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BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH Friday, November 10, 2023

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HISTORIC TREASURES BEECHWORTH’S Kathryn Chivers with some of her beloved Chinese artefacts including rubber stamps which will be on display at the Chinese Protectorate Office during this weekend’s Beechworth Heritage Festival. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Reflecting on immigrant life Page 2

Drag’d Out wins wellbeing award Page 5

Emergency boost

Indigo Interview Page 9

Paramedic d response p times d decrease,, b but ffurther h consistent improvements p required: q d Tilley ll y AMBULANCE response times have improved by almost 90 seconds on average across Indigo Shire in the last 12 months, in line with a reduction in the number of patients requiring emergency treatment. Code one lights and sirens emergency response times fell to 23

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

minutes and 29 seconds on average in the first quarter of 2023/24, representing an 89 second improvement on the same period last year. Some 32.4 per cent of

patients were attended to within 15 minutes between July and September, marking the shire’s best result since Q2 of 2021/22. It marked a 21.8 per cent increase on the year previous, the third-largest improvement in the state in the last 12 months. However, despite a

noticeable uptick in performance, the shire’s average response time remained among the state’s 10 slowest, as paramedics responded to some 173 patients across the quarter. Overall improvements on the same period last year were also seen at Wodonga, where

paramedics reached 683 patients in an average of 14 minutes and seven seconds, while Wangaratta ambulance crews shaved 75 seconds off their average response time while responding to an increase in patients on last year. ■ Continued page 4

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Talk highlights contributions to town and community By CORAL COOKSLEY LOCAL poet and author Frank Prem is set to deliver an insightful presentation about his family as immigrants later this month at the Ian Jones Memorial event. The talk wraps around the Friends of the Burke Museum’s Australian identity program with this year’s event theme - Ancestry and Community - ‘A Celebration of Family Heritage Through Time’. Mr Prem said as immigrants to Australia, settling in Beechworth his family felt the tidal tug of the comfort of their old traditions and ethnic understandings of the world versus the de-

sire and need to be truly settled in their new country. “My family didn’t want to be considered ‘new’ Australians as was the parlance of the time,” he said. “They wanted to be accepted simply as Australians who belonged to Beechworth.” Living a life ‘of the town’ to achieve that ambition, Mr Prem said his father George was a cook at the former Mayday Hill Asylum, a town handyman and local clock repairer. “My mother, Magdalena, was known through her work as a ward assistant (nurse) at Mayday Hills and within an active social circle,” he said.

For their children - Mr Prem and his sister - the way was made easier because of their efforts to establish themselves as being ‘of the town’. Mr Prem said small towns need to adapt to change and need to grow with a constant influx of new locals with new histories which contribute to the town’s vibrancy and attractiveness. “Migrants from another country, state or another part of Victoria bring new life experiences and knowledge

Board director opportunities at Beechworth Health Service The Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, is pleased to invite applications for part time director positions at Beechworth Health Service. The positions start on 1 July 2024 and appointments are for two to three years. These positions provide an exciting opportunity for Victorians to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional attributes, experience, knowledge, and skills that contribute to the strategic leadership and oversight of health care for the Victorian community. The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring boards reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. Applications are welcomed from 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. Safe and high quality healthcare for all Victorians is a priority of the Victorian Government. Applicants must be able to demonstrate and provide evidence in support of the capabilities they identify in their applications. Applications close at Midnight Sunday 19 November 2023. Further information about Victorian health service boards and how to apply, please go to the following website: www.health.vic.gov.au/board-applications For all enquiries regarding the board, please contact Oriana McCormick 03 5728 0200.

CONNECTED: Beechworth poet and author Frank Prem is a guest speaker who will recount his family history, connections and contributions to the town at this year’s Ian Jones Memorial event.

that grow the local community as they are incorporated into its fabric,” he said. “Beechworth, from its beginnings as a township, has been built by people coming to the area and bringing with them their many individual backgrounds of knowledge, skills and beliefs.” Mr Prem said the town has imported histories from all over the world, incorporated them and then forgotten that there was ever a time when these things were new, or didn’t exist.

“Recording and recounting all histories that made up this town is important for us to remember our roots and to acknowledge the rich diversity that has made us what we are,” he said. Other local guest speakers at a panel presentation include Luke Brock, Ian Hyndman, Stephen Morris, sisters Heidi and Helen Freeman and Ben Kraus while headline guest speaker, Adam Zwar, will speak at a dinner held at the Hotel Nicholas at 7pm.

