Ovens and Murray Advertiser 010923

BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH

New goldrush gg

By JAMIE KRONBORG

INDIGO Shire Council has formally agreed to seek membership of consortium pursuing World Heritage Listing for the Victorian goldfields.

Councillor Peter Croucher moved at this week’s meeting for the council to endorse a memorandum of understanding with central Victorian councils and the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive that have been working on the listing bid from an idea first put more than 35 years ago.

Fellow councillors unanimously agreed to the move, authorising council chief executive Trevor Ierino to sign the memorandum and, if accepted by the consortium, commit to participating in the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) bid process.

Australia currently has

20 World Heritage sites, including Uluru, Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef and the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape aquaculture system in south west Victoria.

Mayor Sophie Price said the bid aims to recognise the outstanding global heritage of the Victorian goldfields in Ballarat, Bendigo, Mount Alexander, Ararat, Northern Grampians, Moorabool, Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, Campaspe, Pyrenees, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Golden Plains and - if accepted - Indigo local government areas.

It centres on ways the colonial-era goldrushes created “a global mass movement of people, formative social and political processes and a spectacular period of world trade, industrial and commercial expansion, all showcased in the world’s best preserved goldrush landscapes, gold towns and some of the world’s most

notable historic gold cities”.

The Ovens and Murray Advertiser reported early in January 1857 that 243 tonnes of gold was shipped from Victoria between 1854 and 1856, worth $23.5 billion in today’s money. In just three weeks in late 1856 almost 1.2t of gold worth almost $114 million today was shipped from the Ovens goldfield administered from Beechworth.

Cr Price said significant investment and job opportunities could be expected if Indigo’s application to join the consortium was approved and the bid succeeded.

World Heritage expert Barry Gamble, from Britain, has said Central Victoria’s goldfields are “the most extensive, coherent and bestsurviving landscape anywhere that illustrates the global gold rush phenomenon of the second half of the nineteenth century”.

■ Continued page 2

NEW RUSH: Indigo mayor Sophie Price at Beechworth’s prominent goldrush monument at the town’s main intersection where the precious metal’s significance to the community and its economy and the work of those who found it is commemorated.

PHOTO: Jamie Kronborg

Colour diversifies Empire show

BEECHWORTH Arts Council is stepping out again to embrace the spirit of diversity in ‘Colour’ – a group exhibition of visual art to coincide with Beechworth’s Drag’d Out Festival 2023.

President Daren John Pope said ‘Colour’ promises “a riot of vibrant art across a range of visual art media to celebrate the spirit of open hearted inclusion as seen in the Rainbow Flag of

RU OK? Day

Thursday 14 September 2023

A national day of action to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.

I’m here to hear is this year’s key message and is calling on all of us to let the people you care about know you’re here, to really hear them.

Asking R U OK? is the first step. You don’t need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener. We can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected.

Everything you need to get involved:

https://www.ruok.org.au/

Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life.

the LGBTIQ+ community”.

“This is an open exhibition with all Beechworth Arts Council members welcome to submit their artwork for show,” Mr Pope said.

‘Colour’ follows the Arts Council’s highly successful ‘Art in Autumn’ exhibition in Beechworth’s historic town hall in May.

It will be the second major art show produced by the not-for-

profit community group this year.

“It’s our philosophy to support local artists by offering exhibition opportunities throughout the year,” Mr Pope said.

“Our aim is to show Indigo Shire Council that there is a demand for cultural activities such as these and, importantly, that such events are vital to the health of the community and worthy of support.”

Information on how to enter ‘Colour’ can be found at beechworthartscouncil.org.au.

Entry forms must be lodged by October 27, with artwork delivered the following week.

The exhibition will be installed at Empire Hotel petite Stairway Gallery November 3-December 2 and opened by Indigo Shire Beechworth councillor Sue Gold on November 5 and 2.30pm.

All visitors will enter at the Acacias entrance. Please let us know you are well and you are here.

DIVERSITY: Painters Valerie Crosse (left), Heather Sparks and Beechworth Arts Council president Daren John Pope with artworks for Colour, which opens on November at the Empire Hotel and runs for a month.

PHOTO: Jamie Kronborg

Premier digs aged care start

PREMIER Daniel Andrews helped on Friday to put a shovel in the ground to start construction of Rutherglen’s $57 million aged care facility.

