Ovens and Murray Advertiser 120523

Federal Government allocates additonal $600,000 to Indigo Shire Council

MORE than $600,000 in additional funding will be provided to the Indigo Shire Council by the Federal Government to help bolster local roads.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King has confirmed the funding is part of an extra $250 million to be shared by 466 of Australia’s 550 councils for road projects in rural, regional and outer-urban areas under Phase 4 of

the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

The additional funding is on top of $500 million provided to councils in the initial stage of Phase 4, of which the Indigo Shire received $1,068,549.

Indigo Shire Council chief executive officer, Trevor Ierino said the council welcomed the additional funds and acknowledged the Federal Government’s focus on

investment in rural infrastructure.

“Small shires like ours, that typically involve a smaller population base spread over a large geographical area, cannot hope to deliver on the community’s expectations for infrastructure and community facilities without the support of state and federal funding,” he said.

“We’ve heard from you the community that roads are your number one priority for capital projects.

“This extra $616,000, spent over the next two years, will be a welcome boost to that spending on much needed road improvements.”

Mr Ierino said the council will consider its draft budget for 2023/24 at this month’s council meeting which will include a proposed spending of almost $6 million in capital maintenance for roads and bridges.

■ Continued page 2

PHOTO:

Mixed reception to budget: Haines

INDEPENDENT Indi MP

Helen Haines welcomed some aspects of Labor’s first full Federal Budget including measures to make going to the doctor cheaper and lower electricity bills for those doing it tough, but said there isn’t enough action on housing or enough funding for the regions.

“The number one issue people talk to me about in Indi is housing,” Dr Haines said.

“There’s so much more this government could do to kickstart housing development in regional Australia to ensure we all have a safe, affordable roof over our heads.

“The budget includes measures to help people get into home ownership, which I support, but in many towns in Indi there are just no houses to buy.

“These measures won’t be effective without first addressing supply issues.”

The budget includes a $2

billion increase for the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation to support more social and affordable housing and measures to incentivise buildto-rent projects, but didn’t implement Dr Haines’ plan for a Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund.

“I welcome the funding increase for social and affordable housing...now the challenge for the government is to make sure this funding actually makes a difference on the ground, and fast,” Dr Haines said.

“I will be speaking to the Minister to see how projects in Indi can make the most out of this expanded funding pool.”

Dr Haines said the budget showed just how important it was for the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation to be passed so building could begin on more social and affordable housing, however, that

was held up on Wednesday afternoon in the senate when the Coalition joined the Greens in delaying a vote on the bill with the result uncertain at the time the O&M Advertiser went to press on Thursday.

She welcomed budget measures to ease cost of living pressures, such as:

• a $40 per fortnight increase for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy and other income support payments;

• a higher rate of Jobseeker payments for people aged 55 and over, who will receive an increase of $92.10 per fortnight;

• increasing the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15 per cent;

• $3.5 billion to triple the Medicare bulk billing incentive for GPs, for eligible Australians, including pensioners and children under the age of 16; and

• $3 billion in energy bill relief for eligible households and small business.

“Almost 30,000 people in Indi will benefit from the tripling of bulk-billing incentives and I welcome this commitment from the government,” Dr Haines said.

However, she said more could still be done to improve the cost of living.

“The government has said the energy bill relief will be different from state to state and it’s not clear what this means for Victorians,” Dr Haines said.

“I will be seeking more information about what this means for Indi residents.

“The $40 a fortnight increase to JobSeeker is below the increase that the Australian Council of Social Service and other sector leaders called for and will still leave thousands of people in Indi living below the poverty line.”

Regions face infrastructure delays: McKenzie

A LACK of funding for infrastructure for the regions in the 2023/24 Federal Budget has left Senator Bridget McKenzie reeling off the back of Labor’s review of $10 billion in regional programs in last October’s budget.

Ms McKenzie reported that the government has put a 90day review on up to 800 infrastructure projects, leaving each project under a cloud of doubt, some of which will be cancelled.

She said Labor will also force local communities to wait two years to access regional grant programs, with funding opportunities available in 2022 under the Coalition now delayed until well into 2024.

“Labor has pushed back critical funding needed for Indi while only targeting projects worth more than $1 million,” she said.

“It means smaller projects like sports ovals, playgrounds and libraries will be ineligible for funding in our regions.

“Ripping up or delaying investments in roads, rail,

bridges, dams and community facilities, while increasing taxes on heavy vehicles and taking away regional grants programs, is not how we build a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable Australia.”

