Wangaratta Chronicle 040123

WELCOMING IN THE NEW YEAR

MURDER

Three charged with murder of Wangaratta

POLICE have estimated it could be up to 16 weeks before an autopsy is obtained following the alleged murder of a 19-year-old Wangaratta man on Christmas Eve, whose body was found in a burning car near Shepparton.

Emergency services were called to the car fire

on

Danny Clarke, 38, and Kylie Stott, 37, both from Shepparton, and Mooroopna man Dimitri D’Elio, 24, were formally charged

Wangaratta teenager, with

with the teenager’s murder on December 30, and were remanded in custody at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

At a filing hearing yesterday, Homicide Squad Detective Senior Constable Alex Nucci said the investigation remained ongoing, with officers expected to

sift through 100s of hours of CCTV footage in the coming weeks, and refused to rule out the involvement of other persons of interest.

Applications for further CCTV footage had also been made, according to DSC Nucci.

He said in record of interviews completed on De-

investigations ongoing

teenager, with investigations ongoing Three charged with murder of

cember 30, Stott had made comment which was not consistent with the investigation, and noted two of the co-accused had denied the offending and one had refused to comment.

Defence counsel Rebecca Park called for police to expedite the provision of CCTV footage, which

she said could assist the formulation of a defence or potential bail application for Stott.

However, Magistrate David Faram noted it would be impossible for the case to proceed without a completed pathology report on the body.

Loch Garry Road at Bunbartha around 10am, extinguishing the blaze before locating the body of Charlie Gander inside the vehicle.

MORE than 6000 people enjoyed the free entertainment at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to welcome in the New Year on Saturday evening. Among those staying around the fireworks at 9pm were (from left) Charlie and Laura Bell, Dusty Pantling and Ash Hanby.

Coby Canning

Region records limited road trauma amid fourth-lowest statewide total

POLICE are keen to build on a downturn in the state’s road trauma statistics late last year, after Victoria recorded its fourth-lowest lives lost figure since Transport Accident Commission records began more than 35 years ago.

Traditionally the state’s deadliest month for road fatalities, the 10 lives lost in December was Victoria’s second-fewest in 2022, with police hoping the late turnaround in road trauma pro-

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

jections reflects meaningful change in driver behaviour across the state into 2023.

However, despite a relatively quiet end to the year, the 240 lives lost on Victorian roads was seven higher than 2021 figures, and saw 135 motorists lose their lives on country roads, having in-

creased from 120 in 2021.

Road trauma in the North East was limited, with Wangaratta (2), Alpine (3), Wodonga (3) and Mansfield (2) local government areas each recording minimal fatalities throughout 2022, with the bulk of road fatalities recorded by Goulburn Valley (26), Bendigo (19), Dandenong (18) and Geelong (17) police divisions.

Speeding was the leading suspected cause of fatalities statewide, while failing

to give way, illicit drugs, alcohol and mobile phones were also common contributors to road deaths.

The 240 lives lost across the state were a direct result of 238 separate fatal collisions, 236 of which were single vehicle collisions, up from 202 the year before.

Acting assistant commissioner road policing, Justin Goldsmith, said police were committed to further limiting “needless loss of life” going forward.

“While the number of lives lost is only slightly above the previous year when there were still significant travel restrictions due to COVID, its crucial to stress any life lost is one too many,” he said.

“These are not just numbers - each represents a mother, father, brother, sister, child or friend whose life has been needlessly cut short.

“Often it is behaviours within our control like choosing to speed, driving after a few

drinks or texting behind the wheel that results in the most catastrophic road trauma.

“That’s why you will continue to see us right across the state checking your speed, conducting alcohol and drug tests and removing unlicenced and suspended drivers from the road.”

Road trauma has largely declined in the 35 years since TAC records began, peaking at 776 in 1989 before reaching its lowest point, 211, in 2020.

9261 1930.

By RYAN MALCOLM

LOCAL emergency service volunteers are looking forward to a spike in member involvement, following the easing of COVID-19 vaccination mandates late last year to be more in line with ‘community settings’.

Mandatory vaccination requirements were largely discontinued in October following the end of the state’s pandemic declaration, however, most emergency response crews were still expected to have at least three doses of a vaccine in order to be allowed to turn out to emergency callouts.

The change will allow local SES and CFA brigades to launch an increased focus on member recruitment into the new year, with vaccinations now strongly

recommended instead of being mandatory.

CFA Wangaratta group officer Lachie Gales said the change was a relief to many within the local brigades.

“The change will be generally welcomed by CFA volunteers, the majority of whom are vaccinated, reflecting how well the Victorian community responded to the push to mitigate COVID-19,” he said.

“There’s no doubt though that the triple vaccination requirement was difficult for some members to comply with after poor reactions to the second vaccination.

“In a general sense, the COVID response that was necessary in CFA added a significant amount of workload to brigade management teams, giving people who already give so much a lot of extra

regulation and compliance issues.

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“We will all be pleased to see that workload ease.”

SES crews have been on a well-earned break from training over the festive period with an information evening for new and prospective members planned for January 17.

Volunteers had previously been required to have two doses of a vaccine in order to respond to emergencies and attend critical training, while three doses were required to attend community engagement, fundraising and face-to-face meetings.

Mr Gales said all emergency service providers had worked hard to avoid the transmission of COVID-19 when dealing with the general public in recent years.

“Going forward we will

continue to focus on good hygiene practice, social distancing where we can and the right personal protective equipment for the job,” he said.

“Looking back, there was great concern that CFA brigades didn't become super spreaders of COVID via our turnouts, meetings, training and other shared activities.

“Our volunteer firefighters have done their bit through the lockdown periods to not become part of the bigger problem and it’s quite an achievement that we've been successful in that.”

The CFA’s annual report for 2021/22 was lodged in State Parliament last month, detailing a volunteer workforce 1281 members less than the previous year.

No cause for the drop in membership was denoted.

CALL TO ACTION: Wangaratta SES volunteers Ross Johnston, Tom Willoughby and Monique Hillenaar will hope to welcome additional members to the local unit, following the easing of vaccination restrictions.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Trio charged with murder of Wangaratta teenager, with investigations ongoing

■ From page 1

DSC Nucci said an 18-week timeframe would allow police to provide defence lawyers with “the full understanding” of what he labelled a very complex case, with multiple co-accused and further enquiries yet to be made.

“In difficult circumstances, that’s not unreasonable,” Mr Faram acknowledged.

He ordered a formal hand-up brief be forwarded to defence lawyers by May 16, with committal mention proceedings set to commence for all three co-accused on June 27.

The court heard several of the co-accused could be withdrawing from drugs of dependence while in custody.

Beef bonanza: $90m traded for

CATTLE producers could have been excused for enjoying an extra-merry Christmas, following a boon year which saw turnover at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange exceed $90m.

In what has become an increasingly positive market for local sellers, 2022 turnover and yardage trounced both 2020 and 2021 returns, with some 45,172 head of cattle yarded for a record $90,280,340.58 in total sales.

The figure dwarves last year, when $65,792,277.15 was turned over through the sale of 36,468 head of cattle, while turnover all but tripled the 2020 figure, when 23,948 head were yarded for $30,199,142.

Throughout 2022, sale turnover exceeded $1m on 27 separate occasions, with the January 5 weaner sale raking in $8,566,115 alone at an average of $2351 per head.

The saleyards' price per head peaked at $4012.71 at the February 18 store cattle sale, when 665 head were yarded for a

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@

turnover of $2,668,455.

However, despite a strong first seven months of the year, headage at local sales fell from August through to the end of the year, with each month recording fewer cattle sales than corresponding 2021 figures.

Corcoran Parker cattle agent Justin Keane said local agents were preparing to sell even higher numbers of cattle in 2023, although forecast a drop of around 20 per cent to the average price per head.

“The growth in the cattle market is probably as good as anyone’s ever seen, and likely it’ll probably settle a little bit, it’s probably not going to continue at that level,” he said.

“But we’ve enjoyed a 12 months that’s probably as good as any of our local producers have seen in

their lifetime.

“It’s off the back of an Australiawide drought probably four years ago that took a huge shell out of livestock and livestock numbers generally - it’s been a massive seasons across most of Australia (because) the season's broke, the grass has grown, (there's) little cattle so there’s high demand, and low offerings.”

The Wangaratta Livestock Exchange’s 2023 calendar kicks off today, with an estimated 8000 cat-

tle expected to be on show across sales today and Friday, a feat Mr Keane believes could not have been achieved without consistent investment into the councilowned yards.

“The input into the livestock exchange has allowed for the growth - there’s been investment in the saleyards which has made an already very good facility even better,” he said.

“As a result its grown and it’s been able to handle these big store sales, big numbers of cattle, and that’s where its growth has come from.

“Wangaratta is one of the only centres that’s actually investing back into the saleyard and improving its facility and growing - they’re building it and the cattle are coming.

“Their investment in the yards is what’s creating the growth, it’s building a better facility for all our local people, and as a result they’re more than happy to use it because it's been successful.”

A WANGARATTA man will face court later this year, charged with intentionally causing injury and affray after a man was found with serious injuries lying in a ditch outside Wangaratta before Christmas.

Detective Senior Constable Tim Doyle said police had arrested a 21-year-old rural city man on December 29 in relation to an alleged attack the week previous, which left a man seriously injured in a ditch.

