ON THE CLOCK
A delighted Russell and Judy Hunt from Chiltern had a battery clock ticking again with a part popped in at the repair café.
Story page 6
Music and family fun
By CORAL COOKSLEY
WOOD chips are set to y when North East and Border Axemen’s Association showcases some of its members skills in a demonstration to be run at next month’s Spring Ditch in the Stanley Recreation Reserve.
Beechworth Music Festival’s (BMF) diverse and gender inclusive event in its fourth year has an action-packed family fun day on Saturday, March 1 with something for everyone. From apple and spoon races, face painting and sack races for the kids to the Golden Boot toss, highland
games, a fun run, cricket, a spinning wheel and everything in between.
Music is set to pump with a di erence when headline act Afrobiotics, a six-member band from Melbourne, hits the stage with its undulating and interwoven rhythms and ery energy. Spring Ditch co-founder Lex
Fletcher said the band will bring a cool summer vibe to the a ernoon for all families and friends at the event.
“The musicians are in uenced by African and singles music, so it’s a real rhythmic cacophony with amazing summer sounds,” he said.
■ Continued page 8
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Students to showcase pedal innovation for Off-Grid Living
By CORAL COOKSLEY
BICYCLES lit up with LED lights for sustainable safety on the road at night will be an innovative project on the horizon in the O -Grid Living Festival’s pedal-powered invention competition for high school students at its April event in Chiltern.
Pedal power – o en referred to as a bike generator – is a form of energy generation where human e ort is converted into electricity or mechanical power.
Beechworth Secondary College (BSC) year 10 student Lilly Dobson, along with a small team of classmates, came up with the idea with a little help from technology teacher Martin Hendriks.
Project ideas have been tossed around in brainstorming sessions among a combined class of 22 year 9 and 10 design and technology engineering students from the festival’s challenge wrapped around creativity and sustainability.
“It’s just cool to see what ideas everyone comes up with to be sustainable and just creating things,“ Lilly said.
Mr Hendriks said recycled bikes are being used too.
Another inventive project
for projects.
idea in the making by a student team is a 12-volt fridge on the back of a bike with pedalling to keep the fridge running while yet another by students is a pedal-powered winch to be used for rides on Lake Sambell.
The LED light, winch and fridge projects are among two others in the design stage with six key elements of a de-
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YOUR OVENS AND MURRAY TEAM
sign process for years 7 to 10 overall from start to nish stretching from identifying the challenge to research and generating the design.
Others include a rede ne of ideas, creating the nal design and producing the product with product evaluation at the end.
Mr Hendriks said around two projects from ve will be
selected for the competition.
The O -Grid Living Festival’s challenge given to students has been to design and build pedal-powered machines showing incredible potential of human energy. Its mission for students is to blend ingenuity with eco-friendly principles with skills and innovative thinking showcased.
Students have been given the chance to explore green technology and its impact on the future too.
Mr Hendriks said it’s good to educate a younger group to think about sustainable products and how energy is used.
“It helps the environment and future generations,” he said.
“Any little bit that we can do to encourage our younger generation to think about a change in the way we use energy and to prevent pollution in our environment is a plus.”
BSC principal Patricia Broom said the competition is a good challenge for students while also supporting a local event.
“It’s a really good way of applying skills they learn in woodwork and engineering and systems at school,” she said.
“They’re excited about doing the challenge as well.
“Students love the opportunity to use their skills and work out real world challenges, and it’s good for the planet.
Festival coordinator Arabella Watson said young people are the way of the future.
“They’re the ones with all the ideas and watching them turn raw pedal power into practical solutions is truly inspiring,” she said.
The O -Grid Living Festival will be held on April 12 and 13 at Chiltern.
For more information about the festival and the pedal-power challenge or to enter your school in the competition visit www.o gridevent.com.au/pedal-power.
Beechworth Arts Council to hold 50year celebration with project invite
By CORAL COOKSLEY
FIFTY fabulous years of arts and creativity is being celebrated this year by Beechworth Arts Council (BAC) with a photographic exhibition ‘Unveiled Portraits of Creative Beechworth’.
People are invited to celebrate BAC’s 50th anniversary by taking part in the photographic project – a snapshot of artists and artisans who live in Beechworth with images taken by a professional photographer.
Part of the Beechworth Family Album series, the album started in 1984 with the project held every decade since then, but could not be held last year.
BAC president Darren Pope said anyone can submit a photo of making a creative work or participating in an arts or arts related activity.
“These community photos will go onto an online gallery launched in June running for the rest of the year,” he said.
“The photos will also be on a loop on a monitor in the June exhibition planned for the town hall with professional photographs framed for the showcase.”
Among projects undertaken by the arts council since it began includes a major project of the tapestry in the town hall started in 1984 for the 1988 centenary and establishing the rst cra markets in the town hall gardens in the early 80s running 10 years.
Mr Pope said Beechworth Arts Council was the first group to establish studios up
at the old Mayday Hills site.
