STRATHBOGIE Shire Council has joined councils and local government groups across Victoria in slamming the state and federal governments for costshifting and failing to provide adequate funding through grants.
Submissions to the Victorian Government’s “inquiry into local government funding and services” closed late last month, and the 99 submissions received paint a picture of a sector at the brink of crisis.
Council’s submission, authored by people and governance director Amanda Tingay, mentioned cost-shifting – where governments transfer their own responsibilities and the associated costs to local councils – some four times, stating, “the additional financial burden from cost shifting has made it increasingly difficult to meet [core service delivery] objectives”.
BY DARREN CHAITMAN
However, Ms Tingay gave no specific examples of cost-shifting, and in an interview with this masthead, council administrator Peter Stephenson also declined to cite current examples of costshifting, saying: “I prefer to talk about those things outside of the newspapers and try to get a better deal; I don’t know that naming particular services we think we’re getting a raw deal from at the moment would help any of those negotiations.”
But Mr Stephenson did mention a historical example of costshifting that recently came back to “bite us on the posterior”, in his words: Chinaman’s Bridge in Nagambie.
■ Continued page 2
EILEEN Jolley is pictured surrounded by six of her seven children on her 100th birthday earlier this month. Pictured are Veronica Trask (left), Bernadette, Bill, Stephen, Paula (Barling), Christine (Simpson). Absent due to ill health: Carmel. Story and more photos on page 3.
Council feeling burden of state, federal cost-shifting
■ from page 1
Some $750,000 was allocated in council’s 2024/25 budget to the severely flood-damaged, heritage-listed bridge, which is set for demolition pending government funding assistance and approval – but according to Mr Stephenson, council never knew until recently that it owned the bridge.
“It was gazetted by the government under [former Victorian premier Jeff ] Kennett as now belonging now to [council] and until relatively recently, was maintained by what was VicRoads,” he said.
“So, when council went to find out, ‘well, how do we go about getting this fixed?’, it appeared council had been gifted it… with no funds for its maintenance or repair into the future.
“And so, here we have this wonderful old albatross hanging around the neck of future mayors, instead of the gold chain.”
The administrator also noted the now-suspended council preceding him had voted to withdraw from the school crossing supervision program and its role as waterway man-
ager for the Goulburn River.
In both cases, council argued the State Government should be responsible for these services.
But cost-shifting is not the only issue council has raised.
Rural Councils Victoria’s submission to the inquiry –which is supported by council – argues rural councils are in dire need of more government funding given their large number of assets and small number of ratepayers.
The RCV submission says government funding has not kept pace with “inflationary pressures rapidly pushing up construction and maintenance costs”, increased natural disasters, the decline of ageing assets and “changing populations with increased service needs”.
Illustrating the disproportionate balance of ratepayers and assets, rural councils account for 12.5 percent of Victoria’s population, but 62pc of Victoria’s local roads network, according to the RCV submission.
Without other options to raise significant income, rural councils heavily rely on rates and government grants.
Safety push kicks off to combat motorcyclist death spike
POLICE are prioritising motorcycle safety following a concerning spike in rider deaths.
There have been 35 motorcyclist fatalities this year, 75 per cent higher than the same time last year when 20 deaths were recorded.
The figure is 56 per cent higher than then five-year average of 22.6 deaths.
While cooler weather typically sees a decline in motorcycle activity, there were eight on-road rider fatalities recorded in May alone compared with none in May last year.
It was the deadliest May for motorcyclists in 10 years.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir, said it was extremely concerning road trauma involving motorcyclists on the roads had risen so significantly.
“We typically see motorcycle riding decrease over the cooler months, but there have been no signs of this slowing down,” he said.
“In fact, May and June both have experienced large increases in rider deaths.
“We’ve identified failing to give way, from both riders and drivers, and inappropriate speed as major contributing factors to this year’s motorcyclist fatalities.
“We need all road users to play their part to help keep each other safe, particularly at this time of year with poor visibility and wet, slippery roads.”
There have been five motorcyclist fatalities so far in June compared with three at the same time last June.
Rider deaths on regional roads have risen significantly this year with 16 compared to five this time last year.
Forty per cent (14) of total deceased riders were aged 18- 35 years and more than 90 per cent were male.
Police have identified key factors contributing to the trauma including failing to give way (both riders and drivers) and inappropriate speed.
With reduced visibility and wet, slippery roads at this time of year, police are particularly concerned about these factors leading to further injury and deaths.
The State Highway Patrol Solo Unit continues to conduct on-road and off-road motorcycle operations across the state, focusing on both rider education and enforcement.
Some 80pc of Strathbogie Shire Council’s revenue is raised from rates and government grants, according to its submission.
Higher rates are not feasible in RCV’s view due to “communities and families across the country facing their own cost of living pressures”.
The RCV submission argues an increase in government grant funding is the only viable way to ease the financial pressures faced by rural councils, which are at risk of failing to meet their communities’ service delivery and infrastructure needs.
RCV chair Mary-Ann Brown said in the submission: “The truth… is that to ensure equitable access to the services small communities need
FUNDING, PLEASE: “If there’s not an injection of funding, councils have to make decisions about the level of service they will provide,”
Mr Stephenson said in an interview.
PHOTO: Darren Chaitman
and deserve, state and federal governments need to step up.”
In an interview, Mr Stephenson echoed her comment, saying: “If there’s not an injection of funding, councils have to make decisions about the level of service they will provide.”
Asked for examples where council has made sacrifices due to a lack of funding, Mr Stephenson referred to the difficulty of maintaining council’s large network of roads, especially “when you get flood events that undermine that”.
How would Mr Stephenson respond to community members who complain council is spending money on frivolous initiatives, such as recruiting a “climate change education officer”, a role council recently advertised for?
“I’ll be blunt, we have to act on climate change… and given council’s responsibility to look out for the best interests of the community today and tomorrow, then I think it’s totally reasonable that council does some education on climate change,” he said.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is a supporter of the State Government’s “inquiry into local government funding and services”, which was secured by the Liberal and National governments despite opposition from the Labor government.
“The Strathbogie Shire is an example of a council area with high rates caused by the large asset base and low number of ratepayers, and we’ve already seen the impact this has had on council spending with situations like our school crossings,” she said.
“This inquiry will provide an opportunity for this government to hear directly from similar councils about possible solutions to this problem, whether it be through more government funding or otherwise.”
Member for Indi Helen Haines is a member of the
“Sund’y By The Sevens” to return
By EUROA THIRD AGE CLUB
THE Euroa Third Age Club is again pleased to announce another “Sund’y By The Sevens” concert with Greg Dudley and Rod Grant on Sunday afternoon.
Grant n’ Dudley will be performing this upcoming concert in the Euroa Third Age clubrooms on Kirkland Avenue, Euroa, on Sunday afternoon at 1.30PM.
Greg and Rod’s music covers a wide range of musical styles and character includ-
ing well known popular covers, together with country, Irish and Aussie bush music. Their concert will include songs from their wide repertoire.
Songs made popular by such artists such as Neil Diamond, Johhny Cash, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, The Beatles, John Fogarty / Creedence, The Bushwackers, The Fureys and many more.
Greg and Rod will also be performing a number of their own, well-received
standing committee chairing the inquiry.
“Since being elected as the Independent Federal Member for Indi, I have worked closely with the nine local councils that cover the electorate,” she said.
“What I have heard from mayors, councillors and CEOs is that local government budgets do not stretch far enough to deliver key services, maintain our roads and meet the needs of our regional communities.”
The offices of the State and Federal local government ministers, Melissa Horne and Catherine King, were also contacted for comment.
A State Government spokesperson said the Victorian budget increased local government funding by $161 million to a total of $875 million.
Minister King said: “We’re progressively doubling Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion per year, increasing Black Spot funding from $100 million to $150 million per year, and [on Friday] we opened our new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure program, with $200 million available per year.”
Council to get $85,000 for roadside weeds, pests
STRATHBOGIE Shire Council is one of the rural councils to be supported by the State Government to reduce roadside weeds in preparation for the upcoming fire season.
This year, 45 councils across Victoria will receive up to $85,000 each through the State Government’s Roadside Weeds and Pests program.
Rural roadsides can provide a breeding ground for harmful weeds and pests and this funding allows councils to implement control measures that prevent their spread.
“Reducing roadside weeds and pests is vital for protecting lives and properties in the lead up to the fire season, which is why we’re helping councils to manage invasive plant and animal species,” Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said.
original songs.
Our local Aussie poet, Bernie Walker, will also be entertaining us with a couple of Aussie poems.
We again invite and cordially welcome all to come, join in and be part of the friendly, fun and appreciative atmosphere that has developed around these very popular, free admission Sunday afternoon concerts.
As always, the Third Age Club will have refreshments on sale at the half time interval.
The funding will assist councils with a range of activities along their rural roadsides, including treating and preventing blackberry, boxthorn and serrated tussock weeds, as well as managing rabbit populations.
Local Government Victoria and Agriculture Victoria work closely with local councils to ensure plans to tackle weeds and pests are tailored to their local area.
Weeds and pests cost the Victorian economy over $900 million each year.
Invasive plant and animal species threaten native biodiversity, can have a serious negative impact on agricultural production, and contribute to the spread of fires.
SUN’DY BY THE SEVENS: Greg Dudley and Rod Grant will perform at the Euroa Third Age Club on Sunday.
PHOTO: Gary Chovanetz.
Bicentennial Park is closed throughout July as work starts on $240k bike track and play space
THE Bicentennial Park Play Space on Garrett Street in Euroa will be closed throughout July for a major facelift that was originally planned to be complete by June 30.
As previously reported in this masthead, Shepparton company Kialla Lawn and Garden will be paid $239,019 to construct the new play space and a bike education track.
The Garrett Street park will feature a 170m squared bike traffic school on an asphalt surface, according to concept draw-
ings released by council in February.
A council spokesperson told The Euroa Gazette there is no other free-to-access bike education track near the Strathbogie Shire.
“Children aged roughly between four and 10 years can ride their bikes while learning important road safety principles along the way,” the spokesperson said.
“Bicentennial Park also has the unused space and presents as an ideal location for a play space of this nature.
Over 100 guests celebrate Eileen Jolley’s 100th b’day
By ANN SHOVELTON
NOT many people have the opportunity to enjoy their 100th birthday party with 104 family and friends in their home.
Eileen Jolley of Beaton Street Euroa, last week celebrated her 100th birthday on the Sunday afternoon of June 30, ahead of her birthday on Monday, July 1.
Eileen received many cards and messages along with congratulatory letters from King Charles and his wife, Camilla; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Australia’s outgoing Governor General, David Hurley and Ms Linda Hurley; Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allen; Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner; Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines; and from Father Tony Hill, who was unable to attend on the day.
Eileen was born in Coburg, in 1924 and was the first child of William and Bridget Mellerick.
Her only sibling, Patricia was born in 1926.
Eileen’s father worked on the railways.
Tragically, when Eileen was four years old, her father was killed in a vehicle accident on his way home from work on a wet, stormy night.
Eileen’s mother was then left on her own to rear two young children.
“Mum was a great support to us throughout her life,” Eileen reflected.
Eileen attended St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Coburg. Her uncle described her as being “the littlest thing ever with a school bag on its back.”
She then attended St Aloysius secondary school in North Melbourne, where she completed a commercial course which included typing, office procedure and business practices.
On leaving school, Eileen worked as a secretary for 12 years for Joseph Cohen and Sons, a clothing manufacturer on La Trobe Street, Melbourne.
Not afraid of hard work, on a Saturday she added a part time job with The Herald evening newspaper, where she typed up results of horse races, football, and other sporting events that were taken from phone calls from the paper’s sports reporters.
In 1948, Eileen was introduced to William Joseph Jolley, who became the love of her life.
Born and raised in Tocumwal, Bill was working in a grocery store on Sydney Road when they first met.
GRANDDAUGHTER’S TRIBUTE: Eileen
watches on as granddaughter Jessica
offers a tribute from Eileen’s 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Later he worked at Carlton & United Breweries where he started on the production line on three rotating shifts.
He retired in 1986 as shift foreman working across three beer packaging production lines.
Eileen and Bill were married in April 1950 and their first child, Christine, was born in 1951.
Christine was followed by Stephen, William (Bill) and Bernadette, all of whom were born totally blind.
Neither Bill nor Eileen knew of blindness in their families and medical experts could not explain the occurrence.
The biggest hurdle in Eileen and Bill’s lives was accepting their circumstances and doing the best for their family with limited services available at the time.
