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2022

Incorporating High Country Times

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

edit.mcourier@nemedia.com.au

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Page 2

NEW $6.4M PRECINCT GRANT

Page 13

CAMPFIRE WARNINGS

Sport

MAGICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE EVER-ENGAGING magician Elio Simonetti arrived in Mansfield last week to entertain children and adults as part of the Friends of the Library holiday programs. Here, with the help of two young audience participants he discovers his umbrella left in ‘ribbons’ – all magical. For full story and more photos turn to page 10 of today’s Courier.

PHOTO: Pam Zierk-Mahoney

SCOTTY JAMES TAKES GOLD

Top citizen awards to be announced and new citizens welcomed

Nominees listed for top awards

A FULL weekend of activities at Mansfield Botanic Park is planned for our residents and visitors to join with the community to celebrate Australia Day 2025.

On Saturday, January 25, Horse Power in the High Country runs from 10am to 2pm, returning for its third year to raise funds for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services.

More than 200 cars will be welcomed by the Delatite Drivers Car Club to form one of regional Victoria’s largest show-n-shine events.

With live music, giant waterslides, food trucks and drinks, it’s a great event for the whole family.

Australia Day celebrations starting at 8.30 am on Sunday 26 January will provide an opportunity to join family, friends and community to reflect, respect and celebrate being part of our nation’s story.

The event is a chance to reflect on our shared history, including the unique history and culture of our First Nations people, and to acknowledge the contributions made to our community by all those who have chosen to make Australia their home.

Sunday’s event will also include the announcement of our Citizen Award winners, speeches by Mayor Cr Steve Rabie and our Australia Day Ambassador Arthur Gerrans, a flag raising and Citizenship Ceremony, Affirmation ceremony and free entertainment will be provided by the Mansfield and District (MAD) Orchestra.

Mansfield Shire Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said, “ Mansfield Shire is incredibly fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals and groups who work tirelessly to make a positive impact on our community.

■ Continued page 3

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Page 2 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

$6.4 million for Mansfield Station Precinct THE Albanese Government is investing an additional $6.4 million to the Station Precinct Masterplan in Mansfield through the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

This is in addition to the $7.7 million which was provided last year and takes the Government’s total investment in this project to $14.1 million.

This new investment will include upgrades to the visitor facility, refurbishment of the Goods Shed and deck, relocation of railway structures, and rehabilitation of the Mullum Wetlands.

This commitment follows the announcement of $25.3 million in support for other Victorian projects under the program on May 16 and October 31, 2024.

Senator Lisa Darmanin

said, “This investment from the Government is a gamechanger for Mansfield.

“The Mansfield township identified the station precinct as a key priority for the region and through this project we will help to preserve its heritage, rehabilitate the Mullen wetlands and improve community infrastructure while making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

“The Federal Government is delivering real outcomes for communities in regional Victoria by working closely with local communities to fund the projects that matter most.”

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said: “These projects demonstrate more great examples of designing

REFURBISHMENT: The Old Mansfield Railway Goods Shed will be part of the upgrading to the Station Precinct project. and building places of purpose that reflect community needs and revitalise spaces.

“We are committed to investing in partnerships and projects that are centered on local priorities and provide long-term benefits to communities.

“Additional funding for the Mansfield project will support commerce and tourism, enhance natural assets, and allow the community to enjoy improved facilities for all ages and abilities.”

Mansfield Shire Mayor

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Cr Steve Rabie said, “We’re thrilled to hear the announcement of additional federal funding for the Mansfield Station Precinct development.

“The Mansfield Station Precinct is a very high priority, and this funding package will support community involvement, local business and commerce, tourism, and enhancement of natural assets in the precinct.

“This additional funding will allow us to deliver the fantastic fit out and transformation of the Mansfield Heritage Museum, the refurbishment we had planned for the Goods Shed and other railway structures, as well as works to rehabilitate the nearby Mullum Wetlands and Taungurung artworks.

“Our vision is to bring new life to the precinct and its heritage buildings and structures, and create a premium, multi-use space offering hos-

pitality right at the heart of the new precinct.

“Projects as big as the Station Precinct are beyond what Council can afford on its own, so we advocate strongly for state and federal funding. It’s great to hear our efforts have been successful and that we can now deliver another part of the community’s vision for the precinct.”

President of the Mansfield Historical Society Graeme Stoney AM said the Historical Society was delighted and relieved with Minister Catherine King’s announcement.

“This means the interior of the new museum building will be completed and the exhibits constructed to a high standard,” he said.

“I want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has donated money towards this project including the pavers because those donations have attract-

ed this significant grant.

‘This is a classic case of how those communities that get in and commit financially are the ones that attract government support.

“Well done Mansfield and well done to the shire for putting in the hard yards to apply for this grant,” Mr Stoney said.

The Project includes five key elements: 1 Completion of the Mansfield Heritage Museum fit out, and indigenous artworks 2 Goods Shed & Deck refurbishment 3 Rectification of Railway structures 4 Mullum Wetlands rejuvenation/rehabilitation 5 Station Precinct Branding The $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships Program provides funding for the design and delivery of precincts that meet community priorities.

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 3

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Haines opens expressions of interest for Indi Stronger Communities Programme INDEPENDENT Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines is inviting expressions of interest for round nine of the Indi Stronger Communities Programme.

Open to community organisations and local governments, grants between $2,500 and $20,000 are available for community projects.

“Each year, the dedication and commitment of many local organisations to building a thriving

community is recognised with funding to boost their local projects,” Dr Haines said.

“Priority areas of focus for round nine of the programme include boosting tourism, supporting our veterans, people with disabilities and upgrading medical and sporting facilities.”

Previous programme rounds have funded projects such as kitchen upgrades at the Euroa

Citizens Band, refurbishments at the Bonegilla Hall, and the installation of shade sails at Tangambalanga Active Park.

“Seeing these projects brought to reality, and the lasting benefits experienced by our communities has been an extraordinary highlight of being Indi’s Independent MP,” she said.

A panel comprised of representatives of local governments

and community groups will assess the Expressions of Interest, prior to successful proponents being invited to make applications to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

More information and to submit an Expressions of Interest, please visit helenhaines.org/grants.

Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm on Thursday 13 February 2025.

thedelatitehotel.com.au

5775 2004

NOMINEES LISTED FOR TOP AWARDS ■ From front page

“The Citizen Awards celebrate their unwavering commitment and the significant contributions they make to the community and to the lives of those around them.”

“We also look forward to welcoming five of our community members as they become Australian citizens. Each of them brings unique skills and cultural perspectives that will further enrich our community.”

“Australian citizenship allows us to fully participate in our community and democracy, helping to foster a cohesive, inclusive, and unified nation.

“I am proud to welcome our new citizens, who come from the Philippines, the UK, Nepal and New Zealand.

“I wish each and every one of them the best in this new stage in their lives.

“I also encourage everyone to participate in the Australia Day activities and to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of Australian citizenship: our shared values, our national history, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and our ability to join together as one community.

FESTIVE: A successful Mansfield HIgh Country Fishing Expo held in 2024 has been nominated for an award through this year’s Australia Day awards.

Mansfield Shire Councillors will announce the winners of our annual Citizen Awards, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our local achievers.

Several strong nominations have been received in each category.

This year’s nominees are: Senior Citizen of the Year:  Bob and Rhonda Carpenter;  Graeme Stoney ; and  Chris Wilson.

Citizen of the Year:  Liam Delaney;  Rolf Koren ; and  Ian Mallyon - production

manager for Radio Mansfield plays and MMuDS productions sound and music.

Young Citizen of the Year:  Ayshia Beekman ;  Dekoda Beekman; and  Ella Crathern.

Community Group or Organisation of the Year:  Mansfield and District (MAD) Orchestra;  Friends of Mansfield Library; and  West Gippsland Relic Mining and Heritage Protection Inc -

I like to put a face to a name

“

“

FURBRUARY PHOTOS ARE BACK!

Community Event of the Year:  Mansfield Hunting and Fishing Expo - had a huge success in presenting the fishing expo in March of 2024.

The Australia Day events are jointly funded by Mansfield Shire Council and the National Australia Day Council’s Community Grants Program.

To learn more about Australia Day visit www.australiaday.org.au or the events section of Council’s website - mansfield.vic.gov.au/ events.

Our fantastic February Photographic competition and exhibition – Furbruary - is back for 2025. Start snapping your favourite pooch! Over $400 to be won.

Details on our webpage thedelatitehotel.com/whats-on

LIGHT BITES

Feeling peckish?

Try a share plate from our all-day menu – current faves are the Loaded Hummus (served with Quinoa tabouli, chickpeas, pomegranate, crispy kale, sweet potato crisps, sesame dukka and Flatbread) and the Fried Prawn & Ginger Dumplings with Grandma’s chilli…. Yum! Available all day during January

5775 2004

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

Personalising your insurance needs

Our live music calendar is all kinds of fabulous - with something for everyone.

Fri 31 – Jungle Jim

Justine Silvers | (03) 5775 1146 | jsilvers@mansfieldins.net.au

Sun 23 Feb – Sara Storer – book online

Page 4 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Est. 1867 Incorporating High Country Times Est. 1999

NEWS

Mt Buller & Mt Stirling’s Newspaper

Est. 2007 Incorporating Mt Buller - Mt Stirling News Est. 1984

7 DAY WEATHER FORECAST

MANSFIELD RAINFALL Week to 9am Monday 20th January 2025 0mm Month Total (Jan 2025) 10.2mm Month Total (Dec 2024) 102mm 2025 YTD Total – 10.2 mm Total (2024) – 665.6 mm Total (2023) – 745.30mm Total (2022) – 977.21mm Details courtesy Mansfield Post Office

LAKE EILDON LEVELS Readings as at 9am Monday 20th January 2025 This week 283.39m full or 79.3% of capacity 5.51 m below full supply level Inflow: 500 mega litres per day Release: 3750 mega litres per day Water Temp: 13.0 degrees Details courtesy of Goulburn Murray Water

COURIER DETAILS 98 High St, Mansfield 3722 Phone (03) 5775 2115 General/Advertising: 5775 2115 sales.mcourier@nemedia.com.au Classifieds: classifieds@nemedia.com.au Editorial: 5733 1108 or edit.mcourier@nemedia.com.au www.mansfieldcourier.com.au www.nemedia.com.au

Follow us NEWSPAPER DEADLINES: Display ads - 2pm Thursday Classifieds - Noon Monday Sports results - 10am Monday Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 98 High Street, Mansfield, 3724.

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.

Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.

YOUR LOCAL COURIER TEAM

Mike Smith (JOURNALIST)

GETTING married on December 28 might not suit everyone for a wedding date but for Mansfield’s Jim and Libby Vasey it was the start of a strong partnership spanning 50 years.

Family and friends including a member of the original bridal party gathered at Dueran to celebrate the Vasey’s significant milestone on December 28 last year.

The couple wanted to mark the occasion by acknowledging all those who had journeyed with them during those 50 years.

Jim, a Victorian, and Libby (nee Cairns) met as students, the first pursuing a future career as a veterinarian and the other with an eye to working in the agricultural sector – while studying at university in Queensland.

Hence the need to fix December 28, 1974, as the date to work around study dates and other commitments.

For Libby although Victorian born, most of her early life was spent growing up as a Queenslander.

She recalled the wedding that was conducted at the small Anglican church in Linton, near Ballarat as a shock to the system when “it was almost snowing” and how she nearly “froze to death during the ceremony”.

Obviously, she acclimatised with the pair making their future home in Victoria albeit with several moves until they settled in Mansfield.

Jim said there had been more than 15 different homes during their marriage.

“It feels like a long time but not really; we feel lucky to make 50 years,” said Libby.

While it was not love at first sight it was during a study trip to Stradbroke Island when James (as Libby calls him) and herself

NEWLY WEDS: Jim and Libby Vasey were married on a freezing cold summer’s day at Linton December 28, 1974.

PHOTO: Supplied

LIFE PARTNERS: Hard work and togetherness have kept Libby and Jim Vasey in good stead over 50 years. They celebrated their anniversary with family and friends at their Dueran home.

PHOTO: Lynn Elder were rostered on kitchen duties that the relationship began to develop.

“He was not such a pain in the neck as I first thought and actually had quite a few good qualities,” said Libby.

The parents of three adult children, Matthew, Jane and Carolyn, the Vasey’s conceded it was not all “plain sailing” during their 50 years together.

But they agreed it was about “being able to meet at the middle ground and keep going forward”.

Other family members spoke

of the many themes running Jim and Libby’s life together including a love of agriculture and rural communities.

A passion for hard work as selfmade people creating outcomes that were meaningful to them was one description.

There were memories of various sayings including “a job worth doing is worth doing well” within the home.

Their children said generosity was another strong theme associated with their parents and the expression of that in ensuring

that they had the gift of education.

Libby changed careers later in life to become a teacher which suited family life much better.

The other notable theme was that of resilience which had stood the test for more than 50 years.

It was a sign of continued commitment and testament to Jim and Libby’s partnership and shared goals both personal and professional.

All their children expressed their gratitude for the significant part their parents played in the people they had become.

A lovely gesture was a presentation by the grandchildren to Libby and Jim. Several acorns sourced from the trees at the Linton churchyard where the Vasey’s were wed had been potted up and given as a legacy to enjoy now and by future generations.

For Sale

Lee Evans (SALES SUPPORT)

Emma Oliver (JOURNALIST)

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Edward Higgins Leah Scott (ADVERTISING MANAGER/ (DIRECTOR) BRANCH MANAGER)

Shaun McMahon (SENIOR JOURNALIST)

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.

Member

Fifty years marks partnership for Vaseys

By LYNN ELDER

WEDNESDAY: Partly Sunny Temperature: 15 - 26 THURSDAY: Rain Temperature: 10 - 24 FRIDAY: Partly Sunny Temperature: 10 - 23 SATURDAY: Cloudy Temperature: 11 - 29 SUNDAY: Sunny Temperature: 14 - 30 MONDAY: Partly Sunny Temperature: 15 - 32 TUESDAY: Sunny Temperature: 15 - 30

Lynn Elder (JOURNALIST)

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 5

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Keeping maternity local a priority under new networks

By EMMA OLIVER MATERNITY remains a concern for healthcare providers across the North East, with shadow assistant minister for health Annabelle Cleeland warning the state government has been quietly amalgamating health services by stealth for some time.

“Now, with the creation of a bureaucracy network that merges multiple health services, (the opposition’s) worst fears have been confirmed,” she said.

