Festival dazzles crowds
Close to 1000 people gather in Beechworth on Saturday for Drag’d Out ppgygpparty y
MUSIC pumped while drag performers in glamour and glitz dazzled the close to 1000-strong crowd at this year’s Drag’d Out Beechworth festival.
The after party held at the Memorial Hall Saturday night had around 180 people dancing the night away.
The party followed a day of fun with family friendly activities from colourful creations in chalk drawing on the pavement outside the hall for kids in the morning to drag trivia sessions held at the Priory and drag bingo at Tanswells.
BY CORAL COOKSLEY ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au
Some event goers had a chance to gain insights into all things Queen with conversations at the Town Hall while among others included youth led discussions.
Drag’d Out Beechworth hosted another successful Rainbow Ball for 12 to 20-year-olds with a first time drag performance treat at the event
for the more than 100 young people who attended.
Organisers estimated close to 1000 people had been drawn to Beechworth for the day’s events.
Despite the festival scaled down to one day due to the economic climate from its original three-day event held in the two previous years, creative director Andrew Madden said all events had been booked out.
“It’s been a huge success in every possible way, and we can’t wait until 2025,” he said.
“We had more regional queens this year who were super pumped.”
Heading towards a bigger and bolder fourth festival next year, Mr Madden said the committee understands what works for the town.
“We’re stronger and better, glad we could run this year’s festival, and everyone was super happy,” he said.
On the horizon for next year is a mid-year dragged out event in the Memorial Hall as a lead in event to keep the momentum going.
■ Continued page 3
FESTIVE FEEL: Drag’d Out Beechworth performers Polly Filla (left) Beechworth’s own Eden Cox and Freddie Merkin were among the fabulous cast
Saturday. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Wild weather lashes the shire
By CORAL COOKSLEY
WILD weather lashed the shire Wednesday with some towns experiencing more damage than others.
Beechworth SES controller Charles Dean said Beechworth copped 70mm of rain from 9am to 9pm Wednesday with the intensity of rain falling in patches throughout the day gave rise to flooding waters.
Mr Dean said the unit received six callouts on Wednesday with three house floods around the town needing sandbags, some trees down including one on the Beechworth Wangaratta Road as well as White Post Road.
“A huge trench had opened up on Diffy Road as well,” Mr Dean said.
Two rooms in the at Beechworth Community Early Years Learning Centre also flooded.
“It could have been worse, but people had heeded our weather warnings and acted,” Mr Dean said.
“Given the intensity of the rain we didn’t have that many call outs.
“Well done to the community.”
Chiltern SES controller Helen Eames said there had been damage with multiple trees down around the area and flooding.
“Trees fell on power lines into two homes needing to be cleared and were luckily not broken and a cubby house and a couple of sheds had also come down,” she said.
Ms Eames said there were around 15 callouts over the day with the crew returning around midnight Wednesday night.
Rutherglen SES controller Darren Trevaskis said Rutherglen had received 50 mm of rain over the last couple of days but weathered the storm with the town left relatively unscathed with one call-out.
“We didn’t get a lot of wind like Yarrawonga which was the worst,” he said.
Tragedy hits North East family following storms
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
A FATAL tragedy rocked Yarrawonga and the North East on Tuesday night at Loops Track campsite.
Police said a 45-year-old Yarrawonga man was killed by a large fallen tree branch while his wife and teenage son were left injured around 7:10pm.
Sergeant Shaun Hillier of Wangaratta Highway Patrol said the 45-year-old along with his family were driving out of Loops Track at Yarrawonga attempting to escape a storm when the branch fell and landed on their moving vehicle.
“I believe their other route was blocked by a tree which is why they’ve decided to go the way they did, which is unfortunately where the incident occurred,” he said.
Sgt Hillier said the 45-yearold died at the scene, while the woman and the boy were able to exit the vehicle before paramedics arrived.
He said the two locally-based family members were taken to Wangaratta hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where they have remained as of 11:30am Wednesday.
“We offer our condolences to the family; we’re doing everything we can to support them and anyone else involved in the incident,” he said.
“They were doing nothing wrong; they were simply trying to get out of the area when a severe storm struck.
“Unfortunately when you’re in these areas and storms come through freak accidents like this do happen.
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“It’s a terrible accident.”
Police will prepare a report for the coroner detailing the circumstances leading up to the fatality.
Around 8.4mm of rain fell between 7pm and 7:30pm Tuesday night at Yarrawonga according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s recording station, with peak wind gusts reaching 78km/h at 7:04pm. BOM issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Wodonga, Yarrawonga, Wangaratta, Bright and surrounds at 7.45pm, which was replaced by an advice alert at 8:26pm.
A SES spokesperson said Yarrawonga SES volunteers responded to just under 20 Requests For Assistance (RFA) be-
tween 6pm Tuesday and 9am Wednesday to be by far the busiest in the Hume region.
Callouts were largely related to tree falls and building damage.
The spokesperson said Chiltern (two RFAs), Beechworth (one RFA) and Myrtleford (one RFA) SES units were also active.
According to Rutherglen’s recording station, 37.8mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday, with a further 23.4mm downpour falling between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday.
According to the BOM, thunderstorms are predicted throughout the region for the rest of the week.
Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline. You can report new power faults and emergencies online www.ausnetservices.com.au/ outages/report-a-fault or on 13 17 99.
For emergency services, call the SES on 132 500.
