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THE ADVERTISER, Friday, March 21, 2025 - Page 1

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BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH Friday, March 21, 2025

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SOCIAL FUN BEECHWORTH dad Abe Anfruns with Octavia (2) both enjoyed the new playgroup get-together at the Stanley Soldiers Memorial Hall on Monday.  Story page 5 PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Driving patient transport Page 4

Jan’s NEDGA win Page 7

Vital GP recruit advocacy Sydney-based doctor regularly visiting Beechworth supports local GP recruitment campaign

By CORAL COOKSLEY AN ADVOCATE for doctors working in regional and rural areas is a strong supporter of Beechworth’s Surgery’s campaign to find doctors for the town.

Sydney-based Dr John Houston visiting Beechworth for the last decade bought a house in town and

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is a helping hand as a locum at the surgery when he spends around five months in the town every year.

Dr Houston also avails himself to be on call at Beechworth Health Service.

“Beechworth is a beautiful town and countryside with great cafes, restaurants and vineyards,” he said.

Dr Houston said new doc-

tors contemplating a move to Beechworth would join a high-quality practice with excellent doctors.

The medical practitioner said he worked with Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill and has also run a general practice with 20 doctors.

“Doctors working in the country practice gives them

broader skills and young doctors are supported by both senior doctors in the practice and teaching hospitals in the region not far away,” he said.

“One of the challenges is young people don’t want to be GPs as they don’t see it as a rewarding choice and want to be specialists.

“Having a life-work bal-

ance can be a fabulous one as a GP.” Dr Houston said a country lifestyle abounds with opportunities such as not sitting in traffic, with most prospective newcomers likely to be in a position to walk to work or be close by and spend more time with their children.

“Kids can ride bikes to the

park and school and with mountain bike trails it encourages kids to be active,” he said.

“There are great choices with schools locally and within the area too.

“When I worked in Broken Hill parents had to send their kids to boarding schools.”

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Contaminated waste disposal to be ongoing FULL OF SUPPORT: Dr John Houston threw his advocacy behind Beechworth Surgery’s search for more doctors.

Visiting doctor supports local GP recruitment campaign ■ From front page

Beechworth Surgery’s co-owner John McColl said the ongoing campaign finishes at the end of May this year.

Mr McColl said the campaign was visually prominent with posters around town and catching people’s attention with enquiries.

“We’re still pursuing any opportunities and looking at a mid-year intake for GP registrars,” he said.

“We’re hopeful we will receive one GP registrar out of that allocation from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) who handle registrars and training.”

Beechworth Surgery in December last year embarked on a six-month drive to recruit doctors with a ‘Find Doctors $1000 Reward’ initiative to engage the community to help.

The surgery is one of hundreds of medical practices around the region, state and nation impacted for some years by the shortage of general practitioners in rural and remote areas.

For further campaign details visit www. beechworthsurgery.com.au/find-doctors-forbeechworth/.

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN THE disposal of waste from a bird flu outbreak near Euroa will continue to be monitored by Agriculture Victoria over the next several weeks Indigo Shire Council addressed residents concerns on Facebook over the weekend after first learning Agriculture Victoria were using a site south of Rutherglen to dispose of infected chicken faeces, carcasses, soil and eggs.

Mayor Sophie Price on Tuesday said council had only learned of the disposing of contaminated waste the same time the community did over the course of Saturday.

“There are no permits from Indigo Shire that are required for this process to take place, it’s all dealt with through a different act and appropriate bodies like the Environmental Protection Act and with Australia’s strict biosecurity laws,” she said.

“The Rutherglen community needs to understand what’s going on and needs to have confidence rather than concern

over the processes that are taking place.”

The H7N8 avian influenza had been detected at four poultry properties in Euroa over the past month.

The area impacted by restrictions is east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway for Strathbogie Shire.

Restrictions prohibit the movement of birds, equipment and products, including manure and eggs, within and out of both the control and restricted areas until further notice.