The panel session at Beechworth’s Town Hall from 2.30pm to 4.45pm on Saturday, November 25 will be followed by meet and greets with refreshments. The panel presentation costs $25 per person and the dinner costs $75 per person for a two-course meal while a ticket for both sessions is $95. Tickets are available from Beechworth Visitor Information Centre by contacting 1300 366 321 or emailing info@explorebeechworth. com.

Community Representative November 2023 – June 2026 Applications are sought for an Independent Community Representative, with ‘financial expertise’ to join the Finance & Audit Committee of Beechworth Health Service (BHS) as an independent Member of the Committee. The objectives of the Finance and Audit Committee are to monitor and provide advice on the financial performance of BHS, monitor controls and compliance frameworks and to ensure accountability under the relevant legislation. Appropriate knowledge and understanding of financial performance, reporting and risk management is a requirement of the role. The BHS Finance & Audit Charter is available on the BHS web page. The Committee meets at BHS or on line, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, commencing at 5pm. The above position is voluntary and the role is to provide an objective, independent, community oriented perspective to assist the BHS Board in discharging its responsibilities. A role description and nomination form can be obtained from BHS webpage: www.beechworthhealthservice.com.au, or telephone (03) 5728 0200. Applications should be forwarded to: Chief Executive Officer, Beechworth Health Service, PO Box 20, Beechworth Vic 3747 info@beechworthhealth.org.au

Applications close: Friday 10th November at 5pm.

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ADVERTISER, Friday, November 10, 2023 - Page 3

Festival embraces Beechworth’s diverse and storied history By CORAL COOKSLEY

TELLING CHINESE HISTORY: Beechworth’s Kathryn Chivers with the Chinese water cart used on the Ovens Gold Fields on show at the Chinese Protectorate Office. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

THE FIRST Beechworth Heritage Festival is set to draw crowds from around the region and beyond for this weekend’s big event with a huge variety of fun activities and entertainment for all ages. Celebrating the town’s diverse history including its Indigenous, Chinese, and Celtic forebears and heritage trades, the action-packed festival kicks off tonight with a toe-tapping evening of Celtic dancing, with Irish and bush music at the Hotel Nicholas. People have the chance to explore the hotel’s underground cellar not usually open to the general public led by a local history expert later in the evening. Festival organising committee member Lorraine Lucas said the weekend aims to showcase Beechworth’s significant heritage – the town’s foundation. “Beechworth was the most important town between Melbourne and Sydney in its early history and became a wealthy one,” she said. “The town successfully made a change from gold to government employment to tourism for its economic well-being.”

Celebrating a rich history of Chinese culture in the town, an historical water carriage used by the Chinese on the Ovens Gold Fields will be on show in the Chinese Protectors Office in the historic precinct. “The water was polluted on the gold fields because of all the sluicing and digging and the Chinese used to find an unpolluted spring, fill the barrel with fresh water and then sell the water to the miners,” Lorraine said. “The carriage has handforged steel with the original barrel on it.” Inside the historic building will also be many Chinese artefacts on display. Among artefacts are Chinese stamps used for many reasons as well as by herbalists. Local resident Kathryn Chivers, whose Chinese ancestral background is linked to her great grandfather - a herbalist on the Ballarat Goldfields - said her grandfather would have used many stamps to label special ingredients and supplements used. Kathryn said she also ran the Chinese Culture Centre at the Protectorate Office for six years from around 2006 with

Beechworth’s Iris Mannik. “We told a long-forgotten history that needs to be told,” she said. Lorraine said she hoped the weekend would offer heritage, history, outdoor, wine and local produce experiences for visitors to the area. With vineyards in Beechworth dating back in the 1800s, local Haldon Estates Wines is showcasing the vineyard’s historic grounds and garden while people can learn about the Beechworth wine region’s history too. A highlight is the heritage trades market with demonstration and workshops in the Police Paddocks from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday while pipe bands and dancers will entertain the crowds. Activities around the town will include the Rotary Market at Queen Victoria Park with around 100 stalls, Beechworth Dragon Boat Club’s ‘awakening of the dragon’ at Lake Sambell and a session on how art and ideas in Beechworth influenced Australian identity at Christ Church. With something for everyone visit www.beechworthheritagefestival.com.au for the program.

