Project 365’s Emma Merlo, Steve Manning, Baxter and Pete Rourke and Rob Humphreys are looking forward to tomorrow evening’s fundraising gala ball, where 18 AFL guernseys will be up for auction. Story page 3
PHOTO: Bailey Zimmerman
Defendant admits menacing abuse, tells court “Wangaratta has had a gutful of me and vice versa”
A Wangaratta man, who believed the city “had a gutful” of him, was given two months in jail following vitriolic abuse of neighbours and others who had protection orders against him.
The 65-year-old appeared at Seymour Magistrates’ Court from Hopkins Correctional Centre on
Thursday, dressed in green and jotting notes as he heard his 60day sentence, with 23 days already served.
He will also be placed on a 12-month community corrections order upon his release, despite being found unsuitable.
It was an assessment Magistrate
Olivia Trumble said was not a surprise.
Defence counsel Geoff Clancy said his client insisted on being placed on the order to compel him to get help for his alcohol abuse.
The order will also include supervision and behaviour change programs on the insistence of cor-
rections officer Robert Parkinson, who deemed the man a high risk.
The defendant pleaded guilty to continuous, “disgusting” harassment of multiple people in Wangaratta.
Across incidents from April to July, the man was found to have yelled vulgar abuse at neighbours on numerous occasions and pushed a shopping trolley in front of a driving car on Ovens Street.
On 23 July, a day after he was bailed for his offending, the defendant brought his neighbour across the road to tears when police arrived to another incident of abuse.
■ Continued page 4
Landlords of a Vincent Road property that went up in flames in 2021 have failed in a bid to claim $266,000 from its tenant for damages.
County Court of Victoria Judge Andrew Fraatz delivered his findings in July after a three-day hearing in March and dismissed the claim.
The court heard a fire which originated in the tenant’s bedroom around 1pm on 8 April, 2021 destroyed or
otherwise damaged most of the property.
Landlords alleged the fire was caused by the tenant’s “failing to extinguish her cigarettes before departing the property and leaving her cigarettes unattended”.
The tenant admitted to being a smoker but told the court she didn’t smoke inside the property and therefore couldn’t have started the fire.
The court heard police, firefighters or fire investiga-
Two former Galen Catholic College students are preparing to take part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge this month.
Ryan Falconer and Olivia D’Agostino are part of the Deakin University Solar Team (DUST), which will be among the teams of tertiary and secondary students attempting to travel 3000km between Darwin and Adelaide in energy-efficient electric vehicles they have designed, engineered and built.
The challenge, which began in 1987 and is conducted every two years, attracts people from across the world who are keen to push the limits of technological innovation in developing vehicles powered by the sun.
Bridgestone World Solar Challenge alumni have progressed from participation in the event to employment with some of the world’s leading engineering, automotive, and sustainable transport companies.
Ryan, a past Galen VEX robotics team member and currently in his third year of a mechatronics engineering degree, is the electrical co-lead of DUST and is also part of the media team as one of the key photographers.
Olivia, who is in her third year of a design degree, is leading the DUST media team and also used her design skills on graphic design for the team including the DUST 2025 logo.
The pair are currently with the team and its car in Darwin, preparing for the start of the race on 24 August, and are hoping to cross the finish line in Adelaide on 31 August.
tors did not locate any smoking paraphernalia in the bedroom.
Judge Fraatz said the applicant was unable to establish the area or point of origin of the fire within the bedroom and he was not convinced the tenant smoked in her bedroom prior to the fire.
“I find any available inference that a cigarette caused the fire is no more probable than the inference an electrical device caused it,” he said.
“No investigator found any physical evidence to show the cause of this fire.”
Prior to the fire, the tenant said she left the home with one of three daughters she lived with to go to the bakery around 12pm.
They were notified of the property being on fire by a neighbour.
The court heard the fire destroyed the rear of the property – the bedroom including the windows, a sec-
tion of hallway, several other windows and a glass sliding door adjacent to the hallway.
In addition to fire, thermal and smoke damage throughout, the property sustained some damage from water during fire suppression activities.
Following the fire, the landlord partially reinstated the property before on-selling it to his daughter.
The court heard the tenant usually smoked at the prop-
erty in the alcove directly outside the bedroom or on the front porch.
Empty pot plants were used as ashtrays and the court heard the tenant kept a jar with a lid on it she used as an ashtray in the bedroom, which the landlord alleged sparked the blaze.
Judge Fraatz said the tenant had removed the glass jar from the bedroom as it was never recovered from the area.
Strong ticket sales and generous auction donations for Saturday night’s Mitsubishi Wangaratta Project 365 Gala Ball have again illustrated the level of passion for the message behind the local mental health initiative.
The gala ball concept - an offshoot from concert events previously staged by the group which featured its band U Can Cry - has provided locals and those beyond the area with another opportunity to support Project 365’s promotion of positive mental health and the message that ‘it’s okay to not be okay’.
The sold-out ball will be held at the Wangaratta Turf Club this Saturday evening, featuring entertainment from local performers Lachie Routledge, and Liam Blunt’s Funky Rhythm Train.
Project 365 founder Pete Rourke said the gala ball was perfectly timed to encourage people to get out and socialise in winter.
“Ticket sales have been amazing, and the response was bigger than we first thought it would be,” Pete said.
“The cause is definitely helping - people are very keen to support it.
“People have contributed and donated items for the auction beyond what I would have even
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
imagined, with locals who know the cause and have contacts able to hand us some amazing items.”
Among them are football jumpers from all 18 AFL clubs, along with bus tours, helicopter rides and landscaping packages, illustrating the variety of items up for grabs.
“They’ve been donated by people who have been following the project and what we do, including the mental health first aid scholarships - another round of which we’ll be announcing information about on Saturday,” Pete said.
“The last round of scholarships reached more than 950 employees, and we’re hoping the next lot will extend even further, helping to make conversations about mental health a normal part of life.
“To be able to have so much support behind what we’re doing is really important.
“To think that we had the idea for this gala ball six months ago, and now we’re preparing for a sold-out event, with people travelling from as far as Sydney to attend, is mind-blowing.”
Businesses across the Rural City of Wangaratta have shared their insights in the region’s first Business Health Check Survey and the results paint a picture of a resilient, forward-thinking local economy.
Despite ongoing challenges such as rising operating costs and skills shortages, 53 per cent of businesses expect stable or increased profits over the next 12 months.
In another sign of confidence, 40 per cent of respondents plan to expand their workforce, a strong signal for Wangaratta’s economic outlook.
Launched at the Annual Business Forum in February 2025, the survey ran for eight weeks and captured feedback from a wide range of industries and townships.
Respondents represented all key local sectors from health care and agriculture to manufacturing, retail, and construction sharing insights on everything from staffing and marketing to cashflow and training.
Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said the survey delivers on a key action in Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2024–2029: checking
in with local businesses each year and using their input to guide support.
“This is about listening and acting,” she said.
“Local businesses have told us they want faster support, more opportunities to network, and workshops in areas like marketing, business planning, and artificial intelligence.
“We’re responding with support that’s timely, practical, and relevant.”
That feedback is already shaping the 2025–26 Business Development Program, which will include hands-on workshops focused on mar-
keting, finance, and continuity planning. Events will be delivered across the region with flexible options to suit different industries and time constraints.
Key insights include:
• 73pc of businesses are interested in attending casual networking events.
• Over 60pc do not currently have an emergency or energy plan in place but there is strong interest to learn more about both.
• Nearly 40pc of businesses identified rising costs and cashflow as their biggest concern.
• Skills shortages and staff reliability continue to be major barriers to recruitment across most industries.
The data also highlights the diverse pressures different sectors are facing from tight margins in retail and hospitality, to the demand for consistency and safety in agriculture and manufacturing.
Across the board, business owners are looking for practical tools to help them plan and stay competitive.
Council’s Business Concierge service continues to provide tailored, one-onone support to help business
owners navigate permits, access grants, and connect with expert advice.
Despite this, nearly half of respondents hadn’t yet engaged with any council-run business services, signalling an opportunity to raise awareness and make it easier for businesses to reach out.
The Business Health Check will now become an annual initiative giving local businesses a regular voice and helping council respond to what matters most.
Visit the council concierge service at https://www.investwangaratta.com.au/Business-Concierge.
■ From page 1
The neighbour told officers he felt like a prisoner living inside his own home.
Mr Clancy told the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday that all of his client’s offending had occurred while he was drinking.
Mr Clancy said his client had hinted at selling his home and moving interstate, which was confirmed by the defendant, telling the court “Wangaratta has had a gutful of me and vice versa”.
Magistrate Trumble said a discounted sentence had to be given for an early guilty plea.
“It’s very obvious to me the impact of the victim is significant and it would only have been traumatic to them to be cross-examined and relive those incidents,” she said.
The victim was also present in court on Monday and Thursday.
Magistrate Trumble said a not guilty plea would have landed the man in jail for six months and warned the defendant it would be “problematic” if he breached his order upon release, given his serious criminal history.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) has been commended by the Victorian government in their efforts to conduct nearly 3000 planned surgeries in the past financial year, helping the state set a record number of surgeries for the second year running.
More than 212,000 surgeries were delivered at public hospitals statewide including 2987 at NHW for patients across the region.
Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said NHW’s hard-working staff helped more locals get the care they needed, sooner and closer to home.
NHW chief executive officer, Libby Fifis, said the hospital acknowledged the outstanding efforts of its surgical teams in delivering a high number of planned surgeries across the North East.
“Our Patient Support Unit plays a vital role in preparing patients for surgery,” she said.
“They ensure scheduling is aligned with the Department of Health’s Planned Surgery Access Policy and that patients are ready for care by their scheduled date.”
A record-breaking 58,264 patients statewide received planned surgery in the last quarter – a 13 per cent rise compared to pre-pandemic levels – with the overall waitlist down 3.7 per cent since last quarter.
This quarter, all Category 1 patients continued to be treated
Wangarandary resident Marc Chick got a pleasant surprise with some unexpected visitors yesterday. A pair of Australian King Parrots (female pictured) popped down to what he was doing outside his shed.
within the recommended time, and median wait times for Category 2 and 3 patients improved by five and 25 days, respectively, from the same quarter last year.
Victoria’s emergency departments faced record demand last quarter, with more than 513,200 presentations.
The state’s paramedics continue to face significant winter demand, responding to more than 98,000 lights and sirens cases, averaging almost 1100 cases every day.
Victorians are being urged to be safe around trains and at level crossings, with more than 250 near hits with pedestrians and vehicles recorded on the V/Line network in the past 12 months.
There were 194 near hits with pedestrians over the past year, up more than 55 per cent on previous year.
Of the near hits, 35 were at level crossings, while others occurred when passengers took shortcuts to get to trains.
There were 48 near hits involv-
ing pedestrians on the southwest corridor, while the northern corridor saw 44 reported incidents.
Some 53 near hits involved vehicles, with 15 in both the western and northern regions, which was the most recorded - up from 38 near hits in 2023/24.
Acting V/Line CEO Warwick Horsley said safety is their number one priority and they urge everyone to be patient around level crossings because trains can come from
either direction at any time.
“No journey is worth risking your life for - always obey the signs and signals at level crossings – they are there to protect you,” he said.
“The consequences of rail incidents can be catastrophic, causing severe and lasting trauma to passengers, V/Line staff and communities.”
Collisions and near hits on the rail network put lives at risk, severely disrupt rail services and traffic flow, and have serious im-
pacts on train drivers and other rail workers, along with the wider community.
This year’s Rail Safety Week theme reminds the public to ‘expect the unexpected and listen for trains’.
Rail Safety Week (from 11 to 17 August) is an initiative of the TrackSAFE Foundation, where public transport operators from across Australia promote rail safety in the community.
For more information visit, tracksafefoundation.com.au.
A regular Wangaratta offender found himself back before court after he accidentally set fire and destroyed items in a neighbour’s garden shed.
The 34-year-old appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court this week pleading guilty to the arson which he said was an accident.
The court heard on 29 December last year around 3:30pm police and FRV crews arrived at a Higgins Street address where smoke was visible.
A fire which had spread across a fenceline had set alight a garden shed, destroying items and causing $1000 worth of damage.
The accused was at the front yard and told officers he was burning plywood and other wooden items in a makeshift fire pit he had “watered down” before starting in the peak of the fire danger period.
The court heard he left to have a cigarette and a drink for five minutes and the fire had spread to his neighbour’s shed.
He said he was moving house and burning items he didn’t need.
“Everyone else burns off around here,” he said in his explanation to police.
The 34-year-old was also charged with stealing timber and electrical cables from a Greta Road building skip bin on 24 February. Defence counsel Nancy Battiato said her client, who lives with a disability, still lives at the same home and otherwise got along well with his neighbour.
The 34-year-old was ordered to do 50 hours of community work when sentenced for multiple rural city thefts on 23 June, which Ms Battiato said he had yet to start. Magistrate Olivia Trumble placed the man on a 12-month good behaviour bond and urged him to start his community work.
By ANITA MCPHERSON
The Wangaratta Historical Society is supporting a project to name the unnamed laneways in Wangaratta’s CBD, and members of the public are encouraged to get involved and have their say.
On Sunday, surveyors Greg Thompson and Rob Steel who are behind the initiative, will lead a one hour walk through the CBD, identifying the laneways and sharing their knowledge of the town’s history.
An exhibition is also being held in the Bainz Gallery during August to raise awareness about the project featuring old and new maps, photographs of significant buildings and a map of the unnamed laneways people may not be aware of.
Sandra Neville, who helped put the Bainz Gallery display
together, said community members are encouraged to make suggestions regarding suitable names for these laneways and submit them to the Rural City of Wangaratta through council’s website.
All are welcome to join the walk on Sunday (byo umbrella) leaving from the Wangaratta Historical Society headquarters at the old fire station in Ford Street at 10am.
The walk will be followed by refreshments, with RSVP appreciated for catering purposes to Prue Noble on 0428 454 303.
CHANGING LANES: Sandra Neville, Lorraine Monshing and Paddy Milne encourage the community to help name the city’s unnamed laneways, with a map on display in the Bainz Gallery.
PHOTO: Anita McPherson
“Wake up call”:
A Wangaratta man and soon to be father who allegedly choked his mum during an alleged craving for drugs has been released from custody.
The 20-year-old appeared from the custody box at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court this week and was often emotional as family sat in the body of the court in tears. He was seeking release after spending a night in custody.
The court heard on Saturday the accused allegedly threatened self-harm to his mother and partner at their Wangaratta home after they refused his request to get him cannabis.
He allegedly tried to drive away while being held back by his mother, who was allegedly propelled into a parked car holding a rope being pulled by the accused.
He allegedly broke a glass bottle and threatened his mother with it, throwing the bottle and narrowly missing her.
His mum went to inspect a cut on the man’s finger, when he allegedly grabbed her throat and strangled her for around 20 seconds.
Afterwards he allegedly used garden tools to damage his own car and was picked up by police.
A safety notice was issued barring the accused from
contacting his mother, but he allegedly made self-harm threats to his aunty the next day as she picked him up, wanting to go back to his house.
Police were called to another alleged argument on Sunday between the accused and his mother, with the defendant allegedly demanding drugs.
He was arrested and taken into custody.
Constable Aidan Weston of Wangaratta police said an increase in drug use and quitting his job had contributed to the man’s behaviour and the family had exhausted all options in getting him help.
“The family think this is
the only way he’ll get help, through a court-imposed order,” he said.
“At the moment he’s burning some bridges with his family, I don’t know where to go from here but he’s not showing any accountability for his actions.”
Const Weston said police were concerned the behaviour would keep escalating and leave the defendant’s pregnant partner vulnerable.
The man’s aunty was brought to tears in the evidence box, saying she was comfortable in housing her nephew if released.
“I think this is a massive wake up call,” she said.
“There’s a good kid in there and I know we can get him back.”
A bail support program worker told the court the defendant would be suitable to be released under appropriate treatment and showed a desire to stop his drug use.
Magistrate Olivia Trumble granted the man’s release and ordered him to comply with the bail support program, attend medical appointments and comply with protection orders against his mum and aunty.
“When that baby comes you need to be the absolute best version of yourself, you can’t be the person you need to be if you’re using drugs
and feel the way you are now,” she said.
