MC110625SamReiher

FROSTY FANFARE

Royal recognition for two

Jamieson’s

By LYNN ELDER

TWO Mans eld Shire residents have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List, both describing the recognition as “shocking” and “humbling.”

Jamieson’s Andrew Dwyer was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Victoria’s tourism industry and community.

Bonnie Doon’s Nola Evans received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to her local community.

The Governor-General, Ms Sam Mostyn, announced the honours list of 830 Australians on Sunday, June 8.

“It was a real shock, and I have no idea who nominated me,” said Mr Dwyer.

KUBOTA SEASON

His childhood at Mt Bu alo with his godfather sparked a lifelong passion for European cookery, bushwalking and wild places.

A move to Jamieson with wife Jane and their family led to the launch of the Diamantina Touring Company in 1987.

Mr Dwyer became the inaugural chair of the Victorian Tourism Operators

Association in 1989, a role he held until 1992.

“It involved years of going down to Melbourne,” he said.

“I wrote the rst tourism accreditation for adventure tourism.

“I’m proud of the success of small tour operators in Victoria now being recognised; it is a much better place,” he said.

Other roles included Chair of Tourism Victoria (2014–2019), board member (2013–2019), Commissioner with the Victorian Tourism Commission (1992), and Qantas Ambassador (1989–2001).

“During that time the real hero in this was my wife Jane with three young kids to care for,” he said.

“There has been a huge

change in attitudes; it doesn’t matter about the size of your business, it is about professionalism now being recognised.”

A long-time board member of The Howitt Society, Mr Dwyer has promoted responsible wilderness access and published two cookbooks, combining his bush skills and culinary passion.

■ Continued page 2

Andrew Dwyer and Bonnie Doon’s Nola Evans recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Mt Buller Ski Patrol team marks 75 years of service with a spirited banner ride up Bourke Street Express during the King’s Birthday weekend opening of the 2025 season. More opening weekend coverage on page 15.

PHOTO: Mt Buller

Jamieson’s Andrew Dwyer and Bonnie Doon’s

Evans recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

■ From front page

Although now retired and having wound up Diamantina Touring, he continues to cherish the Jamieson community.

cooking them a meal,” said Mr Dwyer.

as “the glue that keeps everyone together.”

Mr Dwyer’s children attended Jamieson Primary, and his wife is the district nurse for Woods Point.

He also received a 25-year CFA service medal.

“The 2006 res are in my memory the most challenging time - 28 days and nights on the ground,” he said.

“I have invited my children, who don’t know, up for the long weekend and will celebrate by

For Ms Evans, the award was entirely unexpected.

“When I got the email from the Governor-General’s office, I thought it was spam at first, but it is an absolute honour,” she said.

“I grew up in Bonnie Doon and went to school here.

“It is important for small towns and rural communities that their work is recognised, otherwise it gets lost.”

Recipient of the Rural Women’s Leadership Bursary in 1997, Ms Evans has o en been described

“Important to remember no one can do anything on their own,” she said, acknowledging family and community support.

“Bonnie Doon lost a lot of its history and records with the ooding of Lake Eildon.

“I am passionate about maintaining the links to the past and our community.”

Her book Re ections in Time: Bonnie Doon 1978–2003 stemmed from this interest.

Named 2003 Mans eld Shire Citizen of the Year, Ms Evans

served 40 years on the reference group for the Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve and Hall.

She was also the inaugural president - and remains so - of the Bonnie Doon Community Group, established in 1999.

A highlight was the 2004 opening of the Bonnie Doon Community Centre.

“The centre saves people going to Mans eld,” she said.

She has long volunteered with the Bonnie Doon Tennis Club and supports junior competition.

Ms Evans is also active with the CFA and Mans eld Historical Society.

HUMBLED: Jamieson’s Andrew Dwyer was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to tourism and the community. PHOTO: Supplied

Scammers targeting droughthit farmers with fake hay ads

By MIKE SMITH

A MANSFIELD Shire grazier is warning others to be cautious a er losing more than $5000 to a hay scam on Facebook Marketplace - one of several targeting livestock owners during the current feed shortage.

With 200 Herefords to feed and local suppliers unable to meet demand, Deanne Aldridge turned to the internet in search of big round bales.

She found a seller on Facebook Marketplace who seemed genuine and asked all the right questions.

A er agreeing to pay $5200 up front for 42 bales, she was later asked for a second “refundable” deposit.

When she refused, the seller became aggressive and blocked her.

The hay never arrived.

The warning comes as Manseld Shire continues to struggle with dry conditions and a severe fodder shortage.

Just last week, the RSPCA declared a horse welfare crisis in Victoria, with hundreds of animals taken into care due to a lack of feed.

Ms Aldridge has since posted a warning to a local community noticeboard, urging others to be wary of scams and to take care when dealing with unfamiliar sellers online.

“There didn’t seem to be anything untoward going on,” she said.

“I’ve been buying fodder for stock for 35 years and in that time I’ve worked with a lot of suppliers.

“It’s not uncommon to have to pay money for a purchase upfront, especially through a new supplier.

“Before we paid, we asked if

that was everything because we didn’t want to be hit by any hidden costs and they assured us that was it.

“Then on Sunday night the seller messaged to tell us they had

forgotten their transport partner would need to take a refundable deposit to get the delivery to us.

“They wanted $3299, which they said they would get back to us upon delivery.

“It all sounded very strange, they wanted the money immediately through Osko pay.

“35 years we have been buying feed and never have we heard anything so ludicrous.

“But we are desperate, we have cows to feed and we have already sent them $5250.

“We deliberated sending them this hidden cost because we just need the hay.”

When Deanne refused to pay the second amount, the seller’s tone changed, they became pushy and accusatory.

Deanne went to the police who directed her to scam watch and the supposed seller has now blocked her so she has no line of communication to try and get a refund on the lost money.

“This is our livelihood,” she said.

“These people should be ashamed of themselves.

“We are in a drought and we are desperate to feed our animals and they are taking advantage.

“I just hope people see this and aren’t fooled by these scammers.”

Steve Carden, Senior Sergeant and Station Commander at Mans eld Police Station said that opportunistic criminals will take any opportunity for advantage.

“Our advice is the same for all such scams,” he said.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“Do not attend remote locations to meet unknown people for transactions.

“Verify whom you are dealing with.

“Do not provide any bank details.

“Do not tap any links on emails/ SMS from unknown sources.

“If your “Spidey senses” are tingling, they are tingling for a reason.”

COME IN AND WARM UP

Feeling the chill? Come in and cosy up by our open fires – problem solved! Why not try one of our velvety hot chocolates (with a splash of your fave liqueur) and you’ve got the ultimate winter warmer. Perfect for après-ski, weekend catch-ups or just treating yourself!

Don’t miss multi-award-winning country music star Amber Lawrence live at The Delatite Hotel! A six-time Golden Guitar winner and 2023 Female Artist of the Year, Amber is one of Australia’s most loved and hardworking performers. She’ll bring her chart-topping hits and high-energy show to Mansfield for one special night. Sat 18th Oct

SCAM WARNING: Senior Sergeant Steve Carden says opportunistic scammers are targeting vulnerable buyers and urges vigilance when dealing with unknown sellers.

WEDNESDAY: Shower or two

Temperature: 3-12

THURSDAY: Shower or two

Temperature: 1-12

FRIDAY: Sunny

Temperature: 5-12

SATURDAY: Partly Cloudy

Temperature: 5-11

SUNDAY: Possible showers

Temperature: 4-11

MONDAY: Cloudy

3-12

TUESDAY: Possible

8-11

Howls in the hills

By MIKE SMITH

WITH the recent closure of the Morning Star, a mining operation located on the spur at the junction between Morning Star Creek and the Goulburn River, the faint echo of Woods Point’s gold rush heyday has grown quieter.

The mine was one of the last remaining links to a time when the remote High Country settlement rivalled Mans eld in population.

Now, just the brick hearths and chimneys remain, scattered among thick bushland.

But Woods Point is not a ghost town.

Locals say to abandon it to unmanaged wilderness would be a disservice to the dozens of permanent residents who still call it home - and to the part-timers who visit for shing, hunting, hiking or the solitude at the end of a long drive on a notoriously troublesome road.

LAKE EILDON LEVELS

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Among those residents is Tony Rugys, a former maintenance tter at the Morning Star and a captain of the Woods Point CFA, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years.

He believes the ongoing drought has temporarily slowed a bigger threat - one that howls in the hills.

“The Goulburn river, just six kilometres from its source, runs across the Mans eld-Woods Point Road from my house,” said Mr Rugys.

“And it runs at a trickle.

“I believe that is why the deer haven’t come down from the hills this year.

“And that means that the wild dogs have largely stayed up on the tops with them.

“But before the drought, the situation with wild dogs was as bad as it has been in my ve decades in Woods Point.”

Mr Rugys has been living “behind enemy lines” in the tangled

bushland of the Great Dividing Range, dealing with wild dogs since the 1980s.

“When I rst moved to Woods Point in the eighties, there were a lot of gold dredgers around and a lot of them were scared of walking two or three kilometres through the bush to their dredge with the dogs following them,” he said.

“So I used to keep the wild dog population down for them with a trap at the tip.

“I used to get six or seven a year, it might not sound like a lot but if those six dogs per year mate and rear litters, there’s exponentially more dogs out here.

“DEECA used to encourage us

to get rid of them, not anymore.”

“I can still walk for kilometres through the bush, even at my age, even with a smashed up hip with titanium parts.

“But if I go for a walk or a ride up the back, nowadays, I carry a 12 inch knife on my hip.

“Their instinct for the hunt, for the kill is so strong that they can sense weakness in people.

“I’m older now and when you’re older, they know you’ve got a weakness.

“If they’re hungry and they’re in a pack, they will pull you down.”

According to Mr Rugys, dingoes are not the problem, and there’s a distinction between

them and the wild dogs.

“The dingoes don’t worry me, I’ve never seen them do anything up here so I leave them alone and they leave me alone,” he said.

“But the wild dogs, when you get two to three of them screaming in the dark, I’ll tell you what, it sends a chill down your spine.

“There’s wild dogs just running up and down Mans eld-Woods Point road down here, they’ve had dogs on the street in Woods Point, I’ve seen them.

“I’ve been out stalking a deer along some old sneaking track and wild dogs have been walking in parallel with me through the bush, just snarling and stalking me as I stalk the deer.

Shaun McMahon (SENIOR JOURNALIST)

WOODS POINT’S

TONY RUGYS WARNS WILD DOGS AND BUSHLOCK POLICIES ARE PUTTING THE TOWN AT RISK

“I’ve had dogs here at my house numerous times when I’ve come back from shopping and stu like that, they’ve crossed the river and walked into the driveway thinking the place is empty.

“They tried to attack the neighbour’s dog not too long ago.”

For Mr Rugys, the sounds are o en worse than the sightings.

“They howl every night of the full moon, they come screaming past my place chasing deer,” he said.

“It’s a hideous noise.

“The campers howl back at them when they’re drunk, it antagonises them, and it invites them to come down onto the campsite.

“You should not invite them down into the campsite.

“I have woken up to dogs’ voices out in front of my bedroom window at three in the morning.

“You hear a possum screaming and then you go out in the morning and there’s just torn up fur everywhere.

“They’ll eat anything living in the bush, they’ll eat until they wipe an area out and then they’ll move on.

“I just saw the rst wallaby I’ve seen in nearly a year and I haven’t seen a wombat for eighteen months to two years.

“But the deer numbers remain strong, so the dog numbers remain strong.”

booming gold settlement, Woods Point is now home to a small but resilient community facing the twin pressures of invasive species and land management changes as debate continues over National Park expansion.

STEADY HAND: Woods Point’s Tony Rugys has lived behind “enemy lines” in the High Country bush for more than 50 years. He says wild dogs are bolder than ever, and fears restrictions on hunting and bush access will leave locals exposed.

Fuel reduction burns are having an e ect, but they come with challenges.

“They’ve done a lot of burns up here and that’s going to create a drama for the dogs.

“The DEECA blokes who did the burn o s in German Spur last year, they told me that while they were burning o , all they could hear was the dog’s howling in the gullies,” he said.

“The dogs weren’t real happy.

“A wild dog has to be able to hide in the bush so it can stalk from a distance and sort of slowly creep through, but once an area is burned it’s totally exposed and it can’t hunt, so it can’t survive there.”

Mr Rugys is not alone in believing that sensible land management - with hunters, trappers, and locals playing a role - is key to controlling invasive species.

His concerns echo recent statements from Mans eld Shire Mayor Steve Rabie, who has also called for more practical and community-informed approaches to bush management.

But Mr Rugys fears that further restrictions, particularly the proposed expansion of National Parks, will shut locals out.

“I reckon, with the election out of the way, they’ll tell us the National Parks are going ahead,” he said.

“This town doesn’t survive if it’s surrounded by National Park.

“You won’t be allowed to sh.

“You won’t be allowed to hunt.

“You won’t be allowed to gather rewood.

“And if you can’t do these things, all these places will close and everyone associated with them will go away.

“And no one will be managing invasive species.

“And that’s when we really lose control of the dogs.”

He is also critical of aerial deer culling, calling it expensive and ine ective compared to experienced ground-based control.

“What you’ve got now is a lot of no man’s land lled with deer and dogs,” he said.

“Send in a thousand helicopters and they might shoot three or four if they’re lucky because they won’t even see them.

“Hunters and trappers can catch six deer a day and they cost an awful lot less than helicopters.

