THE much-loved Billson’s, owner of the famous brewery brand, has entered voluntary administration with proprietors Nathan Cowan and his wife Felicity making the announcement on Wednesday.
They have appointed Rob Smith and Matthew Hutton from McGrathNicol as administrators to help them through a deterioration of market conditions.
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
The maker of non-alcoholic cordials and premixed alcoholic drinks said “incredible business growth” that masked several mistakes with their systems and processes was the reason for the decision.
years, Billson’s has encountered some severe growing pains and a raft of unforeseen challenges over the past six months resulting in a need to restructure”.
It comes after Billson’s cutting of several jobs in March this year due to “cost of living pressures and a change in consumer behaviour”.
Mr Cowan said, “After some incredibly successful
“Our customers’ choices are influenced by the cost of
living pressures, while we are battling working capital challenges, the rising costs of energy, freight, ingredients and raw materials, and the third highest spirit tax in the world,” Mr Cowan said.
“The inevitable restructure will impact not only the team, but the community of Beechworth and the broader region.
“I’m ultimately responsible for the health of the business
and to have this happen on my watch is crushing.
“We weren’t able to predict the speed nor the magnitude of the shift in the market conditions. I’m devastated.”
Mr Cowan said that over the past seven years they have worked tirelessly to revitalise the business by developing a unique range of flavourful drinks and to restore the historic brewery into a vibrant
tourist destination and we are proud of our achievements in both those areas.
“Billson’s has experienced overwhelming support from consumers and fans all over the country and has built strong partnerships with wonderful retailers and suppliers, and our commitment to those partnerships is unwavering,” he said.
■ Continued page 3
Maureen O’Flaherty (left), Linda Erskine, Linley Sewell, Julia Smith (president) and Margaret Harms are looking forward to celebrating the special Red Cross anniversary. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley ■ Story page 2
Local ambos remain outraged
By CORAL COOKSLEY
FIVE MONTHS of industrial action by paramedics to resolve inadequate resourcing issues across the state erupted last Friday with a ‘no confidence’ vote in Ambulance Victoria’s executive.
Local Indigo Shire paramedic Paul Stefaniak said more than 100 meetings have been held over this time between Ambulance Victoria (AV) and the Ambulance union with Indigo Shire’s inadequate resourcing issue known in excess of five years.
Mr Stefaniak said Friday’s action sparked by a Myrtleford paramedic recently crashing an ambulance after working 18.5 hours demonstrated a vital change is needed from working longer than Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) mandated 14-hour shifts to improve paramedic safety.
“AV initially denied the hours worked but then retracted their statement and acknowledged that call staff regularly worked longer than mandated shift lengths,” he said.
According to Mr Stefaniak, AV provides daytime ambulance cover to Beechworth, Chiltern, Tallangatta, Corryong, Myrtleford, Mt Beauty and Bright com-
Industrial dispute worsens with no confidence vote in Ambulance Victoria executive p
munities for 11 hours with paramedics expected to take the ambulance home and work ‘on call’ for a further 13 hours.
He said among other issues from a lack of AV action included inaccuracy of call taking and the dispatching system continuing to send ambulances’ lights and sirens to low acuity cases while there is also no plan to end ongoing ramping of ambulances at hospitals.
Another is the inability to resolve end of shift management so that paramedics can finish their shifts on time.
Since the Myrtleford incident Mr Stefaniak said AV had formed a committee to review call staff fatigue management in rural areas.
He said ambulance crewing strategies remain an issue with only one paramedic and a first responder assigned for Chiltern, Tallangatta, Corryong, Myrtleford, Mt Beauty Due to a lack of change Mr Stefaniak said the resource model continued to provide ad hoc coverage by first responders with paramedics consistently responding by themselves.
“As an example, from June 2022 until May this year there has been 459 vacant first responder shifts at
Classifieds 5723 0101 or classifieds@nemedia.com.au
Display Advertising: 5723 0100 or sales@nemedia.com.au
Editorial: 5723 0109 or edit.omadvertiser@nemedia.com.au
Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.
Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission. NEWSPAPER
Chiltern, 691 at Tallangatta and 379 at Corryong,” he said.
“The current resource model is from the 1980s, is not fit for purpose and does not meet the clinical needs of rural patients.”
