BEECHWORTH
Secondary College students Charlie McLachlan (le ) and Alistair Merritt can’t wait to be emcees at the Golden Horseshoes Festival.
■ Story page 4.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Continuing the fight
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
BEECHWORTH Community Early
Years Learning Centre (BCEYLC) and parents are vowing to “continue the ght” a er being ousted for an out of-town childcare provider last week.
Alpine Children’s Services (ACS) was awarded the lease as the sole provider to take over the Mayday
Hills site currently occupied by BCEYLC and Beechworth Kindergarten from next year and disband existing tenant, BCEYLC and Beechworth Kindergarten. ACS will take over as tenants from 1 January next year.
While Beechworth Kindergarten told the Ovens and Murray Advertiser last week they were supportive of the decision, BCEYLC board
members and parents have taken immediate action to dispute it a er packing council’s foyer during the Tuesday, 25 March meeting.
A formal complaint was submitted to Indigo Shire Council regarding its handling of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process and decision to award the lease for the Mayday Hills early years facility to Alpine Children’s Services.
The complaint, authored by Beechworth parent Emma MacPhee, garnered nearly 250 signatures from parents, community members, and local businesses.
Outlined in the 22-page document were concerns around governance, transparency and community engagement in council’s decision making process.
■ Continued page 2
SAVING ENDS on Sunday, April 6 at 3am (EST) you need to put your clocks BACK by one hour.
Childcare centre, parents rally to protest council’s kinder call
■ From page 1
“This was not just a property lease decision - it was a change to a long-standing, community-governed early years’ service that affects more than 150 families,” Ms MacPhee said.
“There was no meaningful community engagement, no transparency in how applicants were assessed, and no clear explanation of how this decision serves the best interests of local children, families, or the broader community.”
The community not-for-pro t organisations have been located at the site for 25 years a er a joint community venture to build facilities.
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The letter claims council’s expression of interest process didn’t include an adequate risk assessment - including risk to BCEYLC’s immediate expansion plans, excluded community input in the development of EOI criteria and involved no community representation on the assessment panel.
The complaint also claims councillors failed to keep an open mind in their decision, with correspondence shown by a councillor referring to the outcome as “already decided” days before the vote.
More than 90 questions were submitted to council prior to the meeting, with 12 of them answered and the rest split into themes and put on notice.
Ms MacPhee said BCEYLC wanted council’s lease decision rescinded and to ensure there would be community representation in the assessments of applicants aligned with council’s policy framework.
“We are not just raising concerns - we are o ering a collaborative path forward,” she said.
“This is a chance for the council to correct course, rebuild trust, and genuinely work with the community it represents.”
BCEYLC held a community barbeque on Tuesday in Beechworth which attracted 130 people in support of the centre.
Parent Carly Jacobs, who attended the event, said the gathering of community solidarity was more than just a building, it was about protecting a communityled service and “continuing the ght”.
“One thing is clear: Beechworth won’t be silenced and
“We understand the concern” – Chosen kinder provider endeavours to work with community
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
THE incoming childcare and kindergarten provider for Beechworth is intending to “make every effort” to accommodate current attendance and wait list priorities and staff at the Mayday Hills site.
Alpine Children’s Services (ACS) was awarded the lease of the Mayday Hills early years facility last week after Indigo Shire Council considered offers from five applicants following an expression of interest process.
The Bright-based not-for-profit provider of long daycare will replace existing providers Beechworth Community Early Years Learning Centre and Beechworth Kindergarten from 1 January next year.
ACS currently operates single service models in Bright, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty, all based in the Alpine Shire.
The service will initially offer 87 places across both childcare and kindergarten and plans to significantly expand and diversify their service offering to meet the needs of local families.
ACS chief executive officer Tanya Scott said the service understood the concern shown by families in the aftermath of council’s decision.
“Change is always difficult, especially when children are involved,” she said.
we’re not done,” she said.