Ms McKenzie said health access in Indi has been neglected through Labor’s failure to invest in bespoke initiatives to deal with shortages in medical professionals.

“Labor’s changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), allowing 60day dispensing instead of 30, also risks unintended consequences, such as rural medicine supply shortages and pharmacists in Indi being forced to shut down,” Senator McKenzie said.

“Indi struggles to find accessible GPs, but Labor is committing just $4.5 million over five years to train rural GPs through its Single Employer Model trials.

“Labor is throwing crumbs at increasing access to GPs for families in the North East.”

She also took aim at Labor’s misgivings with childcare,

and said Labor’s policies have failed to introduce one single new childcare place in Indi.

Senator McKenzie said while affordability was impacting families, regional, rural and remote Australia also needed availability.

“There is no improvement for regional childcare,” she said.

“Labor have failed to create one new childcare place, leaving Indi mums and dads no better off.”

Ms McKenzie said the budget will introduce a new food tax on Australian families, right in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Road fund boost

■ From page 1 Shire councils in Alpine, Rural City of Wangaratta, Mansfield, Moira, Strathbogie and Towong, together with Benalla and Wodonga councils will collectively share in an additional $5,492,943 for local road projects.

She said the new tax on farmers to pay for the biosecurity risk of international importers was senseless and would be passed onto consumers, pushing up the cost of groceries even more.

“The Labor Government is shamefully asking farmers to pay for the biosecurity costs of importers from other countries,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The Coalition proposed a cost recovery model that importers would pay commensurate to the proposed risk.

“This model was ready for implementation before the end of 2022.”

Councils will be able to access their Phase 4 funding allocations from July 2023, with projects to be delivered by June 2025.

Minister King said the extra $250m delivered on an election commitment.

“We know many councils across the country are struggling to maintain and improve their local road networks, especially following repeated flooding and other natural disasters in recent times,” she said.

Rural Councils Vic-

toria chair Cr MaryAnn Brown said the funding will help councils provide better road infrastructure for rural communities, tourists, farmers, transportation, and other businesses that provide the food and other goods needed by those living in our cities.

In addition to extra funding, Ms King said the Federal Government has also extended project construction timelines for Phases 1-3 of the program, so councils now have until June 30, 2024 to complete works for funded road and infrastructure projects.

Indigo Shire Council received funding of $4,357,029 under phases 1-3 for road and infrastructure projects, with more than $40 million shared by North East councils.

MORE REQUIRED: Indi MP Haines believes more could still be done to improve the cost of living.

NO FUNDING: Senator Bridget McKenzie reported that no new infrastructure funding programs have been announced for the regions.

Beechworth artist a finalist in prestigious Australian art prize

By STEVE KELLY

BEECHWORTH artist Therese

Shanley was a finalist in the prestigious Sir John Sulman Prize, and she relished the experience of attending the opening of this and the highly revered Archibald Prize in Sydney last Friday.

Ms Shanley has been painting since her school years and studying fine arts at university.

Her entry in the Sulman Prize was a painting of her and her daughters on the couch under crocheted blankets.

The intricate work is an oil on board piece titled ‘Under the Milky Way tonight’ and is a naive style painting with the use of patterns central to her work.

In Ms Shanley’s summary of the piece she describes the importance of embracing the simple moments in life.

“I’ve wrapped us up in our own blankets to protect and nurture us,” she said.

“I’ve always loved crocheted blankets, perhaps because of the nostalgia they hold, as well as the comfort

Walking for a healthy heart

By CORAL COOKSLEY BEECHWORTH’S Heart

Foundation group walkers waved the flag last Friday for national health awareness week from May 1 to 5 when they set off on their regular walk.

Held annually in the first week of May, an opportunity is given for Australian communities and health professionals to kick off a heart health conversation and take positive steps to reduce heart disease risk.

Long-time walker Marie Nette said she enjoyed the walk for its health benefits as

and warmth they give - or perhaps it’s just that they look so good.”

The painting itself took weeks to finish with just one quarter of a blanket taking six hours to paint and then Ms Shanley would have to go over that twice more to add shading and highlights.

“I love painting as it’s a form of meditation for me and my subject matters are the people and everything else around me,” she said.

The Sulman Prize requires entrants to submit a genre painting that is normally a composition representing some aspect or aspects of everyday life, and may feature figurative, still-life, interior or figure-inlandscape themes.