“Your partner will prioritise the baby as she should and leave you, so it’s up to you to actually sort this out.
“If you don’t, you are going to go back into custody.”
Magistrate Trumble said underlying mental health issues needed addressing.
“There’s a really serious allegation against you and that’s not ok,” she said.
“That’s why you absolutely have to comply with your orders because otherwise police won’t tolerate it.”
The defendant will return to Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court for mention on 4 September.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
Police believe a shed fire on Greta Road on Monday afternoon was caused by an unextinguished cigarette.
Detective Senior Constable James Howarth of Wangaratta police said a wooden table with paint and other supplies caught alight after a discarded cigarette was placed on it.
They said the incident was accidental under no suspicious circumstances.
FRV and CFA crews responded to the fire around 4:10pm finding an eight by 10 metre shed engulfed in flames and issuing smoke at the rear of a Greta Road premises.
The scene was deemed under control some 10 minutes later.
An advice message was issued by FRV urging the community to monitor conditions of heavy smoke as police directed traffic in the area from the scene.
Join SES members both past and present at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway on Saturday, 23 August from 6pm as the service commemorates half a century of serving the community.
The event will be an opportunity to connect with current and past members, share stories, and reminisce about the incredible impact the SES has had over the years, and to honour the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the Wangaratta SES.
Tickets are $40 per person and include a two-course dinner, awards presentations, raffles and a live band (with drinks at bar prices) available on Eventbrite https://tinyurl. com/yhrer9ru.
A Wangaratta woman has turned her late father’s long-held dream of winning Lucky Lotteries into reality, after discovering she’d scored $100,000 first prize in Tuesday’s Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw.
When an official from The Lott called to confirm her lifeenhancing win, the stunned woman couldn’t help but
burst into tears as she came to terms with the sentimental news.
“Oh my lord. I’m a bit shaky,” she said.
“What’s going on?! The suspense is killing me.
“Oh golly! Did I really just win $100,000?
“You’re not going to believe this, but my dad played Lucky Lotteries for 80 odd years, and
he passed away just a couple of weeks ago.
“Thanks, Dad, we did it at last.
“It’s so surreal to win.
“You always dream of it but can never fully grasp this feeling until it happens.”
With $100,000 soon to boost her bank account, the gleeful woman had a few ideas on how she’d put her new-
found treasure to good use.
“We might look to upgrade our house or help family.
“I’m sure my husband will pull me into line and want to do something very thought-out.”
The winning entry of two random numbers was purchased via The Lott app.
The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is now $11.2 million for draw 1712, while the
Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot prize is now $1.41 million for draw 11035.
Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot and Lucky Lotteries
Mega Jackpot are raffle-style games, which means there is a set number of tickets in each draw.
As each ticket number is unique there is no sharing of prizes.
Last week the Rural City of Wangaratta provided a statement to this masthead that suggested syringes can be disposed of at the Wangaratta Transfer Station. Council has clarified that this is incorrect, as the transfer station is not licensed to accept sharps containers. Council provides sharps containers and disposal at customer service in the Government Centre, where the disposal is managed by specialist contractors.
In every town, the names of streets and laneways are more than just markers on a map, they reflect an area’s history, people and shared identity.
The Rural City of Wangaratta is encouraging the community to help shape that identity by inviting suggestions for the naming several local laneways.
Our region’s identity is made up of so many different stories, cultures and memories, each a dynamic part of the puzzle we call home.
Wangaratta locals have a history of getting involved and making things happen, we see this in the countless community groups who operate every week and have so for years to make sure our rural city is connected and thriving.
This is your chance to get involved, have your say and leave a legacy.
This initiative is more than a practical exercise in urban planning, it’s a chance for community members to leave a lasting imprint on the place we call home.
Whether you want to honour a local hero, celebrate a piece of local heritage, or just suggest a name that captures the spirit of the area, your voice matters.
This is also a way to recognise locals who have been overlooked or don’t fit into the conventional mould to be recognised in a formal way.
Submissions can be made easily through the council’s website, and all suggestions will be considered with care and community values in mind.
This is your chance to contribute to the living history of our region, one name at a time.
Have your say and make these laneways meaningful.
Facebook users this week commented on Wangaratta being one of 40 homes to a machete disposal bin.
Ashley Clough: Scrap the bins and fix the Court system.
Brenton Savage: I want to see what a $300K bin looks like
Julie Robinson: What a frickin joke
Nick Richards: Wangaratta is a machete bin
Nathan Andrew: Free machetes
Judy Heather: Feed and house Australians in need. You could bye a unit for that money. Who provided these bins. Was it clean away or some other bin supplier. Just asking Adam Anderson: I read it cost over $100k tax payer dollars to deploy each bin. Would love to get confirmation on this.
Jessica Davidson: Adam Anderson I know the cost for the bins was $13 mil (approx
Public housing - how does it work, and who is eligible?
From what I understand, only a small percentage of those in need qualify.
I’d like to know more about how tenants are chosen and why locals remain on waiting lists after new housing is built.
In Wangaratta, many locals still wait for homes, yet I believe there are still multiple apartments in the Templeton Street community housing complex remaining vacant.
New applicants are told there’s still a five-year wait, despite empty properties.
Locally, not only are there vacant apartments in the newly built complex, some public houses and units also sit unused - should eligibility criteria be updated to reflect today’s cost-of-living pressures and accommodate all of those struggling?
Should public housing remain only for those in crisis, or be extended to lowincome families struggling in the private rental market?
In public housing, rent is capped at 25 per cent of income, adjusted up or down as circumstances, never exceeding market rent.
If leaders truly care about affordable housing and easing cost-of-living pressures, why not push for real change?
If extending eligibility isn’t possible, rent rebates could be offered to low-income households regardless of where they live allowing families to keep private rentals during temporary financial hardship rather than losing their homes entirely.
What can truly be done to create real change and ease the pressures of the cost of living crippling our community?
Amanda Chrystal, Wangaratta
Last month on two occasions my husband had a fall and we were not able to get him up.
He has mobility issues and had not caused himself any injuries.
On both occasions we were blessed to have help.
The first from a very willing and helpful council worker who was blowing leaves nearby, the second an equally willing and helpful postie.
At the time we expressed our gratefulness and sometime later contacted council saying how thankful we were.
NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.
$300k per bin) but not sure of what the tax offset is Debbie Rollins: 300k per bin, its an expensive bin.. treasure it..
Catherine Jones: Let’s hope everyone who has one will do the right thing.
Jessica Davidson: Catherine Jones the law abiding citizens will. But theyre not the issue so Marlene Lamond: I can see a few raids coming.
Paul Crabb: Once again only decent honest people
will do the right thing . Efforts and resources need to be focused on the minority in the wrong !
Facebook users this week also commented on M&M X-TREME World of Fitness once again supporting the Share the Dignity campaign.
Jenny Emslie: Well done M&M X- TREME world of fitness
Cheryl Jones: M&M X- TREME world of fitness, always for the community
Have your say Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page.
SUPPORTING
FOR
The
community is invited to a free information session
on Wednesday, 20 August from 10am - 11:30am at the
tea will be provided. The information session aims to bring people together, spark conversations about child wellbeing, and explore how each region can build or reignite support systems that send local kids to camp when they need it most.
Getting through to Australia Post is another story.
I tried on several occasions and was told each time they were very busy and try again.
Today I thought to do exactly what I am doing as we hear so many negative stories and there is so much to be grateful for.
Thank you also to the people at The Lunchbox where my husband likes to go and meet his mates each week.
They are so helpful to him.
Thank you to all.
Marilyn Torpy, Wangaratta
The peak representative body for dairy farmers hopes Coles and Woolworths pass a recent 10 cent per litre increase in the price of home brand milk on to dairy farmers.
The increase comes as dairy farmers battle high input costs, drought and flood clean-up, threatening to send some broke.
Australian Dairy Farmers notes that after the quiet lift in prices, two litres of milk at either supermarket is now priced at $3.20, up from $3 less than a fortnight ago.
With almost half of Australia’s dairy farmers either battling drought or recovering from floods, this is a timely increase, and we hope it’ll flow back to the farmgate.
For more than a decade, supermarkets have been discounting milk, constraining
the money flowing back through the supply chain.
The fact is, when people buy milk, the supermarkets, processors, and everyone in between take a cut - leaving dairy farmers as price takers in the supply chain.
This season is extra tough, dairy farmers are facing skyrocketing feed and input costs.
Many are losing money because it costs more to produce the milk than what they’re paid for it.
So, while the supermarket price increase is modest, that 10c/litre would be welcomed by farmers.
We hope supermarkets and processors will pass it on to help keep our fragile industry afloat, and dairy on the table of every Australian family.
Ben Bennett, Australian Dairy Farmers president
WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words. Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility.
Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
Post Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677
Facebook users this week commented on plans for permanent repairs to the uneven railway station entrance.
Pru Hunter: What the hell, can’t anything be done properly in this state !!
Marlene Lamond: Also need an enclosed waiting room on platform 2 for the winter months, it’s freezing over there.
Daniel Sciberras: The lighting at the platform 1 carpark needs to be addressed.. was meant to be fixed.
Facebook users this week also commented on the state government funding 34 new apartments for key worker housing at Wangaratta’s former Ovens College site.
Shez Mitchell: Here comes Collingwood towers!
Violet Edmondstone: Wangaratta residents miss out as usual
Sheryle Sstid Blenman: Hospital staff was what I read ,workers etc ,
Adam Anderson: Sheryle Sstid Blenman That’s my first thought, accomm for doctors which means NHW will buy some, most, all of the apartments which is basically the state government.
Suzie Quarters: For people wondering, it’s
housing for workers moving to the area. Businesses have said the main problem in attracting workers to town is lack of accomodation
Annette Bruce: I thought we were told it was for public housing. But no, as Wangaratta doesn’t have a homeless problem does it Glenn Daws: Cities key workers I’m assuming would be connected to the health system if it’s like Benalla the private sector is shutting down,little towns are slowly dying Facebook users this week also commented on honoured Wangaratta resident Brian Kensington turning 100 years old.
David Battin: Congratulations Brian on reaching this incredible milestone,also pleasure talking to you at the dinning table when I visit each night Emma Williamson: Congratulations Brian. As a former President of the Show Society I am privileged to have been on the committee with you and to have worked alongside you. Thank you for all your contributions. Happy Happy Birthday Simone Lewis: He is such a beautiful gentleman and it was a pleasure working with him at the Wangaratta Show Kathy Douglas: That’s awesome
C.L.C - Bufffalo Boulders @ Mytleford. Our impressive Semester 2 cohort of our flagship Year 9
C.L.C (Community Leadership Challenge) program, are in the thick of their Excursion Season. After great trips to Lake William Hovell and Bounce Wodonga, this Wednesday took them to Buffalo Boulders, a 3-year old Indoor Rock Climbing facility in Myrtleford, for the first ever time. The 40 students were outstanding in climbing for close to 2 hours, displaying resilience and team work to solve the variously-graded “problems” on the walls. Thanks to Josh for hosting us, and we hope to be back in 2026 with two more groups of our current Year 8s.
Ian Crockett passed away peacefully on 7 August 2025, aged 86.
Born in Wangaratta on 5 January, 1939, Ian was the beloved son of Cora Myra, a cleaner and housewife, and Leslie Royden Crockett, a textile manager at the Woollen Mills.
He grew up alongside his sister Gillian, and the family lived in several homes across Wangaratta - Green Street, Gray Street, Pinkerton Crescent, and later, Burke Street.
Ian dedicated an incredible 59 years of his life to 3NE working as a technician, later on in management and pretty much jack of all trades and fixer of most things broken, working well into his 70s.
His passion for radio didn’t end with retirement, as he continued to volunteer his time and expertise,
OBITUARY
IAN LESLIE CROCKETT
5 January, 1939 - 7 August, 2025
playing a key role in helping bring local public station Oak FM into the modern era.
He was a man who deeply loved his family.
Ian’s world revolved around his beloved wife Judy and their children - Mark and Deb, Darren, and Kelly and Daniel.
He was a proud grandfather to Madi and Brad, Kyle and Gabby, and Joel, and a cherished great-grandfather to Grace and Henry.
Outside of work and family, Ian was a dedicated member of the Wangaratta Gun Club, where he supported his children’s involvement in clay target shooting and served as a long-term treasurer.
Ian enjoyed watching both his grandsons playing
football for the Wangaratta Rovers.
To many, he was simply “Pop” - a quiet, humble, and patient man who led by example.
He taught his family the value of hard work, the importance of kindness, and the joy found in life’s simple moments.
He was a storyteller, a steady hand, and our constant in a changing world.
Whether it was sneaking treats to the grandkids, fixing what was broken, or simply being there with a listening ear, Ian made those around him feel truly loved.
His legacy will live on in the memories, stories, and values passed down through his family and friends.
His absence is felt deeply, but his love remains with us always.
- From Ian’s granddaughter Madi on behalf of the family
By BELINDA HARRISON, EDGARS BOOKS & NEWS
Edgars Books & News, in conjunction with the Wangaratta Library, are excited to welcome Gabriel Bergmoser back to town to discuss his latest book on 28 August at 6.30pm at the library.
‘High Rise’ is a taut and unrelenting thriller that combines the grit of Australian noir with the relentless momentum of an action blockbuster.
Structured around a highstakes rescue mission, the novel explores fractured family bonds amid escalat-
ing danger and breathless combat.
The narrative centres on rogue ex-police officer Jack Carlin, whose unorthodox methods and chequered past have left him estranged from his daughter, Morgan.
After a year-long search, Jack finally locates her in the top floor of a decaying highrise building.
However, his arrival sets in motion a violent convergence: the city’s entire criminal underworld, who are eager to claim the bounty on Jack’s head.
What follows is a desper-
ate ascent through fifteen perilous storeys, as father and daughter confront not only the enemies closing in on them but also the wounds that have kept them apart.
tributed to the very danger he faces.
While High Rise delivers the high-octane thrills promised by its premise - claustrophobic firefights, relentless pursuit, and steadily mounting tension - it distinguishes itself through character work and thematic depth.
Jack is not portrayed as a traditional hero; Bergmoser instead presents a man haunted by his past, whose flawed decisions have con-
Morgan subverts expectations of victimhood, her mistrust and fierce independence complicating any notion of easy reconciliation.
Their fraught dynamic lends the novel emotional weight amid the carnage.
Bergmoser’s prose is brisk and cinematic, his action sequences tightly choreographed yet easy to follow.
Crucially, moments of distinctly Australian humour punctuate the relentless pace, offering brief reprieves from the intensity without
undercutting the stakes. This balance between propulsive storytelling and character-driven reflection elevates High Rise above the conventional thriller mould. For readers seeking a thriller that marries relentless action with emotional resonance, High Rise proves as compelling as it is unputdownable.
Bookings for the event are requested to assist with venue set up and can be made through the library, Edgars Books & News, or online: https://edgarsbooksandnews. com.au/events/.
www.corcoranparker.com.au
By GRACE FREDSBERG
Nine decades have flown by for Wangaratta resident Nola Adamo, who celebrated her 90th birthday with her loved ones on Saturday, 9 August.
The 90-year-old spent the afternoon at the Wangaratta Club with friends and the many generations of the Adamo family, extending to the Porters and the Chandlers.
She also celebrates her 70 years of marriage this year with her husband, Charlie.
Generosity and selflessness come to mind when described by son Stephen Adamo, someone who is always “thinking of everyone else before herself.”
Nola Dawn Adamo was born at St Joseph’s Hospital on 25 July, 1935, the fourthborn child to parents William and Ena Petta.
She grew up on a dairy farm in Meadow Creek near Moyhu, and thoroughly embraced this lifestyle.
Each morning, she would milk the cows before heading off to Meadow Creek State School.
After a while, the family moved to a Hardisty Street residence; a modified garage built by William.
During her time here, she attended Wangaratta High School until she was 14, where she then began working at the telephone exchange in Murphy Street on the switchboard.
At one point, she lived in Gippsland and worked with her sister at a bakery for a few months before moving back to town.
On 25 June, 1955, Nola married Charlie at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and this was fol-
lowed by a chilly outdoor reception at St Patrick’s Hall.
