Prue WATERHOUSE John&

PHOTOGRAPHER | McQuilton Productions

Date March 19, 2022

Ceremony Location

Calliope Lawn, Buller Wines, Rutherglen

Reception Location

The Pavilion at Buller Wines

Celebrant

Haley Chartres

Makeup

Emma Keenan

Hair Salon Vie

Florist

Blooms Ranch

Wedding Dress Brides of Wagga

Bridesmaid’s dress

Love Affair Boutique

Groom’s suit

MJ Bale

Groomsman’s suit

MJ Bale

Cake

Valda Mancino

Engagement & Wedding rings

Nicole Viney Jewellery

Band/DJ/entertainment

The Party DJ Marcus - Albury

Wedding stylist

Prue Waterhouse

Transport North East Coachlines

Phone (03) 5721 5551 70 Reid Street, Wangaratta Email: wangjt@iinet.net.au

@wangaratta_jewellers www.wangarattajewellers.com.au

A PRIVATE road switchbacks up the side of a steep hillside on considered Victoria’s most panoramic carpark, with views across Australia if you wanted to showcase your talents or consider most satisfaction, driven by the desire to further the sport both >>

“It is still a relatively young niche industry in Australia and my dream is to be a part of its growth, and for it to one day become a recognised career path for those kids who are on their bikes now,” he said.

The creation and evolution of the Highline Mountain Bike Festival is part of that vision. Highline’s humble beginnings date back to 2018, with a contained jump jam on the toboggan course at Mt Buller.

“It was the prime location for riders to execute tricks and showcase their skills, and as it was the opening weekend we drew quite a crowd of spectators,” said Shannon.

“There were only about eight riders at that event, primarily friends and colleagues who trained and kicked around together on their own backyard set-ups. We had one jump and a couple of kickers, and it was a great weekend. Initially it was just a bit of fun and an opportunity for our local riders to get out there and put on a show.”

However the success of the event and the positive feedback inspired Shannon to put it on again in 2019, once again taking over the Village Toboggan Park, and this time utilising dirt from the recently excavated mountain-top reservoir. Shannon also granted a license to run a bronze event. Events recognised by the FMBA as part of the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour have

Competitors collect points for placing at each event, which determines their world-ranking, with the top riders qualifying to contest the Slopestyle World Championship hosted by Crankworx, the highest echelon of the sport. The Crankworx

World Tour is a multi-stop series of mountain bike festivals, bringing together the best mountain bike athletes to compete at an elite level. To be invited to compete at an event – before you even set your sights on Crankworx - you need to be in the riders who had limited to no opportunity to get on the scoreboard mountain biking calendar on home soil, the Rademakers created riders and generated more traction through media coverage.

“This whole scene was suddenly created,” Shannon said.

“We drew together this crowd of like-minded people who were passionate about the industry, but didn’t have that opportunity domestically to see the sport live or compete or even just showcase their talents. The atmosphere was electric had to do it again.”

However once the course had been pulled down, the dirt pushed back into the toboggan slope and the kickers the longevity and feasibility of holding the event on Mt Buller annually. In 2020, the toboggan area had ceased to be an option and dirt wasn’t readily available.

“We began to look at other options on the mountain,” Shannon said.

“The grand vision was to build a slopestyle course down the chairlift to continue competing. However digging up the ski run every year was not feasible, nor was the expense of fresh dirt and cartage for each event. The course would have to be year in Canada, however they have a team of 50 who take three event of this magnitude wasn’t possible.” came down to the long term vision of the event.

“We had to work within our limits, operating on a modest budget without the manpower, while looking for a more permanent location with that space to grow and develop into a festival,” she said

“We wanted to keep it local and we didn’t want to rebuild every year, and so we began to hunt for a home for what would become Highline.”

The proposal to run a mountain bike festival on private land was met with considerable interest. The couple spoke to a lot of people and visited lots of properties across the shire. The general consensus was that it was a really great event, big crowd and expand the program to cater not just for the slopestyle but things like the gravity race, which needs a hillside as spectators cheer on riders who land their bikes smoothly after a series of tricks while whipping the back end of their bike out as

Location and accessibility were important, lay of the land was also a major consideration to accommodate a variety of race disciplines, as well as the all-important availability of dirt.

“Some people didn’t want massive, permanent jumps onsite, and others were too close to neighbouring properties,” Shannon said.

Mountain bike competitions are just as much about showcasing the destination as they are an extreme sport spectacular. It was the panoramic views that drew Shannon and a location for their festival in 2020. It was the unerring belief in the vision by landholders Louis Van der Heyden and Tamara Watson that then made the festival a reality.

“I had been friends with Louis and his brother Cornell for many years,” said Shannon.

“We’d always ridden bikes on their property. The family had carved tracks into the landscape. It’s a beautiful piece of land and has become an integral part of the success of Highline. We are incredibly grateful to both Louis and Tamara for opening up their property to the community, and for their amazing support of Highline.” up the slopestyle course alone represented a massive and expensive undertaking.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our months to build with over 3000 tonnes of dirt brought on-site, and three weeks alone dedicated to the timber component of the course.