Winner of the Sulman Prize was Doris Bush Nungarrayi for her work Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming), depicting several Mamus, the ominous and malevolent spirits that terrify Aṉangu.

The Sulman Prize is one of Australia’s longest running art prizes, established in 1936, and it is held alongside the Wynne Prize, and the most famous Archibald Prize, which has artists paint well-known people.

Burglary spree under investigation

AN overnight spree of break-ins and thefts across private properties, storage facilities and a Beechworth business is still under investigation.

In the early hours of Monday morning, it was reported properties on Crawford Street and High Street business Beechworth Machinery were targeted where a motorbike, a 2014 Subaru Forester and unknown items from storage sheds were stolen.

The reported missing Subaru was found burnt near a Lavington park in the early hours of Tuesday morning as Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire at the scene.

Police later learned the vehicle had been reported missing since Saturday from Last Street.

well as the company of other walkers.

“It’s a gentle walk and you can walk as fast as you want to,” she said.

“It’s for all ages, we’re a welcoming group and anyone can join in.”

Group member Ian Smith

said walking with everyone is great for social connections.

“It’s a way of making friendships, we get on well with each other and we look forward to having a coffee afterwards too,” he said. The walking group meets every Friday morning at 9am

at the old Beechworth post office.

To join in, visit the Heart Foundation website at https:// walking.heartfoundation.org. au/ for contact details and registration, or contact BHS on (03) 5728 0200 to be pointed in the right direction.

A police spokesperson said Wodonga Criminal Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the burglaries and thefts in the Beechworth area.

“Investigators are seeking assistance from the public who may have seen or heard something overnight in the vicinity of Crawford Street between midnight and 4:00am, including anyone who may have dash cam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au,” they said.

RED BRIGADE: Beechworth’s Heart Foundation group meets

Beechworth post office to set off on their walk.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

FINALIST: Therese Shanley’s oil painting titled ‘Under the Milky Way tonight’ was a finalist in the Sir John Sulman Prize exhibition that opened in Sydney concurrently with the Archibald Prize last Friday. IMAGE: Art Gallery of NSW

Motor show attracts crowds despite the freezing weather

By CORAL COOKSLEY

CHILLY and overcast days didn’t stop more than a thousand engine lovers from around the region, across the state and interstate heading to Beechworth last weekend for the annual ‘Drive Back in Time’ event run by the town’s Old Cranks Motor Club.

In its 24th year, the event kicked off with a tractor run where eight participants braved the cold and rain on Saturday morning with their machines chugging along while 70 people and drivers of around 20 cars dodged the rain for a welcome lunch at the Old Beechworth Railway Station.

Horns honked around town as vehicle enthusiasts showed off their prized metal possessions for the 4.30pm cruise named after the late Keith Harms in the lead up to Sunday’s main event.

Around 130 vehicles purred, rumbled and revved into town over the weekend to enter the ‘Show and Shine’ on Sunday.

With vehicle numbers down on last year’s event, organisers attributed low numbers to inclement weather.

Club president David McKay said the club had been

pleased with the turnout considering the cold weather.

“There’s been a great variety of superb motor cars, other vehicles and engines,” he said.

“People who are here are the really interested.”

“And look at Beechworth in autumn with its glorious streetscapes and even on a cold day like this, the event is still a success.”

Deputy mayor Bernard Gaffney presented 16 local business sponsored trophies to entry winners in various categories for motor vehicles as well as four for stationary engines.

Trophies had been crafted by the Beechworth Men’s Shed.

“The old cranks club has always put so much time and effort into the event with local community and business support.”

The mayor said the annual event boosts the local economy with visitors staying and shopping in town.

“Indigo Shire is pleased to be an event supporter,” he said.

David said the club again ran their wonderful raffle where local businesses had been unbelievably generous.

Surprised Old Cranks Mo-

tor Club members Diane and Denis Ryan won first prize in the raffle.

Proud of his own classic car - a 1982 Audi Quatro two door turbo owned for 13 years - David said only 20 of the vehicles are owned in Australia.

“They won the World Rally Championship two or three years running in the early 80s,” he said.

Club treasurer Peter Deith said around $2500 had been raised targeted to help a local community project.

Vintage, classic cars, hot rods, old engines and motorbikes 25 years old and over had been on show.

ypp Community found its voice

How a rural community sparked a social and political movement

A BEHIND-the-scenes account of how a rural community found its own voice, elected its own independent representatives, and inspired a national movement that is transforming Australian politics.

