Regional Extra 050624

Learn the art of horse archery and side saddle

THIS coming June long weekend sees something new and exciting arriving in the Wangaratta region.

Whether you’re a student of history, fascinated by cavalry arts, or just looking for something new and different to do with your equine partner, this is for you (and fence sitters are welcome too).

Liberty Deaman of Riding with Sticks (NSW), and Stacey Rusic of Same Side Equestrian (VIC) are combining forces to provide a shared opportunity to learn the art of horse archery, and riding side saddle, in a three-day equine clinic, being held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

Both horse archery and side saddle riding are experiencing significant growth as equestrian sports within Australia.

Both sports are recognised and included within the Pony Club programs across the country, and feature prominently as shows, displays, competitions and field day demonstrations around Victoria and NSW.

Liberty is currently Australia’s highest ranked horse archer, coming in at 82nd among the over 650 ranked horse archers in the world.

She represented Australia at the 2023 World Championships in Mongolia where Australia finished eighth overall and claimed the 2023 Australian Horse Archery National Championship.

She and her husband Rodney Deaman founded Riding With Sticks, a riding school with a focus on medieval and combat equestrian sports, in late 2023 to fulfil their mutual passion to grow the disciplines and demonstrate the value of equestrian combat arts in modern riding contexts. ■ Continued page 6

◆ CALVARY ARTS: People will be able to try horse archery and side saddle over this long weekend at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

VET CORNER The twitching pet

SNAILS and slugs can often wreak havoc as we try to tender to our lovely gardens or plants.

Snail and slug baits are readily available to control these pests however they pose a significant hazard to our pets.

Snail and slug baits often contain the pesticide product called metaldehyde, where very little amounts are required to cause poisoning in our dogs or cats.

Often the baits not only resemble pet food Kibble, the molasses or bran makes them more appetising to the snails but also our pets.

The major sign associated with snail bait toxicity is twitching which often begins quickly (within 20mins) after the bait is consumed and progresses to seizures.

Some dogs and cats may exhibit drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea.

The muscle contractions can raise body temperature so high it can cause brain damage and even death.

There is no direct antidote for metalde-

with Dr MaddieWangaratta Veterinary Clinic

hyde toxicity however, early intervention makes a big difference to a pet’s chances of surviving so if you suspect your pet has consumed some snail bait contact your vet immediately.

Treatment varies depending on what symptoms your pet is showing and how much time has passed since eating the bait.

Treatment may include inducing vomiting, gastric lavage (stomach flush), controlling seizures and hospitalisation.

Severe cases often require intensive care and hospitalisation over several days.

Therefore, to prevent this happening to your pet, ensure they do not have access to snail bait at home or investigate non-toxic methods of snail control to keep your pets safe.

This Day in History, 1870

HARRY POWER IN WANGARATTA

THE bushranger Harry Power was brought into Wangaratta under arrest.

Power had been caught a few hours earlier at his mountain hideaway in the upper reaches of the King River.

He had been on the run for months, robbing coaches, holding up travellers and providing an elusive target for police.

AS football, deer hunting and snow skiing take precedence in many people’s lives over winter, this will be my last fishing report for a few months.

My column will be back on the last Wednesday of August in time for the new trout season.

For those fishing addicts like myself, here is a forecast of what to expect over the coming months.

The trout season closes at midnight on the Monday of King’s Birthday weekend each year.

The streams are closed, but the lakes remain open.

As such, many anglers will be fishing for trout in Lake William Hovell, Lake Buffalo, Lake Dartmouth and the many family friendly fishing ponds that are stocked by fisheries in time for the winter school holidays each year.

These include Merriwa Park Lake in Wangaratta, Lake Sambell in Beechworth, Stanley

Ditch Dam in Stanley, Upper Sandy Creek Dam, Allans Flat Dredge Hole, Sevel urban ponds in Wodonga, Glenrowan Dam and Lake Anderson in Chiltern.

Crayfishing will be popular all winter.

Exact locations will depend on how much rain we get and how much water we can access.

At the start of the season (last Saturday) the rivers are all very low and boating will be restricted to the Murray River, Goulburn River and Lake Mulwala.

That could change with some good rainfall though.

William Hovell and Lake Buffalo will be worth fishing for redfin all winter. The fish may be harder to find, but the rewards are there if you put in the time as big redfin get caught in both lakes each winter.

Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Eildon will be the places to head if you’re after the giant winter Murray cod.

Once again, it’s reward for effort with hours and hours of casting required between fish, but both lakes have enormous Murray cod that get caught each winter.

Personally, I can see myself sitting on the banks of the region’s lakes drowning bait hoping to catch a carp, redfin or anything else that swims past.

Winter fishing can be very slow, but by practicing the three P’s (Patience, Persistence and Perseverance) I am often rewarded with some nice winter fish.

