Wangaratta Chronicle 020823

SKY’S THE LIMIT: BeyondHousing

Affordable housing options grow for community members facing homelessness gpgyg

Max Parkinson’s Place is opened

WANGARATTA’S affordable housing shortage has slightly abated, with 13 new units now available at the former Max Parkinson Lodge site on Sadler Street.

The social housing development was made possible by the $4.25 million philanthropic contribution by the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation and offers a new beginning for people seeking secure housing.

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

Now named Max Parkinson Place, the $4.9m development, comprising nine 2-bedroom and four 1-bedroom units, was officially opened on Monday.

BeyondHousing, the region’s

largest provider of affordable housing, worked long and hard on the project that involved the acquisition of land and demolition of the former unliveable Max Parkinson Lodge, which remained unused for a decade.

After working with the Rural City of Wangaratta council to acquire the land and with the support of the philanthropic foundation, the dream to build the new homes was realised.

Speaking at the launch, Peter White noted the development and the parallels of it with his early life, with his dad’s employer gifting his mother a house after his father died during service in World War II.

Now he, all these years later, has done the same, by providing funding to make the dream of secure housing come true for local people, some of whom were homeless, or facing homelessness.

■ Continued page 2

CEO Celia Adams (left), Peter, Lyndy and Lucinda White, and Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees were impressed with the complete townhouses.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Woman fined $1500 for “menacing” gel blasters

A LOCAL woman found in possession of “military-style” imitation firearms and a host of restricted drugs earlier this year has been fined more than $1500, but avoided a conviction for the offending.

The 26-year-old faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, pleading guilty to a host of charges after police raided her home in March, locating two imitation firearms, namely gel blasters, as well as amounts of GHB and cannabis,

a Viagra tablet and suboxone.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Stuart Pritchard said the accused had promptly made admissions to owning the prohibited drugs and imitation weapons, which officers had seized from the address.

Defence counsel Paul Ferguson said his client had been undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction in the lead-up to the offending, and contended many of the items found

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES:

Wednesday Max 17 Min 2 Fog then sunny

Thursday Max 19 Min 6 Mostly sunny

Friday Max 15 Min 10 Heavy Rain Saturday Max 13 Min 5 Clearing shower Sunday Max 15 Min 2

Mostly cloudy

RAINFALL:

NEWS TIPS

had been “lying around” the house.

He said the gel blasters had been purchased legally as toys in Queensland some years prior, and had never been used for any illegal purpose, although admitted the weapons were realistic and looked menacing.

According to Mr Ferguson, the blasters had broken shortly after being purchased.

“They had no intention to use them for any illegal purpose – I’m

sure had she known they were illegal, she would have binned them,” he said.

Mr Ferguson contended the drugs found at the address constituted offending “at the very low end of the scale”, however, Magistrate Peter Dunn disagreed, noting the gel blasters placed the offending “at the very top of the scale”.

“I struggle with that, everyone knows that firearms are illegal,” he said.

“These are particularly realistic, they’re designed to be realistic – if you waved one in the direction of a policeman, you might get shot.

“It’s not a stick some five-yearold might pick up in the backyard and say it’s a gun.”

Magistrate Dunn imposed a fine of $1500 as well as more than $130 in costs, however, did not convict the accused.

The weapons and drugs were forfeited to be destroyed by police.

Office Hours: 5723 0100 After Hours: 5723 0107

Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

CONTACTS

POSTAL ADDRESS: 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta

GENERAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: 5723 0100

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: 5723 0101

DISPLAY ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: 5723 0139

Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

Website: wangarattachronicle.com.au

Follow us

ADVERTISING CLOSING TIMES

Monday Issue: Display Thurs. 10am. Classifieds Fri. 2.30pm

Wednesday Issue: Display Fri. 10am. Classifieds Tues. 2.30pm

Friday Issue: Display Tues. 10am. Classifieds Thurs. 2.30pm

Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677.

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor

Jeff Zeuschner.

Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.

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.

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Tuesday Member

13 units open in Wangaratta’s new Max Parkinson’s Place

■ From page 1

“People have asked me, why are you doing this, and I remember what I felt when we were living in my grandparent’s two bedroom house and sharing a bed between me, my baby brother and my mother,” he said.

“I am very happy now to be in a position where I can help others who are not in a (financial) position.

“Many people need assistance in life but one of the big things they need is a home, security and an affordable home at thathomes today cost a king’s ransom.”

Mr White said the

foundation’s first commitment to building houses with BeyondHousing was in 2018, comprising 11 houses.

“We were impressed with their professionalism and their willingness and capacity to fund 10 per cent of the cost of future projects,” he said.

“Then in 2022-23, we jointly committed to build 60 houses, accommodating 113 of their clients.

“Our partnership has become closer and stronger, transforming the lives, when all committed projects are completed, for 413 people giving them stable, affordable housing.”

BeyondHousing CEO Celia Adams praised Mr White for his generosity and his clear appreciation for what the affordable housing means to those in need.

“The fact that you have such an emotional reaction to the importance of a home for someone’s life, for their beginning and future, is exactly the shared values that we (as organisations) have.

“We know the impact that it makes and you clearly know the impact that it makes and I am just humbled by your continued generosity and support.”

BeyondHousing board chair Skye Roberts explained the

history behind the name for the units.

With Max’s daughter Lexi Rickard and members of her family in attendance, Ms Roberts told of how Max devoted years of his volunteer hours caring for the elderly with compassion which encompassed everyone in need.

She thanked council for working with BeyondHousing over many years for making the land available, at a significantly reduced market value, to make the project viable.

The units were designed by BY Projects Architecture and built by Joss Construction.

GREAT LOOK: Max Parkinson Place townhouses on Sadler Street offer an aesthetically pleasing view.

FRESH: The one and two-bedroom units offer open plan layout inside and outdoor living space.

NEW LIFE: Lyndy and Peter White with BeyondHousing’s Celia Adams and Charlie Bird help plant a tree to mark the occasion.

UNVEILING: Peter White (left), Peter Rickard, Lexi Rickard, Debra Parkinson and Skye Roberts helped officially unveil the plaque. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

Hope to unite public in homelessness plight

Students’ locker initiative seeking widespread community gpyppsupport

By RYAN MALCOLM

THE local community is being encouraged to come together in a show of unity to raise vital funds for a homelessness initiative kickstarted by four local students.

As part of a Community Leadership Challenge (CLC) through Wangaratta High School (WHS), year nine students Bethany Tanner, Amarina Huggins, Hannah Dods and Naomi Roberts last month pitched to council that new lockers be installed in the CBD for use by the region’s homeless population while attending important appointments or meetings.

An initial $1000 was granted by Bendigo Bank Community Connect last month to support a trial of the project, however, fundraising avenues are now being sought to fully realise the installation of several locker bays.

During National Homelessness

Week (August 7-14), community organisations and local schools are being encouraged to support the initiative, with surplus funds raised to be re-directed into homelessness support networks such as Zac’s Place locally.

WHS National Homelessness Week fundraising coordinator, Céline Forster, said local public and private schools had been invited this week to take part in a casual clothes day alongside WHS on August 8, with gold coin donations to be pooled in support of the locker initiative.

“We want to feel connected to our community by coming together and supporting those who continue to be impacted by homelessness and have no home – some of these people are our friends, and there must be students from other schools who are experiencing or

Three hunted down after stolen vehicle dumped near Greta Road

By RYAN MALCOLM

POLICE arrested three people in Wangaratta after they were allegedly seen driving erratically in a stolen vehicle along the Hume Freeway early on Tuesday morning.

Acting Sergeant Rachelle Maher of Wangaratta police said a 20-year-old female, a 29-year-old male and a 26-year-old male, none of whom are from the North East, were arrested and interviewed after allegedly failing to stop under police direction between 7.30am and 8am.

She said police had not initially pursued the vehicle but had later learned the vehicle had been stolen from Elwood in recent days.

Police officers later found the vehicle abandoned in the vicinity of Greta Road, and located the three alleged offenders hiding nearby.

know someone in this situation, or are concerned too,” she said.

“I strongly believe that the combined challenges facing us and our young people are unprecedented – they are watching a volatile world that they have no control in, and it’s important that we create new opportunities for them to reconnect with each other and their community in ways that build positive feeling.

“For those who are experiencing these challenges, it lets them know that their friends and the community care.

“Along with (WHS CLC coordinator) Michelle Wilson, teachers everywhere are working so hard to help their students.

“If we can allow them to lead these projects and support them as

they learn how to collaborate and contribute to the wellbeing of the community, then we are connecting with them on their level as they develop positive growth, teamwork and feel the value of their place in society.

“The girls who began this project with the homelessness lockers came up with a sustainable and valuable idea – the schools, families and community can grow that idea into something that unites us all – I think that’s vital at this time.”

Ms Forster said it was hoped the community would support an annual fundraising drive during National Homelessness Week going forward.

Other community organisations are also being encouraged to

explore their own fundraising avenues in support of the initiative, with Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta president Geoff Dinning already pledging a financial donation to the initiative.

“(Last week’s) discussions were very positive, we’ve worked with (Zac’s Place coordinator) Di Duursma before and it’s definitely a meaty project, and it’s great to see the initiative of the students,” he said.

“We all belong to the community and we need to work together to make sure we see these projects come to fruition.”

To contribute to WHS’s fundraising drive or to make an independent donation, contact Céline Forster via email at celine.forster@ education.vic.gov.au.

Drugs were also recovered by police.

“When police got to the car there was no one with it, and (officers) ended up locating them a short distance away,” Act Sgt Maher said.

Act Sgt Maher said a number of concerned motorists had contacted Triple Zero on their morning commute after observing the alleged erratic driving northbound on the Hume Freeway.

One of the alleged offenders was charged and bailed on Tuesday, while officers continued to interview the other two persons yesterday afternoon.

COMMUNITY EFFORT: (From left) Zac’s Place coordinator Di Duursma, Wangaratta High School students Amarina Huggins, Naomi Roberts and Hannah Dods, Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta president Geoff Dinning and WHS National Homelessness Week fundraising coordinator Céline Forster are seeking community support to install lockers for use by the local homeless population.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

Inspired by Tech Festival gets under way tonight

By SIMONE KERWIN

WANGARATTA’S Digital Technology Advisory Committee (DTAC) will launch its Inspired by Tech Regional Festival this evening at the Wangaratta Digital Hub.

The festival, which has been made possible through a $15,000 Federal Government National Science Week grant, is aimed at inspiring, educating and showcasing the wonders of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), offering unique opportunities for people of all ages to engage with role models, participate in fun activities, and explore cuttingedge advancements.

Tonight’s Girl Powered Workshop should inspire the young females attending, as it features 15 role model/mentors working in areas as diverse as general practice, app development and land conservation.

The next festival event will be held on Wednesday, August 9, with a Dark Matter Quantum Pub Quiz at the Wangaratta Club.

Running from 6pm to 9pm, it promises pub trivia with a twist of science, and plenty of prizes and giveaways.

The pub quiz will be free, and bookings are essential, as finger food will be provided.

On Thursday, August 17, a panel of young university graduates will present their experiences and participate in a Q&A session alongside regional leaders, at the Wangaratta Library from 6pm to 8pm.

“We are very proud and excited to welcome back three local alumni who are making waves in STEMMadalynn Baumanis (chemistry), Maisie Walker-Stelling (biology/ conservation) and Zach Wingrave (computer science),” DTAC president Maree Timms said.

“Our community should be extremely proud of them and their achievements.

“Each one has a very unique journey; I particularly want to encourage families to bring their youngsters along and see what is possible for the next generation of STEM superstars.”

Maddy completed a Bachelor’s Degree in biomedical science and graduated with excellence in the class of

Local man to dispute trafficking charges

TO TALK

READY

SCIENCE: Maisie Walker-Stelling is looking forward to being part of the August 17 panel.

A WANGARATTA man will contest charges he engaged in trafficking of drugs and possessed the proceeds of crime, after police identified four pages of text messages allegedly surrounding drug deals on his mobile phone.

ADVOCATE: Madalynn Baumanis is passionate about helping others pursue education and a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Facing Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday, defence lawyer Geoff Clancy said his client would contest the police charges, which he said were based purely on text message conversations and some $2800 in cash allegedly found at his client’s home.

He said the people engaged in the regular sale of drugs would ordinarily have “thousands” of text message discussions around their business, and said the alleged evidence against his client was minimal.

Mr Clancy said the accused currently worked full-time.

“It’s not the strongest case,” Mr Clancy told Magistrate Peter Dunn.

The matter will return before the court on October 12.

VALUABLE ADVICE: Zach Wingrave enjoys helping regional students through outreach roles in the computer science field.

2022 from Latrobe University.

She is currently working as a chemistry laboratory teacher for Latrobe University, and has research experience in a field called metal organic frameworks.

This cutting edge tech is used for trapping gases with the metals atomic framework.

Maddy was the first person in her family to complete high school and attend university.

She was heavily involved in robotics during her time at Galen, and is passionate about helping others to pursue education and a career in STEM.

Maisie grew up in Wooragee, and has completed a science degree, majoring in biodiversity conservation at the Australian National University.

She now works as a research assistant at ANU, doing everything

from extracting DNA from plant and animal samples, to monitoring reintroduced species in the field.

“I’m really looking forward to chatting with everybody about getting involved in science. It’s going to be awesome,” Maisie said.

Zach completed a Bachelors Degree in computer science from RMIT University, and is currently studying a Masters of Teaching at Monash University. His passion for helping regional students succeed has seen him take on a number of outreach roles: he has taught hundreds of students how to code in Python through his work at CS in Schools (Computer Science in Schools - a free outreach program), has been an educational consultant and contributor to learning materials for the Day of AI Australia, and his current role is as coordinator

Renee to take on the world

Wednesday, July 31

By STEVE KELLY

THE newest Lions club branch in the North East has just helped a budding young athlete compete against the best in her sport.

Wangaratta Lions Club

Glenrowan Warby Range branch made its first ever community donation to help Hamilton Park athlete Renee Kosch, helping her realise a dream.

Ms Kosch jetted off to East Lansing in Michigan yesterday moming to compete in the bocce event at the 2013 World Dwarf Games.

After starting the sport in 2009, she has made it to this elite level where she will test her skills against the world’s best on the second and penultimate days of the games.

“The $500 donation will help pay

for the airfares to the USA in what will be a trip of a lifetime that I’m sure I’ll never forget.” she said.

As one of 30 athletes from Australia to compete overall, the 29 year old said she raised other money for the trip from a sausage sizzle out the front of Bunnings.

The World Dwarf Games are a quadrennial multi-sport competition designed for dwarf athletes and the opening ceremony is at 8am on Saturday (Michigan time).

Lions branch member Craig Gibbs said they were thrilled to make their first donation since being inducted in June.

The Glenrowan Warby Range branch meets on the second Tuesday of every month in Glenrowan.

Anyone interested in joining Wangaratta Lions should call president Ern Walder on 0409554762.

TRIP OF A LIFETIME: Wangaratta

Lions Club Glenrowan Warby Range branch members Craig Gibbs and Matt lley with a $500 cheque to give to World Dwarf Games bacce competitor and Hamilton Park resident Renee Kosch. PHOTO: Luke Plummer

New social table tennis group

of the In2science Peer Mentoring Program at Swinburne University.

“It’ll be great fun to visit home, and I hope to be able to give plenty of advice to young people about how to get into the ICT (information and communications technology) fields,” he said.

MC for the evening will be Emma Jones.

She also has an impressive STEM career and is currently working for GHD Smartseeds, a global company across digital, engineering, environmental, design and construction.

The final event on the Inspired by Tech Regional Festival calendar will be a showcase at Galen College on Friday, August 18 from 10am to 2.30pm.

For more information about the Inspired by Tech Regional Festival, visit https://dtac.zone/pages/events

WANGARATTA Table Tennis Association will launch a new Tuesday social daytime group next week.

The sessions, to run at the Wangaratta Showgrounds pavilion from 10am to 12 noon each Tuesday from August 8, are open to people of all ages, from beginners to more experienced players.

Participants can play singles and doubles in a relaxed, friendly environment, with coaching available for beginners.

The first two weeks of play are free, and players are advised to wear runners and suitable sports gear.

Bats will be available, and a water bottle is a must.

For more information, phone Maxine on 0403 209 857 or Julie on 0422 321 456.