“We’ve seen this at Kilmore, where the merger with Northern Health resulted in maternity services being restricted to business hours.”

Ms Cleeland said mergers threaten the whole-of-life care currently available in the region with skills being lost.

Midwifery is one such area.

For midwives to renew their registration each year they must maintain recency of practice and meet continuing professional development obligations.

Should these lapse, it can very costly and time consuming to get re-registered and is not an automatic process.

The closure of maternity represents not just a loss of these services at a local level, but the loss of these trained professionals within the community.

Yarrawonga Health suspended its birthing services in 2020 redirecting expecting mothers to Albury Wodonga.

NCN Health which encompasses Nathalia, Cobram, Numurkah and the greater

Moira Shire does not provide maternity services, and Alpine Health which takes in Bright, Mt Beauty and Myrtleford also does not have the capability.

Alexandra, Seymour and Yea are unable to deliver babies and birthing has temporarily been paused at Benalla Health whilst under review.

However, with no confirmed date as to when this service will once again be offered in our neighbouring township, the focus is directly on the importance of retaining maternity locally at Mansfield District Hospital (MDH).

In Hume, only Albury Wodonga Heath, Northeast Health Wangaratta and Shepparton-based Goulburn Valley Health along with MDH have maternity.

“It has placed more emphasis on other regional providers - especially North East Health Wangaratta and Albury Wodonga Health - to support our service,” said principal general practitioner and obstetrician, Dr Graham Slaney.

Dr Slaney believes mergers under Local Health Service Networks have the potential to improve opportunities for collaboration across the current maternity sectors in the region.

“Assuming there is further funding and supports put in place by the state government,” he said.

As far as provision of services, he suspects little will change at a clinical level citing close ties and referral pathways that already exist between MDH and our near-

KEEP IT LOCAL: Dr Graham Slaney contemplated the impact removing maternity from the Mansfield District Hospital would have, at last year’s rally against healthcare amalgamations. est larger provider Northeast Health Wangaratta.

“In the obstetric space we already have regional clinical processes developed in partnership with Wangaratta and Albury Wodonga,” Dr Slaney said.

Mansfield represents the Hume region’s southernmost service, with Seymour, Alexandra and Yea hospitals initially included in the Hume network moved out in the final groupings.

Dr Slaney assumes the alignment of Yea and District Memorial Hospital and Alexandra Health with metropolitan hospitals under the East Metro and Murrindindi net-

work will not affect current birthing arrangements.

“Women from Yea and Alexandra choose to come to Mansfield for their obstetric care and I see no reason this will be any different,” he said.

“We are closer for low-risk obstetrics than the other options available to them.

“I also think the reputation of our health service and the care it provides will have more influence than some arbitrary grouping of hospitals in a network that the person in the street has no connection with.”

Dr Stephen Duckett a leading professor in public health

policy and management at the University of Melbourne believes the state government does not appreciate the crucial role rural hospitals play within their communities.

He said the failure to fully understand the role contributes to muddled policy thinking and poor policy prescriptions.

Dr Duckett’s view is that there is a failure to conceptualise what small rural hospitals are and what they do, and this needs to be addressed.

“There is plenty of evidence that health in rural and regional Australia is worse than in metropolitan Australia…and small rural hospitals, with their preventative focus, can help a lot in redressing the health gap,” Dr Duckett said.

“There is an important social benefit that rural hospitals provide that goes beyond the narrow clinical benefit to the wider social and economic determinants of health.

“If a merger takes away local leadership and de-emphasises this community development role, the merger will undermine social capital and potentially accelerate the withering of smaller rural communities.”

Country hospitals have several strong motivations for wanting to maintain maternity services, with community health and wellbeing at the forefront.

The reduced travel distance and stress for women especially in labour, alongside continuity of care throughout the pregnancy

and postpartum can lead to better health outcomes for mothers and babies, particularly in low-risk pregnancies.

Access to familiar faces and support networks within the community can also be crucial for new parents.

Maternity services provide and support local jobs for midwives, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and more importantly contributes to community vitality.

And a functioning hospital is an anchor for the local economy, attracting and retaining residents, and building on a sense of community and belonging for residents with the ability to give birth locally strengthening ties to the region.

It is not an area of local expertise that should be amalgamated or reduced in rural hospitals, rather it should be encouraged and enabled.

“If mergers are to occur, the smaller hospitals should not be subsumed into clinical programs of the larger entities,” Dr Duckett said, when looking at the services rural hospitals provide overall.

“Rather local management should be protected, and the internal organisational structure should recognize their distinctly different role from the larger regional hospitals.

“Small rural hospitals have a distinct and different role….which extends beyond what we traditionally think of health care, into the health of the community.

“It is this that must be built on as we work to improve rural health care and its governance.”

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Page 6 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

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mansfieldcourier.com.au

School is going back next week THE beginning of the school year which commences next week on January 29, can be an exciting time, but it can also bring concerns for many children and parents.

Does going back to school mean going back to bullying?

One of the most significant concerns, according to Kids Helpline, continues to be bullying.

The impacts of bullying can

lead to low self-esteem, health problems, poor grades and tragic outcomes.

“In the last 12 months, over 3,000 (five per cent) of Kids Helpline counselling sessions were directly related to this issue, highlighting the need for more intervention.

Australia ranks second highest for teen bullying among 24 OECD

countries,” said ‘yourtown’ CEO Tracy Adams.

“Unfortunately, 1 in 7 young people, aged 10 – 14 years of age, expressed thoughts of suicide when they made initial contact with Kids Helpline counsellors relating to bullying in 2024, continued Ms Adams.

“More than 178,000 individuals accessed bullying-related informa-

tion on Kids Helpline’s website in 2024 - www.kidshelpline.com.au/ teens/issues/bullying,” said Ms Adams. “yourtown’s Kids Helpline @ School program is available nationally in primary and secondary schools.

It provides early intervention and support to students and teachers within the school environment.

Facts revealed on College Oval

is provided by the Delatite Cricket Club (DCC) and transported back and forward from the club storage at the Lord’s ground. The ‘on site storage’ as stated by council consists of a key to the soccer club kitchen area which is located some distance from the cricket field, which is hardly convenient for the soccer club either.

The playing surface is not anywhere near the condition of the Rec reserve and has deteriorated from the beginning of the season. In addition, the small dimensions of the ground provides no use to any grade of cricket higher than under 12’s.

This has had a knock on effect where DCC B grade games are required to be played out of town when both grades are scheduled to play at home. An example being, B grade having to play an upcoming ‘home’ game at a Benalla ground on Feb 8th.

As for the hard pitch

disrupting other clubs eg Athletics, as listed by Ms Balvonova, this again is untrue.

Local Athletics takes place at the Lord’s ground, not the Rec reserve, and has never been an issue to my knowledge.

The forced move to College Park was stated to be due to multiple AFL clubs expressing interest in use of the Rec reserve. However, only Melbourne FC have run their community clinic, with no other bookings confirmed by council.

As mentioned in the article, Council’s sports facilities strategy states “primary focus on servicing local shire residents” DCC has tried to make the best of a bad situation but the continued use of College Park, even with council proposed upgrades is not tenable in the future. While the DCC is all for the visits from outside high-

profile users it doesn’t seem to have been in the best interests of servicing local shire residents in this case.

Nathan Pelling Parent of keen U12 cricketer, and DCC Committee Member

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

True facts revealed [Response to comments by council representative regarding Delatite Cricket Club use of College Park. ARTICLE - ‘Junior cricket batting on despite challenges at College Park]’ DELATITE Cricket Club has been forced by council this season to use College Park as their secondary ground for junior cricket, after originally offering continued use of the Rec Reserve.

Mansfield Shire Manager for Planning and Environment, Ms Balvonova, unfortunately provided some information that is factually incorrect.

The statement that shire has provided gazebos for shade and shelter is not true. All equipment

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.

Fuel for the fire!

RUBBISH dumped in State Parks will no longer be removed (Courier Dec. 18th) as Parks Victoria is shutting down 51 essential services due to lack of funding.

Vast expanses of bush and grassland will no longer be monitored for illegal dumping adding to an already heavy fuel load.

Lessons should be learnt from the devastating LA fires - less fuel to burn the less chance of more catastrophic fire events here in Victoria.

Mary Parker, Mansfield

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

Fax: (03) 5775 1580 Post: Letters to the Editor Mansfield Courier, 98 High St, Mansfield 3722.

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 7

mansfieldcourier.com.au

QUICK PROCESS; With the bottom floor installed crews set about lifting the top floor into place.

CAREFULLY DONE: With minimal impact to surrounding infrastucture, the only impact was to the pizza oven which lost part of its bench.

WELL BUILT: The top levels of the building slotted neatly into place, with stair towers to be installed on either end of the classroom.

CRANE SKILLS: Rotating the classroom into place.

DONE THIS BEFORE: Lifting it into the place, the process seemed effortless, the crew of the Grove Group working like a well-oiled machine.

GOING UP: Sitting neatly in the environment, the classroom has the capacity to accommodate 100 students.

MPS feels brand new for back to school

By EMMA OLIVER

MANSFIELD Primary School has welcomed the arrival of a new double-storey classroom just in time for the start of the school year.

With a large crane on-site the building was hoisted into place last Tuesday afternoon, the 10 sections arriving by flatbed truck the day before.

Replacing one of the old portables, the new space provides an additional two classrooms, accommodating this year’s cohort of grade sixes.

Totalling some 86 students,

the year six group will be spread out over four classes with acting principal Nicole Comerford confirming there is already haggling from students who all want the top floor.

Ms Comerford said the classrooms were state-ofthe-art and energy efficient, complete with all fittings and features, along with doubleglazed windows, improved insulation and sound proofing, carpeting and air-conditioning.

“All we need to do is put in all our new furniture and we’re ready to go,” she said.

“We will have 23 classes next year - a total of 516 students - so it’s very exciting to have enough classrooms all fit-for-purpose to start the year.”

The new classrooms have increased capacity by 50 students, with Ms Comerford celebrating the building’s low impact on playground space.

“This is incredibly important as we want to retain all our outdoor areas, and even reclaim some of the playground back.”

Ms Comerford said the longer term vision involves

replacing other portables with a double-storey classroom, freeing up space to be returned to playground and claiming back the netball courts.

Strategically placed the new building sits neatly in the environment, the school’s ‘Shade Tree’ unaffected and the heritagelisted St John’s chapel now standing free in its original condition with no structures attached.

Ms Comerford confirmed the area around the building would be landscaped, and a new awning would be

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra

installed to replace one that was removed to make room for the classroom.

With the supporting poles somewhat of a hazard, Ms Comerford is thrilled this part of the school’s infrastructure no longer exists and expects a reduction in sick bay numbers over the new school year, as accidental head knocks become a thing of the past.

The classroom and fit-out was subsidised by the Department of Education under the state government’s Relocatable Buildings Program, with Mansfield Primary

School only one of 11 schools to receive the new buildings in the current round.

In addition to the new building, the toilets at the primary school have been completely upgraded, the school funding this muchneeded renovation, with painting and re-carpeting also underway in other parts of the campus.

“It’s great to be able to give both students and staff a brand new space and freshen up the school,” Ms Comerford said.

“I think the students all really deserve this.”

Page 8 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Campsite vandalised and trees felled A TOILET block has been destroyed and around 20 trees illegally felled at a Taponga River campsite and along Big River Road in an act of vandalism.

Taponga is the first of the lower Big River campsites along the Taponga River, with the area accessible via the Eildon-Jamieson Road.

The reserve was previously known as a tranquil, shaded haven “under a canopy of trees” with the outlook now significantly impacted.

Forest Fire Management officers discovered

the damage early last week and are calling on anyone with information about the crime to contact the DEECA Customer Contact Centre.

“Sadly, not everyone treats our beautiful outdoors with respect,” aid Lucas Russell, District Manager, Murrindindi District, Forest Fire Management Victoria.

“The method used to fell the trees was extremely dangerous, and fortunately those responsible did not seriously injure themselves or others.”

TREES DOWN: Approximately 20 trees were felled within the reserve and surrounds.

DESTRUCTION: Toilet block destroyed by vandals at Taponga River campsite.

Your Council - Your News

mansfieldmatters

Council Meetings The upcoming scheduled Council meeting is Wednesday 12 February at 5pm and will be held both online and in person at the Council Chambers, 33 Highett Street, Mansfield. To find out how to observe the meeting go to the events section on our website or phone (03) 5775 8555.

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

Engage With Us! 2025-26 Budget Community Consultation We're asking for ideas from community members for next year's Council budget. What are your priorities for our community?

Last year we received over 70 submissions with more than 80% included in the final budget.

To learn more or contribute an idea, visit engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au. You can also contact us via email, in writing, or in person at the ‘Budget Kiosk’ at the municipal offices at 33 Highett St, Mansfield. Submit your idea any time until 31 January.

Goughs Bay Plan drop-in sessions The draft Goughs Bay Plan is now available for feedback following initial engagement in 2024. To find out more or ask us a question, come along to our drop-in session from 9am to 11am, Saturday 1 February at Picnic Point, Goughs Bay.

Maternal & Child Health Nurse

Fire Restrictions NOW IN FORCE The Fire Danger Period (FDP) began in Mansfield Shire on 18 November 2024. Find out what you can and can't do during the declared Fire Danger Period or on days of Total Fire Ban at cfa.vic.gov.au/can

Kerbside waste collection services will continue as normal on Monday 27 January 2025 despite it being a public holiday. Please be aware that the collection may take longer than normal due to more bins being presented over the holiday period. Please remember to put your bins out the night before collection and bring them in no later than one day afterwards. If you are going to be away, please refrain from leaving your bins out, or seek assistance from your neighbours, family or friends.

Rail Trail Renewal Works

To view the plan and provide feedback visit engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au. Feedback will be accepted up until 7 February.

Renewal works on the Great Victorian Rail Trail are planned from Wednesday 29 January to Friday 21 February, weather permitting.

Australia Day opening hours

Council does maintenance works on the trail each year. This year we will be grading the section between Withers Lane and Olivers Road to fix erosion and soft spots. We will also lay new gravel in low spots and reshape the spoon drains where needed.

Work With Us Council currently has the following employment opportunities available. For full details go to mansfield.vic.gov.au

Kerbside Waste Collection Australia Day Long Weekend

Some of our locations will be closed on Monday 27 January for the Australia Day public holiday. This includes the municipal offices, library and youth centre.

