Incorporating the Nagambie Times and Violet Town Sentinel
AVENEL - EUROA - LONGWOOD -
 
     
     
     
     
    
              
 
     
     
     
     
    
              ONE man, more than any other person, is responsible for Strathbogie Shire Council putting a $1.8 million contract to upgrade Weir Road in Nagambie on hold, and compelling council to commit to implementing an ongoing program of road safety audits in the future.
 
     
    The individual, Paul Lancaster, has no affiliation with council other than as a ratepayer and resident: he is a retired civil servant with a double degree in chemistry and physics, who lives on a farm in Nagambie.
Mr Lancaster spent months pursuing answers regarding
 
     BY DARREN CHAITMAN dchaitman@ nemedia.com.au
    BY DARREN CHAITMAN dchaitman@ nemedia.com.au
          
          the proposed upgrade of Weir Road by sending emails to council repeatedly, meeting with council officers and the mayor, and writing letters published in the Nagambie Community Voice, while his son Michael Lancaster, a civil engineer specialising in road design, submitted a freedom of information request to council.
At last month’s council meeting, these efforts saw concrete results.
Councillors noted the $1.8 million upgrade to Weir Road, which had been approved by council in April 2023, would be delayed while a road safety audit was undertaken to address safety concerns, thereby putting on hold the work of contractor Seven Creeks Excavations and exposing council to possible penalty fees for delaying the contract, according to the meeting agenda report.
 
    The agenda report stated new traffic counts found significantly more vehicles (350 per day) use the road since the closure of Kirwans Bridge, and this new traffic level meant the road would need to be widened to 6.2m seal and 1.5m shoulder on both sides to meet Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) standards.
The tendered design of a 4m seal and 1m shoulders did not meet IDM standards “and therefore compromises the safety of
the road”, the report stated.
Mr Lancaster had raised this point in emails to council officers, and in a letter published by the Nagambie Community Voice in July, in which he wrote, “the shire has not been clear as to when an Annual Average Daily Traffic study was completed, before or after the closure of Kirwans Bridge” even though this traffic study “dictates the design of the road” and traffic had increased since the bridge’s closure.
■ Continued page 8
RYAN Carpenter, a 21-year-old Rodwells Euroa livestock agent from Upton Hill, is one of Victoria’s best young auctioneers.
As an ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition 2023 finalist, he was one of 10 Victorians selected to travel to the Victorian Livestock Exchange (VLE) in Pakenham on Monday to contest the title of 2023 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer.
Mr Carpenter said he felt “very honoured, but very nervous” to have been named a finalist and chosen to compete for the title.
 
    Before coming to Rodwells Euroa, Mr Carpenter completed a two-year traineeship with Nutrien during which he practiced and honed his skills in auctioneering.
 
    The traineeship took him all around Australia, including to Roma in Queensland, Denilliquin and Hay in New South Wales, Tasmania and Ballarat.
“I love it – wish I could do more of it,” he said about auctioneering.
“Just selling our clients cattle and trying to get the best results for them while also being an auctioneer you, you get to read the market a lot easier and you get to see who’s buying what and where – where our livestock are being purchased and where they’re going.”
Mr Carpenter said to make the finals, he was judged on clarity, values, knowledge of the product, body language, fluency and presentation.
 
    FOR SALE: $795,000
 
    Land Size: 1269m2 (approx)
Agent Contact: Sarah Jenkins Forge 0487 223 979
 
    Sarah.jenkinsforge@nutrien.com.au
 
    Property Location: EUROA | 17 Lucy Court
 
    SATURDAY, October 14 is the official referendum voting day for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
 
    Polling stations in the Strathbogie Shire open on voting day include: St Johns Primary School, Euroa; Strathbogie Memorial Hall, Strathbogie; Violet Town Community Complex, Violet Town; Tablelands Community Centre, Ruffy; Avenel Primary School, Avenel; Nagambie Senior Citizens Centre, Nagambie; and Longwood Primary School, Longwood.
You can search for other polling stations, including early voting centres, by visiting https://www.aec. gov.au/referendums/voting. htm#start.
You can learn more about the referendum by visiting https://voice.gov.au/.
CONCERNS regarding the Seymour windfarm development – which could impact Avenel, Longwood, Ruffy, Highlands and Tarcombe – were voiced at a Federal Government roundtable late last month.
The roundtable was part of a community engagement review initiated in part by Indi MP Helen Haines and led by the Australian energy infrastructure commissioner Andrew Dyer, which is expected to tackle renewable energy developers practising poor consultation and poor community engagement.
 
    Dr Haines and Mr Dyer attended the roundtable last month, along with community representatives including Catriona King and Darryl Otzen from Ruffy, as well as Shirley Saywell and Andy Kofler from Euroa.
“The 20 people in the room, representing communities concerned about projects across Indi,
were in agreement that to date, community consultation by project developers has been disappointing,” Dr Haines said.
Ms King is a member of the Strathbogie Responsible Renewables Community Group (SRRCG), a group that has raised concerns regarding what they say has been poor consultation with locals practised by Fera, the Italian developer proposing to build the Seymour windfarm.
She said that at the roundtable, Mr Dyer commented that poor consultation from developers was a “common story he was hearing as he went around the country –he was very sympathetic to the community’s concerns”.
She said Mr Dyer floated several possible ideas that could address this issue and related concerns.
According to Ms King, these ideas included tighter regulatory frameworks for offshore and onshore renewable energy developments; time-limited government
 
    SEAT AT THE TABLE: Indi MP Helen Haines attended the roundtable last month which heard community concerns regarding renewable energy developments. Attendees included Catriona King and Darryl Otzen from Ruffy, as well as Shirley Saywell and Andy Kofler from Euroa.
accreditation on a project basis for renewable energy developers; and designated areas where such developments could not go, such as prime agricultural land and high value sensitive environmental or cultural heritage sites. She is hopeful the review could lead to a positive outcome that would address the SRRCG’s concerns regarding the proposed Seymour windfarm.
RAINFALL in Euroa for the week ending Monday, October 9 at 12pm included 2.6mm on Tuesday, October 3, 81.6mm on Wednesday, October 4, 3.8mm on Thursday, October 5 and 3mm on Friday, October 6, totaling 91.8mm.
Ms Saywell said she attended in her capacity as someone interested in renewable energy, and as the president of the Euroa Energy Group, rather than attending to raise concerns regarding community consultation on renewable energy projects.
Mr Dyer’s community engagement review will report to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy in December 2023.
CATTLE prices are at a low point, and this was reflected in the results of the monthly Euroa store cattle sale last week.
Longwood cattle farmer Martin Pratt, who sold cattle at the sale, called it “a disaster – horrible prices”.
He said he sold two small steers which sold for about $430 and five heifers which sold for $560.
“I had steers the same size two sales ago that made double that,” Mr Pratt said.
The sale day on Wednesday last week saw heavy rain, which he had hoped would encourage people to buy, “but it didn’t,” he said.
Elders Euroa auctioneer and livestock manager Joe Allen said the prices had been about $100 to $150 lower than the previous month’s sale, in line with prices seen at other cattle sales in between this period.
 
    He said better, heavier Angus steers were making between $2.30-$2.40 per kilogram and
lighter cattle sold for about $700.
He said he thought the heavy rain sparked “a bit more inquiry”, but mainly with
 
     
    smaller cattle.
“The good widespread rain across the state and in our area sets us up for a very good
spring,” Mr Allen said. “Our next cattle sales will be at the usual dates in November and December.”
 
     
     
    MOVED TO SHEPPARTON
All types supplied locally www.commodoreaustralia.com.au
Tickets $12
EFTPOS available Preschool free
Location: 1B Bury St, Euroa View program & buy tickets online: www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 065 993
Children under 13yrs must be with an adult
Please note 8pm Fri & Sat start time starting October 6th
MY BIG FAT GREEK
WEDDING 3
SAT 14 OCT, 8PM & SUN 15 OCT, 4PM Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heart-warming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns. Comedy, Drama, Romance 92 mins
 
     
    SAT 21 OCTOBER, 8PM & SUN 22 OCTOBER, 4PM
A bank executive receives a bomb threat while driving his children to school that his car will explode if they stop and get out. A remake of Action 90 mins
Choices Flooring’s Healthy Home selection goes beyond the fleeting trends, offering a nature inspired, health-focused approach to interior design. Take advantage of the savings on offer across selected flooring and window furnishings. Visit us in-store or view our online magazine at choicesflooring.com
Choices Flooring by Thomsons 80 Binney Street, Euroa (03) 5795 1211 8 Station Street, Seymour (03) 5799 1905
 
    The next meeting of Strathbogie Shire Council is scheduled be held on Tuesday 17 October 2023, commencing at 6.00 pm at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre - 66 Loddings Lane, Nagambie. Please note change of venue for this meeting. The gallery will be open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed at www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au and we encourage community members to watch the meeting via this option. The agenda for this meeting will be available on Council’s website by close of business the Friday prior to the meeting. Hard copies of the Agenda will no longer be available, however, a limited number of iPads with the Agenda uploaded will be on hand for public use at the meeting.
Binney St upgrade complete
Stage 2 of Euroa’s Streetscape upgrade is now complete, bringing the entire Binney Street project to a close.
The final stages of the project took place in recent weeks with bin holders, bike racks and lighting installed throughout Binney St. Euroa Chamber of Commerce president Steph Swift said it was great to see the project come together.
“Better and safer streets create more opportunities for locals and visitors to spend locally and enjoy everything our township has to offer,” she said.
“We were happy to assist Council through this process, because we know it will deliver benefits for local businesses now and into the future.”
Celebrate the 2023 Victorian Seniors Festival
October is the Victorian Seniors Festival and there are still two upcoming events to celebrate:
Explorers Way Tour
17 October 2023, 10am – 3:30pm
Departure locations: Buses depart from Black Caviar statue, Nagambie and Southern Aurora Memorial Garden, Violet Town and return to starting locations.
Hop aboard the bus at either Nagambie or Violet Town and Discover Explorers Way, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the Major Mitchell Bicentennial Trail and traverse the paths once trodden by Hume and Hovell. Throughout the tour, you’ll have the privilege of meeting local historic groups, who will be on hand at various stops to share their insights into the area’s rich significance. Book your seat on the tour bus via https://events. humanitix.com/explorers-way-tour
Free Movie Screening – ‘The Intern’ (M) at Avenel Memorial Hall
23 October 2023, 10:30am
Venue: Avenel Memorial Hall, 15 Queen St, Avenel
Hosted by: Avenel Active Inc.
Join us for a free screening of the heartwarming movie ‘The Intern’ (M) and enjoy morning tea with friends. Book your spot via https://events.humanitix.com/the_intern
Don’t miss out on the 2023 Victorian Seniors Festival events hosted by Strathbogie Shire Council. These activities are designed to celebrate and honour Strathbogie Shire’s seniors, promoting community engagement and enjoyment for all. For more information and updates, please visit our website at www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Play, create and explore with Council this Children’s Week
Parents – grab your children for some fun and head on down to Council’s free Children’s Week activities this October in Euroa and Avenel. You are invited to join Council’s Children’s Week events!
Join Kim from Start Outdoors on the new Jubilee Park play equipment October 21, 10am to noon. Book your spot at: https://events.humanitix.com/ fun-in-the-park-at-jubilee-park
Nature Art at Euroa Arboretum October 22, 10am to noon. Numbers are limited, book your spot so you don’t miss out via: https://events.humanitix. com/nature-art-at-the-arboretum
1800 065 993
GV Libraries is also hosting a Come and Play Morning on Saturday 21 October, 2023 from 10am to noon at the Avenel Library. For more information, phone GV Libraries on 1300 374 765 or email avenel@gvlibraries.com.au. A reminder to all parents at least one adult must be present to supervise their child/ren at all times during both of the events.
These Children’s Week activities are presented by Strathbogie Shire Council in partnership with the Victorian Government.
Community building workshops
A reminder we’re hosting a free workshop to help not-for-profit community groups build their skills.
The Not-For-Profit
Community Capacity Building Workshops will be held online or in person.
Succession Planning for Not-For-Profits
15 November 2023, 3-6pm. Online or inperson at Strathbogie Shire Council, 109a Binney St, Euroa. This workshop will step participants through a simple framework for effective Succession Planning. It also includes lots of advice and practical tips on how to ensure participants effectively prepare for, plan for, and implement their succession strategies. For more info head to www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Have your say: Draft Fire Management Plan Strathbogie Shire Council is calling on the community’s feedback on its Draft Municipal Fire Management Plan. The plan takes a collaborative approach to identify the fire risks and corresponding actions to reduce the likelihood, severity and impacts of fire within the Strathbogie Shire communities.
To have your say head to www.share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au, visit a survey station in your town, or drop into one of our Customer Service Centres. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, October 20, 2023.
 