Artwork for diversity and inclusion on show By CORAL COOKSLEY LOCAL artist Inga Hanover is one of 19 creatives with artworks on show in an exhibition ‘Colour – Arts for diversity and inclusion’ which opened on Sunday at Beechworth’s Empire Hotel. The showcase by Beechworth Arts Council (BAC) members is running until December 2, and embraces the spirit of diversity in ‘Colour’ of visual art to coincide with next weekend’s Beechworth’s Drag’d Out Festival. Ms Hanover said the Empire Hotel owners provided wonderful support with an opportunity for local artists

to have their work shown professionally where local people from around the region can see their artwork. In opening the exhibition, Indigo Shire councillor Sue Gold said important work is undertaken by the community arts and culture sector. Cr Gold said with many places and spaces created, people can tell their stories through windows which can be seen into or reflect differences and similarities. “We’re invited to think with our heads and our hearts,” she said. “We have two great examples of these windows, where diversity and inclusion are

being put into action. “The first is Drag’d Out – a fun, award-winning and family-friendly celebration of all things drag queens and divas while secondly, we have a very good corner pub hosting an art exhibition to celebrate and embrace stories from local artists. “This explicitly echoes the spirit of open-hearted inclusion and diversity as seen in the rainbow flag and LGBTQI community.” Beechworth artist and BAC president Chris Dormer said members had worked to a colourful Drag’d Out festival theme. “It’s also been good to have

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some space differences and challenges to work to,” she said. “Visitors to the town have a chance to look at our art while enjoying themselves.” ‘Colour’ is BAC’s second major art show produced by the not-for-profit community group following its highly successful ‘Art in Autumn’ showcase earlier this year. The exhibition showcases artworks across a broad range of mediums. Local artist and consultant Ali Rowe curated the exhibition located at the hotel at 10 Camp Street. Close to 40 people attended the event.

L AL R R OU O F Y OF

Life in colour: Beechworth Arts Council president Daren Pope with Cr Sue Gold (middle) and exhibition curator Ali Rowe at Sunday’s ‘Colour – Arts for diversity and inclusion’ opening.

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Cleanliness on council’s mind By CORAL COOKSLEY FOLLOWING concerns raised by some people around Beechworth about the unclean state of footpaths from pigeons and public toilets, council has committed to working with local business owners to limit the mess. Indigo Shire Council advised it was aware of the pigeon problem in the town, which it said had been made worse with the birds relocating from the former Beechworth Post Office which is undergoing restoration works. Acting chief executive officer Greg Pinkerton said while council can undertake routine cleaning of the footpaths and install preventative nesting measures on its buildings, it requires private business owners and landlords to do the same. “We can work with businesses to encourage them to pigeon-proof their premises, but these birds, which have been in Beechworth for many years, will gravitate to ledges and verandahs above the footpaths to nest,” he said. Mr Pinkerton said council has allocated funds in its current budget to undertake improvement works at the public toilet facilities.

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Beechworth Old Stone Hall to showcase soulful music By CORAL COOKSLEY

NEW VENTURE: Locals Erin Davis-Hartwig and Sal Kimber have joined forces to bring exciting musical events to town. PHOTO: Erin Davis Hartwig

CASTLEMAINE singer, songwriter, guitar and banjo player Maggie Rigby is set to entertain music lovers in the first of a musician event series in Beechworth later this month. After launching her EP solo project ‘Best love in the Universe’, Maggie has been touring her album in the UK with the Old Stone Hall booked in as part of her Australian tour. “Maggie has a stunning live voice, authenticated and warm with hints of Australiana, a voice best absorbed in a space where you can hear all the brilliant nuances that she so effortlessly shares with audiences,” Beechworth Photographer’s Erin DavisHartwig said. Erin has joined forces with local professional musician Sal Kimber, combining their curating and promotional expertise to present a ‘Live and Intimate’ series for the community at the historic Stone Hall’s arts, cultural and performance space. Knowing Sal’s experience in the music industry and local artist connections, Erin said it had been a perfect fit. “I floated a few ideas, and Sal had some contacts who were looking for beautiful

Paramedic response times decrease, but further consistent improvements required: Tilley