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said on Facebook Wednesday, due to a range of environmental factors at the Euroa poultry properties, waste was not able to be disposed of on-site.

“Agriculture Victoria’s Rutherglen site is suitable for biosecurity waste disposal,” they said.

“Disposal activities are being conducted in line with Environment Protection Authority approvals.

“Trucks are all fully sealed and decontaminated before they leave Euroa… eggs and birds have been safely buried in deep pits at the Rutherglen site with litter and

feed being composted.

“Importantly, this is not the H5N1 avian influenza strain that is impacting other parts of the world.”

The spokesperson said transportation of material would continue for several weeks and an increase in traffic to the site may be observed.

“Strict biosecurity measures are in place at the Euroa and Rutherglen sites,” they said.

“Timely and safe disposal is critical to stop the virus spreading in poultry, and essential for meeting international standards to regain disease-free status and minimise trade and supply impacts.”

Cr Price urged concerned community members to continue to raise their concerns with Agriculture Victoria.

“We keep saying to them [Agriculture Victoria] there’s a void in terms of the information and it’s for them to provide that information to the Rutherglen community,” she said.

You can find out more about Agriculture Victoria’s management of the contaminated waste disposal at Rutherglen via this link: agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

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HELPING HAND: Beechworth’s Sonja Northridge put her hand up to be a volunteer for the Golden Horseshoes Festival as soon as she arrived in town in October last year.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Lending a voluntary hand to the Golden Horseshoes Festival

By CORAL COOKSLEY A PREVIOUS tourist drawn to Beechworth’s much loved Golden Horseshoes Festival is now a passionate volunteer for the event since moving to the town in October last year.

Before shifting to Beechworth with her husband and family from the Central Coast, Sonja Northridge had already put her hand up to help by contacting the organising committee through a Beechworth friend.

Buying a block of land in the town two years ago and now building their house, Sonja said she joined the community Facebook page to keep up with what was happening locally.

“I saw a post saying the festival may not go ahead because they needed more people to come and help,” she said.

“As tourists for eight years we had been to the festival many times and love the amazing event and there’s so much town pride.

“It’s a really important part of tourism but families have been coming for generations.

“One of the main reasons for us to move to

Beechworth was to have our kids grow up in a smaller community so they could experience what it’s like to give back and make a big difference in person and real time.”

Sonja said volunteering for an event like a festival can make a big difference in a community.

“We love Beechworth’s history and every time we came to Beechworth as tourists, we always headed to the Burke Museum, and we take visiting friends and family on the town tours,” she said.

“I have been involved in volunteering in different areas over time and think it’s good for young people to volunteer too.

“Contributing your time with volunteering builds a sense of community and shows you can work with anyone at any age and level and learn from others.

“The old saying is it takes a village to raise a child, and I can see in my kids’ faces they are proud seeing us spending time in helping out, and they won’t hesitate if someone asks them to help with something at school - they lead by example.”

Working with festival committee member, Beechworth’s Sharon Stribley, who looks after volunteer recruitment and volunteers, Sonja said she has learnt a lot.

Sonja found working with people with the team who have lived in Beechworth for a long time have a willingness to share knowledge and experience with newcomers to the town.

“Festival organisers don’t throw you in the deep end as they put you with someone who knows and will show you what they know,” she said.

“Beechworth still needs more volunteers with fresh faces.”

The festival is now less than a month away, held over the Easter four-day long weekend with the main event on Saturday.

For more information visit www.beechworthgoldenhorseshoes.com.au or the Facebook page.

Enquiries about volunteering can be made by contacting Sharon on 0418 621 351 or email beechworthgoldenhorseshoesfestival@gmail. com

THE ADVERTISER, Friday, March 21, 2025 - Page 3

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Impromptu ‘aquathlon’ a success in AWTC’s maiden Beechworth event

By CORAL COOKSLEY DESPITE a late hiccup regarding road closures for a triathlon event held in Beechworth on Saturday, it remained a great day for the local town.