The victim, who was allegedly assaulted on Murphy Street around 7.20pm on December 22, was subsequently treated for his injuries.

The accused will face Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on March 20.

Council contract to clean buildings

A CLEANING contract has been awarded by the Rural City of Wangaratta to the value of $925,803 over two years.

The contract was awarded to SSX Group Pty Ltd, a company given the responsibility to ensure council’s facilities are cleaned to a high standard to ensure the health and wellbeing and safety of council staff and community members using the facilities.

Man found in ditch after serious assault

...there’s been investment in the saleyards which has made an already very good facility even better.

- Justin Keane

BUMPER SALES: Wangaratta Livestock Exchange saw turnover of more than $90m in 2022, as prices rose to match high demand throughout the North East.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

nemedia.com.au

More than 6000 at showgrounds to welcome New Year with a bang

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

MORE than 6000 people made their way through the gates of the Wangaratta Showgrounds to bring in the New Year with style last Saturday evening.

The Rural City of Wangaratta organised event hosted a range of festivities which

included local food and drink vendors, activities for children and entertainment supplied by local dance group Pulsate Dance Force, and local bands Sweet Buzz and This Way North.

Of those 6100 party goers, 4800 were there for the fireworks display at 9pm with just over 1000 staying

up and watching on as the clock struck midnight for the second fireworks.

Acting Mayor Harry Bussell said it was an enjoyable night for the community, with the change in location from Apex Park to the showgrounds proving a big hit.

“We put a lot of effort

into this and spoke about it a lot this time last year and that‘s when we shifted this show to the showgrounds, which is a great venue for this,” he said.

“Everything went smoothly, the crowd was well behaved and everybody had a great time."

Cr Bussell said council

will be looking to build on the success of Saturday night to become a premier New Year’s Eve event in the North East.

“We would like to add a bit more to the event,” he said.

“We’ll have a debrief over the next few weeks, myself as the acting mayor will sit

down with the events team to talk on it.

“If we can fine tune this, I’d be pretty confident we can repeat that kind of turnout next year.

“On behalf of my fellow councilors and myself, we want to wish the community a Happy New Year and a happy 2023.”

Increased melanoma risk for regional men: research

NEW Cancer Council

2023. Contact Maddie to discuss today 0435 287 393

Victoria (CCV) research has revealed only 35 per cent of Victorian men regularly use sunscreen, significantly increasing their risk of developing deadly melanoma cells.

The 2022 Summer Sun Protection Survey, which received 734 responses, 324 of which were men, found only 51 per cent of men reported often or always seeking shade to protect themselves from the sun if the UV level is three or above.

CCV head of SunSmart,

Emma Glassenbury, said slipping on clothing, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses where particularly important for regional men, where higher rates of melanoma were often diagnosed compared to major cities.

Research published by the Victorian Cancer Registry in December found melanoma diagnoses in regional Victorians were 44 per cent higher than their metropolitan counterparts.

“Males are twice as likely to die from melanoma than

women – we want Victorian men to protect their skin by using all five forms of sun protection,” she said.

The five key forms of sun protection include wearing clothing which covers as much skin as possible, wearing SPF30 water–resistant sunscreen, wearing a broad–brimmed hat, finding shade where possible and wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian standard for UV protection.

For more information, visit www.sunsmart.com.

au.

COUNTING DOWN: Flynn Cheong, Scarlett Pearce and Madi Cheong (pictured at left) enjoying the night sky.

PHOTOS: Coby Canning

SING AND DANCE: Taylah Shae and Sarah Jordan performing on stage at the showgrounds.

STAGE IS SET: Crowds settling in before the fireworks and entertainement at the showgroudns on Saturday evening.

PHOTO: Coby Canning

MASK ON: Eddie Beaumont, Elbie Beaumont and Blaise Pantling (pictured above) gave the face painting a try as one of the many activities available on the night.

Contract awarded for Cheshunt streetscape

By ANITA McPHERSON

REDEVELOPMENT of the Cheshunt streetscape will begin early this year, following the awarding of a tender to complete the works at a Rural City of Wangaratta council meeting on December 19.

The tender was awarded to civil construction and engineering company, Excell Gray Bruni.

Council also approved a $257,000 increase in additional

funds on top of the original budget of $440,000, which will be drawn from future year's savings within its Long Term Financial Plan.

Funds of $697,000 will now go towards the project to deliver much needed upgrades at Cheshunt including the installation of formalised drainage, car parking and constructing a pedestrian and shared pathway, providing a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.

Councillor Irene Grant said in regards to extending the budget, while it was always difficult to find money to contribute to projects underway, it was “timely and appropriate”.

“We are doing work there already - it wouldn’t make sense to come back at a future time to complete the works,” she said.

Council received $4 million in funding from the Victorian Government, as part of the King Valley Prosecco Road Revitalisation

Project, which includes townships enhancements in Whitfield and Cheshunt, the construction of an adventure playground in the Whitfield main street, designing a share pedestrian and cycle trail to run from Edi to Cheshunt and gateway signage in Oxley and Whitfield.

Similar streetscape works in Whitfield are already underway and expected to be completed in March this year.

■ King Valley News - page 10

Five people arrested after high-end boat, vehicle thefts across state

FIVE people have been arrested as part of a statewide investigation into the theft of a number of highend vehicles and a $100,000 ski boat from throughout the region in recent weeks.

The ski boat and vehicles, including one which was allegedly stolen from Wangaratta’s Ovens Ford dealership, were recovered late last week, as part of an investigation into thefts from Ballarat, Horsham, Shepparton, Wodonga, Cobram, Deer Park and Yarrawonga.

The allegedly stolen ski boat was said to have been taken from Yarrawonga Marina on Thursday morning, and was spotted at Lake Burrumbeet near Ballarat later that afternoon.

Police officers said a number of social media sightings had confirmed the boat, along with an allegedly stolen Toyota Hilux, were in the township, and later arrested four men and a woman at an address in the nearby suburb of Bonshaw.

A subsequent search of the property is alleged to have uncovered a significant quantity of allegedly stolen property, as well as methylamphetamine and suspected cocaine.

A 26-year-old male and female, both from Yabba North, were charged with burglary, theft, theft of motor vehicle (x10), handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime, while a 24-year-old Smythesdale man and a 27-yearold Bonshaw man were each linked to five alleged thefts.

The Bonshaw man was also charged with trafficking cocaine and methylamphetamine.

A 21-year-old Delacombe man was released from custody, however, is expected to face driving charges.

WALK SAFE: The redevelopment of the Cheshunt streetscape will include defined car parking and construction of a pedestrian and shared pathway, to make it safer for drivers, walkers and cyclists.

PHOTO: Anita McPherson

Beef bonanza is a very positive sign

WHILE many farmers continue to wrestle with the challenges unceremoniously imposed on them as a result of COVID-19, it seems those who rear cattle have bounced back in a big way.

The Wangaratta Livestock Exchange last year turned over more than $90m in cattle sales, a record figure for the local industry as prices per head soared above $3000 at various points throughout the year.

With country Victoria undergoing gradual change, with the influx of traditionally metropolitan residents and a rise in cost of living, as well as significant environmental challenges, including extensive flooding late last year, it's pleasing to see one of the region's traditional industries remaining so viable for local sellers.

In three years since the start of COVID, the local cattle industry has pooled just shy of $200m in sales in Wangaratta alone - underpinning the sector’s ongoing importance to the local economy.

It's important we as consumers continue to support local agriculture by buying locally where possible, but it's also vital both state and federal governments continue to provide those who take to farming with the necessary support when the industry isn’t booming.

These vital industries are the lifeblood of country Victoria, and it's important they continue to fuel the nation’s heartland going forward.

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

Indian Ocean

Still too many lives lost on Victorian roads

THE Andrews Labor Government has reinforced its focus on reducing road trauma in the new year after the number of people killed on Victoria's roads increased in 2022.

As the year ended, tragically 240 people lost their lives on Victorian roads - an increase on the 233 deaths last year, but the fourth lowest since TAC records began, including the pandemic-effected record low of 211 in 2020.

Sadly, motorists on regional roads remain a significant concern with 134 people dying in country areas compared with 119 in 2021while metropolitan road deaths dropped from 114 in 2021 to 106 in 2022.

More than two-thirds of regional fatalities occurred on 100-110km/h roads.

Crashes on rural high-speed roads continue to be too frequent, where the combination of high speeds and motorists travelling longer distances mean consequences are often more severe when something goes wrong.

There was a decline in driver and passenger deaths (126 down from 147) - however, 27 per cent of people who died in a vehicle were not wearing a seatbelt.

Sadly, vulnerable road users including motorcyclist (57 up from 43) and pedestrian (44 up from 29) fatalities increased year-onyear.

Disappointingly, poor driver behaviour, including speeding and drink or drug driving, continues to contribute to lives lost on the roads, together with a large proportion (40 per cent) of unauthorised motorcyclists.

Victoria has historically been a world leader in road safety - from the introduction of compulsory seat belt laws to a no tolerance approach to drink driving, but work will not be complete until no lives are lost on the roads.

Melissa Horne, Minister for Roads and Road Safety

Indexation failing those who are most in need

THE Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is calling for a real increase to income support payments, arguing that routine indexation is simply not enough.

On January 1 each year income support payments including Youth Allowance and Austudy are adjusted for inflation.