While AV previously advised total emergency incidents for the Indigo Shire area had remained steady since 2021, Mr Stefaniak said workload had risen 26 per cent since then.
Beechworth attended a total of 402 cases in 2021 with 231 cases in Indigo
Shire while in 2023 this had increased to a total of 1154, with 699 in Indigo Shire.
For Chiltern, the numbers in 2021 – total cases had been 264 with Indigo 95 while 2023 total cases were 707 and Indigo 248.
Mr Stefaniak added that 50 per cent of the workload for Indigo resources - Beechworth and Chiltern - are outside the Indigo local government area (LGA), primarily in Wodonga and Wangaratta.
“It’s time for AV executive to focus on important issues
in allowing paramedics to deliver professional care in a timely and safe manner to our communities,” he said.
“Until the executive shows they are lobbying the state government for funding to achieve this, then the paramedic workforce will continue to have little faith in their management.”
The paramedic said AV had not made any meaningful investment in rural resourcing in Hume for more than two decades.
“This complete neglect has resulted in a serious in-
cident involving a very hardworking paramedic trying to provide ambulance coverage in a failing system,” he said.
“In the year 2024 rural communities expect and deserve a 24-hour ambulance service with professional paramedics that can meet the community’s health needs.”
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller said AV is committed to rebuilding workforce trust in its executive team.
“We will continue working extremely hard to ensure our organisation is one that we can all be proud of,” she said.
“Our people, along with the patients they care for, are our absolute priority.
“We are negotiating in good faith with our people and their bargaining representatives to deliver an enterprise agreement which is fair for all and acknowledges the significant value of our people.
“Our paramedics are working under enormous pressure, and we continue to prioritise work to address high levels of incidental overtime, fatigue and rostering challenges, improve call-taking and dispatch, and help our people finish their shifts on time.”
Beechworth Red Cross celebrates milestone 110-year anniversary
By CORAL COOKSLEY
AN incredible milestone is being celebrated on Tuesday, August 13 by the local Red Cross Branch at Beechworth’s Memorial Hall.
This year marks the 110th anniversary of both the Australian Red Cross founded on August 13, 1914 after the outbreak of World War I closely followed five days later with the Beechworth Red Cross Branch created on August 18.
Local chair Julia Smith said the Beechworth branch started life as the Beechworth Patriotic Women’s League to support the Australian soldiers at the front in Europe.
YOUR OVENS AND MURRAY TEAM
She said linen, clothing, kit bags, slippers, bandages, pillows, tea, sugar bags and magazines had been among items sent to the central depot in Melbourne for overseas despatch to the Western front.
Billies (for boiling water over an open fire) were sent near Christmas time in 1915 filled with Christmas gifts for Victorian soldiers.
Australian Red Cross became the premier wartime voluntary charity appealing to Australian women across the nation.
Ms Smith said 25 years later, during World War II, Australian Red Cross was the largest charitable organisation in Australia with its scale of operations, as
well as support received from the Australian people.
“Almost half a million people mostly women from a national population of seven million were members of Australian Red Cross during World War II,” she said.
“The support and the prestige of belonging to a well-respected international organisation contributed to its spectacular success.”
The post-war period saw reconstruction and regeneration focussing on social welfare, national emergencies, natural disasters such as floods and bushfires, and the development of the blood service and first aid programs sustained by the extensive branch network and thousands of members and volunteers.
Ms Smith said together with
the broader International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network.
More than 16,000 members and volunteers across Australia are dedicated to helping people impacted by disaster, conflict and other social issues.
Beechworth Red Cross invites the community to join its celebration starting at 1.30pm with Victorian State director Ms Nichola Krey as guest speaker. A raffle draw will take place before afternoon tea with the event closing around 3pm.
In the lead up to the event, members will be selling raffle tickets outside Ritchies IGA supermarket in Beechworth on Thursdays and Saturdays with tickets also on sale at the event.
Among fabulous prizes donated by Beechworth businesses is two nights’ accommodation at the Garden Cottage, Weir Lane, Beechworth to a value of $600 as first prize kindly donated by locals Jamie Kronborg and Peter Kenyon.
“We hope members of the community can join with us in celebrating this important milestone in our branch’s history,” Ms Smith said.
RSVP is needed by August 9 for catering purposes by contacting Linda on 0405 381 463 or Julia on 57 281 071.