The Albury Wodonga Triathlon Club (AWTC) was forced to switch the event from Allans Flat Water Hole due to a blue-green algae outbreak for the final Victorian Regional Series Race for season 2024/25.

Beechworth’s Simone Sockett, who was one of 161 participants in the event, said people from clubs travelled long distances from far and wide to participate.

Simone’s daughter had participated in a triathlon last year, sparking her interest.

“I signed up as a fitness goal and although hard work but did a little training and it’s good exercise and a lot of fun,” she said.

Sharon said the hoped the club can run a women’s event at the end of the year in Beechworth.

The charity event raises money for women’s causes in the local community and a donation and the Yackandandah Women’s Shed was a recipient of $300 last year.

Sharon said it was great to see so many people as well as many children at the event and good for Beechworth.

“I think there were more spectators than participants,” she said.

There was a total of 52 competitors in both the sprint and kids triathlon races with the enticer event attracting 37 participants.

Issues with road closures for the adult events changed the triathlon sprint and enticer distances to Aquathons, keeping the same swim and run distances, but removing the cycling component.

AWTC president Jeremy

FUN: Beechworth participant Jo Hunt (left), Diarmuid Kelly, Simone Sockett and James Grove had a great time at last Saturday’s triathlon held in Beechworth.

Kent addressed the issue on Beechworth’s Community Facebook page, and said miscommunication and short notice among the event’s sudden location change contributed to confusion regarding road closures for the cycling leg.

“What transpired was the fault of several groups includ-

ing myself and our club biting off more then we could chew with the available volunteer base we have,” he said.

“As a very small sporting club with a very small volunteer base, yesterday [Saturday] showed we need more support.

“This event has received nothing but praise from all

CHATTED: Local spectators Ros and Geoff Clark chatted to triathlon participant Beechworth’s Jo Westra (middle) on Saturday. involved in the event itself.”

Local residents had been advised by mail with details in last week’s O&M Advertiser and on Indigo Shire Council’s website.

Mr Kent said the club aims to hold a women’s event in Beechworth on 29 November this year.

“The committee has been

looking for alternative locations to host their events due to the Allans Flat Water Hole having ongoing blue-green algae outbreaks throughout the year depending on the rainfall,” he said.

For information about volunteering to help out events email info@awtc.org.au or ring 0427 314 207.

Country Nats abandon Indi for 2025 election High Hop returns

By STEVE KELLY THE National Party has announced it will not contest a candidate in the Indi electorate this federal election, but rather focus its resources on Bendigo.

State director Lyndel Feery confirmed that no deals were made with the Liberal Party in other electorates, but the Nationals prefers to focus its resources on the Bendigo seat.

The Nationals Party has been on a downward slide in Indi for several terms, with candidate Liz Fisher only securing 3.79 per cent of the primary vote in 2022, a plummet from 9.45pc for Mark Byatt in 2019, and 17.22pc for former local Marty Corboy in 2016.

It opens the door for other parties to garner more votes, but based on the 2022 election primaries, the Liberals will need a massive swing to snatch the seat from the Independent’s grip, having held it since 2013.

POOR RESULT: The Nationals only secured 3.79 per cent of the primary vote in Indi at the 2022 Federal election.

Pictured is then candidate Liz Fisher casting her vote.

In 2022, incumbent Helen Haines won the election with 40.68pc of the primary vote and an 8.33pc swing in her favour over Liberal candidate Ross Lyman, who secured 30.52pc of the primary.

Current Liberal candidate for Indi James Trenery wants the election to be called soon following a postponement due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

He said there are no guarantees Indi Nationals votes will go his way, as “you still have to earn everyone’s vote”.

“I’m happy to work with anyone on the Nats’ side to make sure everyone knows where I stand on issues and if they’re happy to vote for me, they’re happy to vote for me,” Mr Trenery said.

“You would hope that peo-

ple in that community would vote for me, but you have to earn every vote and if anyone has any questions, I’m happy to answer them as well.