“I spent a lot of time on the digger,” said Shannon.

“And we had a team of volunteers on rakes, smoothing out the course. Local families who had machinery came up and who were riders themselves or others who just wanted to give it a crack. And then there were local tradespeople who understood the cost of construction and volunteered their services, throwing their support behind the vision.”

Working from schematic diagrams, professional mountain bike rider and fellow local Gaelen Slaney was on-hand throughout the process. >>

“Gaelen’s been working at All Terrain Cycles since he was 14, and during that time we’ve watched him grow as a rider, and this is what he competes in now. This is what he does,” said Shannon.

“Gaelen was instrumental in building the course, as he had works. Melbourne-based Ben Phillips was also indispensable. A professional builder and knowledgeable rider, Ben built the timber element of the track, which he considered a massive the perfect jump, from the size and shape to the spacing and made a couple of minor tweaks to the course more recently, point where there’s no more building - just maintenance.”

That said Shannon has recently completed construction of additional tracks to expand the gravity component of the forest and into the hillside, the course got a work out by riders

“It was an aspect of Highline that was hugely popular and the competition,” Shannon said.

“Half of them were either in the under 17s or the under 15s. In the high volume of demand crashed the Australian Cycling system. Once it was restored it sold out within eight minutes.” the festival calendar with an amateur slopestyle, dual slalom, spend’n’style and balance bike competition all generating interest. level, and we had eight competitors,” Shannon said.

Shannon and Narelle can only envisage that this will grow, much like Highline from that original gathering of mates on Mt support of not only the mountain bike community, but the local community, its businesses and operators. many others who have supported the build and the dream that is Highline. Right down to the borrowed tents and tables that added atmosphere to the event village, it really has been this

“It’s taken a lot of work from a lot of people to make the process look seamless. However it’s been an organic process that initial seed a whole movement has grown.” banks of the King River, the unassuming historic township the North East. Entering the town from the west, visitors are greeted with majestic red gums rising either side of the scenic township brimming with history.

It has a history dating back to the mid-1800s, but it’s Oxley residents today (like Janet Heath, pictured at the historic Oxley Shire Hall) who are working to preserve its heritage while ensuring the town continues to service and support a thriving community.

The expansive paddocks, many of which remain from the to be very careful with that – we started with restoring the and sometime later, we did the supper room, which meant demolishing an old building that was there. The bricks that we took from the demolition were all hand-made in Oxley in the 1870s, and the community got together and we hand-cleaned all those bricks so they could be reused in the new building. There are lots of weddings – people just drive past and think ‘oh my goodness, I’d love to get married in this hall’. In the 80s and 90s for about 15 years we used to have a black tie dinner as beautifully to something like special dinners, and the grounds are beautiful too, so people get married under the trees. The Elm trees that are on the west side were actually planted the from them being bought and donated by a lady who I think was involved in the Oxley Shire.”

Having experienced rapid expansion as a vital stopping point 1850s, the township became the centre of the now-defunct Oxley Shire in 1862, with its historic hall at 1157 Snow Road still standing despite celebrating its 148th anniversary this year. With the hall having fallen into disrepair in the 1970s, a group of concerned locals, including Janet Heath, convened to restore the building to its former glory, with the shire’s historic façade greeting locals as they gather for myriad social events, including the wildly popular Oxley Bush Market. In demand for residents and tourists alike, the hall has become a popular site for weddings and community funerals, while serving as a competition space for weekly table tennis tournaments and as a haven for Friday evening drinks with members of the Oxley community.

“The hall was in an absolutely decrepit state because it had so the hall had just been left to rack and ruin, it was just so bad,” Janet said.

The heritage of the main town also extends to the Oxley Recreation Reserve, situated two kilometres to the south of the main township on the banks of the King River. A key cog within

Day, the relaxed space is now home to the Moyhu Pony Club, while its expansive room for cycling and water activities has seen it become a popular camping destination for locals and tourists. really just a base for the pony club, and then a few people started to camp there, so we took that on board and we started member, Dianne Feldtmann, said.

“We have a lot of people camp there – there’s usually camp anywhere. We have a lot of horse events – three out of four weekends during the season we’ll have horse events on. There’s

It’s a quiet space and it’s central to the wine region. It’s just a relaxing place for people to stay, it’s perfect for families because they can bring bikes and it’s pet friendly too.”

Despite Oxley’s population doubling in the last decade, with a host of young families embracing the country lifestyle the

Stephens believes the region has maintained its own unique character in the face of major growth. With the town now having more than 600 residents, many of whom have built homes in lifestyle had remained.

“That comes out so many times when people are asked what they want to see happen in Oxley and what they want it to look like in the future - they want it to stay a village with its own unique character,” she said.

“There are a lot more people on the bike path, a lot more people at the shop and at the café. Oxley does have its own character and it is a caring community – one of the things I really like about it is when I go for a walk on the bike path, everyone stops and says hello. Even the kids slow down on their bikes and they say hello – it’s just a really nice feeling.” lifestyle that made Oxley so appealing.

