Regional Extra 111023

Local Make-A-Wish looking for new volunteers

THE Wangaratta Make-A-Wish branch has recently gained a new volunteer and is currently looking for more.

Twenty-one year old Aaron HiltonHonan joined the local branch a few weeks ago as a way to fill in his time in a more meaningful way.

“I think I just wanted to do something better with my time rather than just weekends lounging around not doing much,” he said.

By CHLOE JAENICKE

“I was drawn to Make-A-Wish because of the children; I believe they deserve a fair chance.”

Make-A-Wish aims to help children battling life threatening illnesses with volunteers working on fundraising, public awareness and visiting families for the organisation.

Mr Hilton-Honan said he is most looking forward to home visits where he’ll get to connect with the children and help facilitate their wishes.

“Meeting the kids would be great,” he said

“It would be a good experience to be able to make an impact on their lives.”

On the family visits, two volunteers go to the visit to find out what the wish is and how to fulfil it.

■ Continued page 6

◆ GRANTING WISHES: Wangaratta Make-A-Wish volunteers (from left) Judy Youings, Carole Breust, Aaron Hilton Honan, Debbie Robison and Betty Harris (not pictured) help sick kids in Wangaratta and surrounding areas.

with ROB

with DAVID

Getting backyard chickens with

OFTEN, people who keep backyard chickens need to make a decision about acquiring a new bird.

Usually all works out well; both parties (buyer and seller) are happy, and the chicken does well in their new home.

But this is not always the case.

You may be able to obtain a new chicken from a produce store/agency, a pet shop, a breeder, or a friend or relative.

You may be able to adopt a pet chicken from a shelter (such as the RSPCA) or rescue group.

Rescue chickens are usually obtained from commercial farmers.

The typical life expectancy of a chicken ranges from four to 12 years but this will depend on the breed of chicken.

A hen’s egg production will decrease and eventually stop as she ages, but she may live for years after she stops laying eggs.

Regardless of where you go, only purchase poultry from the seller where you trust there is good chicken welfare, chickens are kept in a clean enclosure with recently changed bedding, the enclosures are not overcrowded, the chickens are fed a commercial diet (this ensures they receive all of the required nutrients to stay healthy), all of the chickens have access to water, the chickens look healthy (note: some chickens may look scruffy because they are moulting.

It’s normal for some chickens to moult once per year.

Ask the seller if you’re not sure whether a chicken looks scruffy because they are unhealthy or moulting) and they have been

RSPCA - kb.rspca.org.au

wormed regularly with an effective product.

Poultry suppliers other than large commercial enterprises rarely vaccinate their chickens.

This is not a sign of poor husbandry – it is commercially non-viable to vaccinate properly on a small scale.

For more information visit the https:// kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/wherecan-i-get-my-backyard-chickens/.

This Day In History, 1905

A MEETING was held at Peacock’s Hotel, Oxley, with a view of furthering the co-operative store movement in the region.

A meeting had been held a few weeks earlier in the Library Hall, Milawa, to establish a co-operative store at Milawa.

Robert Cook was chairman of the meeting.

It was proposed to start with a capital of three thousand shares of one pound each.

Mr A Murdoch was appointed treasurer.

A fortnight later, a meeting was held to discuss the establishment of a co-op store in Wangaratta.

Eventually, the Wangaratta idea was the one that drew the most support.

Floodwaters great for Murray cod spawning, prolonged trout season

THE recent flooding has forced many people off the water.

This is short term pain for long term gain as the floods play a vital role in the overall health of our fisheries.

Lets talk about Murray cod spawning. Murray cod spawn each year in the spring time.

They need a spring flood to spawn successfully, but will spawn each season regardless.

The success of their spawning is determined by the conditions, and the current flooding is providing ideal conditions for successful Murray cod spawning.

When Murray cod spawn they lay their eggs onto a sticky surface, and then guard them until they hatch, chasing away other fish and fanning the eggs clean with their fins to prevent any kind of build up on them

with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA

such as slime or algae.

Once the eggs hatch, the Murray cod fry will feed on the yolk sack of their egg.

Once that runs out, they will start feeding freely on microorganisms in the water.

Floodwater fills the water with these micro-organisms, providing plenty of food for the fry to give them the best chance of survival.

A low clear river caused by a lack of rainfall will see many

cod die as soon as their yolk sack is depleted.

So the current flooding will help to ensure successful natural Murray cod recruitment this spring.

The trout fishing has been great over the last couple of years thanks to above average rainfall.

Trout really struggle when the stream flow slows right down and the water warms up in summer.