“My stance on the battery in Dederang and Meadow Creek solar facility has certain helped.

“The National membership is onboard with that as well.”

As a regional member of parliament, Mr Trenery said the farming community is an important part of Indi.

“Not just with the number or people, but also the dollars around it with primary producers, it’s very important to small and larges towns alike in Indi,” he said.

Dr Haines encourage anyone who might have voted National in the past to consider voting Independent this election.

“I’m the daughter of dairy farmers and I have a track record fighting for our agricultural communities and farmers,” she said.

l al r r ou o F y oF

“This dates right back to when I was first elected, helping farmers secure $15.2 million in financial support after the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

“More recently, I backed farmers in opposing the Labor Government’s proposed super tax changes and in their attempts to push biosecurity levies and charges onto farmers – both fights we won.

“I stood up for our winemakers through the prosecco trade negotiations and I helped secure $76.4 million for Sustainable Agricultural Facilitators.

“I have clear policies to support farmers, like holding the big supermarkets to account, tax relief of up to $30,000 to help lower costs, along with housing, health, childcare and telecommunications and I’ll keep up the fight for regional Australia.”

THE High Country Hop will be a buzz in Beechworth this Saturday, 22 March.

Hosted by Bridge Road Brewers and supported by Hop Products Australia, the festival which began in 2015, celebrates the annual hop harvest and showcases fresh-hop beer collaborations with Australia’s leading brewers.

With a lineup of International and Australian artists, the festival offers a day packed full of craft beer, live music, and family-friendly fun.

The High Country Hop starts at 11.30am and runs until 8pm at Beechworth’s Historic Precinct Reserve (Police Paddocks).

Tickets are still on sale for $69 (includes $10 of drink tokens) with family tickets also available at www.thehighcountryhop.com.au.

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Page 4 - THE ADVERTISER, Friday, March 21, 2025

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Red Cross driving care with patient transport service

By CORAL COOKSLEY FOR two Beechworthians, door-to-door transport by the Australian Red Cross was an excellent free service to reach vital regional or city medical appointments.

Local resident Brenda Nicholson has used the service twice to travel to Melbourne for hospital appointments while Helen McIntosh uses the service to get to appointments at Wangaratta Hospital.

Ms Nicholson said the service was great for people who don’t have transport or people who can drive them.

“It’s good for people who may have mobility issues too as it can be difficult to travel on public transport while trains can also be crowded,” she said.

Ms McIntosh said drivers are friendly and obliging.

“It’s great for people like me as I would be stuck if I didn’t have access to some sort of service like this,” she said.

“I have people who help and take me down and back, but the Red Cross car fills in any gaps that I

might have.”

Beechworth Red Cross branch chair Julia Smith said patient transport volunteers help improve the quality of life and well-being of people by connecting them with essential health services.

“Clients also have the chance to have a nice chat with our drivers to brighten their day,” she said.

“Support and assistance by our drivers can make all the difference in the lives of those people who need it most.”

The service running from Monday to Friday each week has one car based in Wangaratta and the other in Wodonga to support eligible people.

“Eligible clients must be referred by medical practitioners,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith said the regional service includes Indigo Shire with people from Beechworth, Yackandandah or other nearby towns who sometimes contact the local branch to request transport.

“We advise that with high demand for both Red Cross vehicles people should contact their medi-

LOOKED AFTER: Beechworth’s Helen McIntosh is thankful for the free Australian Red Cross patient transport service helping to fill gaps with transport to hospital appointments.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley cal practitioners who then contact the patient transport coordinator to book a vehicle,” she said.

“Appointment times must be between 9am and 2pm in regional Victoria, subject to service loca-

tions while in metropolitan Melbourne, appointments must be between 9am and 12 noon.”

Ms Smith said volunteer drivers are constantly sought for the program.

“Volunteers drive eligible clients - often several in one day - from their homes to and from medical appointments locally and to Melbourne,” she said.