Also present at the gathering was incumbent Indi MP Helen Haines, who had recently proposed a plan to create hundreds of new childcare places and increase capacity in Indi by up to 10 per cent.
“At this stage, ACS has been announced as the approved provider, but no details have been negotiated with Indigo Shire.
“We look forward to these discussions taking place, so we can ensure a smooth transition for all children, families and staff.”
Ms Scott said ACS intended to “make every effort” to accommodate current attendance and wait list priorities and would meet with each staff member with the intention of employing suitable team members from within the existing team.
“This will enable a seamless transition, ensuring consistency of care for children currently attending both services,” she said.
“What ACS brings is a wealth of experience in community not-for-profit operations, in fully staffed services, and experience in managing complex waiting lists.”
Ms Scott said while changing to a single operator within the building would change the licence and governance arrangements, services to families and children should not change significantly.
“ACS adapts its programs, operating hours, and staffing to ensure that it can accommodate as many children as possible,” she said.
“ACS understands the needs of working parents to have safe, nurturing places for their children.”
Dr Haines was not taking sides at the gathering, as it was a local government issue, but took the time to listen to concerned parents.
Indigo Shire Council chief executive o cer Trevor Ierino con rmed he had received the
complaint from Beechworth Community Early Years Learning Centre and said council would take time to work through it.
“The complaint will be dealt with in accordance with Council’s Complaints Handing Policy,” he said.
ALMOST a third (30 per cent) of the $400 School Saving Bonus remains untouched and the state government encourages families to access the funding.
The Labor government’s School Saving Bonus provides cost of living relief to hundreds of thousands of families, who have so far saved more than $150 million on the costs of school essentials.
More than 700,000 transactions have been processed since the bonus was launched in November, with families saving more than $60 million on uniforms, $58 million on camps and excursions, and $31.8 million on textbooks.
Families have until 30 June to use the $400 School Saving
Bonus to purchase uniforms or textbooks, either through approved suppliers or at secondhand uniform and textbook shops run by schools.
Any money unspent by this date will automatically transfer to a family’s school account, with parents able to use these remaining funds on school
activities like camps, sports or excursions.
Non-government school families who have a healthcare or concession card are also eligible to receive the bonus. These schools decide how to allocate the bonus to best accommodate their families and students.
FIGHT GOES ON: BCEYLC supporters gathered in huge numbers for the Indigo Shire Council meeting
Choir sings ‘Dig into Beechworth’ festival start
A PERFORMANCE by one of the University of Melbourne’s nest college choirs in Beechworth’s historic Anglican Christ Church, guided walks below the town’s impressive trees and a hosted tour of the Hotel Nicholas historic photograph collection are features of this year’s National Trusts’ Australian Heritage Festival.
The 14 choristers of Queen’s College Chapel will launch the event program, called ‘Dig into Beechworth’, by singing in Christ Church a program called ’60 minutes of bliss’ on Saturday, 5 April.
The concert will include works by musicians ranging from Italian late Renaissance composer Giovanni Palestrina to The Beatles.
On 12 April hotelier Ross
and Lorraine Lucas will lead a guided tour of historic photographs in their extensive Hotel Nicholas collection, including many images associated with the gold rush and the bush-ranging Kelly Gang.
On 13 April, in Quercus Beechworth’s Oregon Hall, Beechworth History and Heritage chair Jamie Kronborg will speak about the life and life-saving work of Beechworth-born Jean Macnamara.
As a medical scientist, Dr Macnamara led research into poliomyelitis therapy and went on to campaign for the release of the myxoma virus to combat Australia’s rabbit plague in the mid-20th century.
On 26 April and 10 May the festival will feature ‘Tree-
storeys’, guided 90-minute walks of Beechworth’s historic trees and treescape, drawing on extensive work and information gathered by the former Beechworth Treescape Group during its
campaign to prevent the felling of some important trees.
