PICTURED with one of the dining room chairs made for the Speaker of the Victorian Parliament are (from right to left) Ben Saunier (Domestic and commercial upholsterer at Eightpastfive Upholstery, Porepunkah) Rob Love (furniture polisher at Furnlac, Bright), Denis Brown (timber miller, dryer and marketer at Corsair Sustainable Timbers, Yackandandah), and Louise and Elliot Gorham (Steel Road Custom Furniture, Yackandandah).
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A NEW multi-million-dollar ambulance station set to be built in Beechworth will aim to provide better working conditions for paramedics and ensure lifesaving emergency care is available to the local community.
The station to be rebuilt on the existing site located in Frederick Street will house a three-bay garage for ambulances, multiple rest and recline areas for hardworking paramedics to recuperate as well as training facilities.
The building will also have a fully equipped kitchen, improved security and car parking to make sure paramedics are safe.
The existing branch will be demolished to pave way for the new double storey ambulance branch.
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Ambulance Victoria.
A VHBA spokesperson said the State Government is building the station in Beechworth to make sure paramedics have facilities and support needed to quickly respond to emergencies and save lives.
“Planning is well underway for the new station which will be a fitfor-purpose and modern workplace with the latest equipment and facilities and ensure they can deliver
the best care for their community,” the spokesperson said.
As Ambulance Victoria (AV) strives to improve response times, the latest statistics released from the last quarter of 2023/24 - April 1 to June 30 - has showed Indigo Shire with the greatest improvement across Victoria Code 1 emergency callouts.
■ Continued page 2
■ From front page
Response times for “lights and sirens” callouts was shaved by two minutes and 35 seconds from an average response time of 23 minutes and 21 seconds recorded in quarter three.
Compared to this time last year, the biggest improvements in the Hume region were in Indigo, Murrindindi, Strathbogie and Wodonga Local Government Areas (LGAs) while Wangaratta continued to buck the state trend with an average response time of 15 minutes and 23 seconds.
Some 69.5 per cent of 583 responses were made under the required 15-minute timeframe within Wangaratta, compared to the state average of 64.2 per cent, with Indigo Shire’s 33.8 per cent of 195 responses falling short by nearly half.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) Hume regional director, Steve Doyle said the entire health system had been extremely busy due to seasonal illnesses including flu, COVID-19 and RSV circulating within communities and AV’s workforce.
Paramedics and first responders in the state had faced the busiest quarter on record, with crews in the Hume Region responding to 5623 code one cases.
AV executive director regional operations, Danielle North, said AV constantly monitored demand and ambulance availability in real time and worked with hospitals to help transfer patients as promptly as possible, to ensure our ambulances can get back on the road sooner.
She said staying up to date with yearly flu and COVID-19 vaccinations helped in protect both individuals and the community and makes difference reducing demand on paramedics.
FEDERAL Independent MP
for Indi, Dr Helen Haines MP has praised consumers for active monitoring of price concerns that has led to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) conducting a full investigation into pricing practices.
The ACCC has initiated separate actions against both major supermarket chains, Woolworths and Coles, after consumer complaints and social media monitoring on a range of everyday items.
“These allegations – that the
big supermarkets raised prices temporarily before advertising ‘discounts’ that were higher than the original prices – are beyond the pale,” Dr Haines said.
“People are likely to be shaking their heads into their supermarket trollies at this news, but at the same time are probably not really surprised.
“At a time when Australians are battling to make ends meet, we need tough consequences for businesses that engage in this type of behaviour – the government must show that this is
unacceptable and stand up for everyday Australians.”
On the same day as the ACCC announced its action, the government said it would introduce legislation by the end of the year to address the recommendations of reviews into Australia’s supermarket sector.
“The government has now said it will introduce legislation by the end of the year to enforce a new mandatory code of conduct and address other recommendations from the review.
“This is welcome news, but
probably something that consumers wish had come sooner.
“As an Independent MP, I’ll be watching this closely and holding the Government to account to make sure we get the laws we need to help everyday Australians against the top end of town.
“Earlier this year I supported a bill from fellow Independent MP Bob Katter to reduce the dominance of the big supermarket players – so far the action in this space in the parliament hasn’t been from the major parties.”