“They must hold a current and valid driver’s licence, need to complete an online application as well as any necessary compliance checks, and complete training before starting the role.”

Red Cross ensures driver training and ongoing support.

As there is no charge for the fully funded program Ms Smith said some people like to make donations.

She said donations can be made either to the Beechworth branch then directed to the Patient Transport Program with an issued receipt to the client or online to Australian Red Cross via its website www. redcross.org.au/donate.

Enquiries about transport driver volunteering can be made by contacting the volunteer hub on 1800 833 489.

THE ADVERTISER, Friday, March 21, 2025 - Page 5

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Passionate about community Mallory Watson MALLORY Watson grew up in Mudgegonga where her parents still live.

After travelling around Australia with her husband Tim, the couple moved back to the North East and have lived in Stanley for almost two years.

What do you do workwise?

I manage and clean a holiday rental in Bright and the little cottage we have on our property as well.

Recently, I also took on the role of assistant coordinator at the Stanley Post Office.

What brought you to your role/ career?

After the birth of my daughter, I was fortunate enough to take on managing a property in Bright, and eventually, our cottage as well.

As for the assistant coordinator role, I had been volunteering at the post office for over a year when the previous coordinator was leaving, and I was asked if I’d be interested in stepping into the position.

What do you love about your work?

I love that I can be with both my children while still working.

At the post office, it’s allowed me to connect with some wonderful people that I might not have met otherwise.

I also love that the post office serves as a community hub for Stanley, and I’m grateful to be a part of that.

PROACTIVE: Stanley’s Mallory Watson loves being engaged in the village’s community working at the post office, being a Stanley Collective committee member and starting up a playgroup.

What do you do in the community?

I started as a volunteer at the Stanley Post Office, and I’m also on the Stanley Collective committee.

Most recently, with the help of other community members, we’ve started a community playgroup in Stanley.

I love face-to-face interactions.

Being part of a small community and getting involved has been incredibly rewarding to me.

The support here is amazing, especially with the playgroup.

When I asked for toy donations, the response was incredible.

Is there an important

community issue that you think needs addressing?

Honestly, there are so many issues that need attention, but for me, domestic violence is a key concern.

Someone very close to me has experienced emotional abuse, and it’s made me realise how crucial it is to educate both our children and society on what healthy behaviour looks like and what it doesn’t.

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

I don’t have all the answers; my husband and I are focused on teaching our children from a young age what is acceptable behaviour.

We are trying to teach the importance of respecting and caring for each other, regardless of gender and age.

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

Overconsumption is a major issue.

We need to pause and reflect on the impact we’re having on our environment and surroundings.

It’s time to live a bit more simply and consciously, focusing on reducing our individual footprints.

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’d have to say Issey Miyake (1934-2022) who was a Japanese and French fashion designer and one of my favourite designers.

Honestly, I’d probably just have a drink on our deck at home and soak up everything he’d have to say.

What book are you reading?

I’m currently reading ‘Women Living Deliciously’ by illustrator, author and ‘influencer’ Florence Given.

It’s all about women embracing and learning to love their own lives, no matter what societal expectations are.

New playgroup starts up in Stanley

By CORAL COOKSLEY A NEW playgroup kicked off for the first time in Stanley on Monday bringing parents together with their youngsters.

Held at the Stanley Soldiers Memorial Hall mum Mallory Watson driving the exciting start-up said the playgroup initiated from a visit to a maternal and child health nurse with her fourmonth-old son.

The nurse mentioned a childcare service review by Indigo Shire Council with people in Stanley requesting a playgroup.

“As I worked at the post office, she requested if I could ask people to see if there was any interest.”

Mallory said eight families put their hand up after she whipped up an expression of interest with liaison progressing from there.

“It has to be set up by a community member because it’s a volunteer run group,” Mallory said.

“We all got together and put $10 in each to get insurance through Playgroup Victoria.”

With funding not possible at this time of the financial year Mallory said donations had been requested from the community with bins

people are welcome too,” Mallory said.

