April 2 - 8, 2025
Expand your ideas of environmentalism through film at pop up cinema
AS part of the upcoming O -Grid Living Festival, join Environmental Films Australia at the historical Star Theatre Chiltern on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 April for the ‘O Grid Pop Up Cinema’, a program of films exploring what it means to live on the planet, ways to care for country, and what the future may bring.
With shorts, feature films and even a kid’s session, there’s something for everyone to connect with the environment.
By JORDAN DUURSMA
Star Theatre, Chiltern, which still features a lot of its historic fixtures and has a Guiness World Record awarded Grapevine.”
Jacob and the local canine community to save her favourite tree.
“We’re really keen to bring more festivals and events to Regional Victoria and saw this as a great opportunity to connect not only with Chiltern locals but also with the thousands of people who travel to be part of ‘O Grid’,” they said.
“We’re lucky to be hosted by the beautiful
Environmental Films Australia chair and director, Freyja Gillard, said they were thrilled when O -Grid Living Festival approached them to host the pop up cinema for its very first time.
On Friday night, the event kicks o with the Bob Brown feature documentary The Giants (2023).
Explore the intertwined lives of humanity and trees, with this long awaited poetic portrait of a national living treasure.
On Saturday, the whole family is invited to a special screening at 4pm of the animated Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs (2019), where young girl Mimmi must team up with her cousin
Following that, at 6:30pm, enjoy a series of curated sci-fi and action short films, during the future shorts session, and delve into how tomorrow’s stories respond to today’s emergencies.
The screenings end with an exploration of caring for country in Australia with Yana Djamaga Ganji / Walk Good Fire (2024), preceded by the award winning (and fan favourite) Victorian short Outpicker (2023).
■ Continued Page 6
◆ EXPLORE IDEAS: Environmental Films Australia to host a pop-up cinema as part of O -Grid Living Festival with a program of films exploring what it means to live on the planet, ways to care for country, and what the future may bring.
Exceptional care at Timeless Support
By MICHELLE AZARIS, TIMELESS SUPPORT
AT Timeless Support, we take immense pride in our dedicated team of carers, who provide not only essential assistance, but also genuine compassion and commitment to those they care for.
One outstanding example is Crystal, whose attention to detail and deep sense of responsibility have truly enriched the life of one of our valued clients, Edith.
Caring for an individual in their home requires patience, empathy, and a strong dedication to their well-being.
GONE FISHING
COMMITTED TEAM: Timeless Support o ers personalised, compassionate support for its clients.
those who need it most.
Crystal has demonstrated these qualities time and time again, ensuring Edith receives not only the practical help she needs but also the dignity and respect she deserves.
Her ability to go above and beyond in her role has not gone unnoticed.
Recently, we received a heartfelt message from Edith’s family expressing their gratitude.
“We want to let you know again what an amazing job Crystal does for Edith,” they said.
“You must be very proud to have such a carer on board who
pays so much attention to detail and provides the utmost care for Edith.
“She is fantastic.”
This kind of feedback is what drives us at Timeless Support.
We understand that finding the right carer can make a significant di erence in the lives of our clients and their families.
Crystal’s dedication exemplifies the high standards we uphold, ensuring our clients feel safe, valued, and supported at all times.
Timeless Support is committed to delivering professional and compassionate care to
Whether it’s personal care, companionship, or assistance with daily tasks, our team is here to help.
We believe in fostering meaningful connections, providing high-quality service, and treating every client like family.
If you or a loved one are looking for dedicated, experienced carers who put well-being first, Timeless Support is here for you.
Experience the di erence compassionate care can make.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
This day in history, 1874
NEWTON BRIDGE, 1874
2 APRIL, 1874 was a busy day in Beechworth.
At the completion of the water turn-on in the centre of town, the crowd moved to the site of the new stone bridge being built to replace the old one connecting Beechworth with Newton, and proceeded with the ceremony of laying the foundation stone.
The bridge was completed the following year, is still in use today, and appears durable enough to remain in use for an indefinite period.
FOR THOSE WHO PREFER A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE
Timeless Support has been approved to provide subsidised home care services through the Australian Government.
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to receive care and services, funded either fully or partly by the Government.
Changing seasons bring mixed fishing fortunes
AS the seasons change so too do the waterways, and the fishing. It’s not all bad news though, some things are changing for the better.
I went yabbying last week and caught one.
That’s right, just one. In the same dam a few weeks ago I caught quite a lot of yabbies.