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By CORAL COOKSLEY
AN exciting new annual art exhibition kicks off in December this year in the lead up to mark a milestone event next year.
OVENS AND MURRAY TEAM
The event “Made in Indigo” sets the scene for Beechworth Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary in 2025 with extra plans for a significant mid-year photographic project too.
Beechworth Arts Council president Darren John Pope said the exhibition will accommodate around 60 or more artworks from members.
Local Beechworth artist and Wangaratta Art Gallery arts educator and exhibition officer Inga Hanover will curate the exhibition with recently appointed Cultural Heritage and Burke Museum manager Stephen Payne as guest speaker and will officially launch the event.
Mr Pope said regular exhibitions gave visual artists
a chance to showcase their work.
The president said the purpose of the inaugural event ‘Made in Indigo’ is to be a broader exhibition as Beechworth is part of a larger arts community.
Mr Pope said the new exhibition added to the annual ‘Art in Autumn’ held at the beginning of the season.
“We will have some really big news about our 50th Anniversary in the new year too,” he said.
For Beechworth artist Kay Hampton the exhibitions are an opportunity to showcase work notched up throughout the year.
The artist said the events gave more exposure for artwork as well as a chance to get together with artistic pals talking art.
“It’s about an exchange of ideas, selling some work, congratulating each other and sharing as artists mainly work by themselves,” she said.
“There’s only one contemporary art gallery in Beechworth, and we really haven’t got anywhere else to show our art.
“It would be wonderful if we had a shared space where people could place their art for a month or couple of weeks at a time, but we haven’t, unless we chase around in other areas where we do get exposure.”
Mr Pope said as a membership-based organisation, annual membership fee gave artists two exhibitions every year as well as public liability insurance for any Beechworth Arts Council events for anything they wanted to do under its umbrella for a public event.
The exhibition will be held in the Quercus Oregon Hall over three days from December 6 to 8 at 10am to 4.30pm, 26 Ford Street.
The event coincides with the last farmers market held before Christmas. Visit www.beechworthartscouncil.org.au for more information and entry details.
The Dame Jean Forum.
THE third year of the Ian Jones Memorial Program is well underway with the theme of communities and the art of humanity.
This topic follows the previous two years which featured Peter Fitzsimons and The Australian Identity in 2022, and Adam Zwar in 2023 with Ancestry and Heritage.
The program itself is named for the life and work of the late Ian Jones (1913 – 2018), author, screenwriter, director, historian and a keen supporter of the Robert O’Hara Burke Memorial Museum and Historic Precinct in Beechworth.
For many years Ian worked tirelessly with his wife, Bronwyn Binns to explore, document and interpret the colonial context that led to the Kelly outbreak in the North East in the 1870s and later became an authority on the Australian Light Horse, writing the screenplay for Elyne Mitchell’s ‘The Lighthorsemen’.
This year the Friends of The Burke Museum, in conjunction with the Beechworth History and Heritage Society, are featuring the life and work of Dame Jean Macnamara DBE MBBS (1899 –1968), a Beechworth ‘legend and champion’.
Jean Macnamara was born in Beechworth but remains largely unrecognised in our community for her contributions to humanity in her pursuit of the therapies to aid those affected by paralytic polio and her campaign for the use of the myxoma virus to combat Australia’s rabbit infestation in the mid – 20th century.
The theme for 2024 first surfaced during the research regarding last year’s presenter, Adam Zwar and his family con-
By CORAL COOKSLEY
BEECHWORTH will come alive with gloss, glam and dazzle in an action-packed oneday event for this year’s Drag’d Out Beechworth in November.
In a challenging economic financial climate, creative director Andrew Madden said reluctantly, the festival’s events had to be scaled down.
“All free family-friendly and youth events, bingos, and trivias on Saturday will proceed as
planned the after party will still take place,” he said.
A cabaret spectacular for the after party is set to have sensational performances, glitzy costumes, and a chance to sing the night away to favourite classics.
Mr Madden said a full day of activities will be featured from 9am on Saturday to 1am on Sunday morning.
“We will be hosting the Rainbow Ball again this year too,” he said.
“There will be something for everyone.
“All of our favourite performers will be back in a in a smaller cast and we’re going to put on a fantastic Saturday.”