“We have a little table with some flowers on it for anyone wants to come and have a cup of tea, sit down and just mingle.”

Beechworth dad Abe Anfruns with his two-year-old toddler Octavia said it’s great for his daughter to socialise with other kids, and good to socialise as a parent as well.

“It’s a good community kind of feeling,” he said.

Stanley’s Margaret Carey with a background in early childhood education and a community-based long day care centre director before she retired, has thrown her hat in the ring to help out.

“The playgroup has recognized a gap in early childhood services in this area as people need to travel somewhere else to go to one,” she said.

“A play group is great way to support parents and children and build relationships

within the community.”

There’s a lot of knowledge about childhood development, and how important it is for children to learn in safe places.

“Stanley is growing and it’s lovely to see young families coming here.

Memorial Hall committee president Janet Sutherland said the playgroup is bringing people together and is a new way of people interacting in the community.

Chipping Timber Slabs Land Clearing

EXCITED: Georgia ‘Connor (left) with Alby Halliday (17-months) and Louis Halliday (2), Edith Watson (3) behind with mum Mallory and George (four months), helper Margaret Carey, Alex Keady and Taya (2) with Laura Scopel and Florence O’Neill (2) gathered at Stanley’s first play group on Monday.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley placed at the post office with a fabulous response.

“We asked for everything and anything that would be toy related suitable for babies to preschoolers,” she said.

“We now have this beautiful play group set up by the community and all based on donations, and we use the Beechworth toy library too.

Mallory said it’s important to have connection with other parents and for Stanley too.

She said the group welcomes parents with their children living beyond Stanley as well.

“Stanley community members who would like to just to come and have a chat and hang out with young

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MARSHALL, Andrew John.

21/10/1973 - 13/3/2025 Passed away peacefully at Beechworth surrounded by loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Aged 51 years.

Only son of Rod Marshall and Wendy Dunbar, brother of Kim Offoin, loved father of Jane and husband of Jess.

Dearly loved and missed by all.

Rest in peace.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Yackandandah Folk Festival Indigo Shire Residents are advised of the following temporary road closures from 3pm Friday 21 March until 6pm Sunday 23 March, 2025 at the following locations.

High Street, Yackandandah between Williams Street and Wellsford Street: Friday 21 March 3pm - Sunday 23 March, 6pm High Street, Yackandandah between Wellsford Street and Kars Street: Friday 21 March 4:30pm - Sunday 23 March, 6pm

MARSHALL, Andrew John.

21/10/1973 – 13/3/2025 Passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family.

Aged 51 years.

Beloved father to our beautiful daughter Jane.

We wish we’d had a hundred more years with you!

Goodbye Andy, Goodbye Daddy.

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BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH Friday, January 24, 2025

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Wellsford Street, Yackandandah between Windham Street and Hammond Street: Sunday 23 March, 6am to 6pm Motorists are requested to take care and follow all road closure, advisory and detour signage.

Queries related to this temporary road closure can be directed to info@indigoshire.vic.gov.au

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CREATIVE

EIGHT-year-old Otis Collins with his six-year-old sister Millie had fun at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Kids on Tour workshop held at Beechworth Library on Monday.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Holiday cash in INDIGO tourist visitation has increased year on year but a slowing down of growth from the impact of high living costs has been noticed.

Indigo Shire Council’s tourism manager Susannah Doyle said despite the slow growth, visitor spending had increased.

“It’s back to pre-pandemic levels topping $128 million across the shire,” she said.

Ms Doyle said areas of tourism interest over Christmas, New Year and

BY CORAL COOKSLEY

ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au

school holiday period had been steady with ticket sales to Beechworth’s Historic Precinct, courthouse and walking tours.

“Accommodation bookings were steady during the holiday period too,” she said.

The tourism manager said last

year’s addition of Beechworth to the National Heritage Listing had a positive impact with noticeable interest from the education sector and visitors since then.