This current flooding will help to keep the streams fresh and prolong the great trout fishing for a while longer before the forecast hot dry summer arrives. Before the floods we were catching some great trout, and these floods will only provide more food for them, leading to faster growth rates.

◆ NICE FISH: Shannon Orr with a lovely brown trout caught before the flooding rains hit. These trout will be feeding like tomorrow at the moment thanks to the high dirty water.

THIS recipe by Aussie Apples is a healthier twist on a classic dessert and retains the nutritional value of the apple peel.

For more recipes like this, see www.aussieapples.com.au.

Apple Crumbles Creative tales offer imagination boost

Transfer to a bowl.

Whole apple crumbles

Ingredients:

1 cup self-raising flour

1/2 cup plain flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

150gm butter, chopped

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2/3 cup traditional rolled oats

8 apples (Red Delicious, Fuji, Pink Lady®, Jazz™ and Kanzi™ are best for this recipe)

Cinnamon sugar for dusting, optional

Method: Preheat oven to 180°C fan forced.

Lightly grease a baking dish.

Combine the flours and cinnamon in a food processor.

Add the butter and process in short bursts until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Stir in the brown sugar and oats, use fingers to mix until crumble almost comes together.

Cut 1cm off the top of the apples.

Remove the core.

Use a teaspoon to scoop out apple to about halfway, leaving a 1cm border around the edge.

Place the apples into the baking dish, press crumble mixture (about 1/3 cup per apple) into the well and evenly over the apples.

Bake for 30 minutes or until apples are just tender and the crumble is golden.

Serve warm dusted with cinnamon sugar or cold as a lunch box/after school snack

Tip: These are as delicious cold as they are straight from the oven, so make a double batch and keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days.

ONE of the greatest benefits of reading is the way it nurtures creativity and imagination.

These abilities can be vital to our sense of wellbeing, but can also be applied in school and work settings to enable us to explore new ideas which potentially lead to discovery and innovation.

This week, thanks to publisher Allen & Unwin, we are giving away a pack of four kids’ books with creative storylines bound to capture the imaginations of six to 10-year-olds.

The third in Australian author Lili Wilkinson’s ‘How to Make a Pet Monster’ series tells the tale of ‘Smidgen’, the latest cute monster creation from Artie, his step-sister Willow and their neighbour Arabella-Rose, also known as the Monster Club.

In the stories told in the first two books, the trio have already produced monsters named Hodgpodge and Flummox.

Willow wants to try again, but Artie thinks it might be a really bad idea.

With appealing illustrations by Alex Patrick accompanying Wilkinson’s easy-to-read text, ‘Smidgen’ is a fun read for young primary-schoolers.

Also ideal for emerging readers is ‘Jawsome’, the first in a planned series by Gold Coast author RJ Timmis about a group of young sharks who by night become the super-famous rock band Jawsome.

But not everything is cruisy for this band with 15 krillion fans; their lead singer has unexpectedly quit, and something fishy is going on in Chumville.

Can Finley and his mates get to the bottom of these shady shark-nanigans while keeping their secret identities watertight? You’ll have to read to find out…

The prolific Aussie author/actor/comedian/artist has just released the third in his Smarty Pup series, ‘To the Rescue’, which guest-stars a character from another of his popular series, Weirdo.

The book continues the story of Lily and her genius pup JJ, who was just a normal dog until he came in contact with some alien ‘goop’ and became super smart.

Now, he goes to school with Lily.

Lily and JJ are thrilled when Chief Firefighter Do and his son Weir visit their school, because JJ would love to be a firedog.

◆ RED HOT ADVENTURE: Smarty Pup is back in the third instalment from popular author Anh Do, one of four books you could win this week.

With Simone North East Media

But when fire threatens to burn down a local building, they realise there’s more to firefighting than just driving a big red truck.

Will JJ and his latest invention save the day?

Finally, Xavier Bonet has created ‘Lily Halfmoon: The Magic Gems’, a graphic novel which features a secret school of witches, animal guardians and magical gemstones, and follows the story of a young girl who discovers she has magic powers.

If you would like to be in the running to win these four books, ‘Smidgen: How to Make a Pet Monster 3’ (RRP $14.99), ‘Jawsome’ ($15.99), ‘To the Rescue: Smarty Pup 3’ ($15.99) and ‘Lily Halfmoon: The Magic Gems’ ($16.99), simply email skerwin@nemedia.com.au and tell us why you’d like to own them.

Make-A-Wish looking for new volunteers

■ From page 1

“An experienced volunteer would introduce a new volunteer into that side of things,” Make-A-Wish Wangaratta president, Carole Breust, said.

“On the visits we do our own individual reports and send them down to Melbourne, and then that sort of starts the whole process of the wish granting.”