The queer, inclusive festival of the arts and a community event celebrates everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies while with its diversity brings people together from all walks of life.
“Next year we will be back bigger, bolder and better,”
Mr Madden said.
“We would like to give a shout out to all our sponsors as well as local and state governments with their support for not-for-profit community events.”
The festival in its third year is an inclusive, safe, friendly and fun event for all ages.
For more information about Drag’d Out Beechworth and what’s on for the Saturday program visit www.dragdoutbeechworth.com.au.
MORE than 12 months ago, Steel Road Custom Furniture in Yackandandah was invited to submit an Expression of Interest for a commission to design and manufacture bespoke, high-end, solid timber, furniture pieces for the Speaker’s Dining Room, at the Parliament of Victoria.
Steel Road was founded by Elliot and Louise Gorham in 2019, after relocating from Melbourne to set up a world class furniture making workshop in Yackandandah.
After a long and rigorous selection process, which included submitting their ‘EOI’, quoting, being shortlisted, prototype chair making, and providing a lengthy supplier statement, which addressed detailed and specific assessment criteria, the panel selected Steel Road as the successful applicant.
The furniture was
manufactured to a very tight deadline and the Steel Road team delivered the final pieces to Parliament on August 31.
“I believe 14 EOI’s were submitted by furniture makers Australia wide, just three were shortlisted to prototype the dining chair and from there, we were selected to make the furniture, which was a great moment for us,” Elliot said.
“With over 15 years’ experience, we have indepth knowledge and skill in timber manufacture.
“Specialising in solid timber construction, we manufacture and supply all areas of the industry, servicing both residential and commercial, supplying both loose furniture and architectural components.”
Louise said it was Steel Road’s top priority to showcase the skills of their fellow small businesses and
collaborators in the North East.
“We wanted this project to be a celebration of local businesses,” she said.
“We have access to the finest timbers, including Denis Brown’s premium Blackwood (in Yackandandah), we utilise the skills of a master polisher, Rob Love (in Bright), who has over 40 years’ experience, and the brief for the Parliament chair was to have a leather upholstered seat pad, so we needed to outsource that element to our local expert, Ben Saunier (from Porepunkah).
“It’s a team effort for sure.”
MANY small lakes and dams across the North East are now brimming with rainbow trout, ready for families to enjoy the great outdoors these school holidays.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos, said thousands of ready to catch rainbow trout have been released in the public waterways as part of the government’s $96 million package to improve fishing.
Minister Dimopoulos said many of the freshly stocked lakes have fishing platforms, walking tracks, barbecues and playgrounds – making it a fun and easy day out for the whole family.
“Rainbow trout are the perfect catch for beginners because they can easily be caught using widely available bait,” he said.
North East water storages stocked for the school holidays are:
• Glenrowan Recreational Reserve Lake300 trout;
• Lake Sambell Beechworth - 550 trout;
• Stanley Ditch Dam - 500 trout;
• King Lake Rutherglen - 200 trout;
• Andrews Lake Chiltern - 500 trout;
•- Allans Flat Dredge Hole Yackandandah
- 750 trout;
•- Arboretum Dam Euroa - 300 trout;
• Golf Course Dam Longwood - 300 trout; and
• Tronoh Dredge Hole Harrietville - 500 trout.
Anglers are reminded that a daily bag limit of five trout applies, of which only two can exceed 35 centimetres.
More information about fishing can be found in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide which is available for free at most bait and tackle shops, online at vfa. vic.gov.au/fishingguide or via the free Vic Fishing app on your smartphone.
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A PASSION to empower people with education and support for better dying and better living is behind a free get-together held monthly at Beechworth Library.
Run by End Stage Matters founders Nicole Parker and Rose Sexton ‘Death Café’ sessions aim to help change the narrative around death and dying.
Nicole said the group talks about “everything and anything” surrounding the topic including death literacy and different types of burials.
In last month’s session the group talked about what happens when people die and discussed Ray Martin’s show with the ‘I’m not dead yet’ segment in the three-part series ‘The Last Goodbye’.
Paul Manning from Rutherglen said he is at the age with thoughts about what he calls transitioning.
“I don’t believe in death and with a different type of burial I believe my body will get recycled,” he said.
