PHOEBE Guppy’s ongoing footy story was recently covered in the Sunday Age. The 13-year-old featured alongside other local girls’ footy players, Hannah Berriman and Grace Preuss, who spoke of their own challenges and how the new Mansfield Eagles girls’ team is inspiring hope. Story pages 10-11
ON MARCH 14 the unprotection order for dingoes in the northwest of the state was revoked, and with no government commitment as to whether the Wild Dog Control Program will be renewed after its current term ends on October 1, farmers across the North East are concerned.
The revoked order was triggered by research conducted by the Arthur Rylah Institute suggesting the dingo population in the northwest of Victoria is at imminent risk of extinction
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
if threats to the population are not addressed. A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, “We are currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of Victoria’s dingo population to guide management practices that most appropriately balance the protection of livestock
and the conservation of dingoes.”
Defined as both a native animal and an agricultural pest, along with holding cultural significance for indigenous people, the challenge now lies in finding that balance.
MEMBER FOR NORTHERN VICTORIA
WENDY LOVELL said the government dumped the northwest zoning without consulting landholders, and with only a couple of hours’ notice.
Ms Lovell is concerned the state-wide Wild Dog Control Program will meet a similar fate in October.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action oversees the program.
“The Bush Telegraph says the department is already talking to dog men about their future… and an end to their trapping,” said Ms Lovell.
In Victoria, dingoes are listed as a threatened species under the Flora and
Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.
However, there are allowances.
Currently the Wild Dog Control Program allows the control of dingoes where they threaten livestock, with wild dogs declared unprotected within a 3km Livestock Protection Buffer zone on public land in eastern Victoria, and on most private land across the state.
This is under review, with the government
assessing future policy for dingo conservation and management in light of new scientific research suggesting a significantly greater proportion of Victoria’s wild dogs or dingo-dog hybrids may in fact be purebred dingoes.
“Before any decision is made ministers must hear from those who lived through the days of wanton wild dog killings, they need to see, feel and hear of the pain that this takes – both physically and emotionally,” Ms Lovell said.
■ Continued page 12
TWO Mount Buller based sporting identities are among the finalists for the 2023 Victorian Sports Awards (VSAs), snow boarder Scotty James, and mogul skier Jakara Anthony are aiming to win back-toback Frank Wilkes and Kitty McEwan Awards respectively.
Their nominations were two of the 240 received from the Victorian sporting community.
For outstanding results achieved at a national or international level in a male category, Scotty will take on Ahmed Kelly (Para-Swimming), Heath Davidson (Wheelchair Tennis) and Mark Blake (Pistol Shooting) while Jakara’s competition for outstanding results achieved nationally or internationally in a female category includes Emily
Petricola (Para-cycling), Jemima Montag (Athletics) and Kate McDonald (Gymnastics).
Starting the year with a silver medal at the Laax Open in Switzerland, where poor visibility resulted in the final being cancelled, James led a double podium for Australia at the X-Games in Aspen where he claimed his sixth victory. He headed to China in December for the World Cup and entered the finals in first place before recording a score of 91.25 in the first round of finals to take home gold.
The victory was his eighth career World Cup win, placing him third alltime in terms of wins for male snowboard halfpipe riders as he continues to cement an incredible legacy in the sport.
THE high country search for missing camper Steven Clough has concluded tragically, as authorities confirmed the discovery of his body in the afternoon last Sunday, April 21.
Mr Clough, aged 58 who lived in the suburb of Waterways, was an avid and experienced dirt bike rider and is believed to have suffered an accident while riding. The grim revelation was made by a member of the public around 1:40 pm, ending extensive search efforts by family, friends, and authorities.
of police and support staff
Mr Clough, who was camping at Skipworth Reserve in Kevington, was last seen departing for a dirt bike ride at Mount Terrible on the Friday afternoon.
Mr Clough had meticulously outlined his planned route
for the afternoon to his wife via text, providing a glimpse into his whereabouts before his disappearance.
Despite his family receiving no response to their texts, they held out hope for his safe return.
His wife Tammy and 18-year-old daughter Sonia expressed their optimism when speaking with the media on Sunday, hoping for a positive outcome.
Authorities are now tasked with determining the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal crash as they prepare a report for the coroner.
The search for Mr Clough spanned over 40 kilometers of trails in the high country, involving a significant number
Despite the efforts of volunteers and law enforcement, the outcome marked a sombre conclusion to the search for the missing camper.
MANSFIELD is the second most popular postcode in Victoria for cash buyers of homes, just below seaside town Paynesville, with 54.9 per cent of buyers purchasing properties mortgage-free according to PEXA’s 2023 cash purchases report released in March.
Semi-retiree Ru Mortyn and her partner Ray Cain moved to Mansfield four years ago from Paynesville, meaning the couple have lived in both the top two suburbs noted in the report.
Before moving to the seaside town, Ru and Ray lived 45 minutes out of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges on a small farm.
“We thought we wanted to do a sea change,’ Ru said.
“Ray had a relative down in Paynesville, so we moved thinking that would be just what we needed, but unfortunately it didn’t work for us.
“My daughter who lives in Merrijig said you should try Mansfield, so I thought we’d give it a try.”
Ru said it is a fantastic area because of the diverse range of outdoor activities.
“We realised that a tree change was definitely what we needed, but you don’t always know when you’re making such a big move,” she said.
“It’s a really nice demographic here.
“People tend to be more interested in staying fit and Ray and I have joined a bike riding group which is great.”
Jenny Gould from the Mansfield District Property Group said a mixture of people from
different ages and backgrounds purchase homes outright in Mansfield.
“A high number of people come from the Mornington Peninsula where the median house price is $1.125 million and the Yarra Valley,” Ms Gould said.
“These are high value areas, so if they’re moving here, they can get rid of their mortgage and that’s one reason they’re not necessarily retirees, but they just might not be first home buyers.”
PEXA’s report states 51 per cent of buyers purchasing
homes mortgage free in the area are couples without children and 35 per cent are not currently within the labour force.
The suburb profile on realestate.com shows that the median house price in Mansfield is $810,000 which has jumped 1.6 per cent in the past twelve months.
In an article published by PEXA on March 13, PEXA chief economist Julie Toth said a large number of homes purchased mortgage-free in regional areas are often by wealthy or older buyers.
“Cash buyers are changing the dynamics of the residential property market and exerting a greater influ ence on overall property demand,” she said.
“They tend to have lower household incomes, but they also have fewer dependents and are more likely to be asset-rich with accumulated property, savings and superannuation to fund their next purchase.
“If they have interest earnings they may have benefited from the rising interest rates.”
For the past ten years, Jack Howard has been presenting his beautiful Bacharach and Beyond show around Melbourne with the splendid Ambassadors Of Love. The song list is breathtaking - Say A Little Prayer, The Look Of Love, Alfie, Anyone Who Had A Heart and so many more; plus tunes from Jimmy Webb, The Carpenters and even Elvis. Jack Howards’ musical reputation with Hunters & Collectors and more, means that he has been able to assemble the best of the best musicians to create this wonderful show, Bacharach and Beyond.
Don’t miss out Sat
IN a recent court case, an earthmover faced charges of theft after unlawfully extracting gravel from a property on Maintongoon Park Rd, receiving a fine and good behaviour bond.
The property, spanning 300 hectares and featuring a pine plantation harvested in 2021, reportedly had no gating, and a six-meter-wide entrance marked as private.
Police prosecutors alleged that on June 17, 2023, around 4 pm, the accused arrived at the plantation with an excavator and truck, extracting gravel and transporting it to his residence several kilometers away.
A witness observed the accused using a blue-green excavator and white truck to remove gravel from the plantation, making multiple trips over an hour.
The witness reported their observations to property owner
POLICE are appealing for information in relation to a theft of money and coin tray in Jamieson last week. Police have released two images of people they believe may be able to assist their enquiries.
Anyone who can assist identify the persons pictured or with any information regarding the theft of coins and coin tray is urged to contact Jamieson Police Station on 5777 0505 or Crime Stoppers Victoria. Reference: 240142178
Agri Wealth, who confirmed the theft on June 22, estimating the volume at 171.5 cubic meters.
Police visited the accused’s address on June 22, noting the presence of an excavator and freshly spread gravel.
Consequently, the accused was arrested, interviewed, and charged.
The accused admitted to taking gravel but said he didn’t know of the property’s private status at the time.
Defence for the accused, Mr Martin Hunt, acknowledged the accused’s full admission and lack of prior offenses, noting he was a 33-year-old with two young children, had moved to the area before COVID and worked in earthmoving and construction.
Mr Hunt emphasised the accused’s remorse, spontaneous decision-making due to wet conditions and muddy surroundings
at his home, and the regrettable nature of the offence.
Character references were submitted to the court, and the accused pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Seeking a non-conviction outcome, the accused offered to pay restitution (investigations revealed a local gravel supplier’s rate at $23.75 per cubic meter).
“I’ve taken this all into account and will give you a chance to retain your integrity,” said the presiding magistrate.
“I can see this was a spontaneous action, you’ve seen others go in there, but the owner of the gravel is out of pocket considerably.
“It’s not a free-for-all.
“You have a good reputation to date so I will grant a week to pay (fine) and allow you to enter a good behaviour undertaking without conviction.”
THERE was a whiff of uncertainty was in the air at the most recent council meeting, when councillors delayed a decision on a proposed lavender farm at Merrijig.
It was anything but relaxing last Tuesday night when the proposed development at 152 Davies Road in Merrijig took centre stage.
The motion to grant the permit with an eye-popping number of conditions ultimately lapsed, indicating that further discussion and information was needed before a decision can be reached.
The proposed development stirred significant community interest, with several individuals presenting their representations during the meeting.
Tony Roussos spoke first in support of his application.
“Our proposal demonstrates the best use of a small 20-acre lot,” he said.
“Lavender is a low-impact crop, improving soil quality with minimal impact on amenity and the surrounding area.
“It provides essential habitat for pollinators and contributes to the preservation of flora and fauna.
“The dwelling will provide necessary infrastructure for operations.”
Mr Roussos added that the farm management plan submitted included consultation with horticultural experts.
“We’ve been part of the Mansfield community for over 40 years, with several family homes in the area, and we look forward to continuing our journey with our children on our own land,” he said.
“We hope this will breathe some fresh life into the land we live on and create some beauti-
ful memories with our family.”
Of the initial 13 objectors to the permit application, 12 remained at the time of the meeting, with concerns ranging from additional noise and dust from increased traffic to the impact of the proposed operations on neighbouring properties, particularly in relation to horse welfare.
The current dwelling was also a sticking point and was described as having decks and annexes added over the past few years, with planning issues since 2019, and a stop work order issued at one point.
Additionally, the proposal initially included plans for a chapel, which sparked objections from some residents.
However, the chapel aspect was later removed from the plans.
Neighbour Trudie Horsfall spoke in opposition.
“The applicants showed little regard for the original planning permit application, which continues today,” she said, speaking to the current structure on the property.
“’Don’t ask for permission; ask for forgiveness’ undermines the integrity of the Mansfield Planning Scheme.
“As elected representatives, you are charged with ensuring adherence to these regulations, and those who choose not to should be held accountable.”
She described the application
as ‘mischievous’ and said the farming management plan was flawed.
“What assurance do residents have that they’ll abide by the permit conditions if it’s granted?”
A deputation from other neighbours, Rhonda Scott and Jaya Naidu, detailing the history at the property, was also read, and building designer Ross Mackinnon spoke about the new building he’s been engaged to design.
While measures such as setback requirements and screen planting were proposed to address some concerns, councillors sought more detailed information on biosecurity risks and the necessity of a dwelling on the property for farm management.
Cr Mark Holcombe queried when the applicant bought the property and their farming experience.
Mr Roussos said 2015-16, and when he bought it he had very little, but is hands on, and has since learned a lot, while his wife is currently undertaking an intensive course on agricultural and horticultural farming.
Cr James Tehan questioned if they lived full-time on the property due to the significant time commitment required for farming and asked about the applicant’s intention to move up here.
Mr Roussos said they aimed
to transition from Melbourne to Mansfield with retirement plans in mind, but currently lived in Melbourne and worked in hospitality.
Cr Rohan Webb raised the issue of a 2019 permit problem involving a shipping container and a 2021 complaint about unauthorised construction, which continued despite a stop work order, and questioned why construction persisted after being instructed to stop.
“While I acknowledge that, we had some storage in there, and it seemed the weather was affecting that, so we just closed it in hope we could contain it,” said Mr Roussos.
Cr Webb expressed skepticism, noting that the construction appeared to resemble a dwelling, and highlighted the extensive list of conditions to be completed within three months should the permit be granted.
Mr Roussos affirmed his ability to complete these. Following extensive discussion, with planning-related information provided by council officer, Nicole Embling, the motion put forward by Cr Paul Sladdin lapsed, and the matter was referred back to council officers for further consideration, deliberation and assessment before a final decision can be made.
The matter is expected to return to council next month.
DEECA Hume are working in partnership with Goulburn-Murray Water remaking the Lake Eildon recreation area houseboat regulations. The department said they have been listening to the houseboat community, industry and partner agencies, to help inform the proposed new regulations after exploring practical options for managing houseboat grey water.
You can have your say on remaking Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations by visiting the Engage Vic website now until May 9 to complete a survey or make a submission.
For more information about draft regulations and when public webinars or drop-in sessions will be held visit the website.
COUNCIL is calling for community feedback on policy requiring organisations and groups to financially contribute towards the maintenance of council properties.
The Property Leasing and Licencing Policy, first adopted by Council in 2017 and reviewed in 2022, asks for a contribution from clubs and community groups for the use of recreation reserves on a fair, equitable and consistent basis.
The policy covers facilities such as Lords Oval, the Mansfield Recreation Reserve, College Park and Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the updated policy balanced council’s fiscal responsibility with the need to have access to areas for sport and recreation available to community members.
“Council spends more than $160,000 on maintaining recreation reserves per year, not including capital upgrades when needed, such as upgrading the drainage at Lords Reserve this year,” said Cr Rabie.
“These costs include the maintenance of the playing field surfaces through mowing, oversowing, brush-cutting and weed and pest spraying.
“Council also incurs costs for power and water, as well as toilet cleaning.
“We know that it is important
for the community to be able to access quality open space and sporting grounds.
“The policy isn’t new, however we want to ask our ratepayers and community for feedback on the way that lease and licence fees are calculated to ensure a fair and equitable contribution.
“The cost of maintenance is partially covered by a rent model that asks for a contribution from the main users of each reserve.
“This covers just a small percentage – less than 10 percent –of the total cost of maintaining the grounds,” said Cr Rabie.
The proposed policy includes a rent model that calculates a fee for each user group and allows for consideration of the specific circumstance of individual organisations.
For example, sports clubs who hold a liquor licence would pay more than volunteer community groups.
“We support our local clubs to the best of our ability, with a focus on strengthening the quality of our facilities,” said Cr Rabie.
“We understand how important the role is that these clubs play in our community.
“That’s why we’ve spoken directly to many of the user groups and clubs and tried to negotiate a contribution that works for current users.
“We’re asking for a contribution from users to help maintain these grounds.
“We welcome feedback from community members as we consider the proposed policy.”
A draft copy of the Leasing and Licensing Policy is available for feedback at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au.
Feedback is open until May 3, 2024.
STUDENTS returning for term two at the Mansfield Primary School were delighted when they saw the new mural in the library, which appeared over the school holidays thanks to the creative efforts of mother and daughter duo Jenny Gibney and teacher Simone Schelfhout.
The project evolved when the school’s library coordinator approached Simone during term one.
When asked if Simone and her mother, Jenny, would be willing to do a mural for the library, the pair jumped at the chance to generously give back to the school that had supported their children over several years.
It was agreed that the theme would be an Australian ‘bushscape’ encompassing various native birds and animals.
These were researched by the library team’s year six students, Max, Monty, Kiarra, and Rex, with special input from Dylan Schelfhout, a fellow student and third-generation family member.
“We called the mural ‘The Wild’ and it is sited in the reading nook so the kids can get themselves a book and feel like they are sitting out in the bush while they read,” said Jenny.
“It is powerful the first time you see it, and it is full of nuances and hidden treats kids can find.
“The mural wraps the kids in the picture like a warm hug.”
The project started with a mock-up of what the finished three-metre by three-metre artwork would look like.
Then, Jenny and Simone completed the mural in one week over the school holidays.
“We have often worked on art projects together in the past, and love working together,” said Jenny.
“It is really great to have a second opinion and helpful suggestions both ways.
“We have slightly different ap-
proaches; I’m more near enoughslap-dash- just get it on the wall, and Simone is a more careful, accurate, beautiful finish.”
The school purchased the paint and was appreciative of Careys Paint Place’s help in matching the colours exactly as Jenny requested.
