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Train travel relief

Reservation-only booking system to be trialed on weekend trains from September 2 ygyp

By STEVE KELLY

A SEATING crisis on V/

Line trains since cheaper fares were introduced five months ago will ease with all Albury line weekend train travel to be trialed under a reservation-only booking system. Problems arose when

ticket prices were slashed by about $40 return or the equivalent of a daily metro fare ticket, but the shortfall with the plan was that only two of six carriages on the Albury line offered reserved seating.

A large volume of people who didn’t reserve a seat have been forced to stand

for all or some of an up to 4-hour long journey, with some choosing to sit on the floor.

Extra train services on a Saturday morning from Albury and another on Sunday afternoon from Southern Cross was trialled during July and August to address the demand, but

overcrowding still exists. The State Government will trial weekend reserved seating from Saturday, September 2 until late November following feedback from a recent survey of weekend passengers.

It found that more than 70 per cent supported a move to

reservation-only seating on the busy Albury line trains. Under the trial, if all seats are booked on a service, passengers would then have the option of purchasing an unreserved ticket, which alerts them that they may have to stand for some or all of their journey.

■ Continued page 2

TALKING IT UP: St Anne’s Catholic School student Ethan Wilson (left), Wodonga Primary School student Lucy Cole, St Anne’s Catholic School student Oakley Elliott and Beechworth’s St Joseph’s Primary School student Cleaver Green competed in the recent Lions district regional public speaking competition held in Beechworth. Story page 3.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Local residents lacking confidence

By RYAN MALCOLM

OVERALL community satisfaction with Indigo Shire council has reached a 10-year low, according to a recent survey of local residents.

The recently-completed 2023 Community Satisfaction survey found performance had dipped on six core council offerings, with sealed local roads and overall council direction of key concern for the 400 residents surveyed by phone between January 27 and March 19.

According to the report, which was commissioned by JWS Research, only 20 per cent of locals surveyed rated the shire’s road quality

Community satisfaction survey puts Indigo Shire council direction on blast yypg

to be above average, while 55 per cent said the roads were poor or worse.

The rating represented a 12 index point decrease on satisfaction compared to last year’s survey, and was eight points lower than the index average for small rural councils across the state, although the report found road satisfaction had decreased throughout Victoria.

Overall performance similarly fell by six index points, while only seven per cent of respondents felt council’s overall direction had improved in the last 12 months.

Some 63 per cent felt there had been no change, while 23 per cent said council’s direction had deteriorated.

Indigo Shire chief executive officer Trevor Ierino said the results of the survey were not what council had hoped to see.

He said council had been unable to further scrutinise the data.

“We did however improve in customer service and our community engagement and waste management were among the higher performing areas with little to no change from last year,” he said.

“Because we are limited

with the number of questions asked, we’re unable to scrutinize the data to better understand why the results differ across the shire and among particular cohorts and demographics.

“What the state-wide results tell us is that almost all councils experienced drops in overall satisfaction with the condition of sealed roads likely to be largely responsible for pulling the results down, particularly for rural councils.

“Councils in our region shared similar trends to ours and statewide, the results across all core services are at a long-term low.”

The report found some 74 per cent of respondents were pleased with waste management provisions throughout the shire, while 56 per cent rated customer service as above-average.

The result follows customer service reaching a 10year low in last year’s report.

Other provisions which saw declines in community satisfaction this year included value for money, community consultation and making community decisions.

Waste management was the only core performance indicator which ranked above the average index score for

small rural councils in 2023.

The report recommended council prioritise good communication and transparency with residents ahead of next year’s survey, while also building on its strong performance in waste management.

Mr Ierino said the report provided a clear message to council.

“While hoping for better figures, we are not going to shy away from these results, which are sending a clear message to all Victorian councils that community members want more from their local government,” he said.

Full reserved seating aims to remediate train overcrowding

■ From front page Alternatively, passengers may also have the option to travel on an overflow coach, on services where these are available.

Benambra MP Bill Tilley welcomed the change but said this shouldn’t be just a trial it should be permanent, and it should be extended to every service and not just weekends.

