Regional Extra 010323

Extraordinary adventure brings clarity

By BELINDA HARRISON

TOMORROW may never exist.

That might sound like a pessimistic way to look at the world, but for Leonie Katekar, it is a mantra that encourages positive thoughts about living each day to the fullest and valuing and loving each day we are given.

Tragedy struck at the heart of Leonie’s family when Leonie was 15; her sister Ann was killed in a terrible car accident the first night she went out by herself after getting her licence.

Ann was just 17 years old and Leonie’s parents never forgave themselves.

As if the loss of one of child/sibling was not enough, almost 10 years to the day, Leonie’s younger brother John was also killed in a car accident. Their mother did not cope and soon the family lost her as well.

“Everyone has tragedies in their lives which are invisible to people that you meet,” Leonie said.

“Even some of your friends don’t find out some of these deeply hidden things for a long time.

“Losing my siblings were two of my most significant tragedies and I felt that life was uncertain - tomorrow may never exist; each day needed to be valued and loved.”

Since those dark days, Leonie has called almost every state of Australia home: born in South Australia, attending university in New South Wales, working and living in Tasmania and the Northern Territory and now calling Victoria home.

“My children were born in Tassie and grew up in Darwin, when they moved to Melbourne for university I moved to Melbourne too, but I don’t like the big cities,” Leonie said.

“As a family, we decided that the North East of Victoria region was the best for holidaying together so we bought a one acre property in Wandiligong, however, when I came up to get the keys, I loved it so much that myself and my Jack Russell, Osada, haven’t left.

“The longer I am here the more I love the landscape and also the people.

■ Continued page 6

◆ GOING HER OWN WAY: Leonie Katekar’s solo adventure is a fascinating tale. PHOTO: Brodie Everist

with ANITA

TOOL TALK

YOUR

HEALTH

A LOT of feline owners have issues with their pet’s toileting habits.

Often these ‘issues’ are actually just normal cat behaviour and we need to understand their likes and dislikes better to help them behave how we want them to.

Toileting issues can be due to medical reasons such as feline cystitis, bladder stones, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and mobility issues.

Feline litter issues Sharing stories the best way to learn

However, if your feline friend is in perfect health and no underlying issues are detected, then we need to work on the toilet situation for your pet.

First, we need to distinguish between ‘marking’ and ‘inappropriate urination’.

Marking is normal feline behaviour; they do this to mark their territory and can be due to other cats being in the area.

When marking a cat will be standing, tail wiggling and will spray a small amount of urine on a vertical surface.

Inappropriate urination is when a cat urinates normally, but in a location that doesn’t appeal to the owner.

The cat may not want to go where

with Ovens and Kiewa Veterinary Hospital

it normally urinates due to an aversion of the litter tray and the type of litter, a previous bad experience in the litter tray, they may prefer another substrate such as your bedding, the litter tray may not be as clean as they would like, and a variety of other reasons.

You need to make the litter tray as appealing as possible to your cat and having enough trays for each of your cats; the rule is one tray per cat, plus one extra. The tray needs to be large enough, ideally 1.5 times the length of the cat from nose to tail base and litter depth at least 4-6cm deep, so they don’t reach the bottom of the tray when they dig.

It needs to be in a safe environment where they can see what is going on around them and it needs to be kept clean.

Hopefully, once you find out what suits your feline, the toileting issues will be a thing of the past.

WANGARATTA RSPCA has many lovable creatures waiting for the perfect family to take them home.

If you want to add a furry friend to your home, call (03) 5722 2874 or visit the shelter at 1 Connell Street Wangaratta. Wangaratta RSPCA’s animal adoption source code is BR100934.

GIVE HER THE MOON: Luna has had a rough start to life, which has landed her with some scrapes. She is looking for a loving, relaxing home to settle into, so that she can grow her luscious locks back in no time. Luna may be suitable living with another cat, but she mostly keeps to herself. If you have a loving, quiet home then Luna would love to meet you. Luna’s microchip number is 900085000082093. PHOTO: RSPCA

FIRST Nations authors are producing a stream of beautiful children’s books at the moment.