Accompanied by Indigo North Health chair Jo Slattery and chief executive Shane Kirk, the Premier said the 50-bed care project was perhaps the biggest single public investment ever made in Indigo Shire.

“At $57m this is a really profound investment in the future of aged care and health care in this part of Indigo shire,” Mr Andrews said.

“It’s a really significant boost for Rutherglen, local construction firms out of border communities in Albury-Wodonga, sub-contractors coming from this local community, (creating) about 170 jobs, and a really significant investment.

“(It will create) fifty brand new rooms, single rooms, great for ageing in place, meeting residents’ needs all the way through their senior years…and a really big boost for the local economy.”

Mr Andrews said the investment commitment was made in the 2021 state budget.

“It’s one example among many that we’ve made each

and every year we’ve been in office….because we know more of than not that a health service is the largest employer in any regional town,” he said.

“We are the only state in whole country that still has public sector aged care. One in 10 beds, so about 5000, is publicly owned.

“We think public sector aged care is safer, and it’s better because we think patients and residents should come first, not profit.

“If it weren’t for our involvement in public aged care then those aged care facilities would not be in those regional towns.

“I think it’s only fair that

if you’ve helped to build a local community then you should be able to age in that local community in the best facilities possible, not for profit, but for patients, for that local community and for you.

Mr Andrews said the Rutherglen project, weather permitting, was scheduled

for completion in 2025.

Mr Kirk said Indigo North Health was pleased to be working with the Victorian Health Building Authority to deliver the new aged care facility.

The project will create private single rooms with ensuites, an environment promoting dignity and in-

dependence, a community room, common areas to encourage social interaction, and encourage activities between residents, families and the community.

The works are funded from the first stage of Victoria’s Regional and Rural Public Sector Residential Aged Care Revitalisation Strategy.

‘Forest maker’ comes to Stanley

AN agronomist known as ‘the forest maker’ will deliver the Friends of Stanley Athenaeum sixth annual Geoff Craig Memorial Lecture in Stanley Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on September 17.

World Vision natural resources management specialist Tony Rinaudo has worked extensively in the west African nation of Niger for many years where he helped to transform millions of hectares of dry land into tree-covered agricultural land.

The conservation farming system developed with Niger farmers is known as farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) - an approach so successful that it has been used in at least 24 African countries. In Niger alone, five million hectares of land with more than 200 million trees have been restored using the centuries-old but revitalised forest regeneration system, equating to 50,000 more tonnes of grain being harvested and 2.5 million people benefiting from im-

proved land use.

Mr Rinaudo believes that FMNR can also be easily and successfully practised by local farmers to stop or even reverse the destruction of landscapes and the livelihoods that depend on it.

The Athenaeum’s Chris Dormer said Mr Rinaudo in the lecture would talk about the influences that took him to Africa and the discovery of the “underground forest” now described as FMNR. “He’ll describe what it is, it’s impact and spread,

and the challenges ahead, including the impact of climate change,” Ms Dormer said.

Mr Rinaudo was appointed a Member of the Order

of Australia (AM) in 2019 for his significant service to conservation as a pioneer in international reforestation programs. The lecture, which hon-

ours the late Geoff Craig, historian and author, will start at 2:30pm. For information email stanleyathenaeum@gmail. com.

FRESH TURN: Premier Daniel Andrews (centre) with Indigo North Health chair Jo Slattery, chief executive Shane Kirk and Victorian Health Building Authority and construction contractor representatives at the start of Rutherglen aged care facility building works.

FOREST-MAKER: Tony Rinaudo with young people in Niger. PHOTO: Silas Koch / World Vision.

Chiltern

Long Walk treks North East

AUSTRALIAN Football great and First Peoples’ advocate Michael Long is scheduled to walk through the North East next week on his Long Walk to Canberra for constitutional recognition for Indigenous people and a Voice to Parliament.

Mr Long brought forward

the twentieth anniversary of his 2004 Walk for a Voice and a vision for First People’s full participation in the political, social and economic life of the country because of the referendum to be held on October 14.

It’s expected that the Long Walk will take in Beechworth,

but details are subject to change and people should register on the website thelongwalk.com.au for up to date information.

The walk also raises funds for charities Walk the Talk and Ganbu Gulan to improve and support Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander health and life opportunities.

In an outstanding football career, in which his prowess failed to shield him from racial abuse, Mr Long championed the development of a racial abuse code adopted by the AFL in the 1990s.