“We have established countless numbers of workshops and exhibitions and have a really good story to tell,” he said.
“The arts council is one of the oldest art organisations across Indigo Shire and ‘Unveiled’ is a celebration of artists and creativity across the board.”
Mr Pope said community photographers would be taking photographs of groups for example the theatre group, life drawing classes, the Biennale team and musicians playing at pubs.
Images will be taken by a professional photographer working
with participants to take the best shot early in March and April.
The “Unveiled’ exhibition is a showcase of photography portraits and there will be an exhibition by visual artists running at the same time for members.
Mr Pope said people don’t have to be a member to participate in ‘Unveiled’ but there is a fee of $20 and for BAC members it costs $10.
“All photographs taken for this project get archived at the Burke Museum with the other family albums and is a social record as well,” he said.
“It’s exciting and we’ve had a
big response already.”
Best images will be selected by an independent panel for the June exhibition.
BAC is a non-for-pro t community arts organisation with the of goal of building opportunities for local artists and artisans as well as fostering creative arts across Indigo Shire.
The project is supported by Indigo Shire Council with a community grant.
For more information and to participate with an entry deadline of March 16 visit www. beechworthartscouncil@gmail. com
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
INNOVATORS: BSC year 9 students Jacob Wood (le ) and Taylor Thomson with technology teacher Martin Hendriks and year 10 student Lilly Dobson toss around design ideas
New CEO guiding health service
By CORAL COOKSLEY
BEECHWORTH Health Service is set to keep forging ahead under the guidance of a new chief executive o cer who took up the post last month.
Sharon Walsh brings a wealth of experience working in the hospital and health sector both in Australia and overseas and has a strong background in operational management, strategic planning, and leadership.
The new CEO said her background in nursing led to working in health.
“A er a period of time of working in quality and when I moved away from clinical, I got back into management, and undertook my master’s degree in health service management,” she said.
In Australia Ms Walsh has worked in the public and private health sectors.
“I spent 17 years in Melbourne where I worked at Royal Melbourne Hospital and at Austin Health, and then I had an opportunity to be chief operations o cer at Mackay Hospital and Health Services, and was there for a couple of years,” she said.
A further move followed for Ms Walsh as CEO of Nowra Private Hospital - part of Ramsey group – before a shi back to Victoria.
Ms Walsh has a passion for working in rural and regional areas.
“When you’re working in a health service in a rural community, your sta are the people that also use the service and you are part of the largest provider of employment in a town,” she said.
“It allows you to be part of that community as well, and it’s that sense of belonging and I love that sense of community.”
Victorian health system reforms are set to be delivered across the state with health services becoming part of geographically de ned local health service networks.
Ms Walsh said she will be exploring what that will look like.
“It’s also how we as a small rural hospital retain our identity when we’re in a group with bigger hospitals that o er more services and make sure that community needs
Rutherglen lashed in storms
By CORAL COOKSLEY
WITH severe storms lashing the North East last Friday and over the weekend Rutherglen copped a ogging on Friday night.
Rutherglen SES
controller Darren Trevaskis said a number of big trees came down as well six buildings sustained damage.
“Andrew Buller Wines was the worst hit,” he said.
Rutherglen High School had window damage with some minor ooding of classrooms too as well as uprooted trees in the school grounds uprooted too.
The SES controller said
there had been 32 callouts for assistance with locals from the community helping too while council did a great job in helping to clean up.
He said the main aim for SES is to give assistance and make sites safe.
“SES units from Chiltern, Yarrawonga and Wangaratta assisted as well,” he said.
are still heard,” she said.
Ms Walsh working with the BHS Board will also be working towards improved provision of better and earlier intervention for people’s chronic disease diagnosis and management – a disadvantaged area in rural health.
“There’s such a distance to travel to get to specialist care with delays in diagnosis, and it’s about how do we bridge that gap for quick diagnosis and early treatment,” she said.
“I’m also passionate around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and looking at health equity.”
Ms Walsh said she looked forward to working with BHS sta , the local GP practice, pharmacy, and the shire mayor about community infrastructure and needs.
“It’s about building the relationships and being able to collaborate together,” she said.
“Relationships with GPs are pivotal, and they provide a fantastic service for us.”
On the agenda too is community engagement with aged care to prevent separation from the community.
Ms Walsh said opportunities included community kitchens, partnering with kindergartens, and having residents’ life experiences recorded for a ‘human library’.
The CEO said growth of urgent care will also be explored to take some pressure o local hospitals.
Ms Walsh also said her clinical experience background is valuable with understanding limitations, challenges, and priorities with a passion for delivering high-quality, cost-e ective patient care and safety outcomes.
THOUGH it was initiated in the United States, Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is marked each year on February 17, is growing in popularity in Australia.
The day is celebrated by individuals, groups and organisations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness, which not only bring joy to the receiver, but create positive feelings for the giver; those initiating the acts are known as ‘RAKtivists’.
