WANGARATTA has a new water park, with Merriwa Park resembling more of a lake at present.
Large areas of the park, including the grounds of Christopher Robin Kindergarten where these Ibis were making themselves at home on Friday, are flooded. Why? Full story
HOPES of additional V/
Line weekend train services being permanently added to the Albury line have been buoyed by strong patronage of new services being trialled during July and August.
Responding to extra demand for train travel sparked by cheaper fares, V/Line on the weekend added two new services - on Saturday departing Albury at 9.05am,
arriving at Southern Cross at 12.55pm, and a Sunday service departing Southern Cross at 2.33pm, arriving in Albury at 6.16pm.
Subject to fleet availability, the additional services are to operate as three-carriage trains, with all other weekend services to run as currently scheduled with their carriage configuration and timetabled departure times.
V/Line said it will continue to closely monitor demand
and explore further adjustments to improve passenger journeys as required, and it will also continue to support busy Albury line services with standby coaches.
“The regional fare cap is proving extremely popular with Albury line passengers, particularly on weekends, so we’re responding to demand by providing an extra service on Saturdays and Sundays during July and August from July 1,”
a government transport spokesperson said.
“We have been closely monitoring patronage and exploring all possible options over many weeks and these two extra weekend services will give our Albury line passengers more options to get to and from Melbourne.”
According to V/Line, more than 93,000 trips have been taken on the Albury line since the introduction of the regional fare cap
in March, with weekend services proving to be the most popular as passengers continue to make the most of cheaper fares.
Wangaratta residents Ann and Howard Jones were among more than two dozen passengers who hopped aboard the additional V/ Line train as it pulled into the Wangaratta Railway Station shortly before 10am on Saturday morning.
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SPORT
Lions roar roar into top six into top six SPORT
Mum full of praise of for GPPage 3
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“We had tried to book seats yesterday on the 7.38am Saturday morning service but it was completely booked out,”
Mrs Jones said.
“I believe this additional service is booked solid too,” she said, with V/Line confirming two of the train’s three carriages - which had reserve seating - we’re fully booked.
lands, the Jones’ said using the train to and from Melbourne was a great alternative to driving, particularly since fares have been reduced.
And they certainly hoped the current trial will see additional V/Line train services added permanently for the Albury line.
the changes were a “win for bipartisan, common-sense politics”.
“The Minister accepted the situation was untenable and those details and stories reinforced the need for change,” he said.
tion, by calling 1800 800 007 or by visiting a retail ticket agent.
Passengers are advised departure times for the extra weekend services may change from week-to-week so they should check the V/Line website before they travel.
OFF TO THE FOOTY: Wangaratta residents Howard and Ann Jones used the additional train service on Saturday for a day trip to the footy in Melbourne, and hope the extra services become permanent.
“While we’ve got reserve seats on this morning’s service, we couldn’t reserve seats on the 6pm service departing Melbourne tonight...hopefully we’ll get seats.”
Visiting Melbourne for the day to see the Bulldogs vs Fremantle AFL match at Dock-
“The extra services are needed, and the different times give people more options,” said Mrs Jones.
Wodonga-based state member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, who had been advocating for additional capacity on the Albury line for months, after detailing passengers’ frustrations of over-crowding, said
“This is a first, important step to making sure we don’t have people standing or sitting on the carriage floors of a train doing 130kmh.
“It may need to be tweaked but we will know more in time.”
Albury line passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead and reserve a seat by booking online, at a staffed V/ Line or premium Metro sta-
In addition to the two new services, V/Line’s weekend train services on the Albury line: depart Wangaratta 7.38am, 1.44pm and 6.20pm Saturday and Sunday arriving at Southern Cross 10.27am, 4.33pm and 9.45pm; and depart Southern Cross at 7.07am, 12.04pm and 6.02pm Saturday and Sunday arriving in Wangaratta at 9.49am, 2.46pm and 8.44pm.
TEMPERATURES:
Monday Max 14 Min 1 Frost then sunny
Tuesday Max 13 Min 5 Showers
Wednesday Max 13 Min 8
Thursday Max 13 Min 7
RAINFALL: Last 72 hours Last 7 days
LUCKY NUMBERS
Tattslotto - Draw 4377
7, 38, 26, 19, 21 (13, 36)
Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.
LOCAL motorists are being encouraged to undertake regular battery maintenance to ensure they’re not caught out in the cold this winter.
According to Wangaratta Motor Group service manager Wayne Dyer, the extreme conditions vehicles are exposed to throughout the North East could play havoc on their battery life, with many taking upwards of 20 minutes of continual operation to recharge fully.
“There are two things that kill a battery – heat and cold – and we get both,” he said.
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.
“The cold weather in particular reduces the flow of electrons in the battery so that will actually slow down the process of charging – it means that if we’re starting from overnight or on a cold morning, it’s less likely to be a fully-charged battery.
“It takes about 20 minutes to charge a battery post-start – so around town with lots of short starts, your battery charge reduces on a daily basis, but if you’re
BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au
doing rural driving you’re at least replenishing that one charge back into it.”
Mr Dyer said the Wangaratta Motor Group would regularly replace between 400 and 500 batteries in a winter “without trying too hard” and said batteries should be replaced every three to five years as a rule.
He said ensuring vehicles are kept in a garage or carport overnight to limit exposure to the elements could help extend its battery-life.
“Battery acid can actually freeze if it’s not fully charged – if a battery is fully charged it should never get cold enough for it to freeze but if a battery is not fully charged, sulphuric acid starts to turn to water, and water obviously freezes at zero,” Mr Dyer said.
“If it’s really low on charge, and you get a minus four or five degree day, there’s a potential it could freeze.
“You might see a slow crank, or central locking (being) lazy when you’re trying to get into the car, or when you start the car, your radio stations have reset –that’s a good indication that your battery is dropping below that threshold.”
While batteries are the main concern throughout the colder months, Mr Dyer said wiper blades should also be replaced every 12 to 18 months.
“In the hot they melt and in the cold they get stiff and won’t wipe the screen properly,” he said.
“In the cities where they’re not prone to bugs and frost they might get two or three years out of them, but here, because we’re regional we get the extreme heat, the extreme cold and all the bugs and dust that goes with it.”
For more tips on battery maintenance, visit racv.com.au.
MOTORISTS are being urged to prioritise road safety and remain cautious of changing conditions this winter holiday period.
Following a tragic beginning to school holidays on Victorian roads, the Transport Accident Commission is reminding motorists to remain vigilant as the winter months can bring unpredictable road conditions, with potential hazards like black ice, fog, rain, and landslides.
TAC acting CEO, Tony Dudley, warned of the challenging driving conditions that winter weather can bring and urged road users to keep safety front of mind at all times.
“These school holidays and beyond, we encourage motorists to stay alert, and plan their journeys ahead of time – in bad weather or unfamiliar surroundings, sticking to main roads and highways can be a safe option,” he said.
“It’s always best to try and avoid driving in severe weather but, if we find ourselves in difficult conditions, it is safest to slow down, be patient, be visible and look out for others on the roads,.”
With shorter days and darker conditions, it’s also critical that motorists use their headlights in low light and be vigilant of other road users – while cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to be visible through safe road positioning, wearing bright or reflective clothing when riding, and always crossing at the safest point.
Drivers are also encouraged to regularly inspect tyres, breaks, lights, and wipers, and consider snow tyres or chains for enhanced grip on slippery surfaces.
Victoria Police will continue to have a strong presence on the roads these school holidays, with a particular focus on risk-taking behaviours like speed, drink and drug driving, distractions, seatbelt non-compliance and fatigue.
Weather adds to potential road hazards these school holidays, warns TACPHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
AVERAGE household water bills for Wangaratta and fellow North East district customers will rise $78 ($1.50 per week) in 2023-24.
North East Water said the new pricing, approved by Victorian Essential Services Commission, will still see water users paying one of the lowest rates in regional Victoria.
Managing director Jo Murdoch said NEW was
working hard to keep customer bills affordable and at the same time invest in critical water and sewerage infrastructure to service growing communities.
“We’re investing a record $75 million in new and upgraded infrastructure in 2023-24 to improve services for our customers, reduce energy costs and impacts to the environment, be more climate resilient and
provide greater water and waste water security to communities across the region,” Ms Murdoch said.
“These investments include master planning for the future as well as upgrades to our waste water treatment facilities, water system upgrades, improvements to clear water storages and more.
“This is in addition to supplying high-quality
drinking water and sewage services to around 115,000 customers across Victoria’s North East region.
“We also maintain and operate 21 water treatment facilities and 22 wastewater treatment plants, as well as thousands of kilometres of pipes and pumps stretching across a 20,000 square kilometre service region.”
Ms Murdoch said NEW was working hard to keep
bills affordable and reduce costs while at the same time meet the critical needs of growth, climate change and extreme weather events, asset renewal and other significant challenges facing the North East.
She said for any customers experiencing financial difficulties paying their bill, NEW had a dedicated support team ready to help.
“We have many easy-to-
access programs and support services available that can ease the pressure and stress for customers,” Ms Murdoch said.
“This includes help with concession card discounts, access to government relief and rebate schemes, payment extensions and payment plans, and referral to financial counselling.”
You can find out more at www.newater.com.au/help or by calling 1300 361 622.
NAIDOC Week will be celebrated in Wangaratta with a family fun day this Friday.
By RYAN MALCOLM
THE development of a local community for those experiencing homelessness is continuing, through the advent of two ‘warming centres’ in Wangaratta designed to provide care and support throughout the winter months.
Following in the footsteps of the popular Wangaratta Night Shelter initiative, warming centres have been established at Wangaratta Wesleyan Methodist Church and Zac’s Place on Wills Street, opening their doors on Monday and Thursday nights respectively to provide warmth to those in need.