They set about working for all of their children’s futures, including those of their daughters, Paula, Carmel and Veronica, all fully sighted and born after the arrival of the four blind children.
The family had wonderful support from Eileen’s mother who assisted with the children and household chores.
From an early age Eileen and Bill insisted on teaching all their children how to manage tasks such as sweeping the floor, clearing the table, or in the boys’ case, how to chop wood for the fire.
All siblings were rostered for chores.
In the 1950s blind children were educated at the Blind Institute (RVIB) on St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, where most boarded from Monday until Friday.
Christine attended the RVIB from when she was two years old as a weekly boarder.
Except for the boarding element, the program was similar to current pre-school programs.
In 1957, St Paul’s School for the Blind was opened in Kew by the Villa Maria Society for the Blind.
Christine, Stephen, Bill and Bernadette transferred to St Paul’s from its opening.
In addition to completing normal primary school subjects, they learnt to read and write braille and to touch-type.
They all became proficient braille communicators and as they grew learnt to travel independently using the white cane.
Christine was the first to work independently when she started at PANCH (Preston and Northcote Community Hospital) as a medico-legal typist.
She went on to work as senior telephonist at McEwan’s Hardware store in Melbourne and then to manage various support services for blind people in both Tasmania and Victoria.
Stephen completed a degree at Melbourne University, specialising in computer programming.
He initially worked for the Department of Defence, then for the State Electricity Commission and later with Vision Australia where he managed their radio reading service, 3RPH Melbourne, and seven regional outlets.
Son Bill completed a degree in mathematics and in 1983 moved to Sydney to establish Australia’s first computerised braille production facility at North Rocks.
On returning to Melbourne, he worked for Telstra Research Laboratories and then with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
In addition, Bill has led various
overseas aid projects in Vietnam, Fiji, and the Middle East.
He has also played a major part in the work of the World Blind Union serving as an Executive Member at both the regional and world levels.
Bernadette worked as a telephone switchboard operator at Preston Institute of Technology (later Philip Institute) and later worked as a community education officer and then as a specialist audio technician proofreading books and other material produced in audio for the use of blind people.
Bill and Eileen always wanted to retire to the country when their children were independent.
We are fortunate that following Bill’s retirement from CUB in 1986 they chose to retire in Euroa.
On arrival they soon became actively involved with St John’s Parish, the local St Vincent de Paul group and for Eileen the Catholic Women’s League.
After Bill’s death in 2003, Eileen continued her community work with St John’s related organisations for more than 15 years and in 2019 moved from her home in Garret Street to live with Christine and her husband, John Simpson in Beaton Street.
Eileen has a strong faith and wonderful support from her extensive family who visit her frequently in Euroa.
Eileen reads the papers on her iPad, completes crosswords, completes Wordle, listens to the ABC, has two books on the go at once and follows Hawthorn in the AFL.
Eileen is very much loved by her extended family and many friends, many of whom took the opportunity to celebrate her 100th birthday with her last Sunday.
Rainfall
(Euroa Township)
No rainfall was recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology at Euroa (Castle Creek at Telford Bridge) in the week ending 10am Monday, July 8. Rainfall was being recorded mid Monday morning, with more forecast.
EUROA’S BIKE EDUCATION TRACK: A concept drawing released by council in February showing a 170m squared bike traffic school on at the Garret Street park.
Jolley (left)
Trask (right)
Council is seeking your feedback on
• Draft Play and Open Space Strategy
• Draft Lease and Licensing Policy
• Updated Draft Governance Rules to include changes to the Election Period Policy
For more information or to make a submission, please visit the Share Strathbogie engagement portal www.share. strathbogie.vic.gov.au or contact Council.
Feedback closes 5pm, Wednesday 17 July 2024.
Avenel hosting ARTBOX
ARTBOX opened on 2 July, featuring an exhibition of artwork by local Longwood artist Jenny Kelly. You will find ARTBOX in Jubilee Park.
Surely you know a Local Legend?
We have launched our Local Legends awards program, a new initiative to recognise outstanding volunteers across the community.
For more information on volunteering opportunities or to find out how to nominate a local legend, visit www. strathbogie.vic.gov.au/volunteers
Facelift for Bicentennial Park
Play Space
This play space will be closed for the month of July for a complete facelift. Local primary and kinda children voted for some new adventure play equipment and an educational bike track.
Added to the new adventure equipment will be some brightly coloured stylish and durable shade sails. It is expected that the park will reopen at the end of July.
Careers at Strathbogie
We’re looking for talented people to join our team:
Expressions of Interest
Audit and Risk Committee Independent Community Representative
Strathbogie Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest for the appointment of an independent member to its Audit and Risk Committee for a three (3) year term commencing in September 2024. See advertisement in this newspaper. Your expression of interest must be submitted to info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au by 5pm, 12 July 2024
Executive Assistant to CEO
Full Time, On-going Band 6 - $84,113 per annum + 11% superannuation
Closing date: July 22, 2024
Rates & Revenue Officer –Debts Collection
Part Time (0.4), Temporary Band 5 - $71,444
pro-rata, per annum + 11% superannuation
Closing date: July 22, 2024
Procurement Assistant
Part Time (0.2), On-going Band 4 - $66,204 pro rata, per annum + 11% superannuation
Closing date: July 22, 2024
Visit www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au for further details and instructions on how to apply.
Strathbogie Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and a Child Safe organisation. We value diversity in our workplace and will consider flexible working arrangements. Request for Tender Asset Engineering, Design, Audit and Management Services
- Panel of Suppliers
- Contract Number 24/25-05
Strathbogie Shire Council invites submissions from suitably qualified and experienced
Consultancy for building, bridges, roads and General Asset Items to form a panel of suppliers. Council seeks Asset Management Professionals that specialise in:
• Structural Engineering
• Non-structural condition assessments
• Professional advice
• Review and auditing
• Data Management and asset condition reporting for municipal assets
• Scoping and Design Services
• Emergency asset assessment and rehabilitation design after extreme events
• Special charges scheme Policy Service
• Contract term is 3 years.
Closing today - tenders received until 4pm (AEST) Wednesday 10 July 2024.
Side Loader Compactor TruckNew or Used
Strathbogie Shire Council invites submissions from reputable sellers for a new or used compactor truck - side loader.
Strathbogie Shire is also advertising this on a third-party group purchasing platform.
Tenders received until 4pm (AEST) Friday 12 July 2024.
Municipal Building Services
Lump sum contract
Strathbogie Shire Council id seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced persons/ organisations for the provision of building surveying services which includes compliance and enforcement activities in accordance with the Building Act 1993 and related legislation.
Tenders received until 4pm
AST Friday 19 July 2024
Roads Reseal Program 20242025
Lump Sum Contract
Strathbogie Shire seeks tender submission from suitably experienced and qualified contractors to reseal roads with Bitumen and Aggregates resurfacing as specified in the reseal designs.
Total length of seals will be about 50km.
Tenders received until 4pm AST Wednesday 24 July 2024
Design & Construct of 2 play spaces - Strathbogie and Moglonemby
Strathbogie Shire seeks tender submission from suitably experienced and qualified contractors to Design AND Construct x2 play spaces; Strathbogie township and Moglonemby.
Tenders received until 4pm AST Wednesday 24 July 2024
Construction of Kerb & Channel and Stormwater Works at Kirkland Avenue, Euroa
Lump sum contract. Contract Number 24/25-08
Strathbogie Shire seeks tender submissions from suitably experienced and qualified contractors to undertake the Construction of Kerb & Channel and Stormwater Works at Kirkland Avenue, Euroa.
Tenders received until 4pm AST Friday 26 July 2024
Major Patching Program 20242025
Lump Sum Contract. Contract Number 24/25-01
Tenders received until 4pm AST
Wednesday 31 July 2024
Strathbogie Shire seeks tender submissions from suitably experienced and qualified contractors to undertake the annual Major Patching Program. Tenderers are referred to the Strathbogie Shire website: www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/tenders for the full Project Scope and tender submission. Tenders may only be viewed and lodged online through the Tendersearch portal accessible via our website www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/ tenders. Strathbogie Shire does not accept hardcopy, email or fax tender submissions.
Petition pushes for wild dog program funds
pA PETITION has been launched by The Nationals to help secure the funding of the wild dog control program, with the future of the program yet to be confirmed past October of this year.
The petition was launched by Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull and is being supported by colleagues within the party, including The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland.
“The Minister must put an end to the uncertainty around the program by announcing recurrent funding immediately,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With the region in the middle of lambing season for many producers, there is an urgent need to recommit to the wild dog control program, and ensure our farms and stock are kept safe.
“We have personally been affected by wild dogs near
Strathbogie, and their attacks have had a significant impact on the welfare of our entire flock.
“These brutal attacks result in death, lambing losses, and immense stress on the livestock and the farmer.”
The petition also requests:
• The three-kilometre buffer zone for controlling dogs be retained without alteration,
• All control measures currently available to doggers be retained without alteration,
• The annual publishing of the number and location of wild dogs euthanized by doggers, and
• The annual publishing of stock losses and reports made by community members in relation to wild dog attacks.
Ms Cleeland said criti-
cism about the program was due to a lack of first-hand farming experiencing by policy makers in the city.
“This city-centric government has shown a clear lack of understanding about the importance of this program, and they really have no idea what impact this will have on the ground,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The government seems to believe the solution lies in farmers installing better fencing and while there is no doubt this is a big part of controls; it cannot be solely relied upon.
“We have falling branches, animals, and wild weather that can all bring fences down, so we need every option available.”
To sign the petition, please go to https://www. parliament.vic.gov.au/getinvolved/petitions/victoriaswild-dog-program/ .
ARTBOX returns to Avenel
LONGWOOD’S Jenny Kelly is the next artist to exhibit in Strathbogie Shire’s ARTBOX, which has moved to Avenel after a three-month stay at the Memorial Hall in Strathbogie.
A self-taught artist, Jenny has been painting for only around six years.
She started with watercolour paints and pencils, then progressed to sketching with charcoal.
Her artwork draws inspiration from the vast landscapes and the abundance of native flora and fauna.
Ms Kelly uses a technique of wet on wet, with the paint gently doing its own thing, allowing the colours to merge and bleed into each other and seep into the paper.
She then uses her pencils for the fine lines and delicate detail.
ARTBOX has been a significant success throughout the Strathbogie Shire townships, according to council, with over 30 artists showcasing their unique works.
The initiative has provided an opportunity for locals to showcase to locals.
The contrast in styles and palettes used by local artists, including Strathbogie primary school students, has highlighted the talent and burgeoning talent in this shire.
Ms Kelly’s exhibition commenced on Tuesday, July 2, at Jubilee Park in Avenel and will be open until the end of July.
GUM LEAVES: Jenny Kennedy’s work showcases the amazing colours of nature.
PINK DAISY: An artwork by Longwood’s Jenny Kennedy.
Mawsons’ chicken satay pie earns golden award
,
By DARREN CHAITMAN
THEY just can’t stop winning awards.
The serially award-winning Mawson’s Bakery and Café in Euroa has taken out a gold, 14 silvers and four bronzes at Australia’s Best Pie and Pastie Competition held this year.
Head baker Phil Kennedy’s personal favourite of his creations, the chicken satay pie, earned the gold this year.
“Cannot complain; always good getting the gold,” the cool-headed baker said.
Last year in the same competition, judges awarded gold to the honey bourbon pulled pork pie, prompting Mr Kennedy to admit he personally preferred the chicken satay.
But this year, the judge’s tastes were closer to his own; the honey bourbon pulled a silver.
Mr Kennedy explained his vision for the chicken
satay pie, which he adapted from an existing recipe: “Nice and peanutty, a little bit of spice, but not too much.”
Among the silver award winners were several of the bakery’s new pies, including a vegan pie made with “beef-inspired” soybased mince and a vegan egg-glaze substitute.
The idea for the mockmeat pie came from this journalist – a vegetarian –after his regular order, the satay tofu pie, was discontinued.
“I was pretty stoked with that,” Mr Kennedy said of the vegan pie’s silver success.
The bakery’s new smoked salmon pie also picked up a silver, along with: the chunky plain beef pie; chunky pepper; curry; smoky cheese and bacon; creamy mushroom; cauliflower and broccoli; chicken, brie and cranberry; Moroccan; lamb and rosemary; and vegan curry.
Banding together to better understand birds and bats
HAVE you ever seen a bird or bat with a coloured band around its leg?