That same day, they caught a train to Melbourne and caught
an overnight train to Adelaide for their honeymoon.
Now returning to Wangaratta, they rented a garage in
Friday, 14 August, 2015
By SIMONE KERWIN
Wangaratta is aiming to assemble the world’s largest diddley bow ensemble as part of a project designed to engage locals in this year’s jazz festival.
Community members, and 270 students from rural city schools, will be invited to create their own diddley bow, an instrument crafted from provided materials and household items, ahead of the world record attempt on the afternoon of 11 October in Faithfull Street’s civic square.
A series of school workshops, led by musician Luke Davies and art teacher David Godkin, will begin next week.
Public sessions are planned for next Friday’s Down by the River event, a family gathering at the Wangaratta Library on 30 September, and at Relay for Life on 3 October.
Ten schools are already registered, along with MIND music group, and others are expected to be involved in coming weeks.
The diddley bow is a singlestringed instrument which originated in America and influenced the development of the blues sound.
A single string of baling wire is tensioned between two nails on a board over a glass bottle or box, which is used both as a bridge and to magnify the instrument’s sound.
Bo Diddley started out on the diddley bow, and its role in his
music career is believed to have influenced his stage name.
The Wangaratta project is designed to be a collaborative community effort, and the Wangaratta Men’s Shed has lent its expertise to the project by preparing hundreds of wooden boards – made with timber sourced from the Drive In Salvage Centre – which will form the beginnings of the diddley bows.
And Lachie and Beth Gales from Ovens and King Builders have also jumped on board, donating $500 in prize money for the most unique and individual instruments.
“We were approached from the point of view that this was a great way to engage kids with the festival,” Mr Gales said.
“It’s a great way to generate
Greta Road for two pounds a week.
Three years later, they purchased their dream home in Irwin Avenue for 3500 pounds.
The couple still reside there to this day.
Together, they had three children; the eldest Lynne was born in 1957, followed by Julie in 1962, and finally Stephen in 1965.
She is the loving and caring grandmother to Judd, Daine, Dylan, Tah-lia, Billy and Charlize, and the greatgrandmother to seven.
Nola led a simple life and has only ever travelled within Australia.
She’s taken an astonishing 40 trips to Coffs Harbour among other places.
She immensely enjoyed going to the football with her daughter Lynne to watch her
grandsons Judd and Daine play for Wangaratta.
Additionally, she was an avid theatre-goer, often taking trips to Melbourne to watch shows.
Her favourite hobbies include knitting, embroidering and pottery.
Aside from her job at the telephone exchange, Nola has also worked as a clerical clerk at the Woolen Mills and as a school cleaner at Wangaratta West Primary School.
She retired in 1988 at 53 years old.
One of her fondest memories was the day World War II ended in 1945.
She vividly recalls celebrating by running down the street with jam tins before the neighbours told them to hush down and head back inside.
- Information sourced from Steven Adamo
community interest, and clearly engaging the community with the broader festival is the best way to make it sustainable.”
Those interested in being part of the project can also register their interest on the website to receive information on the event and the upcoming community workshops. And opportunities to play the instruments will not end with the world record attempt.
Emma Jones from the jazz festival board said there would be a chance for locals to jam with festival performers including C R Humphrey during jazz weekend.
By IAN DAVIDSON and CHRIS TZAROS
The raucous cackle of the Laughing Kookaburra is an essential feature of the Australian bush and a key part of our region’s dawn and dusk bird chorus.
It is instantly identifiable by most people, both by their call, size, and plumage.
The Kookaburra is off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings.
The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face.
It is the largest member of the kingfisher family, which has over 80 species worldwide.
Laughing Kookaburras are found throughout eastern Australia.
Unfortunately they have become a pest in places where they have been introduced including Tasmania, the extreme south-west of Western Australia, and New Zealand.
Elsewhere in Australia, they are replaced by the Bluewinged Kookaburra in central
northern and north-western Australia, with some overlap in Queensland.
Locally, the Laughing Kookaburra is found in most areas where there are woodlands with suitable large trees, especially the redgum forests along our waterways.
Laughing Kookaburras have a varied diet that includes mostly insects, worms, lizards and crustaceans such as yabbies and shrimp, although small snakes, mammals, frogs, and birds may also be eaten.
Prey is seized by pouncing from a suitable perch.
Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by smashing it against the ground or tree branch so that it can be swallowed.
Like other kingfishers, they spend much of their time quietly observing from an ideally situated dead branch and waiting to trap unsuspecting prey.
Laughing Kookaburras mostly pair for life.
Nesting occurs in a bare
chamber in a relatively large tree hollow with a flattened entrance hole, so that the chicks can reverse backwards and excrete over the side.
This is apparently important for carnivorous birds like Kookaburras so that they can minimise parasites in the nest.
Both sexes share the incubation duties and care for the young.
Other Laughing Kookaburras, usually offspring of the previous one to two years, act as ‘helpers’ during the breeding season.
Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties.
Now Kookaburras can be seen in pairs inspecting potential nest hollows, as breeding will commence soon.
If we want to keep hearing the evocative call of the Kookaburra, we need to protect our large hollow bearing trees upon which they depend.
ON THE LOOKOUT: A beautifully coloured Laughing Kookaburra alert for possible prey.
PHOTO: Chris Tzaros (Birds Bush
and Beyond)
Alifetime of hard work and dedication was honoured last week during a celebration of the life of Ray Dunstan.
The local businessman and family man passed away on July 28, aged 95.
Last Friday’s celebration acknowledged a life that began when Ray was born to George and Evelyn Dunstan on 29 August, 1929 in Richmond - a geographical circumstance that made him a Richmond supporter for life.
A brother to Coral and Geoffrey, Ray’s early years were spent in Erica, Gippsland in the timber and sawmilling country where his dad worked as a foreman in the
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
bush and Ray enjoyed a happy, adventurous childhood.
The Black Sunday bushfires of 1939 reduced the bush, and subsequently the work for George, sparking the family’s move to the North East to start a new life at Hansons Sawmill at Peechelba.
Ray attended Wangaratta Tech School during the years of World War 2 - 1941 to ‘45, helping George as much as possible after school.
At 16, he was driving a fullyloaded log truck through Murphy Street when he was pulled up by the local policeman, who queried his age.
Ray told him he was almost 17, and the officer said it was “best you don’t let me catch you driving this truck again ‘til you get a licence”, but Ray loved driving the truck and told his father he could still drive, just as long as he didn’t get caught.
On leaving school, Ray embarked on a working life in logging, sawmilling and earthmoving alongside his father, who had himself begun work at 13 and toiled through the Great Depression; they both worked tirelessly to secure the family independence.
In 1950, the Dunstan family moved into Wangaratta and purchased land in Vincent Road and Newman Street - and Dunstans Wangaratta was born.
Ray came from the old school of hard, relentless work where success came from calloused hands and careful planning.
George and Ray were able to buy their first truck, and Ray would
cart logs to Melbourne and return home with supplies for local builders.
Ray loved anything mechanical, though in the early days he worked with some pretty awful equipment.
New generation trucks and dozers were heaven to him, although he did love his old manual trewhella jack.
In 1956 he bought his first dozer, a D68U, and later a Caterpillar D7G which he truly loved, as well as his Stihl 090 chainsaw.
Ray was invited to a 21st birthday party in 1952 where he met a young lady from Buffalo River, Isabel McGuffie.
Ray often spoke about how lucky he was to have found Isabel, and said marrying her was the best decision he ever made.
The couple married in 1955, on Isabel’s 20th birthday, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary earlier this year with their large family gathered around them.
Ray and Isabel had six childrenRhonda, Helen, Allison, Elizabeth, Ian and Murray - who were brought up in a noisy, actionpacked household on the family’s small farm, ‘Glenalwyn’.
A great storyteller, Ray had a captive audience in his six children - and later his grandchildren.
wool bales coming towards him at the old narrow stone bridge. Driving as far left as he could, Ray felt everything was fine, but 10 minutes later he noticed in his rear-vision mirror a motorbike coming up behind him; when it overtook him, Ray said the rider looked like Santa Claus, covered in wool.
On the return trip and reaching the old stone bridge, Ray saw that for about 10km, it looked as if it had snowed, and he had to laugh; he’d thought it would be close when he passed the wool truck.
As soon as Murray and Ian were old enough, they started working on weekends and after school at the sawmill, helping Ray and George.
The pair were great mentors to the young men, combining their terrific work ethic with strong principles that earnt respect for their business.
Ray joined the Wangaratta Lions Club in 1964, and the club became his second family; he loved the friendships and the opportunity it provided to serve his community.
In 2020, he also joined Probus, where he made many great friends.
Ray and Isabel enjoyed travelling with friends, and had some wonderful overseas trips and great adventures around Australia.
For instance, he told them of the day he loaded a single large red gum log onto the truck, only to realise that a small, sharp limb was sticking out from the driver’s side.
Ray thought it was okay, so got going, only to get past Euroa and see an overloaded truck carrying
Join Milawa Markwood Oxley Landcare Group on Monday, 18 August for an engaging session focused on improving soil health and unlocking productivity gains in beef and sheep farming systems.
The free workshop will highlight region-specific insights and opportunities for producers.
The presenter, Dr Cassandra Schefe, is a soil scientist with over 25 years’ experience in identifying and addressing soil constraints in agriculture, with expertise and experience spanning from synchrotrons to soil pits.
through the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
For further information please contact Kerrie on 0418 427 730 or landcare.kerrie@ gmail.com.
Monday’s event will be held at 1026 Oxley Flats Rd, Oxley Flats and runs from 10am - 3pm. A free lunch will also be provided.
DOWN AND DIRTY: Soil scientist Dr Cassandra Schefe will provide region-specific insights and opportunities for producers at a local workshop on Monday. HARD
This free event is being delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia
Booking Essential- https:// events.humanitix.com/exploring-soil-health-productivityopportunities-in-a-beef-andsheep-oxley-flats.
Becoming parents, grandparents and then great-grandparents was their greatest joy, and Ray loved sharing his wisdom with his family.
His legacy will live on in his beloved wife Isabel, their six children, 21 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, and the memories of the friends who shared his life.
By SIMONE KERWIN
Permanent reminders of memories created through the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta’s student exchange program will be set in place in coming weeks.
Students who have enjoyed either inbound or outbound exchange through the club will have trees planted in their names in Rotary Park, with markers featuring their details, to commemorate their experiences.
German exchange student Henning Gortzen, who visited Wangaratta in 2022-’23 and recently returned to the rural city to rekindle his connections, was on hand for a photo with fellow exchange students Jemima and Luca Pizzini.
Henning’s time as an exchange student will be marked in Rotary Park, along with those of Bridget and Jemima Pizzini, local outbound students who travelled to Germany in 2022 and ‘23 respectively; Luca Pizzini, who was an outbound exchange student to Switzerland in 2023; and Sophia Gomez, who visited Wangaratta from Brazil in 2023.
All have been part of the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta student exchange program.
Rotary Youth Exchange Australia
By JORDAN DUURSMA
In a heart warming celebration held at Victory Community on Sunday afternoon, the Wang Night Shelter marked seven years of unwavering support for people experiencing homelessness locally.
The event, themed “Home isn’t always a place,” brought together roughly 50 members of the shelter community for an afternoon of food, music, stories and shared humanity.
“The best ‘thank you’ we could think of was to bring everyone together with food, songs, stories and family,” Di Duursma, Wang Night Shelter project manager said.
The evening was filled with carefully chosen musical gifts that res-
A Wangaratta man battling drug addiction was caught twice attempting to find ways to drive despite being unlicenced, a court has heard.
The 43-year-old appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court this week pleading guilty to drug and weapon possession and unlicenced driving.
The court heard the man drove a new Holden Omega sedan bearing homemade number plates to Tangambalanga on 13 November last year while unlicenced.
Police questioned the man about the vehicle and its unregistered plates at a Tangambalanga address, before finding 140g of cannabis, a black metal baseball bat and eight ziplock bags of meth and ecstasy inside.
The accused was arrested and taken to Wodonga police station.
Luca Pizzini, Jemima Pizzini and Henning Gortzen have all enjoyed their stints as exchange students through the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta.
Bailey Zimmerman
provides the opportunity of a lifetime for Australian high school students to live and study abroad.
Students spend up to 12 months living and studying in a foreign country, learning about themselves and the culture of their adopted host families.
Rotary Youth Exchange Australia provides the opportunity of a life-
time for Australian high school students to live and study abroad.
Students spend up to 12 months living and studying in a foreign country, learning about themselves and the culture of their adopted host families.
Rotary Youth Exchange provides a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the many cultures
of a different country, and a new way of life.
Life-long friendships often develop with the families, Rotarians and fellow exchange students, and help to build goodwill and understanding between countries.
Appin Park Wangaratta is an active supporter of the exchange program.
onated deeply with those involved in the shelter.
Local musician Rhys Duursma performed Tom Waits’ soulful “Come On Up to the House” and an Archie Roach song, echoing themes of welcome and belonging.
Graeme Blanch led a joyful singalong of “What a Wonderful World” on the ukulele, while Di Duursma offered a moving acoustic rendi-
tion of “My Home” by Thousand Foot Krutch.
Volunteer Renea Duursma shared a personal story of finding home among strangers as a turning point in times of searching for where you belong.
As always, the shelter extended an open invitation to dream forward: “Come tell us your crazy idea” - a call to imagine new ways
of responding collectively to homelessness, loneliness, and heartache.
The Wang Night Shelter operates seven nights a week until the end of winter, packing down on 1 September.
But its impact continues yearround through Zac’s Place, local churches, businesses, and community groups that sustain the shelter’s mission.
“After seven years of the Wang Night Shelter running, we are convinced this is a repeatable and contagious miracle,” Di said.
The Shelter community is already looking ahead to next winter, welcoming all to be part of the shelter in 2026, running from 1 June to 31 August.
On 19 March this year around 4pm police observed the same unlicenced driver speeding a black E-bike through King George V Gardens in Wangaratta.
Officers followed the bike which continued speeding on the footpath of Rowan Street and then Baker Street, where he was intercepted.
The court heard the defendant didn’t know he needed a licence to ride an e-bike and he had his bike impounded.
Defence counsel Geoff Clancy said while his client had been eligible to apply for a licence for some time after losing it for drug driving, the 43-year-old felt his drug history would not convince a magistrate.
“Drugs have not been a friend to this man for a very long time,” he said.
Mr Clancy said his client “joined a long list” of people who didn’t know they needed to be licenced to ride an e-bike and he couldn’t afford to get his bike back.
“I think the impound cost was more than the bike itself,” he said.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Stuart Pritchard said the presence of a baseball bat with drugs inside the vehicle concerned police.
Magistrate Olivia Trumble imposed a $700 fine with conviction and ordered forfeiture of the weapon, drugs and homemade number plates.
“The reality is if this keeps happening, you’ll find yourself in custody again,” she said.
BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au
An opportunity to view the painting Goldfields, 1945 by renowned Australian artist Sir Sidney Nolan, was a highlight of the Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends fundraising dinner held on Friday, 1 August.
The sold-out event attracted art lovers keen to be among the first in Wangaratta to see the prized artwork which was gifted to the gallery by a private donor in April, and valued at well over six figures, the painting represents the most significant donation in the history of Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Attendees were able to view the confronting modernist work in the gallery’s collection store, before heading to The Railyard Wangaratta for dinner, where they were treated to a talk by Sidney Nolan expert Virginia Rigney, senior curator of Canberra Museum and Gallery and The Nolan Collection, on Nolan’s work and life and his Ned Kelly series, which relates strongly to the Wangaratta region and to the Goldfields painting.
Wangaratta Art Gallery director Rachel Arndt said the gift came about through the gallery’s relationship with Bonhams Auctions in Sydney.
“We had approached Bonhams to value a donation by locally born
artist Matthew Harris through the cultural gifts program – an exquisite textile sculpture that will feature in Harris’ upcoming exhibition opening in later October,” she said.
“The managing director of Bonhams approached us a couple of
months later noting that she was impressed with our collecting priorities and our professionalism.