“We can take control of the situation but they have to let us trap and shoot in the areas where it’s needed, only in the areas where it’s needed.”

Mr Rugys said the Aboriginal people of the High Country used to call the area around Woods Point ‘Devils’ Country’ on account of the snowy weather that made it di cult to inhabit.

While the snow has been absent in recent years, it appears that some devils remain.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A few drops of rain

A FEW drops but not enough to wet the dry paddocks.

Our farmers need good rain, hope and TLC to survive, not more taxes.

Every Victorian will be a ected by these new state taxes, even if you are not a land owner.

Future generations will have to carry this nancial burden for the rest of their lives.

Let’s hope all Victorians are aware of this money grab to prop up Melbourne’s billion dollar infrastructure growth.

Mary Parker, Mans eld

A popular town

A NEW subdivision has been approved in Mans eld with more to come.

This is good news for people wanting to relocate here for a great new life but the town is already struggling to keep up with the needs of the current population.

All facilities should be upgraded to cope this population growth before our dentists, doctors, care providers and everything else is overwhelmed and unable to provide the services needed.

Mary Parker, Mans eld

Each week the Mansfield Courier will endeavour to publish a photo taken by the community or one of its staff. If you have a good or outstanding photograph and would like it published send with details of where, when and photographer’s name to: edit.mcourier@nemedia. com.au and captioned ‘Through My Lens’.

Thanks CFA

WE thank Merrijig and Mans eld CFA crews for rapidly attending and extinguishing our tree on re.

Especially we thank those brave volunteers leaving their warm homes on a cold Saturday night. Bravo all emergency service workers!

Ed Adamson and Sue McDonald, Merrijig

Drought support still misses the mark

LABOR’S latest drought package is nothing more than a political stunt designed to generate

headlines, not help the farmers who are hanging on by a thread.

While access to infrastructure grants for parts of north-east and central Victoria may sound like progress, they miss the mark entirely.

The funding fails to address the immediate and critical needs of our primary producersparticularly the need for urgent assistance with water, fodder, and the mounting cost of staying a oat in some of the toughest conditions in living memory.

O ering a temporary, one-year pause on emergency services levy increases is a token gesture at best.

It’s a weak concession that does little to ease the long-term nancial burden, and we know that as soon as the year is up,

they will expect farmers to do the heavy li ing again.

We won’t forget how readily this government exploited struggling regional communities to cover for its own nancial mismanagement.

On top of all of this, drought still hasn’t been formally declared in our region.

Our farmers are at breaking point.

The paddocks are dry, the dams are empty, and debts are growing.

In the face of all this, Labor has delivered lip service rather than leadership.

These half-measures and hollow announcements aren’t just inadequate - they’re insulting.

Annabelle Cleeland MP State Member for Euroa

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 in with space requirements. Nom de plumes will only be published at the editor’s discretion. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by the Courier.

Email: edit.mcourier@nemedia.com.au. Fax: (03)

FOGBOW APPEARS: A rare fogbow arcs over a paddock on Nix Lane, Bonnie Doon, in a striking display captured early last Tuesday morning. PHOTO: Samantha Purcell

Letterboxes stolen in broad daylight near Goughs Bay

TWO farmers in the Goughs Bay–Piries area have had their letterboxes stolen in what has been described as a petty but frustrating crime.

The the s occurred near the Goughs Bay turn-o on the Mans eld–Woods Point Road around 11am on Sunday, 3 June - in broad daylight.

The letterboxes were reportedly removed without damage and appeared to have been taken carefully.

One of the a ected farmers, who spoke to the Mans eld Courier on the condition of anonymity, said the incident added to the pressure many

locals are already feeling.

“Farmers around here are going through a lot at the moment,” they said.

“The drought is impacting us all, feed is hard to come by and expensive.

“I’m having to get out of sheep because wild dogs come onto the farm and kill them.

“Now this - I didn’t have time to make up a new letterbox.

“I just put some rusty old thing together, there’s no point putting something nice up if people are going to carry on like this.

“They’ve probably removed

McLeish slams family violence funding cuts

LOCAL MP and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Cindy McLeish, has accused the state government of failing victim-survivors, following signi cant cuts to family violence prevention and support programs outlined in the 2025/26 State Budget.

According to budget papers, funding for Family Violence Service Delivery has been reduced by more than $24 million, and primary prevention initiatives have been cut by $32.5 million.

Housing assistance was also reduced by $169.4 million, with several key projects delayed - including refuge redevelopments and an Aboriginal family violence refuge in the Wimmera Southwest region.

Citing data from the Crime Statistics Agency, Ms McLeish said reported family violence incidents have risen by 12 per cent since 2019.

She also referenced gures presented at the recent Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings, which revealed

that 120 households per night, on average, are being placed in motel accommodation due to a lack of emergency shelter options.

“These are not just numbers on a page – they represent women and families with nowhere to go, children forced back into dangerous homes, and communities le without support,” Ms McLeish said.

“You can’t claim to stand with victims while gutting the very programs that are meant to protect them.

“More words won’t solve Victo-

ria’s domestic violence crisis.

“Acting on expert recommendations and properly funding prevention will.”

Ms McLeish also criticised the government’s failure to provide $3.9 million in operational funding for 28 high-security crisis shelter units, which she said were constructed with federal funds but remain unused.

“The state government is happy to have 28 high security crisis shelter units remain empty, rather than adequately supporting those ee-

them just to dump them in the forest half a mile away.

“I’m frustrated, I never thought such a thing would happen here.

“My grandma reared me on this property and I’m in my eighties now, I’ve been here all my life and I never thought I’d see such a thing happen here.

“What’s the world coming to?”

Senior Sergeant Steve Carden, Station Commander at Mans eld Police, con rmed o cers are investigating the

“Clearly, they do not take this is-

“They have had four ministers in

“The state government knows and agrees motel accommodation is far from ideal for victims yet refuse to solve it – which is to provide Safe Steps with the needed funding.

“This reduction in funding shows that Labor cannot manage money, and vulnerable Victorians are paying the price.”

PETTY THEFT: Letterboxes were stolen from properties near the Goughs Bay–Piries area, adding to frustrations for drought-a ected locals.

Police issue warning to snow travellers

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

POLICE will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to unprepared drivers heading to the snow this season, a er turning back nearly 1500 vehicles at Mount Hotham last year.

While many are making single-day snow trips, police say too many drivers are arriving without understanding alpine road rules, weather risks or equipment requirements.

All vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season must car-

ry wheel chains and t them when instructed.

Failing to carry chains can result in a $395 ne; not tting them when required may cost $988.

In 2023, 1471 drivers were turned around at Mount Hotham for not carrying chains.

Superintendent Joy Arbuthnot said wheel chains are vital on steep, icy roads.

“We’ve seen cars slide o the edge of mountainsides, families stranded in dangerous conditions, and collisions that could have been avoided,” she said.

“Visiting the snow is a popular tradition for many… but it’s important to remember it can quickly turn into a very serious situation if you’re not prepared.

“Your safety, and the safety of everyone else on the mountain, starts before you even leave home.

“Don’t put lives at risk.”

Checks will occur on roads into Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw, Lake Mountain and Mount Stirling.

Police will maintain a strong presence across resorts with highway patrol,

alpine units and other agencies.

Last year’s season saw 16 major incidents, including a solo hiker rescued from Mount Feathertop, a headon collision on Mount Buller Road injuring four children, and a Gippsland family stranded a er GPS misdirection onto the Dargo High Plains Road.

Several impaired drivers were also detected.

Authorities are urging all snow-goers to plan ahead, follow safety rules, and carry backup gear for changing conditions.

Your Council - Your News mansfieldmatters

Council Meetings

The upcoming scheduled Council meeting is Tuesday 24 June at 5pm and will be held both online and in person at the Council Chambers, 33 Highett Street, Mansfield.

To find out how to observe the meeting go to the events section on our website or phone (03) 5775 8555.

Customer Service Hours

Council's municipal office at 33 Highett Street, Mansfield, is open 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Part of Jamieson - Licola Road Closed for Winter

Pursuant to clause 7 of Schedule 11 of the Local Government Act 1989, Council advises the implementation of the seasonal road closure of part of the Jamieson-Licola Road.

The specific section of road affected is from the Mt Sunday Road intersection, approximately 36 kms from Jamieson and at elevation 1200m, through to the Mansfield / Wellington Shire Boundary.

The closure will take effect from 12 June 2025 to 30 October 2025 inclusive. No access will be permitted to this section of road during this time. For further information contact Council on 03 5775 8555.

Requests for Tenders and Quotations

Supply and delivery of smooth drum roller

Council is seeking tenders from qualified plant & machinery dealerships to supply a smooth drum roller in accordance with specifications stated in the tender document. Tender documents may be downloaded and submitted at the MAV Procurement Vendor Panel.

Tenders close 12pm Wednesday 18 June 2025. For enquiries phone (03) 5775 8555 or email council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Heating and Cooling Maintenance

Council is seeking to engage the services of an experienced and qualified contractor to maintain heating and cooling assets in Council buildings. Tender documents may be requested and submitted via Council’s Procurement Officer.

Tenders close 12pm Friday 20 June 2025. For enquiries phone (03) 5775 8555 or email procurement@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Cyber Safety Community Sessions

Council’s Integrated Family Services team are offering a series of free community sessions led by Susan McLean, one of Australia’s top experts in cyber safety. The sessions will be held from 24 – 26 June.

The sessions will cover exposure to damaging content, what young people are doing online, problematic gaming, reality and risk, cyber bullying, online grooming and the impact of sharing explicit content. Participants can expect to walk away with practical and realistic tips to help young people stay safe and supported in their digital lives.

Mansfield Emergency Services Precinct – Show Your Support!

Council is continuing to advocate for funding to deliver Stage 1 of a new emergency services precinct proposed for the former Mansfield Saleyards site.

We’re now applying for funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Precincts Partnership Program. Clear evidence of community support for the project will help our application succeed. We’re grateful to everyone who has already commented in support.

To find out more, get behind the project and help us secure funding, leave a comment via engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au or email council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Comments are open until Sunday 15 June. Let us know what a dedicated emergency services precinct would mean for you!

Agreement with Mt Buller Cycling Club

In accordance with Council’s community engagement policy and section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020, Council advises that it intends to enter into an Agreement with the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club.

The Agreement is for use of a Storage Shed at College Park with a proposed a duration of 2 years and the option for 2 x 1-year Further Terms.

Community members can provide feedback on the proposed agreement until 19 June 2025.

For further information or to provide feedback, please contact Angus Jones, Property Project Support Officer via email property@mansfield.vic.gov.au or phone at 03 5775 8534.

Councillors: Cr Steve Rabie (Mayor), Cr James Tehan (Deputy Mayor), Cr Tim Berenyi, Cr Bonnie Clark, Cr Mandy Treasure

WATCHING ON: Police will be monitoring key alpine roads this snow season to ensure motorists comply with regulations, including carrying wheel chains.

Jamieson shines for King’s Birthday

JAMIESON celebrates, local resident Andrew Dwyer received the AM Award on the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Andrew has been recognised for his 38 years of service to Australian tourism.

Andrew ran Diamantina Tours throughout the South Australian outback, to remote areas with permission.

To Western Australia and around the Top End Northern Territory, with many international tourists and Australian tourists keen to see this amazing country, from the natural beauty and the cultural experience.

Meeting and being welcomed by many Indigenous Australians in their environment.

The knowledge Andrew has of the Australian outback is amazing.

I was fortunate to be touring with the Diamantina team and an Australian film crew in 1993.

The knowledge Andrew has of the natural terrain was extraordinary.

His narrative on a day’s trip, around the campfire, held everyone spellbound.

Followed by a fantastic gourmet meal, prepared out in the largest landscape on an open fire, with Andrew playing guitar by starlight and singing.

Andrew and his team created a very special atmosphere.

Andrew’s award was for 7 years as inaugural Chair of Victorian Tourism Operators, now the industry’s peak body, and 6 years as Chairman of Tourism Victoria.

Congratulations.

THE Kevington Hotel was booked out over the King’s

JAMIESON ON THE LINE with Carmel Dixon

Birthday weekend.

Guests stayed in the hotel, while the really brave enjoyed the weekend camping in the hotel’s riverside camping area.

Two large groups arrived, all keen to explore the High Country on motorbikes and 4WDs.

They spent Saturday up on Mt Terrible in the snow, before returning wet and tired, ready for hot showers and delicious meals.

All retired after a lovely night enjoying Kevi’s stunning open fire.

THE Jamieson Brewery and Grill hosted many guests on Saturday and Sunday.

Entertainer Andrew Sill performed on Saturday over lunch and into the afternoon.

On Sunday, Marti Jones entertained diners through lunch and the afternoon.

The hotel catered for diners on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

On Monday, the pizza oven was given a workout with diners and those on the run, following a very busy holiday weekend.

THE Courthouse Hotel catered for many holidaymakers eager to go skiing on Mt Buller and return to Jamieson for the hotel’s roaring log fire and a delicious meal.

Many motorbike riders enjoyed the challenge of riding over the nearby hills and returning not wet, but very muddy.

One rider laughed when a passing local resident said, “You were a lot cleaner when you left.”

He replied, “Yes, dirty but dry - it didn’t rain.”

They cleaned up and all enjoyed a hot luncheon at the hotel.

LAST week, students from Lauriston Girls’ School Howqua Campus came to Jamieson Primary School. They introduced themselves to

the students and staff.