“I believe I’m energy and from a scientific point of view, energy cannot die.”
With his philosophy around energy, Mr Manning said his
curiosity of how other people thought about death drew him to the café.
“I expected something totally different.,” he said.
“I thought there would be people worried about death and would talk about their fears, and it was not that at all.
“I had never thought about
those who survive me, how they would have to deal with my transition such as all the bureaucratic aspects as well as what kind of funeral I had.’”
With eco-friendly burials on the rise around Australia, Mr Manning said he had a wonderful discussion about natural burials with tree plantings.
“Maybe in future, it might be possible to have them here,” he said.
Mr Manning said he learned a lot at the café opening his mind while he loved the company.
Indigo Shire’s customer service officer Ari Bridge involved in the management of the Carlisle Cemetery also attended the event.
She said she had been interested in joining the café group to engage with an incredible initiative and movement within the community.
“I think it’s really valuable to not just clarify the process but ensure that there are a lot of people coming together to take part in discussions around endof-life processes and end-of-life matters, to make things as easy as possible,” she said.
“It reminds people there is a community behind them, and it’s not just money and loss and grief - there is a whole range of support.
“It is interesting to engage with people like Paul in the community, to hear different perspectives, what people are really looking for, what matters to them.”
Next cafés run on October 18 and November 15 at 11.15am.
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DENNIS Bittisnich is a Melbourne native of Italian migrant parents.
He moved to Beechworth in 2020 just in time to enjoy lockdowns wandering the Historic Park – a unique way to get to know his new home.
What do you do workwise?
I am mostly retired, but still dabble as a food security consultant with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organisation.
Unfortunately, they are like any public service – a mixture of poor politically motivated projects, together with projects that have real impact when locals take ownership.
What brought you to your role/ career?
I undertook degrees and a PhD in plant biochemistry in Melbourne and lectured at Melbourne Uni and the ANU – but escaped academia for the fluffy handcuffs of the Australian public service.
Best outcome was being introduced to international development work and gaining a secondment to the FAO in Rome – which comprised endless office work with an occasional gelato (or two).
What do you love about your work?
Seeing positive changes take root from my own work.
Each country’s project is a new puzzle and it’s satisfying to see you have made a difference in people’s lives.
Plus, it keeps the grey matter ticking - which staves off dementia.
What do you do in the community?
I’m in Beechworth Singers, Beechworth Theatre Company, Friends of Burke Museum, and RSL subbranch.
Whether it’s belting out a tune, helping on stage, assisting to preserve local history, or sharing a drink with veterans, these activities keep me connected and grounded in the community.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
We need sustainable energy.
If Yackandandah can do it, the PhDs in Beechworth should have the collective neurons to come up with a community project to prevent blackouts.
But it’s not just about keeping the lights on; it’s about future-proofing our town and setting an example for others.
What would you do to solve, change, improve that situation?
Adopt what works from other towns that are becoming energy sustainable.
Act before our boomer dosh is bequeathed to various offspring’s houses in Melbourne.
We need to pool resources and expertise, perhaps set up a community energy project.
What do you see as some of the most important current world issues?
Beyond headline-grabbing wars, it is (un)social media, population pressures and income disparities that drive social disharmony, climate change, refugee issues, and food insecurity.
These need tough choices to be made – so think twice before buying the absolutely not necessary new phone.
If the person you would most like to meet or knew came to Indigo Shire (past or present), or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
Baron von Mueller.
He established Victoria’s National Herbarium, shared plants globally, including into our Town Hall Gardens.
He’d be amazed how his horseand-buggy seedling shipments changed landscapes worldwide.
I’d love to show him our gardens, discuss how his work influenced global economies, and ask if he has any tips for my veggie patch.
What book are you reading?
Australian classics by George Johnston and Patrick White I got from Quercus.
Their novels are all over my house – from the living room edition to the bedroom sequel and daring dunny digest.
It’s a bit of a literary treasure hunt.
After years of reading dry reports and academic papers, rediscovering these Aussie gems is like finding a shiny nugget down the Woolshed.