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37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677 Phone: (03) 5723 0100 Fax: (03) 5721 9447 www.omadvertiser.com.au Classifieds 5723 0101 or classifieds@nemedia.com.au Display Advertising: 5723 0100 or sales@nemedia.com.au Editorial: 5723 0130 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 DEADLINES: 'LVSOD\ DGV ERRNLQJV ........ 12 noon Monday 'LVSOD\ DGV FRS\ ............... 12 noon Monday &ODVVLILHGV ........................... 3pm Wednesday *HQHUDO 1HZV ...................... 9.15am Monday 6SRUWV UHVXOWV ....................... 9.15am Monday /HWWHUV .................................. 9.15am Monday

Benambra MP Bill Tilley said he hoped to see consistent improvements going forward over the next 12 months. “Any improvement is noteworthy but what Ambulance Victoria are celebrating is that one in three life-threateningly ill patients were seen within the benchmark 15 minutes,” he said. “That means more than two out of every three deemed a category one (response) need didn’t see an ambulance inside that critical timeframe. “For people to feel safe and trust that they will get help when needed, we have to see continued improvement over 12 months rather than one quarter in one year.” Ambulance Victoria Hume regional and clinical operations director Steve

Doyle said performance largely improved across the North East as a result of an increase in paramedics and people in the community accessing alternative and ‘virtual’ care services. “July to September saw ambulances across Victoria called to 96,594 code one cases – 2002 more than a year ago – making it the fourth busiest quarter in our history,” he said. “Despite this high demand, ambulances arrived at ‘lights and sirens’ cases on average 23 seconds faster than a year ago and 52 seconds faster than the previous quarter. “Our dedicated paramedics do an amazing job delivering world-class care, and Victoria has the best cardiac arrest survival rates in Victoria.”

venues to play,” she said. “We’re looking at at least three shows in the series with another couple in the first half of next year. “We’re coordinating touring artists who would suit the beautiful hall location and the capacity for unique intimate shows.” Erin said people can listen deeply to an acoustic performance where vocals and lyrics shine. With the idea of a series of intimate performances she said the genre of the artist presented will be accompanied by a curated look and feel across events. “Audiences can listen to lyrics and stunning vocals and leave feeling uplifted by their experience,” she said. “A series feels like the right approach because there are several local and interstate artists keen to play in Beechworth, a perfect stopover between Sydney and Melbourne shows. As a not-for-profit venture, all proceeds go to performing artists and to pay event running expenses. For tickets to the November 25 event, which will run from 7pm to 9.30pm, search the Old Stone Hall Facebook page and go to the Humanitix link.

Letter to the editor Town displays flags of all notions Beechworth certainly looks bright and welcoming with all the street flags flying. Not quite sure what for but it does brighten the town up. But one thing. Amongst all the flags - all the colour… not one Australian flag. Not one! Still, a welcome distraction from other features of our streetscape like: pigeon poo, dirty footpaths, out of place drinking fountain, unacceptable public toilet facilities etc. Indigo Shire Council, we deserve better. We pay for better. Geoffrey Palmer, Beechworth EDITOR’S NOTE: Flags have been erected in Camp and Ford streets as part of this weekend’s Beechworth Heritage Festival, which is not council-run.

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Drag’d Out Beechworth wins Victorian well-being award By CORAL COOKSLEY AS the Drag’d Out Beechworth Festival ramps up for its second iteration next weekend, organisers recently returned to the town from an awards presentation in Melbourne with one of Beechworth’s amazing wins. The festival took out the well-being category in this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria’s (KABV) 41st annual Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainability Awards. Drag’d Out committee treasurer Scott Daintry said he felt the award recognised Beechworth as a progressive and inclusive community. “We feel accepted and feel the community has appreciated the amount of work and effort we put in to make this festival successful for everyone of any age,” he said. With the festival’s aiming to be a celebration of the art of drag to entertain, Scott said the event led to many conversations, and an unexpected focus on wellbeing and mental health had emerged. Drag’d Out creative director Andrew Madden said Beechworth encompassed humanity, with all its vi-