Each year, students from Lauriston School spend two days - Tuesdays and Wednesdays - over four weeks of June, taking part in the Jamieson community carrying out community service.

They work in the community helping senior residents do odd jobs, raking leaves, and attending the craft ladies’ group to learn the art of crochet, knitting, and embroidery.

The students also work with

volunteers tidying the Island area and planting suitable plants.

They also teach music to the primary school students, introducing new songs to perform at the finale concert.

They bring an atmosphere of joy to the community.

JAMIESON General Store catered to visitors to town and the local clientele with coffees, meals and snacks, as well as papers and treats.

It was a very busy time, with the weather bringing travellers in for a cosy chat and a nibble.

LAST Saturday morning the ANZAC Day committee met in the Memorial Hall.

The meeting was chaired by Barry Matthews.

Plans for the next ANZAC Day commemorative services are in motion.

Organising a year ahead is vital.

The Dawn Service with the lighting, rifle shooters, flag raisers, and the building of the recently approved stage plan.

Organising the volunteers, the Gunfire Breakfast, the morning march and service, guest speakers and lunch.

The fundraising for Legacy. All under control.

FR George Feliciouz celebrated Mass on Sunday at St John the Apostle Church in Jamieson. There were a number of visitors who attended the service.

They all enjoyed the Courthouse hospitality following the service.

Greyhounds make calm, loving pets that adapt beautifully to a range of living situations, whether you're in an apartment, a family home, or enjoying retirement - and they’re looking for homes right across Victoria. The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) finds forever homes for retired racing greyhounds, matching each dog with the right person or family.

With support every step of the way, adopting through GAP is easier than you think.

FAMILY PRIDE: The Jamieson family - Tracy, Mimi, Jack, Jane, Andrew, Rholand, baby Rudi and Rose - celebrate Andrew Dwyer’s AM honour with joy and pride.

PHOTO: Supplied

Chilled fingers and a warmed heart

HIGH COUNTRY HOMESTEAD with SUSAN H SHAW

WINTER has arrived, and livestock are already well into their hay-feeding routine.

Despite some late autumn rain, it’s simply too cold now in the Alpine region for any real growth.

The paddocks are bare, and although I’m feeding them daily, it’s not as much as I would be feeding out in a ‘good’ year.

They are on rations, as the drought meant we didn’t grow nearly enough hay to see us through - at least not comfortably.

Every bale now carries a bit of calculation, a quiet weighing up of what’s le in the shed and how long we can stretch it.

The feed-out has become a careful balance of what the animals need and what the land can’t currently give.

I watch them closely, for signs they’re holding condition.

And each morning they’re waiting at the gate, eyes xed on me with that slow, steady gaze.

I have been supplementing their feed, as many farmers do, with day old bread from the bakeries.

It’s not unusual to get creative in seasons like this.

Some farmers are using second-grade vegetables, spent brewers’ grain, or leover fruit from the markets - anything that’s safe, lling, and keeps weight on.

I also keep mineral licks and salt blocks out yearround, but they become especially important now when the animals are on tighter rations.

These little things help keep their systems ticking over, when the bulk feed just isn’t as rich. It’s not ideal, but we make do - like generations before us have done in lean seasons.

Winter feeding, in a drought year, becomes less about abundance and more about keeping everyone going, one frosty morning at a time.

My daily routine starts in

the paddock with six pregnant cows and the bull, Ernie.

Dot is my Jersey house cow, the only one with horns, and absolutely the boss of the breakfast club.

She’s pushy, persistent, and smart enough to know that if she gets in rst, she might just get seconds too.

I’ve learned it’s best to feed her rst - a strategic distraction - before I can get hay to the others in peace.

They are about four months along now, and far from being slow or digni ed, especially when hay hits the ground.

It’s more of a brisk, bouncy

WINTER RHYTHMS: Black Su olk sheep settle into their end of the paddock, heads down and bellies

FEEDING TIME: Dot the Jersey house cow leads the charge while Ernie the bull waits his turn during the morning feed.

stampede, with the odd sideways shove thrown in.

Despite my best attempts at order, it’s always a bit of a scramble until everyone has their share.

The bull, is much more polite.

He hangs back, steady and watchful, letting the girls jostle and carry on.

Next, I feed the youngsters. I’m keeping them well away from the bull until the end of the year, thank you very much.

Like the adults, they jostle for place, full of impatient energy.

But once the feed is down, they settle quickly into that

familiar, silent rhythmheads low, tails icking, mouths working steadily.

A er that, it’s time for the sheep.

They’re in the same paddock, but they keep to their own end - and are quite happy with the arrangement.

There’s always a bit of baaing at rst, but once the hay hits the ground, the world goes quiet.

It’s a kind of peace you only get on a winter morning, surrounded by animals with full bellies and nowhere they need to be.

There’s no machinery here - no tractor or (working) quad bike to make things quicker.

The small square bales are loaded by hand and I haul them around on a sled, one by one.

It’s time-consuming, yes.

But it’s also the way I’ve done it for years, and likely how I’ll keep doing it.

I am nothing if not stubborn.

The cows, once fed, will often lie down right where the hay was, eyes half-closed and content.

The sheep do the same, curling into little loaf-shaped bundles, chewing their cud with quiet satisfaction.

In the a ernoon, the cows will o en get up to see if the sheep le anything behind.

The sheep, in turn, go o to check the heifers’ end.

It’s a little dance of hopeful scavenging.

They all nd the same thing, of course, nothing but a few hoofprints - but it doesn’t stop them from checking, just in case.

Then, o they wander again, picking their way across the paddock, satis ed for now.

There’s nothing glamorous about winter feeding - no machinery roaring, no highspeed convenience.

Just slow, steady work, a sled and a pitchfork, and a bit of stubbornness to keep it all ticking over.

But there’s meaning in it too, in knowing the animals are fed and content, and in walking back to the house with chilled ngers and a warm heart .

Is there more to life than this?

By MARK BUSCOMBE, High Country Vineyard Church

BIG questions like this o en get lost in the noise of everyday lifephones buzzing, kids yelling, election campaigns rolling on.

But every so o en, it’s worth pausing to think seriously about what really matters.

Alpha is a course that runs all over the world, exploring life, meaning, and faith. It comes from the Christian tradition, but not in a heavy-handed or “Bible-bashy” way.

In fact, Alpha is a safe place to

ask tough questions about Jesus, God, and the Bible - even the ones people o en shy away from.

I’m a pastor, so I obviously like the Christian faith.

But here’s my thinking: if over a third of the world believes Jesus is more than just a wise teacher from 2000 years ago, maybe it’s worth taking a bit of time to explore why.

Think of it like this: if your friends told you there was a waterfall just over the horizon - more spectacular than Niagara Falls or Millaa Millaa in Far North Queensland - you might be curious enough

to go see it for yourself.

Sure, it would take some e ort, but even if it didn’t live up to the hype, at least you’d know.

Alpha is also great at clearing up common misconceptions.

Many people think Christianity is about going to church or following rules.

But Christianity is about more than tradition - it’s about purpose, freedom, relationship, and transformation.

We’re running an eight-week Alpha course on Sunday a ernoons from 12:30 to 2:00pm at the Manseld Secondary College Language

Centre (you might have voted there - it’s near the new basketball stadium).

It’s relaxed, there’s lunch, and we nish on time.

Not sure if it’s for you?

Come to our Taster Night on Tuesday 24 June.

We’ll watch the rst Alpha video, eat some pizza, and you can see who’s coming.

No pressure - just a chance to check it out.

If you’re curious, let me know. You can scan the QR code below or use the contact details to nd out more.

Got questions? Got questions?

The Alpha Course explores the big questions of life, meaning and faith.

Have you ever asked yourself ‘What is the point of life?’

If you are curious... JOIN US!

ALPHA ‘COME & TRY’ SESSION TUESDAY 24 JUNE 7 - 8:30PM HCVC OFFICE - 2/12 HIGH STREET DINNER & DRINK INCLUDED

Choose a Teacher Who Truly Knows Them

PLACES AVAILABLE NOW IN CLASSES 1 & 2

Our teachers remain with their class from Class 1 to Class 6 and form a bond with their students and families that is unique in education.

Book A School Tour, call 5779 1445

Meet Sam Charlotte – Your Child’s Guiding Teacher in Class 1

Sam Charlotte brings a refreshing blend of teaching experience and deep commitment to the Waldorf approach as she prepares to guide her Class 1 students through their foundational years. With her warm presence and learner-centered approach, Sam creates a classroom where curiosity flourishes and each child’s unique potential is nurtured.

A Steady Guide for the Full Journey Sam will walk alongside her students from Class 1 through Grade 6, providing the consistency and deep understanding that is the hallmark of Steiner education. Her commitment ensures each child is known and valued throughout their primary years.

Where Learning Comes Alive Sam’s classroom buzzes with storytelling, music, movement and hands-on exploration. She skillfully weaves academic foundations with artistic expression, engaging both hands and hearts in the learning process.

Practical Wisdom Meets Holistic Education Parents appreciate Sam’s balanced approach; she brings the magic of Waldorf education into daily lessons while maintaining clear, age-appropriate expectations that help children thrive.

Experience That Enriches the Classroom Sam’s teaching background brings valuable perspective to her Steiner practice. Her ability to meet children where they are creates an inclusive environment where all learning styles are honoured.

Children are drawn to Sam’s encouraging nature and the sense of adventure she brings to each school day.

Now accepting enrolments for Class 1: begin your child’s educational journey with a teacher who will grow alongside them.

Meet Liz Morrell – Nurturing Confident Learners in Class 2

Liz Morrell is a passionate and dedicated Steiner educator who brings warmth, creativity, and a deep commitment to building strong literacy and numeracy foundations to her Class 2 students at Mansfield Steiner School. Guided by Steiner pedagogy, Liz seamlessly blends imaginative storytelling, artistic expression, and purposeful hands-on learning to ensure her students develop not just academic skills, but a lifelong love for language and numbers

In Steiner Education, Class 2 (ages 7-8) is a pivotal year where children transition from the imaginative play of early childhood to more structured learning — while still engaging their natural curiosity. Liz skillfully introduces literacy through rich, story-based learning, where fairy tales, fables, and nature stories become gateways to vocabulary, comprehension, and creative writing. Through rhythmic recitation, drama, and illustrated main lesson books, she helps students internalise language with joy and confidence.

Numeracy comes alive in her classroom through practical, tactile experiences — counting with natural materials, exploring patterns in nature, and discovering arithmetic through movement and games. Liz understands that strong foundations in literacy and numeracy are essential for future learning, and she ensures these skills are taught in a way that feels engaging, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate. Beyond academics, Liz fosters resilience, creativity, and collaboration in her students, creating a classroom filled with warmth, natural beauty, and a sense of wonder. Parents appreciate her ability to recognise each child’s unique learning journey, gently guiding them toward mastery while keeping their enthusiasm for learning alive.

If you’re looking for an education where literacy and numeracy are taught with depth, creativity, and joy, Liz’s Class 2 is the perfect place for your child to flourish. At Mansfield Steiner School, we don’t just teach skills— we inspire confident, capable learners.

Connecting for men’s health

By EMMA OLIVER

MANSFIELD Shire is getting active this week with the advent of Men’s Health Week which runs from June 9 to 15.

Focusing on not just physical health, but also men’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, this year’s theme is Shoulder to Shoulder –Connecting for Health.

Highlighting the importance of support, connection, and taking action for both physical and mental wellbeing, locally Men’s Health Week will be recognised with a council-led program.

Offering up a week jam packed full of free daily exercise classes from boxing to spin, circuit and reformer pilates all sessions will be held at local gyms and studios with Mansfield Health and Fitness, Barefoot Studio Pilates and LouFit taking part.

Kicking o on the Monday, the timetable also includes a free circuit class facilitated by Louise Hopwood of Lou t followed by a complementary breakfast with Central General Practice’s Dr Ben Nally as guest speaker, complete with health and wellbeing pack giveaways.

Taking place this Thursday June 12 at the Mans eld Youth Centre those interested in participating need to contact Cassie Daykin at the shire.

“In Men’s Health Week, council is inviting our community to come together and re ect on the health and wellbeing challenges faced by men,” said shire mayor, Cr Steve Rabie.

“We’re making a point to encourage men to take charge of their health by getting active.

“It’s not just about tness – it’s about connecting with others within the community, reducing stress and disease risks and just feeling better.

“If you’re a man or boy hearing this, I really hope you consider joining in one of the free events that are on o er.

“It’s a chance to get together, meet new people and be

BREAKING A SWEAT: The 45-minute workout kicks start Tuesday morning for local farmers.

positive about life together.

“We know that around twothirds of Aussie men don’t see a doctor straight away when they notice a problem, which can ultimately make it worse.

“Fi y men in Australia die each day from preventable causes.

“It’s important that we continue to advocate for the health and wellbeing of our men and boys.”

With the week focusing on the bene ts of physical activity to improve mental health and wellbeing, Louise (Lou) Hopwood thinks it is also timely to mention the Fat Farmers initiative.

Kicking o in November last year, the local chapter of the nationwide initiative has gone from strength to strength with a core group of around 14 regular participants in the Tuesday morning session.

“I feel the class is quite pivotal at the moment, especially considering the current effects of the drought and the passing of the emergency services levy,” said Lou.

“It really highlights the importance of moving your

body – and not just for your physical tness but for your mind.

“Even if it’s only the one hour a week, it’s an opportunity to come o -farm, reset and purely concentrate on your body and what your body is doing.”