Twelve people met for the first time at their local library in the rural and regional electorate of Indi in north-east Victoria one winter’s day in 2012, driven by a growing sense of despair about how their community was being represented.

Beginning with shared values, they formed Voices for Indi, and set about engaging everyday people.

They didn’t realise that the Indi Way - a new relationship between the community and its member of parliament - was being forged.

With the selection of Cathy McGowan as their independent candidate for the 2013 federal election, they hoped to make one of the safest Liberal seats in the nation marginal.

New arrivals

FINN Emmanuel Viverit was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, May 4 at 1.33pm and weighed 3.44kg (7lb 4oz).

He is the son of Kathryn Henderson and Hari Viverit of Beechworth.

In fact, after a highly innovative grassroots campaign, they delivered the Coalition its only loss.

In 2016, McGowan repeated her feat, and in 2019 Indi made history when Helen Haines became the first independent in the Australian parliament to succeed a retiring independent MP. Haines was returned at the 2022 election with an even higher vote, joining the largest-ever cross bench in the House of Representatives.

This is the inside story of how and why it all began, and has developed, told by many of the people closely involved.

It is a revealing account of a community using values-based, respectful processes to rewrite the political playbook.

And it shows why others - including over 40 ‘Voices for’ groups, and the Teal independents - have been inspired to do the same.

The Indi Way is available in all good bookstores.

Tackling invasive weeds and animals at the public/private interface - Webinar

LANDHOLDERS are invited to join a webinar that will discuss how a coordinated and prioritised approach can treat invasive weeds and pest animals on public land, where it adjoins private land.

Invasive weeds and animals have a significant impact on Victoria’s natural environment.

SHARED

The Good Neighbour Program is run by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Parks Victoria (PV).

Each year over 200 Good Neighbour projects are delivered across Victoria targeting Gorse, Rabbit, Blackberry, Fox, Serrated Tussock, Prickly Pear, and many other

species along the public / private boundary.

Mel Birleson - Good Neighbour Project Officer, DEECA, will present on how the Good Neighbour Program complements your weed and pest control efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species, protect your property, and sustain our natural environmental assets.

Andrew Griffiths - natural resources co-ordinator from Wodonga Council will outline the importance of determining land tenure, the weeds and pests of concern to Wodonga Council, how to contact your council and what assistance may be available for pest and weed control on council land to

complement work on your property and maintain natural assets.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 16, from 7 - 8 pm. Register at https://www.trybooking.com/CHVNU by Monday, May 15.

For further information contact Gervaise Gaunt 0409 027 115 or email healthyhectaresne@wodongalandcare.org.au.

The Healthy Hectares project is supported by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network, Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups, Mid-Ovens Landcare Consortium, and Ovens Landcare networks, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

• Finn Emmanuel Viverit

Art exhibition a huge success

By CORAL COOKSLEY

FOR local artist Marie Salinger Beechworth Arts Council’s (BAC) recent exhibition ‘ART in Autumn’ provided a fantastic opportunity for people to see a variety of artistic works as well as artists’ capabilities.

The exhibition officially opened by Independent Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines ran from Thursday, May 4 to Sunday, May 7 in the Beechworth Town Hall.

“It opened my eyes to the amazing community that we have here in the region for the breadth of artistic skill and passion in this region,” Marie said.

“It was so exciting to have the chance to show your own work and also see what everyone else is doing.”

Marie said former director of the Wangaratta Art Gallery

Dianne Mangan did a brilliant job in curating the exhibition to showcase work in the best possible way.

“To be able to listen to Helen Haines speak about our work and see the committee who put so much work into the project, and then chat with the other artists was fantastic too,” she said.

Marie said her work celebrated nature where she loves to work with vibrant colour.

Working with mandalas

but not exclusively, Marie said she enjoyed working within the circles and for this exhibition painted autumn leaves into a mandala shape.

BAC president Daren John Pope said the Arts Council is the longest running arts organisation in the shire, which was created in the early 70s by a group of passionate individuals who wanted to support local artists.

He said since those early years BAC has been at the centre of arts, craft, numerous events, and other artistic endeavours for close to five decades.

“BAC is a major contributor to the creative and community life of Beechworth and Indigo,” he said.

Among highlights mentioned had been the Town Hall’s tapestry completed in 1988 as a BAC community project for the Bicentennial celebrations.

Dr Haines said the event celebrated the art of an extraordinary community.

“What a catalogue of artistic endeavour in this community that enriches us in so many ways,” she said.

“There is such a depth of talent, commitment, love and appreciation of the arts that draws other people to the town.”