ENTERTAINED: Some of the Drag’d Out performers Polly Filler (left), Philmah Bocks, Pashion Couture, committee members Kate O’Toole, Andrew Madden and Scott Daintry with performers Jemma Handful and Freddie Merkin at the recent KAVB award presentations in Melbourne. PHOTO: MJ McDermott. brancy giving people the freedom to choose how they wanted to represent themselves in the community at any time, to feel confident, not judged, and be safe. “It empowers everyone

to be able to express themselves,” he said. Scott said he had been amazed at the award night with incredibly devoted and talented people from across the state ranging

from the age of around 12 to 80. “Working in their groups and their towns to empower their communities is incredibly special,” he said. “Sometimes it’s the small-

est thing that someone is doing that makes such a huge impact.” With the award acknowledging volunteers in communities with their projects, Scott said he spent his life as

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a volunteer involved in surf lifesaving. “My family has been in the surf lifesaving movement in New South Wales since 1908 and has a huge history of volunteering,” he said. “I think that the things that you get the most joy out of is giving your time or a skill. “The Drag’d Out committee is only a small group of people, but everyone brings something different and it’s the combination of our differences that make it possible. “Everyone has a skill and you don’t know what you have to offer until you actually volunteer.” Scott said volunteering is rewarding as people take away more than they started with. “It’s the best job in the world,” he said. Scott said the presentation night opened his eyes to many other communities and their projects as well as providing an important chance to network. For information about this year’s exciting Drag’d Out Festival from November 16 to 19, visit www.dragdoutbeechworth.com.au.

Page 6 - ADVERTISER, Friday, November 10, 2023

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CAV visualise family violence toll By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN COMMUNITY organisations and members rallied in Wangaratta’s King George Gardens last Wednesday in order to help promote Wangaratta Centre Against Violence’s (CAV) 16 days of activism awareness campaign. A large group shot was taken as a part of CAV’s upcoming 16 days of activism social media campaign, where community members represented the lives lost to family violence in 2022 around Australia, which included 57 women and seven men aged 18 and over. The annual international movement begins on November 25 with community organisations locally and abroad aiming to shine a light on the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence. Wangaratta CAV chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said the local social media campaign was to help visualise to the community that family violence could be effecting anyone, not just those abroad. “Family violence impacts everybody and it’s really important for a community like ours that we recognise no one is immune from the challenge of family violence,” she said. “It’s everyone’s respon-

BINDING TOGETHER: Bernadette Edwards, Megan Earl, Rebecca Golia and Zaylee Saint-James Turner were among the 64 participants at King George Gardens last Wednesday to help promote and support CAV’s 16 days of activism campaign. PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke sibility to step up and have conversations about it but also support people who may be going through challenging times that involve family violence. “I think it’s really easy for

people to sometimes think it happens over there in someone else’s community or neighbourhood but the reality is that it impacts people right across the social spectrum and we know it

happens at really high rates here. “The worst outcome of family violence is murder and that can impact children, friends and families for generations and we can’t

turn a blind eye to it.” So far in 2023, 57 women have allegedly lost their lives due to family violence around the country according to the Australian Femicide Watch.

Rural City of Wangaratta manager of arts, culture and events, Simone Nolan was among the 64 participants representing various local community organisations at last week’s launch and she said it was important to promote awareness of genderbased violence in her community. “It’s important the community is aware of these 16 days where we remind of the violence in our community, but mostly violence against women,” she said. “It may be hard for some parts of the community to hear but it is women who mostly suffer from family violence, mostly perpetrated by men… the stats are still really high and it’s time to bring some awareness to really stamp it out. “I don’t think there’s an easy answer, it takes organisations like ourselves to tap into all parts of the community to bring forward the awareness. “There’s responsibility at our football clubs, at our schools, anyone in the community can play a mentor role to start to change what we think is being accepted as ok behaviour and it’s not.” CAV’s social media campaign will launch closer to the beginning of the 16 days of activism on November 25.

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to lower the rail track under the Murray Valley Highway bridge at Barnawartha North, paving the way in future for double-stacked freight trains to pass through the section safely. Work began on the project in November 2022 and more than 125 workers contributed to lowering the track by about 1.4m under the highway bridge. Located 18km west of Wodonga, the project required 400m of track to be dug up and five Olympic swimming pools of soil to be removed to allow double-stacked freight trains to pass underneath the bridge.