The colour and unique number of a band leads to information that helps ecologists to understand the habits, movements and population status of an individual animal and provides information that may help the conservation efforts for threatened and migratory species.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority project officer, Janice Mentiplay-Smith, said the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme was launched in 1953 by the CSIRO to coordinate bird banding in Australia.
Today it manages a dataset of more than 4.4 million records.
More than 2.6 million birds and bats have been banded and more than 14,000 of these recaptured, evaluated and subsequently released.
“By banding birds and bats, the answers to questions like the numbers of that species, where it lives and goes, age, food it eats and offspring can be partially or fully answered, which informs important habitat management and conservation decisions,’’ Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
Many of these birds, including those found in the Goulburn Broken catchment, breed in Siberia, Manchuria,
LET’S BAND TOGETHER: Banded Regent Honeyeater.
Northern China, Korea and Japan during the northern summer.
“Sightings of banded waders and shorebirds reveal the routes these ‘long-haul’ travelers follow and which feeding grounds they use, therefore highlighting which regions require protection from development and degradation.”
Banding is also important to inform conservation actions for the more homebased birds.
By analysing information gathered by observing banded birds, it has been discovered that most small bush birds such as robins and
wrens never move far from where they were born, yet silvereyes will fly to Queensland from Tasmania and Victoria during the winter months.
The critically endangered Regent Honeyeater is the subject of a captive breeding program, as there are just a few hundred remaining in the wild.
By banding the captive bred birds they can be identified and tracked in the wild.
This is important for the recovery of the species by helping ecologists to understand the integration of captive bred birds into wild populations and helps to inform future actions.
Drysdale Road to close for $300k+ bridge repair
THE Drysdale Road Bridge is set to be rehabilitated this month, requiring the closure of Drysdale Road in Euroa from Monday.
The bridge, located near LongwoodPranjip Road, incurred damage to one if its abutments during the October 2022 flood event, according to a council report.
Waratah Constructions Pty Ltd of Benalla will be paid $312,430.80 to reconstruct the abutment on the western side.
A detour route around the site using Nelsons Road will be established until the completion of the works.
According to council’s June report, the completion date was expected during August.
The project was funded in the 2023/24 council budget.
It was deemed ineligible for Emergency Management Victoria funding.
Code brown in valley
INDIGO Valley CFA members rescued a man stuck in a drop toilet early Friday morning.
According to the CFA, members responded the to unusual call for assistance shortly after 2am on MacSween’s Road in Indigo Valley, near Chiltern.
The person reportedly became trapped in the long-drop toilet and reached out to emergency services.
Together, CFA members and police worked to remove the structure around the person and safely extricate them from the dunny.
It took close to 45 minutes for the person to be rescued.
The CFA deemed the incident under control at 2:41am and safe at 2:54am. The person was put into the capable hands of Ambulance Victoria for an assessment.
On behalf of Euroa Health board directors, staff, patients and residents, please accept this thank you for the ongoing support of the Bowerbird Op Shop located in Binney St Euroa.
Last financial year, Euroa Health has spent more than $160,000.00 from the funds raised through the Op Shop, on equipment and projects throughout the entire site, and here are just a few examples;
• Installation of the final stage of site wide automated irrigation system, which draws on our rain water storage before drawing on town water for use on our lawns and garden beds at a cost of $17,500.00
• 3 commercial dishwashers, which replace ageing models costing $38,400.00
• Purchase of 10 king single beds and mattresses, to continue the upgrade for residents in GraniteHill from a single bed size totalling $50,000.00
Regardless of your contribution, donation of goods or clothes, or sparing a few hours to work in the shop, the collective generosity of people in our community makes a difference every day to everyone at Euroa Health. Your support is much appreciated to ensure we can continue to provide for our community high quality individualised care and services.
ANOTHER GOLD: Mawson’s Bakery and Cafe owner Gayle Mawson shows off her gold-winning chicken satay pie.
PHOTO: Darren Chaitman
Euroa, VIC, 3666
45-47 Railway Street, Euroa VIC 3666
Classifieds: 5723 0101 Ext 1 or classifieds@nemedia.com.au
General Advertising: 5795 3041 Ext 3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Poems
for Euroa and America
I: The Weed House
The ‘cannabis house’ of Euroa Provided a place for the grower Of weed, by accounts, In generous amounts;
The police are in search of the sower.
II: A Vision of America
As he seems on the verge of expiring, Joe Biden should think of retiring.
He mutters and mumbles, Forgets things and stumbles; A spectacle hardly inspiring. Craig Penny, Terip Terip
Two weeks of roadkill carnage
IN the past fortnight, I’ve pulled three dead beings off our local roads.
Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 45-47 Railway Street, Euroa, 3666. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s
YOUR GAZETTE TEAM
ON SALE AT:
Euroa: Euroa Newsagency
Violet Town: Violet Town Corner Store
Avenel: Avenel Newsagency
Benalla: Benalla Newsagency
Strathbogie: Strathbogie Store
Nagambie: Nagambie Newsagency
Longwood: Longwood Newsagency
Merton: Merton General Store
Seymour: Seymour Newsagency
Shepparton: Lovell’s Newsagency
Wangaratta: Edgar’s Newsagency
Gazette itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.
Editorial: 5795 3041 Ext 2 or editor@euroa-gazette.com.au www.euroagazette.com.au www.nemedia.com.au Member
The first was a fine young male wombat in the middle of Bonnie Doon Road, during the afternoon.
Within a matter of days, I pulled a beautiful young male kangaroo off Harry’s Creek Road, not long after sunset.
Then on a morning last week, I found the gorgeous wallaby that’s been grazing in my garden/ paddock (above Magiltan Drive) over the past years, knocked over by a vehicle and lying dead on the road as you drive into town (supposedly a 60km zone).
These past weeks, every evening on twilight, I’ve had to stop and enjoy the sight of that young female quietly going about munching her dinner.
This sweet, gentle creature has given me a lot of pleasure.
I grieve the senseless deaths of so many and despair that my grandkids won’t have an opportunity to watch that dear wallaby in the evenings.
Most definitely, they will never experience the richness of the natural world that I’ve grown up with.
I remember from a past community planning day for Strathbogie, the natural wonder of this area was overwhelmingly why most people have chosen to live here.
The question for me is: how are we protecting this?
Crowe Crowe, Strathbogie
My message for Mr Irwin
ROBERT Irwin.
You are an inspiration to others.
You have made yourself known in the media and to people like myself, who you will never meet.
Your love of life and animals is a tribute to your parents.
We all live in a big world with different beliefs.
Let’s put our hatreds aside and thank the Almighty for the wonderful country we are privileged to live in.
Ted More, Euroa
THE BALL: Euroa’s Melanie Ball, known for her travel writing, guidebooks on bushwalking and creative hat designs, was last Thursday’s guest speaker at the “First Thursday Conversations” series at Euroa Library. She discussed some of the unexpected turns her life has taken since she landed on Australia’s shores from England as a toddler, her travels in Africa and around the world, her love of dancing, and more.
FightMND’s Euroa connection
LAST week, this newspaper covered charity events supporting the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Are you aware that former AFL footballer Neale Daniher, who suffers from MND and cofounded the FightMND charity, has family roots in Euroa?
Euroa’s Patrick O’Connell, my late grandfather, married my late grandfather Catherine Mary Daniher, who is from Ungarie, where Neale and his siblings grew up.
James O’Connell, Euroa
Step up prep to fight bird flu
THE Invasive Species Council, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Biodiversity Council are calling on Australia’s governments to urgently and collaboratively ramp up preparations for bird flu in wildlife, as new research provides the first strong evidence of mammal-tomammal transmission of the deadly H5N1 strain.
The research finds evidence of a newly evolved bird flu strain causing unprecedented mass deaths of elephant seals and sea lions since it reached South America and spread from north to south within six months.
While that strain might not arrive in Australia, it shows the potential for this virus to rapidly mutate, and highlights the potential catastrophic consequences for Australian wildlife if H5N1 arrives in Australia.
Since arriving in South America in late 2022, bird flu has killed more than 30,000 South American sea lions, 17,000 southern elephant seal pups and unknown numbers of porpoises, dolphins and otters, as well as at least 650,000 native birds.
The mortality rate of elephant
seal pups in Argentina’s Peninsula Valdés reached 95 percent in 2023 compared to only 1pc in 2022.
If H5N1 bird flu turns up in Australia, the governmentcommissioned risk assessment predicts “catastrophic” impacts on our native birds.
That risk assessment predicted only minor impacts on marine mammals, but the South American experience suggests the risk to Australian marine mammals could be much higher.
Dr Carol Booth, principal policy analyst, Invasive Species Council
Attend a NAIDOC Week event
WE have some great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the rural health space, and we have learned much from them.
The Aboriginal Health curriculums taught to medical students and junior doctors today were largely developed through partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural doctors, who led the way in recognising the integral role culture plays in health.
This year’s NAIDOC theme, “Keep The Fire Burning – Blak Loud and Proud”, honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, and celebrates a future where First Nations people feel recognised and respected.
At RDAA we are supporting our members to learn more about Indigenous culture and how our patients can benefit from us showing our respect, support and interest in this oldest continuous living culture.
We encourage all our members and friends in rural communities to attend a NAIDOC event this week, keeping the fire of reconciliation burning.
Dr RT Lewandowski, president, Rural Doctors Association Australia
Freight is key to Vic agriculture
THE Victorian agriculture industry can propel the state’s economy and surpass $20 billion dollars of food and fibre exports by 2030 if the Victorian Government focusses on road maintenance, lowering costs and improving freight efficiency.
Victoria has the worst roads in the country.
The freight strategy must set a vision for us to have the best roads in Australia.
The total neglect of regional roads has happened in part because the previous freight strategy never identified maintenance as a priority. That is despite it having been a key ask of all freight and transport industry stakeholders.
To continue to supply good quality, well-priced products for consumers here and abroad it’s absolutely vital we have a concrete vision that improves the efficient movement of food and fibre.
“Victoria’s new freight strategy must include a dedicated piece focusing on agricultural freight.
Transporting produce through our supply chains represents one of the most significant costs to Victorian farmers.
Not only do we feel that squeeze on farm, it drives investment away from our state and our industry.
Rising costs across the supply chain are making Victorian food and fibre less competitive.
Terminal access charges for one of the stevedores at the Port of Melbourne have increased by 52.52 percent in Melbourne, compared with 38.8pc in Sydney and 37.5pc in Brisbane this year.
Emma Germano, president, Victorian Farmers Federation
Dale Mann PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Godsmark SPORT EDITORIAL
PHOTO: Darren Chaitman
Nagambie Rowing Club member Lucy Stephan competing in Paris Olympics
Ms Stephan a 2021 Olympic gold medalist, familiar face in Nagambie, engaged to Michael McNamara pypg,g,gg
By DARREN CHAITMAN
NAGAMBIE Rowing Club member
Lucy Stephan will contest the Olympic rowing regatta at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, competing in the Women’s Eight.
Having won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics competing in the Women’s Four, she is one of seven gold medallists competing in the 37-strong Australian rowing team, which was announced in late June.
Nagambie’s Pat McNamara is excited to be heading to Paris for two weeks to watch Ms Stephan in action.
He said he will stay in an Airbnb with his son Michael, who is Ms Stephan’s fiancé, along with his wife Meryll and two of his daughters.
“I’m looking forward to the whole experience; it’s quite exciting,” he said.
Mr McNamara is known for having served as Victoria’s deputy premier during Jeff Kennett’s premiership from 1992 to 1999, and as leader of the Victorian Nationals from 1988 to 1999.
He is also a former president of Rowing Australia and described himself and his family as “rowing tragics”.
His son Michael met Ms Stephan through rowing.
Ms Stephan lived for some time in Nagambie during a COVID-19 lockdown and often returns to the town with Michael.
Mr McNamara described the training regimen of his future daughter-
in-law and her teammates as “pretty intensive”.
“They do two training sessions a day of probably two and a half hours each, and then probably another couple of hours of gym work,” he said.
“So, it’s seven or eight hours of fullon training every day, except for Sundays.
“And that’s been their life for the past five or ten years.”
Ms Stephan and the Australian rowing team are training at the European Training Centre in Varese, Italy.
Mr McNamara said when he was president of Rowing Australia, he persuaded the Australian Sports Commission to fund that training centre, which is now used widely by Australian athletes.
Ms Stephan could not be reached for comment, but in 2021 she told The Euroa Gazette: “Nagambie is, for a rower, the perfect place – you’ve got the river and the lake.”
“I feel so lucky in Nagambie, there is so much space and it’s still quite close to Melbourne, not too far and not too close at the same time,” she said.