She said the tapestry in the town hall is a graphical representation of the nation’s histo-

ry and was the work of many hands and many minds.

Daren said new artwork shown in the more than 100-year-old Town Hall with the tapestry backdrop had been a perfect mix.

With more than 50 artworks displayed from 35 artists from Beechworth and around the Indigo region, he said the committee had been thrilled with the response.

An estimated 80 art lovers including artists with works on show attended the opening night last Thursday.

Daren said BAC now plans to run an autumn art show annually.

EXCITED: Beechworth artists at last week’s opening Marie Salinger (left), Ella Versteege and Matt Kinsey had the chance to exhibit their works at ‘ART in Autumn’ exhibition in the Beechworth Town Hall.

THRILLED: BAC president Daren John Pope (left) with BAC committee members Heather Sparks and Chris Dormer with Federal MP Dr Helen Haines and committee members Judy Hawking Burnett and Ali Rowe at last Thursday’s ‘ART in Autumn’ exhibition opening at the Beechworth Town Hall. PHOTOS: Coral Cooksley

Singing for dimentia research

By CORAL COOKSLEY

INCREDIBLE harmonies

resounded around the Beechworth Servicemen’s Memorial Hall on Saturday when 65 people from around the region joined together for a fun day of singing to raise funds for dementia research.

Beechworth’s Libby Day, Leonie Brien and Colleen Powell led the group for the event under the badge of ‘Molly’s Song’.

Libby had lost her mother Molly aged 85 from the condition after being diagnosed in her mid-seventies and has been helping to raise vital funds for dementia research ever since.

Libby said just shy of

$4000 had been raised from donations via the Dementia Australia fundraising page as well as ticket sales for Saturday’s event.

An inclusive day for a great cause, she said people from around the region had joined in from all music backgrounds.

“Everyone loved the harmony,” she said.

Beechworth Carer Support Group co-convenor Penny Bingham from Rutherglen said important messages had been given on the day about the benefits of music and singing using all areas of the brain.

“Maintaining social networks had been a crucial message too,” she said.

Libby said the power of music with singing and dancing is amazing and is great for all ages.

“Dementia robs people of those skills,” she said.

Popular gospel choir song ‘Oh Happy Day’ by Edwin

Hawkins (1943-2018) had been among several songs people enjoyed singing.

Libby said statistics indicated dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia.

“It is the leading cause of death for women in Aus-

tralia where there is an increasing number of onsets in younger people as well,’ she said.

Dementia Australia’s estimate for 2023 is more than 400,000 Australians will be living with dementia with

the number to more than double by 2058 if a medical breakthrough is not found.

The organisation also estimated for this year there are more than 28,650 people with younger onset dementia, expected to rise to more than 42,400 people by 2058 with people in their 30s, 40s and 50s included.

It is also estimated that more than 1.5 million people across the nation are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.

Libby said she hoped ‘Molly’s Song’ will be an annual event with funds raised to help find a cure.

Beechworth Red Cross members catered for a delicious lunch.

Christ Church brings unique sounds of Antelodic to town

MUSIC lovers have the chance to hear Melbournebased contemporary chamber jazz ensemble Antelodic at the next Christ Church concert to be held on May 21.

The concert is part of an exciting annual series held around every two months throughout the year.

Formed in 2012, the instrumental chamber jazz trio Antelodic is led by guitarist and composer Robbie Melville with saxophonists Angela Davis and Gideon Brazil.

The creative trio with its

unique sound will present Iceland! Iceland! - a gentle optimistic, lyrical and engaging program for a trio of guitar and tenor and alto saxophones.

Offered the Principal Guitar Chair in the Australian Pops Orchestra when a teenager in 2005, Robbie appeared at Hamer Hall and the Sydney Opera House with artists such as James Morrison, Marina Prior, and Guy Sebastian. He has received several awards among a huge list of impressive achievements since then.

Concert convenor Dr Kate Sutherland said the trio’s elegant and wistful music should be of interest to both classical and jazz music lovers.

With increasing popularity of the concerts, Kate said she is now being approached by musicians to perform in the series.

“It’s fantastic as professional musicians have been talking about the venue,” she said.

Concerts planned for later in the year include Albury’s James Flores where he will play Christ Church’s historic pipe organ installed in 1887 while Peter

Hagen will return to play the baby grand piano together with Sam Goble on cello.

The Queen’s College chapel choir, one of the University of Melbourne’s residential colleges will also delight audiences later in the year with its director and baritone, Beechworth’s John Weretka, also set to perform.