TINS RATTLED: Beechworth Red Cross Branch members Marlene Costello (left) and Wendy Kelly helped collect donations for the Red Cross calling appeal earlier this year at the town’s kiosk.
TIME TO ACT: Senior MICA paramedic Paul Stefaniak says Ambulance Victoria executive needs to support lobbying to State Government for funding to achieve adequate resourcing for rural areas and restore faith in management.
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Can the Golden Horseshoes Festival continue next year?
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A CRITICAL shortage of volunteers is threatening the chance to have the long-standing Golden Horseshoes Festival on the calendar next year.
Just a handful of volunteers with the same faces turned up to last week’s widely publicised AGM held at Hotel Nicholas.
A small number have continued as committee members while some others contributing to the festival’s success for more than two decades stepped down.
Golden Horseshoes Festival committee chair Jim Didolis said new people are sought to join the team.
“We have a very cohesive group, have lots of fun and meet once a fortnight for a couple of hours,” he said.
Ms Freeman said existing members will help and mentor new committee members.
The much-loved event draws around 12,000 to 17,000 tourists from far and wide to town for the annual fun-filled Easter celebration over the long weekend with activities for everyone.
Mr Didolis said the event also celebrated the town’s history with the festival based on legendary Daniel Cameron - a candidate in the 1855 campaign to elect a parliamentarian for Ovens goldfield communities
to Victoria’s Legislative Council.
Daniel led a political rally on a horse shod with shoes of gold held in Beechworth for better conditions for goldminers with the festival bringing the legend to life.
Committee secretary
Heidi Freeman said the festival is a great event for holidaymakers creating wonderful memories of Beechworth with the parade, children’s activities, entertainment with bands, music and much more.
“The Lions Club organise the Sunday Easter egg hunt and have at least 200 children on Easter Sunday,” she said.
Ms Freeman said the Rotary Club held its main fundraising event with its Easter market in Queen Victoria Park while the club and many businesses generously sponsored the event.
Mr Didlolis said the committee is seeking skilled volunteers in some areas of festival parade coordination with entries as well as running the parade and musical stage on the day.
“We need at least six or eight people on our committee to help make that happen,” he said.
“We also need volunteers to place street barriers on the day to run a safe parade with at least 40 people on the day guaranteed to help out.”
He said extra commit-
tee members as well as volunteers on the day are needed to make the festival viable.
“We have around 4500 people living in the town and hope we can get eight people to help on the committee,” Mr Didolis said.
“It’s a lot of fun to be involved in running the event as you’re meeting and talking to a lot of interesting people from many different areas”.
Mr Didolis said the event brings the community together as many organisations and businesses join in while Beechworth Correctional Centre’s community team also help with the festival set-up.
As a volunteer run event, he said helping to run the festival is a chance to give back to the community.
“It’s rewarding to create a memorable experience with an Easter full of joy for holidaymakers and locals alike.”
“We’re celebrating as a community to make Beechworth a destination and a fun place to be in the country with crowds enjoying a vibrant atmosphere.”
Mr Didolis said the festival helped keep Beechworth on the map helping the local economy too.
Ms Freeman said she hoped community spirit will continue to shine with more hands to help.
“We’re all busy but we can do it,” she said.
Billson’s Brewery enters voluntary administration
■ From page 1
“It remains our mission to create flavourful experiences for people to enjoy.”
Billson’s will look for a partner to support the business with the working capital needed to increase efficiency, but still remain artisan, to better compete with the global players that dominate the market.
Mr Cowan is confident the financial restructuring, combined with a new innovation plan, will result in a stronger and more resilient business emerging from administration.
Earlier, the owners took to social media to give a heartfelt message to all their supporters.
“Together with the team, we’ve poured our hearts and souls into Billson’s and we are proud of everything that has been accomplished,” Nathan and Felicity wrote in a post on Facebook.
“Over the course of seven years, everyone’s hard work and passion has resulted in overwhelming support by people all over Australia and some pretty incredible business growth.
“Unfortunately that growth masked several mistakes we made along the way as our systems and processes failed to keep up.
“We’re ultimately responsible for these mistakes and we know that we have let people down. We are devastated and sorry.”
They said they have tried everything imaginable over the past six months to avoid this situation and now believe the voluntary administration to be “the necessary step for survival”.