    We’re seeking expressions of interest for the appointment of an independent member to our Audit and Risk Committee for a 3-year term starting January 2024. Expressions of interest must be submitted to info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au by 5pm, 13 October, 2023.
More information is available on Council’s website www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au or by phoning Amanda Tingay, Acting Director People and Governance on 5795 0000.
Work with us
We’re looking for talented people to join our team: Records Support Officer.
Permanent Part Time – 16 hours per week.
Band 4 – $31.43 per hour + 11% super.
Applications close 9am, Monday 16 October 2023.
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.
Tenders now open
The following tenders are now open at Strathbogie
Shire Council: Roads Rehabilitation Program (contract number 23/24-01).
 
    Tenders will be received until 4pm 12 October 2023.
Tenders may only be viewed and lodged online through the Tendersearch portal accessible via our website www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au Please note Strathbogie Shire no longer accepts hardcopy tenders or RFQs and will not accept tenders by fax or email.
 
     
    www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Follow us for regular updates
 
    @strathbogieshire
 By EUROA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
    By EUROA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
          
          THE 131st Euroa Show is just weeks away (October 28 and 29) and entries are now open across all sections. Each year, a show case of the varied talent of our local community is put on display and you can be part of this.
The pavilion sees the largest number of sections to enter including art and craft, wood and metal work, needlework and knitting/crocheting, photography, pot plants, cut flowers and floral art, home grown produce and cookery including jams and preserve and more.
Sections encourage all members of the community from primary aged children to those with disabilities, to exhibitions from our many local community groups.
There are also a number of Victorian Agricultural Society (VAS) classes to which anyone can enter if wanting to go on and compete at regional and state level.
Schedules are out now at Burton’s, the Euroa Newsagency and The Euroa Gazette office, and are also available online on the website (www. euroashow.org.au).
Please note, all entries must be completed online, with the cut-off being Friday, October 20 at 5pm unless otherwise specified in the show schedule.
For those in the community who are unable to complete their entries online, fear not - members of the Agricultural Society will be
on hand to assist on Wednesday, October 11; Tuesday, October 17; Thursday, October 19; and Friday, October 20 between 12pm and 4pm at the Euroa Library on Binney Street, Euroa.
So, if you have been busy over the last 12 months or so with some projects, there’s sure to be a section in which you can exhibit your creation and contribute to making this year’s display bigger and better in 2023.
Or if you are wishing to put on a display in one of the many other outside sections or enter our “Kids On Show” or “Junior Ambassador Award”, please pick up a schedule or visit the website.
EUROA residents and all interested are invited to join members of EuroaConnect at the North Eastern Hotel this Sunday, to celebrate 150 years of rail in Euroa and the 150th anniversary of the Euroa Goods Shed.
“Following the recent announcement by the ARTC that they intend to demolish our oldest public building to make way for the Inland Rail project, there has been renewed community interest in Euroa’s history as an important rail and transport hub during the late 19th and early 20th century,” EuroaConnect Chair John Simpson said.
“This month marks 150 years since train services on
the North Eastern line first ran through Euroa to Violet Town and we want to take this opportunity to mark this anniversary, and reflect on the historic significant of our Goods Shed.
“While the ARTC has its focus solely on the need to provide for its double stacked freight trains, Euroa people are very much aware that the rail line and surrounding land sits in the centre of our town and offers a fantastic opportunity for the development of a community space and facilities that will serve the needs of this community well into the future.
Mr Simpson said the Goods Shed sits in the middle of an important community space and “many
 
    people are furious with the ARTC for its cavalier attitude in decreeing that the shed must go” regardless of its historic significance.
“On Sunday, those interested in local history, those who are frustrated by the ARTC’s single mindedness, and those who can imagine how development of the rail precinct might transform Euroa, are invited to come along to the old Northy from 2pm to join the conversation,” he said.
“Throughout the afternoon designers, architects, engineers and historians will help us imagine the possibilities and potential of the iconic Euroa Goods Shed for the future. “And, of course, we’ll have a birthday cake to help our celebrations.”
 By SHARRON BATT
    By SHARRON BATT
          
          IN December 2023 the oldest surviving public building in Ruffy, the Ruffy Public Hall, will be 130 years old.
Now known as the Ruffy Public Hall, this building is still the vibrant hub of community life in Ruffy, and the committee of management is working hard to restore and maintain this valued community asset for future generations.
The current Hall Committee has been fundraising over the last two years to refurbish the exterior of the hall.
With your generous support we have raised over $17,000 and we have slowly been making progress as funds became available.
The north wall has been replaced with Colorbond cladding for fire safety, to minimise maintenance and prolong longevity.
 
    The outside of the hall has been repainted to match the new cladding with a complimentary dark grey trim; it looks very smart.
The committee had already commissioned handmade new front doors in the original style and these look
in the style of the original Ruffy Public Hall sign will be installed.
 
    Now that the exterior of the hall is in hand, the Committee is turning its attention to the interior.
Repainting the kitchen, toilets, stage, foyer and meeting room will be a priority.
We hope to access grant funding to reline parts of the interior in keeping with heritage values and install insulation and double glazing for those chilly Ruffy nights. We also plan on upgrading the disabled toilet access to bring it in line with current standards.
To achieve all this, we are continuing to fundraise and will be running the Great Ruffy Trivia Challenge in the Hall on Saturday, November 11.
Please contact Darryl on 0468 771 024 if you would like to book a table and enter a team.
beautiful with their new coat of paint. A grant from DEECA helped facilitate the resto-
ration of the front window with safety glass and assisted with the labour costs for the wall.
The original, 130-year-old roof finials were very rotten and these have been replicated and replaced in treat-
ed pine – let’s hope they last as long as the originals.
To complete the project, a new hand-painted sign
Also during October we will be running a raffle. Tickets will be available from committee members and outside Burtons on Friday, October 13 and Friday, October 27, with great prizes.
LETTERS to the editor must be signed with the full name, address and contact telephone number of the author provided. Letters under 250 words are preferred and we reserve the right to edit letters to fit available space. Nom de plumes will only be published at the editor’s discretion. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.
Post Euroa Gazette
AP Gardner Building
VICTORIAN Nationals leader Peter Walsh used this paper to spread gas industry myths in a letter to the editor last month.
Victorians deserve comfortable homes that are affordable to run, not to be served misinformation by a party that’s only interest is protecting gas industry profits.
The rising cost of gas is impacting Victorian households - that’s why we’re moving to all electric homes for all new residential builds that require a planning permit from January 1, 2024.
All-electric homes slash around $1,000 per year off household energy bills – or up to $2200 for households that also have solar installed.
Everyone from the independent Grattan Institute to a recent report by Boston Consulting Group – funded by the gas industry itself – show that all-electric new homes are cheaper to run than dual fuel homes.
Today electric appliances are vastly more energy efficient than gas alternatives – using less energy means
 
     
    you’ll pay lower bills.
Jurisdictions all over the world are removing gas from homes and preparing their housing for an emissions free future.
In Australia, the ACT is introducing legislation to ban new gas connections in homes later this year – and we’ve seen recent gas bans in the US city of Boston and the State of Massachusetts in July, and Germany will ban gas and oil heating in new buildings from next year.
The EU has also recommended that its member nations ban new gas home heaters by 2028.
Mr Walsh is part of the same Coalition that locked regional towns into the gas network when they were in government – forcing Victorians to pay exorbitant prices to truck in gas to heat their homes and cook their food.
Only the Labor Government is helping Victorians get off gas and switch to efficient modern electric appliances that will slash thousands from energy bills and put money back in Victorians pockets.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
I’M not one to complain but please could people sipping coffee and conversing with friends in the middle of the footpath consider that some folk like myself who have to drive mobility scooters just to get around would like to pass without hostile glares.
Ted More, Euroa
I WANT to acknowledge
Daniel Andrews for serving in the tough job as the Victorian Premier for nearly nine years, and I wish him and his family well for the future.
I would also like to congratulate Jacinta Allan on becoming the 49th Premier of Victoria.
But this marks the end of a leader that abandoned regional Victoria and has left the rest of us to pick up the pieces of a state he has devastated.
Victoria has a record debt approaching $200 billion, even
with Labor introducing more than 50 new or increased taxes since 2014.
Despite all this debt and spending, regional Victoria has nothing to show for it.
The roads are crumbling, the road toll is rising, hospital waiting lists are through the roof, V-Line trains are completely underserviced, and housing is in complete crisis.
Daniel Andrews spent his nine years taking out loans in the names of our children and has now left them to pay it –that is his legacy.
There is no doubt that we need a change in governing style, but I am concerned it will be business as usual from Jacinta Allan - someone who has been wholly mentored by Daniel Andrews.
The truth is that while Daniel Andrews was signing the state’s cheques, it was Jacinta Allan who was cashing them in.
The new Premier is responsible for the $30 billion in cost blowouts across major projects and was the minister responsible for the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games. Waste and mismanagement are in her, and Labor’s DNA.
Annabelle Cleeland MP, Member for Euroa 
    
              IN mid-October 2022 many areas of Victoria and NSW were besieged by massive flooding.
Local regions such as Seymour, Nagambie, Kirwans Bridge, Murchison, Shepparton, Rochester, Wangaratta, Wodonga-Albury and other Murray River areas were affected when the Campaspe, Goulburn and Murray Rivers burst their banks.
Avenel:
Benalla:
Strathbogie:
Nagambie:
Merton:
One of the worst local businesses that were impacted by these devastating floods was Discovery Parks – Nagambie Lakes, formerly known as the Nagambie Leisure Park based right on the Goulburn River with cabins, powered sites, a café, conference centre and recreational facilities all so badly damaged it has been a challenge for the past year to rebuild most of the infrastructure and facilities.
I met with park manager Kathryn Monk on Thursday, October 5 and she told me how eerie it was the day the flood lapped over the lake to the Discovery Park office and joined the Goulburn River beside the café and reception area.
“I had gone into town and everything appeared as normal until I got back to the Park centre,” she said.
She also thanked those who provided ongoing assistance individually, as a volunteer, through Strathbogie Shire Council or government bodies.
“The Park has received wonderful support from GoNagambie folk, and the local community and business peo-
ple,” she said.
“Their helpfulness, friendliness, and encouragement has really cheered up the Park staff and tradespeople staying in temporary accommodation here.
“Since the flood, our Discovery Park team have faced the massive challenge of recovering what they could and rebuilding others.
“It has taken months of major cleaning up before even contemplating the rebuilding or recovery of our cabins, powered sites, and facilities.
“The Adelaide Discovery Park management team have looked at the issues to plan for the future and infrastructure development to replace the things that were irretrievable and we were faced with trade’s people shortage and materials unavailability.”
 