Ways of participating in Random Acts of Kindness Day include:
• buying co ee for the person behind you in line;
• surprising a neighbour or friend with freshly-baked treats;
• setting an alarm on your phone to go o at three di erent times during the day, and in those moments, do something kind for someone else;
• sending a gratitude email to a co-worker who deserves more recognition;
• nding opportunities to give compliments - it costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s day;
• running an errand for a family member who is busy;
• putting your phone away while in the company of others;
• emailing or writing to a former teacher who made a di erence in your life;
• when you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself something positive — you deserve kindness too.
CRUSHED: A number of trees fell around Rutherglen with severe roof damage to one house from strong winds last Friday. PHOTOS: SES Rutherglen
NEW GUIDANCE: Beechworth Health Service’s chief executive o icer Sharon Walsh brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Harry Thomas adopts a health first approach
Harry Thomas
HARRY Thomas was born and raised in Canberra, lived for many years in Melbourne and with his wife Pamela moved to Beechworth 15 years ago.
What do you do workwise?
I work in several health-related roles.
For over a decade I have been a board director of Beechworth Health Service and board chair for six years.
I am a director/treasurer at Omeo District Health and cochair of the steering group for the Statewide Consumer-led Research Program, a cancer research body involving people with a lived experience of cancer – consumers – and sta from ve cancer control organisations.
I also sit on the steering committees of four other medical research programs.
What brought you to your role/ career?
I enrolled and was accepted into NSW Police Academy but had to be 18 years old to start.
I found a ll-in job with the Department of Defence as a trainee systems programmer.
There were only a few computers in Australia at the time.
A er a full career in IT, technical, sales and marketing then senior executive roles, I decided to give back to the community.
What do you love about your work?
I became involved in a project in Omaha Nebraska to build a “nondestructible” building to house banking computers and cash collection.
But it is the thrill I get from seeing health care providing its workforce with the satisfaction of giving great outcomes to people, their families and friends.
What do you do in the community?
I am the current president of Beechworth Rotary where we share the ideals of service,
HEALTH FOCUSED: Beechworth’s Harry Thomas gets a thrill from seeing health care providing its workforce with the satisfaction of giving great outcomes to people, their families and friends.
friendship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
I am a strong advocate for the Rotary Youth Exchange where youngsters learn responsibility, not just international experience from rotary.
Shire to study health related professions and come back to practice in their hometowns.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
To be able to provide better allied health care in the shire’s towns, rather than having to spend the best part of a day traveling to receive a 10-minute treatment.
Di culty in getting to a GP appointment is worrying for a lot of older residents.
What would you do to solve change or improve that situation?
Encourage the youth of Indigo
A wonderful example of this is the La Trobe University course to develop the critical skills needed to excel in nursing, midwifery, and community care.
Having a competitive medical practice may help the GP shortage.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
Democracy is under attack by populist leaders and groups that reject pluralism and demand unchecked power to advance their own interests and that of their supporters.
If the person you would most like to meet or knew, came to Indigo Shire or was already here,
who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
I would have liked to have shown my mum the beautiful countryside we live in.
She enjoyed singing and playing piano at aged care facilities, so it would have been great to share some of my work with her.
What book are you reading?
It is a long time since I read a novel.
Most of my reading is papers required prior to board and subcommittee meetings.
O en hundreds of pages for each meeting.
Currently I am absorbed in specialist manuals to assist in the restoration of several classic Jaguar cars.
Very therapeutic!
Saturday February 22
CHILTERN LIONS CLUB – FLICS (Film
Lions International Chiltern Society): Classic Australian movies at Chiltern’s Star Theatre. First film night for the year.
“Rams” PG 2020 Comedy/Drama. Sam Neill, Michael Caton, Asher Keddie, Travis McMahon, Wayne Blair.
In remote Western Australia, two estranged brothers and sheep farmers Colin (Sam Neill) and Les (Michael Caton) have been at war with each other for more than 40 years.
Filmed in Mt Barker, in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
TEARS OF LAUGHTER: Gagik the Clown (Gagik Avetisyan) to feature in the Great Moscow Circus’ Wodonga shows this week.
By GRACE FREDSBERG
THE Great Moscow Circus is back from their seven year hiatus in the Albury/Wodonga region and more “extreme” than ever.
On Wednesday, you can catch “Australia’s favourite” circus at Gateway Lakes, Wodonga for their 7pm show.
They are also running ve other Wodonga shows this week until Sunday, February 16.
The show opened last Friday, making this their nal week in Wodonga.
Circus promoter Mark Edgley said there are new additions to the show which the community will adore, as well as some crowd favourites that are making a return, including daredevil motorcycle cage riders in the Globe of Death and the Extreme Wheel of Death.
“We have the scooter and the BMX riders in the ramps, which is absolutely amazing,” he said.
“They’re probably one of the highlights of the show.”
The hilarious clown Gagik will leave audiences howling with laughter, and incredible aerial and trapeze performances will leave them awestruck.
Mr Edgley said they will be introducing a local act from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus in Albury and a three-person teeterboard act.