“This is a great win for mature conversations in the parliament and those people who had the confidence to contact us about their experiences,” he said.

“Those frank discussions

with the minister are so much stronger when you can tell authentic stories, horror stories, of overcrowding, people standing and sitting on carriage floors on trains for four hours all while travelling at up to 130kph.

“But this shouldn’t be just a trial, it should be permanent, and it should be extended to every service and not just weekends.

“Only then can V/Line, its frontline staff and passengers have the certainty and confidence in the service.

“What’s been lost in some

of this is that the staff have been copping the flak for a lack of planning – cheaper fares were always going to see a spike in demand.”

V/Line will keep Albury line passengers updated as details of the seating reservations trial are finalised ensuring passengers have advanced notice of the change.

Once implemented, V/ Line will closely monitor the trial.

In the meantime, Albury line passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and reserve a seat for all long-distance services by

booking online, at a staffed V/Line or premium Metro station, by calling 1800 800 007, or by visiting a retail ticket agent.

Passengers with accessibility needs are also encouraged to call 1800 800 007 to book a reserved seat or accessible space with special provision being made in the trial to ensure sufficient seating is available for those with special needs.

Since cheaper fares were introduced on March 31, about 150,000 Albury line passengers have used the service.

New High Country app to drive local tourism

A NEW mobile app will provide a dynamic visitor guide and wayfinding tool, as well as information around eateries and attractions for those visiting Victoria’s High Country.

Launched on Friday by Tourism North East, the ‘Victoria’s High Country’ app hopes to drive business for local tourism outlets, promoting experiences and connecting visitors directly to local businesses.

It features hyper-local

information which allows visitors to locate and connect with experiences in the town they are staying in, as well as providing search and wayfinding capabilities to allow visitors to explore the region based on their own interests.

Tourism North East chief executive officer Bess Nolan-Cook said the app would allow visitors to spend more time enjoying the region.

“Victoria’s High Country

is full of hidden gems, with something for everyone,” she said.

“Our new app allows visitors to find the region’s offerings more readily, meaning they can spend less time searching, and more time enjoying everything our incomparable region has to offer.”

Now available on both the iTunes App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), the app was partially funded by the State Government,

and officially launched in Beechworth last week.

Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing said the new app would boost tourism and drive more jobs to the region.

“With this new app we’re boosting local tourism opportunities for businesses across Victoria’s High Country – enhancing connectivity and the visitor experience and driving more jobs and economic growth in rural Victoria,” she said.

INFO AT A PRESS: The new ‘Victoria’s High Country’ mobile app will link tourists direct to local businesses and attractions, such as Beechworth’s historic precinct.

PHOTO: Tourism North East

LONG TRIP: Passengers on an Albury line service on Monday were forced to sit on the floor or stand due to overcrowding.

Competition shines light on public speaking skills

By CORAL COOKSLEY

PUBLIC speaking skills

shone when primary school students took to the stage for a Lions Club District Junior competition two weeks ago.

The local Lions club hosted the zone/region level event held at the Beechworth Servicemen’s Memorial Hall on Sunday, August 13.

Beechworth St Joseph’s student Cleaver Green in the grade five and six category representing Beechworth Lions Club and Lucy Cole in the three and four category representing Wodonga Lions Club scored runner up positions.

Cleaver was in his second year at the competition.

The youngster won his category at the local club level competition held at the end of last month, which qualified him for the competition.

Benalla Lions Club president Peter Poels and Beechworth Lions treasurer Christine Luckman undertook judging with Beechworth Club president Iris Mannik as timekeeper.

Mr Poels said the event was a valuable opportunity for children to take part in the competition with support from their schools to help them with their public speaking.

“It’s amazing how they improve with competitions,” he said.

Claire Eulenstein from Henty Public School trav-

elled with her mum Lucinda to compete.

“I love the public speaking opportunity as I normally only get to do for school but to be able to do this one outside of school and meet kids from all over the district is fantastic,” she said.

Lucinda – a teacher – said the competition where students gained public speaking skills and knowledge had huge benefits for students with creativity in writing speeches then presenting to an audience.