“We can go anywhere and see such beauty – the natural environment is just amazing,” she said.

“We’ve got the river, we’ve got the wineries, the bike path, the big skies, mountains, the sunsets and the sunrises, they’re awesome. It’s the gateway to so many other adventures.”

WHEN there were early indications Dartmouth Dam was social media came alive with predictions on when it would strictly controlled to give precedence to downstream water

Beckers Newsagency

551 Dean Street

Albury NSW 2640

Ph: (02) 6021 3076

Birallee Newsagency

Birallee Shopping Centre

Melrose Drive, VIC 3690

Ph: (02) 6059 1597

Mahoneys Newsagency

168 High Street

Wodonga VIC 3690

Ph: (02) 6024 2051

ALPINE &

Bright Newsagency

28 Ireland Street

Bright VIC 3741

Ph: (03) 5755 1015

IGA Chiltern

36 Conness Street

Chiltern VIC 3683

Ph: (03) 5726 1471

NewsXpress Beechworth

26-28 Camp Street

Beechworth VIC 3747

Ph: (03) 5728 1114

Myrtleford Newsagency

21 Clyde Street

Myrtleford VIC 3737

Ph: (03) 5752 1250

Rutherglen News and Lotto

128-130 Main Street

Rutherglen VIC 3685

Ph: (02) 6032 9517

Tawonga South Newsagency

221 Kiewa Valley Highway

Tawonga South VIC 3698

Ph: (03) 5754 4002

Wahgunyah Newsagency

24 Foord Street

Wahgunyah VIC 3687

Ph: (02) 6033 1186

Yackandandah Newsagency

24 High Street

Yackandandah VIC 3749

Ph: (02) 6027 1226

MANSFIELD, EUROA

Alexandra Newsagency

82 Grant Street

Alexandra VIC 3714

(03) 5772 1025

Avenel Newsagency

2 Longwood Road

Avenel VIC 3664

(03) 5796 2246

Bonnie Doon Central

10 Bon Crescent

Bonnie Doon VIC 3720

Ph: (03) 5778 7236

Choice’s Milkbar

110 High Street

Mansfield VIC 3722

Ph: (03) 5775 2358

Euroa Newsagency

61 Binney Street

Euroa VIC 3666

Ph: (03) 5795 3031

Goughs Bay Store

4 Main Street

Goughs Bay VIC 3723

Ph: (03) 5777 3558

Mansfield Courier

98 High Street

Mansfield VIC 3722

Ph: (03) 5775 2115

Mansfield Foodworks

117-119 High Street

Mansfield VIC 3722

Ph: (03) 5775 2255

Mansfield Newsagency

57-59 High Street

Mansfield VIC 3722

Ph: (03) 5775 2649

Merton Store

8283 Maroondah highway

Merton VIC 3715

Ph: (03) 5778 9507

Swanpool Store

2373 Midland Highway

Swanpool VIC 3673

Ph: (03) 5768 2261

WANGARATTA & APCO

1-5 Roy Street

Wangaratta VIC 3677

Ph: (03) 5721 9991

Benalla Newsagency

45 Bridge Street East

Benalla VIC 3672

Ph: (03) 5762 2082

Cheshunt General Store

447 King Valley Road

Cheshunt VIC 3678

Ph: (03) 5729 8202

Edgars Books and News

55 Murphy Street

Wangaratta VIC 3677

Ph: (03) 5721 3758

Glenrowan Post Office & Newsagency

Shop 1, 33 Gladstone Street

Glenrowan VIC 3675

Ph: (03) 5766 2379

Milawa Post Newsagency

Shop 3, 1594 Snow Road

Milawa VIC 3678

Ph: (03) 5727 3200

Moyhu General Store

9 Byrne Street

Moyhu VIC 3732

Ph: (03) 5727 9260

Oxley Roadhouse

1152 Snow Road

Oxley VIC 3678

Ph: (03) 5727 3300

Springhurst Post Office

8 Silo Street

Springhurst VIC 3682

Ph: (03) 5726 5200

Violet Town Corner Store

32 Cowslip Street

Violet Town VIC 3669

Ph: (03) 5798 1304

Wangaratta Chronicle

37 Rowan Street

Wangaratta VIC 3677

Ph: (03) 5723 0100

Whitfield General Store

4877 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road

Whitfield VIC 3733

Ph: (03) 5729 8046

Yarrawonga Newsagency

81 Belmore Street

Yarrawonga VIC 3730

Ph: (03) 5744 3022

Can you tell us what you remember about growing up in Beechworth?

Beechworth was the ideal place to grow up. It’s a small town where the community is remarkably inter-webbed and involved - you couldn’t feel anything but supported and safe. I grew up on a my three siblings and my parents. I spent lots of time hiking and riding around the surrounding areas with friends and playing any sport that I could. What I remember most about that time are the events and the opportunities that lead me down this path in life (as a performer) - the performances I was a part of or saw as an audience member.

What did you love about where you grew up?

In a strange way, I loved the isolation. Growing up rural, kilometres away from