“I’m a country girl myself as I was born in Nhill, and I value the Australian countryside.”
Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook, who rowed for Australia at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, said being selected for the Australian rowing team is the ultimate reward after years of dedication, focus and commitment.
Children, adults invited to contribute to Mimi Leung mural at Benalla Art Gallery
SHEPPARTON-BASED artist
Mimi Leung’s new exhibition, “Growing up with you”, is now showing at Benalla Art Gallery, featuring illustrations, poetry, projected animation and a largescale community “drawing wall”.
The title of the show refers to both Leung’s relationship with her art practice, and with her children – reflecting on how her attitudes to art and her own practice have changed as she has grown up and had kids.
Leung explained: “Art and drawing have always been central to who I am.”
“My earliest memories are of drawing, sketching and painting,” she said.
“Becoming a mother really challenged the time, energy and brain capacity I had to spend with art.
“Instead of resisting these changes as I initially did, I began to accept and welcome them into my practice and allowed them to influence the meaning I find in making art.”
Starting with a selection of works from early in her illustration career, this exhibition broadly shows the shift in focus and the artist’s “growing up” – as an artist, as a mother, as a human – and traces her journey from trauma to healing through both commercial and non-commercial work.
The exhibition features an animated poem projection about the
complexities of parent-child relationships in multicultural families and intergenerational trauma.
Leung delivered prominent illustration and animation campaigns for clients including Transport For London, Disney Australia, Samsung, Slurpee and The New York Times.
She is inviting children (and children at heart) to contribute to an evolving illustration mural within the exhibition by colouring and drawing on the work.
The large-scale collaborative mural, measuring over 7 metres, centres around a depiction of Leung and her daughters drawing together, from which creative expression explodes in a riot of col-
our and characters.
Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash said the exhibition is a credit to one of the most distinctive and dedicated creative professionals in the region.
“The mural itself is a joy, not only for children, but also for adults, stirring nostalgia through the host of characters featured, from Princess Peach to My Little Pony; The Little Mermaid to Elsa; Pikachu to Bluey and Bingo,” he said.
Community members have further opportunity to hear directly from the artist during an “in conversation” session at 10am on Monday, August 5.
The exhibition runs until August 18.
Spirit Matters WHEN GOD IS FORGOTTEN.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; you reject knowledge and have forgotten the Law of God and your children suffer.” (Hosea 4:6) This still happens. Gods’ original chosen people, had been turning away, blending and worshiping with pagan groups and corruption and immorality had set in. Prophet Amos (8:4 -7) 800 BC, lamented the deplorable condition to which Israel had sunk. God warned them about consequences of coming ‘spiritual famine’. (Prov 22:6) The tragedy of going in the wrong direction, is that the children become even more deeply lost.
Children have been suffering the results of nations rejecting Gods’ Truth. During the so-called ‘Enlightenment’, the European intellectual/ philosophical movement of C17th/18th, when new ideas were forming about God, reason and nature. (such as Darwins’ evolutionary theory). People were hell-bent on a worldly culture without Gods’ intrusive’ influence! Today believing scientists are at the forefront of rigorous research that clearly point to Gods’ Intelligent Design and that we can’t deny His right to ‘influence’ all things. (Rom.1:20)
Current ‘woke’ ideologies also take us further along ‘slippery slopes’. The fabric of society weakens slowly everywhere, as many forget Gods’ opinions as found in Scripture. The ancient Greek secular philosophies, were generally in opposition to Gods’ Truths and again, when mankind refuses to honour their Creator, ‘spiritual famine’ follows. America was patterned on Israel (in the beginning); when the generations honoured God and children learned Scripture. The most Christian nation ever, why has America been so abundantly blessed (John 10:10), in living under the Ten Commandments but in the 1960’s ‘modern’ America, also began throwing God out with the bathwater. We’ve been watching her societal decline over several generations, each one knowing less and less about the Lord, as His Name is pushed out and hushed in public squares from government to schools. Unwisely, Britain, Canada, Australia ‘like sheep’, have followed suit along “the broad path that leads to destruction”’. (Matt.7:13-14) Interestingly, atheist Richard Dawkins, mourns the loss of Christian culture he grew up with. Australians should also be aware how easily, we lose freedoms and our own culture. While God may be ignored by most, people still generally, enjoy church bells ringing out on Sundays.
In Australia, 60 years ago, the average Aussie family identified as Christian, attended church, kids had Sunday School and Religious class in school. Australia has certainly never been perfect but we’re still called “the lucky country’; perhaps because Gods’ influence also came to these shores all those years ago. Sadly now, several generations have heard nothing about God and the Bible; yet statistics reveal our youth suffering, greater anxiety, fear, hopelessness, mental health, suicide rates, loneliness, drug abuse; and most have never heard the Precious Name of Jesus. God has clearly declared Who He is, that He has made all things; and understands us best! Jesus said, “All like sheep
POWER UP: Lucy Stephan keeps to an intensive training regime at the European Training Centre in Italy. PHOTO: Lucy Stephan, Instagram
HAPPY COUPLE: Michael McNamara, son of Nagambie’s Pat McNamara, is engaged to Lucy Stephan. The couple is pictured in 2019. PHOTO: Rowing Australia, Facebook
GOLD MEDALLIST: Lucy Stephan (right) won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics competing in the Women’s Four. PHOTO: Lucy Stephan, Instagram
Violet Town tidings
By KIRSTY HARRIS
A MOST enjoyable spot of rain recently – more please, Huey.
Next week at the Ellen Frances looks a little different due to major renovations so here are the details: Wednesday, closed; Thursday, closed; Friday,11am–late for lunch and dinner; Saturday, 11am–late for lunch & dinner; Sunday, 11am–late for lunch, normal pizzas for dinner.
Indian food from Violet Town Café was a sell out in its first week.
Book your Monday night takeaway meal by Sunday each week.
Friday night fish and chips continue as usual.
The Nursing Home has put up a public notice about its new accommodation to be built in Cowslip Street with six dwellings planned and some alteration to a road.
Details available on the building and planning pages of the council website.
Some other sporting wins reported too late for the last column – the members of The Cobras won the A Grade pool competition grand final and The Bogans won the B Grade grand final in the Benalla competition.
Well done to all.
Violet Town Community House fundraiser is a fire wood raffle.
Tickets on sale out the front of our famous Corner Store and the raffle will be drawn at the market on Saturday.
New local business Horse Talk Australia is now accepting bookings for equine assisted psychotherapy, learning and counselling.
This is suitable for individuals, families or groups seeking support to help cope with life.
For more information and bookings, go to www. horsetalk.au or contact Robyn Reed on 0461 359 449 or admin@horsetalk.au.
In case you didn’t receive a letter, new guard rails are being installed along the Shepparton Violet Town Road crossing over the Sheep Pen Creek, Kialla East.
The works commenced on July 8 and continue for approximately five weeks, weather permitting.
The site will be under traffic management and speed restrictions.
Shepparton Violet Town Road will be partially open (one lane of traffic at a time) to traffic from the Cemetery Road intersection to the southern end of the waterway crossing. Local resident access will be maintained.
Diary date: VTFNC Ladies Day from 2pm at the clubrooms.
You are invited to an afternoon of stylish fun to celebrate the wonder of women.
Wear a splash of pink and enjoy champagne on arrival.
Food and entertainment provided and lucky door prizes to be won.
Price: $30 early bird to July 13 then $40 full price.
Purchase your tickets at Thursday night meals, or via https://vtfnc.tidyhq.com/.../sche.../events/62942-ladies-day.
Longwood lookout
By LONGWOOD ACTION GROUP
WELCOME to winter.
Brrrrr.
The mornings have been very frosty around the district, and we hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the sunny days that are the reward for the freezing starts. Don’t forget to look out for family, neighbours or friends who may be struggling at home in this weather with little or no heating, or warm clothes and bedding. Local op shops would be very happy to receive donations of these items to assist people in need.
The next meeting of the Longwood Action Group will be held August 7, 7pm at the Community Centre meeting room. All welcome.
The next Longwood Primary School Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 7 at 6pm at Longwood Primary School.
Thanks to a Landcare Grant we received last year, students enjoyed working with staff from the Euroa Arboretum to rejuvenate the school oval with mass plantings of flora specific to this area.
We can’t wait to see it when it is in full colour.
What a magnificent display it will be.
A sign was also created with grant funds to explain the plants that have been planted on the oval.
There are two more pub raffles this year and two volunteers are required for each raffle.
Arrive 6pm and collect raffle book from the counter, sell for an hour before the raffle is drawn.
Pair up with a nice meal and bevvy to make an evening out.
Please let the school know if you or a group of you can help on either October 18 or December 13.
Please forward any information you would like included to longwoodlookout@gmail.com.
Inclusions are at the editor’s discretion.
TRUCK WASH TO GO HERE:
Double-bay Euroa truck wash is now under construction
CONSTRUCTION of a new double-bay truck wash at the Euroa Saleyards has begun.
Council recommends that users of the saleyards access the facilities from Graham Street, Sutherland Street and EuroaShepparton Road to avoid the construction area.
Council said to consider potential delays when accessing the saleyards via Boundary Road North.
Contractors will limit restrictions on sale days and the day preceding sale day to limit the disruption at these times.
The construction tender was awarded to Miepol Pty Ltd of Geelong for $642,095.85 (including GST), which council assessed as “representing value for money”, a council report stated, despite exceeding the initial budget of $550,000.
Council officers had recommended abandoning the project in February because because three previous attempts had
failed to draw tenders within the $550,000 budget, but the Euroa Saleyards Committee persuaded council to make one last attempt to find a tenderer.
Saleyards Committee member Russell Mawson has said the truck wash will be a “bloody blessing for Euroa, district, the whole lot”.
The committee believes the facility will attract more livestock carriers to Euroa, who increasingly need to wash down their trucks to meet biosecurity requirements.
It will be drive-through and double bay, able to accommodate B-double trucks.
Mr Mawson said the new design would significantly speed up the washing process, where drivers spend a “long, long time” backing their trucks in at the saleyards’ current truck wash.
According to council’s May meeting report, council borrowed $500,000 for the project.
With the support of the Sa-
leyards Committee, an extra $85,000 (excluding GST) for the project was reallocated from the saleyards’ plant replacement budget, which covers maintenance.
Council had already spent $103,000 of federal grant funding on the project, with $32,000 spent on pumps and a storage tank, $40,150 spent on works to clear the site (including removal of trees and concrete), and more funds spent on designs and tender requests.
Council allocated $165,000 to the project after receiving funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program in 2020.
However, after the project’s third unsuccessful tender request, council reallocated $62,000 of the allocated grant funding to other projects in council’s drought program, as the Federal Government’s deadline to acquit the funding was February 2024.
Reflection, before this year’s students head out into the workforce
By LYNNDA HEARD
EUROA Secondary College
Year 10 and 11 students are about to head out to experience what it can be like to put on a professional face and try out a possible career or two.
This is a fantastic opportunity for the students to try on a few careers and see what fits.
At this time in their lives most students are starting to consider where they will be after school.
One former work experience student who is currently in Year 12, Elle Bott, reflected on her opportunity to try out a career in the arts, a vocation she is planning to pursue after school.
Elle had a clear picture in her mind of a possible future career and ESC work experience week gave her the valuable freedom to participate in working at the National Gallery of Australia, located in Canberra.
Elle’s time at the NGA involved her in events including tours conducted for people with different abilities, such as the Sydney Nolan exhibition for the deaf, a tour for the blind which was description based, a tour for people with dementia and a “Sensory Sunday” for neurodivergent teenagers.
“Work experience at NGA was amazing,” she said.
“I was involved with the gallery’s education department which involved a range of different daily activities with schools.
“I was able to present an activity for a student group on the Grand Canyon which was well received and helped me appreciate more about art through teaching.
“The highlight of my seven days was being in the conservation department, especially as I am absorbed by history.
Elle said she is interested in art curation.
“Work experience was great, and I definitely recommend it to other students,” she continued.
“I had to push to find out about being able to work in a creative field and I recommend to others to be proactive in their search for your future career.
“Everything you do now, in school and out, has something to do with what you have learnt at school.”
2025 will be a busy year for Elle as she plans to do a gap year and learn French, with the aim of teaching English in France.
“I would love to go to England, to travel with friends, save some money; I can make coffee,” she said.
Year 11 student Alister Kubiel is another ESC student who embraced the opportunity work
experience offers students.
