Ovens and Murray Advertiser 041122

Making a difference

BY CORAL COOKSLEY ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au

SOME Boomerang Bag groups across Victoria’s North East have joined forces to help the township of Rochester’s flood victims.

A volunteer team effort between Beechworth, Wangaratta, Kiewa/Tangambalanga and Albury/Wodonga will between them sew 750 toiletry bags to be distributed by the Lions V6 District Disaster Recovery team.

Busy members are well on the way to reaching their goal early this month, with the first 250 bags a Boomerang Bags project, while the other 500 bags will be funded by the Lions District Disaster Fund.

Boomerang Bags is a grassroots initiative which has gained popularity across the nation in recent years, encouraging sustainable sewing practices and limiting plastic pollution.

Kiewa/Tangambalanga Boomerang Bags volunteer Samantha Meadows said teamwork was important

when mass-producing bags. Besides teams working together for the overall goal, Samantha said volunteers also worked together completing set tasks to create one bag, such as one cutting material while others iron handles, sewing them on the bag as well as creating patches, which would speed up the bag-making process.

“We can sew and make a lot more bags at once as people don’t have to chop and change their bag-making roles,” she said.

“As the saying goes, many hands make light work.

“We hope (that for) Rochester residents and residents in any other flood or disasteraffected towns, these bags will help provide them with essentials that they may not have been able to take with them.

“The bags can be used for years to come, such as for shopping, hand tote bags and library ones too.”

Beechworth Boomerang Bags volunteer Iris Mannik said Beechworth Lions had also made a donation to help purchase products.

"It's a good feeling knowing that the people running Indigo Power are part of our community. It's the kind of organisations we like to support."

Russell and Julie Klose Yackandandah

Indigo

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: Wooragee Primary School students Elena Dean (left) and Indigo McLean at last week’s school market. Story page 3.

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Beechworth local charged, shooting investigation ongoing

A MAN who suffered a gunshot wound during an incident at a Beechworth property which claimed the life of another local man last week is set to face drug and gun possession charges.

Police were called to the residence around 8:45pm on Thursday night amid reports of a shooting, locating Paul Flegel, 60, fatally injured at the front of the address before identifying the homeowner, also in his 60s, seriously injured in a rear shed of the property.

The injured man was subsequently airlifted to hospital while crime scenes at the Buckland Gap Road property and a Loch Street residence linked to Flegel were established.

Firearms were subsequently

located at the injured man’s home, with police formally laying charges of possess unregistered handgun, possess handgun with no serial number, and cultivate and possess cannabis upon his release from hospital.

He was bailed to appear at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court next year, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances of the shooting.

A 27-year-old Frankston man was also interviewed by police on Wednesday in relation to the incident, and was released pending further inquiries.

“Whilst a search of the crime scene remains ongoing, a number of firearms have been located at the property which will now be subject to forensic test-

ing,” a police spokesperson said.

“Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting but do believe that parties were known to each other.”

Homicide and major crime squad detectives descended on the township on Friday and over the weekend, with reports of as many as seven police vehicles aiding the investigation.

Indigo Shire mayor Bernard Gaffney said local police had also leant their knowledge of the local area to investigators from Melbourne.

“Initially on Friday, the Beechworth community was in shock,” he said.

“A lot were fearful that this might happen close to Beech-

worth.

“The chief investigator assured the community the people who are deceased and seriously injured knew each other and it was not a random shooting.

“(As a result) the community is much more relaxed about itthey’re still horrified - but a little more relaxed.

“The homicide squad has put a huge amount of resources into the investigation, while Beechworth police are helping from a local point of view.”

Cr Gaffney said Indigo Shire was part of a local safety committee with police members from Beechworth, Rutherglen and Wodonga, regularly meeting to discuss crime trends or traffic hazards in the local area.

■ From page 1

Iris said teamwork with groups meant bags can be made fast, sent to a central location for packing, then quickly distributed to those in need.

With Lions working hard to source good essential items from all over the shire, Samantha said without amazing people in communities, it would be harder to achieve.

“We are all grateful that there are so many good people who wish to help,” she said.

Among businesses which donated products are Fletcher’s in Wangaratta, Mike’s Bazaar in Beechworth and the chemist in Tangambalanga.

John

Christine Haddrick

Wangaratta's premier audiology clinic

HARD AT WORK: Kiewa/Tangambalanga Boomerang Bag volunteers Terri Foyle (back left), Sharon Lawrence, Cassie Randall, Hilary Wallace and Jacinta Barton with Patricia Davis (front left), Juanita Barton and Samantha Meadows at a bag-making day at the ‘Lion’s Den’ in Tangambalanga.

Boomerang bags to support flood-stricken communities across North East Victoria

Enterprising youngsters hold school market

By CORAL COOKSLEY

‘COLOURFUL Clay Creations’ will be among six student social enterprises at the next market day this month held by Wooragee Primary School, following last week’s successful one.

The enterprise, started by students Elena Dean and Indigo McLean, see the young entrepreneurial pair make clay earrings to sell, after the school joined the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship’s (ACRE) social enterprise schools program earlier this year.

Wooragee Primary School teacher Jess Marshall said the program was a wonderful opportunity to integrate literacy and numeracy into real life authentic learning.

“It gives students the chance to shine across all areas of learning in the community and at school,” she said.