The Visitor Information Centre will be open as usual from 10am to 4pm.

The trail will remain open with traffic management in place. Please follow the directions of signs and crews if you're in the area.

The Resource Recovery Centre will be open daily from 9am to 5pm throughout the long weekend (25 January to 27 January) excluding days of total fire ban.

Camping rubbish can be dropped at the Resource Recovery Centre for no cost until 31 January 2025. Recyclables must be separated from waste. The RRC is located at 163 Monkey Gully Road, Mansfield.

mansfield.vic.gov.au

Kirsten Alexander, Chief Executive Officer

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

council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

03 5775 8555

TTY 133 677

33 Highett Street, Mansfield VIC 3722

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 9

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Unlicensed water pumpers warned

SEIZED: The firearm which was seized following illegal spotlighting incident at Big River.

PHOTO: supplied

Men convicted for illegal spotlighting in Big River

By SHANE DOUTHIE

GOULBURN-Murray Water (GMW) is warning people against illegally pumping water from storages and waterways following a spate of incidents in recent weeks.

As the weather has become warmer and drier, there have been several cases of people parking at boat ramps or besides waterways on public roads and pumping water into their trailer tanks.

GMW Water Delivery Services General Manager Warren Blyth said people caught doing this would face legal action.

“The water stored in our lakes, dams and reservoirs belongs to entitlement holders,” he said.

“When people illegally take water from our storages and waterways, they are taking our customers’ water.

“Water is a valuable and limited resource. To ensure fairness in how it is used, we take a zerotolerance approach to any form of unauthorised take.”

People who are caught pumping

HANDS OFF: GMW have warned people against illegally pumping water from storages and waterways following a spate of incidents in recent weeks. water from a GMW storage or waterway without the appropriate authorisations can be prosecuted for water theft under the Water Act 1989.

Mr Blyth said those in need of water, but lacking entitlements could contact GMW to discuss their options.

“Our diversions inspectors can help people with any questions about how they can gain authorisation to take water,” he said.

“People in urgent need of water also have the option of using emergency water supply points.”

There are about 300 emergency water supply points in Victoria.

These are bores and standpipes that people can draw water from for emergency stock and domestic or rural needs.

People can search for nearby emergency water supply points on the Department of Energy,

Environment and Climate Action website: https://www.water.vic. gov.au/for-agriculture-and-industry/emergency-water-supplypoints Those wanting to discuss their options for sourcing water can phone GMW on 1800 013 357.

People can use the same number to report any instances of water theft or send an email to compliance@gmwater.coam.au.

Ensure your pets are part of the plan CFA and RSPCA Victoria are urging residents to include pets in their bushfire survival plans, amid the significant fire activity and extended high temperatures already impacting Victoria this summer.

Having bedding, food, and water ready to go for your furry friend could save valuable time in the event of a fire.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan emphasised the importance of being ready to leave early on high-risk bushfire days.

“While you should always prioritise your own safety ahead of your pets, your bushfire plan isn’t fully complete unless it accounts for them,” Jason said.

“When creating a plan, consider what your pets will eat and drink, how you will transport them, and where you are taking them.

KEEPING COOL: It is important to remember pets and keep animals cool and ensure they have plenty of water.

“Once you have your kit prepared, keep it somewhere that’s easily accessible.

“Keep towels and woollen blankets on hand to protect pets during the journey and to keep them as cool as possible.

“Another valuable step is microchipping pets for easy identification and ensuring your phone number is visible on their collar.

For horses and livestock, a separate plan is required.

“If you’re unable to evacuate livestock, the safest place is a large, well-grazed, and fenced area away from roads where they can move freely with access to water,” Jason said.

“Make sure you’re prepared; late evacuation will put you and your animals at risk.”

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker reiterated the importance of including pets in bushfire survival plans.

“Planning for emergencies is such a crucial part of life in Victoria particularly during the summer

Every drop counts Be water wise

FOUNTAINS AND WATER FEATURES

Must recirculate water

VEHICLES CAN BE CLEANED AT ANY TIME USING A BUCKET

Or with a leak-free handheld hose with a trigger nozzle

months,” Dr Walker said.

“Many people across the state already have a Fire Ready plan in place, and we’re urging everyone to make sure their pets are included too.

“An emergency kit with medication, updated contact details on microchips and collars, photos or scans on your phone of important documents like vaccination certifications, are just some of the items to prepare in advance.

“Our pets are such an important part of our lives, including them in your Fire Ready plans increases the chances of you and your pet making it to safety in an emergency situation.”

For more information and tips on how to keep your pets and livestock safe during high bushfire risk days, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/pets.

TWO men from Werribee and Tarneit in Victoria pleaded guilty and have been convicted in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court for illegal spotlighting offences in Big River State Forest near Lake Eildon.

The men received convictions for illegal spotlighting, had a vehicle seized and were ordered to pay Court costs.

The men also had a firearm, spotlight and ammunition forfeited and destroyed and a Game Licence cancelled.

The Werribee Magistrates’ Court found that on the night of August 4, 2023, the men travelled to the Big River State Forest in a 4WD vehicle where they proceeded to hunt and destroy a Sambar Deer at night under spotlight, near where people were camping.

An investigation began when hunters provided GMA with information regarding the illegal spotlighting incident.

This resulted in a search warrant being executed at a property in Werribee where a firearm was seized.

A ballistics test on the seized firearm and a recovered bullet shell from the scene confirmed that the firearm had been used to commit the illegal spotlighting offence.

The Game Management Authority’s (GMA) Director of Compliance and Intelligence, Zac Powell, said illegally spotlighting deer at night is dangerous and can put communities, properties and livestock at risk.

“Those who break the law face significant fines and penalties including prosecution, having equipment confiscated and Game and Firearms Licences cancelled. In some cases, offenders may face jail terms”, Mr Powell said.

Community members, including hunters, campers and local residents, are urged to report illegal spotlighting to the GMA through its website at gma.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.

The GMA assesses all reports of illegal behaviour and works closely with its partner agencies to conduct enforcement and compliance operations across Victoria.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to use water wisely.

Together, we can save a lot.

Always follow the Permanent Water Saving Rules, they’re designed to help you save water every day.

SPRINKLERS AND WATERING SYSTEMS

Can only be used between 6pm and 10am

USE A BROOM OR A BLOWER TO CLEAN HARD SURFACES

Like pathways, decks, concrete or driveways

LEAK FREE HOSES CAN BE USED AT ANY TIME But they must be fitted with a trigger nozzle

For more tips to save drips, visit: www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/every-drop-counts

Page 10 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

OH NO!: As Eva takes the pigeon from Elio during his magic act the bird drops a ‘oop’ message to the floor much to Eva’s surprise.

LITTLE HELP: Magician Elio Simonetti includes members of audiences in performing some of his magic.

HAIR COINS: In approaching many members of his audience, Elio found coins in the ‘hairs’ of children - much to their surprise.

NOSE DROP: Blow your nose! Coins fell from this young man’s nose into the bucket - making Elio rich so he claimed.

PHOTOS: Pam Zierk-Mahoney

Magic comes to Mansfield

By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY IN this modern age of television, internet, gaming, theatres, a lot of sport and higher education standards some might have thought the world of ‘magic’ may have disappeared.

But, not so.

Last Thursday the world of magic and the magician came to Mansfield enticing more than 120 children and adults to enjoy the Magic World of Elio Simon-

etti – the amazing magician.

Two performances each filled to capacity with excited children and adults, kept smiles, laughter and anticipation alive with Elio’s vibrant, enthusiastic and dynamic showmanship.

Elio, and his partner Eva, have been travelling the state of Victoria and further for more than 25 years.

Elio’s fast-paced acts of magic keep his audiences spellbound, anticipating what comes next.

His performances at Mans-

field were a part of the holiday program and was funded and hosted by The Friends of the Library Inc. Friends vice president, David Westphalen said the funding for the holiday programs comes from the profits made at the Little Shop of Good Reads – now situated in Curia Street (opposite the shire office entrance).

“The Friends engaged Elio to come to Mansfield as he has such a great reputation,”

Mr Westphalen said.

“He is highly popular and very engaging with children and adults alike and adjusts his shows to adapt to the audience.”

The sessions, of almost one hour in duration, were free of charge for all – thanks to The Friends of the Library.

And, yes, it appears “Magic” is still very much alive in this day and age and appreciated by all ages – thank you to Elio and Eva for their fantastic shows.

FLUTTER BY: Elio Simonetti uses three pigeons (doves) during his performances all RSPCA approved.

e to Elio’s surprise th WHLE AGAIN: Much his e for be t appears torn newspaper shee . ole wh ely let mp co eyes

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 11

mansfieldcourier.com.au

e heavy rain turned th MUDDY BOG: Though g, bo y e into a mudd Queensland campsit e of their lives. tim e th d ha s ut the sco

10,000 SCOUTS: The coach that set off from Mansfield was just one of 60-70 coaches that moved Victorian scouts north to the Jamboree.

“Be Prepared” for a whole lot of fun

By MIKE SMITH

SCOUTS from the 1st Mansfield Scouting Group, recently, undertook a rite of passage as old as time.

Since the beginning of the scouting movement, youths from around the globe have headed out into the big wide beyond, leaving their homes, their families, and their communities behind.

Standing on their own two feet for many for the first time in their lives, they walk the long and winding path that leads from innocence to experience.

From childhood to adulthood.

For the 11 scouts from Mansfield Shire, it began with a 28-hour bus journey to Maryborough, Queensland.

Why didn’t they simply fly?

Because they were merely 11 of around 3000 Victorian scouts who made the trip to the Australian Jamboree 2025 held by Scouts Australia.

The airlines struggled to accommodate that kind of mass migration north and so 60-70 buses made the trip up.

There, 10,000 scouts had gathered from all corners of the earth.

There were contingents from Canada and Korea and from the USA and Sri Lanka amongst other places.

Regardless of their origin, each of the 10,000 shared a common destination.

Independence.

There, in the absence of their families, they began building resilience and overcoming difficulties and having a whole heap of fun.

They went abseiling, ziplining, test driving drones, doing woodwork, running obstacle courses, and honing their archery skills in between trips to Australia Zoo, Queensland’s theme parks, and days spent swimming and paddle-boarding at the beach.

Everyone had a great time exploring their independence and making new friends but there has definitely been plenty of knuckling down, working hard, and learning important lessons for the group from Mansfield.

Split into patrols of half

THE 1st MANSFIELD SCOUTING GROUP: 11 scouts and three scouting leaders represented the shire at the jamboree a dozen, the scouts worked together as self-sustaining units capable of looking after each other.

The children, mainly aged between 12-16, survived and began to thrive standing on their own two feet.

For two whole weeks.

When they’ve eaten, it’s food they have prepared for themselves.

When they’ve enjoyed the feeling of a fresh pair of socks or a clean pair of jocks on hot and sticky days under Queensland’s summer sun, it’s because they’ve washed the socks and the jocks themselves.

Each patrol has taken their turns to skip the day’s planned activities and the fun, to stay behind at the

SAVE SOME SPAC E ON THE WASHI 3000 tired but happy scouts br NG LINE: ought home souvenirs for th ei filled with mud r families, along with bags died clothes.

campsite to clean up after themselves and after others.

And while much of what they learned there was responsibility and resilience that will serve them well into their adulthood, they have had a whole heap of fun along the way.

Scout Leader Jasmine Beekman, who has enjoyed the privilege of leading the scouts on this once in a lifetime trip, could not be more proud of the group and the growth they have shown.

“Fourteen days is a long time away from home and it is a long time to be away from their parents,” she said.

“They’ve had a lot of fun.

“At times they have started to miss their home and their parents and it has been up to them to pick each other up and to keep the fun going.”

“The trip has been a huge, life changing experiences for the scouts and they have learned so much about resilience and friendship.”

Though heavy rain turned their Maryborough campsite into a muddy bog and left the scouts contending with damp

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socks and dirty clothes, they had the time of their lives.

The 1st Mansfield Scouting Group have now returned home to their loved ones.

The next big scouting jamboree won’t be for another four years.

But the fun and the learning never stops for the 1st Mansfield Scouting Group who fill each and every calendar year with a wide range of activities.

If you know of a child aged between 12-16 who would enjoy scouting, the Mansfield group are always welcoming new members.

Similarly, if you would like to get involved as a scout leader, contact Mansfield Group Leader Peter Coffey at peter. coffey@scoutsvictoria.com.au to express your interest.

Hard-working and passionate volunteers such as Jasmine Beekman and her fellow leaders are integral to the scouting organisation and help children make so many memorable moments and learn so many valuable lessons they take into adulthood.

Page 12 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

New town entrance project under discussion

LAST week, members of the Jamieson community group met at the triangle entrance to Jamieson, with two Mansfield Shire representatives, an engineer and an associate. President of the Jamieson community group Chris Badrock and committee members Freddie Leong and Ric West, met to discuss the beautification of the entrance to the main township.

The community volunteers have commenced work with Shire involvement with coordinated planting and the seating of picturesque large rocks.

It has been a labor of love with the Shire engineers and the community group working together.

THE beautification of Jamieson is extending to the Island, where plans to extend the car parking area is a new proposal to allow more visitors access to the Island and enjoy the confluence of the Goulburn

JAMIESON ON THE LINE

with Carmel Dixon

River with the Jamieson River.

The community volunteers have been busy with restoration of picnic furniture and removing the flood debris as the recent river banks were under water.

The Island is a very popular walk with many families enjoying it with children and pet dogs; a delightful spot for a picnic.

THIS coming Sunday, January 26th - Australia Day: the preparations are going ahead with the service commencing at 11:30am at the Jamieson River reserve near Brewery Bridge.

Mansfield Shire Mayor Steve Rabie will address the attendees. Poetry recitals by very popular poet Val Kirley and community singing led

by Genevieve Bolwell of the

National Anthem will all be a part of the ceremony.

Jamieson CFA members will raise the Australian Flag, following the service the CFA members will provide the sausage sizzle - a very delicious finale to the traditional Australia Day service.

All welcome.

THE next community group meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at the Jamieson Memorial Hall commencing at 7pm.

There will be a busy agenda with the New Year offering a number of events and community working bees.

The Autumn Festival preparations with volunteers asked to contact the organizers.

The Easter holiday services and ANZAC Day preparations are all on the community agenda.

