonga Raiders v Yarrawonga

Lavington v Wodonga

Myrtleford v Wang Rovers

Wangaratta v Nth

Round 5

Saturday 29th April

Whorouly v Bright

King Valley v Moyhu

Bonnie Doon v Greta

Nth Wangaratta v Goorambat

Tarrawingee v Milawa

Benalla BYE

Round 4

Saturday 29th April

Beechworth v Tallangatta

Kiewa v Dederang

Rutherglen v Thurgoona

Yackandandah v Wahgunyah

Wodonga v Barnawartha

Mitta United v Chiltern

Cesare

Helen

Friday, Apr 28

St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide

Saturday, Apr 29

Brisbane vs. Fremantle

Sydney vs. GWS

Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn

Melbourne vs. Nth Melbourne

West Coast vs. Carlton

Sunday, Apr 30

Essendon vs. Geelong

Richmond vs. Gold Coast

Adelaide vs Collingwood

Bombers sink Saints in highscoring thriller

By DANIEL SAVILLE

AN inspiring performance from Jordan Harrington lifted Dederang-Mount Beauty to a come-frombehind victory in a shootout against the Wodonga Saints on Saturday at Mount Beauty

The Bombers were behind at every break but stormed home in the last quarter to win by eight points 16.13 (109) to 16.5 (101).

Harrington was the star of the show, kicking five goals and finding the footy seemingly at will to help his team bank an important four points.

Playing coach Damien Jones added three secondhalf goals and Matt Lee chipped in with two of his own, while Connor Brodie, Jaydn Chalmers, Trent Barton and captain Josh Kable were the Bombers’ best.

An accurate Wodonga Saints got the early jump on the home team with a six goal to two lead at the first break, before maintaining a 19 point lead at half-time.

After a few positional changes and a mid-game reset, the Bombers played their best half of footy for the season and made amends after their heavy last-start loss to Mitta.

DMB hit the lead halfway through the last quarter and never looked back to seal their second win in three games.

Jones was thrilled with the fight that his team showed after conceding an early lead.

“We weren’t playing the style of footy that we wanted to (in the first half), but then we started to move the ball a lot better and gave our forwards more of a chance,” Jones said.

■ Continued page 31

‘Slamming Sam’ to appear at Saints’ Gold Bullion

STRIKES AWAY

MATT Richardson of the Myrtleford Savoys is a tussle with Albury United defender Sebastian Dalitz as Richardson almost won his side the three points over the reigning champions United scoring a hat trick, but a late equaliser saw the game end at 3-3 in a wild finish.  Full Savoys coverage on page 29.

THE Lambassador himself will be back at his old club this Sunday, with Sam Kekovich set to speak at the Myrtleford Football Netball Club’s Gold Bullion function.

Kekovich lived with his family at Nug Nug and played with the Saints in the mid-1960s, where his accolades included a reserves flag in 1966 and a stunning 59-goal season in 1967.

Drama flared between the Saints and Kekovich’s eventual club North Melbourne in 1968, when the Roos poached Kekovich away from Myrtleford after the season had started.

‘Slamming Sam’, as he became known, would take out North’s best and fairest award in ‘69 and would play in the Roos’ first premiership in 1975.

Kekovich’s departure from Myrtleford is sure to

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

come up when he speaks to attendees at the event, which gets underway from 12pm at the Ablett Pavillion.

Saints’ co-president Luke Chapman said Kekovich was a tremendous speaker to lock in, with his personal history to the club an added bonus.

“Ian Wales (former club president) arranged to get Sam Kekovich, which worked out really well,” Chapman said.

“Sam’s an ex-Myrtleford person who grew up in Myrtleford, who went to primary school and high school in Myrtleford before he was taken by the Kangaroos.

“He’s going to be really, really good.

■ Continued page 34

PHOTO: Janet Watt