Recognising our Vietnam veterans at two services

By SIMONE KERWIN

TWO services will be held in Wangaratta this month to recognise the contribution of Vietnam veterans.

2023 marks 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and the Federal Government will mark the occasion with an ABC-televised national commemorative service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra on August 18 from 10am.

Locally, a graveside service will be held at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery tomorrow to mark the anniversary of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam arriving in South Vietnam.

It will be held from 11am near the gravesites of two men who served in Vietnam and gave their lives in this conflict, Private Bernie Binder and Sapper Terry Renshaw.

The local soldiers, who were aged just 21 and 22 respectively, both lost their lives in mine explosions in Vietnam.

Thursday’s service will be conducted by Wangaratta RSL funerals officer Bob Hayward, himself a Vietnam veteran, with all members of the RSL as well as members of the public invited to attend and pay their respects.

Those attending are asked to arrive from 10.30am and proceed to the northern area of the general lawn where Private Binder and Sapper Renshaw’s resting places are located.

On Long Tan Day, August 18, the Wangaratta RSL Sub-Branch will conduct a Vietnam Veterans Day service in the 2/24th Battalion Function Room at the Templeton Street RSL Club from 2pm.

The battle of Long Tan was fought on August 18, 1966.

During the battle, 17 Australians

were killed and a further 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of wounds.

The day serves to commemorate all the battles fought by Australians in Vietnam.

Vietnam veterans, their friends and families, and the wider community are invited to mark the oc-

Alleged Yarrawonga burglars remanded in custody

A PAIR of alleged burglars will return to Wangaratta Magistrates Court next week, following their arrest in the wake of an alleged burglary at Yarrawonga in mid-July.

A 29-year-old Wagga Wagga woman and a 23-year-old Albury man were arrested at Belmore Street, Yarrawonga on Friday, after Victorian and New South Wales police had issued arrest warrants relating to burglary and theft offences.

The pair was also allegedly linked to a burglary and the theft of a motor vehicle in the Yarrawonga area on July 14.

The home of future you.

casion by attending the Wangaratta service, which will include a presentation by Mr Hayward.

The service will be followed by afternoon tea provided by the subbranch’s women’s auxiliary.

For further information, please contact ceremonial officer Liz Rouse Salmon on 0438 573 357.

According to a police spokesperson, officers also recovered a stolen vehicle from New South Wales, drugs and items stolen from a local retail store.

Both of the alleged offenders faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Friday, when they were further remanded to face court on August 7.

GONE TOO SOON: Wangaratta RSL funerals officer Bob Hayward will conduct a commemorative service this Thursday of two fallen local Vietnam soldiers, Private Bernie Binder and Sapper Terry Renshaw, near their gravesites on the 50th anniversary since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

New housing a boost for those who need it

THE completion of 13 new units at Max Parkinson Place in Wangaratta’s Sadler Street has come after a long wait since the idea was born, however, it’s a wait well worth it for everyone concerned.

Rental affordability for single people is beyond the means of most in the Rural City of Wangaratta with share accommodation becoming more prevalent.

But to add to this, some individuals and families have been through the toughest time of their lives, and were in desperate need of refuge and a fresh start.

Units like those at Max Parkinson Place will do just that by providing a home for those without a secure place to live.

It’s thanks to the good will of kind and generous people that this project was realised, with the Peter White Foundation providing $4.25 million to make it happen.

It is also the people behind the project who showed resilience to make it happen - staff at Wangaratta council and BeyondHousing, and other donors.

At the opening, Peter White called on council to come up with more land like this so more homes can be built in the rural city at a cost effective price.

The ball might already be rolling on this one with the former Ovens College site off Greta Road tagged to be a site for social housing.

Victoria’s housing shortage will be an ongoing problem especially as rent prices remain inequitable to average lower income salaries in municipalities such as Wangaratta.

Government plans aimed at supporting people who are struggling the most need to be expedited to deliver relief as soon as possible.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

The Australian QuizNo.35

1 Sergey Brin is best known as the co-founder of which major internet entity?

(a) Google

(b) Facebook

(c) Amazon

(d) eBay

2 Which famous country music artist released the 2020 album, Here on Earth?

(a) Garth Brooks

(b) Tim McGraw

(c) Chris Stapleton

(d) Keith Urban

3 The headquarters of the World Economic Forum are located in which country?

(a) Switzerland

(b) United States

(c) Belgium

(d) United Kingdom

4 Someone who is sesquipedalian is known to do what?

(a) Compose poetry

(b) Speak incessantly

(c) Laugh inappropriately

(d) Use long words

5 Which make and model of car won the iconic 1968 LondonSydney Marathon?

(a) Austin 1800

(b) Lotus Cortina

(c) Ford XT Falcon GT

(d) Hillman Hunter

Removal of River Red Gum trees ill-informed

I WRITE in support of Cr Jack Herry’s no vote and Claire Russell’s expressed opinion (Wangaratta Chronicle letters, July 28) in opposition to the removal of selected River Red Gum trees from Merriwa Park.

In the Rural City of Wangaratta, we are fortunate to reside in a pristine and natural environment surrounded by creeks and rivers with many parklands maintained by council, walking/riding trails installed by council, playgrounds installed by council, roadways maintained by council and reserves maintained by council where River Red Gums grow and residents and families gather, to walk, ride, play sport etc.

I could list more but this is enough to make my point.

This Urban Tree Plan that council have adopted is obviously inadequate to inform councillors and address the removal of these heritage River Red Gums without further consideration of the overall natural environment which surrounds Wangaratta.

As an avid cyclist and walker using many tracks along the creeks, rivers and quiet roadways, it is not unusual to see a red gum fallen limb or even a fallen red gum tree along these areas.

This is nature and we must live with this small risk as we enjoy the pristine environment in which we are blessed to reside in.

If council are to go ahead with this ill-considered decision to remove River Red Gum trees from Merriwa Park where they have matured to become giants over many hundreds of years, just because they may drop a limb or even fall which is what they naturally do in their wetland environment, are the same councillors going to now further consider removing every River Red Gum that is adjacent to public areas referred to in my previously stated reserves, playgrounds, roads and pathways, or are they going to ban all pedestrian traffic from these areas while they again consider their ill-informed Urban Tree Plan.

Come on councillors, you are all doing a wonderful role to beautify our rural city, please reconsider this poor decision and ensure that we as residents can continue to reside in a beautiful and picturesque natural environment surrounded by our native heritage of trees, rivers and creeks with River Red Gums in their abundance.

Ronald Webb, Wangaratta

6 What is the official currency of Uganda?

(a) Ugandan som

(b) Ugandan shilling

(c) Ugandan pound

(d) Ugandan somoni

7 The 1990 novel, Postmortem, is the first book in which series?

(a) Will Robie

(b) Alex Cross

(c) Nancy Drew

(d) Kay Scarpetta

8 As at January 2022, what was the approximate population of Argentina?

(a) 28.8 million

(b) 45.7 million

(c) 63.6 million

(d) 89.3 million

9 In 2004, which swimmer stood down so Ian Thorpe could swim the 400m event at the Athens Olympics?

(a) Nicholas Sprenger

(b) Antony Matkovich

(c) Craig Stevens

(d) Todd Pearson

10Which TV series stars Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson?

(a) This Is Us

(b) Gossip Girl

(c) The Blacklist

(d) The Good Doctor

Have your say in Wangaratta Chronicle poll

Visit

Do you think the large red gum trees in Merriwa Park are significant trees?

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

A new floor being installed at the Moyhu Soldiers

Memorial Hall is beginning to take shape and will soon be ready for use. It replaces the original Jarrah floor which had become uneven over the years due to drainage issues. They have now been resolved, and Rural City of Wangaratta councillor Harry Bussell (pictured) called in to check on progress, with the hall about to receive a new coat of paint inside as well as new lighting.

A real estate Tale of Two Cities

IN an escalating climate of worsening economic times it is worth examining the discrepancies in prices for land in two connecting cities in North East Victoria.

Wangaratta, a rural city with double the population of Benalla, has General Residential Zone lots for up to $100,000 more than comparable GRZ lots in Benalla.

Even more interesting is the reality comparable Low Density Residential 1 acre lots in Wangaratta are up to double the price of lots in Benalla located some 40km away.

Wangaratta Low Density lots selling for $505,000 plus dwarf similar sized lots in Benalla that are listed for sale at $255,000.

At current interest rates, the difference between the land costs alone, over 25 to 30 years, represent a massive end point debt that would likely be off-putting for most purchasers….. inclusive of the 700,000 immigrants heading to Australia over the next two years.

Why these price extremes exist speaks to the supply side of the equation readily evidenced on https://www.realestate.com.au.

Highly likely that many future LDRZ land purchasers in North East Victoria will snap up the $250,000 discount offered in Benalla rather than struggling to service the $250,000 extra difference in the loan required?

We will have to wait for the 2026 Australian Census of population and housing data to

confirm Wangaratta and Benalla’s population growth trends over the next three years.

In the meantime, hopefully, the chronic undersupply of Low Density and Rural Residential lots will be addressed when the City of Wangaratta 2019 Urban Enterprise LDRZ and RRZ Strategy is finalised and provision for 450 lots over the next 15 years are realised?

The 2026 Commonwealth Games may not be coming to rural Victoria but the steady flow of purchasers seeking a “tree change” shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. The number of new purchasers able to afford to call the City of Wangaratta home will be interesting. With ‘some timely action’ to increase LDRZ and RRZ land supply it is possible that by 2026 a Wangaratta Chronicle headline may read: ‘A Tale of Two Thriving Cities.’

Peter Forsyth, Geelong (and Wangaratta ratepayer)

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

(a) Google

(b) Tim McGraw

(a) Switzerland 4 (d) Use long words 5 (d) Hillman Hunter 6 (b) Ugandan shilling 7 (d) Kay Scarpetta 8 (b) 45.7 million

9

PHOTO: Anita McPherson

Grants aid businesses lift energy efficiency

By KURT HICKLING

TWO dozen businesses across Indi will share in $554,906 as part of the Federal Government’s Energy Efficiency Grants for small and medium sized enterprises program.

Indi independent MP Helen Haines said the local businesses were awarded grants of between $14,628 and $25,000 to replace or upgrade existing equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Dr Haines said the grants aim to contribute to Australia’s target of a 43 per cent reduction on 2005 emission levels by 2030 and lower the operating costs of small local businesses.

“The successful local businesses will be implementing energy upgrades, installing new hot water systems and thermal windows, purchasing efficient equipment and implementing systems to monitor energy consumption,” she said.

“These grants for small and medium sized businesses are an important move towards renewable energy being used in our local communities.

“These grants empower small business owners to manage their energy use and reduce their power bills.”

Dal Zotto Wines at Whitfield was among the successful applicants, receiving $16,258 to go towards the insulation of piping and tanks to improve energy efficiency and help cut costs on solar and place energy back onto the grid.

Winemaker Prasad Patil is delight-

ed with the grant and believes the benefits will be important to both the winery and the environment.

“The insulation that we will use from the grant will make a big difference when it comes to energy efficiency and a positive future for winemaking,” he said.

“Brine line insulation will assist in keeping temperatures cooler which means the fridges will not be running seven days a week but instead we predict this would be reduced to just three days.

“As we already run solar, energy costs that will be saved from insu-

More than $2 million unclaimed cash in North East

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER

NORTH East residents and businesses are being encouraged to go online to find out if they are among thousands of people with a claim on a pool of unclaimed money topping $109 million in Victoria.

The State Revenue Office (SRO) holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months including refunds, rents and bonds, share dividends, salaries and wages, debentures, interest and proceeds from sales.

The majority of entitlements have been held by the SRO for less than 10 years.

According to the SRO, there are more than 2500 entitlements worth almost $408,000 to be claimed within the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Across the nine Local Government Areas within the North East the SRO says there are 16,137 entitlements totalling $2,215,786.

To search for unclaimed money, visit sro.vic.gov.au/ unclaimedmoney.

lation will allow energy to go back to the grid which will also minimise any wastage of energy.

“Insulation will also be a positive step forward and wine can be stabilised more efficiently.”

Dal Zotto Wines expects its project to commence in the coming weeks.

Register for open days to explore future careers

By CHLOE JAENICKE

THE life-changing impacts of vocational education will be on show at GOTAFE’s open days in August and September in Wangaratta, Shepparton and Seymour.

Open days will be held on Sunday, August 20 in Wangaratta, Saturday, August 29 in Shepparton and Saturday, September 2 at Seymour.

The days will allow community members seeking to start or make a change in their career to explore education pathways.

GOTAFE’s careers advisors and industry qualified trainers will be attending the three open days and sharing valuable information regarding careers in regional Victoria.

“Our goal at GOTAFE is to support students in achieving their career goals by training them with job-ready skills,” Hannah Turnbull, executive director growth and engagement at GOTAFE said.

“Open days give people a chance to take the first step in exploring their study options and finding out what careers their study can lead to.

“Our careers advisors and trainers will be on hand to give people a taste of what it’s like to study with GOTAFE.

“There will also be the chance to hear from current students about how studying is helping them achieve their career goals.”

In addition to the three open days being held, GOTAFE will also host ‘Open Month’ throughout September, with free tours and information sessions.

“If you can’t make it to your community’s open day, there will be plenty of other opportunities to find more out about pursuing your

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Saturday

Gates

You will need your name or company name, and the address that you believe the unclaimed money lodging organisation would have had on file.

All Victorian businesses and trustees holding $20 or more in unclaimed money are reminded they must record and keep the money for at least 12 months, then lodge it with the SRO. Lodgements can be made via the SRO website.

dreams by studying with GOTAFE,” Ms Turnbull said.

“Registering for open days via our website is the key to staying up to date with all of the activities we have planned throughout August and September.”

To register for open days, or for more information, visit: https:// www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/opendays-2023

For any further questions visit GOTAFE’s website or call 1300 GOTAFE (468 233) between 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

LGA Entitlements Value

Wangaratta 2503 $407,754

Wodonga 3469 $450,494

Towong 537 $64,714

Strathbogie 1300 $240,985

Moira 3311 $435,532

Mansfield

Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre

Saturday 5 August 7:30pm

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

COIL is one of those rare productions: gobsmackingly clever in its execution whilst being funny, warm hearted and deeply resonant.

Blurring the boundaries of theatre and cinema, this innovative new work draws on our collective memories to pay tribute to the glory days of the video store and the communities grapple with goodbyes to move on.

Creating new work at the very edge of video technology and live performance, re:group mash theatre and moviemaking together to create ‘live cinema’. Inspired by the highs and lows of pop culture, re:group aim to turn typically comfortable and passive viewing experiences into something immersive, irreverent, and inherently live.

your details and post or deliver to our

Wangaratta Chronicle COIL competition

37 Rowan Street

Wangaratta VIC 3677

Full Name: Address:

Email Address:

Entries Close: 5pm

Thursday August 3

FULL STEAM AHEAD: Winemaker Prasad Patil said a $16,000 grant will help improve energy efficiency at Dal Zotto Wines.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

The Beggars sing The Seekers matinee show

A SHOW which celebrates The Seekersfour young Australians with a dream they followed to the pop music world - arrives at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday.

The Beggars sing The Seekers follows The Seekers story from the Melbourne cafe scene in 1962 to London, the swinging centre of the pop universe, culminating in their 1968 BBC TV special Farewell The Seekers watched by millions.

Featuring hits including “I’ll Never Find Another You”, “The Carnival is Over”, “Morningtown Ride” and “Georgie Girl”, alongside The Beggar’s originals and rollicking standards, the show starts at 10.30am and tickets are available at wpacc.com.au.

Waterway and wetlands art exhibition

AN exhibition by two artists who share a love for nature and the wildlife and flora it supports, will open at the Art Gallery on Ovens tomorrow.