From picture books to adventure novels, they highlight the stories, traditions, talents and humour of Australia’s Indigenous culture, and offer a great way to learn more about it.

Take, for instance, ‘Tangki Tjuta - Donkeys’, a picture book featuring the story and sculptures of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a social enterprise which supports women across the central and western desert regions of Australia to create fibre art using desert grasses from their lands.

The book tells the story of how donkeys came to be a rich part of life for the Aboriginal community in the Pukatja/Ernabella area, in northern South Australia.

With the sculptures of the desert weavers woven together with a story told in both Pitjantjatjara and English, the detail of the pictures will delight not only young readers, but those reading with them.

Another gorgeous picture book is ‘Back on Country’, the latest in the five-book Welcome to Country series by former AFL star and Australian of the Year Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, and Barkindji illustrator David Hardy.

The first two books in the series, ‘Somebody’s Land’ and ‘Ceremony’, have been extremely wellreceived, and there has been a similar response for ‘Back on Country’.

A joyful story, it speaks to the power of reconnecting to family, culture and Country, following the experience of two youngsters during their first time back on Country, as they meet their cousins and elders, see special places, learn local language words, and hear stories as old as time.

Drawing on Adam’s and David’s lived experience of being taken back on Country as children, the book explores how switching off from the pressures of the modern world and connecting with family, community and the land allows cultural needs to be met, and a feeling of strength to return.

with

Meanwhile, older readers (ages eight to 14) will enjoy fantasy adventure story ‘Wylah: The Koorie Warrior’.

Richard Pritchard, the book’s co-author and illustrator, is an Indigenous Pacific Islander who grew up in New Zealand before moving to Australia, while co-author and Peek Whurrong man Jordan Gould is Indigenous Australian.

The Warrnambool-based creators used money from a Kickstarter campaign for a series of cultural consultations with First Nations women, and formed a Koorie story trust team to ensure sensitivities to the culture were overseen.

They also visited museums, galleries, parks and heritage sites to inform their story about Wylah, a Peek Whurrong girl from the Maar Nation, who loves animals and teaching art to the young kids of her tribe.

When her family and her people are stolen by the dragon army, Wylah must find the courage to set out on a perilous journey to save them, and find whether she has what it takes to become a warrior, like her grandmother before her.

• We have a copy of each of these three books to give away in a special Indigenous book pack. If you would like to win them, email skerwin@nemedia.com.au and tell us why.

• ‘Tangki Tjuta - Donkeys’ by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Allen & Unwin), RRP $24.99; ‘Back on Country’ by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, illustrated by David Hardy (Allen & Unwin), RRP $24.99; ‘Wylah: The Koorie Warrior’ by Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard (Allen & Unwin), RRP $15.99.

Elders Myrtleford Annual Blue Ribbon Breeders Weaner Sale

1,000 1,000

Friday 10th March 2023 – Elders Myrtleford Saleyards

A/c GT Hoffmann “Wombat Valley” Lucyvale

60 Angus Mixed Sex, 8-9 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c CJ Hall, Buckland Valley

20 Black Baldy Steers, 10-11 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, Weaned 8 wks, GF

25 Black Baldy Heifers, 10-11 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, Weaned 8 wks, GF

10 Hereford Steers, 10-11 mths, Newcomen Bld, VB, Weaned 8 wks, GF

A/c Springdale Nominees, Greta

50 Angus & Black Baldy Steers, 7-8 mths, Jarobee & Jade Park Bld, Vacc 7in1 & Multimin, EU Accredited, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c P & E Howell, Merriang

