Mansfield Courier 210623

A RARE VISITOR TO DOON SARAH STEGLEY HONOURED

NO BUDGET FOR SHOOTERS

ALL FIRED UP

Local crime drops again

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

CRIME has dropped once again in Mansfield Shire according to the March 2022 to March 2023 statistics released last week.

While criminal incidents raised 5.6 per cent across the state, Mansfield’s dropped 16.3 per cent yearon-year, making it into the top 10 decreases by local government area.

Crime decreased across the shire, with an increase only recorded in Bonnie

Doon (36) by one over the past year.

The other locations in the top five for most criminal incidents in the Shire were Mansfield (144), Merrijig (12), Jamieson (12) and Goughs Bay (11).

Criminal damage, obtaining benefit by deception, residential nonaggravated burglary and other theft increased while breaches in family violence orders decreased.

The criminal incident rate per 100,000 had

Mansfield at only 2685 incidents, compared to the rest of the state’s 5344, putting Mansfield well below the average.

Mansfield had the sixth largest drop in criminal incidents over the past 12 months to March 2023, with its 16.3 per cent drop coming in behind Moyne (20), Surf Coast (20.7), West Wimmera (27.3), Hindmarsh (31.9), and Queenscliffe (55.1).

In the North East, there were mixed results, with

Alpine (5.7), Strathbogie (13.5) and Yarra Ranges (3.4) shires seeing reductions in crime yearon-year while Benalla (4.4), Murrindindi (5.5) and Wangaratta (8.9) seeing increases.

Across Victoria, all offence categories increased in the last 12 months, except for the other offences category. Offences not related to family violence drove the increase up 6.4 per cent while family violence

related offences increased 3.1 per cent.

The majority of the age groups increased in the last 12 months, the only age groups to decrease were 1819 years and 20-24 years.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said, “Serious offences including family violence serious assaults, rape, sex offences against children, and stalking and harassment all recorded reductions.

“While this is positive, there are clearly a number of areas of concern that police are investing significant energy and resources towards.”

Crime Statistics Agency Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said, “The upward trends observed in recorded crime measures in the last 12 months coincide with a return to pre-pandemic related movements in the community.

■ Continued pager 3

CHRIS Morant captivated all at the Lantern Festival with his fiery antics on Saturday night in Mansfield. PHOTO: Samuel O’Brien  Story and photos on page 21.

Woman found dealing drugs fined

A WOMAN has pled guilty to dealing drugs at the Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Police were patrolling in Eildon and performed a license check on the woman, asking if she had anything she was not supposed to have on her person or in her car.

The woman admitted to having methamphetamine in the car and the drugs were retrieved by police.

The woman‘s mobile phone was retrieved as evidence and police found numerous text messages that requested supply of methamphetamine as well as information surrounding the prices of the substance and the location in which it would be sold.

When interviewed by police the woman admitted to selling and dealing methamphetamine and said it was because she did not have a job and needed money to help take care for her children.

In court, the defence explained that the woman was fully cooperative with police and requested a financial penalty as opposed to a community corrections order.

The magistrate convicted the woman and charged her $2500 and ordered that the drugs seized to be destroyed.

Mansfield migration drops

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

THE Regional Australia Institute released its March quarter Regional Movers Index, revealing that migration to Mansfield has dropped significantly.

While capital-to-regional migration has risen 7.9 per cent in the last 12 months, migration rates to the Mansfield Shire dropped by 49 per cent.

This drop comes after record breaking migration

to the area over the past few years, with even more people than predicted moving from capital cities and other regions around the country.

Regional Australia Institute CEO Liz Ritchie said the results speak to an increasingly mobile population in the wake of more job flexibility.

“While this mobility was super-charged by COVID, we are seeing thousands make the move, not only from the cities to the regions, but within

regions and more recently, there has been an uptick in the number heading back to the cities,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Cost of living pressures are also boosting greater movement within the regions themselves, as regional movers also search out places with more available and affordable housing.”

Over the last quarter, regional Victoria held the largest share of appeal for those migrating within Australia, attracting 43 per

cent of net outflows from cities to regions, double last year’s 18 per cent.

Additionally, neighbouring Strathbogie Shire was in the top five Victorian LGAs, with 42 per cent growth in people moving from other regions.

Overall, the index shows more people in Sydney and Melbourne are moving to regional areas, but the number of people moving from regional areas to the cities is also at its highest point in five years.

Drug–impaired driver‘s wild time catches up

A MAN who drove erratically and dangerously while feeling the full effects of a variety of drugs has had his licence cancelled for two years.

He was driving along the Maroondah Highway on the Black Spur section in Fernshaw in February of 2020 and aggressively and dangerously overtook other drivers on the road before performing a 30–second burnout in front of the drivers.

Police intercepted the man later that evening in Acheron and performed a preliminary breath test which registered no alcohol in his system.

The man was acting highly erratic and continually asked the police if they were real and did not believe that their police vehicle was real.

Police observed that the vehicle had a flat tyre and both rear tyres were bald and determined that the man may be driving under the impact of drugs.

They performed a search of the vehicle and found a small Ziploc bag containing small crystals believed to be methamphetamine, a bottle believed to be containing gamma–hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and a lock blade knife which the man could not explain why he needed.

The man was arrested by police and the man became more erratic when he was being interviewed at the police station, talking about being inside a video game and continuing to assert the police were not real officers.

After a driver impairment assessment, police requested a blood sample of the man, believing that he was impacted by drugs.

The blood sample was tested and found to contain a number of drugs.

The man was subsequently transported to the hospital for a mental assessment and after cross referencing with the toxicology report from the blood sample, a doctor found that the man was impaired by drugs.

The man admitted to driving through the black spur and told police he felt fine on that section of road at the time but, upon reflection, realised he was not okay to drive.

In court, the defence argued

that the man had turned his life around, attending rehab and reengaging with a variety of local community organisations.

They asked that the magistrate to not go above the minimum license disqualification period and to not go on a community corrections order due to his good behaviour and investment in the local community since the incident.

The man was found guilty of a variety of offences and was fined an aggregate fine of $1500 along with a two year license suspension period.

The magistrate said, “I acknowledge completely that you have made some extraordinary steps in your life to address what is a significant drug problem.”

DOWN: Migration to Mansfield is down 49 per cent.

Local doctor nominated for rural health award

MANSFIELD Medical Clinic and Collected Minds’ Dr Laura Carter has been nominated for a Victorian Rural Health Award for her work in the community.

Nominated in the Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP or Rural Generalist category, the award recognises Dr Carter’s outstanding contributions to rural healthcare in Victoria.

Established in 2005, the Victorian Rural Health Awards have become a symbol of recognition for the remarkable dedication and hard work of healthcare professionals serving the rural communities of Victoria.

This year the awards will be hosted by the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of Health during a virtual gala event on June 27.

Mansfield magistrate cracks down on Maroondah highway speeding

A MAN was fined for driving 34km over the speed limit in Mansfield Magistrates Court last week.

Police said the accused was driving 94km/h in a 60km/h zone along the Maroondah Highway near Yarck on June 18 last year.

The man plead guilty in court and said “it was an honest mistake” and he “didn‘t realise the speed was 60”.

The magistrate issued a $400 fine without conviction and a three month license suspension.

“I accept what you say that it was inadvertent – but it‘s all about safety and the road toll,” the magistrate said.

A 31–year–old man was also fined for speeding along the Maroondah Highway near Yarck.

Police caught the man driving 94km/h in a 60km/h zone on December 10 last year.

The accused was fined $400 without conviction and had their license suspended for three months.

New chapter for Mansfield Library

COMMUNITY members are invited to attend the official grand opening of the refurbished Mansfield Library on June 28

Official proceedings will begin at 11am with speeches from Minister Shaun Leane and Mayor Cr James Tehan.

The family-friendly celebration will include morning tea, storytime, live music,

face painting, and giveaways after 11:30 am.

The Mansfield Library has undergone extensive renovations over several months, reopening in May with extended opening hours.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said visits to the library had doubled in the first month since reopening.

“The library was already a well-loved space and the re-

furbishment has allowed us to meet the needs and expectations of our community,” said Mayor Tehan.

“The new space is fun and engaging for young people, enhances how the community accesses the library and makes the operating of the library more efficient.

“It will be great to see families come to enjoy the opening this school holidays.”

Local crime drops again

■ From page 1

“The volume increase in recorded offences is largely attributable to non-family violence related crime.

“While there has been an increase in recorded crime measures for the year ending 31 March 2023 the figures remain below those recorded in 2019.”

The number of deaths on Victorian roads has also been a key issue for police this year, with Commissioner Nugent making it clear that police are making sure people are driving safely.

DEATH TOLL A PROBLEM: Highway Patrol units will continue to run targeted and intelligence led operations to reduce the likelihood of further trauma on our roads.

“It has been a horror 2023 with 145 lives lost as of June 15, up 39 on the same time last year,” he said.

“Reckless drivers are firmly in the sights of local and state Highway Patrol units who continue to run targeted and intelligence led operations to reduce the likelihood of further trauma on our roads.”

BRAND NEW: Mansfield Library’s kids’ area.

Wednesday: Morning frost

Temperature: -2-10

Thursday: Showers increasing

Temperature: 2-9

Friday: Showers easing

Temperature: 3-9

Saturday: Showers

Temperature: 2-10

Sunday: Showers

Temperature: 3-11

Monday: Showers

Temperature: 5-10

Tuesday: Possible shower

Temperature: 5-10

Week to 9am Monday–22.2mm

Month Total (June 2023) –105.1mm

Month Total (June 2022) –88.8mm

YTD Total – 327.7mm

Total (2022) - 977.20mm

Total (2021) – 789.9mm

Total (2020) – 746.6mm

Readings as at 9am Monday

This week 288.14m full or 96.9% of capacity 0.76m below full supply level

Inflow: 15,000 megalitres per day

Release: 10,500 megalitres per day

Details courtesy of Goulburn Murray Water

PICTURESQUE: The chapel resides on the aptly-named

Buller chapel celebrates 30 years on mountain

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

AS the snow season gets into full gear, religious services on the mountain are back up on Mt Buller.

It’s been 30 years since the Alpine Chapel opened, allowing visitors, workers and locals to attend religious services without going down the mountain.

The chapel was constructed over a period of more than 18 months with support from many sectors of the Mt Buller, Mansfield and Melbourne communities.

Significant support came from the Alpini Association –

an organisation of Italian exservicemen who played a major role in building the chapel.

Catholic Parish Priest of Box Hill Very Reverend Father Tony Kerin said he remembered ARC Manager at Mt Buller Sandie Jeffcoat saying the chapel turned Mt Buller resort into a village.

“The chapel serves a really import purpose in the village,” Fr Tony said.

“It’s been a refuge for many people for a lot of times.

“There have been many art shows and music concerts there too.

“The biggest use of the Chap-

el has been when we had tragedies.”

Catholic services started last week for the 2023 snow season, with a memorial service held for skiers who passed away in the past 12 months, allowing people to remember those they did not get to remember.

Fr Tony has a significant connection to the area, as his parents lived in Mansfield for over 25 years.

“I’ve been the chaplain at the chapel since it opened in 1993,” he said.

A variety of priests will be making the journey from Melbourne and surrounds for the

regular 6:30pm Catholic service on a Saturday evening.

“I find it very relaxing driving out of Melbourne,” Fr Tony said.

“I just listen to podcasts in the car.

“It’s nice to take your time [going up the mountain].”

Fr Tony also explained that, while there were no scheduled services, prayer rooms are available for people of other faiths.

“The chapel is multi-denominational now; it’s got a prayer space for Muslim people and is open to all,” he said.

“The chapel is the soul of the village.”

Hannah Kennelly (JOURNALIST)

Samuel O’Brien (JOURNALIST)

Emma Oliver (JOURNALIST) Pam Zierk-Mahoney (JOURNALIST)

Leah Scott (ADVERTISING MANAGER)

Edward Higgins (DIRECTOR) Jarrah Loh (SENIOR JOURNALIST /BRANCH MANAGER)

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.

Church Hill and will host a 6:30pm Catholic service every Sunday.

PHOTO: Sandra Lee HISTORIC DAY: Mt Buller News covered the opening of the chapel 30 years ago, documenting the support of the local community in the inatitive.

The mystery of the Bonnie Doon Osprey

By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY

A RARE sighting of an Osprey flying and settling near Lake Eildon at Bonnie Doon has caught the eye of several very keen (and expert) bird watchers.

World renowned bird artist Tony Pridham was told of the Osprey but at first could not believe it would be the breed of bird, as they usually live nearer the ocean coastal areas.

He at first thought photographer Ken Rainsbury had seen a Whistling Kite which is more common in this region – and Ken thought it was a Sea Eagle.

“For more than 20 years I’ve lived in the Mansfield area,” Tony said.

“There wouldn’t be many places I haven’t bird watched, or local species of bird I haven’t seen.

“One bird which occasionally popped up in conversation is the Osprey - or more correctly the Eastern Osprey.”

Tony said the Osprey’s supposed presence on Lake Eildon is almost like an urban myth.

“An image of an Osprey on the lake is not that far removed from snapping a shot of a Black Panther roaming The Paps…a slight exaggeration, but you get the picture,” he said.

However, Ken Rainsbury presented Tony with several photos of the Osprey at Bonnie Doon.

Tony said, still not quite believing the story, he went to Bonnie Doon to try and find the bird himself.

“As a keen birder I’m always dubious of certain sightings and records until I see the bird with my own eyes.

“I’d suspected Ken had got confused and had mixed up the memory card in his camera,

so I put poor Ken through the wringer, doubting he’d taken the photo locally.

“But Ken was adamant that the photos were taken at Bonnie Doon.

“I posted myself on the bridge and local path for four hours in the pouring rain and cold wind,” Tony said.

“With no sign of the mystery bird, doubt began to creep in.

“Then, as always, at the point

when you are about to give upit happened.

“The phantom Osprey of Bonnie Doon moved from myth into fact,” Tony said.

“A bird I never thought I would see in the local area flew right over my head.

“Unbelievable.”

Taking into account the occurrence of other birds of prey which occur on the water, such as the White-Bellied Sea Eagle

and the very common Whistling Kite, you can see why anyone would be very dubious of Osprey sightings.

“To understand this more, one needs to realise just how rare these fish eating raptors are in the state of Victoria,” Tony said.

“Sightings are incredibly rare and are almost always coastal.

“The likelihood of one being inland at Bonnie Doon seemed far-fetched.

“As Ospreys need clear water and schools of fish, the murky water of the lake would make it difficult for this bird to survive around here.”

But Tony then went on to tell the story of a former sighting at the same place.

“Four years ago my partner Nicky Goudberg saw an Osprey fly over her car while crossing the Bonnie Doon bridge.

“She was absolutely adamant she had seen an Osprey.

“Having lived in Far North Queensland for 40 years, she was very familiar with the birds.

“I tried to believe her sighting, but found the whole thing a bit incredulous.

“I assumed it must have been a whistling kite which she’d seen at a funny angle.”

Tony said after sighting the bird himself he has spoken to a researcher studying inland sightings of Osprey, and it is his view the bird will soon move on to more suitable coastal waters.

“So for all those people with an interest in our local birds and who live by Lake Eildon - keep your eyes peeled,” Tony said.

“The next time you see a Sea Eagle it may really be an Osprey.

“A rare sighting indeed, and no longer an urban myth.”

BIRD WATCHER: Artist Tony Pridham has confirmed the bird flying over Lake Eildon is in fact an Osprey and not a Sea Eagle.

PHOTO: Pam Zierk-Mahoney

RARE SIGHTING: The Bonnie Doon Osprey photographed by Ken Rainsbury in recent weeks.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Way Back Wednesday - a look back at what was making news 20 years ago this week.

MANSFIELD’S building boom has hit a record high.

The pace of new development in the district continues to defy expectations with Mansfield Shire’s planning department notching its busiest-ever month.

In sport, Mansfield moved into fourth position on the Golburn Valley ladder after a comprehensive 48-point victory over a hapless Rochester.

A miserable afternoon was what greeted the Tigers and the day didn’t get any better as Mansfield disposed of them in clinical fashion.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Foresters and loggers are friends of the forests too

IN MY humble opinion, local foresters and logging contractors seem to have had been greatly misrepresented as folk who must not care for the forests - otherwise why protest about logging?