YOUR OVENS AND MURRAY TEAM
A 77-YEAR-old man from Mareeba, Queensland has been prosecuted for the illegal cutting of trees at Wooragee last year.
At the Wodonga Magistrates Court last Wednesday, November 20, the man was found guilty of four offences against the Land (Regulated Watercourse Land) Regulations 2021 for cutting down trees and directing another person to cut trees on regulated land at Wooragee in early 2023.
The man did not attend court, and in his absence, he was fined $3000 with no conviction.
His co-accused pleaded guilty earlier this year and was fined $500.
Authorised officers from the Conservation Regulator found the man and his co-accused cutting trees down on public land adjacent to the Reedy Creek.
In Victoria, it is illegal to cut or remove native vegetation on
public land or damage protected flora without authorisation. Illegal cutting and removal of firewood is a serious offence and may result in imprisonment.
The authorised officers detected the offending after re-
ceiving a report from a member of the public.
Manager regulatory operations at the Conservation Regulator, Greg Chant, said they are committed to detecting and disrupting firewood theft in our forests and our parks.
“These successful court outcomes send a clear message to perpetrators that they will be caught and punished,” he said.
“Firewood theft is damaging our parks, forests and native wildlife, which is why we’re cracking down on illegal firewood operators across the state through Taskforce Ironbark.”
The community plays a vital role in protecting our precious natural resources.
The Conservation Regulator urges anyone who sees suspicious firewood activity to contact them on 136 186.
Taskforce Ironbark, is a statewide initiative targeting illegal commercial firewood theft from public land through a combination of enforcement and education activities to protect our forests, parks, and native wildlife.
For further information on sourcing firewood legally in Victoria visit: https://www.vic.gov. au/sourcing-firewood.
THEFT: The Conservation Regulator urges anyone who notices
A TRAGIC ACCIDENT: Sergeant Shaun Hillier of Wangaratta Highway Patrol addressed the media following a “freak accident” involving a fallen tree branch at Yarrawonga Tuesday night, which killed at 45-year-old Yarrawonga man.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Container heist in Beechworth
POLICE are seeking public assistance after a shipping container with around $25,000 worth of mining goods was stolen at Beechworth.
Police said it’s believed from around 1:30am to 5:15am on November 16 the Flat Rock Road rural mining site was targeted by two suspects.
A white Mercedes Actros prime mover with two long green trailers was caught on CCTV arriving at a weighbridge at 4:20am.
The same truck was seen leaving the site nearly one hour later, with the stolen white shipping container
loaded onto the trailer.
Police said the container was filled with around $25,000 worth of equipment
used for mining.
Police released images of the truck with the stolen shipping container on Monday,
November 25 in hopes of identifying the Mercedes and the offenders involved.
Images and CCTV capturing
a man wearing a black singlet and gray shorts at around 4:10am on the morning of the offending was also released.
Police said Wodonga detectives located the stolen container on November 27 in Violet Town and were able to seize some of the items. No charges or arrests related to the offending have yet to be made.
If you have any information, contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Festival dazzles crowds
■ From front page
One of Victoria’s most professional and well-respected drag performers Polly Filla said being back in Beechworth was fabulous.
“It’s always fabulous and it’s important for pride,” she said.
While those living in Melbourne had many opportunities to see drag performances and other related events, Polly said it is also important that people in smaller regional towns do not feel isolated or excluded.
“It’s going out and showing them that they are loved, worthy, and
Rainbow Ball a fabulous success
By CORAL COOKSLEY
THIS year’s Rainbow Ball hosted by Drag’d Out Beechworth for the second year in a row drew another great crowd last Saturday from around the region.
Drag’d Out Beechworth Festival volunteer committee member Kate O’Toole said despite the lack of youth transport 100 young people from towns around the region grabbed tickets for the free event.
“We’ve had our biggest out of town turn up so far with financial support from Wangaratta City Council and Indigo Shire Council as well as other services,” she said.
“It’s fabulous to have 100 tickets taken up for the youth event.”
Ms O’Toole said parents and everyone rallied behind young people due to support
from the councils and services to bring young people to Beechworth.
“It was a sensational night, and young people had a real treat to a proper drag show at the ball with our star performers for the after party.”
The event featured free catering, photo booths, and chill-out zones including safe spaces for neurodivergent children.
“A really important part of the rainbow ball is catering for neuro divergent children and young people,” she said.
A “What Pride Means to Me” art installation funded by Midsumma Festival through its Regional Pride program supported by the Victorian Government showcased a beautiful display.
“It’s an awesome part of Midsumma bringing this to the regions, so we don’t all have to go to Melbourne,”
Ms O’Toole said.
The committee volunteer said the art installation had been organised by Lisa Bishop Studios with young people of all ages creating the showpiece.
“It will be a lasting legacy for the town and the Drag’d Out Beechworth Festival.”
Beechworth musician and singer-songwriter Mieke Bosland entertained the young crowd too.
Young Beechworthian Charles Wallen said the Rainbow Ball fostered inclusivity bringing the community together.
“I hope it continues in the future as it’s great,” he said.
Local Tahji Browne said the queer community isn’t well represented in North East Victoria being a rural area.
“Having a ball for queer youth where all young peo-
ple including allies can get together and celebrate who they are is awesome,” she said.
Ms O’Toole said the festival originally kicked off with a greater focus on adult drag shows and events.
“It’s really amazing to be able to share this with the kids who are so excited to see drag performers among them Freddie Merkin and Beechworth’s own Eden Cox,” she said.
there are people like them who exist,” she said.