“We always use proper interior paint for these sort of big works as they will last well into the future,” she said.
“I haven’t done a big mural for several years, but it was a large part
of my art practice in the past.
“I think the last one I did was the hallway wall at Central General Practice.
“The first one I ever did was the archways in the Mansfield Hotel Courtyard in 2001 and they are still there today.
“I find working on any sized artwork fulfilling, and I’m sure Simone does too.
“She does find the ladders less challenging than I do these days, and not surprisingly I wear out quicker.”
MANSFIELD is a great place to live but will the state governments’ takeover of planning and stopping residents’ right to object to inappropriate development at VCAT turn Mansfield into Melbourne?
Some essential services here cannot provide for current residents’ needs and new residents will expect a good standard of living.
The two storey town houses now being built suit retirees more than the working population who are looking somewhere to live and work.
RECENT criticism levelled at the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has been slammed by Graham Stoney (MLC, Central Highlands).
Mr Stoney leapt to the DSE’s defence after it copped flak last week for its decision to burn off during the Easter period amid fears the presence of smoke would hurt the area’s tourism industry.
Also the shadow forestry minister, Mr Stoney labelled the criticism unwarranted, saying the burns had to be done when the opportunity arose.
IN SPORT, Greg Millott describes
Way Back Wednesday
- a look back at what was making news 15 years ago this week.
himself as a bit of a hack when it comes to golf.
But the Mansfield man still pulled off a feat many golfers never achieve, nailing a hole in one on the third hole of the Mansfield Golf Club last week.
“For a mug golfer, it is probably the ultimate,” said Millott, who plays once or twice a week and a has a handicap of 25.
“Some people who play their whole life never get one, and although it took me 30 years of flogging my way around a golf course it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The upcoming scheduled
Council meeting is Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 5pm and will be held both online and in person at the Council Chambers, 33 Highett Street, Mansfield. Go to the events section on our website for more information about how to observe the meeting or contact Customer Service on 5775 8555.
Customer Service Hours
Council's municipal office at 33 Highett Street, Mansfield, is open from 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The Community Shopping Bus program which operates on a Thursday has been extended to include key community events. For any enquires or bookings contact Council on 03 5775 8555.
Upcoming Mansfield Community Events:
Anzac Day, 25 April 2024
Kings Birthday Bush Market, 8 June 2024
The state government is changing who is automatically enrolled to vote in local government elections. To retain the right to have your say about who represents you in local government, you may need to apply to enrol to vote.
If you pay rates here but your primary residence is listed elsewhere, please contact Council to enrol to vote. Some businesses and corporations may be entitled to apply to enrol to vote in Mansfield Shire too – more information for people who run a business can be found on Council’s website. Some people will automatically be enrolled, including Australian citizens who are 18 and over and live in Mansfield Shire as their primary residence. Enrolling for council elections means you get to have a say in who represents your community. Ensure you keep your voice in these elections by enrolling to vote.
Visit Council’s website for more information mansfield.vic.gov.au/Voting2024
As part of the Council and Australian Government funded IMPACT Route works Council is seeking the services of an experienced and qualified contractor to construct a crossing of Lanky Creek on Chapel Hill Road.
The works will include vegetation removal; construction of a new box culvert with a concrete single lane roadway and associated foundations; protective rock beaching; inlet and outlet wing walls; and minor realignment and reconstruction of the unsealed approaches to the crossing. Request for Tender documents and submissions may be downloaded and submitted via Council’s eTender portal www.portal.tenderlink.com/mansfield. The Request for Tender closes at 12 noon on Thursday 16 May 2024.
SM HE Re tow De Su (DS de pe sla Gra (M Hig H A h Ma
SMOKE DEBATE HEATS UP: Recent criticism towards the Department of Sustainability (DSE) for their decision to burn off over the Easter period has been slammed by Graham Stoney (MLC, Central Highlands).
HOLDING ALL THE ACES: Greg Millott nailed his first hole in one on the third hole of the Mansfield Golf Club last week.
Property Leasing & Licencing Policy
Community members are invited to have their say on Council’s draft Property Leasing and Licensing Policy. This policy was first adopted by Council in 2017 and provides the framework for use of Council property through leases and licences. The intent of the policy is to maximise the use of Council’s leased assets and to provide and equitable and transparent process for dealing with subsidised leases or licences. You can review the draft Property Leasing and Licencing Policy and provide feedback until 5.00pm Friday 3 May 2024 at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au.
Council is participating in Tourism North East’s Gravel Cycling Tourism Activation Program. The program includes a network of gravel cycling routes across the High Country utilising existing gravel roads. This initiative aims to create a safe, enjoyable, and immersive gravel cycling experience and provide information for cyclists on local conditions. To view more information and to provide feedback on the selected routes, signage and infrastructure visit engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au by 5.00pm Tuesday 30 April.
Asphalting works to improve road surface in several locations around Mansfield are planned to commence in early May. During this time roads will be closed with traffic management and detours in place.
5–6 May — Highett Street – Malcolm Street Roundabout (Night Shift 6pm-6am)
8 May — Donovans Way Speed Humps
9–10 May — Baldry Street Carpark
SCHOOLS have long recognised the importance of good mental health and wellbeing for our children, especially as students return to school at the start of term two.
The emergence of programs such as the Resilience Project has created tools and resources that can make a difference at a very young age.
Programs like the Resilience Project offer valuable resources, demonstrated during sessions at Merrijig Primary School led by wellbeing coordinator Kylie McCormack.
Sessions focus on connection, purpose, kindness, emotional literacy, and physical health, fostering respectful communication and creative expression of emotions among students. Weekly sessions, split between different grades, empower students to engage with these themes for an hour each week.
During The Courier’s recent visit, students using resources from the Resilience Project were exploring the emotion of anger and finding strategies to deal with it. Preceding this, the younger students have a set time to meditate, whether lying on the floor or eating their fruit. It is a time for calm and awareness of their bodies and feelings in that space.
The Resilience Project uses storytelling, mindfulness, and positive psychology to promote resilience, emphasising gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness (GEM).
“Whatever the weather is like inside you, remember it changes all the time,” said Ms McCormack.
“If you feel stormy, remember the sun will come out tomorrow.”
Ms McCormack led the session by asking students what their bodies feel like when they are angry; responses included “bursting out,” “a butterfly feeling,” and “sick in the tummy.”
Then she asked, “What does it look like when you are angry?”
Answers included “face will get quite red” and “get really angry, then sad”.
Then, this follows how anger affects the brain and the decisions we make.
Students said it was “harder to learn”.
From here, students are encouraged to think about
coping mechanisms when they feel angry or when their anger builds up.
Practical responses included “tell a teacher and tell them you need to cool down”, “get distracted”, “take a deep breath”, “cuddle your mum”, “talk to someone about it”, and “go play with my cars”.
Students then viewed an Angry Birds video about the birds really hating the pigs in the film.
Eventually, the birds work with the blind pigs to create a positive outcome.
Students are asked to reflect on why the birds were so angry, adding there is not always a reason.
Working in pairs, they came up with their own creative responses: “ In the movie, the pigs’ ship crashed into his house,” “got teased
about his eyebrows,” “jealousy,” and “reached their limit.”
To end the session, Ms McCormack used the analogy of an iceberg, saying that anger can be like this when you can only see the tip and not what is under water.
“This term the five/six students will focus on how their bodies are changing, regulating emotions, empathy and mindfulness,” said Ms McCormack.
“The prep four are going to work through the topics of empathy, kindness, tolerance and mindfulness.”
“We recognise that everyone comes to school as an individual, with their own challenges.
“I feel like inclusion has improved, especially student’s willingness to appreciate that everyone is unique.
“Gratitude has also continued to improve.”
Merrijig principal Carol McCluskey is an enthusiastic advocate of the program and Ms McCormack’s work with students.
The school was originally part of a trial group for The Resilience Project, including Steiner, Jamieson, St Mary’s and Mansfield primary schools funded for two to three years.
“When it came to making choices what to spend the government’s mental health funding on after that finished, Merrijig opted to continue with the project after seeing the benefits,” said Ms McCluskey.
“Early intervention can make a massive difference to a child from a young age and with the transition to secondary college.”
PHOEBE Guppy keeps her eyes focused, digging her mudsplattered boots into the damp ovals of Mansfield Recreation Reserve.
At the trill of the whistle, the 13-year-old springs forward, zigzagging through a line of fluorescent cones while dodging a charging teammate, then booting her Sherrin toward the goals.
She turns to high-five her teammates, smiling.
Born in a country home where barely an hour passes without mention of football, training at ‘the rec’ has been the most natural part of her routine, she says, since she was six years old.
“I’ve played netball and basketball, but footy has always been my favourite,” she says, drinking water between drills.
“I just love every part of it.”
Phoebe plays for the Mansfield Eagles Junior Football Club in regional Victoria’s sweeping High Country and the only girl in the mixed under-14s team.
But despite her devotion, 2024 will be her last year in Mansfield’s blue and gold guernsey.
According to the AFL’s National Policy Handbook,
she explains, players older than 14 are asked to compete in an age group that accords with their gender.
For teenage girls living in regional Victoria, that often means finding a new team in an entirely different town - and four years in limbo to continue to play the game they love.
To continue to play, Phoebe must brace for a two-hour round trip to Wangaratta - the nearest youth girls’ team.
“I really want to keep playing,” she says softly.
“But yeah, it’s a pretty far way to go for footy.”
By any measure, Aussie Rules is the No.1 sport in Victoria, especially in the state’s rapidly growing regions, where the legacy and the dynamics of the sport - and the local footy club - continue to wind through the community.
For some, the club provides the only pathway to professional careers in AFL or AFLW.
Across regional Victoria, there are more than 520 local football clubs - roughly half of the state’s total participation base. Fewer than half of these regional clubs field singlesex teams for girls over the age of 13.
According to the AFL, girls now make up one in four Victorian Auskickers. But pathways for regional Victorian girls, once they ‘age out’ of junior football, are limited.
old dream, a dedicated dad and a 400-kilometre weekly
HANNAH Berriman has spent the past two years travelling from Bonnie Doon to Shepparton for footy training and games, adding a weekly average of 394 kilometres to her white Toyota Hilux.
She occasionally trains with the Bonnie Doon men’s team on weeknights when she cannot make the 80-minute commute to Shepparton.
The 18-year-old carpentry apprentice has won backto-back premierships with the Shepparton Swans girls’ team, a team she has learned to love, but admits the travel can be exhausting.
“All the driving can be a bit intense” she explains.
“But when you live
The session will begin with a presentation, followed by a Q&A session and a cuppa. We will then venture into the field to have a look up close with some mistletoe.
regionally, and you’re a girl who loves footy, that’s kinda how it is.”
Across the Hume Highway, at WJ Findlay Oval in Wangaratta, Jess Whitehead is sprinting towards the goalposts, a silver whistle between her fingers.
The Wangaratta Rovers under-17s girls’ coach is late to her team’s weekly Thursday training session but arrives in time for handball drills.
She greets her team with a smile, but a flicker of irritation crosses her face.
Earlier that morning, Jess was told her girls would need to vacate the oval and give up their training slot to make way for the men’s team. They needed to prepare
for their Good Friday match, she was told.
After voicing her objections, and settling for a shorter, earlier session, Jess was told the team could still train at WJ Findlay.
“Bit of a miscommunication between teams,” she explains.
“They’ve got their big match coming up, so they take precedence.
“It’s a genuine mistake, but it’s frustrating, probably shows women’s and girls’ footy still has a fair way to go.”
A third of Jess’ under-17 girls’ team, who play in the AFL North East Border Female Football League, lives outside Wangaratta.
The last-minute decision to make way for the men’s
team with an earlier time slot has meant that as well as Jess, many are late to training.
“We’ve got heaps of girls that travel for an hour or more to get to Wangaratta for footy training so as a coach, you’ve got to be flexible,” she says.
A young girl races onto the field, shouting a jumble of apologies.
“I’m sorry Jess!” yells Amelie Thompson, 16, who has travelled more than an hour to get to training from Wandiligong, a small gold mining town famous for its auburn autumn foliage and notable AFL lineage.
The 16-year-old typically spends between five and seven hours each week driving to training.
“I just love footy, the running, the tackling and the intensity of it is awesome,” she says.
“I’m lucky that Dad can drive me to Wangaratta because some girls might not have that.”
Amelie used to play in a junior mixed team for Bright Football Club, a mere eight-minute drive from her family home.
When she turned 14, her father Craig applied for dispensation for her to keep playing with the boys.
The request was denied.
There was, the AFL told them, “an existing female league in the region”.
The nearest female league in Amelie’s age bracket was the Alpine Lions, in Whorouly, a 48-minute drive from Wandiligong.
So that’s where Amelie played - until they folded in March 2022.
The next feasible option was the Wangaratta Rovers, a 2½-hour round trip from home.
Spotify playlists and carpooling with teammates make the winding drives bearable, says Amelie. Occasionally, she uses the time to lodge hours for her learners’ permit. Most often, though,
Amelie just sleeps.
“I get home from training after 9.30pm plus I’ve got weekend games, plus regular school so I can get pretty tired,” she says.
But dedication has paid off Amelie was selected for the Murray Bushrangers Talent League last year – a common recruiting ground for the AFL and AFLW.
She now trains with the Bushrangers twice a week (also in Wangaratta) and once a fortnight in Wodonga. For fun, she also still trains with the Rovers when she can.
The talent league selection brings her one
step closer to wearing a Collingwood guernsey, a long-held dream. “Playing for the Pies would be pretty epic, so I want to do everything possible to achieve that.”
ON a warm autumn afternoon at ‘the rec’ in Mansfield, a group of women huddle around the main oval, listening intently to Michael Bretherton, the club’s junior
football president and their occasional coach.
One woman calls out: “When do we get our guernseys, Mick?”
They’re coming soon,” he promises.
“Definitely in time for our first match.”
The women respond with a chorus of whoops and cheers.
After nearly six months of campaigning, Mansfield has established a women’s side - the first in the club’s 143-year history.
This afternoon is the team’s final training session before the Easter break and their excitement for their inaugural season is palpable.
The new team is made up of women over the age of 18, some have just finished high school while others work full-time.
Grace Preuss, 32, darts in and out of today’s training session, jogging over to the boundary line to breastfeed her 11-month-old daughter.
Grace tried Auskick when she was younger but quit when she realised there were “zero future pathways”.
A footy team in Mansfield has given her a second chance.
“It’s great to spend time with other mums while also prioritising fitness,” she says.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
A women’s side in the shire means Bonnie Doon’s Hannah Berriman can finally cease her long drives to Shepparton. This cuts her 80-minute commute to 20 for training.
The 18-year-old says she’s happy to be back playing in her hometown, but admits her parents were “way more thrilled” than she was.
“It’s a lot less petrol,” she laughs.
Michael Bretherton says the formation of the team is a tribute to the community and AFL Goulburn Murray staff
While the club still doesn’t have the numbers to pursue a youth girls’ side, he hopes one will be created within two years.
But the absence of a youth girls’ team means 13-year-old Phoebe Guppy is still at a crossroads.
Travel over an hour to access footy in Wangaratta or Shepparton, or stop playing the game she loves.
Her mum is willing to get behind the wheel and do what it takes, and Phoebe is grateful.
“I love footy so much; I am not going to let it stop me,” she says.
This is an excerpt of an article originally published in The Sunday Age - Extra section on April 14,2024.
■ From page 1
DOG ACTION GROUP are skeptical that any promised consultation with farmers and other stakeholders will eventuate.
The group is also requesting that any data on wild dog populations in the Victorian high country and surrounding areas be made available and placed on the table for discussion.
“We are very concerned and fear the lack of support from our state government will see the program closed, possibly overnight and before the October 1 deadline as happened in the north-west,” said Libbe Paton from the group.
“This snap decision now protects dingoes on both public and private land, leaving sheep and cattle producers unable to protect their own livestock.”
Where dingoes threaten livestock in the north-west, farmers must now apply for an Authority to Control Wildlife to use lethal control in circumstances where no other options are available.
The North East Wild Dog Action Group is made up of a committee of proactive livestock producers and from experience believe that non-lethal measures like exclusion fencing and guard animals do not work.
The committee is also dubious of recent research used to inform the government’s new policy of dingo protection.
“The study claims that 87 per cent of all wild dogs in Victoria are purebred dingoes compared with previous data showing one to three per cent were pure dingo,” Ms Paton said.
A further 6.5 per cent of the sample were identified as backcrosses with more than 93 per cent dingo ancestry.
“This study was based on only 62 dog samples of questionable origin in Victoria and was funded by the Dingo Conservation Foundation,” Ms Paton said.
THE NATION-WIDE STUDY identified four genetically separate wild dingo populations that had previously been misidentified.