“The brewery has stood proud for over 150 years and has undoubtedly faced many other perilous times,” the post read.
“The challenges we’ve encountered in 2024 have been vast and incomprehensible in scale.
“We know how difficult the current environment is out there for everyone.
“With so many family businesses teetering on the edge, any support you are able to provide your local businesses, in any way at all, will mean more now than ever.
They intend for the venue to remain open seven days per week and their online store will operate as usual.
“We’ll continue to supply our fans through all of our amazing customers in bottle shops and venues across the country.”
Billson’s is a family owned beverages businesses based in Beechworth and was established in 1865.
“We will do everything possible to work through this so Billson’s can emerge more resilient as a business and ready to take on another century.
additional environmental water, and to implement the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Interested owners of eligible water rights in these catchments are invited to submit a tender response stating the price at which they want to sell their permanent water rights to the department. The decision to participate is completely voluntary.
To read the Approach to Market and submit a tender, please visit AusTender – www.tenders.gov.au - and search for water rights purchasing
MORE INFORMATION:
For more information on voluntary water purchasing, visit www.dcceew.gov.au/watertender
ASSISTANCE:
For help with using AusTender, visit help.tenders.gov.au
If you can’t access AusTender or have questions about the tender process, please email watertenders@dcceew.gov.au
HOW TO SUBMIT:
Closing date: 12 midday, 11 September 2024 Visit www.tenders.gov.au/atm and search for 2024_2454 • Download and read the Approach to Market documents
Login or Register as a new user
Complete the tender form and submit your response
HAPPIER DAYS: Billson’s proprietor Nathan Cowan said they weren’t able to predict the speed nor the magnitude of the shift in the market conditions.
ACROSS
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
1 Who was the US singer and film actor, Dean ... (6)
7 Name a Banjo Paterson classic, the Man from ... (8)
8 What are boxing matches split into (6)
9 Name the wife of William Shakespeare, Anne ... (8)
10 Which British coin had a value of 21 shillings (6)
11 Name a palm, having fan-shaped leaves (8)
14 What are false teeth called (8)
18 Name another term for pansies (6)
19 What is the body of an aircraft (8)
21 What is a flock of geese called (6)
22 Name a snake of the boa family (8)
23 What are assemblies of ecclesiastics (6)
DOWN
1 Name a goldenflowered plant (8)
2 What do we call one who rents (6)
3 Name the birthplace of Omar Khayyam (8)
4 What is the unit of electric potential (4)
5 To be on fire, is to be what (6)
Letters
6 One who wags school is known as a what (6)
12 Which Nevada city is known for its gambling casinos (3,5)
13 Who devised the strategy of the Wooden Horse of Troy (8)
15 Name an alternative term for a horse (6)
16 Which type of warfare was prevalent in the Somme in World War One (6)
E-QUATIONS
17 What was the surname of Daniel, “Mad Dog” (6)
20 Name a former unit of currency in India (4)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
2 VAGARY (a) A lack of precision (b) A tramp (c) A freakish prank
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: Awful (3)
Commonplace (5)
Free (3)
Limited (abb) (3)
Mansion (5) Relaxed (5) Revolutionary zealot (7) Card game (7) Showed extreme fondness (5) WWII life jacket: ... West (3)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 (TONIGHT)
MAYDAY HILLS ART SOCIETY: 5pm. Artist Donna Caffrey who experiments with paint, clay, collage, textiles and threads shares her knowledge at tonight’s talk. Kurrajong Way, Mayday Hills. $5 entry donation. Refreshments provided. Enquiries: Christine Cansfield–Smith on 0412 126 219.
SATURDAY August 3 and Sunday August 4
BEECHWORTH SINGERS: ‘Songs of the Stage and Screen’. Beechworth Town Hall. 2.30pm start on both days. Tickets at the door and EFTPOS available. $20 adults, concession $15, children free. Admission includes afternoon tea.
IF you have an event you’d like added to this calendar, please email edit.omadvertiser@nemedia.com.au
DEDICATED DRIVING: Indigo Shire L-platers without access to supervised driver can reach their driver’s licence goal.
Putting learners into the driver’s seat
By CORAL COOKSLEY
L-PLATERS in Indigo Shire have a chance to learn to drive safely and clock up the mandatory 120 hours of experience to get their ‘P’s with help.