And why would Labor Vic shut down a world class and

PLENTY OF INVESTMENT:

PLENTY OF INVESTMENT: Thirty-seven planning applications were recieved in March of 2003, the most ever for the shire.

sustainable industry?

This is madness in my opinion.

Sometimes the best friend a forest can have is a group of highly skilled foresters, contractors, and loggers - men and women who know the bush and know how to contain fires, operate bulldozers and forestry machines in treacherous terrain night and day in order to save the trees from wildfire.

Also in my experience and opinion, wildfires don’t seem to

W

WINNING MOMENTUM: In five and a half seasons in the Golburn Valley Leagure, Mansfield has managed to beat every other side.

care one little bit for ecologists or protestors, which is probably why in my 20 years of working in forests l never witnessed an ecologist or protester demanding a wildfire stop.

l have witnessed the people from the timber industry work together with government agencies and stop wildfires though - food for thought for the great tragedy to come when Vic Labor destroy the friends of the forests.

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

Those friends with benefits like firewood, sawlogs, employment - and a community of bushies within a community many overlook, and some despise.

One closing thought, where will 2025’s firewood and hardwood sawn timber come from?

It can’t all come from Tassie or NSW.

Paul Hobby, longtime Mansfield bush worker

Email: edit.mcourier@nemedia.com.au.

Fax: (03) 5775 1580

Post: Letters to the Editor Mansfield Courier, 98 High St, Mansfield 3722.

Shed Frame 90ft x 40ft x 20ft height (trusses, roof purlins and columns), 10,000 litre & 5000 litre Fuel Tanks, Dam Floats, RSJ Columns & Steel, Culverts, Tether Rake, 2-4 mtr Bucket & Grab c/w JD Quick Hitch, 3pl Scallop Discs, Heavy Duty Slasher, Smudger, Stick Rake, Old handmade Bricks & Bluestone, Outdoor Timber Bench Seats, Sleepers, 80yr old Oregon, 3pl Spreader, Honda Motor & Fire Pump c/w Hoses, 1,000 ltr s/s Ex Milk Vat, Timber & Steel Roof Trusses, Roofing Iron, Quantity of Timber Logs (Mixed Species, some cypress pine), Quantity of Storage Lockers, Quantity of Timber Slabs (Red Gum, Fiddle Back & Stringy), Mobile Tractapak Welder c/w Holden 186 Motor, Trailers, Inter Truck Bonnet, Drill Press 2 hp, Wood Lathe, Laminated Flooring, Collections, Horse Drawn Plough, Trawallah Jack, HR Holden Station Wagon Body, TK Bedford Cab, Volkswagen Motor, Stained & Lead Light Window Panels, Historic Window & Door Frame, Old English Pram, Old Traps, Old Drill Press, Camping Gear, Engel Refrigerator, Outdoor lanterns, 150L spot sprayer, Holden Commodore Grill, Lawnmowers, Bottle Jack 10t, Stihl Chainsaws, Bullbar, 5ft Kubota front cutting deck, Gendone 3 PL Spreader, Gates, Portable Fuel Tank. Plus a host of hand tools & sundry items. Inspection highly advised.

Mansfield local attends Prince Harry media trial

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

MANSFIELD Courier’s own Royal Correspondent

Liam Wilson has been having an eventful time on his tour of the United Kingdom.

He already managed to attend the coronation of King Charles III in prime position and has since gained a front row seat to the phonehacking trial between Prince Harry and the Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).

Getting up close and personal, Liam was able to document a first-hand account of his experience:

OVER the past two days I have been at the Rolls Court in London attending Prince Harry (and Various) v. Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).

For those that don’t know, Prince Harry, among others, is suing MGN for allegedly hacking into their personal mobile phones, as well as their family and their friends’ phones, to get private information for a story.

Harry put forward 33 articles that he alleges Mirror obtained information unlawfully, causing him harm and distress, to the judge Mr Justice Fancourt KC.

I managed to get a great seat in the public gallery both Tuesday and Wednesday for the morning and afternoon sessions.

There were around 12 members for each side, 20 members of the media, the judge and clerks as well as 17 members of the public allowed in.

There was strictly no recording or photography of

New Alpine resort funding

THE Alpine Resorts

Victoria Board has been made eligible for federal infrastructure funding.

In an announcement by Independent member for Indi Dr Helen Haines, it was confirmed that the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board has now been listed as an eligible organisation under the $600 million Growing Regions Program, the Government’s major investment vehicle for regional Australia.

“The Alpine Resort Victoria Board operates in much the same way as local governments and for too long they have not been treated as such when it comes to federal funding programs that they should be eligible for,” Dr Haines said.

“I am proud that this has finally changed.”

any kind so I could not take any photos, instead relying on sketches taken in the court.

I had a chat with both sketch artists who were very kind and told me of previous cases they had sketched for including Ed Sheeran, Elton John, George Michael and many others.

They were not allowed to sketch in the courtroom, so they had to take notes and mental images and then recreate the scene.

There has been a huge media interest in the case with hundreds of reporters outside the courthouse and a long line of people wanting to see the case.

I got a clear view of the witness stand, the judge and the Mirror group team for

each session.

Prince Harry got off to a slow start on Tuesday and was intensely cross-examined by Andrew Green KC on his youth, family, past relationships and experiences with the media.

He cracked a few jokes and jabs at the media every now and then.

He would often say, “I don’t recall when I first read or saw this article”, “that’s a question for my legal team” and, “the evidence, call logs and burner phones have been destroyed”.

Harry warmed up the next day and his team seemed to be on a roll.

On Wednesday afternoon, a senior editor at The Mirror Jane Kerr was cross-examined by Prince Harry’s law-

yer David Sherborne who has represented Princess Diana, Johnny Depp, Donald Trump and Hugh Grant in the past.

She would often um, ah, stumble and avoid answering the question, or contradict herself which wasn’t helpful for Mirror.

There was quite a bit of note passing between each team to the lead counsel and I could not get the Dennis Denuto “glass of water” note from The Castle out of my head.

I don’t know if anyone else there would have understood but I was cracking up in my head for a solid five minutes; “it’s the vibe”.

The judge said he was losing patience and often expressed frustration and confusion over the timeline

and some of the tactics from both sides.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of this case which will be decided by the judge.

The last royal in the witness stand was Edward VII in 1891 over a card cheating scandal.

It was quite interesting seeing the process and to see how the lawyers worked on both sides, and how they interacted.

I congratulated Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne on his work, he asked how he did and I said he did a fantastic job and he thanked me, which was kind.

This experience has been absolutely incredible; education, entertainment and royalty wrapped into one.

Dr Haines wrote to Infrastructure Minister Catherine King in May and the Minister’s office confirmed last week the Alpine Resorts would be treated in the same way under the grant guidelines as other similar entities such as the Lord Howe Island Board and the Outback Communities Authority.

“Our Alpine areas are major tourism drivers for Victoria and a significant contributor to the regional economy of Indi,” Dr Haines said.

The Growing Regions Program provides grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations, for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.

The program wil be open from July 5.

IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED: While he was not able to take photos, Liam was able to locate where he was in the official court sketches as seen by the blue arrow.

Elizabeth Cook

Boaters‘ licence fees going back to Eildon infrastructure

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

THE Victorian Government has announced recreational boaters‘ licence and registration fees will reinvested into 35 recreational boating grants worth almost $2.75 million.

Up to $3 million was on offer for ramp and waterway managers to improve facilities and facilitate greater access to waterways.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said that Goulburn Murray Water has been successful in receiving a grant of over $11,000 for maintenance works to the Alliance boat ramp and

Jerusalem Creek boat ramp in Eildon.

These works include upgrading ramp erosion protection on the sides of the boat ramps to protect the ramp from lake swells, wake, and protect the drop off at the side of the ramps as well as upgrading faded line marks of the directional lines and CTU bays at Jerusalem Creek.

“This is a great example of how reinvesting licence and registration fees is improving the experience for boaters and making getting out on the water easier and more accessible,” said Ms Symes.

Council - Your News

Council Meetings

The upcoming scheduled Council meeting is Tuesday 27 June 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.

Official Opening of the Refurbished Mansfield Library

The Mansfield Library has undergone extensive renovations over several months and community members are invited to attend the official opening on Wednesday 28 June 2023.

Official proceedings commence at 11.00am with speeches from Minister Shaun Leane, and Mayor Cr James Tehan.

A family-friendly celebration will follow on from the official proceedings and will include:

Project Wet Weather Delays

Due to recent wet weather conditions, Council would like to advise that the projects listed below are expected to have some delays.

Jamieson Drainage Works – Grey Street, Brown Street Malcolm Street Shared Path Heavy Vehicle Alternate Route (HVAR) Stage 2 – Mt Battery Road

The Jamieson drainage works and HVAR construction are currently expected to resume in late June/early July once weather conditions clear and ground conditions improve.

The Malcolm Street Shared path will be c ompleted in two parts, the concrete path widening will commence as soon as possible in June/July (weather permitting), with the culvert works and spray seal shared path construction occurring in spring.

Kirsten Alexander, Chief Executive Officer

Additional Meeting of Council

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that an Additional Meeting of the Mansfield Shire Council will be held on Tuesday 4 July 2023 at 9.00am in the Council Chamber. Business to be conducted at the meeting is as follows:

1.

P032A/21, 195 Mt Buller Road

2.

Mansfield

Other such other business as determined by the unanimous decision of the Council.

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

The refurbished Library was made possible through the Victorian Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure program.

BANG FOR BUCK: Boaters will see their licence and registration fees reinvested into infrastructure around the state including the Alliance boat ramp and Jerusalem Creek boat ramp in Eildon.

ON THE ROAD: Crack sealing works.

Resealing and asphalting done

MANSFIELD Shire Council’s recent resealing and asphalting program is now complete with 29.3km of roads resealed over the 2022/23 financial year.

The total budget for the resealing and asphalting program was $2,144,696 (ex GST).

Contractors CountryWide Asphalt & Civil and Boral Asphalt were engaged to undertake extensive reseal preparation and resealing works.

This included profiling the existing road surface to stabilise any soft spots, and spray sealing the surface to provide a renewed road pavement.

Resealing works have been completed on priority sections of the following roads:

 Ancona Road, Ancona

 Apollo Street, Mansfield

 Barwite Road, Barwite

 Bon Crescent, Bonnie Doon

 Crosbys Lane, Mansfield

 Curia Street, Mansfield

 Graves Road, Mansfield

 Hearns Road, Boorolite

 Howes Creek Road, Mansfield

 Kidston Parade, Mansfield

 Merton-Strathbogie Road, Merton

 Monkey Gully Road, Mansfield

 Lake Nillahcootie Road, Barjarg

 O’Hanlon Road, Mansfield

 Olympic Street, Mansfield

 School Lane, Merrijig

Asphalting works were done on roundabouts and busy street sections. Although asphalting is more expensive than spray sealing, it offers a longer useful life, and is more resilient to vehicles turning and accelerating on these sections of road.

Asphalting works have been completed on priority sections of the following roads:

 Apollo Street – Victoria Street Roundabout, Mansfield

 High Street Carparks (westbound lane), Mansfield

 High Street Crossovers (westbound lane), Mansfield

 Section of Highett Street

– Malcolm Street Roundabout, Mansfield

Crack sealing works were also completed.

This involves sealing the cracks on road surfaces, preventing water entering the pavement and causing further damage.

Crack sealing works have been completed on priority sections of the following roads:

 Adams Street, Mansfield

 Ailsa Street, Mansfield

 Cricket Street, Mansfield

 Elvins Street, Mansfield

 Kitchen Street, Mansfield

 Hunter Street, Mansfield

 Minerva Street, Mansfield

 Nolan Street, Mansfield

 Reynolds Street, Mansfield

 Stoneleigh Road, Mansfield

 Ultimo Street, Mansfield

 Victoria Street, Mansfield

 Village Court, Mansfield

Upgrade of an existing unsealed road intersection was completed on the intersection of Buttercup Road with Gonzaga Lane and School Lane.

These works included constructing new road pavement and applying a two-coat bituminous spray seal.

An improved road alignment was introduced at the intersection to require drivers to stop before crossing the road.

Give way signs were also installed on both sides of the road.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said the comprehensive list of works has resulted in significantly improved sealed road surfaces for residents, farmers, local businesses and other road users across the Shire.

“These road surface treatments

are important to increase the life of our roads and maintain a smoother and safer journey for all road users,” he said.

“The road resealing and asphalting program also reduces the reactive maintenance required by our field services team.

“Council thanks the contractors and all involved in completing this large program of works.

“The community are also to be thanked for their patience and support while works were underway.” he said.

Mansfield Shire are responsible for maintaining 280km of sealed roads across the Shire, however do not maintain arterial roads that are the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Planning, such as the Jamieson-Woods Point Road, Midland Highway, Maroondah Highway and the MansfieldWhitfield Road.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

DONE: Asphalting works at the High Street crossovers (after construction).

Let‘s talk about art

CREATIVE people in the Mansfield area are invited to gather for a chat about all things creative.

Artists, crafters, photographers, musicians, and anyone with an interest in creative activities is invited to the Delatite Hotel on June 29 at 5:30 pm.

Arts Mansfield President Gill Belle said a social event for creatives was held in 2019, but was unfortunately stalled due to COVID.

“The idea is to bring creative people together so they can bounce their great ideas off each other and share what they are working on,” she said.

“There will be a lot of experience and support in the room and we know that when you get a group of creative people together, great ideas tend to ignite.”

Gill said it will be a relaxed social event with nibbles being served and drinks available at bar prices.

“Come along any time from 5:30pm until 7pm – there is no need to register, it is free to attend and you can be assured there won‘t be any ice–breakers or awkward networking activities,” she promised.

Market move proven popular

By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY

AN eleventh hour decision to change the venue for the King’s Birthday weekend Bush Market may just have been the saving grace for many traders.

Following an inspection of

the lawns in Highett Street, the usual site for bush markets, some 16 hours prior to the commencement of this long weekend event, council officers made the decision not to hold the market at that venue.

It was deemed that fol-

lowing heavy and torrential rains just days prior would have left the lawns decimated.

Moving the market to the Erril Street carpark saved many stallholders from perhaps cancelling out, while at the same time boosted the number of people staying around High Street shops.

Many of the stall holders were very happy with the relocation even though it was only 12 hours’ notice.

Mansfield Shire Council Coordinator for Economic Development – Tourism & Events, Gareth MacDonald said the process was collaborative.

“We met with the Bush Market committee on Friday morning to discuss a plan of action in response to the wet weather and saturated conditions on the median in Highett Street,” he said.

“Everyone worked together quickly to rejig plans and organise a fantastic Bush Market.

“The atmosphere was great, and one of the biggest positives was seeing wheelchair users and prams easily navigate the space, in addition to keeping dry feet.

“It could be a great site for the winter market each year, and something we will ex-

plore with the Bush Market committee for 2024.”

Andrew Storah of Mansfield Men’s Wear said he had no problems with the market being relocated to Erril Street.

“In fact it was good, I had a really good trading day and was happy to see more people in High Street,” Mr Storah said.

“I would be happy to see the bush markets moved back into High Street – keeping people in the main shopping centre, we do have room there as well.”

Mr Storah said he had received good feedback from other traders and from customers who all seemed to have enjoyed the day.

“I have had some great chats with customers and they all seem to have really enjoyed having the market more in the centre of town,” he said.

Several local people who had been spoken to on the day all agreed the market being held in Erril Street was great – “it has a wonderful country market feel to it and it is dry underfoot”, one resident told the Courier.

Mayor Cr James Tehan echoed the sentiment saying, “I received some very positive feedback from people enjoying the location and the great atmosphere in the Erril St market.”

Many have suggested the market be held there again.

CROWDS GALORE: Visitors to the bush market browsed the stalls enjoying the dry, but chilly weather.

THE ENTERTAINER: Chris Hoffman kept the crowds entertained with a range of music.

COLORFUL ENTRY: The walk way entry into the bush market in High Street.

PHOTOS: Pam Zierk-Mahoney

Teenager survives Mt Buller crash

A TEENAGER has escaped uninjured after driving his vehicle off a cliff at Mount Buller on June 10.

The 18-year-old Warrnambool man was travelling along Mount Buller Road at Mirimbah shortly before 11 pm when his Holden Trailblazer left the road and fell three metres.