LONG’S WALK FOR RECOGNITION: Michael Long is scheduled to walk through North East next week on his Long Walk to Canberra.

Stanley looks to future

STANLEY residents are encouraged to attend a meeting on September 10 to discuss the role of Stanley Rural Community Incorporated and help to determine its future.

SRCI is the community’s advocacy organisation and also leases and maintains the former Stanley primary school and post office.

Secretary Dannielle Bell said Stanley needed a representative advocacy organisation that could engage with and respond to Indigo Shire Council, state and federal agencies and other organisations when required.

“It’s not within the charter of other Stanley community organisations to undertake this role,” Ms Bell said.

“SRCI is independent and not tethered to any other organisation that may affect its independence.

“It’s solely responsible and accountable to its membership and, through the membership, to the community.”

Ms Bell said SRCI had worked always for the Stanley community and its 370-strong population.

“We’re looking to the

community to reflect on where we have come from, and work out how to best represent and support the community’s needs into the future, which also includes the use of the former primary school,” she said.

“Stanley’s demographic has changed significantly since SRCI was established in 2010 in response to the unexpected closure of Stanley’s licensed post office agency.

“With the community’s strong support, SRCI successfully re-established the post office service, operating first from a demountable and then from the former school, as it still does.

“It’s sought to restore Stanley as an official township, a status removed in the 1970s when the Stanley plateau was re-classified as a farming zone.

“It’s pushed for better mobile telephone coverage after the 2009 bushfires, and challenged a decision that allowed groundwater to be pumped from Cue Springs and bottled and sold commercially.

“It’s maintained the former school as a commu-

nity centre that includes auspicing the Dragonfly Project, offering a number of programs to educate and engage young people meaningfully.

“We now face the challenges of climate change, generating a reliable, sustainable energy supply from alternative sources, and engaging with Indigo council on the proposed Stanley ‘place plan’.”

Ms Bell said the continued use and future of the former primary school would be central to the September 10 community discussion.

“It’s a vital community asset and, as an organisation, we intend to pick up the conversation around its future, which was paused because of COVID 19, and are committed to it being used for the best interests of our community,” she said

“Is it time to reshape and refocus SRCI? Is it time for change to address a changing Stanley?

“Change is inevitable, growth is optional. Let’s have a say in our future.”

Ms Bell said all Stanley residents are welcome at the meeting to take place in Stanley Memorial Hall at September 10 at 3pm.

SCAN ME

FUTURE FOCUS: Stanley Rural Community secretary Dannielle Bell encourages Stanley residents on September 10 to talk about the future of the organisation and the former primary school it leases and maintains.

PHOTO: Jamie Kronborg

Est. 1855

Beechworth SES volunteers recognised for service to community

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VICTORIA State Emergency Service

Volunteers

Ian Sinclair and Charles Dean have received awards for Significant Service to the community while serving as volunteers with the SES Beechworth Unit.

On August 22 Charles and Ian were presented with their awards at Beechworth by VICSES operations manager Neil Payn.

Charles was presented with the National Emergency Medal for sustained service during the 2019/20 bushfires.

During the event he was involved in evaluating Corryong Hospital and in assisting the Bureau of Meteorology with deploying mobile weather stations in the high country, to assist with monitoring weather around fires and giving vital intelligence to fire agencies.

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“Working at Corryong was really challenging, as we drove in a convoy of vehicles to help with the relief, the fires were still burning around us and we had to be escorted by fire trucks,” Charles recalled.

Ian was presented with his clasp for 45 years continuous service as member of the SES Beechworth Unit.

Ian joined the Civil Defence as a teenager and continued with the SES when it replaced the Civil Defence.

Ian has helped provide road crash rescues, storm response, rope

rescue and search and rescue for most of his 45 years and was instrumental in saving countless lives over that time.

He has also responded to major emergencies that have impacted Beechworth including bushfires and storms.

”It’s probably longer than 45 years,” Ian said. “I started going to

training when I was 14 but couldn’t join until I was a bit older.”

“Both Ian and Charles demonstrate that SES members are integral parts of their community, and these awards express some of the priceless value of our volunteers to the wider Victorian community,”

Neil Payn said

“Ian’s contribution over 45 years is phenomenal, and many people involved in accidents would not be around today if not for Ian’s dedicated service.

“Charles’ medal also shows great courage and commitment to the wellbeing of our community in difficult circumstances.”