“The impromptu speech-

Retired doctor shares art passion

By CORAL COOKSLEY

A DEDICATED and highly acclaimed artist of illustrations, landscapes and the natural world will be a guest speaker at the next Mayday Hills Art Society’s talk on Friday, September 1.

Straddling both art and science, Dr David Freedman is a retired medical doctor and a talented artist.

Dr Freedman says there are similarities with surgery and painting.

“They both require observation, commitment, discipline and striving to improve skills and technique as well as certain hand-eye control, care and concentration,” he said.

Painting became a fulltime hobby when Dr Freedman retired.

“It had been a great way to escape the pressure of a surgical practise and be transported to an entirely different world,” he said.

Dr Freedman said he took up painting as he en-

joyed the challenge of creating something to show others what is in his mind.

“I love nature because every aspect of it fills me with wonder,” he said.

“I had always been a weekend plein air painter but with COVID-19 lockdowns, I was forced to paint in the studio.

“Rosellas nested on a bird box on a shed adjacent to my studio and I became intrigued by their activities.

“I painted an Eastern

Rosella and one bird led to another and I have just finished 271 watercolour illustrations for a second edition of a book on Australian birds with a text by my step brother Richard Steele.”

Dr Freedman said he was looking forward to presenting a talk his audience will find interesting.

“I would like people to be reminded of what a wonderful resource we have sharing our beautiful country with so many amazing birds,” he said.

Dr Freedman has worked in many parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific, tending to the needs of diverse communities and providing medical training.

The event starts at 5pm.

A gold coin entry donation is requested with refreshments provided.

MDAHS is located in Kurrajong Way at Mayday Hills in Beechworth.

For enquiries contact Christine Cansfield–Smith on 0412 126 219 with RSVPs to bibart@bigpond.com.

es showed skill to think on their feet too,” she said.

Lions District Zone nine chairman John Eldrid said there had been immense pleasure seeing them give their speeches as well as answer the impromptu question.

“It’s important to see them

try and enjoy the competition.”

Lions District 201V6 Junior Public Speaking chair Margaret Poels said with many interested schools from around Australia, a competition at national level is being explored.

Four competition levels comprise the overall program offered by Lions District 201V6 via Lions Clubs.

Club president Iris Mannik said the well-attended event drew around 50 people from five Lions Clubs from zones 9 and 10.

ALL SMILES: Nine confident young public speaking contestants with Lions Peter Poels (back left), 201V6 District 9 Zone chair John Eldrid, Lions Christine Luckman, with 201V6 District Junior Public Speaking chair Margaret Poels at the recent competition.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

NATURE LOVER: Dr David Freedman has finished 271 watercolour illustrations for a second edition of a book on Australian birds.

Indigo Shire launches annual grant initiative

APPLICATIONS are now open for three of Indigo Shire’s annual grants programs, with more than $130,000 available.

Community grants ranging from $200 to $4000, events grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 and community sustainability grants of up to $5000 to improve energy efficiency or to build capacity to implement greenhouse gas reductions, and up to $10,000 for capital improvement projects will be available to local groups.

Indigo Shire Mayor Sophie Price said council was proud to support its many community organisations through the annual program, and encouraged any

organisation looking for a funding boost to apply.

““We’re fortunate to have a number of wonderful community groups across the shire and we know many are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living, so these grants are a great way we can support them in a practical and tangible way,” she said.

Cr Price said the awarding of the funding often meant ideas and initiatives came to life which may not have otherwise.

Rutherglen Gold Battery committee installed a solar PV system with funding secured last year, and committee member Nyree Wiggins said the group was already noticing a marked

reduction in its electricity bills.

She said the group could now focus on utilising the historic battery more consistently without the worry of increasing costs.

“We appreciate council’s efforts to empower our committee to continue its good work,” she said.

An online Teams event will be held on Thursday, August 31 from 5.30 to 7pm for community members in search of more information.

Additional information can also be found online at www.indigoshire.vic.gov. au/grants.

Applications close at 4pm on Monday, September 25.