Saturday, October 12
BEECHWORTH ARTS COUNCIL: Group art workshop ‘En Plein Air.’ 2pm-4pm. Newtown Falls Lookout. All creative abilities welcome. Bring sketch pads/ painting materials and if needed easel and chair. Cost: $25 non-members $10 members, Enquiries 0497 236 195 Email beechworthartscouncil@gmail. com or visit www.beechworthartscouncil.org.au for more information.
AT the recent Indigo Shire Council meeting the 2023/24 Annual Capital Works summary was presented for approval, with results for the approved budget and the quarter two revised budget forecast. Several councillors were enthusiastic about the results that were achieved with reported expenditure for the Quarter two revised budget equal to 100 per cent.
A Revised Budget must comply with the requirements of Section 95 of the Local Government Act (2020) which are demanding in terms of scope and detail.
To escape this arduous work, council prepared an estimated year end performance that substantially reduced the capital works to be completed, and it became their quarter two revised budget forecast.
However, all is not lost for community members who wish to obtain an accurate picture of the actual capital works achieved in 2023/24 as Council is required to submit an annual report to the Victorian Auditor General. Council has prepared a draft financial statement for the report that identifies year-end expenditure of $11.6 million versus an approved budget figure of $17.6 million; the $6 million shortfall meant only 66 per cent of the approved budget was completed, and that is an unacceptable result.
The approved budget for 2024/25 now has carryover of $10.6 million versus a new capital works expenditure of $6.7 million.
We are going backwards and only one councillor had the courage to vote against the new budget.
When you review the potential council candidates, you should look for candidates who will bring to council a special skill such as law, finance, health, commerce, education, etc.
We need councillors who are aware of their civic responsibilities, but in a modern, demanding local government environment, we require more. Robin McLiesh, Beechworth
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By DYLAN POOL
LAST Sunday the completion of the Beechworth Golf Club popular par 3 competition was played.
Players enjoyed a team Ambrose event on the par 3 course Sunday morning with the winning team on the day Graeme Cordy, Margo Northey and Marcus O’Connor.
After the completion of play participants enjoyed a delicious lunch and drinks at the clubrooms.
Results for the season were as follows:
Winner of the overall competition for the men was new player Marcus O’Connor (score average 23.3).
Runners up Ric Pierce and Stuart McIntosh (26.1).
In the women’s event the winner was also a new player in Di Goldsworthy (avg 24.8) with runner up Marije Van Epenhuijsen (avg 25.1).
Lots of players featured in the weekly winners list.
Most NTPs for the competition went to Dylan Pool (seven) and Judy Pierce (five).
The team event was hotly contested over the six rounds.
Team Alpine (Graeme Cordy, Michelle Spicer, Doyna Collins and Marcus O’Connor) took out the prize with a score of 301.
They were closely followed by Red Bull (Hollie Goodwin, Judy Pierce and Di Goldsworthy) with a score of 306, and in third place was Renault ( Ric Pierce, Jacqui Cato and Lisa O’Connor).
The club also celebrated with much fanfare Jenny
Hogan’s hole in one on the first hole back in July. You’re in the record books now Jen, well done.
A big thanks to everyone who played and helped out throughout the competition and on Sunday with the catering and drinks.
Also to all the members who keep the Beechworth Golf Club working well.
Biggest thanks of all must go to Gail Smith who has got this competition off the ground and in return has brought many new golfers to the club.
Fantastic job Gail.
We look forward to the
Thursday and Friday Twilight competitions beginning after daylight savings starts (Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10).
On Sunday afternoon
Dave Lang cleaned up.
Dave won the day with 39 points.
Runner up was Phil Pelgrim with 37 points on a countback from the man who leaked a lot of break fluid in the back nine, Jamie Dolny who had 23 points on the front 9 and finished with 37.
Dave Lang also claimed two nearest the pins on the 7th and 10th.
■ From back page
An additional two teams are looking to join the league this season in Ovens Valley United and City Colts.
Rutherglen and Delatite have also expressed interest in joining the league.
Brear said he was hopeful the growing interest shown by clubs would also reflect in a growth of registrations in the girls’ league, with registrations opening on Wednesday.
“We feel with the advancements we made last
year, we’re looking forward to more girls playing in the second season and trying to get more clubs involved,” he said.
“We’ll be looking back in the next six weeks to compare where we are then to where we were last year and hopefully see an increase in registrations among those age groups.