The vehicle rolled and collided with trees, which stopped it from descending further down the mountain.

Combined efforts from emergency services and a local towing company helped secure the vehicle and escort the driver to safety.

Mansfield SES

Controller Ros Fauvel confirmed SES and Fire Rescue Victoria’s High Angle Rescue team attended the incident.

Mt Buller’s snow season started last week and is expected to welcome thousands of tourists

Recycled water a big hit

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

MORE than five million litres of water have been delivered through Mansfield’s new purple recycled water standpipe located on the corner of Withers Lane and Dead Horse Lane since it was installed a year ago.

The standpipe was constructed by Goulburn Valley Water in collaboration with Mansfield Shire Council, to create access to treated, recycled water to help reduce dependence on the potable water supply.

The standpipe provides Class B recycled water, suitable for use during construction works, or for watering sports fields, golf courses and more.

It also complements the use of recycled water already in place at the Mansfield Golf Club to irrigate greens in a sustainable way.

The recycled water standpipe is designed to reduce pressure on drinking water supplies by providing an alternate source of water for non-drinking purposes.

GVW Managing Director Steve Capewell said GVW was committed to finding sustainable water supply options to support a circular economy.

ability of our water sources,” he said.

“The Mansfield water catchment is highly dependent on rainfall, which is being impacted by the changing climate.

“Finding new ways to use recycled wastewater will also help with long-term management of sustainable water sources and improve water security for the region.”

Mansfield Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Alexander said Council was grateful to partner with GVW on the initiative.

“Our community places high value on our environment and sustainability,” she said.

“Our population has tripled its forecasted growth and as our town grows, we’re pleased for opportunities that complement our strategy for sustainable growth.

“Using recycled water for these resource intensive works ensures we are more environmentally sustainable.

“We continue to work with GVW to develop other opportunities for recycled water.”

USEFUL TO THE COMMUNITY: The recycled water decreases reliance on potable water for irrigation.

“Our first recycled water standpipe in Euroa was really successful, and it’s fantastic we’ve been able to partner with Mansfield Shire Council to implement another purple standpipe to help ensure the sustain-

There is also opportunity for further development, including plans to install a new dump point for RVs and a potable water standpipe, seating and tables as well as information signage highlighting Taungurung history.

The standpipe has access for large tanker trailers and is available 24/7 for contractors.

Love at first flight

By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY

WHAT started as a joke from bride Georgia Pistor turned out to be the best day of the newlywed’s life.

When Georgia and Travis MacFarlane got engaged at Easter this year they decided to elope, so it was going to be a very quick wedding.

They knew they did not want to wait too long to tie the knot and jokingly the bride suggested a hot air balloon wedding.

“I said it as a joke as I am terrified of heights (she won’t even get on a plane) but once said, Travis took it seriously and said, ‘it had to be’,” Georgia explained.

From there it was full on planning, but as Georgia described, all the plans just fell into place and the people and businesses of Mansfield were “just great”.

May 27 was the big day for the couple who come from Howlong, NSW and started their wedding day (at 4am) with the hot air balloon taking off at 7am and were blessed with near perfect weather – calm and serene, barely any wind.

Organised well beforehand, the couple had many helping hands and experts

to record their day. The balloon ride was through Global Ballooning Australia with Lovers Land Celebrant Rebecca Vincent officiating.

Before the ride took place Georgia was ‘groomed’ by Tara-Emily makeup artist and for her mum, Michelle Spierings, Kylie Warren of KL Hair for styling, Edith & May florist supplied the bouquet and men’s button holes while photographer and videographer Josh Brnjac captured all the moments for the couple’s keepsakes.

Originally from Adelaide Georgia said they had lived in Howlong for only three years but had first met while in Tasmania.

“If it wasn’t for the fact that my family live in Adelaide I would move to Mansfield to live – it is just so lovely there,” she said.

“Following the wedding the day’s celebrations continued with a breakfast, lunch at the Buller Road Brewery, then a dinner at Anvil and a week cruising Lake Eildon on a houseboat.

“It was just perfect and everyone who helped out for the wedding and afterwards were so nice and helpful,” Georgia said.

Monday 26th June 2023

START THE RISE: Georgia Pistor and Travis MacFarlane wait for the balloon to fully fill before taking off for their ‘high rise’ wedding in Mansfield.

I DO: It was the moment Georgia Pistor and Travis MacFarlane said ‘I Do” while flying high over Mansfield Valley.

VOWS: with cameras ready and rolling George and Travis take their vows.

PHOTOS: Josh BrnjacJoshy Photography

PETS

A range of rocks for children to decorate. Crete your own special pet rock.

Tuesday 27th June 2023

CINEMA DAY

Head down to the Cinemas for movie

Wednesday 28th June 2023

SPORTS DAY

Come dressed in your favourite sport team. Head down to the sports oval for team games.

Thursday 29h June 2023

Friday 30th June 2023 ROCK

COOKIE DECORATING

with icing and yummy toppings.

MINI GOLF

Mini Golf for a game of Mini Golf and a treat of hot chips.

Monday 3rd July 2023

CUPCAKE DECORATING

Time to get creative and decorate your own yummy cupcake with delicious toppings.

Tuesday 4th July 2023

FRIENDSHIP BRACELET MAKING & PIZZA DAY own special or even make one for someone else Making day.

Wednesday 5th July 2023

TIE DYE DAY

Bring in a white item of clothing to turn into something colourful!.

Thursday 6th July 2023

SALT DOUGH

Get creative side and sculpt your own salt dough masterpiece.

Friday 7th July 2012

STORYTIME AT

new ry and

Jamieson, our own top tiny town

By EMMA OLIVER

IT’S no secret that Jamieson is Victoria’s top tiny town, so let’s make it official, and crack open that champagne, light those sparklers and throw those streamers.

There are only a few days left to let the rest of the state know just how excellent Jamieson is, so place those votes and get Jamieson the recognition it so rightly deserves.

One of five finalists for the

2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism

Town Awards in the Tiny Tourism Town category, Jamieson is in contendership with Aireys Inlet, Murchison, Noojee and Red Hill South, all stellar locations, but they’re just not Jamieson, our own high country hideaway with its crystal clear mountain streams and friendly village atmosphere.

The Tiny Tourism Town award recognises Australian towns with a population under 1500 people that offer amazing visitor experiences and are committed to increased visitation to their region.

Seventeen applications were received for this category and each submission was evaluated by three judges, overseen by the chair and an independent auditor.

“We are thrilled at making the finals,” said Franzi Weiss, who headed up the submission.

“We were able to put forward a strong entry that highlights how much is on offer, which is so exciting.”

Mayor Cr James Tehan congratulated Jamieson and all those involved in the submission.

“A community–led entry saw the passion of the residents captured and their slogan ‘feel the beauty‘ sums it all up,” he said.

“Jamieson is a hidden treasure – a tiny town nestled deep in the mountains, and we want to recognise the hard work that the Jamieson community does around tourism, how amazing and beautiful the town is, and the experiences they offer to the many visitors to our shire.

“Mansfield Shire benefits greatly from tourism and awards like these

are a great way to let people know about our tiny towns.”

The cut-off for the public vote is this Thursday June 22, so let’s make our feelings known and throw our support behind Jamieson, our own top tiny town. Cast your vote via the Victorian Tourism Industry Council website.

 PRETTY SPECIAL: Jamieson is one of five finalists in the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards in the Tiny Tourism Town category.

Malcolm Street shared path works commence

CONSTRUCTION of a new sealed shared path on the northern side of Malcolm Street commenced on June 12 and is expected to finish by the end of July.

Works will take place between 8am and 5 pm between the intersection of Malcolm St with Ultimo St and extend to the intersection with Kidston Pde.

Works will include the following:

 Preparation and sealing of new sections of the path.

 Reconstruction and widening of an existing section of the path.

 Spray sealing of the new shared path, including across existing gravel driveways.

 Street crossings with line markings.

 Installation of signage (including give-way and bike signage).

 Installation of U-bars at crossings.

 Culvert construction as required.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said it was an exciting project for the community

“The shared path, once completed, will help to provide a safer route for all footpath users and enhance connectivity to transport, schools, and local businesses,” he said.

“It will also create a more attractive area for residents and visitors.

“Council thanks the community for their feedback and engagement in helping to bring this project to fruition.”

Residents will still have access to their properties while works are underway, but are advised to use onstreet parking where possible.

Residents will be directly notified by the contractor about specific details regarding work times and requirements.

Traffic management will be in place with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h.

Drivers are advised to follow any signage and travel safely when in the area.

Members of parliament visit Lake Eildon

STATE Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish had the opportunity to show off Lake Eildon‘s thriving boating industry to Shadow Minister for Boating and Fishing, Roma Britnell MP in a recent visit to the area.

Ms Britnell visited Bonnie Doon, Goughs Bay and Eildon to see the thriving boating industry infrastructure.

Ms McLeish and Ms Britnell spoke with local stakeholders and discussed areas for improvement to unlock tourism potential.

Ms McLeish said, “I am always proud of show off my electorate, particularly the unique beauty and businesses found in and around Lake Eildon.

“Lake Eildon is leading the way in manufacturing boats and house boats.

“It was great to have the shadow minister here to see the thriving industry firsthand.

“There are opportunities to

make improvements in the area to increase business, tourism, and untapped potential for use on and around the pondage including fishing and non–motorised water activities.

“I know locals are eager to see happen.

“The state government needs to make investment so Eildon and the surrounding areas can reach its full potential.”

Ms Britnell said, “Tourism from fishing and boating massively contributes towards jobs, regional growth and recovery and this has never been more vital following the devastation of last year‘s floods the ongoing impacts being felt from Covid lockdowns.

“Lake Eildon has the equivalent of six to seven Sydney Harbours of water, and this beautiful natural asset has huge potential to be an even greater tourist destination.”

Eildon water management questioned

By SAMUEL O’BRIEN

CONCERNS of another flooding event have been reignited last week as heavy rain brought Lake Eildon to almost 100 per cent capacity.

As of last week, Lake Eildon was at 95.6 per cent of its capacity, up more than two per cent from the week before due to significant rain in the region.

In response to the heavy rainfall, Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) increased minimum release on Wednesday to ensure that Eildon releases, when combined with flows from downstream tributaries, do not contribute to high flows in the Goulburn River.

GMW said it is managing the storage to target filling points for the winter and spring. When wetter conditions are experienced the aim is to fill Lake Eildon by November 1.

Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish claimed the Victorian Government had taken minimal action despite warnings and are now undertaking “reactionary releases”.

“Communities on the Goulburn and its tributaries are still trying desperately to recover from the October 2022 floods and feel like they are behind the eight-ball living in fear that this could

happen again,” she said

“With common sense management, the risk of future flooding could be mitigated.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s three-month climate outlook indicates that, as at June 1, there is less than a 20 per cent chance of above median rainfall for June to August for northern Victoria.

GMW River Operations Manager Andrew Shields said GMW would continue to operate Lake Eildon to meet the set targets.

“Releases through to the end of June will vary according to inflows to the storage and take into account flows into the Goulburn River from

downstream tributaries,” he said.

“Based on the current storage volume and recent inflows to the storage, additional releases over the coming weeks will be required.”

MP McLeish said immediate action and better communication was needed to protect local communities.

“The Government needs to stop passing the buck and take responsibility for managing water levels in consultation with local communities,” she said.

GMW said it will meet with landowners again later in the month to discuss the management plans for Lake Eildon.

We focus on the details

APPROACHING FULL: Lake Eildon is at 95.6 per cent of its capacity as of last week.

SEAWORTHY: Mike Dalmau from High Country House Boat Sales with Roman Britnell MP and Cindy McLeish MP.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Which midmorning meal serves as both breakfast and lunch (6)

8 What was the given name of the Dickens character, Scrooge (8)

9 Which term describes a half-breed (6)

10 Who looks on the bright side of things (8)

11 What is a female peacock (6)

13 Name the Spanish politician who was the founder of the Spanish Socialist party, Pablo ... (8)

16 What is a wolf spider also known as (8)

19 Which fin is generally developed on the back of aquatic vertebrates (6)

22 Name a game played frequently in the USA (8)

24 Which spotted, leopard-like cat is found in the Americas (6)

25 What is a trapezoidal zither with metal strings (8)

26 Which bush tucker is made of flour and water (6)

DOWN

2 What is a word, agreeing with another in terminal sound (5)

3 Name a cardinal point of the compass (5)

4 What is devotion to pleasure (8)

5 Which term describes a religious denomination (4)

6 Name the messenger of the gods (6)

7 What was the former official name of Iran (6)

12 What is an indefinitely long period of time (4)

14 Who is the master of an inn (8)

15 What is the 15th March known as (4)

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.

SUDOKU

17 Which major planet has 15 small planets (6)

18 What is a long, narrow excavation in the ground (6)

20 Which term describes a cold (5)

21 What is a sun-dried brick (5)

23 What is the culmination of something (4)

QUICK THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

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

(b)

(c)

(a)

(b)

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:

Break-even point (3)

Estimate (abb) (3)

Garden flower: sweet ... (3)

Guide (5)

Military instrument (5)

Mixture of metals (5)

Normal (7)

Of the laity (3)

Repel (7)

Student

SOLUTIONS

Lantern festival shines bright

ERRIL Street was bustling once again this weekend as Mansfield celebrated its annual Lantern Festival, marking the Winter Solstice with plenty of cold weather activities.

More than 2000 people attended the nighttime event on Saturday with visitors from Milawa, Pakenham, Shepparton, Altona, Brighton and everywhere in

between taking part in the festivities.

A 300-strong parade launched the night, showcasing a variety of lanterns and creative designs.

The chilly night was warmed by delicious hot food and a spectacular fire breathing display Festival goers could purchase light-up rainbow crowns, swords or even de-

fend the galaxy with blue lightsabres.

There were plenty of photo opportunities too, with the whole street decked in a variety of lights, fires and even a photo booth.

Organiser Alli Walker thanked the community businesses, local organisations and the Mansfield Shire Council for their support of the event.

IMPRESSIVE ART: Andrew and Sarah Marshall (pictured) created a beautiful lantern.

ALL AGES: Mack Hunt (pictured) had a dragon lantern that wowed all. PHOTOS: Hannah Kennelly

MUSIC: There was planty to boogie down to as DJ pumped up the tunes.

PHOTO: Hannah Kennelly

FIRE: A display by Chris Morant (pictured) enthralled visitors.

PHOTO: Samuel O’Brien

ALL SMILES: (From left) CJ Marks, Shannon Kavanagh, Taela Vaughan and Toni Maynes were all out enjoying the food, music and fun.

PHOTO: Samuel O’Brien

North East regional news in brief

Stranded in flood water

TWO rescue operations to save trapped individuals surrounded by floodwater were undertaken around Euroa recently.

Both situations resulted from the moderate flooding of Sevens Creek, which led to flooding of flood–prone locations throughout the Strathbogie Shire and peaked at 4.3 metres before subsiding.

Leading Senior Constable Lucas Paul of Euroa police confirmed a man in his 60s and his dog had been marooned on a paddock in Sevens Creek Park on Friday as floodwater surrounded them.

Two members of Shepparton Search and Rescue rescued the man and his dog using an inflatable boat, while a Victoria Police helicopter monitored the scene overhead (on standby) and Euroa SES members were in attendance.

Shepparton Search and Rescue vice president Michael D’Elia said the man, camping on a high piece of land, was surrounded by flowing water just over waist–deep.

Mr D’Elia said Victoria Police had requested assistance from SES, who then contacted Shepparton Search and Rescue as their crew is in possession of an inflatable rescue boat suitable for the operation.

After the rescue crew brought the man and his dog to dry land, Shepparton Search and Rescue transported the man in their vehicle to Ambulance Victoria.

The following night

another recue, also undertaken by Shepparton Search and Rescue using their inflatable boat, was a higher risk situation as two men sat trapped atop their car which was mostly submerged in deep, flowing floodwater.

Footage of one man in his seventies and his son in his forties trapped atop their car was aired on national TV news, while national print news outlets also covered the rescue.

7 Eleven kicks off in North East

A 7-ELEVEN convenience store and 8-pump fuel station is proposed for a site on the corner of Ryley and Perry streets in Wangaratta.