Wesleyan Methodist Church warming centre director Mark Strack said the initiative had been wellreceived so far, and had required a significantly reduced volunteer-outlay when compared to the intensive night shelter program.
“We’ve had a good response from some people within our church and some returning volunteers from last year so we’ve been able to keep the doors open every (Monday) night, which has been good,” he said.
“We’re trying to work in with the Carevan, (which) is open between 6pm and 7pm on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and our church
is obviously just a stone’s throw away.
“We’ve had people who’ve been able to access the Carevan come over to our place afterwards and stay until they’re ready to go back to their campers and go back to bed, and some have stayed overnight.
“Usually we try and get at least three volunteers to hang out through the evening – we’ve had more than that and it’s been really good, some people have just
popped in to say g’day and stayed for a ‘cuppa’ and then left
“It builds a bit of community.”
Zac’s Place director Di Duursma said the goal was to provide a centre where people could be safe at all hours.
An average of 12 people have regularly attended the Zac’s Place building for dinner on Thursday nights, several of whom will stay on until the morning.
“We’re really pleased that
the word has got out there that people are able to come and they have learnt that if they end up on the street in the middle of the night, they can come and get warm and there’s food and just a place to be safe,” she said.
“Some people have come as early as 6pm (when doors open) and have been there for a long time, and some people have just come for a short time, whether they needed to get dry or have some food or
just check in with us.
“Sadly there have been people whose belongings have been damaged by the river and they’re not travelling well mentally, and so just coming in and checking in for a few hours, even though they may not stay with us, has been really valuable.”
Ms Duursma said conversations were ongoing to potentially open further warming centres locally, while the idea had also spread to Benalla.
The free event is being held near Northern Beaches at the Scout Hall on College Street, from 10.30am to 2pm and it will have a focus on native wildlife.
Activities will include wildlife presentations from Animals of Oz, wildlife discovery, art, games, and Elders lounge and a free barbecue lunch from noon.
Participants are asked to bring their own water bottle and make sure you wear your warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
The event is being hosted by Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education, Trust for Nature and the Rural City of Wangaratta.
For more information contact council on 5722 0888.
THE Australian Tax Office (ATO) is advising taxpayers not to rush lodging their annual income tax return.
The ATO said returns lodged in early July are more likely to be changed and there is a much higher chance the return will be missing important information if you lodge before late July.
The ATO said from late July, most information from employers, banks, government agencies and health funds will be automatically loaded into tax return, regardless of whether you use a registered tax agent or lodge your own return.
■ PAGE 10: Change in the wind for businesses
Monday, July 1, 2013
TWO more teenage master chefs have made it through to the next round of the Murray River Culinary Challenge (MRCC).
Wangaratta High School’s Stephanie Hurst and William Bonwick will join Galen’s Lauren Gilfuis and Bedelia Flanagan at the regional final next month.
“The competition has helped me with my time management skills plus I have gained more confidence in my cooking ability and I hope we do well in the regional final,” Stephanie said.
Judge Tony Molinaro from Aroma Deli judged students’ bench work skills, hygiene practices, presentation levels as well as taste of their dishes.
The Centre’s Workplace Learning Coordinator and MRCC Shane Crispin said The Centre was proud to sponsor the event as it gives students a chance to interact with hospitality industry professionals.
“The regional final at GOTAFE will be very close this year and I am glad I don’t have to judge it,” he said.
NEW child employment laws are now in effect in Victoria, with a modernised and simpler licensing system and stronger penalties to help ensure kids under 15 are kept as safe as possible in the workplace.
The state’s child employment watchdog, Wage Inspectorate Victoria, is urging employers to take time to understand the laws, as research exposes common misconceptions about child employment.
Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria, Robert Hortle, said research shows that 33 per cent of
Victorians mistakenly believe 14 and nine months is the age kids can start working and a further 25 per cent believe they have to be 15 to get a job, but provided the employer has a licence, children can do delivery work from 11 and other types of work from 13.
Mr Hortle said 14 and nine months used to be the age kids could leave school and enter the workforce, which is where this myth has come from, but Victoria’s child employment laws say nothing about being 14 and nine months and they
haven’t for a very long time.
He said the new laws, designed in consultation with stakeholders and the community, see a licensing system replace a permit system and enables businesses to employ multiple kids under one licence, instead of needing a permit for each child they employ.
The system includes a ‘fit and proper person’ test which considers, among other things, an employer’s compliance with child employment and other relevant workplace laws.
The changes also give the Wage
Inspectorate stronger powers, while the maximum penalty for employing a child without a licence has also increased from $18,500 to more than $200,000.
In addition to obtaining a licence, Mr Hortle said there are other important rules employers must follow, like making sure kids are getting adequate rest breaks, finishing work by 9pm and not working during school hours.
More information about child employment and the upcoming changes can be found at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au.
LETTIE Lee Hearne was born on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:20am and weighed 3.585kg (7lb 14oz). She is the sister of Miah Hearne and daughter of Sarah Gregory and
ZOEY Rita Tatt was born on Tuesday, June 27 at 4:47am and weighed 2.807kg (6lb 3oz). She is the sister of Isabella and Shaylee and daughter of Crystal Lord and Mark Tatt of Wangaratta.
MIDWIVES and nurses at Northeast Health Wangaratta were once again kept busy last week with plenty of new mums and bubs arriving.
The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and
Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings. Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.
If you would like a photo but
are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it.
Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.
RYLEE Michelle Kreun was born on Monday, June 26 at 8:40pm and weighed 4.11kg (9lb 4oz). She is the daughter of Brittany and Jake Kreun of Rutherglen.
IDENTICAL twins Aria and Zoey Cossar were born on Thursday, June 29 at 11:29am and 11:30am and weighed 2.32kg (5lb 1oz) and 2.73kg (6lb). They are the sisters of Lily Cossar and daughters of Laura and Daniel Cossar of Cobram.
A LARGE body of water has infiltrated Merriwa Park near Christopher Robin Kindergarten caused by a rising water table in recent weeks.
A Rural City of Wangaratta spokesperson said on Friday that the water around the kinder has been slowly dropping since reaching its peak.
“Council has been pumping water from the area for several weeks, however, with each rain event and river rise the water table in the park also rises and this is contributing to the ongoing issue,” the spokesperson said.
“As the river level recedes, the water in Merriwa Park will discharge more quickly.”
As of Sunday morning (main photo) a large area of the park remained underwater, with sections of the tennis courts also flooded.
Once the waters recede and the ground dries out, council said plumbing contractors will check all pipe outlets through the levee to ensure they are sound.
A thorough inspection of the levee will also be conducted.
Council received full funding to build a higher levee
bank at the site which will cost $1.569 million and plans are for works to be carried out in the 2024/25 year.
These works are to prevent more significant river rises flowing over the levee bank.
There has also been extensive comment about the impact of the wet weather on gum trees in the park with root systems becoming compromised, causing trees to fall.
Council conducted an analysis of the trees in the park when one fell in Sep-
tember last year and several have fallen since.
Some 170 trees were assessed by expert arborists and the risk of harm was defined as “Broadly Acceptable” (<1 in 1,000,000).
The risk of harm is divided into three main categories including Broadly Acceptable, Tolerable and Unacceptable.
Since then several trees have either fallen or been cut down by council arborists due to safety concerns.
FLOODING of the Ovens and King rivers eased over the weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing its final flood warning on Saturday.
The bureau said levels along the Ovens River at Wangaratta fell below the minor flood levels of 11.90 metres on Friday evening.
With no significant rainfall recorded across the King and Ovens catchments over the weekend, nor forecast for the next few days, the bureau said river levels were expected to continue to fall.
The Ovens River at Wangaratta peaked below moderate levels (12.4m) at 12.12 metres at 3.45pm last Wednesday and had been slowly dropping since.
On Sunday morning the Ovens River at Wangaratta was at 11.55m and falling.
Parts of Apex Park, including the Parkour playground, remained inundated with floodwaters.
Last week’s rising river levels followed significant rainfall in both catchment.
Heaviest falls in the Ovens catchment were at Mt Buffalo Chalet were more than 100mm fell in the first half of the week, with weekly rainfall until 9am yesterday at 111.2mm.
Cheshunt had the most weekly rainfall in the King catchment with 32mm, while Wangaratta only recorded 5mm for the week.
THE depths of despair can be brutal in winter.
Bleak weather, restricted movement deepening a sense of social isolation and rising financial costs impacting physical and mental wellbeing can make this season arguably the most difficult.
This is particulalry so for the least fortunate in our community.
Thankfully there are those among us who go above and beyond to help those most in need.
In today’s edition we learnt of the efforts of volunteers providing ‘warming centres’ for those doing it tough.
They stand as a source of inspiration and pride and truly restore a sense of humanity in a troubled world that often doesn’t seem to care for others.
V/LINE’S two additional weekend train services being trialled this month and next are an important step in restoring public confidence in our public transport system in the North East.
When the State Government significantly reduced regional train fares in March it was to be expected that patronage would rise.
That is has, bringing with it frustrations of serviced capacity unable to keep up with the increased demand.
North East commuters have been on a roller coaster ride since 2008 - when efforts to improve our rail service first began.
With almost a billion dollars spent on track improvements and new trains, we don’t need the indignity of being deprived due to too few services.
FACEBOOK users commented on the tree removal works beginning at Wangaratta Railway Station as a part of the Inland Rail assignment in Wangaratta.