With tickets in high demand, head on over to greatmoscowcircus.com.au to ensure you don’t miss out on this electrifying opportunity.
Cost: $35 - includes BBQ tea, film, discussion and supper of scones with jam and cream as well as FLICS memberships. Bookings and pre-payment essential by Wednesday, February 19 for catering.
Bookings: Lois Hotson: hotson@ westnet.com.au / ph 0457 262358; chilternlionstreasurer@gmail.com or in person at the Chiltern Post Office.
Direct debit: BSB 803070 Acct no. 100020201 Lions Club of Chiltern Inc. Activities Account. Please include your surname in the reference line.
IF you have an event you’d like added to this calendar, please email edit.omadvertiser@nemedia.com.au
Chance for local schools to win sustainability awards
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A LOCAL primary school has kicked o the New Year pursuing its ongoing sustainability programs started more than a decade ago.
Wooragee Primary School has received numerous awards for its sustainability and environmental education programs.
The education provider joined Sustainability Victoria’s SmartSchools program in 2020 to showcase its achievements becoming a ve-star school.
Business manager Bec Davis involved in the school’s sustainability initiatives since 2012 said the five-star rating incorporated sustainability actions already embedded in the school’s program.
Among many projects have included the Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden with students growing, harvesting and cooking meals, chicken coops, garden beds, a frog bog, nature reserve. aquaponics, composting, worm farms, bee hotels and eco brick making.
Ms Davis said the location of the school has played a key role.
“We’re set amongst farmland, and it’s a sustainable environment,” she said.
School principal Angela Gray said the school’s mission and value statement is wrapped around sustainability and being environmentally friendly.
Among sustainability projects planned this year is more work on frog bog to start at Easter with a $1700 Landcare grant.
Another is solar panels to be installed later this year.
Among other sustainability actions includes encouraging waste-free lunches to exclude throw-away packaging, taking part in environmental friendly days such as Clean Up Australia Day and Earth Day - all part of the school’s curriculum.
Ms Gray said Sustainability Victoria is supportive in encouraging schools to get on board to showcase sustainability programs.
“They have been great,” she said.
“They send out monthly newsletters and I’m in constant contact with them.”
As the new school year kicks o , Sustainability Victoria is inviting schools to make a sustainable start
in Indigo Shire to join ResourceSmart Schools - an award-winning program supporting schools to embed sustainability across school facilities, curriculum and
community, while reducing resource use and saving money.
Each year, participating schools can enter the awards – the state’s largest celebra-
tion for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking remarkable sustainability action.
Sustainability Victoria Re-
gions and Community Action director Paul Mur tt said schools joining program will learn, practice and share ways to integrate sustainability across school operations through the support of an online portal and a ResourceSmart Schools facilitator.
“This free program recognises and rewards schools through sustainability certication,” he said.
“Stars are obtained through completion of modules and meeting benchmarks for resource use and are valid for four years.
“Schools can progress from one star up to ve and move towards becoming a leadership school.
“The ResourceSmart Schools Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge sustainability legends, amplify success and re ect on the sheer amount of work being done by Victorian schools in sustainability.”
“I encourage all schools to showcase the environmental work they’re doing, no matter how small.”
For more information about the ResourceSmart Schools Awards visit www. sustainability.vic.gov.au
LEARNERS: Wooragee Primary youngsters Winnie (le ), Darcy and Ryder enjoy learning about sustainability practices at the school.
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Local repair café more than a caffeine fix
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A BATTERY clock ticking again was among a slew of items xed at the Quercus Beechworth repair café held two weeks ago in the Oregon Hall.
Clock owners Russell and Judy Hunt tripped from Chiltern to get a new mechanism tted after nding the café a cheery and happy place to visit on earlier occasions.
For Beechworth’s Valerie Crosse, a weathered Balinese wind chime will turn again in the breeze.
The local artist said the café was a wonderful service for the Beechworth community and surrounds.
She said in the past her secateurs had been xed and sharpened too.
“You can bring all sorts of things from home that need rejuvenating and it’s really interesting to get to know and chat with the person who did the repair,” she said.
Volunteer Beechworth’s John Strang as a helping hand said a focus is taken to work with the people to let them know what the problem is and how items can be xed.
“We help them identify the issue so they might be able to do a repair in the future too,” he said.
“The café is social as well chatting to people besides
helping people to fix things.
“We try our best to recycle and then return things to people so they can use them again, rather than going out and buying new stu or sending things to landll.”
Another volunteer helping hand Howard Morton xed a tension problem in a sewing machine with an assembly pulled apart and cleaned.
With a background in repairing sewing machines Howard said people can be helped with minor repairs.
“Coming to the repair café saves people money, also saves people from having to go out of town and keeps
items out of landfill,” he said.
Sewing volunteer Deborah Bacon mended various items mainly trousers, shorts and jeans during the morning.
“Repairs help prevent things going to the tip and enables people to get more wear out of their clothing and saves money,” she said.