Wetlands and Waterways features the paintings of local artist Helen Hill, inspired by the Winton Wetlands, and watercolours by her daughter-in-law Yanina (Yanya) Hill celebrating beautiful birds.\An official opening will be held on Saturday, August 5 at 1pm with all welcome to attend and the exhibition will run until August 14.

yourstars

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A change that you hoped for is coming down the line, but you still need to be patient until more explanations are forthcoming. Continue to keep your enthusiasm in check.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your social life expands as new friends come into your life. But while you’re having fun, your practical side also sees some positive business potential within your new circle.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your workplace situation continues to improve, but look for advantages you might have missed while changes were going on around you. A trusted colleague can help.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Resist the urge to hunker down in your bunker until things ease up. Instead, get rid of that woe-is-me attitude by getting up and getting out to meet old friends and make new ones.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Now that you’re back enjoying the spotlight again, you should feel re-energized and ready to take on the challenge of bringing those big, bold plans of yours to completion.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A former friend would like to repair a relationship you two once enjoyed. Your positive response could have an equally positive impact on your life. Think about it.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Resist making impulsive decisions. Stay on that steady course as you continue to work out workplace problems. Be patient. All will soon be back in balance.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might feel confident about taking a promising offer, but continue to be alert for what you’re not being told about it. Don’t fret. Time is on your side.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) People dear to you might be planning a way to show appreciation for all that you’ve done for them. Accept the honor graciously. Remember, you deserve it.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Congratulations. Your self-confidence is on the rise. This could be a good time to tackle those bothersome situations you’ve avoided both at home and at work.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)

You feel obligated to return a favor. (Of course, you do.) But heed advice from those close to you, and do nothing until you know for sure what’s being asked of you.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your loving reassurance helped revive a oncemoribund relationship. But be wary of someone who might try to do something negative to reverse this positive turn of events.

Celebrating the colours of the organ at Sunday concert

AFTER falling silent for more than four years due to damage caused by rodents, the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s organ will come to life again during a special concert this Sunday.

The pipe organ was built by the world-renowned Willis company in 1922 and relocated to Wangaratta in 1993.

The organ is the largest musical instrument in Wangaratta with more than 2200 pipes, 39 stops, three keyboards, and a pedal board.

The organ was restored to working order in late 2022 after the leather in the winding system was destroyed by rats in 2018, and the Wangaratta com-

BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au

munity is invited to celebrate its return this weekend.

Distinguished Australian composer, Gordon Kerry composed a new piece of music titled Whatever Yon Brightness Be to celebrate the new organ, which will be premiered by the Cathedral’s director of music, Kieran Crichton, on Sunday.

“Gordon was interested to hear and learn a bit about the organ when it was restored and he’s very

The Last Waltz at St Patrick’s Hall

A PLAY which expresses an important message about facing the realities of our mortality and talking about it with those around you, will be performed at St Patrick’s Hall in Ford Street next week.

The Last Waltz stars Rose Sexton and Bec Bolwell and it tells the story of Vera, who is at an intensive care ward, hooked up to machines and unable to communicate, until she and her daughter-in-law begin to share their story with the audience.

Presented by End Stage Matters and Northeast Health Wangaratta, it will be performed on Tuesday, August 8 from 1pm, with a Q&A session and light refreshments to follow, and entry is free with bookings via Eventbrite or by calling 5722 5184.

kindly written this piece of music to celebrate the restoration of the organ,” Mr Crichton said.

The concert program will feature organ music that showcases the many colours of the organ, including Edward Elgar’s grand Organ Sonata, Sydney City Organist Robert Ampt’s Variations on Waltzing Matilda and Charles-Marie Widor’s famous Toccata.

The concert will also feature the Wangaratta Concert Band who will share some of their favourite music with the audience, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Abba Gold, and Crocodile Rock.

“The Wangaratta Concert

Cathedral College presents Singin’ in the Rain

CATHEDRAL College Wangaratta will present Singin’ in the Rain JR, based on the classic movie musical, at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on August 11 and 12.

The entertaining show features plenty of comedy, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards, performed by a cast of middle and senior school students.

Enjoy the tinsel town favourite for all ages with tickets available at wpacc. com.au.

Band are a really vibrant part of the Wangaratta music scene it’s really good to have them as part of the concert because it’s all about gathering community,” Mr Crichton said.

Tickets for the event will cost $20 with free entry for anyone under 18.

Sunday’s concert in the Holy Trinity Cathedral commences at 3pm.

The cathedral is pet friendly and has heaters to help the audience stay warm.

Refreshments will be shared at the end of the concert.

To book tickets for the event visit https://htcwfriendscelebrationconcert.eventbrite.com.au.

Wangaratta Players present Ladies in Black

WANGARATTA Players Inc presents the heart-warming Australian musical “Ladies in Black” at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre from August 17 to 19.

Based on the bestselling book by Madeleine St John, with words and music by Tim Finn, Ladies in Black is set 1950s Sydney and tells the story of a young high school graduate Lisa who takes a holiday job at the most prestigious department store in town, where a world of possibilities opens up.

An entertaining night of live theatre and music for all ages, tickets are available at wpacc.com.au.

ORGANS RETURN: Holy Trinity Cathedral’s director of music, Kieran Crichton, will be performing at the concert this Sunday to celebrate the restoration of their organ.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Pill access increased, but more help needed

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AN EASING of restrictions on the medical abortion pill has been dubbed as the first step of many needed to be taken towards greater abortion care and provision.

Coming into effect on August 1, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved an application from not-for-profit pharmaceutical company MS Health to amend restrictions on the medical abortion pill MS-2 Step.

As a part of the Federal Government’s election promise, the changes will reduce restrictions on who can prescribe and dispense the medication, meaning General Practioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners can now prescribe the medication without additional training required.

Sexual health nurse with Gateway Health, Ange Davidson, said the changes were welcomed in the sector and the first step in the right direction towards greater abortion care and provision.

“Anything that steps towards access for women in abortion care or abortion provision is a good thing,” she said.

“This is step number one in increasing access and undertaking recommendations in the senate inquiry.”

Gateway Health Wangaratta had select GPs who were able to prescribe the medical abortion pill in their service, but now all GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to do so.

But there is currently no Medicare remuneration related to medical termination or pregnancy, which Ms Davidson said could influence reluctance from the workforce to accept the time-consuming appointments without proper incentives.

“I think without changes to Medicare providing GPs with remuneration there may not be as much of an increase or an uptake in prescribing,” she said.

“Sometimes the appointments just take extra time to explore decision making with women and explore options with pregnant people to make their decision with all of the information and that process just takes time.

“I really do hope the changes do

MUCH WELCOMED: Health promotion worker at Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE), Katherine Keirs, said WHGNE enthusiastically supported the move of the TGA to scrap restrictiond around the prescribing of the MS-2Step pill.

increase uptake, it would be a really great thing if more GPs could prescribe because it increases access for women… but I think it’ll be

a bit of a watch this space.”

While legislation across other states including New South Wales only allow medical practitioners to prescribe abortion medication, Victorian legislations would allow nursing practitioners to prescribe abortion medication when the changes come into effect.

Health promotion worker at Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE), Katherine Keirs, said WHGNE enthusiastically supported the move of the TGA.

“We are hopeful that these changes will increase access to, and mitigate the stress of, seeking abortion services for women in our region and across the country,” she said.

“Current community consultations around sexual and reproductive health being conducted by WHGNE in our region, indicate that factors like travel, cost, wait times and a lack of options when seeking medical abortions and other services act as major barriers to accessing timely, effective sexual and reproductive healthcare.

“We must continue to prioritise improving access to sexual and reproductive healthcare as a whole,

through gathering lived experience data which will support solutionsbased advocacy.”

The access changes come into effect on the back of a senate inquiry into reproductive healthcare in May, which recommended changes to access to medical abortions along with incentives for doctors to provide sexual and reproductive care and higher rebates for insertion of contraception.

Ms Davidson said it will take some time before assessing whether women and medical practitioners will take on the changes to easier access of the MS-2 Step pill.

“There may need to be more communication around the changes for people,” she said.

“Some people might just access their own GPs thinking that they’ll automatically be able to prescribe for them...they will be able to prescribe, but I don’t know if all GPs will take it up.”

If any women or gender-diverse people in the North East would like more information on opportunities to share their perspectives on improving sexual and reproductive health access, they can contact whealth@whealth.com.au.

New consent laws lay foundation for change

NEW affirmative consent laws introduced across the state last weekend have been welcomed by Wangaratta’s Centre Against Violence (CAV), which labelled the move a “crucial first step” towards combatting sexual assault in Victoria.

The new rules mean individuals must take steps to say or do something to check others involved have consented to a sexual activity, and consent must be given freely and voluntarily.

However, CAV chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said further reforms would be needed to ensure the laws were effective in protecting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.

The Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) had recommended further steps, including education and training for the legal community and judiciary, independent advocates for victim survivors, adequate funding for specialist services and community education would be needed to support the implementation of affirmative consent laws.

“The new affirmative consent laws are a positive step forward,” Ms Chubb said.

“However, the legal system needs significant reform to support these changes effectively.

“The blueprint provided

by the VLRC can guide thee reforms and ensure a more compassionate and efficient response to sexual offences.

“The new affirmative consent model will require individuals to take active steps to ensure consent from all parties involved in a sexual activity.

“Moreover, there will be new circumstances where consent cannot be given, including situations involving force, coercion, intimidation, abuse of trust, false representations and intentional non-use of protection.”

In Victoria, fewer than 10 per cent of sexual assault victims are said to report to police, and only a quarter

of police reports result in charges.

A further 10 per cent of cases end at the prosecution stage, resulting in only a small number of offences proceeding to trial, according to CAV data.

Ms Chubb said it was important to continue to address the “concerning attitudes” around sexual violence.

“In addition to affirmative consent, the state has also made changes to image-based sexual abuse laws,” she said.

“The definition of an intimate image now includes digitally created images like ‘deepfake pornography’ and harsher penalties have been established for sharing such

WANTED: Police have an active arrest warrant for 70-year-old Keith Lees, who was last seen near Shepparton Train Station in June.

Man linked to cold case fled to regions

A 70-year-old Victorian man wanted in relation to the 1997 murder of Meaghan Louise Rose on the Sunshine Coast could be avoiding authorities in regional Victoria, according to Queensland Police.

Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team (CCIT) detectives recently obtained an arrest warrant for Keith Lees, who was first spoken to by officers at his home address on June 25 regarding the 25-year-old’s death at Mooloolaba.

The following day, his vehicle was found abandoned at Portland, with Mr Lees later providing a false name to police in Port Fairy that day. He allegedly purchased new clothes at a Waurn Ponds shopping centre on June 27, and was spotted at Shepparton Train Station on the same day.

Police intelligence indicates Mr Lees may be seeking casual work in the farming and fruit picking industries in Victoria or interstate.

It’s alleged Mr Lees was known to the deceased, whose death was originally ruled as non-suspicious before new information came to light revealing suspicious circumstances, including a life insurance policy taken out prior to her death.

Detectives are appealing for Mr Lees to come forward, and for anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact police on 000 or through Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000).

A $500,000 reward is active for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for Ms Rose’s murder.

images without consent.

“The evidence speaks for itself, highlighting the urgency of implementing affirmative consent laws and comprehensive reforms to combat sexual violence effectively.

“There are also concerning attitudes surrounding sexual violence, especially among young Australians, which underlines the importance of community education and awareness.”

If you or someone you know needs sexual assault support, call 035722 2203 during business hours, or for after-hours support call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292.

NEW CONSENT LAWS: Chief executive officer of the Centre Against Violence, Jaime Chubb, said while the affirmative consent laws are a postive step forward, more still needs to be done.

EASIER ACCESS: Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has scrapped restrictions on the prescription of the pills.

PHOTO: Laurynas Mereckas on Unsplash

Cathedral students offered insight into future careers

By SIMONE KERWIN

MORE than 50 guests and organisations attended a careers evening hosted by Cathedral College Wangaratta last week.

Guests passed on their knowledge and experience to the 200-strong audience, which included students and their parents and carers, who then had the chance to meet with members of the local community representing a variety of careers.

Students were able to ask questions about how the guests came to work in their chosen professions, what their work involves, and what subjects or experiences they have found helpful.

Representatives from VET (vocational education and training) providers, universities and residential colleges, the Local Learning and Employment Network, Australian Defence Force, emergency services, employment agencies and mental health providers were among those who provided a well-rounded view of the workforce for students.

Organiser and careers coordinator Rod Dunbar was pleased to be able to give students the chance to network and have oneon-one time with parents, community members and representatives who work in a range of industries.

“We time the event to coincide with our students preparing to select subjects and electives for the following year so they can make connections between the course they are selecting, and real-life applications of how that subject may be useful for their future,” Mr Dunbar said.

Cathedral College principal Nick Jones said such events helped students prepare for life after school, and provided targeted opportunities for them to consider pathways not just in VCE, but also VET, and the possibility of completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.

“We continue to provide support for students to choose an individualised pathway that is unique to them and their aspirations, whether that be university, vocational training, or the workforce,” he said.

WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club

will host a movie screening of ‘Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em’ from 1.30pm today at its clubrooms in Tara Court, off Ford Street.

The club will host indoor carpet bowls from 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday), cards (euchre) from 1.30pm on Friday, indoor carpet bowls on Monday from 12 noon, and cards (500) and hoy on Tuesday from 1.30pm, all at its clubrooms, or in the adjoining St Patrick’s supper room.

Next Wednesday, August 9, the club will host bingo at its clubrooms from 1.30pm.

WANGARATTA Newcomers will hold their next gathering on Thursday, August 3 from 2pm to 3.30pm at Intermezzo Cafe.

Join the group for a cuppa, a chat and to meet some new people.

For more information, phone Joy on 0401 843 815 or Ann on 0435 275 864.

VETERAN and family morning tea is held at the Wangaratta RSL on the second Tuesday of each month.

The group’s next catch-up is on Tuesday, August 8 from 10am to 11.30am.

All ex-service personnel and families are most welcome.

For more details, phone 0447 217 768.

WANGARATTA Cake Decorators meet every third Saturday of the month at Galen College in Phillipson Street from 10.30am, with the next meeting scheduled for August 19. Guest at the meeting will be Adrien Trevillian from Melbourne, demonstrating the new style of cartoon cakes.

Everyone welcome, cost for the day is $15 members of $20 nonmembers.

BYO lunch and mug.

PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE: Jenny Kjar, Cathedral College parent and landscape designer, was among the guests who shared their knowledge and experience with students.

CAREERS ADVICE: Cathedral College principal Nick Jones introduces Bec Weir at the careers evening. Bec is a parent, deputy chair of the college council and director of health services at Respond Global. She was guest speaker, and shared her inspirational career journey, offering advice on navigating the world of work.

Phone Jeanie on 0439 087 630 to book and for more information.

THE Wangaratta Artists are under new management, and welcome budding artists to come along, and established artists to exhibit in the studio at Batchelor’s Green.

The group meets at the studio on Mondays and Thursdays from 12 noon.

For more information, phone Clare on 0419 365 149.

COME and play mahjong at the Wangaratta RSL on Thursdays from 11am.

Beginners welcome.

Contact Jan on 0429 166 016.

WANGARATTA Keenagers Table Tennis Club plays on Mondays and Thursdays at the table tennis centre at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

Play begins at 8am.

New players welcome.

Morning tea provided – please bring your own cup.

For more information, contact Trevor Wolfel on 0476 891 596.

WANGARATTA Sing Australia Group meets each Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9pm at Purbrick Hall, next to Holy Trinity Cathedral.

All welcome – for further information, call Keith Fleet on 0491 114 480 or Cheryl Hoysted on 0419 005 062.

WANGARATTA Concert Band rehearses on Mondays from 6.45pm to 9pm at the Avian Park Raceway Band Room in Newman Street.

New players welcome, contact Helen on 0401 021 448.

GLENROWAN Indoor Carpet Bowls is held at Glenrowan Recreation Reserve Hall each

SOCIAL CALENDAR

Wednesday – arrive 12.45pm for 1pm start.

The competition runs until 3.30pm–4pm, and is followed by afternoon tea.

For details, phone Frank on 0409 662 462.

COME and try croquet at the Wangaratta Croquet Club, 46 Ryan Avenue, on any Monday, Wednesday or Saturday at 12.30pm.

Equipment and instruction provided in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

For further information, phone club president Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009.

SATURDAY Quilters meet on the first Saturday of the month for a relaxed day of sit, sew and chat, from 10am to 3pm at the Wangaratta Small Bore Rifle Club, off the river end of College Street. Contact Colleen on 0427 221 138.

A NEW croquet club has started at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club in Merriwa Park.

The group plays on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, equipment supplied.

For more information, contact Anne on 0490 173 169.

WANGARATTA Symphony Orchestra meets each Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Wangaratta Baptist Church, 1 Sisely Avenue. New string and wind players are welcome to come along to rehearsals to try out.

For more information, email wangsymphonyorchestra@gmail. com or call Chloe on 0413 775 027.

WANGARATTA Woodworkers Inc meet at the Wangaratta Showgrounds each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 12 noon (closing earlier if no-one is present).

The rooms are open on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 8.30pm, and Sundays from 10am to 1pm.

All welcome.

For more information, contact Bevan on 0437 196 118 or Les on 0412 250 674.

OSTINATO Wangaratta and District Community Choir meets each Tuesday from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Log Cabin, corner Faithfull and Chisholm Streets, Wangaratta.

New members are welcome to join this enthusiastic and welcoming group of singers. For more information, contact Helen on 0457 269278.

LIFEBALL is held each Tuesday from 1pm on the basketball court at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Lifeball is a non–contact game of netball, designed by a doctor and physio for the safety of mature players, with no running, walking backwards or throwing high balls, but enjoying fun and friendship.

For more information, phone 0418 574 404.

WANGARATTA AL–Anon Family Group meets on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 3pm at the backstage meeting room at St Patrick‘s Hall in Ford Street.

All welcome.

If your life has been affected by someone else‘s drinking, this group may be for you.

Contact David on 0403 552 950 or Bev on 0449 516 828.

WANGARATTA Toastmasters conducts its meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6.45pm at The Centre in Chisholm Street.

For more information, contact president Joanne Howell on 0417 558 881.

BLOKES Time Out conducts regular gatherings and activities on the third Saturday of the month. For more information, visit gritandresilience@wangaratta.vic. gov.au

CYCLING Without Age Wangaratta offers free tri–shaw rides to the elderly, and to people of any age with disabilities or reduced mobility. The group provides regular rides around Wangaratta to people living at home, or living in care.

For more information, phone 0418 387 089 or email cwawangaratta@gmail.com

TOPS weight supporting group meets at The Centre each Monday from 5pm to 6pm, offering encouragement and great company to support locals in managing their weight.

For more information, phone 0458 374 261.

THE North Eastern branch of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria meets every fourth Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge in Appin St, Wangaratta.

Beginners and experienced embroiderers are welcome to come along at 9.30am.

For more information, contact Jen on 0407 560562.

TO include your group‘s activities in this listing, email the details to skerwin@nemedia.com.au

Personalised learning experiences at Edi Upper

EDI Upper Primary School

is a small, rural school about 30 minutes out of Wangaratta.

Because of its small size, it can cater for each student’s individual academic, social and wellbeing needs and offer one-to-one education.

It has a full-time teaching principal, part time business manager, education support staff, part time classroom teacher and visiting Italian, art and library teachers.

Principal, Claire Bradbury, brings her one-year-old Australian Silky Terrier to school most days.

She has become a valued member of the school, offering pats, cuddles and tummy rubs whenever the students need some ‘LucyLou’ time.

“The students have received training in how to read the emotions and signs of Lucy-Lou, using flash cards and posters provided by Warby Street Vet Clinic Puppy School,” Claire said.

“Because she has been with us since she was 10 weeks old, Lucy knows how to ‘read’ our emotions and signs of anxiety or stress.”

Last week the school

participated in the National Tree Planting Day run by the Rural City of Wangaratta, planting trees along the Tarrawingee Rail Trail.

“The advantages of having a small school and owning our own school bus, is that we can go on excursions and experience hands-on learning while joining in with other schools,” Claire said.

“Our students loved meeting other students and enjoyed planting trees to help our environment.”

Shop local at Edgars for school texts and novels

EDGARS Books & News are proud to provide a quality, local option for all text books, reading texts and stationary needs for schools and kindergartens.

Whether your child needs a copy of a ‘classic’ for their high school English or literature class or a more modern class text, Edgars have them in stock, or can order them.

They carry items for all booklists in the region so, regardless of the time of year, there’s no need to worry about where you can get the books you need.

The school runs a bus from Moyhu each day, and if there is enough interest, can run a bus from Wangaratta so everyone can experience a more personalised and tailor-made education experience.

It also has bus transport to the Moyhu Out of School Hours Service from Mondays through to Thursdays.

Feel free to contact the school or come for a short drive, they would love to show you their lovely school.

Edgars also stock CBCA titles, cater for students with learning differences such as dyslexia, autism and ADHD, as well as non-fiction books for teachers and educators to learn more or enhance the involvement of students with learning differences during class.

Schools and kindergartens can order the latest books or beloved favourites for their libraries and classes with a diverse range for children and young adult readers including full series and stand-alone fiction,

LGBTQIA+, diversity and inclusion novels, Manga and graphic novels, picture books, early readers, middle grade and young adult options.

End of year/graduation book lists can be curated for schools and kindergartens by the staff at Edgars and delivered ahead of term four celebrations and breakups.

Schools and their staff are eligible for 20 per cent off all purchases so there’s even more reason to shop locally for all your school texts and library resources. From picture books to classics and everything in between, make your first and last stop for school books Edgars Books & News in Murphy Street, Wangaratta.

TREE PLANTING: Charles Allen, Samuel Allen, Edward Allen and Jessica Young with wellbeing dog Lucy-Lou on National Tree Planting Day.

THINKING DIFFERENTLY: Edgars stock a range of books for parents, teachers and students with learning differences or who experience our world in a different way.

Focussing on a future in agriculture at CCW

OVER the mid-year break, four students from Cathedral College Wangaratta’s (CCW)

VCE Agriculture and Horticulture class participated in the inaugural Australian Future Farmers Exchange program with Faith Lutheran College, Queensland. Established to foster and ignite the passion and interest of students in agricultural careers, the experience included a five-day tour of the Western Downs and Lockyer Valley.

CCW students Layla Creek, Emma Beattie, Hunter Kerr and Tom Wilkinson and their teachers, Amanda and Emily Naish from Cathedral College, were joined by four students from Faith Lutheran College, Queensland.

The Australian Future Farmers Exchange (AFFE) was established by VCE Agriculture and Horticulture teachers Amanda Naish and Russ Berlin (Faith Lutheran

College) after the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference in Toowoomba in January.

They wanted to create this wonderful initiative for students to experience the agricultural/horticultural industry and develop opportunities for postsecondary life.

The tour provided students with a diverse, hands-on experience, from touring large-scale national operations to small family-operated farms and experiencing everything from cotton growth, harvesting and ginning to 18,000 head of cattle feedlots and small crop farming.

“The engagement and interest of this group of students was incredible,” organiser Ms Nash said.

“Most students started with not having a clear idea of what they wanted to do after leaving school, and by the end of the trip, their vision was much clearer.

“It opened their eyes to

the possibilities of work in agriculture and horticulture outside of what they already know.

“Bridging the divide between school and industry is key to exposing students to opportunities and careers they may have never considered.”

“We were lucky enough to visit a ginger and turmeric farm, Mt Sylvia Fresh,” year 12 student Layla said.

“I really enjoyed seeing the niche processes they had adapted from industries such as potato farming, to suit harvesting and producing ginger and turmeric.

“It was especially cool to see the ginger grown specifically to make Bundaberg Ginger Beer.”

Layla said she sees horticulture as a future pathway for herself.

“I am definitely keen on going into horticulture and focusing mainly on food production or the production of plants for gardens,” she said.

Principal Nick Jones is delighted that VCE Agriculture and Horticulture can be offered as a VCE subject at Cathedral College.

“We are thrilled to support students who aspire to pursue careers and pathways in this sector,” he said.

“Being a regional school with many of our students growing up on farms or having family businesses in this sector enhances being able to offer this subject at the VCE level.

“This subject, as well as initiatives such as the

Wednesday, August 16

FUTURE FARMERS: Emily Naish, Cathedral College; Russell Berlin, Faith Lutheran College; and Amanda Naish, Cathedral College, Layla Creek, Cathedral; Keira Phipps, Faith; Emma Beattie, Cathedral; Hunter Kerr, Cathedral; and Maddy Jones, Faith, Tom Wilkinson, Cathedral; and Tyler Sermon, Faith were a part of the inaugural Australian Future Farmers Exchange Program in Queensland.

Australian Future Farmers Exchange, prepare our students for the diverse and numerous specialisations in this rapidly evolving industry.”

If you would like to find out more about studying

Thursday, August 17

VCE Agriculture and Horticulture at CCW or other subject offerings and pathways information, please visit the College’s website: www.cathedralcollege.vic. edu.au

WHAT’S UP DOC: Teachers Emily Naish and Amanda Naish with students Tom Wilkinson, Emma Beattie, Layla Creek and Hunter Kerr at the inaugural Farmers Exchange Program.

Boutique school offers individual connection

FOR parents who believe their child may feel lost in larger schools and classes, or that their child would enjoy additional support to be their very best, Everton Primary School offers a smaller, more individual alternative with outstanding teacher to student ratios.

The school is a 15 minute drive from Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Beechworth with individual learning plans for each child which the staff ensure are relevant to the needs of each child, and bring many benefits to student learning and wellbeing.

Their exceptional Outside School Hours Care program has quality and creative staff and positions for new enrolments are welcome.

At Everton PS they collectively “Connect, Learn and Grow”.

Connect

• The school’s staff prides themselves on providing high levels of care and attention to their students, as well as listening, helping, caring and connecting with families and the wider community.

• Improved access to teachers assist in unlocking your child’s full potential.

• Holds weekly interactions with local cluster schools to ensure students are connected with their local communities.

Learn

• Has an unwavering focus on academic learning in reading, writing and mathematics, connected with student and community interests and experiences.

• With small class sizes, each child receives personalised support to maximise their learning, and every student receives an Individualised Learning Plan with

Encouraging student voice and listening at Our Lady’s

OUR Lady’s Primary School is a small school with a huge capacity to cater for individual student needs.

With small class sizes and attention to detail, their aim is to ensure all students have the ability to learn with the learning adjustments to do so.

Small also means students don’t miss out.

Their entire school has been refurbished to provide outstanding educational facilities.

“We also have a one-on-one iPad program to ensure our students have contemporary learning at their fingertips,” principal Cassie Lynch said.

“We are very fortunate at Our Lady’s to also have access to our very own speech pathologist and receive ongoing support from an occupational therapist to ensure what we are doing meets the needs of the students entrusted in our care.”

be strong and communicated by all.

“We thought this is a wonderful opportunity to engage in Indigenous culture and approved this request from our grade five and six leaders.”

collaboratively constructed learning goals.

Grow

• Extensive grounds include large interactive play areas, lush green grass oval, impressive vegetable garden areas and construction activities.

• With a vibrant playgroup and junior school enrolments, the school is set to grow into the future.

• The small rural school environment and dedicated staff enable children to grow socially, academically and emotionally.

Join Everton Primary School in 2023 and ask how they can assist your child to be a happy, connected learner.

Please contact Kevin Hill, principal, on (03) 5727 0222, or via Facebook, to arrange a visit to this boutique school at 2157 Great Alpine Road, Everton

Student leadership is an important element to their school life Our Lady’s, and so is listening to student voice.

“This year, we have been busy restructuring our student leadership programs,” said Ms Lynch.

“In the past, we have operated with various groups assisting our school in the areas of environment, technology, Indigenous voice and Catholic identity.

“This year, we gave our students the opportunity to review these groups for improvement.

“Our grade five and six cohort of passionate learners decided that all students in grade five and six should be FIRE Carriers.

“They decided this as they felt that the message of our Indigenous people needed to

The aim of the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier Project is to promote respect, fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal people.

The FIRE Carrier Project promotes enculturation and reconciliation in Sandhurst schools.

The FIRE Carrier project covenant is like a reconciliation action plan.

To be a FIRE Carrier is to exercise an important leadership role in the school community.

FIRE carriers are students and teachers who share a passion for learning about Aboriginal culture and history and are committed to sharing this knowledge and promoting reconciliation within and beyond the school community.

BOUTIQUE SCHOOL: Everton Primary School offers a unique individualised learning experience for all students.

SMALL SCHOOL, BIG OPPRORTUNITIES: Student leadership is an important aspect of school life at Our Lady’s with the grade five and six students taking part in the FIRE Carrier Project.

Term 3 2023

Appin Park students thriving with new digital technologies

THE Digital Technologies program at Appin Park has been a resounding success this year, fostering students’ creativity and problem-solving abilities through hands-on activities and miniprojects.

One of the highlights has been the introduction of BeeBots programmable robots. These friendly robots have captivated the students, providing a fun and interactive way to learn coding.

By giving step-by-step instructions, students have successfully navigated the BeeBots through mazes and overcome challenges, gaining invaluable coding concepts in the process.

Another digital adventure students have embarked on is designing and building their own classrooms using Minecraft.

This immersive virtual environment has allowed them to showcase their spatial awareness and imagination while honing their coding skills.

The integration of Spheros, programmable robotic balls, has brought coding to life in a fun and interactive manner. Students have been able to

apply their coding knowledge by controlling the Spheros, resulting in engaging and educational experiences.

Recognising the outstanding talent and enthusiasm displayed

by some students in their Digital Technologies lessons, Appin Park have introduced the highly coveted Digi Tech Academy. These students were invited to take part in this specialised

program, further enhancing their skills and knowledge.

The academy’s inaugural lesson gave students the opportunity to explore the Lego Spike Prime kits. These innovative kits, which

can be built and linked to iPads, enabled students to dive deeper into coding and unleash their creativity.

While students have been immersing themselves in the world of digital technologies, they have also been making the most of the new basketball and netball court at Appin Park.

Completed earlier this year, this state-of-the-art facility has become a bustling centre of sporting activities.

Students have been enjoying basketball, netball, bike education training, footy with AFL Northeast, as well as various skill development games during their physical education sessions.

With four towering light towers and tall fencing surrounding the court, students have been able to participate in these activities in a safe and vibrant environment.

If there are any families thinking of 2024 enrolments or wishing to visit, they are invited to contact the office to arrange a tour at a time that is convenient to them. Alternatively, there is an open day on Thursday, August 31 between 9.30am to 11.00am, for anyone wishing to attend.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES: Lucas Doig and Ashlynn Reaburn delve into the digital world of Lego and coding during their Digital Technology Academy session.

Benefits of the SEAL Program

THE Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program is an innovative program for high ability and high potential students that has been running successfully at Wangaratta High School for almost two decades.

“We are immensely proud of the SEAL Program and the success our students have enjoyed both academically and beyond in the broader community,” Wangaratta High School principal, Dave Armstrong, said.

Designed for a range of learners the program accommodates formally assessed gifted children, students who have shown high ability in one or more learning areas, and students who have shown high potential even though their current results may not reflect their ability.

“Our high ability and high potential programs aim to help students develop their innate gifts and strengths into talents across both curricular and extracurricular activities,” Mr Armstrong said.

“We cater for children who have shown academic potential, strengths and

potential in sporting, music and artistic endeavours, as well as fostering interpersonal and leadership talents.”

The SEAL Model at Wangaratta High School Students are selected into the program through an application, high ability and potential testing through Edutest, and an interview

with the school SEAL Panel.

In years seven to nine selected students accelerate through the year seven to 10 core curriculum of English, Maths, Science and Humanities, compacting four years of learning into three.

Some students who have demonstrated exceptional strengths in mathematics are offered acceleration into

VCE maths subjects at year nine.

Year 10 SEAL students can:

• Apply to complete VCE over two years;

• Complete a wider choice of VCE subjects over three years;

• Combine year 10 electives with some VCE subjects; and

• Combine year 10 subjects

with VCE and VET subjects.

In years 11 and 12 students also have access to university courses and VCE level subjects through the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES).

CHES offers an increasingly broad range of courses which are only available to high ability and high achieving students in

THE TOP HIGH-ABILITY STUDENT PROGRAM IN THE REGION

government schools.

Universities offering these courses include Go8 members, the University of Melbourne and Monash University, as well as RMIT, La Trobe, Swinburne, ACU and Federation University. Wangaratta High School also has a long established relationship with ANU in Canberra, with early offers made to SEAL students before the end of year 12.

Questions?

If you feel your child may benefit from participating in the SEAL program you’re encouraged to register with Edutest.

Go to the school website for more information and the registration link.

If you have any questions about the program or if you are unsure if your child should register for testing, please get in touch with:

• Enrolments OfficeJodie Bell; email jodie.bell2@education.vic. gov.au

• High Ability Practice Leader and SEAL Coordinator – Meryl Herman; email meryl.herman@ education.vic.gov.au

Information sessions have been held, but it is not too late! Contact our or visit

We encourage all current Year 6 families to explore our 'best-inregion' programs for high-ability students, particularly our highly regarded Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program and the expanded university subject offering from the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES).

HIGH ACHIEVERS: Wangaratta High School encourages their students to achieve great things through offering opportunities including the SEAS Program.

The best start for Victorian students

THE Victorian Government is investing $14 billion to give Victorian children the best start in life.

This will mean:

• Free Kinder: From this year, Free Kinder will be available for Victorian three and four-year-old children at participating services in both standalone (sessional) services and long day care (childcare) settings – a saving of up to $2500 per child, every year.

• Pre-Prep: Over the next decade, fourYear-Old Kindergarten will transition to ‘ Pre-Prep’ – increasing to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for four-year-old children in Victoria by 2032.

• Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: The roll-out of three-Year-Old Kindergarten continues, programs will increase to 15 hours a week across the state by 2029 – providing Victorian children with two years of a quality kindergarten program before school.

• Early Learning Centres: 50 Victorian Government-owned and operated early learning centres will be established. These centres will be built in areas with the greatest need, and will make it easier for families to access childcare. The first of the centres will be available in 2025.

• Kindergarten infrastructure: Significant investment in infrastructure across the state, including new kindergartens on or near school sites.

Substantial grants are available to build, expand and maintain kindergarten services.

• Kindergarten workforce: Increased investment to attract upskill and retain early childhood teachers and educators – scholarships, incentives, traineeships and career advancement programs are available to support our skilled workforce.

The commitment: 2023/24 Budget

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 sets out additional investment of more than $1.8 billion over five years in early childhood education.

This builds on the government’s existing $4.4 billion investment in Best Start, Best Life, including Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, and takes investment to date to $6.2 billion.

These investments are critical to the future success of reforms, which seek to transform early childhood education, provide the best start for all children, support families with cost-of-living pressures and help parents get back to work and study if they choose.

The government is also funding practical supports to improve access, participation and inclusion.

This new funding includes $1.2 billion to provide the infrastructure development needed at the state continues to progress towards delivering 15 hours of three-YearOld Kinder by 2029 and 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week for every four-year-old child by 2032.

Maths learning is fun at St.

The other key areas for the 2023/24 Victorian Budget investment in early childhood education are:

• $546 million to support the continued roll-out of the Best Start, Best Life reforms, which includes three-Year-Old Kinder

• $28 million to support language learning in early childhood services

• $20 million to provide every service

with grants for toys and equipment, and to create new and support existing toy libraries and fund Bush Kinder programs

• $18 million to support young children with disability, developmental delay and/ or additional needs.

Some benefits of the quality kindergarten program include higher cognitive and emotional skills and higher exam scores in later schooling in maths and English for the children involved.

BEST START, BEST LIFE: The Victorian Government has invested in early childhood education to give children the best start in life.

Supporting children’s social and emotional development

ALL early childhood services within the North East Regional Preschool Association (NERPSA) offer specific emotional and social development programs where children engage with and learn how to identify their emotions, how these make their body feel, how to articulate this to the adults in the room or their kinder friends.

Importantly a child will learn the skills that suit them to support their own selfregulation.

All NERPSA staff understand that a child’s behaviour is a response to what the child perceives as a difficulty, unfair, etc. Staff believe it is not a matter of changing the child, but rather offering the child knowledge to understand the emotion and the skills to use appropriate responses.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is the independent national authority that assists governments in regulating and ensuring high quality children’s education and care.

It acknowledges that “from birth, children begin to explore how the social world works, exploring and learning to manage feelings, behaviour, rights and responsibilities is a complex process”.

ACECQA maintains that the nurturing and supportive relationships within an early childhood setting “provide a solid foundation from which to guide and support children as they develop the self-confidence and skills to manage their own behaviour, make decisions and relate positively and effectively to others.”

NERPSA early childhood teachers and educators understand the pivotal role they play in developing children’s social

and emotional skills and that each child’s needs in this area are unique.

This developmental learning helps support a child to feel competent and capable to in managing “their world”.

A solid base in the early years means that a child will have the capacity to confidently manage the demands of their changing worlds, the main one being moving from early childhood setting to a school setting.

This learning occurs in collaboration with parents creating partnerships that further support children’s development in this area.

Registrations for the 2024 three-yearold and four-year old kindergarten are still being accepted and to learn more about NERPSA and the services offered visit www.nerpsa.com.au.

Regeneration through action at St Patrick’s

ST PATRICK’S years

five and six students have been very hands-on in their sustainability inquiry unit connecting with self, others, community and country.

Students selected an area of interest, and researched how to live more sustainably and how to actively action a community-based sustainability project.

Ian Minns, who is part of the local Landcare group, spent time with the students exploring the types of bird life that exists within the local region.

Students then designed and constructed their own bird box with the assistance of parents and staff

These bird boxes will be placed along the walking paths of Kaluna Park.

The Earth Care Expo group researched problems surrounding fast fashion and educated the school community.

Students visited classes and encouraged their peers to make more informed choices when selecting clothing.

Material donations, including preloved clothing

were donated to the group, enabling students to upcycle material into scrunchies and boomerang bags.

Judy Lowan from the Boomerang Bag initiative, and Sally Hughes from the Wangaratta council, worked with students to promote the initiative of Plastic Free July.

Students created murals on the footpath to share the message with the boarder community.

Friends Igniting Reconciliation through

Education (F.I.R.E.) Carrier and outdoor sculpture Inquiry groups paired their learning through an excursion to Winton Wetlands to examine local Indigenous beliefs and connection to country, through exploration of natural landmarks and sculptures that have been created by Yorta Yorta artists.

This experience included a guided tour with ecologists, who shared the regeneration project of the wetlands.

information on each of our

APPIN PARK KINDERGARTEN

BERNARD BRIGGS KINDERGARTEN

CHILTERN KINDERGARTEN AND LONG DAY CARE

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN KINDERGARTEN

CORONATION KINDERGARTEN

GLENROWAN KINDERGARTEN

JAMES TILSON KINDERGARTEN

MOYHU KINDERGARTEN

MUNRO AVE KINDERGARTEN

THE HUB KINDERGARTEN

WANGARATTA WEST KINDERGARTEN

WHITFIELD COMMUNITY CHILD CARE CENTRE

WHOROULY KINDERGARTEN

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Childhood services within NERPSA set out to teach children skills to support their self regulation.

HANDS-ON LEARNING: Annabell Martino, Amelia Cabalar and Ruby Fischer designed a bird box with Ian Minns while learning about the local region.

Learning outside the classroom

STUDENTS at Yarrunga Primary School have enjoyed experiences both in and out of the classroom at the start of term three.

The term started with the school celebrating NAIDOC Week with the theme ‘For Our Elders’ where students learnt about and embraced inclusion in their school.

Many of the students also took part in many outdoor education activities.

This started with the year five and six students who explored both their culinary

and artistic skills out in the bush.

These activities were aimed to give the students the necessary skills to thrive in the kitchen and become more creative while spending some time in nature.

Years three and four students also had the opportunity to take part in these activities over the last few weeks.

Students from prep to year two enjoyed a performance of The Gruffalo’s Child on July 21 at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

The Gruffalo’s Child is a musical stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book by the same name where the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the performance and especially enjoyed getting to end their week outside of the classroom.

The school also had their student

teacher interviews last week where parents had the opportunity to speak with teachers about all the amazing things their children have been learning so far.

Auskick will also be starting at Yarrunga Primary School on August 1.

There is still a chance for footy fans to register for Auskick which will be on every Tuesday at the Yarrunga Primary School Oval.

There is a $60 registration fee for every child registered.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION: Years five and six students including (from left) Daneeka Lines, Dylan Meloury, Georgia Christie,and Amilia Thomson had the opportunity to learn both culinary and artistic skills in the bush this term.

Mural showcases students’ learning

IN a remarkable display of the power of interdisciplinary education, students from Wangaratta Primary School have come together to create a breath-taking mural that seamlessly blends art and science with a specific focus on biological science.

This extraordinary project, which showcases the students’ exceptional talent and collaborative spirit, highlights the importance of cross-curricular learning in fostering creativity and innovation.

Utilising a wall in the school’s art room, the mural is a visual masterpiece that celebrates the richness and diversity of the natural world.

It intricately weaves scientific concepts related to biology and artistic techniques, creating a truly captivating experience for all who view it.

The mural features vibrant and lifelike depictions of flora and fauna, showcasing the intricate interplay between living things.

From the delicate details of the sea to the complex web of life in the forest, every detail in the mural reflects the students’ deep understanding of the biological sciences.

They skilfully incorporated scientific accuracy into their artistic interpretations, blending colours, shapes, and textures to bring the living world to life on the wall.

This cross-curricular project allowed the students to deepen their understanding of biological science and fostered their artistic skills and creativity. By combining science’s

analytical thinking with art’s expressive nature, the students developed a holistic appreciation for the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world.

The Wangaratta Primary School mural stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary education in nurturing well-rounded individuals who can think critically and creatively.

The students involved in this project have honed their artistic and scientific skills and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of biological science in our lives.

Term 3 2023

Learning all about Indigenous culture

ON Friday, July 21, Dr Helen Haines visited Oxley Primary School to present the school with a new Torres Strait Islander flag.

Year six student Charlotte Smith took it upon herself to write to Federal MP for Indi Dr Helen Haines seeking a new flag when she realised that the school was not flying the Torres Strait Islander flag on a daily basis.

Charlotte’s understanding of the school’s situation came from the recent NAIDOC Week and Sorry Day celebrations that have taken place at the school.

Lauren Duncan, the year five and six teacher at Oxley Primary School, has led the school through mixed age group celebration days to build awareness around the Indigenous culture.

The activities that the students participated in were designed to build knowledge, awareness and respect for our Indigenous culture.

The students took part in art activities, awareness

about the flags activities, sporting activities and storytelling activities.

While taking part in the activities, curiosity was raised by the year six students around the different flags and the need to fly them at Oxley Primary School. While at Oxley Primary School, the students learnt

a lot about government through Dr Haines and what she does in her job. They also put together a ‘quick fire’ questionnaire to find out more about Helen. Somethings that they were happy to learn was that she is a Richmond supporter, and she prefers bright coloured socks to dull coloured socks.

SCIENCE AND ART: Students at Wangaratta Primary School combined art and science to create a new mural.

EMBRACING CULTURE: Indi MP Helen Haines presented the students at Oxley Primary School with a new Torres Strait Islander Flag after receiving a letter from year 6 student, Charlotte Smith.

Becoming soccer champions at Galen College

SINCE the May launch of the exciting new partnership between Galen Catholic College Wangaratta and Liverpool FC (LFC) Academy, the highperformance soccer school program has already taken effect with a community launch day, launch of a new after school clinic program (open to all soccer players from the region) and a GCC exclusive subject elective currently available to year nine and 10 students.

The partnership will also increase tertiary education opportunities for our students at the Australian College of Physical Education.

The ACPE is a leading higher education provider with bachelor degrees in Sports Coaching, Dance, Physical and Health Education, Health and Movement, Football Codes and Health Sciences.

“Our partnership provides the opportunity for all members of our community and the

broader region of North East Victoria to engage in a worldwide community organisation,” Galen Catholic College principal, Darta Hovey, said.

“This ongoing relationship seeks to provide opportunities for young people to harness their gifts and talents, not just in a sporting space but also in their own life journey.”

During the school holidays they welcomed more than 100 young soccer players from North East Victoria and NSW to a free community day to have a taste of what the clinics would involve.

The After School Skills Development Clinic will commence on Wednesday, August 16 and run until the end of term three.

The weekly on-field sessions under LFC Academy accredited coaches are designed to complement club football commitments.

The players are placed into different age groups, pre academy

ages six to eight, foundation phase ages nine to 11 and youth development phase ages 12 to 14.

“We are most excited about the opportunity to be working with a world powerhouse club such as Liverpool Football Club, a club of excellence,” co-coaches and Galen staff members, Raff Molinaro and Pat Acuri, said.

“Our program doesn’t just cater to elite players but to the player holistically.

“It will help to develop our region’s young people under the Liverpool model.

“Having played soccer as youth players in the region we understand the significance of the opportunity to have this technical and tactical programme to deliver to the kids.”

If you are interested as a player or to become an accredited coach under the LFC International Academy please visit the website www.galen.vic.edu.au and click on the Liverpool FC Partnership Launch section on the home page.

‘THE LIVERPOOL WAY’: GCC deputy principal Pat Arcuri (back left) and teacher Raffaele Molinaro are amongst the LFC accredited coaches donning the Liverpool kit to pass their learnt football knowledge onto keen students.

Term three is “Pathways” time of the year at Galen Catholic College.

We undertake significant course counselling to make sure our students are able to select a pathway which supports them to harness their gifts, talents and passion. While some students may not know what career pathway they hope to engage in, we have the opportunity to make sure that the pathway each student chooses aligns to their deeper interests, as this helps them to engage in the curriculum content and activities to a much deeper level.

This range of subject offerings which is extensive, combined with our curriculum structures gives us the ability to design pathways that allow them to participate in passion pathways, accelerated pathways from year 8 and practical pathways. These students then have the options to complete a VCE, VET (Vocational education and training) or the new Vocation Major pathway as students move into the senior school. Importantly, conversations between our staff, students and families are critical in making sure that we have the right pathways and we are clear on how best to make the most of the subjects selected for the following year. These conversations and opportunities are at the heart of what we do as educators.

Over the past week I had the opportunity to spend three days on camp with our year 7 students. I cherish these moments as a principal, as I am able to engage with students in completely different surrounds. I see the students in a different light, as they interact with each other in new ways, in activities such as high ropes courses or taking their turn on the cleaning roster. At the same time, the students were able to see me in a different light as they helped unhook fish, as I encouraged them climb the rock wall or as they watched Charles teach me a lesson in playing table tennis. These moments are a great opportunity to deepen our relationships with our students.

Camps are a critical part of broader curriculum offerings which we choose to offer. Students have the opportunity

Term 3 2023

to challenge themselves outside the classroom, whilst continuing to grow their relationships with their peers and our educators. Camps are also a part of our pathways program as a large percentage of our students chose our “ReWild’ subject offering at year 9, this then leads to Outdoor Education in our senior school. I came away from the camp having had the opportunity to reconnect with my Technology class from first semester, as well as meeting a number of students I had only been able to in brief chats in the yard or via a class visit.

Finally, on the August 16 Galen Catholic College celebrates our Founders Day. The story of our college is really the story of three colleges; St. Joseph’s College, Champagnat College and Galen Catholic College. In 1974 a committee was successful in receiving a Commonwealth Capital Grant which led to the decision to establish a regional co-educational college for years 11 and 12, to be known as Galen Catholic College. The college operated in St. Patrick’s Hall for one semester before moving into the new brown and cream brick buildings on the same site as Champagnat College, which is our current site.

Finally in 1983 St. Josephs’ College, Champagnat College and Galen College amalgamated to form Galen Catholic College. From 1983-1989 the years 7 and 8 students were on the Riley St. campus and the years 9 to 12 were at College St. , in 1990 all students from years 7 to 12 were located on our current campus. Today’s campus is significantly different to what our students engaged with back in 1990.

At the conclusion of our Founders Day for 2023, the conversations will begin for the celebration of our 50th year as Galen Catholic College. It’s a huge and aspiring task that will start with building a committee and continue into yearlong planning. This is an exciting time and a great opportunity to celebrate the earlier pioneers and visionary members of the Galen community who brought the story to life in 1975.

www.galen.vic.edu.au

Broadening Horizons at CCW

It is hard to believe that we are midway through the 2023 academic year. For me, Semester One was a true return to normality, as our students not only participated in their planned year-level camps and excursions, but we saw a triumphant return to interstate and overseas travel.

During the mid-year break, we had three incredible trips that enabled our students to be enriched in immeasurable ways beyond the classroom. These experiences not only broaden horizons but instil the sentiment that we are indeed global citizens, an understanding that is made all the more tangible when one is actually in an environment vastly different from their day-to-day life. Each trip had a different purpose, but all were based on enriching the education they received at CCW.

German Language Tour

The College’s inaugural three-week German Language Tour has not only accelerated our students’ language acquisition but also broadened their cultural understanding in an authentic environment. The nine students navigated their way around Germany, visited various historical landmarks and admired the natural beauty of Bavaria and the Alps.

The students attended language school in Berlin with individually tailored lessons to develop and enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

We offer two languages at Cathedral College, German and Indonesian, and in 2023 we are looking at providing a similar experience for interested Indonesian students.

Samoa – Service Learning

This trip was the first service-learning trip for 2023, and the first since the pandemic, to one of our sister schools, All Saints Anglican School in Samoa. Another two service-learning trips are planned for our students this year in the September/ October holidays.

On this trip, were twenty-seven students in Years Nine, Ten and Eleven from six Anglican School Commission schools. We had three students represent the College. The first week of the trip was spent exploring this island paradise, learning about Samoan culture, swimming over coral reefs, and trying the local foods. The second week was spent alongside students in Years One to Eight at All Saints, helping them learn, play sports, and immerse themselves in Samoan culture.

Farmers Exchange (Queensland) –Pathways Focus

Over the mid-year break, four students from the College’s VCE Agriculture and Horticulture class participated in the inaugural Australian Future Farmers Exchange program with Faith Lutheran College, Queensland.

Established to foster and ignite the passion and interest of students in agricultural careers, the experience included a five-day tour of the Western Downs and Lockyer Valley.

The Australian Future Farmers Exchange (AFFE) was established by VCE Agriculture and Horticulture teachers Ms Amanda Naish and Mr Russ Berlin after the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference in Toowoomba in January. Amanda and Russ’s passions ignited to create this wonderful initiative for students to experience the agricultural/horticultural industry, develop opportunities for post-secondary life and be exposed to the crucial need for a strong and skilled workforce in the agricultural sector.

International and interstate experiences allow students to develop a more tangible understanding of the world they have learned so much about in their classrooms. One of the first things that students will comment on when reflecting on their experience is their appreciation of an experience that they may never have engaged in otherwise. These real-world experiences enhance their classroom experience.

This semester, we continue to celebrate and reflect on twenty years of our school and strive to improve and enhance the educational outcomes for our students. Whether it be new curriculum initiatives in the classroom or building on the College’s comprehensive cocurricular program, including camps, excursions, and overseas trips, the question is always asked, how does this benefit our students? Cathedral College is a busy and dynamic learning facility where we unapologetically offer a wide range of diverse experiences beyond the classroom. Classroom learning will always underpin all that we do, and a healthy balance is key, but these ‘extras’ provide real-world learning.

Whether navigating Berlin’s complex rail system, being exposed to a vastly different culture or learning hands-on about innovative agricultural technologies, some skills and life experiences can’t be taught within four walls.

NICK JONES

GALEN CATHOLIC COLLEGE College St, Wangaratta Phone (03) 5721 6322

DARREN ‘DARTA’ HOVEY

DAVID ARMSTRONG

A Constructive And Educational Experience

Wangaratta High School is already known for offering the longest-running and most robust program to support high-ability students in our region through our Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program. The enrolment capacity of this program was doubled in 2023 based on increased interest from families who self-identified and supported their children applying, in addition to others identified by the schools and primary school teachers. Subsequent enrolments and transfers from mainstream classes this year have further increased the scale of the program. Of note, the standard of applicants for this year’s intake was exceptionally high, emphasising the value of encouraging more students to apply and be tested within the assessment progress of application, interview and academic testing. The process is a constructive and educational experience that is worthwhile and beneficial to all young people in its own right. If parents or carers have any inclination that their year 6 student would suit the SEAL program, we recommend that you apply and work with us to support them through the application process. It is never too late! Information is available on our website, or contact our Enrolments Officer for personal and friendly guidance and support. There are also options for students currently in years seven, 8 or 9 to join the SEAL program.

Centre For Higher Education Studies (Ches) – over 20 university courses available to our students

In addition to the SEAL program, the school has a range of other programs to support and extend all students not necessarily enrolled in SEAL, including the Victorian High Ability Program, Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series and accelerated access to VCE subjects at year 10. The Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) commenced last year and is a new and very exciting addition to the range of programs available to our students and year 11 and 12. CHES offers some very special VCE subjects that very few schools offer, such as a very challenging mathematics course called VCE Algorithmics. But of most note is their offering of university subjects to complement and extend VCE students from almost every university in Victoria – Monash, University of Melbourne, La Trobe, Deakin, RMIT, Swinburne and Federation. The offering will inspire, engage and extend all learners with courses from almost every discipline and study area – politics, biology, physiology, space industry,

WANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL

17-49 Edwards St, Wangaratta

Phone (03) 5723 0500

literature, human movement, sport, criminology, engineering, accounting, health science, economics, physics, sustainable development and law.

The subjects can be completed as part of a student’s VCE program, and they count towards their university entrance ranking (ATAR). Additionally, and of special note, is that the completed subjects are considered as credit towards their undergraduate students at all Australian universities and support them to make a confident and successful transition to university life. CHES is only available to students in government schools, and there are no fees from the school or universities for the subjects (i.e. no HECS/STUDY debt). I encourage you to have a look at their offering at ches.vic.edu.au. The CHES 2024 subject handbook is easily accessible on the homepage of the Wangaratta High School website whs.vic.edu.au. Our staff can provide guidance and subject selection and processes, and our Enrolments Officer is available to facilitate enquiries from upper secondary students keen to explore enrolment at the High School to access CHES.

School For Student Leadership (Ssl)

– eight week residential leadership program for year 9

A group of our year 9 students returned to school this term after spending all of term two in southwest Victoria at Gnurad Gundidj, one of the four campuses of the Department of Education’s School for Student Leadership (SSL). Wangaratta High School has keenly participated in this program since its inception and the opening of the first campus at Dinner Plain. The purpose-built campus hosts 45 students at a time and brings students together from a range of schools across regional and metropolitan Victoria to live and learn together seven days a week. Our group have returned with their own Community Learning Project, developed within their leadership curriculum, to educate youth on their mental health. We look forward to seeing their project and initiatives come to fruition.

I have only highlighted a small part of our offering. Please have a look at our website and come and talk to our team about the many programs we have in place to support and serve all students in our community. We are a truly comprehensive school.

Dave Armstrong Executive Principal

Transition time

Carraragarmungee Primary School

NEXT year’s preps have enjoyed their first transition day at the school. A total of six are starting next year which will give the school a boost in numbers, something that is always welcome.

Zoo adventure

Wangaratta West Primary School

STUDENTS arrived to school early to take on an exciting trip to the Melbourne Zoo.

Grade two students have been learning ‘Why do animals adapt to their environment?’ for their term three inquiry unit.

NATURAL WONDER: Students Aakash Barnard, Ollie Van Der Leeuw, Huntah Parrant, Sophia Cook, Hudson Knihinizkij, Angus Renshaw, Lucas Coutts, Ruby Seddon and Indi Youings enjoyed seeing some reptiles at the zoo.

1Which sense does a cochlear implant assist? Is it a) sight, b) touch, c) hearing, or d) smell?

Camp fun

Wangaratta Primary School

STUDENTS in year 5/6 had a great time during their school camp to the Upper Plenty Conference Centre near Whittlesea at the end of term two.

While it was cold, the rain held off as students enjoyed an array of activities from horse riding, laser tag in the bush, tube sliding, camp cooking, rock climbing, geocaching, team building challenges and archery.

It was enjoyed by students, staff and parent helpers too.

During their visit at the Melbourne Zoo, they expanded on their research to help with their class projects.

2Which of these Australian mammals weighs the most? Is it a) the common wombat, b) the red kangaroo, c) the koala, or d) the eastern grey kangaroo?

CELEBRATION: Foundation students Jack Haddrick, George Watson-McCormack and Liam Pay were among those marking their first 100 days together

100 days celebration

Appin Park Primary School

FOUNDATION students recently celebrated their first 100 days of school. Along with their year one peers, activities for the day were based around the number 100.

STEM activities, maths,

reading and writing tasks engaged all the students as they worked in small groups to complete their challenges. Wearing bright colours and bringing along some party food to share really created a party atmosphere.

The year one students have enjoyed being mentors for the foundation students and making connections has played a pivotal role in the younger students settling in to the school routines much easier and quicker.

Special visitor

Oxley Primary School

THE school was pleased to welcome Indi independent federal MP Helen Haines who presented the school with a Torres Strait Islander flag.

VIP VISIT: Indi MP Helen Haines (back, right) received an enthusiastic welcome from students, also presenting awards to (front, from left) Ethan Millis, Shaylah Williams, Eloise Coles, Lucy Galloway and Will Loechel.

3The Kármán line separates Earth from space. How far up is it? Is it a) 100 kilometres from sea level, b) 1000 kilometres from sea level, c) 10 000 kilometres from sea level, or d) 100 000 kilometres from sea level?

4If you want a pendulum to swing more frequently, which of these factors will make the most difference? Should you a) make the pendulum shorter, b) add more weight, or c) pull it back further before letting go?

5. a) Portland cement is typically made by roasting limestone, with a small amount of other ingredients, such as gypsum or clay.

She also presented our student of the week awards, which went to Ethan Millis, Shaylah Williams, Eloise Coles, Lucy Galloway and Will Loechel.

5Portland cement is typically made from which rock? Is it a) limestone, b) sandstone, c) granite, or d) pumice?

For more CSIRO

4. a) The length of a pendulum is the main factor that determines how long a swing takes.

2. b) Red kangaroos can weigh up to 90 kilograms, as heavy as an adult human! 3. a) The Kármán line is at an altitude of 100 kilometres.

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. c) The cochlear implant is an Australian invention that helps people to hear.

Double Helix science visit www.csiro.au/ helix or call 02 6276 6643.

CLIMBING HIGH: Chelsea Wallace, Jane Foster, Archie Barrett and Christopher Munzel had fun outdoors during their camp.

BRIGHT FUTURE: Mia Bell, Alice Richardson, Matilda Wilson, Oskar Newman, Boni Nottingham and Arthur Mcleod are looking forward to starting school at Carra next year.

INPERSONBYPHONESELLING ACAR BUY ONLINE

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

WHENTO BOOK BYEMAIL

2

General Classifieds: wangarattachronicle.com.au

Employment: northeastjobs.com.au

Real Estate: northeastproperty.com.au

WANGARATTA’S MARKET PLACE WITH OVER 40,000 READERS EACH

PROPOSED OPTUS 5G UPGRADE EXISTING OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASESTATION LOCATED AT 11-15, PARFIT ROAD WANGARATTA VIC 3677 WWW.RFNSA.COM.AU/3677005 (OPTUS SITE ID: M0122)

1. Optus is proposing to upgrade the existing facility located at the above address. The proposed upgrade consists of the:

The proposed upgrade consists of:

Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with three (3) new panel antennas less than 2.8m in length;

Replacement of six (6) existing remote units with nine (9) remote radio units;

Replacement of one (1) GPS antenna with one (1) GPS antenna; and

the installation of ancillary equipment associated with the operation and safety of the facility.

2. Optus regards the proposed installation as a Lowimpact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Enquiries and/or comments should be directed to: SKYAUS Infrastructure on 1300 845 444, via email at optusplanning@skyaus.com.au or via mail at 188 Newton Road, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 by 16 August 2023.

CONCRETING - Big or small jobs. Paths, driveways, shed slabs, verandahs. 15 years experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.

DOG TRAINER , obedience training, behavioural issues, learn to understand and control your companion. Phone Frank 0418 314 610 or E frank@ franksdogtraining.au.

IRONBARK

Machinery, automotive and small engine servicing and repairs, trailer repairs and professional welding services. Ph 03 5722 4460.

CLASSIFIEDS 5723 0101

ANGUS bulls, very quiet, good

visit mmas.com.au for videos, data and pricing, Marramungee Angus Stud. Ph 0429 809 288.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! 5723 0101

OLD coins, notes, watches and jewellery. Including two dollar coloured coins. Phone 0478 162 069.

CEDAR chest of drawers. Two long, two small drawers. Lovely handles. Excellent condition. Will deliver locally. $250. Ph. 0402 403 887.

ICARE single electric adjustable medical bed, excellent condition, strong, breathable mattress platform, head/foot ends, mattress retainer bars, hand controls, 200kg safe working load, hardly used, $900 ONO. Ph 0498 796 473.

VX Polo Sedan 2005 (TRB 311). 188,000 Klms (10,000 klms per each year old). Very clean inside and out. Modern Pioneer stereo with BT. 5 almost new tyres. RWC completed. R egularly serviced.

or retirement car. $5200 with 13 months rego or $4500 with 6 weeks rego. Ph. 0421 542 470

HARLEY Davidson 2006, 1200cc xl 1200R sportster roadster, cruiser, 5 sp manual, 7640km, prisitne condition, VIN 5HD1CLP186K 455114, plus leather jacket, helmet, gloves and backpack, $11,500 bank cheque only. Ph 0408 546 764 or 0412 874 585

POLARIS Ace 325, 635km, front and rear brushguard, winch, tow bar and hitch. Feb 23, 2016, 7.5 year old. $4500, bank cheque. Ph 0408 546 764 or 0412 874 585.

Advertise your car, boat, caravan, bike or trailer across all North East Media newspapersfor Conditions apply. Phone: 5723 0101 email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

2013 Toyota Corolla L evin SX, 6 speed m anual, complete service history, RWC, 3 onths rego (1KR4DE), 229,521km, Gold exterior, Black interior, car is in very good condition inside and out, $8500. Ph 0407 385 421. OLD cars wanted, cars removed. Ph 0435 083 115.

TOYOTA Prado 1999 (TRM 702), 356,630km, RWC. 7 seater, serviced regularly, mainly highway use. Reg. until October 28, 2023. $9,000 ONO. Ph 5727 3780 or 0408 314 179.

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

PETS & LIVESTOCK

FUNERALS

COPPLEMAN,

The funeral service for the late Alice Edna Coppleman will be held in the Hume Chapel, 435 Wilson Street, Albury on Thursday, August 3, commencing at 10am. Private cremation.

Beechworth (03) 5728 1052

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

John & Christine Haddrick

The only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta

Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association

All Hours 5722 2525 northeastfunerals.com.au

Honouring the Journey Mason Park Funerals

P. 03 5721 5060 W. masonpark.com.au

IN MEMORIAM

ALLEN, Den.

Passed away August 1, 2021.

Loved you yesterday, Love you still. Always have, Always will.

~Your San and Family.

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication

Remember your loved one in a lasting way

The memory of a much loved family member or friend can live on through a donation to your local health service Northeast Health Wangaratta. This is a direct way of helping us to continually improve patient care and comfort, ensuring the availability of comprehensive health services in our local community.

Family and friends can make a donation in lieu of flowers in recognition of the medical care and attention provided.

The bereaved family will be notified of your memorial gift according to your wishes and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.

Community Engagement Team (03) 5722 5069 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.

$1.80 wangarattachronicle Phone (03) 5723 0100 Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Burglar chased from home Derby win for Devils

TODAY 14o 15 15 14 Page 3 tv GUIDE plus Sport

WANGARATTA BEARINGS AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES icultura Air Products tomotiv Bearings BeltssFitting

Castors Drill bits Filters HndTool HoseIrrigationLubrication Power Tools fty

Trailers Transmission Welding plus lots more...

classifieds@nemedia.com.au Local News.

Charge up your engines

SOCIAL FOCUS Fullerton Wangaratta

Saturday members Matthew PHOTOS:

Club Johnson-Beggworks

Wangaratta students compare admirably after a year like no other Country stacks up in VCE are many Despite education they Victo-

compared to across Catholic Galen get-

A BORDER BUBBLE IS

NOW IN PLACE

Victorian New South Wales residents will be able to travel into Victoria by showing their driver’s licence or other formal photo ID, to access the services they need. Travel delays are expected, so please plan ahead.

Cathedral’s 3.3pc. score 26, the achieving placing

Secondary College had reaching grade 26, over40+, College EuroaSecondary

40+. Myrtleford while College Secondary had median score

Teens look to the future with uni offers

High School 12 graduates state, who interested development, Kayla, 17, has

third-world development the National could butit’s didn’t know andam

lookingforward branch into ATAR need one, happy sportand aspectsof

MATES GRAEME Sheppard and his 11 year old Whippet ‘Milo’ were among more than 70 dogs and their owners enjoying a special morning at the Wangaratta off-leash dog park on Sunday. The pair, who celebrated their 77th birthdays together earlier this year, are hoping the event organised by Wangaratta Veterinary Clinic will be the first of many. The good news is it will. Full Story page Digital hub to reopen Page wangarattachronicle.com.au For more information visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised Melbourne

was my choice I’m initial plans gap year overseasand and have the

Wang Repair Café will aswell other them would costs morning Musicians invited to orchestra meeting being formed formedcommittee, involving other members conductor. parkon

Friday, - 5 Community Health of Home Care Packages Wangaratta or the surrounding for longer.

Live at home for longer

Gardening Home nursing medical appointments

Wodonga had dian scores 40+. had median of 39.7pc, Ballarat Subscribe now at wangarattachronicle.com.au/subscriptions

Home Care Packages for Wangaratta CALLNOW or

DISPOSED: Harvey Lyster gets the handball off before Benalla’s Ayden Barnard lays the tackle.

GAIN GROUND: Harvey Allan kicks the ball downfield.

BOOTED: Nathan Allan winds up for a massive kick under pressure from Noah Hogan.

CONTESTED: Hudson McKenzie takes the chest mark. PHOTOS: Marc Bongers

UNDER 17 SCOREBOARDUNDER 14 SCOREBOARDUNDER 12 SCOREBOARD

BEST: COLLEGE: Charlie Lugg, Cormac McNamara, Hudson Lloyd, Tom Rebbechi, Angus Kennedy, Charles Fitzgerald. BENALLA GIANTS: Will Botten, Xavier Wapling, Mitchell Cooney, Josh Hart, Leo McNeill, Josh Stacey. GOALS: COLLEGE: Charlie Lugg 10, Cormac McNamara 5, Ayden Peebles

Tom Rebbechi

Rory Harvey

Hudson Lloyd

Jonah

BEST: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Sam Gates, Toby Reeve, Daniel Farley, Private player, Jonty Priest, Hunter Carter. IMPERIALS: Luke Griffiths, Jed Marek, Mitchell Schultz, Ben McMonigle, Benjamin Rea, Kai McPhan.

GOALS: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Jonty Priest 1, Jet Russell 1. IMPERIALS: Will Prebble 4, Dylan C Savage 2, Luke Griffiths 1, Nicholas Kjar 1, Harrison O’Brien 1, Declan O’Sullivan 1, Benjamin Rea 1, Angus Schultz 1, Parker Stamp 1.

Centrals

9.12 12.17 18.23.131

BEST: BRIGHT: Jack Thomson, Zac Bradley, Tom Russell, Lee Robinson, Cade McGregor, Lachlan Russell. CENTRALS: Cody Johnson, Charlie Kerwin, Angus Jayet, Seth Johnson, Hunter Fraser, Jack Eliott-Scragg.

GOALS: BRIGHT: Alan Grasser 1, Cade McGregor 1, Lee Robinson 1.

CENTRALS: Charlie Eames 5, Cooper Boman 2, Jack Eliott-Scragg

Kade Hadley 2, Seth Johnson 2, Hunter Barry 1, Tyrone Baxter 1, Kane

Deans 1, Bailey Paul 1, Jett Paul 1.

Myrtleford 2.4 5.5 5.7 5.8.58

Kangaroos 3.0 3.5 8.8 12.9.81

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Thomas Morgan, Jake Skahill, Jordyn Notarianni, Adam Morgan, Tai Miller, Jock Pascoe. KANGAROOS: no players named.

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Samuel Crisp 1, Cooper Howden 1, Lucas Masin

1, Liam McManus 1, Tai Miller 1. KANGAROOS: no players named.

Tigers 2.1 3.3 4.4 7.7.49

Junior Magpies 3.1 5.2 8.5 10.7.67

BEST: TIGERS: Joshua Knight, Zack Carroll, Kayden McKelvie, Benjamin Hogan, Jayden Whitehouse, Jack Preston. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Jackson Hewitt, Lukas Allan, William Petersen, Corey Petersen, Keegan Anderson, Will Phillips. GOALS: TIGERS: Joshua Knight 2. Lucas Webb 2, Benjamin Hogan 1, Jake Wall 1, Drew Winter 1. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Will Phillips 5, Callum Bott 3, Cooper Allan 1, Jackson Hewitt 1.

BEST: COLLEGE: Sam Reid, Harrison Bowman, Lenny Sims, Harvey Lyster, Harvey Allan, Nathan Allan. BENALLA GIANTS: Josh Hart, Liam Fielding, Noah Hogan, Hunter Nicholson, Harrison Skelton, Dustin McCarthy. GOALS: COLLEGE: Sam Reid 4, Harvey Allan 1, Harrison Bowman 1, Hudson McKenzie 1, Lenny Sims 1. BENALLA GIANTS: Josh

COLLEGE: Luke Pensak, Cooper Bowman, Tate Llewellyn, Billy Younger, William Pickett, Reegan Monk. BENALLA GIANTS: Noah Cooney, Xavier De Fazio, Samuel Mount, Thomas Mount, Thomas Snell, Harry Bast. GOALS: COLLEGE: Leo Fraser 1, Charlie O’Brien 1, Jack Tonkin 1, Billy Younger 1. BENALLA GIANTS: Thomas Mount 1, Thomas Snell 1.

Solomon

BEST: BRIGHT: John Caloutas, Darcy Andersen, Lachlan Russell, Otis Dalbosco, Fraser Stephens, Joe Brewster. CENTRALS: Kaiden Wohlers, Dean Balfour, Solomon Steer, Beau Johns, Henry Burke, Connor Ormond. GOALS: BRIGHT: Otis Dalbosco 4, Brock Buckland 2, Alex Tanascovic 2, Lachlan Russell 1, Wilson Tolliday 1. CENTRALS: Henry Burke

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Benjamin McMasters, Noah Robb, Sam Muraca, Austin Robb, Ryder Harris, Jeordie Lacey. KANGAROOS: Jamie Scheier, Kade Jackson, Billy Hiskins, Archie Symons, Mitchell Murphy, Eamon Mullins. GOALS: KANGAROOS: Jamie Scheier 7, Alasdair Brett 5, Oscar Edwards 3, Henry Ackerly 2, Archie Symons 2, Kade Jackson 1, Eamon Mullins

Mitchell Murphy

BEST: TIGERS: Sam Morey, William Farrington, Xavier Dodgshun, Mac Correll, Jaxon Wickham, Archie Turner. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Charlie Briggs, Leo Sammon, Kalti Ross, Will James, Oliver Bladon. GOALS: TIGERS: Xavier Dodgshun 3, Jaxon Wickham 3, Mac Correll 2, Sam Morey 2, Zachariah Akers 1, Oliver Mullane 1, Xavier Sheldon 1. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Harry Allan 1, Will James 1.

Bulldogs

BEST: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Kobi Thwaites, Jobe Stovell, Ryder Robertson, Nate Nicholas, Hudson Blyss, Tom Osborne. IMPERIALS: Max Marek, Preston Stamp, Ryley Canning, Beau Benton, Archer Direen, Harry Allen. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Harry Allen 7, Archer Direen 4, Kade Ely 2, Beau Benton 1, Max Marek

Blue

Yellow

BEST: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Hugh Ross, Oliver Parker, Ben Wells, Joshua Montgomery, Alex Lambert, Poppy Wilson. IMPERIALS: Reece Pearson, Jack Smerdon, Nate Matthews, Tom Benton, Harrison O’Brien. GOALS: BENALLA BULLDOGS: Oliver Parker 5, Charlie Bell 1, Alex Lambert 1, Ryan Lindsay 1, Ryan White 1. IMPERIALS: Jack

BEST: BRIGHT: Harris Bruneau, Cameron Wood, Oliver Kelly, Campbell Nightingale, David Finlaw, Julian Toy. CENTRALS: Archie Knobel, Will Boulton, Samuel Elkington, Nicholas Jones, Charlie Richards, Robert Sinclair. GOALS: BRIGHT: Brody Goodall 1. CENTRALS: Archie Knobel

BEST: MYRTLEFORD – BLACK: Xavier Millar, Zahra Hazeldine, Nate Michelini, Billy McMahon, Noah Harris, Blake Parolin. KANGAROOS: Mason Skermer, Earnest Byrne, Charles Ackerly, Cody Willoughby, Cooper Borschmann, Harlow Muratore. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD –BLACK: Noah Harris 1. KANGAROOS: Dayne Jeffries 1, Luca Solimo 1, Cody Wlloughby 1.

BEST: TIGERS: Hugh Sharp, Mia Simpson, Vaughn Godenzi, Harvey Togolo-Hill, Thomas McCully, Murphy Flanigan. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Lane Sloan, Lukas Cannata, Jimi Pell, Baxter McLeod, Sam Briggs, Sonny Tredinnick. GOALS: TIGERS: Logan Benton 2, Thomas McCully

2. JUNIOR MAGPIES: Liam Bott 1, Ollie Parr 1, Jimi Pell 1, Lane Sloan

GOOD CONTEST: Nathan Allan (left) and Boden Hazall battle for the ball.

Double for Brisbourne secures 22/23 premiership

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

BEN Brisbourne sewed up the 2022/23 Wangaratta Turf Club premiership with a double at Corowa on Monday.

Brisbourne’s Winchester Rifle and Tato Key ran home to victory in races five and six to take the local trainer to 49 winners for the season.

It was polar opposite wins for his two gallopers in the betting markets with Winchester Rifle winning the Class 1 Handicap (1400m) as second favourite ($4.20), while Tato Key took out the BM66 (1000m) at long odds of $41.

“It was a slow start to the season for us to be honest,” Brisbourne said.

“We weren’t where we wanted to be at the halfway point of this season but the last month has been great and we’ve managed to build some momentum up so it’s been nice to finish on a high.

“We also got past last year’s total (46 winners) which was pleasing.”

Winchester Rifle made it backto-back wins after breaking his maiden at Wagga on July 15.

Jack Martin took the four-yearold gelding to the front where he would finish.

“He’s always been a raw horse with plenty of ability,” Brisbourne said.

“The trouble has been getting him to focus his energy in the right direction but he’s now put two on the board which has been nice.

“He’s pulled up well and will go around next week in a 1400m Class 2 at Gundagai.”

Tato Key’s had an interesting career that started in Argentina where he was born and bred, he then went on to win multiple group races in his home country.

Plenty of action at Wangaratta Table Tennis

A Grade:

N.E. Agricultural & Industrial (S Picken, M Angehrn, N Vincent) def Plum Digital Hub (K Parker, A Lindner, A Lindner) eight rubbers to three.

Steve, Marcus and Nathan all played well, only allowing the losing side to pick up two singles and a doubles.

Boralma Berkshire (J Maletta, M Comensoli, K Brown) def Somerset Communications (J Loughnan, C Dagoli, J Wright), seven rubbers to four.

The winning team pulled together to win two singles each and a doubles.

John Wright enjoyed the night, winning all three of his singles for the defeated team.

B Grade:

Boralma Berkshire (P Mulrooney, F Harris) def Somerset Communications (C Dean, P Fitzgerald) five rubbers to zero.

Peter and Frank had no troubles here but still great hitting for all.

N E Agricultural & Industrial (P Densten, T Tatulaschwili) def Blue Raven (A Higgins, Reggie [sub]) four rubbers to one.

C Grade:

The now nine-year-old gelding was then sent to Dubai in March 2019 to compete in their carnival where he was bought by giant Yulong Stud as a potential stallion/Everest slot contender.

He arrived at Chris Waller’s stable in mid-2019 but didn’t find form which resulted in a stint in Queensland with David Vandyke before going up for sale online where he was bought by his current owners.

“Tato Key had a really impressive start to his career but lost his way when he came over here,” Brisbourne said.

“It’s nice to get the old boy back winning, I think a win will do him a world of good.”

Tato Key has been unplaced from his four runs for Brisbourne before his win at Corowa.

Brisbourne is hopeful his team has got the galloper back up and running.

ROUND RESULTS:

NORTH East

Bushrangers

Basketball (NEBB) is a collaboration between local North East basketball associations with the commitment of “Creating Realistic Pathways for all North East Athletes”

Eleven NEBB junior teams compete in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) - the highest level junior competition in Victoria.

One NEBB Youth League Men’s (YLM) team competes in the semi-professional Big V competition.

Big V & VJBL consist of teams from both metropolitan and regional Victoria.

“He was gelded late so when he arrived at our stable he had his mind on other things so we gave him a long break and some TLC and we think we’ve got him in a good spot now.

“He missed the kick at Bendigo first-up and has now won at Corowa second-up.

“The last time he placed was in a half a million dollar race at Meydan (Dubai) so a benchmark 66 at Corowa is a long way from where he was.

“I haven’t spoken to the owners yet but there’s a nice race in Sydney that he could go to or an open handicap at Wagga.”

Brisbourne’s next assignment will be Swan Hill on Thursday where Oh Wonderful Why (race two), Nay Hay Hay (race six) and Grey Whisper (race six) have all been accepted.

Meanwhile, Dan McCarthy may have unearthed his next stable

U14 Boys 1 37 def by Keilor 2 50

(Top Scorers: Keoni Anderson 12, Sam Lupo 9, Harris Kain 4)

U14 Boys 2 37 def by Macedon Rangers 47

(Top Scorers: Brock Buckland 17, Thomas Waite 7, Michael Moylan 6)

U14 Girls 1 34 def  Nunawading 2 32

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 12, Annaliese Gray 9, Maisy Moscrop 7)

U14 Girls 2 39 def Keilor 4 33

(Top Scorers: Ruby Pickles 12, Maria Hanley 9, Kaity Ford 8)

U16 Boys 1 60 def by Keilor 2 62

(Top Scorers: Dashiell Smith 15, Jett Milligan 14, Cooper Clark 13)

U16 Boys 2 47 def Westgate 2 46

(Top Scorers: Harry Pople 16, Sam Kain 12, Lenny Lonergan 7)

U16 Girls 1 59 def Waverly 1 54

(Top Scorers: Molly Moylan 22, Mekenzie Wood 10, Indianna Phillips 9)

U16 Girls 2 42 def Wyndham 29

(Top Scorers: Lexus Flower 15, Lily Moffatt 9, Ebony Chapman 6)

U18 Boys 1 66 def Waverly 1 49

(Top Scorers: Lochie Harvey 20, Caleb Wharepapa 15, Frank Oguche 14)

U18 Boys 2 45 def by Keilor 5 53

(Top Scorers: Zach Schluter 12, James Frazer 10, Jac Green 6)

U18 Girls 36 def by Diamond Valley 2 48

(Top Scorers: Montanna Burke 14, Jess Freeman 11, Niamh Moylan

star at Corowa on Monday.

Four-year-old gelding Quinlan was originally accepted as an emergency in race four’s maiden plate (1300m) but gained a start after a scratching and was immediately backed in to the equal $3.50 favourite.

The galloper led from barrier six with Danny Beasley in the saddle and kicked away down the straight to bolt in by more than seven lengths.

The son of superstar stallion I Am Invincible joined the McCarthy stable from Australia’s queen of racing Gai Waterhouse last year.

Quinlan was a huge buy of the 2021 Magic Millions sale, selling for a whopping $600,000.

Craig Weeding also grabbed a winner at Corowa with Add Milk winning race seven (Class 2 over 1200m) to take his season tally to 32.

NE Agricultural & Industrial (L O’Keefe, J Delloro, S Knox) narrowly def Blue Raven (C Hobbs, A Koop & M Curran) six rubbers to five.

Some great singles matches played, however, it was winning both doubles matches that ensured Liam, Jake and Seth secured the team win.

Nathan Vincent Contracting (R Kanaskar, L Armstrong, S Armstrong ) def Somerset Communications (T Koop, P Hughes, J Hughes) six rubbers to five.

Another close C Grade contest.

Reggie won three singles and Sue won two for the winning team. Jesse won two singles and Tessa and Paul one each for the defeated team. Play will continue at 7pm next Wednesday in the Winter Competition.

Junior players of all abilities are invited at 6pm each Wednesday during school terms for play and coaching. For more information please contact Tom (club president) 0429 809 927 or John (junior coordinator) 0400 182 553.

BACK-TO-BACK: Ben Brisbourne has won back-to-back Wangaratta trainers premierships.

PHOTO: Racing Photos

McNamara grateful for ‘Renegades Recruit’ experience

By NATHAN DE VRIES

EVEN though he didn’t take out the title, Rovers United Bruck CC’s Paddy McNamara said he was still glad he made it to the final three of ‘Renegades Recruit’.

McNamara was a finalist in the latest season of the Melbourne Renegades’ community cricket talent scouting competition, but couldn’t get over the line to earn a spot in the Renegades’ Academy side, along with a slew of prizes for himself and his club.

Announced at 12.30pm yesterday, the winner of ‘Renegades Recruit’ was Bonbeach CC leg-spinning power hitter Ab Das.

McNamara said the entire experience was a whirlwind.

“It was a good experience, get-

ting to train down in Melbourne in some pretty good facilities against people I’d never met before,” he said.

“It was all done in the one day about six weeks ago - we went down to Melbourne, started at about 9am and went through to 5pm that day.

“It was crazy, it was nothing like I’d ever experienced before.

“There were a lot of cameras around and in your face the whole time – it was a bit of an unexpected event for me, but it was definitely a good one.”

McNamara was encouraged to enter by RUB president Paul Szeligiewicz, and was impressed by the ability of the other two finalists.

“I looked into it, gave it a bit of a watch on the Renegades website and thought it wasn’t too much out

there and it would be good to have the opportunity at a high level like that,” he said.

“The competition wasn’t as good as I thought it would be but definitely the other two top three contestants were real handy cricketers.

“There wasn’t a heap (of feedback), to be honest, they just wanted to see what people were like, they were out running drills other than giving direct coaching – that would’ve come a bit more if I had gotten into the academy.”

Despite polling the best in the public vote, McNamara narrowly missed out on the title, but said he would continue to further refine his cricketing skills at RUB in the upcoming Wangaratta and District Cricket Association season.

“I got a call Saturday morning

saying bad luck, the coach’s vote overruled my votes – I had the most votes from the public vote which was good, but unfortunately the coach picked Ab (Das) which doubled his votes and got him over the line,” McNamara said.

“I don’t really enjoy too much attention, so it was a bit overwhelming, but it was good to see a lot of people and a lot of clubs getting in behind me, I’m really appreciative of that.

“I will be definitely staying at Rovers again for another season, we’re doing something pretty good at RUB and I’ve really been enjoying my time there.”

All episodes of ‘Renegades Recruit’ are available to view on the Melbourne Renegades Facebook page and the 7+ app.

Lady Devils’ first half barrage smashes Diamonds

By NATHAN DE VRIES

A TORRENT of four goals within the first 40 minutes of play helped the Lady Devils to a handy 5-2 win at home to Wodonga Diamonds on Sunday.

It took just 15 minutes for the home side to get on the board, with Leanna Branson slotting the opener, before following it up six minutes later just to give Wangaratta a 2-0 lead.

The chances kept coming thick and fast for the Lady Devils, and it wasn’t long un-

til Beth Cope nailed the back of the net to give Wangaratta a three goal lead in the 27th minute.

A 39th minute goal from Hannah Swindley and some solid defensive work from the Lady Devils meant Wangaratta went into half-time with a staggering 4-0 lead.

Despite conceding two second half goals, coach Dan Kelly said it was a comprehensive performance across the ground.

“The girls stuck to the game plan, put the foot to the floor, took their chanc-

es and played really well throughout the park, it was really good,” he said.

“The first half was really good, the girls were very threatening through the middle, then getting the ball wide and whipping it in.

“We’ve got a striker coming back as well, Bianca Mulqueen has returned so it’s good timing - she played on Sunday, got lots of minutes into her legs.

“She’ll need another game or two to get that sharpness back coming into finals.

“Defensively we held

up really well, we limited their chances, we definitely could’ve kicked some more (goals).”

The division two women were up against it in their match with the fourth placed Diamonds, but managed to fight out a 3-3 draw.

STRONG STRIKE: Beth Cope (right) was one of three goal scorers in the Lady Devils’ 5-2 win over Wodonga Diamonds on Sunday.

Devils, Diamonds can’t be split

By WILLSON MACK

WANGARATTA City and Wodonga Diamonds couldn’t be split in a high scoring affair at South Wangaratta Reserve on Sunday.

The Devils were eager to get one back over Diamonds after falling to them earlier on in the year, but that wish wasn’t granted as the sides drew 4-4.

Wangaratta’s Dan Kelly continued his strong season bagging a hat-trick in the draw, while Ruben Shukar-Elliott achieved the same feat for Diamonds.

LONG BALL: Vitaly Leschen kicks one forward in Wangaratta City’s 4-4 draw with Wodonga Diamonds.

PHOTOS: Kat De Naps Photography

SEARCHING: Joel Van Der Leuuw looks for a teammate.

With scores locked at 3-3 late in the second half, Devils’ James Pursell got his side out in front in the 78th minute but unfortunately they couldn’t hold on as ShukarElliott found his third seven minutes later.

The clash went into a frenetic final five minutes, plus stoppage time, but neither side could find the match winner.

Luckily for the Devils, Boomers drew 1-1 with Cobram which keeps the local side just a point from third place.

Wangaratta City finishes the season with a tough run home with clashes against Albury City (away), Cobram (away) and Albury United (away) to come before embarking on finals.

GREAT EXPERIENCE: Paddy McNamara said he enjoyed his time as part of the ‘Renegades Recruit’ program.

PHOTO: Melbourne Renegades

PHOTO: Kat De Naps Photography

Top netball netball sides continue finals for m form

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE top A grade Ovens and King netball squads continued to show their class in their round 17 fixtures on the weekend, with solid results recorded to kick off the last month of the home and away season.

Greta held off a fired-up King Valley squad in their match at Whitfield, with the Blues home 35-51.

Greta’s experience and clean skills were on display early, as they leveraged an eight goal lead at quarter time to a 16 goal margin by half-time.

The second half was largely shot-for-shot, with King Valley throwing everything they had to bring the margin down, but the Blues maintained their lead to take the win by 16 goals.

Roos defenders Anna Wallis and Carly Yashenko were prominent all day, while Grace Patterson presented well in goal attack, and Greta’s Lindsey

Michelini marvels in remarkable milestone

■ From back page “Being able to share my experiences with them while I’m still on the court and my knowledge, allowing the team to juggle the experienced players with the juniors which is why I think we’ve been successful for so many years; the club has been really good at balancing that.”

Highlights during her illustrious career was being a part of the 2008 A grade premiership side, which snapped a 57 year drought for the club, and has been able to take to the court with daughters Jami, Kyra and Kalceen in the top grade.

Since her last milestone Michelini has taken a step back from playing and invested more energy into coaching from the sidelines to allow a talented young Demons netball program to take centre stage.

“It’s nice to actually step back on the side of the court, I mean you do see things from a different

Humphries (30 goals from 36 attempts) was on fire in the shooting ring.

The Roos sit a win inside the top six, and will need to win at least one of their final two matches to make finals, while Greta sits comfortably in the top three.

Bonnie Doon showed they’ll be a solid contender come September, after shoring up fourth spot on the ladder with a 53-32 win over North Wangaratta.

Despite sitting 10th on the ladder, North Wangaratta came out of the blocks firing, keeping pace with the Bombers to trail by just two goals at the first break.

Bonnie Doon started to pull away in the second quarter thanks to Portia Keatch’s accurate shooting (86.67 per cent accuracy for the match), as the Bombers stretched the lead out to 10 goals by half-time.

The Hawks fought hard to bring the margin back to where

it was early in the match but Bonnie Doon were too strong, the Bombers home by 21 goals.

Tarrawingee took a closer than anticipated win over Moyhu, with the Bulldogs victorious 56-43.

Kaylee Allan was a focal point for the Bulldogs under the ring, contributing 54 of her team’s goals with only 11 missed shots for the match.

Moyhu tried a few different defensive set-ups, but could not stop the margin from

blowing out after an 11-14 quarter time scoreline. Elsewhere, Milawa took a dominant win over Benalla All Blacks at home 80-37 to maintain their undefeated season, and Whorouly outplayed Bright at Pioneer Park 69-20 to keep their place in the top six.

DEFENSIVE FIGHT: Benalla goal defence Gemma Mathieson tries to disrupt Milawa’s Emily Canny’s grab.

to show my children… it’s not about money, it’s about enjoying the sport, the friendships you form over the years and being dedicated to the sport itself,” she said.

“Not only to my own children but definitely the younger generation, and inspire them that you can still get on the court when you’re over 50, enjoy it and mix it with the best; age is just a number.”

Milawa’s B reserve currently sits second on the ladder with three games to play while Michelini’s coached B grade is undefeated on top.

Michelini said after this season she will reassess her playing career depending on netball numbers, but will never be ruled out of her tireless involvement with the club.

“I’ve never used the word retired, I’m a big believer that when you say you’ve retired you step away,” she said.

perspective, it’s harder to coach and play than it is to just coach,” Michelini said.

“I like to see the growth in players, especially the juniors, and I like to see us be successful.

“I just teach my players that every day is a different

day, to enjoy it and winning is a bonus; if you enjoy the sport and enjoy who you play with success will come at its own cost.”

Having never lived at Milawa, Michelini’s connection to the club largely stems from her father John.

John was a cult figure for the club throughout the eighties, bringing up over 200 club games before a tragic car accident on the way back to Wangaratta from footy training took his life 35 years ago.

Michelini said her

father’s legacy sits strong with her as she looks to provide her younger netballers a role model to look up to, inspiring her continued involvement with the club.

“I’m all about loyalty and that’s what I’ve tried

“All of these people say they’re retired and they come back, I’m a believer when you use that word you do walk away from it.

“You can be involved in a different capacity, I’ve never once said I’ve retired, even people come up to me and ask if I’ve retired and I just say I’ll see what happens next season.”

A FAMILY CLUB: Daughters Kyra Clarke, Addyson Scutt (left), Jami Ussher and Kalceen Hunt with grandaughters Oakley Ussher and Violet Molnar (right) were at Milawa Saturday to celebrate Kim Michelini’s (centre) 650th game for the Demons.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

STRETCH: Milawa’s Tahlia Matthews-Vincent leaps for the intercept in the Demons’ 43 goal win over Benalla All Blacks.

PHOTOS: Marc Bongers

SUNDAY saw the final round of the North East Border Female Football League home and away season, with Wangaratta Rovers hosting Murray Felines in all grades.

For the open women’s team, which will now rest, recover and reload to fight for the right to play off in the preliminary final, Sunday’s encounter was an end-to-end battle from start to finish.

Dire defending from both sides prevented the scoreboard registering much in the way of goals, but that was no reflection of the quality of the contest, and of the football played by both sides.

Rovers welcomed back two key players from long term injury, with Caz Sammon and Dakota McAliece returning for the first time in six and eight weeks respectively; they didn’t miss a beat, ensuring they have made themselves available for finals, commencing next Sunday.

Although the home side didn’t come away with the win, Sunday’s effort will give them plenty of confidence that they can flip the result when the two sides meet again this weekend in the elimination final.

Rovers displayed the kind of pressure and tackling that has become their trademark over the course of the season, and were able to string together kick-mark sequences from defence to attack on numerous occasions.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 0.5 (5) lost to Murray Felines 1.7 (13).

Best: Kathryn Burns, Emma Gosbell, Ash Foubister, Chloe Kungl, Amy Hopkins, Faith Bentley.

This Sunday’s final against the Murray Felines will be played at the WJ Findlay Oval from 11.30am, followed by the qualifying final between Lavington Panthers and Wodonga Raiders at 4pm. Junior finals will also be played at the Wangaratta ground in the morning.

Rovers’ under 17s played their final game for the season on Sunday and were up for the challenge, playing with purpose from the first bounce.

Felines got a quick kick out of the centre, but only as far as Makenzie Clarke and Lucy Mansfield who sent it

FLYING HIGH: Amy Collins wins the tap.

to the Hawks’ forward line, allowing Trinny Preer a shot on goal but only registering a point.

Felines got the ball down to half back, but Ruby Bihun was having none of that. She launched an awesome attack on the ball with three efforts and cleared it out through the centre.

The Hawks scored their first goal courtesy of Taylah Cryer, who marked in front of goal and finished off with a major.

The second quarter was a tug-of-war until the Felines

broke through the Hawks’ defence and kicked a goal.

Felines were determined to score in the third term, but the Rovers’ backline was the wall it has been for most of the year.

Bihun played one of her best games, and Mansfield, Lucy Keily, Alana McKenna and Clarke were all solid as always, only conceding a couple of points for most of the term, but the Felines were able to score a goal in the last few minutes of the term.

In the final quarter, the

Hawks came out determinedly with Charlotte Tilbrook rucking the best she has all year.

Mia Johnston, Ammy Thompson and Preer moved the ball forward, where they found Clare Collins, Ali Jones and Gemma Couch Trinder continued the good work. Mila Armstrong on the wing, gave the team a couple of opportunities into their forward line.

The ball was balled up several times in front of Rovers’ goal, and pack after pack was formed with

contest against the Felines.

The Hawks fielded a team of 21 keen and fired-up players with two players, Lily Currie Fraser and Lara Maples, reaching mini-milestones of 30 games for Rovers over the past couple of rounds.

Captain for the day was Harper McGrath, who led the girls out onto the field and spoke well to the playing group at each of the quarter breaks.

The spotlight was put onto graduating players, who were lining up in their final game at under 14 level - Harper McGrath, Hannah Carroll, Lilias Coonan, Lara Maples, Zierra Melbourne, Lily Currie Fraser, Molly Thomas, Trinity Hassgall and Amy Johnston.

The Rovers players delivered from the first minutes to the final siren, with every player contesting hard when it was their turn to go.

The Felines started well and were able to get a couple of early goals on the board before the play became a lot more even.

The ability of the Rovers to transition the ball from defensive 50 through the middle of the ground and into the forward line has been one of the biggest areas of improvement this season.

In the first half, Ruby Newton had looked dangerous up forward, providing plenty of strong leads and winning ground balls. In the third quarter, she managed to find some space on her right foot, snapping a lovely goal to give the Rovers some great reward for effort around the ground.

the ball going nowhere.

After a couple of desperate handballs in the pack, Lily Gibb burst out of the pack and kicked around the corner for a goal.

The ball was back and forth until the siren sounded to signal a draw.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 2.4 (16) drew with Murray Felines 2.4 (16).

Best: Taylah Cryer, Ruby Bihun, Lily Gibb, Clare Collins, Charlotte Tilbrook, Trinny Preer.

The under 14s’ final game of the season was a terrific

ELIMINATION FINAL - OPEN WOMEN

WANGARATTA ROVERS v MURRAY FELINES

The under 14s competed well right up until the final siren, and the smiles and cheers in the rooms signalled what a great season the team has had, with some great camaraderie and football skills put on display from all the players.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 1.3 (9) lost to Murray Felines 6.8 (44).

Goal: Ruby Newton Awards: Harper McGrath, Lara Maples, Madi O’Connor, Jasmine Fordham.

This Friday the under 14 and under 17 teams will have their final celebrations at the presentation event upstairs at the Rovers ground.

PHOTOS: Kev McGennan

LOOKING FOR OPTIONS: Lily Gibb runs away with the ball in the under 17 clash.

GOTCHA: Lily Currie Fraser tackles her Murray Felines opponent in the under 14 game.

Final home and away round for our female footballers

TOUCHED BALL

Michelini marvels in remarkable milestone

Milawa club legend Kim Michelini brought up her 650th club game on Saturday against Benalla ggpgyg

A CELEBRATION of loyalty and dedication like no other was held at Milawa last Saturday as Kim Michelini brought up 650 club games in style.

The 53 year-old mother of four played all four quarters at goal shooter in the B reserve, showing some vintage form to lead the

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

team with 21 goals at 72 per cent shooting and snatch a 50-36 win in the milestone game against Benalla.

Playing in spurts this

season and coaching the Demons’ B grade, Michelini has been a stalwart of the Ovens and King competition for over 40 years since she started with the Demons in 1982 as a 12-year-old.

The sharp shooter played an astonishing 28 years in A grade for Milawa and

played two seasons with the Wangaratta Magpies in the early 2000s, winning best and fairest in both years and representing the league before re-joining her beloved Demons.

Exactly six years after notching up her 600th club game, Michelini said her perspectives and values of

the sport have stayed the same.

“It’s always been about the comradery and friendships you form over the years and not necessarily about the sport itself,” she said.

“I’ve always been about loyalty and dedication to the club and that’s why we’ve

got so many life members at our club through netball and football… my milestone alone shows the loyalty people have to the club.

“It’s special, I’ve got three daughters who play at the club, a sister, best friends, a lot of people are involved that are family orientated.

■ Continued page 30

For more information on

Hunter Nicholson smacks the ball away from Hudson McKenzie in the WDJFL u12’s clash between College and Benalla Giants at Barr Reserve on Saturday.

 Scores: Page 27

PHOTO: Marc Bongers