JUST REWARDS: Charles Dean (left) and Ian Sinclair were honoured recently for their long and distinguished service with VICSES in Beechworth.

A farmer’s view of emission reduction opportunities

A FORUM in Beechworth on September 13 will help farmers and agricultural service providers to understand on-farm requirements and supply chain demands as the world moves to a lowcarbon economy.

Agricultural consultant Cam Nicholson will provide an overview of where carbon requirements are headed and the evolution of possible emission reduction technologies.

He will explore options farmers have to maintain business flexibility while starting to participate in the carbon space.

Program topics include:

• The continuing evolution of greenhouse gas mitigation – in Australia and globally;

• Possible actions to reduce emissions and sequester carbon – now and in the future;

• Calculating your farm’s carbon emissions and emissions intensity.

Mr Nicholson is a director of Nicon Rural Services, a consulting business near Geelong working with the grazing and cropping indus-

tries.

He has 35 years of experience in farm advisory, as well as a beef and sheep farmer.

Mr Nicholson and his partner Fiona Conroy have a long interest in improving,

measuring and understanding the benefits from managing the natural resources on their farm. They run a self-replacing, commercial performance recorded Angus herd and a superfine wool Merino flock with a fo-

Ovens Valley Chainsaws & Lawnmowers

DE MO DAY

interested in understanding the opportunities and future market challenges around carbon accounting and reporting.

“I have followed the evolution of carbon farming since 2011, searching for sensible opportunities to meet growing emission reduction requirements while pushing back against those who offer unrealistic or quick fix solutions,” he said.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, September 13, between 10am and 3.30pm at The Priory, 8 Priory Lane, Beechworth.

Tickets are $20pp + booking fee (including lunch) and are available at https:// events.humanitix.com/ understanding-carbonwith-cam-nicholson-beechworth.

cus on productivity, animal welfare and environmental management.

The main focus has been on soil, water, vegetation and fauna.

Their actions include extensive tree planting, fenc-

ing off water storages, reticulation into troughs, soil testing every paddock every three years (since 1993), as well as bird and fauna monitoring.

Mr Nicholson said more recently they have been

For more information contact Lachlan Campbell at lachlan.campbell@necma.vic.gov.au or 0400 852 452.

This event is supported by the North East CMA and Agriculture Victoria, with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

LOW CARBON CONNECTION: Agricultural consultant Cam Nicholson will provide an overview of where carbon requirements are headed and the evolution of possible emission reduction technologies at a farrmers’ forum in Beechworth on September 13.

ACROSS

3 What is a particular printing paper size (8)

7 Name a poisonous derivative of benzene (6)

8 Which term describes military weapons of all kinds (8)

9 What is another name for a lapwing (6)

10 Name a breathing medicine (8)

11 To be very excited is to be what (3,3)

14 Carson City is the capital of which US State (6)

17 Which alkaloids are used to treat malaria (8)

18 To go with short unsteady steps, is to do what (6)

19 What do we call one who mimics (8)

20 What is another term for revenue (6)

21 Name a lyric poem suitable for musical setting (8)

DOWN

1 What is a cup for the wine of the eucharist (7)

2 To be dishonest, is to be what (7)

3 Name a retailer of flowers, ornamental plants, etc (7)

4 What is an alternative term for ancestry (7)

5 Which musical composition resembles a short oratorio (7)

6 What items are used for plucking strings of guitars, etc (7)

11 Which mass is celebrated for the repose of the souls of the dead (7)

12 To have made a god of, is to have done what (7)

13 Name the art of folding paper into shapes of flowers, birds, etc (7)

E-QUATIONS

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

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD QUICK

14 What is one of the external openings of the nose (7)

15 What is a bridge, for carrying a road, etc, over a valley (7)

16 Which document states a candidate’s success in an examination (7)

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

WHICH WORDS

BIYWORD

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

CLUES:

Adolescence (5)

Close pal: ... buddy (5) Fervor (7)

Fifth note (3)

God (5)

Ground under a river (3) Inlet (3) Month (3) Physical (7) Skeletal

SOLUTIONS SUDOKU

THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Enjoy Father’s Day breakfast at the Hotel Nicholas

TREAT Dad to a special Father’s Day breakfast this Sunday at the Historic Hotel Nicholas. Enjoy a choice of three cooked breakfasts; Birch-

er muesli, smashed avocado or pancakes in the Gallery Dining Room with its wood fire or in the sunny courtyard weather permitting,

Children’s breakfast costs just $12 and there is free coffee for Dad.