Researchers now believe the vast majority of wild canines are in fact pure dingoes and are calling on the removal of the term ‘wild dog’ from the lexicon, with the misnomer allowing animals to be targeted for eradication.
The term ‘wild dog’ currently identifies “any dog living in the wild including, including feral domestic dogs, dingoes and their hybrids”.
All are considered
invasive species and subject to lethal control measures, including within the perimeter of conservation areas like National Parks where native animals are protected.
Legislation has been determined by the mistaken belief that interbreeding between dogs and dingoes was widespread, and the resulting hybrids were the main issue.
However recent DNA research shows dingo-dog hybrids are rare, with most dingoes having little to no dog ancestry.
This has led to scientists, conservationists and indigenous people demanding a change to dingo policies and calling for acknowledgment of the species as an apex predator that serves an important role within the environment .
Farmers are concerned that any changes to policy will find themselves on the wrong side of the law, forced to choose between protecting their flock or risk fines and court cases shooting a protected species.
VICTORIAN FARMERS’ FEDERATION PRESIDENT EMMA GERMANO emphasised that it was vital that farmers report all interactions with wild dogs to Agriculture Victoria, especially attacks on livestock and number of stock impacted.
“The data collected by the department is critical to us mounting a case for farmers to maintain access to the tools needed to protect livestock from predation,” she said.
“The Minister of Agriculture Ros Spence has assured the VFF that she wants to provide certainty for producers in other parts of the state around their ability to continue to manage wild dogs and dingoes.”
However, the VFF is seeking government commitment to re-establish the Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee ensuring future decisions are informed directly by the knowledge and experience of livestock producers.
The federation is also requesting commitment that wild dog management activities continue to be funded and supported by the state government, with the VFF calling on government support for producers in the northwest and a review of the revocation of the unprotection order.
THE NATIONAL WILD DOG ACTION PLAN is Australia’s blueprint strategy for wild dog management that guides state, regional and local plans in accordance
with the principles of the Australian Pest Animal Strategy 2017-2027.
Greg Mifsud, the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator believes if the Victorian government ends the Wild Dog Control Program, there will be serious and far-reaching implications for Victoria’s wildlife, the economy and its biodiversity.
“Changes to the program would put at risk the state’s $4.5 billion sheep and wool industry and the 9,200 jobs that it provides for rural Victorian residents,” said Mr Mifsud.
“Sheep and wool producers would be almost powerless to protect the welfare of their animals from wild dog attacks, which raises important questions about how we prioritise the welfare of one animal over another.
“There’s also a substantial emotional toll on producers when they experience attacks on their livestock, so it is likely we would see an increasing level of stress and impacts to producer wellbeing if the Wild Dog Control Program is changed.
“The Victorian government has a strategy for an agriculture sector that is strong, innovative and sustainable.
“One of the aims of the strategy was to make Victorian agriculture an
engine of growth for the state’s economy: attracting investment, supporting jobs and helping communities thrive.
“It will be challenging to achieve this goal if wild dogs are allowed to run rampant across the state.”
Mr Mifsud said that there is very limited publicly available information on the actual number of wild dogs in Victoria.
“The only information available is the number of wild dogs trapped by the wild dog control program,” he said.
“Since 2017 numbers have remained relatively constant between 500 and 630 trapped per year.
“This is in addition to those that are aerial and ground baited in the livestock protection zone, of which we have no figures for.”
Mr Mifsud believes that available data indicates the population of dingoes in the 2.6 million hectares of public lands where no control occurs is in fact healthy and sustainable.
“Industry doesn’t want to eradicate dingoes, just control their numbers,” he said.
“The wild dog control program allows us to strike a balance between dingo conservation, the growth of the livestock industry and the protection of Victoria’s biodiversity.
“Whilst we acknowledge the environmental and cultural significance of the dingo, legislative mechanisms like the unprotection order are critical to ensure livestock, wildlife and domestic pets are protected.”
HEEP FARMER STEVE
SMARSHALL has caught seven wild dogs over the last two weeks on his Booroolite property, with another four or five on his radar after cameras set up on his property captured footage of the pack.
“Out of the seven, six of them were eight or nine years old, so they’ve avoided being caught for a while,” he said.
“And six were bitches.
“It gives you a fair idea of what’s going on out there, if they each were to have six to eight pups in the spring.”
Mr Marshall said the big male dog had only one canine tooth left
“He had hardly any teeth left in his head which gives you an indication of his age, and how long he’d been out there,” he said.
Mr Marshall can list properties in the region that have also recently suffered attacks and stock losses.
“My neighbour has merinos and he lost ten over Easter,” he said.
Mr Marshall is trying to get on top of the issue
before lambing starts.
“I had an incident a few years back when I bought some sheep that lambed unusually early for around here,” he said
“It was March, and once the wild dogs knew we had lambs within two weeks they had cleaned up about 70, before we eventually managed to catch them.”
The dogs were trapped over ten kilometres away and then the killing stopped.
“I believe the problem is getting worse,” Mr Marshall said.
“Many years ago in this area, every farm had sheep and cattle.
“Now there’s only three of us left who have sheep.
“The rest have got out, which is intensifying the problem for the remaining sheep farmers.”
DR MATT MAHONEY OF AGRIDOME CONSULTANCY coordinated the threeyear ‘Less Predators, More Lambs’ project.
Funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and supported by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions along with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, eight sheep producers primarily within the Goulburn Broken catchment participated in the program.
■ Continued page 13
■ From page 12
Over the time-period, producers observed a clear impact from predators, with the project estimating that improved predator management would benefit the entire region.
“The core producers experienced substantial losses due to wild dog attacks during the project,” said Dr Mahoney.
“These attacks did only affect a small proportion of the group, however despite their infrequency, when these attacks did occur, they proved devastating to the ewe flock concerned.
“Looking ahead the project highlighted the need for further investment and focus on wild dog management, as this remains a significant issue for producers.”
of these producers. He believes the current measures under the Wild Dog Control Program should be the minimum requirement to tackle the issue.
“I’ve lost over $20,000 value of sheep –approximately five per cent of my breeding herd,” Mr Diamond said.
“Along with on-farm efforts, the Wild Dog Control Program supports both from a mental health and an on-farm control point-of-view.
“Without these programs, it leaves us farmers in the dark all day every day.
“If we all get out of sheep due to the impact, it’s only a matter of time before the dogs start taking down newborn calves and young cattle.
“If we were to make wild dogs protected we would be in a lot of trouble.
By TIMOTHY HALL PrincipalTHE annual report to the school community has just been released, and results at Mansfield Secondary College are again outstanding.
“I am very proud of our students and staff,” said principal Timothy Hall.
“The outcomes students achieve at our school are excellent, across both academic outcomes and post-secondary pathways provision.”
The annual report was presented to the college council at the end of term two, and covers the 2023 outcomes across Learning, Wellbeing and Engagement indicators.
English results reflect 81.5 per cent of students at or above age expected level, against a similar-schools indicator of 68.0 per cent.
VCE academic outcomes were excellent.
“The program needs to be kept and managed to support farmers all through the North East.”
MCLEISH said the North East had a longstanding dog problem, which has been further exacerbated by the proliferation of the deer population, resulting in an increase in wild dogs.
“Where you have deer, you have wild dogs,” Ms McLeish said.
Ms McLeish is concerned that the problem is spreading, with wild dogs capable of covering large distances.
“Whilst there has been a high prevalence of wild dogs in and around the Mansfield Shire for some time, what is concerning is that the wild dog population has also migrated south and are well established in the Murrindindi Shire and Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“This isn’t just a seasonal or one-off problem.
“When these dogs get on to private land it is too late.
“Often the only opportunity doggers get to deal with these dogs is on tracks along the public land interface as it is impossible to trap on the open paddocks of private property.
“Good boundary fencing helps which can get very pricey helps, but is not the solution as falling branches, wombats, sambar deer and other elements bring down these fences regularly, hence the ability to control dogs on public land needs to be retained.
“I have raised the issue of funding and continuation of the Wild Dog Control Program in parliament.
“I will continue to do so.”
score above 40), again better than our nearest private competitors at FCJ Benalla (4.4 percent), Galen College Wangaratta (3.7 percent) and Cathedral College Wangaratta (2.5 percent) (‘The Age’, ‘Top Schools Report’, published December 13, 2023).
The median study score of our students was 30, better than our nearest private competitors at FCJ Benalla (29), Galen College Wangaratta (28) and Cathedral College Wangaratta (29).
The proportion of high performing students was also excellent at 5.7 percent (percentage with a study
Of interest is the ‘positive exit destination’ data, showing 96 percent of students leaving to positive post-secondary outcomes (employment or further study), against a similar school’s result of 85.1 percent.
The college recognises the contribution of our outstanding community, who partner with us to
support our young people with employment and training opportunities.
A wondering from the report is the ‘sense of connectedness’ indicator for students.
This year the college has strategically introduced a homegroup structure to positively influence the wellbeing and connection of students.
This indicator is one that will be monitored into the future, to track the impact of the new homegroup structure.
A copy of the annual report to the school community can be obtained by contacting the administration office.
WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2024
School Tour from 5:30pm
Presentation 6pm - 7pm
We invite all prospective 2025 Year 7 students and their families to the College for an Information Night.
Come along and hear from our Leadership Team about the opportunities Mansfield Secondary College offers.
PAMELA Dalgliesh is a dedicated volunteer and retired dentist who gives up a number of hours each week to lead the Mansfield fresh food drive and chop and chat alongside many other volunteers giving back to the community.
She moved to Mansfield in 2012 and got involved in Mansfield Respond when it first started in 2019.
“I’m a supporter of eating fresh healthy food,” Pamela said.
“When the advertisement came out to join the focus group, I thought it would be something that I could enjoy and contribute to because I was fairly new to Mansfield.”
Pamela spends around five hours a week growing and collecting vegetables and volunteering at the Mansfield food drive.
“We grow the vegetables up at Bindaree and I collect vegetables from my own garden,” she said.
“We’ve got lots of vegetables, pears and apples, but you’ll find soon broccoli and cauliflower will come on and it’s important for people to recognise that seasonal vegetables are also cheaper as well.
“We have recently introduced seeds and seedlings to encourage growing in your gardens across the community.”
Lucy Marks, dietitian and project manager of the Respond Project, said the project is a community led approach to healthy eating and active living.
“Projects like the fresh food drive give all community members across Mansfield access to fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.
‘Research tells us that we’re not eating enough fresh vegetables, so these projects are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of the community and I think the interactions are also very special.”
Pamela said the fresh food drive and chop and chat requires dedication, teamwork and planning to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
“Our volunteers are amazing and they’re always chatting to people who come along explaining how to store and prepare fresh produce while sharing their recipes,” Pamela said.
“Preparation for chop and chat takes a bit more time than the Mansfield fresh food drive, because you are managing rosters, menus and buying vegetables.
“I think one of the key things for both projects is having succession planning to ensure we’ve got people to carry on when I or Lucy are away, so there will always be people to keep the journey going.”
Pamela said that in today’s society there is a strong drive
for convenient, packaged and takeaway food.
“There’s nothing more healthy than fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.
“Mansfield is the right place with a lot of people able to grow their own vegetables in their backyards.
“The whole essence of these activities are instilling the importance of growing and consuming fresh food in each generation.”
Mansfield respond volunteers provide cooking classes for young people teaching them how to cook with healthy, natural foods.
Pamela said that cooking with fresh foods enables local community members to gain a broader knowledge and understanding of how to incorporate heathy foods into their daily lives.
“When you grow your own food there is always excess and it’s usually thrown out,” Pamela said.
“It’s important to ensure that there is no waste.”
Pamela said these projects have created a close-knit community.
“A lot of people who come here perhaps live on their own and some of them stay for a cup of tea and a chat,’ she said.
“Just bringing something along and meeting people in your day-to-day life is something that is very special.”
CHOP & CHAT a community activity facilitated by the St John’s Anglican Church and the wider community, recently celebrated its second anniversary with an afternoon tea at the St John’s Hall for its volunteers and supporters.
The 40 strong volunteer group is a key contributor to the food bank distributed by the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry under the administration of the Mansfield Christian Fellowship.
Chop & Chat contributes approximately 30 per cent of all the food distributed by the food bank with the re-
mainder provided by many generous donors amongst Mansfield’s food and hospitality sector.
Speaking at the celebration about the work of Chop & Chat, Mansfield Respond Project Coordinator, Lucy Marks, highlighted that in the past two years, its volunteers had cooked 4204 meals from 28 different recipes to support the food pantry.
“Nutritious (and delicious) meals are being made available to those who perhaps have not had access to them in the past,” said Lucy. “We have an excellent relationship with Simon, Graeme and Michael from the Loaves and Fishes Food Pan-
try, and have seen a growing awareness of the necessity for groups such as Chop & Chat in our district in recent years.”
In his response to those gathered, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry’s Simon Goodluck sang the praises of the Chop & Chat volunteers.
“You are an absolute blessing to lots of people ‘doing it tough’ around the district as they receive much needed support,” he said.
Simon highlighted that around 70 to 80 people per week benefit from meals from the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry; 80 per cent of the recipients are families.
“The number of people re-
ceiving meals has increased markedly from 40 to 50 people per week over the last 12 months,” said Simon.
“These people come from all walks of life.”
Closely identifying with the experiences of those ‘doing it tough’, Simon spoke of his own life challenges before he received help from Mansfield Christian Fellowship.
He was pleased to acknowledge to those assembled at the celebration that many of those who receive support from the food pantry give back when they are able.
“This is one of the most positive aspects of the program,” he said.
In her remarks at the celebration, Chop & Chat chief convenor Pamela Dalgliesh expressed gratitude for the substantial financial support from key donors, the Community Bank Mansfield & District (Bendigo Bank) and the Rotary Club Mansfield. Staff members from the bank regularly join the Chop & Chat volunteers to prepare meals.
Pamela acknowledged the work of all the Chop & Chat volunteers and in particular the work of leaders Leanne Robson, Trish Gilson, Kaylene Alexander and Leanne Allen who undertake all the shopping and recipe testing. The group also recognised
the great energy and humour of the late Sue Gardner who is much missed.
Pamela emphasised that the Chop & Chat volunteers are pleased to support the community and she is very grateful for everyone’s contribution of time.
“I love meeting the volunteers and working with them,” she said.
“Each person has their own strengths and passion.”
Underpinning the ethos of groups such as Chop & Chat are the health benefits of enjoying the companionship of others whilst knowing one is making a vital contribution to the wellbeing of the community.
A GROUP of interested locals organised by Delatite Landcare Group and Up2Us Landcare, with the guidance of local ecologist Bertram Lobert, recently spent an evening searching for native “night creatures” at Boorolite with great success.
The 35 participants carried out a spotlighting survey on private property along the margins of the Mansfield State Forest; Southern Greater Gliders have been seen in this area occasionally, but documented data on endangered species here is rare.
The Southern Greater Glider is a nocturnal, arboreal mammal and is Australia’s largest gliding mammal.
Arguably the “cutest” of all Australian native animals, they are about the size of a brushtail possum
but not as heavy, have dense soft fur, fluffy ears and a voluminous long fluffy tail.
Those we identified on our survey were mainly a very dark chocolate-charcoal colour with almostwhite belly fur.
These gliders don’t move around much, spending their lives in the canopy of tall eucalypts where they feed on leaves and flowers.
When they feel the need, they launch from one tree and glide to another; this is an awesome sight that not many people get to see.
They require tree hollows for sleep and protection during the day and this dictates that their principal habitat is in old growth trees that have developed large hollows.
The increasing loss of this kind of habitat is believed to be a major cause of a significant population decline, greater than 80 per cent in 20 years according to recent
research. Southern Greater Gliders are now listed as an endangered species both in Victoria and nationally.
Our survey was fantastically successful; species identified were an Owlet Nightjar (a small owl-like bird), two Common Brushtail Possums and a total of seven Southern Greater Gliders, one with a young one on its back.
All this was in an area of about two hectares.
If you are interested in better understanding our endangered and fascinating native night creatures, and particularly if you are aware of the presence of gliders or suitable habitat for them around the extended Mansfield district, please let us know at Up2Us Landcare.
You could help us better determine the local distribution and abundance of these wonderful native residents.
ENDANGERED: A recent night search in Boorolite discovered a Southern Greater Glider.
BUMPER crowds of fishers and their families are again expected at the annual open day of the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) Snobs Creek hatchery, near Eildon, on Sunday May 5 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
VFA Chief Executive Officer Travis Dowling said it was one of two opportunities each year for people to tour the facility, ask questions of expert staff, feed trout and view plans for a new conservation hatchery and Macquarie perch captive breeding centre to grow and stock more threatened species.
“The event has long been a hit with families, many of whom make the day trip from Melbourne to Eildon, and there will once again be plenty to see and do for fishing fanatics young and old,” Mr Dowling said.