“I think we’ve done everything we possibly can to put cricket foremost in girls minds and it was well supported by parents who were interested in
what we were doing.
“It’s now up to Cricket Victoria locally and the clubs to push that advantage home and to get some teams committed to the league this year.”
Brear said Cricket Victoria would look to ease new players transition into the sport and their local clubs with more open trainings and come and try days planned at the commencement of term four.
The All-Girls Cricket League 2024/25 season will begin in late October.
THERE are only a few short weeks to go till the Harrietville Half Marathon.
The annual, volunteer-run event will be held on Sunday, October 13, and again raise funds for local causes, which this year will be Harrietville Primary School and the mental health charity Black Dog Institute.
The popular community event attracts runners from Melbourne and regional Victoria, with a great race day atmosphere as well as coffee, food, and music by DJ Beauy for spectators and visitors.
Events include the 21km half marathon and a 10.5km ‘quarter marathon’, as well as 5km and 2km courses.
Numbers have already significantly exceeded last year’s registrations, and organisers anticipate around
300 people will run on the day.
“We’ve seen a steady growth in participant numbers since the half marathon was launched in 2015,” Robyn Downey, creator of the Harrietville Half Marathon and chair of the organising committee said.
“It’s popular because the course traverses such a beautiful environment, and it is a great way for runners to ease into the summer running season.”
The event is non-profit, so after costs all income is donated to the selected causes.
Past events have helped fund projects at Harrietville Primary School, including renovation of the art room, new laptops, new interactive whiteboards and playground equipment.
This year proceeds from
the event will also be supporting the Black Dog Institute, acknowledging the impact of mental health issues in regional communities.
All courses utilise the Great Valley Trail between Bright and Harrietville, taking runners into the beautiful bushland along the Ovens River.
Runners emerge into Harrietville to stunning views of Mount Feathertop in the distance, often still covered with winter snow.
“The event is a really friendly, support event with something for everyone, not just the elite runners,” Ms Downey said.
“There are kids’ events from 2km and 5km, as well as a 10.5 kilometre for runners over 12 years of age.
“We wanted this event to be family-friendly, as it’s a
great way to introduce kids and adults to running and instil a life-long love of sport and fitness.”
Local businesses take part every year by providing financial support or contributing prizes for each event.
“It’s wonderful how so many local businesses support us year after year – we couldn’t do it without them,” Ms Downey said.
“We also rely on our amazing volunteers, who come back year after year to help with course set up, marshalling, registrations on the day, water stations, and of course clean up.
“We’re humbled by the generosity of all these locals.”
To register for the 2023 Harrietville Half Marathon, visit https://www.harrietvillehalfmarathon.com.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
THE Wangaratta and District Cricket Association (WDCA) All-Girls Cricket League looks set to expand as it heads into its second season.
Cricket League looks to grow on back of successful school holiday cricket carnival ggy
The season was launched with the Carnival of Girls’ Cricket on Wednesday, which invited juniors to the Barr Reserve to show their talents and learn more about the sport in the region while enjoying their school holidays.
dampen spirits with 52 girls attending throughout the day.
While the wet weather moved the event from the Barr Reserve to the indoor comfort of the stadium, Cricket Victoria’s North East regional manager Peter Brear said the rain didn’t
“We walked away very positively and somewhat inspired by the turn up and the positivity of the girls engaging in cricket,” he said.
“Part of Cricket Victoria’s priorities for the participation of the game is to engage young girls from 12 to
15 and younger girls from five to 12 in the Woolworths Cricket Blast program.
“The day was something we could definitely demonstrate to the clubs who attended that there is an appetite for cricket among girls.”
The carnival was littered with special guests from politicians Helen Haines,
Tim McCurdy and Harvey Benton to premier league cricketers in the region, Kate Burns and Sienna Sims, and Cricket Victoria’s head of female cricket Sharelle McMahon.
All guests showed their support for the event.
Last season the league boasted four under 13 teams in the WDCA who
played off every second Friday. Brear said Beechworth, Benalla, Rovers United Bruck and YarrawongaMulwala will be re-committing their teams from the inaugural season, with two clubs seeking the possibility of entering a second side.
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