A local festival volunteer Shannen Hocking said for people to have the right choice to be who they need to be is important for a community.
“The festival has been jampacked into one day, is just brilliant and so entertaining,” she said.
The queer, inclusive festival with its diversity kicked off three years ago bringing people together from all walks of life and ages and celebrates everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community as well their allies.
FUN: Beechworth’s Charles Wallen (left), Jalani Hemmeding, Tahji Browne and Thea Fraser had a great time at the inclusive Rainbow Ball. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
FUN: Beechworth friends Isla Fitridge (left), Siobhan Pilkington and Anita Fox had a great time at the after party on Saturday night. PHOTOS: Coral Cooksley
REVELLED: Beechworth’s Kristy Howard (left) and Lisa Hebel had fun on Saturday night at the Drag’d Out’s after party.
Fulfilling a dream after retirement
LOUISE Hazelton was born in the north west town of Bourke in New South Wales as her dad had been a stockman at North Bourke.
Louise has lived in Chiltern for 28 years.
What did you do workwise?
Now that I’m retired, I’m finally living my life-long dream of being an artist.
Prior to retirement I worked in community development.
What led you to your role/ career?
I have always wanted to be an artist, but a busy life working and raising my child took precedence.
Working within community has been a passion with my need to support and encourage people to be the best they can.
I started my working life as a secretary, then worked for the Murray River Performing Group for five years that instilled in me the want to work with community.
We developed plays relevant to the community we worked in.
I then became the CEO of Regional skills Inc, where the team supported long term unemployed, youth, aged and people with a disability to find meaningful employment. After that I worked in Neighbourhood Houses, and did a long stint at Wangaratta Council.
My last employment was with Woomera Aboriginal Corp in Albury - a truly challenging job in a housing crisis.
With art I studied the subject
at Charles Sturt University and at TAFE several times to “keep my hand in”.
What did you love about your community work and now your art?
I loved the people and their stories of bravery or their need to improve their community.
Now an artist I love working in oil, water colour, acrylic, metal art and natural fibre basket making.
My work ranges from expression to abstract.
Metal art is an interesting construction that can take days and then it all fits together.
I also run natural fibre basket making workshops at the Out of Town Nursery that I love too.
What do you do in the community?
I am a Chiltern Landcare member and a member of the Chiltern Artists’ Collective.
The collective is a great initiative for local talented artists to get together to support each other and to promote our work at events such as the recent Chiltern Art Exhibition held at the Old Courthouse.
Are there some important community issues that you think need addressing?
I have concerns about homelessness for aging women as well as rabbits damaging land and weeds not being managed by council.
I am, however, very proud that our council and community have stood by the poker machine choice not to allow them within the shire.
What would you do to solve change or improve that situation?
Education, and encourage council to play a larger role in all points mentioned above. If we want to make change, we must start locally.
What do you see as some of the most important current world issues?
Control, greed, power, poverty, religion, health and fear.
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?
There are too many to name, but I would show them the sites of Mayday Hills as it has so much interesting history and also beautiful grounds to see, and Mount Pilot in the ChilternMount Pilot National Park to name just a couple.
The park features the stunning Mt Pilot Range and Woolshed Falls.
What book are you reading?
‘A Room Made of Leaves’ by Australian author Kate Grenville.
Youngsters showcase artwork at junior art show
By CORAL COOKSLEY
YOUNG budding artists had a chance to have their colourful artworks on display at a Beechworth Health Service hosted junior art show at the end of last week.
The exhibition officially opened last Friday at 4pm and drew 180 entries from local primary schools – Beechworth, Wooragee, Montessori and Osbornes Flat.
Mayday Hills Art Society helped with mounting of framed art works for the community health and wellbeing themed showcase.
Montessori art teacher Kylie Giltrap said excited
students spent most of the term of around 10 weeks unpacking the theme.
Ms Giltrap said younger students’ interpretations had been ‘what makes us happy’ with more of a wellbeing focus.
“We had around 90 artworks on show,” she said.
“The kids were so excited they arrived before the opening to see if their artworks were already up.”
Health promotion and community engagement officer Gabriella Tange said the successful event aimed at re-engaging people with the health service post COVID as the doors
had been shut for so long.
“The event aimed to create a welcoming environment and showcase what we do at Beechworth Health Services too,” she said.
“It is about communities, also linking with our new community street and our new infrastructure.”
Ms Tange said the event had been a great opportunity to invite the community back to a bright, happy environment.
She said happiness – a focus in the students’ artwork – is important for mental health.
“There were a lot of art of outdoor themes with trees
open spaces, and connection with nature and that connection is important for our health as well,” she said.
“It was lovely to see artwork from across all years at primary school from foundation right through to year six.”
Montessori mum Robyn Butcher said the showcase for primary school youngsters had been a great Beechworth Health Service initiative.
“It’s lovely that the kids could have their artworks hung up and framed and open to the public, and it makes their artworks a bit more special,” she said.
CREATIVE: Excited Montessori students Aidan (left), Henry, Luca, Ruben, Fletcher, Grace and Elli had their framed works on show at Beechworth Health Service. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
ARTISTIC: Chiltern’s Louise Hazelton loves working in oil, water colour, acrylic, metal art and natural fibre basket making with work ranging from expression to abstract. Photo taken at her daughter’s wedding.