“It comes following a successful open day at our Arcadia hatchery last weekend and it’ll take you behind the scenes to find out how native fish and trout are grown and stocked.”
Guided tours will enable people to explore the Snobs Creek site, ask questions of the VFA’s expert staff and see how fish are bred and
grown - from egg sorting to watching catchable-size trout swimming in races and feeding large trout broodstock held in ponds.
A pop-up cinema with free popcorn will be screening a short movie about the hatchery, attendees can try virtual reality fishing and there’s fishy educational activities with free showbags for kids to take home.
Families are encouraged to make a weekend of it by combining a visit to Snobs Creek with casting a line into Lake Eildon, the nearby pondage or the Goulburn River, providing a perfect
opportunity to try out one of the 95,000 Little Angler Kits distributed through Victorian schools in recent months.
Open day visitors will also hear from staff on the work being done to protect threatened native fish and how research, habitat improvement, flood recovery programs and translocations are making a positive difference.
The Snobs Creek hatchery is located at 455 Goulburn Valley Highway, Eildon. For more information, head to www.vfa.vic.gov.au/ snobsopenday
This winter, we know what to do to stay well against the flu, COVID and whooping cough. Get your flu shot and up-to-date COVID vaccine. It’s the most effective way to stay protected this winter.
You can get both vaccines at the same time, and the flu shot is free if you’re
• aged 65 and over
• pregnant
• an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander over 6 months old
• and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu.
It's crucial to remember that the flu shot protects both adults and children from serious flu-related illness.
Children aged 6 months or older should get the flu vaccine every year, which is also free for kids under 5. Additionally, it's important to be aware of whooping cough (pertussis), a highly contagious respiratory infection. Shockingly, one in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will tragically lose their lives. However, vaccination is the best way to reduce this risk.
By ensuring timely vaccination for yourself and your loved ones against these illnesses, you play a vital role in safeguarding against their potentially severe consequences. Stay informed, get vaccinated, and stay well this winter.
The recent Converge on the Goulburn 2024 event was a fantastic community gathering that took place over the weekend. Hosted at Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton, the event brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate our diverse community. The GV PHU was fortunate to have a stall at the event, with our team hosting a community health stall. It was a great opportunity for everyone to come down, meet our team, and grab some GV PHU goodies.
A free event spanned over two days and featured plenty of activities, including food stalls, local vendors, and entertainment for all ages.
At the event, we were able to share crucial health information covering a range of topics, including RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 safety.
Our aim at GV PHU is to provide care and up-to-date health messages for our local communities, and events like Converge on the Goulburn allow us to do just that.
BOLO APRIL REPORT
It's recommended for everyone aged 6 months or older to get a flu vaccine each year. It's possible to receive the flu shot alongside other vaccines such as those for whooping cough, RSV, pneumococcal, and COVID-19. If your child is between 6 months and less than 5 years old, seek guidance from your immunisation provider regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Wearing a face mask and practicing good hand hygiene can lower your chances of catching or spreading the flu.
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious infection often leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially risky for children with asthma. It's a primary cause for hospital admissions of infants and toddlers, with almost all children infected before age 2. Although it can affect individuals of any age, infants and young kids face the greatest risk of severe illness. RSV is more prevalent during Autumn and Winter. Implementing thorough cleaning, hand, and respiratory hygiene practices significantly reduces it’s spread.
Most COVID-19 cases can be managed at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relief if necessary. For worsening symptoms or concerns, contact your GP. Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms should stay home, conduct a rapid antigen test (RAT), and follow results accordingly. If positive, isolate for at least five days or until symptoms resolve; if negative, isolate until symptoms subside. Avoid hospitals and aged care facilities for at least five days post-positive test or symptom onset.
We are seeing increasing cases of whooping cough across Victoria. Whooping cough, (known clinically as pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory (lung) infection. The major symptom of whooping cough is the characteristic cough, which is often followed by a 'whooping' sound on inhaling a breath. In babies it can cause lung infection, seizures and in serious cases, even death. Immunisation is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. Talk to your GP for more information.
JAMIESON community was saddened on Sunday by the result of a biking accident.
The visitor was from Melbourne and had planned to camp at Skipworth Reserve.
A massive search was undertaken with Police, SES, Search and Rescue, police horses, police bike and the Police Airwing were committed to the search on Sunday.
The police were able to access the Jamieson Fire Station, for administration and registration of over 70 searchers who were called to attend.
The Jamieson CFA members assisted making the fire station available by moving the tankers from the fire station into the police paddock and supplying furniture tables and chairs from the Memorial Hall, so the administration and registrations were co-ordinated speedily.
Local police officer Senior Constable George Crawford with members from Mansfield and Benalla police stations, worked together on the search.
With local knowledge Senior Constable Crawford was invaluable working with the searchers and providing hands on local knowledge of the extreme terrain.
Our thoughts are with the family and the whole team in the search recovery.
THIS week the Jamieson CFA members are carrying out fire hose testing, a very necessary exercise that the members will carry out over the next few days.
JAMIESON Primary school resumed second term, with three new students and three new staff members following a very happy Easter and school holiday break.
The finale being the Jamieson Autumn Festival.
The students are embracing Friday Specialist day with German Language, Art and Science for the second term. They will also have tennis classes.
The Jamieson school with Merrijig school are planning the Ski Season class lessons with parents.
The Ski Season school lessons have been part of the two school Ski Program for many years and is very popular with the students.
ANZAC Day is very busy in Jamieson with an influx of respectful visitors making the annual trip to Jamieson.
The morning commences with the Dawn Service at 6:00am the Eternal Flame is lit.
The five rifle shooters are at the ready for the three shot salute.
Many named small white crosses are placed ready for Jamieson families, who saw service during Wars and have passed, to be placed at the memorial Rock in Gerrans Reserve.
Lauriston girls school students from Howqua Campus will be brought in on buses to perform at the Dawn Service.
This very moving Service has Barry Matthews as MC, with flag raisers at the ready, wreaths ready to be laid, musicians ready to play the Last Post and Reveille and the National Anthem.
Following the Dawn Service, the Traditional Gunfire Breakfast will be served at the Courthouse Hotel this meal is a tradition in Jamieson since 1985.
There is no charge for the traditional breakfast.
The 11:am March will process down Perkins Street following the helicopter flyover, arriving at Gerrans Reserve for the Service.
The next Service follows the Flag raising and Wreath laying with the CFA members at attention.
The final Service is to be held in the Memorial Hall with guest speaker and traditional prayers singing of Abide with Me and the National Anthem, and the students from Jamieson Primary School performing singing a special song.
Following the service, there will be a Traditional lunch at the Courthouse Hotel.
A $10 entry for lunch, a plate of prepared food may be presented to share.
Following the luncheon the traditional 2UP game in the hotel back garden; no child under 18 years may take part in the game.
AS part of “Do it for Dolly Day” on May 10, the Mansfield & District Trail Riders Club (MDTRC) will be hosting an auction at the Merrijig Hunt Club Hotel followed by a ride the next day to raise funds for Dolly’s Dream to create a kinder and safer place for Australian kids and communities.
The Friday night auction starting at 7.30pm in the hotel bistro will include donated goods from the local business community
with Merrijig identity Beau Purcell conducting proceedings.
Over the weekend (MDTRC) will be holding a horse ride based at McCormack’s Buttercup Station in Merrijig at the same time as 30 other trail riding clubs across the country to raise funds for the charity.
Offers of more items for the auction would be most appreciated to boost the fundraising for Dolly’s Dream that works to promote an anti-bullying message.
The organisation came about
after 14-year-old Dolly Everett from the Northern Territory died by suicide following extensive online bullying.
If anyone would prefer to donate money they can do so online at; https://www.dollysdream. org.au/fundraisers/AustralianTrailHorseRidersAssociation and scroll down to the MDTRC logo and donate to that page.
For more information contact Andrew Jackson on 0418 332 462 or email jacksona11@bigpond. com
By JESS ROBINSON
AUSTRALIA’S diverse ecosystems boast a variety of unique flora and fauna, and among them stands the Australian mistletoe, a botanical marvel with significant ecological importance.
Often overlooked or misunderstood, mistletoe plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health across the continent.
On Saturday May 4 Up2Us Landcare Alliance will be hosting Professor David Watson who is an ecologist with a longstanding interest in the plant.
Contrary to its festive connotations, Australian mistletoe is a parasitic plant that thrives in a range of habitats, from woodlands to rainforests.
Its distinctive clusters of green foliage and vibrant flowers adorn the canopies of native trees, making it a familiar sight in many landscapes.
Despite its parasitic nature, Australian mistletoe serves as a vital component of the ecosystem.
Its presence supports a myriad of wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals, which rely on its nectar, flowers, and berries for sustenance.
In fact, mistletoe can be
THE magic of a prolific and much-loved songwriter lives on through the beautiful “Bacharach and Beyond” show featuring Melbourne musician Jack Howard with the splendid Ambassadors of Love in a return Mansfield performance at the Delatite Hotel in May.
The show was established 10 years ago and continues to honour the memory of the notable and chart-topping Burt Bacharach who sadly died in February 2023.
The Melbourne-based show is hitting the road again to the high country to present a memorable song list that will resonate with
young and old alike.
Numbers include “Say A Little Prayer”, “The Look of Love”, “Alfie”, “Anyone Who Had A Heart” and so many more, plus tunes from Jimmy Webb, The Carpenters and even Elvis.
“We have hosted a number of cabaret shows here, from The Bushwhackers to Burlesque,” said Delatite Hotel owner, Dean Belle.
“We love the reaction of guests when they walk in and see the hotel transformed into a cabaret room with full staging, lighting and an atmosphere to match.
“Jack Howard’s musical reputation with Hunters &
Collectors and more, means that he has been able to assemble the best of the best musicians to create this wonderful show, ‘Bacharach and Beyond’,” Dean said.
Jack and the band will be back with the same heart and soul, and gorgeous tunes as per their previous show in Mansfield last year, Dean assures us.
With the fabulous Michael sisters, Heather and Marj, on lead vocals and flute and violin, Jack on vocals and trumpet, John Berto on guitar and vocal, Amy Valent Curlis on vibes and percussion, Greg Murray on drums and Rob Walker on bass, The
Ambassadors will take you on a glorious retro musical ride.
In addition to playing with Hunters & Collectors, Jack Howard has toured the world with Midnight Oil and along the way, performed with Rodriguez, The Violent Femmes, The Living End and a host of others.
He has been described as “one of the great quiet achievers of Australian music”.
A show not to be missed on Saturday May 25, at the Delatite Hotel.
Cost is $109 per person for dinner and show.
Tickets are available via Trybooking.com/COBSJ
considered a keystone species, as its removal can disrupt entire ecosystems.
One of the most remarkable ecological roles of Australian mistletoe is its contribution to biodiversity.
By providing a habitat and food source for numerous species, it fosters richness and abundance within ecosystems.
Many bird species, such as the iconic Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), depend on mistletoe berries as a primary food source, facilitating seed dispersal and promoting the regeneration of native vegetation.
The Imperial Jezebel butterfly (Delias harpalyce) also relies on mistletoe.
This spectacular butterfly mates and lays their bright yellow eggs on the mistletoe leaves.
The hairy black caterpillars then feed on the leaves and when it is time to pupate the caterpillars build a dense web and shelter in it until emergence.
Furthermore, Australian mistletoe plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and soil fertility.
Through its parasitic relationship with host trees, mistletoe extracts water and minerals, redistributing them upon leaf litter fall.
This process enhances
soil nutrient levels, benefiting surrounding vegetation and contributing to overall ecosystem productivity.
However, Australian mistletoe faces threats from habitat loss, urbanization, and invasive species, jeopardizing its ecological contributions.
Conservation efforts are crucial to safeguarding this botanical treasure and preserving the biodiversity it supports.
Mistletoe presence in Mansfield and surrounds is quite prevalent - you have probably seen in it among our eucalyptus trees along roadsides, in reserves, and even on your own property.
Until recently, mistletoe had been considered a problematic pest around Australia and many looked at removing it rather than treasuring it.
In addition to the ecology of parasitic plants, Mr Watson will discuss the development of solutions for habitat fragmentation and managing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.
Come along to hear about this ecological treasure, and have some common misconceptions answered.
Contact Up2Us on 5779 1593 or landcare@up2us. org.au to register.
Mansfield: 6am dawn service at the Menin Gates Memorial in Highett St. Gunfire breakfast at Mansfield CFA.
Assembly for march outside Mansfield RSL at 9.40am prior to the main service at 10am.
Jamieson: Dawn service, 6am at the War Memorial in Gerrans Reserve, Perkins Street.
Gunfire breakfast at the Courthouse Hotel.
Marchers to assemble at 10.45am on the corner of Perkins and Mary Streets.
The main service is in the Jamieson Memorial Hall starting at midday followed by lunch in the Courthouse Hotel.
Bonnie Doon: A Dawn Service will be held at the Soldier’s Memorial in Bon Crescent from 6am.
Those attending are asked t o assemble at the site by 5.50am with Stand To at 5.55am.
After service, a gunfire breakfast at the Bonnie Doon Community Centre’s park.
Tolmie: A Dawn service will commence at 6am and end at 7am at the Tolmie Recreation Reserve, Old Tolmie Rd.
Barbecue breakfast.
Merrijig: Merrijig War and Service Memorial at approximately 7.30am, opposite the intersection of Mt Buller and Buttercup Roads.
Horses and riders expected between 7am and 7.15am.
Riders will gather at the Hunt Club Hotel at 6.30am and proceed to the memorial. A gunfire breakfast will follow.
Breakfast donations appreciated at all services. THIRD
APRIL 26: Lake High - Great Victorian walk for autism, Great Victorian Rail Trail, fundraiser for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services, 15km and 30km.
MAY 4: The mysteries and misconceptions of mistletoe, 10am12.30pm, Mansfield Steiner School. Up2Us Landcare - 5779 1593.
MAY 12: Mansfield Marathon,
CWA Monthly meetings: 3rd Sunday afternoon, 2pm each month.
CWA Craft Days: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 10am, 2nd Thursday 6pm and 4th Wednesday at 6pm, each month.
CWA Op shop open: most days from 10am.
Family History Group at Mansfield Library. 3pm every 4th Thursday of the month.
Grief and bereavement support group meets on the first Thursday of the month at Bob’s Shed, 82A Malcolm Street. All are welcome on a regular or casual basis and morning tea is provided. Ring 5775 3161 for more information.
High Country Poets meet at the Mansfield Library on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1:30 pm. Members of the public all welcome to come and listen / or share their poetic ramblings.
Justice of the Peace Services – Every Thursday, Mansfield Police Station. 10am to 1pm for witnessing and signing of documents.
Lima South Old Time Dance: At Lima South Hall the second Sunday of each month between 1pm and 5pm. Entry $10. Music provided by The Ramblers. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. All welcome. Contact: 0425868277.
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.
Monday Mingle – Every Monday – organised by the Bonnie Doon Community Centre – chat and make new friends – new theme each week. BYO ideas for activities – all ages and abilities
Mansfield support group for carers and people with special needs – morning coffee, third Tuesday of the month, 9.30am at Bob’s Shed, Rosehaven 82A Malcolm St Mansfield. Ph 0409 751 593.
Mansfield Uniting Church - Highett Street Sunday services, 9.30am. All welcome. Ph 0417 103 813
Great Victorian Rail Trail. email mansfieldathleticsclub@gmail.com or call Liam Delany on 0425 711 412.
MAY 16: Outdoor Provedore, producers market, 8.30am to 12.30pm on the High Street median strip, opposite the CWA (third Saturday of every month).
MAY 22: Women on Wednesdays (WOW!) group are hosting a biggest morning tea fundraiser for The Cancer Council at The Delatite Hotel, 10.30am - 12pm. Tickets $15 through Booking.com
MAY 25/MAY 26: Mushroom encounters with Alison Pouliot, 11am-3pm, Carters Mill Picnic Area. $25 per head, Up2Us Landcare - https://trybooking.com/CPSIS
JUNE 22: Mansfield Lantern Festival, Erril Street, 4pm to 9pm.
Men‘s Probus meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday for monthly meetings, and then activities/outings are held on the last Wednesday of each month – or as organised.
Ladies Probus meets every second Monday of each month at Delatite Hotel for meetings and 4th Monday for social or as organised.
Outdoor Provedore, producers market, 8.30am to 12.30pm on the High Street median strip, opposite the CWA (third Saturday of every month).
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.
a self-contained apartment with its own private entry, in for dual living with extended family or even paying guests. It has proven a popular listing on airbnb in recent years. There is not a single step in the entire home and the doors are nice and wide, so it is eminently suitable for anyone reliant on a wheelchair.