Jess said ACRE’s recent recognition by the Australian Rural Education Awards (AREAs) in taking out the Innovation Project Award for the social enterprise schools program, had been exciting news.

“We’re so pleased that they are being recognised

for the amazing work they do in empowering kids and communities,” she said.

The students had their first trading held at the Old Beechworth Gaol to coincide with ACRE hosting the first Social Enterprise World Forum Regional Gathering in the southern hemisphere last month.

“I told the students they had changed the world that day, that they had been part of shaping the future,” Jess said.

“ACRE has enabled this to happen and has given the students the opportunity to contribute to the world in a way that consolidates their learning and stretches them to new heights.”

The school had been with five others from around the region that could make the market on the day.

Local children are among more than 15,000 students around the nation undertaking the program online or face-to-face.

ACRE CEO Matt Pfahlert said with increasing numbers of educators across Victoria’s North East and around Australia supporting the program, students could run three or four social enterprises during their school career.

“They will be well positioned to leave school knowing how they can create their own employment, or if really entrepreneurial can solve local issues and create opportunities that are going to create more jobs for them as well as their friends,” he

said.

With Wooragee Primary School’s market on November 16 from 3.30pm to 5pm at the school, Jess said students looked forward to fine weather to take visitors on a Yirrikama tour - the nature reserve and playground

space, named Yirrikama, from the local Indigenous Dhudhuroa language.

Years four, five and six students will have homemade lemonade, burgers, clay and yarn creations, key rings, pom poms and farm gate fertilisers as well as the

tours on offer. Funds raised are marked for worthy causes chosen by the students, including Oxfam, Team Seas, animal rights organisation PETA, Mullets for Mental Health (Black Dog Institute), and Greenpeace.

Call issued for entries to next year’s Rutherglen art prize

ARTISTS everywhere are encouraged to get their entries in for the Rutherglen Tastes of Art Prize 2023, which will be held in March next year.

The event is known for attracting a depth of artistic talent from not only North East Victoria but beyond, with artists entering from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and regional locations, in-

cluding as far away as South and Western Australia.

For Arts Rutherglen it will be the sixth successful art prize, held during the beautiful autumn season when the region’s cellar doors and local produce can be enjoyed by locals and visitors.

The event coincides with the Tastes of Rutherglen food festival, when 17 local wineries invite the public to

visit their cellar doors over the March Labour Day weekend.

The event supports artists and encourages visitation during a period when Victorians are exploring new destinations closer to home.

The call for entries runs from November through to February 10, 2023 with artist entry forms available now at www.artsruther-

Appointments to the Board of Directors of Beechworth Health Service

The Department of Health is pleased to invite applications for part time board director positions of Beechworth Health Service with terms of office commencing from 1 July 2023.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional attributes, skills, knowledge, and experience that contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care for the Victorian community.

Safe and high quality healthcare for all Victorians is a priority of the Department of Health. Applicants must be able to demonstrate and provide evidence in support of the capabilities they identify in their applications.

glen.com.au.

The Rutherglen Tastes of Art Prize is a 10-day event, opening with a cocktail party on Friday, March 10 when winners will be announced and sales will commence, and running daily until March 19 at the Rutherglen Memorial Hall.

Organisers are anticipating over 450 entries and there is a record prize pool

of $14,350, with categories including painting/mixed media, photography, work on paper, 3D art and a youth section.

Among the major prizes to be won are two $4000 awards for painting/mixed media and four individual $2000 prizes for photography (open), photography (landscape), a work on paper and a 3D small art-

work, plus more.

Arts Rutherglen says it is extremely appreciative of the support of local businesses in sponsoring prizemoney, with major sponsors Campbells Wines also donating a complimentary glass of wine to each guest at the gala opening on March 10.

For more information visit www.artsrutherglen. com.au.

The Department of Health is committed to ensuring boards, and committees, reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people.

Applications close at Midnight Monday 21 November 2022. Further information including how to apply, please visit www.health.vic.gov.au/board-applications

For all enquires regarding the Board, please contact Michelle Mace (Acting EA) or Mark Ashcroft (CEO) on telephone (03) 5728 0200

Beechworth Health Service is your local provider of acute and sub - acute care, primary health services, community health promotion, aged care and visiting specialist services.

ENTERPRISING: Wooragee Primary School students Jamieson Lonie (left) with acting principal Angela Gray and students Alice Hunt, Aliyah Ericksen and Frederick Reeve at last month’s market held by ACRE at the Beechworth Old Gaol.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Pyle family reunion in Beechworth

RESIDENTS from across the North East, and further afield, descended on Beechworth last Sunday for the Pyle family reunion.

The event specifically helped celebrate the building of the family home at Baarmutha by George Pyle in 1912.

A similar gathering was held at the farm house in 2012 to celebrate the centenary, but the recent heavy rains necessitated having Sunday’s gathering at the Nicholas Hotel in Beechworth.

The Pyle family were pioneers in the Beechworth district, with Robert Joseph Pyle arriving in 1856.

His son George built the current house in 1912 and the fifth generation of the family now live there.

Milawa resident Doug Brockfield, whose mother was Alice Pyle, said George won the Tarrawingee Cup in 1929, with a

horse called Danny Dever.

“George bred horses and was a prominent entrant in local shows and the Melbourne Royal Show with horses and cattle, winning many prize ribbons,” he said.