• Allan White: The lemon scented gum you refer to, is actually the Centennial Gum, planted in October 1973 to commemorate 100 years since the opening of the station. This year, 2023, it would’ve turned 50 years old in October. The footbridge would have turned
150 years old! The oldest section, will be dismantled, restored and relocated within the stations grounds.
• Marianne Hamilton: Where’s the footbridge going? Does anyone know if it’s going to be cleverly repurposed somewhere else around Wang? Always been my favourite rail footbridge .. FACEBOOK users also commented on Wangaratta’s animal pound service being set to shift to Albury.
• Daniel Moore: Such a
IN the upcoming referendum Australians will be asked to vote Yes or No whether they agree to insert a new chapter in our constitution.
The constitution question is “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
This referendum question is the most important to be put to the Australian people in 122 years.
Being such an important question, I believe that it should be looked at closely and debated prior to referendum voting day, with both the arguments for a Yes vote and the arguments for a No vote being equally made available so voters can make an informed decision.
With this in mind I was interested to read that our Independent federal member for Indi Helen Haines has organised a Voice to Parliament Community Forum at the Cube in Wodonga on July 25.
But I was then dismayed to read that the only speakers were Linda Burney Minister for Indigenous Australians and Yes23 Campaign director Dean Parkin, both from the Yes vote.
Absolutely no one from the No vote.
I believe the voters in Indi have a right to have both sides of the referendum made available to them and as Dr Haines is organising the forum, I believe that it only would have been the right thing to do for her to have included a speaker from the No campaign to inform the people of Indi of the reasons why they are asking people to vote No.
As the forum is not until July 25, Dr Haines has plenty of time to organise a speaker to set out the No case.
If Dr Haines is unable to do so, I think she owes the electors of Indi an explanation why she cannot do so.
John Moore, WangarattaWE keep hearing about changing the date of Australia Day at every opportunity, but it is an important day for all Australian citizens.
The Labor Party under Arthur Caldwell and Ben Chifley made this a very important day.
Until 1949 there was no such thing as an Australian citizen.
Before that, anyone born in Australia was a British subject.
NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.
shame that the council has done this. My cat was a rescue kitten from.the rspca here in Wangaratta
• Kathy Semmens: Nerida Sacco good question, will they be taken to Albury? Where does our yearly registration fee go? may be it will be abolished??
• Nerida Sacco: Kathy Semmens people aren’t going to want to drive to Albury to collect there pets and why should they
• Stuart Lee: So where
will these savings go?? I’m sure our rates won’t go down. Maybe we should outsource the council to another council I wonder how much that would save.???? I’ve been here 4 years. The only thing I see that out numbers the closing businesses/ facilities is pot holes.
• Deb Coleman: What an absolute disgrace! The council have a duty of care to its residents and this certainly isn’t caring for the residents!!!
Shame on you Wangaratta Council…..
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WHISTLE A TUNE: Hasini Wasala created a flute using straws while at the Wangaratta Library on Wednesday. Hasini was among participants invited to create musical instruments from everyday objects as a part of the library’s school holiday program.
The Australian Constitution didn’t mention ‘Australian citizenship’; and when Australians travelled overseas they were given a British passport.
In 1948 Arthur Caldwell, Australia’s first Minister for Immigration, introduced the Nationality and Citizenship Bill in the House of Representatives.
Parliament passed the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 and it became law on Australia Day, January 26, 1949.
The act created Australian citizenship and the rules for gaining it.
All residents born in Australia automatically became citizens.
John Walker, North WangarattaABOUT 8.8 million Australians will benefit from a boost to their nest egg as the Super Guarantee rate increases from 10.5 per cent to 11 per cent, effective July 1.
That’s an extra $330 a year into the super accounts of the typical Australian worker.
This year’s super boost may be small, but it will make a big difference to a worker’s nest egg – with a 30-year-old on the median wage expected to have an extra $18,300 at retirement due to the super rate lifting 0.5 per cent on July 1.
The Super Guarantee rate is legislated to rise to 12 per cent by 2025 by annual 0.5 per cent increases.
The bipartisan commitment to 12 per cent super, will deliver an extra $48,600 for the typical 30-year-old worker’s retirement balance.
The biggest benefactors of the July 1 are the young and those on lower incomes, as: more than half of those benefitting from the increase are under 40 and more people in their 30s will get a super boost than any other age bracket; 60 per cent of those benefitting from the increase earn less than $75,000 a year; and 35 per cent earn less than $50,000 a year.
Bernie Dean, Industry Super Australia chief executiveWE 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
WANGARATTA mother Kim Fuller has praised the efforts of a local GP, who was in the right place at the right time, when 34-week pregnant Kim had a placental abruption at a Wangaratta childcare centre.
By chance local GP Amelia Lambers was picking up her child at the time and assisted greatly with Kim’s care, calling the ambulance and alerting the hospital of an incoming emergency.
Kim said Dr Lambers was “an absolute guardian angel” in the way she comforted her during the ordeal and what could have been a life-saving call to the hospital to alert the emergency department.
“She called the ambulance on her phone and had my phone calling the triage team at the emergency department, she got all the obstetricians and everyone organised so everyone was ready in the ED,” Kim said.
“All the technical equipment was ready to go which was really good because everyone had a background of what was happening.”
Dr Lambers travelled in the ambulance with Kim and was able to do the handover to the Northeast Health Wangaratta medical team.
“She travelled in the ambulance with me, comforted me, calmed me down by stroking
my head and helped me to focus on my breathing to lower my blood pressure,” Kim said.
Dr Lambers said it was a serious situation and she was conscious that she might have had to deliver a premature baby at the childcare centre without the necessary medical equipment for pre-mature babies such as oxygen and health monitors.
“When we arrived at the hospital there were eight medical staff waiting, there was a bed ready, the surgical room was on stand-by - it was amazing,” Dr Lambers said.
Riley was born by caesarean section at 6.19pm on May 31 and was flown to Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital at 2am the next day.
Mum Kim was flown down the day after that once she was released from ICU.
They are all back at home now, safe and sound with both mother and baby well.
“I am incredibly grateful Amelia was there, it was divine timing and under those circumstances I was very fortunate she was there to take such good care of us,” Kim said.
A NEW podcast aimed at exploring the intricate dynamics of financial abuse has received strong backing from the Wangaratta-based Centre Against Violence (CAV).
Commissioned by Crime Stoppers, the podcast episodes, entitled ‘What is financial abuse’ and ‘Escaping financial abuse’, aim to educate the community around the profound consequences of the family violence-related coercive offending.
The episodes feature Victoria Police assistant Commissioner family violence command, Lauren Callaway and Safe Steps chief executive officer Chelsea Tobin, who each bring a level of expertise having worked extensively within the family violence space.
CAV chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said the podcast was an important initiative which sheds light on a form of coercion and control which often remains hidden behind closed doors.
“The two-episode series, developed in collaboration with BankVic, delves deep into the intricate dynamics of financial abuse, offering invaluable insights and guidance for those impact-
VITAL STEP: Centre Against Violence chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said it was important to continue to raise awareness around coercive control in a family violence setting.
ed by this escalating form of family violence,” she said.
“Financial abuse is a complex issue, and it is crucial that we increase awareness about its profound consequences.
“As Dr Tobin aptly describes financial abuse as a ‘strategic campaign of abuse held together by fear,’ it is crucial that we offer support and resources to those affected.
“It is through initiatives like these that we can educate ourselves and work together to break the cycle of
financial abuse, ensuring a safer and more equitable future for all.
“We encourage anyone facing financial abuse or any other form of family violence to reach out to us –we are here to help.”
According to Dr Tobin, financial abuse could be felt in a number of forms.
“That’s what I hear on the phones every day here at Safe Steps, victim-survivors have a debt in their name but not being associated with the asset,” she said.
“Having car insurance but no car; having to beg for necessities such as groceries, petrol money and medical appointments.
“Safe Steps is the crisis entry point for the wider family violence service system in Victoria and our phones are open 24 hours a day every single day of the year.”
To listen to the podcast, search Crime Stoppers Victoria on your favourite podcast app, or visit https://play. acast.com/s/crime-stoppers-vic.
To contact CAV’s family violence team, call the Orange Door on 1800 271 157, or for more immediate support outside of business hours, contact Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
BOYS to the Bush Wangaratta will receive $5000 worth of funding thanks to Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Gardiner Dairy Foundation. The funding will help deliver Boys to the Bush’s extra-curricular programs for adolescents.
The funding was part of $123,850 in grants announced by FRRR and the Gardiner Dairy Foundation last week for community-led projects. Gardiner Foundation CEO, Allan Cameron, said local community groups and not-for-profit organisations play a critical role in the sustainability of Victoria’s dairy communities and it was great to be able to support them to bring their ideas to fruition.
FRRR chief executive officer, Natalie Egleton, said despite ongoing challenges, local groups showed a determination to invest in projects and initiatives that enhance local opportunities or help fill gaps in service delivery.
“In the applications this round, we saw a range of programs, activities and event equipment purchases at their core build the social capital of the communities,” she said.
“This diversity of projects reflects that each of these communities is different and, therefore, so too are their needs and priorities.
“We are grateful to the Gardiner Foundation for recognising the importance of communities being able to access flexible funding to fill these gaps and for partnering with us for so long to provide this funding.”
COMBINED PROBUS
PRESIDENT Maureen Adcock opened the June meeting by welcoming members present and visitors, Fran Carracher, Terry Brew, Georgina and Erwell Rea and Ken Lewis.
Condolences were passed onto the family of foundation member Darrel Brumby, who passed away recently.
Maureen spoke briefly about Darrel’s achievements in flying over many years as a pilot and instructor; and his involvement in several community associations.
Get well wishes were extended to Kel Richards and Adelina Tombolato, both enduring hospital stays.