In total there are about 36 squares level block with a prized North facing rear garden, fully fenced and ready for you to enjoy with your 2 and 4 legged family members. The location is great too, in a quiet court just a few minutes from High Street. There is a long list of desirable features and high quality inclusions that we can provide, but you can see the cathedral ceilings in the photos. They are even more spectacular in person. Of course all the windows and sliding
doors are double glazed and there is ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning with zoned temperature controls. The property has 3 phase power and a 14.8 kw solar system so you can pretty much forget about power bills! And storage...the lack thereof is the bain of so many buyers, but not here. Storage is abundant...and clever. There’s even a wine room!!
And for your cars and other vehicles there is an oversized double garage, plus a large shed and workshop at the rear of the property.
THE start of the 2024 duck season on April 10 has prompted concerned citizens to call their local police stations and a timely reminder by the Benalla Proactive Policing Unit about the responsibilities of duck hunters.
The current season concludes on Wednesday June 5 2024.
Police urge hunters to refer to the following information provided by the Game Management Authority and Goulburn Murray Water.
It is up to the hunter to know all the relevant information on where to hunt, what permits are required and exercise firearm safety at all times.
Throughout the season, hunting hours are from 8am until 30 minutes after sunset.
Irresponsible, unsafe or illegal behaviour related to duck hunting can be reported anonymously to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) by phoning 136 186.
If someone is in danger or any firearms related issues or incidents, contact Victoria Police by dialling 000.
Where I can hunt…?
Duck hunting is permitted on a
REMINDER OF THE RULES: The start of the 2024 duck season on April 10 has prompted concerned citizens to call their local police stations and a timely reminder by the Benalla Proactive Policing Unit about the responsibilities of duck hunters.
range of public land types, including State Forest, unoccupied crown land and state game reserves.
Hunting is also permitted on leased and licensed crown land and private land with permission of the landowner or manager. There are several lakes and weirs that are permitted for duck hunting in North East Victoria.
For more information download the More to Explore app from the GMA Victoria website.
On the water…
You are allowed to hunt duck from a boat under power up to a speed of five knots on waterways
such as rivers, creeks and streams.
You are not allowed to hunt duck from a motorboat with the motor running (whether it is in gear or not) on open water such as lakes, dams or swamps.
A motorboat operating at a speed of five knots or less can be used to retrieve dead or wounded ducks.
Duck hunting is permitted in certain areas of GMW storages during the Victorian duck hunting season such as Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Eildon.
Recreation areas are off limits to hunters.
This also includes public access for any purpose (including duck hunting) is prohibited along GMW’s channel system at all times.
Duck hunters need to be aware about entering private property and are required to seek the consent of landholders to hunt or pass through private property.
Hunters should respect private property and the rights of landowners.
Hunting in a prohibited area could result in the loss of game and firearms licences and/or the seizure and confiscation of firearms, vehicles, or other belongings.
Information on where I cannot hunt…
This year in the North East, Big Reedy Lagoon State Game Reserve in Yarrawonga is completely closed for duck hunting.
Areas such as sanctuaries, Melbourne water and catchment areas, flora and fauna reserves, nature conservation reserves and alpine resorts do not permit hunting.
For more information on permitted locations visit: https://www. gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/ where-to-hunt/hunting-maps
Hunters must never carry a loaded firearm or use a firearm in a town or populous place (picnic area, camp site) or on or over any area of public or private land where hunting is not permitted.
If hunting on a lake or weir, Maps from Goulburn Murray Water indicates where these areas are.
All information has been obtained from Game management Authority and Goulburn Murray Water which can be viewed on their website.
https://www.g-mwater.com.au/ recreation/duck-hunting
https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/ hunting/duck
BEEF producer and breeder of speckle park cattle, Mansfield’s Scotty Purcell was chuffed with how his stock performed at the recent Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“We attended Sydney Royal Easter Show where we exhibited three head of cattle, we were pretty overwhelmed with our results,” said Scotty.
“Our junior bull won the 18–20-month class, and our two heifers placed first and second in the 18–20-month-old female class.”
“It’s a lot of time, money and hard work breaking in the cattle and presenting them correctly to try and make a name for ourselves.
“So, it was a very rewarding feeling listening to the judges’ positive comments on our cattle, which hopefully will be reflected when
we sell them at the blueprint opportunity sale on May 24, at Pine Lodge, Victoria. “It’s good to get out and get a ribbon but we certainly don’t lose focus on what the breed is all about and what we are truly breeding
towards and that’s carcass quality.”
The new business venture ‘Bonkonia Beef’ works hand-inhand with Scotty’s Bonkonia Speckle Park Stud, to show the end product of what he is breeding for.
The business is building a follow-
TWO operators in the minerals and quarry sector in northern Victoria have drawn the attention of the Earth Resources Regulator with both failing to comply with industry regulations.
A remedial notice was issued requiring the operator of a hard rock quarry in northern Victoria to cease extraction that is placing long-term stability of the site at risk.
Work will now be required to reinstate the approved angle of the pit slope, which is critical to ensuring the final structure is safe.
And a minerals exploration company was forced to stop work to address a number of licence conditions that had not been met, with the company’s planned minerals exploration activity north of Melbourne put on hold.
The compliance action was due to several aspects including an outstanding rehabilitation bond payment, a failure to register landholder compensation agreements and providing insufficient technical details.
Further afield inspectors found a gravel quarry operator in eastern Victoria had extracted material outside their approved area.
The Earth Resources Regulator issued a stop work notice to cease unapproved activities and submit a plan for the rehabilitation of the area.
In western Victoria a sand quarry operator was found to have failed to conduct an adequate review of their tailings dam, where waste material is stored.
Compliance with set conditions for tailings and waste storage is critical to ensure that structures function as designed and do not pose an unacceptable risk to the surrounding area.
ing with direct sales to the public via its Facebook page ‘Bonkonia Beef’.
It is also a part of the newly established ‘Outdoor Provedore’ market which is held on the third Saturday morning of every month, in the median strip on the east side of High Street, Mansfield.
The speckle park breed consistently maintains tenderness, flavour, marbling and easy finishing/ feed conversion making it a popular choice for consumers, according to Scotty.
“The future of the beef industry, and the speckle park breed is bright, and we encourage anyone that’s interested in them to come and have a look at our herd and try a speckle park steak,” said Scotty.
“You’ve tried the rest, now try the best,” is Scotty’s motto.
“Most operators in the resources sector across the state are working hard, meeting all their obligations and performing to a high standard - the Earth Resources Regulator is focused on those falling short of this benchmark to ensure their poor practices don’t put the environment, infrastructure and communities at risk,” said Resources Victoria CEO Matt Vincent.
“Industry will see us continue to promote our increased use of notices to formalise our requirements when we find risks not being managed appropriately or authority holders not complying with their Work Plans, a strong and active regulator reflects well on the broader resources sector.”
Resolution of all these issues found by the Earth Resources Regulator will mean operators incurring extra expense and delay, which could have been avoided with higher levels of diligence and compliance with their approved plans.
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
A KEEN snowboarder, an enthusiastic dancer, an all-round athlete and a budding pianist, Sienna Vivash enjoys all her extra-curricular activities, but when it comes to her favourite there’s no hesitation.
“Mountain biking is the sport I love best, and Downhill is my favourite,” she said.
Driven initially by dad Luke’s passion for the sport, the whole family have embraced the activity, with Sienna and younger brother Miles both riding for “as long as they can remember”.
Mum Serena is the cheer squad and shuttle service, and with both siblings hitting the competition circuit, mountain biking has become a constant every weekend over the season.
Turning nine in February, Sienna has been competing since she was seven, with this year representing her first time at the Boost Mobile Australian Mountain Bike (MTB) Interschool championships.
The highest level of interschool competition for the sport in the country, over 1600 riders converged on Thredbo for the March event.
Despite having never ridden any of the trails or runs on the mountain, Sienna walked away at the end of the five-day Interschools with a medal and a podium finish in each event that she competed.
From coming first in the Fox Flow (a five kilometre time-trial race down the Kosciuszko Flow Trail); to a second in the Rockshox Pump Track missing out on top position by a mere second; to a third in the Norco All-Mountain, after getting stuck behind another rider; it was Sienna’s win in the Oakley Downhill that was perhaps
CONGRATULATIONS:
Mansfield Primary School student Sienna Vivash with her medals from the Boost Mobile Australian Mountain Bike (MTB) Interschool championships.
the most impressive.
The Oakley Downhill is raced on Thredbo’s famous Cannonball Downhill. A black trail, the course is a high-speed track comprising of rock gardens, rough chutes, large jumps and raw terrain, and is the most technical and advanced race at the Interschools.
Just a week earlier the
achievement,” said Serena.
To be on the podium requires some serious ability matched with determination and bravery - something Sienna has in spades.
In what is very much a male-dominated sport and playing arena, this grade four student at Mansfield Primary School has been making the top three since she started competing.
And after the points were tallied at the recent Interschools, Sienna placed a very close second in her age group, division five, cementing her ranking on a national level.
The plaque she received commends Sienna on being a king of the mountain.
“I find this really annoying as it should read queen,” Sienna said.
This incredible achievement caps off what has been a break-out season for the young rider.
In the Alpine Cycling Club Junior Series 23/24 Sienna was crowned under 9 girls champion, taking first place in her final race in the series at Bright, after a season competing in Albury, Beechworth and Mt Beauty.
She won every race in the series.
And in the Fox Superflow at Mt Buller on February 25 a week before the Interschools, Sienna placed second in a much broader age group, competing in the Under 13s.
mountain had hosted elite athletes from around the world competing on the same course.
“Luke and I were both quite nervous for Sienna going into the event,” said mum Serena recounting the couple’s sleepless night before the race.
It is mandatory for all competitors to complete a minimum of one practice
run prior to the race, and Sienna’s first attempt found her over the handlebars after trying to negotiate a particularly technical rock garden.
“It was very challenging, so in the second practice run Sienna tried a different line which went a lot better.
“And then in the race run she actually nailed it.” Sienna downplays her
achievement saying that it was a reduced field of competitors for the race.
However this is more a reflection of the course itself and its complexity and the required skill to even attempt it.
It’s not for the faint hearted.
“To even be on the course in the first place is an incredible
It was another impressive achievement for Sienna who has her eyes on continuing her winning streak when the season resumes later in the year.
For the meantime she’s enjoying the competition downtime, honing her technique at Dirt Critters on a Tuesday at Rifles Butt, and amping up for winter on Buller when she swaps the bike for the board, keeping that downhill momentum.
“As fast as possible,” Sienna said.
“I think it’s the element of speed I love best.”
Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 6.15pm
All welcome
Get your names in the RADIO MANSFIELD and MANSFIELD COURIER birthday book.
Win Bertalli’s birthday goodies on Radio Mansfield 99.7 FM’s “Anything Goes” Birthday Wheel
Thursdays from 2-4pm
This week’s winner is: BILLY OCTIGAN
To enter call Radio Mansfield on 5775 2333
Mansfield CWA
Results of Easter Raffle
Easter Quilt Raffle Winner:
Shirley Ticket Number 1966.
Drawn: March 30, 2024.
Mansfield Medical Clinic and Mansfield Integrated Health Services INFLUENZA
Commencing May 6, 2024
Government Funded Flu Vaccines are free for: 65 years and over Chronic illness
Children 6 months – 5 years
Specific medical conditions
$15 Private or Non Funded Vaccine Consultation costs covered directly by Medicare. Appointments are essential.
Please call (03) 5775 2166
Mansfield Adult Community Education (MACE) is a community - owned and managed incorporated association encompassing a Learn Local Education provider; a Neighbourhood House, a Services Australia Agent, and an Early Childhood Education and Care Centre. Mace also offers nationally recognised, accredited courses to the local community through partnerships with other education providers.
MACE is currently seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment to its Board of Management.
Potential candidates with the following skills or expertise are required to complement the existing Board:
Join our team at Holmesglen, Eildon!
1.
expected to attend meetings and participate in relevant sub-committee meetings.
MACE promotes and encourages diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Applications will be received up to COB Friday, April 26, 2024.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is Australia’s largest rural water corporation responsible for storing, managing and delivering water across most of northern Victoria. GMW provides more than 39,000 services to about 25,000 customers in its operating region.
Based at Lake Eildon, you will join the Eildon Storages team located within the Water Storage Services (WSS) Division. You’ll work as part of a small team providing support to the ongoing operation and maintenance activities associated with the storage.
This role will support the Storage Team Manager with the following responsibilities: Operate and maintain Water Storage assets and associated equipment instrumentation and systems
Able to work with high attention to detail and quality
Perform and coordinate asset maintenance activities
Support the development and review of asset maintenance plans and assist in the implementation of asset management systems and processes
If you have a willingness to learn about water storage management requirements, have general knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations, enjoy performing maintenance activities, and are available to work weekends and after hours when necessary, we’d like to hear from you.
Drivers Licence
Ability to work on a rotating roster
to participate in future standby rosters. GMW accommodation is available if the successful applicant resides further than 1 hour. Overtime and standby allowances apply if when required.
Live and work in a beautiful regional environment.
Water 2021 Enterprise Agreement.
Agile, inclusive and responsible culture is the foundation of our organisation where people GMW are committed to encouraging our employees to reach their full potential, while valuing and respecting them as individuals. you get to create your own experience with us. and challenge.
For more information or to view the position description please visit our website
Applications close . To apply for this role please complete the GMW application form provided on our careers page and email together with a copy of your current CV to GMW is an equal opportunity employer supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. GMW encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experience and perspectives to apply. We welcome applications from people with disability and aim to provide an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments to support you to take part in an interview, please contact: R40576
www.gmwater.com.au
FOR GENUINE SALE, the chance to purchase the complete package when it comes to heading off on the trip of a lifetime! The package includes a 2010 Toyota GX V8 trayback ute with extended cabin and steel and canvas canopy over rear tray, the ute has done a genuine 51,200kms, it has been fitted out with over $30,000 in extras, reg (1MP2DP). The caravan is a 2016 Jayco Silverline Outback, 21’6” in length, the Silverline was the top of the range in that model, it is fitted with all of the quality appliances you would expect in a van of this quality, it is also fitted with a queen size electric slide out bed, it has travelled approx 6000kms, all on bitumen surfaces, the van comes with over $10,000 worth of extras, it is a must see to believe what is included in this package. Would possibly sell the ute and van seperately, $150,000 negotiable, must sell. Ph 0407 218 028.
Mansfield 7.15.57 defeated Junior Magpies 9.2.56
IT was a nice afternoon to play Junior Magpies on Sunday however the boys started very slow and the Magpies were on the board.
Our boys tried hard but the back line had their work cut out for them.
It kept heading down our end but turn overs saw it down in the back line continually, at quarter time it was four goals to one behind.
Second quarter saw Andy Friday pop up and kick our first goal, the boys were working hard.
Nick Taylor, Jaxon Mc Cormack, Chris Caminos
and Charlie Dobson were controlling the back line and taking some strong marks. With Alistair Daniels tackling strong and quick kicks from Nick Taylor, Cruz Purday and Noah Whittall, it was heading into the midfield.
Harry Craddock was harassing around the ball, while Eddie Morphett with his favourite number on his back was working hard bringing it out of the packs.
Liam Smith was controlling the wing and getting involved in everything which saw the ball head down our end.
James Benton kicked our next goal but however we kicked another nine behinds (oh dear).
We went into half time upbeat knowing that we had controlled the play better
and that we had it on our terms more.
So after some wise words, lollies, oranges and well hydrated players, they were ready for the second half.
The third quarter saw great ruck work from Sam Kain and Astin Browning coming into the mid field, working hard with Eddie Morphett and Hayden Desmond they sent it down to the centre half forward.
James Benton kept getting his hands on it and feeding into the forward line
Liam Smith worked hard and Harry Sheeran kept the ball alive as they continued to push it forward.
The boys worked hard. This was rewarded with Sam Kain popping up and kicking a goal.
Then Ethan Pigdon who had worked hard around the
forward pocket all day found the big sticks and pegged a sneaky quick goal, and Andy kicked another goal.
The backline worked hard Jaxon Mc Cormack, Nick Taylor and Charlie Dobson worked hard in centre half back with marks, pressuring the opposition to cause turn overs.
Logan Kent got involved and did some great tackles and a strong bumps to create turn overs that sent the ball down our end.
The boys were heading into the last quarter up by three points holding the Magpies to only one goal and by putting four goals on the board saw their confidence grow.
The last quarter was going to be tight but the boys were backing their fitness and ability in.