“The cup had tarnished over the 93 years, so the family recently had it refurbished by a top class silversmith in Queensland.”

Mr Brockfield said five siblings of George, as well as his father, died in quick succession in 1889 when typhoid fever struck the district.

“After Robert Joseph died, his widow Catherine raised the remaining nine children on her own and lived for another 33 years,” he said.

“She was a tough, strong woman in all respects.

“The Pyle family have had a large footprint in the area for 160 years.”

KIDS of all ages up to around 12 years old dressed up and had fun at the Halloween

Some mums and dads got into the swing of things and dressed up for the occasion

Among activities for the two-hour session for children were scary word games and puzzles, Halloween bingo, horrorigami and

cke said the fun event exceeded

“This was a warm up to their trick and

Please come and assist with the Beechworth Community Christmas Lunch. The Christmas lunch working party are looking for extra hands to help pack hampers, set up the hall and deliver

if

All volunteers must have a National Police Check and Working with Children Check and the working party can assist with this process. For more information, please contact Gabriella Tange on 03 5728 0200.

Please note, this event will be run according to Victoria’s COVID-19 safe guidelines in place at the time.

A warm welcome to Brydie, the new Health Promotion Officer. With a background in Food and Nutrition Science and a Masters of Dietetics, Brydie comes with passion about preventative health and a keen interest in people’s relationship with food and the benefits of healthy food for both physical and mental health. She has grown up in North East Victoria and is looking forward to supporting communities to create healthy environments for all.

Due to the changes in weather, ongoing COIVD-19 and the impacts of the floods, check these sites to know more:

Japanese Encephalitis https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ protect-yourself-mosquito-borne-disease Thunderstorm Asthma https://www.health.vic.gov.au/ environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma Vaccination Outreach Clinics https://www.awh.org.au/ services-departments/ovens-murray-public-health-unit/covid19-services/vaccination-and-testing-services

Opportunities for consumers/community members of Stanley, Wooragee, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Kiewa/Tangambalanga and surrounding districts to be an active voice by joining the Community Connection Health Committee (formerly known as Community Advisory Committee) in 2023.

BHS is seeking provide an important consumer perspective on: Planning and delivery of programs, services and quality improvement activities Providing advice to BHS to respond effectively to issues related to diversity and disadvantage Advocating to the BHS Board on behalf of the community CCH meet every month for 2 hours and members are required to attend 75% of these meetings. For more information about the role, responsibilities and what to expect, please contact Gabriella on 03 5728 0200 or info@beechworthhealth.org.au

HOME SWEET HOME: The Baarmutha home, built in 1912.

REUNITED: Sharing stories at the Pyle reunion were (from left) Carol Pyle (Wangaratta), Peter Wadley (Oxley) Kaye Wadley (nee Pyle) and Max Pyle (Wangaratta).

A CENTURY AGO: George Pyle and wife Maud, with their children (back, from left) Bob, Tom, (middle, from left) Alice (Lal), George holding Harry, Bill, and Charlie (front) pictured at the front of their Baarmutha home in 1922.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

CATCHING UP: Enjoying the Pyle reunion at the Nicholas Hotel in Beechworth last Sunday were (from left) Terry Pyle (Eldorado), Ray Pyle (Everton) and Roger Pyle (Mt Beauty).

Lest We Forget

By CORAL COOKSLEY

A REMEMBRANCE Day commemoration service will be held by the Beechworth RSL Sub Branch next Friday, November 11 at the cenotaph in the town hall gardens.

The service starts at 10.55am with everyone welcome to attend.

A one minute silence will follow at 11am for the community to pause and reflect on men and women who went to war to make the world a better place.

RSL president John Eldrid said this year was the 104th commemoration of the Australian forces landing at Gallipoli during WWI.

“The day marks the 104th anniversary of the Armistice on the Western Front and we remind ourselves each year, of the 11th hour on the 11th of November in 1918 where guns fell silent as four years of war had come to an end,” he said.

It became known as the Great War as its scale was unprecedented, with the mobilisation of 70 million people across many nations.

“It was the costliest conflict in history up to that time where thirteen million people died, nine million of them combatants,” Mr Eldrid said.

“Over one-third of all the soldiers killed were “missing” or had no known graves.”

“Three hundred and thirtytwo thousand Australians fought in the Great War with the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF) where sixty thousand died, 45,000 of them on the Western Front, and 152,000 wounded.

Mr Eldrid said community groups and local schools had been invited to lay wreaths.

With the weather situation and flooding in regional Australia, he said Australian Defence Force members were unable to be provided as all available servicemen and

women had been deployed to various regions across Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.

“Beechworth Secondary College students will be flag orderlies and recite the two poems - ‘In Flanders Fields and ‘We Shall Keep the Faith,’ Mr Eldrid said.

“Father Mike Pullar will give the ‘Prayer of Remembrance’ for the fallen.”

The RSL will be open following the service.

In the lead-up to the special day, poppies and mementos such as key rings and lapel badges will be sold for the annual RSL Poppy Appeal outside Beechworth Bakery today, Saturday and Sunday as well as Wednesday November 9 and Thursday November 10, from 7am to 5pm.

The red poppy symbolises remembrance, commemorating those who made the supreme sacrifice in times of war.

Yackandandah distilleries take out top state awards

WELL-KNOWN Yackandandah distilleries came up trumps in the Melbourne Royal 2022 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards held last week at Melbourne Showgrounds.