“She said a work had come up as part of the private collection that wasn’t suitable on the commercial market, and would we be interested
was a great, supportive buzz for the gallery and its aspirations.
She said there was a lot of discussion following the viewing of the painting - as it depicts disturbing subject matter - but all agreed the historical and cultural importance of the work was significant.
“Virginia Rigney gave an outstanding talk, contextualising Nolan’s contribution to Australian art, providing historical detail and further emphasising the importance of museums and galleries as safe spaces for discussion and debate on difficult topics,” she said.
“Virginia answered a multitude of questions from guests and even discovered an amazing coincidence; through her research for the talk, she identified a painting held in the Canberra collection signed and dated on the same day as Goldfields.”
in accepting it as a culture gift.
“It turned out to be a Sidney Nolan painting!” Ms Arndt said enthusiasm for the extraordinary gift was shared among those who attended the special fundraising event, where there
Ms Arndt said the Wangaratta Art Gallery is planning a suite of exhibitions in 2027 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, showcasing key works in its collection, with the Nolan to be the central focus of one of those exhibitions.
But she said the fundraising dinner proved to be so successful and demand for it so strong (with a long waiting list) that the gallery friends are considering hosting a similar event in the near future.
Wangaratta’s Repair Cafe is on the lookout for more volunteers.
They’re always open for a helping hand, especially from those who believe in the group’s motto, ‘Reduce, Reuse, Repair.’
So if you enjoy fixing things and want to hang out with a great bunch of people every month, then they want to hear from you.
Whether you’re handy with repairing things around the home, or have experience as a trained repair person or tradie, particularly an electrician, why not join the Repair Café and help the community at the same time.
The team meets monthly in partnership with the Wangaratta Community Market from 8am tp12pm on the third Sunday or each
month at Moore Than Swimming in Wangaratta and the occasional Sunday market.
The happy group includes Tony, sharpening maestro extraordinaire, Gillian, a dab hand at all kinds of sewing, Paul, the expert on general repairs and a horticulturist, Ross, founding repairer and legendary jack-of-all-trades, Jude, who loves to revitalise vacuum cleaners and to hand sew, and Luke, the electronics whiz kid.
Wangaratta Repair Cafe volunteers are always happy to give advice or recommend an expert repairer.
Any willing learners and fixers are also welcome, so if you want to enhance existing skills or learn something new check their Facebook page.
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Step out at the Springhurst dance
Springhurst Old Time Dance will be held this Sunday, 17 August from 1.30pm to 5pm at the Springhurst Hall. Music will be provided by Spring Rhythm, and those attending are asked to bring a plate of afternoon tea to share, with more information by calling 5726 5241.
The Wangaratta Historical Society is presenting an exhibition at the Bainz Gallery during August to raise awareness about a project to name the un-named laneways in Wangaratta’s CBD.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Wangaratta Historical Society has organised a one hour walk with surveyors Greg Thompson and Rob Steel to locate these laneways on Saturday, 16 August.
It will leave from the society’s headquarters at the old fire station in Ford Street at 10am, with all welcome and RSVP appreciated for catering purposes to Prue Noble on 0428 454 303.
Enjoy a night of elegance, entertainment and community when the Project 365 Gala Ball is held at the Wangaratta Turf Club on Saturday, 16 August.
The black-tie event features canapés on arrival, a two-course meal, drinks and a charity auction, with live music from Lachie Routledge and Liam Blunt’s Funky Rhythm Train.
Dress to impress with a splash of teal and celebrate the incredible impact of Project 365 with tickets available via Humanitix.
All British Day at Winton Raceway, celebrating the heritage and performance of traditional British marques, will be held on Saturday, 16 August from 9am to 5pm.
Supported by the Jaguar Car Club of Victoria, Triumph Sports Owners Association, and the MG Car Club of Victoria, the event offers a unique motorsport experience with a curated All British Show and Shine, lunchtime parade laps, competitive events and the crowning of the All British Day Champion. For more details or to enter a vehicle visit msca.net.au/events.
By ANITA MCPHERSON
A collection of artworks which capture local landscapes, scenic outlooks and places which have special meaning to artist Joanne Kerr, is being exhibited at the Art Gallery on Ovens.
Jo began experimenting with linocut printing about three and half years ago, after taking part in a class at the Firestation Print Studio in Melbourne.
“A few weeks after the linocut class, I took part in a reduction linocut class, and I was hooked straight away,” she said.
“I love the possibilities which present themselves by using multiple layers of colour.”
Preparing for this exhibition encouraged Jo to intensify her practice and hone her skills, and she is
Wangaratta branch
76 Reid Street
Open weekdays
9am to 5pm (closed 1pm to 1:45pm)
understandably thrilled with the results.
When one of her reduction linocut prints received a special commendation from the judge at last year’s King Valley Art Show, it gave her reassurance she was heading in the right artistic direction.
Jo grew up in Wangaratta and many of the pieces in the exhibition are inspired by the North East Victorian landscape; the prints created from photographs she has taken.
She says photos help her to instantly capture places which are meaningful to her at specific times of the day, and then she uses the painstaking medium of printmaking to reflect that moment, like the mood of the late afternoon on a North East farm, or a favourite
building or tree on the horizon.
Jo explained making reduction linocut prints takes time and planning, and with the multiple layers of colour and drying time in between, her prints can take up to eight months to complete.
She said while some people find the planning and printing process quite laborious and complex, it’s one she found she had an immediate affinity with.
“North East Victoria feels like home - and the landscape is very appealing to me,” she said.
Journeys home & abroad by Joanne Kerr is showing at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street until August 18, open Friday and Monday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm and entry is free.
Get ready to dance and sing along as Cathedral College Wangaratta students take audiences on a sunny, feel-good journey to a Greek island paradise with Mamma Mia! - the global smash-hit musical which has captured hearts for decades.
Featuring the unforgettable music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! blends timeless pop hits with a heartwarming story of love, identity and friendship, as Sophie, a young woman about to be married, goes on a quest to uncover the identity of her father.
Shows will be presented at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, 15 August at 7pm, and on Saturday, 16 August at 1pm and 7pm, with tickets at wpacc.com.au.
It is the last week of the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award 2025 exhibition at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.
The 2025 finalists are contemporary artists who not only demonstrate a mastery of technique in a broad textile medium, but innovation and excellence in their practice.
Chosen from over 400 entries, see the work of the 10 finalists including Helvi Apted, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Hannah Cooper, Charlotte Haywood, Cara Johnson, Charles Levi, Emily Simek, Jacqueline Stojanovic, Sera Waters, and $40,000 award winner Jemima Wyman, on display until 17 August.
The Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday (except Easter Sunday) at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.
There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments available.
Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market’s Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.
3,000
DAY FARMS, DENILIQUIN NSW (CP)
100 Hereford Steers, 12-14 mths, Yarram Park Bld, VB, Weaned, GF
AR YOUNGER, GRETA VIC (AWN)
23 Angus Steers, 12-14 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF
N & K LEBISH, ROSEWHITE VIC (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 12-14 mths, Landfall Bld, Vacc 5in1, Drenched Cydectin PO,
G & K TANNER, GRETA VIC (AWN)
20 Angus Steers, 13-14 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF
SHARANT PASTORAL, GRETA WEST VIC (AWN)
14 Black Baldy Steers, 14-15 mths, GF
P & K DELMASTRO (CP)
13 Angus Steers, 16-17 mths, Jarobee & Fernhill Bld, Vacc 3x 5in1, Drenched Cydectin June WILLOWOOD NOMINEES, BARHAM VIC (AWN)
10 Hereford Steers, 12-14 mths, Willowood Bld, VB, GF M CARLILE, SOUTH WANGARATTA VIC (NUTR)
10 Angus Steers, 14-15 mths, GF
BJ MURTAGH, ROSEWHITE VIC (CP)
10 Angus Steers, 16-18 mths, Vacc 5in1, Drenched Cydectin PO, VB, Weaned, GF
BOWMANS FOREST PL, BOWMANS FOREST VIC (AWN)
125 Angus Steers, 10-12 mths, Alpine & Table Top Bld, 3x 5in1, 2x Multimin, VB, Weaned, GF
J & K SCOTT, GOORAM VIC (CP)
80 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Rennylea & Kelly Bld, Drenched, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF AMP PTY LTD, SAVERNAKE NSW (CP)
80 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Riga Bld, VB, Weaned, GF AJ SMITH, BYAWATHA VIC (AWN) **EU ACC**
70 Angus Steers, 10-12 mths, Alpine & Table Top Bld, 2x 7in1, AD&E, Arrest early July, VB, Weaned, GF WINDSWEPT HOLDINGS, KILLAWARRA VIC (CP)
60 Angus Steers, Alpine Bld, 9-11 mths, Vacc 2x 7in1, Multimin, Vitamin ADE, Cobalife VB12 + Selenium, Drenched 7/25, VB, Weaned
D & D SEXTON “VILLA” FINLEY NSW (NUTR)
50 Angus Steers, 6-7 mths, Table Top & Scotts Bld, Weaned, GF JJ NOLAN “WOODLANDS” LACEBY VIC (ELD)
50 Angus Steers, Alpine Bld, VB, Weaned, GF W & K HARRINGTON, WHOROULY VIC (CP)
30 Angus Steers, 10 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, ADE, Multimin, Drenched Ivomectin, VB, Weaned, GF JC & J GARDNER, BOBINAWARRAH VIC (NUTR)
30 Angus Steers, 10-12 mths, Murramungee Bld, Vacc 5in1, Greenhams NE, VB, Weaned, GF FURLAN BROS, DOCKER VIC (CP)
30 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Vacc 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF BAMFORD RURAL, LURG VIC (CP)
30 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Lawson Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1 & Drenched Cydectin PO G, P & D NORMAN, LONDRIGAN VIC (NUTR) **EU ACC**
30 Angus Steers, 11-12 mths, Banquet Bld, Drenched Moximax, Vacc 7in1 & Pestigard, VB, Weaned, GF CINCHRIS, TALLAROOK VIC (CP)
25 Angus Steers, 8-10 mths, Table Top Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1 VB, Weaned, GF NEBOUR PTY LTD, BALLDALE NSW (CP)
25 Angus Steers, 9-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Weaned ROTHMORE ANGUS, MYRRHEE VIC (NUTR)
25 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Black Aqua & Injemira Bld, Drenched Eprinex, Multimin & Vacc 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF BRIMIN ENGINEERING, BRIMIN VIC (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 7-8 mths, Dunoon Bld, VB, Weaned, GF BELVOIR NOMINEES, BROCKLESBY NSW (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 7-8 mths, Riga Bld, VB, Weaned, GF CRAVENSFIELD PASTORAL, MUDGEGONGA VIC (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 8-9 mths, Landfall Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, B12+ Selovin LA & Drenched Ivomectin
M & T AIREY, GRETA VIC (NUTR)
20 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Landfall Bld, Weaned, GF D HARRINGTON, WHOROULY VIC (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 10 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, ADE, Multimin, Drenched Ivomectin, VB, Weaned, GF ANNGUS VIEW, GAPSTED VIC (CP)
20 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 8in1, Tassi, ADE & Multimin 15/7, Drenched Ivomectin & Incarcerate 15/7, VB, Weaned, GF
M & D PLATFUSS, GLENROWAN VIC (NUTR)
15 Angus Steers, 8-9 mths, Cornerstone Bld, Weaned, GF LONDHURST, LONDRIGAN VIC (AWN)
15 Angus Steers, 9 mths, Bellaspur & Jarobee Bld, VB, GF YERRIN PTY LTD, BARJARG VIC (NUTR)
15 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF KINGSLEY BEEF, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
15 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF G NICOL, TARRAWINGEE VIC (CP)
15 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Alpine Bld, Vacc 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF LE & W NIXON, COROWA NSW (NUTR)
15 Angus Steers, 12 mths, Weaned, GF CALVIEW PASTORAL, LACEBY VIC (NUTR)
13 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Calview Bld, Weaned, GF WG & EM ZABILOWICZ, OXLEY VIC (AWN)
13 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Jade Park Bld, Weaned, VB, GF “BRINDABELLA” MYRRHEE VIC (NUTR)
12 Angus Steers, 5-6 mths, Rennylea Bld, Weaned, GF BC & MB KELLY, CREIGHTONS CREEK VIC (AWN)
10 Angus Steers, 8-9 mths, Rennylea Bld, VB, GF KM KITTELTY, BARNAWARTHA VIC (AWN)
10 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF ANDREW WATSON, WHITFIELD VIC (CP)
10 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Riddellvue Bld, VB, Weaned, GF A & J SIMPSON “ARAULEN” DOCKER VIC (CP)
10 Angus Steers, 10-11 mths, Araulen Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, Weaned, GF
C NEWEY, WANGARATTA VIC (AWN)
8 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, VB, GF LG & MR CURRIE, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
7 Angus Steers, 12 mths, Alpine Bld, 5in1 VB, Weaned, GF MARK A SHALLUE, BEECHWORTH VIC (NUTR)
6 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF DJ & C NORTHEY, MYRRHEE VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Steers, 11-12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF G DAVIS, BENALLA VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Steers, 7-8 mths, Oswell Bld, VB, Weaned, GF AJ & SD BOOTH, MANSFIELD VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, VB, Weaned, GF P & L BYRNE, TARRAWINGEE VIC (AWN)
5 Angus X Steers, 10 mths, VB, GF PENTOWN, CHESNEYVALE VIC (AWN)
3 Angus Steers, 11 mths, Riga Bld, VB, GF
GROWLERS GULLY, MERTON VIC (CP)
100 Angus & Angus X Steers, 8-10 mths, Vacc Rhino Guard, Bovillis ML, 3x 5in1, Drenched Levamox PO 20/7, VB, Weaned, GF
SV & HJ MAHONEY, MERRIJIG VIC (CP)
40 Angus/Hereford X Steers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, GF GRANITE FLAT PASTORAL CO, MITTA MITTA VIC (ELD) **EU ACC**
35 Angus X Hereford Steers, 10-11 mths, Table Top & Jarobee Bld, Vacc 2x5in1, Greenhams NE, VB, GF BON ACCORD, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
25 Angus X Steers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill & Mullamurra Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, GF JB & CA GORMAN, BUNDALONG VIC (CP
20 Hereford & Black Baldy Steers, 10-11 mths, Rosstulla Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF W & D NOTTLE, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
18 Angus/Hereford X Steers, 10-11 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF
S PENNINGTON, BARJARG VIC (NUTR)
12 Poll Hereford Steers, 10-11 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF NORTHEY TRANSPORT P/L, WANGANDARY VIC (AWN)
9 Hereford Steers, 11-12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF KELLHAVEN PASTORAL, BROCKLESBY NSW (CP)
8 Angus X Steers, 10-11 mths, Cornerstone Bld, VB, Weaned, GF
M & S GREY, WANGARATTA SOUTH VIC (AWN)
6 Hereford & Black Baldy Steers, 10-11 mths, VB, GF
M & B PICKWORTH, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
6 Red Poll Steers, 9-10 mths, Vacc 7in1, Drenched Cydectin PO, VB, Weaned, GF M GOREY, BARHAM VIC (AWN)
5 Shorthorn Steers, 8-10 mths, VB, GF HEWITT, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
2 Charolais X Steers, 9-10 mths, Kenmore Jeremiah Bld, Drenched Cydectin PO, VB, GF
B & S MCGORLICK, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
2 Limousin X Steers, 12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF GROWN HEIFERS
DAY FARMS, DENILIQUIN NSW (CP)
40 Hereford Heifers, 12-14 mths, Yarram Park Bld, VB, Weaned, GF
AR YOUNGER, GRETA VIC (AWN)
22 Angus Heifers, 12-14 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF BLACK RANGE TRADING, EDI VIC (NUTR)
20 Angus & Angus X Heifers, 12-14 mths, Weaned, GF M PERKINS, MANSFIELD VIC (NUTR)
20 Poll Hereford Heifers, 18-19 mths, Allandale & Yarram Park Bld, GF
