Wangaratta Chronicle 040823

HAPPY DAYS

Tower green light

Kelly family descendent’s attempt to stop tower, bridge works falls flat in Supreme Court yypp,gp

WORKS on the $5.459 million Ned Kelly viewing tower will be completed in time for it’s scheduled opening this month, after a Supreme Court judge rejected a bid by a relative of the infamous bushranger to cease works on the project.

A newly built tower at Glenrowan’s Lions Park, with the help of $3.5m in State Government funding, will provide an experience for visitors, allowing them to learn about the history

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

connected to the capture of the Kelly Gang in 1880.

Joanne Griffiths, great granddaughter of Ned Kelly’s sister, had applied to the Supreme Court of Victoria for an interlocutory injunction to restrain ongoing works on the visitor centre and replacement

bridge in the Glenrowan Heritage Precinct.

Ms Griffiths, founding director of the Ned Kelly Centre Ltd, had alleged that works were contrary to Heritage Act 2017 (Vic) and Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).

Defendants included the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Rural City of Wangaratta, and Heritage Victoria.

The Ned Kelly Centre

submitted that council’s permit application incorrectly identified ARTC as the owner of the relevant land, when it is in fact owned by VicTrack.

However, Judge Melinda Richards’s said, “I do not see an arguable case that the mistake was material, in either a legal or a practical sense”.

“Legally, there is no realistic possibility that identifying the owner as VicTrack rather than

ARTC could have made a difference to Heritage

Victoria’s assessment of the permit application” Judge Richards said.

“Secondly, the Ned Kelly Centre said that the Archlink heritage impact study (Archlink HIS) submitted to Heritage

Victoria by the council misstated the contents of prior heritage impact studies of the precinct.

“The Ned Kelly Centre further contended

that the Archlink HIS misrepresented the location, size and scale of the proposed visitor centre for which the permit was sought and ultimately granted.

“The Ned Kelly Centre characterised these claimed misrepresentations as a ‘fraud in equity’ on the part of the council, and said that the fraud vitiated Heritage Victoria’s decision to grant the tower permit.”

■ Continued page 2

WANGARATTA Players’ production of the Aussie musical Ladies in Black opens at Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on August 17 and rehearsals are at full tilt. Cast members (from left) Amy Wighton (playing Fay), Gracie York (Lisa) and Julie Nolan (Patty) could still find plenty to smile about at rehearsals despite the heavy schedule. Full story page 4.

PHOTO: Elevated Photography

Crossbenchers back inquiry

Games withdrawal and reasons behind decision to be put under the microscope

By STEVE KELLY

BSTEVEKELLY

THE crossbench in Victoria’s upper house of parliament have stood united in the support of an inquiry into the State Government’s withdrawal of Victoria as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, estimated to have cost the state $1 billion.

The Liberals and Nationals’ motion received support from every crossbench representative with the motion passing with a vote of 25 to 15 earlier this week.

The plan was to hold the Games at four regional hubs, however, in cancelling the Games in Victoria, the government cited cost blowouts and chose to withdraw despite costs being reduced if held in Melbourne.

The Commonwealth Games Federation claimed the government’s cost estimate of between $6b to $7b was overpriced.

When the State Government announced the Games in April 2022 the estimate was $2.6b.

A Select Committee of nine

Woolworths backs Share the Dignity’s drive

WOOLWORTHS is supporting Share the Dignity throughout August as the organisation launches its biannual Dignity Drive to help eradicate period poverty in Wangaratta.

Five cents from the sale of every period care product at Wangaratta Woolworths supermarket in August will be donated to help Share the Dignity provide free period care products, as well as the maintenance of more than 100 Dignity Vending Machines, which dispense free period packs discretely and free of charge to those in need.

Pink collection boxes will also be available in Woolworths’ supermarket in Wangaratta for the donation of period care products.

Woolworths will also be offering a range of personal care discounts and deals to Wangaratta customers, including 30 per cent off disposable period pads, tampons and liners up until August 8.

members will be appointed to inquire into, consider and report on the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the progress of the regional infrastructure build, including but not limited to:

• the potential failures in governance, probity and procurement processes in the Victorian Government’s bid, contract, and termination of the 2026 Commonwealth Games;

• impacts of the contract termination of the Commonwealth Games on Victoria’s reputation, business community, tourism, and major events;

• the Victorian Government advice received from government departments, councils, agencies, consultants, and contractors;

• the potential of undue influence by the executive on the independence of the public service;

• the timeline, progress and budget of the Victorian Government’s regional infrastructure and housing build; and

• the impact on community, social, amateur, and professional sport in Victoria.

The committee will provide

an interim report by April 30, 2024 and a final report by April 2025.

Wangaratta-based One Nation MP for Northern Victoria, Rikki-Lee Tyrrell, spoke in parliament in support of the inquiry.

“After having made the commitment to host the Games despite reasonable public concern, the decision to then cancel the Games without prior external consultation is something of an unwanted ‘we told you so’ moment for the Victorian

people,” Ms Tyrrell said.

“The people of Victoria deserve to be treated with due respect and they deserve to see the actionable information that the government used to make this decision.

“They alone should be allowed to decide whether this decision which is costing them $1b was the right course of action.”

Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto said this inquiry will uncover the truth and provide Victorians with the basic answers and information that they deserve.

Judge ruling means Ned Kelly tower clear to open

■ From page 1

However Judge Richards found a ruling on the contrary to this assertion.

“As to the two ways in which the permit application was said to have been misleading, examination of the permit application and the further information provided by the council in response to Heritage Victoria’s request does not disclose any serious question that the application involved impropriety, dishonesty,

or bad faith that would amount to ‘fraud’ in the sense discussed in SZFDE,” Judge Richards said.