The application proposes a new service station of modern design covering the site of 2415m2.

The proposal is for:

 8 fuel pumps;

 7-Eleven pay station

and convenience store with a floor area of 203m2;  11 parking bays including a disabled space;  one loading bay; and  signage, some of which will be illuminated.

It is proposed to operate the service station 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Access is proposed from Ryley Street and Perry Street.

This comes after news earlier in the year that 7 Eleven planned on opening several new locations in the North East, with Wangaratta and Benalla to be the first.

The idea is part of the company’s ‘regional growth strategy’.

Gold mine becomes military test site

NAGAMBIE is now home to the Underwater Explosive Test Facility (UETF), a unique facility for testing explosives, the Department of Defence has confirmed. Defence Science and

& Beauty guide

Technology Group’s Stu Cannon recently spoke about the facility at an Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) conference.

In a recording of his talk available on YouTube, Mr Cannon said the facility is an open cut, former gold mine.

Little public information regarding the UETF was available until mid–May this year, when Mr Cannon’s talk was published on YouTube and the Department of Defence published an online factsheet regarding the facility.

A Defence spokesperson said the facility was commissioned in April 2021.

At the recent ATSE conference, Mr Cannon spoke about different uses for the facility, including commercial testing of equipment that goes aboard ships and submarines. He said defence, security and police are also considering using the facility for diver training.

TRAPPED: Two men, one in his seventies and his son in his forties, sat trapped atop their car as fast–flowing, approximately 1.6 metre deep floodwater surrounded them. The men reportedly drove into floodwater after mistaking it for a large puddle.

Opening weekend remains busy despite lack of snow

DESPITE the lack of snow keeping ski lifts closed, opening weekend at Hotham and Fall Creek resorts saw the usual crowds enjoying what was on offer.

General manager of operations at Hotham, Len Dobell, said the weekend was exciting with many things to do.

“There wasn’t quite enough snow for skiing but we had some fresh snow on the Friday night and the snow guns were running so there was lots of snow play,” he said.

“I think it was the usual number of people we’d see on opening weekend, even without the lifts, there were probably more day trip visitation from alpine towns but the rest of the resort

looked very busy as well.

General manager of Falls Creek’s Frueauf Village, Brett Williams, said everyone had a great time at the resort.

“Considering we had no ski lifts open everyone seemed to have a really good time and there was enough snow for kids to play on,” he said.

“The bars and restaurants seemed to be full as well, I think visitation was a little lower than the last couple of years but it was reasonably good and is looking healthy for the season.”

Search for bank teller accused of stealing

$121,000

POLICE are looking for Shepparton man Kuol Mawien Kuol.

The 25-year-old is wanted on warrant for failure to appear in court in relation to fraud and drug matters. The fraud matters relate to allegations he stole $121,000 from bank accounts while he worked as a bank teller in Shepparton and Kyabram.

Mr Kuol is described as 180cm tall with a slim build and dark hair.

He is known to frequent the Melbourne and Shepparton areas, as well as travelling interstate to NSW, including to the Pyrmont and Merrylands areas

Anyone who sees Mr Kuol or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

PHOTO: Victoria Police

property of the week

EXCLUSIVE GOULBURN RIVER FRONTAGE - 4 ACRES

‘Scotts Mist’ is situated just a few minutes drive from Jamieson Township. Offering an exclusive and tightly held position on the banks of the tranquil Goulburn River with over 220 meters of your own river access.

Cedar home with open plan living and dining showcases vaulted timber ceilings, cosy

rumpus/3rd bedroom, central kitchen with gas cooking and dishwasher. Two generous sized bedrooms with built in robing, all with leafy views to the garden. The functional laundry leads off the kitchen, spacious bathroom with loads of cupboard storage, skylight, shower and WC. Stepping away from the house and down to the

bubbling Goulburn River, you immediately feel a sense of calmness rush over you. The smells, the picnic, read or write a book, meditate or just stop and take a moment to appreciate nature. Colourbond shed approx 12m x 6m with power shedding.

Assortment of productive fruit trees including lemon, lime, pear and grapefruit. Live permanently, holiday here or earn an income with high demand for permanent and holiday rentals. The property is currently self-managed as a holiday rental and is being offered furnished, walk-in walk-out basis.

Agent Nutrien Harcourts Amanda Nieuwenhuizen 0407 770 548 / 5775

Sarah Stegley Sarah recognised with Order of Australia

HOWQUA-local Sarah

Stegley was recently awarded a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia under The King’s Birthday 2023 Honour List.

On a local scale, Sarah was the founding member and president of the Howqua Valley Landcare Group, an organisation that dates back to the 1980s - one of the earliest Landcare groups in the state.

Sarah was a member of the Mansfield Mullum Wetlands group, a group that was instrumental in developing and ensuring the preservation and protection of this vital ecosystem from potential development.

Sarah was a member of the Alpine Advisory Committee and currently is on the committee for the Mansfield Cultural Heritage and Arts Centre.

In the 80s Sarah served on the board and as chair of the Mansfield District Hospital. Her involvement with local community groups, includes the Mansfield Emergency Services Precinct committee, Project Mansfield and the Mansfield Matters Group.

“It is incredibly valuable that community members are involved in the direction that community takes,” Sarah said.

“It is the community that needs to determine the driving principles and philosophy behind development and growth.

“I’ve found that people stay here, and newcomers move here because Mansfield isn’t like everywhere else.

“Our philosophy as a community must be to maintain that difference and appreciate and build on what has been done so far to protect and enhance what Mansfield is.

“The community of Mansfield has done an extraordinarily good job maintaining our individuality and the things about the shire that make it special.

“However, we need to keep pushing for what we value - like the environment and the cultural and historical aspects of our shire, and its fabulous heritage values.

“It’s about keeping up the dialogue and maintaining

BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au

that transparency, whilst demanding the best for the region with a strong focus and an emphasis on self-determination.”

The third of six children, Sarah was 16 when she decided she wanted to follow a career in agriculture.

“I remembered going into the office of this gentleman from the Department of Agriculture, and I explained that I wanted to study agriculture at Dookie,” she said.

“His response was that I couldn’t as I was a girl.”

Now Sarah doesn’t like to be told she can’t do something – that it’s not possible.

She comes from a family of achievers, of people who look at creating solutions, a trait that has followed them all through in a variety of philanthropic endeavours.

So, Sarah applied to Massey University in New Zealand and was accepted, the one female amongst a cohort of 99 young males.

And she topped her year level.

On graduation, Sarah headed overseas.

“The travel bug hit me, and I hitch-hiked all over the globe,” she said.

What initially began as backpacking however led Sarah to Lesotho where she spent two years as a consultant for the United Nations on a food and agricultural project.

It was 1974.

Historically the communities had grown corn and millet, however the UN had plans for the small nation to transition to cash crops and consolidate its lands.

In order to do this the UN lent the community money, on the proviso that when the crops were sold the loan would be paid back, effectively indenturing the local community.

“I learnt enough of the local language to be able to advocate for the rights of the community,” she said.

“And I learnt a lot from the experience.

“I arrived in Lesotho incredibly positive - I was enjoying myself on this massive adventure – and though

I really valued my time in the country, when I left, I was quite disillusioned.

“It was my first real introduction to the mechanisms of bureaucracy, and I left questioning the practicality and integrity of the project.

“The overall philosophy driving the project was not appropriate and it was actually a disservice to the people.

“In my life I have seen this everywhere.

“However, this was the first time I became directly aware of it and was witness to the impact of poor and corrupted policies.

“As unpleasant as it was, it was a lesson learnt well.

“You only need to learn that lesson once and I’ve been awake to it ever since,” she said.

It was on her return from Africa in 1976 that Sarah was cast in the role of philanthropist.

With the untimely death of her father and mother a few years earlier, Sarah along with brother Brian (now deceased) and sister Kristin took over primary roles as trustees within the family’s Stegley Foundation.

A private philanthropic

trust set up by Sarah’s parents Brian and Shelagh Stegley (the founders of Stegbar Windows) the Foundation directed funding towards disability, Aboriginal wellbeing and self-determination, and to older Australians – financing ground-breaking initiatives that were quite revolutionary at the time.

Another key difference of the trust was the proactive nature of its implementation with the trustees’ approaching organisations that worked in their priority areas, asking them to determine what would make a difference.

“The foundation was driven by increasing social justice through structural change,” Sarah said.

As trustees, Sarah, Brian and Kristin distributed well over $7 million to Victorian charities and community groups over the lifespan of the trust, with the foundation finally wrapping up in 2001.

“Capital within the Foundation was there to be disbursed, rather than re-invested to generate interest,” said Sarah.

“It was not set-up in perpetuity.

HOWQUA-LOCAL: Sarah Stegley awarded a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia under The King’s Birthday 2023 Honour List.

“The money was spent wisely on a variety of initiatives and endeavours, over the period of time that would have been our parents’ natural lifetime if they both had not passed away at the young age of 53.

“It was honouring their legacy and finishing a very important job that they had started.”

Adding to this extensive list of achievements, Sarah was also the founding member of the Australian Association of Philanthropy, as well as Women in Philanthropy, and Australians Investing in Women, whilst carving out a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

During these years, Mansfield and the Mansfield Shire were a grounding influence, a place at first to visit and later to call home.

The Stegley family’s connection to the region dates back to 1956, to the year that Lake Eildon was flooded.

Sarah’s father and his crew from Stegbar Windows came up on a long weekend, and on a block jutting out into the waters of Eildon near Jamieson, they erected a family holiday home.

“It is one of the first pre-

MOST unusually, both sisters have been honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday honour list.

Kristin Stegley has also been recognised for her years of contribution to Heritage in Victoria, in particular her dedication to the National Trust of Victoria.

fabricated houses in Victoria,” said Sarah.

The house is still in the Stegley family, with sister Kristin and husband David Vivian often staying there, having painstakingly restored it.

Sarah lives around the corner in the Howqua Valley, on the banks of the river.

As part of Howqua Valley Landcare Group, Sarah and all the members of the HVLCG are intent on ensuring the health of the local waterway and ecosystems.

“The Howqua community is just one group within the shire that I have the privilege to work alongside,” said Sarah.

“The shire as a whole is an amazing community and I’ve had the pleasure and good fortune to collaborate with some incredible people.

“The King’s Birthday honour list nomination is humbling, but more so because it is recognition of all these incredible people who have worked tirelessly, volunteering their time, energy and resources for the betterment of the shire.

“This award is for them.”

SISTER ACT: Kristin Stegley and sister Sarah.

LOCAL LANDCARE FOUNDER HONOURED

June

 JUNE 22: Feast for Freedom: 6:30pm – 10pm – Uniting Church Hall. Rural Australians for Refugees Mansfield presents a dinner featuring Myanmar culture and food. Tickets $40 via www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1056354

 JUNE 26 – 30: Kids Week – Mount Buller. Kid–friendly activities on offer each day of the week at Mount Buller.

 JUNE 28: Mansfield Library Grand Opening: 11am - 2pm. Official ceremony with story time, face paining, live music, giveaways and morning tea.

 JUNE 29: Arts Mansfield Connecting Creatives: 5:307:30pm - Delatite Hotel. A chance for anyone with an interest in the local arts scene to catch up and connect.

July

 JULY 1 & 2: Harry Potter Night: 6 – 8.30pm – Mansfield Library. Harry Potter–based activities for children aged 8 to 13 followed by a light supper. $15 per child; bookings essential – Mansfield Library ph 5775 8621.

 JULY 2: NAIDOC

nterest in the atch and otter Ni eld r–based n ed 15 d 1 pm n to nd with noon tea with ones. Event is

Week Launch: 2 – 4pm – Visitor Information Centre. A Welcome to Country, Smoking and Flag Raising ceremony with Aunty Bernadette Franklin followed by an Indigenous afternoon tea with music from Marty Jones. Event is free.

 JULY 2 – 9: NAIDOC Week

Exhibitions – Visitor Information Centre. Including Gadhaba photo display by Aunty Angela Ten Buuren (Franklin) and the Aboriginal Exhibition Gallery. Free entry.

 JULY 4: Mullum Wetlands Walk: 11am – 12pm – Visitor Information Centre. Discovering the range of native flora and Indigenous practices around the Mullum Wetlands. Followed by a cuppa and a yarn. Event is free but booking is essential via Mansfield Shire Council website.

 JULY 5: NAIDOC Week guest speaker: Uncle Ronald Briggs: 6pm – Mansfield Library. Hear about the upcoming referendum and what ‘The Voice‘ means to Indigenous people. Event is free but booking is essential via Mansfield Shire Council website.

 JULY 6: Weaving and Clay Ochre

Regular Events:

JUNE 26 – 30

Kids Week –Mount Buller

JULY 7

NAIDOC Week Kids Storytime with Miranda Connaughton–Kerr

Workshop: 11am – 3pm – Mansfield Library. Join Cassie Leatham in learning how to create these pieces, the story behind them and their importance. Event is free but booking is essential via Mansfield Shire Council website.

 JULY 6: Film screening: The Last Daughter: 6pm – Mansfield Armchair Cinema. A powerful film about Brenda – a one of the Stolen Generation – and her search for connections to family and culture. Event is free but booking is essential via Mansfield Shire Council website.

 JULY 7: NAIDOC Week Kids Storytime with Miranda Connaughton–Kerr: 2pm –Mansfield Library. A reading of some of Miranda‘s favourite Indigenous books. Event is free.

JULY 19 – 20

Cattleman‘s Cup – Mount Buller

 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.

 JUSTICE of the Peace Services – Every Thursday, Mansfield Police Station. 10am to 1pm for witnessing and signing of documents.

 Lima South Old Time

Dance: At Lima South Hall the second Sunday of each month between 1pm and 5pm. Entry $10. Music provided by The Ramblers. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. All welcome. Contact: 0425868277.

 Mansfield Croquet Club –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

 JULY 8: Shred for Chumpy – Mount Buller. The Mt Buller community comes together for a shred to remember Chumpy.

 JULY 13: Adams Ski and Golf Day – Mount Buller. An event for teams of four to enjoy the sporting attributes of skiing at Buller and playing golf in Mansfield whilst raising money for a worthy cause.

 JULY 19 – 20: Cattleman‘s Cup – Mount Buller. Celebration of snowboarding including a Cattleman‘s inspired Rail Plaza Jam, Hip Contest and Race–Your–Mate Slalom Course.

 JULY 27 – 28: Victorian University Championships – Mount Buller. The Championships race events include Giant Slalom, Super G, Skiercross and Boardercross.

 JULY 30: Aequales Chamber Music Quintet: 4 – 5:30pm –Mansfield Performing Arts Centre. Performing Brahms Piano Quintet in F Minor Opus 34 and Mozart Piano Concerto No 14 in E Flat K 449 as well as presenting the New Horizons Art and Poetry Awards for students. Tickets support Rural Australians for Refugees: www. trybooking.com/1062229

 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.

Always a busy week in Jamieson

JAMIESON ON THE LINE

with Carmel Dixon

JAMIESON is busy with businesses changing hands as of late.

The Courthouse Hotel changed during Christmas, the Jamieson Brewery has just recently, the service station is to have new lease holders in July, and the Jamieson General Store will also have new lease holders later in July.

We wish them all a happy and prosperous time in Jamieson.

LAST week the Jamieson community group hosted an NBN information night in the Memorial Hall,at 5:30 pm with hot sausage sizzle prior to the information event.

Charlene Donovan was the presenter and a dozen local residents attended the informative presentation. A number of attendees were helped with their questions and some had brought their laptop computers and had one-onone attention following the general session.

A most informative session with clear, concise delivery.

LAST week the Jamieson Social Ball committee met in the Memorial Hall.

The annual Ball will be held on Saturday, September 16.

The Spring Ball has been run for many years and is well received as a special date on the Jamieson calendar.

Many guests and sponsors drive from Melbourne to attend the event.

Each year there is a new theme.

Last year it was the Great Gatsby, with flappers and line dancers displaying their talents.

A chap arrived with great presence, dressed in a black and a white tie, holding a model Tommy Gun, adding to

the notorious wild era.

This year the committee decided on the 2023 ball theme ‘footy’.

Costumes will be varied from club scarves to full football regalia.

This is a family event with families already planning their attire.

There will be raffles and door prizes and a delicious supper.