P & K DELMASTRO (CP)
12 Angus Heifers, 16-17 mths, Jarobee & Fernhill Bld, Vacc 3x 5in1, Drenched Cydectin June WILLOWOOD NOMINEES, BARHAM VIC (AWN)
10 Hereford Heifers, 12-14 mths, Willowood Bld, VB, GF ANGUS HEIFERS
AMP PTY LTD, SAVERNAKE NSW (CP)
50 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Riga Bld, VB, Weaned, GF D & D SEXTON “VILLA” FINLEY NSW (NUTR)
50 Angus Heifers, 10-12 mths, Table Top & Scotts Bld, Weaned, GF CORNERSTONE PASTORAL, BYAWATHA VIC (CP)
40 Angus Heifers, 8-9 mths, Vacc 2x 5in1, Drenched Ivomectin
AJ SMITH, BYAWATHA VIC (AWN) **EU ACC**
40 Angus Heifers, 10-12 mths, Alpine & Table Top Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, AD&E, Arrest early July, VB, Weaned, GF CAMBATONG PARK, MANSFIELD VIC (AWN)
30 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, TeMania Bld, VB, GF W & K HARRINGTON, WHOROULY VIC (CP)
30 Angus Heifers, 10 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, ADE, Multimin, Drenched Ivomectin, VB, Weaned, GF ROTHMORE ANGUS, MYRRHEE VIC (NUTR)
30 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Black Aqua & Injemira Bld, Drenched Eprinex, Multimin & 5in1 Vacc VB, Weaned, GF FURLAN BROS, DOCKER VIC (CP)
30 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Vacc 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF G, P & D NORMAN, LONDRIGAN VIC (NUTR) **EU ACC**
30 Angus Heifers, 11-12 mths, Banquet Bld, Drenched Moximax & Vacc 7in1 & Pestigard, VB, Weaned, GF TAWANDI FARM, BRIGHT VIC (AWN)
28 Angus Heifers, 8-9 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB GF NEBOUR PTY LTD, BALLDALE NSW (CP)
25 Angus Heifers, 9-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Weaned BELVOIR NOMINEES, BROCKLESBY NSW (CP)
20 Angus Heifers, 7-8 mths, Riga Bld, VB, Weaned, GF BRIMIN ENGINEERING, BRIMIN VIC (CP)
20 Angus Heifers, 7-8 mths, Dunoon Bld, VB, Weaned, GF CRAVENSFIELD PASTORAL, MUDGEGONGA VIC (CP)
20 Angus Heifers, 8-9 mths, Landfall Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, B12+ Selovin LA & Drenched Ivomectin ANNGUS VIEW, GAPSTED VIC (CP)
20 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 8in1, Tassi, ADE & Multimin 15/7, Drenched Ivomectin & Incarcerate 15/7, VB, Weaned, GF MURRAMUNGEE ANGUS STUD, MURMUNGEE VIC (NUTR)
16 Angus Heifers, 10-12 mths, Murramungee Bld, 5in1 Vacc VB, Weaned, GF LONDHURST, LONDRIGAN VIC (AWN)
15 Angus Heifers, 9 mths, Bellaspur & Jarobee Bld, VB, GF G NICOL, TARRAWINGEE VIC (CP)
15 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Alpine Bld, Vacc 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF KINGSLEY BEEF, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
15 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF LE & W NIXON, COROWA NSW (NUTR)
15 Angus Heifers, 12 mths, Weaned GF
3,000
CINCHRIS, TALLAROOK VIC (CP)
12 Angus Heifers, 8-10 mths, Table Top Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF
“BRINDABELLA” MYRRHEE VIC (NUTR)
12 Angus Heifers, 5-6 mths, Rennylea Bld, Weaned, GF WG & EM ZABILOWICZ, OXLEY VIC (AWN)
12 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, Weaned, GF
KM KITTELTY, BARNAWARTHA VIC (AWN)
10 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF
D HARRINGTON, WHOROULY VIC (CP)
10 Angus Heifers, 10 mths, Jade Park Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, ADE, Multimin, Drenched Ivomectin, VB, Weaned, GF BC & MB KELLY, CREIGHTONS CREEK VIC (AWN)
10 Angus Heifers, 8-9 mths, Rennylea Bld, VB, GF M & T AIREY, GRETA VIC (NUTR)
10 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, Landfall Bld, Weaned, GF CALVIEW PASTORAL, LACEBY VIC (NUTR)
10 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Calview Bld, Weaned, GF MARK A SHALLUE, BEECHWORTH VIC (NUTR)
9 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, GF
C NEWEY, WANGARATTA VIC (AWN)
8 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, VB, GF ANDREW WATSON, WHITFIELD VIC (CP)
7 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Riddellvue Bld, VB, Weaned, GF J & S MOORE, BENALLA VIC (CP)
6 Angus Heifers, 7-8 mths, Jade Park Bld, VB, Weaned, GF G DAVIS, BENALLA VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Heifers, 7-8 mths, Oswell Bld, VB, Weaned, GF AJ & SD BOOTH, MANSFIELD VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Heifers, 9-10 mths, VB, Weaned, GF DJ & C NORTHEY, MYRRHEE VIC (AWN)
5 Angus Heifers, 11-12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF LG & MR CURRIE, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
5 Angus Heifers, 12 mths, Alpine Bld, 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF
RA BEATTIE, LACEBY VIC (AWN)
1 Angus Heifer, 8 mths, VB, GF
A THOMSON, LURG VIC (AWN)
1 Angus Heifers, 12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF HEREFORD &
SV & HJ MAHONEY, MERRIJIG VIC (CP)
40 Angus/Hereford Heifers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, GF GRANITE FLAT PASTORAL CO, MITTA MITTA VIC (ELD)
**EU ACC**
30 Angus X Hereford Heifers, 10-11 mths, Table Top & Jarobee Bld, Vacc 2x5in1, Greenhams NE, VB, GF BON ACCORD, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
25 Angus X Heifers, 10-11 mths, Fernhill & Mullamurra Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, GF
M PERKINS, MANSFIELD VIC (NUTR)
20 Poll Hereford Heifers, 9-10 mths, Allandale & Yarram Park
Bld, Weaned, GF
JB & CA GORMAN, BUNDALONG VIC (CP)
20 Hereford & Black Baldy Heifers, 10-11 mths, Rosstulla Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF W & D NOTTLE, MOYHU VIC (NUTR)
18 Angus/Hereford X Heifers, 10-11 mths, Injemira Bld, Weaned, GF
P & L BYRNE, TARRAWINGEE VIC (AWN)
15 Angus X Heifers, 10 mths, VB, GF
NORTHEY TRANSPORT PL, WANGANDARY VIC (AWN)
9 Hereford Heifers, 11-12 mths, VB, Weaned, GF KELLHAVEN PASTORAL, BROCKLESBY NSW (CP)
7 Angus X Heifers, 10-11 mths, Cornerstone Bld, VB, Weaned, GF
M & S GREY, WANGARATTA SOUTH VIC (AWN)
6 Hereford & Black Baldy Heifers, 10-11 mths, VB, GF EURO & OTHER HEIFERS
M & B PICKWORTH, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
7 Red Poll Heifers, 9-10 mths, Vacc 7in1, Drenched Cydectin PO, VB, Weaned, GF
CAMBATONG PARK, MANSFIELD VIC (AWN)
6 Speckle Park Heifers, 9-10 mths, VB, Weaned, GF
M GOREY, BARHAM VIC (AWN)
5 Shorthorn Heifers, 8-10 mths, VB, GF HEWITT, MANSFIELD VIC (CP)
5 Charolais X Heifers, 9-10 mths, Kenmore Jeremiah B
M GOREY, BARHAM VIC (AWN)
5 Shorthorn Heifers, 8-10 mths, VB, GF
This versatile property offers productive country with a strong history of cereal cropping.
Featuring fertile clay loam soils continual improvement and fertiliser history, NPK, the land is well-maintained, clean, and ready for immediate use.
The property benefits from a wheat/ canola rotation history.
Three dams servicing two main paddocks, providing excellent flexibility
for both cropping and grazing enterprises.
Diddah Diddah Creek runs through parallel the southern boundary.
There is excellent access with dual road frontage to Developmental Road, Boralma-Rutherglen Road and a laneway frontage to O’Brien Road.
Scattered remnant Box Gum trees offer natural appeal, shade, and shelter.
Located in a reliable historic 550 ml650 ml average rainfall zone, this holding demonstrates clear value when compared to recent sales in surrounding cereal cropping areas.
Ideally positioned close to the freeway and centrally located to Wangaratta, Rutherglen, and Springhurst, this is a great opportunity to secure quality country with scale, versatility, and long-term potential.
Agent | Harcourts Wangaratta
Phone | (03) 5722 9444
Price | $2,100,000
Land | 120.75 hectares (300 acres approx.)
Location | CA 42 & 43 / PP2180
Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Springhurst
Set on a magnificent 100.96-acre parcel of land in the picturesque Molyullah region, this property offers the ultimate rural retreat for those seeking peace, privacy, and a multitude of recreational pursuits.
Whether you’re dreaming of starting a hobby farm or living off the land, this versatile property offers boundless potential.
Recreational pursuits are plenty, with great motorbike riding, four wheel driving and hunting within the block along with the neighbouring state forest.
Regular sightings of sambar and fallow deer, kangaroos and a vibrant array of birdlife.
The gently undulating landscape features lush grasslands, rolling meadows, and tranquil pastures, framed by native woodland and an abundance of mature trees.
Agent | Harcourts Wangaratta
Phone | (03) 5722 9444
Price | $640,000
Land | 100.96 acres
Location | 852 Watchbox Creek Road, Molyullah
Stylish three-bedroom townhouse in a great location in Billabong Drive Estate in Wangaratta.
Additional infrastructure includes a self-contained caravan with an undercover timber annex, a spacious open shed or carport, and a separate machinery shed, making the property wellequipped for a wide range of rural pursuits.
Located just 31km from Benalla this peaceful haven offers seclusion without sacrificing access to essential services.
Whether you’re looking to farm, explore, hunt or simply unwind in your own natural sanctuary, this property is well worth an inspection.
The property includes a one-bedroom cottage, complete with a kitchen/living area, upright stove with gas hob, gas fridge, instantaneous hot water, Coonara wood heater, queen bed, twin singles, dining table, chest of drawers, and cupboard.
The home consists of an open plan kitchen, dining and living area all north facing with a rural outlook.
The kitchen has ample storage with gas cooking, dishwasher and a breakfast bar.
The main bedroom is well equipped with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite with the other two bedrooms both having built-in wardrobes.
Heating and cooling are well catered for with gas ducted heating and ducted evaporative cooling throughout.
Externally there is an enclosed single garage with internal access plus a low maintenance yard with a beautiful north
3 2 1
Agent | Harcourts Wangaratta
Phone | (03) 5722 9444
Price | $530,000 - $580,000
Land | 303m2
Location | 6 Kingfisher Drive, Wangaratta
facing outdoor area.
Please contact us now to arrange your private inspection.
It’s been more than 18 months since we first drove the Kia EV6.
Not much has changed since then, although it will soon get some updatesnamely a larger battery.
The new model lobbed at the Australian Open earlier this year, of which Kia is the major sponsor and its arrival is imminent.
In the meantime, we couldn’t turn down the chance of another drive of what is surely one of Australia’s preeminent EVs - although describing it as a crossover is a stretch.
Prices start from $72,590 for the EV6 Air RWD.
EV6 GT-Line RWD is priced from $79,590, while top of the range EV6 GT-Line AWD is priced from $87,590.
The high performance 430kW EV6 GT AWD is a whacking $99,590, taking it well over the $100K mark by the time you add on-road costs.
Our test vehicle, the GTLine RWD, can be optioned with premium paint ($700) and a second cable that allows the car to be hooked up to a pay-as-you-go charger ($829).
It’s a long, wide car at almost 4.7 metres and 1.9 metres across, with a 2900mm wheelbase.
But the proportions are not what we have come to recognise as ideal, with a short bonnet and boot that brackets a long cabin.
The batteries take up a bit of space though, sandwiched and spread out under the floor.
To placate traditionalists, a grille of sorts remains at the front. Unlock EV6 and flush-fitting, body-coloured door handles pop out in welcome.
Standard kit includes 20inch alloys with Continental
255/45 tyres, dual zone cli mate air with rear vents, and power-adjust, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and mood lighting with 64 colours.
There’s also LED lights, folding, heated door mirrors with integrated indicators, automatic high beam, smart cruise control with stop and go, auto parallel and perpen dicular parking, tilt and slide sunroof, and a smart power tailgate.
Rounding out the list is head-up display, an autodimming rear-view mirror, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, along with a 360-degree camera.
MODEL LINE-UP:
EV6 AIR RWD: $72,590
Like all Kias, the EV6 is covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
Unlike others, pre-paid service plans are available.
Five-star safety starts with seven airbags, a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, plus Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist detection (and junction turn assist).
There’s also a blind spot monitoring system (including rear cross traffic assist), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning with lead vehicle departure alert (DAW+), Multi-Collision Braking (MCB) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). EV6 provides three top tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
GT-Line RWD comes with a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels produces 168kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
Drive in single motor versions is to the rear wheels through a single-speed re-
EV6 GT-LINE RWD: $79,590
EV6 GT-LINE AWD: $87,590
EV6 GT AWD: $99,590
NOTE: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Kia dealer for drive-away prices.
duction gear transmission.
DRIVING
Air is the more range focused version of the EV6, with 168kW of power and 350Nm of torque and a range of 528km.
RWD GT-Line with the same powertrain is good for 504km.
The GT-Line with AWD adds a second electric motor and produces a combined output of 239kW and 605Nm, with a range of 484km.
The real deal, the GT AWD, pumps out 430kW and 740Nm, and dispatches the dash in a Ferrari-like 3.5 seconds - the trade-off is a range of just 424km.
All four versions are powered by the same 77.4kWh battery pack, which weighs 477kg and is located under the floor.
The new EV6, which is expected to lob soon, acquires a larger 84kWh battery pack
that should boost driving range across the line up by up to 8.5 per cent.
Drive in single motor versions is to the rear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.
Energy consumption is a claimed 17.2 kWh/100km.
There are four selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow, which also change the look of the instrument panel.
EV6 is the first fully electric vehicle to go through Kia Australia’s local ride and handling program.
With plenty of power and torque under foot, EV6 has plenty of get up and go, even with a single electric motor, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking 7.3 seconds.
Steering is heavy and for the most part uncommunicative.
EV6 has powerful brakes too, perhaps too strong at times, or more specifically - ir-
■ DECKED OUT: The features Kia’s EV6 has - and are bringing - look promising. But projected charging times at current remain unrealistic for most.
ritatingly abrupt.
An electric parking brake is provided, but instead of being located close to hand in the centre console, it’s relegated to a position to the right and below the dash.
Facing the wrong direction, the pop-out handles are awkward to use, and for a 4.7-metre-long vehicle getting in and out is not as easy as it should be.
The door openings are large, but a low roofline and relatively high seating position compromise access.
Watch your head and hold on to your sunglasses.
Ditto for rear seat passengers, with an elevated seating position and low hanging roof, and surprisingly little legroom considering the length of the car.
Moving from one Kia to another, the steering wheel switch gear is familiar, but they have been transposed from one side of the wheel to the other.
The dash layout is similar to other Kias, but I found that it has no physical audio volume control.
The luggage area is quite large with a hidden area underneath for cable storage, along with a small boot at the front of the car - but no spare tyre.
A tyre repair kit is supplied instead.
Most annoying is the location of the charge port which is cleverly concealed near the driver side tail light.
The location necessitates reversing the car to access power.
Nowhere near as easy as a charge port at the front.
As batteries become larger and range increases, the time required to charge an EV also increases.
EV6 offers up to 11kW AC charging and a class leading 233kW maximum DC fastcharge rate.
Charging can take up to 33
hours with a standard power point, reducing to as little as 18 minutes for a 10-80 per cent charge with a 350kW DC commercial charger.
Or so we’re told.
Try finding a 350kW DC charger - they are as rare as hen’s teeth.
The closest we’ve come is 250kW.
It was quick, but it still took just under 50 minutes to add 67 kWh - and the best rate we saw was 93kW.
The fact the EV6 doesn’t come with a Type 2 charge cable can be a major inconvenience.
Not all charge points supply the cable, including our nearest charger.
At the end of the day, after more than 900km of mixed driving, including a return trip from Sydney to Canberra, we were getting 17.5kWh/100km.