Currently, the Wangaratta branch is in need of new volunteers as they not only help out children in Wangaratta, but also surrounding areas including Yarrawonga and Mansfield and they occasionally find themselves helping the Shepparton and Albury branches.

“Some of the other branches got really short of volunteers, numbers go up and down, they used to have a huge committee in Shepparton but they got short of volunteers we went over there and so we did a visit,” she said.

“You just go where you’re needed to go.”

Volunteering for Make-A-Wish isn’t a huge time commitment, according to Ms

Breust as, apart from the home visits, they only have one meeting a month and hold two Bunnings barbecues a year.

“People feel that they’re that busy these days that they don’t have the time to do it but it’s really not a huge time commitment,” she said.

“We only have one meeting a month and it only goes for an hour and you don’t have to go to all of them.”

Ms Breust has always been drawn to working with children and has found her work with Make-A-Wish fulfilling and worthwhile.

“It’s just really wonderful to help people and you meet so many wonderful people and to just give them a little bit of happiness is just really rewarding,” she said.

“Some kids have a much harder life than others and it’s not difficult to help them out.”

Ms Breust has had many meaningful experiences with the children she’s helped, granting all kinds of wishes from helping a little girl meet the cast of Home

and Away to helping a little boy whose wish was all about his family.

“When I speak at the high school, I always tell them about this wish of this little boy who knew he wasn’t going to make it to his next Christmas,” she said.

“He got his mother a dishwasher because he thought she worked too hard, he got his siblings a puppy, his nanna a new kettle because hers was broken and he got his dad an inscribed ring.

“His whole wish was about his family and for a little boy that was pretty amazing.”

Mr Hilton-Honan especially encourages people his age to volunteer as he believes there aren’t enough young people volunteering.

“As a young person I don’t see any other young people volunteering and I think they should get out there a bit more and help out,” he said.

To volunteer for the foundation, contact Ms Breust on 0407 665 387 or to donate and for more information on MakeA-Wish visit makeawish.org.au.

FEATURE STORY

◆ NEW MEMBER: Aaron Hilton-Honan recently started voliunteering for Make-A-Wish.

NorthEast JOBS

K&M Automotive 4x4 is the leading Emergency Roadside Assistance provider in Mansfield and surrounding areas. We provide roadside care and towing for RACV, emergency services, vehicle manufacturers and motor car clubs.

We are looking for new RACV contractors to join our team.

The job will be providing emergency roadside assistance after hours and weekends, on behalf of the RACV and another programs. You will be provided with a work service vehicle / tow truck as required, work phone and tools, as well as training.

Roles & Responsibilities:

As part of our team you will... Collaborate with teaching staff, education support staff and other Allied Health professionals to support our students with intellectual disabilities.

Work with our young people aged 5-18 to ensure they can access the curriculum, meet their individualised goals and transition successfully into the community.

Time Fraction negotiable and includes 6 weekspaid school holidays.

Circulating in Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Bright, Mt Beauty, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and districts

Position

Skills & Experience:

but not essential)

To apply, please send your resume to shannon@kmonsite.com.au or (03) 5775 1605.

Office Administrator/ Sales Support

Full or part time

Are you working in office administration, retail or hospitality and looking to take the next step in your career? This position is a permanent opportunity which offers stability while working in a supportive team environment.

You will be joining a well established and highly successful print and digital media company based at our Wangaratta office.

As a Sales Support/ Office Administrator you will be supporting the team by providing administrative and sales support. Your role will have variety and a typical day will include. phone and email our in-house design team

To be successful in this role you will have:

skills

verbal and written skills

The person in this role will also demonstrate a strong sense of urgency working to strict deadlines.

This is an opportunity to join our sales team and use your customer service skills to support our clients with their print and digital marketing needs.

Applications should be forwarded to:

Ian Pople Wangaratta Sales Manager

North East Media ipople@nemedia.com.au

Please conatct the school on 57217424 or via wangaratta.ss@education.vic.gov.au for more information or to organise a tour.

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.

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.

NorthEast JOBS Search

Graphic Designer

Full or part time opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a graphic designer to join one of Victoria and NSW’s leading independent news and media groups, based at our Wangaratta office working on newspapers, magazines and digital properties across our group.

Following recent acquisitions North East Media is seeking additional graphic design support. You must be able to multitask, have strong organisational skills and be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. You must also be a team player who shows initiative and be able to work with minimal supervision.

Your experience will include sound skills developing artwork using Adobe InDesign. Experience designing artwork for multiple digital channels, including websites, social media, email marketing would be an advantage but not is not essential.