“Thirdly, the Ned Kelly Centre argued that the council’s permit application did not address the cumulative impact of the tower project and the bridge project on the Precinct.”

Judge Richards found that the Ned Kelly Centre has not established a serious question to be tried that the tower and bridge permits were invalid,

and the case was dismissed.

Council estimated its defence cost were in excess of $30,000 and it will look to recover the money.

Rural City of Wangaratta CEO Brendan McGrath said the Glenrowan Heritage Project is much anticipated by the community and will deliver an immersive and contemporary interpretation centre using cutting-edge technology.

“A legal challenge to halt the

completion of the project has recently been dismissed and the project will be completed and opened as planned this month. “Council is unable to make any further comments about the legal proceedings as they remain active.”

Ms Griffiths was contacted by the Wangaratta Chronicle about whether she would appeal the decision, however, no response was received in time of going to press.

HATS OFF: The Ned Kelly visitor tower will open within weeks with a Supreme Court judge finding that calls for an injunction to stop works were invalid.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Emotional service recalls Vietnam ser vice, sacrifice

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

RAW emotion from a local veteran brought home the importance of Thursday’s Wangaratta service of remembrance for those who served in the Vietnam War.

Held on the anniversary of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam’s arrival in South Vietnam, the service at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery was one of many staged across the nation at 11am on August 3.

The Wangaratta remembrance was attended by about 40 people who gathered near the final resting places of two local men who served in Vietnam and gave their lives in the conflict, Private Bernie Binder and Sapper Terry Renshaw.

For Vietnam veteran Bernie Evans, it was a chance to remember the supreme sacrifice made by Sapper Renshaw, who was just 22 when he lost his life in a mine explosion.

His heart-rending recollection of his former tech school classmate, and of that tragic day in May, 1967, spoke volumes - even in his moments of silence.

Mr Evans said his platoon had been guarding the engineers arming mines.

“We only got there in the morning; that afternoon I went down to where Terry was, and we had a good old talk about Wangaratta,” he recalled.

“I was on the machine gun about 300 yards from where they were laying mines.

“That morning, two lots of mines had been set off by dogs running through the minefields, but when the third one went off, it sounded different; that afternoon, I found out it was Terry,” he said.

Mr Evans said Terry deserved all respect and remembrance that came to him, having saved two mates from the explosion after throwing himself on the mine on hearing it detonate.

Lori Binder, sister of Private Bernie Binder, laid a wreath during the service at the grave of her brother.

Bernie was only 21 when he died in October, 1969 while setting up a Claymore mine which was exploded by a freak lightning strike.

Rural City of Wangaratta Deputy Mayor Harry Bussell, who worked for the Renshaw family for a time, said he was honoured to speak at Thursday’s service.

Truck destroyed at Boralma after fridge ignites

By STEVE KELLY

TWO occupants and a dog managed to escape without injury after the medium rigid vehicle they were in caught fire on the Hume Freeway at Boralma on Wednesday.

Three CFA units from Wangaratta and Wangaratta North brigade, alongside FRV, responded to the fire at 12.49pm.

A CFA spokesperson confirmed the incident was deemed under control at 1.07pm and safe at 3.20pm.

Victoria Police and Ambulance were on scene, with one of the vehicle’s occupants conveyed to Northeast Health Wangaratta for general observation.

Authorities said the fire appears non-suspicious and it’s believed it might have started from a camper fridge igniting in the rear of the truck.

All contents of the truck including the cabin were destroyed by the fire. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Book now for literary lunch

“We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending and representing their country, and also their mates,” he said.

“We particularly remember Private Bernie Binder and Sapper Terry Renshaw; the loss of them from our community left a deep scar.”

The Wangaratta service was led by Wangaratta RSL funerals officer Bob Hayward, himself a Vietnam veteran.

“Today we say thank you for your service and for the service of your mates, and we want you to know that you are not forgotten, that your sacrifice was not in vain. The world is a better place for the actions of every sailor, soldier and airman from ANZAC right through to today,” Mr Hayward said.

Another service will be held on August 18, Vietnam Veterans Day, in the 2/24th Battalion Function Room at the Templeton Street RSL Club from 2pm.

Vietnam veterans, their friends and families, and the wider community are invited to mark the occasion by attending the Wangaratta service, which will include a presentation by Mr Hayward.

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

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

By SIMONE KERWIN

THERE’S still time to book your place at the Wangaratta Arts Council’s Literary Lunch with author Chris Hammer, to be held at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway on Saturday, August 12.

Numbers are required by Tuesday, but bookings for the event are still being taken at Edgars Books and News in Murphy Street (phone 5721 3758).

The lunch will be an opportunity to hear from Chris Hammer, one of Australia’s leading crime authors, about his writing journey, his enjoyment of the process, and the books that have brought him acclaim, as well as his upcoming release.

After a 30-year career in journalism and two non-fiction books, Mr Hammer decided to try his hand at fiction, and found instant success with ‘Scrublands’ when it was published in mid-2018.

He has continued to captivate audiences with his subsequent novels, ‘Silver’, ‘Trust, ‘Treasure and Dirt’ and ‘The Tilt’.

His presentation at the August 12 event will follow lunch; guests are encouraged to arrive by 11.30am .

Tickets for Wangaratta Arts Council members and seniors, pension or concession card holders is $58, while full-price tickets are $63.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED: Lori Binder was at the cemetery service to remember her brother, Bernie, who lost his life in a mine explosion in Vietnam.