On 17 May heritage adviser and architect Deborah Kemp and Jamie Kronborg will discuss ‘Democracy: digging for the vote’, and the condi-
tions that led miners to rally against the extortionate gold licence.
The miners’ campaign against “taxation without representation” developed well ahead of the Eureka re-
bellion near Ballarat in December 1854.
The last festival event will be ‘Autumn a ernoon’, a concert in Christ Church on 24 May by soprano and The Beechworth Singers’ director Colleen Arnott and musician Sandra Williams performing works written for Nellie Melba and others written by Grainger, Gershwin and Australian composer Carl Vine. For information and tickets go to beechworthhistoryandheritage.com/post/diginto-beechworth.
Funds raised from ticket sales support Beechworth History and Heritage Society’s volunteer work and events and the maintenance of Christ Church’s important, heritage-listed pipe organ and grand piano.
Indi campaigns commence
Battle lines for electorate have been drawn with federal election called for 3 May
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
THE battle for the federal seat of Indi has begun in earnest, with candidates quickly pivoting into full campaign mode following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese o cially dissolving parliament last Friday morning and calling a federal election on 3 May.
The announcement, just days a er Labor handed down its 2025/26 federal budget, kickstarts a veweek election campaign for candidates.
Incumbent Independent Helen Haines, Liberal James Trenery, Labor’s Mitch Bridges, The Greens’ Alysia Regan, Family First Party’s Michael White, One Nation’s Athol Thomas and Libertarian Party’s Tim Quilty have already declared their candidacy.
While the Nationals, who polled 3.7 per cent of the primary vote in the 2022 Indi election, are a non starter, other candidates are likely to emerge before nominations close on 10 April.
Incumbent Independent MP Helen Haines will be seeking her third term this election and said she would
be ghting for what matters to Indi, not party politics.
“We set our own priorities right here in Indi and I’ll keep ghting for a fair deal for us and for regional Australia,” she said.
Dr Haines outlined key election pledges going into her campaign would include the Border community’s ght for a new Albury-Wodonga hospital, further local infrastructure to unlock new housing, improve health services, access to childcare and telecommunications and government accountability.
“I’ve got a strong track record and worked across party lines and with governments of both stripes,” she said.
“Whether that’s been ghting for stranded communities during the pandemic, relief for communities impacted by bush res, shaping the national agenda with housing solutions, and securing a National Anti-Corruption Commission, I’ve had local impact and national in uence.
“We share a vision of what Indi is and could be.”
Liberal candidate James Trenery is looking to win the
Indi seat for his party for the rst time in 12 years.
For the Liberals to overcome the orange wave, Mr Trenery would need to pull o a near nine per cent swing from the 2022 election.
He said he is looking to deliver on the community’s call for change.
“Here in the North East, the past three years have been tough… we have not got our fair share,” the former Indigo Shire councillor said.
Mr Trenery has pledged to follow through with his party’s plan to halve the fuel excise and drop the price of fuel by around 24 cents per litre, as well as delivering on cheaper energy with a mix of renewables, and “getting tough” on violent crime.
“Our Liberal plan will lower the cost of living immediately,” he said.
“We can’t a ord another three years of Labor and Helen Haines.”
Wodonga social worker
Mitch Bridges will be vying for the seat as Indi’s Labor candidate, and said this election “is a clear choice between Labor building Australia’s future and strength-
ening Medicare with an $8.5b boost, or Peter Dutton, who will cut services and make you pay”.
“I’m committed to supporting our community with real solutions...under the Albanese Government, we’ve eased cost-of-living pressures through energy bill relief, tax cuts, and investments in a ordable housing and childcare,” he said.
“We’re also improving the Pharmaceutical Bene ts Scheme (PBS) to make medicines more a ordable, and our industrial relations reforms have improved working conditions and provided better security for workers.”