If you are looking for a new challenge in an energetic and stimulating environment, we would encourage you to apply. Applications should be forwarded to: Edward Higgins CEO North East Media Pty Ltd ehiggins@nemedia.com.au

Teaching Positions

Outdoor School - 15 Mile Creek Campus

The 15 Mile Creek Campus currently has three contract positions available for 2024.

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic teachers to join our team. Outdoor School is a State Government School that delivers a diverse range of 5, 12 and 21 day programs to students from across Victoria. Our campus works with a variety of students from Grade 3 to Year 12.

15 Mile Creek offers a sustainable and engaging work life balance and meets all current VGSA working guidelines. Due to the nature of outdoor education, staff will be involved in overnight programs either onsite or offsite throughout the year. Teaching staff accumulate their time in lieu to have a timetabled earlier finish for the 2024 school year. Any additional time in lieu that is accumulated can be negotiated to be taken throughout the school year or paid out at the conclusion of the school year.

At 15 Mile Creek we ensure staff are feeling confident, supported and well equipped so that staff can deliver high quality programs. A comprehensive induction process will take place at the beginning of the year and staff will be enrolled into relevant professional learning if required.

If you would like further information, please feel free to ring the Campus Principal Rhys Evans on 0428789338. We welcome you to make a time to come and visit the school and view the programs in action.

Jobs are currently up on recruitment online and close at 5pm on Friday the 20th of October 2023.

Job ID# 1370716 Job ID# 1370717 Job ID# 1370718

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.

Regional North Victoria – Mechanical Engineer – COSE001

Wangaratta – Concrete Truck Driver – WANG003

Wangaratta – 2IC/Batcher – WANG004

Shepparton – Concrete Cartage Contractor – CCSSHEP10 Glenrowan – Quarry Operator – GLEQ003

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

JOIN OUR ALLIED HEALTH TEAM IN 2024 Occupational Therapist Physiotherapist

WANGARATTA DISTRICT SPECIALIST SCHOOL

Tool kits for the budding apprentice

KINCROME has a range of toolkits to suit all your needs including the Evolution Range.

The P1710 tool kit was developed for the trade professional wanting value for money without compromising quality.

It is loaded with premium features including 14 drawers, 6 extra deep EVA trays and the ability to hold 306 pieces making it perfect for the professional user, while being at a price that isn’t out of reach of the home user.

The Evolution Deep Workshop Tool Kit is also one of the many tools that are a part of the Tools For Life program aimed to help out the budding apprentice and is redeemable at North East Fasteners.

Eligible apprentices can get the tool kit at a discounted price and also receive the Evolution 30 piece Gear Spanners EVA tray for free

Tips to reduce the discomfort of hay fever

IN our beautiful North East region we are blessed with stunning inland mountains and open farming plains.

moisture to dry nasal passages and reduce infection.

upon redemption of the apprentice offer.

The foam tray is custom made to suit the Kincrome Tool Chests and Boxes and makes the selection of tools quicker and easier saving you valuable time.

The Tools for Life program is aimed to suit apprentices of any trade with over 21 tool kits available in the offer making its potential limitless.

Without the coastal drafts, the airborne pollens that burst forth at springtime hover thick in the air we breathe.

If you are one of the many who suffer with hay fever in the North East, here are the naturopath’s top five tips to reduce the discomfort.

1. Use supplements to help reduce inflammation and the release of histamine can reduce the itching and redness of the eyes, throat and nasal passages.

2. Identify any food intolerances that may be exacerbating your GIT health and aggravating the recycling of histamine in your GIT.

3. Keep your water intake high to maintain a moist throat and wet tongue at all times.

Carry a small drink bottle with your car keys when you leave the house, keep a bottle with you to sip on.

Pollens irritate a dry throat much more.

4. Salt water nasal sprays can provide instant

These are a more convenient take on the traditional “neti pots” which are used in traditional medicine for sinus.

Neti Pots are tea pot-like pots used to pour water into the nostrils as a rinse.

Salt water sprays are a convenient carry with you alternative.

5. Improve your microbiome.

A diverse microbiome will help remove excess histamine from your body and reduce the symptoms of hay fever.

Specific probiotics have been shown to work brilliantly here.

The trick with hay fever symptoms is to start treatment as early as possible.

Preparation of your mucous membranes at or before the onslaught of pollen and dust is optimal but not essential to success.

If you are struggling with typical hay fever symptoms, we would love to show you how simple and effective natural remedies can be.

◆ HAY FEVER RELIEF: There are many ways you can ease the discomfort caused by hay fever.

◆ EVOLUTION: The Evolution range of tool kits is available as part of the Tools For Life Apprentice Program.

with David James NORTH EAST FASTENERS