REMEMBERING A MATE: Bernie Evans speaks about the supreme sacrifice of his fellow local, Terry Renshaw (INSET), on a Vietnam minefield.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

LIVE & LOCAL BROADCAST Wang Magpies v Wodonga Raiders

UPDATES

Colette a perfect fit for this Aussie musical

away by the variety and beauty of the music.

BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au

IF ever there was a theatre production custom made for renowned North East performer Colette Quin, the Australian musical Ladies in Black would be it.

The versatile performer, director, choreographer and production manager grew up with the smell of greasepaint in her nostrils, first as a dancer since childhood in Sunbury before becoming more involved in adult theatre groups when she moved to Wangaratta in the 1990s, firstly with Wangaratta Players but also Beechworth Theatre Company, Benalla Theatre Company, Allegro Theatre Company, and The Other Theatre Company in Wodonga.

and off to make it a success.

“After I directed Songs for Nobodies at The Players, with five remarkable performers, I knew I had the core to stage it.”

CLASSIFIED

DISPLAY

Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

After gaining confidence on stage as an actor she moved into directing and quickly achieved success with The Crucible at The Players and has altered between on stage and off ever since.

Her latest and one of the most anticipated productions in the North East is Ladies in Black with Wangaratta Players Inc, which is due to open at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) on August 17.

Colette stumbled across the movie, a non-musical, during lockdown on a streaming service and absolutely loved it.

“I thought immediately it would be perfect for the stage and then later discovered it had been made into a musical with music by Tim Finn.

“I also knew that to do it justice it would need to be performed in a major venue such as WPACC and would need a lot of talent on stage

The story follows Lisa, a young girl in Sydney circa 1960 about to achieve her Leaving Certificate, who takes a summer job at Goodes Department Store.

There she meets an assortment of ‘ladies in black’, the staff at Goodes who introduce her to a whole new world.

“It’s just a beautiful story, not only of a young girl growing into an adult, but all the other characters show growth, many facing personal problems that we experience today, although much of it is from the times they lived, 1960 Australia, particularly for the women and the migrants,” Colette said.

“It was a time when girls weren’t expected let alone encouraged to go into tertiary education or continue in the workforce once they were married or became mothers.

“We not only meet the very Australian ladies at Goodes, we, and Lisa, also meet these exotic foreigners, refugees from postWWII Europe who are trying to

make new lives in Australia.

“That said the male characters, particularly Lisa’s father and also the young married Australian Frank go through some troubling, confusing times and emerge the better for it as well.

“A happy ending, particularly these days, is worth showing.”

When Colette discovered Tim Finn had created music for a stage version she was only more determined to investigate putting it on locally.

“While it was hard to find actual footage or clips of the music what I did discover convinced me it was worth the effort to do as a major musical,” she said.

“Getting to know musical geniuses such as David Ashfield, Beth Code and Felicity Davis gave me more confidence to propose the production to The Player’s committee and I was overjoyed when they chose it.

“We had a tremendous response for auditions and there are about 36 performers and more than 50 involved in the production all up.

“As we learnt the songs together we were all blown

“It ranges from dance-happy chorus numbers to songs of pathos and sadness, to joy and frustration to straight out vaudeville.

“I guarantee the audiences will be blown away by the songs.

“It’s a beautiful story number one, but the music and costumes will also make an impression.”

Colette said the play also had its serious side with adult themes with some fairly confronting issues raised but in the end they are resolved so the audience should go away with a smile and hopefully humming a few tunes as well.

“We have also been blessed off stage with an army of a production crew and a brilliant musical team,” she said.

“The commitment to stage such a show is a huge effort and I can’t thank everyone involved enough.

“They have shown a lot of faith in me and trust but they do it for the love of creating something beautiful and this show offers that in spades.

“While I have worked with many of the cast on stage and crew off stage before, it has been truly exciting to meet so many new faces and see how this journey is impacting them.

“Theatre offers the greatest team rewards and a chance for many to do something extraordinary that others will enjoy and remember forever.”

Ladies in Black will be staged at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre (WPACC) on Thursday August 17, Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 at 7pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday, August 19 at 2pm.

Tickets are selling fast so visit the WPACC box office in Ford Street or online at https:// wpacc.sales.ticketsearch.com/ sales/salesevent/95168.

ROYAL FAMILY?: The unforgettable Crown clan (from left) Mrs Crown (Bec Carta), Dawn (Jo Pane), Joy (Brenda Spilva) and Patty (Julie Nolan).

PHOTO: Elevated Photography

LADIES IN WAITING: Director Colette Quin (centre) with her ‘Ladies in Black’ (from left) Rose Sexton, Amy Wighton, Julie Nolan, Gracie York, Alison Comensoli, Robyn York, Cathy Holmes and Tricia Voss behind the counter at Goodes.

PHOTO: Shane Douthie

finds

A YARRAWONGA man who died as a result of an intracranial haemorrhage following a fall at his home in 2019 was subject to delay and error in the interpretation and communication of scans at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW), a coroner has found.

In a recent hearing, coroner Audrey Jamieson found “the opportunity to provide the appropriate medical care and treatment was lost” to 85-year-old Reginal Desmond Benham, after he suffered a stroke at his Yarrawonga home on August 24.

Ambulance crews attended Mr Benham’s home around 8pm after the elderly man suffered a fall, and observed Mr Benham unable to speak, and with a right facial droop, paralysis of his right side and a bleeding laceration around his right ear.

He was subsequently urgently transported to NHW, and a CT brain scan was carried out shortly after 9pm after emergency clinicians observed “right sided weakness consistent with a stroke”.