“A lot of people don’t have the skill or the access to sewing machines to do it.”
Repair café volunteer Phil Ardern said many garden tools had been sharpened.
“Throwing them out is a bit sacrilegious because they still have lots of life le in them,” he said.
Chris Bacon said the morning had drawn a good number of people with items to be xed.
“It will be great if the repair café continues like this and we’re going to need more volunteers,” he said.
Mr Bacon said a local put their hand up to help on the day adding to the volunteer number of seven.
“The café will even be more rewarding if it continues like today with a greater number of people using it,” he said.
The repair café is held on the rst Saturday of the month from 10am to 12pm at the Quercus Beechworth Oregon Hall.
Growing food will ease cost of living
OUR family has a proud history, building a winemaking business that we believe is a true Australian success story. It has been achieved through hard work, selfsufficiency, determination and vision, built on foundations laid by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli who carried their dreams of a better life from the alpine foothills of Italy’s north to the fertile Riverina region in New South Wales.
From humble beginnings we now have an international business, employing more than 450 Australians and making wine that is enjoyed throughout the world, and in doing so bringing valuable dollars into our nation.
But I have concerns for the future and I believe my fellow Australians, especially those in capital cities, need to understand the pressures being applied across the board to those who grow the quality food and beverages, including wine, that you enjoy.
We are being asked to carry an unfair burden, not in the name of the environment or sustainability, but merely to appease ill-informed ideology.
For example, in the Riverina we need water to grow grapes, rice, fruit, vegetables and a whole range of other produce.
That should not be a problem because, in reality, there is enough water available to both grow food and protect our environments.
Some people, mainly those living in cities, may argue this is not the case, though we do not often see them in our fertile food growing regions, educating themselves and listening to those with lived experience.
They mostly remain within inner-city confines, sipping their latte and glibly expressing their ideologies that impact others, especially those in rural areas.
My issue is they generally do not understand what is needed to grow food, and have even less understanding of water management and sensible ways to use this precious resource for productive and environmental benefit.
I am writing this letter as an appeal to my fellow Australians.
I am passionate about protecting rural communities from unnecessary and often ill-informed environmental ideology.
So please think carefully about this, including how you cast your vote at any upcoming election.
We need politicians who are prepared to listen, learn and develop policy that not only protects our environment, but also my fellow citizens in rural Australia and the cost of living for all of us.
If we do not provide the platform and resources for those who grow our food, ultimately everyone will suffer.
I don’t generally get directly involved in elections or political parties, but like so many others across rural and regional Australia I am seeing unprecedented damage to our way of life from illogical policies and their implementation.
For the sake of our farming communities, and to ensure we can continue to grow fresh, clean Aussie food, this needs to change.
Darren
De Bortoli, De Bortoli Wines
HAPPY VOLUNTEERS: Repair café volunteer Howard Morton does a minor repair to a sewing machine while in the background Deborah Bacon mends clothing.
A QUICK FIX: Volunteers Phil Arden (le ), Peter Hempenstall and Chris Bacon help local resident Liz in sharpening a variety of tools.
HELPING HAND: Quercus Beechworth repair café volunteer John Strang helped to fix Valerie Crosse’s wind chime.
Volunteer
Doing cycle safety together for Lake Hume challenge
CYCLE Safety partner for Lake Hume Cycle Challenge, RoadSafe North East, is encouraging all cyclists and motorists to think and act ‘safety rst’ for this year’s event on Sunday, February 16.
Working closely with organisers in the lead up to the event, RoadSafe North East aims to promote a mindset of shared respect between cyclists and motorists, reminding all road users they are one community on the road and everyone has the right to ride and travel safely for work, sport and play.
RoadSafe North East spokesperson Glenn Clarke (former Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist) said supporting events such as the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge is an important part of its campaign to raise awareness of minimum passing distances, keeping cars and cyclists safely apart and saving lives on the roads.
“In the lead up to the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge and
on event day, there will be a much larger presence of cyclists on our country roads,” he said.
“Cyclists have every right to be on the road, and motorists should not be surprised, nor resentful of their presence.
“We strongly urge motorists to be generous when passing and give at least 1.5 metres safe passing distance, between the vehicle and the cyclist.
“A er overtaking, ensure you are well clear of the cyclist before moving back into the le -hand lane.
“Please don’t ‘shave’ or ‘squeeze’ past the cyclistthis is all sorts of scary and dangerous.
“If there isn’t su cient space to pass, just hold back and wait until it’s safe to pass.
Mr Clarke said drivers need to be mindful that the road rules allow cyclists to ride two abreast or to ride in bunches.
“This gives them a bolder
presence on the road is much safer than riding in single le, which can encourage drivers to pass too closely,” he said.
RoadSafe North East’s Electronic Display Board will be placed in a highly visible location on the Murray Valley Highway, Bonegilla (just west of the intersection with Mahers/Bonegilla Roads) in the lead up week to this year’s event on Sunday, February 16.