Taggerty-based Alysia Regan, who is The Greens’ candidate, said the Indi electorate was being le behind in terms of housing.
“This election, we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expect a di erent result,” she said.
“Labor and the Coalition are both backing new coal and gas and worsening the climate crisis… meanwhile, regional Victoria is experiencing more climate-related disasters, including
bushfires and floods.
“I’m proud to be part of a party that is ghting for no new coal and gas, publicly owned renewable energy, cheaper groceries, and a rent freeze.”
Family First Party of Australia have announced Michael White as their candidate for the Indi seat while Wodonga accountant and former councillor and state upper house MP Tim Quilty is running for the Libertarian Party.
Athol Thomas of Wodonga and the Kiewa Valley will stand for One Nation, hoping a background in cattle farming and focus on the agricultural sector will bring him votes.
“I want to provide an alternate for a lot of people who have become disenfranchised with Liberal in particular,” he said.
“One Nation policies are fantastic policies that are clearly geared towards the reduction of cost-of living, reduction of energy costs and future growth for Australians.
“They’re all policies that impact Indi quite signi cantly and I don’t know if Helen
Haines has presented anything forward in her six years of being in parliament that have assisted the electorate in any of those ways.
“People really need to delve deeper into what political parties o er...it’s not just what’s at face value that comes across a lot of mainstream media.”
One Nation tallied the fourth most primary votes in the 2022 election under candidate Beth Stevens, with 5.28pc.
Other parties to have candidates run in the last election including the Animal Justice Party and United Australia Party (Trumpet of Patriots Party) have yet to announce if they’ll contest Indi. Indi has been held by an Independent since Cathy McGowan beat then Liberal incumbent Sophie Mirabella at the 2013 election.
ENROL TO VOTE:
The Australian Electoral Commission has advised that you must be correctly enrolled by 8pm Monday, 7 April, to vote in the federal election.
For more details go to the AEC website.
giant sequoia in Town Hall Gardens.
Vibrant autumnal hues at high country gardens
REGIONAL garden lovers are in for an Easter weekend treat as Open Gardens
Victoria opens two charming private gardens from 10am - 4.30pm on Saturday 19 April and Sunday 20 April, just a short half hour drive apart.
The Rowe Garden is located just 10 minutes south of Beechworth on 17 Black Forest Lane, Stanley.
The area is renowned for its cool climate and fertile soils, providing the perfect growing conditions for apples, stone fruit, berries, and nuts.
Owners Libby Kingdon and Michael Rowe started work on the gently sloping two and a half acre site four years ago, and its rapid establishment is a testament to the ideal growing conditions of the area.
Architect, garden designer, and owner of nearby PlaneTrees Estate, Genevieve Milham, was engaged to create the initial garden plan.
“Our brief was to provide plenty of car parking, to have access to the sheds, and to establish a low-maintenance ‘park-like’ garden, which would become more elegant and interesting with the passage of time,” Michael said .
A few existing mature trees, notably a majestic elm in the turning circle and two significant weeping myrtles, provided the starting point for the plan.
The horizontal and vertical axis of the garden, with a
striking birch walk, fountain in the centre and a large round brick entertaining area, are key design elements.
The garden is bordered by an extensive range of birdattracting native plants.
Llangrigg Park is a three acre garden located on 434 Lyons Road, Tarrawingee, just off the Great Alpine Road and a short 15-minute drive from Wangaratta.
Owners Julie and Robert Lamond retired to the property ten years ago.
“We were attracted by the Manchurian Pears lining the driveway and other significant trees throughout the property, including elms, golden and claret ashes, which provide a lovely autumn colour, and eucalyptus,” Robert said.
“Apart from the trees and a few roses, there was no garden.”
Llangrigg Park is located on the lands of the Yorta Yorta people.
Open Gardens Victoria wish to acknowledge the Traditional custodians and we pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or via https:// opengardensvictoria.org.au/ The-Rowe-Garden and http:// opengardensvictoria.org.au/ Llangrigg-Park.