The TAC (Transport Accident Commission) funded L2P program assists young people from 16 to 21 years old without access to a supervised driver.
Close to 100 learner drivers from across the shire have gained their probationary licence through the program run by Indigo Shire Council, with council
keen to see numbers grow.
Council’s acting CEO Sally Rice said young drivers have a higher risk of being in a fatal crash or sustaining serious injury and the program helps reduce that risk.
While improved safety is the priority outcome of the program, Ms Rice said other key benefits for participants included access to broader employment opportunities, improved social connection and mobility.
“We’ve seen participants gain great confidence and independence over the course of the program and is lifechanging for them,” she said.
Participants are invited to join the program, particularly from Yackandandah.
Ms Rice encourages anyone who thinks they might need a hand to get their 120 hours driving experience to get in touch.
“I’ll never forget the feeling of getting my P’s and we’re thrilled to be able to offer a program that helps all local young people to get their license, no matter what their circumstances or what barriers might exist,” she said.
Visit the website www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/L2P for program details including how to apply.
Staying connected while living off the grid
ALAN Davis was born in Melbourne where he lived for most of his life.
In 2005 he moved to Beechworth for a couple of years before returning to Melbourne to care for his aged parents. Alan shifted to Stanley in 2020 between Covid lockdowns.
Why do you like living in Stanley?
I love living in Stanley as it’s quiet and there are many interesting and helpful people living here. I also have a passion for adventure activities such as mountain running and mountain biking. The Stanley area and surrounds provides an enormous amount of quiet roads and trails for me to enjoy these activities. The ski fields are not too far away as I am a keen crosscountry skier too.
What do you do workwise?
With a major career change in 1992, I worked as an electronics technician at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) and now known as Melbourne Polytechnic. In 1998 the electronics department closed, and I moved to computer services. I left the college a year later to undertake contract information technology (IT) work. I also started a business drawing maps and still do some school maps and as well as orienteering ones.
What brought you to your role/career?
When I was younger my father gave me a book on electronics, and I studied that as a hobby producing many electronic projects. I loved it so much that I studied electronics for a couple of years, landing a job at the college later.
What did you love about your work at NMIT?
I had a great passion building electronic projects and helping students solve issues with their projects.
What do you do in the community?
I am very active in the community having taken up the role as editor/publisher of the Stanley Nine Miles News. As a volunteer I am currently training to work at the Stanley community run Post Office too.
I enjoy exhibitions set up by the Stanley Athenaeum with a new one running at the Stanley Post Office called “Apple Days of Stanley”. What are you doing to help save the planet?
Moving to Stanley gave me a chance to experiment with living off-grid. In 2021 I bought some solar panels, two large capacity AGM batteries, a controller and 12V to 240V inverter. After setting a place for the solar panels and some testing, I finally went live with the system on September 11 three years ago, and my system is still running, providing power to a small fridge as well as lights for the night time. The system also has capacity to charge phone, laptop and a 24 Ah power pack for use when the system does not get a good charge. Advantages of being off-grid are no electricity bills. Also if the grid goes down (often does), I am not affected and my system still supplies energy to run everything and if the grid is down, no need to use candles.
If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo Shire (past or present), or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
I have been visiting the Stanley area since the late 70s and 80s bringing friends to the area to introduce them to the many trails and tracks for running and mountain biking. They still love coming here for the experiences. What book are you reading?
I like reading about history and explorers. I just started reading “Broome’s One Day War” by Mervyn W. Prime. It’s a story of the Japanese raid on Broome on March 3 in 1947.
COMMUNITY PASSION: Stanley’s Alan Davis has taken up the role as Stanley Nine Miles News editor/publisher and as a volunteer is training to work at the Stanley community run Post Office too.
Alan, Davis
Phone: (03) 5723 0101
Booking deadline: 2pm business day prior to print.
Phone: (03) 5723 0101
email:
Booking deadline: 3pm Monday prior to print.
Phone: (03) 5723 0100
Phone for quarterly booking deadline
Phone: (03) 5723 0100
Booking deadline: Second Friday of month
Phone: (03) 5723 0101
Booking deadline: 12 noon Monday prior to print.
CAR ADVERTISERS
Private vendors of motor cars advertised for sale must include in their advertisement
• Cash price of motor car
• If car is registered, registration number
• If unregistered, the engine number PHOTOGRAPHS
All photographs appearing in this issue that are taken by our photographers are available as reprints.