With the onset of winter and mindful the 6am start could test resolve, local agtech start-up Invest in Farming (IIF) have just come on-board as sponsors for the once-weekly exercise class.

Lou said IIF support the initiative by subsidising access to the Mans eld Sporting Complex, allowing the group to move indoors as the chill sets in.

“Their support means we can keep our rural community moving through the colder months - with tness, connection, and support that actually ts country life,” she said.

“This kind of backing helps us reach more locals, create more impact, and continue building a community where health is for every farmer, family, and friend - no matter the season.”

The new digs are a relief

CAMARADERIE: Alongside the circuit style workout, Fat Farmers o ers the time for easy banter and friendship.

MEN’S HEALTH WEEK

To register for the breakfast email Cassie.Daykin@mansfield.vic.gov.au.

Events are funded through the Department of Health’s Dad’s Group Program.

for local participants who had been loathe to query whether classes would continue outdoors at the Recreation Reserve during winter, knowing full-well that Lou prescribed to the school of ‘rain, hail, or shine’.

Now more comfortably ensconced out of the elements, participants can go back to looking forward to their morning workout and all the positives it brings to their week.

Delatite Station’s Mark Ritchie attributes the weekly session with improving his overall stamina.

“The biggest bene ts I’ve experienced since starting the exercise program is rstly having a whole lot more energy to deal more effectively with the long workdays that come with such dry conditions on the farm,” the Merino sheep and Angus cattle farmer said.

“Secondly I feel I have a much more positive mind set which obviously helps with managing the stress and constant decision making that we’re dealing with at the moment.

“I recommend a bit of ex-

ercise to all those involved with agriculture,” he said.

Like Mark, Bonnie Doon’s John Evans also farms sheep and cattle and he too has found signi cant improvement in his overall strength and tness over the last six months thanks to regular attendance at Fat Farmers.

“These current times in agriculture are extremely testing,” he said.

“The drought conditions continue to increase pressures on all farmers both on and o the farm.

“The constant nancial pressures, workloads and management decisions are all well increased throughout these testing times.

“And then on top of these di cult seasonal conditions the government is pushing to increase taxes through the proposed re levy which will push farmers to breaking point.

“However the Fat Farmers’ tness group gets a group of like-minded farmers in one spot once a week o the farm where we can joke and banter at the same time as increasing our own tness.

John believes personal

training groups are an underrated mental health and stress management tool.

“I strongly recommend it to anyone,” he said.

Tim Finger of Riga Angus is another regular attendee and it is the connections made full of “quality banter and good yarns” that he particularly appreciates.

He thinks the program with its once a week 45-minute workout is a great initiative getting local farmers together.

“This has been helpful considering we are all facing tough, dry conditions in the area and it’s good to hear how some farmers are managing their properties and animals,” Tim said.

“It also helps take my mind o the never-ending task that has been trying to feed cattle and make sure they have plenty of water available.”

The current situation and its e ect on the mental health of the farming community has struck a particular chord with Lou, inspiring her to try and make a difference beyond the weekly workouts.

Launching this week to Instagram, is a three-part mental health series hosted by Lou in collaboration with local GP Ben Nally, rural-based psychologist Olivia Clayton from Collected Minds and dairy farmer and mental health counsellor Sarah Crosthwaite.

“For me, my work with Fat Farmers has really highlighted this gap and created this realisation how little support there is for those people who provide for us every day of the week,” Lou said.

“Life on the land comes with pressure and we’re talking about it.

“It’s all about honest conversations for families who are doing it tough.”

The impetus for the podcast is also to reach a wider audience and farming communities further a eld, with the interviews going live on a Tuesday starting June 10 for a three-week block.

“The best way to stay abreast of it all is to follow Lou t on social media.”

Farmers in need of more mental health support

STATE Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has renewed calls for urgent support for farmers facing severe drought conditions following a well-attended mental health support event at the Euroa Cattle Sale last Wednesday.

Ms Cleeland was joined by regional mental health professionals, Strathbogie Shire Councillors, and dozens of local farmers for a morning of free and con dential mental health support, conversation, and connection.

“This was more than just a morning tea – it was a powerful reminder that our farmers are crying out to be heard, seen, and supported,” Ms Cleeland said.

“While it was heartening to see so many locals stop by for a cuppa

and a chat, the stories we heard were confronting – of livestock losses, nancial despair, and isolation that has gone on too long without real support.”

Ms Cleeland said the event highlighted the depth of the mental health crisis facing farming communities in the region, made worse by ongoing drought and the continued lack of formal recognition from government.

“Our farmers are resilient, but they are not invincible,” Ms Cleeland said.

“We cannot expect a chat over a cuppa to carry someone through another season of dust and debt.

“What we need now is not more platitudes, but policy.”

Ms Cleeland said the State Gov-

ernment’s lack of urgency to formally recognise the drought in North-East Victoria, and deliver on much-needed mental health support, was failing farmers across the region.

“Every person who came through the gates of the Euroa Saleyard yesterday had a story – and many of them had reached their limits,” she said.

“Some are selling o generations of breeding stock just to pay bills.

“Others are looking down the barrel of walking o the land altogether.

“The conversations we had on June 6 were raw, real, and heartbreaking.

“And they made one thing clear –much more must be done.”

LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY: Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland at the Euroa cattle sale with Strathbogie Shire Council mayor, Claire Ewart-Kennedy, and mental health advocate, Ivan Lister.

Mt Buller kicks off snow season in style

MT BULLER roared into winter over the King’s Birthday long weekend, with snow, reworks and festivities marking the o cial start of the 2025 snow season.

Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes early Saturday as the Bourke Street Express and Bourke Street carpet li s began turning, while the Northside Express took sightseers to the upper mountain for spectacular views.

A timely cold snap brought sub-zero temperatures and consistent snowfall from Friday through Monday, with forecasts pointing to heavier falls across the weekend.

Meteorologist Jane Bunn, providing tailored updates for the resort, described conditions as a “trifecta” for major snowfall: a surge of cold air from the south, tropical moisture, and a slow-moving cut-o low.

“Saturday and Sunday were the main days for huge snowfalls,” she said.

“It’s bitterly cold and perfectly dry – ideal for setting up a great start to the season.”

Bunn delivered her Friday night 7NEWS weather report live from Mt Buller in full ski gear.

Alan Arthur, General Manager of Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, said it was special to have snow falling on opening weekend.

“It’s going to make the alpine festivities feel even more special,” he said.

Buller Ski Li s General Manager Noel Landry con rmed Bourke Street run was ready, with instructors from the Mt Buller Ski & Snowboard School welcoming rst-timers for lessons from Saturday morning.

Celebrations began early with a Thursday sunset après party at The Villager.

Over the weekend, the village came alive with music, reworks, and family-friendly entertainment, while Mt Buller Ski Patrol marked 75 years of service by rolling out the rst li on Saturday.

The village o cially switched to winter operations on Friday a ernoon, with vehicle access closed and shuttle services in place.

Visitors enjoyed open cafes, retail stores, and attractions including the Buller Air Zone, laser target shooting with ambassador Boris Stanish, and the National Alpine Museum.

Early-season visitors took advantage of o -peak li pass and accommodation deals, including Mt Buller’s exible 6 Day Any Day pass and Kids Stay Free packages.

Resort operators reminded guests to preload B-TAG li passes, pre-purchase resort entry, and download the Mt Buller App for up-to-date mountain info.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE: Aerial view reveals Buller blanketed in snow in lead up to opening weekend.

NIGHT LIGHTS: Bourke Street shines under alpine skies.

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

4 Name a kind of soup or stew (7)

8 Name a sour liquid (7)

9 To depart in a sudden manner, is to do what (7)

10 Which newspaper is about one half of the broadsheet page size (7)

11 Name a form of pasta cut into flat sheets (7)

12 What are heavy oneedged swords (6)

14 What is a number of puppies brought forth at one birth (6)

18 When one reduces to an average, one does what (7)

21 What is the official proving of a will as valid (7)

22 Which term describes one who mends shoes (7)

23 What is the first letter of a proper noun (7)

24 To be merciful, is to be what (7)

DOWN

1 Which gods come to earth in a human form (7)

2 What do we call those who seek social rank (5)

3 To not be distinguished by birth, is to be what (7)

4 What is another term for a crib (6)

6 Which term describes dry weather (7)

7 What is a chain of hills known as (5)

13 Name a kind of distilled whisky (7)

15 To be senselessly foolish, is to be what (7)

E-QUATIONS 7

5 What is a fertile place in a desert region (5)

Letters have a number

16 Name a brilliantly coloured parrot (7)

17 What is another term for lively intelligence (6)

Some values are in the right

E-QUATIONS

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

18 To surpass others, is to do what (5)

19 Name a thin silk net, used in millinery, dressmaking, etc (5)

20 What do we call a Hindu religious ascetic (5)

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

1 DOUGHTY (a) Not confident (b) Brave (c) Dull-looking

2 EURO (a) A wallaroo (b) A ditch round the arena in a Roman amphitheatre (c) A brilliant discovery

BIYWORD

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

CLUES:

Atomic particle (7)

Describe sentence parts (5)

Garden tool (3)

Graze for payment (5)

Man whose wife became salt (3)

Meadow (3)

Neighbouring (5)

Speaking style (7)

Tear (3)

Uneven (5)

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Tensions rise on solar

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

“SHE hasn’t even been here.”

It was the resounding statement of concerned community members lined out the door of the Bobinawarrah Memorial Hall Thursday afternoon listening in to expert planning proponents looking to build a 566-hectare solar farm in their community at Meadow Creek.

Experts from the Sydneybased project planning agency Urbis tuned into the meeting virtually and delivered addresses on the back of presubmitted questions in the opening hour of the meeting. But the community made it heard they have had enough of the “controlled dribble” they were hearing, interrupting social and economic impact consultant Amanda Micallef’s address.

The community asked Ms Micallef if she had ever visited Bobinawarrah before, to which she replied ‘no’.

A bronx cheer went out across the hall and the community demanded to ask the questions they said they had been waiting three years to ask the proponents in person.

The tensions, which boiled over on Thursday a ernoon, had been built up over 70

Each week the Mansfield Courier will endeavour to publish a photo taken by the community or one of its staff. If you have a good or outstanding photograph and would like it published send with details of where, when and photographer’s name to: edit.mcourier@ nemedia.com.au and captioned ‘Through My Lens’. INTO

meetings, countless emails and hours of research into solar farm facilities put in by Meadow Creek Agricultural Community Action Group (MCACAG) members.

The meeting came out of the advocacy from Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) Tony Maher, who implored the proponents to meet with the community before the planning application public notice period expired on Tuesday.

MCACAG members had been in discussion with Mr Maher and his predecessor John Sheldon since July 2023 relaying concerns of a lack of community consultation in the project.

The group said they had not met face-to-face with project team members since drop-in sessions at Milawa on March 2023.

Leaders from all three forms of government, Indi MP Helen Haines, Ovens Val-

ley MP Tim McCurdy and Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant were in attendance and spoke in closing statements.

Key members of the Meadow Creek Solar Farm company including project development manager Cameron Munro, planning director John Mills and applicant and landowner Mark Milano were also seated at the front of the hall.

MCACAG members Jess and John Conroy, David Mini e and Angela Godley began the meeting with an opening address restricted to 15 minutes.

Ms Godley echoed the community sentiment of the room to the proponents both online and sitting across from her.

“I’m constantly along with our community shocked, bewildered and feel very let down in the current processes involved in the establishment of these renewable facilities,” she said.

“I’m concerned by the negative implications this is having and continues to have on our community as a whole and other rural communities like ours.”

Before the experts began their planned responses to

questions, project community engagement director Anna Mitchell stood in front of the community and conceded the proponents had not done their part in meaningful consultation so far and looked to move on.

“We could’ve done better, we’re sorry,” she said.

“It’s really about moving forward and hopefully we can use today to do that.”

Agricultural expert Daryl Poole spoke on the assessment of agricultural land undertaken on the project, saying the land was of the “lower end” of grazing priority in the state.

“We don’t deem it be that of signi cant agricultural land,” he said.

Mr Poole said the proponents looked to use the land for “on and o ” sheep operation when the solar facility is built.

Bush re consultant Kat Stevenson spoke on the bushre risks which had gravely concerned the community and said 85 per cent of the state was declared a bush re prone land and all solar farm projects would be built on such land.

She said thorough guidelines mitigated the risks of re.

For the second hour of the

meeting the community had their chance to have their say to the proponents, asking questions and making statements about concerns around re management, water contamination, ooding, community engagement and access to the proposed site of the BESS.

Final questions were asked prior to the conclusion of the two-hour meeting including one directed to Mr Milano.

“I’d like to ask why the Milano family are putting the community through the hard ache it’s going through at the moment and the last three years,” Ms Conroy said.

Mr Milano said he looked to support the community.

“At the end of the day you look at every community that are trying put a solar farm and there’s a ection to the solar farm coming up in each of the rural areas,” he said.

“Unfortunately, they go in rural areas, and that’s where they go.

“We’re not doing anything unlawful, there’s a thorough process that has to be followed and will scrutinize everything you’re scrutinising, but at the end of the day if we’re granted a permit, we’re granted a permit.”

Speaking a er the meeting, Ms Conroy said it was a vital meeting for the community to have and for the three levels of government to see and hear the feelings of the community.

“Even though we’re only a few days out from public exhibition it was de nitely a key meeting for the community,” she said.

“There were a lot of new faces there, particularly from the Oxley community.”