Any topic to be presented to the community group must be sent to Chris

ARTWORK: Local artisan Wendy Blackledge created this beautiful piece recently for the Potters exhibition.

Badrock before next week.

THE first Community Luncheon for 2025 will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at the Jamieson Brewery and Grill.

This monthly social event attracts many local residents and visitors with the opportunity to meet and enjoy a delicious meal in attractive surroundings and catching up with local happenings.

Bookings are necessary.

All welcome.

ON Sunday, January 26 - Australia Day, Mass at St John the Apostle Catholic church will be celebrated at 10:45am.

Fr George Feliciouz has offered to conduct the service 15 minutes earlier than the normal time of 11am allowing the attendees to have time to attend the Australia Day service at 11:30am at the Riverside location.

All welcome.

Here H ere ffor or Y You ou JJANUARY JA NUA U RY Y COMMUNITY COMMUNITY UPDA UPDATE D TE DA T - GOULB GOULBURN BURN VA V VALLEY LL LEY PUB PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

Stay S tay IIn Informed nform rmed this summer: Heat He H eat & Mosquito Mosq Mo Safety Tips! r it's As extreme heatwaves approach this summer summer, important to stay safe and prepared. Use these 5 tips to help you and your loved ones stay cool and protected during the hottest days of the season.

Keep K ep cool Ke Use air conditioning or a fan, wear loose clothing, and keep skin cool with a damp sponge or cool showers.

Stay hydrated hyd y rated yd Drink water regularly, even before you feel thirsty, especially when outdoors or active.

Plan ahead Reschedule activities for cooler times and avoid outdoor exercise in the heat.

Check in Check in with family, friends, and neighbours, especially those at higher risk during extreme heat.

Stay updated Monitor weather and heatwave warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology website or app, and subscribe to Department of Health alerts online.

With the step-by-step guide in mind, utilise these tips to plan your summer holiday with family and friends.

Stay informed, check in with loved ones, and take the necessary precautions to keep the season enjoyable for all!

REPORT RT M ss V ictoria, BOLO JANUARY REPO Mosquito season is now in full force acros across Victoria, and as the warmer months settle in, it’s important to stay aware and take simple steps to protect yourself Mpox is a health risk, and it’s important to and your loved ones. Follow these simple prevention stay informed and take precautions. tips to enjoy a healthy, mosquito-free summer: Symptoms such as fever, muscle aches,

((Be (B e On the t e Look Out) th Ou ut) ut) t

Use mosquito q repellent p with p picaridin or DEET on and a rash can appear, and anyone in close contact with an infected person is at risk. exposed skin.

Wear long, g loose-fitting g clothing to reduce skin exposure.

Avoid sharing personal items like towels or clothes, practice good hygiene, and get vaccinated if eligible.

Measles cases have been reported in Victoria from overseas travellers. It is Protect sleeping p g areas with mosquito nets or highly infectious and can cause serious complications. Monitor for symptoms if screens. exposed, and visit www.health.vic.gov.au for exposure sites and details. Seek Avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk medical care if needed.

when mosquitoes are most active.

Gastro remains a persistent threat, particularly for young children, causing Remove standing g water around your home to stop severe dehydration. Prevention is key: wash hands, keep children hydrated with mosquitoes from breeding. clear fluids, isolate sick children until symptoms resolve for 48 hours, disinfect surfaces regularly, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 13

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Campers cautioned on campfires EMERGENCY services are urging campers to ensure they are aware of current fire danger ratings after 18 people were warned about unauthorised campfires in the state’s east last month.

Jamieson police and Jamieson CFA conducted a patrol of camping grounds in the Upper Goulburn State Forest between 7am and 11am on Boxing Day (26 December).

This was a day of total fire ban due to the hot weather.

During this patrol, 18 people were found to have lit a campfire at their site with the fires immediately dealt with by authorities.

With the exception of one site, all campers were in the area from metropolitan Melbourne.

Detective Inspector, Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad: “It is absolutely critical that people are aware of the current fire danger rating and what it means for them, both before they head out on a trip and during the duration of the trip.

“The weather can change quickly, meaning people need to adjust their behaviour.

“It may mean that on one day a campfire is permitted but the next day it absolutely is not.

“The actions of these 18 people could have led to catastrophic consequences for their families and everyone around them.

“It could have resulted in the NO FIRES: Victoria Police have patrolled campsites over the holiday period giving caution notices to campers with campfires.

PHOTO: Vlad Bagacian - Pexels destruction of people’s proper-

Ensure you know the rules and are up to date on weather conditions before you light any fire. Your fire is your responsibility.

- DETECTIVE INSPECTOR, CHRIS MURRAY, ARSON AND EXPLOSIVES SQUAD

ties and livelihoods, as well as irreparable damage to the local bushland.

“No life is worth a campfire, and I again want to remind the community that if you light it, you own it – which includes all the consequences of your actions.”

Last week police issued a warning about the dangers of unextinguished campfires following an incident in Cape Otway this month that led to a bushfire resulting in about 14 hectares being burned and 150 campsites being evacuated.

Emergency services are reminding campers that a recklessly lit fire such as a campfire on a total fire ban day can have the same outcome as a deliberately lit fire, including significant loss of life, serious injury and property damage.

Recklessly lit fires can include things like disobeying re-

strictions relating to Total Fire Bans or fire danger periods, leaving campfires unattended, or using machinery during hot weather.

Police will investigate and take action to catch those responsible when a fire is deemed suspicious, whether it was a deliberate or reckless action.

Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.

Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator said, “Campfires are a cause of bushfires that are 100 per cent preventable.

“Ensure you know the rules and are up to date on weather conditions before you light any fire.

“Your fire is your responsibility.”

Learn more about the Victoria Police and Crimestoppers ‘You Light It, You Own It, bushfire campaign: https://www. crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/bushfires/ Information on current fire danger rating is available on the CFA website: https:// www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warningsrestrictions/fire-bans-ratingsand-…

Anyone who witnesses suspicious or reckless behaviour as it is occurring should call Triple Zero (000) and anyone with other information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers. com.au

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Page 14 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Goughs Bay Plan draft open for feedback A NEW strategic plan for Goughs Bay is on the way, laying a path for a vibrant and sustainable future for the township.

A draft has now been developed, and community members are invited to give feedback.

Mansfield Shire Council previously engaged with the local community to understand the local priorities and gather ideas.

Sixteen people attended a site walk to share their ideas with Council officers, and 23 submissions were received via an online survey.

Council also worked with the Goughs Bay Area Progress Association to make sure Council’s plan aligns with the Association’s Goughs Bay Community Plan 2023-2028.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie thanked everyone who contributed.

“I was happy to see many people participating in our site walk and our online and in-person information sessions,” he said.

“We also had great responses to our online survey. By holding these activities Council has been able to listen to many of our locals and understand what they want for Goughs Bay. “We’ve heard that it’s the small town feel, the natural surroundings and the peace and quiet that really makes Goughs Bay special. Our community wants that to be protected at the same time as improving ameni-

ON THE BAY: Community engagement has been called for future Goughs Bay plans. ties like walking and cycling tracks, wastewater management and road upgrades.

“The draft Goughs Bay Plan aims to capture these priorities, and we’re now taking it back to our community to make sure it’s headed in the right direction,” Cr Rabie said.

The draft plan includes a vision statement for the township, and indepth review of existing conditions and a series of recommendations and priority projects.

Des Haberman, President of the Goughs Bay Area Progress Association, said he was looking forward to taking a close look at the draft.

“We’re excited to build on the Community Plan the Association did a few years ago using feedback from more than 70 residents,” he said.

“Getting more recreational infrastructure around the lake and reticulated water and sewerage services are high priorities for the township.

“We’re looking forward to having these captured in Council’s plan,” Mr Haberman said.

Community members can view Council’s draft Goughs Bay Plan and give feedback until February 7.

Council is also hosting drop-in sessions on January 21 and February 1, open to anyone to hear more about the plan or ask questions.

For more information and to give feedback on the plan, visit engage. mansfield.vic.gov.au.

Boorolite property commands the big bucks A BOOROLITE property has sold for millions, with the 238 hectare farm ‘Redbank’ changing hands for an undisclosed amount in mid-December.

Located on Chapel Hill Road the property was anticipated to command in excess of $54,000 a hectare, with the working cattle farm offering up two kilometres of Delatite River frontage and Buller views.

On the market for just shy of three months, Armadalebased real estate agent Abercrombys penned the lucrative deal with sellers Graham and Jo Boone entering into a private treaty.

Sitting on six titles the property also boasts an irrigation license, with the farming enterprise in a sought-after location promoted for its lifestyle features and proximity to local attractions.

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Page 16 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

A ferret racing passion for ‘Whitey’ COMMUNITY GROUPS EVERYWHERE BENEFIT FROM NATION’S STRANGEST RACE MEET

the gap in travel, accommodation and medical costs for families affected by cancer.

WHAT started notoriously with And if the light under that a headlock in a carpark between bushel was not hidden enough, in mates was an idea for fundraisNovember he helped raise $50,000 ing that continues to flourish for in Robertson in the NSW highAvenel stalwart Martin White. lands for the famous Illawarra During a progressive tea celebra- Convoy as part of that charity’s tion for the Avenel Swans football $2.5 million donated to help and netball club 15 years ago, the families with life-threatening and former 1980s player was scruffed by life-limiting illnesses. then player Joey Pollock.

Can Assist Deniliquin patient “I was trying to clean up and liaison officer Bianca Armytage Joey was dragging the chain so I lauded the effort of the Deni Mushad to get him out onto the bus,” ter in arranging Martin to raise Martin said. funds for them.

“Then Joey got me in a headlock “The races always draw a big and said ‘listen, we have yabby crowd and Whitey never fails to races at cricket during the summer, make everything run smoothly,” what about you arrange for some Bianca said. other animal races for footy?’”

“At the same time it helps us That was 14 years ago and since raise vital funds for those affected then Martin White - ‘Whitey’ to by cancer in our own community.” everyone at the club and beyond Martin pivots the attention back - has been a celebrated star of fun- to the charities themselves. draising for community groups “If someone’s got sick kids, they all around the state and deep into can get money for accommodaNSW. tion or fuel and stuff like that - it’s To get the bus away on time, just to help,” he said.

Martin agreed to think of someMartin said 20 years in Avenel thing. should be sufficient to ‘get a spot’ “Joey said to me ‘just find us an in the cemetery as a local, but animal’” by any measure he brings to the With pet ferrets at home and town an experience from childa keen eye for ingenuity, Martin hood that is both earthy and birthed Whitey’s Ferrets which generous. became an extraordinary portable As one of 13 children on a farm, event and annual highlight on friends were never needed for many sporting clubs’ calendars. cricket games.

From running eight race meet“We’d have our own test ings in its first year, Martin now matches, there were enough of finds need to declare a nineus,” he said. month racing season between A blend of family resourcefulFebruary and November with ness and a strong involvement bookings for 2025 already filling with their Catholic church is up. clearly what helped form the in“I go to sports clubs mainly,” dustriousness of this community Martin said over a coffee in a pre- man. cious short break from his busy Martin saw the ingenuity of his life. father who worked at an abattoir “But last year we did a race at when he begin trapping rabbits the Deni Ute Muster to raise a bit on their property. of money for a cancer support “Probably the amount of rabbits service out in central NSW.” we trapped and sold paid for Mum Whitey’s Ferret Racing raised and Dad’s house,” he said. over $15,000 at the muster for the “We all got involved, there was Deniliquin branch of Can Assist, a always plenty to do before school community group designed to fill and we had a bit of a bartering

By ANDY WILSON

NOT YOUR USUAL RACETRACK : Whitey’s Ferrets helped raise $50,00 0 in Robertson, NSW to help families affect ed by lifechanging illness.

system with the neighbours, exchanging milk and eggs and maybe a load of firewood.

“We were a big Catholic family with the church down the road and when my brother bought our first colour TV, we had the nuns and the priests coming to see it.

“So we grew up help doing things, you know, what we could.”

Martin’s career in the railways began in Bendigo in 1980 and saw him gravitate towards Avenel via Seymour where he was V/Line’s parcels manager.

When not enough players talked to him at the local football club, a mate lured him to a training session at Avenel.

“I went up on a Thursday and I think I got home at seven o’clock on the Friday morning, or so it was said.

“I thought ‘this is quite good’ and then I met up a local and we married.

“I’ve been in Avenue ever since.”

Between his playing years and ferret racing era, Martin presided over the football and netball club during years of major change, including the construction of new netball changerooms in 2008.

Since retirement, he has helped out around town with ‘a spot of gardening’ and odd jobs for those who need it.

“I always looked after a lot of the elderlies around town, helping with their lawns and different things like that.

“It was just something that I took on being able to, because I did shift work.”

He finds a nice play on words before dashing back to replace some bolts on his mower.

“They call me the Colin Hayes of ferrets, but I would say that ferrets would have to be the grass roots of racing.”

There is a pause.

“Of course, the ferrets live underground among the actual grass roots.”

A handshake, and he’s gone.

el FERRET GLORY: Aven FROM HEADLOCK TO ey Jo nt ide Club pres st Football and Netball ung man when he fir yo a s wa , left , ck Pollo y bb ya m fro different proposed something edecessors. pr his of e on to racing

GIVE US A SMOOCH: AFTER A HARD DAY’S RACING TO RAISE MONEY FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER, TWO OF MARTIN WHITE’S FERRETS LOVE IT UP. PHOTO: DAVID JACKSON

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Page 18 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

VOLUNTEERS: CFA volunteers fighting a fire are depicted in the northern end of the shed wall.

AT WORK: Artist Tim Bowtell puts some finishing touches to the Bonnie Doon CFA shed wall art piece.

HISTORY RETOLD: ‘The Big Store’ in the Bonnie Doon township was a centre fro all residents to gather - formerly owned by the Evans and Mitchell families.

EARLY TRUCKS: The final mural on the CFA shed wall is of an early firefighting truck - much more basic than today’s modern appliances.

PHOTOS: Pam Zierk-Mahoney

“Bonnie” good art for CFA shed

By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY FOLLOWERS of Silo and Wall Arts can now include Bonnie Doon on their travelling tour maps with the completion recently of three murals adorning the west wall of the local CFA building.

Accomplished artist Tim Bowtell finished his almost three-week project just prior to Christmas putting the finishing touches to his latest creation while dodging thunderstorms.

Commissioned by the Bonnie Doon CFA, Tim was chosen as the preferred artist due to his long history in painting silos, walls and other large format works of art

has come to the fore.