ACOSS believes the Federal Government

6 Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamki is best known for his involvement in which sport? (a) Rugby union (b) Rugby league (c) Basketball (d) Cricket

7 In

(a) Televise (b) Theatre (c) Television (d) Theatrical

8 Cerro Las Minas is the highest mountain in which Central American country?

Have

(a) Guatemala (b) Honduras (c) Nicaragua (d) Costa Rica

9 Which Beatles song includes the words, “About a lucky man who made the grade”?

(a) Strawberry Fields Forever (b) A Day in the Life (c) Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (d) Penny Lane

10In the 1964 book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, who was the chewing gumobsessed child?

(a) Mike Teavee

(b) Augustus Gloop

(c) Veruca Salt (d) Violet Beauregarde

say in Wangaratta Chronicle poll

must deliver a significant real increase to Youth Allowance and JobSeeker rather than holding them at well-below poverty levels.

Income support payments were woefully inadequate before the prices of food, rent, medicines, energy and other essentials sky-rocketed and they will still be totally insufficient after indexation.

In the last 12 months, rents have risen by about 18 per cent, energy bills by about 20 per cent and food by about nine per cent.

Rent assistance remains just $75.80 per week for a single adult.

Working age income support payments should be lifted to at least $73 a day and rent assistance should be lifted by 50 per cent.

Youth Allowance and Austudy payments are only indexed once a year and are even lower than other income supports.

Even with 6.1 per cent indexation, Youth Allowance will increase by $16.20 per week to $281.40 for a single person living away from home.

That's just $40.20 a day.

The Federal Government must take action by lifting income support payments to at least $73 a day in the May Budget.

Lower the cost of PBS medicines even further

THE new, lower cost of PBS medicines came into effect on New Year's Day, meaning the most patients will pay for a PBS listed medication is $30, down from $42.50.

This follows Parliament passing legislation late last year to lower the maximum copayment cost of PBS medicines.

This will be a big help to some 19 million patients, especially those who have been struggling to afford their medicines.

The campaign to make medicines universally affordable is however, far from over, and we are now pushing to lower the maximum co-payment of PBS medicines even further, to $19.

Reducing the maximum co-payment to $19 will mean an additional 30 per cent of PBS medicines are covered.

A national survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild in 2022 revealed the affordability of healthcare was the biggest hip pocket concern among polled voters.

relation to the Australian awards known as the AACTA Awards, what does the second T stand for?

Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO

Professor Trent Twomey, Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president

REASON FOR THE SEASON: Sisters (back) Olivia and Ivy Thomas and (front) Jane, Alana, Maggie and Victoria Thomas were among the locals who had their picture taken with the Wangaratta Baptist Church‘s nativity scene in the lead–up to Christmas.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Our wettest year since 2010

RAINFALL of 878.6mm made 2022 Wangaratta’s wettest year since 2010 when 925mms was recorded.

The total number of rain days was 154 and this was the greatest number in any year since some 155 days in 1917.

The heaviest daily rainfall for 2022 was 39.6mms on October 14 when widespread flooding occurred.

Wangaratta recorded

Wangaratta recorded its most rainy days since 1917 gyy

since 1995 and 1996.

By Peter Nelson, Peter Retired CSIRO climatologist

maximum temperatures reaching 35 degrees during 2022 on only 10 days against an annual average of 21 days, the least number

Park support group buoyed by first meeting

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

THE Friends of the Warby-Ovens National Park (FOWONP) volunteer support group had its first formal meeting last month at the Mullinmur Billabong in Wangaratta as members planned for action over the next year.

The group was formed this year in order to create community engagement around the park and further promote its biodiversity after the Warby Ovens National Park was given the international recognition of being green listed last year.

Group co-founder Andy Kimber said 30 interested members of the community attended the meeting and it was fantastic to finally have an opportunity to have a gathering in person.

“It’s a really good mix of people who have a lot of experience,” he said.

“A lot of it evolved around community networking and

how to involve the community, identifying various organisations that can work with us.”

Parks Victoria area chief ranger Jess Reid and Jamie Kaye from Water Technology were guest speakers and gave their thoughts on the current state of the park and what they believe the friends group can advocate.

Mr Kimber said both speakers were very supportive of the values behind the friends group.

“Jamie talked about the condition of the Ovens River... we’ve had two or three months of extremely high water but he reassured us it hadn't damaged the wetlands,” he said.

“He brought up why the wetlands in the Lower Ovens were so special, part of it was geological; they're in very good condition.”

Mr Kimber said FOWONP has planned events with various community organisations in 2023 and will be seeking help to get its web-

There were 53 days during 2022 when the temperature reached 30 degrees against an annual average of 70 days.

There were 53 days of frosts, the least number since 2016, with the annual average number of frosts in any year being 70 days.

The highest temperature during 2022 at Wangaratta

was 37.2 degrees on January 27, whilst the lowest temperature was minus 4.7 degrees on July 5.

The highest minimum temperature was 22.2 degrees on January 27.

The lowest maximum temperature of 8.0 degrees was recorded on June 1.

There was a notable warmer than average period in North East Victoria from

November 2012 to February 2020.

Each year from 2013 to 2019 had many more days of 35 degrees or more than the usual number in any year, with the highest number of 43 days occurring in 2019.

There were 20 days alone in January and February in 2014.

Currently a large area of northern Australia is

covered by an extensive low pressure with two centres delivering heavy to flooding rains at some places., with Tennant Creek recording its wettest ever December with 286.2mm.

This may impact upon our North East region by providing hot humid days to about 36 degrees during the second week of January and then a spell of rain and thunderstorms by mid January.

site up and running to further promote community engagement.

“There will be a reptile survey we have planned, possibly in February...we're working with a couple of different groups there,” he said.

“FOWONP is looking to be involved with NECMA on half a million dollar project to remove exotic trees along the Ovens downstream of Everton.”

Chiara’s work to feature in state’s Top Designs 2023

GALEN Catholic College student

Chiara Lestino (pictured) has been selected to be featured in Top Designs 2023, for her outstanding unit 3/4 Visual Communication Design (VCD) work (right)

This year Top Designs received more than 360 VCD submissions from high achieving students, 30 of which were shortlisted.

The year 11 student is one of only 15 VCD students across the state selected for the exhibition and she is proud of her achievement, in what was a very competitive and talented field.

Teacher Mal Webster said Chiara was the kind of student who always doubts her ability, but was thrilled to receive the news from Italy where she is based at the moment as part of an exchange program.

She told Mr Webster she was not expecting to be selected and had drafted an email telling

him so, only to wake up to a positive notification - now very grateful he urged her to apply.

“Although I had really, really hoped to get in, I didn’t think the chances were in my favour,” she said.

“However, as I was flicking through my tabs this morning, I glanced at my emails and my eyes nearly popped out when I saw ‘VCAA... Congratulations!’.

“It doesn’t feel real at all.”

Chiara will return from Italy in time to begin term one of year 12 in 2023.

The VCAA Season of Excellence Top Designs 2023 exhibition will open on Friday, March 24 at Melbourne Museum.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?

SUCCESSFUL GATHERING: Jamie Kaye (Water Technology) and Jess Reid (Parks Victoria area chief ranger) were guest speakers at the first Friends of the Warby-Ovens National Park meeting at the Mullinmur Billabong last month.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

April

APRIL 1

Jazz & blues live

LIVE music is back, and organisers of the 2022 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues couldn’t be more excited.

There will be a true sense of celebration in the rural city later this year when the event returns to a live format, following its cancellation in 2019 to ensure the ongoing viability of the festival, and two subsequent years impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

APRIL 4

Bin ban tightens

RATEPAYERS stand to lose their bin services easier, and still be charged, under a proposed clamp down to reduce contamination of the kerbside services council provides throughout Wangaratta.

Under a revised policy before council, anyone getting four strikes for having the wrong items in their roadside organics and recycling bins within four years, will have their bin confiscated.

APRIL 6

Townhouses refused

FIVE double-storey townhouses at the entrance to Fairway Drive at the northern end of the new golf course estate in Waldara have been rejected by Wangaratta council.

There were 14 objections received by council with concern from residents about traffic, parking, a lack of proper consultation, and the development being out of local neighbourhood character.

APRIL 8

Men to benefit

MEN in Wangaratta and surrounds will be able to access quicker and safer prostate cancer treatment following a $300,000 grant from the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.

Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) will use the money to purchase a stateof-the-art ultrasound machine and other specialist biopsy equipment currently only available locally in Wodonga.

APRIL 11

May 21st election

CANDIDATES – start your campaigns.

It seemed appropriate that Prime Minister Scott Morrison chose the day of the Melbourne Grand Prix to visit the governor–general and request a May 21 federal election.

APRIL 13

Splash for economy

HUNDREDS of high level athletes will descend on Wangaratta next January for the 2023 Victorian Country Long Course Swimming Championships.

It’s a boon that Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said will bring millions of dollars to the region, with hundreds of competitors plus support crews likely to book out accommodation for the weekend.

APRIL 14

Our Aussie focus

AN Australian-centric program featuring artists including The Black Sorrows will herald the return of the live Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues this October.

Festival organisers released a sneakpeek of what they described as an “adventurous and eclectic” 2022 program during an event launch on Friday evening at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

APRIL 20

Rehab centre opens

PEOPLE with substance addiction problems will be able to get easier access to rehabilitation services in Wangaratta a er a 30-bed alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility was officially opened by Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday.