A Meadow Creek Solar Farm spokesperson said the meeting provided a constructive forum for the community to hear more about the project and the planning process and raise their concerns.

“We appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders who helped facilitate the meeting, and the community for their attendance,” they said.

Captured by Debby Mueller as she took her morning walk into the fog at Daisy Hill Lodge.

Tucked away at the end of a

Its

Interiors effortlessly blend modern design with timeless rural charm. Recently renovated with intention and style, this home now channels resortstyle living with a chic, contemporary farmhouse twist. Durable, warm solid oak floors, open plan living and a brand-new kitchen that flows to the perfect outdoor entertaining zone with a concrete plunge pool that reflects the last light of the day.

There is also solar and a brand new battery setup (yes, credits instead ofbills), this is a property that embraces a new kind of lifestyle-one of calm, connection, and conscious living.

Highton Lane, Mansfield

Primary producers equipped to manage challenges at roadshow

By LYNN ELDER

A NEW approach by Agriculture Victoria to bring the top industry experts to four locations including Manseld across the state in lieu of the usual conference was well supported with high numbers of primary producers registering for the BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Networks Roadshow 2025.

The Mans eld event at the local golf club on Wednesday, June 4 rounded out the series of roadshows with 146 people registering from across the north east and far away as Seymour and across the NSW border.

The previous roadshows began the end of May in Edenhope in the Wimmera, then Dunkeld in the Southern Grampians and Larder Park near Warragul in Gippsland.

Mans eld’s Alison Desmond, Agriculture Victoria Project Leader -BestWool/ BestLamb, said in her introduction, planning had begun in January but given the current conditions the program had been adapted to better support farmers who are dealing with added pressures.

The beef and sheep networks boast 70 groups across Victoria which are able to “thrive” and lean on each other for advice and support.

The new half-day format allowed primary producers to attend without spending an entire day o farm and in a closer location for the free event.

Each roadshow featured three guest speakers with a wealth of knowledge and the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.

Each event used veterinarians that were local to the area.

Dr Anna Manning from Delatite Veterinary Services addressed attendees on the topic “Tough Stock in Tough

Seasons, what every producer should know”.

With the dry season many producers are focused on feeding and what they should be doing.

Providing a comprehensive overview of how the rumen was “pivotal” to the health of the animal, Dr Manning looked at the common diseases associated with disruption to the rumen.

The rumen’s diverse microbes ferment bre-rich feed that mammals cannot digest.

It has microbial networks in its compartments to convert nutrients into energy and fatty acids.

“Signi cant energy change comes with lactation,” said Dr Manning. She spoke about increasing feed and the right feed to adjust to what is coming.

Among diseases of concern were acidosis, pulpy kidney and bloat which was most common.

There was advice given how to address various ailments with di erent approaches in sheep and cattle.

The second speaker Cam Nicholson, director of Nicon Rural Services, a consulting business near Geelong, which works with the grazing and cropping industries, presented a two-part presenta-

fend and attack” to encourage those present to think about their game plan to deal with various challenges.

“Make sure your systems are designed to do what you want,” Dr Trompf said.

This includes being both productive and adaptive.

Under circumstances like this, he said, there is the need to shi the conversation beyond the words “We’ll all be rooned” as Hanrahan laments in the John O’Brien poem.

Dr Trompf shared strategies used by the top 20 farmers in the country over ve years and how they were making a pro t by taking a longer-term approach rather than relying on a one-year analysis.

tion on “Optimising Pasture Recovery”.

He covered pasture growth potential and options, calving/lambing considerations, supplementary feeding and spring strategies.

Mr Nicholson tailored his talk to be relevant to Manseld district farmers.

Two of the drivers for grasses growth he said were soil temperature and soil moisture.

“We have no control over this unless under irrigation,” he said.

He discussed other pasture options and planning ahead.

One useful resource referenced was the gov-

ernment website https:// vicdroughthub.org.au/

The nal speaker was Dr Jason Trompf from Lambs Alive based at Greta near Wangaratta on “Bullet proofing your business against varying seasons”.

He looked at a review of farm system adaptability to challenges, how to enhance recovery and resilience.

As an agricultural consultant for more than 25 years, he has a strong livestock background and the ability to engage with producers in a practical way.

His engaging presentation was peppered with plenty of sporting analogies such as “de-

Following the speakers there was an opportunity to ask them any questions which was produced some lively discussion.

The roadshow concluded with lunch and opportunity for further conversations and catchups.

Ms Desmond said overall there had been positive feedback from the surveys at each of the sessions.

Comments included “Great event.”

“Very good/positive at a time when we’re all feeling a bit low/tired.”

“Three excellent presenters – best BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef event I have attended.

“Liked the concept of several regional events.”

“I don’t think you could do it better.

“The best speakers in the business.

“Just wish more farmers attended to hear such experts share such valuable information”.

“Great workshop adapted to the current conditions with reminders on how to manage the challenges.”

This one probably sums it up best; “10 Practical things everyone can do a er leaving the event”.

Breen

Q&A: Mansfield cattle producer Rod Manning with a question from the floor at the recent roadshow.

CATCH UP: Speaker Cam Nicholson with Mansfield locals Alison Desmond one of the organisers, Tim Finger and Nina Burnet.

FULL HOUSE: The Mansfield roadshow was attended by 146 farmers across the north east.

REGULAR EVENTS

 CWA Monthly Meetings: 2nd Tuesday 6pm or 3rd Sunday 2pm (alternating each month: Feb-Tues).

 CWA Craft Days: CWA Craft: 1st & 3rd Wednesday 10am, and 4th Wednesday 6pm of each month.

 CWA Op shop open: CWA Op shop open: most days from 10am to 2pm.

 Family History Group at Mansfield Library. 3pm every 4th Thursday of the month.

 High Country Poets meet at the Mansfield Library on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1:30 pm. Members of the public all welcome to come and listen / or share their poetic ramblings.

 Justice of the Peace Services

– Every Thursday, Mansfield Police Station. 10am to 1pm for witnessing and signing of documents.

 Lima South Old Time Dance: At Lima South Hall the second Sunday of each month between 1pm and 5pm.

Entry $10. Music provided by The Ramblers. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. All welcome. Contact: 0425868277.

 Mansfield Croquet Club –winter timetable. Monday & Wednesday 10.00AM -12 noon. Lords Cricket Ground, Victoria St. New members welcome, all equipment and training provided. $2 per session. Ph. 0409 336 899.

 Mansfield Farmers’ Marketsfourth Saturday of the month (February to December), 8.30am to 1pm at the median strip between the Post Office and the Delatite Hotel.

 Monday Mingle – Every Monday – organised by the Bonnie Doon Community Centre – chat and make new friends – new theme each week. BYO ideas for activities – all ages and abilities

 Mansfield support group for carers and people with special needs – morning coffee, third Tuesday of the month, 9.30am at Bob’s Shed, Rosehaven, 82a Malcolm Street Mansfield. Ph 0409 751 593.

 Mansfield Let’s TalkCoffee & Chat every third Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12pm at the Delatite Hotel. All welcome, No bookings required. For further info/enquiries email: mansfieldletstalk@gmail.com

Helping landholders prepare for drought

MANSFIELD’S Up2Us Landcare Alliance is one of six North East organisations to receive funding to help build local drought resilience.

Overseen by the North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the 12-month implementation plan is part of the Ovens Murray Drought Resilience Plan - one of nine regional plans funded by the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program to build social, economic and landscape resilience.

Local groups were invited to submit expressions of interest to deliver activities under the plan, with Up2Us securing nearly $50,000.

The funding will support the Drought-Ready Landholders Initiative, a program designed to help resident and absentee property owners across Mans eld build drought resilience.

It includes practical workshops on property and livestock management during dry periods and recovery, tailored to di erent landholder needs.

Larger property owners will attend two specialised workshops, while smaller landholders can access three sessions o ered both in person and online.

Recognising challenges faced by women in agriculture, the program also includes quarterly Females in Agriculture Discussion Sessions.

“These gatherings will feature female presenters and create a supportive environment where women can ask questions, share experiences, and forge connections within the agricultural community,” said Kim Magnay, Landcare facilitator.

A survey will be distributed to

CALENDAR

 JUNE 12: Tolmie & District Fire Brigade AGM – Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers at the Tolmie Fire Station, 7:30pm. Nominations may be submitted from the floor. Visitors welcome.

 JUNE 14–15: Family Photography Packages Fundraiser, various times. Friends of Venilale are offering a chance to have professional photos taken at very reasonable prices, thanks to the generosity of photographer Kirstie Lee Smith. All proceeds support education and welfare in Venilale, Timor-Leste.

Rural Health ($59,000)

4. Drought Preparedness Community Leadership Program, Alpine Valleys Community Leadership ($60,000)

5. Where are they now? Revisiting tree decline in North East Victoria, Australian National University Sustainable Farms ($24,500)

6. Soil Moisture Probe Proposal – Upper Murray, Kiewa Valley and Ovens-King Valley, Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group, Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups and Upper Murray Inc ($47,505).

This project of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is supported by North East Catchment Management Authority, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victoria Government.

women across the agricultural sector - farming, agribusiness, research, advisory and other roles - to ensure sessions address relevant topics.

“Through this programme, the Up2Us Landcare Network aims to strengthen the agricultural community’s capacity to navigate challenging seasonal conditions whilst fostering stronger connections between landholders

Bookings and more information via www.KirstieLeesPhotography.com.

 JUNE 16: U3A Meeting, 10:00am at Mansfield Library (enter via back door). Jane Taylor will present UNIT 4: Music and the Movies following morning tea. For more details, call Trish on 0437 357 829.

 JUNE 21: Mansfield Lantern Festival, 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Celebrate the winter solstice with lanterns, food, and entertainment for all ages. Held in Erril Street, Mansfield. For more details visit mansfieldlanternfestival.com.au.

across the region,” Kim said.

North East CMA CEO Katie Warner said 20 applications worth over $1 million were received.

“With the current dry conditions, the impacts of drought on our mental health, natural environment, farming systems and local businesses is evident and underlines the importance of working together,” Katie said.

 JUNE 26: (Note: change of date) Out’n’About group will lunch at Yarck Hotel. Meet at the Information Centre at 11:15am to carpool.

 SEPTEMBER 19 – OCTOBER 6: Klytie Pate Ceramics Award and Exhibition, 11:00am to 3:00pm. One of Australia’s most celebrated ceramics events returns to Mansfield, showcasing outstanding ceramic works by artists from across Australia and New Zealand. Held in the Bank Room at MACE, 145–147 High Street, Mansfield. For details and entry requirements visit artsmansfield.com.

REGULAR EVENTS

 Mansfield Uniting ChurchHighett Street Sunday services, 9.30am. All welcome. Ph 0417 103 813

 Men‘s Probus meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday for monthly meetings, and then activities/outings are held on the last Wednesday of each month – or as organised.

 Mother Goose - Thursdays 9.30am to 10.15am, Buckland Centre Cnr Erril and Bank Streets. An opportunity to bond with your baby or toddler, sing and move your body to nursery rhymes, songs and stories. Free, run by trained volunteers and supported by the Mansfield Hospital.

 Outdoor Provedore, producers market, 8.30am to 12.30pm on the High Street median strip, opposite the CWA (third Saturday of every month).

 Out’n’About social group meets for lunch on the second Monday of the month at The Delatite Hotel at 11am.

 Preschool story time at Mansfield Library. Stories, songs and craft. Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 10.30am. Ph 5775 8621

 Rotary meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at the Delatite Hotel. 6.30 for a 7pm start.

 Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) meet every fourth Monday of the month at 6pm at the Uniting Church Hall.

 Scrabble Club for all levels meets at 10am every Wednesday at Mansfield Library. Ph 5775 8621

 St John’s Anglican Churchmeditation every Friday at 12 noon for a quiet half hour to restore your peace. Ph Christine 0412 825 324

 St Vincent de Paul assistance center, Highett Street - Tuesday 10am to 12noon, Wednesday 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Friday 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 5pm. Phone 5775 3156.

 Tolmie Uniting Church - Tolmie Sportsground, 3rd Sunday of the month. Service at 2pm. All welcome.

 U3A meetings are held on 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 10am at the Library.

SHEDS & BARNS

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Classifi ed Information

The Chronicle

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Booking deadline:

2pm day prior to print.

Myrtleford Times / Alpine Observer

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Booking deadline:

3pm Monday prior to print.

The Euroa Gazette

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

email:classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Booking deadline:

3pm Monday prior to print.

North East Tourist News

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

email: sales@nemedia.com.au

Phone for quarterly booking deadline

North East Farmer

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

email: nefarmer@nemedia.com.au

Booking deadline: Second Friday of month

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MANSFIELD BOWLS CLUB

Indoor Bowls

Starts Sunday June 15, 2025

Names in by 12.30pm for 1pm start

Bring a plate to share

Tolmie & District Fire Brigade Notice of Annual General Meeting and Election of O ce Bearers

The AGM will be held at the Tolmie Fire Station on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 7.30pm

All Brigade Members are urged to attend for the election of BMT and support roles. Nominations may be submitted from the oor. Visitors welcome.

Get your names in the RADIO MANSFIELD and MANSFIELD COURIER birthday book. Win Bertalli’s birthday goodies on Radio Mansfield 99.7 FM’s “Anything Goes” Birthday Wheel Thursdays from 2-4pm This week’s winner is:

LYNDAL JENKINS

To enter call Radio Mans eld on 5775 2333

$900. Ph 0439 766 211.