For more information please contact:

Amy Ratcliffe 5723 0134 aratcliffe@nemedia.com.au

Jess Clough 5723 0128 jclough@nemedia.com.au

the previous editions

Lake

◆ THIS IS THE LIFE: Fishing from the bank in the sun at Lake Buffalo last winter. I caught a few small redfin but bites were infrequent and patience was the key.

with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA

Smoke in your hands not your eyes

BOOK NOOK

with EDGARS BOOKS & NEWS

EDGARS Books & News are looking forward to welcoming Michael Brissenden to Old Faithfulls Brew Bar on Sunday, June 30 from 2.30pm.

The former journalist and foreign correspondent for the ABC will be launching his new book “Smoke” which is a riveting blend of crime, mystery, and the searing realities of a town engulfed by both literal and metaphorical fires.

Set in the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in the Californian sierras, this novel weaves a complex tapestry of secrets, corruption, and personal vendettas that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story starts with the discovery of a body in the charred remains of Jasper.

Initially dismissed as a tragic accident, the death soon reveals itself to be a calculated murder.

The victim, locked in a shed and left to the mercy of the flames, sets the stage for a gripping investigation.

Enter Detective Alex Markov, a character shaped by her past ties to Jasper and the shadow of an LAPD corruption scandal.

Alex’s return to Jasper is far from a hero’s homecoming.

Her determination to uncover the truth about her family friend’s murder exposes the rot at the town’s core.

Brissenden masterfully portrays her struggle, balancing her duty as a detective with the personal risks of revealing deep-seated corruption.

The moral quandaries she

Smoke author, Michael Brissenden, will be visiting Wangaratta on Sunday, June 30.

faces add layers of depth to her character, making her both relatable and compelling.

“Smoke” is more than just a crime thriller; it is a study of integrity and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Brissenden challenges readers to consider the cost of truth and the sacrifices required to bring justice to light.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 2.30pm for a 2.45pm start but are welcome to arrive early or stay later to enjoy music, food and drinks in the brilliant atmosphere that is Old Faithfulls.

Book your spot at this free event here: https://events.humanitix.com/author-talk-withmichael-brissenden/tickets or by calling Edgars on 5721 3758.

“Smoke” is available in store now so get your copy at Edgars Books & News, 55 Murphy Street Wangaratta or by phoning 5721 3758.

Copies will also be available at the event for purchase and Michael will sign them after the talk.

Mention this article or bring a copy in when you place your order and you’ll receive 20 per cent off “Smoke”.

Discover unique Indigenous art

BEECHWORTH Contemporary Art Space proudly presents a truly unique art exhibition.

The public is welcome to view the latest collection of predominantly painted works by leading Aboriginal artists all created within the past 15 years.

These celebrated works were attained ethically through representative galleries and community art centres from the central and western desert regions of Australia.

They are of incredible quality and very diverse in style.

This dynamic exhibition came to Beechworth via pas-

sionate collectors Elizabeth Kingdon and Michael Rowe.

Now local to the North East of Victoria, Libby and Michael contribute to and support Aboriginal art initiatives, in particular Agency Projects.

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander not for profit organisation, develops programs and activities promoting, celebrating and supporting cultural maintenance, allowing Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander leadership to thrive, and features strong participation and economic opportunities throughout Australia and also oversees.

Beechworth Contempo-

rary Art Space owner, Nina Machielse Hunt, is thrilled to facilitate this opportunity to celebrate remote First Nations histories and contemporary culture.

Nina believes a greater understanding about the diversity and uniqueness that exists throughout the many peoples and communities across Australia is crucial.

“We all have a role to play when it comes to building positive relationships together with First Nations peoples and knowledge is first and foremost,” she said.

“Through the visual arts a lot can be shared, enjoyed and achieved.”

◆ DYNAMIC ART: The Beechworth Contemporary Art Space is excited to introduce the Stanley Collection.

◆ THRILLING NOVEL:

Learn the art of horse archery and side saddle

■ From page 1 Liberty has been a student of horse archery for more than a decade and has attracted many avid students in recent months.

Stacey has a long history competing and winning, riding side at local, state, royal and national level during her time within the discipline.

She has obtained her Advanced Level III Side Saddle Instructors certification through the International Side Saddle Organization as well as her Grade 1, 2 and 2+ exams through the New Zealand Side Saddle Association under the renowned late Roger Philpot.

She is the only qualified side saddle instructor in Victoria and

one of only three in Australia. Side saddle lessons for individuals and pairs are available on Saturday, June 8 between 9am and 3pm.

The Horse Archery clinic will run across Sunday, June 9 and Monday, June 10, with full weekend and single day tickets available.

All tickets include hire of the required equipment, and the event is open to riders of all skill levels and experience.

Riders will need to supply their own safety equipment including helmets and boots on the weekend.