At 9.39pm, clinicians were said to have consulted with

the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine Service (VST), with a consultant neurologist recommending intravenous thrombolysis be undertaken after viewing the CT scan, a treatment which was subsequently commenced an hour later.

The court found a report filed by the radiologist was not properly communicated to clinicians, who became aware of a small sub-arachnoid haemorrhage some 40

minutes after commencing thrombolysis, a condition which the neurologist had failed to notice.

A further 15-minute call around 11.20pm with the VST neurologist resulted in thrombolysis treatment being discontinued.

A large subarachnoid haemorrhage identified by a further CT scan was deemed “non-survivable”, and Mr Benham was placed in palliative care and died around

8pm the following night.

A forensic pathologist later found the medication provided for thrombolysis had caused the “massive cerebral haemorrhage and subsequent death”.

“The exact reasons for the communication delay notwithstanding, it remains that by not informing Mr Benham’s treating clinicians of the availability of the report, an opportunity was lost to either not commence

or to cease the thrombolysis treatment,” Ms Jamieson told the court.

A subsequent audit of Wangaratta Hospital’s IT system found the radiologist’s report had been opened by a nursing student uninvolved in Mr Benham’s treatment around 10.43pm, who had failed to advise treating clinicians of the report’s availability.

NHW had contended clinicians’ reliance on the advice

of the VST consultant neurologist had been reasonable in the circumstances.

Despite finding error in Mr Benham’s treatment, Ms Jamieson said she could not determine whether his death could have been prevented.

“I am unable to determine with any certainty whether he would have succumbed to his large thromboembolic stroke if the thrombolysis was withheld,” she said.

“As such, I am unable to find whether the death of Reginald Desmond Benham was preventable.

“Although I cannot find with any certainty that his death was preventable, I find that due to both the error in interpreting the CT scan and the delay in communicating the findings of sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, the opportunity to provide the appropriate medical care and treatment was lost to Reginald Desmond Benham.”

Ms Jamieson also found clinicians had acted reasonably in adopting the initial advice of the VST neurologist.

She also expressed condolences to Mr Benham’s family.

TREATMENT BREAKDOWN: A coroner has ruled tht error and delay in the communication of CT scan results played a key role in the death of a Yarrawonga man at Northeast Health Wangaratta in 2019.

Moyhu water supply enhancements begin

NORTH East Water

(NEW) is making significant progress with its regional master planning process which includes towns like Moyhu in the King Valley system.

The master planning has identified infrastructure upgrades are needed to ensure water security and water quality for current and future generations.

These upgrades for Moyhu will include installing a new on-ground storage tank, new pumps and a generator for back-up energy supply.

While the town’s water tower structure will be retained, but it will be removed from service.

Crews may be seen conducting commissioning activities for the project around town during the week.

While most of the works will take place within NEW locations, some works may include needing to access hydrants within town.

NEW general manager, planning and infrastructure, Guy Wil-

son-Browne, said it was important for the community to understand there are no plans to remove the water tower.

“The tower was constructed in the 1960s and has served the community well, however the storage capacity is not large enough to continue servicing the town into the future,” he said.

“We are installing a new storage tank, which will significantly increase the volume of water we can store.

“This is a permanent, long-term solution to ensure the township has continued access to a quality water supply.”

During initial activities, NEWS said it’s possible that some customers may experience pressure fluctuations, as pumps are tested.

Also, some customers could observe mains flushing occurring.

“We thank customers for their patience as we progress these vital infrastructure works for the community of Moyhu,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

Report waterway issues via Survey 123

NORTH East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has this week made the transition to Survey 123 from the existing Snap Send Solve application to support landholders and the public to report waterway related issues.

The Survey 123 app can be accessed on the North East CMA website at https:// www.necma.vic.gov.au/Waterways/WhatIS-a-CMA-issue-and-how-do-I-report-it/ Report-waterway-issues.

It can be used to report the following waterway issues:

 a site of prior CMA investment is damaged or under threat (eg. pile fields, rock beaching).

 bebris in the waterway impacting waterway health (eg. tree blocking river).  general river health issues. Issues relating to public infrastructure should be reported directly to the appropriate authority.

Making a report to Survey 123 requires the following information:

1. Issue location.

2. Issue being reported – erosion, blockage, or waterway health.

3. Incident details – provide specific information relating to the issue identified, including information regarding potential impacts directly upstream and downstream.

4. Photos of issue – maximum of five images can be uploaded with a 10MB limit on file size.

5. Reporting person details – name and contact details so NECMA can follow up.

6. Submit report – report will be submitted to NECMA and assessed to see if the issue best fits with another agency or is a CMA issue.

If any issues are encountered while using Survey 123 call North East CMA on 1300 216 513 to report the issue directly.

of not only a vibrant community, but an active one. One that wants to be the change. If your calendar is free November 25th support your local talent by getting a ticket. You won’t regret being a part of this day where we hope to take you on a Musical journey that will blow you away. Always remember….you are not alone and more importantly….people care! Big Love.

LANDMARK STAYING: Moyhu’s historic water tower will remain even when it is no longer used.

Cultural exchange at Galen

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

EIGHT exchange students from Italy, Spain and France are adding another cultural layer to life at Galen Catholic College this term.

Riccardo Lanzillotta, Matteo Tassi, Anita Ravelli, Agata Tresoldi, Ginevra Tancini and Bianca Agricola from Italy, Alvaro Cabezas from Spain, and Apolline Lamour from France are all spending term three at Galen in years 10 and 11.