For more details about these upcoming events, visit https://opengardensvictoria. org.au/.
A golden opportunity for two young locals
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A GOLDEN opportunity to be emcees (master of ceremonies) at Beechworth’s biggest event on the calendar at Easter was an exciting prospect for two local teenagers.
Beechworth Secondary College (BSC) year 10 students Alistair Merritt and Charlie McLachlan can’t wait for the much-loved Golden Horseshoes Festival’s to arrive in less than three weeks’ time.
The pair will be emcees for the festival’s main event on Saturday, 19 April.
Charlie said the festival was a fantastic community event and wass pleased to have been o ered the role.
“It will improve my public speaking and leadership skills and ability to think on the spot,” he said.
Charlie said as an MC he represented his school with it’s incredible students, sta and facilities.
As a Beechworth local Alistair said he loves going to the Golden Horseshoes Festival.
“I haven’t been an MC before and looking forward to implementing my audience engagement skills,” he said.
Alistair said he was enjoying working with event organisers and learning new skills too.
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“It’s a great community, great environment and the festival bonds the community,” he said.
BSC teacher Jacob Myers said both students are involved in student leadership at the college.
“Our school is an important aspect of the community and equally important is presenting in the community at such a large event,” he said.
“It gives students condence in presenting ideas as well as helping their public speaking skills.
“It’s important to have students participating and visible, it’s great to showcase talents we have at the school and to get people onto a big stage.”
Mr Myers said school representation highlighted leadership programs at BSC, opportunities to try di erent things and help out in the community.
GHSF secretary Lisa Kirton
said the committee this year aimed for youth participation and for them to embrace community.
“Young people have always been a highlight in the parade, but we wanted to give them an opportunity to be more immersed and contribute to the festival,” she said.
“We engaged the primary school with a design competition for the poster and program and have the college involved with master of ceremonies.
“It shows an increase for all generations to participate in every aspect of the festival by creating opportunities and has been one of our driving forces.
“It’s exciting to have student participation.”
For the rst time a cultural stage has been added to the main stage and arena with Filipino dancers from around the North East and border re-
YOUR HOSTS: CHARLIE MCLACHLAN (LEFT) AND ALISTAIR MERRITT WILL MC BEECHWORTH’S BIGGEST EVENT ON THE CALENDAR AT EASTER.
gions, as well as Indian dancers from Albury-Wodonga.
“We have culture from First Nations people to Anglo-Celtic to Chinese heritage too,” Ms Kirton said.
“We’re celebrating a range of local talent with musicians as well as arts groups and local theatre.”
Ms Kirton said with more entertainment this year the time slot kicks o earlier than last year for the main Saturday event starting at 9am while the Grand Parade begins at 2pm.
“It’s lovely that people want to be part of the parade and there’s lots of enthusiasm, excitement and a ection for the festival,” she said. Visit www.beechworthgoldenhorseshoes.com.au for more information about the festival being held over the Easter four-day weekend from Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April.
PHOTO: KURT HICKLING
A loved career in early childhood education
MARGARET Carey was born in the NSW country town of Yass and lived in Sydney for many years.
When she and her husband retired, the couple eventually settled in Stanley in 2023, drawn to the area for its music, art and natural beauty.
What did you do workwise?
My last role was as a director of a community based long daycare centre, but I have had various roles throughout my working life including being part of the original Sustainable Schools Program and at another time running art programs for under ve-year old’s based on a Reggio Emilia approach.
What brought you to your role/career?
A er nishing at the National Art School in Sydney, I worked as a as a cook in the early childhood sector and was in awe of the way educators ran the educational program and interacted with the children.
I drew much of my parenting from what I had seen in action.
I also worked as a corporate services o cer for Community Childcare Cooperative (now known as Community Early Learning Australia) then took on the role of director engaging in education, sustainability, connecting with nature and art.
