Mansfield Courier 160823

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Mansfield ambos struggle with the winter surge

By HANNAH KENNELLY

MANSFIELD paramedics’ response times have slowed in the midst of a busy winter season, with a 10 per cent increase in code one calls.

Recent statistics from Ambulance Victoria show Mansfield responded to 136 code one cases between April and June this year, the highest number in two years.

Paramedics attended 40.4 per cent of those emergen-

cies within the 15 minute state-wide average target.

The average response time for code one calls in Mansfield was 24 minutes and 53 seconds, four minutes and eight seconds slower than last quarter.

The state-wide average response time to code one emergencies was 16 minutes and four seconds.

However, Mansfield’s code two response times showed significant improvement.

FOR ALL YOUR FIREWOOD NEEDS

Paramedics responded to code two cases approximately 12 minutes faster than the January to March quarter.

Ambulance Victoria Hume Regional Director Narelle Capp said the fourth quarter of 2022/23 was Ambulance Victoria’s third busiest on record, with ambulance responses impacted by a 5.5 per cent increase in demand compared to the previous quarter.

“Every winter we see de-

mand rise, and this year is still challenging as COVID-19 and influenza spreads, and more staff are furloughed due to illness,” Ms Capp said.

“April to June saw ambulances called to 97,509 code one cases state-wide, which is more than 5000 additional ‘lights and sirens’ cases compared to the previous three months.

“This is a huge 29.3 per cent increase from code one cases five years ago be-

fore the pandemic hit.

“This winter we again urge you to help our paramedics, first responders and hospitals by saving triple zero for emergencies and accessing alternative care options which can better meet your needs.”

From April to June, paramedics and first responders across Victoria responded to 61.7 per cent of code one cases within the state-wide average target of 15 minutes.

In the Hume Region, response times have improved in the Indigo, Mitchell, Benalla, Moira, and Greater Shepparton Local Government Areas.

Ms Capp said Ambulance Victoria had recruited 118 new graduate paramedics over the past month, including 16 in the Hume Region.

“This builds on our record recruitment of more than 1300 paramedics over the past two years,” Ms Capp said.

YEAR six students from Mansfield Primary School were running a brisk trade in everything from painted pet rocks to macrame keyrings and snow cones last week as part of the school's Social Enterprise program. Heath Shevlin, Billy Turner, Lucas Bellman and Harper Draai had the market cornered on dog toys, with all monies raised to be donated to student-nominated local charities. Turn to page 7 for more photos from the day.

PHOTO: Emma Oliver

Ambulance Victoria campaigns for stroke awareness

AMBULANCE Victoria is calling on the community to work together to reduce the incidence of stroke.

As part of National Stroke Week, paramedics were out in force sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, and Time) signs of the medical emergency.

Stroke is one of the state’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, with people in regional areas at greater risk. A stroke happens when

blood supply to the brain is interrupted and occurs every 19 minutes in Australia.

Ambulance Victoria Executive Director Clinical Operations Anthony Carlyon said all Victorians can make a lifechanging difference by knowing the stroke signs and calling triple zero immediately.

“When it comes to stroke, every minute counts and the sooner paramedics arrive and transport patients for clotbusting treatment, the better

one’s chance of surviving and maintaining a good quality of life,” Mr Carlyon said.

“More than 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented by simply managing an individual’s risk and living a healthy lifestyle.

Melbourne father Sebastian Gangemi owes his life to his quick-thinking colleagues who recognised he was having a stroke.

The 52-year-old carpenter had just arrived at a

metro tunnel work site in May when he suddenly lost movement in his hand.

“I was holding a cup of coffee and the next minute I’d dropped it,” Mr Gangemi said.

“My colleague saw it happen and realised very quickly I wasn’t okay.

“My face had drooped and within minutes our first aid officer phoned triple zero.”

Two ambulances were dispatched, including the Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU)

REVISED OPENING TIME.

– a custom-built stroke ambulance with a specialised team able to assess and start clot-dissolving treatment on the way to hospital.

Once there, Mr Gangemi underwent clot retrieval surgery and has gone on to make a full recovery.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy said Mr Gangemi’s story is a great example of knowing how F.A.S.T signs can save lives and reduce

disability after stroke.

“Time is of the essence,” she said.

The F.A.S.T signs of a stroke are below.

 Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

 Arms Can they lift both arms?

 Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

 Time Is critical.

If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

New tank for Bonnie Doon lawn irrigation

THE Mansfield Shire Council has received positive community feedback for a new water tank in Bonnie Doon.

The proposed 27,400 litre water tank will support the Bonnie Doon lawn irrigation system and be installed on the western side of the public toilet on Bon Crescent.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said the majority of comments received via the survey were positive and thanked the community for their involvement.

“Council appreciates the time taken by community members to provide their feedback on this project,” he said.

“Officers have been working with the Bonnie Doon Community Reference Group and from the initial site investiga-

tion, the existing supply water pressure was found to need boosting to run the pop-up sprinklers reliably.”

“The new tank will provide an improved lawn irrigation system, enhancing the grass area surrounding the war memorial.”

“Council looks forward to seeing these works take place.”

Following a site meeting with Community Reference Group members, an opportunity to paint a mural on the tank was also identified as a potential future project in consultation with the community.

The water tank installation is planned to take place in the coming months and Council will keep the community updated on project developments.

POTENTIAL POSITION: Proposed location for the new water tank.

Speeding catches up to driver

A MAN has been found guilty of a variety of driving offences in the Mansfield Magistrates Court after he was caught speeding.

Police were operating a speed camera on Malcom Street as a part of Operation Arid in March 2023 and noticed the man travelling at high speed along Reardon Lane in the evening.

They measured his speed going along Malcom Street which read 75 kilometres per hour in a 50 zone.

The man was then intercepted by police and was unable to produce his licence, claiming he

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had lost his wallet recently.

His details were searched up in the police database and it was found that he was driving on a probationary automatic licence.

Police observed he had failed to display his p-plates and the car he was driving had manual transmission.

Police tested the alcohol content in his breath with a breathalyser which detected alcohol in his system and, upon further testing, the man was found to be over the zero limit for a probationary driver with a reading of 0.089.

Police issued the man with an immediate driving ban for six months and questioned him about the various driving offences.

The man claimed to police when interviewed he had not drunk any alcohol that day, the p-plate must have fallen off his back windscreen and admitted to driving recklessly.

In court, it was revealed that the man had been caught by police driving under the influence of alcohol in 2019 and 2016.

He admitted to the magistrate that his driving was “pretty silly”

and told her he had moved to Mansfield for a “fresh start” after falling into bad habits back home.

The magistrate informed the man that a third drink-driving offence often results in imprisonment and told him he needed to reassess his drinking habits.

“I am concerned about your level of drink driving for such a young man,” she said.

The man was fined $1300, had his licence cancelled for six months and ordered to take a driving program to get his licence back.

Regional jobs & housing key priorities for Vic

THE Victorian Government said it has committed to ensuring regional Victoria receives all the legacy benefits of the Commonwealth Games as unemployment hits record lows.

Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force figures released last week show Victoria’s regional unemployment rate has fallen to 2.8 per cent – the lowest ever in the state and significantly lower than the national regional jobless rate of 3.2 per cent.

Thousands of people have also been moving to regional Victoria, with almost 1.6 million people now living outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

Victoria’s overall unemployment rate remains at a historically low 3.7 per cent and 490,000 Victorians have secured work since September 2020 – more than any other state in both absolute and relative terms.

The state government has committed to investing $150 million to a Regional Worker Accommodation Fund to provide new housing options for regional communities where key workers are struggling to find affordable places to live.

Regional worker accommodation has been a significant issue for businesses in Mansfield and the North East with many having to limit hours or capacity due to worker shortages.

The state government says it will consult regional employers, workers, housing providers and councils on the program design to ensure that it meets the needs of the local communities.

Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing said, “Finding a place to live is one of the biggest challenges in attracting and keeping workers in the regions - building workers’ accommodation is just one way we

want to help.

“This is about creating secure jobs, helping businesses to grow and attracting even more visitors to regional Victoria.”

The investment is part of a wider $2 billion being spent on housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure in regional Victoria.

This includes investing $150 million towards the Regional Tourism and Events Fund which will showcase new events, new attractions, and more accommodation.

The fund includes $60 million for regional tourism infrastructure to attract tourists to key destinations and to support businesses like wineries, breweries and distilleries to add much needed accommodation to their offering.

To assist Victorian primary producers, $10 million will be provided to grow food and fibre

exports and encourage more Australians to buy Victorian.

Five million dollars will be put aside for a Regional Tourism Industry Development with another $5 million to support towns across regional Victoria to hold multi-cultural festivals.

The $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund will encourage regional Victorian families and children to keep physically active, including $35 million for Regional Community Sport Infrastructure and $25 million to deliver Community Sport Programs for football, netball, basketball, cricket, soccer, golf and shooting.

They said these projects will guarantee new aquatic centres, indoor stadiums, lighting upgrades and walking and cycling paths.

A new $20 million Aboriginal Economic Development Fund will also support Aboriginal

business and employment programs and support Aboriginal cultural tourism initiatives.

A $10 million investment in Tiny Towns will provide for better public places and spaces to Victoria’s smaller cities and a $25 million Council Support Package will ensure that existing work on the Commonwealth Games don’t go to waste.

This may also mean councils are still able to deliver their planned revitalisation and other projects for the benefit of locals.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said, “We will deliver every one of the permanent facilities we said we would – delivering the lasting benefit too.

“We know how hard it is to find affordable housing in so many parts of regional Victoria – that’s why we’ll deliver more than 1300 new homes with a new $1 billion Regional Housing Fund.”

TO STAY: While the Commonwealth Games have been cancelled, the Victorian Government says it will continue to invest in regional centres.

Wednesday: Morning frost, partly cloudy

Temperature: -2-14

Thursday: Showers

Temperature: 1-11

Friday: Showers

Temperature: 1-10

Saturday: Showers

Temperature: 2-10

Sunday: Shower or two

Temperature: 4-15

Monday: Partly cloudy

Temperature: 6-13

Tuesday: Mostly sunny

Temperature: 6-14

Month Total (August 2023) –19.8mm

Month Total (August 2022) – 82.2mm

YTD Total – 416.7mm Total (2022) – 977.20mm

Mansfield’s own remembered at Vietnam War service vigil

By LYNN ELDER

THE Purcell family, with friends and comrades of Private Anthony (Tony) Purcell, gathered by his graveside at Mansfield Cemetery on Thursday, August 3, to honour his memory 57 years after being killed in action in Vietnam, a conflict that did not afford the same respect and reverence of those who fought in the previous two world wars until many years later.

Readings

This

Inflow:

Release: 1,000 megalitres per day

The 21-year-old Mansfield man left behind his job as a bulldozer driver and young fiancée when he was called up on September 29, 1965, to Bravo Company 6th Battalion Regiment (6RAR) for a tour of duty in South Vietnam.

Pte Purcell was one of six boys in his family, but the only one called up.

More than 45 people joined the commemoration service at 11 am, the same time as other fallen soldiers from the Vietnam War were remembered at gravesides and memorial sites across the nation and overseas as part of a vigil organised by Vietnam War Veterans (VVV) to remember the 523 Australian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Mansfield event, organised by the local RSL’s Bill Romans and Pte Purcell’s cousin John Purcell, also a

Vietnam veteran, who travelled from Cairns in Queensland, was moving, especially for those who knew Pte Purcell and the veterans who fought alongside him.

Fellow soldiers Joe Nikolajew from Sale and Iain Seabrook from the Barossa Valley, South Australia, knew Pte Purcell during the first of three major battles, a search and destroy mission named “Operation Hobart”, which occurred some 50 days after arriving in South Vietnam.

Mr Nikolajew’s firsthand account said B Company would become the blocking force on the edge of an unused rice paddy field.

“The enemy engaged B Company’s position using bugles in directing orders to attack and withdraw,”

According to Mr Nikolajew, the 6Platoon faced the brunt of the battle that lasted for maybe an hour or more and had repelled numerous attacks by the enemy force trying to breach the platoon’s perimeter several times.

 MATES FOR LIFE: 6 Platoon Members Bravo Company from (left) Jeffery (Wedge) Tye, Tony (Percy) Purcell, Bruce Kesterston, Kevin Jacket, Don Woolley, Joe Nikolajew (squatting) and Tony (Winky) Wynd (seated). This was taken seven weeks before Pte Purcell was killed in action.

He said, “Eventually the enemy broke contact dispersing through the jungle, their bugle echoes fading into the jungle.”