Louise Hazelton
New exhibition showcases local artistic talent
By CORAL COOKSLEY
LOCAL artist Matt Kinsley is excited to be among Beechworth Art Council (BAC) members showcasing work at an inaugural exhibition ‘Made in Indigo’ at Quercus Beechworth Oregon Hall next week.
The BAC showcase on the weekend of December 6 to 8 will include three of Mr Kinsley’s oil paintings of a spring morning in Finch Street, Wangaratta railway goods yard and a stormy landscape of Lake Sambell.
The artist who works from his home studio said local exposure with exhibitions is a great avenue to showcase his work.
Creative local Dianne Morgan passionate about ceramics will have three of her pots on display.
“Being included with other Indigo artists is a wonderful way to be part of the community,” she said.
The exhibition “Made in Indigo,” has added another opportunity for members to show their artwork on top of its two annual spring and autumn exhibitions.
BAC president Darren John Pope said the public shows provided a platform to kick off creative networks as well as celebrating the visual arts.
“The idea behind these g roup shows is to host artists of all skill levels and abilities from the novice starting out to more
established artists,” he said.
“Our philosophy at Beechworth Arts Council is to represent the broadscape of the creative community by providing forums for them to showcase their artwork and connect with other artists.
“The general idea is a “rising tide lifts all ships” so everyone benefits from showing their work together in a supportive group setting.”
Mr Pope will exhibit two plein air (painted outdoor) works with one including Beechworth’s Newtown Bridge while local artist
Valerie Crosse will have three works in oil, collage, and gouache.
Indigo Shire’s Cultural Heritage and Museums manager Stephen Payne will launch the exhibition planned to become an annual event at the opening night on Friday, December 6 at 5.30pm with everyone welcome.
“Local vineyard Piano Piano have generously supplied wine for the opening and Arts Rutherglen kindly supported us in loaning display screens, with the Quercus team happy for us to use their beautiful hall,” Mr Pope said.
The exhibition coincides on the Saturday with the last Farmers Market before Christmas in the Anglican Christ Church grounds while Quercus Beechworth will also be running their popular vintage/thrift market outside the hall.
Beechworth Arts Council celebrates its 50th anniversary next year with a special photographic project planned in the town’s historic precinct.
Invitations to participate in the event will be available at the December exhibition.
$400 bonus per student arrives this week
By STEVE KELLY
A $400 School Saving Bonus for students to spend on equipment and activities is rolling out this week – helping Victorian families with students enrolled at government schools with the cost of living.
Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said students are eligible for the $400 subsidy to spend on textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions, and other school activities.
Parents with kids at a government school won’t need to apply for their bonus - it is free, automatic and universal.
The government reported that this week these families will receive an email giving them access to their $400 per child.
Families will be able to choose how they allocate their funds, whether that’s a uniform and textbook voucher – or adding money to their school account for camps, excursions or other extracurricular activities.
The voucher for uniforms and textbooks will be redeemable at local schoolapproved uniform or book suppliers, while funds allocated to activities will be credited to the family’s school account. Vouchers will also be redeemable at school-operated second-hand uniform and textbook shops.
Textbook and uniform vouchers will be valid until June 30, 2025.
Unspent funds will automatically transfer to a family’s school account once the uniform and textbook voucher period expires, with parents able to use the remaining funds on future school activities.
For more information on the $400 School Saving Bonus, visit vic.gov.au/ school-saving-bonus.
EXCITED: BAC president and artist Darren John Pope (left), creative Dianne Mangan with artists Matt Kinsley and Valerie Crosse in the Quercus Beechworth Oregon Hall where the exhibition will be held. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Students wrap up year with valedictory dinner
By CORAL COOKSLEY
TWENTY-FIVE graduating students celebrated a milestone in competing their secondary studies with a valedictory dinner held last Thursday at The Grand Oaks Resort in Mayday Hills.
Families, staff, past students, and community members joined the Beechworth Secondary College students at the special event.
“It’s a beautiful community celebration,” the college’s proud principal Patricia Broom said.
In her address on the evening Ms Broom said the graduating year had great humour and great heart.
Ms Broom said graduates had clear pathways with a broad range of interests as they embarked towards their chosen careers among them teaching, joining the Australian Defence Force, science, engineering to computer design, medicine and law.
Others are pursuing careers in the trades such as builders, electricians and mechanics with some already in apprenticeships.
“It’s been the most unique group we’ve had who have vastly different plans of what they want to do,” Ms Broom said.
Ms Broom said students in speaking about their growth, appreciation of education as well as belonging to a cohort with an acceptance of others as individuals had been inspiring.
Past student and guest speaker Matt Hicks, who finished his secondary studies a decade ago, delivered a talk about his career in firefighting and project management with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
This year’s school captains Felix Woodford and Samara
Bright both also delivered insightful presentations.
Ms Broom said a performance also given the pair as musicians having undertaken a vocational education training (VET) subject of music as well, had been breathtaking.
Valedictory speaker and a graduate this year, Hunter
INSPIRATIONAL: Beechworth Secondary College VCE coordinator Rachael Castricum with graduate Hunter North at the valedictory dinner last Thursday.
North spoke on behalf of the graduating cohort.
Ms Broom said the proud graduate spoke of his challenges in his early years of high school until he left to work then returned finding the pathway to compete his secondary education.
“Hunter is going on to be a physical education (PE)
teacher, and never thought that was possible,” she said.