7X5 Box Trailer built in 2018 by Wangaratta Trailer Sellers, must sell, located Wangaratta, $600 nonnegotiable. Ph 0431 072 232.

BOX trailer, well built, $350. Ph 0439 766 211.

TOYOTA Corolla Ultima model 2003, auto, remote locking, front airbags, 268,000km, new brake pads, one owner, RWC, (1AV4AP), $3800, located Porepunkah. Ph 0428 575 225.

NISSAN Tiida 2008, hatch, manual, 225,000km, daily driver last 8 years, airconditioning, power steering, unregistered (VIN: MNTFBAC 11A0008396), $1500. Ph 0478 162 069.

MITSUBISHI Tray

Top Ute, 2WD 410,00km, motor rebuilt, 5 month rego (CU57VL), $2800. Ph 0439 766 211.

MUSSO 4WD, dual cab, 2006, diesel, 200,00km, in good condition, no rego (VIN: KPADA1EKS7P029981), $4,500. Ph 0439 766 211.

Are You The Outdoor Type?

EILDON PRIMARY SCHOOL NEEDS A DEDICATED TEACHER

Do you need a tree-change with a four-day week? Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Snow, Trails, Parks. 1.5hrs from Melbourne! Contact: Jai Harrington 0429 308 638. Great Kinder, Great Kids, Great Families and Great Community!!!

DESIGNER van, built 2013, double axle, new tyres and brakes, toilet and shower combined, aircon, single beds, double water tanks, 90L fridge, excellent condition, $44,000 ONO. Ph 0460 582 811.

2007 Regal deluxe 28ft caravan, good condition, bathroom, washing machine, solar panels, registered March 2026 and more details, $32,000. Ph 0407 317 372.

GREAT little cabana, needs some work, gas stove works, fridge works on gas and electricity, needs a light bar to tow, unregistered, doesn’t leak, will make good extra room, $2000 ONO. Ph 0424 053 334.

INCUBATOR , Saunders, 288 egg, $700. Ph 0439 766 211.

MANY THANKS

Barb and Craig Jones are most grateful to the Local CFA units. They arrived quickly and e ciently extinguished a small re in our Lodge Wood Shed in Fielding Lane. We are relieved that much of our winter wood supply was not burnt. Thank you so very much.

10FT 6 Boat, on a new trailer, 9hp motor,

MIDSEASON REVIEW

LEAGUE MANAGERS HAPPY WITH STATE OF PLAY

AS O&KFNL TAKES MIDSEASON BYE

So far, so good

WE’VE seen 10 rounds of incredible football and netball in the Ovens and King Football Netball League, and at the season’s midpoint, signs are pointing to a thrilling second half.

Competition across the O&K took a break over the weekend, allowing players, coaches and volunteers a chance for a breather before making the last push towards nals.

O&K operations manager Daniel Saville said his rst half-season in the role was progressing well.

“Overall I think the season’s gone pretty well so far,” he said.

“Early in the season we’ve had clubs ordering extra Records and noticing some increased gate takings along the way during the autumn months.

“We’ve had some really exciting guest players, Andrew Ga and Dane Swan recently have joined the league, we’ve got some good afliations between clubs and junior league clubs with plenty of junior league football happening on Saturdays at our grounds.

“We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather, we’ve had a lot of sunny days which means people are getting out to watch football and netball on the weekend.

“I’ve been to quite a few games so far this year, it’s just great to see people watching football and netball, it’s what people look forward to on a Saturday.”

The 2025 edition of the league is an exceptionally close contest across the board – out of the 77 teams entered into the seven different football and netball competitions, there are just three teams who are still undefeated.

In senior football, it genuinely feels like any team can knock over anyone else on their day, exemplified by Tarrawingee dispatching a more fancied Whorouly back in round eight.

It’s equally tight at the top in A grade netball, with just four points separating first from fifth.

“After following the league for a little while, it’s one of the closest seasons I can remember,” Saville said.

“In the past, there always seems to be a team or two that jump out of the pack, but apart from Bonnie Doon in the junior netball, it’s incredibly close.

Who’s doing the damage in the O&K?

IT’S the midpoint of the 2025 Ovens and King Football Netball League season, and there‘s no better time than to check in on who’s hitting the scoreboard in local football and netball.

TOP FIVE GOAL KICKERS/GOAL SCORERS AFTER 10 ROUNDS SENIOR FOOTBALL

Cooper Thomason (Bright) –56; Michael Newton (Whorouly) – 53; Duane Haebich (Goorambat) – 48; Brady Bartlett (Milawa), Frazer Judd (Greta) – 43. RESERVES

Cooper Matheson (North Wangaratta), Tim Leslie (Milawa) – 24; Jack Brown (North Wangaratta), Osbert Ramage (Greta) – 19; Darcy Martin (Bright) – 17.

A GRADE

Emily Nightingale (Bright) –339; Kaylee Allan (Tarrawingee) –293; Emily Canny (Milawa) – 267; Abbey Forrest (Whorouly) – 250; Amy Starzer (Bonnie Doon) – 236.

B GRADE

GUN FORWARD: Last year’s leading goal kicker Cooper Thomason leads the pack with 56 goals in senior footy.

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

“We’ve got six points between the top six A grade netball teams, we’ve got four teams even on top of the ladder in the reserves, and

there’s only one win between the top four senior teams, with no real standouts in any of those competitions.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

“I’m really happy with how the season of matches has gone so far – you hope for a close season every year and hope for some new contenders, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“If you had to pick a winner from any of those divisions, you’d be taking a pretty big risk.”

There’s still plenty of excitement booked for the back end of the year, with the league celebrating NAIDOC Week in round 14 and 15, where clubs can don their Indigenous-inspired jumpers and dresses, and the annual Terry Socks it to Cancer Round in round 20, to help raise funds and awareness for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.

Competition in the Ovens and King FNL will resume on Saturday, 14 June, with the 10 remaining rounds of play culminating in the finals, set to start on the weekend of 23-24 August.

Emily Costenaro (Whorouly) – 215; Jessica Carnes (Bright) –183; Cobie McCormack (Bonnie Doon) – 174; Aneiki Pierce (Goorambat) – 173; Jemma Smith (Benalla All Blacks) – 169).

B RESERVE

Eloise Sheridan (Whorouly) –263; Briana McNair (Benalla All Blacks) – 219; Laura Sundblom (Milawa) – 213; Mia Lynch (Bright) – 198; Grace Revell (Bonnie Doon) – 176.

C GRADE

Keira Thornton (Bonnie Doon) – 285; Anastasia Ford (Moyhu) – 259; Luca McIntosh (Bright) –205; Maya Vincent (King Valley) – 203; Emily Swinburne (King Valley) – 191.

UNDER 15

Lara Kingsporn (Bonnie Doon) – 254; Taylah Wyatt (King Valley) – 199; Lola Crook (Benalla All Blacks) – 191; Rose Hogan (Greta) – 186; Ruby Higgs (Milawa) – 164.

points between first and sixth.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

Flight school to help young Eagles soar higher

By MIKE SMITH

ON Wednesday 4 June, the Mans eld Junior Football Club held the rst session of the newly launched Eagles Future Development Academy.

The academy is further evidence of the club’s dedication to nurturing local football talent and keeping the pathway to the senior side open to talented local youngsters.

It has been designed to offer select players a chance for intense skill development, preparing them for progression to higher levels of competition.

Starting as a small trial initiative, the academy will aim to grow only to a size that maintains its core focus on small group, high-quality development.

Players demonstrating talent, commitment, and dedication will be nominated by their coaches from the under-14 and under-17 age groups.

These players will train for one hour on Wednesday evenings in sessions that concentrate on skill re nement, decision-making, and leadership development.

Participants will bring

their learnings back to their junior teams and take on leadership roles while contributing to the broader development of the club’s playing group.

Inclusion in the academy will be based on ongoing performance and commitment, with players potentially added or removed depending on their progress.

This development model has proven successful in oth-

er high-performing football clubs and sports such as basketball through representative programs.

The Mans eld Junior Football Club hopes it becomes something that all junior football players in Mans eld Shire aspire to be a part of. Last week’s session was led by Mans eld Football Club current senior players and club champions Brett Mahoney and Adam Boshevski,

who are dipping their toes into coaching for the rst time.

The pair have spent months developing the program together and will run the academy on an ongoing basis.

If they take to it, it could help swell the pipeline of coaching talent in the Manseld district.

Michael Bretherton, Junior Football Club President, was delighted to see Mahoney and Boshevski imparting

their hard-earned wisdom onto the next generation.

He believes the pair’s wealth of experience in both football and leadership will be invaluable to the academy’s success.

“Brett and Bosh have been with the club a long time,” he told the rst crop of boys to come through the academy at the commencement of the very rst session.

“They’ve played at a high

level for a long time, they were both part of the 2009 premiership win, and they know what it takes.

“This is an opportunity for you to soak up their knowledge, to improve, and to take what you’ve learned back to your teams and help them improve.

“We want this academy to raise everyone up.”

Four-time Mans eld Football Club Best & Fairest winner Brett told the boys the sessions were all about hard work and improvement.

“No matter how good you are, you can always get better,” he said.

Adam told the young boys to grasp the opportunity while it’s in front of them.

“This is new and it’s different, but it’s going to bene t the entire club going forward,” he said.

“We would have relished the chance to work on our skills like this when we were your age.

“We want to take you boys to the next level and hopefully get some of you into the rsts.

“Brett and I are at the wrong end of our careers and we probably won’t get the chance to play with you.

“But Jimmy Herridge might.”

Home ties for Mansfield teams in round six

By RHONDA CARPENTER

MANSFIELD’S three local teams, Delatite, Wappan and Mans eld, were all playing at home last Monday.

Terip hosted Seven Creeks and Moglonemby met Creighton’s Creek in Euroa.

Delatite’s Karyn Fraser, Carolyn Murray, Kass Thomas and Loretta Armitage welcomed Wappan onto the groomed courts under grey skies and perfectly still air. Mans eld would host Benalla alongside them.

Wappan’s Anna Speirs, Liza Karras, and Rhonda Carpenter had included Mary Reilly for her very rst match. Kass and Loretta got o to a ier taking 5-0 lead before Rhonda and Mary could get a game on the card.

Delatite steadied, continued their great form and took the opener 8-3. Everyone enjoyed hard

baseline hitting while sole supporter Pat Howard watched devotedly from the sidelines as the sun peeped through to warm her back.

Anna was the perfect partner for her teammates, winning every set in style.

On debut Mary found her rhythm, ran and retrieved, and ultimately won her rst set.

Carolyn and Kass went game for game, geeing themselves up, against Liza and Rhonda until consecutive missed shots unravelled the pair into paroxysms of laughter. Wappan took advantage of the lapse, stole the lead and never looked back.

Wappan won the tight contest 4/40 to 2/27.

Mans eld’s Michelle Pigdon, Keira McDonagh, Natalie Bergsma and Sophie Yencken were in strong form for their match against Benalla.

Kate Campbell, Claire Sharp, Maus Jewell and Deb

Siggers snatched an opening set and a nal one, but Mans eld won the others to win 4/43 to 2/29 in a match of high quality hard hitting.

Terip’s Cindy Hayes, Frances Lawrence, Phoebe Macdermid and Meg Ford had all the answers in their contest against Seven Creeks. Ro El-

lis and Gayle Furphy put up a challenge in their opening set, but Terip took the chocolates 6/48 to 0/16.

Moglonemby warmly wel-

comed back Marlene Hanrahan and Robyn Johnson, to join Judy Sands, Lyndall Bigland, and Danielle Scotis for their match against Creighton’s Creek.

Faye Mollison, Ros Doxey, Kerry Hewlett, and Lyn Johnson fought hard and to win two sets, but Marlene was enjoying being back on court a er time out and won both her sets 8-1.

Moglonemby won 4/39 to 2/23.

Euroa had the bye. Ladder Round 6: Euroa 41, Moglonemby 37, Terip 36, Wappan 36, Mans eld 25, Creighton’s Creek 21, Benalla 15, Seven Creeks 15, Delatite 14.

Round 7 will be played on 16th June a er the Kings Birthday holiday with matches in Benalla, Euroa, Manseld and Terip.

Two further rounds will be played before the mid-winter holiday break.

DELATITE: Carolyn Murray, Karyn Fraser, Loretta Armitage and Kass Thomas.

PHOTO: Rhonda Carpenter

EAGLES ACADEMY: Academy coaches Adam Boshevski and Brett Mahoney, and Junior Club President Michael Bretherton address the first crop of Academy players.

Cold comfort, sweet victory

■ From back page

“The wet and cold conditions forced the game to be played in the contest and we knew we had to apply pressure to force the turnover, which we were able to do.

“It was an even contest all day, but it was great for the guys to get some reward for the e ort.

“We’ve got great belief within the group heading into the back half of the year.”

Earlier in the day, Mans eld Reserves narrowly missed out in a 30–37 point defeat, but even a low-scoring game and challenging conditions couldn’t stop Charlie Christopher’s imperious form in front of goal - he helped himself to a brace, his 34th and 35th goals in just nine games this season.

Next week, the Eagles make the trip to eighthplaced Euroa, where they will hope to build further momentum before going into a well-earned rest during the following week’s bye.

MATCH REVIEWS

you’d expect from a former AFL star.

GOULBURN VALLEY SENIORS LADDER

SENIORS SCOREBOARD

SHEPP UTED 4.1 5.5 14.10 19.16.130

TATURA 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.10.22

GOALS: SHEPPARTON UNITED: K. Napier 6, K. Gibson 3, K. Clarke 3, S. Mcinneny 2, B. Sofra 1, J. Hexter 1, D. Newbound 1, L. Serra 1, B. Fothergill 1. TATURA: C. Murdoch 1, A. Ciavarella 1.