For more information and online bookings, visit Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/iceland-iceland-tickets-618366750597 or phone 5728 1893.

HAPPY HARMONIES: People tuned in on Saturday to sing in harmony led by Libby Day (left), Leonie Brien and Colleen Powell to help raise vital funds for dementia research.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

GREAT SOUNDS: Antelodic guitarist and composer Robbie Melville (left) with saxophonists Angela Davis and Gideon Brazil will perform on May 21 at Christ Church in Beechworth.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Name a particular type of hedge (6)

8 Which portable shade is used for protection from rain, etc (8)

9 Name a downhill skiing obstacle race (6)

10 Which horse won the 1958 Melbourne Cup (8)

11 What is the cavity marking the orifice of a volcano (6)

13 What are passages taken out of a book, or the like (8)

16 When a school disbands, it does what (6,2)

19 In Scandinavian folklore, which supernatural beings inhabit caves, or the like (6)

22 Name the small bits of coloured paper thrown at weddings (8)

24 Who was a renowned US markswoman, Annie ... (6)

25 Which person repairs overhead wires (8)

26 Name the warmest season of the year (6)

DOWN

2 Name another term for a sovereign (5)

3 Name the open country, thinly forested, characteristic of parts of southern Africa (5)

4 Which carts were used during the French Revolution to convey victims to the guillotine (8)

5 To comply with a command, is to do what (4)

6 What is a wise and trusted counsellor (6)

7 Which solid body revolves around the sun (6)

12 Which term describes a poker stake (4)

14 What are headings or titles of chapters, articles or pages (8)

15 Which river flows through Tamworth (4)

E-QUATIONS

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

SUDOKU

17 What, colloquially, is a raw recruit called (6)

18 Which early king was known as “the Great” (6)

20 Which loose fibre is obtained by untwisting and picking apart old ropes (5)

21 Name a lord entitled to allegiance and service (5)

23 What is a grave or mausoleum (4)

QUICK THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

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

WHICH WORDS

BIYWORD

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

CLUES:

Cabin (3)

Delirium tremens (3)

Dog (coll) (5)

Friend (3)

Greek letter (3)

Indirect effects (7)

Medicine: deny contact (7)

Past tense: lean (5)

Religion: sacred paintings (5) Used a pole (5)

SOLUTIONS

MAYHEM: A tricky situation for patient

Doug

Friday, May 12

BEECHWORTH THEATRE COMPANY. Performance of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’. 7.30pm. Tickets $30 from stickytickets.com.au

Saturday, May 13

CWA: Mothers’ Day stall. 9am to 1pm. Beechworth Kiosk. Cnr Ford and Camp Streets. Raffle drawn on the day.

BEECHWORTH THEATRE COMPANY. Performance of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’. 7.30pm. Tickets $30 from stickytickets.com.au

Monday, May 15

U3A: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation. This course will touch on origins of mindfulness meditation but focus on practical skills to help us be less reactive to stress, live with more self-acceptance and find joy in everyday life. Geoff as course tutor brings over 20 years’ experience in practicing and teaching mindfulness. Old Beechworth Railway Station. Bookings essential. Non-members contact courses.indigo.u3a@gmail.com.

Visit website at www.indigou3a.org.au to check out other Indigo U3A activities.

Friday, May 19

BEECHWORTH THEATRE COMPANY. Performance of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’. 7.30pm. Tickets $30 from stickytickets.com.au

Saturday, May 20

BEECHWORTH THEATRE COMPANY. Performance of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’. 7.30pm. Tickets $30 from stickytickets.com.au

Sunday, May 21

BEECHWORTH THEATRE COMPANY. Performance of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’ 2pm. Tickets $30 from stickytickets.com.au

Wednesday, May 24

QUERCUS BEECHWORTH INC.: Annual General Meeting. 5.30pm. All members of the community are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the meeting. Quercus Oregon Hall, Ford Street, Beechworth.

Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27

YACKANDANDAH THEATRE COMPANY presents ‘Imperfect’ - 10 monologues. 2pm Saturday. 7.30pm Friday and Saturday. Public Hall. Tickets: Trybooking.com.

IF you have an event you’d like added to this calendar, please email edit.omadvertiser@nemedia.com.au

Celebrating our inclusivity

A love of art

HEATHER Sparks was born in Sydney and moved to Beechworth in 1975 with her husband Max and opened and ran the Settlers Art Store until they sold the business 22 years later. The couple with their son shifted to Wodonga where they lived for two decades before returning to Beechworth.