SUMMING UP
More hatch than crossover, the EV6 is very doable as a daily driver.
It’s roomy, comfortable, with good performance and, being electric, doesn’t cost much to run.
But all these fairy tales about 18-minute charging are starting to wear a bit thin...
Others may have had more success, but we haven’t found one EV or charge station that even comes close to achieving this.
RATINGS:
Looks: 7
Performance: 7.5
Safety: 8 Thirst: 7
Practicality: 6
Comfort: 7
Tech: 8
Value: 7
Overall: 7.2
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line, electric SUV)
STANDARD WARRANTY: Seven years / Unlimited kilometres
Nominate a local hero in one of these categories: Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year (ages 16–25)
Community Event or Project of the Year
Nominate online at wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Australia-Day-Awards Or collect a form from:
Wangaratta Government Centre (Customer Service)
Wangaratta Library
Visitor Information at WPACC
Deadline: 6pm, Saturday 8 November 2025
Applications are now open for the Community Sponsorships Program. This initiative offers one-year funding for local not-forprofit organisations to deliver social, cultural and environmental experiences for our community. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects being delivered in 2025/26. Applications close at 3pm on 1 September. More information, eligibility criteria, and to apply: wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Community-Sponsorships
Find out when your bin will be delivered here: www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/PurpleBinDelivery
Between now and 14 September, your household may receive a call from National Field Services, an independent research agency conducting a survey for Council. The aim is to assess Council’s performance and improve service delivery. Calls will come from landline numbers starting with (03) 5202, (03) 5141, or (03) 4217 — not mobile numbers. Your responses are confidential; only overall results are shared with Council.
For questions, contact Council on 5722 0888. Thank you for your valuable feedback.
Application No PlnApp24/124
Location 1473 Boorhaman Road Boorhaman Vic 3678
Proposal Multi-lot Subdivision and removal of Native Vegetation Applications close 2 September 2025.
Council is inviting local community groups, organisations, and vendors to express their interest in being part of our Summer 2025–26 events program. If you’re planning to host your own community event or would like to participate in Council-led events as a vendor or activity provider, we’d love to hear from you.
• 2025/2026 Summer Program Event | Applications close 28 October
• 2025 New Years Eve Food & Beverage Vendor | Applications close 28 October
• 2026 Outdoor Ball Food & Beverage Vendor | Applications close 14 December
For more information visit our website: wangaratta.vic.gov.au/summer-eoi
Thank you to everyone who came along to the community cinema events held across rural locations including halls, schools and reserves. It’s been a great way for communities to get together during winter. The last in the series: Friday 22 August @ Bowmans Murmungee Hall, from 5.30pm Download the Hello Winter brochure for more info: https://bit.ly/3ZtrJxD
Following
Following the July Council meeting the programs listed below are now open for community engagement:
• Council Committees Policy 2025 | closes 29 August
Road Management Plan 2025-29 | closes 29 August
• Waste Management Policy 2025 | closes 29 August
57516 Annual Road Reseal
Tender closes at 2pm on 4 September 2025
81311 Sunset Drive Pump Station
Tender closes at 2pm on 4 September 2025
18791 Trade Services Panel
Tender closes at 2pm on 24 September 2025
Council is calling for experienced and qualified tradespeople to join our Panel of Preferred Contractors. The panel will support maintenance and minor capital works across Council-owned buildings and facilities.
The panel will be in place for three years.
Further details may be obtained by visiting eProcure on Council’s website.
37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677
FOR RELOCATION.
Dear Readers,
The deadline for all Classifieds notices in Friday, August 22, 2025 edition has been changed to 11.30am Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Please contact our friendly Classifieds team either by phone (03) 5723 0100 or email classifieds@nemedia.com.au
Marty & Mandy HOGAN
are relocating their practice to 2 Green Street, WANGARATTA.
(Peak Sports Physiotherapy)
For appointments phone: (03) 5791 0300
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Da Vinci Social Club Inc will be held at the Club 55 Pyles Lane Laceby, on Sunday, August 31 2025 at 2pm.
CONCRETING , all types. Big or small jobs, concrete demolition and removal, Bobcat and Excavator work. 20 years’ experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.
DJ and CL Collison Concrete and Kurb, all concrete works, residential and commerical, free quotes. Call Dave 0457 155 564.
KITCHENS JUST FOR YOU, new kitchens, face lifts, wall units, prompt service. Phone Roland 0414 950 647.
HOUSEHOLD items, bric-a-brac, garden tools, clothing, furniture and more, Saturday, August 16, 9am-2pm, 18 Maxwell Street, Wangaratta.
o
To Visit Visited
HUGE clearance sale, house hold items, gardening equipment, Saturday 16, 8am start, no early callers, 186 Phillipson Street, Wangaratta.
PAINTER, old school, for all your painting needs, commercial, industrial renovations. Phone Juliano 0412 597 482.
WHEELER Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, rural work and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.
Victorian partially renovated. Beautiful and classic in details, huge rooms, high ceilings. Call Kevin 0411 103 745. Other houses available including a 2-bedroom unit.
HANDY couple seeking rural lease,licensed builder/electrician and partner looking to lease a rural property with a rundown farmhouse, happy to renovate in exchange for 12-month lease at reduced rent, need space for 3 pet pigs, friendly, reliable and respectful.Call/text Luke on 0409 871 098.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Unique lifestyle and business opportunity. 2 x PTV school bus contracts.
Long standing NE High Country Victoria. (Omeo and Swifts Creek).
2020 Challenger 45 seat 2024 Toyota Coaster Deluxe 21 seat.
Contact David 0409 951 552
• Casual position at Beechworth Correctional Centre
• Provide a range of stores and finance services within a prison facility
• Earn $60,295 - $77,430 plus super Beechworth Correctional Centre is a minimum-security facility with a focus on preparing individuals for release.
At the facility, Justice Officers specialise in one of three streams - Stores, Canteen and Administration - working under the direction of a Team Leader.
Key responsibilities include:
• providing a range of Stores & Finance services including warehouse, finance support, purchasing, procurement, stock/inventory control and general administration
• serving prisoners within our shops/ canteens whilst supervising prisoner workers
• ordering and receipting stock, maintaining minimum stock levels and shop lists, managing security of stock as well as general record keeping.
This position requires direct prisoner contact and supervision and may involve weekend and public holiday work, in accordance with the applicable provision of the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024. To be successful, you will have:
• well-developed computer literacy and experience with Oracle or a similar finance related system
• sound knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations
• an understanding of shop, store and warehousing operations.
Apply now at careers.vic.gov.au
Applications close 25 August 2025
Full or Part Time Opportunity
North East Media the publisher of Wangaratta Chronicle has an opportunity for a Print Assistant to join our established team based at our Wangaratta print site. No experience in the print industry is required.
Duties Include
• Supporting our technical print team in producing over 25 newspapers every week.
• Assisting the lead Printer in the operations of the press, including set up and production
• Job preparations using raw materials such as plates, paper and ink.
• Helping operate the newspaper collating machine
• General housekeeping of working environment such as cleaning and keeping area safe.
• Newspaper and magazine deliveries. Please send applications to: Edward Higgins
CEO North East Media ehiggins@nemedia.com.au
DRY SPLIT
FIREWOOD, quality boxwood and gum, available now, $170 per metre, dry, split, ready to burn, fast delivery available.
Call G & J Tree Services on 0474 107 631.
FREE Range Hens, ISA Brown Pullets, POL, $35 each. Phone Becky or Hugh on 5798 1868.
QUEEN size wooden bed frame and mattress, good condition, must go, $100. Ph 0407 908 203.
2015 BMW Ex 5 X Drive 30 D Wagon, 138,792km, white, excellent condition, no scratches, no dents, no accidents, sun roof, heated seats, black interior, RWC, reg (AGE324) $35,000. Phone Bob 0411 464 374 or 0413 868 461.
2023 Toyota GX Landcruiser, excellent vehicle low kilometres (20,400), upgrades include; Runva 13,000lb winch, GME XRS-330C UHF with bluetooth phone connectivity, Victron DC-DC charger (auxiliary battery set up), EFS 2” Lift Kit with remote reservoir shocks (front and back), Stedi LED light bar, bull bar with side steps, charcoal interior, always serviced at Toyota, balance of Toyota 5yr unlimited km warranty, roadworthy and rego included (CIS286), $107,000 ONO. Ph 0429 950 835.
OLD cars wanted, cars removed. Ph 0435 083 115.
SCOOTERS
2022 Suzuki Address UK 110NMM2 scooter rego (2U3UX), registered until December 2025, $4100 O.N.O. Ph 0438 219 213.
CARABANA for sale, will tow just needs a light bar and permits, gas works on fridge and stove, will make a great spare room, $2000 ono, only serious buyers need apply.
WINNEBEGO Leisure
Seeker 2004, manual 5 speed, turbo diesel, 110,585km, length 21ft (6.4m), bull bar, 4 birth and 2 extra seat belts, rear camera, CB radio, solar panels, awning, 2 deep cycle batteries, fresh water and grey water tanks and hot water tank, reverse cycle aircon, digital flat screen TV with remote and USB, stereo radio (incl Bluetooth and CD player), toilet/ shower/hand basin and shaving cabinet, 3 burner gas stove, oven and grill, 9kg gas bottle, 3-way fridge/ freezer (medium size), blackout curtains fitted, $70,000. Ph 0448 155 965.
JAYCO Penguin 2010 off-road camper, in good condition, extras, $13,400. Ph 0429 845 814.
BARTLE, Mavis. 29/11/1936 - 13/8/2025
Aged 88 years.
Passed away peacefully at Respect - St John’s Wangaratta on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 with family by her side. Thank you to all at Respect – St John’s for the care and love.
A private cremation to be held. Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day.
Mason Park Funerals
5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
CROCKETT, Ian.
The management and members of Oak FM wish to convey our condolences to the family of Ian Crockett.
A valued honorary member of our station. His cheerful smile and willingness to help will be sadly missed.
HARTNELL, Barry John.
27/1/1942 – 13/8/2025
Passed away at St John’s Respect Aged Care, Wangaratta. Father of Bob, Barry Jnr, Steve and Kristian.
ROWLANDS, Pauline Winifred.
23/10/1926 – 12/8/2025
Beloved wife of Ivan.
Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Ian, Bruce and Leigh and Vicki. Adored grandmother to George, Alison, James and Andrew.
HARTNELL
The funeral service for Mr Barry John Hartnell will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 10.30am. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
LONG, Denis James.
Passed away July 21, 2025. Rosemary Long and family wish to sincerely thank everyone for the comforting messages, prayers, and support received from friends and relatives following Denis’ passing. Our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated team at Illoura for their devotion and care during Denis’ time with them. Thank you also to North East Funerals for kindness and compassion during this difficult time. A special thank you also to the staff at Illoura for tending to Rosemary after her fall, and to everyone at Wangaratta Base Hospital for their compassion and excellent care during her recovery.
WANGARATTA Chronicle photographer Melissa Beattie made her way to Ovens and King under 15s match between North Wangaratta and King Valley. Photographs can be purchased at the Chronicle.
Round 13 of North East baseball saw all of Wangaratta Rangers playing at home, except Rangers Orange A grade and their under 15s, who both had the bye.
The highlight of the day was celebrating Aaron Parker who played his 300th game for the club.
Aaron started back in 2000 when the club was first formed - he was only eight years old then.
The club and all baseball followers congratulate Aaron on this achievement and hope to see him playing well into the future.
Aaron plays for Rangers Black, and they played Wodonga Warriors in all grades on Sunday.
There was one good thing to come out of Rangers Orange having the bye in the “A” Grade and that was that the whole team were able to get around and watch Aaron’s 300th game.
The game itself was played with pressure from both sides.
Rangers started off pitching Ben Campbell and he had thrown just 19 pitches when Warriors lost their third out
and left two runners on base and no runs scored.
Rangers lead-off batter got on first base after being hit by a pitched ball, their second batter was struck out while the third got on base with a safe hit to left field, bringing in one run and coming home himself before the third out to lead two runs to zip at the top of the second innings.
Warriors scored one run in the second dig as did Rangers.
Warriors only had four batters face the pitcher in their third innings and Rangers got a break when they added three runs in their turn at bat to lead by five runs going into the fourth.
Warriors showed signs of a comeback in their fourth bat when they brought in two runs and then shutdown Rangers getting their first batter out when he tried to steal third base.
Then with a runner on first, Rangers next batter hit straight to short stop who then threw to second base for the forced out and second base threw to first to get the batter out in a double play.
A change in pitcher by
Rangers saw the man of the moment, Aaron Parker take the mound.
Parker struck the first batter to face him out, then with two runners on base, Warriors lot their second and third out and game was called.
Rangers Black defeated Warriors 7-3.
In Rangers Black’s under 12 game, it was the Warriors’ base running that was the difference in the two teams.
Although Warriors had 17
safe hits to Blacks’ 10, they won by 10 runs with Will Guile, Max Murphy, Tom Murphy and Caleb Dyer all having three safe hits for Warriors while Kylah Currie, Isla O’Keefe, Patrick Mahoney and Tia Wells all having two safe hits for Rangers Black.
Isla O’Keefe took a very nice fly ball catch at second base for an out then teamed with her little sister, Morrison later for another out with Morrison stopping a hard-hit
ball to rightfield and throwing straight to Isla at second base to get the lead runner out.
In the only other game that scribe got to report on, Rangers Orange B grade game against Bears Gold, neither team could get a runner past first base in the first innings.
Rangers Orange brought in one run in their second turn at bat but left two runners on base when they lost their third out.
They then shut down Bears in their turn at bat to lead by that run into the third innings.
Rangers did not get another run until the fifth inningsBears Gold had lost their first two batters in their third innings when errors started to creep into the Rangers fielding.
Rangers dropped two catches in this dig, and both batters later were brought home.
Rangers Orange did not add any more runs in their next two innings and the errors kept coming in their fielding.
Bears took advantage of this and brought in seven more runs in their fourth and another two in their last innings to end up winning by six runs – Bears Gold 11 runs to Rangers Orange five.
This Sunday sees the second last round of games before the senior finals.
Albury Bears Green play Wangaratta Rangers Black at Springdale Heights, Lavington, and Wodonga Warriors play Wangaratta Rangers Orange at Gayview Park, Wodonga.
Young footballers and their families soaked up the winter sun during 2025’s final Auskick session on Sunday.
About 300 of the district’s developing footballers have taken to the Barr Reserve each week this year - learning, laughing and loving their footy.
They’ve been supported by an army of coaches, helpers, committee members, barbecue cooks and servers, and many others who ensure the weekly event runs smoothly.
While some players will now move on to junior league competition, others will be raring to continue their Auskick involvement in 2026.
Despite the low outside temperatures, enthusiasm was as high as the moon in the cloudless sky, when 21 enthusiasts arrived at the Oxley hall to enjoy the social and physical interaction at the social table tennis competition last Monday night.
It was ‘welcome back’ to ‘Mr’ Paul Lawrence, when he partnered ‘new boy on the block’ Mark Struck to take on another debutante to the competition, Lyla Porter, and ‘been there and done that’, June Uebegang, in a serious ‘fun for all’ game that kept everyone physically and mentally on their toes from go to whoa.
With Paul pulling shots out of nowhere, and Mark brickwalling and tactically returning everything that came his way, June threw herself – and her bat – into endeavouring to support Lyla’s speed and accuracy all around the table.
While Paul and Mark got off to a sizeable lead, June and Lyla gradually pegged them back to even the score at the half-way mark - however, after capitalising on enough openings, Paul and Mark won by six points.
Katie Woodberry was at her livewire best, when she and Richard Morgan paired up to take on Martin Butcher and Florence De Soutter, in a ‘give it your all’ game that showcased everyone’s desire and determination to hold the upper hand from the word go.
JUBILEE GOLF CLUB
Thursday, 7 August
Ladies stableford
Heavy hitting was met with tight defence and positivity in returns, which led to a game that seemingly would never end.
Kate’s court coverage, Jacob’s tricks up his sleeve, Clive’s power and placement, and Caleb’s determination all contributed to a great game where no one considered giving up the chase until the ball had bounced twice - no scores recorded, but spectators judged it a ‘win for all’!