Ladies Judge: Dennis Heywood
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Lisa Smith-Ash-Lisa Smith-169;
2 Tash Adams-Tommy (Belmur Excel)-Lincoln & Tash Adams-168;
3 Tanya Rand-Mandoo (Angus Mandoo)-Glen Rand166;
4 Jasmyn HamiltonYoure So Classic-Jasmyn Hamilton-164;
5 Clara McCormackSapphire-Clara McCormack-162;
6-7 Gina Lincoln-Bulla Fergy-Gina Lincoln-161;
6-7 Shantelle McDonald
Loving Spoonful-Shantelle McDonald-161;
Maiden A
Judge: Henry Jackson
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1. Justin Potter-CharliePaul Smith-173;
2 Wayne Clarke-BonjoWayne Clarke-172;
3 Ian Hughes-Yinbarun IvyIan Hughes-171;
4 Sarah Phelan-Elroy-Sarah Phelan-170;
5/6 Simone BarattaChisums Smart Lil Gidget Simone Baratta-163; -Kate Thomas-163;
Maiden B
Judge: Mark Lincoln Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Mellissa Cummins-AllyMellissa Cummins-174;
2 Christopher Egan Mr Duck-Christopher Egan-172;
3 Greg Kavanagh-SocksGreg Kavanagh-170;
4 Ewen McLean-SquizzyEwen McLean-169;
5 Elle Moro Angels and Bows-Andrew Sobotnicki-165;
6 Paul Shepard El Roy-Paul Sheppard-163
Junior Judge: Mark Lincoln
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Eli Potter-Durack Jack-Eli Potter-98;
2 Dakota KennedyConditional Time-D & D Kennedy-82; 3/4 Ellie Kennedy-Kerriki Clockwork-D & D Kennedy-81; 3/4 Eli Potter-Charlie-Paul Smith-81;
5 Darcy Cummins AllyMellissa Cummins-21; 6/7/8 Dakota Kennedy Hollywood Spoonful-Peter Ferguson-20; 6/7/8 Ellie KennedyDomino-Peter Ferguson-20; 6/7/8 Bambi LeamanRhythem-Kate Manning-20;
Juvenile Judge: Mark Lincoln
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Walter Jackson-Tommy Turbo-T & C Jackson-88
2 Charlie Cummins-Echo
Jane-Mellissa Cummins-87
3 Patrick Shanahan-BobbyDom Shanahan-86
4 Lachlan Rand-Kite (High as a Kite) Tanya Rand-845/6 Walter Jackson-Joe-T &
C Jackson-82
5/6 Clara McCormackMaggie-Clara McCormack-82
Open
Judge: Tony Stevens
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Glen Rand-Smith FamilyPhoenix-Glen Rand-176;
2 Shane Allan-Little Miss Tawriffic-Shane Allan-175;
3 Tanya Rand-Donari-Tanya Rand-172;
4 Pat Fogarty-Paris-Pat Fogarty-171;
5 Renee Franklin-Stylish Mr Hank-Renee Franklin-169;
6 Michael Smith-Jims Last Spin-Michael Smith-108
Novice Alan Fox Memorial
Judge: Tony Stevens
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Tash Adams-Beljay Miss
Cassidy-L&T Adams-175;
2nd Mark LincolnMontarna Spinjarra-Mark Lincoln-174;
3 Jack Birch-Statesman
Chris Caminos and Jaxon McCormick kept the last line of defence well held but they were busy.
Dobbo and Nick kept bringing it out with Cruz Purday, Ben Baklis working well to assist.
The midfield kept working hard, Sam Kain was all over the place and took great pressure marks across the field.
Hayden Desmond, Eddie and Astin kept getting it out of the packs.
James Benton kept finding it in his hands and Oscar Guppy and Noah Pigdon kept bringing it to ground and putting pressure on their opponents to keep it in the forward area for the pocket rockets to take off with.
But for all the hard work the team was doing we were having trouble putting it
through those two big sticks.
The Magpies had kicked two goals to be in front with a minute and a half to go, they pushed it forward but it started to come back the other way but hard running, strong pressure marks and pushing it forward saw Ethan Pigdon mark it in the pocket with 40 seconds left
He backed himself in to kick the goal and it was a great decision it snuck in for a goal and the boys won by a point.
Great game boys and great team effort with all working hard to get us over the line.
Corcoran & Parker Award : Hayden Desmond & Liam Smith Reece Plumbing : Andy Friday Mansfield
Work Wear : Nick Taylor
Notable mentions went to Eddie Murphy and Jaxon McCormack.
Mansfield Eagles Blue 13.12.90 def
Junior Magpies 5.7.37
ON Sunday, we were greeted by the most stunning of Autumn days when we took on the Junior Maggs at home.
We welcomed in a couple of blokes for their first ever run in an Eagles jumper, in Benny Bergsma and Jacob Fleming, both of whom did a spectacular job.
We began the day with the game being played completely in our forward half, dominating around the ground, however we were unable to capitalize fully on the scoreboard, going into the first break just twelve points up, but having left plenty of goals out there.
Phoenix-JM & SJ Birch-173;
4 Greg Kavanagh-SocksGreg Kavanagh-169;
5 Pat Fogarty-Paris-Pat Fogarty-167;
6 Simone Baratta-Chisums
Smart Lil Gidget Simone Baratta-158
Novice Top cutout score; Patrick Shanahan Bobby on 24
Sponsored by Spinks Livestock.
Encouragement
Judge: Tony Stevens
Rider-Horse-Owner-Score
1 Brooke McMonigleAcres Destiny Deja Vu-B. McMonigle-83;
2 Suzanne Johnson-Leo-S. Johnson-81;
3 John Day-Clarkes Stud
Perfects Gift-Glendoxey-79;
4 Teyara Brown-Spice-T. Brown-77;
5 David Martin-Colin-S. Martin-76
Archie Dunn picked up where he left off, breaking through packs and winning the hard ball, while Bodhi Killeen was proving a handful to the Maggies Backline.
The second quarter began in much the same fashion, before big Reggie Watts stamped his authority on the game from full forward and began slotting set shot after set shot in easily the best game of footy I’ve seen him play.
It’s a credit to him and the work he has put in into his kicking accuracy and technique that he was able to come out and influence the game in such a way.
Jay Kynnersley began to reap the rewards of his hard work in the third quarter, hitting the scoreboard twice in a minute, after unluckily having two or three previous shots on goal touched on the line, but the play of the day came from a coast to coast movement that resulted in Lenny Gardner, standing up in a tackle, releasing
a handball to Pichy Sorn streaming past into an open forward line, and drilling a goal from 30 out.
The roar from the crowd was brilliant.
Our accuracy on goal began to come through in the second half, kicking 8.2, as opposed to 5.10 in the first half, and our last quarter was composed and clean, with our overlap running and handball game that we’d put a lot of work into during the week really starting to shine through.
But throughout the whole day, our backline stood strong, lead by Noah Langlands and Reeve Purday.
Noah’s confidence to hold down the role at full back is growing not only by the game, but by the quarter.
His speed and desperation at the footy are proving a handful to overcome for opposition forwards.
While I am so impressed with how Reevey has come on as a footballer. He is invaluable as an intercepting defender at CHB and has not put a foot wrong, and yesterday was another spectacular display from him.
The beauty of the day was we were able to have a comprehensive win, with a lot of our guys not being 100%, but with other guys stepping up when required. It also showed in real clarity which areas we want to go to work on to maximise the potential of this group.
Captains choice award: Reeve Purday (Mansfield FNC)
Coaches awards: Reggie Watts (Mansfield Hunting and Fishing)
Noah Langlands (Ben Purday Bricklaying)
Best: Noah Langlands, Archie Dunn, Reeve Purday, Jay Kynnersley, Regan Watts, Gus Robinson
Goals: Watts 4, J.Kynnersley 3, T.Kynnersley 2, Killeen, Vanderkolk, Robinson, Sorn
LAST Sunday morning the Mansfield under 14 yellow hosted the first game of a triple header on the Mansfield recreation reserve where they were pipped at the post.
We hosted the Benalla black team that had a great win last week, so the boys knew it was a great challenge ahead of them.
The boys had a great warm up and sprung out of the blocks.
Mitchy Rossiter at full toward marked well, and went back to kick the first major.
But unfortunately for all the play we had and all the hard work this was our only goal for the quarter.
Benalla fought hard in the second and has the better of the play.
Desantos at full back and utility Issac Crow stood tall; both boys gave away height but held firm.
Without them Benalla would be further than eight points in front at half time.
Benalla opened the scoring in the third kicking the first to take a three one lead but the boys rallied.
The leader Toby Gerrans, Felix Smith and Will Benton showed great spirit.
Zac Hotton went to centre half forward and gave a fantastic marking target, and Oscar Pigdon and Mitch Storer both kicked truly to level it off at three quarter time with the game there to be won.
The last was a great battle.
The young brigade of Shevlin, Stevenson and Martin never stopped running while Lachie Roberts was brilliant out on his wing.
He has so much class and in time Roberts will cause many opponents headaches as the year goes on.
When the siren sounded it was Benalla that prevailed with the Eagles wasting opportunities kicking three goals to nine but their effort and commitment was never questioned.
We look forward to hitting the road next week to take on the undefeated Wangaratta College.
But with a couple of troops back from holidays and injury in the coming weeks things look on the right track and a win is just around the corner.
Best on ground Crowe, Gerrans, Smith, Hotton, Roberts, Desantos.
Thanks to all the volunteers who help to get the day done.
ALL seven Mansfield Junior Netball Club (MJNC) squad teams travelled to Wangaratta for a fabulous, sunny day of netball at the Wangaratta Netball Association Representative Netball Tournament.
Competing against representative teams from all over North East Victoria and further, the teams played with determination, resilience and sportsmanship, making all those involved with MJNC very proud.
Congratulations to all 70 players and all coaches and team managers, so many teams truly gelling and showing so much improvement since the Albury tournament, as well as the 15u Gold and 17u teams showing their hard work at training paying off with some extremely competitive performances at their first tournament for the season.
Thank you to all umpires and supporters for making the early trek over, it was such a team effort.
11U BLUE
STARTING the day with a an impressive win against Echuca, the girls continued to work hard and encourage each other to try their best no matter what and have fun.
Ever improving, always smiling, the girls played out the rest of the day with some tight losses, determined to turn it around at Wodonga in two weeks.
Player of the tournament- Silver Purcell
11U YELLOW
WHAT an amazing tournament for the under 11 yellow team.
Ended up fifth overall, with three wins, one draw and two losses.
Team morale was high amongst the girls with plenty of laughing and cheering.
Our defence was super strong, our attacking end was dynamic and our mid courters didn’t stop running all day bringing that ball from our defenders to our attackers enabling us to score.
Player of the Tournament (Player Voted)- Scout Gardner.
13U BLUE
SMILES, laughter, concentration, second efforts and trying out some new positions.
The girls had a wonderful day on the courts.
We didn’t win a game but golly gosh we were extremely competitive.
The girls shone on the courts with amazing attitudes, passages of play, passes that hit their targets, goals and running their little heart out.
The “squark”, new friendships and fun made for the best day.
Player of the Tournament- Franzi Stumpf
13U GOLD
THE Under 13 Gold girls started off with a couple of tough games against the strong Murray and Albury Gold who brought their strongest, well drilled sides for the morning’s clashes.
Mansfield’s championship squad took a bit of warming up but brought a strong game with a lot of movement on court to find the right lineup against the bigger opponents.
Each game throughout the day brought them closer to a win, eventually going down to Albury in the dying seconds by just a point.
This gave the girls a sniff of win-
ning, firing them up to smash Corryong by 10 points, tripling their score.
They finished strong with an absolute nail biter against a very fast paced Echuca side, drawing in the dying seconds, almost making the winning shot.
Congratulations to every one of the girls on a very impressive day of growth, working towards association championships in late May.
Player of the Tournament (Player Voted)- Lara Klingsporn.
15U BLUE
THE sun was shining as we headed into the Wangaratta tournament and the girls started the day with some nerves but settled into play with ease.
The development throughout the day saw some players switch up positions allowing them all to shine.
We didn’t come away with a win but the resilience, determination and growth the girls showed is proof they are going to come out stronger in the next tournament.
Player of the Tournament- Keira Thornton
15U GOLD
SOME excellent passages of play across many varied connections were on display by Mansfield Gold, across seven matches in a tough division.
Quality competition and some extraordinary height on some holding goalers meant plenty of work for our centre court and last line of defence.
Eva and Erin were the mainstay of the ring defence, with cameos by a number of others, and our percentage across the day was testimony to the quality of our full court defence.
All of our scores were competi-
tive bar one game when tired legs met Albury Gold in the final game.
Two of seven games were only separated by one goal.
The bulk of the shots were put up by Sienna who shot at an impressive 79 per cent and plenty of circle drives, holds and ring work created options.
All of the girls impressed with their attitude and sportsmanship.
Lots of positives to take out from the day and strategies to work on.
The support from parents was wonderful and the Mansfield vibe across all teams is a credit to the whole club.
Player of the Tournament- Eva Clydesdale
17U GOLD
THE 17s started off the day with a win against Wodonga, showing off some impressive defence and patient attack.
With some focuses from game one we headed into game two against Murray, keeping up in the first half; unfortunately going down in the second.
As the day progressed the girls worked hard on their goals and displayed some clean netball, with a draw against Wang and loss against Wagga.
Fatigue started to set in by game five, however the girls started to play smarter not harder and got the win against Albury Gold. We finished off with a loss to Barellan and win against Echuca.
With a 3-3-1 day, the girls held their head high and were proud with the first tournament as a team.
Player of the Tournament- Jess Dolling
Good luck to 13U Blue, 13U Gold & 15U Blue who will be competing in Shepparton this coming Sunday.
PERFECT weather, a magnificent Bonnie Doon club welcome, a nearly brand new group of Eagles footballers and a tough opposition.
Place them at the Bonnie Doon Oval, add a football, a couple of volunteer umpires and champion blokes (thank you Andrew Howie and Rohan Berriman), blow the whistle and we have the perfect recipe for team improvement.
With a few of our better ball movers not moving so well themselves, a complete team effort and a couple of surprise star recruits were required for victory against Shepparton United team on Sunday.
The Eagles players, many of them in only their first, second or third game stood up to play with poise and confidence well beyond their experience level.
The whole teams’ bravery to take the game and opposition on helped set up many running plays.
Certainly, we still can improve our fundamental skills across the board, learn to look for and use our running players more, not kick straight back down the line or into their danger zone but hey, this was only the team’s third game together and they’re really playing some great footy and it was, a great game of footy.
The Eagles surprised the United’s in the first quarter with competitive contest work, clean ball movement and a rock solid half back line and had the lead by a goal at the quarter time break.
Then, some Sunday afternoon satisfaction seemed to creep in, poor defensive structure and an over-
crowded forward line which allowed the Uniteds to not just back into the game, but into the lead at the half time break by a couple of goals.
Then the third quarter.
It was a cracker quarter for the Eagles, being a repeat of the first effort, but with a bit of spice on top and the best quarter so far in the teams’ short history.
The competitive endeavour and toughness of the youngest and Lightest Mansfield players being a real highlight along with our defensive pressure and those champion new players made our scoring look light and easy and the Eagles entered the last quarter with a clear lead.
The Uniteds though are
ANOTHER glorious week of weather and the course could do with a good drop of rain to soften it up a little.
Tuesday we had quite a small field of eight players with Ian Jones taking the win with 35pts, from Domingo Diaz on 32pts on a countback from Bob Speed, also on 32pts.
Thursday we had a good field of 63 players for our normal Stableford round and there was some pretty good scores.
In B grade John Gilson was the victor with a great 41pts, James Tehan was second with a great score of 40pts and third place was Charlie Heath with a very good 39pts.
The A grade division was won by Brad Grant with a fine 39pts, from Jarrod Heath with a score of 38pts off a handicap of six and third saw the continual resurgence of Domingo Diaz with a nice 36pts, well done Ming.
Saturday we had our Monthly Medal for April, proudly sponsored by Breaking Balls Brewery, which isn’t a bad drop, and we had a reasonably good turnout of 47 players, and there were half a dozen good pin placements from our number
one green keeper Tony Cooksey.
The B Grade winners were Nick Siperki on Nett 72, from Peter Sargeant on Nett 75 and Robin Pratt with a solid 76.
A Grade was won by Ollie Shaw who is starting to show the potential we knew he has always had, with an excellent score of 68 Nett, one under the card, and Ollie was also the Monthly Medal winner on the day as well.
Congratulations Ollie! Runner up was James Calvert-Jones with a great score of 71 and Steve McMahon was third with a fine 72.
Ollie also picked up three nearest the pins for the day and an eagle on the 13th with a tap in 20 footer, and the J.D Perks scratch winner as well, for the best score off the stick.
Coming up on ANZAC Day we have a Stableford 666 pairs event and Stableford next Saturday.
The scratch pennant side had one of their best wins in recent years by defeating Thurgoona on their home course 3 ½ to 1 ½, but unfortunately the Handicap side went down 3/2 to Yackandandah.
That’s all for this week, happy hitting.
not highly regarded and last year’s runners up for no good reason.