    Ms Monk said the team sought tenders and tradespeople to obtain workers for the recovery program.
“They capably found tradies to recover the park’s 58 cabins
 
     
     
     
     
    (albeit about 21 cabins 3-4 metres above the ground on the Goulburn River side of the park) and have started on the 50-60 powered sites, ablution block, conference centre, recreational facilities like the pool, tennis courts and playground.
“These involved major building efforts, interior decorating of cabins, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other trade work requirements to have the park ready for a partial opening on November 1.”
The park management has provided portable dwellings for the tradesfolk who have been working on the site for months.
The Discovery Park hopes to reopen on December 1 with 21 cabins and some powered sites to cater for their past and future visitors.
Repairs to the café have started and are part of the recovery plan for the park.
Around Nagambie some local community folk took up the call for assistance by local residents affected and at the badly
affected Discovery Park in Loddings Lane just on the banks of the Goulburn River near Chinaman’s Bridge.
Extensive damage occurred after cabins, caravans and infrastructure were badly damaged by the flooded Goulburn River.
Friends and visitors offered a helping hand to the Park folk and property owners along the river who lost livestock, their homes and belongings to the flood waters.
A few weeks after the crisis GoNagambie hosted a couple of barbecues cooked by the Nagambie Lakes Men’s Shed for the volunteers, contractors, annual visitors and staff at the park to allow them some rest from their tasks cleaning up the park.
Sissy Hoskin, executive officer of GoNagambie said she spent four weekends out there helping clean up and just helping individuals.
“It’s been traumatic for many,” she said.
Mitchelton and Tahbilk wineries were also affected and major clean up tasks have been carried out there also.
Let us not forget those who have suffered from these floods even though the danger has passed in our region.
It has changed so many lives and livelihoods and rural folk are well known for helping each other out.
If you know of a family, farmer, or a person affected who needs help see if you can lend them a hand in some way or direct them to someone who can.
 By MAYETTE MARTIN
    By MAYETTE MARTIN
          
          AT the end of September, we celebrated our 41st Filipino Australian & Friends Association (FAFA) anniversary with a “masquerade night” theme at Overlander Hotel in Shepparton.
We had an attendance of 145, the night was wonderful and full of great fun.
Everyone turned up and rocked up with their beautiful dresses (gowns) and gen-
tlemen looks so presentable with their attires.
The event featured exceptional entertainment from start to finish.
A well-experienced and talented singer and musician set the tone for the evening.
Fabulous dancers performed seven different dances from various groups, while talented ukulele
 
    groups added to the musical delight.
Generous donations were on offer for raffle prizes, and the winners were delighted.
Delicious food and hardworking staff at the Overlander ensured everyone was well-fed.
Fantastic props and decorations adorned the entrance and the interior.
Guests at every table appeared delighted and satisfied with the performances.
The masquerade judges, led by Multicultural Affairs Police Officer Leigh Jones of Shepparton, alongside our local James Cerini and Jeremy James from Numurkha, faced the challenging task of selecting the winners for both men and women’s categories.
 
    We were honoured to have guests and attendees from the Bendigo Filipino Foundation.
We also had a fabulous emcee who kept the energy high throughout the night.
The event received positive feedback from everyone, including guests and judges.
As one of the FAFA com-
 
    mittee members, I had the privilege of witnessing, once again, the outstanding leadership of our local Euroa president, Delma Broughton, and the unwavering support from the committees, including her husband, Murray Broughton.
The years of celebrations are continually improving, but last Saturday was undoubtedly the most wonderful night ever.
■ From page 1
He also alleged council failed to meet road design standards on a slew of other measures.
20-22
Euroa Golf Club are hosting the Power Industry association (PIA) Golf State Championships for 150 golfers. This event was washed out last year. The golf course will be closed to members and green fee players on these days.
22 Jimmy and Jarrod’s Country and Rock n Roll show featuring Venessa Waara with supporting act Jimmy and Jarrod and live band: The Night Owls. Sunday 22 October at the Longwood Community Centre from 12pm – 5pm. $15 per head. Bookings essential contact Jimmy on 0412 723 356 BYO drinks and nibbles – tea & coffee available. BBQ lunch available for purchase.
23 Euroa Probus Club provides you with the opportunity to join a social club in your local community to meet retirees on a regular basis, listen to interesting speakers and join together in activities. Meetings are held 4th Monday of each month, 10am at Uniting Church Hall, Kirkland Ave Euroa. Enq: Fred 0408 443 288 or Stan 0427 884 075.
28-29
Euroa Agricultural Society Inc will hold the 131st Euroa Agricultural Show. Online entries now open. Show schedule available online.
4-7
Strathbogie “Cup Weekend” Festival 4 days of fun and events. www.strathbogiecupweekendfestival.
com
6 Longwood Senior’s monthly two course luncheon held at Longwood Community Centre at 12.30pm - all seniors welcome. Cost per head $16. Enq: Margaret 0407 529 991.
11 Great Ruffy Trivia Challenge Ruffy Hall Contact Darryl 0468 771 024 to book your table
4 Longwood Senior’s Christmas Luncheon which is fantastic, held at the Longwood Community Centre. All seniors welcome. Enq: Margaret 0407 529 991.
In a response letter, council CEO Julie Salomon claimed to “correct the information” in Mr Lancaster’s letter.
“The Weir Road upgrade meets all safety and design standards,” Ms Salomon wrote in her late July letter.
“The redesign of the road considered additional traffic load factored to 600 vehicles per day plus 15 per cent allowance for heavy vehicles after the floods and subsequent closure of Kirwans Bridge.”
By delaying the contract to undertake a road safety audit, council was forced to walk back those words.
In another surprise turn of events, the road safety audit, which has since been completed and seen by The Euroa Gazette, found a 4m seal was actually acceptable, but the design would need to be revised to incorporate 2.35m gravel shoulders (originally tendered at 1m).
The audit also recommended revising signage and speed limits.
At last month’s council meeting, only Cr Reg Dickinson acknowledged Mr Lancaster by name.
“I’d particularly like to pay recognition to the Kirwans Bridge community members, in particular Paul Lancaster, who pursued this relentlessly and in the immediate term has alerted council to the implications of pursuing a course that was probably doomed to fail,” he said.
When asked by The Euroa Gazette last week whether she would publicly thank him, Ms Salomon also expressed her gratitude to the persistent ratepayer.
“I would like to thank Paul Lancaster for raising this issue,” she said.
“I have taken it so seriously I have not only initiated a road safety audit on Weir Road, but an ongoing program of safety audits across the shire that I hope will help the community trust I have their very best interests at heart.”
Mr Lancaster told the Gazette his version of events, explaining he took this course of action after he found fault in council’s 2021 upgrade of Mullers Road, which
he believes ultimately resulted in a fatality in January 2022.
“I’ve got a bit of a bent on road safety in rural communities,” he said.
“I’m really getting annoyed every time I hear a police commissioner say that it’s because people aren’t driving properly, and people are speeding, and people are not attending to their car lights and stuff
“I’ve got a theory that it’s because the road design is not up to standard – so, trees are too close to the road, the verges on the road are not correct.”
Mr Lancaster believes many rural councils, including Strathbogie Shire Council, do not apply the safety standards they have signed up to when designing roads.
 
    In the case of Mullers Road, he said he raised concerns with a council officer regarding the proximity of trees to the road in 2021; some trees were removed later that year, but others remained, he said.
A fatality occurred on Mullers Road in 2022 after a driver crashed into one of those trees.
Mr Lancaster made a submission to the coroner’s investigation, and the coroner wrote that while the trees were not “causative of this tragic event, I encourage the Strathbogie
Shire to reconsider the location of these trees to prevent future distractions or possible road accidents”.
This experience led Mr Lancaster to relentlessly pursue copies of the 2023 plans to upgrade Weir Road and raise his concerns about the road design, which included the proximity of trees to the road and the higher potential for speeding on the road once it was sealed.
He said he initially “hit brick walls” in his efforts to raise the matter with council, but eventually his efforts compelled council to change its tune.
According to Mr Lancaster, the CEO told him at a recent meeting that following the concerns he raised, she had conducted “a full and thorough review” regarding how council officers had implemented road design projects in the cases of Weir Road, Mullers Road and Locksley-Nagambie Road.
“[She] found that staff had not followed process and guidelines and … directed them that from now they will apply standards or justify why not,” he said.
At a later meeting with a council officer, he was told the council’s former director of sustainable infrastructure – who had repeatedly rebuffed Mr Lancaster’s concerns over email –no longer works at council.
Ms Salomon told the Gazette the review Mr Lancaster referred to “is not complete yet, it’s ongoing”.
“We have now a new person acting as the director of sustainable infrastructure while we’re recruiting, who is … a very well experienced engineer,” she said.
“He is going to work with our risk team to actually identify what needs to be done.
“We are having an independent road safety audit program that’s going to operate ongoingly for the shire over the next years to come – it’s going to take some time prioritising those key roads.
“What those road safety audit recommendations will be, we will then build them into subsequent capital works programs to address them.
“We need to make our roads safe for our road users.”
Ms Saloman said the two experienced professionals providing advice after the departure of the former director of sustainable infrastructure are David Roth and John Harvey.
“So, we will be having some very, very extensive technical experience to help us to get a program of how we do our roads and our road safety,” she said.
But Ms Salomon would not be drawn to share why the former director of sustainable infrastructure no longer works at council, saying “we are unable to discuss personal staff matters” for privacy reasons.
She said a road safety audit was currently investigating NagambieLocksley Road.
“The drainage next to the road is really quite deep – do we need to use rails guard rails … or do we actually just put in some fill into those drains, so they’re not as not as deep as they are now?” she said.
As for Mr Lancaster, he thinks it is too early to celebrate just yet.
“My concern now is that they follow through with what they’re saying,” he said.
“As I’ve said to [Ms Salomon], it’s alright to talk the talk, but I’ve got to see action, and I’ll hold you to account to that.
“I want to see when these audits occur; I want to see that these audits have occurred.
“I want to see that new projects are done to standards, and then I’ll feel comfortable that they’re actually listening to us at the moment.”
 By MAYETTE MARTIN
    By MAYETTE MARTIN
          
          LAST week, the Euroa Red Cross hosted a delightful meeting and luncheon.
The event brought together the dedicated members of our Red Cross team, and it was a heartwarming occasion where everyone contributed by bringing a plate of food to share.
The spread included a variety of slices, cakes, muffins, sandwiches, and quiches, making it a truly enjoyable luncheon.
We believe that this event serves as a testament to the camaraderie and spirit of our Red Cross members, and we want to extend an invitation to the wider community.
The Euroa Red Cross holds regular meetings on the first Thurs-
day of each month at St John’s Hall, commencing at 10am. We warmly welcome anyone
 
    A booklet written by Brian Garrett documenting the 150-year anniversary of rail to Violet Town was on sale for $5.
The backART Gallery showcased an international puppet collection owned
 
    pg
by Helena Gibson and also some vintage clothing by Kerry Wilson.
Violet Town Gallery Museum has been in recess whilst the Jackson Produce Store moved into our part of the museum.
Having exchanged areas, we have a nice frontage to the main street.
We are still occupying the back part of the museum and of course our fabulous backART Gallery.
We invite you to come and see us at our new space featuring the history of Violet Town Railway and check out the great collections of Kerry Wilson and Helena Gibson.
 