During summer I will often say things like “Any dam with yabbies in it is worth trying now”.
But this time of the year it is much di erent.
Some waterways produce great yabbying at this time of the year, and others just shut down.
So if you’re after a late season feed of yabbies before things really cool down, make sure you don’t give up after trying one spot if you don’t do any good.
I know that I will be trying again this week, but definitely in a di erent spot!
It’s a similar story with the Murray cod fishing at this time of the year - it can be very hit and miss.
Over the last couple of weeks I have had a few fishless Murray cod fishing trips, and then on Saturday my friend Sonny and I
caught four and lost another one.
Saturday was a cool, damp day with steady light rain and a reasonably low barometer, yet it provided better fishing than the stable weather with a high barometer the week before.
As with the yabbying, if at first you don’t succeed, try again.
A di erent day, a di erent waterway, just keep on tyring and eventually you will be in the right place at the right time when the fish are biting. Many of the region’s trout streams are looking pretty good at the moment thanks to recent rain. They’re still low, and we still need a lot more rain but they’re certainly looking healthier than they were four weeks ago, and the water is cooling down nicely.
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NICE CATCH: A small Murray cod caught on a surface lure in the Ovens River at Wangaratta on Saturday afternoon.
with ROBBIE ALEXANDER WANGARATTA
WORRYING IMPLICATIONS: While over-feeding your pets may seem harmless, it can pose serious health risks for them, including diabetes and
disease.
Killing our pets with kindness
OBESITY among our furry, four-legged companions is increasing at an alarming rate.
Studies have shown that somewhere between 35-40 per cent of our pets are overweight, with up to eight per cent being classified as obese.
Similar to us, our pets gain weight through overindulgence on food and insu cient amount of exercise.
Unsurprisingly, this has significant health implications.
Being overweight can reduce our pet’s ability to enjoy life and predisposes them to certain health concerns.
Such health concerns include, but are not limited to, diabetes, joint disease (osteoarthritis, spinal issues), increased risk when undergoing surgery and anaesthesia, and a limited ability to cope in humid and hot weather.
Sometimes our pets may also have an underlying health condition that may be causing them to gain weight.
If you think weight may be an issue for your pet, ask yourself the following questions:
• Do you have di culty feeling your pets’ ribs?
• Is your pet reluctant to exercise or tires quickly?
• Does your pet have a waist?
• Does your pet regularly get table scraps or extra treats?
If you answer yes to any of the above questions, it may be beneficial for you to organise an appointment for your pet at the vet to identify if obesity is an issue for them and if so, receive advice on whether weight reduction should ensue and how to go about it.
By WARBY STREET VETERINARY CLINIC
The main way to help our pets remain at a comfortable weight is to feed them an appropriate amount of high-quality food, which can be done through following the recommendations on the food packaging and using kitchen scales to measure.
If you have already tried to reduce your pets’ intake and limited the amount of treats they receive, it may be appropriate to swap to a prescription weight management food such as Royal Canin Satiety or Hills Metabolic.
Increasing their amount of physical activity also helps to keep them fit, trim and happy.
It is important to gradually increase the amount of exercise your pet does to help prevent injury.
Physical activity doesn’t always have to be walking either; practising agility exercises, playing fetch or having a pet play date are all great ways to get your pet out and about.
For cats, interactive play is super important.
Food puzzles or toys are great ways to boost their activity levels.
Rewarding your pet can come in forms other than treats, including attention/praise, games, or even a massage.
If your pet is older or has pre-existing health issues, hydrotherapy or physical therapy may be better suited to prevent unnecessary strain.
Pets who are at a healthy weight live longer, are healthier and most importantly, happier.
Join the lifesaving blood-donation movement YOUR HEALTH
EVERY week in Australia, thousands of patients rely on the generosity of blood donors to survive.
From accident victims to cancer patients to those with chronic illnesses; donated blood is an irreplaceable gift that saves lives.
Yet, only three per cent of eligible Australians donate regularly.
Imagine the impact that could be made if more of us rolled up our sleeves.
Giving blood is quick, relatively painless (we promise, the needle is smallish), and comes with the added bonus of snacks at the end.
A single donation can help up to three people talk about a solid return on investment.
Plus, let’s be honest; there’s something a little heroic about sitting back in a comfy chair while a nurse tells you how amazing you are.
At South Wangaratta Medical Centre, we don’t just talk about health – we bleed for it.
By
MCMAHON,
Our team regularly takes part in team donations, turning blood donation into a group e ort. It’s a fantastic way to bond with colleagues, have a few laughs, and most importantly, save lives.