25 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, GF

25 Angus Heifers, 10-12 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, GF

A/c Yallambee Pastoral Co “Holyrood” Burrumbuttock

10 Poll Hereford Steers, 11-12 mths, Rotherfield Bld, VB, Yard Weaned, GF

10 Poll Hereford Heifers, 11-12 mths, Rotherfield Bld, VB, Yard Weaned, GF

10 Black Baldy Steers, 11-12 mths, Scotts Angus Bld, VB, Yard Weaned, GF

10 Black Baldy Heifers, 11-12 mths, Scotts Angus Bld, VB, Yard Weaned, GF

A/c Selzer Farming, Ovens

40 Black Baldy Mixed Sex, 9-11 mths, Witherswood Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c Wallis Partners “Callemondah” Moyhu

30 Angus Steers, 11-12 mths, The Glen & Black Aqua Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c Mt Morgan, Mongans Bridge

11 Black Baldy Steers, 10-11 mths, Alpine Angus, Vacc 5in1 & Piliguard 31/12, VB, GF

11 Black Baldy Heifers, 10-11 mths, Alpine Angus, Vacc 5in1 & Piliguard 31/12, VB, GF

A/c K Schilg, Osbornes Flat

20 Angus Mixed Sex, 7-8 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, GF

A/c P & B Hindle, Bullioh

20 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Connemara Bld, Drenched Cydectin

Platnium P/O 11/2, Vacc Multimin 11/2, VB, Weaned 11/2, GF

A/c AM Wallace, Porepunkah

15 Angus Simmental X Mixed Sex, 8-9 mths, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, GF

A/c MM & AM Goonan, Mudgegonga

15 Hereford Steers, 9-10 mths, Mawarra & Yarram Park Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

at weaning, Polled & Dehorned, VB, Weaned 6 weeks, GF

A/c J Silins, Glen Creek

60 Angus Mixed Sex, 7-9 mths, Witherswood Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, GF

A/c R & R O’Keefe, Bruarong

20 Charolais Angus X Steers, 9-10 mths, Huon Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

20 Charolais Angus X Heifers, 9-10 mths, Huon Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c B & J Sabljo, Myrtleford

40 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, Weaned, GF

A/c BR & RB Lumsden, Buckland Valley

25 Poll Hereford Friesian X Steers, 9-10 mths, Rosstulla Bld, VB, Weaned

A/c McGuffie Glenburn, Buffalo River

20 Angus & Black Baldy Mixed Sex, 8-9 mths, Jarobee Bld, VB, GF

A/c R Baroni, Porepunkah

15 Angus Mixed Sex, 8-9 mths, Jarobee Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, GF

A/c S Wellington, Thurgoona

10 Poll Hereford Steers, 10-11 mths, Ex Sleigh Bred, Bayunga Bld, Weaned, GF

PET CORNER

SIMONE

TALK

Morris of Rutherglen

Sparkling Shiraz Durif

A FRIEND of mine says his favourite dish to eat is Beef Wellington and I don‘t really understand it.

Why would you take a perfectly good piece of beef fillet, slather it with fancy mushrooms, paté and cured meat, and then wrap it all up in puff pastry like an oversized meat pie?

He says that‘s why he likes it – because it‘s outrageously decadent and screams special occasion – but still links back to the flavours he knows and loves.

I guess I kind of feel that way about sparkling reds, the combination of bold reds infused with the headiness of bubbles – both of which I love – combining to create a decadent, special occasion experience.

In 1988 Morris Wines decided to produce a sparkling red wine known then as ‘Sparkling Burgundy‘ and I was a fan from the beginning.

Shiraz was the traditional base, but Morris discovered by including Durif it added extra flavour and richness.

This deep crimson wine bubbles with intense little beads that go on and on.

The aroma is earthy, with a bright jumble of ripe berry fruits.

Those berries abound in the

with Anita McPherson

gutsy flavour; jam packed with blackberry and plum fruit and lashings of chocolate, but still grounded with underlying savoury spice.

Easy drinking, it‘s most definitely moreish.

It‘s also an award–winning wine that‘s an affordable way to experience a bit of decadence any day of the week.

And it goes beautifully with Beef Wellington – or a meat pie. About $20.