Sadly, the battle’s outcome was two soldiers from 6 Platoon, Pte Purcell and his section commander Corporal John Norris were killed in action on July 25, 1966, by a mortar round falling on their position with 13 others wounded.

The Courier is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council.

If you believe the standards may have been breached, you may approach the Courier itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.

PHOTO: Supplied

While the war was over for Pte Purcell, several others in B Company, including Mr Nikolajew, were sent in to assist D Company in what became known as “The Battle of Long Tan” 24 days after “Operation Hobart”.

A short service organised by the Mansfield RSL to mark the anniversary of the “Battle of Long Tan” will be held at the Mansfield Memorial Gates at 10 am on Friday, August 18, and all are welcome.

The vigil service at Mansfield included touching tributes from Mr Nikolajew, Mr Seabrook, and John Purcell.

“Even though Tony died young, he made his mark with his mates and his platoon, a fine young man and a credit to his family,” said Mr Purcell.

Mr Romans provided an opening address that acknowledged the contribution of Pte

Purcell and all other Vietnam veterans.

Two younger Purcell family members, sisters Molly and Charlotte, recited the poem “In Flanders Fields”.

Father George Feliciouz provided prayers from the Mansfield Catholic Parish, as did Mansfield Secondary College school captain Archie Storer.

The theme of mateship and looking out for each other was reiterated in two poetry readings.

The first, “ The Lonely Forward Scout”, written by Vietnam veteran Stephen Evans and read by Mr Seabrook, and the “Mates Poem”, written by WW2 soldier Duncan Butler and read by Mr Nikolajew, summed up the friendship and bonds made when fighting for your country.

“And though it’s all so long ago, this truth I have to state,

A man don’t know what lonely means ’til he has lost his mate, “a verse from the “Mates Poem”.

The mood was sombre for the ode and the playing of the Last Post.

Those in attendance were invited to lay wreaths on Pte Purcell’s grave or to lay a red poppy as a sign of remembrance.

Mr Nikolajew also acknowledged Morry Goodman from nearby Alexandra who was called up on the same day as Pte Purcell with the pair completing their recruit training together at Puckapunyal before being deployed overseas.

LEST WE FORGET: Pte Purcell’s cousin John Purcell (left) and Mansfield RSL’s Bill Romans who both organised the vigil for the Vietnam veteran.

COMRADES: Iain Seabrook (left) and Joe Nikolajew served with Pte Purcell in Vietnam.

FAMILY TIES: The Purcell family gathered to remember their own, Pte Tony Purcell.

PHOTOS: Lynn Elder

LETTERS to the editor must be signed with the full name, address and contact telephone number of the author provided. Letters under 250 words are preferred and we reserve the right to edit letters to fit available space. Nom de plumes will only be published at the editor’s discretion. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.

Email edit.mcourier@nemedia.com.au

Post Mansfield Courier, 98 High St, Mansfield, Vic 3722 We

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Inconvenience or life changing problem?

THE impending closure of the native forest timber industry, and the affordable availability of commercial quantities of hardwood firewood logs has, in my opinion, a lot more to do with socio economics than meets the eye.

For the wealthy, paying higher prices for firewood is more likely to be an inconvenience than a life changing problem.

That’s the thing about money, it creates a society of haves and have nots.

For pensioners and those on low incomes, next winter and the following winters are likely to be life changing.

Dan is on a rampage and doesn’t care who gets in his way.

Federal MP Helen Haynes hasn’t said much about this matter, l note her policy statement on native forestry supports the shutdown, but perhaps this only proves my

Way Back

Wednesday

HIGH interest rates and unrealistic house prices have slowed the sale of houses in Mansfield, ahead of what is expected to be a buyer friendly market in the near future.

Mansfield house values have followed the trend of the Melbourne market, which dropped 0.3 per cent in the June quarter, in what John Canavan of First National Real Estate said is becoming a favorable market for buyers in Mansfield.

In sport, the Eagles pushed rochester all the way, but were unable to capitalise on opportunities losing by 22 points on Saturday.

With three home and away matches remaining they still sit out of the six on percentage with Echuca and Euroa also losing on the weekend.

point: the wealthy political class don’t care because they are not affected.

Perhaps that’s why those locally who could do something about it won’t?

I haven’t heard of the local responsible government agencies suggesting pensioners have access to affordable firewood, l hope the managers write in and prove me wrong.

As for any talk of plantation firewood, I would hasten to advise people to carefully consider the quality, affordability, and accessibility of this resource.

In short, try it before labelling it as a silver bulletwhere do you even buy it?

Speculation that plantations will offer a quick fix solution will, in my opinion, lead to much disappointment and dire shortages.

I find it absolutely astonishing that Mansfield, a town nestled against thousands of hectares of forest, is agreeable to buying firewood from Queensland and NSW. The carbon load on transportation alone should

be enough to horrify conservationists and justify a rethink on Labor’s forest industry shutdown.

Surely l can’t be the only one who thinks this is a huge problem?

Paul Hobby, long-time Mansfield resident and forester

Anonymous

“young fella”

ON Monday July 30, I was collecting Joan Esser Curtis from Bindaree for an outing.

I put her handbag and purse on the roof of the car while I put her walker into the boot.

I left the area and received a phone call that the handbag with purse was available for collection at the police station.

My blissful ignorance had lasted a full 20 minutes.

Upon presenting myself at the station, I was greatly relieved to retrieve the items.

I was told that a “young fella” had found it on the road and handed it in.

After relating this to Joan she said “It’s great to see such honestly in the community.”

I am very grateful to the anonymous “young fella”. Peter

Berenyl,

Mansfield

Don’t get a toothache

PART-TIME dentist is working until 7.30 - 8pm with limited appointments.

Doctors appointments are booked weeks ahead and surgery open 9am to 5pm weekdays only.

This is not the fault of the two busy clinics.

The patient transport car is booked out weeks ahead.

Ambulance service will take patients to major hospitals but make your own way back.

Taxi to major hospitals if you can’t drive is $600 return. Our dedicated hospital can only offer services they have available.

Housing is coming, but with limited medical resources available in Mansfield will this be rectified before a new generation needs these essential services?

Mary Parker, Mansfield

Clothing Now Stocked at

- a look back at what was making news 15 years ago this week.

Enterprising year sixes at MPS

By EMMA OLIVER

GRADE six students at Mansfield Primary School have had a week of trading to their younger school mates as part of the Social Enterprise Schools program.

Currently in its third year, the program is a hands-on opportunity for students to start up a small business selling a good or service with funds raised donated to a charity of the students’ choosing.

Test & Tune Days

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

HITTING THE TARGET: Pet rocks and a challenge, were a crowd pleaser for Duke Hoogesteger, Sam MacIntosh, Heidi Wales, Rachel Mercieca, Mannix Peck and Brock Martin.

PRETTY BEADS: Brydie Thornton’s group made bracelets and friendship bands.

ADVERTISING WIN: John Warne was out and about drumming up sales.

ROLL UP: Cruz Archibald enticed the crowds to his group’s table.

SELL-OUT SUCCESS: Stickers were a firm favourite amongst young customers, for stall holders Jasmine Bandilla, Sophie Doeven, Madeline Hall, James Healy and Lachlan Roberts.

GOOD BUYS: Year two students, James Vasey and Petra Schierholter were happy with their purchases.

TEAM EFFORT: Coco Crawford, Ruby Rademaker and Poppy Craven had hand-made keyrings for sale. PHOTOS: Emma Oliver

Have you cleaned your chimney flue yet?

VICTORIAN fire services are recommending local homeowners prioritise cleaning their chimneys this winter to prevent accidental fires.

The reminder comes after a recent chimney fire in the regional Victorian town of Raglan after a free-standing wood heater went up in flames.

Elmhurst Fire Brigade firefighter Hamish Keith said the flue was 95 per cent blocked by soot.

“Because of the design of the heater and the way it was burning, there was a significant build-up of black tar, which evidently caused the

blockage and the fire to ignite,” Mr Keith said.

“It looked like cancer inside an artery.

“From the top to bottom of this five-metre-high flue, you couldn’t see a torch light.

“Luckily, the family had working smoke alarms that alerted them to the fire, but smoke filled 60 per cent of their house due to the chimney being unable to exhaust it.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the recent Raglan fire is a strong reminder to residents to have their chimneys professionally cleaned each year.

“This is just one of the damaging 48 chimney fires CFA have responded to this year,” Officer Heffernan said.

“As you warm your home this season, simply use a torch to regularly check for soot build-up or obstructions to reduce the risk of a fire starting from your fireplace or wood heater.

“Our latest statistics show us most fatal fires start in sleeping and living areas, so for your family’s best protection, smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, living and hallway area.”

FRV Commissioner Gavin Freeman AFSM said main-

Your Council - Your News mansfield

Council Meetings

The upcoming scheduled Council meeting is Tuesday 19 September 2023 at 5pm and will be held online. Go to the events section on our website for information about how to observe the meeting or contact Customer Service on 5775 8555.

Customer Service Hours

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

Work with Us

Full advertisements and position descriptions are available on our website for the following positions:

Financial Accountant

Financial Counsellor

Procurement Officer

Statutory Planner Gardener

HPV Vaccine Session

Mansfield SIAG

taining your working fireplace is essential for home safety.

“Those of us with a fireplace at home are enjoying them a lot at this time of year,” he said.

“Proper maintenance ensures they don’t pose a risk to your family home.

“Always use a fire screen in front of an open fire and keep wood, clothes and other combustibles at least one metre from fire.

“Extinguish your fire before going to bed or leaving the house, and check that embers are cold before disposing of them

Road Issues? RRV or Council?

People living in Mansfield Shire are invited to apply outlining their interest and how they can contribute to the Mansfield Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG). The SIAG will bring community members together to work on identifying the needs of our community regarding good mental health outcomes, to improve social connection and make decisions about funding local community initiatives (new and existing) to support this. Those with lived and living mental health experience either for themselves or as a carer and people who have experienced isolation and marginalisation are encouraged to apply. Applications close midnight Monday 21 August.

For more information including the role description and application form scan the QR code or visit mansfield.vic.gov.au/SIAG Alternatively, copies are available at Council's municipal office (33 Highett St Mansfield).

Wood Heater Safety

Smoke from wood heaters and fireplaces can pollute the air and be harmful to our health. Maintaining and using your wood heater correctly can reduce smoke pollution. For guidance and tips visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/forcommunity/environmental-information/airquality/smoke-from-wood-heaters or contact Council’s Environmental Health team on 5775 8555.

Council maintains 844.7 kilometres of road network within Mansfield Shire. However, that’s not all of the roads. The major arterial roads and highways in the shire are managed by Regional Roads Victoria (RRV), including the JamiesonWoods Point Road, Maroondah and Midland Highways and Mt Buller Road.

Before reporting a road issue, it will save valuable time by confirming the authority responsible for the road - Council or RRV. On the reference map (seen below), roads in Mansfield Shire managed by RRV are highlighted red. All reports and requests in relation to these roads should be made directly to RRV by visiting - vicroads.vic.gov.au/trafficand-road-use/report-a-road-issue

Due to the 2020 - 21 school closures and continued high rates of student absences, there have been fewer young people receiving their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which is generally given as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) during Year 7. Council is working with the Department of Health to offer FREE catch-up sessions to those in the community who may have missed their HPV vaccine.

Council is hosting a HPV vaccination session at Mansfield Secondary College on 11 October 2023 at 9am. If you would like your child to attend the vaccination session, please contact the Community Safety Department on (03) 5775 8553 or email council@mansfield.vic.gov.au. Expressions of interest close in September to allow for ordering of the vaccines. Children do not need to be enrolled at Mansfield Secondary College to attend.

Kirsten

Chief Executive Officer

mansfield.vic.gov.au

Alexander,

Councillors: Cr James Tehan (Mayor), Cr Steve Rabie (Deputy Mayor), Cr Paul Sladdin, Cr Mark Holcombe, Cr Rohan Webb

CHIMNEY FIRE: Firefighters were recently called to a home in Raglan .

Preserving newspaper history a a delicate task

PRESERVING newspapers

is a complicated process.

It involves restoring old sheets of paper, scanning them and making sure the writing is legible enough for a computer to be able to scan it.

There are many different groups that work to preserve history through newspapers, including local historical societies, State Libraries and the National Archives.

In Mansfield, the Mansfield Historical Society has records reaching as far back as 1869, with most of the physical collection digitised and available for local historians to search.

The State Library of Victoria (SLV) also preserves newspapers from all around the state, digitising the documents and uploading them to Trove, a platform that allows members of the public to easily search any newspaper for information.

However, 97.81 per cent of out-of-copyright newspapers from the Mansfield Shire have not been uploaded to the platform, the third highest percentage in the state.