The alcohol and drug rehab centre on Greta Road includes 24-hour care and support for people who have been through withdrawal or stabilisation and need to continue their treatment.

APRIL 22

Our need for speed

UP to 5000 Wangaratta premises could order fibre to the premises (fttp) NBN connections and realise download speeds of up to 1000 megabits per second (Mbps) by December 2023, according to Federal Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher.

While local NBN customers currently struggle to get speeds of 100Mbps, Mr Fletcher has promised to make NBN speeds and mobile coverage better for Australians under a $1.3 billion plan to improve services.

$3.8m for the first two stages of workstaking in Ovens and Ford streets - which will “revitalise and activate” the area, following the theme of already completed works at the northern end of Ovens Street, near King George V Gardens.

MAY 9

Back in control

WANGARATTA’S District 23 CFA building is set to be bolstered ahead of next fire season, with the welcome return of the region’s incident control centre (ICC) to the Ely Street headquarters.

b n o (I W

APRIL 25

APRIL25

Thief nabbed

AN alleged car thief is in custody following a dramatic high speed chase between Albury and Benalla on Saturday that involved the suspect driving in the wrong direction against traffic on the Hume Freeway.

Police allege the 23-year old Albury man stole a black Mitsubishi Triton utility from a Wangaratta premises in the Baltimore Estate at about 3.15am on Saturday.

APRIL 27

$37m capital spend

A 2022/23 draft budget encasing a $37.14 million capital works spend was tabled at last night’s Wangaratta council meeting.

A 1.75 per cent rise in overall rate revenue and a six per cent increase in general waste charges are also proposed.

APRIL 30

Road to repair

RESIDENTS and local business owners continue to raise the poor state of the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road as one of their main points of concern in the King Valley.

During the first public meeting of people interested in forming a King Valley Residents Association held in January which attracted around 80 people- those in attendance were asked to list the current issues they felt needed to be addressed in the King Valley as a matter of priority.

May MAY 2

Big build hope

WORK is being done to explore the development of social housing on land where the former Ovens College was located as part of a guaranteed $20 million minimum under the Big Housing Build fund.

Homes Victoria confirmed that it is working with Wangaratta council on delivery options for social and affordable housing on the council–owned land.

MAY 4

More capacity

AN additional 16 acute mental health beds will bolster Northeast Health Wangaratta’s (NHW) treatment capabilities, with a complete redevelopment of the hospital’s Kerferd Clinic set to take place with funding detailed in yesterday’s state budget.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the funding at NHW yesterday, with a share in $35.5m set to contribute to the planned acquisition of land and expansion of the clinic’s existing 20-bed unit.

MAY 6

$3.8m CBD promise

MAJOR Wangaratta CBD street works costing $11.75 million will be partly funded by the Federal Government if the Coalition is re-elected at the May 21 election.

Traditionally housed on the top oor of Wangaratta’s District 23 headquarters, Wangaratta’s Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) ICC was vacated ahead of last summer’s fire danger period, after an uncharacteristically wet spring left the building to suffer from damp and mould.

MAY 11

Message of hope

AFTER a year of planning, rehearsals and preparation, Project365’s weekend concerts were music to the ears of the Wangaratta community committed to raise more awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

More than 800 people enjoyed and supported the ‘U Can Cry’ concerts at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, which successfully highlighted mental health issues and sought to start important conversations.

MAY 13

SES to CFA’s rescue

WANGARATTA SES could still come to the rescue of the ‘homeless’ CFA Wangaratta Group, after Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes threw her support behind the group being accommodated at the SES’s $1.6m Handley Street SES headquarters.

The 16 local CFA brigades in the Wangaratta Group have no permanent home, and will lose their temporary base in Ely Street when the Wangaratta District 23 Incident Control Centre moves back there ahead of this summer.

 May 18 WARM UP WITH A CUPPA: Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event is being held, presented by the Wangaratta Volunteer Group Cancer Council Victoria, group leader Barb Thomas (left) and member Heather Champlin welcome everyone to come along.

PHOTO: Kurtis Hickling

APRIL

The Coalition yesterday committed

 April 11 ON THE PROWL: Stephanie Ford was one of the 750 or so Easter egg hunters at the annual scramble held at the Barr Reserve on Saturday.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

 April 14 FOR THE SICK KIDS: Residents Wangaratta Fire Brigade members (from left) Daniel Macdonald, Kylie Byrne, John Seymour and Alex Carmody are urging local residents to give generously to this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling



ACCOMPLISHED:MISSION

MAY 16

Our big gamble

PUNTERS are returning to the region’s electronic gaming machines in their droves, with Wangaratta reporting its third highest takings since before the coronavirus pandemic.

With 154 machines spread across its four licenced gaming venues, Wangaratta machines raked in almost $900,000 in player losses through the month of March, as shires across the North East continued to record upticks in gaming revenue.

MAY 18

Call to attention

LOCAL police have urged pedestrians to take their safety into their own hands, amid reports of seven pedestrian (fatal and non-fatal) collisions in the Wangaratta region so far this year.

Officers will be out in force throughout the rural city this week, with pedestrian safety a key consideration of the region’s road safety week initiative.

MAY 20

Who will it be?

INDI Independent incumbent Helen Haines and Liberal candidate Ross Lyman have spent the past five weeks of the federal election campaign seeking to offer voters a clear choice amid a field of 10 candidates.

They have both laboured their points of policy differences, and each remains hopeful of their success at the ballot box tomorrow, although neither was predicting a result when contacted by the Wangaratta Chronicle on Wednesday.

MAY 23

Haines returned

HELEN Haines has been returned as the Independent member for Indi, receiving a resounding swing of 7.41 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote, as of yesterday morning.

Dr Haines’ vote increased to 58.8 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote, from 51.39 per cent in 2019, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

MAY 25

Play it forward

MORE than $30,000 raised through Project 365 and the band U Can Cry, which performed two shows in Wangaratta this month to turn a spotlight on mental health, will be invested back into the

Foundation.

Band members Pete Rourke (who initiated the project) and Carly Van Schijndel met last week with Into Our Hands executive officer Sarah Thompson and board members John Bailey and Ruth Kneebone to present them with a cheque for $33,331.82 raised via the shows held on May 7 and 8.

MAY 27

Hospital pleads for patients’ patience

A SPATE of staff absences coupled with a spike in patient presentations has seen Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) wait times grow considerably in recent weeks.

Staffing challenges have been felt through all facets of the local health service in the past week, with more than 60 of the hospital’s 1500 staff unavailable each day as a result of sick and rostered leave.

MAY 30

Crisis staff shortage

MARKED increases in the rate of family violence in regional areas have left local social workers scrambling to manage an increase in demand for crisis support and ongoing treatment.

Family violence rates for the region have risen year on year since 2018, however, consecutive spikes of 13.5 per cent and 20 per cent in 2019 and 2020 respectively have seen the rural city’s family violence rate reach its highest on record in 2021.

JUNE 1

Going deeper

PLANS for an earlier intervention program for senior primary school students will be explored next term by Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership principal Genevieve O’Reilly, as part of a proposal backed by North East Support and Action for Youth.

Following a green light from Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited, Ms O’Reilly

will undertake 10 weeks’ enrichment leave from the start of term three to explore the possibility of developing a program to cater for the increasing need for a supported transitional pathway to secondary education for identified grade five and six students across the North East.

June

JUNE 3

VLocity off line

VLOCITY trains are out of action on the North East line, replaced by coach services and V/Line’s classic fleet, while investigations continue into the cause of damage to wheels of the VLocity train.

The damage to the Albury line VLocity trains is currently limited to minor indentations - 1-2mm deep and 1-2 cms long - on the outer edges of the wheels on the right side of the train.

JUNE 6

A growing crisis

INDIVIDUALS escaping violent homes throughout the rural city are increasingly unable to source crisis accommodation, with Wangaratta rental costs currently rated ‘severely unaffordable’ under the Rental A ordability Index (RAI).

As a result, homeless populations in the rural city have continued to increase year on year, with victims increasingly escaping a violent home left to shoulder the financial burden of their dash for safety.

JUNE 8

MPs’ cash plea

LOCAL state MPs are calling for additional funding to stymie a regional homelessness crisis which has been exacerbated by an uptick in domestic violence in recent years.

Community members escaping violent households have increasingly been left without stable accommodation in recent times, with support organisations finding it more and more difficult to find appropriate housing in a skyrocketing local rental market.

JUNE 10

Heartfelt boost

THE arrival of a new cardiologist at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) is allowing regional residents to receive intricate pacemaker surgeries close to home.

Since Dr Bob Gerber commenced work at the hospital earlier this year, eight

patients have had pacemakers inserted, rendering travel to Melbourne for the procedure unnecessary.

According to Dr Gerber, patients have been pleased with the accessibility of the surgery.

JUNE 13

Overdue rates relief

RURAL City of Wangaratta ratepayers will be spared the stress of facing a debt collector under proposed legislation aiming to ease the burden of overdue municipal rates.

In the wake of rising inflation and mortgage interest rate hikes, the State Government introduced legislation into Parliament last week, which will support Victorian ratepayers by ensuring councils are fair when handling overdue debts.

JUNE 15

‘Dangerous drivers’

TWO speedsters have had their vehicles impounded by local officers as holidaymakers flocked to the region over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Local police were deployed throughout the region’s major thoroughfares over the fourday statewide Operation Regal, in an effort to curb risk-taking and dangerous behaviour around the gateway to the state’s alpine region.