Birthday wishes went out to Sue, Jan, Glenda, Ann, Anne, Sue and to Marlene who was presented with a card for her 80th birthday and a cake which all enjoyed for morning tea.
Business matters were dealt with prior to president Maureen inducting Georgina, Erwell and Ken into the Probus club.
Members wish them many moments of friendship, fellowship and fun with us.
Special interest groups continue to be busy with the craft group preparing items for Christmas in July to be held on July 5, at Ironbark Tavern in Chiltern.
Book club meet at 1 Logan Drive, 2pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
Combined breakfast group headed to King River Café yesterday (July 2), and the men’s breakfast group meet at the Gateway Hotel at 8.30am on the last Thursday of each month.
Recently some members attended the John Farnham movie and lunch, while others lunched at Town ’n’ Country Tavern and plans are in place for ‘Ladies in Black’ at WPACC, August 19, and a casserole night at Respect St. John’s on Saturday, August 26.
Maidens Inn Moama has been booked for October 30 until November 3.
Contact Marianne or Sue for details.
Congratulations to Cheryl Merritt, the lucky number winner.
PROBUS
THERE were 44 ladies in attendance at the June meeting, and what a busy meeting it was.
After welcoming those present, president Christine inducted Karen Kerr and Rosemary Proctor into the Probus group.
Both ladies have attended a number of activities with the club leading up to their induction.
Members hope they enjoy their time with the club.
Helen Atteridge was awarded her 30 year badge.
Helen has been president, vice president and a member of the committee during her 30 years and she currently coordinates the vintage club which meets monthly for lunch.
Helen is fun loving and enjoys many of the activities run by the club.
Helen cut the sponge cake that members then ate for morning tea.
After morning tea its was back to the business side of the meeting with reports: Tina gave a report on the Observation Run held in May, enjoyed by all who attended, including cars from Wangaratta Central Probus.
Thank you for joining us on the day.
With the virtual tour, members are heading off to Tasmania which should be interesting as Pam finds lots of things to see and do on the trips.
Guest speaker was from Cardwell’s Coach Travel.
He gave an excellent talk on his most recent trip and also had pamphlets on upcoming tours.
Many of the ladies have travelled with Cardwell’s before.
All in all it was a very busy meeting, and this month should be slower as members head to King River Café for ‘Christmas in July’.
THE June Probus activities have included Probus lunch, two coffee mornings at Intermezzo Café and serious health concerns for two club members.
Long time secretary Bill Bellis had a stroke in May and president Laurance Neal had to resign due to continuing ill-health.
The club is supportive of both members as they recover and has organised itself to continue normal Probus operations.
The club lost two members in Alan Bell and Darrel Brumby, whose eulogies described a lifetime of helping people and being most effective community members.
The club had a demonstration of how to use our defibrillator so members can be familiar with it.
The club has some entertaining fellowship and speakers planned in the month ahead, including Probus lunches at the RSL and Australia Hotel, Corowa.
Lunches and coffee mornings are at 10am on the first and third Fridays of each month at Intermezzo, and they continue to be popular.
If you are interested in a coffee and a chat with friendly fellows or a pub lunch please call acting secretary Ed Bradbury on 0402 141 268 or just come along and meet members.
WANGARATTA WEST COMBINED PROBUS
CLUB vice-president Pauline McAliece took the chair in the absence of president Ron and welcomed all members and guests to the June meeting.
There were numerous apologies owing mainly to the day being on
King’s Birthday holiday and some on the sick list.
The small clubs within the club are being well supported and the next Sunday lunch is at the Hibernian Hotel in Beechworth. Enquiries to Pam on 0428 251 621.
The annual casserole luncheon was held on June 12 at Wangaratta Bowls Club and the three course meal was delicious.
Thank you to all the lady members.
The next event is the Christmas in July lunch on July 12 at the Moyhu Hall.
No guest speaker was available at the meeting so members played a game of cryptic Victorian towns. This kicked members’ brains into gear and provided lots of laughs. Thank you Avril.
THE June meeting celebrated 27 years since the club began.
A birthday cake made its entrance and candles were blown out to the sound of ‘Happy Birthday to us’.
There were 47 members present, nine absent, three on leave and five guests.
With a new member inducted into the club, there are now a total of 61 members.
The “Who Am I” was Gleniece Hooper, who has been very active in the local community.
No speaker this month as we had a birthday to attend.
Events for the month were enjoyed by all and included the John Farnham story ‘Finding the Voice’.
Upcoming events are breakfast at the Gateway Hotel on Thursday, July 13, at 8.30am.
Friday, July 28: Christmas in July at the Vine Hotel at 12 noon. Tick sheet with Christine, pay next month $30, a medley of roast meats and an alternate dessert.
Friday, August 4: ‘The Beggars Sing The Seekers’ at WPACC. This is a morning show commencing at 10.30am.
Saturday, August 19: ‘Ladies in Black’ matinee at WPACC from 2pm. $35 to be paid at July meeting. Later in September a silo-art trip is in the planning stage.
By ANITA MCPHERSON
THE intricate art of bobbin lacemaking took centre stage last week when acclaimed artist Mary Elizabeth Barron took up residency in Gallery 2 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Part of a program to complement the 2023 Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award, Mary is known for her large-scale laceworks and innovative use of materials.
More than 50 people had already attended a workshop or dropped in by mid-last week, and gallery director Rachel Arndt said the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“We had one visitor say the workshop gave them have a new understanding and appreciation for Mary’s artwork and how intricate and detailed the process is,” she said.
Mary is recognised worldwide for her artistic practise, having exhibited across the eastern states of Australia and overseas, featuring in prominent lace and textile arts magazines.
She was recently commissioned by Home Of The Arts (HOTA) Gold Coast to create a new work for the opening exhi-
bition of the new gallery, now part of its collection, and her works can be found in the collections of three other regional art galleries.
In 2021, her lace designs were selected for use as public art in the main street of Beenleigh.
To see more awe-inspiring
textile artistry, visit the 2023 Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award in gallery one at the Wangaratta Art Gallery until August 20.
JUSTICES of the Peace recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Document Signing Service, which serves the communities of Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Bright and surrounds.
Although small in number, all who attended the gathering at the Gateway Hotel in Wangaratta enjoyed their time together catching up and comparing notes on the various documents they have witnessed.
Over the 10 years of the service, JPs have witnessed more than 75,000 documents. These documents included affidavits, statutory declarations, certified true copies and many others.
Justices from Myrtleford and Bright were presented with certificates of appreciation for their outstanding contributions – Gary Jones JP and Ross Briggs JP (absent) in Myrtleford, and Michael Worton JP in Bright.
Recently retired Wangaratta JP, David Williams, although absent at the event, was also recognised for his outstanding service to the community.
Service coordinator, Robert Ford BJ. JP, was recognised for his outstanding contribution and was presented with a certificate of appreciation from all the justices serving at the various locations.
Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Bright services are available at the following locations:
• Wangaratta Library: Wednesday and Friday at 10am – 12 noon, Thursday evenings 5 – 6 pm.
• Myrtleford Library: Tuesday 1 – 3 pm.
• Bright Library: Wednesday 1 – 3 pm.
ALL TOGETHER:
Justices of the Peace attending last week’s celebrations were (back row, from left) Michael Guinane BJ.JP, Gary Jones JP, Michael Worton JP, Robin Gibb JP and Robert Ford BJ. JP; (front, from left) Sam DeGrazia JP and Cheryl Sargent JP.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION: Michael Worton (right) JP of Bright and Gary Jones (left) JP at Myrtleford (left) receiving their certificates from Robert Ford BJ.JP.
NEW instant asset write-off thresholds, updated tax rules, increased superannuation payments and a rise in the minimum wage are among changes which came into effect on July 1.
Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, said it’s essential that small business owners and managers understand the changes.
“They should check their payroll and accounting systems have been updated and they should talk to trusted advisers like accountants and bookkeepers,” he said.
“With so many pressures on busy small business leaders as we near the end of the financial year it can be easy to overlook new and changing rules.
“However, there are significant changes that cannot be put aside.”
Some of the changes are:
INSTANT ASSET WRITE-OFF:
Threshold will be $20,000 on a per asset basis for 12 months from July 1 for eligible small businesses with a turnover up to $10 million.
From July 1, assets valued at more than $20,000 (which cannot be immediately deducted) can be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year thereafter.
Small businesses have until June 30 to use the 20% tax deduction for investing in digital operations such as new equipment like technology, cloud-computing, eInvoicing or cyber security.
The technology investment boost will apply to investments made between March 29, 2022 and June 30, 2023 but to be eligible the item must be first used or installed ready for use by June 30.
For more information; https:// www.ato.gov.au/Business/Incomeand-deductions-for-business/ Deductions/Small-business-technology-
SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY INCENTIVE
A tax incentive worth up to $20,000 will provide an additional 20 per cent depreciation for eligible assets that support electrification and more efficient use of energy by small businesses.
The bonus will be provided to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million and is aimed at helping them save on energy bills
by making investments like electrifying their heating and cooling systems, upgrading to more efficient fridges and induction cooktops, and installing batteries and heat pumps.
SUPER GUARANTEE
The super guarantee (SG) rate will increase from 10.5% to 11% for all employees eligible to receive superannuation.
Small business owners will need to use the new rate to calculate super on payments made to employees on or after July 1, even if some or all of the pay period is for work done before July 1.
The SG rate is legislated to increase to 12% by 2025.
For more information: https:// www.ato.gov.au/business/super-foremployers/paying-super-contributions/how-much-super-to-pay/
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE AND AWARD RATE
The National Minimum Wage will increase to $882.80 per week, or $23.23 per hour.
Award rates of pay will increase by 5.75%.
Both changes are effective from the first full pay period starting on or after July 1 and more information is available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website: https://www. fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/news/ awr-2023
PAYG & GST UPLIFT RATE
The Australian Government will reduce the PAYG and GST uplift on quarterly payments from what would have been 12% to 6% for the 2023-24 income year in a move that should help assist cash flow for small businesses.
SINGLE TOUCH PAYROLL
Employers are required to finalise employees’ Single Touch Payroll data by July 14.
The Australian Tax Office advises small business owners to double check they are finalising STP data for the 2022-23 financial year.
It also says employers are required to report pay as you go (PAYG) withholding information every time they pay employees through Single Touch Payroll.
From July 1 these amounts reported through STP will be used to pre-fill labels W1 and W2 in activity statements in ATO online services.
More information: https://www. ato.gov.au/Business/Single-TouchPayroll/ATO-PAYG-withholding-prefill-for-activity-statements/
PAID PARENT LEAVE SCHEME
The entitlement of 18 weeks’ paid parental leave pay will be combined with the Dad and Partner Pay entitlement of two weeks’ pay.
This means partnered couples will be able to claim up to 20 weeks’
paid parental leave between them.
Parents who are single at the time of their claim can access the full 20 weeks.
These changes affect employees whose baby is born or placed in their care on or after July 1.
For more information: https:// www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/ news/changes-to-the-paid-parentalleave-scheme 2023
TEMPORARY SKILLED
MIGRATION INCOME THRESHOLD
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $53,900 to $70,000.
This applies to employers who wish to nominate workers for subclass 482, 186 and 187 visas and they must meet certain salary and employment condition requirements to ensure overseas workers are paid no less than an Australian worker doing the same work in the same location, known as the annual market salary rate (AMSR).
OTHER RESOURCES
A useful end of financial year checklist for small business is available at: https://business.gov.au/finance/yearly-financial-tasks/end-offinancial-year-checklist
The Tax Office provides a Tax Time Tool Kit to assist small business to prepare their tax returnss.
It will be available in early July at www.ato.gov.au
PERSISTENT cloud cover with sporadic showers since around June 13 kept maximum temperatures below normal for the month but night time minima kept two degrees above normal and are currently still the warmest in June since 1991 at Wangaratta, Benalla and Rutherglen.
At Lake Eildon the total amount of monthly sunshine up until June 28 was only 47 hours - nine days were completely sunless.
The rainfall at Lake Eildon in the same period totalled 160mms, the wettest for June since 1991 .
Mildura had received 79.8mms this month to date and this is the third wettest June behind 82mms in 1991 and 101mms in 1923.
Many regions of WA were subject to widespread rain for five days last week with some places recording the coldest June day for many decades.
At Geraldton the maximum temperature last Monday was only 13.8 degrees - the coldest for June since 1946.
In the goldfields, Karlgoorlie recorded a maximum of 8.8 degrees, the coldest for June since 1938.
Norseman recorded a maximum of 9.4 degrees, the coldest for June since 1981.
Heavy rain swamped Yulara (Uluru) in two days last week bringing 95mms, the third wettest for June behind 117mms in 1968 and 147mms in 2001.
Both those heavier rainfalls in 1968 and 2001 did lead to more significant rainfalls in North East Victoria up to early August.
It was very dry in June along most of the NSW coast to well into Queensland.
Sydney recorded 17.6mms - its driest for June since 11.6mms in 1986.
Several places in outback Queensland recorded their warmest June in over 130 years of records.
Last Monday Richmond recorded its warmest June day on record with a reading of 35.3 degrees while on the same day Geraldton in WA had it’s coldest June day since 1946 with a maximum temperature of only 13.8 degrees.
https://events.humanitix.com/project-365-the-ripple-effect
WORKS are well underway at GOTAFE’s new campus, located in the Benalla CBD.
Once complete, locals will have increased access to vocational education.
The new campus will also house a Skills and Jobs Centre, meaning community members will have access to career advice, training and job-readiness support in a central location.
The CBD campus is be-
ing built to reflect modern learning, offering a blend of classroom spaces, individual study areas and conferencing facilities.
Features of the re-fitted building will include soundproof meeting spaces, video conferencing facilities and modern classrooms.
Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing joined GOTAFE Interim CEO Kristie O’Brien at the CBD campus last Thursday,
sharing GOTAFE’s commitment to delivering education that aligns with demand in the region.
Minister Shing said the State Government had funded $950,000 towards the $1.6m new campus refubishment, while also contributing half of the $680,000 to purchase the new site.
Ms O’Brien said the new CBD campus will improve access to and expand edu-
cation opportunities for Benalla and surrounding communities.
She said courses on offer at the new GOTAFE campus will address critical skills shortages currently faced by regional communities, including in nursing and mental health sectors.
“We are consulting with community and industry to ensure Benalla residents can access education to meet local industry
needs,” Ms O’Brien said.
Education delivery has continued from the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre while construction of the new CBD campus is underway.
“When the CBD campus fit-out is complete, students will continue their studies from the new facilities,” Ms O’Brien said.
The new campus is expected to be complete before the end of the year.
CHILTERN residents are in safer hands thanks to new life-saving devices.
Two 24-hour publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed in town as part of Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Heart Safe Communities.
Located at the Chiltern Men’s Shed and St Joseph’s Primary School, the easy-touse defibs shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest.
AV Chiltern Ambulance community officer (ACO)
Jane Martin said the new additions would make a real difference to the community.
“Cardiac arrest happens when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating and it
can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere,” Ms Martin said.
“Minutes matter and the sooner a person receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation from an AED, the better their chances of survival.”
About 20 Victorians have a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive.
When a cardiac arrest patient receives CPR from a bystander and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival increases by more than 70 per cent.
Chiltern’s new defibrillators have been registered on AV’s website, allowing Triple Zero (000) call-takers to direct people to them in a medical emergency.
CHANNEL control structures damaged by flooding in December 2018 in Hodgson Creek and adjoining catchments on the Beechworth Plateau will be replaced and repaired with funding received from the Australian Government.
The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has received $210,325 from the inaugural round of the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund to address damage from isolated thun-
POLICE have charged a teenager following a fatal collision in Locksley last Wednesday morning.
A grey Holden Captiva - reported stolen from a Wangaratta address - was travelling along the Hume Highway when it collided with a truck near Alexandersons Road about 8.30am.
The front passenger of the Holden, a 15-year-old Wodonga girl, died at the scene.
The 14-year-old female driver sustained non-lifethreatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital.
The other male passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
The 45-year-old truck driver from Tabilk was not injured and remained at the scene.
The 14-year-old Benalla girl has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and bailed to face a childrens court at a later date.
MANSFIELD Shire Council adopted its 2023-24 Budget last week.
derstorms that delivered more than 200mm in rainfall in less than 24 hours.
The funding is matching co-contributions by the Victorian Government and North East CMA.
Manager of program Implementation with North East CMA, Kelly Behrens, said the project aimed to halt and reverse active streambed incision processes to protect natural, public and private assets.
“This will be achieved through the repair and/
or replacement of priority existing grade control structures damaged by the December 2018 flood event,” Ms Behrens said.
“A program of stock exclusion and revegetation will also be implemented for long-term protection of the system.”
Ms Behrens said up to six key grade control structures would be identified by qualified consultants who undertook a review of the ‘Hodgson Creek Post 2018 flood event assess-
ment’ report (2019) and the ‘Burgoigee Creek stream stability assessment’ report (2019).
She said structures will be prioritised taking into consideration works recently completed by the Mid Ovens Landcare Network funded by the Murray Darling Healthy Rivers small grants program, and upcoming works funded under the Murray Darling Healthy Rivers Large Grants program.
“The project will also
include landholder engagement, with management agreements to be entered into with adjoining landholders for maintenance of fencing and revegetation,” she said.
Ms Behrens said completion of the project would result in increased stability of Hodgson and Burgoigee creeks ensuring enhanced system resilience to future high intensity and more frequent flood events associated with climate change.
It contains a 3.5 percent rate increase in line with the State Government Rate Cap and provides for a total operating expenditure of $25 million and a capital works program of $15.58 million.
Mayor Cr James Tehan said the “sound and economically responsible budget” responds to community input.
“The budget included a thorough process that identified up front cost savings of approximately $500,000 and increased investment revenue of $250,000, which has made balancing this budget possible and inclusion of many initiatives in response to the community feedback,” he said.
ACROSS
1 What is a large New World vulture called (6)
7 Name a spine-bearing mammal (8)
8 Which skin marking is difficult to remove (6)
9 Name a region in Croatia along the east coast of the Adriatic (8)
10 What is a trite, stereotyped expression (6)
11 Which term describes malicious injury to work, tools, etc (8)
14 Which people rob houses (8)
18 What is a pendent tapering mass of ice (6)
19 Name an alternative term for marriage (8)
21 Which colour lies between blue and violet in the spectrum (6)
22 Which ocean lies to the west of southern Africa (8)
23 Name another term for summits (6)
DOWN
1 What is an underground cemetery called (8)
2 To discover a presence, is to do what (6)
3 What was the former name of Zimbabwe (8)
4 What is a false god, as of a heathen people (4)
5 Which term describes one who possesses mere book learning without practical wisdom (6)
6 Which day follows Christmas Day (6)
12 Name an early Roman large rectangular building, used as a meeting place (8)
13 What do we call sovereigns of empires (8)
15 What are emotional disturbances (6)
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
16 To be spherical, is to be what (6)
17 What, in golf, is a score of one stroke under par on a hole (6)
20 Name the area on which a building is to be situated (4)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.
CLUES:
Box for holy objects (3)
Chart again (5)
December (abb) (3)
Demonstrations (abb) (5) Of the femur (7)
Salt (Latin) (3)
Similar sounding word (7)
Sodium borate
Steal (3)
Water
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
LOCAL Landcare groups are continuing to actively work to improve wildlife, habitat and environmental outcomes across the Ovens catchment.