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Stay close, go further. VISIT HIGH COUNTRY

Nathan Cowan Billson’s Brewery Beechworth, High Country The best water makes the best beer. In the High Country, it originates from snow or rain. It travels underground, picks up some minerals and shines through our products. At Billson’s Brewery, we love how the area’s history, nature, and community help create our beers, cordials and spirits. They represent this beautiful region, and we are proud to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Come and experience our historical brewery in Beechworth which dates back more than 150 years.

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ADVERTISER, Friday, November 10, 2023 - Page 9

Vivienne reflects on passion for Indigo collecting Chinese artefacts Shire to

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Vivienne McWaters LOCAL resident Vivienne McWaters was born in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton and grew up in Richmond. She lived in Wangaratta before moving to Beechworth where she has lived for the last 55 years. What did you do workwise? I was a librarian at Beechworth Secondary College for 35 years before retiring. What brought you to your role/career? I started off by stepping in to help with administrative work as a staff member was on leave, then helped out in the science labs before finding my way to the library. What did you love about your work? I loved working with the kids and staff and being surrounded by books. There was never a dull moment and always an interesting day. It was a delightful environment to work in. The kids have all grown up now but when they see me in town, they recognise me and it’s such a pleasure to say hello. What do you do in the community? I’ve never had time to take up voluntary work except teach Sunday school for several years in my younger days. I was too busy undertaking research for my books on Chinese artefacts. My husband Bob and I had built a house in Beechworth and discovered the area next door had been a Chinese camp established in the gold rush. I was intrigued by Chinese history, and it went on from there. It had been a fascinating time digging and unearthing many artefacts, and a number of them are on display at the Burke Museum. My first book is titled the Little Canton followed by my second one ‘The Peculiar Strangers’ which took three decades. What do you see as an important community

By RYAN MALCOLM

INTRIGUED: Beechworth’s Vivienne McWaters had a fascinating time digging and unearthing many Chinese artefacts where she researched and authored books about them. issue that you think needs addressing? To me Beechworth is a friendly town but there’s always room for improvement to keep working on tourism strategies to attract visitors. Local businesses need as many tourists as possible as they are the lifeblood of the town. What do you see as one of the most important current world issues? The world is in turmoil. The wars in Palestine and Israel, Russia and Ukraine and problems in Africa are just shocking. 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? My dear friend Gabby Chan. Gabby has been here once before on a fleeting visit. She didn’t have time for me to show her the interesting and historical buildings which we, the local citizens, enjoy daily. Gabby is a Chinese actress who would find our Robert O’Hara Burke Museum very interesting. The people who work at Beechworth’s Information Centre would answer any questions she might have. I

would take her to Hotel Nicholas as the food is great and the decor outstanding. The walls are covered with historical photos and co-owner, Lorraine Lucas, has many an interesting story to tell. I would also take Gabby to see the Woolshed Falls, an amazing place worth the visit. What book are you reading? Nothing at the moment but have read all nine books in the Outlander novel series with the first book under Cross Stitch by American author Diana Gabaldon before rebadged as Outlander. The novels were made into an Outlander TV series.

POLICE stations throughout the Wodonga Police Service Area (PSA) will not be impacted by temporary reductions to reception counter hours. Victoria Police last week announced it would be making temporary changes to staffing during offpeak times at 43 stations in order to divert as many officers as possible to the frontline, with those previously rostered for reception shifts instead set to undertake duties such as community patrols. The changes come as a result of efforts to manage a “significant number of officer vacancies” police linked to attrition. Some 23 police stations in Victoria will reduce reception counter hours from the end of this month, with a further 20 to reduce over the coming months, however, stations in the Indigo and Wodonga local government areas will not be impacted. Wangaratta and Shepparton police service area stations are also set to be unaffected. The Police Academy is expected to graduate 48 constables every fortnight for the foreseeable future in an effort to fill vacancies across the state. Deputy Commissioner regional operations, Neil Paterson, said police would not be closing any existing stations. “Reception counter hour reductions will occur predominantly during the evening or overnight when we know they are rarely attended,” he said. “Even when reception counters are unstaffed, police continue to patrol the local community and often still work within the station. “Every Australian policing jurisdiction is currently experiencing resourcing challenges and police counter reductions are also occurring in other states. “When give the choice, police know crime is most effectively deterred and detected via highly visible patrols in the community, rather than from behind a scarcely attended reception counter. Deputy Commissioner Paterson said most people attending police stations did so to have statutory declarations signed or documents certified. “Redirecting officers towards frontline policing duties will increase the likelihood of crime being prevented, offenders being arrested, and the community remaining safe.”