JUNE 17

Flu cases rising

CONFIRMED cases of influenza (the flu) in the Rural City of Wangaratta so far this year are at 140, on pace to well exceed a record year of u infections locally - 373 cases in 2019.

In comparison, year to date (YTD), there were 57 Wangaratta cases of the flu at this stage in 2019, and much lower figures in 2020 with 11 cases and 1 in 2021.

JUNE 20

Crime decline

wANGARATTA’S criminal offence rate remained well above the state average for the second consecutive year, despite a major downturn in overall offences throughout the region in data recorded to March this year.

According to Crime Statistics Victoria (CSV), the rural city’s total criminal offences fell by almost 25 per cent in the 12 months to March this year, with the region’s 2369 offences well below the 3133 recorded in 2020/21.

Prosperity Integrity Excellence Responsibility Diversity

June 29 HAVING FUN

IN APEX PARK: SUNNY weather yesterday ensured Apex Park was busy with families enjoying the school holidays. While the playground was popular, Wangaratta residents Sylvie Grounds (left) and Nina Jenkins were happy hanging around on the new Parkour course facilities.

JUNE 22

Someone will pay

TENANTS could see rents increase if stamp duty on property sales was scrapped in favour of annual land taxes, with investors or rental providers likely to pass on the expense.

Housing affordability and property tax is likely to be a key agenda item at a July 22 forum for state and federal treasurers, and an outcome could have Victoria follow NSW’s lead in replacing stamp duty for a broadbased property tax system.

JUNE 24

Teacher cash lure

WANGARATTA is among the locations where metro-based teachers have been deployed to take up casual relief teaching appointments, in a State Government bid to “manage the impact” of COVID-19 and flu season absences.

A Department of Education and Training spokesman said as one part of work being done to support schools during this period, teachers were being sought to work in Victorian schools to provide shortterm, casual support throughout 2022.

JUNE 27

$3.92M price rise

EXPANSION works to the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre (WSAC) mainly involving an enlargement of the facility’s indoor stadium are set to cost $12.38 million, some $3.92m more than council’s budgeted allocation.

Wangaratta councillors will tomorrow night be asked to sign o on the cost blowout caused by a price increase in materials and labour, and award the contract to Sothern Cross Developers Pty Ltd.

JUNE 29

Curb road toll

A NEW regional road safety committee has called for more early intervention strategies to be implemented to curb a rising road toll among motorcycle riders in the North East.

With 36 serious injury collisions occurring on North East roads in the last financial year, the committee, which met for the first time last Thursday, stressed more needed to be done to upskill young riders in the formative stages of riding

 July, August and September Year In Review in Friday, January 6 edition

motorcycles.

cause by the Into Our Hands Community

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UNE E

 June 27

OXLEY Primary School community members including (back) principal Tim Seal, school council president Bruce Uebergang and foundation teacher Bernadette Blance- Palmer, with (front, from left) students Robbie Eads, Xavier Conroy, Harry Perkins, Tom Vogels, Peyton Cathie, Imogen Booth, Anika Forster, Claire Martin and Audrey Hester, are thrilled with their new facilities.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Solar charges up Moyhu hall

By ANITA McPHERSON

CONTRACTORS

spent the week prior to Christmas installing a 6.7 kW rooftop solar system on the supper room roof at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall.

The system will support more energy efficient electric heating, lighting and hot water, while significantly reducing power-expenditure at the well-used facility.

It was achieved with the help of the Rural City of Wangaratta council, which secured $12,980 in funding from round two of Sustainability Victoria’s

$350,000 in total repairs taking place at

the hall.

The hall’s roof has just been replaced and a landing at the rear of the hall is currently under

construction, with interior plastering, painting and new flooring also going in. Hall secretary Neil Jarrott said the hall is well

used during the daytime as well as being the venue for evening events, hosting community lunches, a supported toddlers playgroup and community group meetings.

“Our daytime electricity usage shouldn't cost us anything now,” he said.

“We’re really pleased with everything that is taking place, and to know the system will be up and running early in the New Year.”

The frame for the landing at the back of the hall is also in place, providing access to the dressing rooms, with a roof protecting the new

The Lobster comes to King Valley cinema in Cheshunt

By ANITA McPHERSON

AN unconventional movie is sure to get local film buffs talking when it is screened on January 10 at the next meeting of the King Valley Arts (KVA) film club.

Supported by the Rural City of Wangaratta, KVA formed the film club with the idea of exploring films as they were made to be viewed - on the big screen with surround sound in front of an audience - while also providing an opportunity for the local community to socialise.

KVA committee member Anita Torrance said the initiative got off to a flying start with their first successful event held in November.

“We thought the second screening for the film club could be a move away from the classic Hitchcock 'Rear Window' to explore a more modern drama/comedy,” she said.

“We’ve selected ‘The Lobster’ by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos - an unconventional love story set in a strange and surreal world.”

The film club is hoping to attract a strong, re-occurring membership base of people who will feel comfortable about watching and then discussing films together.

The KVA became a member of the Australian Film Society Federation (AFSF) which allows it to access film screening rights from most

WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club will resume its activities on Monday, January 9.

WANGARATTA Newcomers will hold their next gathering on Thursday, February 2.

SATURDAY Quilters resume on Saturday, February 4 at the Wangaratta Small Bore Rifle Club, off the river end of College Street, starting at 10am and finishing around 3pm.

For more information, phone Colleen on 0427 221 138.

WANGARATTA Keenagers Table Tennis will resume play on Monday, February 6, and always welcomes new members.

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

A COACH trip to the Australian Open tennis is being planned for Thursday, January 19.

The $110 cost includes bus fare and tickets to Margaret Court Arena, or bus and ground pass for $95.

studios and distributors at a significantly reduced rate.

There are six films a year, on the second Tuesday night, bi-monthly at the Cheshunt Hall and annual memberships is $40 per person, which entitles that person to attend any or all of the six films and to bring a non-member to one of

The coach will depart Wareena Park car park at 6.30am, stop at Wallan restaurants, and arrive at the tennis centre about 10am.

It will leave the centre at 6.30pm, stop at Wallan, and return to Wangaratta about 10pm.

For more information, phone Marj Sartori on 0400 285 288.

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.

WANGARATTA Sing Australia Group will resume activities in mid-January.

All welcome - for further information, call Keith Fleet on 0491 114 480, Cheryl Hoysted on 0419 005 062 or Marlene O’Keefe on 0417 454 126.

those screenings.

The Film Club will be bimonthly for a year to gauge interest in the hope it will become sustainable going forward, with membership covering costs such as the hire of the hall and ongoing film rights.

The next screening will be held at the Cheshunt

SOCIAL CALENDAR

GLENROWAN Indoor Carpet Bowls will resume activities on January 18.

For more information, phone Frank on 0409 662 462.

WANGARATTA Concert Band will resume activities on Monday, January 16.

New players welcome, contact Helen on 0401 021 448.

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.

Hall on Tuesday, January 10 with doors open from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

There will be fresh popcorn and ice creams for sale (byo snacks, drinks, beanbags and cushions) with more information including membership purchase at www.kingvalleyarts.com.au/film-club/.

LIFEBALL is expected to resume in early February.

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.

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

WANGARATTA Symphony Orchestra will resume on January 31.

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

WANGARATTA Toastmasters conducts its meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 6.45pm in the community room at the Wangaratta Library in Docker Street.

For more information, contact Leah Walker at leahwalka@gmail. com

windows and doors which will be installed.

Mr Jarrott said when the hall was constructed in the 1930s the rear access was designed to allow for the arrival of scenery and costumes when performances were held.

He said during World War II, young people in the community who were rostered on as spotters - looking for any planes flying overhead and phoning in their sightings - would spend the night there.

Once restorations works are complete the hall will be ready to serve the next generation.

Whitfield Golf Club is back in business

THE Whitfield and District Golf Club is ready to play, following recent restoration of its nine-hole scrape course after periods of heavy rain in spring.

Club president Greg Rosser said the re-opening of the golf course was a tribute to the dedication of community volunteers who prepare and maintain the popular venue, including Graeme Stanyer, Angus Brond and Dan Shanahan, who had been diligent in their care and maintenance, assisted by local contractor Andy Miller.

The club re-scheduled some of last year’s planned events into its 2023 program, with the Wednesday evening Chook Run starting in earnest on January 4 and members from Jubilee Golf Club to attend the second annual muster on Sunday, January 8.

More information is available by visiting the club on Facebook.

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.

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

MOVING PICTURES: King Valley Art’s Anita Torrance hopes members will enjoy the next film being screened at the Cheshunt Hall ‘cinema’ in on Tuesday, January 10. PHOTO: Anita McPherson

INSTALLATION UNDERWAY: Contractors got to work placing a 6.7 kW rooftop solar system on the roof of the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall.

PHOTO: Anita McPherson Community Climate Change and Energy Action program, complementing an estimated

Foundation celebrates $1.2m given in decade

By BELINDA HARRISON

MORE than $1.2 million over 10 years has been awarded to communities across North East Victoria by the Into Our Hands Foundation.

This significant milestone was celebrated last month, with community members, donors, supporters, board members and staff gathering at REMEL 185 in Whorouly.

Into Our Hands was established through the vision and hard work of a local committee, representing a community badly impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

The foundation has built on that early commitment to develop a sustainable community foundation that will respond to the needs of North East Victoria.