The only newspaper from the Mansfield shire that is accessible on Trove’s system is the Jamieson and Woods Point Chronicle and Upper Goulburn Advertiser, with editions between 1914 and 1916 publically available.

To preserve newspapers to Trove, the SLV said it has to go through a complicated process.

“The most efficient way to do it is from the microfilm masters,” said Senior Librarian, Victorian and Australian Collections at the State Library of Victoria Paul Dee.

“That’s because we can

Mansfield

We

BY SAMUEL O’BRIEN sobrien@ nemedia.com.au

ship the films with The National Library of Australia and they run the digitizing process by running the film through machines and convert them into digital files.

“And then they’ll go through Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

“OCR allows you to keyword search each page and each word on each page.

“Then then it’ll get ingested with page mapping to divide it up between editorials, cartoons, advertisement notices and many more.”

Mr Dee says having the microfilm masters makes the process much easier for the SLV.

“If we don’t have the microfilm masters and the local historical society doesn’t have them we can try and use the hard copies,” he said.

“We’ve got a huge archive of hardcopy newspapers so we can use those to digitize to Trove but that’s far more labour intensive, costs a lot more money and use a lot more resources.

“That’s mainly because of the preservation work required on the newspapers to get them ready to be digitized.

“Our preservation team spend a lot of time treating and looking at all the creases, the tears and the rips and repairing those.

“For example, if there’s a fold on a page and that newspaper gets digitized with the fold in it, then all those words in the fold won’t be able to be found.

“Doing it once and doing it

correctly is really important.

“After it is preserved, we will get scanners into the library to scan the physical newspapers.

“The digital files are then created and it goes through the same OCR and ingestion process.

“That can take a lot of time just in preparation work.”

The National Library charges for this work to make sure the papers can be uploaded to Trove, with the cost passed down to local organisations or individuals.

Local historians and campaigners have been advocating for increased funding and resources to ensure local newspapers are preserved on Trove.

Wayne Hodges, a campaigner from More Trove for Vic has been leading a campaign to increase funding and ensure newspapers are preserved through the publically-accessible system.

“The More Trove for Vic campaign flowed out of seeing my local area newspapers digitised to Trove,” he said.

“We got people to sign an e-petition and applied for two Municipal Grants and a PROV Local History Grant.

“Paired with community donations it was enough to

District Racing Club

see 35 years in five different Knox/Dandenong Ranges’ newspapers digitised to Trove.”

Mr Hodges argues that the current funding model doesn’t work as it relies on self-funded projects.

“Whilst in the past collective funding was provided for Trove newspaper digitisation, now only self-funded projects are digitised,” he said.

“The Federal Government funded many World War One newspapers to be digitised and the Victorian Government provided funding through the State Library Victoria, and later the Public Records Office Victoria’s Local History Grants to preserve other newspapers.

“These Victorian initiatives have both been discontinued.

“Victoria’s neglect of newspaper digitisation stands in contrast to other state governments who collectively fund for their respective state’s newspapers to be mass digitised.”

Mansfield Historical Society Secretary Ann Ware said the group cannot afford to have the Mansfield Shire’s newspapers digitised on Trove.

“About five or 10 years ago the Benalla Ensign was up-

loaded to Trove,” she said.

“It cost them about $2500.

“It is not a cheap exercise.”

Instead, the historical society has its own internal system with digitised files that members of the public can access when visiting.

“We’ve digitised as much as we can get our hands on,” Ms Ware said.

“That includes having the microfiche digitised and scanning a few papers ourselves.

“For the last few years, we have been able to use the digital editions to preserve newer papers.

“We’ve also bought software to make our digital version searchable.

“It really helps when I’m doing family research; I can just type in the name and see results.”

Future preservation plans are also included in the recently-funded Mansfield Historical Museum, with the physical copies of the newspapers being able to be storied in more ideal conditions.

“Once the museum is built we’ll work to fund a controlled atmosphere room for the clothing and the newspapers in our collection,” Ms Ware said.

“You can’t replace the old newspapers.”

Ms Ware said she would love to give the SLV the digital collection of Mansfield newspapers; however the cost of the uploading process makes it unattainable.

Trove has also had funding issues, with a successful community petition to keep the platform funded by the Federal Government earlier this year.

Mr Hodges said the cost of digitising all out-of-copyright newspapers in the state to Trove is not that expensive.

“By my calculations it would take less than $1.70 per Victorian,” he said.

“This would mean more than 1000 Victorian newspapers, from 230 communities all across Victoria, would be readily accessible and conveniently searchable from any PC or smartphone.

“This would benefit historical societies, heritage tourism, genealogists, galleries, libraries, archives and museums, schools and universities, journalists, authors and the publishing sector.

“It is a small expense for great returns.

“Trove has a future, and it is now a matter of seeing how it can be improved.”

Cup Day in the High Country

Tuesday 7th November

Enquiries

are back stronger than ever to provide a day of speculator picnic racing and entertainment for all ages. The towns party is the place to be to enjoy Cup Day in the High Country. Please purchase early to avoid disappointment. country.racing.com/mansfield

- events@mansfieldraces.com.au

TIME CONSUMING: Mansfield Historical Society Secretary Ann Ware says the process to preserve a newspaper takes a long time. PHOTOS: Samuel O’Brien

Christmas in July for Goughs Bay

THE Goughs Bay

Caravan Park recently held a Christmas in July lunch at their Red Fin Inn Cafe.

Each guest received a glass of bubbly on arrival, followed by a three course lunch.

“At the end of the lunch all the ladies attending were offered an Espresso Affogato, more traditionally known as ‘affogato al caffe,” said Gail Hart of the Goughs Bay Area Progress Association.

“Thirty six locals attended this wonderful event.

“The food was terrific and very well priced.

“There was even a surprise visit from Santa.

“The drinks were provided by the Goughs Bay Area Progress Association from the CASI grant which we received from Mansfield Shire Council. “

The Caravan Park plans to hold more events over the following months.

“This is a very welcome gesture given the only other place that provides meals in Goughs Bay is the Boat Club which is currently closed for a major redevelopment,” said Gail.

Tourism spend not keeping pace with inflation

DATA released by Tourism Research Australia has shown visitor expenditure has reached an all-time high annually, with figures for the High Country - and Victoria overall - surpassing 2019 and 2020 pre-COVID levels.

“These are outstanding results for the Victoria tourism industry which has shown incredible resilience and innovation in recent years,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.

“There’s no question that Victoria is back and top of the list for travelers from

across the globe.”

However, there are questions.

While the state government celebrates the $35 billion spent in Victoria between April 2022 and March 2023 - up from $32.5 billion in 2019 - the figures could be more indicative of rising inflation than tourism spend.

Increased spending was registered across all major expenditure items, with the largest increases on accommodation, food and drinks, and petrol.

Yet when taking inflation into account (5.6 per cent

alone for the 2022 to 2023 period) tourism revenue is not keeping pace with the cost of living increases of the last few years.

Expenditure of $38 billion would be more reflective of the rate of inflation and indicate that the tourism industry is in a strong position.

And though length of time spent away has increased, visitor numbers have actually decreased in regional Victoria, with overnight stays and day trips on the decline from pre-COVID highs.

Despite data showing

visitor spending is up in the High Country by 73 per cent since 2019, this could be directly attributable to one of the best ski seasons on record in recent years.

Fourteen weeks into last year’s season Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buller were all reporting peak visitor numbers, with Buller in particular recording over 452,000 visitors to the snow by the end of September.

According to Mt Buller’s resort board’s chief executive Mark Bennetts, the snow play market was very strong in 2022 which translated into

strong sales of sightseer lift tickets.

Along with that market, there was also a larger contingent of first-time skiers and snow boarders, swelling numbers on the mountain and demand for local services.

In comparison to 399,000 visitors for the 2019 season, visitation increased by close to 15 per cent for 2022, and with a trip to the snow a somewhat pricey undertaking, increased tourism revenue for the High Country could be flowing primarily into the coffers of the Alpine Resorts.

According to Alpine Resorts Victoria, visitor statistics for 2022 demonstrated a 58 per cent increase on the 10-year visitor average across all resorts and a 205 per cent increase from 2021. Just over 1 million visitors visited Victoria’s Alpine Resorts over the 2022 snow season, the highest visitation rate in over 10 years. Both the Mansfield Shire Council and the Mansfield District Business Association were approached for comment but did not provide a response before print.

Men’s Shed learn Automated External Defrillators save lives

By LYNN ELDER

THE Shock Squad recently formed to enable better access to the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) network across the Mansfield Shire, provided members of the Men’s Shed practical training to help save lives.

Mansfield District Hospital’s educator, Rachel Wolfe, assisted by Mansfield Paramedics Laura Bye and Laura Cummane, the hour-long session at the Buckland Centre on Friday, July 28 provided advice and demonstrations on the use of AEDs and CPR when someone is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Tolmie resident Les Twidle gave an emotional account of his near-death experience over a year ago, when his wife prompted him to attend the Mansfield District Hospital when he had pains in his arm and stomach which he put down to muscle strain from splitting wood.

All available staff, including the security guard performed 53 minutes of CPR on Mr Twidle and a trained hospital staffer applied 13 shocks with a manual AED device.

Mr Twidle said, “I was a one in 10 chance of surviv-

ing and ended up with three broken ribs and a punctured lung and only conscious during half of the CPR,” before being transferred to Melbourne and 13 days later spending 19 days in ICU and four days to do a brain scan.

He said the Royal Melbourne Hospital praised the Mansfield District Hospital for their efforts.

While Mr Twidle had vari-

ous serious health challenges to overcome, he is so happy to be alive and owes it to the use of an AED and CPR and urged everyone present that they could be lifesavers too.

Ms Wolfe said, “Paramedics do an amazing job but can be out on a job as far away as Wangaratta, and time is of the essence when it comes to heart attacks”.

First action should be to

call 000 and if able start CPR as soon as possible.

If unable to administer CPR, enlist the help of someone nearby and if possible, have backup helpers until the ambulance can arrive.

Callers to 000 will be put through to someone who can assist including the provision of a pin code for the AED at your location and will stay on the phone with

you unless you are told to hang up.

Ms Wolfe acknowledged that individuals can be nervous about using an AED for the first time, “You can’t make anyone more dead if they are already dead,” and reassured those present that the unit will say “no shock advised” if not required and the machine would override you if you attempted to do

so.

When assisting someone in need of medical attention following basic first aid procedures DRSABCD (Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, Compression and Defibrillator) is recommended.

The paramedics advise not to use breaths on anyone if they are not a family member to avoid risk of bloodborne diseases.

Maintaining good quality compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute is the priority.

Shock Squad representatives from Mansfield Shire, Mansfield and District Community Bank, Mansfield Hospital and the Mansfield Ambulance branch are advocating for a wider network of devices to be available 24/7.

To register your AED or to locate your nearest devices in the case of an emergency visit the link:

https://registermyaed.ambulance.vic.gov.au/ Mansfield and District Community Bank is offering a free external cabinet with signage to encourage unrestricted 27/7 access to more AEDs.

For further information visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FreeAEDCabinet

PADDED UP: Paramedic Laura Cummane and the hospital’s Rachel Wolfe placing defibrillator pads on the practice mannikin. PHOTOS: Lynn Elder

Sustainability of the NDIS under review

By EMMA OLIVER

AS PART of a wide-ranging review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), an interim report was released in June with five key areas in need of reform identified, echoing concerns highlighted by local providers, participants and politicians.

October 2022 saw the announcement of a review into the NDIS to look at the design, operation and sustainability of the scheme, after repeated complaints of bureaucracy, inequality and lack of transparency around decision making.

With the recent release of the interim report, the review body is now inviting community input with the report stipulating that it is looking to harness collective wisdom and experience to find “solutions in the priority areas identified as the most challenging and needing the biggest shifts”.

Dr Helen Haines, the Independent Federal Member of Indi, is pleased to see the delivery of the interim report from the independent review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“The interim report has summarized the key themes of issues around the NDIS and shows the way for further investigation to make recommendations in the final report,” she said.

“The themes in the interim report correspond to themes which NDIS participants and their carers raise with me and my office very week, including access to qualified practitioners to provide the supports for which they are approved, such as occupational therapists.

“Many people in regional, rural and remote areas would relate to the challenges the report explains, including an inability to fully use approved funding due to the lack of resources, including workforce.”

Limited availability or the poor quality of services especially in these locations also means that many participants do not have control over their support systems.

Mansfield resident Simon Frye has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for the past 30 years.

Despite an initial two year delay to access required services under the scheme, he speaks highly of his experience on the NDIS, which he attributes primarily to receiving good planning support through Wangaratta provider Gateway Health.