Tickets will be available in Jamieson closer to the date.

All Welcome.

AS THE school holidays approach is will be a

busy week in Jamieson, with the students from Jamieson primary school and the students from Lauriston Girls campus Howqua joining together to perform at a farewell concert on Tuesday morning in the Jamieson Memorial Hall.

The Lauriston girls have worked doing community works in Jamieson and Mansfield over the month. With many community jobs being carried out, raking leaves, visiting homes and generally cheering up the whole

town with their happy disposition.

The concert is a very popular event in Jamieson and the craft ladies provide a splendid after show party fare.

The event commences at 10:30 am - all welcome.

Following the farewell concert and party, Jamieson students are having their breakup party on Tuesday afternoon at the Jamieson Café.

THIS is the final week for acting principal Kade Livermore at Jamieson

primary school.

Kade has been principal while Hannah Madin was on leave.

School term finishes on Friday and Hannah will return at the commencement of next term.

We wish Kade well and thank him for his tenure at Jamieson primary school.

ON WEDNESDAY, June 21, seven Jamieson primary school students with class teacher Kylie Hodge and Kate Berg will leave for Mt Buller for a skiing opportunity and overnight stay.

This event is part of AUS Camp and will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to broaden their horizons with other students from various schools.

The students will be returned home on Thursday on the bus in time for their final term day at school before the holidays commence.

THERE will be no church services at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church in Jamieson until August 13.

Father George Feliciouz is going away on leave. There will be services at Saint Francis Church Mansfield. We wish him safe travels.

WORKING AWAY: Lauriston girls school students attending Jamieson Craft Ladies knitting class in the Memorial Hall during their community service tenure.

Alpine Glass and Glazing

CAR ADVERTISERS

Private vendors of motor cars advertised for sale must include in their advertisement

PHOTOGRAPHS

FOUND ADVERTISEMENTS

All found advertisements are

PERSONAL ADVERTISERS

PUBLIC NOTICES

MANSFIELD AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

To be held in Luncheon Pavilion, Mansfield Showgrounds Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 7.30pm.

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: CARLY CUMMINS

To enter call Radio Mansfield on 5775 2333

EMPLOYMENT

Maintenance Officer/ Handyman Mansfield District Hospital

Are you a tradesperson or have experience working as a handyman, have excellent interpersonal skills and want to support our community, then apply now!

Position Type: Permanent Part time (0.6EFT)

Closing Date: 2nd July 2023

Position Description & application details: https://www.livehire.com/job/mdh/64CJK

Advertising Sales Support Full or Part Time Opportunity

Hours worked: Find

Administration Officer 1.0 FTE MRSSK is seeking a suitably experienced administration officer to be responsible for front desk reception, administration, and first aid. A positive outlook and the desire to work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents is essential.

More info: mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au/ career-opportunities/ Applications close June 26 or before if filled. Please send a cover letter and resume to: Glenn Hood, Principal email: admin@mrssk.vic.edu.au

Vacuum Truck Supplies

info@vacuumtrucks.com.au

Crown Cabs TAXI

DRIVERS WANTED Mansfield Area

ADDITIONS

INTERNET

Leah Scott, Sales Manager, lscott@nemedia.com.au

OVENS MURRAY

Please contact Syzen 0417 333 300

Finding

EMPLOYMENT DEATH NOTICE

ATTA (Ware), Margaret Elizabeth.

12/6/1922 - 11/6/2023

Staff wanted

Delatite Steel and Industrial Hardware are seeking a steel worker for immediate start.

Monday to Friday with occasional Saturday work. Must be strong, fit and reliable with the ability to work in a fun and fast paced environment. Training will be provided.

If you feel you may suit this position, pop into store and have a chat or email a resume to kate@yenckens.com.au

Passed away peacefully at Aged 100 years.

~ Loved and loving wife of George (dec). Much loved and cherished mother and mother-in-law of Robert and Nancy, Barry and Kaye, Janice and Gary, Rhonda and Charlie, Maree and Ian, Anthony and Roslyn. Loved and adored Nan to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Reunited with Dad.

As per Margaret’s wishes, private family funeral service has been held.

N.J. TODD

Mansfield Secondary College is seeking an INTEGRATION AIDE

Ongoing, part time, commencing 17 July 2023

Interested applicants should apply via: Department of Education Recruitment Online

For further details please contact: Timothy Hall, Principal Ph: 0400 079 302

PLANTATION and BULK SUPPLY of RADIATOR PINE

BELL, Brian “Barney”.

26/4/1940 – 18/6/2023

Passed away peacefully at his home. Loving husband of Joyce for 60 happy years. Loved father of Darren, Steve and Tracey and father-in-law to Sherie and Sharon. Proud and loving Pa to his 7 grandchildren and partners – Luke, Barney, Sarah, Nico, Connor, Amy, Rylee and 4 great grandchildren Sadie, Leroy, Lily May, Kathryn (and Squish). Hard working hands now at rest.

FUNERAL

BELL

Mansfield’s Marketplace

2017 Holden Astra R Hatch Auto, REG (1JB6VS), 39,000kms, with RWC, decease d estate, $19,500 ONO. Ph 0408 269 229.

Phone 0448 933 999.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Barney will be held at St John’s Anglican on Monday, June 26, 2023 commencing at 1pm.

Following the service the cortege will proceed to the

2016 Nissan Navara R X D23 4WD Twin Cab, steel tray, bull bar, 124,600kms, RWC, R EG (1UW9XF) to F eb 2024, $35,000. Phone Tav 0438 217 468.

REDUCED!

WM Statesman (1OJ9OS), immaculate condition, 229,000km, new timing chains, p lugs, tyres, battery, Rego till April 2024, RWC, $11,000 ONO. Ph 0438 217 103.

THANKS

2017 Ford Ranger XLT, 121,000km, (1LP5RD), ARB bullbar, winch, driving lights an d canopy, suspension done, RWC, $49,950. Ph 0400 601 451.

Four students heading to state

ON Friday June 16, Mansfield Primary School (MPS) had 15 students, Mansfield Steiner had six and St Mary‘s had two students that made the journey to Benalla to represent the shire at the Regional Cross Country held at the Benalla Showgrounds.

“It was a perfect cross country day, with a cold morning start but finishing with the sun out,” said Jen Driessen, the sport and physical education coordinator at MPS.

“All students ran hard and cheered even harder.

“It’s a tough event to compete in and all students should be commended for making it this far.

“It was also great to see so many supporters there cheering on all Mansfield students, so thank you to

all those parents and family members for their support.”

Ms Driessen extended a massive congratulations to the four MPS students who placed in the top 12, guaranteeing them a place at State, which will be on Thursday, July 13.

“Well done to Zali Hopkins who places fourth, Rachel Mercieca who placed sixth, Cooper Hoebergen who placed third and Jack Clydesdale who placed third,” she said.

“It’s an amazing achievement.”

MEDAL

Mansfield netballers shine at State Association Championship

THERE was plenty of Mansfield representation at the recent Netball State Association Championship.

Mansfield residents

Latoya Wards and TeAna

Wards coached the Goulburn Valley Under 17s Netball Rep team which included prominent Mansfield player and Sportsperson of the Year nomination recipient Jessica Dolling.

Head Coach Wards said the girls performed extremely well.

“The 17s representative side beat the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League in the Grand Final

at the North East Regional Association championships to progress to the State Association Championship Titles at the State Netball Centre in Parkville,” she said.

“Unfortunately, our girls didn’t make the final, but they played brilliantly.”

Despite the loss, head coach Latoya Wards was very pleased with the team’s efforts.

“It was an honour to coach the GVFNL representative side alongside my sister TeAna and give Jessica an opportunity to play with and against some of the best under 17s netballers in the state,” she said.

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.

Winter bowls continues in wet

BOWLS

By LYN FOOTS

WINTER is finally upon us with the wet weather beginning to affect our bowling.

Last Friday saw 14 committed bowlers having a crack with the winners on the being Noel Jackson, Steve Lewis and Anne Wileman with 2 wins and 30pts from Nikko, Lyn Holland and Ian Morley with 1 win and a draw 26pts.

Social bowls will continue over the winter months weather permitting with both days starting at 1pm.

Sunday saw a nice field of nine players enjoying indoor bowls in the warmth and with some yummy afternoon tea with the winners on the day being Rick Nichols, Belinda Snider and Anne Wileman with 2 wins 34pts from Noel Jackson and Dawn Jones with 2 wins 32pts. Indoor bowls is open to anyone wishing to have a go.

$7.00 per player with names in by 12.30pm with play beginning at 1pm.

Phone the club on 5775 2257 and leave your name or there is a list outside on the noticeboard.

U14 Boys 1 47 def by Dandenong 2 48

(Top Scorers: Keoni Anderson 14, Charlie Voss 12, Harris Kain 8)

U14 Boys 2 45 def Surfcoast 44

(Top Scorers: Brock Buckland 15, Joseph Milton 13, Michael Moylan 9)

U14 Girls 1 40 def by Sandringham 2 49

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 17, Lily Purss 8, Maisey Moscrop 6)

U14 Girls 2 24 def by Eltham 5  41

(Top Scorers: Kaity Ford 9, Paige Ely 6, Maria Hanley 6)

U16 Boys 1 61 def Bulleen 2 33

(Top Scorers: Connor Breheny 11, Dashiell Smith 10, Charlie Maher 8)

U16 Boys 2 39 def Altona 2 28

(Top Scorers: Lenny Lonergan 14, Sam Kain 8, Mateo Hanley 7)

U16 Girls 1 76 def Knox 1 40

(Top Scorers: Mekenzie Wood 18, Molly Moylan 17, Elise Napier 9)

U16 Girls 2 54 def Broadmeadows 2 24

(Top Scorers: Sophia Kotzur 16, Lexus Flower 10, Portia Johnston 8)

U18 Boys 1 76 def Camberwell 1 70

(Top Scorers: Coen Ainsworth 18, Frank Oguche 18, Caleb Wharepapa 13)

U18 Boys 2 64 def Altona 2 48

(Top Scorers: Nic Watson 18, James Frazer 13, Cam Cooper 11)

U18 Girls 59 def Wyndham 40

(Top Scorers: Jess Freeman 21, Milly Evans 19, Montanna Burke 9)

YLM 67 def by Mornington 131

(Top Scorers: Hugo Cusack 20, Jesse King 16, Isaac Plummer 11)

GAME FACE: 15 students from Mansfield Primary School represented the shire at the Regional Cross Country which was held in Benalla on June 16.

OH WHAT A FEELING: Team MPS were pumped and ready to run at the Benalla Showgrounds.

GLORY: MPS students Cooper Hoebergen and Jack Clydesdale both placed third in their respective age groups and will now be heading to State to content the title.

BIG SMILES: The GVL U17 Netball Rep.

PHOTO: Latoya Wards

GVFNL NETBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

ALL OVER THE COURT: CENTRE BELLA RILEY (PICTURED) MADE SURE THERE WERE PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR THE HOME SIDE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE COURT.

Mansfield Eagles A Grade vs

-

JESS DOLLING

Kyabram Bombers

Photos by Sandra Lee Photography

MEG MAHONEY

EMILY HUTCHINS

PRESSURED: JESS DOLLING (RIGHT) PASSES TO BELLA RILEY (LEFT) UNDER STRONG KYABRAM DEFENCE.

MARK: NELLE COUSINS (PICTURED) MADE SURE KYABRAM DID NOT SCORE EASILY.

CATCH: AMY DIXON-RIELLY KEPT THE BALL IN MANSFIELD’S HANDS, MOVING IT DOWN THE COURT FOR HER TEAMMATES TO SHOOT INTO GOAL.

NELLE COUSINS

SCORE: MANSFIELD PUT UP A FIGHT, SCORING MANY GOALS AGAINST KYABRAM’S DEFENCES. PICTURED: JESS DOLLING.

Eagles put on strong defence to tough Kyabram sides

GVFNL NETBALL

UNDER 15S

By JACOBA TANNER

Mansfield 43 def by Kyabram 52

Best on Court - sponsored by Mansfield Armchair Cinema : Annie Thompson Coaches Award - sponsored by Café 41: Jacoba Tanner

THE under 15s had a close game with Kyabram this Saturday.

In the first quarter, Ky come out on top leading us by a couple of points.

We went into second quarter moving a few positions around and with some great play we were running even all the way up to third quarter.

Another change and Mansfield girls come out leading by a couple points moving into last quarter getting goal for goal Kyabram got their confidence up after getting a couple up on us and come out with the win.

A great game for the under 15s and thanks to Nelle for coaching us.

UNDER 17S

By MOLLY JUDGE

Mansfield 49 def by Kyabram 67

Best on Court - sponsored by Café 41: Amelia Clydesdale Coaches Award - sponsored by O’Malleys Pizza: Molly Judge

ON Saturday the under 17s stepped out on court hungry for the win.

In the first quarter the game was goal for goal before they slowly started getting away from us.

The defenders in the ring Molly and Mia were putting amazing defensive pressure on the shooters making it harder for them to get the ball.

Our mid courters Remy, Bri, Harper and Isabelle were making good drives making it hard for the opposition to turn the ball over.

The game was close with lots of great netball.

Our shooters Jess and Amelia were on fire getting all their rebounds and shooting some incredible long bombs.

The girls all played very well.

B RESERVE

By TYLA CIARMA

Mansfield 28 def

by Kyabram 44

Best on Court - sponsored by Simpsons Fuel: Caroline Trenfield Coaches Award - sponsored by MFNC: Tyla Ciarma

WITH Kyabram coming over to Mansfield the B Ressies team knew it was going to be a physical game to fight out.

The opponents started out strong getting ahead in the first quarter, but all girls put their best efforts to play and slowed their game down.

The game became a close contest and Mansfield had a winning third quarter.

The last quarter brought a tough and physical game with Mansfield trying to come back to even the scores.

It was an exciting game with great play, tough

pressure and defence, multiple turnovers. While the girls played a great game and gave it their all, Kyabram were just that bit stronger and came out with the win.

B GRADE

By ALICE LANGLEY

Mansfield 27 def

by Kyabram 59

Best on Court - sponsored by Alpine Home: TeAna Wards Coaches Award - sponsored by Joanne Holt: Alice Langley

KYABRAM got the jump early on the Eagles in the first quarter with the girls taking a bit to get settled.

The girls played catch up for most of the first half but found better flow by half time.

Defenders Becca Sanderson and Matisse Gardiner forced Kyabram to reassess their attack and started get hands to balls or forced errors in the ring. Fresh legs and a change of goal and mid court combinations saw Eagles take back control of the third quarter scoring 12 goals and outscoring Ky.

The final break plus some injury time allowed both the Ward and Judge sister combos to take the court together for the first time.

A GRADE

By AMY DIXON-RIELLY

Mansfield 30 def

by Kyabram 37

Best on Court - sponsored by Mansfield Foodworks: Meg Mahoney

great start, gaining a four goal lead at times in the first quater, taking full control of the game.

Nelle Cousins and Emily Hutchins in the defence end worked tirelessly, their reading of the play allowed for a lot of turnover ball to be converted down the attacking end.

Joey Bailey played a shutdown WD role, making the Kyabram WA work for every ball that was fed into the ring.

Bella Riley was able to run out a nearly full game in C on a dominant Ky opposition, providing a link from attack to defence.

Alicia Foster continued this when she came on into C.

It was a tough game in WA with a rough WD using body constantly, Amy continued to provide strong drives and support around the ring to feed the goalies.

The second quarter became an arm wrestle with the momentum swinging throughout.

Scores were tied at three quarter time and we knew the last quarter was going to be a grind which we were prepared for.

We wanted to continue to take the physicality that Kyabram were consistently putting out, playing our own clean, skilful game.

The energy of the game built in the final term, the crowd for Kyabram was loud and intimidating which fuelled their side.

Meg Mahoney continued to shoot long bombs despite the noise.

Mansfield held strong but unfortunately couldn’t close out the last 10 minutes and Kyabram took the four points home.

Coaches Award - sponsored by Byrne Seeds: Amy DixonRielly

Mansfield’s A grade side had some big outs from the team ahead of the game against Kyabram, with captain Darcy CroxfordDemasi injured and Isso Anderson unavailable.

There was a lot of pressure and expectation for the game with both A grade sides searching for their first win of the season.