Determined to win they brought their a-game in the last quarter.
It took a mighty and desperate defensive effort.
Both teams attacked the contest harder and harder.
The ball was trapped in the United’s forward line and they were set up well.
Clean skills and ball movement went out the window as the Uniteds rained points at the eastern end and right when it seemed they would break through for the winning goal the Eagles backs took the game on handballed and ran the ball forward as far as the wing where the siren sounded.
For the Eagles an exciting win full of promise which will need to be fulfilled if it’s to be repeated at the Uniteds home ground when we meet them again.
On Sunday April 28, the Eagles will face the Barooga Hawks at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve.
First bounce is at 2.30pm.
THE Mansfield Junior Football Club had all teams in action over the weekend with the Under 10’s and 12’s kicking it off under lights on Friday evening.
With over 70 children in the under 10’s and over 60 in the under 12’s, the light was a buzz with chatter and cheer and the kids revelled on the Mansfield rec reserve which looked a picture under the bright lights.
The game was held in great spirits and the smiles on the kids’ faces evidenced a welcome return to junior football.
Friday night was followed by Under 14’s and 17’s on a beautiful Sunday morning.
Bacon and egg rolls welcomed the crowd, and all games were played in great spirits against Benalla and the Wangaratta Junior Magpies.
A huge thanks goes out to the Mansfield junior Club Committee and all the many volunteers who make junior football possible. Coaches, umpires, team managers, first aid officers, water carriers, timekeepers and BBQ chefs are just some of the few roles that it takes to make junior football function.
It was a huge, fun-filled weekend and I encourage all to get involved in what is not only rewarding for volunteers but for the kids who appreciate all that make it happen.
A GRADE
By MEGAN DOEVENBonnie Doon 47
defeated by Greta 51
Best on Court: Mia Tanner & Amy Starzer Sponsored by Bowser Bean & Foodworks
Fan Favourite: Cara Moody
AFTER an amazing week against Moyhu the week before, the A Grade girls were eager to come up against Greta.
We went into this game knowing we had the abilities to match Greta’s strength and determination.
Our first quarter we welcomed Tara Murray into wing attack while we had the shooting duo of Portia Keatch and Amy Starzer for the whole game.
Mia Tanner switched between centre and wing attack while Erin Brond, Anna Manning, Cara Moody and Casey Thompson all aced it down in the defence end.
The first half of the game took us a while to find our feet with Greta in the lead by 10, the score being 17-27 at halftime.
The second half of the game is where the Doon girls really found their groove and began to take back the game.
The girls in defence being Anna, Cara and Erin stuck tightly to their players forcing high balls, gaining many intercepts and tips. Cara and Anna both using their height to get the rebounds and having great hands over the ball in the ring.
The girls in the attack end, Mia, Tara and Casey were able to move quickly down the centre, moving the ball swiftly to keep it away from Greta’s defenders.
Amy and Mia had a great
connection throughout the game, being able to get Amy nice and close under the ring.
Portia improved her strength in the ring by the second half of the game.
We put up an incredible fight against Greta and didn’t stop until the final buzzer.
Only going down by four goals, that is the best we have ever done against them.
The final score being 47-51.
Well done girls, we will get them next time.
B GRADE
By SHANNON CAMERONBonnie Doon 58 defeated Greta 28
Best on Court: Shannon Cameron sponsored by Alpine at Home Coaches Awards Cass McCormack sponsored by Bonnie Doon Hotel
Players Player: Shannon Cameron sponsored by Anvil
ANOTHER win under the belt for the B Grade girls this week, coming out for another hot Saturday against Greta.
Our talk before the game was all about going out firing and getting the lead early as we thought Greta would push us to the last siren.
The first quarter was a slow burn as we had to work hard to get the ball through the ring.
It was a very physical game for our goalers Chrissy Blunt and Steph Ward in the attack end as they were being thrown around like a washing machine in the goal circle and had to jump high for the rebounds and work a little harder to get a goal in.
Throughout the game the defence end consisted of Cass McCormack, Cara Moody, Cass Turner and Shannon Cameron who kept Greta at bay gaining many intercepts and tips to
slow them down and cause some frustration from the opposition.
Cara Moody used her long arms to pull some overhead balls in while Cass McCormack and Shannon Cameron caused some confusion for Greta and getting some flying intercepts.
We improved on our transitioning down the court using some long drives and were met by Alicia Foster and Jess Harris in the mid court using their speed and agility to dodge through the goal third using triangles to get onto the ring then work it into the goalers.
Each quarter we got better and better combining as a team and working together, using our voices and encouraging each other to keep pushing.
The score was looking good for us as we added on each quarter and keeping Greta to a low number.
We’ve got a tough game coming up this week as we head to Milawa for a grand final rematch hoping for another good outcome.
B
RESERVE By CHARLOTTE ATHERTONBonnie Doon 46 defeated Greta 31
Best on court: Cass Turner & Sarah Ragg Sponsored by McCormack Mountain Valley Trail Rides & Bonnie Doon Hotel
IT was a sunny start for the Bonnie Doon B reserve team. The team came onto the court with determination and fired up ready to work hard.
Throughout the first half of the game the defensive end were on their toes and their eyes up on the hunt for intercepts.
Cass Turner (goal keeper), Hannah Sheahan (goal de-
fence) and Ash Teagan (wing defence) got a large amount of intercepts and helped the ball move down the court smoothly out of defence, putting Bonnie Doon up.
Amy Clapham (centre) and Madi Hearmon (wing attack) worked hard swiftly moving the ball down the court and into the shooters Michelle Tanner (goal shooter) and Sarah Ragg (goal attack).
At half time Bonnie Doon was still up 25-15 despite the hot weather and tiredness.
The second half saw some changes to the court with Charlotte Atherton coming on into goal keeper for her first game and Casey’s Hearmon coming into wing defence.
These weren’t the only changes however due to the new tactical swap rule of which was utilised due to the heat.
The final siren sounded the end of the hot game and Bonnie Doon B res came out on top with a final score of 46-31 against Greta.
Well done girls.
Bonnie Doon 40 defeated Greta 27
Best on court: Tilly Thornton Sponsored by Mansfield Holiday Letting Coaches Award: Stella Brakels sponsored by Walshs Gas
IT was the grand final rematch for U17s this week, fortunately we were able to take the win this time.
With two of our players out this week, we had Amy, Maya and Annie play up for us from U15’s, and to say I’m impressed is an understatement.
They fit in perfectly with our team.
Vice captain Cobie showed
true leadership out on court today with her loud voice directing the rest of the team.
We saw a great display of systems from both attackers and defenders.
Tilly and Emmeline working tirelessly in defence to gain many intercepts for our attackers to convert down the court.
With Stella and Cobie in the ring, things were looking good for the bomberettes.
Chelsea and Gemma in wing defence both had a good start to the game, shutting down their wing attack, but unfortunately both came off with injuries within the first half.
Luckily for us we had Maya and Annie come into wing defence and continued the work for the other girls.
With the mid court consisting of Amy and Chloe things moved at a good pace, Amy’s passes into the ring were placed with precision.
After a tough fight the girls pushed through to the end, final score saw 40-27.
Bonnie Doon 29 defeated Greta 13
Best on court: Keria Thornton Sponsored by Mansfield Holiday Letting Coaches Award: Lara Klingsporn sponsored by Kirely Family
IT was a lovely sunny day at Doon Saturday morning to watch Bonnie Doon Under 15 play Greta.
Doon won the centre bounce and Keira Thornton put the first score on the board.
Lovely reading of play and intercepts from Erin Mahoney, Bella Neale and Sadie Brakels saw the ball head into our centre court where Amy Cash
and Maya Rhodes worked well to feed our attackers
Lara Klingsporn and Keira Thornton to keep our score board ticking over.
However, at the quarter time we were only 6-4.
Second quarter saw the girls working hard through the defence into the centre and into our goal area.
However, Greta had settled into their game and were putting up some strong defence.
The ball was like a yo-yo and it took to the four minute mark for us to get our first goal however some nice passing from Amy and Maya to Lara and Keira saw us put two goals on the board in quick succession.
At half time we were 14-7 our way.
Third quarter saw Annie Armsden in WA feeding the ball nicely into our attackers Amy Cash and Keira Thornton to continue to get the first point on the board.
Sadie Brakels continued to take some wonderful intercepts which saw the ball head down our end again, and the hard work of Maya in centre and Annie both working to feed the ball into Amy and Keira saw couple more pegged on our score board.
The girls worked well with pressure defence and strong rebounds from Bella and Carly Desmond saw the ball heading down our end again.
The last quarter saw the girls put on some pace with quicker passing down the court into the goal ring and accurate shooting.
This saw the girls confidence grow.
They worked well all over the court with the back line holding strong with their defence and working well into the middle of the court saw the girls finish the game out strong.
LAKE Nillahcootie continues to be a prime destination for anglers seeking a diverse range of freshwater fishing experiences.
As we move into the autumn season, the fishing conditions at Lake Nillahcootie are shaping up to offer exciting opportunities for both seasoned anglers and beginners alike.
WEATHER AND WATER CONDITIONS:
Autumn brings cooler temperatures to the region, creating favorable conditions for various fish species.
Water levels at Lake Nillahcootie remain stable, ensuring ample habitats for fish to thrive.
The clear waters provide excellent visibility for fishing, enhancing the overall angling experience.
FISH SPECIES AND ACTIVITY: Lake Nillahcootie boasts a
PRESENTED BY
rich diversity of fish species, including Murray cod, golden perch (yellowbelly), redfin, and trout.
Anglers targeting Murray cod can expect increased activity during the early morning and late afternoon hours, with these predatory fish becoming more active as they feed on smaller baitfish.
Golden perch are also actively feeding, especially around submerged structures and dropoffs.
Redfin schools are prevalent in certain areas of the lake, offering
exciting opportunities for light tackle enthusiasts.
Trout fishing remains productive near the inflowing streams and cooler, deeper sections of the lake.
RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUES AND BAITS:
For targeting Murray cod, using large diving lures or surface lures during low light conditions can yield impressive results.
Live bait such as yabbies or bardi grubs are also effective.
Golden perch respond well to lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics, particularly when worked slowly around rocky outcrops or fallen trees.
Redfin can be targeted using small soft plastics, or blade lures worked vertically or horizontally near schools.
Trout anglers can find success using bait such as worms or PowerBait, as well as lures
such as minnow imitations and spinners.
TIPS FOR ANGLERS:
Patience is key, especially when targeting larger species like Murray cod.
Explore different areas of the lake to locate fish schools and feeding hotspots.
Stay updated on fishing regulations and adhere to catch limits to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Share your fishing experiences and tips with fellow anglers to enhance the community spirit.
Overall, Lake Nillahcootie promises an exciting and rewarding fishing experience this autumn, with plenty of opportunities to land prized catches across a range of species. Enjoy the serene beauty of the lake while immersing yourself in the thrill of angling!
IT was a stellar autumn day at the Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve on Saturday and the Bomber’s seniors took out another win for the season in a closely contested match against Greta.
In the first half of the game, both teams went head-to-head with steady
forward pressure, but the Bombers were able to move in front kicking four goals in the second quarter. The final half was a nailbiting finish with Greta kicking nine goals in both the third and fourth quarters, the Bombers kicked a goal in the last minutes of the game pushing them into the lead by six points coming out on top
9.12 (66) over Greta 9.6 (60).
Head coach of the Bombers, Campbell Smedley said it was good to be able to sneak the win into the last seconds of the game.
“I thought it was a close, tight game which was really great,” he said.
“With plenty of pressure on the footy most of the day and we were able to come
away with the win against good opposition.
“Our pressure and zone held up well, so it was good.” Campbell said there were a number of standout players across the board, including James Law and Matthew Hedin who displayed great skills as well as Conor Heaslip and Luke Murray who both kicked two goals.
“Next week I hope to see something similar to this week, as long as we can keep our zone and structure together,” Campbell said.
“Keeping a team first mentality hopefully will go a long way into the rest of the year.
“We’re looking forward to a good contest against Milawa next week.
“They are a good club who
WHOROULY
started the year strongly and we can’t wait for another challenge.”
Earlier in the day Greta got the better of the Bomber’s reserves side, however, winning 12.13 (85) the 2.2 (14).
Next weekend Bonnie Doon will come up against the Milawa Demons at the Milawa Recreation Reserve on Saturday April 27.
GOALS: BRIGHT: Declan Bren 6, Cooper Thomason 5, Luke Quirk 3, James Love 2, Max Rampling 2, Rodrigo Arguello 1, Nick Lebish 1, Mikka Paulsen 1. BEST: BRIGHT: Alexander
Dalbosco, Declan Bren, Michael Elliott, Max Rampling, Mikka Paulsen, Joe Gray. WHOROULY: Cameron Wood, Daniel Harris, Samuel Ferguson, Oliver Dixon, Darcy O’Shannessy, Matthew Vescio.
BONNIE DOON
GRETA
*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.
A GRADE: Bright 28 def by Whorouly 48
Bonnie Doon 47 def by Greta 51
King Valley vs Moyhu
Milawa 53 def Tarrawingee 33 North Wangaratta vs Goorambat
B GRADE: Bright 36 def by Whorouly 54; Bonnie Doon 58 def Greta 28; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 56 def Tarrawingee 36; North Wangaratta vs Goorambat.
B RESERVE: Bright 34 def by Whorouly 52; Bonnie Doon 46 def Greta 31; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 46 def Tarrawingee 26; North Wangaratta vs Goorambat.
C GRADE: Bright 50 def Whorouly 34; Bonnie Doon 40 def Greta 27; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 38 def Tarrawingee 37; North Wangaratta 28 def by Goorambat 73
UNDER 15s: Bright 20 def by Whorouly 24; Bonnie Doon 29 def Greta 13; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 23 def Tarrawingee 5; North Wangaratta 45 def Goorambat 4
Not all scores available at time of print
GOALS: BONNIE DOON: Conor Heaslip 2, Luke Murray 2, Al Bennett 1, Luke Berriman 1, Will Foster 1, Campbell Smedley 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 3, Cody Crawford 2, Tyler Arrowsmith 1, Joshua Bell 1, James McClounan 1, Brenton Newbold 1. BEST: BONNIE DOON: James Law, Matthew Hedin, Peter Cairns, Ari Croxford-Demasi, Beau Smith, Luke Murray. GRETA: Frazer Dent, Joshua Bell, Brenton Newbold, Paul Fruzynski, Lachlan Hadden, Tom Fursdon.
KING
MOYHU
ROUND 5
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
GRETA vs NORTH WANGARATTA
GOORAMBAT vs WHOROULY
KING VALLEY vs BRIGHT
MILAWA vs BONNIE DOON
MOYHU vs BENALLA
TARRAWINGEE - BYE
GOALS: KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 6, Jack Davies 2, Ben Bray 1, Charlie Davies 1, William Davies 1, Sam Evans 1, Oliver Willett 1. MOYHU: Harrison Grant 3, David McDonald 2, Ethan Rooney 2, Harrison Bell 1, Noah Campbell 1, Sam Phillips 1, Logan Reynolds 1, Darby West 1. BEST: KING VALLEY: Ben Bray, Connor Shanley, Sam Evans, Charlie Davies, Joshua Toy, Tom Davies. MOYHU: Ethan Rooney, Ryley Dalton, Harrison Grant, Harry Verdon, Matthew Thrum, David McDonald.
MILAWA
GOALS: MILAWA: Sebastian De Napoli 6, Braydon Kearns 3, Brady Bartlett 2, Nick Giggins 2, Jared Lea 2, Ricky Ahearn 1, Daniel Bihun 1, Ben Clarke 1, Matt Graham 1, Josh Roman 1, Jarryd Wallace 1. TARRAWINGEE: Austin Amery 1, Zeke Carruthers 1, Deacon Cleal 1, Will Creed 1, Sam Peters 1, Sam Piper 1. BEST: MILAWA: Kyle Collisson, Brady Bartlett, Braydon Kearns, Daniel Bihun, Tyler Dunn, Josh Roman. TARRAWINGEE: Dylan Adams, William Sharp, Sam Piper, Will Creed, Reiley Murtagh, Jarrod Everitt.
NTH WANGARATTA
GOORAMBAT 3.2 6.4 13.10 19.15.129
GOALS: NORTH WANGARATTA: Liam McDonell 3, Josh Nanson 2, Jhye Devine 1, Matthew Prestianni 1. GOORAMBAT: Duane Haebich 7, Jamie Dunne 3, Sully Malay 2, Travers Nolan 2, Lachlan Boyle 1, Rhys Goodley 1, Brady Purcell 1, Brayden Stepien 1, Rory Wapling 1. BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: Andrew Knights, Sean Gales, Daniel Williams, Kade Parkinson, Damien Bradley, Josh Nanson. GOORAMBAT: Benjamin Reaburn, Jamie Dunne, Lachlan Boyle, Travers Nolan, Dylan Beavis, Sully Malay.