The listing in August last year included Beechworth’s historic court house, telegraph office, sub-treasury, Chinese protectorate office, gold warden’s office, lock-ups, police stables, Old Beechworth Gaol and shire hall, known as the town hall.

Beechworth Inc. president Katrina

Witherow said visitation seemed to happen in waves over the holidays.

“I think with the present economic conditions people seem to visit more at weekends or the period between Christmas and New Year,” she said.

“There was quite a number of people here at those times but it’s difficult to say because every business is different.

“We had a great response around town with the Christmas lights that drew crowds too.”

■ Continued page 3

CHRISTMAS IS SORTED!

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Indigo tourist visitation spend increased but showed slow growth on previous years

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Railway line believed to have sparked multiple freeway fires

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN A PASSING train ignited multiple grassfires along the North East railway line from Barnawartha to the outskirts of Chiltern on Wednesday afternoon.

A CFA spokesperson said 10 CFA units from multiple local brigades attended to

four separate grass fires in the Barnawartha area from around 2:13pm.

The spokesperson said air attack support was also requested to assist ground crews who responded to the fires alongside FRV and police.

“The cause of the fires is believed to be rail infrastructure,” they said.

Crews were continuing blacking out work throughout the afternoon as the fires were brought under control.

An advice message was issued to surrounding communities in Barnawartha, Chiltern and Indigo Valley to stay informed of conditions as firefighters combatted the blazes.

Free heart health check could change your life HONOURED WINNER: Glenda Marshall presenting the Beryl Marshall trophy to Beechworth Golf Club’s Jan Lang at Yarrawonga last weekend.

Jan Lang takes out esteemed NEDGA trophy CONGRATULATIONS to Jan Lang who just over a week ago won the Beryl Marshall trophy at Yarrawonga in the NEDGA Women’s opening day.

Jan carded a great score of 40 points to win the day and the esteemed trophy.

Also congratulations to Hollie Goodwin and Zoe Gephart who were part of the

winning small team in the Mansfield Bowl on Monday.

Congratulations to the Bethanga Golf Club who won their first ever Women’s Bowl at Mansfield also.

INDIGO locals aged 65 and over are being encouraged to get a free heart health check in Benalla next week to help Australia reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed heart valve disease.

Over half a million Australians have heart valve disease with another quarter of a million estimated to be living with the condition undiagnosed.

Australians aged 65 years and above are at a higher risk of HVD2 and due to the ageing population, it is estimated that the number of people living with heart valve disease will double by 2040 and triple by 2060, globally.

Beryl Kuiper, 79-year-old Wodonga based disability support worker and former nurse lives with heart valve disease and explains, “as we age, there’s often an assumption that certain health issues are just a normal part of getting older.

“If you feel this is happening, don’t settle for that

answer, seek out other opinions and keep pushing for the right answers,” Beryl said.

Australians like Beryl, alongside Dr Julian Yeoh Interventional and Structural Heart Disease Cardiologist at Austin Health and Warringal Private Hospital and Australia’s leading interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, are calling for greater awareness and early intervention of heart valve disease to ensure the condition doesn’t become Australia’s next cardiac epidemic.

“Early assessments such as regular heart screening can change the trajectory of your heart health,” Dr Julian Yeoh said.

“Without it, we can’t intervene.

“Even if you have no symptoms, something could be happening beneath the surface that you’re unaware of.”

Regular heart health checks, including blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol tests, and cardiac assessments, can help identify risks early and allow for timely intervention.

Encouraging routine heart screening helps older Australians to take proactive steps in managing their heart health and living longer, healthier lives.

Medtronic is partnering to offer free heart health checks for Australians aged 65+.

Book a free heart screening at Church Street Surgery, Benalla on Friday, 28 March.

Find out more about heart valve disease via Hearts4Heart.

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UNITED IN THE CAUSE: Friends of Venilale president Julie Aldous (left), Friends of Lacluta member Karen Jones (centre), and Friends of Atauro member Libby Hosking, were among those to gather in Wangaratta to discuss mutual challenges supporting communities in Timor Leste.