BEST: SHEPPARTON UNITED: K. Chalcraft, K. Napier, J. McCartney, k. clarke, J. Cucinotta.

TATURA: W. Russell, C. Murdoch, A. Ciavarella, M. Elliott, S. Hynes.

ROCHESTER 4.1 8.3 9.3 10.6.66

SHEPPARTON 0.1 2.5 4.7 6.10.46

GOALS: ROCHESTER: K. Waters 3, W. Hamilton 2, H. Wileman 1, B. Wileman 1, H. Heine 1, N. Rasmussen 1, H. Hamilton 1. SHEPPARTON: L. Smith 2, J. Wardle 1, J. Cooper 1, L. Duguid 1, M. Fleming 1.

BEST: ROCHESTER: H. Hooppell, M. Trewhella, C. Hamilton, B. Wileman, D. Gordon.

SHEPPARTON: C. Fleming, A. Decicco, T. Herbert, E. Lindon, L. Smith.

MANSFIELD 1.3 3.6 4.9 7.12.54

NETBALL SCORES

A Grade: Euroa 77 def Kyabram 25; Echuca 47 def by Mooroopna 64; Seymour 70 def Benalla 29; Mansfield 20 def by Shepp Swans 41; Rochester 51 def by Shepparton 61; Shepp United 42 def by Tatura 50.

B Grade: Euroa 72 def Kyabram 39; Echuca 44 def by Mooroopna 51; Seymour 59 def Benalla 22; Mansfield 34 def by Shepp Swans 46; Rochester 43 def by Shepparton 51; Shepp United 30 def by Tatura 33.

B Reserve: Euroa 47 def Kyabram 23; Echuca 29 def by Mooroopna 31; Seymour 53 def Benalla 28; Mansfield 17 def by Shepp Swans 51; Rochester 42 def Shepparton 41; Shepp United 35 def Tatura 29.

17 & Under: Euroa 46 def Kyabram 38; Echuca 43 def by Mooroopna 49; Seymour 40 def Benalla 32; Mansfield 34 def Shepp Swans 29; Rochester 44 def Shepparton 40; Shepp United 36 def Tatura 25.

Tatura 21.

ROUND 10

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

Shepparton United vs Echuca

Benalla vs Mooroopna

Seymour vs Rochester

Euroa Mansfield

Kyabram Shepparton Swans

BYE Shepparton and Tatura

SHEPP SWANS 1.2 2.3 3.4 5.5.35

GOALS: MANSFIELD: J. Hutchins 2, J. Christopher 2, W. Foster 1, C. Brown 1, N. Buchanan 1.

SHEPPARTON SWANS: A. Riordan 4, N. Rachele 1.

BEST: MANSFIELD: D. Koenen, G. van der Heyden, C. Brown, H. Mahoney, N. Gray.

SHEPPARTON SWANS: L. Davies, Z. Clohesy, O. Warburton, J. Moore, A. Riordan.

ECHUCA 1.4 3.7 7.13 12.16.88 MOOROOPNA 6.0 6.5

GOALS: ECHUCA: C. Valentine 3, S. Reid 2, L. Tenace 2, J. Evans 1, S. Edgar 1, R. Smith 1, W. Monahan 1, M. Wales 1. MOOROOPNA: N. Drummond 2, M. White 1, B. Hicks 1, T. Williams 1, O. Emanuelli 1.

BEST: ECHUCA: S. Reid, C. Townrow, L. Tenace, C. Valentine, J. Guiney. MOOROOPNA: J. Woods, M. Calleja, R. Huggard, N. Drummond, W. Wood.

W. Le Deux 1. BENALLA: J. Chee 1, N. Wright 1, C. Welsh 1, M. Marriott 1, J. Wolff 1, S. Begley 1, T. O’Brien 1. BEST: SEYMOUR: J. Murphy, D. Scopel, N. Beattie, N. Fowler, L. Beattie. BENALLA: C. Welsh, M. Marriott, S. Begley, J. Wolff, C. Mathieson. EUROA

GOALS: EUROA: J. Gleeson 1, R. Hill 1. KYABRAM: J. Russell 4, A. Watt 3, Z. Cerrone 2, R. Ironside 2, T. Holman 1, A. Robinson 1, A. Pulsoni 1, C. Barnett 1, E. Ogden 1, J. Parkinson 1.

5.6 (36)

conditions, also helped himself to two goals.

Football Club’s Harry Mahoney back to the nest and he proved integral in the win.

TWO HEADS: Cody George and Nick Grey proving sometimes two heads are better than one in the tackle.

PHOTOS: Paul Martin

Under 17s provide silver lining amongst rainclouds MATCH REVIEWS

UNDER 15s

By ELLIE MARKS

Mansfield 28 def by Shepparton Swans 34

Best on (Mans eld Pizza): Maddie Berry

Coaches award (Mans eld

Subway): Lily Olver

Players player: Lily Olver

IN challenging wet conditions, Mans eld went down to the Shepparton Swans in a hard-fought match that nished 28–34.

The rst quarter was di cult for Mans eld, with slippery conditions leading to the team struggling to nd rhythm early on.

In the second quarter, Mans eld began to settle, li ing their intensity and showing strong defensive pressure.

The defence worked hard to slow down the Swans’ scoring opportunities, keeping the margin within reach.

By the third quarter, Mans eld had adjusted well to the conditions and started to nd their ow. Passes were more controlled, allowing for better transitions down the court.

The nal quarter was similar to the third, with Mans eld still applying pressure until the nal whistle.

Despite the loss there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

UNDER 17s

By EVA CLYDESDALE

Mansfield 34 defeated Shepparton Swans 29

Best on court (Alpine Home): Sienna Kynnersly Coaches award (Mans eld

Subway): Esher Berry Players Player- Sienna Kynnersly

IN a rain-soaked showdown, the Mans eld Under 17s pulled o a gritty 34- 29 win against the Shepparton Swans in what was one of their toughest games yet this season.

The wet weather played a major role throughout the game, with consistent rain leading to plenty of dropped balls and unforced errors from both sides as they contended with a slippery court.

The rst quarter was a tight contest, going goal for goal as both teams struggled to gain control in the wet conditions.

Mans eld started to nd their rhythm in the second quarter, building a narrow lead by hal ime and taking that momentum into the third term with strong, disciplined play.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Mans eld held a commanding 11goal lead.

However, a string of unforced errors and lapses in concentration allowed the Swans to mount a late comeback, narrowing the nal

margin to just ve goals. Despite the pressure, the Mans eld girls never dropped their heads and held their ground with determination and resilience.

The match was extremely physical, testing the team’s toughness and composure.

Mans eld’s defence - Jaspa Robinson, Eva Clydesdale, and Leah Storer - worked tirelessly to shut down the Swans’ attacking plays.

In the midcourt, Harper Smith, Ava Mahoney, and Esher Berry provided crucial drive and linking play in challenging conditions.

In the circle, shooters Sienna Kynnersly, Annie Thomson, and Charlee Bretherton kept calm under pressure and converted vital goals throughout the match.

A er a few weeks of disappointing losses, this hardfought win was just what the team needed.

The girls showed excellent teamwork, grit, and spirit - a wellearned victory that proves they’re still well and truly in the ght this season.

B RESERVE By BRIANNA WEIGHT

Mansfield 17 def by Shepparton Swans 51

Best on court (Luna Bar): Molly Judge Coaches award (Joanne Holt): Courtney Mason Players Player- Emma Edwards MANSFIELD versus the Swans

was a hard game for the B reserve girls.

But we didn’t go down without a ght.

The Swans took home the win, 51 to 17.

We lined up at the start of the match with Maddie Clark GS, Leonie Berry GA, Emma Edward’s WA, Lillian Curry C, Brianna weight WD, Molly Judge GD and Courtney Masson Gk with capable support from Alex Lindsay, Isabel Burn and Caroline Tren eld on the bench.

As the game went on the girls switched around positions to keep up with the hard work ethic of the Swans’ girls.

The defence was strong from start to nish.

Leonine taking C was positive as she provided guidance and support to all players on the court.

The attacking end worked endlessly to play the ball into the ring and get scores on the board.

All the girls were determined to keep pushing all the way, keeping their heads up despite the score.

All of the girls should be proud of how they played in the wet conditions.

Leaving the court determined to train hard throughout the week.

Go Eagles!

GRADE

B

By CHLOE JUDGE

Mansfield 34 def by Shepparton Swans

Best on court (Foodworks): Meg Mahoney

46

Coaches award (Il Salotto): Chloe Judge Players player: Kara Dolling

IN true Mans eld spirit, the day started wet and cold.

The girls started with numb ngers and cold toes but the vibes were up.

A er a big week and a high standard set, the Eagles started the ght on the netball court.

Before the game we set a goal of getting the communication up and about, and excel we did at that.

Grace Evans could be heard from Antarctica setting the vibe for the rest of the team.

In the rst quarter, the girls came out strong with Ballzo from A grade coming down to lead the way.

She played an amazing half supporting Jamie Davis in the ring, both getting some ripper shots in.

The vibes kept going up as the game progressed, the eagles staying in it the whole time.

A competitive bunch, we were determined to leave it all out on the court.

This was shown with Kara Dolling zipping up and down the court with speed faster than light, getting intercepts even with the rain.

Running through the midcourt we had Remy Stevenson and Shenae Costigan battling it out against the Shepp defenders.

These two worked and worked, gaining possession and feeding beautifully to the Mans eld goalers.

Although Meg Mahoney couldn’t

follow her routine saying of suns out guns out, she still managed to do some spectacular feeds, may as well call her Keira Austin.

With such wet conditions it made it di cult to stay upright, but somehow Molly Judge managed to do that and get an intercept all in one go.

The girls really took this week as an opportunity to show that we can play netball and play it well.

The support and camaraderie between the girls was so special, Meg and myself even managing to sneak a high ve in even though we play at di erent ends of the court. All in all I’m so proud of the e ort.

The B grade Eagles soared this week.

A GRADE

By SOPHIE BRAY

Mansfield 20 def by Shepparton Swans 41

Best on (Foodworks): Jess Dolling Coaches award (Byrne Seed): Tilly Lang Players player: Tilly Lang and Milly Charltlon

IT was a real cold and wet winter’s day in Mans eld this week and it showed on the netball court.

Prior to the start of the game we spoke about playing composed netball as we know that’s when we play our best and that we did only going down by four in the rst quarter to a strong opposition.

In our defence we welcomed Milly Charlton back into the side at GD who played a crucial role all game, we also had Emo Hutchins and Joey Bailey in rotation at GK who both got some beautiful taps and rebounds throughout the game.

We had Tilly Lang in WD who took the swans WA out of the game and caused many high pressure turn overs and taps.

These guys turned the ball over tirelessly giving our attack end many scoring opportunities.

Through the mid we had Jess Dolling whose work rate was unbeatable, she worked the ball in attack tirelessly and got many intercepts across the court.

Down in the attack we had Sophie Bray at WA, Alex Ball at GA and Amy Dixon-Reilly in GS.

The girls in the ring had some tough physical defenders but they persisted and stayed strong all game.

A er a lull in the middle two quarters the Eagles li ed in the last and only lost the quarter by one goal.

Special shout out to Gracie Evans who played her rst A grade game of the year and came on into Centre giving us the extra legs we needed in the 3rd quarter.

It was a tough day out on the court once again but we persisted, and our nish despite the conditions showed what we know we are capable of.

A GRADE BATTLE: Amy Dixon-Rielly puts in a shi at GS for A Grade as they once again dug deep to put in a competetive performance.

Roll on: come rain, hail or shine

bunch who will turn out to play no matter what the weather.

THE Mans eld Bowls Club’s dedicated bowlers are still playing in all weather conditions with winter now on our doorstep.

Last Tuesdays social bowls saw 19 players enjoying some sunshine and putting their skills to test getting ready for the coming bowls season.

The winners on the day were Vicki and Nick Klein, Ray Fraser and Peter Wooley with two wins 32pts from runner-up Chris Laws, Alan

Dobson and Anne Wileman 24pts on a countback from Steve Lewis, John Lobbe and Renee Prosser.

Fridays social bowls was played in chilly conditions saw 11 hardy players having a go with the winners of the day being Dom Diaz and Peter Wooley with 23pts from Steve Lewis, Shane O’Brien and Ray Fraser on 20pts.

Bowls Club news sees the beginning of our indoor bowls season this Sunday 15th June.

Two titles, one club: Mansfield Bowls nominated

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

MAJOR SPONSOR:

MANSFIELD Bowls Club is the first quarter nominee for the Team of the Year award at this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards - off the back of a remarkable double pennant triumph.

In the space of just three days, the club’s A3 Weekend and A3 Midweek teams each claimed grand final glory in the Ovens and Murray Bowls Region.

There is a list up on the outside noticeboard with entries closing at 12.30pm ready for a start at 1pm.

Bring a small plate to share.

Everyone is welcome.

All enquiries phone Lyn on 0457547579.

The upcoming event for the club is our Opening Day on Sunday the 14th September.

A list will be on the noticeboard closer to the event.

This will also be our an-

On Saturday 1 March, the A3 Weekend team defeated Beechworth 88–83 in a thrilling final to bring home Mansfield’s first A Grade shield since 2011.