What did you do workwise and what do you do now?

I trained to be an art teacher in the late sixties and took up a post at The Scots School Albury after being a department head of a secondary school in Wollongong. I have also worked in several schools in the local district including a year at Beechworth Secondary College.

As an artist, I have painted many old houses, the town, the Gorge, and Beechworth’s landscape using various media - whatever suits the image. I am going to exhibit some of my work this year with a very mixed collection from my life here and from travels overseas.

What brought you to your teaching career?

I had been inspired by a great art teacher when studying at high school. A scholarship back in those days worth $21.10 a fortnight to help with studies at teachers’ college, had been a great drawcard too.

What did you love about your work?

I liked working with secondary students and helping them to bring their creative ideas to fruition.

What do you do in the community?

I re-joined the Beechworth Arts Council (BAC) now that we have returned to live here after a 20-year break due to work commitments. We’re all volunteers at BAC, and volunteering is great for everyone. I find it’s a rewarding way to give back to the community as well as being with like-minded people. BAC held a successful four-day art exhibition last week between May 4 and May 7 in the historic Beechworth Town Hall with entries from Beechworth artists and those around the region. BAC is keen to harness all that creative energy.

Heather Sparks, Beechworth

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

In 1988 the BAC unveiled the tapestry in the Town Hall. The tapestry had been a community project auspiced by BAC in 1983 and finished in 1988 for Australia’s bicentennial celebrations. Now 35 years later its condition is worthy of more care. It is a valuable asset owned by the community and both the tapestry and the hall are desperately in need of ‘TLC’. Preservation of the Town Hall would lead to financial gain as the hall would be available for many more functions.

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

Climate change.

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 like that person to be interested in Australian history, and have chosen Sydney Morning Herald journalist Peter FitzSimons AM. He is the author of several historically based books, including “Ned Kelly: The Story of Australia’s Most Notorious Legend.” I would show him the incredible granite buildings around town, the historic Town Hall, the Burke Museum, see him enjoy the food and wine of the North East, and of course fit in a bit of rugby at a local game. The intact architecture and the history of the town are the most important things Beechworth has to offer tourists in the long term.

What book are you reading?

‘The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Along with Difficult People’ by American writer Brandon Toropov.

REWARDING: Beechworth artist Heather Sparks will be holding an exhibition of her work this year and enjoys being a Beechworth Arts Council member.

(played by Joe Moran) as he is placed in a stranglehold by another patient Cherry (played by Lyndal Perry) in BTC’s production of Cosi which opens tonight. Details in Whats On.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Quercus Beechworth Inc.

Notice of Annual General Meeting for 2022

Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 5.30pm

The AGM for the 2022 financial year for Quercus Beechworth Inc. will be held at the Quercus Hall, Ford Street, Beechworth. All members of the Community are invited to attend the AGM. Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the meeting.

Agenda

1. Review and approval of minutes from the 2021 AGM

2. Review and approval of minutes from the SGM held on 22 February 2023

3. Chairperson’s address

4. Presentation of financial statements and Annual Report

5. Election of directors

6. Confirm the amount of the annual subscription for membership

7. Information about attending the AGM Who can attend?

All financial members of Quercus Beechworth Inc. can attend the meeting. All members of the community may attend the AGM.

Who can vote on agenda items?

Only financial members of Quercus Beechworth Inc. can vote on agenda items, including electing any new directors. All attendees can ask questions at the meeting. If you would like to become a financial member you can access the member application form from the Quercus Beechworth website.

Who can stand for election to the board of management?

Only financial members are eligible for nomination and election to the board. If you wish to nominate for a position on the board please ensure that you have applied for membership first and then complete the nomination form for election to the board. Nominations for board positions must be lodged at the Quercus Beechworth offices before 17 May 2023.

Where can I access the annual report and financial statements?

Copies of the Annual Report and audited financial statements will be available at the AGM.

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John & Christine Haddrick

Matthew competes against nation’s best

By CORAL COOKSLEY

A PASSION for swimming with a competitive edge has seen a local teenager placed in the top 100 at the Australian age championships recently held at the Gold Coast.

Beechworth’s Matthew Mace competed against the best swimmers in his age group from around the nation to gain a qualifying time in the boy’s 14-year-old 50 metre freestyle held on Easter Monday.

“It’s a pretty tough and tight competition with around two or three seconds separating the first and last in the race,” he said.