Ms Evans-Barr said Hunter’s courageous, inspiring and insightful speech brought all the teachers in the room to a standing ovation.
The school council president said Hunter was grateful for the second chance the school gave him to compete his secondary education including the endless amount of support and encouragement teachers provided.
“Hunter recalled the hope the school gave him and the sense of belief in himself,” she said.
Ms Evans Barr also said he offered the graduating cohort sound advice well beyond his years, with the school proud that he is taking up tertiary studies to become a PE teacher.
“Beechworth Secondary College teachers have a genuine care for students and know each and every one of them as individuals,” she said. ght
CELEBRATED: Beechworth Secondary College graduating students at the at Mayday Hill’s Grand Oaks Resort for their valedictory dinner.
PHOTO: Kellie Jones
Helping a worthy social cause
By CORAL COOKSLEY
AN INITIATIVE taken up by students from lending ears to a worthy social cause to help others has exceeded expectations with the entire school community jumping on board.
Beechworth Secondary College (BSC) students have been collecting a variety of items for charity Share the Dignity.
The organisation founded nine years ago by Brisbane-based managing director Rochelle Courtenay with the mission of making a difference to those experiencing period poverty caused by homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough.
English and humanities teacher Elizabeth Pearce had chatted to students about Share the Dignity as a community project with the students taking it up.
Forty bags have been filled for the charity’s Christmas drive with personal hygiene items for women and girls including bags dedicated to new mums and their babies made up of blankets, nappy cream, wipes and other essentials.
“The community has been really supportive and we’ve had students make complete bags themselves or with their family,” Ms Pearce said.
“We are community minded at our school, and I wanted to give students something that would bring them together, and a purpose.
“Students want to give back, but often don’t know where to start and it’s something they can do as a team.
“It’s not about donating money, it’s just grabbing something extra when grocery shopping.”
Teacher Jacob Myers said the response from students, parents, staff, and local community members had been remarkable.
“It’s something we are very proud of as a school and it’s a brilliant charity,” he said.
“What I’ve really loved seeing in my first year working here is how much the community as well as our students have got on board.
“We’ve had ladies from Chilton
knitting blankets to put in baby bags and a parent offering to make tote bags.
“Students feel like they’re in charge of things like this and they can make a difference.
“It’s something tangible that they can donate and it’s fantastic to build a sense of self confidence in them.”
With the festive season just around the corner Mr Myers said it’s a good time of year for the project.
“A lot of people are doing it tough out there and in taps into people’s
Grant for common myna action
By CHLOE JAENICKE
OVENS Landcare has received $3193 from the ANZ Seeds of Renewal grant program to help address common myna birds in the North East.
Landcare facilitator, Penny Raleigh, said the funds will go towards helping community members combat myna numbers in their gardens.
“Half of the money will be used to buy more traps, and the other half will be used to actually pay someone to distribute them and teach people when they drop them off how to use them and how to set them up,” she said.
Ms Raleigh said the myna traps are the best way to reduce the bird numbers, aside from planting a garden of shrubby native plants.
generosity for Christmas,” he said.
School captain Holly Voight said it’s great to see that the whole college get involved with students contributing.
Vice-captain Tahji Browne said the initiative is a nice way to give back to the community.
“I think it’s a really awesome way to get involved as we all grow up so privileged, it’s a nice initiative and helping others is important,” she said.
Bags will be dropped to a Bunnings collection point for the Shared the Dignity drive.
“You can improve your garden to deter them but when you’ve got a large open lawn space, that they just love, then trapping them is a good way to at least knock the numbers down a little bit,” she said.
Ms Raleigh said Ovens Landcare is grateful to receive the grant to address an increasing community demand for help to reduce the introduced bird species, which usurp nests and hollows and kill the young and destroy the eggs of native bird species.
To contact Ovens Landcare for advice or to borrow a myna trap, visit https://ovenslandcarenetwork.org.au/.
HELPING HANDS: Beechworth Secondary College students Dellah Reade (left) with Abbey McLean from Year 8, and Year 11 students Ella Pund, Zoe Merritt, Maddy Sandow, Poppy Voight, Tahji Browne with Year 8 students Jordi Williams and Lola Schultz from Year 8 finished packing bags for Share the Dignity. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Completed renovations of historic cottage celebrated
By CORAL COOKSLEY
AN OFFICIAL opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the Gang Platelayers Cottage in Harper Avenue on Sunday marking the completion of renovations for the historic building.
Originally owned by the Victorian Railways in the late 1800s, the cottage located in the old railway precinct is believed to one of the last surviving platelayer’s houses in the nation with only one other known to be in existence in Western Australia.
The project was run by the Beechworth Lions Club, with president John Eldrid and project manager for the five-year project Christine Luckman cutting the ribbon.
Thrilled with the outcome, Mr Eldrid said it had been great to see works completed though the leadership of the project manager and Lions member Iris Mannik as well as countless hours of work by volunteers.
“The response from the community has been fantastic,” he said.
Ms Luckman said the cottage on crown land owned by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is managed by Indigo Shire Council on behalf of DEECA.
Funding of $110,000 from various state and federal grants and $95,000 from Indigo Shire’s capital works program made the project possible.
Ms Luckman said people had been pleasantly surprised about how good the cottage is with its attention to detail in the renovation.
With the project’s aim as a community facility, she said rooms had been designed for use by small and large groups
for specific purposes too including lighting for craft groups.