Their arrival in recent weeks follows the departure in June of German exchange student Henning Gortzen, who had spent a year at Galen through a Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta exchange.

And they will soon be joined by Sofia Rey from Argentina, who will attend the school for a year.

Some of the Italian students have been drawn from the school which was once attended by current Galen teacher Claudia Bellani.

Ms Bellani said the exchange students’ presence in Italian classes had already proven valuable for their fellow Galen students, and they would also attend the upcoming Italian camp.

Students from Italy, Spain and France enjoying their term in Australia

“Students have had the chance to engage in conversation, which is valuable, and culturally it means so much,” she said.

The visiting students have also soaked up plenty of Australian culture in the three weeks they have been in the country, attending AFL games, local sport, and even a Wangaratta debutante ball shortly after arriving.”

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While unused to wearing school uniform, they have all adapted and say they don’t mind the change, but their consensus on other Australian experiences is quite different.

“Vegemite - it’s disgusting,” Matteo said.

His fellow exchange students agree they are not overly fond of the traditional Aussie spread, although they

give Milo the tick of approval.

Having travelled from a European summer, the visitors are adjusting to the North East’s cold winter conditions and earlier sunsets; at home, Europe has been experiencing a heatwave and the summer sun sets hours later than it currently does here.

Alvaro said he had taken

Your place to feel good.

a while to get used to earlier dinner times in Australia, as in Spain dinner was usually enjoyed at around 10pm.

Some of his fellow travellers said they had noticed how meals were often informal in Australia, with families less likely to eat around the table than in their home countries.

While they’ve already enjoyed some fantastic experi-

ences, many of the students have key items on their to-do lists, with Alvaro keen to be immersed in a shark cage, and Ginevra eager to visit the beach and try surfing.

They all agree that Australians’ reputation as relaxed and friendly people is accurate.

“They are relaxed, very open and friendly and kind,” Bianca said.

HONORARY AUSSIES: Matteo Tassi, Riccardo Lanzillotta, Anita Ravelli, Agata Tresoldi, Bianca Agricola, Ginevra Tancini and Alvaro Cabezas are enjoying their Australian school term at Galen Catholic College.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

An inspiring win in lending a hand

WANGARATTA City Speedway’s drought breaking recognition as the state’s track of the year was a rightful acknowledgement of the club that went to extraordinary lengths to help those in need over the past year.

For the first time in its 55 year history, the track was recognised by peak body Speedway Sedan Victoria as the track of the season among 34 Victorian tracks, and a finalist for the national award.

Their achievements in this award honour the massive amount of fundraising done by the track during race meets that helped families and entire racing clubs stay on their feet.

The generosity shown by the speedway to not only replace the flooded Wahgunyah Speedway as the host venue for their major Boxing Day races, but to have the initiative to raise almost $30,000 back to Wahgunyah was an inspiring display of helping a neighbour.

As if that wasn’t enough, to honour the late Stephen Douglas in the proactive manner they did for the family affected was a show of kindness that even further transcended the sport.

Leading the charge has been president Kenneth Mankey, whose passion for the sport and the racing community has been infectious within the current committee and is now properly being recognised on a community, state and even national level.

The higher acclaim of the race track has opened doors for bigger and better race meets to come locally, which can only boost community spirit and income. A well deserved tip of the cap to an inspiring committee.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FACEBOOK users this week commented on our weekly poll which asked users: ‘Do you think the large red gum trees in Merriwa Park are significant trees?’

• Helen Senior: If they are trimmed / thinned regularly they are fine. But leaving them to bush out makes them top heavy and of course they’ll fall. Common-sense council.

• Kay Willoughby: Leave them be, they have been there for many many years with no problem. So called

Arborists are text book heroes. We will end up losing all our heritage trees.

• Tony Allen: These trees have been there longer than the park. Leave them alone.

• Deb Butler: Cr Jack Herry, Rural City of Wangaratta posted a perfect explanation of rhe risk with these trees. Leave them alone

• Marianne Hamilton: Deb Butler Excellent analysis from a local Councillor !

• Greg Wighton: Last year was one of the wettest we’ve

Subsidised energy can only lead to price hikes

IN the past month the reports on climate change in the Wangaratta Chronicle have told us of the council securing a “green future”, an invitation to the community to participate in a review of renewables by the federal MP for Indi and the Minister for Climate Change etc plus a cautionary editorial on a prospective solar farm bonus.

There are undoubtedly opportunities in renewables for some, as evidenced by huge donations to Teals from badly dressed billionaires that defeated so many Liberal MPs.

The renewables boom is not currently identified as speculative but will prove so none the less.

Our council has collaborated with other municipalities signing a deal with Red Energy for 100 per cent electricity from Victorian wind farms.

Yet that’s an impossible arrangement.

After all, we’ve stopped using sail for transport because the wind couldn’t be trusted to turn up on time.

The Wangaratta Chronicle notes that council had little say over the influx of solar farms, but a bonus cash payment is of some consolation.

We have to weigh that against the likelihood of a solar farm among the pastoral landscape of old red gum trees along the Snow Road, for example.

Whenever the global warming star flickers the mainstream media runs riot with stories of extreme weather, claimed as climate change after the events have occurred.

The UN head, Antonio Guterres, is now taking about “Global Boiling”.

Whoever suggested that description to him?

A market that’s driven by subsidies rather than economics always fails.

Subsidy begets subsidy and the price of power never goes down.

Having subsidised renewables, allegedly to save the planet; there’s now more talk of nuclear.

Another expensive form of generation.

Mike Burston, Myrrhee

Please stop wasting ratepayers money

SECURITY at council meetings is not the responsibility of the local community by paying security guards.