We’d love to see more workplaces and teams take up the challenge because nothing brings people together like a shared mission (and maybe a little friendly competition over who donates the fastest).
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to book your donation, this is it.
Be a hero, grab your workmates, and make a di erence – did we mention the free cookies?
BLOOD DONOR CHAMPION: South Wangaratta Medical Centre nurse Naomi Fieldew is part of the three per cent of Australians who regularly donate their blood.
TERESA
SOUTH WANGARATTA MEDICAL CENTRE
joint
PHOTO: Anton Dios / Shutterstock
Expand your ideas of environmentalism through film at festival’s pop-up cinema
Freyja said Environmental Films Australia gets hundreds of film submissions a year and they have a team of volunteer programmers across Australia who review them all to find the best of the best.
“We want to make sure our programs are both environmental and high quality cinema,” they said.
“We selected the films for the pop up cinema in collaboration with the O -Grid Living team.
“We tried to think about the di erent audiences that come to the event and also the vibe of each session.
“A lot of environmental cinema can be a bit doom and gloom, so we’ve chosen films
that will be thought-provokingand also a little inspiring.
“We want people to stick around afterwards and chat, so it was important that the films are good ones.
“Personally, I’m really excited to see Jacob, Mimmi & The Talking Dogs (2019), which is a children’s animated film from Latvia (don’t worry kids - it’s in English).
“It’s a real delight of a film, with beautiful animation, really funny writing and talking dogs.
“We screened it online in 2021 but this is our first time screening it in person and I can’t wait, more people need to see it.”
The films explore what it means to live on the planet, way to care for country, and
what the future may bring.
“We’re really open in our idea of what ‘environmental’ means, so each session is really di erent and approaches the idea of caring for our home in a di erent way,” Freyja said.
“We’ve got documentaries, sci-fi and action shorts, and a family animation.
“The films selected cover topics such as the power of trees, the importance of Aboriginal knowledge, inspirational individual actions and how humanity might exist in hundreds of years.
“The program is broad so you don’t have to consider yourself an “environmentalist” to enjoy them - we all live here and all
connect with the world around us every day.
“These films just acknowledge how important the planet is to us all.”
Celebrate and investigate sustainable living when the OGrid Living Festival and camp out is held in Chiltern on 12 and 13 April.
There will be 10 festival areas to explore and about 300 stalls showcasing ideas relating to energy and technology, home and building, water and waste, health and wellbeing, food and gardening and so much more.
Featuring workshops, demonstrations and talks, tickets are available now at o gridevent.com.au.
DON’T MISS OUT: Tickets are available online and on the door, you don’t have to be attending O -Grid Living Festival to come to the pop up cinema.
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BIRTHDAY SALE: North East Homemakers Centre sta members (from left) Andy Senkic, Chelsea Ibrom and Bec Van der Heyden, are excited to announce they are celebrating the store’s fourth birthday with a spectacular sale.
North East Homemakers Centre celebrates four years with huge sales
FROM humble beginnings in the heart of Wangaratta to becoming a trusted name in home furnishing, North East Homemakers Centre is marking its fourth birthday with a spectacular sale.
For the past four years, we’ve shared in your renovations, your room makeovers, and your new beginnings – and we’re just getting started.
Now it’s time to celebrate with incredible deals across every room.
In April, you can enjoy up to 50 per cent o beds and bedroom suites, making it the perfect opportunity to upgrade your sleep space.
If you’re looking to refresh your dining area, dining suites are also up to 50 per cent o , allowing you to entertain in style without stretching your budget.
The savings don’t stop there; lounge lovers can take advantage of 20 per cent o Homemakers lounge suites, Kinetic customisable lounges and Australian-made lounges. Renowned brands like La-Z-Boy and H2 reclin-
By CHELSEA IBROM, NORTH EAST HOMEMAKERS CENTRE
ers are also o ering 20 per cent o , an opportunity for unmatched comfort at a fraction of the price.
And for those in need of a new mattress, you’ll love the “any size for a single price” offer, making it easier than ever to invest in a great night’s sleep.
The North East Homemakers has always been about quality, value, and exceptional service.
This milestone sale is our way of saying thank you to the community that has supported us.
Thank you for letting us be part of your home journey and cheers to the last four years together.
Visit us at 161 Vincent Road, Wangaratta to snag an amazing deal this month.
By MICHAEL BAILLIE, NORTH EAST FASTENERS