School enjoys science fair

By CORAL COOKSLEY

AMONG schools around the shire observing last week’s National Science Week, Beechworth Montessori celebrated with its own science fair on Thursday.

Running for three decades, Science Week acknowledges contributions from Australian scientists to the world of knowledge with a goal to encourage people’s interest in science pursuits.

the world they live in.

Principal Ben Sockett said students in Cycle 3 (years four to six) came up with their own individual science experiments.

“The diversity of the experiments ranged from the properties of slime to desalination and much more,” he said.

both said the event had been fantastic.

“It’s been great to see the enthusiasm for science that the fair has created,” the pair said.

“Students have learnt a huge amount about the scientific process and that there will be another fair next year,”

BIG WINNERS: Yackandandah Cemetery Trust committee received a major grant as part of last year’s initiative.

The annual week also aims to attract younger people to be fascinated by

Mr Sockett said younger school students had fun visiting the fair, learning from older students and being inspired by their interesting science investigations.

Montessori teachers Kat Beaton and Martina Ryan

Mr Sockett said science is important for children to study as it develops curiosity and critical thinking and develops their understanding of the natural world.

“Science is vital to prepare children for a technologically advanced future,” he said.

John & Christine Haddrick welcome their daughter Kat to their team.

CAPTURED INTEREST: Montessori Cycle 3 students Lyla (left), Joanna and Lotte demonstrated their experiments on goo to fascinated younger students at the school’s Science Fair last week.

Libby takes up presidency reins

By CORAL COOKSLEY

AN EXCITED Wooragee resident with years of experience in a long standing world-wide professional public speaking program will lead a local team in adapting the latest technology in learning new skills for the virtual world.

Libby Mourik has been recently elected as president of the 20-strong Albury Wodonga Toastmasters Club she co-founded more than two decades ago.

“As president I will be helping people to focus on new technology developments,” she said.

“In a world where technology is continually being revamped, I’m helping the tribe – our committee and club members navigate these exciting changes.

“Toastmasters Pathways will also be a focus too where skills as an effective communicator and leader are gained by undertaking a number of projects.”

The president said Toastmasters gives members a chance to strive towards competitions at district area, state, national and international levels.

“Toastmasters is all about boosting confidence, speaking and leadership which helps people get jobs, and promotions into leadership positions such as at their

workplace, and we have fun,” she said.

“A recent Toastmaster magazine states 80 per cent of participants achieve success at a job interview or promotion because of their presentation skills.”

She said participants are taught to improvise and think on their feet for two minutes and give presentations which are evaluated as part of the learning, which sparks a lively platform for gaining public speaking and

leadership knowledge and skills.

“Impromptu speeches are a great way to quickly get your thoughts together,” she said.

She is a past North East Victoria area director too.

Libby said she brings a wealth of experience to the role as a past leader in her teaching career at both secondary schools and at Albury TAFE where she created the first language, literacy and numeracy department with

six full-time, and around 20 part-time staff before she retired after two decades as senior head teacher.

Libby defeated the odds in 2015 after nearly losing her life when a brown snake bit her twice causing a stroke, and was on life support for five days .

She has had a long ongoing recovery since then in regaining her speech.

Libby was a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2020 awarded for outstanding service to education and the community.

A recipient of the Distinguished Toastmaster Award five years ago, Libby was one of three per cent of around 400,000 Toastmaster members worldwide bestowed the award.

For interested Indigo Shire residents, meetings are held on the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at Emmanuel Church, 39 Emerald Avenue West Wodonga, at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start where details can be found on Facebook.

Meetings in Wangaratta are held on the second and fourth Monday every month in Wangaratta Library’s community room, at Docker Street at 7pm.

Ms Mourik said visitors are welcome to all meetings.

CHUFFED: Wooragee’s Libby Mourik loves helping people boost their confidence and develop public speaking and leadership skills.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

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YOUR OVENS AND MURRAY TEAM

Local distiller wins gold

By CORAL COOKSLEY

A LOCAL distiller took out gold for its Rye Whisky in this year’s Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.

Yackandandah’s Backwoods

Distilling Co business owners Leigh and Bree Attwood joined Australia’s top distillers at the Melbourne Showgrounds where the wins were announced at a function earlier this month.