Bookings are preferred to avoid disappointment, phone 5728 1051.

Myrtleford Art Prize entries now open

THE Myrtleford Show Art Prize has returned for 2023 with a $1500 prize pool.

All artists are invited to create a 20cm x 20cm mini masterpiece for the competition on Saturday October 28.

First prize is $500, second

prize is $300, winner of the People’s Choice award will take home $300, while the highly commended prize is $200.

Winners of the secondary student and primary student categories will receive $100.

Country living suits Andrew

ANDREW Slaney was born in Melbourne and grew up in Cheltenham but made the change to the country about seven years ago, initially living in Euroa and Strathbogie. About three years later he made the move to Yackandandah where he lives with his partner Melissa.

What do you do workwise?

At age 18 I started my working life as a butcher in Melbourne. Fifteen years later after graduating from university I became an advanced life support paramedic for Ambulance Victoria for the next seven years, working both in Melbourne and in the country. These days I run a local business, Handy Andy’s Quality Lawn & Garden Maintenance.

What brought you to your latest work role?

Registration and the submission of one 20x20 canvas costs $10, any addition canvas is $10 each.

Entries close September 30. Contact myrtlefordshow@bigpond.com for more information.

Local artists exhibition in Wangaratta

A NEW exhibition by resident artists Linda D’Agostino and Melissa Johns has opened at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street.

An artist and illustrator, Melissa is known for using upcycled materials in her artworks which have a vintage, whimsical feel, while Linda enjoys experimenting with a variety of mediums and techniques to create her paintings and illustrative style landscapes. The exhibition is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm until September 18 and entry is free.

FORALLOFYOUR SAND & SOIL

After leaving Ambulance Victoria I still wanted to work in a job where I felt I could make a difference to people’s lives but without the added pressure of life or death. A few family members suggested I could start my own business, so I thought, yeah, why not. The thought of being my own boss seemed quite appealing. It’s a lot of work, but I could not have imagined it was going to take off the way it has.

What do you love about your work?

All my careers have been incredibly rewarding in their own ways. Being a gardening/mowing contractor is great for keeping fit, meeting people, learning new skills, and working in some of the most amazing and beautiful places in the country. It is particularly satisfying to be able to help those who are no longer able to look after their own gardens. And at the end of the day, who wouldn’t love working in our amazing community.

What do you do in the community?

Short answer, I like to make everything look neat and beautiful. I am also an avid car enthusiast and guitarist/songwriter. One day I hope to be able to share some of my music with the people of the community.

In the past I’ve undertaken medical volunteering and a little with my kids sports teams, but

these days my job keeps me well and truly flat chat.

Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?

When I worked in ambulance, I was privy to a vast number of issues that impact all communities. Accessible and affordable health care always seems to be something that proves elusive to many people in the community, and as housing expands and the population increases, we are going to need more services in our area to be able to cope with the increased demand. Unfortunately, the current cost of living crisis is further compounding this issue.

What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?

The inability of some leaders/governments to see the value of human life.

If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo Shire, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?

One of my favourite musicians/guitarists is a Canadian man named Devin Townsend. His music is quite eclectic and isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s right up my alley. I’d take him around the Beechworth Gorge, up to Mt Pilot as well as other lookouts, and to Woolshed Falls as I’d love to hear what kind of music he would be inspired to write after visiting these places.

What book are you reading?

‘Eleven Bats’. It’s an autobiography written by an Australian SAS soldier who organised games of cricket to help break tensions and bring communities together in war-torn places such as East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

SPOIL DAD: Enjoy a Father’s Day breakfast this Sunday at the Historic Hotel Nicholas.

TREE CHANGER: Paramedic turned business owner - Yackandandah’s Andrew Slaney - loves living in his community helping others in a different way.

Andrew Slaney, Yackandandah

BY EMAIL

Bombshells all set for November debut

RIDING high from their hugely successful production of Ladies in Black, local community theatre group the Wangaratta Players are already working on their next exciting projects.

Between September 23 and 30, the Wangaratta Players ‘Youthies’ group will present the classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, while preparations are also underway for the November production of Bombshells.

Multi-award winning Australian playwright and author Joanna MurraySmith’s highly-acclaimed play is a fun and heart-warming journey “from crisis to hilarity”, and will be directed by local theatre stalwart, Wendy Stephens.