A story board with photos before and after renovations, the cottage’s history from the 1870s, and architectural drawings as a well a board with acknowledgments of providers who worked/ contributed to the project including donations.
Ms Luckman said the building is sustainable with solar panels while the Lions Club as managers of the cottage with a five-year lease is looking for a grant for a battery.
“It makes it economically attractive to hire facilities,” she said.
Lions’ member and secretary Iris Mannik said the project had
been a credit to Lions, all volunteers and Christine as the project manager.
Ms Mannik said being awarded the lease meant Lions as well as Boomerang Bags have a home for the next five years.
Guest speaker Lions District 8 Zone Chairman Peter Croucher and a former shire councillor in his address on Sunday congratulated the club on its initiative to undertake the renovation and seek funding.
“After the shire called for expressions of interest to manage the cottage the Lions Club was the successful applicant and we now have a facility that will be self-funding managed by a com-
munity of users under the Lions umbrella,” he said.
“May this great facility continue to be home to the Beechworth Lions Club and a place where other community groups can meet on a regular basis.”
Around 40 people gathered at the event including Lions Club members.
The Beechworth Lions Club undertook the project in partnership with Beechworth Corrections Centre with help from its community work team with support from Indigo Shire Council. Support had also been received from local businesses with contributions received from national companies too.
New recruits bolster local firefighting resources
FOREST Fire Management
Victoria’s (FFMVic) newest recruits are learning the ropes at a week-long training camp at Yackandandah in readiness for the summer bushfire season.
The training ensures “project” firefighters are ready to fight fires and complete work to help reduce bushfire risk.
This summer FFMVic has employed 540 project firefighters to work alongside our experienced permanent crews to keep Victorians and the environment safe.
Within Hume Region 114 project firefighters will be based at depots at Alexandra, Marysville, Toolangi, Broadford, Kinglake, Benalla, Mansfield, Nathalia, Shepparton, Beechworth, Bright, Ovens, Corryong, Mitta Valley and Tallangatta.
Recruits undergo two weeks of classroom and field-based learning on topics including fire behaviour, safety and survival techniques, fire suppression, working with aircraft, and planned burning.
The training camp provides opportunities for hands-on learning, from operating water pumps and chainsaws, to driving specialised fire fighting vehicles.
In addition to emergency re-
sponse, project firefighters also undertake mulching, mowing, slashing and spraying; maintaining fuel breaks and the public land road network, trail and recreation site maintenance and planned burning.
It’s not too early to register your interest in working as a project firefighter next bushfire season! Register your inter-
est for a role in 2025/26 now, at: https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/ who-we-are/firefighting-andemployment
FFMVic Hume Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Aaron Kennedy said recruits have diverse backgrounds which reflect the communities they serve.
“They play a critical role working alongside our experi-
enced firefighters to respond to bushfires in some of the state’s most remote and challenging environments, helping keep our communities safe,” he said.
“With an increased risk of bushfires forecast for the region, our project firefighters are an important and valued addition to our firefighting resources this summer.”
TEAM OVENS: Forest Fire Management Victoria recruits will work alongside experienced firefighters this summer to keep communities in Ovens District safe. Pictured L-R at Yackandandah were Sophie Robbins, Ashton McPherson, Chris Lewczynski, Lukas Jakobsson, Noah Tanzen, Louglinn Kennedy, Nancy Mailey, Courtney Dangerfield, William Michie and Michael Hastie.
THRILLED: Beechworth Lions Club members Brian Cornish (left), Christine Luckman, Garry Jarvis, Iris Mannik, Graeme Smart, John Eldrid, Lesley Smart, Sven Mannik and Lyne Hayes at the Gang Platelayers Cottage official opening on Sunday.
PHOTO: Trevor Ierino
ACROSS
1 What is a Native American’s hut called (6)
7 Which military staff officer assists the commanding officer (8)
8 Name another term for tin plate (6)
9 What is a ship, abandoned at sea (8)
10 What do we call a person who fishes for pleasure (6)
11 Name another term for a firebug (8)
14 To be rich, is to be what (8)
18 Name a lustrous, hard, brittle metallic element (6)
19 What is a national memorial to those killed in war (8)
21 Who has a special skill in a particular field (6)
22 What is a cake topping of nuts, sugar, spices, etc (8)
23 What is a fixed periodical payment for work (6)
DOWN
1 Name a former goldmining centre in southern Victoria, north of Morwell (8)
2 What is an alternative term for acacia (6)
3 Name a narcotic, shortstemmed European herb (8)
4 To be partly opened, is to be what (4)
5 Name a former premier of the Soviet Union, Joseph ... (6)
6 What are light meals called (6)
12 Which bags are used for carrying schoolbooks (8)
13 Which fabric is used for wall hanging (8)
15 What is a religious celebration (6)
16 What do we call a plunderer (6)
E-QUATIONS
17 To drive, is to do what (6)
20 What is a vaulted semicircular recess in a building (4)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
1 JAPONIC
(a) Indo-European in language (b) Glossy black (c) Japanese
2 LEVANTER
(a) A strong easterly wind in the Mediterranean region (b) A hare in its first year (c) A huge sea monster
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:
Anaesthetic liquid (5)
Common pastry dish (3)
Evade a thrust (5)
Groom (5)
Headware (3)
Hearing range (7)
Male offspring (3)
Seed of flax plant (7)
Slopes (5)
You are (coll) (3)
Phone: (03) 5723
Booking deadline:
2pm business day prior to print.