Yack Creek Distillery picked up Champion Victorian Distiller while Backwoods Distilling Co were awarded the Best

Single Malt Whiskey for their White Oak Expression.

Bree and Leigh Attwood founded Backwoods Distilling Co in 2017, where the distillery grew from a love of whiskey, science and craftiness.

The couple - who were born and raised in North East Victoria - returned to the region

with their young family after years of city-living, working and travelling.

White Oak Expression is the first bottling of their fleet of white oak casks.

Founded in 2016, Yack Creek Distillery was brought to life by Jamie Heritage after chatting to a friend about

business opportunities while sitting on a beach in Western Australia.

Both had a passion for whisky and rum and decided to explore the possibilities of how they could make their own.

Jamie with his partner Paula, chose to create a lifestyle micro distillery, with

micro batches released each year.

The Australian Distilled Spirits Awards is Australia’s first and largest national awards program recognising excellence in Australian distilled spirits, liqueurs, and aromatics.

A 12% increase in entries

had been received this year from more than 208 exhibitors, with the 863 entries received representing a recordbreaking year for the awards.

The awards were judged by 42 accomplished experts in distilling, spirits retailing and writing from across the nation.

FLORAL TRIBUTE: RSL member Bob Malone laid a wreath on behalf of Legacy at last year’s Remembrance Day service.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Local sports funding boon

IN a huge funding boost for Indigo Shire’s sport and recreation facilities, council is set to receive more than $850,000 through the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Chiltern’s tennis courts will be redeveloped, a pump track installed at Wahgunyah and the Tangambalanga Active Park and the lighting will be upgraded at Beechworth’s Baarmutha Park.

Some $300,000 was dedicated to Chiltern’s tennis court redevelopment, while projects at Wahgunyah and Tangambalanga each received $150,000.

Baarmutha Park’s floodlight upgrade received $220,313.

In addition, Yackan-

dandah’s Butson Park will receive funding for the planning and design of its facility redevelopment, with $30,000 dedicated in the first instance.

Mayor Bernard Gaffney said the funding was great news for local communities, with these projects being high on their priority list.

“We know our small, rural communities rely heavily on sporting and recreational amenities to encourage a sense of community, provide options for keeping them healthy, social and active and to attract newcomers to the area.

“To see these fantastic community facilities set to be upgraded and constructed is a brilliant outcome

that we’re very grateful for.”

Cr Gaffney said it was particularly exciting to see the funding distributed across the shire, meaning most communities will benefit.

“We always hope for funding success but we acknowledge that this isn’t always the case, so to have such a large cross-section of our shire set to benefit from this funding is a real win,” he said.

Five out of the six Indigo Shire applications in this funding round were successful, with council staff currently working with Sport and Recreation Victoria and the unsuccessful applicant to increase its opportunities for success in future funding rounds.

Probus touts friendship

club,’ among them movie,

“Our movie club usually meets every second month, and we go to the theatre in

“We’ve organised a Christmas lunch and we’ll organise a barbeque for the beginning of the New Year

Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at 10am at the Beechworth bership cost of $40 for the

“We do a lot of fun things outside of meetings and it’s the social side too,” Barbara

For more information about the club or joining, contact Barbara on mobile

COMING SOON: Some $150,000 will be provided by the State Government to help aid construction of a pump track at Wahgunyah.

107 fabulous reasons to celebrate

By CORAL COOKSLEY

KEEPING active has been attributed to a long life by Yackandandah’s’ long-time resident Edie Dryden.

The 107-year-old celebrated her incredible milestone birthday three weeks ago, when around 30 close family members and friends joined the centurion for a country spread for lunch at the community centre.

Edie’s 99-year-old brother Keith travelled from the Mornington Peninsula for the special occasion.

“We had a good old chinwag where we talked about our childhood days and Keith is seven years younger than me,” Edie said. Edie said she has a wonderful and supportive, caring family.

Born in 1915 at her home in Wandin on October 16 during WWI, Edie one of eight children, grew up in the Great Depression years and married six years before WWII began.

“My father was an orchardist and had a strawberry farm and was also a builder,” she said.

“I lived in Wandin until I was three years old and then we went to the seaside town of Rosebud where I grew up and attended the primary and high schools there.”

“I used to write stories

when I was a kid at school,” she said.

Edie’s son Bob said her stories had been published in different magazines such as ‘New Idea’ and ‘Reader’s Digest’.

The 107-year-old said she met her late husband Edward (Ted) in Rosebud and married in 1933 at Frankston’s St Francis Xavier Church.

“When we were first married, he worked for his uncle who had a dairy farm and he used to deliver milk by horse and cart,” she said.

Together, Edie and Ted had six children, with Edie enjoying her role as a mother but left devastated when her daughter died at a young age.

With a move to Yackandandah in December 1960, Edie and Ted bought - then ran - the local bakery for 11 years.

“I also had to work hard when we came up here because we bought the bakery,” Edie said.

“It was a country bakery and mixed business, and my husband had the van and used to deliver around the area.”

“Initially my son Ted (Jr) was the baker until he moved from Yackandandah where his brother Bobby, who had retired from the Navy, then took over the baking.”

Keeping active, Edie said

she has lost count of her dozens of art and craft activities.

“One of the best ones I think was China painting that I did for many years starting before I came up here,” she said.