FOUND ADVERTISEMENTS
All found advertisements are published free. for publication.
PERSONAL ADVERTISERS
• All personal photos submitted for printing in this issue must be collected within the next 4 weeks.
• All engagement and marriage notices must carry the signatures of BOTH parties, if under 18 the parents’ signatures as well.
• Birth notices require signatures
ADDITIONS
• Bold heading
• A various selection of logos are available.
INTERNET
In lodging an advertisement with us you agree that we may publish the advertisement on our website. The general terms and condition that apply to publication apply also to publication of material on our website.
BREEN, Michael Patrick. 30/10/1944 – 27/7/2024
Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Dealy loved husband of Anne. Loved father and father-in-law of Sharon and Stephen, Kim and Jason, Neil and Kelly.
Adored Mick of Isabel and Ben, Shentara and Ryan, Charlotte and Jack, Grace and Lachie, Poppy, Brooke and Brandon.
Cherished Mick of Elsie, Hunter, Hank and Dottie
CHECK OUT OUR NORTH EAST JOBS in today's Regional Extra for more employment opportunities. Published every Wednesday in your Wangaratta Chronicle, Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer
Wodonga | (02) 6024 1093 BREEN
The Requiem Mass for the late Michael Breen will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9 Church Street, Beechworth at 1pm on Monday, August 12, 2024. A private cremation will follow his service.
TIPPER FARM UTE, 1998 Ford Courier (unreg) petrol / gas, 4WD, manual, straight single cab, steel tray, drop side tray, tow bar, could be re-reg, runs well, VIN: JCOAAASGHCVB78825, $4,500 firm. Ph 5729 3669.
TOYOTA Hilux 2023 workmate ute, automatic, as new, 3300km, reg till Oct 24 (TGH121), $33,000. Ph 0414 428 544, located Mansfield.
2018 Toyota Prado, 4WD, Auto, white, 7 seats, bull bar, snorkel, towbar, caravan and horse float ready, current RWC, 145,005km, (IVL 7VT), $46,500. Ph 0437 762 668.
GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSING
It’s not too late to submit your application for this round of the Indigo Shire Council Community, Event and Sustainability
Over 50 community organisations were awarded funding last year, and we have a pool of more than $130,000 available in this round. Applications close at 4pm on Monday 5 August 2024. For more information, please visit www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/grants or call us on 1300 365 003.
MERCEDES C300 sedan, 2018, Auto, White, black interior, 6 months rego (AYG702), RWC, HAS 4AMG PACKAGES, air suspension, petrol, 2ltr Turbo, 74,910km, full service history, excellent condition, $48,000. Ph 0412 543 949.
2007 Nissan Tiida, gold colour, (WRF170), 6 speed manual, new front and back shockers, 2 new front tyres, 235,600km, $5000. Ph 0458 859 959.
PACKAGE Deal, for genuine sale 2004 Ford F250, 7.3ltr Diesel, 292,000km, has near new bravo a/t Maxxis 980 tyres, plus 2 spares on back, rear camera, rear airbag suspension, 274ltr fuel capacity plus 100ltr tank under rear canopy, rear slide on picnic table, central locking system, Hayman Rees tow ball, top winch to help load the boat, plus 15,000 pound bull bar winch, lots storage includes 2x60ltr fridge slides, plus boat motor slide, 2 large draws in canopy, lots storage above canopy and below 3x120 Uni solar panels, has pro star solar controls wired ready to go, 4 glass matt batteries, plus built in charger, built in compressor. Side steps and bull bar all aluminum, driving lights CB radio, electric brake system to suit caravan, fully serviced and will sell with road worthy. Caravan, 2004 Kedron Cross Country, made in Brisbane, 20ft inside, electric brakes, pullout awning, has matching wheels as the F250, dual axle plus 2 spares. 2 x jerry can holders at rear, in front bin has 4 x glass matt batteries, pro star solar controls invertor, has 4x120 Uni solar panels on roof, tv antenna, fold up side cooking table built on side, steps that fold up on the door, single beds with inner spring mattresses, wired for CPAP machines x 2, lots storage cupboards, built with Tasmanian oak, 4 burner stove with grill and oven, 240ltr Vitri Frigo, full sink, wired for TV, reverse cycle air con, Island bench table with storage under seats, storage under beds, brand new elec and gas hot water service (never used), water filters and hoses, electric legs, A-Trail Jack plus ockie wheel, 2 wind stiffeners pegs and mat (outside 8x4m) original tyres and rims for caravan, out door shower, 5 water tanks, one tank for drinking only, carpet or vinyl flooring, wired for 12 volt or 240 volt, full annex plus extra plus sun shade, never used, new wheel bearings (never used), 2 gas bottles, front bin and generator compartment, very clean and neat, has lots of extra’s as well. $139,900 ono package deal, will consider splitting, but they do compliment one another. Boat not included. Ph 0427 936 630.