You simply notify the police a public meeting will be held, just the same as you notify if you are having a private party.

You give them (police) a heads up if you expect some disturbance and the on-duty police will then wander through at their discretion.

Brian Fox, Wangaratta

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

seen in over 100 years and this year has been well above average so far as well, so of course trees are more likely to fall due to how sodden the ground is. The question should be how many fell during the rest of the time they’ve been there when we’ve had average rainfall? Proposing to remove so many is a knee jerk reaction that will be regrettable in the coming decades.

• Vanessa McLean: Get rid of them, they’ve become a safety risk in a public park.

Plant some large shade trees that people can safely sit under & kids can climb.

• Dyan Hill: Vanessa McLean , absolutely agree, a major risk, if Council don’t act by doing a risk assessment and eliminate the risk then there will be another post condemning them for not doing anything.

• Brian Fox: NO. GET RID OF THEM

• Leslie Matthews: Leave the trees alone. Move the people.

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DYING TO KNOW DAY EVENT: Northeast Health community care team member Rose Sexton and community nursing unit manager Jodie Finlayson encourage the community to come and see The Last Waltz, being held at St Patrick’s Hall in Ford Street on Tuesday, August 8 from 1pm to 3.30pm. While the play starring Rose is poignant, humorous and heart-warming, it also aims to foster healthy and open conversations about death and dying. It’s free to attend, refreshments will be provided and there will also be a helpful Q&A session afterwards about end of life planning. Tickets are available by calling 5722 5184 or book online at Eventbrite.

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.

POLL RESULTS

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

141 Yes 121 No 20

MERRIWA PARK TRESS votes to yesterdaynoon

THIS WEEK

Do you or would you feel safer with CCTV at your place of residence?

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the beer tax hike which will see beer drinkers charged an extra 2.2 per cent tax on their beer purchases.

• Billie Wilson: Saul Rosser are you gonna be okay?

• Saul Rosser: Billie Wilson no Bill i am not ok. I pay too much tax already.

• Alysha Kilmartin: Russel J Cobbs kegs on here then.

• Akayla Stone: Jack unlucky m8

• Ricky Iles: Government

putting businesses out of business!

• Vezz Davern: When they put the alcho pop tax on pre mixed drinks all it did was raise the rec drug use

• Kim Winnell: And does that include non alcoholic as it’s as expensive as alcoholic beer. Doesn’t make sense.

• Paul Crabb: Beer tax hike for the workers, but no super profit hike for the corporates.

FACEBOOK users also commented on Josh Ledger competing in the Gold Coast

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

Marathon and achieving the fastest time in his 15-17 year old age group.

• Megan Wood: Whoo hoo! Go Josh.

• Cheryl Young: Fantastic Josh.

• Leesa Murray: Congratulations Josh well done.

• Rebecca Dalton: We are all so very proud of you Josh Ledger. You oh are a super star.

• Emma Williamson: Congratulations Josh.

• Cheryl Robl: Your dad would be so proud of your achievements well done. Facebook users also commented on Kim Michelini playing 650 games for Milawa.

• Bree Cheong: Congratulations Kim, what a huge achievement!

• Amanda Kensington: Legend.

• Janine Saxon: Kim what a milestone. U must if started when u were 5. As we are only spring chickens.

TWITTER users this week tweeted about a local State Triathlon champion, electric car chargers in Wangaratta and forfeited AFL games.

Wangaratta RoversFNC @wangrovers

Well done to former player, Charlie Young, Victorian, State Triathlon champion!

Robert Geeves @robert_geeves

Oh no doubt. Just saying be handy if most sites had 2 or more CCS, and maybe a separate single post of Chad. Also any word on when Benalla be up and running? It’s great Wangaratta is going (another spot that be better with 2+ ccs as great stop point after anvil/skip anvil)

Parko @Parko23

Ladies who lunch. Beautiful meal today @ brownbrothers with @ danielle_norton_writer proseccoqueenau

Follow

Check

A trial has. It is my belief that the decision by Essendon to fly to a trial game against St Kilda in Wangaratta led directly to the bad juju that that engulfed the club. The flight was cancelled due to storms, the game didn’t happen, and The Dons world fell apart.

If you have something to say, add our handle @wangchronicle to your tweet and we will publish some each week.

Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

14,294

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Wangaratta Turf Club @Wangarattatc

4 winners at Corowa today for our @Wangarattatc trainers, great way to finish the season! QUINLAN Dan McCarthy Racing. WINCHESTER RIFLE & TATO KEY @BenBrisbourne Racing. ADD MILK @craigweeding Racing

Seniors put on their dancing shoes

THIS month’s

Wangaratta Seniors Dance was held in St Patrick’s supper room on Friday afternoon.

The dance is held on the fourth Friday of each month from 2pm to 4pm, with entry beside St Patrick’s Church in Ford Street.

Dance revision is held between 1.30pm and 2pm.

Entry to the monthly dance is just $5 for members and $7 nonmembers, which includes afternoon tea.

For further information about upcoming events, phone Margaret on 0407 357 226 or Julie on 0408 032 451.

We take pride in being honest, hardworking and having a passion for trees and their management. Please check us out at www.arboressence.com.au or call us on (03) 5725 7493.

ELM LEAF BEETLE TREATMENT:

your Elm trees looking sick, with small shot holes or looking brown and dead (skelonising), it is a

by Elm Leaf Beetle.

time of year to treat Elm Leaf Beetle.

manage your Elms and keep them looking great!

MULCH:

SERVICES:

time to apply mulch.

from extreme temperatures. structure and drainage over time.

damage from brush cutters and lawn mowers.

looks great!!!