Then, on Tuesday 4 March, the A3 Midweek side kept the momentum going, comfortably accounting for Wodonga 74–47.

Both teams featured different players but showed the same grit, spirit, and club pride - each backed by passionate travelling supporters.

It was a week to remember and a testament to the strength and depth of the Mansfield Bowls Club.

Congratulations to both teams on their well-earned joint nomination for Rotary’s Team of the Year.

nual presentation of the previous year’s trophy winners with a free BBQ on the day which has been sponsored by the Bendigo Bank, who have supported us for this event for many years.

We thank them for their continuing support.

Everyone is welcome on this day to start the season and enjoy the beginning of our new era with our new carpet green.

Great progress for the future of the club!

SPORTS CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR

Not only do we make high quality custom canvas products, we also specialise in gas refuelling, camping, fishing, archery, hiking, footwear, apparel, caravans, RV products & outdoors equipment. Pretty much anything YOU need to get out and adventuring! YOUR ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS

Shop 2/165 Mt Buller Road, Mansfield Contact: 03 5775 1105 www.summitoutfitters.com.au

LAKE Eildon stands tall as one of Victoria’s most reliable big cod destinations, and winter is when the true giants show up in shallow water.

Cold weather, quiet banks, and low light periods all stack the odds in your favour - if you’re geared up properly.

Here’s your go-to guide for rods, reels, line and lures to target metre-plus Murray cod this winter.

Rods - A quality 7’ to 7’6” heavy bait caster rod rated 15–30kg is ideal for launching big swim baits and putting heat on trophy fish.

Choose a rod with a strong butt section and a crisp tip to animate lures while delivering control in a fight.

Recommended rods include the G. Loomis IMX-Pro Swim

MAJOR SPONSOR: FIRST QUARTER SPONSOR:

Heaysman nominated for Clubperson of the year

DELATITE Cricket Club volunteer Nancy Heaysman is the first quarter nominee for Clubperson of the Year award in this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

Heaysman’s tireless work throughout the cricket season ensures Delatite’s batsmen return to the crease and bowlers to their mark looking - and feeling - their very best.

Each week she fires up the BBQ and helps everyone beat the unforgiving summer heat with Zooper Doopers.

She organises the bus - and

the driver - always making sure the kids at the club get home safely.

At the end of every game, she takes the team’s entire kit home and returns it sparkling white and ready to go.

If someone’s struggling for a lift, she’ll personally drive them to the game.

She’s a superstar, and the club simply wouldn’t run as smoothly without her dedication.

Congratulations, Nancy, on your nomination for Rotary’s Clubperson of the Year.

THE BEST RODS, REELS, LINE AND LURES FOR BIG MURRAY COD

bait, Jackall Big Bait Special, and Venom Cod series - each designed to throw large, heavy lures and handle big, angry cod in heavy cover.

Reels

Winter cod demand a highcapacity, strong-drag bait caster.

You’ll want a reel with smooth, powerful gearing and enough grunt to cast heavy lures repeatedly.

Solid options include the Shimano Tranx 300 or 400, Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast, and the 13 Fishing Concept A3.

These reels are built for hard work - cranking large baits deep and handling powerful fish near structure.

Line and Leader

Use 50 to 80lb braid for strength, casting distance, and sensitivity.

Braids like PowerPro, Sufix 832, or SpiderWire Stealth won’t let you down.

Connect this to a 60–100lb fluorocarbon leader such as Seaguar Blue Label or Sunline FC100 to withstand abrasion from rocks and timber.

A strong FG knot or PR knot will hold under pressure.

Lures Go big in winter.

Cod want to eat once and eat well. Large swim baits, glide baits, wake baits, and surface lures all have a place.

Top picks include the Jackall Gantarel, Balista Tremor, Irukandji Plastics swim baits, and the MegaBass Magdraft. Slow roll them near structure and don’t be afraid to pausereaction strikes can come on the drop.

Where & When - Focus on standing timber, rocky edges, and deep points. Cod are more active during moonrise, barometric spikes, and first/last light.

One strike is often all you’ll get, so make it count.

Pro Tip - Layer up! Thermals, windproof jackets, gloves and boots are essential.

Winter cod fishing is a test of commitment - but the reward of landing a Lake Eildon beast is always worth it.

DEDICATED BOWLS PLAYERS: The Mansfield Bowls Club is lucky enough to be home to a dedicated

Wodonga to complete the club’s pennant double.

Wilko hits 600 in style

A Merton shearer has quietly stacked up one of local footy’s biggest game tallies

◀ A STORIED CAREER: It began at Tatong and took him through Swanpool, Goorambat, Glenrowan, Wyndham Vale, and two stints at Bonnie Doon.

▶600 DOWN: Wilko is determined to make it to 700 to play alongside his son, Tony, who was out injured for Wilko’s 600th.

By LINDA TERRY

THIS week’s gol ng news centres on the NE District Women’s Championships, held at Wodonga Golf Club and which was attended by 12 of our ladies.

Day One on Monday was the Foursomes Championships with 40 pairs from around the district contesting the trophies. Our 4 pairs all acquitted themselves very well but sadly no silverware, with the pairing of Sue Crow and Sam Bailey being the best of our lot.

In the 36 hole stroke Championship, held over Tuesday and Wednesday, it was a great eld of 92 playing and we had 9 ladies representing Mans eld.

We are delighted that our

Grade winner on Handicap with a combined score for the two days of nett 147. Susan Kinloch also did us proud, by being runner up in C Grade with nett 151, only missing the win on a countback.

By MIKE SMITH

TONY Wilkinson is a Merton man who works as a shearer and manages a farm in Maindample in his spare time.

How he has any time spare-aside from a footballing career that has now seen him play 600 games of local footy-is anyone’s guess.

600 games.

It’s an unthinkable achievement, one that would have the evergreen Scott Pendlebury waking in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, feeling the phantom aches and pains of games and bumps long past.

Wilko has amassed 600 games over a long and storied career that started with his hometown club of Tatong, took him over to Swanpool, up to Goorambat, across to Glenrowan, and down to Wyndham Vale-all via seven years across two spells at, and a life membership with, the Bonnie Doon Bombers.

He was part of the side when the Bonnie Doon Reserves last won the premiership, and was playing there until as recently as the start of this season, when he le to join the Benalla All Blacks-where his brother-in-law is president and his family ties are strong.

Along with his brotherin-law, his sister, sons, nephew and niece are all involved with the club.

His niece is approaching her 100th game as a netballer for the club.

Wilko’s career has been going for so long that he’s had the rare opportunity to play alongside his three sons-Shawn, Jordan and Tony-while his two daugh-

ters, Montana and Dakota, have been able to bring his two grandsons, Justin and Kalyn, to barrack for their dear old grandad.

Wilko’s son Jordan pulled on the all-black jersey of Benalla and turned out for the reserves in their defeat against Tarrawingee, when Wilko notched that unthinkable 600th appearance.

Sam Donnelly, Wilko’s wife and biggest (and loudest) fan from the sidelines, attributed his incredible durability to lifestyle and winning the genetic lottery.

“He has played 34 seasons of football now, he’s 49 years old and he’s still all muscle,” she said.

“It’s his lifestyle as a shearer and a football player-he’s so t and active that he can eat whatever he likes and not put on any weight.

“There’s no stopping him.

“He’s going to keep going as long as he can.”

We asked Wilko how his body is holding up, 600 games into his career.

He said, beyond a bit of a sore back, it’s holding up well.

And his secret to recovery this deep into his career?

“I’ll have a beer a er the game,” he said.

“It feels good to have played in my 600th match.

“It’s still a lot of fun and it’s special to be able to play with my sons.

“Young Tony, my youngest, wanted to play alongside me in my 600th but unfortunately he’s out with an injury.

“I should be playing in my 700th in about four years’ time-and that’s the plan at the moment-so he’s got plenty of time to get t for that.”

The girls had a lot of fun at the Championship Dinner on Tuesday night and all enjoyed the opportunity to dress up in the theme of “Op Shop formal”.

By all accounts they also wore their dancing shoes.

Grimshaw a winner at District Championships

KICKING UP THEIR HEELS: Sharon Gysberts, Margie FrankeWilliams, Susan Kinloch, Natalie Grimshaaw, Sheryl Sargent and Linda Brook in their Op-Shop outfits at the Championship.

went to Andrea Marsden with 34 pints from Millie Cumming and Nicki Cooper both with 31.

In B Grade, the winner was Sandra Lording with a lovely score of 38 points from Pauline Ahola 33 and Louise Calvert-Jones 32.

Nearest the pins went to Sandra Lording and Jenny Foster.

a di erent

it was another win for Mans eld with Marion Foster winning C Grade with a lovely score of nett 69.

Back at the ranch so to speak, we had 8 ladies turn out for 9 holes on Tuesday and the win went to Lyn Poulson with 18 points from Sandra Lording 17.

On Wednesday, there were still 22 playing and A grade

Saturday was either too cold or they were all golfedout with only 5 playing par and Marion Foster was again in the winner’s circle with +1, just pipping Kylie Egan on a countback.

Quieter golf times probably are ahead now, as a few ladies y the coup for warmer climes over winter and most of the district events done and dusted.

FAMILY TIES: Wilko is enjoying playing at the Benalla All Blacks where his family ties run deep.

own Natalie Grimshaw was the A

In

direction another couple of ladies ew the Mans eld ag at the Alexandra Bowl and

Mansfield siblings take on speedcubing

By LYNN ELDER

BROTHER and sister duo, Harvey and Vivian Knight were extremely excited to both compete together for the rst time at the recent Victorian speedcubing championships and to rub shoulders with some of the best competitors in the world.

According to their proud mother Helen Knight, the Manseld Primary School students “had the best time” at the state competition held on Saturday May 31 at the Belgrave Convention Centre, in Melbourne.

Harvey who competed for the rst time last year at the championships was keen to better some of his results this time round.

“It was the best day of his life and it was great to speak with people who understand the language of speedcubing,” said Helen.

For Vivian it was nerve racking being her rst competition; something Harvey understood from his rst competition.

“Vivian said she was so nervous that her ngers were shaking in her rst solve, but she loved being one of very few girls competing,” her mother said.

Testament to how inclusive speedcubing is, Vivian got be a judge for an 80 year old cuber.

A highlight for Vivian was meeting Feliks Zemdegs - Australian Rubik’s Cube speedsolver also known as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).

Feliks is the only speedcuber ever to win the World Championship twice back to back, and is widely considered the most successful and greatest speedcuber of all time.

Felix’s record for a 3x3x3 solve is 4.16 secs.

The Knight family are now o on a road trip around Australia and we have it on good authority that there will be plenty of time for Harvey and Vivian to practice their speedcubing in the back seat for their next competition.

Championship o cial solve times:

Harvey

3x3x3 - 24.39 seconds (previous o cial personal best 50.07 sec)

2x2x2 - 6.65 seconds (previous o cial personal best 10.99 sec)

Pyraminx - 10.98 sec ( rst ofcial attempt)

Skewb - 16.75 sec ( rst o cial attempt)

Vivian

3x3x3 - 53.62 sec ( rst o cial attempt)

2x2x2 - 18.66 sec ( rst o cial attempt)

CONFIDENT: HARVEY KNIGHT FEELING POSITIVE AT THIS YEAR’S

VICTORIAN SPEEDCUBING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

GOAT: Vivian Knight meets World Champion Feliks ZemdegsAustralian Rubik’s Cube speedsolver.

BIG CROWD: The annual speedcubing championships in Victoria draws lots of people to support the event.

FOCUS: Siblings Harvey and Vivian Knight in action at the state speedcubing championships last month. PHOTOS: Supplied

TIPSTER

Cold comfort, sweet victory

THE EAGLES ADAPT TO THE ELEMENTS AND OUTPLAY THE SWANS IN A WET-WEATHER CLINIC

By MIKE SMITH

FOOTBALL in the cold, the wind and the rain can be a daunting prospect.

The wet ball slips through numb ngers and slides o damp boots askew.

Try and play expansive football in the rain and the wind, and you will soon be found out.

It won’t be your opponents that beat you - it will be the weather and yourselves.

Keep things tight, apply pressure, and force your opponents into making mistakes.

That’s the way in the wet.

That’s precisely how Mans eld overcame the Shepparton Swans at Mans eld Rec Reserve on Saturday, 7 June.

Coming into the game, there wasn’t a whole lot between the two teams - both have shown their quality in the opening half of the season and their ability to mix it with the best sides on the ladder.

Mans eld were sitting on 20 points from eight games to Shepparton’s 28.

That gap is now four points a er Mans eld put in a disciplined performance and controlled the game - leading from the start, never behind, and only brie y tied in the rst quarter.

The 19-point margin doesn’t re ect just how well Mans eld

The wet and cold conditions forced the game to be played in the contest and we knew we had to apply pressure to force the turnover, which we were able to do.

- MANSFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB COACH, JACK HUTCHINS

executed a shrewd game plan in an edgy a air against quality opponents who came to Mans eld for the four points.

Jack Christopher and Jack Hutchins both kicked two majors, while Callum Brown, Nathan Buchanan and Will Foster chipped in with one each.

Dirk Koenen, Gus van der Heyden, Callum Brown, Harry Mahoney and Nick Gray were among the best on ground.

Mans eld Football Club coach and trusted goalkicker Jack Hutchins was delighted the team saw the game out in such di cult conditions.

“It was a great win against quality opposition,” he said.

■ Continues page 30

• All tanks are 2.26m (7’6”) in

• All tanks walls are 130mm (5.2”)

•

PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN