Wangaratta Chronicle 010523

TALKING DAIRY

JAILING THE YOUNG

The State Government wants to increase the Criminal Age of Responsibility from 10 to 12 years old, but Northern Victorian MP Georgie Purcell believes it should be 14.

While One Nation MP Rikki-Lee Tyrell (MLC, Northern Victoria) believes

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

there needs to be some level of responsibility assumed for those who commit crimes, but perhaps parents and community leaders need to step up to become disciplinarians.

“It is well overdue that

Victoria raises the age of criminal responsibility and while I am relieved to hear the government is taking action, I am of the position it should be to 14,” Ms Purcell said.

“We know that locking children up has a lasting detrimental effect on them, only making them more likely to reoffend.

“Criminalising children creates a vicious cycle of

disadvantage and only widens the gap of racial injustice.

“When I was 12 years old, I was going to pony club, making secret languages with my friends and having my first sleepovers - it is hard to believe that under this change, I could still be considered a criminal.

“But the reality is, it’s unlikely I ever would have been.

“In just one year across

Australia, close to 600 children were locked up and thousands more were hauled through the criminal legal system, and it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately impacted by these laws at even higher rates, accounting for 65 per cent of younger children in prisons.

“It is vital we are led by their voices in this

conversation and implement community led solutions to prevent offending in the first place.”

Ms Tyrell also appreciates the concerns of those who wish to change the age of criminal responsibility, but she said accountability needs to take place with these kids who commit crimes who are under the age of responsibility by law.

■ Continued page 5

Chris Owen (left), Dylan Wheeler and Caitlin Cox are the heart and soul of a farming production in Moyhu.

PHOTO: Kurk Hickling

■ See story page 14.

Chronicle’s cover charge to increase

FROM today the Wangaratta Chronicle’s cover price for Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s edition has increased to $1.80 including GST.

In the last two years there has been a significant increase in the costs associated with producing The Chronicle, especially steep increases in newsprint and freight.

The $1.80 cover charge brings The Chronicle’s cover charge in line or below other local newspapers in the region. Digital subscriptions start from just $3 a week and can be arranged by visiting wangarattachronicle.com.au/ subscriptions.

We take this opportunity to thank our readers, contributors and advertisers for their ongoing support.

Ladies tour North East in the name of Florence

THE 2023 Florence Thom-

Tour drove to Wangaratta and the picturesque North East over the weekend with a display at Apex Park yesterday.

Proudly sponsored by the RACV, the Florence Thomson Tour was created as an annual event in April 2017 and is a totally unique rally just for women motorists driving a vehicle greater than 25 years of age.

TEMPERATURES:

Monday Max 20 Min 7 Mostly sunny Tuesday Max 19 Min 6 Showers

Wednesday Max 17 Min 8 Showers

Thursday Max 17 Min 3 Mostly sunny

RAINFALL: Last 72 hours Last 7 days

- Draw 4359 4, 18, 15, 16, 45, 35 (17, 11)

Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.

Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

POSTAL ADDRESS:

In 1905, Florence Thomson was the sole female entrant in the Dunlop Reliability Motor contest from Sydney to Melbourne.

She was one of the 16 entrants who successfully completed the five-day trial, driving a six horsepower Wolseley, over what was then nothing more than 562 miles of dirt track between the capital cities.

This year they had more than 75 vehicles entered ranging from veteran to more modern classics, more than 165 people participated as either drivers or passengers and men were allowed to be passengers but not drivers.

To add to the excitement all participants were encouraged to dress in attire matching the period of the vehicle that they were driving.

Entrants chose either a short or longer tour taking in the towns of Corowa, Rutherglen Devenish and St James.

The tour progressed through

some of the North East’s fabulous driving roads, admiring some unique silo art whilst also supporting the local communities and community organisations.

It was organised by the Association of Motoring Clubs (AOMC), one of the peak bodies representing heritage motoring in Victoria and this year’s tour was carbon neutral.

This was a new initiative from the AOMC where all carbon emissions were offset via the AOMC Carbon offset program - visit https://www.aomc. asn.au/carbon-offset.

The Chronicle is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council.

If you believe the standards may have been breached, you may approach the Chronicle itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.

SLICK RIDE: Gill and Chris Dimos were loving the display of historic vehicles on Sunday, but none could go past their own Jaguar E-Type as their favourite.

LOOKING FAST: Judi McGrath from Kilmore came down as a part of the tour as navigator for this 1988 928 S4 Porsche.

PEACE, NOT WAR: John and Claire Mann were in the 70s mood with their 1976 Jaguar XJ Coupe on Sunday morning at Apex Park.

ON THE HORN: Lis Donald and son Alexander in their 1910 Renault, the car voted as the winner of the spirit of the Florence Thomson Tour award.

MISS DAISY: Kym Sanderson from Boradford at Apex Park Sunday with her and husband Ray’s 1927 Chevorlet ‘Daisy’, a car made famous for its appearance in 1980s television series Carson’s Law. PHOTOS: Bailey Zimmermann

son

Cleeland to advocate for Thoona community

NATIONALS MP for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has met with residents of Thoona to discuss a lingering land ownership misunderstanding between government departments.

The Thoona community recently received a $50,000 grant to expand the town hall, funding which had to be returned due to discrepancies over the boundary between DEECA land on which the hall is situated and adjacent Department of Education land where the old primary school was located.

Ms Cleeland said the Thoona Town Hall was an

important meeting place for the community.

“While Thoona is only a small town, everyone here is incredibly driven and passionate about the future of the town,” she said.

“Everyone is behind plans to expand the hall and more efficiently use the land of the old primary school.

“To have to hand back grant funding because of a misunderstanding of where two parcels of government land end and start is absurd.

“The community simply wants to have a centralised meeting place which is fit for purpose.”

Ms Cleeland said she

would be making representations to relevant ministers over the matter.

“This should be a fairly straightforward matter if government departments are prepared to use common sense,” Ms Cleeland said.

“The fence line and planning documents show different boundaries between the two blocks of land.

“We need to get this right to ensure the town hall can access and use grant funding and find out what is planned for the Department of Education land.

“I will be raising this with ministers and seeking a resolution for the community.”

6000km milestone on a tandem bike across the rural city for Kyle and Ron

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AFTER almost 10 years of cycling together, Kyle Cogan and tandem bike partner Ron Webb celebrated 6000km of riding local roads as a team last week in the name of fun and good health.

Since 2014, Kyle, who has vision impairment, and Ron have been riding the tandem bike on rides of around 22-28km a couple of times a week, mostly from town out to Oxley, Milawa, Glenrowan and Bowser and back, always stopping for a coffee at halfway.

Mr Cogan said his persistence and enjoyment out of riding stems from the “four C’s”, cycling, a chat, coffee and companionship.

“Since my kidney transplant I needed to get rid of a bit of weight, and riding has certainly helped with the wellbeing,” he said.

“At first it was about building trust with Ron because when he first started riding with me, he’d like to direct the bike and I’d stay upright at first.

“We’ve been doing it for that long now we’ve got a bit of a rhythm.”

Kyle and Ron celebrated their 6000km milestone at the Café PreVue.

Their partnership riding together started as a good

will gesture from Ron who was curious to check out and ride with Kyle on his tandem bike, which they have since upgraded.

Kyle said a highlight ride with Ron was riding together in Albury in 2017 at a charity event for the regional cancer centre, and is looking to continue their riding together while also being open to ride with new partners.

“People offer to ride the bike with me but what people don’t realise is that riding in tandem is a lot differ-

Nash backs stamp duty cull

yp

WANGARATTA real-estate agent Garry Nash has endorsed calls by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) for the state’s property stamp duty to be abolished in favour of a broad-based tax.

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

investor for emergency accommodation for a period of three or four years, they could give some benefit,” he said.

ent to just riding a normal bike,” he said.

“You’ve got to be able to handle a bike double the length of a regular bike and it takes a bit to transport it.

“Ron would like to one day put the bike on the bus to Bright and ride back down... but I need to keep looking for people to ride when Ron’s not around in the meantime.

“It’s not only blind people that ride tandem bikes either; we’ve seen couples ride on tandem together.”

REIV chief executive officer Quenin Kilian will give evidence at Victoria’s ‘Parliamentary Inquiry into Land Transfer Duty Fees’ in May, touting a move which he believes could provide a more stable and predictable revenue stream for government.

Director of Wangaratta real estate firm Garry Nash & Co and a former REIV president himself, Mr Nash said he had been tabling similar submissions for years.

“For years we’ve been putting forward submissions to the State Government and it really is imperative that we get something a bit more stable with the stamp duty tax there,” he said.

“Not only is it an impost and making people think twice about whether they should purchase from an

owner or occupier point of view, it’s also detrimental to investors, because we need investors to buy property at the moment - as the government is fully aware at both state and local levels.

“We need to have a break in the stamp duty cost to encourage investors to get back in the market more and that might also help us with the rental crisis.”

According to Mr Kilian, stamp duty revenue collected by the State Government in 2021/22 was $10.3m, a 61.3 per cent increase from the year prior ($6.5m).

Mr Nash said a broadbased tax initiative could be used as an incentive to improve rental and emergency housing availability.

“It’s that type of incentive that the State Government could look at if a property was being acquired by an

“That would then also alleviate the pressure on government having all the organisations coming in and putting their hands up saying ‘we want x amount of millions to accommodate our emergency housing in various areas’.

“There’s many ways that they could work this through and get some adjustments in there that would stimulate that buy-in again from investors.

“As a State Government it can probably adjust this without needing to massively adjust its budget too much - (stamp duty) has been a really top cash cow for the government for many, many years at the expense of not really looking at how can we best stimulate the whole economy?

“It is long overdue and I’m really pleased we’ve got a seat at the table to put something forward.”

TUESDAY PARMA DAY $20 POT & PARMA

CEASE STAMP DUTY: Garry Nash & Co director Garry Nash (right), pictured with Cameron Meggs and Elliza Demaj, has backed the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s call to abolish property stamp duty in favour of a broad-based tax initiative.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

DYNAMIC DUO: Kyle Cogan (left) and Ron Webb achieved a milsestone 6000km of riding together last week, spanning over nine years of riding in the rural city.

Grant to help engage local young students

By CHLOE JAENICKE

BOYS to the Bush received a $2500 grant from the Garry Nash & Co community fund which will go towards a program at Wangaratta and District Special School in term two involving 10 students.

Fran Hoy from Boys to the Bush said they aim to engage boys who have limited contacts within their communities through various camps and programs.

“Disengagement can increase feelings of isolation and growing up on society’s margins,” she said.

“Most of us take for granted the little links that

Emergency service grants to help serve and protect

EMERGENCY service agencies and volunteers will get the resources and equipment they need to keep serving and protecting their communities, with applications for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants now open.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, recently announced up to $15m in grants would be made available for volunteers and state emergency service groups to purchase operational equipment such as chainsaws, generators, pumps and rescue and safety equipment.

VESEP funding can also be used by volunteer organisations to purchase vehicles and appliances such as 4WD vehicles, light and medium tankers, rescue trucks and lighting trailres and can also fund minor facility improvements such as refurbishments and amenity upgrades.

Groups can apply for grants of up to $150,000, with the government providing

$2 for every $1 of funding contributed by the volunteer group.

Springhurst CFA brigade was the beneficiary of $370,000 of VESEP funding late last year, while Milawa CFA brigade secured $195,000 in funding the year previous.

Ms Symes said the VESEP grant initiative had helped modernise brigades throughout the state.

“These grants are all about helping ensure our selfless volunteers have the latest equipment to do what they do best - protect communities and save lives,” she said.

“These grants have been going strong since they were first set up more than 20 years ago - communities will continue to proudly contribute to local fundraising efforts, but we want to help reduce that task and back our volunteers.”

Applications for the 2023/24 VESEP grants close on June 16.

For more information, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.

we develop with our community from an early age, through school, community sports involvement, and parents volunteering.”

Many of the Boys to the Bush programs engage young people through partnerships with other businesses who open for group visits.

“Kids get special access to see how farms, shops and workplaces operate,”

Ms Hoy said.

“For some kids it can open up a new world of possibilities for their own futures, and they can make some valuable contacts with potential employers.”

Boys to the Bush is rela-

Struggling

tively new to the Wangaratta community and opened a hub in the area in October last year.

Ms Hoy said receiving the grant was terrific and they were extremely grateful for it.

“We know that schools and families are doing it tough at the moment, so the support of Garry Nash & Co helps to bring the cost of our program within reach of the school community for funding,” she said.

Ms Hoy said if there were any other businesses and community groups that would like to help in funding school programs

or would like them to visit their businesses, they can contact the Wangaratta program manager Matt Dillon on 0409 501 510.

The Garry Nash & Co Community Fund partnered with the Into Our Hands foundation to donate funds to 17 community groups across the North East region.

To support the fund and donate visit https:// intoourhandsfoundation. com.au/our-funds/garrynash-co-community-fund/ or call (03) 5722 2663

For more information on Boys to the Bush visit https://boystothebush.org. au/.

Get out and rattle tin for Salvos

was a real need for volunteers to ensure its success.

“Last year we were up on everything going into the Sunday when the doorknocking is done, but we ended up down on the Sunday, because we didn’t have enough collectors,” he said.

Monday, April 29, 2013

By SIMONE KERWIN

RISING costs in everyday expenses mean demand for welfare assistance is at an all-time high, according to local Salvation Army corps officer Lieutenant Darren Lamotte.

“The cost of everyday living is so expensive now, with gas, electricity and petrol all on the rise, and a lot of people are on cut hours,” Mr Lamotte said.

“There is a whole new demand from people with jobs who can’t afford to pay their bills.

“The demand is different - how do we do this?; I’ve got this bill, how do we cope with

that?

“People are going without, and they shouldn’t be.”

Mr Lamotte said demand would only increase over the next 12 months, and with no further assistance coming from the government, the Salvos needed to raise funds from outside sources to continue their efforts.

The next fundraising avenue is the Red Shield doorknock at the end of May, but Mr Lamotte said there

“It gets harder and harder each year.”

Mr Lamotte said Wangaratta and surrounds, which includes Yarrawonga, aimed to raise $30,000 from the appeal.

“We did that two years ago, but not last year, so we’re hoping we will get there this year,” he said.

“It will be a tough year because finances are tight for everyone.”

While static collection points in the central business district and at traffic lights have been introduced to counter low collector numbers, Mr Lamotte said it was hoped more homes in the area could be reached through the doorknock.

CONNECTING BOYS WITH COMMUNITIES: Boys to the Bush coordinator Matt Dillon and mentors Frazer Dale and Simon Dale help to engage boys, who have limited contacts within their communities, through various camps and programs.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

MAJOR BOOST: Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes (centre) visited Milawa in 2021 to announce the brigade had been successful in its VESEP application.

Susan and Darren Lamotte from Wangaratta’s Salvation Army corps.

Non-voters urged to please explain their reasons

CLOSE to 300,000 Victorians who appear to have failed to vote in the November 2022 State Election will have an opportunity to explain why they didn’t vote when they receive an ‘Apparent

failure to vote notice’ in the coming days.

Acting Electoral Commissioner, Dana Fleming, said the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is urging people who receive a notice to

respond with a detailed explanation, as the VEC is required to issue a fine of $92 if a person fails to respond within 28 days.

“Completing and sending the notice back to us within the 28-day

timeframe gives us a chance to consider your explanation and whether you can be excused,” Ms Fleming said.

“If you respond to the notice, you are much more likely to be excused.”

Mental health metric a must for planning

People’s wellbeing to be tracked under health framework P pl ’ llb i g b k d d h l h f k

BY RYAN MALCOLM

AN upcoming national framework aimed at accurately tracking how residents’ lives are progressing in Australia should include a mental health and mental wellbeing metric, according to Beyond Blue.

The Federal Government’s Measuring What Matters statement and Australian Wellbeing Framework aims to discuss how Australia can measure its success as a nation outside of traditional economic indicators such as productivity and growth.

In its submission, Beyond Blue recommended mental health indicators be included in the framework, due to the perceived impact mental health has on the way residents live.

Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said the framer was a chance to consider how social conditions impacted our wellbeing.

“The framework must include ways to measure and better understand how employment, housing, racism, discrimination and social inequity impact people’s mental health and wellbeing in Australia,” she said.

“It must be based on thorough consultation with communities, especially those experiencing mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts, and people impacted by homelessness, unemployment,

racism and poverty.

“Good wellbeing frameworks explore questions not usually asked by governments.

“Our submission argues that the measurement of wellbeing cannot simply be a ‘spray on’ collection of data on existing activity but should be a carefully considered strategy that measures the foundations of wellbeing - such as financial distress, social isolation, and discrimination.”

Wangaratta-based Independent Indi MP Helen Haines said the introduction of a wellbeing framework was a positive step.

“I welcome the development of a wellbeing framework and annual statements by the government,” she said.

“It is a step toward developing a better picture of the

wellbeing of Australians and guiding government policy to address issues across a range of matters, alongside the longstanding economic indicators used currently.

“The government has recently opened a second round of consultation on the ‘Measuring What Matters’ framework, and I hope the submissions are carefully considered by the government.

“This framework should be developed in a strategic way, as these indicators have the potential to have a significant impact on future policy.

“I look forward to engaging with the consultation process on the development of this framework and encourage constituents in Indi to get involved as well.”

Ms Harman said the new

What age is too young for jail?

■ From page 1

“When I was aged 10 to 14, I knew very well the difference between right and wrong,” she said.

“I also faced repercussions when I didn’t behave within those parameters.

“I realise that many of these youths come from broken homes and don’t have good examples in their lives.

tails that will ensure there is accountability for crimes committed knowingly and ensure that a safe and just Victoria is prioritised,” he said.

First Peoples’ Assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson labelled the move by the government as “heartbreaking”.

framework could be embedded into future decision-making processes, as has already happened in New Zealand and France.

“The framework has the potential to lead to more informed and transparent policy-making that drives positive, healthy intergenerational change,” she said.

“Done right, the government’s framework will help guide efforts to prevent mental health issues, reduce their impacts and ensure evidence-informed decisions help target funding towards actions that improve health equity.”

To have your say on the Measuring What Matters framework, visit https:// treasury.gov.au/consultation/measuring-what-matters-2023 and lodge a submission before May 26.

“If rehabilitation within the system isn’t working, then that’s where our attention should be.

“I believe we need parents and community leaders to step up to become the disciplinarians and compassionate rehabilitators these kids require.”

“These are not victimless crimes.”

Ms Tyrell made note of how ‘defence of infancy’ is used across the world by criminal organisations to do their bidding and how this might become more common in Victoria under a change law.

Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy said the government’s proposal has come out quite suddenly and is lacking in detail.

“It is all well and good for the government to make a headline, however, they need to back it up with de-

“I have very mixed emotions, I’m trying to focus on the positive that the increase is a slight improvement of the barbaric practice of sending 10-year-old children to prison, but 12 is not something to celebrate, it’s not a welcome move,” Aunty Atkinson said.

“All the experts say it should be at least 14.

“First Peoples, we’ve been very consistent in saying it needs to be at least 14.

“We know too well the damage that is inflicted when our children are removed from community.

“We have a Voice in Victoria and we’ve been using it - we’ve consistently and clearly urged the government to raise the age to at least 14 years of age.

“Instead they’ve gone with the worse standard permitted under international law.”

Deutz Fahr 6145

ROOM FOR GROWTH: Wangaratta-based Independent Indi MP, Helen Haines, has backed a new framework aimed at measuring Australians’ lived experience.

TOO YOUNG: The State Government will propose to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years old, but many say it should be raised to 14. PHOTO: Shutterstock

rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

How young is too young for jail?

THE State Government is set to introduce legislation that would increase the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years old.

It’s a sad fact of society that people as young as this can commit crimes that warrant a penalty of incarceration.

Sometimes other forms of correction or punishment such as a Youth Supervision Order are suffice to address the crime, but this is not always the case.

The topic has prompted strong thought and debate from a few of our region’s politicians (see page 1).

It has also drawn comment from wellrespected Aboriginal Elder Geraldine Atkinson in relation to the Indigenous community.

Several people in power of making decisions believe the age of criminal responsibility should be lifted to 14 years old in Victoria, not 12.

Under existing law a child aged under 10 years is considered unable to commit an offence.

A child aged between 10 and 14 is presumed to be unable to commit an offence.

This is unless the prosecution proves that the child is capable of forming a criminal intention.

A submission by the University of Melbourne calls for the raising of the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14.

The report partly bases this on evidence that people under 14 have limited impulse control and ability to predict and appreciate the consequences of their actions.

Whatever the result of this legislation, it must be taken into account that every crime has a victim and punishment needs to fit the crime, nevertheless the primary goal should be to rehabilitate young offenders.

The Quiz No. 33

1. In 2010, Kim Beazley became the Ambassador of Australia to which country?

2. Who won the 2015 British Open men’s golf tournament?

3. In the cartoon series. The Dudley Do-Right Show, Dudley Do-Right was a member of which police force?

4. Greece?

5. A Piña colada contains which spirit?

6. Which Australian musician had the 1970s hit, I am Pegasus?

7. Niue is a self-governing state in free association with which country?

8. Which one of the Brontë sisters used the pen name, Acton Bell?

9. As at the end of July 2015, which team is sitting at the bottom of the 2015 WAFL season’s ladder?

10. K2, the world’s second highest mountain, is located on the border of which two countries?

11. Who created the popular TV series, 30 Rock?

12. Which computer game series features a character called Atrus?

13. Who succeeded Bob Hawke as the Leader of the Opposition in Federal Parliament?

14. The Gulag Archipelago is one of the best known works of which author?

15. Transylvania is a historical region in which country?

16. Jack Black provided the voice for the character, Po, in which 2008 animated movie?

17. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were the two main journalists involved in which 1970s US scandal?

18. Pro Hart is best remembered for his work in which area of the visual arts?

19. Who were the four players in the Australian Davis Cup team that defeated Kazakhstan in

20. In what year of the 1990s was the Playstation 1 released in Australia?

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the Florence Thomson Tour which descended on Wangaratta yesterday where more than 75 classic vehicles with women only drivers dressed in attire matching the time period of their vehicles.

• Leanne De La Rue: That looks like fun.

• Nick Gruzevskis: My partner has entered, she’ll be in a Jensen Interceptor

• Sarah Jay: Sharon

Milburn oh this sounds fun! We’ll have to ear mark it for next year!

• Tracey Ashcroft: That be interesting event to see.

• Kristy Withers-Mitchell: Gemma Duursma I need to see you participate in this!! Facebook users also commented on the upcoming coronation ceremony of King Charles III on May 6 and whether they will be doing anything special to mark the event.

A true Indigenous voice is well overdue

A CONSTITUTION should represent all nationalised people of a country, which has to include the Indigenous people, who have always belonged here.

As for special privilege, the Voice is simply asking to be included and consulted on matters that concern them.

Just as naval leaders would be consulted on matters regarding their area, or agriculturists on farming decisions.

There are many Indigenous people who agree, money has been wasted on programs because they are not appropriate, or discussed with people with proper knowledge, eg. we whites, who want to tell this group what are their needs.

As for getting “more than its fair share”, comparisons are obvious.

Mistrust of others, is probably the most divisive and unjustified way of bringing about peaceful, healthy relationships, both at home and abroad.

Fran Doig, Wangaratta

Major banks ignores community concerns

THE Finance Sector Union (FSU) is calling on the major banks to stop closing bank branches in metropolitan and regional areas while a Senate Inquiry into Regional Branch Closures is underway.

As more branches were identified for closure, the National Australia Bank (NAB) was refusing to pause regional branch closures.

The NAB’s behaviour is outrageous, completely out of step with community expectations and in breach of its social license.

NAB refuses to acknowledge community concerns and has announced branches at Jeparit and Inverloch in Victoria will close. Branches at Boonah, Qld and Queanbeyan, NSW will also be shut down.

Each NAB branch will close in July.

In addition, the CBA has notified the FSU it will close branches at Bull Creek in WA and Aspley, Qld in June with the loss of 12 jobs.

ANZ has notified the FSU it will close Clarkson in WA, Patterson Lakes in Victoria and Lane Cove in NSW with the loss of 15 jobs in June.

Both the CBA and ANZ have committed to pausing regional closures while the inquiry continues.

The major banks are making massive

• Simon Rumble: I’ll be watching and having drinks to celebrate

• Julie Anderson: It will be lovely to see history in the making , it has been interesting over the years , now we can watch history as it’s made , it’s all fantastic

• Patricia Sheather: I’ll be watching

• Paul Hearn: Who cares

• Paul Crabb: No , millions to be wasted on a now irrelevant organisation , massive waste of money !

• Jack Carruthers: This monarchist stuff is just a contrived

Facebook users also commented on the spree of spray paint of offensive language and swastikas on cars and property in Wangaratta last week which was slammed by a local MP.

• Starsky Hutch: I think they should be made to clean everything they painted with a toothbrush. And cut and polish every vehicle by hand.

Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections. Our follower total is

14,096

profits and yet they continue to shut down branches and they don’t care about customers and businesses who are impacted by these closures.

The morale of bank workers is at rock bottom as they wait to hear if their branch and their job is on the hit list.

The FSU believes the banks should be compelled to pause all closures, in metropolitan and regional areas, while the Senate Inquiry is underway.

All Australians deserve to have access to the full range of financial services no matter where they live.

Julia Angrisano, FSU national secretary

Cheaper medicines a bitter pill for chemists

I SHARE the concerns of regional pharmacy operators about the impact of the Albanese Government’s proposed shift from 30-day to 60-day prescriptions.

Independent chemists in large and small towns across my electorate are telling me the financial impact of this change will threaten the viability of some outlets or result in reduced services.

These are owner operated businesses and the government must guarantee that this change will not harm the viability of community pharmacies.

On face value, it looks like the Albanese Government is forcing community

pharmacies to underwrite the socalled savings by forgoing dispensing fees, without any guarantee that small independent pharmacists, who play an integral role in the provision of primary healthcare in regional communities can remain viable.

Regional pharmacies are also concerned about the impact of less frequent contact with customers to monitor their response to medication, wastage and stockpiling of medicines.

Regional pharmacies and their clients need recognition of the vital service they provide and reassurance that the Albanese Government isn’t going to drive them out of business.

Sam Birrell, Nicholls MP

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1. United States 2. Zach Johnson 3. Royal Canadian Mounted Police 4. Blue, white 5. Light Rum 6. Ross Ryan 7. New Zealand 8. Anne Brontë 9. Perth Demons 10. Pakistan, China 11. Tina Fey 12. Myst

13. Andrew Peacock 14. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 15. Romania 16. Kung Fu Panda 17. Watergate 18. Painting 19. Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios 20. 1995

FAMILY TIME: Will, Kacey, Amelia and Clinton Killen enjoyed the footy at North Wangaratta on Saturday afternoon with the Hawks taking a convincing win over Goorambat 141 to 33 in the senior football.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

Wang RSL supports Big Brothers Big Sisters

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

The grant, presented last week to BBBS mentoring coordinator Caz Sammon by Wangaratta RSL Sub-Branch treasurer Ron Sneddon and general manager Chris Simsen, will fund the recruitment, screening, training and support of volunteer mentors for the program, within a ChildSafe framework.

“We are grateful to the Wangaratta RSL for their ongoing support for the BBBS program, and their commitment to the wellbeing of young people within our community,” Ms Sammon said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters uses a community-based mentoring model to provide long-term support to vulnerable young people aged between seven and 17.

Following a strong drive from the Wangaratta community, the program re-launched in 2022, and currently supports 14 young people.

Compassionate volunteers

are recruited from within the Wangaratta community, and are first screened, then provided with basic training, both online and in-person.

They are then carefully matched with one of the young people referred to the program, and together they spend an hour or two each week doing everyday, free or low-cost activities which nurture a supportive friendship and role-modelling behaviour, providing a stable adult influence.

Mr Sneddon said the local RSL sub-branch’s annual community grants program, which distributes funds from a $25,000 pool to local community groups and organisations, was a great way to hear about initiatives happening in the area, and to be able to support them.

By providing the annual grants, the local sub-branch aims to assist other community-based organisations to deliver benefits to locals in need.

Firewood depots are now open

RURAL City of Wangaratta’s two firewood depots are open to the community.

Firewood at the depots has been sustainably sourced with timber salvaged from storm events, council works, and firewood plantation timber.

Wood available from the depots is green and generally requires seasoning for 12 months before it is suitable for burning so people are encouraged to plan ahead. Burning green firewood should be avoided as it will produce more smoke, is harder to light and burn, will not provide as much heat, and can cause chimneys/flues to become blocked.

Council’s firewood depots are at Glenrowan on Park Road off Rifle Range Road, and Eldorado between Main Street and Tresize Street.

Anyone planning to gather timber is advised to firstly check the depots to make sure there is timber available, then purchase a permit from the Eldorado Store or Glenrowan Post Office or from the Wangaratta Government Centre.

The cost of a firewood depot permit is $23 non-concession and $15.50 for concession card holders, for collection of up to two cubic metres.

Timber from the firewood depots is for domestic use only, it is an offence to on-sell, penalties apply.

Due to limited availability permits are available only to residents of the Rural City of

WOOD COUP: Wood available from the depots is green and generally requires seasoning for 12 months before it is suitable for burning.

Wangaratta.

To help provide fair access to residents a daily limit is set at two cubic metres with an annual limit of six cubic metres.

A chainsaw is required to cut wood into a manageable size and chainsaw safety must be adhered to when collecting from the depots.

Accessing firewood from council depots without a permit will result in a fine.

Council has recently fined people for taking firewood without a permit and does monitor the depots.

Residents are reminded that a permit is required to collect firewood from council roadsides.

The collection of roadside wood is only available on suitable low conservation roadsides to ensure protection of our native vegetation.

Permits can be purchased from the Wangaratta

Government Centre where staff will determine if a roadside is suitable for collection.

Other options for the community to gather firewood are through Forest Fire Management (FFM) firewood collection areas in state forest.

Directions and more information on the FFM collection areas can be found at the website www.ffm.vic. gov.au or call 136 186.

In addition to polluting the air, smoke from firewood can also be harmful to health.

Using and maintaining wood heaters correctly can reduce wood smoke pollution.

Some tips to help avoid this include:

• use dry and seasoned timber with a moisture content below 20 per cent;

• store your firewood undercover, in a dry place;

• have your flue cleaned - a build-up of soot can cause fires in the flue and will affect air flow; and

• avoid overloading the heater or shutting off the air intake.

To make it easier to heat your home the Victorian Government is currently offering rebates to upgrade to energy efficient heating and cooling.

Find out more at www. energy.vic.gov.au

For further information on firewood visit https:// www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Residents/Environment-andsustainability/Collectingfirewood.

Share

Become

We are seeking foster carers to provide stable, loving homes for children in your community who are unable to live safely with their family.

We welcome singles and couples of any culture, gender or sexuality. To become a foster carer your ability to care for and nurture a child is what matters.

Our foster carers receive full training, 24-hour support and tax-free financial assistance toward the cost of providing care.

If you have a spare bedroom and time to share with a child in need, we’d love to hear from you.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

A $6000 contribution from the Wangaratta RSL SubBranch through its 2022 community grants program will assist in the running of Big Brothers Big Sisters Wangaratta.

Driving for regional road funding

NATIONALS

MP for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad urged for “vital” funding of regional roads to be a key focus of this month’s state budget.

Ms Broad said with the May 23 budget fast approaching, it was time the State Government prioritised regional road funding.

“Many of our regional and rural roads are in poor condition,” she said.

“We’re tired of dodging potholes, reduced speed limits, and sharing single lane roads with heavy transport vehicles.

“Residents are being forced to pay for vehicle repairs and increased wearand-tear on their cars because of the lack of state government investment in our roads.”

Ms Broad said she had spoken to local councils

who are crying out for State Government funding to maintain better roads, especially in flood affected areas.

“After years of underfunding, our regional and rural roads are in disrepair, and the Victorian floods last year made bad roads even worse,” she said.

“When it comes to road maintenance, we need to ensure the job is done properly the first time, instead of temporary band-aid solutions that only last weeks or months until the next heavy rain causes more potholes and rough surfaces.”

“When international tourists come to regional Victoria for the Commonwealth Games in 2026, we want them stopping to enjoy our silo art, rather than street art around potholes.

“While billions are

being poured into Melbourne based projects, in regional Victoria we are driving on roads that look like a patchwork quilt and toss you around like a

Barometer a hand tool to analyse nation’s weather

THE humble barometer is always a handy instrument to have around home which I have experienced in the last 70 years, mainly to record extremes of highest and lowest barometric pressures.

Such an event did take place on Sunday, April 23 when a very strong high pressure parked itself over Victoria.

In Melbourne the barometer peaked at 1034.5mbs, a very high reading for April.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?

By Peter Nelson, Peter Retired CSIRO climatologist

a very high barometer reading of 1034.5mbs in Melbourne.

May and June 1984 was warmer and notably drier than usual in Victoria and the driest May-June on record in Melbourne.

washing machine.

“The State Government needs to invest in all of Victoria, and commit to making regional road funding a priority in the budget.”

Exhibition offers alternative outlook on art as action

WANGARATTA Art Gallery is delighted to be hosting 52 Actions, an exhibition curated by Artspace Sydney showcasing the work of 52 contemporary Australian artists including Pat Brassington, Brooke Andrew, Abdul Abdullah, Hayley Millar Baker, Léuli Eshraghi, Patricia Piccinini, Stelarc and many more.

The project began in 2020 and continued throughout 2021, with Artspace using Instagram and their website to introduce a new work by a different artist or group every week.

Wangaratta Art Gallery curator Ashlee Laing said a number of complementary events will be held during the course of the exhibition

which is visiting the gallery until June.

“We are excited to be pushing the boundaries of traditional exhibition programming and to be bringing art to new audiences through these innovative partnerships,” he said.

“We have partnered with

Harvey Norman Wangaratta to present some of the screening program using the TV screens in their store to feature work by Kaylene Whiskey, Chun Yin Rainbow Chan and Gillian Kayrooz and these will run for the duration of the exhibition.

“The Bike Project moved

2 X DOUBLE PASSES (2 TICKETS EACH)

Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre Thursday 4 May 10:30am

For more information and tickets contact the WPACC on 03 5722 8105 or www.wpacc.com.au

With International soprano Alison Jones and Australia’s fastest rising and award winning concert pianist William Schmidt who will both transport you to Paris, France in a show brimming with famous music inspired by the most magical city in the world.

From Chopin to Gershwin, the Eiffel Tower to the the Moulin Rouge, compere Christopher McKenna will guide you through a romantic, dramatic and fun musical vacation to the City of Love.

your details and post or deliver to our Wangaratta Chronicle I Love Paris Competition

37 Rowan Street Wangaratta VIC 3677

Full Name: Address: Email Address:

around Wangaratta CBD, projecting artist films onto various public buildings on the first weekend of the exhibition, and we look forward to sharing more details about additional related programming happening in Wangaratta’s public spaces in the coming weeks.”

The exhibition focuses on the power of art to bring people together and help us understand each other’s perspectives and experiences.

Wangaratta Art Gallery brings this exhibition to life with interactive, locationbased projects and public programs.

The works on display touch on important issues like discrimination, climate change, migration and colonial legacies and it explore themes like freedom, indigenous knowledge family, and our shared future.

Offering an opportunity to be inspired and learn about the rich and dynamic world of contemporary Australian art, see it until June 4.

In the last 164 years in Melbourne there were 12 previous cases when the barometer exceeded 1034mbs during April.

These took place in 1861, 1920, 1933, 1934, 1955, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2015, and last year in 2022.

Note the successive Aprils of 1933 and 1934 and again in 1999 and 2000 and then the last two Aprils of 2022 and 2023 when barometric pressures were exceptionally high.

Both 1934 and 2000 saw excessive rains during the latter half of those two years in Victoria and NSW, the latter one in 2000 led to a very hot summer 2000-01 in Victoria.

It does appear that the rest of 2023 will also be very wet as well.

Heavy rain has fallen in the lower west of WA due to an active low pressure trough.

The heaviest daily rainfall was 80.6mm at Dwellingup which is located 65km south of Perth.

This was the town’s wettest April day since 93.4mm on April 30, 1984 right at the time when the barometer reached a very high value of 1935.3mbs in Melbourne. This month’s rainfall at Dwellingup has reached 167.6mm, making this the wettest April in 90 years of records.

In April 1987, 149.7mm was recorded at Dwellingup when there was also

May 1987 was a dry month in NE Victoria while June was warmer and wetter with temperatures topping 20C during second week before heavy rain about June 20.

It was very wet in Melbourne from May 1987 to end of July 1987.

There were very warm days of 28.7C at end of September 1987, 31C at end of October and 36C early November 1987 in Wangaratta before heavy rain arrived in December 1987 which turned out to be colder than normal, but 42C arrived in January 1988.

Perth and nearby places did have a very dry, hot summer earlier this year but since March 31 has had more than 80mm rainfall.

The mean maximum temperature up to April 26 is 24C, nearly two degrees below normal and the coldest in April since 1980.

This did follow a hot, very dry summer in Perth also in 1980.

May 1980 was notably warmer than usual in Victoria and a little drier in NE Victoria.

The winter of 1980 had near average rainfall with slightly warmer days reaching 23C at end of August in Wangaratta.

From that point it gradually became notably warmer and drier during the 1980 spring reaching 29C in late September, then 30C late October and 41C during mid November in Wangaratta.

A very wet and hot summer then arrived.

1 X DOUBLE PASS (2 TICKETS)

Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre Sunday 7 May 2:00pm

your details and post or deliver to our Wangaratta Chronicle James Morrison Quartet Competition 37 Rowan Street Wangaratta VIC 3677

For more information and tickets contact the WPACC on 03 5722 8105 or www.wpacc.com.au Full Name: Address: Email Address:

TOURING EXHIBITION: Artspace curator Talia Linz with Wangaratta Art Gallery curator Ashlee Laing discuss some of the artworks featured in 52 Actions, now showing at the gallery. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

DRIVING FORCE: Nationals MP Gaelle Broad has called for urgent funding for regional roads in the upcoming State Budget.

OAKFM facing an uphill battle

By RYAN MALCOLM

THE region’s community radio station is calling on local residents to lend a hand, as its long-term future remains up in the air as a result of rising rental costs.

OAKFM president Neil Barassi said the station’s Murdoch Road home, which it has privately rented and operated from for more than two decades, is fast becoming untenable in the face of rising interest rates.

He said he understood the position of the property’s landlord, but acknowledged the volunteer organisation would struggle to stay afloat in the long-term unless the station could find a ‘forever’ home at considerably reduced rates.

“We’re not saying we can’t pay anything, but we can’t keep paying private rentalit’s just killing us,” Mr Barassi said.

“We’re not commercial radio and we don’t want to be commercial radio, which means we’re not flush with money - we’ll have to keep going on with our fundraisers and our grants but that’s still hard, constant work to keep going.

“We don’t want to be on a knife’s edge.

“We’re not at imminent risk of closure - we’re not going to be closed in six months, but we’re looking at a two, five or even 10-year plan, and we can’t do that with the market the way it is.”

Mr Barassi said the station would ideally remain inside the Rural City of Wangaratta if it was forced to move from Murdoch Road, but station executives had also planned to approach Benalla Rural City in the event a suitable location could not be found locally.

He said previous discussions with Wangaratta coun-

cil had failed to identify an affordable option.

“If (Rural City of Wangaratta) don’t have anything, then they don’t have anything and we can’t help that,” he said.

“I got told to approach Benalla council because we know their TAFE might be having a reconfiguration.

“If it was a matter of staying open then we would look at any opportunities.

“Where we are now we can get by at the moment but we only need one or two things to go wrong.

“If we agree to the current terms, we don’t want that to be long-term, because it’s not financially viable.

“It would be a sad day to lose Wangaratta community radio.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the station, or who might have a long-term accommodation option available, is urged to contact OAKFM on 5722 1569.

GANEAA’s festival program revealed

ANOTHER exciting and diverse mix of workshops are being offered this year as Goulburn and North East Arts Alliance (GANEAA) announces its program for the biennial Across the Arts Festival being held at GOTAFE Wangaratta from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14.

The festival offers a unique opportunity for members of the community and fellow artists to be inspired and learn from a talented array of artists presenting workshops over three big days.

GANEAA secretary Linda Lees said the festival has been two years in the making with a committee of around half a dozen members developing the theme and curating the program.

She said the theme of “home” came directly out of lockdown, when many found their homes to be sanctuaries and also places where they began to explore a variety of arts, crafts and activities.

“People were spending so much time at home it became a prominent topic,” she said.

“So many people took up gardening, and pottery really flourished.

“Also, we thought if the lock-

downs were to continue, we could offer some workshops via Zoom people could do in their homes.”

This year’s mix of workshops includes realistic, abstract and mural painting, drawing, poetry writing, cyanotype, pottery, traditional weaving, printmaking, hat making and many more.

Linda said as GANEAA also embraces the performing arts, there will also be performances, a big band jazz workshop and community singing.

She said thanks to the support of sponsors, the cost to participate in workshops was kept low so they would be accessible, even making a unique gift to a loved one for Mother’s Day.

“This year we’re also collaborating with the Wangaratta Farmers Market which wants to offer events at the market, so we’ll have mandala-making with found objects for all ages as part of a free activity run by Jess Young, and Paint Presto also returns to Wangaratta, hosted by Janet Leith, with participants setting up at the market to paint a scene ‘en plein air’ (outside).”

The Across the Arts concert

will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 6.30pm at The Vine Hotel in Wangaratta featuring jazz legend Adam Simmonds with Jazzaratta and friends, plus Chloe Jade and Andree Cozens with the Across the Arts community choir. The festival will kick off with a

Locals snapping up $250 power saving bonus

SOME 3457 Wangaratta households have accessed the $250 Power Saving Bonus with hundreds more in other rural city towns also snapping up the incentive to compare their energy deals.

There have been 131 in Glenrowan, 108 in Waldara, 76 in Oxley and 63 in Milawa and dozens elsewhere who have been paid the cash into their bank accounts and others are encouraged to do the same.

The latest round of the program has seen 40 per cent of applicants find a better energy deal - with thousands of Victorians choosing to switch and save by changing their energy deal through the Victorian Energy Compare website.

The Victorian Energy Compare website is an independent comparison website, making it easy for Victorians to find a cheaper offer and keeping big energy retailers in check.

grand opening at the Wangaratta Art Gallery on Friday, May 12 from 5.30pm to 7pm and it is free to attend, with all welcome.

For more information on workshops or to make a booking for events including the opening, visit www.ganeaa.com.au.

In addition to Victorians comparing their energy online, more than 17,000 households have received the $250 Power Saving Bonus through a community outreach partner, with 73 per cent of these applicants receiving additional energy affordability advice. To access the $250 Power Saving Bonus, visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832.

CHALLENGING TIMES: OAKFM president Neil Barassi said rising interest rates throughout the region were placing considerable stress on the community radio station’s existing lease.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

GRAND DESIGN: Local artist Tim Bowtell will be running a ‘Making it Big’ mural workshop as part of this year’s Across the Arts Festival, just one of many creative activities on the program.

SOCIAL FOCUS

Live show captivates imagination

ONE of the most read and famous children’s books of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar emerged off the page in a masterful theatrical experience in Wangaratta on Thursday night with more than 250 people attending at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

PHOTOS: KURT HICKLING

FAMILY OUTING: Thea, Phoebe and Hunter Welland are excited to see the

FOR ALL AGES: Heath, Stevie, Katina and Remi Thompson have been waiting for this day to come.

MASCOTT: Harriet and Elizabeth Bonaddio enjoy preentertainment with their own caterpillar.

EXCITED: Ned and Archie Holmes wait in anticipation.

FIRST IN BEST DRESSED: Adele Garraffo is ready and waiting for the live show.

MEMORIES: Dust Cain is ready for a big performance.

FATHER AND SON: Jackson and Luke Croxford are thrilled to spend a family night out.

THEATRE FUN: Cooper Moloney, Fnn Moloney, Jenna Lane and Jay Moloney look forward to a fun evening out.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN: Eloise King is excited for the big night.

CATERPILLAR TIME: Spencer Turnbull and Amy Crimmin can’t wait to see the book come to life.

live show.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

Catholic Education Week 2023

May 1st - 5th

This week we are epecially proud to schools around Wangaratta; our educators, our students, our extended communities

FAITH IN ACTION LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE LEADING FOR SUCCESS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

4 What is a reading desk (7)

8 To which animal kingdom does a rattlesnake belong (7)

9 Who is the supreme commander of a navy (7)

10 Name another term for a rabble-rouser (7)

11 To be ill-fated, is to be what (7)

12 Who prints copy on a machine (6)

14 What is a systematic plan for a course of action (6)

18 Which king of England was known as the Lion-Heart (7)

21 What is a document conferring a qualification (7)

22 Name an alternative term for a waterfall (7)

23 What is the Canberra NRL team known as (7)

24 Which people herd sheep (7)

DOWN

1 Name a patron saint of Ireland (7)

2 What is another term for foam or froth (5)

3 What are Australian returned soldiers called (7)

4 Which term describes an association of sporting clubs (6)

5 What is a dromedary (5)

6 What is otalgia more commonly known as (7)

7 Name a colloquial term for cheap wine (5)

13 Name a Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo ... (7)

15 Which is a more difficult type of crossword puzzle (7)

16 Name the official headquarters of an ambassador (7)

17 What are venomous snakes called (6)

18 To have hurried, is to have done what (5)

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

SUDOKU

19 To astonish greatly, is to do what (5)

20 Who was the reputed author of the Iliad and Odyssey (5)

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

WHICH WORDS

QUICK THINK

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

BIYWORD

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

OCLUES:

A recognised truth (5)

Earth Resources Centre (3) Felt sorrow (7)

Guided (3)

March (abbr.) (3)

One in love (5)

Praise greatly (5)

Removed centre of apple

Sicken (3)

To the letter (7)

SOLUTIONS

New guide ranking different varieties of rye grass to assist farmers

DAIRY Australia has recently expanded its Forage Value Index (FVI) tables for the 2023 ryegrass sowing season, in an effort to assist farmers in making as much as $250 per hectare per year of increased net profit.

According to the Australian Seed Federation, in 2021 around 11 per cent

of Australia’s total milk production came directly from newly sown pastures, with the FVI playing a key role in informing farmers how to make sure they are receiving the best value for their money when choosing ryegrass cultivars.

The FVI independently ranks varieties of ryegrass

according to their potential contribution to overall farm profit, and has been updated each year since 2017 as new varietal trial results become available, and expanded to include annual and Italian ryegrass.

Across all dairying regions of Australia, farmers and their advisors are currently making

decisions about which ryegrass cultivars to plant.

The vast majority of Australian dairy farmers will sow either annual, perennial or Italian ryegrass on their farm this year, with a difference of more than $250 per hectare per year of net profit predicted in the FVI between the highest and

lowest yielding cultivars.

Dairy Australia FVI lead, Ruairi McDonnell, said the FVI played a key role in supporting farmers to maximise their profits.

“It’s of utmost importance for farmers to select varieties which have the best chance of being profitable,” he said.

“There are many ryegrass

cultivars to choose from but Dairy Australia’s FVI tables provide farmers with independent assessments in an easy-to-use format to ensure they are making the right choices for their farm, in their region.”

To download the 2023 FVI tables, visit dairyaustralia. com.au/fvi.

Farmer hold steady on dairy

BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au

DAIRY farmers across the North East are lapping up the autumn season with productive preparations being made for the upcoming winter season.

Perfect weather conditions, along with milder temperatures, allow for soil to be fertilised and seeded for winter paddocks to be used and rotated over the coming months.

Dairy farmer Chris Owen purchased the property in 2022 and initially ran a beef cattle farm but converted to primarily dairy in the beginning of 2023.

But Chris wasn’t always a dairy farmer after growing up and managing beef and cattle over the years.

Chris runs his property on 208ha with 320 cows and employees two staff to help run the farm.

“After purchasing the farm, early stages were a challenge with silage which was of a low quality,” Mr Owen said.

“Managing pastures was also difficult because of the wet season at the end of 2022.

“However, of late we also ran into problems with insects such as the African black beetle and crickets which elevated the cost of spraying and management.

“With perfect autumn conditions, we have recently moved forward with paddock preparations, with fertilising and seeding com-

Local farmer successfully revitalises farm into dairy production business yyp

pleted over 52 paddocks which we rotate during the year.

“Autumn conditions have allowed fodder to come through with warm moist soil conditions making it optimal for growth.”

The cows are milked twice a day with a strict routine in place.

“The cows come in at 4.15am for milking and again at 3.15pm with a strict routine made daily for optimal production,” Mr Owen said.

The supply of milk is always in high demand with milk prices remaining steady across the board with prices to be announced in June by Fonterra who also oversee Western Star and the high end cheese market.

The latest information about international and domestic market trends, statistics and facts, with expert analysis and insights, is in the March 2023 Dairy Situation and Outlook report.

Dairy Australia released a report in March 2023 detailing the current forecast and situation.

Farmgate milk prices continue to strengthen as local milk production contracts and dairy remains a staple product for consumers.

Despite higher retail prices and financial pressures facing consumers, dairy remains a staple product and trust in the dairy industry is at an all-time high.

The majority of Australian households continue to pur-

chase dairy (97 per cent) and more households (33.8pc) are shopping between four or more retailers, as they look for cheaper options. Opting for private label products continues as a key cost saving strategy.

While the volume of milk sold has dropped slightly by 1.5pc, the volume of private label products sold rose 1.1pc in the 52 weeks to 29 January 2023, further increasing the portion sold compared to branded milk.

Volumes of cheese and butter are also falling, but yogurt continues to buck the trend, growing 1.7pc.

“When prices are announced we have some powers to negotiate as we compare the price against other

agencies to compare prices and see if our prices sit on a competitive level compared to what other farmers are being paid,” Mr Owen said.

“The price structure given can be negotiated with a difference of 10 cents and that figure makes one big difference in the price for milk produced over a period of time.

“After some teething problems in the first year, we have bounced back strong with early efforts paying dividends.

“The dairy industry is sitting in a firm position as we run our milk production property.

“Our outlook is bright with positive things forecast for the farm.”

Local people, local places

PREPERATIONS: Chris Owen oversees the dairy for the next milking.

CONFIDENT: Managing director Chris Owen sees a positive outlook after a bumpy start. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

IN PERSONBY PHONESELLING A CAR BUY ONLINE

37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677 5723 0101 classifieds@ nemedia.com.au

WHEN TO BOOK BY EMAIL

2 WEEKS REGIONAL WITH PICTURE from only $42

WANGARATTA’S MARKET PLACE WITH OVER 40,000 READERS EACH WEEK IN PRINT AND ONLINE

General Classifieds: wangarattachronicle.com.au

Employment: northeastjobs.com.au

Real Estate: northeastproperty.com.au

NEW MASSAGE SHOP

Lavish Wellness Centre

69 Green Street, Wangaratta Ph: 0437 725 990

F: Lavish Wellness Centre

3 BEDROOM for rent, Springhurst, $480 per week.

1 Bedroom shared flat, fully contained, electricity and gas included, $320 per week, Wangaratta. Contact: 0428 217 493

MATURE retired couple, not fussy, no pets or children, wanting house, cottage or unit out of town, long lease, references, will pay lots of rent in advance. Please call 0490 063 945.

ANGEL!

New to Wangaratta

Sweet lady, slim and sexy 0432 735 169

WE are looking for a lovely family home for these adorable puppies, vet checked, vaccinated, microchipped and wormed, Jack Russell pups, 1 male tan/white, 1 female tan/white, 1 female black/white, born February 2023, $1500, Wangaratta. Source number: MB124078, microchip numbers: 991003002269941, 991003002269928, 991003002269934. Ph 0474 145 796.

GORGEOUS pedigree poodle puppies, apricot (rarest colour), red and brown, excellent temperaments, registered breeder, vet checked, vaccinated and microchipped, Wangaratta. Source number: RB101993, microchip numbers: 991003001958965, 99100300958879. Ph 0427 886 635 or 0455 171 780.

PAINTER, old school, for all your painting needs. Commercial, industrial renovations. Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

Medical Practice requires a

PART-TIME PRACTICE NURSE

(Ideally four permanent days plus relieving)

Previous General Practice experience preferred. Good communication and interpersonal skills essential.

Please forward CV with minimum 2 referees to: admin@wangmed.com.au Or Business Manager PO Box 693 Wangaratta 3676

Applications Close: May 14, 2023 Or Apply through SEEK https://www.seek.com.au/job/66945898

Why

Wangaratta Chronicle

Cadet Journalist Career Opportunity

Full time 38 hours per week

North East Media, publisher of the award winning Wangaratta Chronicle, is currently seeking expressions of interest from motivated candidates to join the team in Wangaratta as a cadet journalist.

The cadetship is ideally suited for a Year 12 graduate. It is for three years, including course study by correspondence from Deakin University.

The successful candidate will learn how to write clear, concise and interesting news, sport and feature stories for our newspaper and associated digital and social media platforms.

We are searching for a budding writer who has the skills, passion and determination to be a journalist of the future.

Candidates must have excellent verbal and written English, sound computer skills, solid general knowledge, a genuine interest in the local community, and an ability to build rapport and networks quickly.

You will need to be well organised, able to work to deadlines, and have strong attention to detail.

Candidates must hold a valid driver’s licence, be available to work flexible hours, and photography and social media skills are desirable.

North East Media is a leading independent family-owned media group with a commitment to community journalism.

Applications, including covering letter and resume, should be emailed to Group Editor Jeff Zeuschner at jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au

Professional GardenerBeechworth

Gardener to work 1030am – 230pm Wednesdays (Preferably but not essential) every week 4 Hrs to mow lawns and look after the garden in Beechworth.

Property is ½ acre – garden in front yard and Evergreen trees at the back, fernery at the west side of the house. Must have ABN, police check and insurance. Contact Margaret on 03 5728 1141. Call after 1030am.

4SITE Positions Vacant

4SITE is a family owned and managed business. We are looking for Garbage Collectors to join our team for the Mount Buller Area.

Seasonal Position “Winter 23”

Licence: Medium Rigid Required

Experience

A strong focus on safety; Ability to work in a harsh alpine environment; Ability to exercise sound judgement and carry out instructions with minimum supervision; Demonstrated ability to operate as an

If you are interested in joining our team please send your resume to: jobs@4siteaustralia.com

CARAVANS

& CAMPERS

SOLD

2000 model Toyota Echo, 4 door and hatch, auto, aircon, power windows and mirrors, 12 months reg (1JR6CL),$1500. Ph 0435 584 746 or 5778 7661.

Kokoda Xtrail 2013, length 17’8”, tare 2440kg, ball weight 220kg, REG (V73133U),

WM Statesman (1OJ9OS), immaculate condition, 229,000km, new timing chains, p lugs, tyres, battery, Rego till April 2024, RWC, $13,000 ONO. Ph 0438 217 103.

Classifieds

SUBARU Forester

2021 MY21 2.5iS AWD Wagon Auto, REG (1TF1ZE), 43,000 km, r egistered Feb 2024, black leather interior, sunroof, full service h istory, towbar and tinted windows, $39,950 Call: 0407 000 512.

Phone: (03) 5723 0101 FOR

GAZAL Zodiac pop top caravan 17 ft, registered, tare 1150 atm 1450, very good condition, new awning, Reco 3-way fridge, diesel heater, gas/electric hot water, external shower, 2 water tanks, led lighting throughout, windguard aerial, 1500w invertier, 200w solar panel on roof, 2 batteries, privacy screens and walls, $17,000 ono. Ph 0428 398 360.

INVACARE COMET ALPINE PLUS INC COLOUR KIT

2013 Ford Territory, diesel, auto, 2.7lt V6 turbo, RWD, 7 seater, in excellent condition, services regularly, 4 new tyres and RWC, 255,000km, reg (1PB4ON), $11,000 ono. Ph 0407 050 406.

Old cars wanted, cars removed. Ph 0435 083 115.

Approximately 12 weeks old, purchased brand new in Wangaratta and still has the balance of the 12 month warranty. No longer required, only ridden around a carpark once. Purchase price was $4700 willing to sell for $3500

Please contact Neil on 0419 813 598 for more details.

FREE double bed, as new only 3 years old. Ph 0423 870 988.

KOTZUR grain silo, 4 ringed cone bottom, $3000.

Overhead disel tank with ladder 900 litre capacity $750. Massey Ferguson 690 tractor with grader blade, jib and slasher, $5500. Stock crate for tandem trailer 197cm x 150 high, $250. Phone 0418 573 683.

DWYER Margaret Mary Joan (Mary)

– 27/4/2023

Passed away peacefully at St Catherine’s Hostel, Wangaratta. Dearly loved sister of Patrick (dec), John (dec), Thomas (dec), Bernadette (dec), Catherine and Agnes.

Loved Aunty Mary of Rosemary, Jarrod, Julie and John.

DWYER

Requiem Mass for the repose of Mary Dwyer’s soul will be offered at The Delany Chapel, 59-69 Ryley Street, Wangaratta on Friday, May 5, 2023 commencing at 11am, followed by interment at the Milawa Cemetery.

Phone: 03 5723 0101

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND MURRAY SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

WODONGA RAIDERS 0.1 1.3 3.3 7.4.46

YARRAWONGA 2.9 4.17 10.21 17.27.129

GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: Zac Whitsed 2; Jason Burke 1; Max Glass 1; Liam Hickey 1; Charlie St John 1; Ned Twycross 1. YARRAWONGA: Leigh Williams 6; Matthew Casey 4; Nicholas Fothergill 3; Mark Whiley 2; Tim Lawrence 1; Ned Pendergast 1. BEST: WODONGA

RAIDERS: Ned Conway, Alex Daly, Nelson Bowey, Lewis Waters, Indhi Kotzur, Connor Taylor. YARRAWONGA: Lach Howe, Ryan Bruce, Leigh Williams, Bailey Frauenfelder, William Wheeler, Mark Whiley.

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Ryley Sharp 4; Declan Bren 2; Elijah Wales 2; Addison Bedendo 1; Ryley Bouker 1; Thomas Cappellari 1; Sam Hilton-Joyce 1; William McKerral 1; Brody Ricardi 1; Kyle Winter-Irving 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Alexander Marklew 6; Thomas Baulch

4; Jack Gerrish 1; Toby Murray 1; Finn Osborne 1; Ky Williamson 1. BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Ryley Sharp, Elijah Wales, Alex Jacobs, Kyle Winter-Irving, Ashton McPherson, Lachlan P Hourigan. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Alexander Marklew, Jack Gerrish, Thomas Boyd, Alex McCarthy, Dylan Stone, Thomas Baulch.

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE: Wangaratta 56 def North Albury 38

Myrtleford 60 def Wangaratta Rovers 28

Wodonga Raiders 49 def by Yarrawonga 63

B GRADE: Wodonga Raiders 33 def by Yarrawonga 59; Myrtleford 51 def Wangaratta Rovers 29; Wangaratta 50 def North Albury 43.

C GRADE: Wodonga Raiders 45 def by Yarrawonga 46; Myrtleford 47 def Wangaratta Rovers 29; Wangaratta 27 def by North Albury 44; Albury 24 def by Corowa-Rutherglen 43.

17 & UNDER: Wodonga Raiders 54 def Yarrawonga 28; Myrtleford 28 def by Wangaratta Rovers 46; Wangaratta 55 def North Albury 39; Albury 50 def Corowa-Rutherglen 38.

15 & UNDER: Wodonga Raiders 61 def Yarrawonga 12; Myrtleford 24 def by Wangaratta Rovers 32; Wangaratta 32 def North Albury 24; Albury 17 def by Corowa-Rutherglen 26.

THIRDS RESULTS

Myrtleford 2.8.20 def by Wangaratta Rovers 17.13.115

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Brody Bouker, Fearghus Jones, Hunter North, Cy Banks, Marcello Vescio WANGARATTA ROVERS: William Ashton, Ned Turner, Justin Lewis, Tom Ford, Tom Forrest, Judd Schubert. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Cy Banks 1; Lachlan Stripeikis 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Justin Lewis 3; Judd Schubert 3; Ned Turner 3; Trey Vincent 3; Cooper Gracie 2; Ryley Ely 1; Sam Nolan 1; Charlie Lugg 1.

Wangaratta 7.11.53 def North Albury 6.4.40

BEST: WANGARATTA: Hunter Graham, Charley Holland-Dean, Daniel YOUNG, Josh Styles, Hugh Canning, John Blake. NORTH ALBURY: Cody Gardiner, Ryan Lowe, Liam Hetherton, Jackson Carey, Connor Hetherton, James Webb. GOALS: no goal scorers recorded at time of print.

Wodonga Raiders 15.13.103 def Yarrawonga 2.1.13

GOALS: WANGARATTA: Michael Newton 10; Daniel Sharrock 2; Jackson Clarke 1; Xavier Laverty 1; Braeden Marjanovic 1; Callum Moore 1; Ben Reid 1; Patrick Warner 1. NORTH ALBURY: Joshua Minogue 3; Jamieson Bouffler 1; Nathan Dennis 1; Archer Gardiner 1; Layton Taylor 1. BEST: WANGARATTA: Michael Newton, Callum Moore, Daniel Sharrock, Dylan Van Berlo, Xavier Laverty, Jackson Clarke. NORTH ALBURY: Nathan Dennis, Jack Reynolds, Joshua Minogue, George Godde, Tim Broomhead.

ROUND 5 - MAY6 YARRAWONGAV

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

WHOROULY

*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE: Tarrawingee 35 def by Milawa 51;

Whorouly 69 def Bright 20; Bonnie Doon 47 def by Greta 67

B GRADE: Tarrawingee 19 def by Milawa 43; Whorouly 60 def Bright 36

B RESERVE: Tarrawingee 22 def by Milawa 43; Whorouly 42 def by Bright 44

C GRADE: Tarrawingee 35 def Milawa 18; Whorouly 29 def by Bright 33

15 & UNDER: Tarrawingee 12 def Milawa 11; Whorouly 28 def Bright 23

SATURDAY, MAY 6

BENALLA ALL BLACKS VS KING VALLEY

GOORAMBAT VS BONNIE DOON

GRETA VS WHOROULY

MOYHU VS MILAWA

NORTH WANGARATTA VS TARRAWINGEE

BRIGHT - BYE

Wangaratta...........16.12.108 North Albury..............3.4.22

GOALS: WANGARATTA: Thomas Gorman 5; Jayden Adamo 3; Fraser Holland-Dean 2; Harrison Smart 2; Josh Nanson 1; Will Oats 1; Daniel Tidball 1; Waitai Tua 1. NORTH ALBURY: Daniel Pattinson 1; Riley Smith 1; Riley Wise 1.

BEST: WANGARATTA: Alex Johnstone, Jayden Adamo, Will O’keefe, Harrison Smart, Waitai Tua, Tim Aumann. NORTH ALBURY: Riley Smith, Cooper Summers, Daniel Pattinson, Hayden Creenaune, Joshua Mercieca. Myrtleford .................3.8.26 Wangaratta Rovers ..14.13.97

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Damon Harrington 34; Tyler Harrington 1; Joshua Langman 1. WANGARATTA ROVERS: Sam Allen 5; Cameron Nottle 2; Connor Shanley 2; Matthew Smith 2; Noah Amery 1; Regan Gorman 1; Fred Wilkinson 1.

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Jack Woodall, Tyler Harrington, Toby Cossor, Mitchell Botter, Wayland Wales, Leigh Corcoran. WANGARATTA

ROVERS: Shane Gaston, Sam Allen, Ryan Cobain, Fred Wilkinson, Connor Shanley, Sam Henderson. Wodonga Raiders .........1.0.6 Yarrawonga ..........17.12.114

GOALS: WODONGA RAIDERS: Ethan Deery 1. YARRAWONGA: Jacob Adkins 7; Xavier Leslie 5; Dillon Walsh-Hall 3; Douglas Arnold 1; Nicholas Gorman 1.

BEST: WODONGA RAIDERS: Angus Sinclair, Cameron Smith, Ethan Deery, Tyrone Ellis, Jack Hobbs, Michael Hosking

YARRAWONGA: Reid Clarke, Will Robinson, Jacob Adkins, Xavier Leslie, Matthew Grinter, Reed Bonat.

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

Whorouly 0.0.0 def by Bright 27.17.179

GOALS: WHOROULY: Simon Chalmers 3; Riley Calvene 1; Andrew Newton 1; Jake Riley 1. BRIGHT: Cooper Thomason 5; Kieren Jamieson 4; Jack Dalbosco 3; Riley O’Shea 3; Patrick Bren 2; Nathan Lyons 2; Darcy Sholl 1; Max Stevens 1. BEST: WHOROULY: Edward Bramich, Cameron Wood, Matthew Vescio, Riley Calvene, Oliver Dixon, Andrew Newton. BRIGHT: Michael Elliott, Nick Howell, Daniel Sgambelloni, Cooper Thomason, Max Rampling, Mikka Paulsen.

KING VALLEY

MOYHU

GOALS: KING VALLEY: William Davies 4; Anthony Ciancio 3; Jack Davies 3. MOYHU: Harrison Grant 3; Bailey Zimmermann 3; Jared Lea 1; Jett Roberts 1. BEST: KING VALLEY: Beau Wheeler, Joshua Toy, Charlie Wood, Charlie Arthur, Adam Looker, Aaron Cheong. MOYHU: Harrison Grant, Matthew Thrum, Bailey Zimmermann, Liam Semmens, Fraser Landgren, Luke Grady.

BONNIE DOON 1.1 6.1 13.2 15.2.92

GRETA 5.3 8.4 9.7 15.9.99

GOALS: BONNIE DOON: James Fox 4; Luke Murray 4; Will Foster 2; Sean Campitelli 1; Matthew Hedin 1; James Law 1; Guy Murray 1; Hayden Watkins 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 5; James McClounan 5; Lachie Kennett 2; Tyler Arrowsmith 1; Joshua Bell 1; Acadian Vearing

1. BEST: BONNIE DOON: Matthew Hedin, James Fox, Sean Campitelli, Jordan Davey, Jayjay Curtin, Beau Smith GRETA: James McClounan, Lachie Kennett, Cam Green, Joshua Bell, Frazer Judd, Acadian Vearing.

NORTH WANGARATTA 4.2 10.7 18.7 22.9.141

GOOROOMBAT 0.0 0.0 2.1 5.3.33

GOALS: NORTH WANGARATTA: Baxter Lane-Gee 10; Tyler Nanson 5; Jack Brown 4; Jamie Berry 2; Damien Bradley 1. GOORAMBAT: Kobe Black 2; Aaron Blackburn 2; Simon Briggs 1.

BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: Damien Bradley, Baxter Lane-Gee, Jhye Devine, Tyler Schulze, Kyle McQuade, Tyler Nanson. GOORAMBAT: Darcy Edgar, Alexander Moloney, Sully Malay, Simon Briggs, Rick Walker, Jamie Dunne.

TARRAWINGEE

3.1 4.1 5.2 5.3.33

MILAWA 6.5 16.10 22.12 32.17.209

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: Lewis Sharrock 2; Will Creed 1; Dan Hogarth 1; Ethan Roach 1.

MILAWA: Declan Joyce-Lawford 7; Sebastian De Napoli 6; Patrick Rattray 6; Harry Allan

5; Liam Byrne 2; Luke Toohey 2; Jack Bussell 1; Ben Clarke 1; Scott Pell 1; Jarryd Wallace

1. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Ethan Roach, Will Creed, Hugh Amery, Jeremy Lawford, Lewis Sharrock, Jack Sorrensen. MILAWA: Liam Byrne, Declan Joyce-Lawford, Ben Clarke, Harry Allan, Brent Newton, Patrick Rattray.

BEST: WHOROULY: James Neary, Private player, Chas Pianegonda, Brett Allen, Ned Pascoe, Harry Doyle. BRIGHT: Felix Blazek, Bailey JenningsAllen, Jed Pryor, Thomas Mullane-Grant, Sam Buckley, Joseph Crawley. King Valley 1.0.6 def by Moyhu 28.18.186

BEST: KING VALLEY: Josh Brown, Edward Maclean, Franz Ott, Jarrod Branson, Tyeler mckindlay, Jasper Wind.

MOYHU: Leroy Dowling, Logan Reynolds, Caleb Bell, Ryan Hargreaves, Thomas StoneBerry, Joshua Stone. Bonnie Doon 3.3.21 def by Greta 19.13.127

BONNIE DOON: Ben Kelleher, Jason Heathcote, Ryan Markwick, Shane Polkinghorne, James Reid.

GRETA: Trent Whitecross, Chris Dube, Jason Humphries, Alex Fitzpatrick, Sam Duffield, Damiun Cassidy. North Wangaratta 24.20.164 def Goorambat 2.2.14

NORTH WANGARATTA: Blake Marlborough, Bradley Laywood, Luke Brown, Tana Freeman, Cameron McCormack, Kye Williams.

GOORAMBAT: Todd Haslam, Haider Alhasnawi, Shaun Lemmer, Josh Canty, Dylan Brain.

Tarrawingee 3.11.29 def by Milawa 20.18.138

TARRAWINGEE: Dan Hogarth, Rick Canning, Joel Cain, Jay Canning. MILAWA: Callum Honey, Private Player, Thomas Brown, Zachary Wallace, Michael Box, Hamish Falla.

Brave Roos hold off Hoppers

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

LEFT with no rotations in the last quarter against a surging young Hoppers side, the King Valley Roos yet again held their nerve to come through with their third win by under a goal this season to the tune of four points against Moyhu at Whitfield.

The Roos lost Charlie Davies and Brett Sessions to injury at half-time before another injury caused them to be with no bench going into the last quarter with a 10- point lead.

After conceding the opening goal of the final quarter, the Hoppers came surging back to bring the margin within a goal, before a thrilling goal for goal duel began with the two teams.

Harrison Grant slotted a goal from the boundary with only minutes remaining to give the Hoppers a fighting chance at the end, but a gallant Roos’ defence held on as victors.

Despite having the better of the last term, the Hoppers couldn’t convert their chances in front of goal

kicking 3.8 in the quarter.

King Valley co-coach Jack Davies said to hold on with limited rotations in the second half was extremely pleasing.

“It’s a wide sort of ground but quite short so it can get a bit contested and when we do get it we like to hit the short one and take possession and I think it worked really well in stages yesterday,” he said.

“We’ve definitely got things to work on, we play in patches in the way we want to be playing better footy, it was there for little bits but at times it turned into a little bit of a scrap.

“We sort of broke down a bit as well throughout the game and that’s a credit to Moyhu who were a very young and attacking side where bits of individual brilliance kept them in the game at stages.”

Backmen Beau Wheeler and Josh Toy were instrumental in the Roos’ win with their intercept marking and rebound off half-back, while Charlie Wood and Charlie Arthur put in dominant displays in the midfield.

For the Hoppers Matt Thrum played a big role in the engine room all match

with Harrison Gran, who also chimed in for three goals and Liam Semmons showed class in his first senior game of the season.

The win has already equalled King Valley’s win count from last season and has them in the strong early season position at four wins and a loss.

Davies said his team is even exceeding his own expectations five games in, having shown nerves of steel to come through in clutch moments.

“It’s been interesting, I’m sure our supporters are finding it a bit stressful,” he said.

“To be 4-1 now is really pleasing and ahead of where thought we’d be at the start of the year so it’s been really good.

“It shows how strong the community is there at the valley and I think from our playing group we believed we could be competitive and last year we were competitive for a lot of games but I think we didn’t know how to close those close games out.

“It’s a credit to the boys who have turned it around for the first part of the year so far.”

Blues down Bombers by seven points

■ From back page

“They’re a very hot team in first quarters when we’ve played them previously, so we were keen on stopping that.

“In the third quarter we made some really fundamental errors, and they capitalised on that, they really grabbed momentum off us.

“They were nearly three goals in front by threequarter time, the game was there to be won by them - I think most of the people watching the game would’ve thought they would run over the top and win the game quite comfortably, but we’re made of sterner stuff

“We steeled ourselves and produced a really good last quarter, it was really pleasing.”

The Blues now sit on top of the ladder, yet to be defeated, with Bright and King Valley one game behind, and the Bombers in fourth, who will be looking to bounce back against Goorambat next week.

Lane-Gee boots Hawks to mammoth win over Bats

IT was a glorious day for the brown and gold faithful at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve, as the Hawks soared to a 108-point triumph over Goorambat, 22.9 (141) to 5.3 (33).

It was a clinical display from the home side, as they kept the Bats to a scoreless first half - by the time Goorambat hit the scoreboard in the third term, North Wangaratta had an unassailable lead.

Baxter Lane-Gee ended with a bag of 10 goals, while Tyler Nanson (five)

and Jack Brown (four) also contributed up forward.

For the Bats, Darcy Edgar and Alexander Moloney were impressive, while Sully Malay weaved through the midfield well.

The Hawks sit sixth on the ladder with two wins from their four matches, while Goorambat are yet to record a victory.

In other round five results, Bright thumped Whorouly by 96 points, King Valley edged out Moyhu by four points, and Milawa knocked over Tarrawingee 32.17 (209) to 5.3 (33).

BREAKING FREE: Thomas Stewart playing against Milawa earlier in the year was impressive again through the King Valley midfield on the weekend against Moyhu as the Roos held on for a thrilling four-point win at Whitfield.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

GONE: David Killen gets wrapped up by Sully Malay and can’t get the handball out.

CLINICAL: Baxter Lane-Gee had an incredible day out against the Bats, bagging 10 goals.

BLOCKED: Ryan Burns gets a hand to Damien Bradley’s kick.

UNDER PRESSURE: Goorambat’s Charlie Campbell works to pick up the ball cleanly, with Taylor O’Brien ready to wrap him up. PHOTOS: Marc Bongers

MATCH REVIEWS

‘Pies get job done in 77-point win

By WILLSON MACK

WANGARATTA is on the board after a 77-point victory over North Albury at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday.

After an injury riddled start to the season, Michael Newton played himself into form booting a whopping bag of 10 majors in the 18.19 (127) to 7.8 (50) win.

The Hoppers looked up to the challenge in the first half, only trailing Wangaratta by five points at the main change but it was the Magpies who broke away in the second half, kicking 13 goals to two.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid said his side’s second half showed positive signs.

“In the first half we didn’t defend the ground as well as we wanted but that changed in the second half which translated to us using the ball well,” Reid said.

“Our stoppage stuff was a lot better with Cal Moore in the ruck and he was really good in there giving our mids first use.

“I wouldn’t say I put it on the mids to play well this week but we just had a focus on being better in the contest because that dropped off a bit last week and they responded well this week.

“The second half was encouraging but there’s still plenty to work on.”

Newton has now kicked 13 goals from his two games after kicking three against Yarrawonga last weekend in his first match for the year.

“’Juice’ (Newton) turned the clock back, he was on fire,” Reid said.

“He’s started the year really well and it was good to see him jumping at the footy and kicking goals.

“He looks really confident at the moment and we all know how good he can be so hopefully he can continue to build on two really strong performances.”

The Magpies blooded young forward Xavier Laverty into the side with the youngster kicking a goal and being named in the best on debut.

“Laverty played his first game and that was a real highlight of the day,” Reid said.

“He kicked one and looked really good down forward which was great to see.”

The Hoppers have shown a much improved brand of footy this season being within 25-points in all games bar one at the halftime break.

“I was speaking to ‘Broomy’ (Tim Broomhead) after the game and he said they’ve been in all of their games at half-time,” Reid said.

“They’re definitely using the ball a lot better and their skills have lifted under ‘Broomy’ so he’s got them going nicely.

“The Gardiner (Flynn, Foster and Archer) boys are all looking like good young players and (Josh) Minogue is a great player up forward so if they can keep their list together I reckon they’ll improve quickly.”

Wangaratta escaped the win with no injuries and expect to get Hunter Gottschling and Daine Porter back in the coming weeks.

Rovers fall to Saints in premature finish to thriller

WANGARATTA Rovers suffered their first loss for the year, going down to Myrtleford in a one-point thriller which was called off seven seconds before the final siren.

Hawks’ youngster Will McCarthy was heavily concussed in a tackle in the dying seconds of the clash at RC McNamara Reserve and there were immediate concerns for his safety with trainers being waved straight to the scene.

Rovers’ coach Sam Murray

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

offered to call the match off early but umpires followed protocols which states that 30 minutes need to lapse before the game is called off Murray said his thoughts go out to McCarthy and his family.

“It was very tough to see him go down,” Murray said. “We all understood the

seriousness of the situation and it was certainly a bad concussion where he was unconscious for a little while.

“He was unable to move off the ground in a safe way so the game was called off “Luckily he’s okay and he’ll make his way home today (Sunday), he spent the night in hospital but he’s awake and has no injuries to his neck so now it’ll just be about handling the concussion the right way.”

The Hawks found them-

selves as much as 24-points up in the second half but couldn’t ice the game.

“We certainly had more than enough opportunities to put the game to bed when we were 24-points up but we made some simple mistakes,” Murray said.

“We probably could’ve iced the game with 10, 15 seconds to go as well but we lost our structure and let it slip.

“There will be plenty of learnings to come from it, we need to be more consist-

ent across the board and work both offensively and defensively.

“We’ll definitely learn some lessons on how to close out games better and we’ve been okay at that this year but we were on the other end of the stick this week.”

Alex Marklew continued a strong start to his season booting six majors in a best on ground display, while Tom Baulch kicked four.

“He’s (Marklew) a key player in our forward line

and probably could’ve kicked 10 if he made the most of all of his opportunities,” Murray said.

“He’s someone who works really hard and has started well this season.

“’Prime’ (Baulch) was pretty similar, he could’ve kicked a few more but for him to kick four was really positive for him and a reward for effort.”

For the Saints, Ryley Sharp kicked four, while Declan Bren and Elijah Wales slotted two each.

QUICK HANDS: Jackson Clarke dishes a handball out.

PHOTOS: Marc Bongers

WRAPPED UP: Murray Waite is put under pressure.

PIN POINT: Daniel Sharrock sends a kick forward.

SILVER SERVICE: Callum Moore gets a tap down.

COMPOSED: Ky Williamson weaves his way through traffic.QUICK: Jack Gerrish puts the jets on.

ON THE BURST: Dylan Stone finds space in Wangaratta Rovers’ one-point loss to Myrtleford. PHOTOS: Janet Watt

Blues grind it out

Greta announce themselves as contenders with seven-point victory over Bonnie Doon

GRETA’s senior side proved is has what it takes to fight it out in the tough games, downing the Bombers 15.9 (99) to 15.2 (92) in a see-sawing thriller at Bonnie Doon.

The Blues leapt out of the blocks early, with a five-goal to one opening term putting pressure on the home side.

Bonnie Doon rallied

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

and shifted momentum back in their favour, with skill errors and poor fundamentals from Greta opening the door for the Bombers to bring the

margin within three goals by half-time.

Greta tried to wrestle control back, but with issues converting on forward 50 chances, the deficit was dissolved and Bonnie Doon started to flex its muscle, with a sevengoal third term putting them 19 points up with one quarter to play.

The Blues fought hard at the contest, with some incredible performances from James McClounan (five goals for the match), Josh Bell, and young talent Acadian Vearing.

A surging Greta outfit managed to snatch the lead, and take the win by seven points in what could very well be a grand final

Winter has arrived boots and all!

preview between two very strong sides.

Matthew Hedin, James Fox and Sean Campitelli were among the best for the Bombers, while Frazer Judd (five goals) was damaging up forward for Greta.

Blues’ coach Greg Newbold said the way his squad fought back and reclaimed the momentum

of the match was incredible.

“Any time we play them it’s going to be 50-50, the game was about swings and roundabouts,” he said.

“You’ve got to take momentum when you have it and make the most of it, and I think both teams made the most of it when we had the chance.

■ Continued page 18

WANGARATTA star forward Michael Newton had the ball on a string in his side’s 77-point win over North Albury on Saturday at Norm Minns Oval. Newton slotted a mammoth 10 majors in the Magpies’ victory.

Story: Page 19

PHOTO: Marc Bongers