Phone: (03) 5723 0101 email:
Booking deadline: 3pm Monday prior to print.
Phone:
Phone
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in today's Regional Extra for more employment opportunities. Published every Wednesday in your Wangaratta Chronicle, Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer
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Australia
By DYLAN POOL
TWENTY players assembled last Thursday for Twilight golf around the front nine.
Jason West made it two wins in a row with his great score of 22 points (23-1), runner up for the Bridge Road Brewers voucher was Graeme Cordy with 22 (19+3) on a countback from Josh Carr with the exact same score. Ball winners were Jamie Dolny 21 and Darren McCormick 19.
Josh Carr claimed the Beechworth Bakery voucher for nearest the pin on the 3rd while the 5th and 7th went unclaimed.
Jason West took home some more money with the nearest chip on the 9th.
Billy Love was happy to take home The CC’s Quality Meats & Smokehouse voucher in the raffle.
On Sunday a fantastic field assembled for the second round of the Men’s Club Championships.
Twenty players teed off which meant two grades for the daily comp.
This hasn’t been seen since COVID.
The run was still there, but the scrapes were a little tricky due to the drizzle.
You wouldn’t think so though, with ten scores of 68 nett or better.
The best score of the day came from B Grade with Phil Pelgrim (20) having a great score of 63 nett, playing partner Stuart McIntosh was runner up with 82/17/65 on a countback from Jamie Dolny 80/15/65.
In the A grade there was a four way countback for the winner.
Jarryd Pritchard claimed top honours with 71/4/67, with Graeme Cordy runner up 79/12/67.
The unlucky two who each claimed a ball for their efforts were Dave Clark 80/13/67 and Josh Carr 71/4/67.
Nearest the pins went to Vaughan Saunders on the 3rd, Josh Carr on
holds a lead in the C grade and 54 hole handicap going into the final round of the Beechworth Golf Club Men’s Club Championships, to be held Sunday, December 8.
the 5th, Jarryd Pritchard on the 7th and Dave Clark on the 10th.
Josh Carr eagled the first hole, but the Eagles nest was only at 6 balls after Darren Edwards’s hole in one a fortnight ago.
In conjunction with the daily event, the final of the George King Memorial Matchplay Championships was held.
Dave Lang and Dylan Pool were tIed after the 18 holes.
Extra holes were required with Dave Lanf prevailing on the second playoff hole.
The Club Championships standings are as follows
A grade:
Vaughan Saunders 137 (68,69)
Dylan Pool 142 (69,73)
Darren Edwards 143 (66,77)
Josh Carr 144 (73,71)
Jarryd Pritchard 145 (74,71)
Willem Love 150 (73,77)
B grade:
Jacob Howard 151 (72,79)
Jamie Dolny 162 (82,80)
Graeme Cordy 164 (85,79)
Dean Howard 165 (83,82)
Andy Croome 167 (84,83)
Dave Clark 170 (90,80)
C grade:
Phil Pelgrim 168 (85,83)
Stuart McIntosh 168 (86,82)
Peter Smith 178 (89,89)
Dave Lang 180 (92,88)
Zane Howard 182 (86,96)
Rod Shaw 190 (94,96)
54 hole Handicap after 36 holes:
Phil Pelgrim (20) 128
Jacob Howard (11) 129
Stuart McIntosh (19) 130
Vaughan Saunders (2) 133
Josh Carr (5) 134
Graeme Cordy (13) 134.
The final round will be in two weeks time on Sunday, December, 8.
We would like to have everyone playing at 12 noon so we can have a seeded draw.
And presentations with everyone there.
Please let Dylan know if you have any issues with the hit off time.
Penultimate round of men’s championships at Beechworth 2024 Tour of Bright is bigger and better
By NATHAN DE VRIES
CYCLISTS from across the country are counting down the days until the 2024 Tour of Bright commences a little under a week away, with organisers hyping it up as the biggest edition of the tour to date.
While there will be events on in town this Friday, November 29, the tour proper runs across Saturday and Sunday, with riders covering hundreds of kilometres in pursuit of glory.
The two-day road race takes participants all over the Bright and Alpine areas, with some of the best road racers in the country set to try their hand at the challenging but beautiful course.
Run solely by the Alpine Cycling Club, the Tour of Bright is considered to be Australia’s biggest club race, attracting hundreds of quality riders.
“The course is more favourable and it’s always a great weekend of racing, and if it doesn’t go your way it’s a great weekend of training as well,” Alpine Cycling Club vice president Chris Stack said.
“This year, with the National Road
Race being relocated to Western Australia, a lot of people in the eastern states have shifted their focus to the Tour of Bright.
“Last year we sold out the entries, about 430, and we’re on track to sell out again this year.
“People are starting to get excited, talk a lot about what the conditions are going to be like and if it’s going to be a fast day and if records can tumble again.”
An addition to the program this year, there will be a criterium race through the Bright town centre on Friday night, a 1km loop down Railway Avenue, up Ireland Street, around the clock tower and down Wood Street.
The criterium will be an exhibition event to keep spectators and riders entertained while they register, sign in, and prepare for Saturday’s race.
“It’s probably the most exciting format of cycling to watch, whether you understand cycling or not - it’s a great spectator discipline,” Stack said.
“That will run while registration is open as well, so anybody who’s not racing can be there racing while they sign on, get their numbers and
their information for the weekend as well.
“Like other events do, we want to get the town more involved – it’s a huge event that’s been running for over 30 years that brings lots of tourist dollars to the town and also lots of residents.