Leaders in providing and training the North East Region’s most competent and capable arborists and have been for over 15 years.

• Keith Younger on guitar for the Rustic Ramblers.

• Brian Davey performs as part of the Rustic Ramblers.

• Carolyn and Henry Rhodes.

• Bev Wylie and Brian Graham.

Margaret Colvin and Neville Hewson.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

• Myra Baxter and Ron Cooke.

Climbing to the top with Wangaratta visit

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

THE reigning world tree climbing champion is hoping a visit to Wangaratta can help him climb to the top again next weekend in New Mexico.

Local arborist service Arboressence has established a mentoring program for its team which includes visits from “celebrities” in the trade to work and train with local crews.

Melbourne-based arborist Barton Allen-Hall was in Wangaratta last week to help the Arboresscence team through some of the latest tree climbing techniques while also trim the heritage listed Wareena Park pine trees.

After being named a five-time national champion in tree climbing and coming second multiple times at the International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC), Mr Allen-Hall had a breakthrough win in Copenhagen to claim his first world championship last year.

The ITCC simulates working conditions of arborists in the field through five different preliminary round events, including an aerial rescue and speed climbs, to qualify for the Masters Challenge, which ultimately decides the world champion.

Mr Allen-Hall, who began competing in state tree climbing events in 2011, loves the competition.

“Even though it’s a fun job, every job can get a little bit stale, but knowing you’re going to be testing your skills against other people who are trying to be as good a tree climber as they can be and having your skills compared against them gives you an extra bit of excitement to work,” he said.

The 38-year-old is off to Alberbeque, New Mexico, to defend his title next weekend from August 11 to 13.

Mr Allen-Hall said staying in good shape and perfecting his climbing techniques is the key to his preparation.

“Albuquerque is currently around 37 degrees [in temperature] and has about the same altitude as Mt Hotham, so it’s going to be a bit of a shock to the system,” he said.

“This year in particular I’m trying to get as fit as possible, usually fitness is an element but

not a large element you need to focus on in my opinion, but I think it will play a bigger part this year.

“Climbing trees at work helps but if you want to win a world championship you have to do a lot of training outside of work.

“There is a huge amount of opportunity to make mistakes...if you make one little mistake that could be your competition done and dusted.”

BLUE MOON: See a new series of paintings by Andrew Sinclair on display in the foyer of the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

Paintings capture the moon in its many phases

AN exhibition of moody and mystical paintings is being enjoyed by visitors as they arrive in the foyer of the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

Moon Paintings is a new series by local artist and teacher Andrew Sinclair, which focuses on the sky at night, and is a meditation on the constant, reassuring presence of the moon.

Wangaratta Art Gallery director Rachel Arndt explains Mr Sinclair doesn’t try to replicate the natural world, but rather offers a sense of its mutability, vastness, emotional weight and ambient light. For him, painting is a way of working through lived experience; each painting informs the one to follow, each painting reveals something about that moment, impelling the artist on to the next.

Mr Sinclair said he makes marks in honour of being; enjoying the ability to interpret what is around him and to express tender feelings that are not easily discussed.

“The clouds could be a stand in for a thought or the span of a life – gathering, moving, separating, disappearing,” he said.

“I use my visual language to reveal things that are hidden in the everyday.”

Moon Paintings will be on display until August 29 and they are also for sale.

never looked back. Our Home Care Package has been brilliant.

- Les & Jeanette

and

are two of the thousands of people over the last 23 years who have trusted Latrobe Community Health Service to provide

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

ON A MISSION: Reigining world champion tree climber Barton Allen-Hall paid a visit to

Wangaratta

last week as he prepares to defend his world champion crown next weekend in New Mexico.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

Trip of a lifetime for CCW’s German language students

Agroup of students from Cathedral College Wangaratta enjoyed the school trip of a lifetime when they travelled to Germany recently as part of a 21-day study tour.

The group, comprising students Oscar Brundell, Sophie Bussell, Sebastian Carlesso, Zoe Doodewaard, Jessica Holland, Ronja Reynolds, Charlotte Roberts, Indya Rossato, Finn Vogels and Elsa Wilkinson, and teachers Natalie Wyatt and Sue Synnot, left in late June and returned in mid-July.

From street performances at the Brandenburg Tor and choral singing in one of the oldest churches in Berlin, to the impressive food markets of Munich, students were treated to an array of highlights throughout their language tour of Germany.

The awe-inspiring medieval architecture of Nuremburg was the perfect backdrop to enjoy currywurst, while the visit to Neuschwanstein Schloss revealed the fascinating story of King Ludwig II’s reign and the natural beauty of the Alps.

While the group’s visit to the Dachau memorial site was a sobering experience, reminding them of the atrocities of history, it also highlighted the importance of tolerance and respect.

These were just some of the experiences that took the German students’ learning beyond the classroom.

Students not only honed their language skills at the Inlingua Sprachzentrum in

Berlin, but also applied their navigating skills in a worldclass underground train system and engaged with locals to make purchases.

Travelling with the staff and students of Camberwell Girls Grammar School provided the opportunity to build new lifelong friendships they will cherish.

Beyond the immediate benefits, the impact of the three-week experience extended to developing a profound cultural understanding and open-mind-

edness, and learning to adapt and be resilient in unfamiliar environments.

By contextualising their German learning through real-world experiences, they gained a deeper appreciation for the language and its relevance in practical settings.

Overall, the study tour to Germany proved a wonderful and transformative journey for the students, leaving them with memories and lessons that will endure long into the future.