Landcare has for decades worked with farmers to improve properties in areas such as irrigation, erosion mitigation, fencing, improving soil quality and tree planting for a shelter belt or general shade trees in paddocks for livestock.
Ovens Landcare Network (OLN) undertakes catchment wide projects as well as providing support to the 21 Landcare groups in the Ovens catchment.
Network facilitator Kerrie Warburton said current projects included assisting hundreds of landowners to develop a whole farm property plan.
Focus areas include fencing and planting areas for shade and shelter, shelter belts and paddock trees, and fencing waterways and dams to improve the quality of drinking water for stock and reduce erosion while at the same time providing valuable habitat for native wildlife.
Mrs Warburton said soil testing to look at carbon levels and acid subsoils, as well as control of feral animals and noxious weeds also remain a focus.
“Education is also key to Landcare that helps farmers understand the importance of property improvements and how it will benefit their property which is conducted by Landcare volunteers in the community,” she said.
“Landowners contact our local Landcare groups with a proposal on how to improve their property, help the environment and wildlife,” she said.
“We then look at ways we can assist
BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.auwith farmers in improving a property that covers a number of aspects that are all beneficial.
“Shade shelter belt and paddock trees are one of the most common projects we assist with that help in a number of ways for property and livestock.
“The importance for livestock and biodiversity plays a big role in preservation including improving the environment.
“Planting new trees is very important, however, existing trees are a key role to a property as they provide shade for animals, a home for birds and possums and with this we continue further education with people on how to maintain good health in their mature trees and the benefits it will have into the future.
“Landcare does not have funding to plant trees as the Victorian Government does provide grants for local projects like ours that allow this project to happen.
“It’s a win win for everyone but landowners will need to do the follow-up work and maintain new trees and also provide iron posts for the trees.
“The control of feral animals is also a high priority and can have an improvement on property with efficient fencing.
“The most important thing to be aware of is that on-ground work needs to be planned well in advance.”
For more information on being involved with Landcare contact Kerrie Warburton on 0418 427 730.
Shade shelter belt and paddock trees are one of the most common projects we assist with that help in a number of ways for property and livestock.
- Kerrie Warburton
RIVERINE Plains’ annual innovation expo will return to Mulwala later this year, with a focus on prioritising data within the farming business.
Set to run from August 24 to 25, the expo is set to emphasise data-driven decisions within the farming sector, and feature a number of key speakers from within the industry.
Riverine Plains chief executive officer, Catherine Marriott, noted markets were increasingly requiring environmental transparency on top of profitability and productivity.
“Farmers are already collecting a wide range of data and the expo will help ensure farmers focus on using this data to maximise
profitability and market access, as well as ensuring the required data is being captured,” she said.
“We know production data can provide invaluable insights into our farming systems – from crop yields and soil mapping to individual livestock performance, these data gems can unveil what’s thriving, what needs tweaking, and how we can maximise profitability.
“However, overseas and domestic markets are also changing in response to consumer and government pressures, so our farm data might be just as critical in gaining access to commodity or carbon markets in the future, as well as banking and insurance services.”
Alexandra Garmann,chair of the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council, and Nigel Hart, managing director of Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRCDC), will be among the expo’s guest speakers, while Agriculture Victoria’s Alison Kelly and Dale Grey will also present.
The Riverine Plains Alvan Blanch Australia farm tour will be held on August 25, and will take a practical look at how farmers are employing technologies such as drones, weed-detecting technology, and grain dryers to make better and more sustainable farming decisions.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://riverin eplains.o rg.au/ innovation-expo-2023.
Wangaratta Chronicle is looking for a driven and committed individual to join the advertising team at our office in Wangaratta.
If you can always see an opportunity and enjoy the idea of helping businesses grow, then we want to talk to you. To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate
Excellent work ethic, organisational skills & attention to detail with a drive to achieve results.
An ability to communicate with a wide range of people across various industries. Create innovative business proposals, develop collaborative partnerships and provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
Taking over an established client list, you will be selling advertising and digital marketing opportunities to existing clients while looking to drive new business opportunities. An ability to develop and maintaining business relationships will be the key to your success in this role.
An attractive remuneration package is offered including a base salary, commission and employer superannuation contributions.
North East Media is an independent media group publishing award winning publications in print and online across North East Victoria and beyond.
Please forward your application and covering letter to Ian Pople Sales Manager at the Wangaratta Chronicle, ipople@nemedia.com.au
2
General Classifieds: wangarattachronicle.com.au
Employment: northeastjobs.com.au
Real Estate: northeastproperty.com.au
Holloway VisionOptometry Assistant
Holloway Vision requires a full time optometry assistant. Your key attribute must be great customer service skills.
Computer literacy is required as well as an appetite to learn. Your skills should include an eye for fashion, colour and detail.
Industry experience is not essential but a background in fashion, cosmetics or the beauty industry would be advantageous.
Email applications to sylvia@hollowayvision.com.au by Friday, July 7, 2023
Interviews will be conducted the following week between 6pm and 8pm
CONCRETING - Big or small jobs. Paths, driveways, shed slabs,
MOTOR VEHICLES
CARAVANS &
2011 Subaru Forester, AWD manual, 343,258kms, moto r rebuilt by Subaru at 186,047kms 2/5/2017, (YJF 550), Rego June 2024, $9,000, Ph 0407 844 527.
MUNRO (Reid), Clare.
Lovely memories, will miss you.
McLEAN, Bronywn. 10 years since you passed away Mum. Always remembered by Darryl, Lynn, Pud and families.
2015 , Holden Astr a VXR Turbo, excellent condition, 27,000km, RWC, 12 month rego, (AJJ295), $22,800, ONO. Ph 0401 518 029.
JAYCO Starcraft caravan, 15ft, r egistered, $10,500. Ph 0493 045 146.
MOBILE Cool room, 8ft long, 7-6ft high, 4ft wide, hanging rails, registered, $4000. Ph 5725 1313.
~ Terry, Veronica and family.
MUNRO (Reid), Clare.
Dearly loved long term friend who will be sadly missed.
~ Love Norma and Paul Lynch and family.
VW TOUAREG
4x4, 2007 model, V6 turbo diesel, silve r exterior, grey interior, automatic, excellent condition, regularly serviced and garaged, leather upholstery, wood grain dash, mechanically sound, good fuel economy, very comfortable to drive, two new tyres, current Vic Reg (UWA862), RWC supplied, $12,000 ONO. Ph John Atkins 0428 690 267.
SUZUKI DRZ400 (2002), very good condition, low kilometres, recentl y serviced, 12 months rego, sold without RWC, (CB657), $3500. Phone Michael 0405 535 477.
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VOLKSWAGON Polo
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YARRAWONGA
3.2
GOALS: YARRAWONGA: Nicholas Fothergill 3,Matthew Casey 2,Leigh Williams 2,Tim Lawrence 1,Mark Whiley 1. NORTH ALBURY: Nathan Dennis,Joshua Minogue 2,Ryan Polkinghorne 1. BEST: YARRAWONGA: William Wheeler, Mark Whiley, Lach Howe, Jordan Urquhart, Harrison Wheeler, Bailey Frauenfelder. NORTH ALBURY: Jack King, Kade Brown, Fletcher Ramage, Jack Penny, Jack Reynolds, Joshua Minogue.
GOALS: WODONGA: Oscar Willding 3, Samuel Jewell 2, Noah Bradshaw 1, Jett Cassidy 1, Ollie Greenhill 1, Nicholas Hynes 1, Casey Marr 1, Noah Spiteri 1. WANGARATTA: No goal scorers selected. BEST: WODONGA: Ollie Greenhill, Matthew Soroczynski, Jack O’Sullivan, Noah Bradshaw, Jack Yelland, Joshua Mathey. WANGARATTA: Callum Moore, Chris Knowles, Daniel Sharrock, Hunter Gottschling, Michael Bordignon, Jackson Clarke.
Wangaratta Rovers 37 def by Wodonga Raiders 64
BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Kelsie Wilson 3, Rebecca Kreltszheim 2, Ella Masters 1,
WODONGA RAIDERS: Ava Koschitzke 3, Maggie St John 2, Zoe Prentice 1.
GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Samantha Kreltszheim 26, Rebecca Kreltszheim 11.
WODONGA RAIDERS:Taylor Donelan 34, Emily Stewart 30.
Wodonga 36 def by Wangaratta 68
BEST: WODONGA: Cassi Mathey 3, Ellie Ainsworth 2, Hidden Player 1.
WANGARATTA: Amy Byrne 3, Amanda Umanski 2, Brooke Pryse 1.
GOALS: WODONGA: Lisa French 18, Cassi Mathey 18.
WANGARATTA: Amanda Umanski 51, Georgia Clark 8, Kellie Keen 8. Myrtleford 50 def Albury 32
BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Hidden Player 3, Sally Botter 2, Sophie Hanrahan 1. ALBURY: Brigetta Singe 3, Heidi Fisher 2, Gabrielle McRae 1
GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Sally Botter 21, Sophie Hanrahan 18, Rebecca Piazza 11.
ALBURY: Lilli Howe 28, Marny Hillier 4.