This Day in History, 1870

MARCH 1 1870 is the date given for the first race meeting conducted by the Towong Turf Club.

The club has seen many stirring race days, not the least the attendance during the roaring 20s of Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor and friends.

To pick up a little spending money, Squizzy ‘sent the boys around’ to the betting ring to stage a mock fight, while another associate cleaned out the secretary’s office while the officials were away taking in the action.

Tips for hearing music again

MUSIC can enrich our lives and we can feel connected with others through its power to resonate with our emotions and get to the core of who we are.

After developing a hearing loss, you may feel overwhelmed, scared or even sad, trying to listen to music again. Perhaps you have recently been fitted with hearing aids or a cochlear implant and you feel unsure how to start.

Speaking as both an audiologist and a musician, here are some tips to re-connect with music:

• Start by listening to music you are already familiar with, whether it be classical, jazz, country and western or popwhatever you loved prior to your hearing loss.

This is a gentle way to retrain your brain to listen with your hearing devices and get used to listening to music again.

• Try listening to music that is not too complex and give your brain the chance to concentrate on one or two instruments.

For example, listen to voice and guitar, or even single musical instruments like the piano.

In this way, it is easier to gain confidence recognising musical instruments and begin to enjoy music again.

• Attending live concerts where you can see the music being performed is also of help.

When we talk, often we look at each other’s faces and use lip-reading cues.

In the same way, looking at the instruments as they are being played helps us match the sound we hear with the

instrument.

This can give us confidence when listening.

• If you wear hearing devices and would like to try a specialised ‘music program’ for them, be sure to ask your audiologist about it.

In September 2022, I performed in a Rediscovering Music program in Canberra led by audiologist and musician, Kristen Sutcliffe.

This program involves a series of concerts for people with hearing loss and their families in an intimate and friendly setting.

If there is enough interest, I may arrange similar concerts in the Wangaratta region in the future.

I also performed at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) last Wednesday night playing piano and cello.

It was well received by all who attended and I hope that, for those with any sort of hearing loss, the simplicity of the two instruments being played meant that their concert experience was enjoyable.

“It was a magnificent night with 145 people present and Emma and Tim received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the recital after playing beautifully,” a Wangaratta Arts Council spokesperson said.

If you have problems hearing music as you did years ago, you can contact Wangaratta Audiology on (03) 5722 4433 to arrange a consultation.

◆ MULTI-TALENTED: Emma Raynor puts her skills as a musician into practise with her work as an audiologist.

PHOTO: Belinda Harrison.

with Emma Rayner (AUDIOLOGIST AND MUSICIAN, WANGARATTA AUDIOLOGY)

Extraordinary adventure brings clarity

■ From page 1

“I love the peacefulness, the stars in the sky at night, the birds in the mornings, the dew on the grass; I feel so ‘wandiful’ here.”

Leonie found fulfilment through her work in rural health care and then indigenous health where she could help those who were even less fortunate than herself.

She struggled with marriage, but brought up four wonderful children.

“Then somehow, I got lost,” Leonie said.

“I didn’t know what I valued in life anymore; I was going through the motions of being happy and successful but I had lost my internal compass, lost my ‘mojo’.

“My children were grown up – motherhood was over - so what did I want from life now?”

Leonie could have let the emotional dissonance continue, but waiting it out went against what she had learnt from losing her siblings and mother - it was important for her to act.

She decided to get right out of her comfort zone and take on a cycling adventure where her entire physical and emotional self would be challenged.

“Doing something on my own meant that I had to concentrate only on myself,” Leonie said.

“Going on a bike meant that I couldn’t take with me all the comforts I was accustomed to - my ‘comforts’ had to fit into five panniers so I could only carry what was essential.”

Throughout her life, Leonie had always ridden wherever she needed to go - whether needing to get from A to B as a child or to work later on.

She had also done some bike-packing trips in Europe with friends when she was in her early 20s, so knew what bike-packing was about.