After having honed their skills in the many games already played, Olivia Struck teamed up with Greta Day to test the mettle of Harriet Day and Madeleine Rivett, in the final event of the night.
A game of ‘cat and mouse’, mixed with power and intent of high dimensions, was employed by both pairs as they all played with one purpose in mind – never give up.
EXPERIENCED CAMPAIGNER: June Uebergang hits a return at the weekly table tennis meeting.
While fast and well-placed serves were dished up by both pairs, they were received and ‘spat out’ with well-delivered returns to every point of the table. And nothing was let pass without each player having tried their utmost to handle each situation with aplomb (not a plum!) - but all good things must come to an end, and it was Katie and Richard who took the chocolates.
The gloves were off when
PHOTOS: Adam Rivett
David Harris and Adrian Brunken paired up to take on Manni Poulos and Neil Brock in what developed into a torrid tussle from the first punch of the ball.
With all four highly spirited in body and mind, there was never a dull moment, as they pushed each other onto the ropes (or the net!) in their determination to bring their opponents down.
This fierce but friendly fray resulted in each pair holding the lead for one point at
BACKHANDED: Harriet Day makes no mistake with her backhand.
a time, until after each pair had given their all, one pair won by a TKO.
Setting the wheels in motion, Adam Rivett was fully focussed when he and Florence De Soutter rolled up their sleeves to take on Katie Woodberry and Adrian Brunken in a hard slog out from the first ping of the ball.
Long low serves and strokes delivered by both pairs put each other under constant pressure in their
desperate bid to score each point.
And with no gimmes, but lots of gotchas, the result was in the balance until Katie ‘threw down’ a grand slam, resulting in her and Adrian winning by two points.
Kate Cole and Jacob Hardiman were in top form when they faced up to the equally ready Clive Brooker and Caleb Cullen in a free-for-all, but priceless, performance of effort and efficiency in all facets of the sport.
The lead fluctuated throughout; it was anyone’s game to win, with head nods, laughter, and a few lets and nets; final scores saw Olivia and Greta win the tiebreaker.
Following the night’s nonstop activity a cuppa and supper gave everyone the opportunity to recover, and ‘replay’ the night’s events, and catch up with district news.
Adults and secondary school students of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the group which meets at the Oxley hall each Monday night beginning at 7pmBYO bat, $2 entry, and a plate to share.
Winner: Linda Stone 36. Ball winners: Josie Fitzsimons, Joy Hester.
NTPs - 4th: Frances Duffy, 8th: Josie Fitzsimons, 13th: Frances Duffy, 17th: Linda Stone.
Friday, 8 August
Medley Stableford
A Grade winner: J Schonafinger 39. B Grade winner: Melody Adams 32. Ball winners: Glenn O’Connell 37, Jack Lloyd 35, Aaron Williams 32. Eagle on 9: J Schonafinger.
NTPs - 4th: J Schonafinger.
Saturday, 9 August
Ladies’ Stableford
Winner: Josie Fitzsimons 34 Ball winners: Linda Stone 29, Angela Mitchell 30.
NTPs - 4th: Kellie Roberts, 8th: Yogie Naidoo, 13th: Linda Stone, 17th: Kellie Roberts.
Men’s Stableford
A Grade winner: I Dinsdale C/B S Fisher 35. B Grade winner: P Challman 35. C Grade winner: D Ritchens 35. D Grade winner: W Slade
C/B B Luxford 33. Ball winners: S Fisher 35, R Harnwell 34, G Patterson 34, B Luxford 33, A Kungl 33, R Sebire 33, G Nicholson 32, G Veldman 32, M Angehrn 32, N Hogan 32, R Hyland
32, A Jones 31, N Hirunwiwat 31, B Thomas 31.
NTPs - 4th: D O’Connor, 8th: B Slade, 13th: P Ernst, 17th: P Grady. Tuesday, 12 August
Ladies stableford
Winner: Joy Hester 36. Ball winners: Janet Wraith 2 balls 34, Bruna McDonald 31.
NTPs - 4th: Wendy Hogan, 8th: Wendy Hogan, 13th: Janet Wraith, 17th: Judy Fogarty.
Wednesday, 13 August
Men’s 18 hole Stroke
A Grade winner: Trevor Nippress +3.
B Grade winner: Lawrence Miller +1. C
Grade winner: Ian Wiedemann +9. Ball winners: S McNaughton +3, Gordon Paterson +4, Gordon Hines +4, Steve Fisher +6, Geoff Veldman +6, Alex Gibbs C/B +6.
NTPs - 4th: Mitch Howe, 8th: Mitch Howe, 13th: Ian Harbourd, 17th: Steve McNaughton.
Men’s 9 hole stableford
Winner: Mick Reidy 18.
Ball winners: Tony Kosch 17, Garry Dickson 15, Jim Darcy 15, Peter Walker C/B from others 14.
NTPs - 13th: G Rigoni, 17th: P Walker.
TARRA GOLF CLUB
Founders Day Trophy
Winner: Ken Miller 37 points. Runnerup: Peter Scoullar 32 points on a count
back from Lindsay Steer 32 points.
Golf to be played Saturday, 16 August will be the Mixed Championships11.30am for 12pm start.
WANG CROQUET
Results for Monday, 11 August are as follows:
Joan Dyson and Maureen O’Keefe d Susan Fischer and Wendy Waddington 7/6, Nathan Reynolds and Terry Wilson d Cheryle Beckley and Christine Ireland 7/3, Bronwyn Townsend and Gavan Kelly d Margaret Bennett and Janet Kelly 5/3.
During a game on Monday, Nathan Reynolds cleared an opposition ball from in front of a hoop from 20 yards.
On Wednesday, Jim Park from Mansfield visited and enjoyed a couple of games with our members.
Today, Maureen O’Keefe and Andy Barbero are representing the North East against the Goulburn Valley at Cobram whilst Jed Hart and Terry Wilson are refereeing the event.
Play is at 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Please arrive 15 minutes earlier to allow for a draw to be undertaken.
The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.
For further information please contact president Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009 or secretary Terry Wilson on 0417 326 739.
Wednesday, 6 August - Round 7, Winter Competition
A grade
Somerset Communications (Ash Wurtz, Robert Voss) def Appin Park Store (Evan Kibble, John Wright) final rubber score 3/2.
Match results – Singles: A Wurtz 2, R Voss 1, J Wright 1. Doubles: J Wright and E Kibble.
Robert pushed John in a tight, quality match, however John got the win 12/10 in the sixth game.
NE Ag & Industrial (Andrew Lindner, Kim Brown) def Nathan Vincent Contracting (Markus Angehrn, Ash Harding) final rubber score 4/1.
Match results – Singles: A Lindner 2, K Brown 1, A Harding 1. Doubles: A Lindner and K Brown.
B grade
Nathan Vincent Contracting (Steve Picken, Andrew Holmes) def Blue Raven (Michael Bellingham, Phil Fitzgerald) final rubber score 3/2.
Match results – Singles: S Picken 2, M Bellingham 1, Phil Fitzgerald 1. Doubles: S Picken and A Holmes.
The marathon match of the night here saw Steve defeat Phil 15/13 in the deciding seventh game of their singles match.
Somerset Communications (Sienna Bajada, John Bajada) def NE Ag &
Industrial (Ted Tatulaschwili, Ollie Andrews) final rubber score 4/1.
Match results – Singles: S Bajada 1, J Bajada 2, O Andrews 1. Doubles: S and J Bajada.
Auto 8 (Ron Divinagracia, Seth Knox) def Boralma Berkshire (Klaus Kazenwadel, Tim Oliver) final rubber score 4/1.
Match results – Singles: R Divinagracia 2, S Knox 2. Doubles: K Kazenwadel and T Oliver.
C grade
NE Ag & Industrial (James Young, Matt Curran) def Auto 8 (Josh Loffler, Tim Loffler) final rubber score 3/2.
Match results – Singles: M Curran 2, J Loffler 1, T Loffler 1. Doubles: J Young and M Curran.
Nathan Vincent Contracting (Renee McCarthy, Stephen Alger) def Boralma Berkshire (Cameron Brew Jesse Hughes) final rubber score 4/1.
Match results – Singles: R McCarthy 2, S Alger 1, C Brew 1. Doubles: R McCarthy and S Alger 1. It took seven games for Stephen to scrape through with the win over Jesse in one of the entertaining matches of the night on this table. The competition will continue at 7pm each Wednesday, new players always welcome.
Enquiries: Tom Brown (president)0429 809 927.
UNDER 16 BOYS
Friday night saw the under 16 boys take on the Magpies, who came out strong and confident, quickly capitalising on gaps in the Dragons’ defence to score some early goals.
Despite this, the boys rose to the challenge, displaying excellent sportsmanship and a determined ‘never give up’ attitude.
In the second half, Hamish Kerr found the back of the net with a well-timed goal, lifting team spirits.
Experienced players Alister Merritt and James Wheeler worked tirelessly, with their composed passing and constant movement providing crucial support.
In defence, Noah Fitzgerald was kept busy all night, showing great determination under sustained pressure.
Despite the challenge and the 1-8 final scoreline, the boys gave their all from the first whistle to the final siren.
UNDER 14 BOYS
The under 14 boys played their best match of the season, finishing with a well-deserved 2–2 draw against Corowa United.
Despite soft conditions underfoot, the boys adapted brilliantly to the grass and delivered a strong, determined performance.
Harvey Rivett had an excellent game, pushing forward to score the Dragons’ first goal of the match.
Lewis Henderson earned the coaches award after a courageous display, taking a hockey stick to the nose, stopping the bleeding, and bravely returning to the field to score the second goal.
Senior players Alex Rymill and James Wheeler provided outstanding leadership and insight, with James’ adept tackling and Alex’s powerful hits, proving crucial to the team’s success.
In goals, Joseph Robertson had a very busy morning, confidently defending against numerous Corowa attempts.
DIVISION THREE WOMEN
The Wangaratta division three women’s team played a terrific game against the Magpies, showing up with 110 per cent effort from the very first whistle.
With just four weeks left in the season, the team brought energy, determination, and teamwork, making this a well-deserved 4–0 victory.
Goals were shared across the board, with Jaimelee Sexton, Emma Gall, Kate Reilly, and Sharon Watkins each scoring.
Jaimelee’s goal came from a powerful slap shot from the top of the D, created through excellent passing and quick decision-making.
In defence, Carli made two outstanding clears from within the 25, both sent wide to relieve the pressure and reset the play.
The team’s best and fairest went to Kylie Robertson, whose strong defensive skills, stick work, and tenacity in winning possession proved crucial to keeping Magpies scoreless.
DIVISION TWO MEN
This week, division two had only 11 men to play against Norths on a warm Sunday morning.
The two teams attacked hard and
defended hard in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Dragons found their structure more and spread the play to attack more on the Norths, until Cam Leatham managed to score.
In the second half, both teams were keen to score, but the defence of both teams were too strong, until Norths tapped in an equalising goal.
The Dragons came back soon after with another final touch goal from Cam Leatham.
Next week the Dragons take on top of the ladder Wodonga.
The Corowa-Wangaratta United under 16 girls started their game against Wodonga looking very dangerous in their attacking D.
Bianca Zebenko and Rhani Sorenson were strong in the midfield supported by Emily McSweeney and Lily Radnor on the wing whilst Amelia McAliece was making great position around the goals that kept Wodonga on edge.
Although there were many opportunities, the United girls could not convert their brave plays into a score.
It was not until the second quarter when Wodonga were lucky to sneak in a goal from a short corner despite the solid United defence from Maddi Reid, Macy Douch and goalkeeper Meegan Davey.
It was a tight match, but Wodonga sealed their victory with a goal in
and Caleb Gillies repelling many attacking raids.
Good support came from the midfield of Tim Longman, Simon Lipshut and Michael Wheeler to bolster the defence.
But the Magpies attack was too overwhelming, Wangaratta going down 5-0.
The score potentially should have been more with the Magpies having well over 20 penalty corners but only able to convert on two of them, with Michael McMurrie deflecting many of the shots and Daniel Warner and Anthony Couche making some solid goal line saves.
This week the Dragons take on Wodonga at Wodonga on Saturday afternoon.
The Dragon girls put in a big effort against a strong Scots side this round.
Unfortunately, despite putting on a fast offensive game in the first half, the girls were unable to convert their scoring opportunities into goals.
the last minute of the game.
The United girls are now looking to build on their form and are feeling galvanised after this minor setback as they head towards the finals.
The under 12 Dragon girls were given clear instructions from coach Emma to defend, tackle and harass top team Corowa United on their home turf.
The tenacious Dragons took the message to heart and did not disappoint, working hard for four quarters to keep the hard-hitting United team to five goals for the match.
Joint award winners Amelie Reilly and Elsie Cunneen tackled, fought and passed doggedly to continually thwart Corowa’s forward pressing.
Phoebe Read and Scarlett Clancy’s efforts in defence also won high praise with their applied pressure, working in well with ever-reliable Eliza Taylor.
The midfielders and strikers came down the field to help the defensive effort
As for the shining kryptonite in goal, Lilly Stevenson won United’s recognition, tirelessly playing the game as the coach intended.
The SF Builders division three men’s team took on top of the table Magpies on Saturday afternoon in Wodonga.
The game started off on a very even level with the Dragons holding out the Magpies early attacking efforts.
The Dragons were able to link together some good play to get the ball to Marc Bongers, who was able to get into the attacking circle and get a shot off on goal – unfortunately, it was wide of the mark and by the end of the game was the Dragons’ best attempt at scoring.
Midway through the first quarter, the Magpies flexed their skill and teamwork, and for the rest of the game they dominated field position and were pretty much camped in the Dragons defensive quarter.
The Dragons defence were up to the challenge with outstanding games from goalie Michael McMurrie, backs Daniel Warner and Cam Gillies, and halves Anthony Couche
The girls tired entering the second half but remained focused on the task at hand.
Greta Le put on a fantastic display of determination in defence, stealing many opportunities away from Scots preventing them from pushing down into their offensive half.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Barnden showed off her talents, defending well against some hard hits.
The girls remained strong through the middle and into the forward half for the second half.
Isabella Coghetto and Kiana Lane teamed up to run hard into their forward line creating multiple scoring opportunities but were unsuccessful in their attempts.
This week the girls are preparing to take on Albury Norths in Wodonga with a new game plan that should prove interesting when they meet on Saturday.
The under 12 boys’ hockey team ventured to Corowa for a much-anticipated game on grass against the formidable CR United squad.
The match provided a fresh challenge, as the team quickly realised that grass hockey demands a different style of play compared to their usual surface.
The Dragons began the game with high energy and enthusiasm.
In goals, Hugh Barnden showed strong presence, while defenders Arlo Rivett, Ethan Parkinson, and Tyler Drage worked tirelessly along the backline to adapt to the challenging grass conditions.
Their defensive efforts paid off, as they managed to clear the ball effectively to midfielders Chris Munzel and Miles Henderson.
In the midfield, Leo Fridge demonstrated excellent coordination with teammates Oscar Reid and Lewis Henderson, pushing forward to support attackers Patrick Lipshut, Pippa, and Will Reilly.
The team’s persistence was rewarded late in the game, with Leo scoring a spectacular goal in the final quarter.
Despite the Dragons’ spirited performance, the experienced Corowa side held a 3-1 lead by the end of the match.
Development of an all-abilities squad within the Wangaratta Stingrays Swimming Club will be boosted by an $8750 grant from the Rural City of Wangaratta.
The Stingrays were among 41 local groups which received funding through the rural city’s 2025-’26 community grants program.
This annual program enables grassroots organisations to deliver projects which enhance accessibility, community resilience, mental health and wellbeing, cultural engagement and environmental sustainability across the district.
“We are excited to be awarded one of the many community grants from the Rural City of Wangaratta,” Wangaratta Stingrays Swimming Club secretary Bree Broomfield said.
“Stingrays piloted an allabilities squad with interested athletes from the Wangaratta District Special School
and some dedicated volunteer coaches in early 2025.
“This was initiated following discussions with teachers looking for more sporting and competitive opportunities for their students.