Edie played bowls, belonged to the senior citi-

zens club, participated in a Wodonga senior citizen’s education centre where she pursued her love of craft including embroidery, making fur teddy bears and dabbling in watercolour painting too.

Edie lived independently

until 101 years old and has lived in aged care for the last five and a half years.

She said she enjoyed the kids from kindergarten in the complex visiting the facility.

“They ride their little trikes and scooters outside

and we have afternoon tea here and it’s nice to see them.”

Edie said she had received many letters from Queen Elizabeth since turning 100 years old but missed out this year as the Queen died before her birthday.

“But I received them from the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Premier and different members of parliament,” she said.

“I have 19 grandchildren and 45 great, great grandchildren,” she said.

Living in Yackandandah Health’s aged care facility, Edie said she still exercises and plays bowls.

“I used to go to the quizzes which I liked but don’t go now because my hearing has failed,” she said.

Edie said she uses an iPad but does not have a mobile phone.

“I use my iPad for emails, just to look up different things and for the news,” she said.

“I’ve always been busy and that’s what I put down to my long life,” the centurion said.

Edie said her mother Mary Emily Paterson (maiden surname) had been one of the first members of what had been known as the Royal Victorian Ladies Rowing Club.

INCREDIBLE MILESTONE: Edie Dryden showcased a number of her cherished fine china paintings after celebrating her 107th birthday last month.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Indigo still waits on ambo’ response

By RYAN MALCOLM

AMBULANCE response times across the North East have continued to balloon in the last 12 months, with regional residents routinely faced with waits of more than 20 minutes - instead of the desired maximum of 15 minutes - for an emergency code 1 response.

Wangaratta-based state MP Tania Maxwell said despite a nearly $500m investment into Ambulance Victoria and emergency despatch services, the service towards regional communities had largely failed to improve.

In Q1 data for the 2022/23 financial year, each of Alpine, Indigo and Strathbogie local government areas (LGAs) reported average code 1 response times of more than 24 minutes, with an Ambulance Victoria pledge to reach code 1 callouts within 15 minutes only met 21.8pc of the time in Indigo Shire.

While code 1 response averages in Indigo were among the worst in the state, Wangaratta’s average response time of 16 minutes and 44 seconds was two minutes more than the same time

last year and more than a minute longer than 2021/22 Q4 data.

Some 64.9pc of code 1 callouts were reached within 15 minutes in the most recent data, a figure which improved to 79.4pc within Wangaratta’s urban centre.

The latter represented a two minute and nine second increase in average response times as compared to the same time last year, when 86.5pc of patients were reached within 15 minutes.

Ms Maxwell said the widespread investment had failed to create noticeable change in the regions.

“Country people are only too well aware of the reality and tyranny of distance - but the hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into Ambulance Victoria, recruitment and more emergency despatchers in the past six months is not changing our communities’ expectations and experience for the better,” she said.

“In August I encouraged the government to work harder and smarter to fix worsening ambulance emergency response times across Northern Victoria.

“But no-one in regional and rural Victoria is seeing the radical shift that would actually put more qualified paramedics and ambulance

Albury hospital input needed

INDEPENDENT candidate for Benambra, Jacqui Hawkins, has backed state and federal investment for the redevelopment of Albury base hospital, outlining the need for Benambra to be strongly represented in the facility’s planning.

One of three candidates set to contest the seat at the November 26 election alongside incumbent Liberal MP Bill Tilley and Greens candidate Luke Brady, Ms Hawkins said she acknowledged there may be some disappointment within the community that the State Government would not be investing in a greenfield site.

“All credit must go to the community on this one - local people have been urging the government to give our health facilities the attention they so desperately need,” she said.

“I fully understand there will be disappointment, however, this investment has been fully committed now, and stands regardless of the result at the Victorian election.

“We now need to ensure we’re well represented in the planning process and that we hold both state governments to account on

the delivery of this project, in terms of timelines and whether further funding will be required.”

Ms Hawkins said she was committed to working alongside whoever was in government in Victoria and NSW to ensure the facility met the community’s needs.

“Both premiers have stated that the ongoing plans for this redevelopment in Albury, and plans for the Wodonga site, will be driven by the community, so now it’s important that Benambra elects someone

who will ensure community is at the centre of decision-making,” Ms Hawkins said.

“It is clear the incumbent has been absent from this decision-making process and has been unable to reflect our voices in this conversation.

“As an Independent, I am committed to listening to and representing our local community and to collaborating and negotiating on the behalf of local people to achieve the best results for Benambra.”

emergency vehicles on the ground where we live.

“The state can ramp up investment in home care services, community paramed-

ics, Country Fire Authority trained firefighter responder services, and community campaigns to inform all of us how and when to use

triple zero.

“But this government risks lives by doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.”

Tilley touts new hospital site

BENAMBRA MP Bill Tilley has slammed a $558m investment into redeveloping the existing Albury base hospital, outlining his commitment to continue to explore a new dedicated site for the local health service.

The NSW, Victorian and federal governments last week outlined a staged process to address the health service over the next decade, with each State Government pledging $225m and the Federal Government a further $108m to support works.

However, Mr Tilley said he had already earmarked a $300m investment for a new greenfield site from a potential Coalition government if elected later this month, and would continue to explore that option.

“Some supposed community leaders and would-be politicians just rolled over on this,” he said.