“I was originally going to try and ride from Alaska to Antarctica but time constraints meant I couldn’t do all of that so I decided to go from A to U - Antigua to Ushuaia.

“Central America had always fascinated me from an historical perspective and there was the draw of the Andes in South America so that’s where I ended up.”

Leonie needed to find herself again emotionally and travelling by bike meant she broke ties with her current way of living, which provided the opportunity to evaluate

her life and what she valued.

“It was like a reset – so I was ready to enter into the next chapter of my life,” Leonie explained.

Leonie began blogging her adventures online as she travelled and raised more than $20,000 for the Fight Cancer Foundation who provide families with long-term accommodation in cities while their children are receiving treatment for cancer.

Her followers were intrigued by what had led her to that point in her life and the adventure itself and encouraged her to put it all into a book.

Leonie sought professional assistance to shape her anecdotes and her adventures can now be found in her book When We’re Not Afraid.

“There’s something in the book for the adventure cyclist including practical stuff about how to get through the extraordinary places I cycled and an itinerary,” Leonie said.

“For everyone else, I hope my new way of thinking about how to live the rest of my life inspires them to live their lives with real joy and without fear.”

FEATURE STORY

You can order a personally signed copy of the book at leoniekatekar.com and if you’re lucky, Leonie might even deliver it in person while she’s out training for her next adventure on the Silk Route in the Middle East.

Changes to Australian workplace laws

THE Australian Government has passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022.

This legislation amends the Fair Work Act to change a number of existing rules and introduces a range of new workplace laws.

The new laws started on different dates and many of these changes started on December 7 2022.

Changes include:

Job security

new workplace rights on disclosing pay and workplace conditions prohibiting pay secrecy unlawful job ads

Gender equality measures

new protected attributes in the Fair Work Act:

breastfeeding gender identity intersex status

new objects of the Fair Work Act, modern awards and minimum wages

PARAPLANNER/FINANCIAL PLANNING ASSISTANT

An opportunity has become available for a Paraplanner/Financial Planning Assistant to join our growing Financial Planning practice in Wangaratta. For full job details please see seek.com.au/job/60368047.

equal remuneration principles and orders functions we perform, including around guidelines and community outreach in multiple languages

Enterprise agreements and enterprise bargaining termination of enterprise agreements after their nominal expiry date sunsetting of ‘zombie’ agreements initiating bargaining dealing with errors in enterprise agreements

Abolition of the ABCC abolition of the ABCC

Stay updated

The Fair Work Ombudsman is updating their website and resources with new information about these changes.

To stay up to date and be notified with updates that are relevant to you, subscribe to their email updates or search their information pages visit www.fairwork.gov.au.

Do you love Cheese?

We do and we are looking for a Full Time Retail Manager, a Part Time Retail Assistant and Casual Retail Assistants to work in our busy Cheese Shop in Milawa. Applications or further information should be sent to info@milawacheese.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications. Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.

Castlemaine – Concrete Site Supervisor – CAST003

Yabba – Quarry / Loader Operator – YABQ001

Shepparton – Concrete Truck Driver – SHEP002

Mildura – Concrete Cartage Contractor – CCSMILD02

THE ROLE OF PUBLISHERS

Advertisers please note!

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Employment column is reserved for advertisements which carry a specific and genuine offer of employment.

21 Sydney Road, Benalla VIC 3672

SmartPlay Early Learners Benalla are currently seeking:

Lead Educator (Diploma of Early Childhood Education or 50% completed or equivalent)

Assisting Educator (Cert III in Early Childhood or 50% completed or equivalent)

Current Working With Children’s Check required Part-time, hours negotiable. No expiry date to application. Starting date ASAP. Please visit www.smartplay.edu.au/careers

For any enquiries please contact (03) 5764 7850

Applications close 4pm Sunday, 5 March 2023 Visit www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/jobs to download the position recruitment kits and to view instructions on how to apply.

www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 365 003

Cobram – 2IC / Concrete Batcher Driver – COBR001

Mildura – Concrete Truck Driver – MILD002

Kyneton – Concrete Truck Driver – KYNE001

www.mawsons.com.au/careers/join-us

Ads for 'Business Opportunities', 'Commission Only' training courses and employment services should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trade Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

Tools for Life program

G’DAY, it’s Dean here today.