“At the Friday night criterium there will be an event village in Bright Velo, which will be running during the race.
“That hosts registration and the event village, so that will be running basically from lunchtime on Friday, there’ll be a little buzz there with everybody rocking up from all over the country, signing on, check out the event village then if you’re not racing, check out the criterium which comes right through the roundabout at the top of Ireland Street there past Bright Velo.”
The race begins the first of its three stages on Saturday morning from Pioneer Park, with the Gaps Loop stage seeing racers head down the Great Alpine Road to Ovens, hanging a right down Happy Valley Road, then heading up the Kiewa Valley highway to Mount Beauty to finish at Tawonga Gap, a journey of
IN STANCE: Henry Scalzo and Beechworth’s A grade side will return to the pitch in Yarrawonga on Saturday.
PHOTO: Janet Watt
A grade Wanderers back on deck this weekend
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
FOLLOWING the two week bye, Beechworth will be eager to bounce back to form against the WDCA A grade reigning two-day premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala, starting on Saturday
The A grade side have spent the last two weeks off following a hefty defeat to Rovers United Bruck.
The Wanderers will fancy their chances though against a vulnerable Lakers side who are coming off two straight losses, including a thriller against Wangaratta Magpies last week.
93.7km, or 129.9km for the men’s A grade group.
Stage two, the time trial, takes riders through the Buckland Valley, a 17.4km there-and-back again from Egglestones Lane in Porepunkah with the turnaround point at Buckland River Bridge.
Sunday sees the conclusion of the tour with the Mount Buffalo Mountain climb from Bright to the summit – with the elite riders having to head down to Buckland River bridge and back - with King and Queen of the Mountain titles up for grabs.
With excitement building, Stack said a successful event could see the Tour of Bright grow in the future, bringing more people to the area and growing the profile of the town and the tour.
“Hopefully we do sell it out, because what we would like to do is extend the format next year to a three-day race,” he said.
“While it’s a two-day race we have to cap the participant number because of the two stages on the Saturday.
The Tour of Bright runs across this weekend, November 30 – December 1.
The match will be hosted at Stan Hargreaves Oval, Yarrawonga from 1pm.
A grade will be hoping for more luck than their B grade counterparts, who went down to the Lakers by 123 runs last week.
After being 8/25 in their chase of 216, Beechworth’s innings was saved somewhat by a standout 44 from Lachie Fitzpatrick batting at number 10.
C grade continued on their winning ways after a seven wicket win over Benalla Red.
Sublime bowling by Dean Fitzpatrick (3/2), Wiremu Andrews (3/5) and batting by Austen Fendyk (55 off 61 balls) led the charge. Rain could play a factor in all games on Saturday with Bureau of Meteorology forecasts predicting a chance of showers in the afternoon or evening, as of 5pm Wednesday.
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Phil Pelgrim
Bushies’ new boss new eager for season eager for season
NEWLY-appointed Bushrangers senior coach Jack Neil is excited about the opportunity in front of him.
Neil is a well-regarded coach in the area, following more than 200 games playing for TDFL side DederangMount Beauty.
He coached Federals to a premiership in the Upper Murray Football League in 2016, oversaw a competitive Bombers outfit throughout 2018-19 and led Kiewa Sandy Creek to back-toback grand finals in 2022-23.
After taking a year away from coaching, Neil said the opportunity presented by Beechworth was too good to pass up.
“It’s a good opportunity with an up-and-coming list of young fellas to get in and have a go at something a bit different at a different club,” he said.
“I’ve coached and played against Beechworth before so I know the place relatively well.
“It was very much more the approach from the club and the people I met with, the committee and their drive to make it a family-based club that’s great for the community.
“They’re eager to be competitive on the field, but those other priorities makes it exciting.”
A consistent finals contender, the Bushrangers finished the 2024 season fourth on the ladder but bowed out in the semi-final at the hands of Chiltern.
Neil said while he was aiming to keep the side towards the top end of the ladder, he was looking forward to further developing the club’s culture and its players.
“My philosophy generally is that as a coach at a football club, it’s about building relationships and community, that’s a big priority,” he said.
“I coach with the perspective that you’re there to try and improve every
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
player on the list and try and align the players so they can build a really strong team, and from that, the rest will follow.
“I think one of the benefits is I don’t have too many preconceived ideas about anyone in particular.
“I’m just excited more about that element of increasing the power of the collective, really getting them working to a really strong game plan, knowing what that looks like and how to execute that, watching that unfold.”
Preseason at Baarmutha Park will focus on integrating the new coach and playing group into one cohesive unit to take on the best of the best in the TDFL.
“It (preseason) started on Wednesday, just a bit of an orientation session, getting organised for the following week, then we’ll do four weeks before Christmas then a spell, then back into it in the new year,” Neil said.
“We’ll work pretty hard to implement some game styles which will be a bit different, I anticipate it’ll take a bit of time for that to really lock in, you can’t really predict where that goes.
“For me, over the next little bit I’ll be working with the group around embracing the process, building a bit of buy in for how I go about I go about it and what we want to do as a team and a club.
“I’m really enjoying the opportunity to come in with a bit of a blank canvas in terms of perspective.”
Neil welcomed any and all prospective players and supporters to get around the club in 2025 and help make it the best season possible.
THE MAN IN CHARGE: Jack Neil is excited to lead the Bushrangers through the 2025 TDFL season.