He spent his time expanding his skills with local artisan, Catherine the Jeweller, who specialises in the design, repair and custom making of jewellery.
Alister enjoyed his experience, as this work enabled him to involve himself in an area of the arts he had not explored.
“The reason I chose jewellery making was because it was something different, something that I could be interested in the future,” he said when asked why he selected the jewellery making profession.
“During my five days with Catherine I was able to work with a range of different metals such as copper, brass and silver.
“I was able to design my own ring and then actually make it.
“I appreciated working in a calm environment where I could chill out and get lost in the work.
“It felt like playing sometimes especially when I was
working with the beads and making earrings.”
Presently Elle, who has a Kwon Lee Dow young scholarship, is applying for a Hansen scholarship at Melbourne University.
“At Melbourne Uni I plan to study art classics, or history, or French, or all of them,” she said.
“Maybe I will do a minor in history and Dip Ed in French.” Alistair also expanded on his thoughts for the future.
“It would be great to be able to try working in the fisheries area,” he said.
“I am hoping that next year I will be able to do the ESC Year 12 VET outdoor education classes.
“This year I am attending a TAFE course on plumbing through ESC and am enjoying that.”
He added: “If the opportunity presented I could also see a future career option in the creative arts.”
JEWELLERY EXPERIENCE: Alister Kubeil developing his creative skills as a jewellery maker while on work experience last year.
PHOTO: Darren Chaitman
CHAT WITH AN AMBO: Shona Guest, an ambulance community officer from Ambulance Victoria, chatted to Year 9 students about future career possibilities at the Euroa Secondary School Careers Speed Information Day.
Saleyards committee member Richard McGeehan at the site where the new truck wash is now being constructed.
PHOTO: Darren Chaitman
FELLOWSHIP AWARDS: A
Helen Waterworth stays on as Euroa Rotary Club president
By WILLIAM BUCKINGHAM
THE FUNCTION at Oaks from Acorns on Clifton Street late last month marked a regular event in Euroa Rotary’s calendar.
The chairperson and the board of management are appointed and/or reappointed and the achievements of the last 12 months are presented.
John Heal and Neil Tubb receive Paul Harris
Continuing chairperson Helen Waterworth opened the proceedings by welcoming members and guests; and thanking our caterers.
After dinner, current and new board members were welcomed.
Rod Banks, Mandy Edwards, Mark Freudenstein, William Buckingham, Sarah
Bullen, Brian Bamford, Rob Irving, Helen Waterworth, Des Nicel, and Josh Mellor –new director of the membership committee. A highlight of the evening was the citation of John Heal and Neil Tubb as Paul Harris Fellowship award winners. This Rotary International award is for recognition of
outstanding service and community contribution and was presented by assistant district governor Paul Miegel.
John has been a member for 31 years and has worked tirelessly on many fundraising projects including the Children First Foundation, the $40,000 Rotary gift to es-
tablish GraniteHill, and is a stalwart at the monthly Euroa market. Outside of Rotary he has made lifelong contributions to the CFA, Moglonemby Hall and Community, Euroa Agricultural Society and Landcare Neil’s community highlights include the annual
Ride the Ranges and is actively involved in making a pedestrian walkway around the Friendlies Oval.
Prior to this, Neil delivered much hands-on time to the development of the Telegraph Park and the construction of the Men’s Shed.
Euroa Rotary is very grateful for the work of these two Fellowship awardees.
Euroa Health staff get chilly to fight MND
LONGWOOD SENIORS
ENJOY FIRST-EVER CHRISTMAS IN JULY
By JOHN MACKLIN
Some 39 seniors turned up for the first Christmas in July function they have ever had.
The tables were beautifully decorated with Christmas delights and bags of lollies for every senior.
The ladies in the kitchen put on a marvelous twocourse meal. The main meal consisted of two meats, one being pork and the other beef, roasted with five lots of vegetables.
This was followed up with dessert, consisting of plum pudding and custard.
Every one commented on what a fabulous day it was.
All are welcome to attend the next Longwood Seniors luncheon on Monday, August 5.
S $1225 i d f
By CATIE HILL
IF the weather has not been cold enough, enduring a bucket of ice water tipped over five willing staff members certainly delivered the message late last month that winter is here, while raising a grand total of $1225 for the worthy cause of fighting motor neurone disease (MND).
A variety of colourful beanies and scarves were worn throughout the day.
Staff sipped on hot chocolate while watching their fellow #teameuroahealth staff members, who volunteered to undergo the ice bucket challenge, providing lots of laughs and topic of conversation for staff, residents and their families in
support of this great cause. The day was not complete as Neale Poole arrived for his weekly “GraniteHill football chat” wearing his MND beanie and joined by special guest Millie Watson, who is studying Certificate III in Business at Euroa Health and is a talented B grade netballer for Euroa Magpies Football Netball Club.
To the delight of residents, Millie spoke about the netball season so far, her predictions for the rest of the year, and was greeted warmly by residents on Monday morning who eagerly checked on her weekend results against Shepparton United (for the record, B Grade won the match 42 to 36 and sit on top of the ladder).
COLDIES: Euroa Health staff (from left) Angela Marchant, Jane Garrett, Jess Broughton, Elizabeth Malicdem and Chin Ralalage took the ice bucket challenge.
highlight of the evening was the citation of John Heal (left) and Neil Tubb (right) as Paul Harris Fellowship award winners, presented by assistant district governor Paul Miegel (centre).
CURRENT AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Helen Waterworth, Rod Banks, Mandy Edwards, William Buckingham, Brian Bamford, Sarah Bullen, Mark Freudenstein, Linda Bennett, Rob Irving, Des Nicel, Josh Mellor – new director of the membership committee.
FABULOUS DAY: Some 39 seniors turned up for the first Christmas in July function they have ever had.
Brushstrokes of connection connection and creativity and creativity
YOORALLA ART PROGRAM IN MANSFIELD EMPOWERS NDIS PARTICIPANTS
By HANNAH KENNELLY
BEN Webster holds a small wooden paintbrush between his fingers and lightly dabs a white canvas with splotches of blue.
He is not sure what the artwork will be.
A cerulean sky or maybe a vast ocean?
He’ll figure it out later.
Twelve months ago, Ben could barely touch a paintbrush.
Now his artwork decorates the walls and halls of Yooralla Community Hub in Mansfield.
Located on Errol Street, Yooralla provides supportive and communitybased art programs for NDIS participants.
Known as ‘My Kaleidoscope’ the initiative allows clients to explore their talents with vibrant coloured paints, texters and crayons.
Yooralla support worker and volunteer Jenny Cherry said the program provides a “safe, connected and creative space” for adults with learning difficulties or disabilities.
“Monday mornings at Yooralla are always reserved for art time,” she explained.
“Clients are invited to express themselves through woodwork, painting, collage or drawing or any other type of creative arts.
Jenny said a lot of Yooralla clients produce artwork and sell it to the Mansfield a community; a
process that is “fantastic for confidence building”.
“We’ve had some clients who have been reluctant to paint, but they’ve slowly come round and it has done wonders for them and reduced their anxiety,” she said.
Ben has attended Yooralla for more than 10 years, however his passion for art has been a slow burn.
“I didn’t really like it, because I didn’t know what to do,” he said.
“But I slowly started trying it and I got better.
“Then I sold some of my paintings and that was awesome.”
Ben’s preferred style of art is abstract and loves experimenting with squares and rectangular forms.
He never plans his artwork and loves to just let his “paintbrush do all the work”.
Yooralla clients are currently working on their entries for Mansfield Postcards – a community auction organised by Mansfield Arts Council.
“Postcards has been a really fantastic opportunity for everyone at Yooralla to show off their wonderful artwork,” Jenny said.
“We’ve got a few clients who have also started their own cardmaking business and it’s been wonderful to see the reception from the community at events like the Mansfield Bush Markets.”
Jenny has worked at Yooralla for more than
eight years and shares her life-long love of art with her clients.
“I tell people I’m crafty, but the truth is I’m an all-rounder, there’s not a specific type of art that I specialise in,” she explained.
“I love doing props, we’ve actually got a pirate party coming up so I’m definitely going to be busy.”
Across the craft table, client Anne-Marie Fricke calls out to Jenny to come over and examine her painting.
The Alex resident has been attending Yooralla for six years and has spent the
past few sessions working on her Postcards entry – a speckled starry night sky with a vibrant indigo backdrop.
Painting makes her feel “calm and happy” and her favourite location to draw is the beach, with crashing waves and golden sand.
“The hardest thing to draw is the Eiffel Tower in Paris,” she laughed.
“It’s pointy and tricky.”
Anne-Marie likes socialising with other clients and enjoys spending time with the support workers.
“But mostly I just like to paint,” she said, grinning.
“I like using all the cool
colours and trying different things.
“Jenny has shown me new types of paintings which is great.”
At the other side of the room, Yooralla client Guy Burdon is colouring a wooden structure with a brown felt pen.
He twirls his fingers around the edge of the woodwork and rotates a small dial at the base of the structure.
The lightbulb at the top begins to flash.
“It’s an electrical generator,” Guy said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Took me a while, but it’s cool.”
A lifelong collector of trinkets and junk, Guy taught himself the basics of woodwork and carpentry. “I really like making things from scratch and using things like magnets, horseshoes and other things,” he said.
“I reckon it’s pretty cool.” Guy could not remember how long he had attended Yooralla for, but said he loved working on his art pieces each week.
He paused when asked what his favourite part of the program was.
“I think the choice is good,” he said.
“I like being able to choose what I want to do.”
NEW CREATIONS: Yooralla has helped the group of young artists form a social enterprise called ‘My Kaleidoscope’. PHOTO: Supplied
SEA OR SKY?: Ben Webster loves painting at Yooralla.
A KEEN EYE: A focused Anne-Marie Fricke paints her Mansfield Postcards entry.
BEAMING ARTIST: Ben Webster was a reluctant painter but now can’t get enough of it.
PHOTOS: Hannah Kennelly
Remembering the debut of briquettes in Euroa
A story of mateship, with recollections contributed by Billy Williams
By ZELMA COLLIER
ON an extremely hot day between the late 1950s to early 1960s, a goods train steamed into Euroa Railway Station with one of its rail trucks full to the brim, loaded with 20 tons of loose, unbagged bulk briquettes and, even though it was break of day, Mother Nature’s temperature was rising, when the rail truck was unhooked from the train and shunted to a siding for the unloading of the bulk briquettes anxious to alight and make their first start in Euroa at Burton Stores.
The job was a little extra perk
for mates to take on, and after a broad gauge of the work involved, the train of six, Billy Williams Snr, Neil Collier, Ian Mintern, Don Ross, Ray Day, and Tom Lipscombe took the task on.
Armed with pitchforks, they pronged away with the expertise of the devil, at the 20 tons confronting them, even though beads of sweat ran off their brows and they were powdered from head to toe with briquette dust.
Who was who was hard to know.
Maybe they had a touch of the sun or imagined they heard a voice from a sleeper in a bunk-
ups nearby: “They must be off the rails, I wouldn’t do that job for anyone, let alone on a hell of a day like this.”
Not a break did they take, the rail truck nearly empty, the twobag stand had held its ground although only one person could bag at a time, hundred weight (CWT) per bag, 20 bags to a ton.
Clarky Johnstone, the carrier, had backed in his old ex-army blitz truck, nearly on the action, in readiness to load 20 bags for Burton Stores.
Bruce Burton and Frank Vidler assisted Clarky handle the delivery and unloading.
Briquettes had made their debut in Euroa.
Rail truck empty, their task complete, and with speed of the Spirit of Progress, headed for the North East pub for a well-earned drink and were greeted by the publican Ron Wise who ordered barman Ray McLaine: “Give the fellows anything they want they have been fighting fires all day.”
At a later date, 60 bags of briquettes out of that same load were delivered to Permewan Wrights by Neil Collier.
Later Roy Popple delivered for Permewans.
Unloaded, bagged, delivered.
Insurance premiums out of reach for some
By STEVE KELLY
A NEW Climate Council report has highlighted the dramatic rise in insurance premiums, a burden that is pricing people out of the market leaving their properties vulnerable in the face of rising extreme climate events such as bushfire and floods.
The ‘Too Close to Home’ disaster report details the impacts of natural disasters on communities.
“More and more climate impacted Australians are finding it difficult to insure their homes due to rising premiums driven by worsening climate risks,” the report reads.
“Following the 2022 floods, insurance premiums for high-risk properties, including those in flood-prone areas, increased by 50 per cent.”
Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines has also given a snapshot of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters accentuated by the geography of “wide
flood plains and forested hills”.
“Affordable and accessible insurance is critical as the frequency and severity of flooding and bushfires increases,” she said.
“A 2023 Climate Council report lists Indi as the eighth most at-risk federal electorate for insurance to become unaffordable within the next 10 years, and the second most atrisk electorate in Victoria for natural disaster related insurance unaffordability.
“The price of insurance in regional areas has increased dramatically in recent years, in some instances, insurance companies have refused to insure properties altogether.”
Since the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires, Dr Haines said she has been contacted by many businesses across Indi, notably in the alpine resort of Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mount Buller, where businesses have found it impossible to access insurance or premiums
have increased to unviable levels.
“In my submission to a parliamentary committee inquiry into insurers’ responses to the 2022 floods, I urged the Federal Government to work with state, territory and local governments to develop a national framework for supporting property owners who cannot access affordable insurance,” Dr Haines said.
“We must ensure individuals and regional communities are supported to build back better after natural disasters – this means accounting for changing risks and increasing resilience to future natural disasters.
“Insurance policies should be fair, easy to understand, affordable and designed to meet the unique circumstances and needs of regional, rural and remote Australia.”
RACV Insurance responded to a query from this masthead about the reasons behind the insurance price rises.
RACV’s general manager mo-
ANGLICAN CHURCH
SATURDAY 13th July
Holy Eucharist
12.30pm St Dunstan’s Violet Town SUNDAY 14th July
Holy Eucharist
9.15am St Paul’s Euroa
WEDNESDAY 17th July
Holy Eucharist
10am St Paul’s Euroa Enq: 5704 0330
www.anglicaneuroa.org.au
All welcome
BAPTIST CHURCH
31 Kennedy Street, Euroa
SUNDAY July 14th, 10am Tuesday: 9.30am Prayer, 10.30am Bible Study.
Listen to Vision Radio 88.4 FM
Enq: Pastor Rob Archer 0408 513 566
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
Services at Kelvin View Hall
SUNDAY July 14th
10.30am Morning Worship
Everyone welcome
Pastor: Murray Broughton 5795 1950
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Balmattum
Every SUNDAY 3pm Worship
Enq: Rev. Stephen McDonald 5762 6275 Yea Presbyterian Church, 9am St Andrew’s Seymour, 11.15am Nagambie inquiries to: Bonnie Purbrick 5794 2544 or Bill Day 5794 2070
CATHOLIC CHURCH
St John’s, Euroa FRIDAY 12.30pm Mass SATURDAY Vigil Mass
6pm St. John’s Church Euroa SUNDAY Mass
8.30am St Patrick’s Longwood
10.30am St Attracta’s Violet Town
Enquiries: Fr Tony Hill 5795 3048 For Baptisms and weddings please contact Fr Tony or the Parish Office
toring products, Jeff Ames, said there are several factors that continue to impact insurance premiums.
“These include inflationary driven cost pressures affecting labour, building materials and motor vehicle part costs, as well as the impact of severe weather and natural disasters, which has led to higher global reinsurance costs (insurance for insurers),” Mr Ames said.
“Our goal is to keep our insurance premium rises to a minimum; however, these cost pressures have driven insurance premiums higher across the insurance industry.
“We understand the impact of the current cost of living pressures on households and we’re working hard to keep premium rises to a minimum.
“We encourage our members who are facing cost of living pressures to contact us to discuss their individual circumstances and to learn more about how we can help.”
UNITING CHURCH
St Andrew’s, Euroa
Regular SUNDAY Service at 9.30am Everyone Welcome
Enq: Robyn Burke 5795 3103 Judi Ward 0437 686 072
St Andrew’s, Strathbogie Service on the 2nd and 4th SUNDAY of the month at 11am All Welcome
Enq: Joan Wood 5795 1175
St Andrew’s Violet Town
Regular SUNDAY Service at 9.30am All welcome
Enq: John Dunn 0419 362 866
EUROA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Old School House, Clifton St Euroa Every SUNDAY Meeting at 9.45am for prayer requests. 10am service
Enquiries: Aaron 0493 101 663
THE DAYS OF OLD: A goods train at Euroa in 1954. Briquettes first arrived in Euroa by goods train in the late 1950s to early 1960s.
Medical sector split on vape ban details
By STEVE KELLY
THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia has criticised recentl law changes that restrict young people from purchasing nicotine-containing vapes, except at chemists, as early as October this year.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes outlaw the sale and supply of vapes, except through pharmacies.
“The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued very clear standards for the type of vape that will be able to be sold in Australia as a therapeutic product,” Mr Butler said.
“It will have prescribed nicotine content, it has prescribed contents on chemicals, it is designed to be pharmaceutically styled package.
“It is not presented as a recreational product that is attractive to kids - it will only be able to have three flavours - tobacco, mint or menthol - gone will be the variety of ridiculous flavours, the combination of different fruits and bubblegum.
“They are obviously designed not to help a hardened smoker in the 40s, 50s or 60s, but to recruit kids into nicotine addiction and from there into cigarette smoking.”
However, the guild slammed the decision and said vaping products have not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),
and no nicotine-containing vape is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
“Pharmacists can only supply a schedule 3 medicine if there is an established therapeutic need,” national vice president of the Guild Anthony Tassone said.
“When we don’t know the longterm effects of vapes on patient safety, how can a pharmacist make an informed decision?
“We are deeply disappointed that public policy has been devel-
Law changes in
AS of July 1, the sale, supply, manufacture, importation, and commercial possession of nontherapeutic vapes is illegal.
The only place a person is able to legally buy a vape is from a pharmacy and the person must have a prescription.
Under the rules, vapes must be therapeutic, have plain packaging, and flavours are to be limited to mint, menthol, or tobacco.
From October 1, vapes will be rescheduled so that only people under 18 will require a prescription to get one.
Pharmacists will use their discretion to assess whether it is clinically appropriate for adult patients, or those without a prescription, to access vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml or less.
oped in a vacuum without consultation prior to these amendments being passed.
GPs can continue to prescribe therapeutic vapes, and a prescription will be the only pathway for vapes for people under 18 if they are deemed clinically appropriate.
Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) president Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs support stricter regulations on vaping.
“This is about saving children’s lungs and younger generations
from getting hooked on nicotine,” she said.
“Emerging evidence of the health impacts of nicotine vaping is alarming, including serious respiratory issues, throat irritation, headaches and nicotine overdose, which can cause a loss of consciousness.
“These reforms will help as they make retail sales illegal, as well as putting an end to lolly-like flavours and colours designed to attract children.”
TAC winter warning for road users
VICTORIANS are being urged to be vigilant on the roads, slow down and drive to the conditions in the final week of school holidays.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is reminding motorists to adjust their driving behaviours and travel at safe speeds to adapt to wetter, slipperier and darker conditions brought on by winter.
Last winter, 59 fatalities were recorded on Victorian roads, with eight motorcycle riders and 15 pedestrians killed.
Thirteen people, including five pedestrians, lost their lives during the 2023 winter school holiday period.
With shorter days and lower visibility, vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders are more at risk.
Motorists should use their headlights in low light and be vigilant of other road users – while people on two wheels or walking are encouraged to be visible through safe road positioning, wearing bright or reflective clothing, and always crossing at the safest point.
TAC Acting CEO, Andrew Holt, said the advice was critical as Victorians prepared to hit the road for winter school holidays, with motorists reminded to plan ahead, get more than five hours of sleep before driving, and prioritise safety while traveling the state.
“It has been a tragic year on Victorian roads and with winter and the school holidays upon us, it is so important that people are thinking about road safety and looking out for each other – plan ahead and drive to the conditions,” Mr Holt said.
“It is such a critical time for us all to put safety first when using the roads – slow down, rest up before a road trip, separate drinking from driving, put the phone away – we can all make a difference if we make safe choices,” he said. With ski season underway, people driving in Alpine areas must take snow chains and fit them if directed to, and should adjust their speed according to the conditions as stopping distances increase on wet and icy roads.
BY PHONE 5723 0101
DEATH NOTICES
BROMLEY, Kevin Maxwell.
13/11/1944 - 5/7/2024
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Wangaratta Hospital.
Aged 79 years.
Beloved husband of Jill. Proud father of Terri and Dustin, and adoring father-in-law of Steve and Michelle.
Devoted Pa to Jade, Georgia, Charlie, Darby and Tom.
Loving brother to Jill (dec) and Maureen. Dad, Pal, Pa, Kevin, You will forever be our shining star. You fought so hard for us all. We will never stop loving you and will hold you in our hearts forever. Until we meet again.
Rest in peace.
“Catch ya later Pal”.
COOK (neé McPherson), Alice “Joan”. 1/4/1926 – 1/7/2024
Late of Molka.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Aged 98 years.
Loved wife of Bob (dec). Loving mother and mother-in-law to Jeanette and Trevor, Robyn and Kevin, Rodney and Karen. Much loved Nan and Great-Grandmother. ‘A life well lived’
Private funeral service was held on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
N.J. TODD
Member AFDA
EUROA 1800 352 425 BENALLA (03) 5762 2461
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
N J Todd Funeral Directors
Member AFDA
Servicing Euroa & District since 1937
Damien Feehan
Justin Feehan
BY EMAIL
45-47 Railway Street, Euroa, Victoria 3666
POULTRY AUCTION
Sunday, July 21, 2024 at Euroa Showgrounds Sale commences 11am
Construction of Kerb & Channel and Stormwater Works at Kirkland Avenue, Euroa Lump sum contract
Tenders received until 4pm AST Friday 26 July 2024.
Strathbogie Shire seeks tender submissions from suitably experienced and qualified contractors to undertake the Construction of Kerb and Channel and Stormwater Works at Kirkland Avenue, Euroa. Tenderers are referred to the Strathbogie Shire website: www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/tenders for the full Project Scope and tender submission.
Tenders may only be viewed and lodged online through the Tender search e-tendering portal which is accessible via our website www.strathbogie.vic. gov.au.
Please note, Strathbogie Shire does not accept hardcopy or email tender submissions.
Amanda Tingay Acting Chief Executive Officer
PUBLIC NOTICES
LIVE FIRING RANGE WARNING NOTICE
• Puckapunyal Live Firing Range is described generally as that area bounded by SeymourTooborac Rd in the south, Heathcote-Nagambie Rd to the west, Rushworth National Park to the north and Northwood Rd in the east.
• Trespassing is strictly prohibited and very dangerous. Any person found within the boundary of the Puckapunyal Live Firing Range will be subject to prosecution.
• Unexploded bombs are extremely dangerous and can be found throughout the range.
• Live firing occurs generally between the hours of 5am and 11pm, however on occasions these timings may be extended. Live Firing may result in large loud explosions, continuous heavy machine gun fire or at times RAAF bombing.
PACKAGE Deal, for genuine sale 2004 Ford F250, 7.3ltr Diesel, 292,000km, has near new bravo a/t Maxxis 980 tyres, plus 2 spares on back, rear camera, rear airbag suspension, 274ltr fuel capacity plus 100ltr tank under rear canopy, rear slide on picnic table, central locking system, Hayman Rees tow ball, top winch to help load the boat, plus 15,000 pound bull bar winch, lots storage includes 2x60ltr fridge slides, plus boat motor slide, 2 large draws in canopy, lots storage above canopy and below 3x120 Uni solar panels, has pro star solar controls wired ready to go, 4 glass matt batteries, plus built in charger, built in compressor. Side steps and bull bar all aluminum, driving lights CB radio, electric brake system to suit caravan, fully serviced and will sell with road worthy. Caravan, 2004 Kedron Cross Country, made in Brisbane, 20ft inside, electric brakes, pullout awning, has matching wheels as the F250, dual axle plus 2 spares. 2 x jerry can holders at rear, in front bin has 4 x glass matt batteries, pro star solar controls invertor, has 4x120 Uni solar panels on roof, tv antenna, fold up side cooking table built on side, steps that fold up on the door, single beds with inner spring mattresses, wired for CPAP machines x 2, lots storage cupboards, built with Tasmanian oak, 4 burner stove with grill and oven, 240ltr Vitri Frigo, full sink, wired for TV, reverse cycle air con, Island bench table with storage under seats, storage under beds, brand new elec and gas hot water service (never used), water filters and hoses, electric legs, A-Trail Jack plus ockie wheel, 2 wind stiffeners pegs and mat (outside 8x4m) original tyres and rims for caravan, out door shower, 5 water tanks, one tank for drinking only, carpet or vinyl flooring, wired for 12 volt or 240 volt, full annex plus extra plus sun shade, never used, new wheel bearings (never used), 2 gas bottles, front bin and generator compartment, very clean and neat, has lots of extra’s as well. $139,900 ono package deal, will consider splitting, but they do compliment one another. Boat not included. Ph 0427 936 630.
classifieds@nemedia.com.au
Phone: 03 5723 0101
• An increase in Tempo will be updated when applicable in this notice.