When you’re starting out as an apprentice, you need tough tools you can rely on and that’s where Kincrome’s Tools for Life Apprentice Program comes in.

Young Jack was just in the store and had lots of questions about the program, here’s our conversation:

JACK: Are there many options and specials for the kind of tool set I can have with the Tools for Life o er?

DEAN: We have 25 di erent tool kits which all come with bonus products via online redemption.

JACK: How do I claim my bonus items?

DEAN: An online redemption form needs to be completed and you need to provide a copy of your tax receipt or invoice from your tool supplier for ‘proof of purchase’. You will also need to include a copy of identification of your TAFE/MTA college enrolments letter/form, ID card or letter from your institution or employer stating your name, ID number, start date and confirmation that you are a current apprentice.

JACK: What range do the tool kits come from?

DEAN: Evolution, Contour, Contour black and O road which means you can choose from workshop, chest, deep workshop, wide, super wide, extra wide trolley and field service tool kits. Some of them even come in a range of colours.

JACK: If I am not an apprentice can I still purchase a ‘Tools for Life’ tool kit?

DEAN: Yes, but you cannot claim the bonus items.

JACK: Can my employer buy the tool kit for me and I redeem the bonus items?

DEAN: Yes. As long as you are an apprentice and fill in the online form with all relevant fields to qualify for it.

JACK: How does the Kincrome Payment Plan program work?

DEAN: The Kincrome Payment Plan program is provided by Morris Finance. For more information please visit the payment plan page on the Kincrome website.

So there you have it.

If you need help choosing a kit to suit your needs, phone or call in and see us at North East Fasteners and until next time, “be the sharpest tool in the shed and make sure you’re using the right equipment for every job.” - Dean

For more information on the Tools for Life Apprenticeship program, scan the QR code below (YouTube video) or visit https://www.kincrome. com.au/tfl.

AFTER an amazing summer of Murray cod fishing, I suspect that the fishing will start to slow down a little bit shortly.

This is not as bad as it sounds, and certainly does not mean the end to the great cod fishing that we have experienced.

What usually happens as the water begins to cool down is that the cod fishing can become a little bit more inconsistent.

The cod fishing in the rivers tends to become a bit more hit and miss as we head into autumn.

I have had some of my best Murray cod fishing sessions in March and April, but I also tend to have more fishless trips then than I do throughout the summer months.

In contrast, I find the autumn months to be the best for redfin fishing in Lake Bu alo and Lake William Hovell.

In fact, I went fishing at Lake William Hovell last Thursday and caught around 15 or so redfin, just spinning from the bank with a bladed spinner.

None of the fish were big enough to keep though.

One spot that is fishing exceptionally well at the moment is the Winton Wetlands.

The Mokoan Ponds, formally known as the Borrow Pits, are teaming with carp of all sizes.

Like so many other places, carp numbers

in the Mokoan Ponds have exploded since the big floods last spring.

The Mokoan Ponds are located along the front of the old Lake Mokoan wall.

These ponds are the only permanent water in the whole Winton Wetlands as they are deep.

This is where the clay was sourced to build the old Lake Mokoan Wall.

I have been catching a lot of carp in the first Mokoan pond closest to the carpark using corn as bait.

I use a single corn kernel on a small hook fished close to the bank in very shallow water and I have been cleaning up.

My biggest carp (so far) is 73cm.

◆ MOKOAN MONSTER: A large 73cm carp dwarfs my fishing rod. This scaled whale was caught on a single kernel of sweetcorn in the Mokoan Ponds at the Winton Wetlands last week.

with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA

with Dean Ackerly NORTH EAST FASTENERS