The sign will display messages about the event date, as well as a visual reminder about the need to look for cyclists, slow down and take care when passing.
RoadSafe North East ambassador Glenn Clarke will also be running Kids Rider Bike Education skills sessions at the event start/ nish at Ebden Reserve on Lake Hume, from 8.15am to 10.45am.
The RoadSafe North East trailer will be set up with kids bikes and helmets provided at the skills course location.
RIDE SAFE: RoadSafe North East ambassador Glenn Clarke will be running Kids Rider Bike Education skills sessions during the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge on February 16.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
More than 1100 illegal fires recorded in Victoria since 2019
DATA released by CFA and the Crime Statistics Agency has revealed a concerning number of fire-related offences across Victoria over the past five years.
Between 2019 and 2024, there were 1010 recorded instances of lighting a fire during the Fire Danger Period (FDP) and 187 cases of lighting a fire on a Total Fire Ban (TFB) day.
The Fire Danger Period is a designated time in each Victorian municipality when fire restrictions apply due to increased fire risk.
A Total Fire Ban is declared on days of extreme conditions, prohibiting any fires in the open air.
Under the CFA Act, penalties for allowing an open-air fire to escape during a declared FDP can include fines of up to $23,710, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.
The penalties double if the escape occurs on a Total Fire Ban Day.
A recent incident in Diamond Creek serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of ignoring FPD restrictions.
CFA was called to a property at around 6:28pm on Monday, January 20, where crews arrived to find smoke issuing from a pile of green tree branches approximately a metre high.
NO EXCUSE: Allowing an open-air fire to escape during a declared FDP can include fines of up to $23,710, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the stats are worrying.
“Lighting a fire during the Fire Danger Period and on days of Total Fire Ban puts lives, homes, and emergency responders at risk,” he said.
Victoria Police attended the scene and are now pursuing charges against the resident for lighting a fire during Nillumbik Shire Council’s Fire Danger Period.
“Victoria is already one of the most fire-prone regions in the world, so we certainly don’t need unnecessary challenges created by carelessness or deliberate acts.”
“If you ignore fire restrictions, you could be facing serious legal repercussions and more importantly, you could be responsible for devastating losses.
All Victorian municipalities are currently in the Fire Danger Period, you can find out more information on what you can and can’t do during the FDP here. If you see illegal or suspicious fire activity, report it immediately by calling Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Music and family fun at Spring Ditch
■ From front page
Among talented musicians includes Beechworth’s rising star – singer and song writer Samara Bright and Melbourne-based Magic Bean Guillotine led by former Beechworthian Sam Shallue.
Four-piece rock n roll/rhythm and blues band Minnie and The Moonrakers will entertain the crowd too along with Albury Wodonga’s dynamic young fourpiece band Lucey.
Co-founder Rikki Raadsveld said many community organisations are involved in the day with local businesses on board too.
“We just have so many people who love the event because of the community vibe,” she said.
Lex said the events tipped its hat to the old Stanley New Year’s Sports Day.
“There are so many things that we can do in a modern manner in regards to the past and marries together well,” he said.
Rikki said visitation numbers had doubled since the event started with more than 1200 event goers attending last year.
“There’s a wide demographic of people from young families with babies to 90-year-olds,” she said.
“It’s a safe space where kids can run wild too and they’re under the optics of everyone.”
Rikki said the Stanley New Year’s Day sports aspect also brings back many memories for locals and they were sad losing the sports back in the 90s.
“I think this has really brought a new life to the village and at an increasing rate of drawing more than 300 people each year it has grown beyond our expectations,” she said.
Local CFAs in Beechworth and Stanley, Stanley Athenaeum, Stanley Landcare, the community post office, Stanley and Recreation Reserve committee and Beechworth Primary School Parents and Friends Association will be among recipients of fundraising dollars from the day.
Lex said with dedicated band of helpers from day one when the BMF kicked off in 2014 there’s now a large volunteer base with many people still joining.
“Volunteers really help with
the event in the lead up and to run smoothly on the day,” he said.
“We couldn’t do it without them and Rikki and I are blessed to have such good friends to help us in so many ways.
“We have some great sponsors
that give to us regularly each year with a few new ones again this year.
“Independent federal Member for Indi Helen Haines is going to be our official guest and visitor on the day.
“Our MC John Walker, famous
from television and film will be the MC and Jane Doe is the DJ.” A shuttle bus will be running hourly from Beechworth to and from Stanley. For more information about the event and tickets visit www. springditch.com
EXCITED: Spring Ditch co-founders Rikki Raadsveld and Lex Fletcher with long-time volunteer Liam Cuffley (front) are gearing up for the fun day.
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
3G switchover failing residents
By STEVE KELLY
COMPLAINTS about poor mobile phone reception following the shutdown of 3G network have been raised in parliament by Indi MP Helen Haines.
A growing number of residents in the electorate have contacted her o ce about zero to poor reception with the 4G and 5G mobile phones.