“It was extremely exciting to get to this level in three years, and going to the Gold Coast to be in the championships has been a great experience.”

Matthew also scooped a gold medal winning first place in the Victorian all country junior 14-year-old 50 metre freestyle held at the Melbourne sports and Aquatic Centre in March.

The 14-year-old said his keen swimming interest sparked when he started Year 7 at Wangaratta Cathedral College where he entered school swimming competitions.

With a classmate in the swimming club Wangaratta Stingrays, the young swimmer joined too where he continues to train.

“I became really competitive and started training hard with my coach Gary Bowman,” Matthew said.

Matthew said he trained around four times a week for roughly an hour and a half with days varied with either a 6am morning or an afternoon start after school.

Matthew hopes to compete in more competitions and be able to get higher places.

“I did well in freestyle but would also like to balance it out with three other stokes - butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke,” he said.

“At the nationals I only got into one stroke, but I’d love to be able to do all four.”

Matthew said he aims to get to the Nationals again next year as a more rounded swimmer with all four stokes.

Heartbreak for section one side

By DYLAN POOL

COMMISERATIONS to our handicap section one side who went down last Sunday 3&2 to Thurgoona at Mansfield in the final.

His mum Michelle said Matthew has always had an affinity with water.

“It’s his happy place,” she said.

Excited coach Gary Bowman said Matthew had been fast enough to get into the national championships where he raced against competitors who trained double the time at around eight times a week.

“We’ve discovered he has some serious talent,” he said.

Gary said Matthew has the dedication and passion to pursue his swimming ambitions.

“We know he has potential, and have tapped into his swimming capacity and will be training Matthew for next year’s nationals with a plan.”

It came down to the last match on the last hole.

At number 4 and 5 Dean Howard and Dave Lang went down 4&3.

Jacob Howard had a bit of a hiccup at number 3 on the back nine but won two up.

At number two Dylan Pool won 2&1.

Unfortunately Darren Edwards’ opponent, with a shot on the last hole, hit it to two feet out of the bunker to win the last hole and won one up.

Well done to Thurgoona

who were undefeated all season.

Thanks to all our guys who played this season and got us into the final.

Also last but not least, well done to Darren Edwards who won the player of the year for section one.

He went undefeated during the season proper, along with two Thurgoona players, but his individual match points were enough to win on a countback.

This coming Sunday we will be holding the May Monthly Medal.

Arrive at 11:30am for 12 noon hit off.

It would be good to see as many members and visitors turning up on Sundays now that Pennant has finished.

Amarok

SO CLOSE: Beechworth Golf Club’s pennant one side Dean Howard, Dave Lang, Jacob Howard, Darren Edwards and Dylan Pool pushed the undefeated Thurgoona to the brink on Sunday but fell just short, going down 3&2 in the final at Mansfield.

GREAT EXPERIENCE: An excited Matthew Mace at the Australian age championships held on the Gold Coast last month, where he placed in the top 100

Battle of the unbeaten

THE Beechworth and Yackandandah cross-town rivalry is set to be in full swing tomorrow afternoon as the Tallangatta Football League heavyweights meet. Neither team is yet to record a loss five games into the season, with Yackandandah having to settle for a last minute draw against Chiltern in round 2 as their only blemish.

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

The Bushrangers cruised to a mammoth win in Wahgunyah last weekend, defeating the Lions by 268 points.

It was goals galore for the

Bushies’ who had 14 different goal scorers including Lachlan Armstrong (10) and Jai Middleton (9) leading the way.

Co-coach Brayden Carey said it was impressive to see multiple players step up from the reserves and play their roles in the senior side in the weekend.

“A couple of blokes who have really stood out and

played well were Connor Thornton and Kane Scott, we’re looking forward to see how they progress during the year,” he said.

“We’ve got some depth now, it’s something we probably lacked last year, and we’ve definitely got plenty of bikes performing well in the twos who can step up at any given time.”

The Roos are an improved

unit on last year’s team who beat the Bushies’ by 12 points in their last meeting, boasting new recruits in the likes of Lee Dale and, returning from injury last season, Josh Garland.

Carey said he was very confident his team could rise up to the challenge, as there will be some hard decisions made at the selection table this week, with

up to 10 inclusions expected to return to the senior side from last week’s win.

“Yack at Yack is very tough, it always has been wherever they are on the ladder,” he said.

“The midfield battle and getting first use for our forwards will be key; we’re looking forward to the challenge with a few bodies to come back in.”