“The master plan says we need a new hospital on a new site - we know we need more acute beds, greater capacity in operating theatres, more intensive care cots for babies, double the number of dialysis chairs, triple the rehab beds - the list goes on.

“The people of Benambra see right through this announcement five minutes out from an election - while $558m sounds like a lot of money, the fact is if you need a family car, you don’t go and buy a clappedout yellow pushbike.

“We need a new hospital on a greenfield site and that’s what I’ll fight for - I’ll fight for a hospital that meets the needs of our community now and into the future.”

Mr Tilley said the announcement cast a shadow over the future of the Wodonga hospital precinct.

“At this Victorian state election, we now

have a very clear choice - our commitment to a new hospital that serves the purposes of our growing community as opposed to Labor and its independent supporters who have rolled over and said let’s accept second-best,” he said.

Sinkhole continues to hamper Yackandandah’s Bells Flat Road

By RYAN MALCOLM

YACKANDANDAH’S Bells

Flat Road could remain closed to traffic for as many as two weeks, after a major sinkhole opened as a result of heavy rainfall and flash

flooding last week.

Works by North East Water to realign underground piping which became exposed as the road fell away were completed on Wednesday, however, ISC chief executive officer

Trevor Ierino said council still faced a number of challenges in re-opening the road to the public.

“A geotechnical assessment is required before any repair works can be started,” he said.

“A company has been engaged to carry out this work and the assessment is likely to be completed in the next fortnight, however, until then the road must remain closed for safety reasons.

“Our highest priority is

to get the road repaired and back open but we must take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all road users.

“Unfortunately, the availability of contractors and the continuing

wet forecast are both expected to provide ongoing challenges so at this point in time, we’re unable to confirm a timeframe for the commencement or completion of the repair works.”

INPUT NEEDED: Independent Benambra candidate Jacqui Hawkins believes the elecorate should have a strong voice around planning of the Albury base hospital redevelopment.

NOT IMPRESSED: Wangaratta-based state MP Tania Maxwell (pictured earlier this year) blasted a lack of noticeable improvement in the regional ambulance response despite significant funding by the State Government.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

EXPLORING OPTIONS: Benambra MP Bill Tilley said he will continue to explore a dedicated greenfield site for a new Albury hospital, despite state and federal funding being pledged for the existing health service’s redevelopment.

NOVEMBER seven days a week

QUERCUS BEECHWORTH: Grow Free. Fresh produce, milk and bread. Available at the Quercus Beechworth community garden shelter. 23 to 30 Ford Street.

From November

FRIENDS OF STANLEY ATHENAEUM: ‘Stanley Pubs, Ales and Tales.‘ Visit the exhibition at the Stanley Post and Community Hub (old Stanley School), Main Street, Stanley. Open until June 2023 – Monday to Friday 8.30 – 10.30 am, and 3.30 – 5.30pm, Saturday 9.00 – 11.00 am or by appointment. Closed Sunday, Public Holidays and Red Code days. Contact: 0458 606 922 or 03 5728 6702 for more information.

ANNE FRANK EXHIBITION: Runs seven days a week except for Christmas Day from 9.30am to 4.30pm until 31 January next year. Beechworth Town Hall. Free entry. For more information visit www. annefrank.org.au

FRIDAY, November 4 (tonight)

MAYDAY HILLS ART SOCIETY: Linda Buller art exhibition opening. 5pm. Kurrajong Way, Mayday Hills. RSVPs needed for opening. Email: bibart@bigpond.com.au or ring 0412 126 219.

YACKANDANDAH COMMUNITY CENTRE: Open house. From 5pm. Yack‘s 12–year–old musician Jack Gregory will be performing too. 29 High Street.

HOTEL NICHOLAS: Keeping the Celtic spirit alive – small celebration of Celtic culture with traditional music and Irish dancing. Session with Celtic musician trio ‘Bhan Tre‘ from 7pm. Enquiries and bookings 03 57281051 or by email at info@hotelnicholas.com.au. Located at 1A Camp Street.

SATURDAY, November 5

BEECHWORTH FARMERS MARKET: Great variety of fresh, local produce as well

as plants, arts and crafts. Christ Church grounds. Corner of Ford and Church Streets. 8am – 12pm.

QUERCUS BEECHWORTH: Flea market. 8am – 1pm. Ford Street – opposite Christ Church – corner of Ford and Church Streets.

OLD CHILTERN COURTHOUSE: New showcase of Law and Order in the Chiltern Police District. Some 14 interpretive panels tell a fascinating story of Law and Order around Chiltern from Colonial times to now. 10am – 4pm. Free entry. 58 Main Street.

BEECHWORTH SINGERS: Concert with traditional Scottish, Irish, and Welsh songs, arranged in both contemporary and traditional styles as well as traditional folk songs. Local musician Sandra Williams on keyboard. Beechworth Uniting Church 3pm – 5pm. Cost: $10.

MAYDAY HILLS ART SOCIETY: Art exhibition by visiting artist Linda Buller. 10am – 4pm. Also a fundraiser for a Bali dog adoption rehabilitation centre founded by Linda. Chance to have pet portraits taken by local professional photographer.

HOTEL NICHOLAS: Celtic sessions with ‘Bhan Tre‘ from 8.30pm. Dinner available from 5.30pm. See above for more details.