“A good plan upfront is crucial,” he said.

“The scheme was rolled out in the region about six years ago, and my goals really haven’t changed since.

“It’s been fit for purpose, and now that my needs have begun to change I will need to update the plan accordingly.

“I’m confident that this will be a positive experience when I organise a reassessment, and that my case manager will listen to what I need and understand what is available locally.”

Simon admits that his situation may be the exception.

“I do know of lots of people who have struggled finding the right connection initially, and as a result have very poor plans and are unable to access the help and resources that they need.

“Each year my plan is reviewed and discussed with my supports and Local Area Coordinator then submitted to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for review.

“However there isn’t the option to review the plan prior to final submission.

“I would appreciate seeing this to understand what is being recommended and to confirm whether I have got across exactly what I need.

“In the early days of being on the scheme, I also would have loved to have a more comprehensive understanding of what support services were available to me.

“Disability is such a broad term, however support is very much an individualised service where everybody’s needs are different.

“Workforce training needs to focus on fostering a better understanding of people’s specific needs to ensure

that plans not just meet expectations but deliver substantiated benefits.”

Simon also raised concern about the availability of necessary services locally and highlighted staff shortages as a major issue.

In an industry where workforce quality and retention have been big issues, Simon is lucky to have retained the same coordinator for the majority of his time on the scheme and being self-managed gives him the possibility to access a wider range of supports to meet his needs.

“In general, I’ve also been quite lucky accessing quality practitioners in the region,” he said.

“My local physiotherapist is very good however I’ve found it quite difficult to get an occupational therapist locally in Mansfield.

“The OT travels from Wangaratta a few times each year, which can be quite costly.

“I’m reliant on the OT to provide assessments and reports for submission to the NDIA.”

Access to and availability of services directly impacts many regional participants enacting vital aspects of their care plans and hindering the progression of treatment.

The increasing cost of products and services is also of concern to Mr Frye, with price gouging also threatening the viability of the

scheme.

“This short term gain is jeopardizing the longevity and overall impact of the NDIS.”

These are the issues that Mr Frye believes need to be addressed so that the scheme will be both sustainable and continue to be transformational.

The scheme currently supports 600,000 participants with annual spending reaching $35 billion, the equivalent of $58,000 per participant.

Funding is uncapped, awarded on a needs-based criteria.

Difficulties arise when balancing the needs of people with disabilities with the scheme’s finances to allow the government and the public the ability to budget for the scheme, whilst providing certainty for participants and their families.

Currently the annual growth rate for the NDIS sits at 14 per cent per annum, which the federal government is hoping to reduce, whilst also bringing down overall costs.

Both participants and providers have vocalised concern as to what this review will mean for the NDIS.

They remain hopeful that all changes will be for betterment of the scheme, cracking down on issues like fraud and price gouging, and streamlining the system through the reduction of red tape, rather than targeting

and reducing participant funding.

Mansfield Autism Statewide Services are embracing the NDIS review.

“It is so important that it is sustainable, delivering best outcomes for the client, ensuring value for money spent and is available to help the most disadvantaged in our community,” said Mansfield Autism Statewide Services’ CEO Simone Reeves.

When the NDIS was introduced it replaced a fragmented, state-centred support network with a unified national one.

The results have not all been positive, with disability support outside the scheme becoming either incredibly limited or non-existent.

“The NDIS created a paradigm shift in the way we fund the bulk of our services,” said Ms Reeves.

“We went from applying for block funding to run programs with over 500 families on waitlists, to the money sitting in the child’s plan and the family desperately trying to find a provider.

“As a provider of choice, our key issue quickly became how to better service the huge demand – hence our expansion out at the farm on Ogilvies Road.”

Many more children have entered the scheme than predicted.

It is the fastest growing category of NDIS participant, with 11 per cent of five to seven-year-old

boys on the scheme.

This is partly due to underestimated rates of disability among kids but is also indicative of a lack of support for children outside the NDIS, with sectors such as health and education encouraged to do more to support this demographic.

“In relation to autism, we believe that funded support should be integrated where possible and support the families, as being central to the child’s needs,” said Ms Reeves.

“Early intervention assists to reduce future reliance on support and delivers quality of life outcomes, but that is reliant on navigating the maze of diagnosis, receiving a plan and finding a provider.

“Key among the challenges is the imperative to ensure provision and availability of quality services and that there are providers in regional areas as well as metropolitan.

“It’s also vital that there be improved understanding and connection between the NDIA and the service providers, to ensure plans are written that are flexible enough and holistic, to tailor for the needs of the client,” she said.

At the moment support for participants is gauged on whether it is ‘reasonable and necessary’.

Prone to subjectivity and not clearly defined, the classification has resulted in inconsistent and inequitable decisions about funding, which have resulted in disputes with the NDIA.

For many who rely on the scheme for essential services, this uncertainty is further impacting the mental well-being of participants.

“The NDIS is vital to the lives of many people living with disabilities,” said Dr Helen Haines.

“I sincerely hope the independent review shows a way forward for the NDIS to meet the needs of participants more effectively and efficiently, and to truly meet the principles of choice and control.”

The deadline for submissions to the NDIS review is August 25.

VALUABLE SCHEME: Mansfield Autism Statewide Services’ CEO Simone Reeves and Dr Helen Haines, the Independent Federal Member of Indi both welcome the review into the NDIS.

National alcohol-related fatalities reach decade peak

A NEW report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has highlighted the increasing need for action to prevent alcohol related harms and deaths.

According to the report, alcohol-related deaths reached a 10-year peak of 1559 in 2021, an increase of more than seven per cent from 2020.

Alcohol accounted for nearly 57 per cent of drug-related hospitalisations in 2020-21, up from 53 per cent in 2019-20.

The majority of these were recorded for males.

The report also revealed the number of Australians reaching out to alcohol treatment services is at its highest in a decade.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Erin Lalor AM, said alcohol-related deaths were largely preventable and more needed to be done to address the concerning trend.

“The impact of these deaths is

widespread – we must remember these are real people whose lives have been tragically cut short, with families and friends who are suffering,” Dr Lalor said.

“We can’t afford further delay on action to stop these rising numbers.”

Dr Lalor called for greater investments in evidence-based prevention and harm reduction initiatives.

“We also need to see stronger regulations around the availability and promotion of alcohol, which is linked to higher risk drinking,” she said.

“We know that men experience a significant proportion of alcohol harms, and this report highlights the importance of targeted interventions with vulnerable populations, including people with longterm alcohol use problems.”

The report also includes data showing the number of people using drugs in Australia has been

gradually increasing, despite record drug seizures.

“When it comes to illicit drug use, despite best efforts from law enforcement and our judicial system, drugs continue to be imported into Australia,” Dr Lalor said.

“And we know many people, from lawyers to mechanics to office workers, use illicit drugs.

“The criminalisation of illicit drug use causes stigma and can stop people who use drugs from reaching out for help and support when they need it most.

“This is why a health-based approach to drug use is needed to reduce the significant harm experienced by people who use drugs.

“Treating drug use as a health issue can have many benefits for individuals, families and communities, including less drug use among problematic users, fewer drug related deaths and disease, and more people help-seeking.”

Haines takes housing crisis to PM

INDEPENDENT Federal

Member for Indi Helen Haines met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last Wednesday to present practical and sensible solutions to address issues worsening the housing supply crisis in the North East and across regional Australia.

“The housing crisis is one of the biggest issues

facing regional Australia.

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

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

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

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

What’s On

facing is really powerful,” Dr Haines said.

“The government is listening and hearing the problems that we are facing in regional and rural areas when it comes to housing.”

Dr Haines wants the Government to invest in critical enabling infrastructure to increase housing supply through a dedicated Regional

Housing Infrastructure Fund.

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

“But I have been consulting widely on what the solutions could be and what I’ve heard loud and clear is that funding for critical enabling infrastructure is a major handbrake on hous-

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

“It’s critical investments in this infrastructure that would enable more homes to be built in our region and across Australia.”

CHEERS?: Alcohol accounted for nearly 57 per cent of drug-related hospitalisations in 2020-21.

Local anglers score free fishing festival as cost of living soars

LOCAL and visiting recreational fishers across the region will mark the opening of trout season at the free Goulburn Fishing Festival on Saturday, September 2.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation

Sonya Kilkenny today announced the annual free festival will celebrate all that fishing in the Goulburn region has to offer, with free festival activities offering something for every angler no-matter their experience level - 1500 giant rainbow trout have also been stocked across10 stocking sites between Eildon and Molesworth, with an extra 500 fish

Solar battery costs slashed

THE Victorian State Government has announced it will be slashing thousands of dollars off the upfront cost of solar batteries – bringing down energy bills and helping Victoria reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced a new $8800 interest free battery loan, which will enable households to maximise output from their solar panels and save thousands on energy bills over the lifetime of the battery.

The battery loan is part of the State Government’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program and will be available to new customers as well as the more than 226,000 Victorian homeowners who have already claimed a rebate to install solar panels.

For new customers, the loan

stocked at the Eildon Pondage. Located at Lions Park on Riverside Drive in Eildon, the festival features free activities for the whole family.

A free fishing clinic will teach the next generation of anglers how to cast, bait up and net a fish, with free bait and tackle provided and experienced instructors on hand.

Bookings are essential.

Fly casting lessons will also be on offer from the Australian Trout Foundation, giving more experienced fishers the opportunity to take their skills to the next level.

There will also be face painting, plaster arts painting, market stalls, prizes and raffles – with fireworks over the pondage at 7pm.

Fisheries Officers and Better Boating staff will also be on deck to answer questions from anglers nomatter their experience level.

Tours of the VFA’s popular Snobs Creek hatchery will be on offer for the community to see first-hand how millions of trout and native fish are grown annually for the statewide stocking program.

Youngsters will also be able to help with trout releases into the Eil-

Public toilets are maintained

FOLLOWING

don Pondage on the day.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said. “This festival will encourage more people to Eildon, the Goulburn River and surrounds and makes for a great day out – giving families and kids the chance to try fishing and learn from experts.”

Victorian rivers and streams officially open to trout fishing on Saturday, September 2 2023.

All lakes, including Lake Eildon and Eildon Pondage, are open to trout fishing year-round.

For more information visit vfa. vic.gov.au/goulburnfishfest.

complaints received at the Courier regarding the state of the public toilets at the corner of High and Highett Streets, Mansfield Shire Council has outlined why and when these facilities are maintained.

In response to these complaints, Mansfield Shire’s Asset Maintenance Officer Chloe Schlemitz said, “Council has a current contract in place, and our cleaning contractor has been reporting some disappointing vandalism and poor treatment of the facilities.

“While most users are respectful of the facilities and leave them in a clean state for others, we have seen a recent increase in this poor behaviour,” she said.

“From the King’s Birthday weekend to September 30, the public toilets on the corner of Highett Street and High Street (known as the roundabout toilets) are serviced by Council’s contracted cleaner at an increased frequency,” Ms Schemitz said.

Currently the toilets are serviced twice daily Monday to Thursday, and three times daily from Friday through to Sunday.

will be available in addition to the $1400 rebate and $1400 interestfree loan for solar photovoltaics if a solar and battery system is installed at the same time, saving eligible households $11,600 on upfront installation costs.

Out-of-pocket installation costs

for a solar and battery system after the solar photovoltaic rebate and federal government small-scale technology certificates are applied start at about $10,300. Installation costs for a battery alone start at about $8000 for a 6kwh battery and rise to about

$17,000 for an 11kwh battery.

The Solar Homes program has cut Victoria’s carbon emissions by 1.7 million tonnes and has helped Victoria meet its emissions reduction target of 75-80 per cent by 2035, and net zero emissions by 2045.

“Visitation increases over winter every year with visitors to Mt Buller which is why the service is increased during this period,” Ms Schemitz said.

Any concerns regarding the cleanliness of Council’s toilets can be reported using the contact number displayed in the toilets, or to council@mansfield.vic. gov.au

NEW LOANS: Those wishing to buy solar panels and batteries will have the upfront cost slashed again.

ACROSS

4 What is a period of sixty seconds (6)

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

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

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

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

13 Name another term for lucerne (7)

15 What might we call a through train (7)

17 Name an alternative term for a hermit (7)

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

23 What is a strong regional accent (6)

24 Which hour is the latest possible time (8)

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

DOWN

1 Which combining form indicates water (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 What might we call a learner (7)

12 What is a concealed marksman (6)

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

E-QUATIONS

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

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD QUICK THINK

16 What do we call a weighing machine (6)

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

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

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

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

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

WHICH WORDS

BIYWORD

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

CLUES:

AFL: six-pointers (5)

Attics (5)

Calm (5)

Common household fuel (3)

Meadow (3)

Patterned pastries (7)

Peacocks and peahens (7)

Starter’s second command (3)

Two-up (coll)

Weasel-like

SOLUTIONS SUDOKU

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Buller Team Challenge

August

 AUGUST 19: Buller Team Challenge - Mt Buller. A team event allowing groups of three or more skier’s and/or snowboarders representing their company, club, team or family to compete in a highly competitive but friendly environment.