The three images paint the picture of not only the CFA, but brings in a touch of history with the center piece being a reflection of the former general store in the old township.

Tim has been creating large format wall and silo art for more than 10 years now and said it was a natural progression from his earlier love of art.

“I have always painted and working up from smaller paintings I slowly graduated to larger and larger canvases and then onto walls and silos,” he said.

Among Tim’s other works are several walls in the Benalla Wall Art displays,

which has turned into an annual festival, along with silos at St James, Lake Bolac, Katatamite and others – in all four sets of silos around Victoria and one as far away as Moree in NSW. This latest work has been a collaboration between himself, the Bonnie Doon CFA and the community.

“The community and CFA presented many photos including some historical scenes of the old township to gain ideas on what we should depict on the wall,” he said.

“From all those photos it was whittled down to a few and from those a design was formed and approved.

“And of course everything

had to be approved by the CFA as the building belongs to that organisation.”

The three images depict the work of CFA volunteers in fighting fires, an older style CFA firefighting truck and the center piece - ‘The Big Store’ – the town’s general store formerly owned by the Evans and Mitchell families which incorporated a butcher’s shop as well.

“It tells the story of the ‘old and new’ Bonnie Doon,” Tim said.

And many visitors to the site have already been intrigued as to who the young boy is on the bike looking at the old fire truck.

Well some investigation

around and a quick phone call to local historian Nola Evans revealed the young boy is in fact Brendan Blakeny who grew up in Bonnie Doon and moved from the old town (now under Lake Eildon) to the higher grounds of the new town.

The art wall took Tim more than two weeks to complete.

Tim said the completion of the work was held up slightly due to rain and storms but he was thankful he could finish it up before the holiday season started.

A Bonnie Don CFA committee spokesperson said the masterpiece is a collaboration between the brigade members and the community

- there was a lot of materials to choose from but all were happy with the outcome.

The spokesperson said the project came about as the brigade had donations sitting in the bank which had all come from the community.

“We (the brigade members) wanted to put some of the money to good use and give back to the community in some way,” he said.

“This way we thought it was giving back to the community as well as thanking it for their generosity.”

The new artworks are best viewed from the western end of Bon Crescent - or can be seen from the Arnot Street end as well.

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 19

mansfieldcourier.com.au

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Page 20 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

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Page 22 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

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Page 24 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Welcome back, little fella!

By ANDY WILSON A SMALL colony of the Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper found at Tolmie only last year may have saved this tiny species from extinction.

The species was thought to have been extinct for 50 years until discovered in 2018 in Omeo.

However, the translocated grasshoppers were also caught at the state’s southern most colony in Tolmie which was discovered only last year (2024).

Last week, young secondgeneration hatchlings were found inside the Euroa Arboretum.

Because the insect moves between about one to ten metres in a year, the expansion of the population is expected to be a slow-moving ripple.

Easy satisfaction with its location, a lack of wings, and an inability to actually hop has made it a difficult journey for a little grasshopper to come back from the brink of its assumed extinction.

Key’s matchstick grasshopper (Keyacris scurra) may be uninspiring to the backyard insect chaser, but has proven an inspiration for a handful of determined scientists who have ensured the insect is bouncing back.

Without actually bouncing.

One hundred of the grasshoppers were released at The Euroa Arboretum last spring (The Euroa Gazette, September 24) after researchers there joined conservationists from Zoos Victoria and The University of Melbourne as part of a translocation project for the species.

The project appears to be paying off.

The Arboretum’s grassy groundcover restoration co-

early spring protein supEuroa Arboretum key step in saving Key’s matchstick grasshopper that ply for the birds and reptiles

YOU BETTER NOT POOT: A fraction of the one hundred specimens captured in a ‘pooter’ at a Tolmie site last September.

PHOTO: Jo Howell/Zoos Victoria ordinator Bronte Haines in Binney Street on Monday, was excited last week at having just seen her first specimen that morning after three months of searching.

“They are so hard to spot,” Ms Haines said.

“That was the first one I ever saw – they are so nondescript, they are not colourful, and they don’t even hop!

“Which is why they are endangered.”

The Arboretum is one of several translocation sites across Victoria which are part of a breeding and release program managed by the three conservation groups.

After not being able to see a single grasshopper since their release, Ms Haines’ first sighting then became a feast with 38 found on the same day.

“It’s so funny because I couldn’t find one for forever – I don’t know what it is – because I am always out there looking for plants maybe,” Ms Haines said.

“So to put another pair of glasses on and look at insects was different, so that was a learning experience in itself, and it paid off.”

The insect’s preferred food source is the yellowflowered native clustered ev-

erlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum) which the Arboretum has been able to nurture among the other native grasses and groundcovers grown at the site.

Zoos Victoria conservation officer Jessie Sinclair said she was thrilled at finding the ‘gorgeous little dudes’ last week.

“It is a really important idea to remember that invertebrates are animals too,” Ms Sinclair said.

“These grasshoppers are uniquely Australian and were here before we were, living throughout the southeast of Australia and now

there is only about two per cent of habitat vegetation left for them.”

Ms Sinclair said the grasshopper’s role in the food chain was important in terms of the species’ unusual reproductive timing, due to them living right through winter to lay eggs in summer, unlike other grasshoppers.

“They sit out the cold, and when their predators then come out for food at the start of spring, they see these mature insects that are a nice big package of protein,” she said.

“So they are in some ways a sort of missing link in having

that eat them.”

Other predators include mantids, spiders, and katydids.

“Grasslands can be diverse with predators, but we don’t want the grasshoppers being too big a diet for others until they are established.

“Keeping that balance is hard in this changing climate.”

The 27-hectare Arboretum was established in 1990 on the former dumping site for the Hume Highway bypass construction.

The success of the tourist destination is largely attributed to the effort of the arboretum’s development manager Cath Olive, and Ms Haines was in praise of the site’s founder.

“The reason we have this grassland and a very highquality habitat for the grasshoppers is because of Cath,” she said.

“Cath was brave and did the scalping of the top 10cm of the land and then resowed over 60 different species of indigenous grasses and ground cover onto the site.”

Ms Sinclair said the success of the grasshopper was ‘icing on the cake’ for the success of the now thriving location and that the choice of Arboretum had more than just ‘ticked all the boxes’ as a conservation site.

“It is also a community asset that is creating engagement and conversations about conservation,” she said.

“It’s to protect a subset of the grasshoppers population, sure, but there are probably more people down the main street of Euroa chatting about this grasshopper than six months ago.”

Not just Bronte Haines.

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 25

mansfieldcourier.com.au

WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND MANSFIELD AND DISTRICT REGULAR EVENTS:

JANUARY 25 HORSEPOWER IN THE HIGH COUNTRY, MANSFIELD BOTANIC PARK

FEBRUARY 8 TOLMIE SPORTS, TOLMIE SPORTS GROUND

MARCH 7-10 MANSFIELD POTTERY FESTIVAL

CALENDAR  JANUARY 22: LEGO fun: drop in and build your own creation. Age 9-12. A school holiday activity at Mansfield Library. 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Bookings essential. Ph 5775 8621  JANUARY 24-25: Free chamber music concerts at Alpine Chapel, Mt Buller. January 24, 8:30pm: Summer School Tutors Concert. January 25, 3:00pm: Students of the Summer School perform.  JANUARY 25: The Big Summer Book Bash The Little Shop of Good Reads Big Summer Book Bash is on - Bush Market Day. Will be open for extended hours from 8am to 2.30pm on Bush Market Day. The shop will be operating inside AND outside with a wide range of preloved books (including

some that may be quite special)! Queries directed to Friends of the Library Secretary, Deb Westphalen on 0439 961 143.  JANUARY 25: Horsepower In The High Country. Show’n Shine extravaganza in the shade filled Botanic Park, with food and beverages, live music and entertainment for the kids.  JANUARY 26: Australia Day Celebration Event 2025. Mansfield Shire residents and visitors are invited to come along and join with the community to celebrate Australia Day. A complimentary BBQ breakfast and entertainment will be provided commencing at 8:30am ahead of the official ceremony which commences at 9am.

 JANUARY 30: OzCarFest Mansfield. A motoring festival that celebrates Classic Australian Built cars!  FEBRUARY 8: Tolmie Sports. Tolmie Sports Ground, Old Tolmie Road, Tolmie, 9am5pm. $10 Adults, $5 Students and Pensioners, Kids Under 5 FREE.  FEBRUARY 22: Trash 2 Treasure event, Merrijig Public Hall, 10am-2pm.  MARCH 7-10: Mansfield Pottery Festival 2025 where everyone is welcome to meet and buy direct from potters.  MARCH 8: Merrijig Rodeo - McCormack Park, Merrijig - gates open 12pm - junior events from 1pm - main event 6pm to 10pm..

CWA Monthly meetings: 3rd Sunday afternoon, 2pm each month. CWA Craft Days: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 10am, and 2nd Wednesdays 6pm, each month. CWA Op shop open: most days from 10am. Family History Group at Mansfield Library. 3pm every 4th Thursday of the month. High Country Poets meet at the Mansfield Library on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1:30 pm.

Members of the public all welcome to come and listen / or share their poetic ramblings. Justice of the Peace Services – Every Thursday, Mansfield Police Station. 10am to 1pm for witnessing and signing of documents. Lima South Old Time Dance: At Lima South Hall the second Sunday of each month between 1pm and 5pm. Entry $10. Music provided by The Ramblers. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. All welcome. Contact: 0425868277. Mansfield Croquet Club – Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9am till 12 noon, Lord‘s Reserve, Cnr Victoria and Apollo Streets.

Playing equipment available, $2 per session. Mansfield Farmers’ Markets - fourth Saturday of the month (February to December), 8.30am to 1pm at the median strip between the Post Office and the Delatite Hotel. Monday Mingle – Every Monday – organised by the Bonnie Doon Community Centre – chat and make new friends – new theme each week. BYO ideas for activities – all ages and abilities Mansfield support group for carers and people with special needs – morning coffee, third Tuesday of the month, 9.30am at MACE Community Shed Early St, Mansfield. Ph 0409 751 593. Mansfield Let’s Talk -Coffee & Chat every third Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12pm at the Delatite Hotel. All welcome, No bookings required. Mansfield Uniting Church - Highett Street Sunday services, 9.30am. All welcome. Ph 0417 103 813 Men‘s Probus meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday for monthly meetings, and then activities/outings are held on the last Wednesday of each month – or as organised. Outdoor Provedore, producers market, 8.30am to 12.30pm on the High Street median strip, opposite the CWA (third Saturday of every month). Out’n’About social group meets for lunch on the second Monday of the month at The Delatite Hotel at 11:30am. Preschool story time at Mansfield Library.

Stories, songs and craft. Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 10.30am. Ph 5775 8621 Rotary meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at the Delatite Hotel. 6.30 for a 7pm start. Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) meet every fourth Monday of the month at 6pm at the Uniting Church Hall. Scrabble Club for all levels meets at 10am every Wednesday at Mansfield Library. Ph 5775 8621 St John’s Anglican Church - meditation every Friday at 12 noon for a quiet half hour to restore your peace. Ph Christine 0412 825 324 Tolmie Uniting Church - Tolmie Sportsground, 3rd Sunday of the month. Service at 2pm. All welcome. U3A meetings are held on 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 10am at the Library.

MANSFIELD ARMCHAIR CINEMA FROM THURSDAY 23RD JANUARY

RATING MINS

THU 23

FRI 24

SAT 25

SUN 26

MON 27

TUE 28

WED 29

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

M 151

3.45pm

4.45pm 7.30pm

4.45pm 7.30pm

1.15pm

1.15pm

4.45pm 7.30pm

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11.30am

12.30pm

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5.00pm

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1.30pm

5.15pm

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12.00pm

2.30pm

11.30am

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2.30pm

1.45pm

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11.00am

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MUFASA: THE LION KING PADDINGTON IN PERU SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE WICKED

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1 Chenery St, Mansfield | Book online at www.the-mac.com.au | 5775-2049

Page 26 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

RURAL

Cool climate wines a hit at state wine show for Fowles

By LYNN ELDER

FOWLES Wine thrives in the ageless granite hills of the cool climate Strathbogies, earning the winery several top awards at last year’s state wine show.

Owner and founder Matt Fowles said the team at Fowles Wine based in Avenel were “absolutely stoked” with the results of the 2024 Victorian Wine Show which highlights the Strathbogie Ranges as an emerging wine region in Australia.

Outstanding outcomes included prestigious awards across white and red varietals.

The Stone Dwellers 2023 shiraz took out top gold while the same label picked up gold for its 2024 riesling.

The panel of judges said of the shiraz and shiraz viognier, 2023 category that it was a “really nice class to judge”.

In a bumper class of 70 entries in shiraz and shiraz viognier, 2022 and older, Fowles Wine collected gold with the popular label Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch 2021 shiraz and a bronze for Upton Run 2022 shiraz.

Bronze was awarded to both Stone Dwellers 2023 Arneis and 2022 Sangiovese.

Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch picked up bronze for a 2022 chardonnay.

For Matt, such awards not only benchmark his wines against others in the state.

“It helps us garner attention for a different bunch of awards for the most interesting wines in Victoria and for Strathbogie as a lesser known region in Australia,” he said.

As a Victorian, Matt is passionate about the state’s reputation as a cooler climate producer of fine wines that are reflecting changes in the market.

“Wines from a cool climate have a lot of energy, freshness and brightness,” he said.

“People no longer want the high octane reds and to eat big steaks.

“The world has changed, it is now active wear and Thai salad,” he explained.

He mentioned how “health and well being had become a macro movement”.

Matt agreed there was a move towards drinking less wine and lighter styles with lower alcohol content.

“Our approach is to craft wines with restrained elegance,” he said.

Fowles Wine was an early adopter of this developing trend where consumers were wanting alternatives to the traditional wine styles.

Matt is a keen ethical hunter who loves to cook and put game on the family table using everything he shoots.

Matching a wine to game was the “genesis” of the Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch label he said.

The 2006 vintage was launched in 2008 and captured people’s attention and later vintages continue to be a top seller for the winery.

Matt is also passionate about his 2023 Sangiovese which he describes as being “so good” and a recent arrival in the history of Victorian wines.

The Stone Dwellers 2022 vintage was also entered in the 2024 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show held in Mildura in November where it won the gold award for the Sangiovese varietal which was an extremely pleasing result he said.