“We were excited to walk away with six medals,” Bree said.

The family run business with head distiller Leigh, also scooped two silver medals, one each for their Single Malt Whiskies as well as three bronze medals for the Single Malt Whisky, High Country Gin and Muscat Gin.

The awards drew a record number of 970 entries from 246 exhibitors across 11 categories.

Leigh and Bree entered the awards for the first time last year, where the Distilling Co won the trophy for Champion Single Malt Whisky.

Whisky production began six years ago after a move from Melbourne to Yackandandah to start the distillery with the first products hitting the market in mid-2020.

Bree said their mission had always been to create quality products, using the best quality local ingredients.

“We know the farms where our grains are grown only use reputable botanical suppliers

and have access to quality barrels,” she said.

A love for whisky and a passion for creating local products that showcase North East Victoria inspired the couple to create the business.

“We love this region and all the fabulous producers in it,” she said.

Bree said winning the awards meant being on the right track for becoming one of Australia’s best small producers of local spirits.

With the win helping to showcase the business, Bree hope more people would be drawn to supporting local producers with

small, independent businesses in their backyards.

“We’re also helping to put North East Victoria on the map as a premier craft beverage destination as well as a tourist destination important for the region’s economy,” she said.

OVER-THE-MOON: Backwoods Distilling Co’s Leigh and Bree Attwood walked away with six medals from this year’s Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.

Major turnout for local discussion on The Voice

IT was standing room only at Quercus Beechworth’s Oregon Hall on Tuesday as leading constitutional and Indigenous academics presented an information session about the proposed Voice to Parliament and upcoming referendum.

University of Canberra law professor Kim Rubenstein and Australian National University Indigenous diplomacy research fellow James Blackwell spoke in front of 106 people about the legal machinery and outcomes of constitutional change.

A Wiradyuri man, Mr Blackwell also spoke about Indigenous Australians’ historic, continuing quest for constitutional recognition.

The session was the last in a series of five hosted this week by Independent Indi MP Helen Haines, following successful meetings in Euroa, Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Bright ahead of the referendum, which is expected

to be held on October 14.

The referendum to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice needs to be approved by a double majority, both nationally and in four of

the six states, in order to succeed.

Dr Haines said it was important everyone had the necessary information about the proposed change before they vote.

“I invited Kim and James

to speak to our communities because of their expertise on constitutional matters and the history of the proposal of the Voice to Parliament,” she said.

“This referendum is an opportunity to start building a

future that is inclusive, reflects the values of our modern society, and respects the oldest living culture in the world.”

Professor Rubenstein said the constitution had a profound effect on Australians’

lives and “should be fit for purpose”.

“There is no better place to start and Indigenous Australians have led the way for us,” she said.

“From 2017 they met from around the country at a special convention, they sat with (the Uluru ‘Statement from the Heart’) and 84 per cent of those present chose the approach that we’re now bring presented with.

“It’s very generous, one that I truly believe enhances our representative democracy.

“The Voice will not only be able to provide advice for better policy, but we as fellow citizens will get to hear what the Voice is saying.”

According to Mr Blackwell, the existing federal constitution failed to represent the world’s oldest living culture.

He said Australians had “a shared history, one that starts with the Indigenous story of this country”.

Educating CALD communities on emergency readiness

NORTH East Multicultural Association (NEMA) will host its final emergency information and preparedness session in Beechworth on Wednesday, August 30, before moving onto the next stage of sessions.

The session at the Quercus Beechworth Neighbourhood House from 12pm–2pm, will include presentations from local SES and Hume Riverina Community Legal Service to explain their roles within the community.

The program aims to educate, equip and empower the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Wangaratta, Alpine, Indigo and Mansfield about emer-

gencies and crisis events.

Project manager Faryal Khan said the session will be aimed towards emergency preparedness and providing a range of language-specific emergency information.

“We‘re encouraging people to understand how to use things like an epipen and how to prepare themselves before any kind of emergency,” she said.

“We have already translated the emergency plans in nine different languages, which is actually the first time it has happened.