 AUGUST 19: Mansfield Community Deer Forum: 10:15am - 3:30pm - Mansfield Showgrounds Luncheon Pavilion. BBQ lunch provided. Contact 57791593 or email landcare2@up2us.org.au for more details.

 AUGUST 21: U3A presents South American Dances presented by Barryne Wilson: 10am - Bonnie Doon Community Centre. Brin your dancing shoes. For membership information phone Trish 0437 357 829.

 AUGUST 25: Mansfield Kindergarten Jazz night and Art Auction Fundraiser: 7pm - Mansfield Coffee Merchant. Raising money for the Mansfield Kindergarten. Tickets https:// fundraising165.wixsite.com/ mkjazznight

 AUGUST 26: Mansfield Farmers‘ Market: 8:30am - 1pm – Carpark between the Mansfield Fire

Regular Events:

 Circle of Friends meet every second Monday at Invoke from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Join a group of women for amorning tea, a chat and some meditation. Nominal fee to cover costs. Enquiries: Suzy Rideout: 0466 998 811

 CWA Monthly meetings: 4th Wednesday Evening or Sunday afternoon (alternating each month: March –Wed).

 CWA Craft Days: Wednesday‘s 10am and last Thursday evening of the month at 6pm.

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

 Grief and bereavement support group meets on the first Thursday of the month at Bob’s Shed, 82A Malcolm Street. All are welcome on a regular or casual basis and morning tea is provided. Ring 5775 3161 for more information.

 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.

Brigade CFA and the Mansfield Hotel.

 AUGUST 27: Maindample CFA Plant and Garden Sale: 9am2pm - CFA Shed, Main Street Maindample. All things plant and garden related as well as food and refreshments.

September

 SEPTEMBER 2: ABOM Mogul Challenge - Mt Buller. Watch Winter Olympic hopefuls smash it out down the legendary ‘Club Chamois’ bumps course.

 SEPTEMBER 5 - 10: Australian Interschools Snowsport Championships - Mt Buller. National competitions for school students including Alpine Giant Slalom, Snowboard Giant Slalom, Snowboard Cross, Ski Cross, Moguls, Cross Country Classical, Cross Country Freestyle Relay, Slopestyle Ski and Slopestyle Snowboard.

 SEPTEMBER 15 - 30: Klytie

Pate Ceramics Competition and Exhibition - MACE 145 High Street Mansfield. Celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of Australian ceramics including the presentation of the Klytie Pate Award for Ceramics, the Emerging Artists Award and the People’s Choice Award.

AUGUST 27

SEPTEMBER 15 - 30

Klytie Pate Ceramics Competition

Mansfield Croquet Club – Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9am till 12 noon, Lord‘s Reserve, Cnr Victoria and Apollo Streets. Playing equipment available, $2 per session.

Mansfield Multicultural Group – Every second Tuesday of the month at 6pm at MACE.

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 The Witches Brew

 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.

 Ladies Probus meets every second Monday of each month at Delatite Hotel for meetings and 4th Monday for social or as organised.

 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 in the library (rear entrance)

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

MANSFIELD COURIER - Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - Page 19 mansfieldcourier.com.au

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It’s a buyers market for lamb and mutton

By SIMON QUILTY, Global AgriTrends

A CHALLENGING 18 months lies ahead for the local lamb market with a forecast trading range of 440510c/kg carcase weight for heavy lambs and the first low expected in December at 450c/kg.

There will be no escape for mutton either as prices will hover in the 195-260c/kg carcase weight for the next 18 months as dry conditions take hold.

But looking into the future the news is not all bad with a bounce back for Australian lamb to record levels in 2025-2027, supported by a strong US grainfed market.

Market analyst Simon Quilty, Global AgriTrends, said the lamb and mutton market slump was a perfect storm of a reduced kill capacity, market failures and liquidation of the NSW flock.

Mr Quilty said trade lambs would likely trade at an average discount of 15c/kg to heavy lambs as restockers disappear.

“Few farmers will be incentivised to feed lambs and taken on more risk.

“By the time we hit 2026-2027 we will have record prices, but the question is who is going to be in the game and who isn’t?” he said.

Mr Quilty, of Wangaratta, was a keynote speaker at the Pasture Agronomy Services seminar at Wagga Wagga on July 27.

Australia’s global lamb and mutton markets are quiet, with weak economies and extensive inventories being held across most markets.

Mr Quilty said a heavy reliance on China for mutton exports was concerning.

“Lamb export markets are diversified but mutton is not with 68 per cent in the 2022/2023 financial year exported to Asia.

“China consumes 44 per cent and Malaysia 10 per cent, while North America imports 11 per cent and the Middle East 14 per cent,” he said.

“In my mind, that is too much to China.

“We are beholden to China and Malaysia for more than half of our exports of mutton – it does make us vulnerable.”

In comparison, Australian lamb exports in the same period com-

Soil carbon explained in new eLearn

AGRICULTURE

five years but there is some pain to be got through yet,” he said.

“Lamb has remained at a premium in the US for 20 years with the exception of 2020 during COVID.”

In 2004 to 2005, the Australian sheep and lamb weekly kill was 553,000 head and the market experienced a 41 per cent fall in 52 weeks.

In 2011 to 2012, the industry was processing an average of 475,000 head and experienced a 45 per cent fall over 91 weeks.

Processing jumped to 551,000 head in 2019 to 2020 and there was a 40 per cent price fall over 78 weeks.

Processing fell to 271,000 head in 2021 to 2022 and there was a 44 per cent price fall over 91 weeks.

“The problems in the small stock sector are even more dramatic than in the beef sector.

“Processing is almost half of where we were in the drought and yet we have fallen 44 per cent – simply there is not the labour, it is a major problem,” Mr Quilty said.

“The better processing margins in Australia might be short-lived with sheep meat producers now producing lambs below break-even and there will be a desire for those in the wheat/sheep belt looking to increase their cropping and exit sheep altogether over the next 18 months.”

Victoria has developed a soil carbon eLearning module that will provide a great introduction for those seeking to better understand soil carbon, its role and function in agriculture.

Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Service Development Officer, Heather Field said over recent decades farmers have been actively working towards conserving and increasing soil carbon and reducing soil carbon losses by improved farm management practices.

“Soil carbon is critical for soil health, improving productivity, profitability and resilience.

“While soil carbon is easy to lose, and challenging to increase, it’s important to remember that maintaining your soil carbon levels whilst producing food and fibre is a great outcome,” Ms Field said.

prised 42 per cent to Asia, 26 per cent to North America, 15 per cent to the Middle East, and 3 per cent to the UK/European Union.

“That 26 per cent to the US is heavy lamb, in fact almost all our heavy lambs go to America and one of the challenges is the US economy itself with leading indicators pointing to a recession from the current third quarter to the first quarter of 2024,” Mr Qulity said.

“The economy is being dragged down by weakening consumer outlook and increased unemployment claims – the longest streak in decreases since the 2007 to 2009 recession.

“Frozen Australian foreshanks continued to fall from the start of the year down to 318 USc/lb - they should be rising as we go into their summer months but are doing the opposite.”

The same holds for frozen boneless shoulders down to 390 USc/lb and frozen boneless legs down to

340 USc/lb while frozen Frenched racks held their own at 1340 USc/lb.

The US lamb cut-out value has fallen 30 per cent since late 2021.

“The US has bailed.

“It’s tough going in these premium markets.

“In China’s imported mutton and lamb stocks we have seen a 30 per cent fall while their own stocks of mutton and lamb are sitting at a 2.5 year high,” Mr Quilty said.

“I cannot see these stocks clearing themselves for at least six months and it may be another six months before they are fully cleaned up – it is challenging – and on top of that is consumer sentiment.”

Mr Quilty advised lamb producers to keep track of export grain fed beef markets.

“Lamb and grain fed beef are tied at the hip – both are elite products.

“A lot of those price lifts in lamb will be a result of a lift in global grain fed beef prices over the next

Post-drought, the NSW sheep flock grew by a whopping 21 per cent in 2020 compared to the national average of 7.1 per cent.

Liquidation of the NSW sheep flock has begun in the last six to eight weeks from a peak of 28.15 million head in 2022/2023 and is forecast to fall to 24.5 million head in 2023/2024.

“That has brought a lot of mutton and lamb forward, and we have limited processing capacity to manage that.

“In some respects, the sooner the better – let’s get it over and done with because this liquidation is having a huge impact in terms of pricing today.”

Mr Quilty said the phase out of the live sheep export trade would flood the domestic market with extra animals.

“The bigger concern in terms of meat processors, there will be farmers exiting the livestock industry to take up alternative land uses in WA.”

“This easily accessible soil carbon eLearning module will help participants to have a deeper knowledge and tenable sound decisions for their operation.”

The introduction to soil carbon eLearn delves into:

• soil health benefits of soil carbon

• difference between soil carbon and soil organic matter

• influence of soil type, climate and land management on soil carbon stocks

• impacts of agriculture practices on soil carbon

• where to go for further information and resources.

If you would like to learn about the importance of soil carbon, this is a great resource.

Available now, for easy access to the ‘Introduction to soil carbon’ eLearn go to https://go.vic.gov. au/3XW2qCg

PRICE DROP: Simon Quilty, Global AgriTrends believes it will be a challenging time ahead for local lamb markets.

Court transformation in action

JAMIESON ON THE LINE with Carmel Dixon

NEXT Monday,

August 21

Jamieson primary school

Principal Hannah Madden, with her staff, will host an open day at the school from 2:00pm to 3:00pm for parents of potential students and their children.

It will be an opportunity to come and see the school and meet the teaching staff.

The occasion for pre-school students to see how the school looks and the welcome from the students in class.

The parents will be toured through the building, with curriculum, sporting activities and the welfare of each student paramount in discussion.

Leadership is one of the programs the senior students are trained in and perform their duties, with the new students and the younger student’s, recipients of the care.

It will be a lovely opportunity for potential parents of students to enjoy the school-company, surrounds of this historic beautiful place of education.

THE students are hoping for a day skiing on Friday, following the latest snow fall that has lifted the hope s of many skiers.

look.

THE Mansfield Library Service is to return to Jamieson Primary School this week, with the students very excited hoping to read their favourite tomes.

JAMIESON School Council met last week and the future is looking very bright, with some new initiatives.

THE school building is progressing well, with the

building under construction, the students and teachers have been amazing. With the building sounds in the background, harmony is prevailing and learning is top priority.

THE Jamieson and District Historical Society Inc. members and volunteers are working on a very special project at the moment in preparation for

the up-coming season. They are recreating the historic Jamieson Courthouse to its prior status, to display the history of the very busy court proceedings.

The team are resetting the furniture to its original place with the idea of children being able to reenact court proceedings a new magistrate’s wig has been produced, the dummy

in the witness box may be removed for a special circumstance.

The volunteers are creating a large display of Jamieson courtroom activities over the last 150 years.

Originally the police precinct was very large with a mounted police contingent living under canvas on the site, where the police station and

police stables and paddock is.

This is the site of the new Community Emergency Services Hub - the construction will be on this land.

Volunteers would be welcomed to assist at the Museum: phone Karen Alderson 0425 071 618.

LAST Sunday Jamieson

CFA members carried out a compulsory pre-season Burn Over Entrapment Drill.

This necessary prevention drill involves fire fighters inside the fire tanker and the necessary fire preventions being carried out, as it would be if the crew and tanker were in a bushfire.

The CFA First Lieutenant Steve Garito was in charge of the drill, with three CFA members under taking the prevention technique.

This amazing development in safety and harm prevention is vital for disaster safety and fire fighter survival.

There are numerous water hose outlets for stopping the flames and heat defecting shields inside the tanker to help.

The drill is mandatory for all active firefighting members to attend, prior to the fire season.

Familiarity with the disaster plan is essential.

HISTORICAL: The Jamieson Museum is having a face lift, with the Old Court Room being restored to present a new historic

Finding

Anglican Parish of

WE ARE HIRING Whitlands Engineering Whitlands Engineering

WELDER/ BOILER MAKER

Phone:

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: ASHLEY DUNSMORE

To enter call Radio Mansfield on 5775 2333

TOLMIE COMMUNITY SOCIAL CLUB

Notice is given of a public meeting to elect persons for the Tolmie Community Social Club Committee for a 1-year term expiring on 3/9/2024. Nominations need to be submitted in advance 2 weeks before the meeting. Nomination forms are available from the TCSC Secretary: tolmiecsc@gmail.com.