Sarah Anderson was a late out for the team also, still recovering from injury.

From the start it was an incredibly physical game, Jess Dolling, playing her second game of the day, withstood constant hits from a rough GK, taking the ball beautifully at GS.

Mansfield got out to a

As a team, we are extremely disappointed with the outcome of Saturday’s game however are able to take the positives out of a well fought game.

We’re building each week against quality opposition and understand the work we need to be putting in behind the scenes throughout the week so that we are as well prepared as possible to come out firing.

We are against a strong Echuca side after the bye, so that preparation will give us the best chance to produce a 60 minute performance and bring home the win.

We want to continue to work hard to make sure the results and scores of our games, reflect the talent and skill our A grade side possesses which we have shown in patches but not consistently yet this season.

PHYSICAL DEFENCE: Every score was met with fierce defence from B-Reserve Kyabram players. From left: Caroline Trenfield, Mich Kain and Sarah White. PHOTOS: Samuel O’Brien

ON THE MARK: Cassie Dolling (pictured) made sure her B-Reserve Kyabram counterpart didnt get a break.

INTERCEPTS APLENTY: Both Mansfield and Kyabram’s u17 sides put pressure on every pass as Remy Stevenson (right) passes to Isabelle Byrne (left).

CLEAR SHOT: U17’s Jess Dolling (left) passes to Remy Stevenson (right).

Mansfied junior footy returned to the Lords Oval

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

By MICHAEL BRETHERTON

SATURDAY morning saw the return of junior football to the Lords Oval and while the air was fresh, the sun was shining and the football was hot.

With reduced numbers only two teams took to the field for the under 10’s with the Hawks facing the Demons in a cracking battle for the points.

The Demons shot out of the box and started extremely well, registering many

ROUND 10

majors in what was a high scoring game for the under 10’s.

The Eagles kicked back late in the last and came charging home in a terrific effort only going down by a couple of points.

The Demons put in a terrific team game with some impressive ball movement all over the ground.

Jed Robinson had his best game for the year in the red and blue as did Mace Purday.

Dom Picone was again dominant and big Angus

Speirs had a day out in the ruck and down back.

While for the Eagles, it was a very balanced performance right across the side with no way to single out any particular player.

The ball was used well in many free flowing pieces of play.

In the under 12’s, the Bombers put in one of their best team performances for the year.

All players fulfilled their roles and brought each other into the game by hand and foot with many passages of

clean, link up play.

Hayden Kent was bullocking for the bombers taking some great high flying marks, while on ballers Lachlan Roberts, Crosby Bretherton and Jack Clydesdale worked well together sharing the ball.

Ben Bruce put in another solid performance and was dangerous around goal and Henry Yencken had good hands again as a tall marking option.

Jake Hoskin was ever reliable down back and Axel Anstee also made the most

of his opportunities in front of goal.

Tyson Parks also had a fantastic start to the game but was struck down by injury.

For the Blues, Oscar Pigdon, Levi Stevenson and Dean Mercieca tried hard all day and had many link up plays putting their skills on display.

Tommy Dowell continues to impress as does Harry Buscombe and Archie Van Clute.

The Blues finished off the day well after a slow start

MATCH RESULTS

and continue to develop each week.

For the Eagles Edi Gardner and Saxon Daykin were solid in defence all day, while consistent performers in Reeve Purday, Jay Kynnersley and Cooper Martin led well from the front.

A special thanks to Matt Vasey who does a great job umpiring each week while also teaching and mentoring the kids, thanks also to our BBQ volunteers. We look forward to getting back to the Lords oval again next Saturday.

Mansfield Eagles U17 smash giants

By CHRIS STONEY

IT was a chilly day on Sunday at home against the Benalla Giants but it was a fast start with Adam Storer kicking the first two goals along with Sam Guppy kicking the next couple straight away.

With hard work from Jack Marks, Hayden Desmond and Nick Taylor in the mid-

dle clearing the ball from fabulous rucking from Mitch Adams before we knew it the Eagles had kicked 10 goals and one behind in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Harry Craddock pop up and kick a goal, and the usual suspects Jack Marks and Sam Guppy working hard in the middle to clear the ball out.

With Ethan Pigdon being very busy on the wing col-

lecting possessions along with Astin Browning in around the ground they kept pushing it forward however we only managed one goal and three behinds.

Third quarter saw the boys keep going with ever reliable Dan Bruno dominating centre half back and taking strong marks and working well with Jaxon McCormack, Eddie Morphett,

Jackson Day and Charlie Dobson to bring it out of the back line.

Sathya Kancherla was working hard with tackling and second efforts they worked it well to bring it back down the field.

Harry Craddock popped up for another goal and Sam Guppy putting another on the board saw the boys go into the last quar-

ter with a very big lead.

The last quarter saw the boys working hard Charlie Watts recovered from a heavy knock to make an impact on the ground with his pace around the ball he fed out nicely to his team mates.

Ethan Pigdon continued to be busy on the wing and Sam Guppy working hard around the ground, Dan Bruno continued to work hard and an

all-round team effort saw the boys defeat the Giants.

The u17 Eagles 13.8 (86) deffeated the Benalla Giants 0.5 (5).

Goals: Adam Storer 5, Sam Guppy 5, Harry Craddock 2.

Awards: Reece Plumbing - Sam Guppy; Corcoran/Parker - Daniel Bruno; Sports First - Ethan Pigdon; O’Malleys Pizza - Sathyavedh Kancherla.

UNDER 17 SCOREBOARDUNDER 14 SCOREBOARDUNDER 12 SCOREBOARD

BEST: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Aaron O’Riley. BRIGHT: Lee Robinson, Tom Russell, Aidan Hargreaves, Aiden Toy, Noah McMonagle, Ethan White. GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Will Phillips 5, Riley Burrows 3, Lukas Allan 2, Aaron O’Riley 1, Corey Petersen 1, John Wohlers 1.BRIGHT: Stefan Barnard 1, Tyson Brierty

BEST: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Henry Scalzo, Jackson Hewitt, Lachlan

Suffield, Corey Petersen, Callum Bott, Jasper Bladon. COLLEGE: Jonah Massey-Chase, Tom Rebbechi, Rory Harvey, Ryan Dillon, Max McKenzie, Levi Smith. GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Will Phillips

2, Cooper Allan 1, Kaeden Burrows 1, Corey Petersen 1, William Petersen 1, Mark John White 1. COLLEGE: Charlie Lugg 2, Charlie Haring 1, Brandon Harrison 1, Rory Harvey 1, Cormac McNamara 1, Ayden Peebles 1.

Myrtleford

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Samuel Crisp, Thomas Morgan, Cooper Howden, Taj Cooper, Jock Pascoe, Jake Skahill. BENALLA

BULLDOGS: Connor Breheny, Hunter Carter, Blake Calvert, Oscar Beaton, Max Beaton, Daniel Farley. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Cooper Howden 5, Jock Pascoe 4, Oscar Benson 3, Samuel Crisp 3, Zeke Menz 2, Taj Cooper 1, Archie Mapson 1, Erik Martin 1, Liam McManus 1, Adam Morgan 1, Thomas Morgan

Jethro Novak

Benalla Giants

BEST: MANSFIELD: Samuel Guppy, Daniel Bruno, Ethan Pigdon, Sathyavedh Kancherla, Nick Taylor, Edwin Morphett. BENALLA

GIANTS: Owain Boyle, Xavier Wapling, Bryce Cooney, Max Smyth, Ryder Levy, Jaxon McCarthy. GOALS: MANSFIELD: Adam Storer 6, Samuel Guppy 5, Harry Craddock 2. Bright 0.2 1.4 1.6 2.7.19

Centrals 5.2 9.8 14.11 20.15.135

BEST: BRIGHT: Jack Thomson, angus murrells, Ethan White, Zac

Bradley, Tom Russell, Ryley West. CENTRALS: Cooper Boman, Hunter Barry, Charlie Kerwin, Jack Lewis, Daniel Eldridge, Kade Hadley.

GOALS: BRIGHT: Zac Bradley 1, Cade McGregor 1. CENTRALS: Hunter Barry 5, Cody Johnson 3, Cooper Boman 2, Hayden Currie 2, Charlie Kerwin 2, Bailey Paul 2, Charlie Curr 1, Jack Eliott-Scragg 1, Kade Hadley 1, Jack Lewis 1.

Junior Magpies - - - 1.1.7 College - - - 10.17.77

BEST: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Oliver Bladon, Zach Bott, Harry Allan, Leo Sammon, Charlie Briggs, Archie Johnson. COLLEGE: Harrison Bowman, Christian Pasquali, Lenny Sims, Sam Reid, Hudson McKenzie, Harvey Lyster. GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Jimi Pell 1. COLLEGE: Harrison Bowman

Christian Pasquali

Sam Reid

BEST: TIGERS: Xavier Dodgshun, Marlon Togolo, Archie Turner, Sam Morey, Zachariah Akers, Jaxon Wickham. KANGAROOS: Kade Jackson, Ollie Reynolds, Jamie Scheier, Kieran White, Oscar Edwards, Archie Symons. GOALS: TIGERS: Mac Correll 1. KANGAROOS: Oscar Edwards 3, Kade Jackson 3, Lachlan Downing 2, Alasdair Brett 1, Billy Hiskins 1, Eamon Mullins

Hudson Wallace

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Skylah McPherson, Cooper Boyer, Matthew Morgan, Leon Gabler, Noah Robb, Hudson Durling. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Mason Butterworth, Jackson Fry, Ryder Robertson, Billy Dyer, Nate Nicholas, Jack Montgomery. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Hudson Durling 2, Lucas McKeone 1, Max McMahon 1, Skylah McPherson 1. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Ryder Robertson 2, Jackson Fry 1, Jye Mathieson 1, Jack Montgomery 1, Kobi Thwaites 1. Mansfield -Yellow

BEST: MANSFIELD -YELLOW: Samuel Kain, Andrew Friday, Judd Turner, Nicholas Hoskin, Gus Robinson, Josh Taylor. IMPERIALS: Preston Stamp, Beau Benton, Archer Direen, Gus Marek, Wally Startin.

GOALS: MANSFIELD -YELLOW: Samuel Kain 2, Taj Kynnersley 2, Xavier Maroney 2, Archie Dunn 1, Andrew Friday 1.IMPERIALS: Harry Allen 5, Finn Hughes 1, Stanley South

Giants

BEST: MANSFIELD: Cruz Purday, Sam Hough, Zac Hotton, Toby Gerrans, Jay Hotton, Darcy Leenen. BENALLA GIANTS: Josh Hart, Liam Fielding, Josh Mathieson, Dustin McCarthy, Oliver McNulty, Harrison Skelton. GOALS: MANSFIELD: Killeen 1, James Lean 1, Orlando Miller 1, Cruz Purday 1, Mitch Rossiter 1, Mitch Storer 1. BENALLA GIANTS: Josh Hart

Kai Dervish

UNDER 17 LADDERUNDER 14

BEST: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Lukas Cannata, Tyson White, Liam Bott, Robert Stribley, Dodge Lawrey, Lane Sloan. COLLEGE: No best players have been selected. GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Archie Johnson 1, Dodge Lawrey 1. COLLEGE: No goal scorers have been selected.

BEST: TIGERS: Mia Simpson, Murphy Flanigan, Austin Whitehead, Vaughn Godenzi, Ollie Fisher, Blake Kantor. KANGAROOS: Maddox Coleman, Michael Sacco, Harry Edwards, Dayne Jeffries, Samuel Lewis, Mason Skermer. GOALS: TIGERS: Mia Simpson 2, Kobe Ackroyd 1, Blake Kantor 1, Hugh Sharp 1. KANGAROOS: Cooper Borschmann 1, Bodi Jackson 1.

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Jake Jennings, William Koers, Orlando Hunkin, Gemma Corcoran, Halen McIntyre, Charlie Matheson. BENALLA GIANTS: Thomas Mount, Xavier De Fazio, Jack Hart, Samuel Mount, Charlie Bowen, Beau Maude. GOALS: BENALLA GIANTS: Thomas Mount 3, Xavier De Fazio 2, Charlie Bowen 1, Jack Hart 1, Lucas Webster 1.

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Noah Harris, Billy McMahon, Hunter Szaraszek, Nash Durling, Louis Sanderson. BENALLA Bulldogs: Ben Wells, Ryan white, Joshua Montgomery, Nicholas White, Joshua Bamford, Oliver Parker. GOALS: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Oliver Parker 5, Oliver Wardill 3, Joshua Bamford 1, Ryan Lindsay 1, Joshua Montgomery 1.

BEST: BRIGHT: No goal scorers have been selected. CENTRALS: Samuel Elkington, sonny gales, Archie Knobel, Will Boulton, Angus Fraser, Seth Webster Mizzi. GOALS: BRIGHT: No best players have been selected. CENTRALS: Archie Knobel 2, Harvey Muraca 1.

W&DJFL

ROUND 10

Four quarter effort for Eagles Blue

W&DJFL

By CHRIS ANDERSON

THE Eagles Blue side were back on their home track this week to take on the Benalla Giants.

In what were heavy conditions following some overnight rain, the boys got off to a slow start, in a fairly even contest.

The Eagles, playing without five of our starting lineup were playing some good link

up football, however they were really struggling to move the ball deep into the forward line.

Alex Kipping and Toby Gerrans started the game well, as did Cruz Purday who provided plenty of drive from half back, picking up 12 kicks in the first quarter.

The second term saw the Giants outperform the Eagles at stoppages, where they moved the ball into their forward territory, scoring two

goals for the term to lead the Eagles by one point heading into the half time break.

After a regroup and a few positional changes, the Eagles started the second half nicely, and were able to get the ball back on their own terms.

Orlando Miller was starting to get into the game as was Zac Hotton on the wing, and James Wellborne started to make an impact in the middle.

The backline was playing some impressive football, with Sam Hough playing a terrific game at full back, and was well supported by Darcy Leenan and Max Payne.

Mitch Rossiter snagged a nice goal and when Cruz Purday scored one from a long kick after rebounding the footy from half back, the Eagles were back to their best, and enjoyed a two goal break heading into the final term.

Despite having lost their last couple of final quarters, the team stood strong against the Benalla side, and continued to play their unselfish, team oriented style of play which provided plenty of forward entries and opportunities to score.

It was great to see the defence finish the game out strongly after allowing only two points to be scored against them in the second half, with the Eagles running

out winners by 27 points.

Scores: Eagles 6.12 (48) defeated the Giants 3.3 (21)

Goals: Cruz Purday, Bodhi Killeen, James Lean, Mitch Rossiter, Orlando Miller, Mitch Storer. Coaches Awards: MFNCSam Hough; Desmond Concreting - Toby Gerrans; Purday Bricklaying - Zac Hotton

Best: Cruz Purday, Sam Hough, Toby Gerrans, Jay Hotton, Zac Hotton, Darcy Leenan.

Eagles yellow repeats win against Imperials

W&DJFL

By NICK DUNN

ROUND 10 saw us run out against the Wangaratta Imperials at home in a rematch of arguably our best performance from earlier on in the year.

Facing the team that was sitting fourth, we knew we were up for a challenge.

It was essential that we came out really hard and put a score on the board early to set the tone, and that was exactly what we did.

11

In a spectacular quarter of footy, we managed to put five goals on them through outstanding team football, and a combination of manic pressure and hard running, which released our overlap run and handball game.

Everything we had trained came together in that one quarter.

We new they would have their moments, as they have some outstanding players in their team, and would have felt they owed us one from earlier on in the year.

As the game evened out, each team had its chances.

From our point of view, what pleased us the most was our ability to alter the way we needed to play in game, and it showed we can read the game and respond accordingly.

The Imps managed the grind their way back into the contest to level the scores in the last quarter, but every time they seemed to have the momentum, we would be able to kick a settler and edge in front

again, finally holding on through a chaotic final few minutes to claim a fantastic three point win.

In such an all rounded team performance it was really difficult to name the best players.

Andy Friday and Sam Kain continued their superb years, and provided great on field leadership.

Henry Banks, outsized at almost every contest, had a great game, while the work of Judd Turner and Nick Hoskin in their run with

roles, quelled the influence of their best player, while gathering heaps of the footy themselves.

In them sacrificing their role for the team, it allowed our other midfielders like Andy and Gus Robinson to play really attacking footy out of the middle for us.