Dr Haines raised the matter in parliament last week asking the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland about her awareness of the issues and when the problem will be xed.
“Before the 3G shutdown regional communities in my electorate were told that no one would be worse o but since the nal shutdown my constituents have experienced worse connectivity,” Dr Haines told parliament.
“(They’re) completely losing the ability to make calls in some areas
and have been told to spend their own money on a ermarket antennas.
“Does the minister recognise that some people are worse o after the 3G shutdown and what will the government do to x it.”
Ms Rowland empathised with Dr Haines’ concern and acknowledged that the issue was “very real”.
“On December 17 I convened industry regulators, the mobile carriers, consumer groups to look at the lessons learnt from this 3G switchover,” Ms Rowland responded.
“The government has stressed to the carriers that the bene ts of the 3G switchover really need to be demonstrated.
“While it is a fact of physics that the switchover is completed there needs to be a focus now on consumer welfare.
“The member is right and it is very true that there are multiple complaints from customers, particularly in regional areas who have
seen fortuitous coverage diminish and who have seen their services overall being challenged.
“The question is how can that be improved.”
Ms Rowland said she is monitoring the issue very closely.
“I’ve made it clear to service providers the expectation that the 3G switchover will deliver on these bene ts,” she said.
“The ACMA and ACCC have been highlighted in this, not only of the technical requirements, but also the representations being made to customers about coverage pre and post-switchover.
“Many consumers would know that those coverage maps don’t always match what they actually receive.”
Ms Rowland said Telstra has now established a dedicated helpline on 1800 990 853.
“I have formally requested weekly reports from the carriers so I can continue to monitor this,” she said.
More help available for students to bank safely online
AS the school year gets under way, Bendigo Bank has expanded its Banking Safely Online program to secondary schools, to help empower young digital citizens.
Tailored to high school students, the face-to-face sessions cover how to identify and avoid scams, spot financial fraud risks, and adopt secure practices for online banking transactions.
The 30-minute Banking Safely Online in Schools classes can be delivered by teams from Bendigo Bank’s 400-plus branches, including Wangaratta.
Teachers, administrators, parents and students at secondary schools are encouraged to reach out to their local Bendigo Bank branch to check availability for a Banking Safely Online session to be run for their school.
These sessions can be conducted at the school, or an appropriate venue nearby, and are delivered by Bendigo Bank branch representatives. The sessions are available at all branches and can be organised subject to availability.
Aaron Westberry, senior manager customer protection at Bendigo Bank, said secondary students faced a flood of would-be scammers, fraud attempts and other potentially serious challenges online.
“While (they are) highly tech-savvy, more than $2 million has been lost to scammers by Australians under 18 since 2020, data from Scamwatch shows, and our younger customers have been asking how we can help,” he said.
Online shopping and
classifieds scams caused the highest financial losses for those aged under 18 last year, with social media, text message and emails the top contact methods used by scammers, according to Scamwatch.
The bank’s national, faceto-face education approach has already helped thousands of customers safely navigate digital banking since the program was launched in 2023.
“Bringing this to schools across Australia will help empower young digital citizens,” Mr Westberry said.
He said it was vital to beware of scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics, and particularly capitalising on the back-toschool rush.
“This is an exciting, busy time of year, but it’s important
to never let the guard down against scammers who will be trying their best to catch out unsuspecting students and their families,” he said.
“Be wary of back-to-school promotions on social media, especially those that sound too good to be true.
“Don’t click on links that you aren’t 100 per cent sure about, and beware calls and texts from people you don’t know who are requesting
information – it could be a remote access scam.”
Stopping scammers in their tracks: Tips for school students
Check whether the website is real, and that the caller or texter really is who they say they are.
Don’t skip the ‘enable multi-factor authentication’ step, your best defence against increasingly sophisticated scammers.
Beware remote access
scams, which often target young people. Never provide personal or log-in information via phone or text to unsolicited contacts.
Be very suspicious. Don’t click on any links in emails or texts that you are unsure about.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Time is of the essence. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY, ALBURY 5:30PM
As spots are limited please call to register your interest, Helloworld Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Bright. Beer, wine and nibbles provided.
FIX THE PROBLEM: Helen Haines speaks out for constituents who are having trouble with mobile phone connectivity throughout Indi following the 3G shutdown. PHOTO: Auspic
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Beechworth need four wickets on day two to defend 98 against Ovens Valley United
■ From back page
The league leading run scorer in Alwis would enter the crease, until Kayde Surrey claimed the crucial wicket of the Sri Lankan import, gone for just one.
As the Tigers looked to hang on for what they could before stumps, it was Ryan who again made his mark on the game removing the plucky Fraser and Noah White in successive
balls in the day’s penultimate over to blow the match wide open.
Cooper Thomason (2*) and Kane Fitzpatrick (4*) will restart play from 1pm on Saturday with Ovens Valley 6/44 from 24 overs.
In other grades, B grade brought up their third win of the season in Whorouly against the Tigers in comprehensive fashion, winning by 63 runs.