FINE WINES: Matt Fowles was “super stoked” with the recent results at the Victorian Wine Show for his wines.

RESEARCH: The micro bats that inhabit the Fowles vineyard and family farm are part of an ongoing study in reducing damaging pests to vines.

PHOTOS: Supplied Matt is a strong advocate for the value of such awards and said, “most people understand the system” so when they come to the cellar door “we share our results”.

What is on the horizon in 2025 for Fowles Wine?

The main focus in on a new varietal in the vineyard - gamay - which has Matt exceptionally excited.

“Gamay is a lighter style red which in the 14th century was outlawed by the Duke of Burgundy,” he said.

In 1395 there were concerns that gamay would outshine pinot noir due to its abundant production hence its banning from the Duchy Bourgogne in France.

The duke claimed it was “evil and disloyal.”

Like chardonnay and aligoté, gamay is a relation of the pinot noir grape.

Matt describes gamay as the “underdog” but well suited to grow in granite-based regions.

“We are very excited, and I have met with people in Burgundy.

“The first vintage will be harvested March, and the earliest bottling will probably be August or September,” said Matt.

“It doesn’t need a lot of maturation.”

“We can’t wait to see what our winemaker Matt Harrop can do with this vintage.”

Harrop who joined the team at Fowles Wine August last year as chief winemaker is highly acclaimed in the Australian industry.

His extensive experience in climates and soils similar to those in the Strathbogie Ranges will drive continued success for Fowles.

For Matt he is so chuffed that his winemaker shares the same wine philosophy 100 per cent.

Matt’s other passion is sustainability and working in tandem with the natural environment which comes with challenges.

“Every farmer has to make choices about how to farm their land,” he conceded.

Matt as a “nature kid for ever” confesses he could talk all day when it comes to the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity within his property.

One of the positives of the location of the winery in the ancient granite hills is the large areas of remnant vegetation that remain untouched and provide habitat that micro-bats love according to Matt.

In March 2024, the winery partnered with the University of New England (UNE) for a ground-breaking study of insect-eating micro-bats as vineyard pest control, which could ultimately save Australia’s wine industry $50 million per annum.

The joint study is investigating whether the micro-bats are consuming pests in the vineyard at the same rate as in cotton farms, with the potential to boost the use of natural resources in the wider wine industry.

Asked whether it was worth undertaking, Matt said “absolutely” but it was in continuum until the

full benefits are known or can be measured.

The university also conducted a full ecological survey of everything in the local environment which has provided a tool to use in the vineyard.

“We use organic practices where possible,” said Matt who also subscribes to being “chaotic in the extreme” and surrendering to that.

Not a fan of mono-culture Matt said he is happy with “messy” vineyards and maintaining a diverse ecosystem.

Another initiative aimed at embracing the power of nature, Fowles partnered with Euroa Arboretum to establish insectariums – which also act as ‘seed orchards’ – encompassing diverse native flowering shrubs and trees within their vineyards and farmland.

“It was a beautiful idea which is now part of our Fowles VIP program where members can choose to earn rewards or make a donation to our partnership with the Euroa Arboretum,” Matt said.

The vineyard’s Fieldsong range of wines is also in continuum according to Matt as a reflection of working hand in hand with nature.

“When you are in the vineyard now its noisy and it has a hum which is a sound indication of its health,” explained Matt.

What are Matt’s thoughts on the future of the Australian wine industry?

“I am very optimistic although the industry has got some challenges,” he said.

Despite high interest rates and cost of living pressures Matt said the Avenel cellar door and whole complex has been busy.

He puts this down to his amazing team of staff and the willingness of people to pay for a quality experience.

Matt also expects Victorian wines to continue the trend towards a lighter style which is indicative of the changing lifestyles of consumers.

Monitor for blue-green algae in stock water LIVESTOCK owners should look for signs of blue-green algae when inspecting farm dams, troughs and other water sources, particularly during the warmer months, when algal blooms are more likely to occur.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are bacteria that can multiply rapidly under certain conditions.

Blue-green algae is more likely to occur when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen.

While blue-green algal blooms typically appear as green paint-like surface scum in water, they can also be reddish-purple or brown in colour.

It can be difficult to tell blue-green algae from other less toxic algal species.

Blue-green algae may contain toxins that damage the liver or nervous system.

Drinking contaminated water can kill livestock quickly and a number of livestock may be affected at the same time.

Animals exposed to affected water supplies may continue to die over a prolonged period.

In milder cases, productivity losses may occur, which in dairy cattle may be seen as decreased milk yield.

If a suspicious bloom is found, farmers should move their stock to an area on the property with a safe alternative water source.

Farmers should plan for managing water availability in the event that a bluegreen algal bloom impacts their primary livestock drinking water supply.

The plan should include calculating how much water livestock would require if the primary water supply was unsafe to drink and identifying additional alternative on-farm water supplies that could be utilised quickly.

In the medium-term, your plan could include improving water reticulation systems, considering options for treating blue-green algae affected water, or agisting your stock elsewhere until your farm water is safe again.

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 27

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Trades& Services

5775 2115

DIRECTORY

Now available in print and online at nemedia.com.au

AIRCONDITIONING

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Shannon Richter Registered Building Practitioner DB-U 59656 shannon@richterconstructions.com.au www.richterconstructions.com.au 0488 062 733 shannon@richterconstructions.com.au www.richterconstructions.com.au

ANTENNAS - TV

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Call Tas Warren on

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WINDOW FURNISHINGS Awnings & Café blinds Venetians & Shutters Roller & Roman blinds Drapes & Sheers

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CONCRETING

Phone 5776 9598 or 0428 576 020 ELECTRICIAN

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Page 28 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

ELECTRICIAN

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SEPTIC CLEANING

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THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 29

TREE CARE

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Dr Jess Metcalfe

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Craig: Craig: 0402 146 898 146 898 0402 Michelle: 0419 836 842 836 842 Michelle: 0419

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Lic. No. 590542

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Ph 5961 5803 Fax 5961 5919 Call Geoff Yates www.realshedsandbarns.com.au Mob: Craig 0402 146 898 www.realshedsandbarns.com.au 0418 347 628 Mob: Michelle 0419 836 842 Ph 5961 Ph 5961 58035803 realsnb@bigpond.net.au realsnb@bigpond.net.au

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Page 30 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

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The best way to reach Mansfield & The High Country

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BY PHONE 5723 0101 Call us today...

EMPLOYMENT

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

EMPLOYMENT

Classifieds

WORK! Please bring your Australian Flag to the Botanic Park on January 26 and support Australia Day

DEATH NOTICES

JOIN OUR TEAM! Rosehaven Hospice provides compassionate support to people with life-limiting illness and their families. Our 5-bed end-of-life care and respite home is surrounded by 4.5 acres of tranquil lawns and gardens.

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

PUBLIC NOTICES

We have a number of opportunities to join our friendly team: Garden Supervisor (2 days p/w) You will have a passion for gardening, enjoy garden maintenance, mowing, and creating spaces for people to enjoy.

Class 4 Teacher 1.0 Contract Semester 1 We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Teacher with good humour and a zest for life, to join our vibrant and nurturing educational community. mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au/ career-opportunities 91 Highett Street Mansfield Ph 5779 1445

You will be comfortable developing a Gardening Plan and supervising volunteers.

Due to the Australia Day Public Holiday, the classified advertising deadline for Wednesday, January 29, 2025 will be

Friday, January 24, 2025 at 3pm.

Phone: 5723 0101 Email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

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:

CAROLINE MUNDAY To enter call Radio Mansfield on 5775 2333

Support Service Workers (casual) You will be experienced in high-quality, person-centred direct care, with a compassionate outlook.

Responsible tasks include (but are not limited to) caring for our respite guests, general household duties, and providing engaging activities.

You must hold a Certificate III in Individual Support - Aged Care and/or Disability (or the willingness to obtain same), First Aid qualifications, and a current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

The ability to cover a range of shifts, including night shifts is highly desirable, along with knowledge and understanding of community Palliative Care.

For further information, please contact our Hospice Co-Manager Donna on 5775 3161 or email your resume to info@rosehaven.org.au

EMPLOYMENT GARAGE SALE Sunday 26 January From 8am NO early callers No reasonable offer refused 389 Buttercup Road, Merrijig

MASSIVE MOVING SALE All must go! workshop tools, bric-a-brac, Saturday January, 25 and 26, both days 10am till 5pm, 28 Bankers Rise Mountain Bay. HUGE GARAGE SALE Saturday January 25 From 8am-4pm NO early callers Drops saws, welders, drills, nail guns, chainsaws and lots more!

63 Harbour Line Drive, Goughs Bay

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

Personal Notices

Two male Jack Russell pups,

Microchip numbers 956000015988134, 956000015984585 tri colour, microchipped, vet checked and vaccinated, available now, $750 each.

Source code MB330031 Phone 0400 671 577.

FOR SALE

Tractor + 5 ft Slasher 40 HP diesel Recently serviced Good rear tyres and brakes Very reliable Transport can be arranged $6500 Ph 0429 945 642 Mansfield

USED once going outback/near new (built Nov 2019), top H O L D E N B a r i n a rack and additional 2002, 1MT 4VP, annex included, $6000 $1600,105000 kms. neg. Ph 0417 154 229 or 0401 422 650.

OLD

S regularly.

Serviced Phone 0419 338 794. C U B

TRACTOR AND MACHINERY ASSEMBLER Mansfield Power Ag

Mansfield Power Ag is on the hunt for a part-time Tractor and Machinery Assembler.

Requires a candidate with a solid mechanical background, specifically in hydraulics, and the ability to follow assembly and fitting instructions.

The job involves assembling large machinery, including tractors, frontend loaders, side-by-side vehicles, and mowers, which will require both skill and physical strength due to the need for heavy lifting.

This could suit someone who only wants to work a few days a week and we are flexible with working hours and days.

To summarize the key qualifications and requirements: • Mechanical knowledge or background • Understanding of hydraulics • Ability to read assembly and fitting instructions • Heavy lifting involved • Forklift license required This job would be a good fit for someone with experience in machinery assembly and who is comfortable working with large, heavy equipment.

Please send your cover letter and resume to mark@mansfieldpowerag.com.au

YAMAHA XJR1300, excellent condition, o n ly 17,600km, regretful sale due to ill health, $6000. Ph 0427 500 800.

Classifieds Work!

Phone:

(03)

5723 0101

Mansfield Classifieds

Supamatic hard floor camper trailer, towable by smallish car, excellent condition, light enough to push into position, very easy to set up, central walking between 2 single beds, ready for caravan park or bush camping, reg (W37396), see erected opposite Tarra Pub 17th-19th Jan, $7500 ONO. Phone Charlie 5725 1761.

RYEGRASS STRAW 5’X4’ round bales Handy cattle feed $60 each Mansfield

Ph 0428 576 799

For all youradvertising needs...

Ph 03 5723 0101

CLASSIFIEDS 5723 0101

HYLLA (Becker), Selma.

6/1/1933 - 12/1/2025 Beloved wife of Fritz (dec).

Loving Mum of Hans, Evelyn, Karin and their families.

Sadly missed.

Love you Mum xxx Private cremation.

Thankyou to the staff at Mansfield and District Hospital and the Mansfield Medical Clinic for the great care of Mum she received over many years.

JAMES, Geoffrey Carlyle.

4/10/1935 – 19/1/2025 Aged 89 years.

Passed away peacefully with family present at Buckland House, Mansfield after a short illness.

Thank you to the wonderful doctors and staff at the Mansfield Hospital and Buckland House.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 commencing at 10.30am at the Mansfield Lawn Cemetery to celebrate the life of Geoff. ~ Jean James and family.

KIRLEY,

Terrence Svere “Tez”.

18/2/1947 - 15/1/2025 Passed away peacefully at the Mansfield Hospital surrounded by his family.

Loved and loving father of Brett, Megan, Luke (dec) and his partner Yvonne, and Bush.

Grandfather of Brooke, Trey, Zachary, Matthew, Tannaya, LJ, Adam, Blake, Jacob, Chantelle, Talia, Makayla, Luke, Corey, Taylor, and six great-grandchildren .

Brother to Margaret, Charlotte, Peter, Bryan, Timothy, Nancy and Frank.

Son of Terrance and Margaret (both dec).

Always in our hearts.

Rest in peace.

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication

classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 31

mansfieldcourier.com.au

Classifieds FUNERALS

KIRLEY A funeral prayer service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mansfield on Friday, January 31, 2025 commencing at 11am.

Following the service the funeral cortege will proceed to the Mansfield Lawn Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM

Read local news wherever you are • Quality local journalism you trust • Information that keeps you connected • News from the Mansfield and the local region

CHRYSTAL, Jennifer.

“ Big Grandma”, “ G’ma’ 11/12/1947 - 21/1/ 2022 Never does a day pass that I don’t wish to talk to you and share the highs and lows.

I’m doing ok Gma, you’d be so proud.

I miss you so sooo much!

Love always forever and longer, ~ Manda

2022

Page 5

CONCERNS

TREE TANGLE Pages 12-13 & Sport PHOTO: Pam Zierk-Ma

honey

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

SUCCESS

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Page 32 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

mansfieldcourier.com.au

SPORT

Big week in bowls

By MARK BETTANY

MANSFIELD SHIRE HOT SHOTS: More than 50 kids and parents from Mansfield Shire had a great time at the Australian Open last week.

Mansfield Tennis Club Day at Australian Open

By LIAM DELANY MORE than 50 Mansfield and Bonnie Doon Hot Shots participants and parents enjoyed a free day out at the Australian Open thanks to a regional tennis promotion from Tennis Australia.

The day included access to the kids play area before it opened to the general public and seating in the John Cain Arena to watch the feature men and women singles matches.

Each Hot Shots participant also received a free T-Shirt, so the crowd was full of young tennis players.

It was a great experience for our future tennis stars to see the elite playing up close, and our parents to wonder what could have been.

Special mention to Hayley Sly who was interviewed in the stadium and nailed it (best interview of the day), got the quiz right, and won a $50 voucher.

The Mansfield Tennis Club Junior program has been developing nicely in recent seasons with numbers in

FUTURE CHAMPIONS: Archie Delany, Peter Gardiner, Wilfred Hostettler, Huon Johnston, Ethan Jones, Danielle Jones, and Eadie Hostettler at the Australian Open. the Hot Shots program and the Saturday morning junior competition is growing.

This season’s Junior Club Championships will be held Saturday, March 1, we hope to get a big draw so we can play all age groups for boys and girls.