ON Saturday at Tatura Park, the Mansfield Eagles senior team soared in front of the Tatura Bulldogs winning by 113 points. It was a close first half with the Bulldogs kicking five goals in the second quarter, but the Eagles flew forward in the third kicking ten goals and five in the fourth.
Head coach of the Eagles senior team Jack Hutchins said it was a great day for the club because all three grades had solid wins.
“From the seniors point of view, it was really pleasing to see that after a close first half we were able to play through from the other team being only a couple of points down in the second quarter,” he said.
“In the third quarter everything clicked, and we were able to put the nail in the coffin.
“The Bulldogs weren’t able to peg it back, so it was really pleasing from our side to see the group play the way that we’ve been striving for and now hopefully building
up that momentum to make the games a lot more consistent.”
Jack said the whole team worked as a cohesive unit and every player performed their role well.
“The mid-fielders Brett Mahoney and Jayde Howes were unbelievable and Mansfield drove things from the centre bounces moving forward,” he said.
“They had a really good contingent of goal scoring with Billy Hogan kicking four goals and Cody George had one.
“Ben Christopher was working
hard all day and he kicked three goals.
“Our backline Adam Boshevski and Tim Costigan performed well, so it was a really good even spread of guys contributing and playing their roles.”
Jack said he hopes to see the team continue to capitalise on their game style and maintain consistency in their roles across the rest of the season.
“I think that’s going to be our next challenge now and hopefully a bit of a turning point for us, the
real focus will just be to continue building on that and being able to play through different scenarios through different games,” he said.
The final scores were 21.21 (147) to 5.4 (34).
The Mansfield Eagles Reserves won 8.11 (59) over Tatura 4.4 (28) and the Mansfield Eagles U18s defeated Tatura 36.25 (241) to 0.0 (0).
Next week the Eagles will face the Benalla Saints at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday April 27.
AGrade: Kyabram vs Euroa
Tatura 54 def Mansfield 31
Shepparton Swans 48 def by Seymour 59
Shepparton 55 def Rochester 47
Benalla 30 def by Shepparton United 43
Echuca 23 def by Mooroopna 65
B Grade: Kyabram vs Euroa; Tatura 53 def Mansfield 19; Shepparton Swans 46 def by Seymour 55; Shepparton 48 def Rochester 33; Benalla 28 def by Shepparton United 54; Echuca 35 def by Mooroopna 50.
B Reserve: Kyabram vs Euroa; Tatura 47 def Mansfield 25; Shepparton Swans 31 def by Seymour 44; Shepparton 39 def Rochester 35; Benalla 33 def Shepparton United 27; Echuca 38 def by Mooroopna 46. 17
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Mansfield vs Benalla
Seymour vs Shepparton
Euroa vs Echuca
Shepparton United vs Kyabram
Rochester vs Tatura
Mooroopna vs Shepparton Swans
KYABRAM
EUROA
GOALS: KYABRAM: Bradley Mangan 4, Anthony Depasquale 2, William Burnett 1, Will Golds 1, Khy
Stovell 1. EUROA: Tristan Davies 1, Jayden Gleeson 1, Zac Gleeson 1, Lachlan Hill 1, Matthew Ivill 1, Fletcher Paul 1, Nathan Stewart 1, Silver Yousif 1. BEST: KYABRAM: Jake Torney, Liam Ogden, Jake Parkinson, Kaine Herbert, Mitchell Dodos. EUROA: Andrew Smith, Jayden Gleeson, Lachlan Hill, Tom Garside, Jacob Gleeson.
GOALS: TATURA: Chaz Sargeant 2, Ryan Hatch 1, Tim Wilson 1, Ryan Young 1. MANSFIELD: Billy Hogan 4, Nathan Buchanan 3, Ben Christopher 3, Cody George 3, Dirk Koenen 2, Max Mahoney 2, Patrick Marks 2, Jayden Howes 1, Harry Mahoney 1. BEST: TATURA: Tyle Williams, Jacob Simpson, Comanche Walls, Brad Ryan, Curtis Ryan. MANSFIELD: Brett Mahoney, Dylan Lowry, Jayden Howes, Harry Mahoney, Billy Hogan.
SHEPP SWANS
SEYMOUR
GOALS: SHEPPARTON SWANS: Sam Bicknell 2, Matt Perry 2, Liam Rachele 2, Nathan Rachele 2, Kade Anderson 1, Zac Clohesy 1, Mark Kovacevic 1, Steele Simpson 1. SEYMOUR: Riley Mason 4, Nathan Fowler 3, Lewis Lubeck 1, Ricky Schraven 1. BEST: SHEPPARTON SWANS: Enrique Goggin, Mitchell Grumley, Liam Rachele, Sam Bicknell, James Auld. SEYMOUR: Jack Murphy, Riley Mason, Nathan Beattie, Chayse Thomson, Nathan Fowler.
UNDER 15s
By MADDIE BERRYMansfield 36
defeated Tatura 23
Best on Court sponsored by Mansfield Armchair Cinema –Eva Clydesdale Coaches Award sponsored by Subway – Maddie Berry
THIS weekend we travelled to Tatura and took home a win.
We came out hard and strong in the first quarter taking the lead 6-9.
In the second quarter Tatura came back a little bit ending up with a even scoring quarter.
Yet we still kept that lead 12-15.
Third quarter our defenders took some amazing intercepts which lead us to score and increase the lead 21-27.
The Eagles went into the final quarter and put everything on court.
As Tatura started to score off our centre passes, we took our work from training and used it to make sure we didn’t loose the lead.
Our shooters were confident and even intercepted during Tatura’s defensive transition.
We ended the game with a happy win 23-36.
Best on court and players player both went to Eva Clydesdale.
UNDER 17s By EMMA WITKISS
Mansfield 40 defeated Tatura 34
Best on Court sponsored by Joanne Holt – Remy Stevenson Coaches Award sponsored by Café 41 – Emma Witkiss
THIS week the under 17s girls had their first win of the season against Tatura.
The girls had amazing defensive pressure from Molly Judge, Jaspa Robinson, Bri Weight and Libby Ferguson, getting many intercepts and tips.
With only two goalers this week Remy Stevenson and Annie Thomson worked effortlessly to put up many amazing goals.
Our mid courters Emma Witkiss, Ava Mahoney and Eliza Doig worked tirelessly to move the ball up and down the court while making well calculated drives.
Overall the Mansfield girls played a great game with the final scores being 40-34.
Well done Eagles.
B RESERVE
By SOPHIE GOFFMansfield 25
defeated by Tatura 47
Best on Court sponsored by Steam Café – Alex Lindsay Coaches Award sponsored by Casfe 41 – Sophie Goff
A WARM, sunny Autumn Day welcomed Mansfield players to the Tatura Football Netball Club.
Spirits were high in the B Reserve team after a wellplayed home game last weekend.
Lauren McGinty and Grace Evans stepped in to coach this weekend and provided valuable feedback and swaps throughout the play.
The Mansfield girls came out strong in the first two quarters and really held their own against a skilled Tatura side.
Alex Duncan, Alex Lindsay and Chloe Rekers created strong defence, putting in some impressive stops against Tatura’s tall shooters.
They demonstrated quick footwork, high jumps, and lethal reaches, slowing down Tatura’s score.
The midcourters played with determination, moving quickly from defence to attack and back again.
Annie Edwards, Sophie Goff, Leonie Berry and Caroline Trenfieldused strong drives, clear communication and tactical positioning to move the ball into our shooting circle.
Our goalers, Sarah White, Tiarne Paterson and Remy Stevenson put up some precise shots to bring our score up.
They were fierce and moved around their defenders well.
Although we finished down on the score board, the B Reserve team remains
the game, Mansfield was on par with Tatura, with only a two or three-point difference throughout the quarter.
With the defensive pressure from Belle, Romy, Tahlia, and Kelly, our attackers and goalers were able to display their skills and work the ball to Jamie and Kara, whose shooting ability got us points on the scoreboard every time.
During the second quarter, it was still pretty much an even display between Mansfield and Tatura.
determined and committed to securing a win this season.
Go Eagles.
B GRADE
By KELLY HALLMansfield 19
defeated by Tatura 53
Best on Court sponsored by Alpine Home – Tahlia Browning Coaches Award sponsored by Simpson Fuel – Kelly Hall
IN the third round against Tatura, every player delivered what they had to on the court. It was a challenging game and an unfortunate loss.
But nonetheless, the effort showcased by Jamie Davis, Kara Dolling, Shenae Costigan, Tahlia Browning, Kelly Hall, Romy Kapelle, Belle Edwards, Jaspa Robinson, Annie Thomson, and Annie Edwards made the defeat worth it.
During the first quarter of
Two of the U17 players, Jaspa Robinson and Annie Thomson, who were selected to play B grade, made a significant impact on our team and assisted all the girls in maintaining the same pressure throughout the second quarter.
Unfortunately, as it came to the third and fourth quarters, Tatura started to pull away with a big lead.
However, every single player kept their heads up and continued to work hard to get points on the board.
Shenae, Tahlia, and Kara started to move the ball around the midcourt a lot more aggressively to get the ball to either Jamie or Annie as quickly as possible.
Belle and Romy continued to put pressure on both Tatura’s goalers, forcing Tatura to constantly play the ball backwards.
In the fourth quarter, we had Annie Edwards come on as
centre, and with her movement and loud voice on the court, she helped every girl finish the game as strongly as they could.
Overall, it was an amazing effort from every player, and we are sure as a team that we can pull a win very soon.
Well, done Eagles.
Mansfield 31 defeated by Tatura 54
Best on Court sponsored by Mansfield Foodworks – Nelle Cousins Coaches Award sponsored by Byrne Seeds - Jess Dolling
AFTER a close game against Swans last week A grade was determined to have a good game against Tatura.
The goalers began the game strong which saw Molly Rekers and Alex ball working together to keep the score close.
After a rough first quarter the girls pulled it together and the ring defence duo of Nelle cousins and Chloe judge worked together to get intercepts and stop Tatura’s goalers from scoring.
In the second half Mansfield midcourters Sophie CarrPatterson, Jess Dolling, Darcy Croxford-Demasi and Tahlia Browning worked the ball around to be able to feed into the goalers.
End score 54-31 Tatura’s way.
ON Friday the pennant finals were played at Corowa.
A huge congratulations to our division two ladies pennant team of Linda Terry, Linda Brook, Marg Knapp, Lyn Poulson and Shelly Comerford for a fantastic win over Yarrawonga.
They have been on top all season so the win was well deserved.
They were wonderful representatives of the Mansfield Golf Club.
All matches were played in the true spirit of the game.
A special mention should go to Linda Terry who was not only the designated driver of the club bus to and from Corowa and filled her many duties on the day as
Women’s Golf Operations Manager for the North-East District Golf Association, but had a great win 6/5 over her opponent.
Afterwards, the ladies pennant song was of course sung loudly on the bus and at the club house ably led by Gayle Wells.
As if the ladies can’t get enough golf, on Monday nine ladies headed to the Heritage Golf Club to play in their bowl.
Whilst no successes were achieved, it is understood that a very good time was had by all.
Our ladies even turn up for the not-so-popular game of Par.
Wendy Hunt had no problems with the format for Tuesday’s nine hole com-
petition, winning with plus one from Jenny Koraus on square.
Wednesday was the qualifier for the Doris Chambers Cup.
A foursomes event whereby the winners have the opportunity to compete in the
Victorian finals at two Melbourne courses in late October.
Gayle Wells and Lorraine Wilson were the runaway winners with 42 points followed by Sue Parsons and Marg Franke-Williams with 37 points.
Robyn Baker had the NTP on 16th and the team of Marg Knapp and Andrea Marsden on the 18th.
Saturday’s stroke round was played by 13 ladies. Excusable absences were the pennant winners and some of their tired caddies.
Lesley Anderson won with nett 73 on a countback from Gayle Wells.
It hasn’t taken Gayle long to be back in the winners circle after her absence.
Kylie Egan was next with 74 again on a countback from Sue Parsons.
NTP’s Sam Bailey came in at third and Kylie Egan 16th with Sue Parsons winning the putting.
The Sunday pennant ladies had another win against Yarrawonga.
With one round to go, it may be another pennant win for Mansfield.
Next Wednesday is Mansfield’s Ladies Bowl with entries from other north-east and country Victorian clubs.
Good luck to those who are playing.
THE Euroa and District Winter Women’s tennis competition began on a beautiful blue sky day Monday of last week.
Terip hosted Moglonemby who began strongly taking both opening sets 8-5.
Judy Sands, Debbie Seach, Marlene Hanrahan, and Lyn Johnston were all in fine form for their first match.
Terip’s Frances Lawrence and Phoebe MacDermid
wrestled their set back in a breaker, but the Moglonemby women were determined and took the next two.
Bec Lyttle and Phoebe won theirs, but Moglonemby won the day four sets to two, 41 games to 33.
Over in Benalla Kate Campbell and Maureen Jewell drew on spare players from Euroa, Di Ellis and Julie Brook, for their match against Seven Creeks.
Rosie Cameron, Row Ellis, Kelly Hill, and Jill Hayes
worked hard in a skillful somewhat topsy-turvy contest.
Sets were split evenly, but Benalla edged out the visitors by five games.
They won the day 3/36 to 3/31.
New team Creighton’s Creek also welcomed replacements for their contest against Delatite on the lawn and were convincing winners taking every set.
Faye Mollison, Gayle Furphy, Kerry Hewlett and Trio-
na King combined strongly against the visitors.
Delatite’s Karyn Fraser, Jo O’Brien, Belinda Cipa and Loretta Armitage warmed to the contest though and were warmed up for the final pairings.
Creighton’s Creek won 6/48 to 0/20.
The win saw them take top spot on the ladder with 10 points.
In conditions resembling the best of summer, Wappan hosted Euroa in Mansfield for a marathon first outing.
Euroa’s Chris Ellis, Julie Harrington, Mary Dewis, Ruth Nolan, and Lyn Pierce were placing the ball with precision while Wappan ran hard to chase balls down in an entertaining and enjoyable day of tennis.
Wappan’s Liza Karras, Jenny Bell, Rhonda Carpenter and Di Bergelin were in for the long haul and were delighted to take one set 8-4 from the more experienced visitors.
Two other sets were taken
narrowly by Euroa, 8-6, and in a tiebreak 9-7.
Euroa took the win 5/44 to 1/26 and second spot on the ladder.
Weary players acknowledged each other’s good play in the clubhouse over refreshments after the match.
Next week there will be two matches in Euroa and two in Mansfield.
The draw can be found at play.tennis.com.au/mansfieldtennisassociation/Competitions/Euroawinter.
ON APRIL 13 and 14 the Mountain
Biking East Gippsland club hosted the sixth and final round of the 2023/2024 Victorian Downhill Series (VDHS) at Mt Taylor.
As the name suggests, the race tracks are downhill focused and consist of a variety of terrain that has a reputation for being quite technical and steep with rocks, berms, jumps and ruts, in all weather conditions.
The track conditions were close to perfect, with rain falling earlier in the week and the sun shining for the Saturday practice day and Sunday’s race day.
Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club had seven riders competing across a variety of age categories.
First race run for the day was Finn Baker in the U17s, finishing 36th and narrowly missing the qualification cutoff by nine seconds.
Next up was Zac Empey who painfully missed the qualification cut off by one place, finishing 31st and missing finals by only three seconds.
In the Elite qualification runs, Elise Empey breezed through with the fastest Elite Women time and Matthew Empey qualified in eighth in Elite Men, with one of the very few times of the day to break the four minute mark.
In the finals, Rueben Bateup placed seventh in U15s, missing the podium by five seconds and Keegan Carman finished 31st in the same category.
Ant Bateup finished his season campaign on a high, claiming first in the Masters category by two seconds, his first win for the season.
In the Elite finals, Elise went on to convincingly take the win in Elite Women, finishing 21 seconds clear of second place.
Unfortunately Matthew broke his chain early in his race run and had no chance of achieving a competitive time, leaving no option other than to show off his style skills for the crowd.
In the VDHS 23/24 season overall, Ant finished second in Masters and Rueben narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in U15s.
Elise Empey now turns her attention to packing for the World Cup circuit, leaving for the first round in Fort William, Scotland and will be on the circuit until October.
Elise will race all seven World Cup rounds across Europe and Canada and the World Championships in Andorra.
Matthew will be heading overseas in August to race one World Cup round, 3 Europe Cup and 4 IXS Downhill Cup’s . The 2024/2025 VDHS will start again in October, with the exact date yet to be confirmed.
Round one is set to be back at Barjarg which will offer Mansfield locals the opportunity to get along and see some the best downhill riders in Australia and some who are making their mark on the World Cup circuit.