Over the past 10 years the foundation has awarded $1,253,279 in grant funding to 133 originations through 171 grants.

These grants funded community building works, workshops and events, environmental projects, equipment purchases and youth projects across North East communities.

Over the past 18 months,

the foundation has seen huge growth; with the establishment of several sub-funds, expanding the small operating team; large wins with successful grant submissions allowing large projects to be rolled out, namely the Digital Stories Project which was made possible with the help of North East Media North East Media has been the Into Our Hands Community Foundation partner in the community interviewing and recording donors, sub-fund holders,

grantees and stakeholders, to helped them gather the inspiring stories that typify the journey towards the foundation’s growth and impact to date.

As part of this project an anniversary booklet was produced, showing the Into Our Hands origin story,

sharing donor and grantee stories, and the overall impact that this foundation has made in the last decade.

Into Our Hands would like to thank everyone who took part in this project and to all the supporters who joined to celebrate this achievement at REMEL 185.

The foundation also thanks event speakers - Loretta Carroll AM who is the inaugural chair of the foundation’s board, Mike Noble and Marion Nash who operate the Garry Nash & Co.

Community Fund, and to Lisa Neville, representing Alpine Health, Communities that Care, for sharing her experience working with Into Our Hands as a grantee.

For anyone who is interested in reading the anniversary book or to watch the impact stories visit https:// intoourhandsfoundation. com.au/.

For more information, contact executive officer Peter McCabe at eo@intoourhands.com.au or call 0466 252 866.

Campers in North East well behaved

CAMPERS are being urged to continue to follow campsite and park rules as they enjoy the North East.

Laura Bradshaw, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) acting district manager of the Goulburn Fire District (Wangaratta and surrounds), said campers have been well behaved over the Christmas break, but urged campers to remain vigilant in the New Year.

“FFMVic staff patrolling campsites across the Christmas long weekend have reported back that campers were in good spirits and enjoying their time in the forests and parks across the North East,” she said.

“We are anticipating campsites will remain busy for the New Year, so we urge everyone heading out to have an alternate camping option in place if their preferred location is already at capacity.”

Trail bike-riders and fourwheel drivers are reminded they must be licenced, vehicles registered and can only use formed roads and tracks to protect the environment and other forest users.

For more information about rules in state forests visit http://www.vic.gov.au/ rules-in-state-forests

Stray shopping trolleys a focus for Clean up Wangaratta group

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

ACTION group Clean Up Wangaratta (CUW) has marked a year of progress as its focus shifts to clearing flood waste from nearby creeks.

As a sub-group of Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability, CUW noted in its annual report that in 2022 it had made incremental gains in helping tidy Wan-

garatta's streets and promote public waste education, with Plastic Free July being the highlight.

CUW is shifting its focus this year to the clean up of shopping trolleys, noticing hundreds of stray trolleys taken from supermarkets and being left in the creeks.

The inner group at CUW had a pre-Christmas cleanup of shopping trolleys which were found in One

Mile Creek and ended up digging out seven trolleys and nine plastic bags worth of litter.

CUW co-conveners Andy Kimber and Judy Lowen recently visited Wangaratta’s JJ Richards recycling centre and they are looking forward to be working with Rural City of Wangaratta waste education officer Sally Hughes throughout the year.

MORE THAN GROCERIES: Rae Quigley and Julie Sands with shopping trolleys and litter cleaned out from One Mile Creek during Clean Up Wangaratta’s pre-Christmas clean up.

WHAT A TEAM: Into Our Hands board members and executive team (from left) John Bailey, Megan Buntine, Roberta Baker, Loretta Carroll AM, Ruth Kneebone, Fiona Nicholls, Jodie Wells, Bart Crawley and executive officer Peter McCabe.

PHOTO: Sarah Craven Photography

Are

Able

Interested in working in the complex and multi-dimensional field of emergency management?

Passionate about emergency relief, social recovery and business continuity?

Able to develop and maintain strong networks and relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders and assist in the coordination of regional-level interests in emergencies? Well developed in oral and written communication?

The emergency management function of Department of Families Fairness and Housing, has prescribed roles and responsibilities under the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP).

Linda Shields Manager 0408 518 199 DFFH/COPL/380703 11.59pm Thursday 19 January 2023

For more information about this opportunity, please go to and download a position description to view departmental information, the selection criteria, our pre-employment screening requirements and our Diversity and Inclusion commitments.

POODLES, Pedigree Miniature, ready now, red and brown, excellent temperaments, registered breeder, vet checked, vaccinated and microchipped, Wangaratta. Source number: RB101993, microchip numbers: 991003001958965, 991003001958879, 991003001958880. Phone (03) 5727 0595 or 0427 886 653.

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

The cadetship is ideally suited for a Year 12 graduate.

It is for three years, including course study by correspondence from Deakin University.

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

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

Candidates must have excellent verbal and written English, sound computer skills, solid general knowledge, a genuine interest in the local community, and an ability to build rapport and networks quickly. You will need to be well organised, able to work to deadlines, and have strong attention to detail.

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

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

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

FAST CA$H

$26

the Classifieds today

BOOTH

Friends, relatives and those whose hearts have been touched by Imogen, are invited to celebrate her life with her family in what they hope will be a very kid friendly (even fun) farewell.

Wearing violet (Immy’s favourite colour) or bright coloured comfortable clothes suitable for the weather on the day is encouraged but not required.

The celebration will be held in the John McAleese Park, Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa behind the hall at 11.30am Monday, January 9, 2023.

The celebration will continue after the service at the park and hall with a jumping castle, food and drinks all provided to create more memories.

GORDON, Jack.

Passed away January 4, 2002.

Our hearts are full of memories, With love we speak your name.

MATHESON, Don. 6/1/1948 – 3/1/2019

Sad are the hearts that loved you, silent are the tears that fall. Living our lives without you is the hardest part of all. Missing you every day.

~ Loving wife Val, Gavin, Georgie, Taylah and Cooper, Shane, Tracey, Erin and Rylee, Brooke, Kris, Caitlyn and BJ, and your great grandson Hartley.

The immediate family will have a private burial after the service at the Milawa Cemetery before returning to the hall to celebrate with everyone.

They look forward to seeing you and sharing memories and moments with you all.

Imogen’s celebration of life can also be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming

DEATH NOTICES

BOOTH - Imogen Lucille Gail

28/11/2016 to 27/12/2022

It’s with hearts full of love Rob, Molly, Amelie, Eloise and Oliver share with you the news that Imogen passed away peacefully in the RCH on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 following a rare irreparable bleed in her brain. She is, was and will continue to be surrounded by love until we meet again. We thank her for choosing us as her parents and siblings and we will be forever grateful for the love and lessons she has taught us in life and death.

Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. Instead it is inscribed, but on a heart and there it shall remain forever. Special thanks to our work family, extended family, friends, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Royal Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House for their incredible support in allowing us time with Imogen as a family to make loving memories to last a lifetime.

HARTWIG

The celebration of the life of Rex Hartwig will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street Wangaratta, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, commencing at 10.30am.

Refreshments will be held in the Memories Room prior to departing for the Greta Cemetery, arriving at 1.30pm.

Rex’s service can be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

HARTWIG, Rex Noel.

2/9/1929 - 30/12/2022 Passed away peacefully at St Catherines Wangaratta with family close by. Beloved husband of Madge for 70 years. Father to Leigh, Laurene, Gretchen, Sheree, Grant and Janelle.

Grandfather to 15.

Great grandfather to 13. A great man who loved his family deeply. Forever in our hearts.

HARTWIG, Rex Noel.

2/9/1929 - 30/12/2022

Aged 93 years.

I am so proud, grateful and privileged to call you my Dad.

You were the greatest inspiration. You were our Superman. What a life you have lived. What a life you created for us.

~ Love Janelle & Mahlee xxoo

Honouring the Journey Mason Park Funerals P. 03 5721 5060 W. masonpark.com.au John & Christine Haddrick All Hours northeastfunerals.com.au Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association Personal Notices Local News. E Exxcept ionnal Servic c Mason Park Funerals TODAY 31o 32 36 38 33 Weekend Edition $1.50 Phone (03) 5723 0100 FRIDAY, December 30, 2022 Management Wangaratta Chronicle be Wednesday, Velodrome, BMX/mountain bike track, criterium circuit a club desire $7m cycling wish Wangaratta locations is on the local cycling club’s wish Sites including the saleyards, showgrounds, Avian plans that were designed by RMIT students under the direction of the Wangaratta Cycling Club executive comClub secretary Paul ise cycling, not only for the town but for the entire “There is not an equivalent cycling precinct from “The cycling precinct would cater for every age of cyclists from rider education, youth, with the thrills and adrenaline of BMX/ of the plans to the Rural City of Wangaratta council last February and it’s looking to present plans for Targoora Park at council’s sport and recreation Company charged over odour Magpies Page 3 SPORT bring in the New Year with bang this weekend, at the rural city’s free event at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday evening. The Morawiec family (pictured) Dad PHOTO: Leah Anderson-Byrne HERE COMES 2023 skelly@ Subscribe now at wangarattachronicle.com.au/subscriptions Personal Notices classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101 may be placed before 2.30pm the business day prior to publication

‘Jack Attack’ a great social outing at Milawa Bowls Club

MILAWA Bowls Club recently held a very successful variation on barefoot bowls called ‘Jack Attack’, a game promoted by Bowls Victoria.