    
              We are thrilled to announce that Dr Dhaval Gandhi is the new owner of Strathbogie Dental!
Dr Dhaval, is one of Melbourne’s most respected
Dr Dhaval and Dr Tom Hudson are not new to each other, Dr Dhaval purchased Dr Tom’s previous
 
    The team will remain the same, with Colleen as alongside Dr Dhaval with his team of senior dental
Combine this with Dr Tom’s wealth of experience possible standards when it comes to delivering
We are excited to introduce both Invisalign and Invisalign is a simple, interest free direct debit
 
    special interest in dental implants, crowns, bridges, root canal treatment and Invisalign along with
 
     
    03 4702 2111
 
    Suite 6-8 / 36 Kennedy Street, EUROA
Corner Kennedy & Weir Streets at Euroa Health
 By HELEN RANKIN
    By HELEN RANKIN
          
          THE Goulburn Valley Concert Orchestra, directed by Mr Steven Sargant, presented a wonderful concert at the Euroa Cinema precinct on Saturday, as part of Senior Citizens’ week.
The crowd was entertained by the full orchestra of 35 members, plus items from the strings and brass sections.
Vocal soloist Renée Rankin performed “Skyfall” with the orchestra and included her mother, Helen Rankin (myself) at the piano.
Liesl Parnell featured in a violin solo for Cinema Paradiso.
The variety of music and the light-hearted commentary of the conductor Steve, made for a very enjoyable occasion.
The GVCO has been entertaining the Goulburn Valley and beyond for over 28 years, with an annual concert, a spring chamber series and many other events including arts festivals.
 
    For all of that time, many local Violet Town and Euroa residents have been a part of this orchestra in varying capacities.
 
     
     
    
               
    Today, it still maintains connections to the district including members of the Rankin family, the Jennings family and Alison Smith.
I am a pianist and percussionist in the orchestra, a life member and the current president of the committee of management.
 
    Renée Rankin is a wellknown vocal soloist, and Life Member of the orches-
 
     
    tra after many years of commitment to performance.
Keri Jennings plays violoncello in the orchestra and is co-secretary of the orchestra committee along with her husband, Jeff
Jeff and their son, Simon Jennings, are fantastic supporters with their media skills in video recording and design.
Alison Smith still plays vi-
olin in the orchestra and has done for many years.
She was also a long-standing committee member.
Her late mother – Valerie Smith – a Euroa resident, was a long-time supporter and friend of GVCO and she always attended concerts.
In the past, the Rankin and Jennings families have had further involvement.
Dr Kate Rankin and Re-
 
     By JOAN OSBOURNE
    By JOAN OSBOURNE
          
          THE Annual General Meeting of the Euroa Third Age Club will be held at St Paul’s Hall on Thursday, October 26 at 1.30pm.
All members are welcome to attend.
 
    The October lunch will be held at the Flam Sham on Thursday, October 12 at 12pm.
The cost will be $16.50 for a two-coure meal and all members and seniors are welcome to attend.
The club Christmas lunch will be held on Tuesday, December 12.
If the club is not available, a booking has been made at St Andrews Hall.
Further information will be provided closer to the event.
 
    The Third Age Club is still unavailable, although some work has commenced on repairing the flood damage caused last October.
becca Jennings were both violinists and concertmasters.
Kate started with Shepparton Strings as a sevenyear-old and was eventually also a committee member.
Tessa Rankin was a member of the percussion section and went on to pay for Surrey Hills Orchestra.
Rebecca gained a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University.
Rebecca, Kate and Tessa have all returned on occasion to perform as part of the orchestra in concerts, a sign of their love for this wonderful orchestra.
These local Euroa and Violet Town families can be duly proud for the commitment of their talents and time over many years to the Goulburn Valley Concert Orchestra.
NAGAMBIE Primary School and Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland have slammed Strathbogie Shire Council’s decision to not reinstate the school’s crossing supervisor.
Nagambie Primary School principal Rob French has been personally filling the role of crossing supervisor after council withdrew their share of funding from the crossing supervision program earlier this year.
Despite the school having one of the most frequently used crossings in the shire, and being located on a road routinely used by heavy vehicles, Mr French’s school is now the only one left without a supervisor after the State Government only picked up funding for the shire’s other four supervised crossings (which are on government roads) on a temporary basis.
 
    Mr French has likened the council’s attempt to compel the government to fund crossing supervisors to “a game of chicken, and it’s the safety of the kids that was put at stake”.
“Fairly arrogant, to be honest – they feel they’ve won because they’re saving money,” he said.
“We continue to be incredibly disappointed in the Shire’s
lack of concern for student safety.
“I certainly applaud the three councillors who were prepared to put the safety of our students ahead of cost savings.”
At last month’s council meeting, three councillors (Robin Weatherald, Reg Dickinson and Paul Murray) voted against a motion to retain no funding for a supervisor at the school, while another three councillors (Sally Hayes-Burke, Chris Raeburn and Mayor Laura Binks) voted in favour of the motion, with Mayor Binks’ casting vote locking in the decision against the school’s desired outcome.
“I can’t reconcile how the mayor continues to say children’s safety is a priority when clearly it’s not,” Mr French said.
The meeting agenda stated a crossing supervisor would cost $15,000 per year, which Mr French believes would be “100 per cent worth it, because we’re talking about children’s safety”.
Instead, the council voted to spend $7000 on a road safety audit to “identify appropriate road safety and traffic calming infrastructure”,
SUPERVISOR DENIED: Nagambie Primary School principal Rob French (pictured), who has been filling in the crossing supervisor role himself, has slammed council’s decision not to reinstate a supervisor for his school.
which could potentially be funded through government grants, according to the agenda document.
But Mr French believes improved safety infrastructure alone will not resolve the issue.
“A five, six year old can’t come to a pedestrian crossing or a set of traffic lights and judge that the cars have stopped – so, we’re happy for them to look at upgrading the crossing, but it still has to be supervised,” he said.
Nagambie Primary School council president Paul Swan, whose daughter attends the school, was also scathing of
council’s decision.
“It’s clear that they don’t care whether a child gets hit or killed outside the primary school,” he said.
“Honestly, if there were to be a child killed, I would be one of the first people to put my hand up and write a statement in relation to the coroner’s inquest brief and directly name [specific councillors and council officers] in my statement saying that they endangered the lives and caused the death of a child.”
Ms Cleeland – who had supported an advocacy campaign led by the school to have their crossing supervisor reinstated
– did not mince words when sharing her view on council’s decision.
“The decision shows a disregard for our children’s safety and a concerning lack of respect to ratepayers,” she said.
“The decision is a shameful display of negligence towards the safety and wellbeing of our children.
“It prioritises budgetary concerns over the safety of our kids.
“As elected representatives, it is our duty to actively listen to our community’s needs and make decisions that reflect their priorities and concerns, not ignore them.”
Ms Cleeland has created an online petition, available on her website, urging both the council and the State Government to reinstate crossing supervision across the shire.
The State Government is currently funding crossing supervisors on government roads in the shire on an interim basis.
They have not specified how long supervision will continue at Euroa Primary School and St John’s Primary School, while two other schools – St Joseph’s School Nagambie and Avenel Pri-
mary School – are set to lose their supervisors at the end of term four.
In a statement provided to The Euroa Gazette following last month’s council meeting, Mayor Binks said it had been “an extremely challenging decision”.
“We agree with the community the safety of our children is priority,” she said.
“The Department [of Transport] told us Goulburn St, Nagambie was a councilmanaged road and therefore our responsibility, however we know the department is managing the crossing supervisor role in the same circumstances in Northern Grampians Shire, and that we previously received the same amount of funds from the Department to manage this crossing, the same way we did on state-owned roads.”
She also claimed, as she has on previous occasions, that the School Crossing Supervision Program is the responsibility of the State Government.
The program has been a shared responsibility between local councils and the Department of Planning and Transport since it began in the 1970s.
SILVER MEDALIST: Ashleigh Malone is pictured at the Malone home in Euroa last week with her silver medal, after she competed for Australia in the country’s first ever first ever all-female blind cricket team in August. Ashleigh was extremely thankful to the Euroa community, who helped raise over $3000 to send her and two other Victorian girls to the games in Birmingham. “We couldn’t have got there without their generosity,” she said. “It was incredible - a very busy tournament.”
 