SUNDAY, November 6

MAYDAY HILLS ART SOCIETY: Art exhibition by visiting artist Linda Buller. 10am – 4pm. See above for details.

OLD CHILTERN COURTHOUSE: New showcase of Law and Order in the Chiltern Police District. See details above. 10am –4pm. Free entry. 58 Main Street.

HOTEL NICHOLAS: Lunch available from 12 pm on Sunday with bookings preferred. Celtic session with ‘Bhan Tre‘. See above Nov 4 entry for more details.

Encouraging living the outdoor lifestyle locally

CHRIS Brett was born in Great Britain’s selfgoverned Channel Islands. With the islands occupied by the German army during World War II, he remembers as a boy, playing in the abandoned gun emplacements and other fortifications. Chris now lives in Beechworth and has resided in the local area for more than 40 years.

What did you do throughout your working career?

I am retired. My wife and I migrated to Australia in 1970. After arriving in Sydney, I worked at the steel works in Wollongong, then moved to the port of Gladstone, Queensland to work as an engineer. After this we moved to Cairns where I worked in the sugar mills. My last job was in Wodonga in multiple roles involving computer automation and systems support.

What brought you to these roles?

I was on the leading edge of introducing computers into the manufacturing environment. Much of this work used the latest in computer technologies.

What did you love about your roles?

The challenge when introducing new technologies and this brought me in contact with many people throughout the world.

What do you do in the community?

I was a member of the Stanley Rural Community Inc (SRCI). I am a member of the Beechworth Combined Probus Club, the Stanley Plateau Choir and a member of the Beechworth Men’s Shed.

What’s the most important current community issue for you?

After travelling throughout Australia for extended periods, I became aware that there are many places where visitors are offered multiple facilities for recreational activities and areas to entertain children. I would like to see a more concerted effort to attract more visitors to our local area.

What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?

Consideration should be given to increasing

Chris Brett, Channel Island

parking for recreational vehicles with appropriate signage in Beechworth, and to provide additional BBQs and children play areas.

What’s the most important current world issue for you?

Like most people, I am concerned about the effects of inflation and global warming. I am uncertain whether the majority of those who govern us have the skills to do the job of managing these issues.

If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo, or was already here, who would that be and what would you show them?

The person who I would most like to come here is my father. He was a thinker and played an important part in my life in choosing to study engineering at university. I would show him what is left of the gold mining activities. Why would you show him that?

My father visited Australia before he passed away. However, he never travelled around our local area. I am positive he would find our local history most interesting.

What book are you reading?

I am not an avid book reader. I do have a policy whereby if a book does not interest me within the first 20 pages or so I will find another. However, I have just finished reading “Australian Code Breakers” by James Phelps.

It is a story based in Melbourne when, at the very start of World War 1, a German freighter was intercepted by the Australian Navy and a German maritime code book was found. After that there were many exchanges with the British Navy and, as the Germans changed their code, the Australians overcame the changes without computers! Most interesting reading.

COMMUNITY ENGAGED: Beechworth’s Chris Brett is a member of the Beechworth Combined Probus Club, Stanley Plateau Choir and Beechworth Men’s Shed.

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

Phone: (03) 5723 0101 email:

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

Phone: (03) 5723 0100

Phone: (03) 5723 0101

DEATH NOTICES

LEARY, Ronald George (Ron).

22/3/1947 – 26/10/2022

I miss your smile, I miss your touch, The simple things, I miss so much. Thank you for loving me, dear heart for 55 years. Beloved husband of Carol. Cherished father of Michelle, Simone, Kimberley and their husbands Rob, Nick and Andrew.

Treasured Pop of Natasha, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Matilda, Billy and Maggie. Loved and remembered always, a Stanley man forever.

A gentle nature, a heart of gold, One of the best this world could hold.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Beechworth Anglican Church, 27 Ford Street, Beechworth at 10am.

A burial will follow the service at Stanley Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome, however a donation to The Leukaemia Foundation in memory of Ron would be appreciated. Donations can be made online at www.leukaemia.org.au/make-a-donation/ donate/

BY EMAIL

NOTICES

PINDER, William Morton (Bill). 28/8/1927 Bacchus Marsh 26/10/2022 Albury

Only son of Mary (Morton) and Valentine Pinder (both dec), Benalla.

Son-in-law of Cecilia (Costello) and David Tavendale (both dec), Benalla.

Brother of Gwen and Bryan Robertson (both dec), Sydney.

Brother-in-law of John and Margaret Tavendale (both dec), Werribee.

Brother-in-law of Bill (dec) and Pam Tavendale, Benalla.

Grief is the price we pay for love.

PINDER, William Morton (Bill). 28/8/1927 - 26/10/2022

Loving husband of Elizabeth (Betty) Tavendale (dec).

Devoted father to Valerie, Jeanne, David and Cathie and their families.

Adoring grandfather and great grandfather.

will always be remembered.

Your strength was immense, and despite adversity was remarkable.

Dad you can now rest with Mum. Heartfelt thanks for the care of Dad by Drs Mike Giltrap, David Rutherford and Mr Steve King.

The compassionate care from the

extraordinary.

Sweet is the sleep that ends all pain.

PINDER, William Morton. 28/8/1927- 26/10/2022

Granddad, role model and mentor to Hannah, Alistair and Kym, Lauren, Morgan and Brent, Lachlan and Kate, Phoebe and Kelsey, Matt and Tilly.