Yarrawonga 60 def North Albury 40
B GRADE: Wangaratta Rovers 40 def by Wodonga Raiders 43;
Yarrawonga 43 def North Albury 39; Wodonga 45 def by Wangaratta 57;
Myrtleford 30 drew with Albury 30. C GRADE: Myrtleford 54 def Albury 28; Wangaratta Rovers 38 def by Wodonga Raiders 44; Wodonga 37 def by Wangaratta 47; Yarrawonga 37 def North Albury 33; CorowaRutherglen 30 def by Lavington 31. 17 & UNDER: Wangaratta Rovers 39 def by Wodonga Raiders 72; Wodonga 58 def by Wangaratta 64; Yarrawonga 34 def by North Albury 44; Myrtleford 39 drew with Albury 39; Corowa-Rutherglen 29 def by Lavington 52. 15 & UNDER: Myrtleford 39 def Albury 21; Wangaratta Rovers 22 def by Wodonga Raiders 43; Wodonga 55 def Wangartta 29; Corowa-Rutherglen 29 def by Lavington 35; Yarrawonga 10 def by North Albury 62.
Wodonga 9.7.61 def Wangaratta 8.5.53
BEST: WODONGA: Jack Mathey, Coen Ainsworth, Daniel Finnimore, Jackson Dines, James Grohmann, Isaac O’Neill. WANGARATTA: Harry McMonigle, Cooper Newton, Josh Styles, Tyler Hogan, Connor Hughes, John Blake. GOALS: WODONGA: Jack Mathey 2, William Payne 2, Hugh Venturoni 2, Riley Mimmo 1, Ezekiel Morey 1, Etienne Tshijika 1. WANGARATTA: No goal scorers allocated.
Wangaratta Rovers 6.6.42 def by
Wodonga Raiders 8.3.51
BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Harry Nolan, Harvey Correll, Charlie Lugg, Samuel Rourke, Charlie Philpotts, Sam Nolan. WODONGA
RAIDERS: Archer Scammell, Lincoln Reed, Cohen Trujillo, Ethan Deery, Connor Howells, Beau O’Neill. GOALS: WANGARATTA
ROVERS: Samuel Comensoli 3, Jai Dal Zotto 1, Oliver Sharp 1, Ned Turner 1. WODONGA RAIDERS: Finn Gray 3, Connor Howells 1, Tom Johnson 1, Beau O’Neill 1, Oliver Robertson 1, Jack Stewart 1. Myrtleford 4.6.30 def by Albury 9.12.66
BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Jude Browne, Sam Rossato, marcello vescio, Tyler Thomason, Luke Nannipieri, Jack Hazeldine. ALBURY: Joseph Muller, Fraser Bennett, Charlie McGrath, Ty Quade, Tom Ferguson, Zachariah Packer. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Brody Bouker 1, Jack Hazeldine 1, Fearghus Jones 1, Luke Nannipieri 1. ALBURY: No goal scorers allocated.
Yarrawonga 7.4.46 def by North Albury 11.6.72
GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Thomas Boyd 5, Alexander Marklew 5, Justin Lewis 2, Dylan Wilson 2, Elijah Amery 1, Sam Henderson 1, Alex McCarthy 1, Dylan Stone 1. WODONGA RAIDERS: Alex Daly 1, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen 1, Thomas Gibbs 1, Ben Hernan 1.
BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Cody Schutt, Thomas Boyd, Justin Lewis, Alex McCarthy, Toby Murray, Alexander Marklew. WODONGA RAIDERS: Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Ned Conway, Hayden Clarke, Liam Hickey, Tom Bracher, Cooper Smith.
Myrtleford ...................1.2.8 Albury ......................15.5.95
BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Rhys Grant, Charlie Crisp, William McKerral, Zac Winter-Irving, Joshua Langman, James Mcpherson. ALBURY: Harry Cameron, Cooper Page, Jacob BRUNNER, Fletcher Hart, Max Bruton, Lachlan Taylor-Nugent. Yarrawonga ..........23.15.153 North Albury .............2.1.13
BEST: YARRAWONGA: Will Robinson, Max Hemphill, Matty Dwyer, Tom McKimmie, Brady Black, Reid Clarke. NORTH ALBURY: No best players have been selected.
Wodonga ...................8.4.52
Wangaratta................7.5.47
BEST: WODONGA and WANGARATTA: No best players have been selected.
Wangaratta Rovers 21.20.146
Wodonga Raiders ......2.1.13
GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Simon Curtis 4, Declan Bren 1, Damon Harrington 1, Brody Ricardi
1, Ryley Sharp 1, Kyle Winter-Irving 1. ALBURY: Mat Walker 3, Jeff Garlett 2, Kolby HeinerHennessy 2, Tom O’Brien 2, Riley Bice 1, Jacob Conlan 1, Ben Kelly 1, Isaac Muller 1.
BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Mitch Dalbosco, Alex Jacobs, Simon Curtis, Thomas Cappellari, Tyler Harrington, Ryley Sharp. ALBURY: Tom O’Brien, Brayden O’Hara, Elliott Powell, Jim Grills, Isaac Muller, Riley Bice.
ROUND 12 - JULY8
WANGARATTA vs YARRAWONGA
RAIDERS vs WODONGA
LAVINGTON vs WANG ROVERS
MYRTLEFORD vs COROWA-RUTHERGLEN
ALBURY vs NORTH ALBURY
BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Sam Allen, Connor Crimmins, Regan Gorman, Kyle Smith, Joel Smith, Samuel Maher. WODONGA RAIDERS: Alex Jamieson, Angus Eberle, Declan Carmody, Wade Knights, Myles Harding, Michael Hosking.
GOALS: MILAWA: Sebastian De Napoli 5, Harry Allan 3, Ben Clarke 2, Kristopher Allan 1, Aiden Bihun 1, Luke Toohey 1. KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 3, Jack Davies 1. BEST:
MILAWA: Simon Pane, Xavier Ham, Harry Allan, Brent Newton, Daniel Bihun, Josh Owen. KING VALLEY: Sam Evans, Bradley Collihole, Beau Wheeler, Aaron Cheong, Salvatore Bettio, Vincent Star.
TARRAWINGEE
*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.
A GRADE: Tarrawingee 81 def Bright 15, Goorambat 33 def by Greta 43, Whorouly 81 def Benalla All Blacks 30, Bonnie Doon 51 def Moyhu 27
B GRADE: Tarrawingee 49 def Bright 23, Goorambat 35 def by Greta 45, Whorouly 34 def by Benalla All Blacks 76, Bonnie Doon 71 def Moyhu 13
B RESERVE: Tarrawingee 32 def by Bright 48, Goorambat 37 def by Greta 45, Whorouly 29 def by Benalla All Blacks 55, Bonnie Doon 76 def Moyhu 13
C GRADE: Tarrawingee 38 def by Bright 42, Goorambat 34 def by Greta 44, Whorouly 30 def by Benalla All Blacks 39 Bonnie Doon 40 def Moyhu 22
15 & UNDER: Tarrawingee 14 def by Bright 22, Goorambat 14 def by Greta 49, Whorouly 26 def Benalla All Blacks 22 Bonnie Doon 29 def Moyhu 16
No scores available for the Milawa vs King Valley matches
SATURDAY, JULY 8
GOORAMBAT vs NORTH WANGARATTA
GRETA vs BRIGHT
BENALLA ALL BLACKS vs MOYHU
KING VALLEY vs WHOROULY
BONNIE DOON vs MILAWA
TARRAWINGEE - BYE
33.30.228
GOALS: No goal scorers selected. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Seth Coonan, Sam Peters, Angus Beck, Ryley Benton, Brandon Igri, Ethan Ryan. BRIGHT: Darcy Sholl, Cooper Thomason, Guy Campbell, Samuel Dalbosco, Rodrigo Arguello, Chad Martin.
GOORAMBAT 4.1 4.1 5.3 6.4.40
GRETA 3.6 8.14 12.17 17.20.122
GOALS: GOORAMBAT: Aaron Blackburn 2, Charlie Campbell 1, Jamie Dunne 1, Benjamin Reaburn 1, Jim Taylor 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 5, James McClounan 4, Tyler Arrowsmith 3, Chris Dube 1, Lachie Kennett 1, Brenton Newbold 1, Ned Rohrt 1, Mark Wettern 1. BEST:
GOORAMBAT: Jamie Dunne, Ryan Burns, Darcy Edgar, Benjamin Reaburn, Aaron Blackburn, Brady Purcell. GRETA: James McClounan, Jarrod Morham, Ned Rohrt, Thomas Rosser, Bryce Ralph, Tyler Arrowsmith.
WHOROULY 7.1 10.5 13.6 17.8.110
BENALLA ALL BLACKS 3.1 4.4 6.5 7.5.47
GOALS: WHOROULY: Simon Chalmers 5, Lachlan Moore 3, Adam Harris 2, Macauley Murtagh
2, Andrew Newton 2, William Allen 1, Cameron Wood 1, Luke Zanin 1. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Jayden Brady 3, Cody Crawford 1, Kaare Glass 1, Jack Melrose 1, Chelton Orchard 1. BEST:
WHOROULY: Matthew Vescio, Edward Bramich, William Allen, Paul Glanville, Riley Calvene, Andrew Newton. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Mack Bodsworth, Jayden Brady, Cody Crawford, Jesse Walker, Kyle Collisson, David Button.
BONNIE DOON 6.2 14.5 16.9 21.9.135
MOYHU 2.1 5.2 7.3 9.5.59
GOALS: No goal scorers selected.
BEST: BONNIE DOON: Guy Murray, Matthew Hedin, Luke Murray, Campbell Smedley, Beau Smith, Joel Sanford. MOYHU: George Hearn, jack Mckinley, Jared Lea, Jett Roberts, Dylan Carmody, Lukas Jakobsson.