We developed a rewarding kitchen garden program and beach kinder program.
What did you love about your work?
Children and their joyful spontaneity, their humour and their wonderful imagination.
Every day when you go to work you feel like a rock star as you are greeted by very enthusiastic and loving children.
There were many challenges in the role, but it always felt meaningful and profoundly moving, particularly when you were able help a child or family in need.
What do you do in the community?
I have spent a substantial part of my life working for or in community-based organisations.
When the community was starting a playgroup in Stanley, I threw my hat in the ring because I thought I could help in a positive way.
inexplicable reason and in direct contradiction to their own guiding principles, want to hand governance to an organisation that is not even part of the Indigo Shire.
continued connection with the community.
What do you see as one of the important current world issues? Greed.
It seems that many people place money above all else.
I am also involved with the group Stanley artists which will be having an exhibition in late April.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
I have been watching from afar the current issue with the Beechworth Childhood and Early Years Learning Centre.
My background is community-based services, and I am appalled that Indigo Council seems to be removing the parent management committee, which is the absolute centre of connection with the immediate community.
The council, for some
Currently there is a highly suitable and quali ed governance body, one very connected with the community it serves and with the educators who run the centre.
Why would the council wish to destroy that important relationship?
They should be listening to the families and educators and have the best interests of the children as the priority.
What would you do to solve change, improve that situation?
I would ensure that the current model stays in place and continues with the expansion plan that the parent management committee already has.
It would ensure more places for children and a
Such a narrow perspective diminishes, not only the breadth of human experience, but the world that we are responsible for.
If unchecked the fallout will be environmental and social disaster.
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 would have loved for my parents if they were still alive, to see the beautiful spot we live in.
They would have loved it.
What book are you reading?
‘The City of Lost Intentions’ by A. Valliard, described as ‘a guide for the artistically waylaid’.
Letters to the editor Council’s decision deprives the community
I HAVE worked in the community-based early childhood sector for many years.
As a retired centre director, I have been interested in the fate of the Beechworth Community Early Years Learning Centre. I presumed that common sense would prevail and the council would support the community that they are meant to serve, in line with their vision statement and much touted ‘community-centred’ guiding principles. However the outcome at the council meeting proved that council does not actually listen to the community at all. I have witnessed the best and worst of early years service provision and I can assure you as soon as you divest from the small and successful communitybased model, that has support from sta , committee, families and many more, you are divesting from the community.
If for some reason (because the council rationale is not particularly transparent) they are guided by some tissue thin scal excuse they have completely failed to grasp the importance and wealth of a community based service in the shire.
Margaret Carey, Stanley
Red Cross thankful for Community Support
THE Beechworth Red Cross Branch would like to thank the Beechworth community for joining the many thousands of Australians this year who generously supported the Red Cross Calling appeal.
Beechworth branch members organised a ra e and a collection of donations towards the appeal and raised $2406.65 which will support the life-changing work of Red Cross - whether it’s making a daily check-in phone call to someone older and living alone, lending a hand to newly-arrived migrants or by being ready to support Australians for the next unknown, like oods or a bush re. If you haven’t donated yet, there is still time. Please go to www.redcross.org.au or call 1800 733 276.
Julia Smith, Beechworth Red Cross Branch chair
PASSION: Stanley’s Margaret Carey found her career in the early childhood care sector meaningful and moving, particularly when helping a child or family in need.
Margaret Carey
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The funeral service to celebrate the life of Pat Sandiford will be held at Beechworth Memorial Hall, 101 Ford Street, Beechworth on Friday, April 11, 2025, commencing at 1.30pm. Private cremation.
Beechworth (03) 5728 1052
Residents are advised of temporary road closures for the following event: Off-Grid Living Festival
7:30am-1:30pm 12-13 April 2025
Chiltern Equine Park, Racecourse Road, Chiltern, VIC 3683.