HYSTER forklift, new gas bottle, new battery, $5200. Ph 0427 936 630.
SHEEP FOR SALE
Dorpers, self shedding Young ewes Some with lambs Tagged, healthy From $80, can deliver Ph 0459 899 884
CONGRATLUATIONS
to Jenny Hogan who had a hole-in-one on Sunday whilst playing the Par 3 course.
Jenny holed out with her first shot of the day on the 1st hole (10th on the full course).
Congrats Jenny, first person to have one on the Par 3 course.
Last Wednesday the women played a Pinehurst event.
The winners were Judy Pierce and Gail Smith with 75.5.
Runners up were Debbie Tully and Glenda Marshall with 80.5.
Gail Smith also claimed a nearest the pin on the 5th.
Unfortunately there was no competition on Sunday at Beechworth, however we
did have a crew of golfers head over the border to Oaklands to participate in their tournament. Unfortunately no one featured in the major prizes, but Jacob Howard claimed the B Grade nearest the pin and also the nearest second shot and Dylan Pool won the A Grade longest drive.
Upcoming events.
This Sunday is the August Monthly Medal, 11:30am for 12pm hit off Wednesday golf 8:30am for 9am hit off Sunday, August 11.
St James Annual Tournament. Men’s and Women’s events.
Speak to Dylan to enter, we would love to have a crew of men and women attend.
By CORAL COOKSLEY
LOCAL school students honed in on their public speaking skills in a competition run by Beechworth Lions Club on Sunday held at the Beechworth Memorial Hall.
Part of a state-wide contest winners from competing primary schools - Beechworth, St Joseph’s Primary and Montessori from years 3 to 6 had a chance to compete at club level.
Excited Beechworth Primary School students Willow Firth-Waters and Eddie Nelson won their categories in Sunday’s competition with the pair headed to next month’s Zone/Regional competition to represent the Lion’s club.
This year’s topics were a favourite fairytale or book
Happy Hogan’s hole-in-one
TALK: Lions treasurer Christine
Beechworth Primary School winners Willow Firth-Waters and Eddie Nelson with judges Pieter
and Tracey Lee on Sunday.
character for years 3 to 4 while ‘who is the most influential person in your life’ had been the topic for the years 5 to 6 group.
Eddie Nelson won the 3 to 4 category with his speech on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island and one of
Bushranger Joe Byrne’s story told
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A FIRST-TIME dedicated biography on Joseph Byrne recently launched at the Burke Museum drew a visit from the author with members of Friends of the Burke Museum.
Georgina Phelan penned the book ‘Joseph Byrne: From Larrikin to Outlaw’ over many years since she discovered Ned Kelly’s right-hand man Joe Byrne.
Georgina said she had been captivated with the Kelly story as an 11-year-old after a visit to the North East with her family.
“I persuaded my dad in 2009 to buy a copy of the ‘Fatal Friendship’ by the late Ian Jones which ignited my passion to research and share
Joe’s story,” she said.
The Melbourne-based author said having a book focused on Joe with his own story meant sharing and exploring parts of his life never covered.
Georgina said she had worked on the book since 2017 with in-depth research undertaken.
“It’s fantastic that Joe Byrne finally gets his story told in detail and I’m very proud to have launched the book in Beechworth,” she said.
“It is now out in the world so people can learn more about Joe, who he was and his story.”
Georgina said the book had been launched on the bushranger’s birthday, marking 144 years.
Friends of the Burke Mu-
seum’s John Baines said the Burke Museum had always been interested in the Ned Kelly story in Beechworth with Ian Jones a philanthropic supporter of the Friends of the Burke.