Milawa .....................15.8.98 King Valley ................5.9.39
BEST: MILAWA: Michael Walker, Tim Leslie, Michael Box, matthew walsh, Zachary Wallace, Brenton Gray. KING VALLEY: Joel Burchall, Xander Van Bergen, David Lang, Brett Sessions, Ayden Hansen, Alex Tatulaschwili. Tarrawingee ..............2.4.16 Bright ..................28.13.181
BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Spencer Jones, Will Creed, Kane Deans, Mitchell Barry, Jacob Lowe. BRIGHT: Thomas Mullane-Grant, Brodie Brain, Mason Cracknall, Joseph Crawley, Adam Whelann, Aidan Parmesan.
Whorouly ..................2.3.15
Benalla All Blacks .....5.11.41
BEST: WHOROULY: Adam Pascoe, Will Corscadden, Chas Pianegonda, Jacob Penn, Nathan de Vries, Ryan Harris. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: Eoin Fitzgerald, Karl Mullins, Brendan Moffatt, Mark Mc Dermott, Joshua Kotvas, Aaron Horan. Bonnie Doon ........16.12.108 Moyhu ......................5.3.33
BEST: BONNIE DOON: Fraser Cameron, Jack Kirley, Patrick Revell, luke berriman, Andrew Marshall, Luke Benton. MOYHU: Aaron Thrum, Harry Verdon, Blake Burgan, Anthony Welsh, Leroy Dowling.
BRIGHT’S senior footballers picked up a massive percentage-boosting win over Tarrawingee on Satu rday as the Bulldogs suffered their biggest loss this season, the Mountain Men obliterating the competition 33.30 (228) to 0.5 (5).
Heavy favourites going into the match, Bright all but put the game to bed in the first term, keeping the Bulldogs scoreless and booting 9.9 themselves, before the margin stretched to 100 points by the half.
While Bright kept piling on the goals, the damage could’ve been a lot worse, with 12 behinds scored through the second half.
Efficiency in front of goal has been an area of concern for the Mountain Men all year, only registering fewer than 10 behinds in two games this season.
Despite this, the sheer volume of forward 50 entries and diligent defensive work by the midfield and backs leaves Bright sitting third on the O&KFL ladder with a whopping 293.70 per cent with six matches and a bye before finals.
For Tarrawingee, Seth Coonan, Brandon Igri and Sam Peters performed well, while Cooper Thomason and Chad Martin turned in solid games for Bright.
The Bright reserves squad also picked up a handy win 28.13 (181) to 2.4 (16), with Tom Mullane-Grant annihilating the Bulldogs’ backs with a 15 goal haul, bringing his total to 106 goals for the season (six senior, 100 reserves).
The Mountain Men seconds remain undefeated with a staggering 820.09 percentage.
■ From back page
Lions’ coach Riley Calvene said his entire squad turned in consistent performances on a difficult deck to navigate cleanly.
“I think that was probably our most consistent game so far,” he said.
“We didn’t really let Benalla back into the game at all, we maintained possession and played exactly how we’ve been trying to play all year.
“I think offensively we were really, really strong, we’ve still got a bit of work to do defensively - there were a couple of times where Benalla got out the back of us, so there’s still plenty to work on.
“We’re happy to be up in contention, but we’re still well aware that being there now doesn’t mean too much.
“It’s about setting ourselves up for the back half of the year and staying there.”
Calvene said recording a win on such an important day for the club was reward for those who have put in years of service.
“I think it was huge,” he said.
“For so many more guys around the club who have been there their whole lives and who give so much, guys like Dan White, Glenn White, ‘Woodsy’, the Harris brothers, Simon Chalmers – all those guys put so much time and effort into the club so for them to get a bit of reward is really pleasing.
“Hopefully we can play f inals this year to really top it off for them.”
In other round 13 matches, Milawa got revenge over King Valley 13.11 (89) to 4.4 (28), Bright thumped Tarrawingee by 223 points, Greta continued their dominance with a 17.20 (122) to 6.4 (40) win over the Bats, and Bonnie Doon defended their home ground with a 76 point win over Moyhu.
By WILLSON MACK
WANGARATTA senior footballers held off a fighting Wodonga outfit at John Flower Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Although the Bulldogs’ recent form hasn’t been great, they certainly came to play against the Magpies, but it was the latter who got the job done by 13-points.
Wodonga put the heat on Wangaratta early, jumping out to a 17-point lead at the first change but the Magpies answered with seven unanswered goals between late in the second and late in the third quarters.
Wangaratta’s 15-point lead at three quarter time had the game looking like theirs to lose but they withstood the Bulldogs’ pressure in the final term to run away 14.11 (95) to 12.10 (82) victors.
“Wodonga brought plenty of pressure and made it a hard contest all day,” Magpies coach Ben Reid said.
“They compete as hard as anyone in the competition and can be hard to stop in terms of the way they kick, mark and get numbers behind the ball.
“It was just a gritty win which was great to see.”
Reid was pleased with his side’s fight back after Wodonga kicked the first four goals of the game.
“We didn’t drop our heads, we dug our heels in and got to work which was pleasing,” he said.
“We turned the game back on in our favour in the second and third quarters and were playing some really good footy.”
Wangaratta spearhead Callum Moore was unstoppable, booting seven majors to take his tally to 39 for the year, while Chris Knowles was excellent in the ruck and Daniel Sharrock continued his rich vein of form.
Moore now leads the Doug Strang Medal by two goals ahead of Yarrawonga’s Leigh Williams and has sensationally kicked 21 goals in his past three games after booting a whopping 10 against Myrtleford in round eight and four in last weekend’s derby.
“’Cal’ is in some of the best form he’s been in since joining the club I reckon,” Reid said.
“The last month his work rate has gone up another level and he’s getting rewarded because of that.
“’Knowlesy’ was also strong in the ruck, Wodonga didn’t have a big ruckman so he took the ascendancy and played well in there.”
Wangaratta still sits a win behind ladder leaders Yarrawonga and Albury but have the highest percentage in the competition (155.45%) after strong wins over the past five rounds.
The Magpies can close the gap on the Pigeons when they clash this weekend in what promises to be a blockbuster.
“We’ve put together a good five or six weeks but we’re playing the premiership favourites now which will be a massive task,” Reid said.
“It’ll be a big challenge but we’re looking forward to taking them on at home.”
DEBUTANT:
WANGARATTA Rovers senior footballers put Wodonga Raiders to the sword with a huge 89-point win at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.
Key forwards Alex Marklew and Tom Boyd couldn’t be contained by the Raiders’ back line, booting five majors apiece in the 18.13 (121) to 4.8 (32) win.
A six goal to one final quarter put the icing on the cake for the Hawks who have had a tough few weeks after falling to North Albury and Wangaratta.
Rovers assistant coach
BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.auTom Boyd was pleased with the win.
“It was really good to bounce back after a couple of poor weeks,” Boyd said.
“Yesterday was about making achievable goals for everyone and trying to get back to playing good footy and I feel like we took a step in the right direction.”
Boyd felt that structurally
his side was in a good position in the victory.
“I feel like we looked like the team we want to be and played more of the brand we want to play,” he said.
“We also had a few debutants which was great to see with Charles Ledger and Sam Henderson playing their first games and they both looked up to the level.”
Boyd and Marklew caused headaches for Wodonga Raiders, with their speed and agility being too much for the Raiders’ key backs.
“We’re both still trying to
work out how to play with each other because we don’t get to train together,” Boyd said.
“At times we can both get stuck deep and fly for the same ball so we’ve been working hard on trying to keep separation and creating opportunities for each other.
“I felt like we were working well together yesterday though and ‘Fud’ hit me up a few times which was nice so I’ll have to repay the favour.”
Cody Schutt was arguably best on ground after mov-
ing into the Hawks’ engine room.
“He played a sweeper role for us which really steadied our midfield, we feel that we’ve struggled in that area at times this year,” Boyd said.
“We’ve got great ball winners in our midfield that go for the footy so it was good to get a different type of mid in Cody in there.”
Boyd admitted that it’s been a tough few weeks for his side.
“We reviewed the Magpies game really hard and had some honest conversations
within the group which isn’t the most enjoyable thing to do but it was great to have them,” he said.
“The worst thing we could do is sweep it under the carpet so we accepted that some of our efforts in not only that game but also against North Albury weren’t good enough.
“We’ve set clear expectations now and everyone knows that you don’t have to do anything special you just have to play your role.”
Rovers play Lavington in this weekend’s round of O&MFNL fixtures.
Page
WHOROULY’S senior footballers have reared their head into the Ovens and King Football League’s top six after a clinical 17.8 (110) to 7.5 (47) victory over Benalla All Blacks at the Whorouly Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
The win came on an auspicious day, with the Lions hosting past players and celebrating a trio of milestones for loyal club members Cam Wood (250 senior
games), Daniel White (200 senior games) and skipper Glenn White (250 club games).
Whorouly set the tone early, with a seven goal to four first term in difficult conditions blowing out to 37 points by half-time.
As the ground was chopped up more and more as the game wore on, the Lions were able to move the ball freely across half back, choosing the best avenue to explode towards goals.
The Lions stormed
home, outscoring the Panthers by three goals in the final quarter to take a crucial win by 63 points.
For Benalla, Cody Crawford was immense, sitting behind the contest and taking intercept marks to give his side some much-need-
ed life, while Kyle Collisson and Mack Bodsworth were prominent figures all day.
Whorouly’s deep forward Simon Chalmers ended with five goals, with four other Lions kicking multiple majors, while midfielders Matt Vescio and Andy Newton provided a strong presence at the contest.
■ Continued page 18