The first three nights of the six week Jack Attack program were held before Christmas with participants enjoying themselves with games of bowls, drinks and nibbles - and a lot of good fun.

The program continues with a further three Friday nights running from 6pm until 7.30pm on January 6, 13 and 20.

Club treasurer Bernard Neal said entry for each night will be $5 per person and will include complementary nibbles and finger food with drinks also available at bar prices.

“All equipment is provided by the Milawa Bowls Club and club members will be on hand to assist and join in with participants,” he said.

“During the last three years the Milawa Bowls

Club has almost doubled its membership and currently runs two pennant teamsone on Saturdays and one on Tuesdays.

“Members are a mixture of experienced and accomplished bowlers, those new to the sport, and those who have been bowling for periods of two to five years only.

“Our club is now aiming to have two Saturday pennant teams as wells as the midweek pennant team.

“As a small community-based sporting club, Milawa offers great camaraderie and a welcoming atmosphere not only to competing teams but also to new members looking for an opportunity to socialise with other locals, to develop their own bowling skills or even to be introduced to the great game of bowls.”

Neal said the club looks forward to hearing from anyone in the region who is interested in joining the Milawa Bowls Club either as

an active pennant player or as a social member to enjoy a wide range of non-pennant bowling opportunities.

If you would like to par-

ticipate in the Jack Attack program on January 6, 13 or 20 (or even for all three if you are so taken), contact Ron Welfare (president)

on 0487 790 662 or Bernard Neal (treasurer) on 0407 723 092 or Michelle Van Praagh (secretary) on 0431 715 687.

If you would like to join

the Milawa Bowls Club, either as a full member or a social member, please also contact one of the above for more information.

Speedway covers Wahgunyah meet

■ From page 20

Ussher assumed the lead from the start with Mills moving to second from lap three.

Wangaratta member Shane Roycroft moved into third by lap six, Ussher held the control of the race and went on to defeat Mills, Roycroft, Scott Hawkins and Canberra clubs James Hodak.

Unlimited sedans are a regular feature at Wahgunyah, and they got to compete at Wangaratta which is a rare occurrence for them.

Mount Beauty member Corey McDonald won the first heat race and the second, both of them comfortably before torching the field in the final to defeat Peter Farley and Peter Camilleri both from Bendigo then Peter Schmetzer in fourth.

Micheal Fleming–Robertson won the first Standard Saloon heat race of the evening up against a few out–of–town competitors who had come to compete at the venue hosting their Victorian title in March.

He also continued to show local knowledge winning the second and final qualifier before new Wahgunyah resident Rhys Lansdown who is currently the Victoria number two plate holder won the final in front of popular Yarrawonga racer Gary Evans.

Justin Cadman a rookie race driver from Melbourne finished third in front of Chris Miles and Fleming–Robertson.

Local association the Goulburn Ovens Sedans Association held a points event for their members Fleming–Robertson who also competed in Standard Saloons won the first heat of the night with Robert Garlick the second and third and Marty Bassett winning the fourth and final qualifier.

Former Wahgunyah club president Peter Little was a popular

winner of the final given the significance of the night being a fundraiser for the club he loves.

He defeated Bassett, Justin Brockley and the Schmetzer boys Tommy and Benny in fourth and fifth.

Competition in the Ladies Open Sedans seen Felicity Roycroft win the first of three heat races with Katie Meyer the second, and Belinda Chalcraft the third.

Starting from pole position in the final, Meyer then went on to lead Chalcraft early in the race with Tay Barnard in third. Coming from the rear of the field Roycroft was in fourth by lap five of twelve. Meyer went on to win by less than a second in front of Chalcraft, Roycroft, Janie Patton, and Jaimi Barber.

Junior Open Sedans were part of a Victorian state series round having already held the Wangaratta round at the previous meeting.

Marcus Maclean from Corowa

won the first qualifier, Jack Randall the second, Connor Claridge the third, Jacob Tinworth from the host Wangaratta club the fourth, then Claridge again and Arthur Hutchinson the final qualifier.

Hutchinson in his first meeting in the Open Sedan version of Junior racing at state level was a front row feature race qualifier with Connor Claridge whom he had competed against in Junior 1200cc Sedans many times.

Claridge got the better start for the final with Nathan Miles quickly into second in a Standard Saloon spec car on lap two.

Hutchinson re–claimed second on lap four before Jordan Tewkesbury came through into second on lap six.

Hutchinson again took over the second spot on lap eight and the chequered flag closed out the race with Claridge winning over

Hutchinson, Tewkesbury, Kalani Garlick and Jasmine Kettels.

Sports Sedans returned for the next round of their Power Series having been at Wangaratta already in early December when Josh Service took victory.

Recent winner at Nyora and Wangaratta member Caleb Lincoln won the first of nine qualifying heats.

Steven Loader then won the second, with Jamie Thomsen the third closing out the first round of qualifiers.

Bradin Claridge then began the second round as the first winner, Zac Swanson and Dale Smith were the other winners.

Matthew Ismail, Tom McDonald, and Josh Service won all the races in the third round.

With qualifying points tallied up, Service began in prime spot to take out a second feature win

from two starts in the series with local Wangaratta charger Felicity Roycroft alongside him and Bradin Claridge, Zac Swanson, Nathan Shortis and Jamie Thomsen rounding out the top six starters. At the drop of the green flag, Service led Claridge and Shortis on lap one.

Roycroft moved from fourth into second on lap nine with Swanson in third then Thomsen and Claridge.

Ten laps in with Service still the leader he went on to lead the next 17 laps and take victory in front of Roycroft, Swanson, Thomsen, and Dale Smith.

Wangaratta City Raceway will once again have Speedway action on January 14 with the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Victorian title, the Bob Bailey Memorial for Production Sedans, and the Wangaratta Cup for Grand Prix Midgets amongst the programmed events.

QUICK: Peter Little in his Goulburn Ovens sedan.

PHOTO: Vern Parker Photography

BAREFOOT BOWLS: Milawa Bowls Club is running its ‘Jack Attack’ social bowls this month.

RunningNetball

April

Monday, April 4

Bella wins national title

BELLA Pasquali confirmed her reputation as a rising champion in running after storming home to win the national U17 400m title at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.

At the same time she recorded a personal best time of 55.49 seconds, well below her previous best of 56.3.

Bella won her heat comfortably to qualify fourth fastest for the final.

Friday, April 8

Daine’s long awaited 300th

Daine Porter will become the first Wangaratta footballer to play 300 Ovens and Murray games tomorrow night.

Porter rose through the junior ranks at Tigers and then landed at Norm Minns Oval, reaching the senior side in 2003 after solid performances in the thirds.

Now, 19 years later, the 35-year-old will pull the black and white jumper on for a 300th time against a no more fitting opponent than old foes Wangaratta Rovers.

Monday, April 11

Pies rampant derby demolition

WANGARATTA has saluted 300game superstar Daine Porter in emphatic fashion in the first derby of the year.

After a contested first quarter that saw Wangaratta lead by 19-points at the break, the Magpies found their mojo in the second quarter, kicking five goals to one to lead 11.3 (69) to Wangaratta Rovers 4.6 (30).

Wangaratta put on a mammoth second half, kicking 16 goals to the Hawks three off the back of five second half majors (seven total) from Magpies dynamo Abe Ankers to run out huge 121-point victors 27.10 (172) to 7.9 (51) under lights at the Norm Minns Oval.

Wednesday, April 13

Lions make it three from three

WHOROULY remains undefeated in the O&K A grade netball competition, defeating their round three opponents Moyhu 54-28 at Moyhu on Saturday.

The Lions were dominant throughout, capitalising on mistakes the Hoppers made while conceding very few themselves.

After a seven goal lead at quarter time blew out to 15 by half time, Whorouly didn’t ease up on the pressure, putting on 10 and 17 goals in the third and fourth quarters to run out comfortable winners.

Wednesday, April 20

Bella’s stellar run

WANGARATTA’S running sensation has continued her outstanding form with a victory in the Lorraine Donnan Women’s Handicap 400 metre final at the prestigious Stawell Gift Carnival.

Sixteen-year-old Bella Pasquali was the backmarker running off 20 metres in the event, clocking a time of 55.28 seconds in the final, taking home the sash ahead of Meg Deane (55.55 secs).

Friday, April 29 Hawks’

draft coup

HIDE the pretzels,

Goddard

Wednesday night, sending him to North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve for a one-off appearance.

North Wangaratta’s clash against Greta on July 9 is when the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve will be packed out with Goddard fans to watch the former AFL star take to the field.

May

Monday, May 2 Goorambat triumph

over Benalla

GOORAMBAT have yet to suffer a defeat in the senior competition after taking a 14-point win over Benalla All Blacks at home, 11.6 (72) to 8.10 (58).

The Bats’ footballers took a while to warm up, heading into the first break down by 17 points, but fired back to bring themselves back into the match to trail by just three points by half time.

Goorambat co-coach Sam Gladstone said the determination and drive shown by his players to take down a strong outfit was heartening.

Friday, May 6

How much Moore can he do?

AFTER a standout debut season in the Ovens and Murray last year that saw Callum Moore named the league’s Morris Medallist, many wouldn’t have thought he could rise much more.

But the superstar has defied that thought and is now arguably in better form than last year off the back of booting 21 majors in just two weeks.