Meeting to be held at the Tolmie Community Pavilion September 3rd at 3pm.

MAINDAMPLE CFA PLANT AND GARDEN SALE

Celebrating 10 years. Sunday, August 27, 8 - 2pm at the Fire Shed. Bring your cash, buy plants of all types and garden products.

SORRY NO DOG’S ALLOWED. 20-minute raffles, BBQ and coffee available come and enjoy a social day.

ATTENTION: There will be altered traffic conditions on August 27 for entering and exiting the Maindample township. All vehicles will enter via Railway St and exit the township via Almond St. SES volunteers will be guiding the traffic to ensure a safe route.

Whitlands Engineering aka SuperAxe is located in North East Victoria, manufacturing world class firewood processing machinery.

We are looking to expand our team further and are seeking a full-time person with experience in fabrication & welding. Your skills will be utilised in the fabrication of various chassis builds and componentry.

The workshop location is 35 mins from Mansfield (20 mins from Whitfield) in the High Country.

Work hours are 7.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Whitlands Engineering is an equal opportunity employer. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience.

Please call Sarah Carroll on 03 5729 7577 for more information or submit your resume and cover letter to hr@superaxe.com.au

MANSFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL IS LOOKING FOR PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS TO JOIN OUR TEAM IN 2024.

Located in the growing, dynamic, vibrant community of Mansfield at the foothills of Mt Buller, our school is a wonderful place to further your career.

With easy access to waters ports, snow sports, hiking and camping, our school offers the perfect backdrop for an enviable lifestyle for both work and play.

We have a variety of positions available for school leaders, teachers and support staff in 2024. We invite you to visit our school, meet with the Principal and take a tour.

Visit our website for more information www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au

Interested applicants should apply via Recruitment Online: www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/careers.

Contact our Principal, Tom MacMunn on (03) 5775 2325 to schedule a visit or enquire about positions available.

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Mansfield Medical Clinic and Mansfield Integrated Health Service is a busy, energetic rural practice which excels in providing high quality Medical & Allied Health Care to our local community and region.

We are seeking skilled front-of-house applicants who may be interested in a Medical Receptionist role within our tightly knit and highly regarded team. Initially viewed as a casual position (2-3 days a week, flexible), for the right person there will be the potential to transition into a permanent part-time role.

This position is responsible for providing high level reception duties and administrative support in a professional, caring and friendly manner to our patients, doctors, allied health providers, nurses and fellow members of the admin team.

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To be seriously considered for this role we would like you to possess:

Previous medical administration or professional services experience (Desirable)

Sound computer and administrative skills

Demonstrated initiative and willingness to learn

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work alone or in a team environment

Commitment to preserving privacy and confidentiality at all times (Mandatory)

A Position Description is available on request and full on-the-job training will be provided. As this is an EOI there is no closing date for this role.

Please email your letter of application and CV to: hr@mansfieldclinic.com.au - FAO Joe Anka

info@vacuumtrucks.com.au

Senior Journalist/ Editor Career Opportunity

Full time

North East Media, an award-winning publisher of community newspapers, has a position for an experienced journalist Victoria.

We are seeking a journalist with editing experience to produce our award winning

addition to several other publications. The position requires a strong work ethic and well-rounded skill set with experience managing small teams, a passion for community newspapers, and sound news and editorial judgment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team and mentor cadet journalists, set working tasks and work closely with the local community and council.

Excellent writing, editing, photographic, communication, time management and organisational skills, and the ability to generate ideas into relevant news coverage that matters most to a local readership, will be among your strongest attributes. The successful applicant must also have a valid driver’s licence.

North East Media is an independent media group publishing award winning publications in print and online across North East and beyond.

Applications, including covering letter and resume, should be forwarded to: Jeff Zeuschner, Group Editor, North East Media via email at jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au

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

TWENTYMAN (Friday), Robyn Lee. 13/7/1967 – 7/8/2023

Passed away peacefully at home (Perth) surrounded by family.

Dearly loved daughter of Roy (dec) and Norma. Loved sister to Jan. Beautiful mum to Tara and Jade. A very very muched loved aunty to Brodie and Jesse, Taela and a great aunty to Henry. Forever in our hearts and memories. You were an amazing strong woman with that beautiful smile. Now you are the brightest star in the night sky. Rest in peace Robbie.

HARLEY Davidson

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

FOR SALE

3 x male dachshund puppies. 9 weeks old.

Source ID/BIN: MB227726

Microchip numbers: 991003002068656

991003002068654

991003002068661

Contact Jess on 0437 102 932.

TWENTYMAN (Friday), Robyn. Robbie, we will miss you forever, but we will cherish our beautiful memories from the first time each of us met you to the last time we held you. We will look after your girls, sister and mum. Love you forever. ~ Janey Babe and Dave.

FUNERAL NOTICES

CUNNIFFE

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Marian will be held at McCormack Chapel, 11 Highett St, Mansfield on Thursday, August 17, 2023 commencing at 1.30pm.

TWENTYMAN (Friday), Robyn. A life long friend, forever missed. Deepest sympathy to Norma, Jan, Tara, Jade and family. Fly high my beautiful friend. ~ Lizzie, Pete, Grace, Nick and Lachie.

TWENTYMAN (Friday)

A funeral cortege for Robyn will be held at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park (Perth) on Friday, August 25, 2023 commencing at 2pm. (AWST)

Following the service, family and friends are welcome to join us at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club, North Beach Road, Karrinyup from 4.30pm onwards to celebrate Robyn’s life.

Bowra & O’Dea

The following service will be live streamed and can be viewed via the below website. www.bowraodea.com.au

Mansfield Bowls Club gets busy

BOWLS

By LYN FOOTS

With the weather being magic, the outdoor bowls are getting busier every day.

Last Tuesday saw 21 bowlers enjoying the day with the winners being Kevin Nikkelson, Marian Ryan, Mick Hoban, and Anne Wileman with two wins 33pts.

Mike Harrison, Lyn Holland and Phillip Jensen were close behind with two wins 32pts on a countback.

Friday also had a great field with 23 players.

The winners of the day were George Peterson, Chris Laws, John Lobbe and Mick Hoban with two wins 34pts from Mark Bettany, Mick Walsh, Shane O’Brien and Renee Prosser with 2 wins but only 32pts.

Sunday saw six dedicated indoor bowlers enjoying the day and afternoon tea.

The winners were Anne Wileman, Noel Jackson, and Renee Prosser.

All players were swapped around each game playing in different positions.

With the sun shining brightly 18 bowlers ventured up to the back green for a mini competition.

Not sure who won the day, but it was a lot of fun.

Not the season to be playing par

LADIES GOLF

By LINDA TERRY

WE have officially put the kibosh on playing par in winter and we know most lady golfers will be jumping through hoops to hear that.

It is too tough to play to our handicaps in the heavy winter conditions.

Well, except if your name is Kylie Egan, who managed it with ease on Wednesday to win the par competition with just -2.

Sheryl Sargent was a terrific runner-up with -3.

Next best was Sam Bailey on -5.

The best of the rest were Millie Cumming, Anne Blampied, Shelly Comerford, Robyn Bridgewater, and Marion Mitchell.

Nearest the pins were won by Shelly on the 3rd, Sheryl on the 7th and Linda Terry on the 16th.

Well done to all 19 players who gave it a go.

The other ladies competition for the week was nine holes on Tuesday.

Four ladies ventured out with Pam Abbott taking the win.

Nobody braved it on Saturday.

Oh, for things to dry out a bit and for all those nomads to return from the north.

Mansfield’s Week of Wheels

A NEW weeklong festival of all things wheels is racing into Mansfield next year from January 27 to February 4.

Bookended by Horsepower in The High Country and OzCarFest, the week will see two of the largest car shows in the North East and a week of activities, fun and high power for motor enthusiasts, families, and kids.

The week starts with Horsepower in The High Country’s Show n’ Shine and family day on Saturday January 27 at the Mansfield Botanic Park.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said this event saw over 260 vehicles last year and over 2500 attendees.

“It was a fantastic event for motor enthusiasts and families alike, with a diverse range of cars, motorcycles, and boats, with live music, food, drinks, and even a wa-

ROUND RESULTS:

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

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

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

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

U14 Boys 1 46 def by Bellarine 1 58

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

U14 Boys 2 43 def by Whittlesea 3 53

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

U14 Girls 1 31 def by Craigieburn 1 33

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

U14 Girls 2 24 def by Diamond Valley 4 34

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

U16 Boys 1 66 def Knox 2 33

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

U16 Boys 2 47 def Altona 3 46

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

U16 Girls 1 49 def Frankston 2 41

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

U16 Girls 2 31 def Keilor 4 30

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

U18 Boys 1 62 def Frankston 1 31

terslide for the kids,” he said.

“Council is delighted to support this event, which is run by the Delatite Drivers Car Club. Once again they will be raising money for the Mansfield

Autism Statewide Services Operation Gamechanger, which saw $8,000 contributed in 2023.”

From February 2 to 4, the new Mansfield OzCarFest will

be in town, celebrating all things that iconic Australian classic vehicles represent. Activities will include touring events, street displays, period music, mystery runs, show ‘n shines and an awards ceremony.

Throughout the week there will also be pop up displays from local car dealerships, including Martin’s Garage (representing Subaru, Nissan and Isuzu) and Delatite Ford.

Other activations, emergency vehicle displays, show ‘n shines, and more will feature during the week with further details to come.

“We are looking forward to seeing what the OzCarFest organisers bring to Mansfield,” Mayor Tehan said.

“It promises to be an excellent event for enthusiasts in rounding out the Week of the Wheels.”

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

U18 Boys 2 65 def Broadmeadows 2 39

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

U18 Girls 43 drew Sandringham 2 43

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

FINAL GAME OF JUNIORS

COME ON DOWN: Mansfield hosted 260 vehicles last year.

READY TO RACE: Mansfield’s Week of Wheels will be from January 27 to February 4.

Hard-fought defeat for Under 17s ends finals dream

UNDER 17S FOOTBALL

By ANGELA DESMOND

Mansfield 42 defeated by College 73

Awards : Reece Plumbing:

Jack Marks Corcoran/Parker:

James Benton

Sports First : Adam Storer

Adrian Caminos Paint and Create: Charlie Dobson

MANSFIELD headed up the Hume to Wang on Sunday

ready to play College U17.

It was a needed win for both teams as College were playing to get in to the top five and Mansfield was playing to stay in, so it was Game On.

College got a fast start with five goals on the board.

Mansfield’s first for the quarter came from a quick kick into Adam Storer who marked and converted.

The boys worked hard with Mitchell Adams ruck-

ing hard, Jack Marks working well around the ball with support from River Reeves and Astin Browning trying to get the ball down into our forward line.

However by the end of the first quarter it was still one goal and one behind.

Second quarter saw the boys start to settle into the game, Mitch Adams took a nice mark and kicked a goal.

Adam Storer, who had his

work cut out for him with two on him, kicked another two goals.

The boys were starting to get their flow on. They continued to work hard.

Trent Berry, Dan Bruno and Charlie Dobson worked hard in the back line, supported by Mitch Pentony and Jackson Day bringing it down.

It was hard and tough but the boys stuck with them and worked well to get it

down our end and stop the run of College.

Third quarter saw College kick another three goals.

Our boys kept trying, Harry Craddock, Eddie Morphett working hard around the wings and moving it forward.

Jackson McCormack, Nick Taylor and Sam Guppy worked hard in the centre half continuing to present and push it forward.

James Benton continued

to offer in the forward line and quick kicks into the goal square finally saw us steer a goal through Adam Storer.

The last quarter the boys kept trying.

It was coming into their forward line fast but the boys held strong and they only managed two more goals.

The boys did well, fought hard right until the end with the last goal by James Benton coming just on the siren.

Future Matildas and Socceroos in Mansfield

JUNIOR SOCCER

MANSFIELD Soccer celebrated the end of their season last Sunday, following the sensational win by the Matildas.

There was an undeniable buzz on the fields as the last games were played to top off a great year.

The traditional kids versus parents games had some hearts pumping hard as the parents attempted to keep up with their junior soccer stars.

Kids took to the penalty spot in honour of the Matildas’ incredible penalty shootout win.

A big thank you to head chefs

Pete and Gary for a delicious BBQ. Thank you to all the parents and kids who make up our great club and our sponsors McGrath Estate Agents, Delatite Hotel and Mansfield Mini Golf, and Mansfield Foodworks.