Closed Roads: Wenkes Road and Wenkes Road Exit, Hume Highway - no access to any traffic
Skerry Street - local traffic will have access to properties
Affected roads with changed conditions: Mclean Street Mackay Street
Access Road Conness Street
Road Main Street
Back Springhurst Road
Chiltern Valley Road
Local commuters are advised of upcoming changes in traffic conditions scheduled for 7:30am-1:30pm Saturday and Sunday, with peak traffic times expected to be 8:30am-11am Saturday 12 April.
Motorists are requested to take care and follow all road closure, advisory and detour signage. Queries related to this temporary road closure can be directed to info@indigoshire.vic.gov.au
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au
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Local mountain bike club grabs trophy from long-time reigning champions
By CORAL COOKSLEY
LOCAL mountain bike club - Beechworth Chain Gang (BCG) - took out a trophy for winning the Alpine Junior Race series for the first time on Saturday.
An excited club president Lynn Frerichs said despite a rainy start to the day in Bright, the race continued with the BCG kids thriving.
Ms Frerichs said around 10 mountain bike clubs participate in the event running for about a decade with one club joining in from Wagga Wagga.
“It’s an awesome event with kids from four-yearsold to 15-year-olds and above participating,” she said.
Ms Frerichs said the series is a big event with 70 to 100 bike riders involved.
PROUD: Beechworth Chain Gang youngsters Nell (left), Zac and Jenson bringing the Alpine Junior Race series trophy to Beechworth for the first time since the series began.
“The series consists of races hosted by clubs around High Country Victoria during the season where points are scored, with a series trophy at the end,” she said.
Ms Frerichs said the win had been a few years in the making.
“We had been gunning for this one,” she said.
Consistent efforts had been put in by the club’s juniors over the season to take the series trophy off the long-time reigning champions, the Alpine Cycling Club.
“Everyone rides and everyone receives a lollipop at the end with the winning club receiving the trophy,” Ms Frerichs said.
“There’s some cross country and gravity enduro events and each event averages around 25 to 40 kids,” she said.
The president said mountain biking is a great outdoor sport giving young people more time outside and less time on screen.
“They have such a good time, and the sport is great for camaraderie, friendships, and for physical and mental health,” she said.
“Mountain biking is unique as there are constant terrain changes giving great learning experiences for kids and adults.”
Mixed results in pennant for Beechworth Golf Club
By DYLAN POOL
AFTER quite a few messages and phone calls and last minute injuries we managed to send out two pennant sides for the third round of pennant.
A win and a loss was recorded.
The section one side was on the winning end of a 3&2 result against Thurgoona at Yarrawonga and the section three side unfortunately went down 3&2 against the home side Benalla.
In the section one match it wasn’t looking great as debutante Simon Pfahlert at number four and Dylan Pool at number one were finished rather early coming
up against opponents who were much better than them around the greens.
With Simon going down 6&5 and Dylan 5&3.
At number two the steady Darren Edwards did as he usually does and recorded a 4&2 victory.
It was down the Howard’s, Yogi and Zane.
Yogi was one up or square most of the day and this continued up until the 17th hole where he had to give a shot, but knocked a fantastic shot to about two feet from around 150 metres, to head into the last hole one up.
Yogi had a putt from about eight foot for par on the last hole to win the match, but unfortunately he missed and
extra holes was a possibility.
But lucky for him his opponent missed a shorter putt and he recorded a one up victory.
Zane Howard at number five was down most of the day.
With him three down with five to go.
He put the cart into turbo and must have got a rev up from Maisy in the passengers seat, as he won the next four holes to be one up with one to go.
Zane squared the last hole to win his match one up.
Next week there is a week off then the team takes on Wodonga at Chiltern.
As mentioned earlier the section three side had the
tough task of taking on Benalla at Benalla.