Entry details will be communicated via club e-newsletters.

The Junior Hot Shots program for Term 1 will start back Monday, February 3, for Orange Ball 8-12 year-olds, Wednesday, February 5, for Green and Yellow Balls 12-

18 year-olds and Saturday, February 8,for Red Ball 5-8 year-olds.

Registrations will be opening soon at www.vigor. net.au/tennis, any inquires for club coaching can be directed to me at liam@vigor. net.au or 0425 711 412.

MANSFIELD Bowls Club is up and running again following the Christmas - New Year break.

Sunday, January 12 saw the first two rounds of the Men’s Club Pairs.

John Foots and Noel Jackson were too good for George Peterson and Alan Dobson in the semi final, however, all players put down some amazing bowls.

Rick Nichols and Mick Walsh were defeated by Michael Harrison and Steve Lewis, all four also putting in some terrific shots.

In the grand final, Footsy and Jackson continued their form to beat Harrison and Lewis.

Congratulations to all players.

Glenda Hempenstall travelled to Corowa on Sunday, January 12 to play in the Station Novice Singles for the Ovens and Murray Region.

Hempenstall was defeated by a second year player, however, played some great shots during her match and reports that she enjoyed the experience.

On Thursday (Janaury 16) the Ladies B Grade Championships commenced.

Kris Humphrey played solid bowls, defeating Lyn Holland.

The battle of the Glendas *Revell and Hempenstall” was won by Glenda Revell.

Yvonne Robinson defeated Anne Tilbrook and Vicki Klein had a close match with Belinda Snider who was the victor.

In the semi final, Robinson defeated Snider and Humphrey was out-bowled by Glenda Revell.

Well done to Humphrey being back in form and best of luck to Robinson and Glenda (Revell) in the final this week.

Saturday Pennant started back on the weekend both A3 and A4 playing at home.

The A3 team had a very solid win against Wodonga with all four rinks having a win.

George Peterson’s team of Elaine Peterson, Irene Fuller and Marian Ryan got up by seven shots.

Mick Walsh, Ray Robinson, Graham Smith and Enid Smith finished 25 shots up.

John Foots, Peter Roberts, Alan Dobson and Ray Close won by nine shots.

Michael Harrison, Steve Lewis, Noel Jackson and Sid Revell won with 23 shots up.

A3 are in a sound second spot on the ladder and still looking good for finals.

A4 were beaten by a very good team from Club Mulwala.

Anne Tilbrook lined up for her first game of Ovens and Murray Pennant with Rick Nichols, Graeme Tyers and Don Cameron.

Congratulations Tilbrook and well played on the day.

The team went down by only three shots as did Lyn Foots, Jenny Walsh, Lyn Holland and Yvonne Robsinson.

Chris Laws, Winston Taylor, Carolyn Close and Vicki Klein were defeated by eight shots and the final rink of Mark Bettany, Rob Kemp, Kevin ‘Nikko’ Nikkelson and Nick Klein were beaten by 15 shots.

This week is very full.

Some 14 Rookies teams are starting Monday with that competition running until the end of March, Midweek Pennant is travelling to Corowa RSL on Tuesday, Home Pennant is returning on Tuesday, the Ladies B Grade Final is on Thursday morning, Social Bowls is on Friday (9am for 9.30am for those interested) and weekend teams are playing away at Tungamah and Benalla.

Good luck everyone.

Nominations open for 2024 Victorian Sport Awards PRESENTED by the Victorian Government and Vicsport, nominations are now open for the Victorian Sport Awards (VSAs) which acknowledges the full spectrum of Victorian sport across all levels during the 2024 calendar year.

The most prestigious night for our state’s sporting and active recreation community, the VSAs recognises and celebrates those who made an outstanding contribution to Victorian sport during 2024 by honouring the grassroots heroes who excelled at a community level, highperformance athletes who shone at a national and inter-

national level and everyone in between.

With 18 awards presented, individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel and the initiatives that ensure Victorians remain active will all be recognised. The nomination process is open to all members of the public.

Nominations can be submitted via the Vicsport website which close on Friday, February 14, 2025.

“In partnership with the Victorian Government, Vicsport is thrilled to once again recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of

our state’s sport and recreation community at the Victorian Sport Awards,” said Vicsport Chair, Jason Hellwig.

“The premier event on the Victorian sporting calendar, it is a special night where we have the opportunity to honour the grassroots heroes who keep our sport and recreation sector thriving as well as the high-performance athletes who starred on the world stage at events such as the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

“With 18 awards on offer, I strongly urge all Victorians to submit their nominations to ensure their sport is well represented on the night.”

Following the closure of nominations after February 14, four finalists for each of the 18 awards will be decided by esteemed judging panels and announced in March before the winners are revealed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in the Members Dining Room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

All finalists, family, friends, sporting organisations and clubs are invited to attend the VSAs and celebrate the successes of sport in Victoria. Ticketing details will be announced soon.

Categories in the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards are as follows:

 Leasexpress Coach of the Year  Gallagher Community Coach of the Year  Sports Accounting Australia Official of the Year  etrainu Community Official of the Year  AFL SportsReady Young Team of the Year  AED Authority Team of the Year  My Sport Live Community Sporting Event of the Year  Love the Game Community Sporting Club of the Year  revolutioniseSPORT Victorian Sports Administrator of the Year – Eunice Gill Award

 Bunnings Trade Local Government Initiative of the Year  VAILO Volunteer of the Year  VicHealth Sport and Active Recreation Initiative of the Year  Involve Masters Athlete of the Year  rebel Young Athlete of the Year  Outstanding Media Coverage of Sport Award  Polytan Peter Norman Inclusion Award  Frank Wilkes Award  Kitty McEwan Award More information on the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards can be found here: http://vicsport.com.au/2024-vsas

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 33

mansfieldcourier.com.au

SPORT

Mansfield U12’s toil in games of two halves

By MARK O’LOUGHLAN MANSFIELD’S two U12 teams returned from the Christmas and New Year break to take on Benalla and Yarrawonga-Mulwala on Saturday.

Each team demonstrated some excellent improvement in one half of the necessary skills.

Unfortunately neither side was able to limit the ability of their opponents in the other half of the game.

Gold hosted Benalla Bushrangers Green at College Park, and sent Benalla in to bat.

Although no wickets were taken in the first four overs, Benalla’s scoring was restricted and once both openers retired, the wickets started tumbling.

Digby Hayes began the rot for Benalla by bowling captain Bentley Parker for 2, then a runout by Xavier Heaysman and a fine delivery by brother Noah to skittle his batter brought Benalla to 3/25.

Another collapse was triggered by a fine ball from Levi Tojner before then Tom Steele stepped up to shine in his first game of competitive cricket.

A fine catch by Alex Craddock gave Steele his first wicket, and he only had to wait one more ball to claim his second.

A hat-trick was only denied due to the faintest of nicks from the next batter not being heard by the umpire, but this was still enough to stop Benalla’s scoring in their tracks.

Jack Jacob cleaned up the last two batters for ducks, and Delatite were riding high having restricted a higher-ranked team to only 8/49.

Unfortunately the normally reliable opening pair of Heaysman brothers failed to fire, Delatite getting off to a disastrous start of 2/5.

QUICK SHOT: Ethan Jones on the crease about to hit the ball.

Ethan Jones and Jack Jacob both holding the the innings up until retirement, but their disappearance from the crease aligned with the appearance of bowler Matthew White.

Having seen Steele take two wickets in a row, White upped the ante and took four in four deliveries, crippling Delatite’s lower order.

When Jones and Jacob returned to the crease, he joined Steele who again showed talent in his first game by scoring two from ten balls and keeping his wicket until after drinks.

When Steele fell Jacob returned, but did not last long before falling, leaving Jones unbeaten again having faced 33 balls.

Delatite ended their innings

on 8/27, with Steele deservedly claiming the best on ground award.

Blue met Yarrawonga-Mulwala Bulls in Benalla and found the bowling half of the game a lot more difficult than their Gold counterparts.

The Bulls’ numbers 1 and 3 put on 63 between them, both retiring and coming back and neither losing their wickets.

Amongst the scoreboard damage Delatite quick Jack Pollard shone, taking 2/1 off three overs to ensure the innings was not always one-way traffic.

A runout by Billy Briggs and wickets to Spencer Yencken and Carter Bradford kept the scoreboard in check somewhat, but some lusty hitting from number 8 Zane Rickhuss (24 from 20 balls,

including four fours and a six) took the Bulls to 5/117 after their 20 overs.

Blue’s batters then put up the best fight of their season so far with all five top-order batters seeing out 20 balls, only Alex Manning fell having scored 8.

Max Strong was the pick of the bunch, clubbing 18 runs (including four boundaries) from his 20 deliveries.

Some slower scoring by the tail didn’t stop Blue finishing on a fine total of 76 (with the loss of only three wickets), a tally that would have comfortably won the other game.

The teams meet on Thursday evening at Lords in our third Delatite Derby, where Gold hope to prevent a Blue clean-sweep and defeat Blue for the first time.

Mansfield B grade suffer heavy defeat against Milawa

By ANDREW COOK MANSFIELD’S B grade team welcomed Milawa to Lords oval on a warm Saturday afternoon in the hope of significantly improving on their performance from the week before.

Although improvement was on display, it was marginal and it wasn’t enough for victory.

The toss proved to be irrelevant as Milawa preferred to bat and Delatite preferred to bowl, both teams got their way when Milawa picked right and put themselves in to bat.

Milawa’s openers started slowly but confidently, seeing off a lot of very good balls from Delatite’s opening bowlers, while punishing anything that was too short or too wide.

Their partnership was anchored by the capable left-handed batting of Jason Papworth, who outscored his partner at a rate of more than 3 to 1.

When Milawa came in for drinks they had already compiled an ominous total of 0/102.

It was not until the 23rd over before Delatite found a breakthrough with Al Bennett taking the wicket of Reuben Corsini for 22.

This was quickly followed by Patrick Smith trapping Papworth in front for a match-high 76.

Some lusty hitting kept the scoreboard ticking over at a-run-a-ball, and Milawa finished their innings on an imposing 2/201.

Delatite’s openers started steadily but not without giving up a few chances.

After three dropped catches, Milawa finally snagged captain Trent Berry in the eighth over.

Fellow opener Bennett fell soon afterwards and it signaled the beginning of an all too familiar collapse from the Delatite batting order.

Three batsmen failing to trouble the scorers.

Some watchful batting from top scorer Ross O’Meara (12 from 61 balls) accompanied by Garth Lawrie (22 balls) kept the wheels from falling off entirely and let Delatite pass the previous week’s effort of 42, but a final score of 10/51 could not be considered anything more than another disappointing effort.

Delatite now have two weeks off to train and prepare for their next game in Benalla against Wangaratta City Colts on February 8.

THE NEW CARP VIRUS AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT THE Australian government has announced plans to release a carp-specific herpesvirus, Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3), as part of an ambitious effort to control the population of European carp in waterways.

Carp, introduced in the 1800s, have become one of the most invasive species in Australia, wreaking havoc on aquatic ecosystems.

The decision to deploy this virus, often referred to as the “carp virus,” has sparked a mix of excitement and concern among anglers, environmentalists, and local communities.

The virus’s release is tentatively planned for 2025, following ongoing community consultations and logistical preparations.

Positive Impacts 1. Ecosystem Recovery: Carp dominate many waterways across the MurrayDarling Basin and beyond, accounting for up to 90 per cent of fish biomass in some areas.

Their feeding behaviour stirs up sediment, reducing water

PR ES EN TE

D BY

with BEN DEEBLE quality, destroying aquatic vegetation, and suffocating native species.

By targeting carp, the virus could allow native species like Murray Cod, Yellow Belly, and Silver Perch to rebound as water quality improves and competition for resources decreases.

2. Economic Benefits: Improved ecosystems could lead to enhanced recreational fishing opportunities, benefiting tourism and local economies.

Healthier waterways may also lower costs for irrigation and drinking water treatment.

3. Scientific Validation: Years of rigorous testing have confirmed that CyHV-3 targets carp exclusively, posing no risk to humans, native fish, or other aquatic life.

This specificity reassures stakeholders of its safety and potential effectiveness.

The Negative Impacts: 1. Mass Carp Deaths A significant concern is the immediate aftermath of releasing the virus.

As infected carp die en-masse, their decaying bodies could lead to severe water quality issues, including deoxygenation and algal blooms.

This “carp clean-up” would require extensive coordination to prevent further ecological harm.

2. Food Web Disruption Carp are now an entrenched part of many ecosystems, albeit as an invasive species.

Rapid removal could create temporary imbalances, such as increased predation on native fish by birds and other predators or a lag in vegetation recovery.

3. Stakeholder Concerns Commercial carp fisheries and businesses relying on carp exports could face economic challenges.

Additionally, some Indigenous communities and individuals reliant on carp as a subsistence

food source might be negatively affected.

4. Virus Resistance Long-term concerns include the potential for carp populations to develop resistance to CyHV-3, rendering the virus less effective over time.

Conclusion: The carp virus represents an unprecedented opportunity to restore Australian waterways, but it must be accompanied by careful planning and public consultation. Programs for carcass removal, water quality monitoring, and ecosystem recovery will be essential to maximise benefits and minimise risks.

For anglers, the virus could herald a new era of better fishing opportunities, but vigilance and adaptability will be key as this bold experiment unfolds.

As of now, the release of the virus is expected to begin in 2025, pending the outcomes of current planning and discussions.

Keep an eye on local updates regarding the virus’s deployment and its impact on your favourite fishing spots.

INVASIVE SPECIES: The Australian Government has announced plans to release a carp-specific herpesvirus as part of an ambitious effort to control their population.

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Page 34 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

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SPORT

New Targa team ready to go TARGA has announced applications for entry to Park-to-Peak Mt Buller are now scheduled to open this Friday, January 24.

Having put together what they say is a number of unique changes for the event, there will be a new process in place where you will request approval to enter a Targa event without the need for a deposit to accompany the application form.

Due to the style of Park-toPeak Mt Buller, spots will be limited.

Targa says applications will be reviewed and approved on a first in basis.

If you wish to take part in the Targa Academy training without competing on the weekend itself, Targa will be making this option available from February 12.

Those interested in taking part in the competition are encouraged to head to the Targa website to read the regulations and entry documents before completing their application.

To coincide with the return of Park-to-Peak, a brand new set of regulations are being put into place in 2025.