The show features six funny and perceptive monologues about the stresses of modern female life, ranging from a feisty teenager to a 64-year-old woman yearning for the unexpected.

A public information session about the show will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 2 at the Players’ Stage Door Studio at 4D Evans Street.

Attendees will be able to meet with Ms Stephens and learn more about the show and the six female characters to be cast, and there will be an opportunity to read through the play and take home audition pieces for the following week.

Ms Stephens said she was excited to get to work.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to direct this wonderful Australian play and to work with the talented people of the Wangaratta Players again,” she said.

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Auditions will be held from 10am on Saturday, September 9 at the stage door, before the play is performed over the last two weekends of November.

For more information about Bombshells or to book an audition, contact Wendy Stephens on 0402 288 207.

Connecting women for empowering community leadership

THE Wangaratta Women in Leadership committee is looking forward to welcoming guests to their spring breakfast scheduled to take place on Friday, September 8 at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway.

NISSAN Navara, dual cab ute, JN1CNUD22A0026712, suit wrecking, 2 engines, 2 radiators, bull bar with electric winch, tow bar, good axles and gear box, $500. Ph (03) 5764 4332.

This event aims to facilitate connections and empower women from diverse backgrounds as they embark on leadership roles within their communities.

Guest speaker will be Tracey McGeehan, a disability support officer at Northeast Health Wangaratta.

Tracey’s role is focused on supporting, educating and advocating for NHW’s workforce (with disability).

Committee member Kerryn Lee said attendees can look forward to an insightful session as Tracey shares her passion for diversity and inclusion along with her firsthand experiences of having a hearing condition.

“The condition, profound nerve deafness bilateral, has given Tracey skills and strengths in adapting and managing societal expectations of ‘disability’,” Ms Lees said.

“Her greatest gift is being able to lipread and speak, and sharing this with others

BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au

empowers her, providing a sense of self-advocacy.

“Tracey will speak about how labelling and disability can be inhibiting and how creating a strong sense of self has enabled her to

evolve and grow.”

The September 8 event will kick off with networking opportunities and a light breakfast at 7am, and conclude by 8.30am.

Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakfastwith-tracey-mcgeehan-tickets-679134789437?aff=ebdso porgprofile.

BUILDING STEAM: Wendy Stephens is excited to be directing Bombshells on behalf of the Wangaratta Players.

ADVOCATE: Tracey McGheehan will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Wangaratta Women in Leadership Spring Breakfast.

Podium finishes in state sandgreen champs Tallangattalllleague

By DYLAN POOL

LAST Sunday a stableford event was held in Beechworth in fantastic conditions.

The winner for the fourth time in the last five competitions was Xavier Palamarczuk (4) with 35 points.

Runner up was Andy Croome (7) 33, followed by George Ward (22) 32.

Dean Howard claimed two nearest the pins, on the 10th and 18th.

Also on the weekend, four Beechworth members travelled to the beautifully presented Talbot Golf Club for the Trimax Victorian Sandgreen Championships.

After the first day Dylan Pool was the best positioned of the men sitting in second spot, only two shots behind after posting a 71 on Saturday.

Vaughan Saunders and Darren Edwards were only one and two shots behind after having a 72 and 73 respectively.

On day two Dylan started off reasonably well, as Vaughan

had a start he would rather forget, bogeying the first four holes, before he chipped in twice in the next five holes.

And after 9 holes Dylan was leading the overall by one shot and Vaughan was a further shot behind that.

A disastrous 12th and 13th hole ruled Dylan out of the title, Vaughan however kept playing steady golf and on the last hole his chip from behind the green lipped out for birdie.

After the hole much to Vaughan’s surprise this meant that he and Andrew Kane from Boort were tied on a score of 143.

Dylan finished with 75 and Darren shot 73 again, and they both ended up tied for third with a total of 146.

Vaughan put the pressure on Andrew in the play off, having two tap in pars in the first two holes of sudden death while Andrew made pars as well on those two holes, despite having to knock down long range putts, especially on the first playoff hole where he holed about a ten

foot putt to keep the playoff going.

Unfortunately for Vaughan on the third hole he found himself in some trouble, and to rub salt into the wounds Andrew chipped in for birdie to win the title once again.

As Dylan has such an inflated handicap at the moment his rounds of 38 and 34 points for a total of 72 was enough to win the A Grade Handicap title by three shots.