A very big thank you to all the committee, coaches and helpers around the club – Felicity Ennis, Carl Hoffrichter, Amanda Jones, Emily Dirkson, Maja Valente, Andrew Wettenhall, Oscar Paredes, Andrew Setchell, Sam Ridley and everyone else who has pitched in.

SOCCER STARS: Mansfield Soccer club celebrates a great season.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

GOULBURN VALLEY SENIORS LADDER

SENIORS SCOREBOARD

BENALLA

GOALS: BENALLA Nicholas Brazil 2, Tom O’Brien 1, Christopher Welsh 1. ECHUCA : Mitchell Kemp 2, Will Monahan 2, Liam Tenace 2, Jack Evans 1, Noah Langborne 1, Matthew Lias 1, William Rohde 1, Jackson Stewart 1, Lachie Watson 1. BEST: BENALLA : Fintan Brazil, Joshua Marchbank, Jordan Wolff, Christopher Welsh, Wade King ECHUCA : Mitchell Wales, Jack Evans, Riley Smith, Will Monahan, Leo O’Brien.

SHEPPARTON

MANSFIELD

GOALS: SHEPPARTON: Trent Herbert 3, Xavier Stevenson 2, Edward Lindon 1, Lewis McShane

1.MANSFIELD: Cameron Arnold 2, Ben Christopher 2, Cody George 2, Lachlan Murphy-Dale 2, Nathan Buchanan 1, Brett Mahoney 1, Max Mahoney 1. BEST: SHEPPARTON: Xavier Stevenson, Jonty Wardle, Adam De Cicco, Tyron Baden, Trent Herbert. MANSFIELD: Ben Christopher, Brett Mahoney, Cody George, Frazer Dale, Sam Lynch.

EUROA

NETBALL SCORES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

A Grade: Benalla 26 def by Echuca 67; Shepparton 64 def Mansfield 35; Euroa 63 def Rochester 42

B Grade: Benalla 22 def by Echuca 67; Shepparton 83 def Mansfield 17; Euroa 36 def by Rochester 37

B Reserve: Benalla 46 def by Echuca 53;

Shepparton 41 def Mansfield 33; Euroa 28 def by Rochester 48

17 & Under: Benalla 28 def by Echuca 48;

Shepparton 64 def Mansfield 22; Euroa 28 def by Rochester 52

15 & Under: Benalla 0 def by Echuca 20;

Shepparton 37 def Mansfield 18; Euroa 31 def by Rochester 40

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

A Grade: Mooroopna 68 def Kyabram 36; Swans

43 def by Seymour 44; Tatura 44 def United 42

B Grade: Mooroopna 43 def Kyabram 31; Swans

54 def Seymour 38; Tatura 35 def by United 38

B Reserve: Mooroopna 47 def Kyabram 45; Swans

34 def by Seymour 41; Tatura 37 def by United 41

17 & Under: Mooroopna 52 def Kyabram 49;

Swans 57 def Seymour 25;

Tatura 27 def by United 35.

15 & Under: Mooroopna 49 def Kyabram 33;

Swans 30 def by Seymour 31; Tatura 33 def United 30

ROUND 17

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

Shepp United v Benalla

Seymour v Tatura

Kyabram v Euroa

Mansfield v Mooroopna

Shepp Swans v Shepparton

Echuca v Rochester

ROCHESTER

GOALS: EUROA: Jett Trotter 6, Mitchell Walters 2, Craig Bamford 1, Peter Cairns 1, Will Creevey 1, Jayden Gleeson 1, Zac Gleeson 1. ROCHESTER: Dylan Cuttriss 4, Sean Williams 2, Blake Evans 1, Reed Hocking 1. BEST: EUROA: Jett Trotter, Andrew Bell, Jayden Gleeson, Harrison Jarvie, Max Gleeson. ROCHESTER: Joseph Atley, Blake Evans, Matt Kellett, Hamish Hooppell, Wil Hamilton.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

MOOROOPNA

4.1 6.4

8.7 9.13.67

GOALS: MOOROOPNA: Christopher Nield 3, Jackson Trengove 2, Kydan Atkinson 1, William Bella

1. KYABRAM: Kyle Mueller 5, Thomas Holman 2, Will Golds 1, Kayne Pettifer 1. BEST: MOOROOPNA: Jed Woods, Jack Johnston, Jack Lear, Bryce Rutherford, Keelin Betson. KYABRAM: Kyle Mueller, Liam Ogden, Aidan Robinson, Thomas Holman, Thomas Burnett.

SHEPP SWANS 1.3

Saturday, August 5

RESERVES

RESULTS

2

Euroa 10 9 69

5 59 Saturday, August 12 Mooroopna 2 5 17 def by Kyabram 27 11 173 Swans 5 3 33 def by Seymour 7 10 52 Tatura 4.5.29 def by United 12.10.82  Saturday, August 5 UNDER 18s

RESULTS

def Mansfield 5 5 35 BEST: SHEPPARTON:

Daniel Meek, Ned Byrne, Lachlan Howard, Ben McGowan, Zaydan Leocata. MANSFIELD: Angus Bolitho, Brayden Van Winden, Patrick Dunstan, William Friday, Oscar Clelland.

by

TATURA 5.3 8.3 11.6 14.8.92

SHEPP UNITED 1.0 3.2 6.5 7.7.49

GOALS: TATURA: Chaz Sargeant 5, Brodie Meyers 4, Kade Gall 2, James Bennett 1, Xavier Hutchison 1, Kitt McCamley 1. SHEPPARTON UNITED: Jayden Magro 3, Kaedyn Napier 2, Sheldon Bogdan 1, Lewis Stanton 1. BEST: TATURA: James Bennett, Mitchell Elliott, Ryan Young, Comanche Walls, Chaz Sargeant. SHEPPARTON UNITED: Riley Onley, Mitchell Trevaskis, Brodie Telford, Jayden Magro, Samuel Adams.

MATCH REVIEW

Bombers’ booming season continues

■ From back page Bonnie Doon has only been defeated once this year– a bittersweet 7-point loss in April to Greta.

Coach Murray anticipates a finals match between the two dominant teams.

“We are probably looking forward to a really intense match with Greta where we can bring our very best,” he said.

“We want to remain really strong and healthy in the lead-up to that.”

Coach Murray highlighted the efforts of Beau Smith during Saturday’s match.

“Beau is definitely one of our more creative players and is always willing to give a handball to a mate in a better spot,” he said.

“It’s no coincidence that when he plays well, the whole team plays well.”

While Coach Murray has seen an improvement across all players in the team, he specifically commended Luke Berriman and Morgan Evans for their skill growth and flexibility.

“Luke is only in his second year of footy, but he’s set himself up to be a really great future player,” he said.

“Morgan played forward and midfield for a few years and this year we shifted him to defence.

“He’s close to being our premiere defender in the comp this year.

“Definitely shows that you can teach an old dog new tricks.”

The Bonnie Doon reserves also claimed another exceptional 120-point victory against Whorouly.

The Bombers opened with four goals in the first quarter, racking up multiple contests and disposals.

The game belonged to the Bombers by the second quarter, with Felix Johnson booting six goals.

Finals scores saw Bonnie Doon win 21.7 (133) to 2.1 (13).

The Bombers will play Tarrawingee this Saturday at home.

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

BONNIE DOON

WHOROULY

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

TARRAWINGEE

BENALLA ALL BLACKS

9.12.66

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

BRIGHT 4.2 7.5 15.6 18.10.118

NORTH WANGARATTA 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2.2

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

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

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

Tarrawingee ..............2.1.13 Benalla All Blacks .27.13.175

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

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

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 57 def Whorouly 34; Tarrawingee 65 def

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

B GRADE:

Bonnie Doon 64 def Whorouly 42; Tarrawingee 22 def by Benalla All Blacks 71; Bright 44 def North Wangaratta 42; Goorambat 41 def Moyhu 31; Milawa 53 def Greta 36

B RESERVE:

Bonnie Doon 54 def Whorouly 32; Tarrawingee 25 def by Benalla All Blacks 49; Bright 67 def North Wangaratta 11; Goorambat 35 def Moyhu 22; Milawa 51 def Greta 33

17 & UNDER:

Tarrawingee 32 def Benalla All Blacks 29; Bright32 def

North Wangaratta 26; Goorambat 49 def Moyhu 26; Milawa 27 def by Greta 52

15 & UNDER:

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

ROUND 20

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

BENALLA ALL BLACKS vs GOORAMBAT BRIGHT vs MILAWA

NORTH WANGARATTA vs KING VALLEY WHOROULY vs GRETA

BONNIE DOON vs TARRAWINGEE

MOYHU - BYE

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

GOORAMBAT 2.2 4.3 7.4 10.5.65

MOYHU 4.4 9.5 12.6 16.6.102

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

MILAWA 3.4 4.7 6.8 9.9.63

GRETA 5.0 9.5 14.6 18.6.114

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

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

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

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

ON THE BALL: Will Foster working hard.

UNSTOPPABLE: Will Foster kicked two goals for the Bombers.

CAN’T CATCH ME: Matt Hedin was on fire.

DIVING DEEP: Jayjay Curatin fights hard.

STAND-OUT: Bonnie Doon’s Joel Sanford was best on field.

PHOTOS: Paul Martin

O&KFNL NETBALL

A GRADE

By ERIN BROND

Bonnie Doon 57 defeated Whorouly 34

Best on Court sponsored by Foodworks: Shannon Cameron Coaches Award sponsored by Bonnie Doon Pub: Erin Brond

Fan Favourite: Annie Byrnes

IT was so good to be back at home after playing away for four Saturdays.

The pre-game team chat led to the agreement that what we wanted to work on today was our talk on court and to continue our settling with the ball.

This was implemented instantly and didn’t stop for the whole game.

The attackers showed strength, poise and precision, while the defenders fought for the ball and wreaked havoc with their box.

Portia shot 40 goals for the day, highlighting her strength and accuracy on physical defenders.

Steph provided excellent feeds into the ring, movement around it, and put up her shots with a high accuracy.

Annie ran and ran and ran and got the ball, passed with finesse and was always an option.

Mia let the ball go with unmatched confidence and it always found its mark, while transitioning from attack to defence seamlessly.

Shannon had a ripper in WD, shutting down two WAs and centres.

She worked the box with perfection, creating errors and intercepts.

Erin switched between the one-on-one to box defence to ensure no easy passes in to the Whorouly attackers.

Anna picked up tips, intercepts and rebounds when Whorouly couldn’t find the options they wanted.

The phrase “everyone’s a defender” was never more evident than in this game.

The pressure (and intercepts) from Portia and Steph, all the way down court to Anna pushed the score line out to a 23 goal win.

Next weekend is the last game of the home-and-away season where we take on Tarrawingee at home, so make sure you get out to Bonnie Doon and hope for the sun.

NETBALL REVIEWS

The pressure all the way down the court was strong forcing the ball high for the defence end to take some great intercepts.

The defenders combined well all day, even with changes the girls kept coming up with ball all day.

The whole team combined well all day and continued to tick the scoreboard over.

The Whorouly team tried a few things to stop our goalers, but nothing could stop our best on player Stella.

She continued to work, strong sweeps and drives and taking the ball to the ring, her work in the second half saw the girls push the lead out.

Stella and Cobie combined very well today and when the defence tried to change it up and double team Cobie, she stood up and with Stella working hard they dominated the ring.

B GRADE

By CASSIE MCCORMACK

Bonnie Doon 64 defeated Whorouly 42

Best on Court sponsored by Bowser Bean: Jess Harris

Coaches Award sponsored by Bonnie Doon Pub : Cassie McCormack

Players Player sponsored by Anvil Brewery: Jo Sheridan

WITH only two games left in the home-and-away season the B grade girls were keen to put out a four quarter game and especially a good first five minutes. And they did not disappoint.

Whorouly were fighting to keep a spot in the six but the girls came out strong in the first with a big 20 goal to 10 quarter.

With a little lapse in the game in the first half of the second quarter, the girls were keen to push again and with some great defensive pressure all over the court the girls come up with ball and then converted it with ease.

With some changes in the second half the girls finished the game strong and most importantly a great team game.

Jo was a strong target in the goal circle today, and finished it off with some accurate shooting, only missing two goals and slotting 46 for a strong game and earning her the player’s cup.

Jess Harris had a captain’s game and lead from the front.

Her feeds were on point, she guided the attack end with her smart controlled game and her defensive game was strong, coming up with the ball and applying pressure out front to allow for the defenders to get ball.