Vaughan Saunders must of had a day he would rather forget going down 4&3 at number one, John Sheehan took his match the whole way, but was unfortunately on the wrong end of the last hole decider, ending his match one down.
At number three the captain Phil Pelgrim also went the whole way, but the shot he received on the last hole must have helped him as he won one up.
Graeme Pool after a call up this morning at 7am after Tyson Carey had to withdraw due to injury, came up against a class player and didn’t help himself with the
flat stick apparently and went down 5&4.
Simon Carracher at number 4 recorded a good second win from just as many matches winning 2&1.
The team also has next week off and will travel to Corowa in two weeks to take on Yackandandah.
We are looking for a few players for the section three side at Corowa in two weeks with a couple away on a golf trip and another two unavailable.
So if anyone would like to play at Corowa for only $10 please let Dylan know.
The club needs your help to fill the side.
Thanks to everyone who did step in help out this week.
FUN: AJ (left), Elbert, Max, Remy, Hugh, and Marley enjoying lollipop prizes after the race.
Bushrangers pinch one late
Beechworth
comeback from 14 points down at
three quarter time to win opening round thriller
BEECHWORTH surged home in the nal quarter to erase a 14-point threequarter time de cit to win their season opener in Thurgoona.
The Bushrangers kicked six goals to two in the last 30 minutes to leave the Bulldogs licking their wounds at the full-time siren, with scores reading 14.7 (91) to 12.12 (84).
Beechworth coach Jack Neil said it was an exciting way to secure his rst win at the helm.
“It was probably re ective of our rst real hit out of the season, there was a bit of rust in the rst half, but the boys did a great job in the second half, tness really came to the fore,” he said.
“Most of our senior group have trained consistently and hard throughout the summer and it’s a nice reward for effort.
“We made some adjustments at half time and as a group the guys stuck to that which was great.”
Thurgoona jumped the Bushrangers in the rst half to hold a three-goal lead at the main break with West Australian recruit Cody Howard living up to the hype.
The Dogs held sway in the third quarter, but their dominance wasn’t re ected on the scoreboard, kicking 2.5 to Beechworth 3.1 to keep the door ajar.
The Bushrangers would ultimately pounce on the opportunity, with former coach Tom Cartledge and Austen Fendyk kicking clutch goals in the last to secure the seven-point win.
Neil said at half time the coaching group honed in on defensive weaknesses of the Dogs and tried to speed up their ball movement.
“It was more being proactive with our gameplan, we were just a bit reactive so we changed things a little,” he said.
The usual suspects stood
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
out for Beechworth led by reigning best and fairest winner Degan Dolny, who was well supported at the other end of the ground by Lachie Armstrong who kicked ve goals.
Cam Fendyk was also at his best in the mid eld with Cartledge’s tness coming to the fore in the last quarter, kicking two critical goals.
Beechworth will be faced with another massive task this weekend heading to Chiltern to take on the Swans.
Chiltern made a big statement last weekend, crashing the party of Yackandandah’s 2024 senior premiership ag unfurling to win the grandnal by 12 points.
Neil said the Swans’ outside dominance would produce a whole new challenge to the inside dominant ‘Dogs.
“We still have plenty of things to work on, this week’s training was still about building our game plan out,” he said.
“Chiltern have a lot of runners and a big ground, it’ll be a completely different challenge going from a team like Thurgoona on a small ground to Chiltern on a big ground.”
Connor Stone, who made a late commitment to continue playing with the side this year, injured his hand on the weekend and will miss the clash.
On the court last Saturday, a new-look A grade Beechworth side were outclassed by Thurgoona 43-24.
The team welcomed back Eidenne Surrey and Sarah Robinson from absences last year while newcomer Lainey Alexander impressed in the attacking third.
Action will kick o in Chiltern with the juniors from 9am.
THRILLED young riders from the Beechworth Chain Gang raise the Alpine Junior Race Series trophy a er being named champions for the first time.
■ Story page 7