    
              A STATEWIDE survey of mayors, CEOs, councillors, and council staff has identified the biggest blockers to solving the rural housing crisis and building new homes across rural Victoria, from a rural local government perspective.
The Rural Housing Survey, conducted by Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), found that the biggest blockers to housing in rural Victoria are: availability and preparation of land; ability
to find qualified people (trades and planners); and state policy and regulation.
Nearly half (48.6 per cent) of respondents nominated land release as one of the main blockers to more housing.
Making land ready for development was also a highranking blocker, with 39.2pc of respondents nominating this issue, making land-related blockers highly significant with 85.8pc of respondents nomi-
nating at least one of these issues.
Lack of planning staff and availability of skilled workers, builders, trades etc. was nominated by 47.3pc of respondents as a key blocker. State policy and regulation and the planning scheme/policy were also nominated highly among respondents, with state policy and regulation at 43.2pc and planning scheme/policy at 35.1pc.
Mayor Laura Binks is the deputy chair of RCV, the organisation that conducted the survey.
“It’s a very important issue that is exceptionally challenging,” she said, noting also that housing affordability is addressed in council’s 2021/25 council plan.
“There is no simple or quick fix, so we would welcome any support that helps planning legislation keep up with our community’s expectations.”
Is to teach humanity, that God is Creator and we can trust the details provided. John 3:12. Jesus believed saying, “If I’ve spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of Heavenly things?” Genesis is real history, not poetry parables or allegory which are different literature styles. The age and unique creation of Adam and Eve mattered to Jesus. Mark 10:6-8). His commands were to procreate and have dominion over Gods’ earth. And the given week time-frame is no accident. “For 6 days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them and rested on the 7th day”. it makes no sense; man can’t work 6 billion years then rest a billion! Man is to live within each week as we do.
1Cor 15:12-19 Paul tells how central Jesus Resurrection is, because sin came through a man and we die like Adam but in Christ we can be made alive. Made of dust, we return to dust. Luke 3 traces Jesus lineage from mother Mary all the way back to Adam: no mythical figures mixed in with historical ones and certainly no ape ancestors or pond scum. The Prophet Isaiah 59:20 spoke of the coming Messiah, literally as the Kinsman-Redeemer…related by blood to those He redeems. Hebrews explains how Jesus took upon Himself the lowly nature of man to save mankind. If you think Genesis history doesn’t matter, how should we consider our Indigenous brothers. If really they’re 65,000 years old (according to experts?!) and not Adam 6,000yrs ago they are not related to Christ. However, they’re not prehistoric but have same shared blood and dignity of all races; equal in Gods sight as Indigenous Christians also understand.
John said don’t be like Cain who evilly murdered his righteous brother Abel, making him the first martyred prophet among many heroes of the faith like Enoch and Noah and there’s no hint that they were less real than us. Jesus taught about the sudden reality of His future Coming by comparing it to the time of Noahs’ flood. Luke 17:26-27 Noah was a real person, the ark a real floating boat, the Global Flood a real event that destroyed all outside the Arks’ protection. Everyone comes from 8 people sharing Mitochondrial Eve DNA.
Disciple Peter warned that one characteristic of scoffers, was wilful ignorance of two things; the reality of special Creation of the world (Rom.1:19-20) out of water and it’s destruction by water. (2 Pet 3:3-18) If we deny the Flood as a real event then logically the future judgment must be denied as well and that’s what unbelievers prefer to believe, burying their heads in the sand. Deut.30:19 Says “Choose this day Whom you shall serve, choose life or death, blessing or cursing”. There is profuse scientific evidence and hope for Creations’ Truth (John 10:10) rather than to believe the soul destroying, hopeless ideology of Evolutionary ‘theory’ taught today. God wants to reign supreme in every heart.
Provided By
(you-tube songs: ” Gotta Serve Somebody” by Bob Dylan: “Promise Keeper” by Hope Darst; “To Not Worship You” & “Then Christ Came” by MercyMe; “Truth Be Told” by Matt. West)
“They don’t care whether a child gets hit”, says school council “Thd’hhhildhi”hlilidpresidentPHOTO: Darren Chaitman
ANGLICAN CHURCH
Sunday 15th October
8am St Andrew’s Longwood
9.15am St Paul’s Euroa
Wednesday 18th October
10am Eucharist St Paul’s Euroa
Enq: 5704 0330
www.anglicaneuroa.org.au
All welcome
BAPTIST CHURCH
31 Kennedy Street, Euroa
Sunday October 15th, 10am
Tuesday: 9.30am Prayer, 10.30am Bible Study.
Listen to Vision Radio 88.4 FM
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
Services at Kelvin View Hall
Sunday October 15th
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 6pm Vigil Mass in St. John’s Church
St Malachy’s, Nagambie
Monday 10.30am Rosary
Wednesday 12.30pm Mass
Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 9am
Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion on the 2nd, 4th and 5th
Sunday of the month at 9am
St Attracta’s, Violet Town Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 11am
Mass on the 5th Sunday at 10am
Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am
St Mary’s, Avenel Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am
Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion on the 2nd, 4th and 5th
Sunday of the month at11am.
St Patrick’s, Longwood Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 9am
Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion on the 1st, 3rd and 5th
Sunday of the month at 9am
Enquiries: Fr Tony Hill 5795 3048
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
STAGE two of Euroa’s streetscape upgrade is now complete, bringing the Binney Street streetscape renewal project to a close.
As reported in The Euroa Gazette last month, the bulk of works on the northern end of Binney Street had been finished near the beginning of September, which included new exposed concrete pavements, new seating, new garden beds and “zebra crossing” line markings.
In recent weeks, the final stages of the project took place, with new bin holders, bike racks and lighting installed.
 
     
    The stage two changes rep-
licate stage one of the project, which was completed last year outside the Euroa Newsagency and Thomson’s Betta Home Living.
“Effective streetscape design is an integral part of shaping a community’s identity, increasing civic pride and improving a sense of well-being and belonging,” Mayor Laura Binks said.
Cr Binks said it was council’s aim to complete the streetscape upgrade in time for the Australian National Show and Shine Euroa, held on October 1, which attracted a huge number of visitors to the township and surrounding areas.
ABOUT 75 people, from all brigades across the Euroa Brigades Group, attended a biannual CFA training event in Euroa on Sunday.
 
     
    Experienced instructors led sessions held at the Euroa Showgrounds and the Tesla charging station on Kirkland Avenue.
The session at the Tesla charging station covered the risks of fires caused by lithium batteries.
Other sessions covered the use of new equipment, including Hooligan tools, which are used by emergency personnel to gain forced entry into buildings or to cut through barriers.
The Euroa Brigades Group this year purchased a dozen Hooligan tools using money raised following the Balmattum fire in 2020, which saw the Balmattum Hill set afire during the 2019-2020 bushfires.
At the Euroa Showgrounds, a new Forward Response Vehicle was introduced to the brigade group.
The day ended with a “nice barbecue”, according to the Euroa brigades group’s group officer Chris Thomson.
UPSKILLING: CFA members in discussion on how to deal with the possibility of electric car fires, at the EV recharging area near the Strathbogie Council offices. PHOTOS: Dale Mann
 By CATIE HILL
    By CATIE HILL
          
          EUROA Hospital celebrated the one-year anniversary of the opening of its x-ray facility, with staff and clients coming together on Tuesday, October 3 to mark the occasion.
Euroa Health made the commitment to re-establish the service in 2022 as part of its five-year strategic plan.
It followed extensive consultation with the community which made clear the importance of local access to imaging services, reflected by the 1100 x-rays taken since its reopening.
X-ray services are available every Tuesday and Thursday morning, and ultrasound on Wednesdays, with additional days available as needed according to community demand.
 
    “It’s fantastic to have the
service back in Euroa,” Euroa resident Wilma Beaton said.
“It’s saved me so much time driving out of town for appointments and the staff have been professional and understanding, as always.”
Euroa Health CEO Melissa Seymour said the re-opening of imaging services had been an important addition to Euroa Health’s suite of services.
“We know how important it is to have essential health services available locally,” she said.
“In that vein, we’re continuing to work with Goulburn Valley Health to look at how our hospital-based services, which have been running at a loss due to falling numbers of privately insured patients, can keep delivering much-needed acute care in a financially viable way on behalf of the community across the Strathbogie Shire.”
“It was so great to see the township looking amazing ahead of this event,” Cr Binks said.X-RAY B-DAY: Lil Hanrahan, who had an x-ray appointment on the first day of x-ray services in 2022, also had an X-ray appointment on the one-year anniversary and joined the festivities. Ms Hanrahan is pictured here with Clare Hocking, Angela Marchant and Lynne Lawton of Euroa Health.
MASSIVE rainfall throughout the shire last week saw flooding in Euroa and elsewhere in the region.
 
    On Wednesday, October 4, at about 12.30pm, Seven Creeks Park in Euroa was a sight to behold as the height of the Seven Creeks peaked at the “moderate flooding” level of four metres; slightly lower than the 4.3 metres reached during the previous flooding episode in June.
 
     
     
     
    On the same day, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 81.6mm of rainfall at Castle Creek, Euroa; 89.2mm at Sheans Creek; 90mm at Kelvin View; 87mm at Gooram; 97.2mm at Strathbogie; 104mm at Seven Creeks at Polly McQuinns Weir; and 89.88mm in Boho.
Euroa SES unit commander Georgie Broussard said the crew’s activities included providing sandbags, attending to fallen trees and monitoring the situation.
She said there were “a fair few” trees that had fallen onto roads including the EuroaShepparton Road and Arcadia
Two-Chain Road.
“It was pretty good, really – I didn’t think that we were going to flood, I didn’t think we were going to get as much rain as we did … but we did good out of it, when you compare it to the same time last year, where we had numerous houses flooded,” she said.
ON this week 50 years ago, 15-year-old Stephen O’Bree was voted best and fairest in the year’s “third eighteen”.
“His father, Dick O’Bree, is one of the great names in Euroa football and Stephen’s brother, Ricky, plays for the Euroa senior football team,” printed the Euroa Gazette on October 10, 1973.
 
    “It is therefore not surprising to see Stephen is also making a name for himself in sport.”
Also in sport, at the Euroa Football Club’s annual dinner, Cliff Halsall and Peter O’Donoghue were made life members.
In court news, Robert Mackrell of Euroa was fined two dollars after being found guilty of being drunk and disorderly on a train travelling from Benalla.
Gloria Lidicutt of West
 
    with Di Grant
P: 5794 1720
E: stardust2011@bigpond.com
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK: Our children are like mirrors – they reflect our attitudes in life.
PERSONALS: Birthday greetings go to Mackenzie Spencer, David Keall, Nancy Hilton, Courtney Harvey, Jensen Winch-Cunningham, Kay Ruff, Fiona Furletti, Anthony Hadley, Fay McLeod, Rachel Jones and Cheryl Gabbett.
 