• Inquiries regarding Live Firing on the Puckapunyal Live Firing Range should be addressed to: RANGE CONTROL Malaya Road Puckapunyal, VIC. 3662 Phone (03) 5735 7769
Impreza sedan 2006 model, 70,000km, 1 owner, runs well, good condition, RWC, registered till January 2025 (TZA175), $8500. Ph 0400 927 274.
How much time should you invest in running to successfully participate in a sporting event?
By DAN GODSMARK
A COMMON question
I get asked by clients as a strength and conditioning coach at my gym in Euroa: How much time do I need to invest in running to successfully participate in an event?
To answer this, it’s essential to establish your goals and define what success means to you.
Whether it’s completing the race, achieving a specific time, or placing in your age group, success can vary for everyone.
Defining Success in Running Events:
When attending various running events, you’ll see participants of all shapes and sizes, which is fantastic.
For some, success might be simply getting out there and giving it a go.
For others, it could mean hitting a target time or achieving a high placement.
Ultimately, finishing the race and being able to participate in future events should be a high priority.
Unfortunately, many people don’t even make it to the start line due to poor management, improper training loads, or insufficient preparation time.
Training Duration and Focus:
One would think, more time to plan the better - but on the contrary.
Maintaining motivation over an extended training period, such as six months, can be extremely challenging to maintain focus.
On the other hand, cramming all your training into a few weeks can lead to overloading and injuries.
The key is to find the right balance and structure you’re training effectively.
IT’S ALL IN THE SCIENCE: Allowing for recovery time ensures your training is effective and boosts performance.
The Importance of Gym Work:
Believe it or not, the battle is won not just on the running track but also in the gym.
Muhammad Ali famously said, “The fight is won or lost
NORTH East Bushrangers Basketball (NEBB) is a collaboration between local North East basketball associations with the commitment of “Creating Realistic Pathways for all North East Athletes”
Ten NEBB junior teams compete in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) - the highest level junior competition in Victoria.
Our Club offers specialist Basketball Clinics, as well as pathways through Senior Big V Competitions.
One NEBB Youth League Men’s (YLM) team competes in the semi-professional Big V competition.
Big V & VJBL consist of teams from both metropolitan and regional Victoria.
far away from the witnessesbehind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road; long before I dance under those lights.”
This means that to excel in running, you need to do
more than just run.
Research shows that 5060 per cent of your training should be specific to running, while the other 40-50% should focus on strengthening and recovery.
TRAINING BREAKDOWN: Running is crucial, but incorporating strength training and stretching will significantly boost your performance.
Strength Training and Core Work:
Strength training should comprise 15-20% of your training regimen.
This includes exercises that target muscle isolation, improve posture, and strengthen tendons and ligaments.
Ideal exercises include deadlifts, squats, power cleans, Nordic curls, glute raises, and plank holds.
These exercises help activate glutes, engage hamstrings, stabilize the core, and promote overall body power.
Recovery and Flexibility:
Another 15-20 per cent of your training should be dedicated to recovery activities such as stretching, foam rolling, trigger point massage, and professional massages.
These activities help reset muscle length, decrease inflammation, and prevent injuries like tendinitis.
Ensuring proper recovery allows muscles to receive new blood flow, stretch out the myofascial connections, and maintain flexibility and freedom of movement.
The Role of Rest: Rest is a critical component of any training program.
Adequate rest allows the body to repair and improve, a concept known as supercompensation.
For example, after a running session, allowing 24 hours before a weight training session, followed by a day off, can maximize supercompensation for both activities. Balancing training with sufficient rest is essential for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Conclusion:
The right balance of running, strength training, recovery, and rest will help you achieve success in your running events.
Investing time in a wellrounded training program and seeking good advice can make a significant difference in your performance and enjoyment of the sport.
So, as you prepare for your next challenge, remember that less can sometimes be more, and proper management of your training and recovery is key to long-term success.
SPARTAN WARRIORS: Our team completed a six-week training block leading up to this grueling 21km adventure race.
Dandenong Stingrays secure vital win over the Murray Bushrangers
By DAN GODSMARK
IN a gripping match held on Saturday at Shepley Oval in Dandenong, the Dandenong Stingrays Talent League Boys triumphed over the Murray Bushrangers, securing a vital four points with a final score of 13.12 (90) to 8.11 (59).
The Stingrays quickly established their dominance from the outset, keeping the Bushrangers
goalless in the first quarter.
The Bushrangers struggled to keep up, but managed to close the gap slightly by halftime, with the scoreboard showing 8.7 (55) to 2.5 (17) in favor of the Stingrays.
As the game progressed into the third quarter, the Bushrangers made a strong push, scoring 7.8 (50) compared to the Stingrays’ 9.10 (64).
They came within seven
points in the last quarter, but the Stingrays shut the door and ran out 30-point winners, maintaining their lead and securing a decisive victory by the final whistle.
Despite the Bushrangers’ loss, Cohen Paul stood out with an impressive 19 touches and a goal.
Additionally, Darby Wilson contributed to the team’s performance with four kicks, one handball, and two marks.
Now sitting 8th on the lad-
der, the Bushrangers face a tricky game against the Northern Knights at Wangaratta Showgrounds on July 20.
With only five regular season games remaining before the finals, they will be hoping for a strong finish to the season.
Friends of the Library host an exciting expedition talk with The Better Hiker
By DAN GODSMARK
Friends of the Library held on June 29 an enthralling talk at the Northo featuring adventurers Josh Hamill and host Dan Godsmark.
Bernice McKinn, committee member of the Euroa Library (FOEL), explained the inspiration behind the event:
The catered event had around 60 people in attendance, filling the venue’s ladies’ room to capacity.
“We hoped to attract a younger audience by discussing an expedition rather than an author promoting a book.
Josh shares his stories digitally, which is a different medium than we’ve embraced before.
His story is real and inspiring.”
To promote the event, FOEL utilized social media, Josh’s website, and traditional methods like posters in community businesses and on noticeboards in Binney Street.
The audience’s response to Josh and Dan’s stories about their expedition to Nepal was overwhelmingly positive.
Attendees were amazed by Josh’s achievements and determination to meet his challenges and goals.
Starting his social media page only a few years ago, Josh keeps his followers informed and inspired by his adventures.
Dan’s rapport with Josh, through their shared experience of the expedition, brought the conversation to life.
“The feedback was very positive,” said McKinn.
“People were genuinely impressed and entertained.”
Bernice hopes the audience left with a better understanding of the library’s services and a renewed interest in its offerings.
“The event provided an opportunity to share information directly with the audience, which we hope will increase membership for both the Library and the Friends.”
While no external events
are currently planned, smaller regular events continue to take place in the library’s meeting room. Information about these can be found at the Library and the Already Read Bookshop.
She expressed excitement for future initiatives, inviting community members to engage and suggest ideas.
Bernice encouraged community support by joining the library, using its services, and becoming members of FOEL.
“The joining fee is just
$3.00 with a $2.00 annual renewal.
Memberships are available at the Library and the Already Read Bookshop.
We especially need young people and families to put forward ideas for events to capture a wider audience.”
For more information about FOEL and their events, visit the Euroa Library or the Already Read Bookshop.
Join the community in supporting a vibrant and active library environment.
FULL HOUSE: Northo hosted the event, with over 60 attendees engrossed in the discussion.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: The organisers provided wine and sandwiches for the event. Pictured are (from left) Lauren Gibb, Hayley Raglus, Josh Hamill, Dan Godsmark, Bernice McKinn and Mary Manning.
THE BETTER HIKER: Josh Hamill, a local hiker, is multitasking into climbing and mountaineering.
PLAYING IN FRONT: Darby Wilson locks down on his opponent, taking a well-timed contested mark.
THE
All the action at local golf clubs
EUROA GOLF CLUB
By RICHARD JOHNSON
BEAUTIFUL clear sunny skies brought 52 men out to the Euroa course over the two competition rounds this week.
The July Monthly Medal contested by 32 players was won by Cam Roper with 72-1-71 in a three-way countback over Nick Johnson (5) and Glen Burton (5).
Donald Bubeck took out Division two with 93-18-75.
Other ball winners were Craig Flavel Net 74, Pete McMahon 75, Paul Redfern 75, Paul Robinson 76.
Glen Burton won the putting with 25 putts.
The course is playing beautifully, given it’s the middle of winter.
Preferred lies were played, and the greens are slick fast.
While the playing conditions were very good, many players struggled scoring with half the field carding Net 80 or more.
The Wednesday Stableford competition was won by P McCarthy who is turning into a midweek specialist with 34 points.
Cam Roper had 32 and Don Bubeck, Frank O’Connor and Mark Corradin were on 31.
Saturday saw Marion McMartin the lucky winner of the first draw in the eagles and birdies fundraiser.
The Club this week farewells Bev and Fred Jungwirth and wishes them well in their move to Bendigo.
Both having been longtime club members and having held club positions including Ladies President and Club President.
The club members also send their condolences to Freda Edwards on the passing of Laurie.
There is a big roll over swindle on offer in the Wednesday Stableford event and next Saturday the Men are playing Par.
NAGAMBIE GOLF CLUB
By DAVID LOVE
ONE of Nagambie Golf Club’s favorite sons keeps on keeping on.
The evergreen Alby Seenan won the July monthly medal with a score of 93-23-70.
Despite the cold wintry conditions, which are not unusual for this time of year, Seenan excelled.
The Nagambie veteran keeps finding ways to get the job done, winning the day by a clear three-stroke margin to claim the monthly medal, a feat Seenan achieves most years.
Well done, Alby.
Runner-up was Ben Cassar, firing a very nice 84-11-73.
Cassar’s long game was excellent, with quality chipping and putting adding the finishing touches.
A top-three result went to Jeremy Ezard, with a well-polished round of 75-1-74.
The nearest-the-pin prizes went to Hugh Lawrence, who heaved his ball up to the difficult third, Michael Roberts, who picked the right club to find the green at the long parthree eighth, Lindsay Hall, who displayed plenty of touch at the 13th, and John Gale, who jammed it to a foot on the 16th.
Next week’s golf is a stableford event and will be the second round of the social club trophy.
On office duty is J. Ezard, and in the bar is C. Roberts.
EUROA LADIES
By DEBRA COX
Wednesday July 3 - Stableford. TWELVE women played 18 holes and three turned out for nine holes.
Playing conditions were ideal and the weather has been kind although still a bit chilly even with a 10am tee time.
Winner of Division one was the Ladies Captain, Sarah Bullen, with 34 points.
Winner of Division two was Marg McAlpin
GOLF BUDDIES: Darby Hoare unleashes a powerful drive, Ryder McLure trying to hold back the joy.
RIDING HIGH: Ryder McLure strikes a great golf pose.
with an excellent 40 points.
Marg continues her brilliant form with two consecutive wins in the Wednesday competition.
Well done.
Balls down the line to Levenia Redfern and Susan Harding both on 32.
Susan is also showing great consistent form and we hope that she will soon join the Saturday competition.
Just a gentle nudge Susan.
Winner of the nine-hole competition was Olga Hill with 13 points on a countback from Helen Dawson.
This is also Olga’s second consecutive win in the Wednesday comp.
Terrific form Olga.
Nearest the Pin. Eighth: Marg McAlpin, 12th, Lorraine Ellis, 18th, The Club. Drive and Pitch. Fifth: Marg McAlpin, 15th: Gail Allen.
There is a definite pattern in the Wednesday competition with most of the women featured above appearing in the results each week.
Saturday July 6 - Stroke.
Monthly Medal (sponsor Drummond Golf) and A Scratch.
Sixteen women came out to play.
Winner of Division one was Emily Flavel with nett 72.
Winner of Division two was Michelle Grady with nett 74.
Balls down the line to Gail Allen on 74, Judy McLean on 75, Lorraine Ellis with 76 on a countback from Jenny Thompson.
Winner of the Monthly Medal was Emily Flavel.
Winner of A Scratch was Gail Allen.
Emily and Gail both had superb rounds with Emily hitting 88 off the stick just being pipped by Gail with 87.
Mere golfing mortals, like this writer, look on in awe.