“The pilot ran with the generous cooperation of the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, in kind support from coaches, WDSS staff and a small donation made to Wangaratta Stingrays to support inclusion.
“To make this program sustainable and accessible to greater numbers, we have sought the grant to cover some of the associated costs and ensure the swimmers can be eligible for competition.
“The concept is that there is a dedicated all-abilities squad training at least once a week, and where skill and fitness matches our mainstream squads, everyone can train together to meet their fitness and competition goals.
“This is the same on race day - we are one club with individual support where needed.
“Stingrays volunteers will support families to navigate the registration and classification process and to enter the world of local, district, state and national competition.”
Ms Broomfield said the community grant would be used to support swimmers with disabilities to join Swimming Victoria, cover Stingrays fees and, where needed, the cost of membership at WSAC.
“We hope to be able to extend the program to at least
10 swimmers for the coming year, and to launch the program in October when we move training back outside to the 50 metre pool,” she said.
“Coaching support will be provided by coaches who have experience in the disability sector, and we could
not achieve this program without them and the contributions of WDSS.”
WDSS physical education teacher Rowan Barrow welcomed the collaborative team effort involved in establishing the all-abilities squad, and its potential for encouraging athletes to follow the pathway to lifelong swimming.
“We are currently working through the finer details of eligibility criteria, the enrolment process and promotional resources, and will have information available at the rural city’s Sport and Rec Expo at WSAC on October 17,” Ms Broomfield said.
“In the future we hope to secure ongoing sponsorship to maintain a subsidised program for those within our allabilities squad.”
For more information about the initiative, email secretarywangarattastingrays@gmail.com
By NATHAN DE VRIES
After 16 weeks of gruelling matches and even more time on the training track, it’s time for the best junior footballers in the region to fight it out for premiership glory.
The Wangaratta and District Junior Football League finals series commences this weekend, with under 12, under 14 and under 17 elimination and qualifying finals to be played out across Sunday, 17 August at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
Kangaroos take to the park at 1pm.
There’s a good spread of teams from across the region’s catchment area, including Bright, Benalla, Mansfield, Myrtleford, and of course Wangaratta.
In the under 12s, Benalla Red and Centrals will kick off the day’s matches at 8.30am with their elimination final, before Benalla Black take on Bright from 9.50am.
The action will keep rolling with a Benalla derby in the under 14s from 11.10am, before Myrtleford and
By NATHAN DE VRIES
Round 22 of the Albury Wodonga Football Association season may very well be the biggest week of the home and away season for Wangaratta City FC’s division one men’s team.
The Devils sit seventh on the ladder with one match to play before finals, but the ladder is far from set in stone.
Wangaratta can finish anywhere from sixth to eighth, meaning they could face the undefeated Myrtleford Savoy or the powerful Alburys Hotspurs and City, who have only lost seven matches between them for the season, in the first week of finals
It’s fair to say this weekend’s match with ‘Spurs has a
lot of weight behind it.
“The higher we are on the ladder, I think the bet ter chance we have,” senior coach Vitaly Leschen said.
“If we finish seventh, we’ll be playing Hotspurs this week and next week, so it’ll be a big game to see how we stack up and hopefully figure out how we go into the quarter finals with as much chance as we can.
off a side higher on the ladder than them.
“I would say there’s a 95 per cent chance we’re playing them again next week.
“First time, we lost 1-4, and it was a deserved result, they played better than us.
“I think there were things from last time that we’re looking to take into this weekend, and test a couple of things out - hopefully we’ll stack up a bit
Last weekend’s 2-1 win over top four squad Albury United was the culmination of the belief and momentum which has been building since the midpoint of the season.
“It was a very good result, it was good to get a win against a team above us on the ladder, our first one of the year,” Leschen said.
“It was a good box to tick going into finals – when we look back on the year, we’ll be glad we ticked that one.
next weekend, whether that’s through a win this weekend or through getting enough of a game that they believe that they can achieve it.”
Meanwhile the senior women need at least a draw against the ladder leading ‘Spurs, or Albury United to lose to Cobram, to solidify their spot in finals.
Wangaratta City hosts Albury Hotspurs to round out the home and away season this Sunday, with the division one men from 3pm and the senior women from 11am.
The last two matches of the day see Tigers up against Mansfield in the under 17 elimination final from 2.45pm, ahead of Bright and Imperials rounding out proceedings in their qualifying final from 4.35pm.
“We’re looking forward to a good four weeks of junior footy,” WDJFL operations manager Matthew Elliott said.
“We hope that everyone plays fair, spectators support positively, and we get some good weather for the kids to enjoy their footy.”
The WDJFL finals commence on Sunday, 17 August, at Wangaratta Showgrounds.
They’ve made finals, but exactly who Goorambat will face in the first week of the postseason is still very much in the air.
The top two has been locked in for some time, with Greta and Bright to play off for a spot in the grand final on 30 August.
That leaves Milawa in clear third at 52 points, with the rest of the finalists Goorambat, Whorouly, and Bonnie Doon even on 40 points apiece.
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
had both of our forwards out, Brush [Duane Haebich] and Rhys [Goodley], we’ve weathered a lot of the storm, so to still be up there with everything that’s been happening, it’s a credit to the boys for keeping their heads up.
With the ladder so congested from fourth to sixth, this weekend’s last round of the home and away season will have a large say in how the finals shape up.
Bats coach Ben Wapling said he was proud of his side making finals in spite of a horrendous run of injuries in the back end of the year.
“It’s been pretty hard, we’ve had a lot of seasonending injuries - we’ve lost three on-ballers, lost Sam [Gladstone] the other week, our best backman as well,” he said.
“At different times we’ve
“It’s been tough, so I’m pretty proud of how we haven’t copped any beltings or anything like that, but we’ve just found it tough.”
With the ladder still malleable, the Bats will look for on-field consistency this weekend against North Wangaratta, trusting their list will be competitive against anyone else in next week’s Elimination Final.
“At the end of the day, if you want to be up there, you’ve got to beat them anyway, it doesn’t really matter who,” Wapling said.
“You could win one final then you’re out in the next, so it’s more about coming up
against whoever and putting our best foot forward and making sure our pressure and one percenters are there.
“We’re just learning to adjust at the moment, and at the end of the day we’ve got nothing to lose.
“We know we’ll have another tough game against North Wang, we always seem to have tough games against them.
“Either which way, we’ll be
playing finals, so we need to make sure we manage what we’ve got and be in a really positive headspace going in.”
This weekend also marks Wapling’s last home and away game as senior coach, with the Bats confirming he would be passing the torch to gun midfielder Jamie Dunne for the 2026 season, who he has mentored during his time at the Bat Cave.
“The succession plan has
been there since the day I took it on, Jamie was one of the main reasons I came over to the club, having previously coached him in his teenage and junior footy,” Wapling said.
“It was more about working hard to see if we could get him up to the point where he can take over, and he has, especially this year.
“He’s developed in his leadership, so it’s good when you can build a club up
and leave it in really good hands.”
Goorambat takes on the Hawks at the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve to round out the regular season.
In other round 20 matches, Milawa are at home to Bonnie Doon, the Lions head off to Hopperland, King Valley takes on Bright at Whitfield, and Greta welcomes Benalla All Blacks.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
Minor premiers Milawa face reigning A grade premiers Bonnie Doon in what could be a grand final preview in their last match before finals.
They only met for the first time in 2025 back in round 15, in a match which saw the Demons slaughter the Bombers by 30 goals.
Milawa coach Kerrie Gray said her side’s consistency and willingness to work for each other was part of the reason behind their dominant campaign.
“I feel like there’s a lot more determination, we’re playing a lot more consistent netball this season, and I’ve been really impressed with our connection as a group, playing for each other,” she said.
“There’s lots of talented netballers in our team, but I don’t think I’ve seen us play as cohesively as what we are this season.
“I just think we need to be switched on across the board.
“There are times when our defence end is a little off and our goalers hold us up, but if our goalers are having a rough day the defenders need to stand up for them as well.
“We’ve done that well, it’s one of the things we’ve done really well throughout the year, we’ve looked out for each other.”
Looking back, it’s been a cracking home and away season in the top flight of O&K netball, with upsets, close calls and more drawn matches in a season than many can remember.
“Across the board, we’ve played a lot of good netball as a league in A grade, so many sides are just so competitive, I think it’s been good for everyone,” Gray said.
“Just playing consistently, turning up week in and week out, knowing you might not
be playing a top six contender but they’re certainly going to give you a run for your money.”
With the reigning premiers eager to make up for their thumping earlier in the season, Gray expected staunch opposition from the Bombers from the first whistle.
“They certainly had a couple of players away when we played them last time,” she said.
“We’re not going to sugarcoat anything, they’ve got some ripper kids coming through their midcourt, Amy Starzer is returning to the court and she brings a heap of experience and composure.
“They’ve got such good depth across the board, they’ve got a really fast-running midcourt, they’ve got a really tall defensive end, and they’ve got experience at goals.
“They’ll certainly be up and about this week, it
should be a good match.” Elsewhere, “it’s still mathematically possible,” is the last grasp for fans to spruik their teams’ chances to make the finals, no matter how difficult the journey appears on paper - in terms of Moyhu’s odds of making the A grade grand finals, it’s still mathematically possible, but it would require a gargantuan effort.
The Hoppers sit two points outside the six, but while it’s not inconceivable they make finals, a lot will have to fall their way.
Moyhu will need to defeat Whorouly, in turn denying the Lions a top two finish and second chance in finals, and will need Bright to lose to King Valley – do this, and the Hoppers are playing finals.
Other round 20 matches see Greta at home to Benalla, North Wangaratta away against Goorambat, and the Roos taking on Bright at Whitfield.
By SHANE DOUTHIE
After a promising showing last weekend Wangaratta Rovers A grade netball team is pumped for another positive effort in their last home game of the home and away season on Saturday against Myrtleford.
Rovers matched it with ladder leader Corowa-Rutherglen last round for three quarters and coach Gracie Reid is confident her players can continue that against the Saints.
“Last time we played the Saints it was a tough one, it was raining heavily and cold but only going down by 12 goals shows us we aren’t too far off them,” Reid said.
“We’ve come a long way since the last time we met.
“The key for us now is taking the energy, belief, and connection we showed last weekend and bringing that from the very first whistle.
“We proved that when we do that, we can go toe-to-toe with the best in the comp.
“So the focus this week will be on consistently bringing that same level of determination, defensive intensity, and trust in each other for four full quarters.
“Saints are a quality side, but we know we’re capable of pushing them if we play our brand of netball and stay switched on across the court.”
There will be no changes to the Hawks roster this weekend and the approaching spring and finals has added a spring to the step of the Rovers netball squad according to Reid.
“Sunshine, good netball, and the smell of finals in the air it all adds to the vibe,” she said.
“With a few of our teams pushing hard for finals, that excitement and motivation really does ripple through the whole club.
“Whether you’re in the mix for a top four finish or just enjoying the back end of the season, there’s a real sense of pride and support between the grades.
“Everyone lifts a little when there’s that finals energy around, and it’s great to see players across all levels encouraging each other and riding the momentum together.”
Elle Gibson celebrates her 50th game this week, a credit to her resilience and commitment to the team.
son, which set her back significantly,” Reid said.
“But despite that, Elle never stopped working.
“To return this late in the season and slot into a strong top under 17 side the way she has is no easy feat, but Elle has done it with real composure and confidence.
“We’re incredibly proud of her, and reaching this 50-game milestone is a great reminder of her dedication and love for the game.”
Despite last week’s painful loss to Lavington severely denting the chances of Wangaratta Magpies A grade team making the 2025 Ovens and Murray finals, the squad is up and about for this week’s clash with another power side in Wodonga Raiders.
when you’re 12 and playing for the love of the game,” Magpies coach Shea Cunningham said.
“We’ll bring intensity, but also embrace the moment.
“Raiders have had a stellar season, dropping just three games but we also have confidence in our ability as well.”
Like most winter sport participants, Magpies’ netballers are also up and about with the sparkle that comes with the change of weather as spring approaches, and the thought of finals for multiple grades.
“We’re proud of the club-wide effort this season with B, C, and 17 and under all in finals, and A grade still with a chance,” Cunningham said.
next few weeks bring.”
But having that strong representation in the play-offs also calls for some strategic team selections.
“We’re not likely to have any changes to our side this weekend but we are careful in balancing individual development and team performance,” Cunningham said.
“A grade selection remains as best available for that weekend, but we’re also mindful of workloads and team cohesion.”
Whichever way you look at it, A graders by their nature go out each week with the intention of winning, and as there remains a slim chance of making finals if they win their final two games, you can bet the Magpies will be aiming to do just that.
From back page
But it’s ramping up to finals, and those big names will be pulling on the guernsey in the next few weeks.
“We’re really confident, along with our top-end players who are doing really well for us, we’ve got some really good depth players in there who are getting the job done,” Murray
“Lochie O’Brien comes back after a week off, Kieren Parnell comes back for the remainder of the season, Jez Rigoni will be next week, with his last week of VFL this weekend.
“We get Jace McQuade back who had VFL and had a rest, and we also get Noah Scholte back this week.
“We bring in some real class and some serious role players
into our side, and on top of that, we’ve got guys playing some really good footy.
“No spot’s guaranteed, we’ll go through match selection and see where that sits.”
The ladder leading Rovers can all but stitch up the minor premiership this weekend if they’re able to knock off the third-placed Saints.
They sit a game and 14.37 percentage points up on silver medallists Lavington, within reach of a ticket to week two of the finals.
Murray said they weren’t looking too far ahead to what-ifs and maybes.
“Our league presents a really different opportunity to any other league in regards to the minor premiers getting the week off, but we’re definitely not
looking at that at the moment,” he said.
“We know Lavington are right there in terms of points and percentage, we understand we’ve got two big games with Myrtleford, who are obviously in really good form, and we’ve got Wodonga next week who are mathematically still playing for a spot in finals.
“We’ve got no easy games coming into finals, but that’s how we’d like it, we’d rather it was like that – we want to play finalslike football over the next couple of weeks, prime ourselves for the big opportunity that’s coming.”
Elsewhere, Wangaratta Magpies’ senior squad will look for a palate cleanser when they take on the winless Wodonga Raiders at Biralee Park.
It’s been over a month since
the ‘Pies last sung the song, and they’ll be looking to put on a solid performance with finals bearing down.
The Raiders are unlikely to provide much resistance, having only won five senior games since the start of the 2022 season, but if the Magpies are to consider themselves legitimate flag contenders, they’ll need to play to their game plan no matter the opposition.
The match will also have a say in finals qualifications, with Wangaratta a game clear in fifth, in vital need of premiership points if they want to see September.
Football action across the Ovens and Murray commences on Saturday with the thirds from 10am, reserves at 12pm, before the seniors get underway at 2pm.
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PITCHER PERFECT
Wangaratta Rangers’ Aaron Parker loads up on the mound, pitching in his 300th club game on Sunday.
■ Story page 28
After an embarrassing loss on King’s Birthday, Rovers are out to settle the score against the Saints
Rovers coach Sam Murray will be the first to say their last match with Myrtleford was far from his side’s best.
In boggy conditions at the McNamara Reserve fortress back in June, the Hawks were comprehensively beaten by the Saints, 2.10 (22) to Myrtleford’s 9.12 (66).
But the beauty of the home and away season is you’ve got a chance to get even, a golden opportunity which the Rovers will take with both hands when they welcome Myrtleford to WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.
“We didn’t show up last time, we weren’t strong enough around the contest, we weren’t strong enough defensively, and they got a hold of us,” Murray said.
“We’re not going to look too much into that, this week is a different situation – what we’re going to look at is: how do we play our best football?
“We’re going well, we’ve won the last five or so which is good, we’re in good form.
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
“Looking at the key indicators for us and our team, our defensive aspects are in pretty good order.
“We haven’t had a big score kicked on us, our ability to manage score from turnover and score from turnover ourselves in the back end has been good.
“We feel the game’s in good order, we’ve obviously got a big challenge this week, so we’re looking at how we can continue to improve against a side that’s in very good form.”
The Rovers depth has been on display over the last few weeks, able to post great scores up forward and remain frugal down back without some of their marquee names on the park.
■ Continued page 33