    Happy 55th anniversary wishes go to Margaret and Russell Hurren, happy 45th to Marlene and Rob Brooks, happy 21st to Rosie and Ron Habel and Happy 23rd anniversary to my husband John for this coming Saturday.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Nicole Hughes who was selected to represent our region in the Goulburn Murray V/Line Girls Squad football team.
Congratulations also go to Brodie Miller on his athletic prowess at the Australian Cross Country championships in Canberra.
Well done to both of these local young people.
COMMUNITY HOUSE NEWS: The plaster repairs have just begun at the House, and already, fine dust has spread like a cloud across their different rooms.
So, last week, the president Edna James and coordinator Anna Close made the tough decision to close the House down for the remainder of last and this week.
Although the plaster dust doesn’t contain any dangerous particles, it is still irritating for airways and eyes, not to mention it settles on absolutely everything.
Tomorrow, removal of plaster in the hallway will continue, and after that the music room.
Tentatively, the House will open up again for groups to meet on October 16, but they will confirm with everyone before then.
This means no groups can currently meet at the House.
If your group would still like to meet and can think of alternative venues, that is of course also an option.
We are so sorry about the inconvenience this causes you, but look forward to the beautiful, final result.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact Anna.
Tuesday, October 31: Halloween family party night, featuring fun, music and games from 6-8pm at the Mechanics Hall.
All ages are welcome, $5 for a child and $10 max for a family.
If anyone is able to help in any way, please let Anna know when and how you can assist.
Call NLCH on 5794 1487 during weekdays.
PAINTING WORKSHOP: Free painting workshop with Philip Hickingbotham on Saturday, October 21 from 1-4pm at Avenel Memorial Hall. Book online at https://events.humantix.com/ painting-workshop-with-philip-hickingbotham.
NAGAMBIE BOWLS CLUB NEWS: Saturday, November 11: Nagambie Bowling Club’s Nagambie Cup night.
Early bookings are $30 per person for dinner and horse racing, or pay $35 on the night. It is a great social night and a prize is on offer for best hat.
Brunswick collided with a stationary tray truck parked on Railway Street in Euroa.
Rob Kelsall was awarded $15 against the Shire of Euroa after he produced a receipt in court to prove he had paid money to the shire prior to a summons being issued against him, according to the Gazette’s anonymous gossip columnist Snoopy.
“It certainly pays to keep receipts,” Snoopy quipped.
Snoopy also wrote that “Lady Codiva was seen riding again, this time in the Balmattum area”.
“You’ll never know, she might even ride through Binney Street soon.”
In a letter to the editor, Carl Frederick defended himself against a letter from a Mr Asquith, which had apparently criticised Mr Frederick
for using a crow trap, asking how much suffering the traps caused crows and other birds.
“Recently I was at a neighbours and I saw a sheep that had had both eyes taken out by the crows and would have to be destroyed,” he wrote.
“It is very necessary to have
something to lesson [sic] the number of crows.”
An advertisement for Rocla circular cattle troughs featured a picture of Bill Burton.
 
    “Men like Bill Burton have strong reasons for specifying Rocla Circular Cattle Troughs,” the ad reads.
Bookings essential with Fiona Smith on 0418 942 446.
ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY SCHOOL SPRING
MARKET & FETE: On November 12, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School will hold a traditional school fete with a modern twist of a spring market. From 10am-2pm, there will be activities and stalls such as face painting, barbecue, games, raffle, spinning wheel and much more.
Get more details from the school on 5794 2608.
OTHER EVENTS COMING UP: Tonight, October 11: Tabilk Junior Football Netball Club special general meeting from 6pm at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
October 12-16: Junior tennis coaching at 4-6pm; details from K Turner on 0427 522 132.
October 16: Nagambie Seniors Birthday celebration; details from J Branagan on 0419 567 580.
 
    October 21: Nagambie Little Athletics season starts.
October 22: Nagambie Farmers Market at Tahbilk winery from 10am-2pm; call 0429 023 618 for more details.
October 23: Nagambie Rowing Club annual meeting from 6pm at 301 High St, Nagambie.
November 11 and 12: Comedy in the Vines in the Nagambie Lakes wine region.
- a look back at what was making news 50 years ago this week.
ST Joseph’s School Nagambie and Avenel Primary School have been informed by the Department of Transport their crossing supervisors will be phased out after term four.
These schools are now set to join Nagambie Primary School in losing their crossing supervisors, following Strathbogie Shire Council’s withdrawal from the crossing supervision program earlier this year.
The Euroa Gazette had
 
     
     
     
     
     
    earlier reported that St Joseph’s School Nagambie had been set to lose their supervisor at the end of term three, but school principal Maree Findlay said the Department of Transport have now decided to extend their support for the supervision program until the end of term four.
 
    Avenel Primary School has received the same advice from the Department of Transport, after also initially being told their supervisor
would be phased out at the end of term three.
“I spoke to Emma Bamford, who is the acting director of the Hume region for the Department of Transport of Planning, and I had a lengthy meeting with her at the end of the term,” Ms Findlay explained.
 
    “We had a few ideas that she was taking back to her team – in terms of, there’s going to be no children’s crossing, but what can we do to help and to make it safe?
“They’ve obviously gone and had a little bit of a look; they haven’t been able to come to a final decision or to get anything up and running for this term, so instead of leaving us high and dry they have been able to say, ‘we’re not happy with the solution that keeps everyone happy and safe’, so they have decided to continue with the children’s crossing for the rest of the year.”
Ms Findlay said the school was “over the moon” with this
result and praised Ms Bamford for recognising the importance of children’s safety.
“It’s a shame that it can’t be for every school in the Strathbogie Shire,” she said.
 
     
     
     
     
    A review undertaken by the Department of Transport after council’s withdrawal from the crossing supervision program found the crossings at St Joseph’s and Avenel Primary School did not meet the program requirements.
According to council’s
 
     
     
    March ordinary meeting agenda, the average number of children who use the St Joseph’s crossing daily is nine in the morning and six in the afternoon, and an average of four children in each timeslot use the Avenel Primary School crossing daily.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said the Department “are committed to the partnership with all councils to deliver the School Crossing Supervisor Program”.
 
    Avenel Primary School declined to comment.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    45-47 Railway Street, Euroa, Victoria 3666
BLACK, Keith Stanley
18/12/1948 - 1/10/2023
Dearly loved son of the late Mary and Bill Black.
Loved older brother of Allen, Janet Kelso and Gwenda Watkins. We will always love you.
BLACK, Keith Stanley
18/12/1948 - 1/10/2023
Passed away peacefully at home with his family.
Loved and loving husband of Naomi. Proud and beloved father and father-in-law of Douglas and Jennifer. Devoted and adoring Poppy of Capri, Cuba, Cyprus, and Cedar. In God’s care.
 
    Forever loved, sadly missed.
N J Todd Funeral Directors
 
     
     
    Member AFDA
Servicing Euroa & District since 1937
may be placed up to 3.00pm each Monday
classifieds@nemedia.com.au
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Phone: 03 5723 0101
 
    The Euroa Third Age Club AGM
October 26, 2023, 1.30pm At St Pauls Hall Clifton St, Euroa.
All members welcome.
Euroa Community Action Group AGM
 
     
    Monday, October 30, 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa Roles available for nomination. Contact Laura at euroacommunity actiongroup @gmail.com to RSVP.
PUREBRED GREAT DANE PUPPIES
Blue with various white markings. Microchipped, regularly wormed and vaccinated. Males and females available. Available mid October.
Source no. MB229424
 
     
     
    Microchip: 991003002428066, 991003002428076, 991003002428074, 991003002428069, 991003002428062, 991003002428071, 991003002428073, 991003002428078, 991003002428080, 991003002428065, 991003002428063, 991003002428077
 
     
     
    Phone: 0488 354 436 B N Great Danes @bonnie.nigel.danes
 
    RAMS
Further details Hill View Poll Dorset and White Suffolk Chiltern 0437
 
    MOTOR
 
    2008 Holden VE SS Sedan (1KF5UZ), 197,800km, manual, 19” rims, has upgraded cams, genie extractors, 3-inch exhaust, high
 
     
     
    RIGGS CREEK FIRE BRIGADE General pre-season meeting.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 8pm at the Moglonemby Community Hall.
Lyndal Dean Sec. 0408 372 584
 
    Euroa Agricultural Society Inc.
 
     
     
    Raffle results/ winners:
1. Peter 2. Anna
3. Phil Munt 4. Neil
5. N Manson
6. Graham
7. Sym
8. John McBride
9. Max 10. Julie
SOME 97 players participated in the first round of the GV Veteran Golfers championships at Hill Top Golf and Country Club on Monday, October 2.
The course was in excellent condition which is a credit to the staff, volunteers and the partnership with Tatura Men’s Shed.
The weather was perfect moving from 15 to 23oC throughout the day.
The championship sponsor is our long-time supporter Goulburn Murray Credit Union (GMCU).
Outstanding scores were recorded despite the tees set at the blue markers and the vets challenged to play the course at its maximum length.
The top scores in A-grade were recorded by Graeme Willoughby from Deniliquin and John Keller from Hill Top with 68 net; the winner decided on countback.
B-grade winner and top score of the day went to Max Newman from Mooroopna, 66 net, from Tom McConchie from Parkland with a 72 net.
C-grade leaders are both Kialla stalwarts with Leo Hartup, 68 net; from Ian Clarke, 69 net.
Nearest the pin was contested on the ninth hole at 137 metres.
A-grade was claimed by Dennis Koik, Mooroopna; Bgrade went to Keith Seeber, Euroa; and C-grade to Lindsay Tatterson, Parkland.
Ball winners included Barry Barlow, Deniliquin; Michael McAuliffe, Valley View; Vin Edwards, Shepparton; Peter Jeffery, Cosgrove; Peter Demay, Mooroopna; Jim Dean, Hill Top; Michael Downs, Hill Top; Shane Pollock, Kialla; Stephen Piggott, Cobram; Neil Boswell, Deniliquin; Kelly Cheong Rushworth; William Wright, Euroa; Ron Wilkinson, Shepparton; Keith Seeber, Euroa; Corey Leifting, Rich River; Gary Bow, Nagambie; Peter Bullivant, Numurkah; Den-
nis Prosser, Numurkah; Ray Gourlay, Kialla; Lindsay Tatterson, Parkland; Mick Stevens, Mooroopna; Ross Kelly, Hill Top; Bob Wildes, Hill Top; Bill Murphy, Mooroopna; Lawrence Steward, Mooroopna.
Goulburn Valley performed exceptionally well in the recent Victorian Veterans Association Team Championship held at Benalla in September.
The team of David Fullager, Rob, Frame and Greg Hall finished third over the two day event, just two strokes behind first and second.
The team of Bill Murphy, Lawrence Steward and Phil Cooper finished fourth, six shots clear of fifth spot.
Individually, on day one Greg Hall had 39 points to have equal top score and Bill Murphy repeated the feat with 38 points on day two, both pipped on countback.
Our next event, and the second round of the championship, is at Mooroopna Golf Club on October 23, where we will also celebrate the outstanding contribution that Jimmy Rae made to our association.
Remember that the championship is decided on the aggregate of the best two rounds out of the three to be played – you can afford one bad round.
THE Nagambie golf course was in pristine condition due to the amazing dose of rain that fell early in the week then to be followed up with plenty on sunshine resulting in lush fairways and plenty of growth, but this did little to help scoring with the majority handing back scorecards with nothing but wasted ink on them.
The day’s winner Lindsay Hall made good use of the surrounding lies allowing him to execute some quality chipping and confident putting to run away with The Seymour Club game day voucher with 37 points.
Runner up went to last week’s winner Dave Fullager maintaining his good form
with 34 points, rounding out the top three was Graeme Galvin with 33 points good enough for that.
The nearest the pin prizes went to David Love with a lovely looking ball through the air only to be robbed of a hole in one by a soft bounce, Shaun Spicer played a red hot strike from the eighth to go close.
Simon McClean returned for a second week and worked out the 13th and Jeff Mills went yes yes only to fall short with oh no, to the 16th.
Next week’s golf will be a stroke event with the gold medal play off taking place for the twelve qualifier, it will also be the sixth and final round of the social club trophy, on office duty is J. Ezard and in the bar J. Lodding.
A THREE person Ambrose event was played at Strathbogie Golf Club on Saturday, October 7.
 