Least putts went to Judy McLean with 28.
Nearest the Pin. Eighth: Dee Mc Martin, 12th: The Club, 18th: Robin Lied.
Drive and Pitch. Fifth: Levenia Redfern, 15th: Emily Flavel.
Many thanks to all our sponsors and Drummond Golf for the Monthly Medal.
AVENEL GOLF CLUB
By LYN CARRACHER
BLUE skies and sunshine made for a perfect golfing day last Saturday which brought a few players back to the course and we welcomed Lachie McFarlane for his first round.
Twelve men and four ladies played a Stableford round from the back tees and some great scores were recorded.
Tim Batten and Mark Hannigan scored 38 points resulting in a countback for the winner’s voucher with Tim claiming the honours, naturally Mark was runner-up.
Line balls went to Shane Black, 37 points and Dale Smith 36 points in a countback from Campbell Smith and Matt Eddy.
Shane collected two more balls for NTP on the fifth and drive and putt on the seventh.
Lachie was NTP on the 14th and Mark won NTP on the 18th.
The ladies had their own comp and Dee Wright continued her good form with 35 points.
She won the winner’s voucher courtesy of a countback with Lyn Carracher who also scored 35 points.
Lyn was the ball winner and also won the raffle, collecting the Imperial Hotel hat and voucher.
The club will be hosting the DDGA Vets on Thursday the 18th of July.
They will be playing a four-person Ambrose event.
This Saturday is everyone’s favourite game, Par.
Happy golfing.
STRATHBOGIE GOLF CLUB
A BRIGHT sunny day greeted us on Saturday for the July monthly medal.
Despite a small field, we had a countback for the medal, with Phil Fry emerging victorious with a nett 75.
Lineballs were awarded to Grant Pearce with a 75, Gerald Reynolds with a 76, and Brent Moore also with a 76.
Nearest to the pins were hard to win, with only two going off No one hit the green on the fourth or the 17th holes.
Mick Dixey won the eighth, and Grant Pearce took the 15th.
The drive and pitch prizes went to Brent Moore for the men and Victoria Fry for the ladies.
Nathan Macauley won the straightest drive, and Phill Fry had the least putts with 27.
Next week will be a Stableford round, with Jim McAlister on duty.
CLUBBING McLEAN: Not holding back, Judy McLean powers up the fairway.
PITCH PERFECT: Lorraine Ellis eyes off this approach shot.
Building community and looking beyond scoreboard success with Longwood FNC
■ From back page
The recent launch of longwoodredlegs.com.au signifies Longwood’s commitment to modernizing its communication and engagement.
Developed by local Chris Capstick of Optimised Marketing, the website consolidates club information, history, results, merchandise, and event updates into a user-friendly platform.
Inclusivity and mental health are top priorities at Longwood, supported by initiatives like the Tackle Your Feelings program.
“Our goal is not only on-field success but also equipping our members with life skills and resilience,” Shiner affirmed.
Looking forward, Longwood aims to fortify its financial foundations and deepen community connections, ensuring the enduring vitality of the Redlegs culture.
“Ultimately, Longwood Football/ Netball Club is more than a teamit’s a community institution where every member finds belonging and opportunities for personal growth,”
Shiner concluded.
As Longwood navigates each season’s challenges and triumphs, its commitment to holistic development underscores that while sports are integral, the journey extends far beyond the playing field.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
GOULBURN VALLEY SENIORS LADDER
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
TATURA 3.0 5.0 6.0 6.0.36
EUROA 5.3 10.8 13.10 19.16.130
GOALS: EUROA: Andrew Ciavarella 2, Mitch Heywood 2, Cade Dealy 1, Ryan Hatch 1. TATURA: Tristan Davies 5, Silver Yousif 5, Jett Trotter 3, Jack McKernan 2, Will Hayes 1, Ryan Hill 1, Nate Trotter 1, Marcus Varley 1. BEST: TATURA: Jacob Simpson, Andrew Ciavarella, Mitchell Elliott, Mitch Heywood, Curtis Ryan. EUROA: Will Hayes, Nathan Stewart, Tristan Davies, Silver Yousif, Jett Trotter.
GOALS: SHEPPARTON UNITED: Edward Adams 2, Jack McCartney 2, Samuel Mcinneny 1, Kaedyn Napier 1. ECHUCA: Kane Morris 10, Jackson Stewart 3, Tighe O’Brien 2, Liam Tenace 2, Daniel Willis 2, Jack Evans 1, Baxter Slater 1, Riley Smith 1, Cody Walker 1. BEST: SHEPPARTON UNITED: No best players have been selected. ECHUCA: Kane Morris, Benjamin Reid, Jackson Stewart, Jack Mchale, Tighe O’Brien.
NETBALL SCORES
SAT-SUN, JULY 6-7
A Grade: Benalla 14 def by Mooroopna 58; Mansfield 37 def by Shepparton 61
B Grade: Benalla 28 def by Mooroopna 56 Mansfield 29 def by Shepparton 89
B Reserve: Benalla 52 def Mooroopna 34 Mansfield 21 def by Shepparton 63
17 & Under: Benalla 14 def by Mooroopna 82 Mansfield 34 def by Shepparton 51
A Grade: Shepp United 25 def by Echuca 53; Seymour 44 def Shepp Swans 33; Tatura 37 def by Euroa 51
B Grade: Shepp United 44 def Echuca 42; Seymour 41 def by Shepp Swans 45; Tatura 36 def by Euroa 54
B Reserve: Shepp United 26 def by Echuca 51; Seymour 37 def Shepp Swans 13; Tatura 42 def by Euroa 44
17 & Under: Shepp United 38 def
ROUND 13
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Rochester vs Benalla
Echuca vs Seymour
Shepparton Swans vs Mansfield
Mooroopna vs Tatura
Shepparton vs Shepparton United Euroa vs Kyabram
GOALS: SEYMOUR: and SHEPPARTON SWANS: No goal scorers selected. BEST: SEYMOUR: Tom Maloney, Nathan Fowler, Riley Mason, David Mundy, Jack Murphy. SHEPPARTON SWANS: Zac Clohesy, Mark Kovacevic, Hugh Mason, Christian Georgiou, Max Clohesy.
GOALS: BENALLA: Jarrad Waite 5, Nick Mellington 2, Wade King 1, Tom Riley 1. MOOROOPNA: Daniel Johnston 6, Kobie Issell 3, Logan Campbell 2, Oscar Emanuelli 2, Coby Mccarthy 1, Rhys Osborne 1, Darcy Russell 1, Bryce Rutherford 1. BEST: BENALLA: James Martiniello, Christopher Welsh, Jarrad Waite, Mark Marriott, Blake Uebergang. MOOROOPNA: Kai Madgwick, Daniel Johnston, Kobie Issell, Coby Mccarthy, Oscar Emanuelli.
GOALS: MANSFIELD: Nathan Buchanan 3, Jack Hutchins 2, Zachary Amarant 1, Brett Mahoney 1, Jack Marks 1, Sam Morrow 1, Riley Northcott 1. SHEPPARTON: Joel Brett 6, Trent Herbert 4, Rhiley Lau 3, Liam Duguid 2, Ashley Holland 2, Jacob Watts 2, Jhett Cooper 1, Tyler Larkin 1, Lewis McShane 1, Ben Moylan 1. BEST: MANSFIELD: Nathan Buchanan, Brett Mahoney, Dylan Lowry, Sam Morrow, Billy Hogan. SHEPPARTON: Ashley Holland, Adam Decicco, Joel Brett, Xavier Stevenson, Tyler Larkin.
KYABRAM 4.4 8.6 11.7 14.8.92
ROCHESTER 1.3 3.8 5.13 14.19.103
GOALS: KYABRAM: Anthony Depasquale 3, Khy Stovell 3, Bailey Tome 3, Kaine Herbert 2, Will Golds 1, Bohden Learmonth 1, William Wild 1. ROCHESTER: Wil Hamilton 3, James McPhee 3, Nicholas O’Connor 2, Mitch Cricelli 1, Hugh Hamilton 1, Nate Rasmussen 1, Bailey Wileman 1, Dillon Williams 1, Sean Williams 1. BEST: KYABRAM: Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert, Aidan Robinson, Cooper Vick, Bohden Learmonth. ROCHESTERZ: Mitchell Trewhella, Adam McPhee, Ryan O’Keefe, Wil Hamilton, Dillon Williams.
PARTY-TIME: Under 15 boys enjoying good times with their teammates.BIG VICTORY: Netball girls celebrate a massive victory on the court.
17
Narrow win round three rekindles Magpies rivalry
By DAN GODSMARK
EUROA’S senior footballers are gearing up for a pivotal clash against Kyabram this weekend at home, aiming to secure a more comfortable position within the top six.
Currently sitting fifth, just one game and percentage ahead of their rivals, Euroa is acutely aware of the importance of this
match in solidifying their finals aspirations after the bye week.
In their previous encounter this season, Euroa narrowly edged past Kyabram by a mere three points, highlighting the competitiveness between the two sides.
However, Euroa’s challenge lies in improving their efficiency in front of goal, having managed only eight goals and 15
points in that match.
The team acknowledges the need to convert scoring opportunities effectively while also containing Kyabram’s potent forward line.
The form of Will Hayes has been a standout for Euroa, providing crucial contributions on the field.
With the unfortunate absence of Andrew Smith for the remainder of the
season, ruck responsibilities will fall to Flecher Paul, adding a new dynamic to Euroa’s lineup.
The key to Euroa’s success will heavily depend on the cohesion of their midfield, ensuring efficient use of possession, and the ability of their forwards to penetrate and capitalize on scoring chances.
Players like Silver Yousif and Jett Trotter, known for
Building community and looking beyond scoreboard success with Longwood FNC
By DAN GODSMARK
DESPITE a current standing of 11th with a record of three wins and seven losses, Longwood Football/Netball Club is emphasizing a broader vision beyond immediate results.
Reflecting on last year’s near break-even season, the club remains steadfast in its commitment to community engagement and player development.
Club President Ricky Shiner spoke enthusiastically about the club’s direction under the leadership of Baz Formosa, who has committed to another season alongside Scott Stefanos.
Shiner highlighted, “Our football department is focused on building on-field success and ensuring a sustainable future.
Nathan Watson’s stewardship of our reserves aligns perfectly with Baz’s coaching philosophy, emphasizing a cohesive playing style and strategic development.”
Key to Longwood’s strategy is the growth of its junior ranks.
Shiner noted, “We’ve established Under 10’s, U/15’s, and U/18’s teams, guided by experienced coaches like Al Harper, Justin Shiner, Rick Shiner, Dave Walker, and Dave Carson.
This investment in youth promises a robust pipeline of talent for years to come.”
their liveliness, will play crucial roles in Euroa’s strategy to secure a strong presence heading into September’s finals.
With both teams poised for a competitive showdown, memories are still fresh after last year’s preliminary loss.
Euroa will be focused on executing their game plan and putting Kyabram to the sword.
In the netball department, Shiner expressed satisfaction with the leadership of Bronwyn Kinnear and her coaching team including Kait Carracher and Ebony Kinnear.
“Emily Jenkinson and Carly Murphy ensure high standards across our C grade and C Reserve teams, while Stevie Dickman, Maddi Milne, and Steve Emms nurture our junior netballers, fostering skill and teamwork from an early age.”
Longwood’s coaching philosophies emphasize
hard work, discipline, and a unified playing style across all grades.
This approach aims to seamlessly integrate junior development with senior competition, ensuring continuity and growth throughout the club.
“Success for us goes beyond the scoreboard,” Shiner emphasised.
“It’s about fielding competitive teams at all levels and nurturing individual player growth.
This season, we’ve expanded our offerings with new teams like C Reserves and U/11’s, demonstrating
our commitment to broadbased participation and community support.”
Community support is integral to Longwood’s ethos.
“Our partnerships with local schools, businesses such as the White Hart Hotel, and community groups like the CFA and Longwood Action Group are foundational,” Shiner stated.
Looking ahead to 2025, the club plans to strengthen these ties further, enhancing outreach and support networks.
■ Continued page 18
PAST PLAYERS: Boys reunite for a nostalgic moment and a cold one with their old teammates.
PRESIDENTIAL WELCOME: Club president Ricky Shiner (left) warmly welcomes Connor Peterson to the team.
WINNER WINNER: Gus Thompson and Matt Carson announce the weekend raffle winners.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT: Longwood players unwind after the game.
KICKING STRAIGHT: Lachie Hill, a key contributor to the Magpies’ senior team.