The application form for Park-to-Peak and the new Targa Preparation Guide will be available to download from the Targa website from today, January 22.

The preparation guide will outline and detail the numerous changes coming to Targa’s events, so Targa has urged those who are interested in heading to Mt Bulller to ensure they are well prepared.

Delatite CC u16 lose to Beechworth despite strong start

By MARK O’LOUGHLAN HAVING lost the toss, Delatite U16s were put in to bowl and went in to make a great start to the game.

Nick Hoskin removed Beechworth opening batsman Rama Schultz for just two runs in his second over.

It was a big wicket for Hoskin and a significant moment in the match given Schultz scored a century the last time he played against Delatite.

Koby Middleton and Finn Stokes picked up a wicket a piece and Delatite bowled well for the rest of the innings without really having much luck.

The run chase got off to a solid start with a 34-run partnership between Middleton (5) and Max O’Loughlan (18) but the openers fell in quick succession.

Cooper Martin (18) and Nick Hoskin (22) then put up 44 for the third wicket before Will Benton contributed 14 to get us close.

Unfortunately, Delatite came up short, finishing the innings 12 off Beechworth’s total.

Though Delatite lost, it was a huge improvement from the boys and the team is getting better every week.

First MMBCC road race for 2025

By RUBEN BATEUP

RACING is underway for 2025 Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club (MMBCC) and what better way to start than with the hardest finish of the calendar, the steep uphill finish of O’Hanlon’s Road.

To add to the challenge, there was a strong southerly wind that played into the hands of the Scratch riders and made it torture for anyone who got dropped by their group.

The first group to set off oncourse was Adam Baker and Dave Bock, followed by Tim Hall and Craig Wilson at two minutes.

These groups were caught by the largest group (including Mick Pearce, Jason Parker, Rueben Bateup, Tim Ross and Heath Hammond, starting at 5:30 minutes) prior to the McMillan Point turnaround.

A big MMBCC welcome to Heath for his first race.

Steve Duke, Ant Bateup and Adrian Dowd departed at seven minutes

followed by Ryder Chadd and Damian Grundy at eight minutes.

The Scratch group consisted of Andy Garrett, Bruce Halket and Carl Simmons at 9:30 minutes.

Damian and Ryder caught Steve and Ant prior to the Lakeside Caravan Park and Adrian dropped off the back.

Scratch then caught this group close to the halfway mark.

With Halket and Simmons powering up the hills and Garrett towing the group on the flats, the others threw in a turn when able.

With two large groups formed, the gap was small at the turnaround and the tailwind allowed the lead group to maintain their advantage.

Until Garrett had other ideas and sprinted away from the chase group, closing the gap and passing the lead group like a freight train.

This caused turmoil in both groups as many tried to chase Andy down and others simply tried to hang on.

PUSHING HARD ON HOWES CREEK ROAD: (L to R) Jason Parker, Heath Hammond, Rueben Bateup, Mick Pearce, and Tim Ross.

PHOTO: Tony Copland

MATT EMPEY: Batttling his way to 4th in Elite Men at the Vic Downhill Series race at Mt. Major.

PHOTO: Adam Baker Bock’s handicapping was again on point, the two groups merged into one as they turned the corner into O’Hanlon’s for the final climb to the finish.

Garrett’s lead was diminished as the peloton hit the base of the climb and it was at this point that every rider pictured themselves as a contender for the win, it was on!

Everyone was soon at max effort as the hill steepened.

It was Simmons who narrowly took the win over Bateup and Chadd, followed by Halket, Hammond, Ant (Bateup), Tim Ross, Duke, Grundy and Pearce to round out the top 10.

Of the 17 riders, the top 11 were only separated by one minute, an incredibly close race given the nature of the hill climb finish.

Thank you to all the marshals and officials for making this possible.

Plus, in other MMBCC news, there’s been a huge weekend of re-

sults by members around the state; and interstate.

ProVelo Super League, Round 1, Adelaide: Talia Appleton: Stage 1 Uphill TT: 1st. Stage 2 Crit: 7th.

General Classification with one stage to go: 1st.

VDHS Round 3 at Mt Major, near Shepparton: Matt Empey, Elite Men: 4th.

Ryder Chadd, U19 Men: 14th.

Keegan Carman, U15 Men: 11th.

Shannon Rademaker, Masters Men: 3rd.

Stu Clark, Veteran Men: 7th.

Vic MTB Champ Series at Falls Creek, Round 5, Saturday: Ben Ross, U15 Men: 5th.

Ruby Dobson, Elite Women: 3rd.

Bruce Halket, Masters 7/8: 3rd.

Vic MTB Champ Series at Falls Creek, Round 6, Sunday: Ben Ross, U15 Men: 6th.

Alistair Ross, U13 Men: 2nd.

Ruby Dobson, Elite Women: 3rd.

Bruce Halket, Masters 7/8: 3rd.

Revamped Historic Winton Program Announced for 2025 THE 48th Historic Winton, to be held on May 24 and 25, 2025 at Winton Motor Raceway, will run without motorcycles for the first time.

John Kessner from the Austin 7 Club, chairperson of the organising committee, said plans were underway to incorporate additional car racing events into the existing program, broadening the scope of this iconic Australian historic motorsport meet.

He said that for many years, the event has seen fruitful collaboration between the Austin 7 Club Inc (Vic) and the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria (HMRAV) to include motorcycle races in the program. However, upgraded safety standards and stringent track permit conditions set by the motorcycle insurers will require some modifications to the Winton Motor Raceway facilities.

“These works could impact Historic Winton car races and the feasibility of other motorsport events at the venue and therefore will require

WINTON ON AGAIN: The May session of the Winton Raceway program will see a revised schedule.

PHOTO: Peter Kight lengthy deliberation,” Mr Kessner said.

“We have, therefore, suspended the inclusion of motorcycle racing at our event.

“The Austin 7 Club Inc (Vic) will continue to work with all parties in

the hope that an appropriate solution can be established for motorcycles in the future.

“We understand that this news will sadden motorcycle competitors and spectators, as it saddens us,” Mr Kessner said.

“We pay tribute to our friends at the HMRAV and express our gratitude for their contributions to Historic Winton over the decades. We wish the HMRAV the best in their other competitions.

“The absence of motorcycle races opens up new opportunities, allowing for the expansion of current races and the addition of new car categories. The event committee is actively exploring multiple options and will provide updates on these changes in the near future.”

Historic Winton is Australia’s longest-running and most popular historic race event, having started in 1977 at Winton Motor Raceway.

As one of Victoria’s largest regional sporting events, it attracts competitors and spectators from across the nation.

For more information about Historic Winton please go to our website: https://historicwinton.org or visit Facebook and Instagram @historicwinton.

THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Page 35

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SPORT

Shelly Comerford’s wins Monthly Medal

By MARION MITCHELL

40 on a countback to Patsy Smiles and Sue Crow.

Linda Brook and Natasha Grimshaw were next on 39 on a countback to Millie Cumming and Kirsten Scudamore.

Nearest the pins were two each to Linda Terry and Sam Bailey, one to Lesley Anderson and on her recent return to golf, a stunning shot on 18th by Natasha Grimshaw.

As the photo (below) shows, almost a hole in one.

Saturday was Monthly Medal sponsored by Mansfield Pharmacy.

Shelly Comerford continued her good form and had a great win with nett 73 on a countback to Linda Brook.

Well done ladies. Third was Sue Parsons 74 on a countback.

Line balls went to Lyn Poulson 74 on a countback to Sam Bailey and then Sharon Gysberts 75.

Nearest the pins were two to Sue Parsons and one each to Shirley Nolan and Kylie Egan.

Jenny Koraus won the putting.

Good hitting for next week.

WHETHER it was the Par competition or not, a smaller than usual field of 13 ladies played on Tuesday.

Tracey Gravenall won with +1 followed by Marion Sargeant -1 and Sharon Gysberts -2 on a countback.

Gravenall also had the nearest the pin on the 12th.

Wednesday was a 4-Ball Stableford competition.

The weather proved to be unpredictable with the field of 32 ladies called in midgame when thunder and lightning struck.

After a short break everyone headed back out to their marked balls.

Judging by their reaction Pauline Ahola and Marion Mitchell were very pleased to be the winners with 45 points.

They just pipped Kylie Egan and Tracey Gravenall on a countback.

Sam Bailey and Marion Foster were third with 43.

Line balls were Gayle Wells and Lorraine Cullen 41, Susan Kinloch and Marg Knapp

MONTHLY MEDAL WINNER: Shelly Comerford was the Mansfield Golf Club’s Ladies’ Monthly Medal winner. INSET: CLOSE TO PERFECT: Natalie Grimshaw with an almost hole-in-one on 16th at Mansfield Golf Club.

Nate Longstaff takes out Mansfield Golf Club’s monthly medal

By SHERYL SARGENT

MEDAL WINNER: Nate Longstaff beat 60 rivals to take out the Mansfield Golf Club Monthly Medal for January 2025.

IT has been a very busy period over the holidays with many visitors and members playing lots of golf.

This has been fantastic for our golf club as we to move into 2025.

Chris Wright, our pro shop manager, has done a fantastic job over the holiday period working many long hours.

Now for this week’s results.

Tuesday saw a field of 35 players front the starter for a round of Stableford.

The winners on the day

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were, Don Clutterbuck (3rd) with 38pts, Angus Bolitho (2nd) with 39pts, and Peter Barnes won the day with a great 41pts.

Thursday was again Stableford with a big field of 85 players taking to the course in very windy conditions.

C grade winners were, Ethan Pigdon (3rd) with 37pts, Dave Wilson (2nd) with 40pts, and Ross Vaughan (1st) with 41pts.

In B grade it was Ian Jones (3rd) with 34pts, Charlie Heath (2nd) with 35pts, and Aaron Knight (1st) with 37pts.

The A grade winners were

Tim Hook with 35pts on a countback from David Octigan (also on 35pts) and Alex Scherini (with 35pts too).

The secret six was won by John McCombe and the Pro Pin was won by Shane Brook.

Saturday was the January Monthly Medal, proudly sponsored by Sports First.

Not a bad field for this time of year with 61 players turning out.

The Medalist for January is young Nate Longstaff with a great nett 67.

B grade winners were Geoff Gravenall (3rd) with nett 70, Graham Coker (2nd) with nett 69, and Nate Long-

staff (1st) with nett 67.

A grade saw Brendan Egan (3rd) score a nett 74, Mick Cooksey (2nd) with nett 73, and Dan Moloney (1st) with nett 71.

Coming up on February 1 is the T.K.Millot Memorial 3-Person Ambrose, hosted by the Millot Family.

There will be a working bee the following day to try and clean up around all the trees and the rough.

This will be a 9am start at the green keepers shed, BYO rake and there will be a barbecue and refreshments afterwards.

Happy Hitting.

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Page 36 - THE COURIER, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

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Merton topple league leaders

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By ROHAN BERRIMAN MERTON cricketers travelled to Lonsdale reserve in Mulwala to take on the undefeated YarrawongaMulwala Lakers in perfect cricket conditions on Saturday.

After a disappointing performance against Greta, the Merton side were keen for a competitive showing against the top side.

Undefeated Yarrawonga won the toss and batted on a well prepared turf wicket and quick outfield.

Young Merton quick Noah Whittall had a day out, bowling a perfect line and length, taking 3/8 off six overs.

Jai Lerch-Mackinnon (1/14) also took an early wicket to put the home side under early pressure.

G. Montgomery (38) stood up for his side as the wickets fell around him.

The Lakers were all out in the 31st over for 99.

R. Berriman (4/16), Harry Craddock, and Henry Berriman were the other wicket takers while Luke Berriman shone with three catches and one stumping in what was a good day behind the stumps.

Merton’s openers didn’t look comfortable on the Mulwala turf against the home side’s pace attack.

King (9) and Mackinnon (6) fell cheaply before Luke Berriman (20) did his best to steady the ship somewhat while navigating some tight bowling.

A few quick wickets in the middle order saw the 100 run target become les and less likely for the visitors.

Luke Benton and Tyson Garlick, however, had other ideas and they combined in a perfect 7th wicket partnership of 46, soaking up heavy pressure while keeping the runs flowing to steer their side to victory in the 32nd over.

Benton (29no) the top scorer, with Garlick solid in defense helping his side to a memorable win.

H. Frauenfelder (3/45) was the leading wicket taker for the Lakers.

All sides have the bye this Saturday for the Australia Day long weekend.

A rejuvenated Merton will then travel to Benalla for another big test against the Bushrangers.

FLYING HIGH: Scotty James produced one of the best runs of his impressive halfpipe career to claim the gold medal at the Laax Open in Switzerland.

INSET: A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE: Victory puts James move into equal first place on the World Cup standings PHOTO: FIS Snowboard

Scotty takes gold

Scotty James wins halfpipe gold with a career best performance

By MIKE SMITH MT BULLER snowboarder Scotty James produced one of the best runs of his impressive halfpipe career to claim the gold medal at the Laax Open in Switzerland, the 10th World Cup victory of his career and his fourth win at the prestigious Swiss event.

In the best of two run night final, the two-time Olympic medallist opened with a score of 88.75 points, then stepped it up in the final run to put down a spectacular performance that included a mas-

sive switch frontside triple cork 1440 on his way to a huge score of 95.75.

James took the win ahead of Japanese rider Ruka Hirano (93.75), while compatriot and reigning Olympic halfpipe champion Ayumu Hirano (87.00) came in third.

“I think it might be one of the best moments of my competitive career,” said the 30-year-old from Warrandyte.

“It’s always challenging to win, but this year I feel like I have been put on the ropes quite a bit from the other competitors, especially

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the Japanese, they are riding incredible.

“Not for a second did I think it was a done deal until the last rider went because any rider could have won.

“It’s always been a super important detail for me to spin in every direction, and try and keep a bit of soul in there with the switch McTwist at the start before it gets into a lot of spinning, really happy to get the triple in there this year as well which was a big goal of mine.

“It’s one of the best pipes in the

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world, there are no excuses but to go 110 per cent on this thing, so you’ve got to bring your best if you want to stand on top, or even on the podium for that matter.”

The victory puts James move into equal first place on the World Cup standings alongside Yuto Totsuka of Japan on 230 points.

James has now headed to Aspen, USA, to compete in the X-Games tomorrow, January 23, where he is aiming to win an incredible fourth straight and seventh career XGames gold medal.