“This will be available on the Red Cross website for the public as well, which is a really positive thing that‘s happened before our first education session.

“We have prepared an emergency contact list for

the community, so there‘s a quick response if they need it and can stick it on the fridge.”

Ms Khan said NEMA has encouraged all of its Indigo shire members and the wider community to attend and learn the crucial language-specific steps in emergency preparedness.

“For people who miss out we will be encouraging them to come in and arrange a one–on–one session with them,” she said.

“We want them to be fully prepared for any kind of emergency and to achieve our outcome in the third stage of the program which will be assessment.”

Ms Khan said the next stage of the program will begin in September with a crisis management and women’s health session in Wangaratta.

SHARING THOUGHTS: Independent Indi MP Helen Haines (left) watches on as ANU’s James Blackwell and University of Canberra’s Kim Rubenstein discuss the proposed Voice to Parliament.

PHOTO: Jamie Kronborg

GETTING PREPARED: NEMA president Ian Prentice addressing Bright community members at the NEMA emergency preparedness session, which will be coming to Beechworth on Wednesday from 12pm at the Quercus Beechworth Neighbourhood House.

ACROSS

1 What do we call one engaged in literary work (6)

7 What must one switch on to start a car (8)

8 Which ancient structure consists of two spaced upright stones capped with a horizontal stone (6)

9 Name the bundle of nerve-cells outside the brain and spinal cord (8)

10 Name a US actor, producer, and film director, Orson ... (6)

11 What is commonly known as the Net (8)

14 To be deprived of the sense of hearing is called what (8)

18 Name another term for a woodlouse (6)

19 Which aircraft resembled a helicopter (8)

21 What is a short light doze (6)

22 What is an indication of the reaction of a recipient (8)

23 Name a freshwater food fish (6)

DOWN

1 Name a type of artistic pottery (8)

2 Who was a US child film star, and later a diplomat, Shirley ... (6)

3 Name the “best seats in the house”, perhaps (8)

4 Which archaic term means in a short time, or soon (4)

5 To be more vapid or flat, is to be what (6)

6 What is a prairie wolf known as (6)

12 What are tufts or clumps of growing grass (8)

13 Name an edible North American turtle (8)

15 Which musical compositions are intended mainly for the practice of some technique (6)

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.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD QUICK

16 What are finely divided leaves, as applied to ferns and their like (6)

17 What is a collusive syndicate called (6)

20 Name a period of twelve months (4)

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:

Aus native carnivore (5)

Devotees of surfing (coll) (7)

Donkey (3)

Equivalent (5)

Lower exposure limit (3)

Muslim: full body cover (5)

Plentiful (7)

Pseudonym (5)

Song: ... sera, sera

Undergarment

SOLUTIONS SUDOKU

THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Volunteer groups given lesson on resilience

AN innovative and ground-breaking program aimed at building the skills and knowledge of volunteer organisations has been launched in Wangaratta.

The GROW Volunteer Resilience and Capacity Program is being delivered through a partnership between Into Our Hands Community Foundation and Alpine Valleys Community Leadership, and was officially launched yesterday at Wangaratta Library.

Into Our Hands executive officer Peter McCabe said the program was aimed at volunteer-run groups and service clubs located in the fire-affected local government areas of Rural City of Wangaratta, Alpine, Indigo

and Mansfield shires.

“The program has already begun with Wangaratta and Alpine volunteer groups,” he said.

Throughout the program, participants will be given advice and support that builds resilient, strong, and adaptive organisations which are able to sustain their operations and contribute to community recovery efforts.

“Volunteers are vital and we recognise the impact that fires, floods and COVID-19 have had on them, so this program is extremely timely in its delivery,” Mr McCabe said.

Guest speakers at the launch included Diarmuid Kelly, Emergency Recovery Victoria’s regional recovery

director for the North East.

Those in attendance also heard from participants, including Resilient Alpine Youth Squad (RAYs) representative Noah Tanzen and Wangaratta Hockey Club president Daniel Warner.

“What these speakers reiterated is how there is a strong need for them to build their skills so that they can continue their very meaningful work in our communities,” Mr McCabe said.