He followed up an 11 goal haul against Corowa-Rutherglen with a 10 goal demolition of North Albury last weekend.

Wednesday, May 11 Peebles dominate at nationals

THE talented barefooting family of the Peebles isn’t slowing down.

Zeke, Macy and Zali Peebles all dominated the 60th national barefoot championships at Mulwala, taking away medals in their age groups, while Ayden skied in the same division but didn’t come away with a medal but skied well.

Zeke skied in the sub-junior boys age group and achieved personal best scores in both the tricks and slalom categories, taking away two golds medals and named the overall sub junior boys champion.

Wednesday, May 18 Devils delight in La Fiera Cup clash

WANGARATTA City took home the La Fiera Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Two goals from star striker Adam Burchell steered his side home to a clinical 4-1 victory at Savoy Park in one of the more one-sided La Fiera clashes in recent times.

Burchell converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute with Ethan Whiley shortly following his lead in the 35th minute, getting on the end of a cross.

Football Football

Myrtleford’s Connor Caponecchia then also scored from the spot straight after half-time (50th minute) to bridge the gap to 2-1, however, the Devils then kicked into gear.

Wangaratta Sports Development Centre, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta

The sensational victory comes just two weeks after taking out the under 17 400 metre final at the Australian Track and Field Championships.

Brendon Goddard will pull North Wangaratta’s brown and gold jumper on this season.

was selected with pick seven in ‘The Carlton Draft’ on

 Zeke, Macy, Zali and Ayden Peebles



Bella Pasquali 

Daine Porter

Jonathan Brown and Brendon Goddard

Soccer Horse Racing

Wednesday, May 25

World cup bound

WANGARATTA and District Cricket Association president Greg Hoysted is one of 17 players from across the country selected to represent Australia at the inaugural Over 60s Cricket World Cup this September on the Sunshine Coast.

Australia will host teams from across the world, including traditional test cricket nations like India, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, as well countries like the United States, Canada, and Wales.

The event, which was originally scheduled for 2020, was pushed back to summer 2022 due to the COVID pandemic.

Friday, May 27

Henry’s huge award

JACQUI Henry has been recognised by Basketball Victoria for her outstanding contribution to the sport in the state.

Henry was awarded the Jack Terrill Medal - named in honour of the late founding president and long-time Basketball Victoria Country Council Member - at the recent Basketball Victoria Awards.

This annual award recognises a significant and outstanding contribution by an individual to basketball in Country Victoria and also made a lasting or meaningful contribution or impact on basketball in their community.

June Wednesday, June 1

First star, first win

CRAIG Weeding unearthed another promising galloper on Saturday at Wodonga.

In just her first race start, two-yearold filly Arachidi ($12) stormed home to take out the feature race of the day, the $30,000 Jack Maher 2YO Classic (1200m).

Arachidi and jockey Mikaela Lawrence fell to the back of the field at the jump but that didn’t face the pair as they made a move on the turn, finding a run down the outside to salute comfortably.

Friday, June 3

Ethan’s back in the swing

WANGARATTA local Ethan Bell took out the Corowa Golf Club’s club championships over the weekend.

After leading through four rounds over two weekends, Bell hit away to a six shot victory in convincing fashion.

The highlights of the four rounds came in the last three holes where he went one under to clinch victory.

Wednesday, June 15 Whorouly fired up to host Betts

THE word has gone out and it’s generating a buzz: Carlton and Adelaide superstar Eddie Betts will play as a Whorouly Lion this Saturday in front of an expected bumper crowd.

Betts will bolster the Lions’ forward line in their round 12 showdown with Goorambat at the Whorouly Recreation Reserve, running out with the senior squad to hopefully nab Whorouly their second win of the year.

A long-time visitor to the area, Betts will join brother-in-law and Whorouly stalwart Daniel White at the club for the cameo appearance.

Friday, June 17

“I’m very excited”

THE time for legendary AFL superstar Eddie Betts to make his one-game cameo appearance in the

Football

the club working to ensure all visitors have a memorable day, opening up a second entry gate and an additional drinks stand.

Betts has run out in a few games in grassroots football leagues in recent times since his retirement from the AFL at the end of last year, and said he was passionate about experiencing the feeling of a community coming together through footy.

“Football is what brings the community together,” Betts said.

Wednesday, June 22 Devils’ FA Cup final ends in drama

WANGARATTA City’s FA Cup dreams were shattered in remarkable fashion on Saturday night.

The Devils led Albury United 1-0 with just three minutes to play at Kelly Park but United’s star striker in Melkie Woldemichael had other ideas when he converted to force extra time, or so everyone thought.

O&K is fast approaching, when he takes to the field with Whorouly to play Goorambat tomorrow.

A bumper crowd of about 4000 people is expected to pack the Whorouly Recreation Reserve, with

It was the 89th minute when the drama would unfold as Stoycho Ivanov lunged to tackle Woldemichael but brought him down awarding a penalty to United.

Monday, June 27

Finals hopes alive

TARRAWINGEE’S senior side kept its name in finals contention following a high-scoring hit out with King Valley on Saturday - the Bulldogs taking the four points 18.10 (118) to 15.12 (102).

The showdown was pivotal in keeping Tarrawingee’s September hopes alive and the players knew it, breaking out to a 20-point lead by quarter time and maintaining the pressure through to half time.

Cracks started showing throughout the third term, which saw the Roos eat the margin and push out to an eightpoint advantage moving into the final 20 minutes of play. 

July, August and September

Sports Year In Review in Friday, January 6 edition



Ethan Whiley  Arachidi



Matt Ring



Georgia Clark



Eddie Betts

Speedway covers Wahgunyah meet

By DEAN THOMPSON

WANGARATTA Speedway Club‘s community spirit resulted in a terrific night for the nearby Corowa–Rutherglen Speedway club which held its first meeting of the season at the Wangaratta Speedway.

As the Wahgunyah Speedway goes through a clean up after the Murray River channels around the speedway broke over the levee and flooded the track damaging equipment and making a mess of the soil, and track the meeting was transferred.

By opening the gates to their venue to the Corowa club, Wangaratta was able to help them raise funding to assist with being ready for the next event at Wahgunyah Speedway on January 21, which includes the Australian Motor Contest Association Victorian title.

President of Wangaratta Speedway Club Kenneth Mankey said the night was able to raise more than $17,000 for the Corowa–Rutherglen Speedway Club.

Mankey said he was “super proud of all of the members, supporters and volunteers that contributed”.

“I believe from hearing from others we have really set the bar for supporting and working with other clubs for the success of speedway,” he said.

“You cannot wipe the smile off my face.”

Production sedans were one of the feature events of the show with their annual Noel McGrath Memorial held at Wahgunyah Speedway each season being held on the Wangaratta track for the first time ever.

Qualifying race wins went to Scott Hawkins from the Leeton club, Stephen Laidlaw representing the Bairnsdale club, Ray Ussher a local Wangaratta member and businessman, Jacob Mills from Howlong going back–to–back for wins and then Wayne Bourke also from Leeton.

Scott Hawkins and Ussher started the final from the front row with former national champion Jacob Mills and Bourke behind them.

REST IN PEACE

Vale Rex Hartwig

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE tennis world is mourning the loss of local legend Rex Hartwig, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 30, at 93 years of age.

Fondly known as ‘Wrecker’ for his powerhouse volley prowess and sublime ground strokes, Hartwig represented Australia in three Davis Cup teams, and won four grand slam doubles titles and two grand slam mixed doubles championships from 1953-1955.

An Australian Tennis Hall of Famer, Hartwig was one of the first touring professional tennis players, before he retired from competitive play in the late 50s to his sheep farm in Greta.

Janelle Hartwig said her father’s

trailblazing professional career helped pave the way for modern-day players to make a living in the sport.

“Back in those days, everybody was an amateur - when he won the Wimbledon doubles, I think they got a pair of tennis shorts and 10 pounds, everything was totally amateur,” she said.

“Dad was one of the first ones to sign up (with tennis promoter Jack Kramer’s world tours) - he was a bit older than the other guys, 25 or 26, so he only had about one year to actually make a little bit of coin from tennis before he retired from tennis and worked on the farm and raised us six kids.

“He paved the way for what everybody (in tennis) is earning now.

“Every weekend, he and Mum would be taking us six kids to

play tennis on Saturday and a tournament on Sunday, and if it was winter we’d all be playing netball or football.”

A staunch supporter of the Wangaratta Rovers, where his children and grandchildren played, club football operations manager and Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club president Barry Sullivan said it would be strange not seeing Rex around the local sporting clubs anymore.

“As president of the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club, we’d all like to pass our condolences onto Leigh, Janelle, Tyson and the rest of the Hartwig family,” Sullivan said.

“Only a month or so ago he was down at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club, just enjoying the day and we were just interacting with

him like the mate he was to us all.

“At the footy club, he was just religiously there, rugged up in his gold and brown rug, watching the footy no matter the conditions, either watching (grandson) Tyson play or even back when I was playing with Leigh.

“He was always there, always there to encourage and give his thoughts on the game.

“He’s obviously a legend in our area and a true gentlemen - many a time he’d be watching the participants of the Australia Day tournament and giving encouragement to our local young players.”

A funeral service for Hartwig will be held at Mason Park Funerals in Wangaratta at 10.30am on Tuesday, January 10.

LOCAL tennis legend and Australian Hall of Famer Rex Hartwig passed away in his sleep on December 30, at 93 years of age.