“Stories associated with Ned Kelly are interesting to many people,” Mr Baines said.
The event also followed the opening earlier this year of the Kelly Trials Exhibition in the historic Beechworth Courthouse.
Georgina’s friend at the launch, Greta’s Noleen Lloyd and descendant of Kelly gang member Steve Hart, had worked with the exhibition team on the Ned Kelly story.
The book launch was hosted by the Friends of the Burke Museum.
the stories hero characters Jim Hawkins.
“My dad read Treasure Island to me not long ago and I really liked it,” the youngster said.
Eddie said public speaking is “something you can get good at.”
Willow Firth-Waters clinched a win for the year 5 to 6 category with a close friend chosen for her topic on an influential person.
Willow said her confidence had been boosted with the public speaking competition.
“I’m my school’s vicecaptain too and public speaking just builds my confidence,” she said.
Beechworth Montessori student Sadie Grounds scored runner up for year 3 to 4 while St Joseph’s Isabel Lewis took out runner up
Students test their public speaking
for years 5 to 6.
Albury-Wodonga Toastmasters’ members Pieter Mourik and Tracey Lee judged the competition.
Tracy said the students can take their learned public speaking skills into the real world.
Impressed with the standard of young competitors Pieter said public speaking training from primary school age gives participants an important skill for the rest of their lives.
“I think the schools should be very proud of doing this,” he said.
“I advised students today to have fun with public speaking too.
“It wasn’t so much what they said but how they said it that was important.
“They didn’t use fillers that is impressive, and they
were all good.”
Pieter said the year 5 to 6 cohort had 10 minutes to also think and write answers to an impromptu question ‘what makes you happy?’ on top of their speech.
Willow’s dad Dylan Firth said the Lions’ program prepared young students with life skills.
“It’s great, gives them confidence and helps them prepare for future,” he said.
Beechworth Lions’ secretary Iris Manik said the positive attitude of students had been amazing, Competitions are held at four levels in the program – School, Club, Zone/Regional and District.
Beechworth Lions will host the regional finals on August 11 at the town’s Servicemen’s Memorial Hall.
THRILLED: Georgina Phelan’s husband Aiden Phelan (left), John Baines, Georgina and close friend Noleen Lloyd at the recent book launch.
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
TOP
Luckman (left),
Mourik
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
JUBILATION: Jenny Hogan on the 10th green after her hole-In-one.
BEECHWORTH
HOLD OFF PERSISTENT WODONGA SAINTS WITH CONNOR STONE BOOTING SIX GOALS
Bushrangers dig in
CONNOR Stone had a game to remember for the Beechworth Bushrangers last weekend when he booted six goals in the win over Wodonga Saints.
It proved pivotal as the Bushrangers went on to win 13.12 90 to 10.7 67.
BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au
“He is dangerous in the air and on the ground so we played him deep forward and he certainly delivered.
Jackobsson also stood out.
“Finn had a really good game,” Cartledge said.
didn’t concede at any stage and really kept us on our toes,” he said.
end of the home and away season.
“Connor had a day out for sure,” Cartledge said.
Stone was used up forward top help cover the absence of Brad Fendyk and lived up to his reputation as a versatile utility according to coach Tom Cartledge.
“And he could have had a few more, he had at least one poster and a couple more wayward shots at goal.
“Stoney is that good hybrid of a player.”
Kayde Surrey dominated the match gathering positions from backline to forward, with Clancy Ellett, and Cartledge continuing their rich vein of form while Finn
“His footy over the last two years has gone from strength to strength; if we had 21 Finn’s playing we wouldn’t have any worries at all.”
Cartledge said Wodonga Saints also posed a challenge and he was full of praise for their effort.
“Credit to the Saints, they
“We probably didn’t play the brand of footy we would like which will be a focus this weekend.”
The Bushrangers face another tricky side in Rutherglen at Baarmutha Park on Saturday and have the aim of continuing their winning run to the
“They have been a bit unlucky this year, they had a draw and a few close results go against them so they could easily have been higher up the ladder (currently seventh),” Cartledge said.
“It’s a tough run home and we’re not taking anyone lightly.”
FINE FORM: Clancy Ellett continued his strong season for the Bushrangers as Beechworth grinded out a 23-point win over Wodonga Saints.