“We look forward to keeping the community updated about the program and the benefits it brings.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the program can contact Mr McCabe on 0466 252 866 or email eo@intoourhands.com.au.

Claudia has love for teaching

CLAUDIA Keenan was born in Armidale NSW but grew up from age four in Bundaberg Queensland. She has lived in Wooragee for just over 10 years.

What do you do workwise?

I work part-time in a beautiful local boutique, Vivienne Cate, in Yackandandah. The rest of the week I am a stay-at-home parent. In my prechildren life, I was a kindergarten teacher. Next year I plan to return to teaching part-time when my youngest child starts school.

What brought you to your role/career?

I taught English in South Korea for six months and discovered how much I loved teaching. When I came home to Australia, I decided to complete my graduate diploma in Education specialising in early years education. I met my current amazing boss, Karen O’Brien, owner of Vivienne Cate when she was teaching at Wooragee Primary School where my children go to school.

Friday, August 25, Saturday August 26

ARTS YACKANDANDAH. Yackandandah Theatre present ‘The Heart Break Choir’. Yack Senior Citizens centre. Visit TRY Booking for details at https://www.trybooking.com/CKBLQ.

Saturday, August 26

FLICKS: Chiltern Star Theatre. 6.45pm. ‘Walk into Paradise’. G rating. Stars Chips Rafferty. Enquiries and bookings to Lois Hotson at hotson@westnet.com.au or call 0457 262 358.

Thursday, August 31

U3A. 2pm – 4pm. ‘Our Local Cemetery’. Members of the Beechworth Cemetery Trust will talk about aspects of the cemetery beyond the graves. Learn about the cemetery website, the Beechworth Cemetery Chronicle (online map) plus the role of being a trust member.

Bookings essential. Non-members contact courses.indigo.u3a@gmail.com

Visit website at www.indigou3a.org.au for more information.

Tuesday, September 5

U3A: All About Pathology 2pm – 4pm. Find out all about the science of pathology and its different branches and more including college requirements for standards and extent of quality assurance programs. Definition of tumours, classification, processing different specimens and reported. Presented by Terry Schulz. Bookings essential.

Non-members contact courses.indigo.u3a@ gmail.com

Visit www.indigou3a.org.au for more information.

What do you love about your work?

For my current role I love working in such a lovely friendly street where business owners all know and support each other. I love chatting to local women and those from further afield here on holidays, and just connecting with lots of varied and interesting visitors. For my teaching work I loved the relationships I develop with the children. Young children are so ready to learn and so full of wonder and joy and they have pretty spectacular imaginations. It is a privilege to be an early years teacher.

What do you do in the community?

I’m the Wooragee Primary School council president where, as a group of parents and teachers, we meet regularly to have input into the workings of our lovely school. I am also a member of the school’s fundraising committee where we have many events such as our famous Easter market and cow poo lotto, to our sourdough and wreath-making workshops and then making our Christmas relish gift bags. I also co-coordinate our Wooragee Seedlings playgroup. We meet fortnightly at the Wooragee

Hall, and this has been such a great way to meet other families in our area and give our children, many of whom have lived through many COVID lockdowns, an opportunity to play with others their own age. Playgroup is also a vital community connector for families, parents, grandparents and carers.

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

I love our community. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty close.

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

Protecting and preserving our environment. We need to work on ways to make being kinder to our environment easier and simpler – things like simple plastic alternatives that don’t cost the Earth and making renewable energy sources more affordable and accessible.

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?

American author Gretchen Rubin who wrote ‘The Happiness Project’. Gretchen has a really interesting way of investigating different strategies to see what might make us happier. I would take her to Beechworth Books – the best bookshop in the world – and to all the beautiful natural wonders of our region – Woolshed Falls, the gorge walk and beautiful Mount Buffalo. Then I would take her on a tour of all the eateries and shops in Beechworth, Yackandandah and Chiltern – my favourite towns would have a lot to offer a famous New York-based author.

What book are you reading?