Pheobe Guppy was asked to play a different role up forward for us and bring her pressure game to lock the ball in up there.

She did an outstanding job and bobbed up with a

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

BENALLA

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE:

Benalla All Blacks 31 def by Milawa 73; King Valley 38 def by Tarrawingee 43; Goorambat 44 def Bright 21; Moyhu 31 def by Greta 52; North Wangaratta 13 def by Whorouly 43

B GRADE:

Benalla All Blacks 40 def by Milawa 42; King Valley 48 def Tarrawingee 26; Goorambat 42 def Bright 31; Moyhu 13 def by Greta 38; North Wangaratta 49 def Whorouly 48

B RESERVE:

Benalla All Blacks 37 def by Milawa 40; King Valley 32 drew with Tarrawingee 32; Goorambat 16 def by Bright 74; Moyhu 37 def by Greta 44; North Wangaratta 27 def by Whorouly 59

C GRADE:

Benalla All Blacks 27 def Milawa 23; King Valley 18 def by Tarrawingee 48; Goorambat 28 def by Bright 38; Moyhu 22 def by Greta 61; North Wangaratta 31 def by Whorouly 47

UNDER 15:

Benalla All Blacks 22 def Milawa 20; King Valley 35 def

Tarrawingee 24; Goorambat 11 def by Bright 21; Moyhu 16 def by Greta 37; North Wangaratta 17 def by Whorouly 36

ROUND 12

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

BRIGHT vs BONNIE DOON

GRETA vs MILAWA

TARRAWINGEE vs GOORAMBAT

NORTH WANGARATTA vs BENALLA ALL BLACKS

MOYHU vs WHOROULY

KING VALLEY - BYE

couple of shots on goal.

Mansfield Eagles Yellow

8.13 (61) defeated the Wangaratta Imperials JFC

8.10 (58)

Captains’ Choice award: Judd Turner (Mansfield FNC), Nick Hoskin (Mansfield Hunting and Fishing)

Coaches Awards: Pheobe Guppy (Adrian Caminos Paint and Create)

Best: Kain, Friday, Turner, Hoskin, Robinson, Taylor

Goals: Maroney 2, Kain 2, Kynnersley 2, Friday, Dunn

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

3.2 10.4 13.9 19.16.130

GOALS: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Damian Broughton 1. MILAWA: Jarryd Wallace 5, Kristopher Allan 2, Sebastian De Napoli 2, Nick Giggins 2, Luke Toohey 2, Harry Allan 1, Aiden Bihun 1, Jack Bussell 1, Jack Stevenson 1, Ned Turner 1, Steven Williamson 1. BEST: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Cody Crawford, John Hughes, Kyle Collisson, Kieran Linke, Damian Broughton, David Button. MILAWA: Josh Owen, Brent Newton, xavier Ham, Liam Murphy, Jarryd Wallace, Daniel Bihun.

3.4 9.7 14.9 16.13.109

4.1 12.3 15.3 18.4.112

GOALS: KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 3, Charlie Davies 3, Trey Vincent 3, Jack Davies 2, Jack Sloan 2, Ryan Wait 2, Nick Stebnyckyj 1. TARRAWINGEE: Ethan Roach 5, David Thayer 4, Seth Coonan 2, Matt Seymour 2, Hugh Amery 1, Jarrod Everitt , Dan Hogarth 1, Sam Peters 1, Thomas Salmon 1. BEST: KING VALLEY: Charlie Davies, Sam Evans, Trey Vincent, Bradley Collihole, Tim Roman, Ryan Wait. TARRAWINGEE: Jarrod Everitt, Hugh Amery, Ethan Roach, David Thayer, Reiley Murtagh, Seth Coonan.

GOORAMBAT 0.1 2.1 2.2 3.5.23

BRIGHT 3.6 5.10 9.13 11.17.83

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Benjamin Reaburn 2, Dylan Beavis 1. BRIGHT: Cooper Thomason 4, Riley O’Shea 2, Tyler Thomason 2, Tex McIntosh 1, Max Rampling 1, Darcy Sholl 1. BEST: GOORAMBAT: Darcy Edgar, Jamie Dunne, Rick Walker, Charles Hunter, Ryan Burns, Jim Taylor. BRIGHT: Darcy Sholl, Alexander Dalbosco, Cooper Thomason, Tex McIntosh, Chad Martin, Kieren Jamieson.

MOYHU 1.2 2.6 3.7 2.8.38

GRETA 5.6 5.6 8.13 15.16.106

GOALS: MOYHU: Charlie West 3, Harrison Bell 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 7, Lachie Kennett 3, Tyler Arrowsmith 1, Joshua Bell 1, Brodie Pearson 1, Ned Rohrt 1. BEST: MOYHU: Charlie West, Matthew Thrum, Liam Cook, George Hearn, Harrison Grant, Xavier Wales. GRETA: James McClounan, Frazer Judd, Paul Fruzynski, Bradley Whinray, Zac Northey, Thomas Rosser.

NORTH

WANGARATTA 5.3 6.5 8.12 9.13.67

0.0 5.3

Benalla All Blacks .......7.8.50 Milawa ......................5.6.36

BEST: BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Karl Mullins, Joshua Kotvas, Eoin Fitzgerald, Tomás Ó Suilleabháin, Ahren McNab, Jack Melrose. MILAWA: Michael Box, John Jones, Daniel Freeman, Hamish Falla, Dylan C Savage, James Peck. King Valley .............17.8.110 Tarrawingee ..............5.4.34

BEST: KING VALLEY: Bradley McPoyle, Alex Tatulaschwili, Brett Sessions, Shane Lindsay, Joel Burchall, Tomas Newton.

TARRAWINGEE: Tyler Heywood, Cameron Kennedy, Ethan Ryan, Spencer Jones, Thomas Deans, Declan Espejo. Goorambat .................0.1.1 Bright ..................25.26.176

BEST: GOORAMBAT: Todd Haslam, Daniel Hooper, Aiden Phillips, Nathan Delaney, Declan Lawford, Jack Williams. BRIGHT: Guy Campbell, Thomas Mullane-Grant, Brodie Brain, Jed Pryor, Adam Whelann, Conner Forde. Moyhu ......................6.4.40 Greta ...................18.11.119

BEST: MOYHU: Thomas Clough, Logan Reynolds, Ryan Hargreaves, Anthony Welsh, Jonathan Hyde, kiangkai Douangphosay.

GRETA: Stewart McLeod, Jason Humphries, Trent Whitecross, James Sutton, Ben Monaghan, Chris Dube. North Wangaratta .....14.8.92 Whorouly ..................7.6.48

BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: Luke Brown, Jamie Berry, Fraser White, Joshua Ismale, Chase Jackson, Hayden Gray.

WHOROULY: Jack Ruffordsharpe, Matthew Harris, Adam Harris, Corey Boyd, Kane Fitzpatrick, Peter Sang.

U18 Eagles win against top-placed Kyabram

GVFNL FOOTBALL

By DAVID HOLLIDAY

AFTER a fantastic win against Shepp United last week to get our season back on track, the boys again put in a good week on the field.

The energy levels and focus of the group was right where it needed to be to knock off Kyabram who were second on the ladder and had only lost one game for the year.

It was going to be our biggest challenge of the year, but with a strong team and some belief in our process I had a feeling we had done enough to get a win at home.

The first quarter got underway and from the first bounce our play style and attack on the ball was first class.

We wanted to build a game around our attack on the contest with pressure acts, little one percenters and tackles cause turnovers and then spreading the ball through smart, short kicks through the middle of the ground.

Something had clicked in the boys and for the first time all year we were putting it together consist-

ently over the quarter.

We jumped out to a small lead at quarter time and our game was typified by Harry Purcell who came in to absolutely kill a contest late in the quarter, showing the opposition there would be no easy possessions.

Kyabram looked rattled coming into the break and our boys came in full of confidence in themselves and as a team.

We continued to grind away at Kyabram in the second quarter and the usual suspects in Harry, Bolitho and Gek repelled every entry across half back with Azzopardi and Kai also blanketing the Kyabram forwards.

The mids in Cody, Max and Will Friday were working tirelessly through the middle of the ground to open up space and provide options for their team mates.

The only critique of the quarter was not getting enough value out of our forward 50 entries as we went in double the amount of times Kyabram did which wasn’t reflected on the score board.

The simple message at half time was to absorb the pressure coming after the

break and to continue to be disciplined to the game plan and trust in each other to get the job done.

A quality team like Kyabram is always going to come at you and at the start of the third their captain took charge and took advantage of a slight miscommunication in matchups to dominate the first five minutes allowing three goals in quick time to even the game.

In the past our players might have dropped their heads, thought we couldn’t stop the momentum or tried

GOULBURN VALLEY SENIORS LADDER

to be selfish; but not this team.

The boys rallied; Paddy Dunstan took on the big job of going to their danger man and Max and Oscar stepped up like the quality players they are.

We kicked the last two of the quarter but more importantly halted momentum with some grunt work around the stoppages and every boy putting their body on the line and not letting Kyabram have any easy possessions.

With a ten point buffer go-

ing into the last, I challenged the boys at the break to show everyone what this team is about.

To their credit, that’s exactly what they did.

Ben Reardon started to get involved, wingers were up and down the ground with purpose, the backs were completely dominant, the mids led by Max Mahoney were absolutely fantastic and Paddy completely tagged their captain out of the game and then hurt him the other way.

The ball movement was first class and the way we controlled the tempo and momentum of the game meant we grabbed a few goals and kept Kyabram scoreless for the first 15 minutes of the quarter getting enough of a lead that, by the time they did manage to get one, the game was done.

Mansfield 9.11 (65) had defeated top-placed Kyabram 5.8 (38).

As the siren went it sunk in the enormity of what had happened for our group.

A win like that instils a belief that when we play together as a team and stick to the game plan we can beat anyone in this competition.

SCOREBOARD

SHEPP UNITED

ROCHESTER

NETBALL SCORES

A Grade

Shepp United vs Rochester

Seymour 38 def by Echuca 66

Mansfield 30 def by Kyabram 37

Euroa 31 def by Mooroopna 39

Shepp Swans 72 def Benalla 29

Tatura 47 def by Shepparton 61

B Grade

Shepp United vs Rochester

Seymour 43 def by Echuca 57

Mansfield vs Kyabram

Euroa 47 def by Mooroopna 51

Shepp Swans 58 def Benalla 34

Tatura 38 def by Shepparton 43

B Reserve

Shepp United vs Rochester

Seymour 36 def by Echuca 37

Mansfield 28 def by Kyabram 44

Euroa 39 def by Mooroopna 46

Shepp Swans 54 def Benalla 50

Tatura 20 def by Shepparton 49 17 & Under

Shepp United vs Rochester

Seymour 26 def by Echuca 44

Mansfield 49 def by Kyabram 67

Euroa 21 def by Mooroopna 79

Shepp Swans 62 def Benalla 26

Tatura 28 def by Shepparton 64 15 & Under

Shepp United 34 def Rochester 30

Seymour 27 def by Echuca 69

Mansfield 43 def by Kyabram 52

Euroa 26 def by Mooroopna 56

Shepp Swans vs Benalla

Tatura 24 def by Shepparton 48

ROUND 11 - SPLIT

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

United v Seymour - June 24

Kyabram v Benalla - June 24

Euroa v Shepparton - June 24

SATURDAY, JULY 1

Rochester v Swans - July 1

Mooroopna v Tatura - July 1

Echuca v Mansfield - July 1

When we prepare right during the week and come to games in the right head space this group plays a brand of footy that’s exciting to watch, hard to break down and will match up against the best teams in the comp.

Max, Oscar, Paddy and Will were great all game, Harry Purcell had his best game of the year supported by Gek and Bolitho as usual.

Reardon was the pick of the forwards but all contributed well with big Sammy T taking another big step forward in his development.

The 17s that came up to help where fantastic as usual.

A well-deserved week off and we sit a game off secondplaced and well entrenched in the top four and can attack the second half of the year knowing when we do what we need to do we will win any game anywhere.

Best: Max Mahoney, Harry Purcell, Lachlan Pentony, Oscar Clelland, Patrick Dunstan.

Goals: Oscar Clelland 3, Benjamin Reardon 2, Max Mahoney, Charlie Payne, Archie Storer, Cody-James Turner.

RESERVES RESULTS

Mansfield

GOALS: SHEPPARTON UNITED: Ryan Calogero 2, Jayden Magro 2, Robbie Mifka 2, Kale Gibson 1, Liam Serra 1, Marcus Wattie 1. ROCHESTER: Sean Williams 2, Mitchell Bright 1, Mitch Cricelli 1, Bailey Wileman 1. BEST: SHEPPARTON UNITED: Marcus Wattie, Sheldon Bogdan, Adam Pigatto, Riley Onley, Damien Pigatto. ROCHESTER: Mitch Cricelli, Joseph Atley, Grant Fuller, Nate Rasmussen, Reid Gordon.

2.1 5.7 7.8 10.9.69

ECHUCA 2.1 4.5 7.7 8.9.57

GOALS: SEYMOUR: Thomas Davey 2, Riley Mason 2, Lachlan Waite 2, Joshua Alford 1, Tim Dundon 1, Jack Murphy 1, Angus Murray 1. ECHUCA: Cooper Willoughby 3, Jackson Stewart 2, Cooper Barber 1, Jack Mchale 1, Samuel Reid 1. BEST: SEYMOUR: Jack O’Sullivan, Nathan Beattie, Ricky Schraven, Riley Mason, Jay Eager. ECHUCA: Jackson Stewart, Cooper Willoughby, Jack Mchale, Matthew Lias, Mitchell Wales.

MANSFIELD 3.2 4.3 4.5 4.5.29

KYABRAM 5.2 7.4 9.7

GOALS: MANSFIELD: Cameron Arnold 2, Ben Christopher 1, Jack Tomanovits 1. KYABRAM: Kyle Mueller 4, Hayden Gemmill 2, Charlie Barnett 1, Anthony DePasquale 1, Thomas Holman 1, Bradley Mangan 1, Kayne Pettifer 1, Toby Wooller 1. BEST: MANSFIELD: Lachie Christopher, Dirk Koenen, Tom Dunstan, Jack Tomanovits, Jack Hutchins. KYABRAM: Zachary Norris, Brad Whitford, Rhys Clark, Kyle Mueller, Jason Morgan.

EUROA 3.3 5.6 8.7 9.8.62

MOOROOPNA 2.2 4.3 6.3 9.7.61

GOALS: EUROA: Will Hayes 3, Jett Trotter 2, Adam Giobbi 1, Lachlan Hill 1, Harrison Jarvie 1, Cohen Paul 1. MOOROOPNA: Ben Hicks 3, Jackson Trengove 2, Jack Johnston 1, Christopher Nield 1, Bryce Rutherford 1, Toby Williams 1. BEST: EUROA: Will Hayes, Nate Trotter, Jack Frewen, Nathan Stewart, Darby Wilson. MOOROOPNA: Ben Hicks, Rory Huggard, Jack Hunt, Liam Betson, Nathan Basile.

SHEPP SWANS 2.1 5.5 5.8 11.12.78

BENALLA

GOALS: SHEPPARTON SWANS: James Auld 3, Nathan Rachele 3, Max Clohesy 2, Zac Banch 1, Zac Clohesy 1. BENALLA: Jarrad Waite 2, Josh Mellington 1, Tom O’Brien 1, Jakob Salmi 1, Blake Uebergang 1. BEST: SHEPPARTON SWANS: Tom Preece, Max Clohesy, Zac Banch, James Auld, Isaiah Jones. BENALLA: Blake Uebergang, Jordan Wolff, Samuel Harris, Joshua Marchbank, Henry Hill.

TATURA 3.4 3.4 6.10 6.13.49

SHEPPARTON 1.1 4.4 6.7 7.9.51

GOALS: TATURA: Ethan Penrith 2, Blake Armstrong 1, Andrew Ciavarella 1, Harry Murdoch 1, Will Russell 1 SHEPPARTON: Trent Herbert 3, Tyron Baden 2, Lewis McShane 1, Jacob Watts 1.

BEST: TATURA: Harley McCarthy, Comanche Walls, Ethan Penrith, Andrew Ciavarella, Chris Ryan.