    Sponsored by Drummond Golf Shepparton.
All though the numbers were down every one enjoyed the day in beautiful spring weather.
Winners of the scratch event were Jack McDonald, Ryley McDonald and Eleanor Barns from Strathbogie with a score of 67.
 
     
    Runner up of the scratch event were Glen, Laurie and Deeanne McMartin from Euroa with a score of 68.
Winners of the handicap event were Dav Mackrell, John and Kristen Moore from Strathbogie with a score of 58 5/6.
Runners up of the handicap event were Kellie Roberts, Wayne Hibberson and Leeanne Carmody from Jubilee with a score of 60 2/3.
Nearest the pin winners are on the fourth Chris Bennett, on the eighth Glen McMartin, on the 15th Patrick Lefrve and on the 17th Ryan Ezard.
Results from our Men’s Tournament on Sunday October 8.
Once again numbers were down but it was a glorious spring day and everyone en-
joyed the course. We had visitors from Marysville, Eildon, Broadford, Kialla, Woodend, Corringal, Yea, Seymour and thank you to the many players from Euroa.
A grade winner for the scratch event was Barney Hearnden from Woodend with a net 74
A grade runner up for the scratch event was Eddie Carracher from Euroa with a net 78
B grade winner for the scratch event was David Kennett from Strathbogie with a net 89
B grade runner up for the scratch event was Michael Keeley from Euroa with a net 93
A grade winner for the handicap event was Ryley McDonald from Strathbogie with a score of 75
A grade runner up for the handicap event was Phil Fry from Strathbogie with a score of 75
B grade winner for the handicap event was Wayne Kupke from Eildon with a score of 71
B grade runner up for the handicap event was Alistair Thomson from Strathbogie with a score of 73
Nearest the pin winners were on the fourth Eddie Carracher, on the eighth Cam Roper, on the 15th Barney Hearnden and on the 17th Ryley McDonald.
Next week we will be playing our third round of the championship and we will also be playing the monthly medal.
THE Euroa Golfers were fearing the worst when 90mm of rain fell on the course on Wednesday and rained out the competition, flooding the 11th and 12th holes, but by Saturday very little signs of the rain was evident.
The course had recovered and presented beautifully for the 50 players who entered the Drummond Golf sponsored monthly medals.
Freda Edwards made a welcome return to the winner’s circle taking out the ladies
event and the ladies B Scratch with a Net 76.
While Gail Allen was the Division One winner on Net 77.
Lorraine Ellis found the greens to her liking, winning the Ladies Putting Prize with 29.
Andrew Cullen, who has only recently returned to Competition Golf shot the lights out with 84-17-67 to win the Men’s Monthly Medal by plenty.
It was a great day for the Cullen family with Andrew’s son Tim also having a good day as he works towards getting his handicap.
Matt Mills 75-3-72 won Division one on countback over Steve Brook 88-15-72.
Matt’s round included two Drive and Pitch wins, but he wasn’t Nearest the Pin on 12.
Ian Horwood has been away for the winter but must have been practicing his putting with a very tidy 26 putts to win the Men’s event.
Ball winners were Glen Langlands, Mark Corradin, Paddy McCarthy and Bill Wright who all had great days.
Some not so good days
were had by half of the Division two field who had Bradman scores.
Better results are not far away as the course just keeps getting better and better as we get further into spring.
This week there will be a Stableford event Wednesday.
Twilight from 4 pm Friday will be played on the back nine.
Saturday is a Stableford round for the last round of the Castle Creek Golf League Teams Event when it will be decided who will take home the coveted Long Neck Goose trophy.
Tight battles are on for all ladder positions and there is some chance that Gaz Ritchie and his Rich Tea Tigers could get off the bottom of the ladder.
Next Sunday sees the annual Wayne “Fish” Mackrell Strathbogie versus Euroa Challenge.
Thanks to all the volunteers who are helping prepare the course for the Power Industry event on 21 and 22 October and the Spring Tournament the following weekend on October 28 and 29.
OVER the grand final long weekend, four teams representing Euroa Basketball Association took to the courts in the Echuca-Moama Junior Tournament.
Competing against teams from across regional Victoria and southern NSW, our Junior Magpies got their 2023 – 24 Junior Representative Season off to a very positive start. With teams entered in all age groups from under 12 through to under 18, it was a great opportunity for our teams to see where they fit within the other associations competing and to renew or establish some competitive rivalries that will no doubt continue
across the season.
Over the coming months these teams will play in several tournaments across the state with each age group finishing their season with the Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships held early next year.
For a relatively small association as compared to the likes of Shepparton, Bendigo and Wangaratta, our teams continue to show that they can hold their own against these larger associations and complete at a high level, playing some great basketball in the process and representing EBA with pride.
Our teams are made up of players from Euroa and the surrounding area, with some players travelling
from Avenel, Nagambie and Benalla to form some very talented teams and provide all of our players the opportunity to compete against their peers and continue to develop their skills and experience at a high level.
Euroa Basketball’s summer domestic competition is also about to get underway in the next week or so to provide basketballers of all skill levels the chance to get involved and be part of the action in which games will be played each week over the rest of term four and continue through to the end of term one 2024.
Teams will be created in age groups and games will be played at our home courts at the Euroa Secondary Col-
lege Multipurpose Stadium.
If you are thinking about playing basketball for the first time, we offer a great inclusive environment to learn the game and be supported by our great group of estab-
lished players.
Stay up to date with all the action happening within the Euroa Basketball Association, keep an eye out for more articles in the Gazette or jump onto the Euroa Bas-
 
    ketball Facebook page and see what events we have coming up.
Alternatively, you can reach out to the association by emailing to euroabasketballassociation@gmail.com.
UNDER the backdrop of perfect weather, Euroa’s division four bowlers embarked on an impressive journey to Shepparton Park last Saturday, where they managed to secure a remarkable victory against Tallygaroopna.
The triumph was marked by exceptional teamwork and skill, resulting in a 27-point win away from home.
As the season progresses, the team is poised to continue their winning streak.
This week, they are gearing up to return to the familiar comfort of their home turf, where they will face off against Shepparton East.
But division four isn’t the only division in action this week.
Division one is also back on the greens, prepared to test their mettle against Shepparton Golf.
 
    EUROA Club member
Brett Ford had an exceptional day at the competition, clinching victory in both the Northeast Zone Tower Championship and the Single Barrel Gift events.
Impressively, he also secured a place in the AA grade section of the other two events.
To cap it off, Brett Ford claimed the Gift High Gun sash with an outstanding score of 93/100.
In the Point Score Gift, veteran John King emerged victorious with a perfect score of 60/60, while the Double Barrel Gift was won by Mansfield’s Allan Kidd after a brief shoot-off against Brodie Asquith.
Despite variable light conditions posing a challenge at times, the day’s competition was a resounding success, drawing participation from eight squads representing various surrounding clubs.
Full Results:
25t NEZ Tower Point Score Championship:
1st AA and Overall: Brett Ford (Euroa) - 74/75.
2nd AA grade: D. Honebone (Castlemaine) - 69/75.
1st A: A. Rohrlach (Euroa) - 68/75.
2nd A: A. Kidd (Mansfield) - 63/75.
1st B: T. Apps (Mansfield) - 62/75.
2nd B: J. McGrath (Walmer) - 50/75.
1st C: L. Tonks (Euroa)66/75.
2nd C: P. Gorrie (St James) - 60/75.
20t Euroa P/S Gift:
1st B and Overall: J. King (Euroa) - 60/60.
1st AA grade: Brett Ford (Euroa) - 56/60.
2nd AA: F. Heinze (Alexandra) - 53/60.
1st A: A. Rohrlach (Euroa) - 56/60.
2nd A: S. Towers (Euroa)55/60.
2nd B: P. McKendrick (Euroa) - 55/63.
1st C: J. Foulkes (Euroa)54/60.
2nd C: L. Parks (Mansfield) - 52/60.
20t Euroa S/B Gift:
1st AA and Overall: Brett Ford (Euroa) - 19/22.
2nd AA grade: C. Ford (Corowa) - 17/21.
1st A: J. McGrath (Walmer) - 24/27.
2nd A: A. Rohrlach (Euroa) - 23/27.
1st B: K. Brown (Wangaratta) - 19/22.
2nd B: D. Luelf (Mansfield) - 18/22.
1st C: B. Asquith (Euroa)18/22.
2nd C: J. Foulkes (Euroa)17/20.
20t Euroa D/B Gift:
1st B and Overall: A. Kidd (Mansfield) - 27/27.
1st AA grade: Brett Ford (Euroa) - 21/22.
2nd AA: C. Ford (Corowa) - 20/22.
1st A: S. Towers (Euroa)20/22.
2nd A: A. Rohrlach (Euroa) - 19/22.
2nd B: C. Weingott (Mansfield) - 33/35.
1st C: B. Asquith (Euroa)26/27.
2nd C: J. Foulkes (Euroa)19/20.
Euroa Overall Gift High Gun: Brett Ford - 93/100.
Mark your calendars for Sunday November 13 for the next competition featuring the 90-target medley championship as the main event.
Usual practice sessions are held on the first Sunday of the month around 11.30am and Wednesdays from 1pm.
Meanwhile, division six is hitting the road, ready to take on Shepparton Turf.
With each division bringing its unique strengths and strategies, the Euroa Bowls Club is poised for a season full of excitement and competition.
 
    In other club news, the Euroa Bowls Club extends a warm welcome to its newly appointed selectors, including Peter Norton (chairman), Andrew Houston, Mary Steen and Tony Kingman.
Their expertise and dedication will undoubtedly contribute to the club’s continued success.
Clubroom renovations are progressing steadily, with the installation of plaster and flooring already completed.
However, some finishing touches, including amendments and painting, are still in the works.
The club remains hopeful that these enhance-
ments will be completed and the rooms will be fully functional by Christmas, providing members and visitors with a comfortable and inviting space to relax and socialise.
For those interested in joining the Euroa Bowls Club, whether experienced bowlers or newcomers, the club extends a warm invitation.
Every Friday, members gather for a delightful barbecue and drinks session, kicking off around 6pm.
It’s an excellent opportunity to meet fellow bowlers, share stories and enjoy the company that defines this vibrant club.
As the season unfolds, the Euroa Bowls Club is poised for an exciting journey, both on and off the greens.
With victories, renovations and a warm sense of community, there’s plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.
 