‘The Survivors’ by Jane Harper.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIP: (From left) Wangaratta Hockey Club president Daniel Warner, Alpine Valley Community Leadership chair Judy Charlton, Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees, ERV’s Diarmuid Kelly, Into Our Hands vice-chair Fiona Nicholls and RAYs’ Noah Tanzen.

LOCAL LOVE: Wooragee’s Claudia Keenan enjoys her part-time work, being actively involved on committees at her children’s school and looks forward to taking up kindergarten teaching again. Photo taken with pet pooch Sapphire.

Claudia Keenan, Wooragee

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Indigo Shire Grants

Indigo Shire Council has three grant rounds now open!

Community Grants

Event Grants

Sustainability Grants

There is a total of $130,000 available to local a series of drop in sessions. To see these dates gov.au/grants

www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 365 003

The Wooragee Community Centre Community Asset Committee will be conducting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, commencing at 7pm at the Wooragee Hall.

Office Bearers will be nominated during the AGM. Nominations for Office Bearers will be sought on the night or prior by e-mailing craig.beverly@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

No general business will be tabled during the AGM. A General Meeting will be convened prior to the AGM during which general business will be discussed. All welcome.

For further information please contact the above-mentioned e-mail.

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Hole in one highlight

By DYLAN POOL

THE President is on fire at the moment!

On Sunday, Jacob Howard won the B Grade handicap at Avenel Golf Club’s tournament.

He was only one shot behind in the scratch event too.

Yogi also claimed the nearest second shot on the 17th hole, to take home some cash.

Dylan and Graeme Pool walked home empty handed.

If you get a chance to have a hit at Avenel, make sure you do.

The condition of the course was fantastic and you would struggle to find better scrapes.

This hot streak of form for the president follows his hole in one recently at Calderwood Valley Golf Club near Wollongong, which he then backed up at the Wollongong Golf Club by winning the whole competition with 39 stableford points.

We have also had some away form of note.

Gail Smith was the runner up in the B Grade competition at the Rutherglen Golf Club ladies bowl a week or so ago.

Last Wednesday the women played a fourball stableford event at home, with Coral Ward and Nada Guyatt the winners with 40 points followed by Gail Smith and Doyna Collins on 35.

This coming Sunday’s Rutherglen Tournament has been unfortunately called off due to the course being too wet.

Sunday golf as normal at Beechworth from 11:30 for a 12pm hit off

We also have three members travelling to Talbot for the Victorian Sandgreen Championships.

Good luck to Vaughan Saunders, Darren Edwards and Dylan Pool as they compete for the title.

Chiltern Golf Club’s men’s tournament (September 10) and the AFL Public Holiday ambrose (September 29) are also events to put in your calendar.

MAGIC MOMENT: Beechworth Golf Club’s Jacob Howard picks the ball out of the hole after recording a hole in one at Wollongong Golf Club recently.

Finals fever

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AFTER 18 long weeks, finals will return to Sandy Creek tomorrow with Beechworth confident they can flip their season script against rivals Yackandandah.

Falling to the hands of two agonisingly close losses earlier in the year, the Bushrangers will have a free swing at the Roos with a chance to play Kiewa Sandy Creek for a spot in the grand final.

Beechworth gave the minor premier Hawks an almighty scare last weekend, leading at every change except for the one that counted, going down 15.11 (101) to 13.11 (89).

With the minor premiership on the line, the Hawks overcame a 14-point three quarter time deficit in a chaotic last quarter, which saw them prevail kicking seven goals to three for the term.

Lachie Armstrong and Cam Fendyk were at their prolific best up forward and in the midfield while Liam Stephens was the pick of the men in red and blue.

Co-coach Tom Cartledge said despite losing the game after kicking the first six goals of the match, it served as an ideal hit out before finals.

“We’re certainly happy with the game and the effort displayed by the boys, we probably weren’t quite at our strongest, but to be winning most of the game and finishing so close was a really strong sign,” he said.

“We made a couple of silly decisions which kind of kept them in touch, it was a bit of a shootout in the last quarter, they kicked a couple and made up a bit of ground.”

■ Continued page 11

Kane Scott and the Bushrangers are

final at Sandy Creek tomorrow against Yackandandah.