Cass had a solid game in defence which earnt her the coaches award.

She continues to get the ball and lifts the team when needed.

The girls have one last game before they hit finals and if they continue to play netball like they did today they are on the right track.

B RESERVE

By NARELLE SEYMOUR

Bonnie Doon 54 defeated Whorouly 32

Best on court sponsored by Bowser Bean: Madi Hearmon Coaches Award sponsored by Bonnie Doon Pub: Narelle Seymour

CONGRATULATIONS

Maddie Cooksey, 100 games for BDFNC!

Awesome achievement.

You are strong, determined, passionate and much loved on and off the court.

A true club legend!

The Doon line-up for the first half was well oiled and ready for whatever Whorouly threw their way.

Michelle and Chrissy

worked their magic in the goal ring, dodging the strong opposition defence, to gracefully shoot 30 goals by half time.

Their bond is indestructible.

Madi H, who has been a consistent, skilled and passionate player all year, came out in WA ready to be there for the pass, and re-offer.

She utilised the strategies learned and practised at training to attack the ball on every occasion.

Super fit and fun Amy, as always, gave 100 per cent in centre, quickly and accurately feeding the ball to the attacking end and leading play from the defensive turnovers.

Hannah, Cass and Zoe were just awesome in defence - blocking, defending, rebounding and causing havoc for the opposition.

The opposition team were never given the opportunity to dominate down their own goal end.

Half time saw a couple of changes.

Demi Murray made her debut in B Res to lead the team from the centre position.

She utilised her skills, speed and accurate passing to blend in perfectly with the team.

What a star.

Maddie C came in to WD to shut down the opposition WA.

And that she did so well, displaying her skill and precision with true

determination, to dominate down the defence end for her 100th game.

Narelle joined Cass in defence to shut the opposition systems down at their goal end.

Finishing on a high, Madi was rewarded with Best On Court, so well deserved.

What a spectacular display of team effort by the B resies.

Every team member played for each other.

Thanks to super coaches Mish & Leith.

Bring on next week against Tarra.

UNDER 17S

By COBIE McCORMACK

Bonnie Doon 49 defeated Whorouly 26

Best on court: Stella Brakels sponsored by McCormack Mountain Valley Trail Rides

Coaches Award: Cobie

McCormack sponsored by David Walsh Gas

THE cold and wet weather was back for the morning, so the game was a bit slower and ball was slippery but the girls come out with a strong first quarter.

The attack end moved the ball well, feeding into the ring was great, they had control and patience with the ball and the reward on the scoreboard showed.

The defenders got a lot of ball and it was good to see it get converted in goals.

She was a strong target in the ring, weather is was a front or back hold and made it easy for the girls out front to feed her.

UNDER 15s

By TILLY THORNTON

Bonnie Doon 28 defeated Whorouly 24

Best on court sponsored by Gary Evans (Kyabram Greens Estate): Bella Neale Coaches Award sponsored by Mansfield Holiday Letting: Tilly Thornton

DOON under 15s had a strong start to the day with a four point win.

The first half they maintained a three point lead with the defenders Bella, Gemma and Sadie getting lots of intercepts and tips.

Mid-courters Maya and Amy brought the ball down the court smoothly.

Shooters Tilly and Keira shot lots of goals with very few misses.

The start of the second half Tayla came on, ready to go and she made sure that her player wasn’t going to get the ball.

By the end of that quarter, Whorouly caught up and it was even going into the last quarter.

The last quarterwith a lot of fight and determination to win - the under 15s came out on top with a four point win, 28-24 to stay on top of the ladder, with one week left of the regular season.

TEARING UP THE COURT: Steph Ward leading the charge for the Bombers.

HANDS ON BALL: Annie Byrnes takes possession of the ball as Mia Tanner gets into position.

DOING IT FOR DOON: Erin Brond as GD is watched on by Anna Manning as GK.

Hot on court

By RHONDA CARPENTER

MANSFIELD Red hosted Mansfield Black in sunny weather last Monday.

Encouraged by teammates supporting from the sidelines, Red team began strongly.

Red’s Karyn Fraser and Carolyn Murray won their opener 8-4, while Jo O’Brien and Deb McCormack took theirs 8-5.

The contest tightened up in the remaining sets as Black’s Liza Karras, Rhonda Carpenter, Jenny Smith, and Di Bergelin worked hard to counter Red’s clever courtcraft

Two tiebreakers were played, and Red took the other two sets 8-6.

After players noticed and resolved a scoring miscalculation Liza and Di were surprised and delighted to take the final tiebreak set.

With much excitement Red won 5/47 to 1/36 after a lengthy battle for their first win of the season.

Benalla hosted Terip in an equally close encounter.

Benalla’s Bev Gill, Claire Sharp, and Maureen Jewell were joined by Euroa’s Julie Harrington.

Terip’s Cindy Hayes and Frances Lawrence won their opener 8-6, while Phoebe McDermid and Jenny Martin

fell 4-8 to the home side.

Sets were again split in lengthy battles of excellent tennis. The result was determined by the final sets and Benalla won both to claim the match 4/44 to 2/33.

For the other two matches Euroa won on forfeit against Seven Creeks and Moglonemby won on forfeit against Mansfield Blue.

Ladder: Terip 83, Euroa 76, Moglonemby 75, Benalla 56, Mansfield Black 54, Seven Creeks 38, Mansfield Red 32, Mansfield Blue 26.

MTA committee members met on Monday night to discuss recent changes and prepare for the upcoming season.

F TY TIPPING COMPETITION

TIPSTER: Sam O’Brien

GOOD SPORTS: Di Bergelin and Karyn Fraser after their tiebreak set.

PHOTO: Rhonda Carpenter

Juniors prepare for Grand Final

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

By MICHAEL BRETHERTON

THE U10s and U12s went separate ways this week, with the under 10’s playing a curtain raiser at Bonnie Doon.

It was a great day and the Bonnie Doon Football Club certainly made all feel welcome.

The footy was a spectacle with the Hawks performing strongly on the larger ground.

Parker Darby was influential all over the ground for the Hawks with many possessions and effective ball use.

He was joined by Leo Hoffrichter who continued his good form finding the ball and initiating many forward thrusts.

For the Eagles, Dom Picone was solid in defence, taking several strong marks and running off half back with intent.

Cody Place had his best game for the year getting involved in many passages of play and causing the opposition grief with his run and carry, while Angus Spiers again had a great day out.

Angus was strong in defence, attacking when up forward and a real target

through the midfield.

Many thanks for the hospitality of the Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club.

The tradition of junior football at Bonnie Doon remains a strong link between the two clubs and will continue to flourish into the future.

The U12 were again fortunate to play on the Mansfield Recreation Reserve.

For the Blues, once they adapted to the conditions, their attack on the ball and the contest was first class.

Billy Turner led from the front and was like Paty Cripps all day.

Harry Buscombe played his best game for the Blues and had great support from Tommy Ricter whose second and thirds efforts were a feature for the day and deserved a goal in one particular play.

Zac Borg Nathan and Dean Mercica once again gave great drive from the half back line and Jack Forest and Levi Stevenson continued to link up the play with some smart handballs.

Angus Parsons found space on the MCG and Tommy Dowels efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

For the Eagles, Ned Hutchins proved lively getting plenty of touches and

brought his teammates into the game.

Will Hewitt showed plenty of dash and carry and used the ball well through the midfield.

Reeve Purday was a handful for the opposition and used his size to really influence play and he was joined by Jay Kynnersley who did some great work around clearances and finished off with three goals.

While for the Bombers, Mannix Peck, Axel Anstee and Tyson Parks performed well in the wet conditions.

Hayden Kent continued his good form, hitting the packs hard and proving rock solid in defence.

Hamish Brown was busy in and under the packs and brought his teammates into the game by hand.

Riley Sutherland was a great contributor all day as was Jack Clydesdale and Lachlan Roberts.

This Friday night will see the grand final under lights at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve, with the U10s starting at 4.30pm and the U12s commencing at 6pm, with presentations to occur after each game.

So come on down and support the local footy stars of the future.

Mansfield Eagles Yellow battle Myrtleford Saints

U14 FOOTBALL YELLOW

By NICK DUNN

WE rounded out the home and away season on Sunday with a trip over to Myrtlerford to take on the Saints in Round 18.

We were lucky enough to have Kez Friday organise a team bus for us to get over there together which was brilliant.

Thank you Kez and also thankyou to Mansfield Paintball for donating money to help us pay for it, it’s very much appreciated.

Despite Myrtleford being the bottom side, the hit out gave us a great opportunity to fine tune some aspects of our game heading into fi-

nals, while also getting full games into our guys who often rotate through the bench to develop confidence.

The guys started beautifully, hitting up big Xav Maroney who slotted three in the first quarter.

Going into the game on 49 goals for the year, it was great to see the guys get around Xav when he put his first one through.

It’s a great effort Xav, well done, I’m really proud of you mate.

Our ball movement around the ground was first class, while our pressure at the contest was really good too.

It saw us take a 22 point lead at quarter time.

The second quarter we dominated through the midfield, with Andy Friday having a day out.

Felix Smith and Nick Hoskin were impenetrable off the half back line and created plenty of run and carry attack from there into our forward line, while Taj Kynnersley started to look really dangerous up forward, and we carried a seven goal lead into the main break.

As the game was rolling on, our guys, despite being electric when they managed to get over the back of the saints, or when they created space by switching to the fast side of the ground, we were often getting bogged in a flooded forward line.

As a result, in the third quarter, without the space and time in the forward line, we were more rushed with our shots, and kicked 0.7 for the quarter.

Despite hitting the post three times in that quarter and having a couple touched right on the line, our guys weren’t happy with the output.

So going into the last quarter, we isolated Xav in the 50, and had the smalls follow the ball in to get under his feet.

The change was instant with a much more open forward line.

Lenny Gardner and Josh Taylor became really damaging, and it allowed our

forward entries to be deeper and more dangerous.

Ben Baklis moved into the ruck and was outstanding, while Pichy Sorn was clunking pack marks at CHF and his handball game was brilliant in his best game for the season.

We ran out 75 point winners, which gives us five on the bounce coming into finals, which our guys should be wrapped with.

To our guys, that’s the end of the home and away season.

Congratulations on achieving what we set out to in making finals, it’s a great effort and a testament to all of your hard work.

Time to take on what’s

ahead of you and bat as deep as you can go into the finals series.

With the team you’ve developed yourselves into, and the finals style of footy you’ve trained and played all year, there is no reason at all that you guys shouldn’t believe you can go all the way.

I certainly do.

Awards: Captains’ Choice: Zane Daykin (Mansfield FNC) and Tom Day (Desmonds Concreting) Coaches Awards: Pich Sorn (Ben Purday Bricklaying) and Rory Christopher

Best: Friday, Maroney, Kain, Hoskin, Robinson, Smith. Goals: Maroney 4, Gardner 2, Robinson, Taylor, Kynnersley, Friday, Kain

FUTURE FOOTY STARS: Sophie Snell, Paige Gridley, and Edi Gardner.

Bombers’ booming season continues

O&K FOOTBALL

THE Bonnie Doon seniors have added another impressive win to their record, smashing Whorouly by 120 points over the weekend.

This was the Bombers’ 13th consecutive win and 16th overall victory this season.

It’s an impressive feat for a dominant team that shows no signs of slowing down.

Once again, the Bombers cruised to an early four goal lead in the opening quarter. Their forward line was met with little resistance from the Lions’ defence, who were unable to stop powerhouse kicks from Al Bennet and Luke Murray.

Spectators at Bonnie Doon

BY HANNAH KENNELLY hkennelly@ nemedia.com.au

Reserve witnessed a brief second quarter comeback from the Lions, who managed to boot two goals, courtesy of Simon Chalmers and Adam Harris.

Whorouly did not score again for the rest of the match.

The Bombers were omnipresent in the second half, with Jayjay Curtin and James Law slotting three goals each.

By the end of the third quarter the Bombers led 99 to 12, cementing a permanent lead that Whorouly would not recover from.

As they have all season, the Bombers showed no mercy in the fourth quarter, kicking a further six goals to win the match 20.12 (132) to 2.0 (12).

Finest on field for the Bombers were Beau Smith, Luke James, Matthew Hedin, Joel Sanford, Patrick Smith, and Jayjay Curtin.

Meanwhile, the Lions’ best were Darcy O’Shannessy, Riley Calvene, Paul Glanville, Andrew Newton, William Allen, and Edward Bramich.

Bonnie Doon seniors Coach Ken Murray said the team are “unquestionably on a roll”.

“We have our eyes set on finals and are working really hard to get there,” he said.

■ Continued page 32

so are the risks they face...