SHEPPARTON: Connor Fleming, Ethan Baxter, Trent Herbert, Jacob Watts, Tyron Baden.

4 7 31 def by Kyabram

8 12 60

BEST: MANSFIELD: Jack Nation, Nick Dunn, Colby Croxford-demasi, David Holliday, William Dunstan. KYABRAM: Nic Denahy, Billy Mclay, Tom Bruhn, Jayden Fitzgerald, Samuel Campbell.

GOALS: MANSFIELD: Jacob Howes 2, Jack Byrne 1. KYABRAM: Tom Bruhn 3, Brenton Brasier 1, Nic Denahy 1, Liam Dillon 1, Billy Mclay 1, William Wild 1.

UNDER 18s RESULTS

Mansfield

9.11.65 def Kyabram

5.8.38

BEST: MANSFIELD: Max Mahoney, Harry Purcell, Lachlan Pentony, Oscar Clelland, Patrick Dunstan. KYABRAM: Angus Scoble, Oscar Dixon, Ben Railton, Archer Guinan, Bohden Learmonth.

GOALS: MANSFIELD: Oscar Clelland 2, Benjamin Reardon 2, Max Mahoney 1, Charlie Payne 1, Archie Storer 1, Cody-James Turner 1. KYABRAM: Angus Scoble 3, Danny Miller 1, Ben Railton 1. Shepp Utd 7.2.44 def by Rochester 14.12.96 Seymour 0.2.2 def by Echuca 10.19.79

TACKLE: Benjamin Reardon (left) and Oscar Clelland (right) made sure Kyabram did not push through the midfield.

PHOTOS: Samuel O’Brien

Under fire: Local Olympic shooters battle funding crisis

BY HANNAH KENNELLY hkennelly@ nemedia.com.au

MANSFIELD’S Olympic Gold Medalist Catherine Skinner can foresee the end of her career.

Unlike other professional athletes, the shooter’s demise won’t come from injury, age, or lack of motivation.

Ms Skinner will stop shooting because she can no longer afford to.

The Rio gold medalist and decorated women’s trap shooter recently won bronze in the Almaty World Cup, a significant precursor event to the World Championships and Olympics.

However, the entire trip including air fares was completely self-funded.

“Shooters are lucky because we typically have quite a long career lifespan, and can continue competing for many years,” she explained.

“But that advantage means absolutely nothing when you aren’t being financially supported.”

Ms Skinner joins a growing number of Australian shooters who are concerned about Shooting Australia’s funding crisis ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The sporting body, which has an annual operating budget in excess of $3 million, recently sent seven non-funded athletes to the Almaty competition.

“We were originally quoted $6000 by Shooting Australia and were informed we needed to fork out our own money,” she explained.

“I was one of the lucky ones because I purchased my own flights from an earlier competition in Cairo to Almaty, so it was cheaper.

“But other Australian athletes weren’t as fortunate.”

Ms Skinner said there were several Australian shooters who had to “jeopardise their Olympic prospects” because they couldn’t afford the trip.

“You’re placed in a really difficult position, because you need to attend international events to secure ranking and prepare for big competitions,” Ms Skinner said.

The 33-year-old said Almaty was “part of a larger conversation” around the lack of transparency in Shooting Australia’s funding allocation process.

“Shooting Australia are funding things, but they’re

not giving us enough to live,” she said.

“They are sending their paid administrators and a national coach to events, while athletes are left to fund themselves.

“On top of that, they’re making demands that prevent us from being employed and sustaining an income.”

Shooting Australia Chief Executive Officer

Adam Sachs told the Mansfield Courier the Almaty Cup was originally not on Shooting Australia’s list of events “due to budget and logistics”.

“Following a request from several athletes, SA agreed to support the engagement of shotgun athletes in Almaty as long as they covered the costs of their engagement,” he said.

Mr Sachs said the cost was approximately $4000 to $4500 per athlete.

He confirmed Shooting Australia funded its national coach to attend “in support of these athletes”.

Mr Sachs said 50 per cent of the athletes on the Almaty team will have been fully funded to compete in five to seven other international competitions by the end of 2023.

He said a further 30 per cent of athletes would be fully funded or at least subsidised to attend two to

three other international competitions.

Ms Skinner said she felt supported by Shooting Australia during her previous Olympic campaigns, but said the sporting body had “changed substantially over the years”.

Mr Sachs said Shooting Australia’s funding and international competition opportunities had increased since Tokyo, however were directed to athletes who demonstrated the “highest probability of success for Paris 2024”.

“Probability of success in 2024 is aligned closely with athletes’ recent performances in international competitions such as World Cups and World Championships,” Mr Sachs said.

“In contrast, however, funding to athletes that have not demonstrated this podium potential and/ or whose performance progression has slowed or declined has been reduced.”

Ms Skinner was not selected for the 2020 Tokyo games, exclusion she attributes to “work commitments and not being able to attend enough competitions”.

She cited the ongoing precarious battle between being a professional shooter and holding down a fulltime job.

She left her role as a chemical engineer several years ago due to shooting commitments.

“It was too hard to sustain a nine to five job while taking months off to travel overseas and shoot professionally,” she said.

“Shooting Australia wants us to train more, but I also need to generate an income to pay for bills and groceries.”

Retired professional sports shooter Domingo Diaz finds the financial burdens on his contemporary colleagues painful to witness.

The 75-year-old Mansfield resident competed in the men’s trap shooting event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

“If I was a young athlete now, there’s no way I could afford to compete professionally,” he said.

“When I competed, everything was funded and there were many financial incentives to perform well.

“But over the past few years things have really changed and Shooting Australia seems to have more staff than shooters.

“Administration is having everything paid for while athletes have to pay their own way.

“It’s just not fair.”

According to their 2021/22 annual report, Shooting Australia spent $50,000 on an awards dinner and a

that requires substantial financial support and not everyone can obtain that, despite their talent.”

Shooting Australia

CEO Adam Sachs said the sporting body was in constant dialogue with the Australian Institute of Sport and other partners for additional resources and funding.

However, he said the increased costs of living in Australia and abroad meant recent minor funding increases were not enough to sustain the past level of success.

Mr Sachs said the sporting body was committed to supporting athletes in preparation for Paris 2024.

“Shooting Australia expects qualify teams of 12-14 athletes (able) and 1-2 athletes (para), and is confident that within these groups there will be one to two medalists,” he said.

However Mr Sachs reinforced that the sport’s ability to contribute to Australia’s medal tallies would be “closely linked to availability of additional funding post Paris”.

further $135,000 on uniform expenses.

The sporting body is also yet to release the Olympic selection process for Paris 2024.

Australia has won five gold medals in shooting, making it the country’s sixth most successful Olympic sport.

However, Mr Diaz was worried that without continued investment, Australia’s strong record in shooting “would go backwards”.

“There are a lot of young shooters in this country that perform very well, but they can’t pursue or sustain a professional career because the funding simply isn’t there,” he said.

“We are putting our athletes up against highly paid overseas competitors.

“If something doesn’t change, the sport is going to die in Australia.”

Mansfield Clay Target Club president John Desmond had noticed a decrease in the number of young shooters at the club.

“We had one really promising junior shooter who recently dropped out because everything just got too expensive,” he explained.

“The cheapest ammunition is around $115, and then you have to cover your target costs and pay competitions fees.

“It’s the kind of spot

In 2022, Australia’s High Performance Sports System, including Shooting Australia, gathered to develop HP Strategy 2032+, a mission outlining Australia’s sporting commitments ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and beyond.

“In the lead-up to next year’s financial budget, the Australian Olympic Committee costed the additional funding required to deliver this Strategy at $2 billion over the next 10 years,” Mr Sachs said.

“Without this uplift in funding, Australia will continue to fall behind the rest of the world when it comes to Olympic and Paralympic success.”

Ms Skinner is currently living at home with her parents in Mansfield, preparing for her next competition in Lonato, Italy. While looking forward to competing, she was unsure of what the future would hold.

“It’s really hard to be taken seriously and not be dismissed as being entitled,” she said.

“I’m very fortunate that my parents are very supportive of me, but you are left with a huge feeling of guilt.

“As an athlete you compete to make your country and family proud, but now you just feel like an expense.”

BRINGING HOME BRONZE: Catherine Skinner won bronze during her self -funded trip to the Almaty World Cup.

PHOTO: Hannah Kennelly

SPORT

Semi-final upsets

SQUASH

IT was an exciting start to the final series for this competition, with three lower ranked teams defeating their more fancied rivals across both sections and giving themselves a double chance in the preliminary round next week.

Section 1, played June 14:

Dr. Stuart Jones Dentist won over Caslek Computing & Cabling, 3 rubbers to 1; Stuart Jones defeated Rod Firmer 3-1, Paul O’Brien lost to Chris McNair 2-3, Andrew Ham defeated Lez Firmer 3-1, and Gary Manning defeated Sharon Watkins 3-2.

Barkly Street Vets played Benalla Bobcats, with Benalla

Bobcats winning 3 rubbers to 1; Greg Murphy lost to Wally Pastuszka 1-3, Ross Marchant lost to Josh McNair 0-3, Treena McNair defeated Lance Carroll 3-0, and Toby Currie lost to Zac McNair 0-3.

Section 2, played June 12:

Custom Squash defeated Smith Dosser Accountants 6 games to 4; Ray Moulday defeating Jo Henderson 3-1, Andrew Ross-Costello lost to Lucas Ham 0-3, and Jacinta Woodward defeated Xavier

Kerr 3-0.

Annabelle Cleeland MP lost to Hollywoods Pizza 5 games to 6; Kyle Margat lost to Greg Cornell 1-3, Angus Woodward defeated Lucas Ham (F/I for Damian Gilbert 3-0, and Sarah Mc-

Donald lost to Vicky Randi 1-3.

Next week’s preliminary final will be held on Monday, June 19, with the grand final on Friday, June 23.

In section 1, Benalla Bobcats play Caslek Computing & Cabling, and in section 2, Custom Squash come up against Annabelle Cleeland MP for places in the grand final.

For section 1, Dr Stuart Jones Dentist, and section 2, Hollywood Pizzas are straight through to Friday night.

A honourable mention to the two teams bowing out; Barkly Street Vets and Smith Dosser Accountants for a spirited performance this week and throughout the competition.

Until next week, hand out.

FINAL SERIES: That time of year again for squash.

F TY TIPPING COMPETITION

2023

This weeks totals includes both week 13 & 14

Melbourne St Kilda

Sydney

Essendon Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Helen Haines

INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR INDI helenhaines.org

117 Murphy Street Wangaratta 03 5721 7077 helen.hainesmp@aph.gov.au

Authorised by H. Haines MP 117 Murphy Street Wangaratta 3677.

Last Week: 9

Geelong St Kilda

Sydney Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TOTAL: 67

Melbourne St Kilda Sydney Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Kate Armstrong

5762 6822

admin@dosserpanels.com.au 90 Bridge St W, Benalla

Last Week: 5 TOTAL: 76

Melbourne St Kilda Sydney Essendon Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Cameron Hotton

TIPSTER: Cindy McLeish

Cindy McLeish MP State Member for Eildon (03) 9730 1066

Melbourne St Kilda

Sydney

Essendon Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Sam O’Brien

ROUND 15

Geelong Cats vs. Melbourne

St Kilda vs. Brisbane Lions

Sydney Swans vs. West Coast Eagles

Fremantle vs. Essendon

Collingwood vs. Adelaide Crows

Gold Coast SUNS vs. Hawthorn

Byes: Carlton, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne,Port Adelaide, Richmond, Western Bulldogs

Melbourne St Kilda

Sydney

Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Steve (Groucho) Marks

Open 7 Days 47-51 High Street, Mansfield Ph 5775 2014

Last Week: 3 TOTAL: 77

Geelong Brisbane

Sydney Essendon Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Dion Theodossi

Shop 5/165 Mt Buller Road Mansfield 03 5775 2123

Last Week: 4 TOTAL: 79

Geelong St Kilda

Sydney

Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Jenny Gould

PO Box 128 Yarra Glen 3775 cindy.mcleish@parliament.vic.gov.au

Last Week: 3 TOTAL: 77

Geelong St Kilda

Sydney

Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Sam McDougall

McGrath Mansfield 03 5775 2437

Last Week: 5 TOTAL: 78

Melbourne Brisbane Sydney Essendon Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Andrew Marshall

www.mansfieldfoodworks.com.au

Last Week: 5

TOTAL: 78

Last Week: 5 TOTAL: 81

Melbourne St Kilda Sydney Fremantle Collingwood Gold Coast

TIPSTER: Pat (Bull) Smith

3 Chenery St, Mansfield Phone: 5775 1992

Last Week: 5 TOTAL: 67

FOOTY TIPSTER LADDER

TIPSTER TOTAL:

Stephen Marks ............................81

Cameron Hotton ........................79

Dion Theodossi .........................78

Andrew Marshall ........................78

Cindy McLeish.............................77

Sam O’Brien ...............................77

Kate Armstrong...........................74

Sam McDougall ..........................73

Jenny Gould ...............................70

Pat (Bull) Smith .........................67

Helen Haines ..............................67

PRESSURE: Nick Dunn (left) tackles, preventing another goal from Kyabram.

PHOTO: Samuel O’Brien

CHASING: Jack Christopher (pictured) puts the pressure on his Kyabram opponent.

PHOTO: Samuel O’Brien

HANGING ON: Harry Mahoney fought hard.

PHOTO: Sandra Lee

HEAD TO HEAD: A fearless Ben Christopher pursued every ball.

PHOTO: Sandra Lee ON YOUR MARK : Eagles seniors player Jack Tomanovits was best on field.

PHOTO: Sandra Lee

Mansfield no match no for Kyabram for

GVFNL FOOTBALL

By HANNAH KENNELLY

THE Mansfield seniors were unable to deliver another win for their home crowd, suffering a 51-point loss to a flawless Kyabram.

The low scoring exchange was a disappointing loss for the Eagles, who have struggled with consistency all season.

From the blare of the first siren, the Bombers showed they were there to win.

Undeterred by their opposition’s roaring home crowd, Kyabram’s Tom Holman booted the first goal.

The Eagles fought back, going head to head in multiple contests.

Mansfield’s Lachlan MurphyDale was sent off the field for 15 minutes for rough contact, leaving a glaring hole in the hosts’ defence.

Kyabram went on to kick four more goals to lead by 12 points by the end of the first quarter.

Efforts from Jack Tomanovits temporarily disarmed Kyabram, allowing the home team to kick a singular goal in the second quarter.

Mansfield would not score a goal again for the rest of the match.

Kyabram’s defence throughout the next half was impenetrable and subdued Mansfield’s usual high scorers Cam Arnold and Ben Christopher.

The Bombers’ back seemed to run on a never-ending supply of grit and energy, winning multiple contests and intercepts.

The fourth quarter saw Kyabram kick another three goals, leaving

Mansfield and their hope for another home win, in the dust.

Final scores saw Kyabram defeat Mansfield 12.8 (80) to 4.5 (29).

Best on field for Mansfield were Lachie Christopher, Dirk Koenen, Tom Dunstan, Jack Tomanovits, and Jack Hutchins.

Kyabram’s finest were Zachary Norris, Brad Whitford, Rhys Clark, Kyle Mueller, and Jason Morgan.

Eagles seniors coach Chad Owens said Mansfield failed to maintain pressure throughout the match.

“We were sloppy with the ball in the second half and we dropped marks and missed handballs,” he said.

“We let them [Kyabram] run through uncontested.

“It was just very messy.

“Our back stood up well, but we seemed to get beaten across the whole ground.”

Saturday’s loss has dropped Mansfield back down to sixth on the ladder.

The Eagles have a bye this week, but will face top seated Echuca at Victoria Park on July 1.

Coach Owens hoped the break would be beneficial for his players and grant them a fresh mindset.

The Mansfield reserves also suffered a disappointing 29-point loss to Kyabram.

The hosts failed to kick a goal in the first half, gifting their opposition a 31-point lead.

Third quarter goals by Jacob Howes and Jack Byrne helped put Mansfield on the scoreboard, but it was too late.

Kyabram won 8.12 (60) to Mansfield’s 4.7 (31).

HOW HIGH?: Eagles ruckman Tom McDonagh was flying high against Ky on the weekend.

PHOTO: Sandra Lee

GVFNLFOOTBALL

Mansfieldandtheirhopeforan-