Timor Leste Friends gather FRIENDSHIP groups from across the North East who support communities in Timor Leste gathered in Wangaratta last weekend.

Members of the Friends of Atauro (Indigo Shire), Friends of Lacluta (Alpine Shire/Rural City of Wangaratta), and Friends of Venilale (Shire of Mansfield) met at the Uniting Church Hall to discuss the various

issues which confront them all.

“We discussed the increasing costs of education and health programs in Timor Leste, fundraising, insurance and how to increase interest and awareness in our communities in supporting one of our nearest and poorest neighbours,” Friends of Atauro member Libby Hosking said.

“All three groups have been functioning for 20 years with the support of their communities and local councils, and the federal seat of Indi is the only electorate in Australia to have three friendship groups who support communities in Timor Leste.”

For further information or to register your support for a group contact your local council.

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VALUE YOUR WICKET: Brenton Surrey and the Beechworth Wanderers will play for a spot in the WDCA A grade grand final this weekend in Wangaratta against the Magpies.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

Semi-final showdown Beechworth A grade to head to Wangaratta to take on Magpies for a shot at a WDCA grand final

WITH winter sport around the corner, summer sport is just heating up with the WDCA and Beechworth Wanderers ready to embark on semifinal weekend from this Saturday.

Already having booked their spot in finals, the Wanderers’ A grade side went on to bowl themselves to a comfortable 82-run win in Benalla over the Bushrangers.

It sets up a semi-final clash with Wangaratta Magpies on Saturday and Sunday at Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta, with the winner to play off in a grand final.

Captain Brenton Surrey

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

said his team has found form at the right time and would be every chance to go all the way.

“You want to be playing your best cricket at the end of the year; I think any of the four sides in it can win it,” he said.

“You’re going to have to play well for 150 overs to be in the game right at the end and hopefully a bit of luck goes your way.”

With 271 runs on the board last weekend, the Wanderers had more than

enough to account for the Bushrangers, who ran out of overs at 9/189.

The dangerous Brayden Stepien was gone for just eight, Ross Cavill (22) and James Carboon (16) came and went, with Matt and Jack Ryan tearing through the middle order.

Lucas Ham would fight his way to a half century off 100 balls before he was knocked over by Kayde Surrey.

Matt Ryan would dismiss Gary Priest for two runs to finish with 4/34 from his 20 overs for the day, while Kayde Surrey picked up 2/17 from his 15 overs.

Brenton Surrey said his team did what they had to

do early in the day to secure the win.

“They batted pretty well, if you’re ever going to make 270, you’re going to do it at the gardens,” he said.

“We had them three or four down for not a lot and the game was over pretty early, but they made us toil away.”

This season will mark Beechworth A grade’s second finals appearance in a row, after coming up short to eventual premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala last year.

The Wanderers hosted their semi-final opponent just last month at Baarmutha Park, going down to the Magpies by 51 runs.

Surrey said the two sides would go into this weekend’s encounter evenly matched.

“Wang’s all-round game was a bit better than us last time, I don’t think there will be a lot in this one,” he said.

The Wanderers will be at full strength, bolstering a more senior side to this time last year with the additions of the Ryan brothers and Jackson Cull, as well as the late season return of Cam Fendyk who has slotted seamlessly into the middle order.

“He’s been good, he’s a good sportsman and he adds a bit to our batting and even to our fielding,

he’s pretty lively in the inner ring,” Surrey said.

Meanwhile, C grade will be preparing to host Greta Blue at Stanley as they head into their finals campaign undefeated.

The Wanderers took down their biggest challenge for the C grade shield in the second-placed Yarrawonga Mulwala by 22 runs last weekend, in what could be a grand final preview next week, as the Lakers look to take down Benalla.

C grade will be playing a one-day match from 1:30pm on Saturday while A grade will be playing a two-day match in Wangaratta from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.