Great grandad of Oskar and Mc Kenzie, Luca and Leon.

Love is immortality.

DIRECTORS

STANLEY RECREATION RESERVE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT

NOTICE IS GIVEN OF A PUBLIC MEETING

To be held at Rec. Reserve, 2 Pioneer Rd. Stanley, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 commencing at 7.30pm. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less than 3 or more than 9 persons as the Committee of Management for the Stanley Recreation Reserve for a term of three years. The current committee’s term will have expired on that date. All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night.

Nominations from women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, young people, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged.

Further information, nomination forms and nominee declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Dept. of Environment, Land, Water and Planning office or at the meeting.

For further enquiries please contact the Secretary, Leigh Privett on 0416 278 488.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Nominate Now

Australia Day Awards nominations are closing soon.

Every year, on Australia Day, we recognise our Shire’s most outstanding citizens and community organisations.

In the wake of another challenging year, we know that there are many among us that have displayed acts of kindness, compassion, community-focus and ingenuity.

Award categories include:

• Indigo Shire Citizen of the Year

• Indigo Shire Young Citizen of the Year

• Indigo Shire Community Organisation of the Year

• Emma George Junior Sporting Scholarship

Application forms are available from Council offices and online.

Nominations close Friday, 11 November.

Find out more here: www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/australiaday

www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au Phone: 1300 365 003

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Local golfers hold their own

By DYLAN POOL

LAST Sunday 11 members travelled to Yackandandah for their Men’s Annual Tournament, one of the very few which have gone ahead in the second half of this year.

The course was great, food fantastic and golf good for only some.

Dean Howard fared the best from Beechworth, having a fantastic score of 82 off the stick off an 18 handicap to win the B Grade scratch by four shots from another member Dave Clark who had 86.

Vaughan Saunders continued his fantastic form on the scrapes this year, but had to settle with runner up in the A Grade scratch with a score of one over 73.

Jacob Howard was also amongst the prize winners, finishing runner up in the A Grade handicap with 75 nett.

Darren Edwards was the other Beechworth member to take home a prize, winning a six-pack of Gum Tree Pies in the raffle to take home to the family.

Weather pending, twilight golf will be on this Thursday.

If the weather isn’t favourable don’t worry, the bar will still be open from 4:30.

The course is still very wet and with forecast rain this week, we can’t imagine it drying out the whole course until we get a cou-

ple of weeks of no rain.

The course is still open and feel free to play the dry holes in any order you want.

If there are enough players that turn up on Sunday we can run a competition at 12:30pm for a 1pm tee-off but

there is an open invitation from Yackandandah to join their competition on Sundays at 10am for a 10:30am start.

Bushies’

90 per cent of our guys will be staying on, there might be a couple of blokes who are at that age where they think they’ve had enough but I think for the majority we’re all keen to of extra blokes on-board to bolster

“I wouldn’t say we’re looking for tent pole signings - Brayden (co-coach Brayden Carey) and I rm view that we want to bring god footballers into the side but we want people volved and hang around the club

Cartledge said with ground conditions leaning on the heavy side, the preseason sessions

y

“Ideally we’d just like to be on the track, use the footies as much as possible, certainly not ogging ourselves but making sure we get plenty of touch and make it enjoyable with plenty

“I think the ground’s going to be hard to train on, so we’re going to have to throw in a few alternative sessions, and what to-week depending on what’s group

ing any number of activities and that’s what it’s about at the

PRIZE WINNER: Beechworth’s Dean Howard (right) won the B Grade competition at Yackandandah on Sunday, and was duly congratulated by Yackandandah’s Andrew Lawson.

Bushies’ preseason is underway

By NATHAN DE VRIES

BEECHWORTH is the first footy squad in the Tallangatta and District Football League to kick off their preseason training, with the Bushrangers hitting the track at Baarmutha Park on Wednesday night.

The 2022 preliminary finalists are wasting no time getting stuck into prepara-

tion for the 2023 flag race, with a light training session and a chance for the coaching team to outline preChristmas requirements and short term aims for the list.

Co-coach Tom Cartledge said he was eager to really get stuck into preseason early.

“Not that it’s a competition, but we certainly all like our footy up here and we

want to be involved,” he said.

“We’re pretty keen to better ourselves again in 2023 so we don’t want to waste any time twiddling our thumbs.

“We had great numbers, good turnout and good engagement from the boys as well.

“We didn’t actually get the footies out because, like probably every ground in Victoria, it’s super heavy and

untrainable at the moment, but we had a really good meeting and discussion around how things are going to look going forward and how we want to go about it.”

The Bushies were the surprise story of the 2022 season, turning around from 11th in 2021 to finish the regular season third overall, even taking it to eventual league runners up Kiewa

Sandy Creek in their prelim battle.

The majority of the side have signed back up for 2023, and some familiar names had returned to Baarmutha Park.

Liam, Jordan and Lochie Eaton, junior Bushrangers from years past, have signed on for a season at Beechworth.

“That was really good - I’ve

said it before, you can’t have enough local blokes at your footy club and in your side, and to get three brothers it just adds to the other sets of brothers we’ve got running around,” Cartledge said.

“We had a couple of guys move away interstate so we probably won’t retain them, but we wish them all the best.

HARD AT IT: Beechworth have begun their preseason training for the 2023 season.