    COUNTRY towns such as Nagambie and Avenel are attracting more people to their towns to live or enjoy recreation facilities.
These newcomers (young and old) are keen to embrace new interests in their new home or holiday area, such as bowls, tennis, water sports, fishing, golf, football and netball, Senior Citizens and Men’s Shed.
In country towns it is sometimes “quality versus quantity”.
This means smaller bowls clubs or any other organisations are better in many ways than larger clubs.
You can enjoy the activity as well as the social side of the club.
On Saturday, October 7, Nagambie Bowls Club president Joe Gattuso welcomed the Avenel and Nagambie Bowls Club members for the start of the Nagambie Bowls Club season for 2023-24.
Mr Gattuso spoke on the benefits of joining a small club which is an advantage and he stated that small clubs continuing on with their activities and encouraging the local clubs to do a small recruit drive to welcome some new members into their friendly active bowls clubs would benefit them not only sports wise but socially too.
Mr Gattuso welcomed the guest of the day Annabelle Cleeland MP, and she thanked Joe Gattuso and his committee for their invitation to the opening.
She encouraged and thanked the two clubs for their continuing vitality and importance in their communities.
Ms Cleeland was asked to do the honour of bowling down the kitty and the first bowl of the season, which she did rather well to cheers of the two clubs’ members.
A bouquet of native flowers was presented to her for her attendance and support.
Female life member of the Nagambie Bowls Club, Vicki Reidy, presented life memberships to Fiona Smith and Lyn Sinden during the afternoon.
So, you can see that being in a small bowls club has its advantages.
Not only for playing the
game, but for encouraging each other, and supporting those who play a great game.
You are not lost in large numbers.
You can make great friends and play a game of skill, and have some fun.
So, if you are interested in taking up bowls again (if you have played elsewhere before) or taking up a new interest, you are more than welcome.
The Nagambie Bowls Club invite you to go along for a social game with their members, and anyone from 12–90 is welcome to try their hand at the sport.
The Nagambie club bowls 12 months of the year on their new synthetic green.
 
    They hold a Friday night social time with a meal and drinks and fellowship each week.
Coming up on November 11, they are running a Nagambie Cup evening that includes dinner and games fun.
To book, contact Fiona Smith on 0418 942 446 or 5794 2238 for the clubrooms.
AS the 23/24 Cricket Season approaches, the Euroa Cricket Club’s (ECC) Vets - Over 60s team eagerly anticipates another thrilling season of cricket.
 
    This marks their third year in the Veterans category and with each passing season, their enthusiasm and dedication continue to grow.
The Euroa Cricket Club’s Vets - Over 60s team is proud to acknowledge the unwavering support of the ECC.
Thanks to popular demand and the passion of its members, this season promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with the number of games increasing from eight to 12.
All matches are scheduled for Sundays, providing an opportunity for players to
showcase their skills on various grounds across the state.
Home games will be hosted at the Friendlies Reserve, where turf wickets meticulously prepared by Glenn Corridas and his hardworking team await.
The action kicks off with an exciting clash against Richmond at Richmond on October 15 setting the tone for the season ahead.
Euroa’s Vets team is embracing a changing playing roster this year, as some players have retired due to injuries and time constraints.
Nevertheless, they have welcomed fresh faces into the fold, injecting renewed energy and talent into the squad.
Phil Thompson will once again lead the team as captain, with invaluable support from familiar names such as
Rick Obree, Dave Gleeson, Roger McKernan and Phil Armstrong throughout the season.
If you’re 60 years or older and have a passion for cricket, the Euroa Vets - Over 60s team extends a warm invitation to join their ranks.
For inquiries and more information, you can reach out to Phil Thompson at 0435145 276 or Peter Morley at 0439 953 073.
In essence, the Vets - Over 60s competition embodies the spirit of enjoyment, camaraderie, wellness and inclusivity.
If you’ve ever considered participating, now is the perfect time to give it a try.
You’re sure to be pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the welcome and the joy of being a part of this exceptional cricketing community.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     By KIM SAXON
    By KIM SAXON
          
          EUROA Secondary College continues to demonstrate its athletic prowess, achieving a commendable 14th place out of 35 schools in the overall scores at the recent Hume Region Athletics competition.
This remarkable accomplishment is all the more impressive considering that Euroa Secondary College is one of the smaller secondary colleges in the region.
On Thursday, October 5, a group of 16 talented students from Euroa Secondary College traveled to Albury to participate in the Hume Region Athletics event.
Throughout the day, these students showcased their athletic prowess, earning an impressive total of 14 placings.
Among these accolades, they secured two first-place finishes, nine second-place finishes, and three thirdplace finishes.
Matilda Kubeil emerged as a star performer, claiming victory in the fiercely competitive 14-year girls’ 100m sprint.
Meanwhile, Danny Williams exhibited exceptional endurance, triumphing in the 16-year boys’ 800m run.
Their remarkable achievements have earned them the honor of representing both Euroa Secondary College and the Hume Region at the prestigious State athletics competition scheduled for Monday, October 16, at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne.
The entire Euroa Secondary College community is thrilled for Matilda and Danny as they prepare to compete at the State Athletics event.
Their dedication, hard work and outstanding performances have propelled them to this elite level of competition, and they are sure to make their school proud on the state stage.
Special thanks are extended to Mr. Bott and Mrs. Saxon for their invaluable support and guidance, ensuring that the students were well-prepared and able to shine at the Hume Region Athletics event.
Euroa Secondary College looks forward to the upcoming State Athletics competition and wishes Matilda and Danny the very best as they represent their school and region on this prestigious platform.
Euroa Secondary College
Regional Athletic results:
Second - Ashlea AntonisFemale - Age: 14 - Girls 400 Metre 1:13.72
Fifth - Shayna-Rose Buck-
le - Female - Age: 15 - Girls
Discus Throw 1 kg 17.59m
Sixth Leila Creevey - Female - Age: 15 - Girls Long Jump Pit 1 3.85m
Addison Godsmark - Male
- Age: 14 - Boys -
Second - 100 Metre 13.39
Second - 200 Metre 26.54
Second - Long Jump Pit
5.51m
Second - Joel Hamill -
Male - Age: 15 - Boys - Jave-
lin Throw 700 g 27.21m
Matilda Kubeil - Female -
Age: 14 - Girls
First -100 Metre 15.55
Second - Long Jump Pit 2
4.22m
Connor Peterson - Male -
Age: 18 - Boys -
Second - Javelin Throw 800 gram 18.00m
Fourth - 1500 Metre
5:50.28
Macey Ross - Female -
Age: 16 -
Third - Discus Throw 1 kg
C 21.87m
Second - Javelin Throw 500 g RW 17.38m
Fourth - Angus RoweMale - Age: 15 - Boys -High Jump Mat 1 1.55m
Sixth - Larni Shiner - Female - Age: 16 - Girls - Shot Put 3 kg C 7.70m
Oliver Swain - Male - Age: 14 - Boys -
Sixth - 800 Metre 2:37.96
Third -400 Metre 1:04.56
Sixth - Hannah TaylorWhite - Female - Age: 13 -
 
    STRINTS TO STATE: Matilda Kubeil’s qualifies for State Championships in the 100m.
Girls - 12-13 Shot Put 3 kg C
7.70m
Scarlett Trotter - Female -
Age: 15 -Girls
Fifth - Shot Put 3 kg C
9.16m
Seventh - Javelin Throw 500 g RW 15.86m
Third - Macey WatsonFemale - Age: 14 - Girls - 200 Metre 32.44
Danny Williams - Male -
Age: 16 - Boys -
First - 800 Metre 2:15.03
Second - 400 Metre 59.99
SPEARING
JUST MISSES OUT: Addison Godsmark: achieves two second-place finishes and a closetThird inhHis events.
RUNNING
SMASHING
 By JOHN BRODIE
    By JOHN BRODIE
          
          EUROA’S B grade cricket team embarked on their season opener with high hopes as they made their way to Mooroopna, greeted by ideal cricketing conditions.
However, the day would prove to be a challenging start to their campaign, as Mooroopna emerged victorious in a closely-fought battle.
After being sent in to bat,
Euroa got off to a shaky start, losing wickets in the first, third and fourth over.
This early setback set the tone for Euroa’s innings and they struggled to find their footing against Mooroopna’s disciplined bowling attack.
Despite promising starts from Jye Bjorksten (15) and Walter Jackson (22), Euroa found it challenging to build momentum.
Throughout their innings, Euroa faced consist-
ent pressure from Mooroopna’s bowlers, resulting in the regular loss of wickets.
Euroa’s resilience kept them in the game, battling to reach a total of 62 runs before their innings concluded in the 28th over.
With a relatively low total to defend, Euroa knew that they had to execute their bowling and fielding plans flawlessly to have a chance at victory.
While there were early opportunities to make in-
roads into Mooroopna’s batting line-up, Euroa couldn’t capitalise on them.
Despite some tight bowling efforts, notably from Nic Hill (1/7), Mooroopna managed to chase down the target in the 11th over, losing only two wickets in the process.
Although the season began with disappointment, Euroa B grade remains optimistic about their future prospects.
With the determination to bounce back, they are gearing up to face Pine Lodge at Euroa in their first home game of the year.
As they regroup and refocus, Euroa is confident that better days lie ahead for their team in the upcoming matches.
In the latest update on Euroa’s cricket fixtures, it has been announced that the A Grade match has unfortunately been canceled and will face another week
of waiting, especially with the general bye coming up. However, amidst the wait and postponement, excitement brews for Euroa’s D grade team as they eagerly anticipate their first game against Mooroopna away.
RESULTS:
EUROA B GRADE: 10 / 62 (28 Overs)
Walter Jackson 22 (49).
Jye Bjorksten 15 (30).
MOOROOPNA B GRADE: 2 / 64 (11 Overs)
Nicholas Hill 3 overs 1/7.
AS the warm embrace of summer settled over Euroa, the Euroa Lawn Tennis Club opened its doors to a spectacular day of tennis action at their home ground.
With excitement in the air, five out of Euroa’s seven teams celebrated victories in a day marked by both one-sided contests and fierce battles on the court.
 
     
     
    In section one, Longwood Lawn set the tone with a convincing win over Gardens Gold.
The ladies, led by the indomitable Deb Seech, swept through their matches with ease, securing a final score of 60-49.
The reigning champions, St Paul’s, found themselves in a nail-biter against Terip.
Last season’s best and fairest winner, Sarah Ternes, displayed her prowess once again, triumphing in all her matches.
St Paul’s emerged victorious with a final score of 55-50.
Marlene Hanrahan’s Moglonemby made a resounding season debut, leaving Benalla Lawn Gold in their wake.
Dublin Anderson’s exceptional performance, winning all his matches, contributed to a final score of 64-49.
Euroa Lawn also joined the winners’ circle with a strong showing against Benalla Lawn Green.
Kevin Bott had a standout day, claiming victory in all three of his matches.
The final score stood at 62-50.
Newly crowned life member Chris Ellis led her Gooram team into a valiant battle against Strathbogie.
Although Julie Harrington and Ellis secured two of their rubbers, the Strathbogie men ultimately proved a formidable force.
The final score settled at 61-52.
In section two, the reigning premiers, St Paul’s, made quick work of a revamped Benalla Gardens team.
The ladies, including Ella and Kelly Hill and Rosie Cameron, lost just a single game in their three rubbers.
The men, bolstered by the father-son duo of John and Michael Kelly, dominated their opponents, resulting in an impressive final score of 72-11.
On the other hand, Craig Durkin’s Longwood Lawn faced a formidable Avenel team.
A standout performance by Gayle Furphy, who triumphed in all three matches, including two tie-breakers, provided a welcome boost.
The final score was 6338.
As the Euroa Lawn Tennis Club basks in the glory of a thrilling start to the summer tennis season, anticipation mounts for the upcoming matches, promising more exhilarating action and fierce competition on the courts.
 
    