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From sandbelt to sand greens for Metropolitan members By DYLAN POOL BEECHWORTH Golf Club’s club championships are set to begin on Sunday, with three rounds of competition to decide the club’s champion golfer. All three scores will count towards the championships. Hit off time is 11:30am for a 12pm tee. If you have a group and you want to play earlier, that’s fine just let Dylan know. On Thursday, October 26 we had 23 players front up for the front 9. It was a great night with former local Chris Jensen organising six members from Metropolitan Golf Club to come and play. We all mixed in together and had a great night, with the Metropolitan guys presenting the club with one of their flags from on the course. It was one of the visitors who took home the cash on the night, with Peter Goodwin winning on 20 points while Dylan Pool was runner up taking home the club voucher with 19 points (18+1). Ball winners were Jason West 18 (19-1), Ben Hartwig 18 (17+1), Steve Piddington 17 and Dave Lang 17 (16+1). Nearest the pin went to Chris Jensen on the 7th and

Ben Hartwig claimed the nearest chip on the 9th. On Thursday, November 2 we had 20 players on the front nine. The winner was Dylan Pool with 21 points and the runner up was Andy Croome with 19 (17+2). Ball winners were Willem Love 18 (19-1), Emilio Miranda 17, Jamie Dolny 27 (16+1) and John Sheehan 17 (15+2). The Beechworth Bakery voucher for the nearest the pin went to Josh Carr on the 10th and the money for the nearest chip went to Jamie Dolny on the 14th with a chip in. On Sunday, October 29 a stableford event was played. The winner with a great score of 40 points off an 18 handicap was Andy Croome. Runner up was Aaron Haw (18) with 33, followed by Zane Howard (21) 32. Rod Shaw won nearest the pin on the 5th. Last Sunday only a small field assembled as there were 10 members down at Yackandandah taking part in their tournament. The winner at Beechworth was Jamie Dolny (16) with 32 points and the runner up was Dave Lang (16) with 30. Dave Lang also won a nearest the pin on the 10th.

CLASSY COMPETITION: Chris Jensen (left) presents Stuart McIntosh with a Metropolitan Golf Club flag after a recent twilight round at Beechworth Golf Club.

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Women’s cricket booming in Beechworth ■ From back page

While the Sunday monthly matches take place, the Wanderers have entered a team in the Under 13 All Girls Cricket League, with Beechworth fielding a team alongside Benalla Bushrangers, Rovers United Bruck, and Yarrawonga Mulwala. Belci said she was floored with the incredible response from prospective players. “I can’t believe it – I knew we’d have interest, I felt we’d have 10 players and I’ve got 16 girls who’ve put their hand up to play in our under 13 comp,” she said. “I’m totally rapt, and I feel there’ll be more.” Matches will run every fortnight for the juniors, with the competition commencing on Friday, November 10, with the Wanderers taking on Benalla Bushrangers at Mayday Hills. For more information on women’s and girls’ cricket in the area, visit the Beechworth Wanderers’ Facebook page or contact Andrea Belci on 0429 917 218.

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Women’s cricket booming in Beechworth THE women’s game is on the up in Beechworth, with the Wanderers driving hard to grow participation from junior players and senior players alike. In addition to fielding a bumper side in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association’s inaugural Under 13 All Girls Cricket League competition, which commences on Friday, a monthly socialcompetitive T20 series has been organised between the Wanderers and Rutherglen United CC. Beechworth Wanderers team manager Andrea Belci said the club was driving hard to expand the game to all women. “We used to have our Open team who played in the Goulburn Murray (league) but the distance was a bit challenging with that, travelling three and a half hours to play a T20 – as much as we loved

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

it, it was a bit hard,” she said. “This Sunday in Beechworth we’ve got a game between Beechworth and Rutherglen. “It’s a T20 game, starts at 9am, and it’s for anyone who’s interested and wanting to come and play. “It’s also a bit of a social aspect as well, just getting a group of girls together to have a bit of a hit, it’ll be socialcompetitive. “I’m hoping we’ll have a Victorian player come up and do some stuff with us in the next month, but it’s a bit tricky with the WBBL.” The open age women’s match commences this Sunday from 9am at Mayday Hills in Beechworth. ■ Continued page 11

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