Sent in to bat, it was Beechworth’s young brigade who led the way, with big-time knocks from juniors Rama Schultz (62 off 77 balls) Henry Scalzo (40* off 53 balls) and Taylor Thomson (26* of 11 balls) taking the Wanderers to 4/182 off their 36 overs.
After a shaky start with the ball, Brandon Fitzpatrick quickly steadied the ship taking three wickets in five balls to have Ovens Valley at 3/46.
The Tigers would never recover as Fitzpatrick (3/24), Jacob Howard (3/14) and Schultz (2/12) did the damage to bowl out Ovens Valley for 119.
And in C grade, hopes of a perfect season remain in tact after a 52-run win in Stanley against Greta Blue.
The runs were shared among the lineup as the Wanderers brought up 188 batting first, with Chris Nuck (34), Jed Enslow (27), Dean Chambey-
ron (22) and Brendon Thompson (20) top scoring.
Despite a crushing 79 off 43 balls by middle order batter Simon O’Brien, which included seven sixes, Greta would have no answers for a well-rounded Beechworth bowling attack to be bowled out for 136. B grade will host Greta at Baarmutha Park while C grade are off to Benalla to face Benalla Blue.
Goodwin and Gephart take out women’s NEDGA pair event
By DYLAN POOL
CONGRATULATIONS to Hollie Goodwin and Zoe Gephart who won the women's event last Sunday at Wodonga Golf Club in the NEDGA opening day.
Deb Tully was part of the team which also included Margot Northey from Yackandandah who came runner up in the women's event.
The Beechworth team of Hollie Goodwin, Zoe Gephart and Deb Tully were equal second place in the club team event which was easily won by Yackandandah.
On the home front at Beechworth there were a handful of golfers who turned up for a Stableford event.
George Ward (21) was the winner with 37 points, runner up was Jamie Dolny (13) 34 and Dave Clark (13) came third with 33 points.
Nearest the pins went to Jamie Dolny on both the 5th and 10th.
Last Thursday we had 16 players for twilight on the back nine.
You need a big score to feature in the prizes with 24 points required just to secure a ball.
The winner with 27 points (22+5) was Ben Ryder.
Runner up taking home the Bridge Road Brewers voucher was Dylan Pool with 25 (20+5).
Ball winners were Jarryd Pritchard 24 (18+6), Willem Love 24 (18+6) and Jackson Wells 24 (22+2).
The Beechworth Bakery voucher for nearest the pin on the 10th went to Jamie Dolny and Jarryd Pritchard took home the Alpine Indigo Accounting half dozen for nearest the pin on the 17th.
Brian Pritchard claimed the cash for his nearest chip on the 14th.
The CC’s Quality Meats and Smokehouse voucher in the raffle went to Brian Cropley.
Twilight golf continues as usual on Thurs day 4:30pm arrival to 5pm hit off.
Sunday is the final round of the Summer Cup. Arrive 11:30am for 12 hit off.
HOLDING FORM: Tim Cogger steams in at McNamara Reserve.
SEAM IN: Kayde Surrey took the crucial wicket of Geeth Alwis last Saturday.
FULL SWING: Hollie Goodwin, Zoe Gephart, Margot Northey (Yackandandah Golf Club) and Deb Tully at Wodonga last Sunday.
PHEW: Cam Fendyk puts in a dive to survive a run out at Myrtleford last Saturday, as Beechworth look to hang on to a slim 55 run lead tomorrow, needing four wickets to defend their total of 98.
On a knife’s edge
Beechworth needs four wickets on day two to defend 98 against Ovens Valley United
ALL results are in play as Beechworth’s A grade will try to hang on in a low-scoring tussle against Ovens Valley United on Saturday.
The Tigers need just 55 runs to chase down Beechworth’s rst innings total of 98, but they will have to do so with four wickets in the shed.
The Wanderers were sent in to bat on a green McNamara Reserve
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
deck at Myrtleford last weekend and immediately found proceedings di cult.
The previous week’s centurion Clancy Ellett was rst to go for just four before the Tigers claimed the
wickets of the Surrey brothers without a run between them.
Beechworth would enter all sorts of trouble when Geeth Alwis entered the attack and had Jackson Cull stumped, leaving the Wanderers on 4/20.
Alwis would spin a web around the Beechworth middle order removing Jack Ryan and Will Prebble cheaply.
It was then down to Matt Ryan and Cam Fendyk who almost single handedly brought Beechworth back into the game in their eighthwicket partnership.
Ryan would top score with 23 while Fendyk went on to make 20, as the lower order fought to the 48th over before they were bowled out.
Alwis would finish with 5/24
With limited room for error, opening bowlers Tim Cogger and Ryan would tighten the screws on the Ovens Valley top order, taking wickets cheaply with boundaries hard to come by.
■ Continued page 11
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while Bailey Wyatt (2/15), Gregor Fraser (1/17) and James Neary (2/2 off four overs) were in the wickets.