Glenda Marshall also had a great round on Sunday with 35 points finishing with the second best A Grade Handicap score and also finishing 7th overall.

It was a fantastic weekend and we are looking forward to Dimboola next year and also more of our members attending.

This coming Sunday at Beechworth will be the September Monthly Medal. Hit off is the usual 11:30am for 12 noon.

But a couple are planning on playing at 8am to attend the footy at Sandy Creek on Sunday

STEADY SWING: Vaughan Saunders had a fantastic weekend at the Trimax Victorian Sandgreen Championships, coming runner-up after a thrilling three play-off holes which took a chip-in birdie to defeat him.

afternoon. If anyone else wants to play early Sunday feel free to join or let Dylan know if you want to play outside the 12 pm hit off time.

Captain courageous

■ From back page Other Bushrangers featuring in the awards for the night were Tom Cartledge and Lachie Armstrong earning places in the TDFL team of the year at opposite ends of the ground along with Fendyk in the middle.

On the field, Beechworth’s season is under threat of elimination as they face reigning premiers Chiltern on Sunday, after a 67-point beating from Yackandandah in the qualifying final.

To add salt to the wound, co-coach Tom Cartledge will be facing the tribunal tonight as he appeals his four match suspension handed out last week for a bump which concussed Yackandandah’s Billy Griska.

RESULTS:

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

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

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

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

SEMI FINAL

U14 Girls 1 42 def Diamond Valley 2 31

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 24, Lily Purss 11, Eloise Hudgson 5)

QUALIFYING FINAL

U16 Boys 1 39 def by Gippsland United 1 47

(Top Scorers: Blake Newton 10, Connor Breheny 10, Dashiell Smith 9)

SEMI FINAL

U16 Boys 2 66 def Ballarat 34

(Top Scorers: Lenny Lonergan 17, Mateo Hanley 13, Josh Vearing 11)

ELIMINATION FINAL

U16 Girls 1 50 def by Altona 1 65

(Top Scorers: Molly Moylan 25, Lily-Anne McClure 9, Elise Napier 6)

QUALIFYING FINAL

U16 Girls 2 24 def by Bulleen 3 45

(Top Scorers: Scarlett Mullavey 6, Sienna Sampson 6, Sophia Kotzur 5)

QUALIFYING FINAL

U18 Boys 1 46 def by Waverley 1 62

(Top Scorers: Lochie Harvey 18, Caleb Wharepapa 9, Frank Oguche 8)

Fendyk said the team were shell-shocked coming out of the game on Satu rday, but are doing their best to move on as quickly as they can and put it down to “one of those days”.

“Yack obviously are an extremely good side and were way better on the day, we did go into the game confident but we just couldn’t keep up with them in the end,” he said.

“This week we’re focused on going back to the basics, we probably went into last week with a few positional changes and trying people in different roles, but this week we’re certainly focused on playing our brand of footy instead of trying to stop someone else’s, which has worked for us all year.”

A SPECIAL FEELING: Cam Fendyk was honoured to be named as the league’s best footballer for 2023.

For all the best

Indigo

Captain courageous

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

BEECHWORTH’S captain

Cam Fendyk has taken out the TDFL’s highest honour.

In a thrilling vote count, Fendyk’s second half of the season surge was enough to see him rise to the top of the Barton Medal count with 26 votes, four clear of Yackandandah big man Zack Leitch.

Fendyk became just the third Bushranger to take out the Barton Medal, after Brayden Carey and Brenton Surrey in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The Beechworth captain has proved himself as a premier midfielder in the competition over the past two seasons as skipper, finishing on the same vote tally as last year’s third placed finish.

Fendyk said it was a special feeling when he was announced the winner.

“There were people mentioning that I’d be up there but I didn’t really think I was going to be,” he said.

“Playing every game gave me the biggest chance possible and we were competitive, in the games we lost it was only by 10 points, and if you’re competitive it’s a bit easier to play better footy.

“You can’t get there without the rest of your team helping out so I’m very thankful to all of my teammates, the club, supporters and our volunteers who make it all happen for us on a Saturday.

“All the boys have certainly got around me as well which was nice.”

■ Continued page 11

LEADING THE CHARGE: Cam Fendyk was awarded the Barton Medal at the TDFL’s night of nights on Monday as his team looks to keep their season alive against Chiltern tomorrow.