Very limited horse hire options are also available for the horse archery component.

The combined clinic will be held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds and fence sitters for all sessions are welcome.

Tickets for all aspects of the weekend can be found through the Same Side Equestrian, and Riding with Sticks Facebook pages, or via TryBooking.com by searching Riding With Sticks. Enquiries can also be made by contacting Liberty on 0407 390 678.

Or if you are just interested in either (or both) of these fascinating disciplines, follow their Facebook pages or checkout their websites at www.ridingwithsticks. com.au or www.samesideequestrian.com.au

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Contact

◆ MEDIEVAL SKILLS: Liberty Deaman has been teaching people the sport of horse archery since late 2023. FEATURE STORY

PRODUCTION OPERATOR

Full

An

NSW’s leading independent news and media groups, based at our Wangaratta and digital properties across our group. The successful applicant will be responsible for producing newspaper layouts, pre-pressing pages for print, and basic IT troubleshooting. Skills and Experience

• (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)

This

• and to tight deadlines digital channels, including websites, be advantage but is not essential. an energetic and stimulating environment, we would encourage you to apply. Applications should be forwarded to: Kelly Lovell Creative Services Manager North East Media Pty Ltd klovell@nemedia.com.au

LEGAL MATTERS

◆ BUSINESS STRUCTURES: It’s important to explore different structures when starting your business.

No cash to buy a business? Consider these structures

SOMETIMES when we want to start a business, we just don’t have quite enough dough to scrape together the money to buy it, or the bank won’t lend you the money.

Exploring vendor finance options is a practical approach when you don’t have enough cash to pay for a business outright.

Vendor financing involves the seller helping to finance the purchase, and there are several structures you can consider to make it work:

1. ‘Terms Sale’ or vendor finance/loan: This is one of the most common forms of Vendor financing.

In this structure, you pay a portion of the purchase price upfront and then promise to pay back the Vendor for the remaining amount over time.

This might be agreed in writing by a loan agreement that would specify the interest rate,

repayment schedule, and loan maturity date, and any security you agree to give to secure the loan.

The seller acts as a lender, and typically, this note is secured against the assets of the business.

2. Earn-out: An earn-out is an arrangement where additional future payments are made to the Vendor based on the business’s performance post-acquisition.

This can reduce your initial cash outlay and aligns the seller with the business’s continued success, providing them an incentive to help during the transition period.

3. Equity retention: The vendor retains a minority stake in the business for a set period or until certain performance goals are met.

This allows you to leverage the old owner’s ongoing involvement and reduces the

amount of immediate financing required.

Eventually, you might buy out the seller’s stake at a predetermined price, or have it transferred to you automatically after you reach certain milestones.

4. Lease-to-own agreement: For businesses with significant tangible assets, a lease-to-own structure might be feasible.

You lease the business and its assets for a period, with the option or obligation to purchase the business at the end of the lease term based on the terms agreed upon.

Each of these options has different implications for risk, cash flow, and control of the business.

Thorough legal and financial due diligence is essential, and working with financial and legal advisors to structure the deal properly can help protect your interests.

Is your bedroom

YOU might love falling asleep to your favourite TV show…

Or, maybe you have a habit of scrolling through your phone before bed...

But having a dark, cool, quiet environment can play a big role in how well you sleep.

In my clinic I see so many parents who have children struggling with sleep so I will focus on children mostly in the article - of course a child’s sleep routine can affect the whole family.

We live in such a busy world that establishing natural sleep routines for children can be challenging.

However, a well-structured sleep regimen is crucial for their physical and mental development.

Sleep affects a child’s mood, behaviour, and academic performance.

Creating a natural sleep routine

1. Consistent sleep schedule: Establish a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.

Consistency reinforces the body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.

2. Relaxing bedtime routine: Engage in calming activities before bed.

Reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle stretches can signal to the body that it’s time to wind down.

3. Sleep-friendly environment: Create a bedroom conducive to sleep.

Ensure the room is dark, cool, and quiet.

Use blackout curtains to block out light and consider white noise machines to mask disruptive sounds.

4. Limit screen time: Exposure to screens before bed can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

Aim to turn off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime.

5. Healthy diet and physical activity: Encourage a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Avoid heavy meals and caffeine close to bedtime.

Physical activity during the day can promote better sleep at night.

6. Mindfulness and relaxation Techniques: Teach children relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.

These practices can help reduce anxiety and prepare the mind for sleep.

Parental involvement and consistency

Parents play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining sleep routines.

As a parent you can help your child by modelling healthy sleeping habits, being patient and consistent, and communication and being collaborative with your child.

For assistance with your children’s sleep and natural immunity call us at the NE Naturopathic Group on 03 5798 3344.

with Jonathan Green JONATHAN GREEN LEGAL

with Christos NORTH EAST NATURAL HEALTH