Student Jess Holland said her highlight from the trip was exploring a new country for the first time, and trying all the delicious food.

“Travelling to other cities in Germany and being immersed in a different culture was very interesting and fun to learn about along the way,” she said.

Finn Vogels said the group encountered something new every day.

“For me, the greatest highlight was sharing the experi-

ence with a group of amazing people; from the train trips through the German countryside to the laughs at the dinner table, it was an all-round experience of a lifetime,” he said.

Zoe Doodewaard said she had accepted before the trip that the culture would be different, so wasn’t surprised by the differences she found between Australia and Germany.

“However, my favourite part about the different cultures and time zones was that the sun set so late

so it was light all the time,” she said.

Zoe said spending time in Germany had not only enhanced her view of the world, but also excited her for the future, and her future travels.

Sebastian Carlesso said the experience had enhanced his view of the world.

“Instead of continentscale, I now see it on a global scale with all the different and unique lifestyles, as well as having a deeper understanding of what is happening in the world,” he said.

Ronja Reynolds said the trip had enhanced her understanding of Germany, and enabled her to improve her pronunciation and knowledge of German language.

Sophie Bussell agreed: “This experience has enabled me to understand the German language further, whilst learning that there is so much more outside of Australia and the four walls of a classroom.”

LOCAL CUISINE: Charlotte Roberts and Oscar Brundell enjoy some German food.

SCENIC: Eloise Scotter, Elysia Wang, Sarah Zhou, Hannah Lin, Finn Vogels, Sebastian Carlesso, Sophie Bussell, Indya Rossato, Ronja Reynolds, Elsa Wilkinson, Zoe Doodewaard, Oscar Brundell, Jessica Holland and Charlotte Roberts pose in front of the Alps en route to the Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria.

LOCALCUISINE:Charlotte

Preparing for a fourth kerbside bin next year

By STEVE KELLY

THE instalment of a fourth kerbside bin for glass recycling is scheduled to rollout to households and businesses by next financial year.

To determine the scale of the change, during July council put recycling behaviours under the microscope as part of a bin audit to plan for the mandatory fourth bin.

About seven urban and 20 rural streets have been subject to the audit of their bins to accurately determine the volume and type of glass generated in the existing kerbside collection service.

This informs council in determining the size and scale of separated glass recycling required within the municipality by 2027.

Marcus Goonan, director community and infrastructure, said council conducts kerbside bin audits every three years and additional ongoing kerbside bin inspections weekly.

He said council has notified the community through the Chronicle’s ‘Rural City Connection’ and social media about the audit, however, individual tenements/streets were not advised as this im-

pacts bin presentation rates and resident waste management behaviours.

Council is awaiting the release of the State Government’s required service standards (due late 2023) which will determine how residents in particular locations (rural/urban) will access the separated glass recycling and guide the extent of the kerbside service to be implemented by council.

The cost of the fourth bin to ratepayers cannot be determined until after the State Government’s required service standards are released.

However, in the 2023/24 year ratepayers’ annual yellow-lidded recycling bin costs are $170 for the 240-litre bin and $223 for the 360-litre bin.

Mr Goonan said in the interim, council has introduced glass ‘drop-off ’ facilities at all transfer stations, enabling residents to commence the diversion of glass from materials received at these facilities.

He said council plans to roll-out the broader service for separated glass recycling in the 24/2025 financial year.

“Following widespread disruption to global recycling markets in 2018, the State

Volkswagen T-Cross

Government implemented policies to standardise household waste and recycling services across the state,” Mr Goonan said.

“Council’s obligation under the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy (Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 is to ensure all households have access to services for separated glass recycling by 2027.

“Council must comply with the obligations under the Act.”

Mr Goonan explained that it will reduce contamination of recyclables with the designated glass recycling bin.

“When mixed with other recyclable materials, glass shatters,” he said.

“Glass pieces contaminate valuable, easy to recycle materials such as paper and cardboard.

“This reduces the quality of these materials and their ability to be recycled.

Funding open for regional health bodies

HEALTH services across the North East are being urged to enter submissions for the latest round of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

The State Government initiative provides funding for rural and regional health services and agencies across the state to support the provision of safe and efficient care to communities, according to Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes.

Since its inception in 2016, the fund has supported some 630 projects, including theatre refurbishments, new waiting rooms, hospital beds, accessible paths, consulting rooms, expansion projects and equipment upgrades.

Ms Symes said it was important rural communities continued to receive investment in their health providers.

“Separating glass from mixed recycling means that more materials will be recycled at a lower cost.”

Once collected, glass is sent to processors who refine the material into a recycled crushed glass sand which can be used in bedding, backfilling material, concrete, course asphalt, drainage, embankment fill, and landscaping applications.

“The Regional Health Infrastructure Fund is a great opportunity for health services to ensure they continue to deliver support when it is needed, where it is needed,” she said.

“Victorians should get the care they need, close to home, no matter where they live – which is why we’re continuing to invest in regional and rural health services through our flagship Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.”

Submissions for the latest round of funding close on September 11.

LINE ‘EM UP: A fourth purple-lidded bin is scheduled to become part of the streetscape in 2024/25.

Celebrating the changeover

By CHLOE JAENICKE

THE Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley came together this month at the Wangaratta Gateway for a heartwarming Changing of the Baton Dinner, marking the transition of leadership from president Patti Bullus to president elect Emma McLaughlin.

This special occasion was attended by esteemed guests, including incoming district governor Neta Kirby and past president Melissa Hebbard.

The evening was filled with joyous celebration and poignant reflection, as members of the club bid farewell to outgoing president Ms Bullis and remembered the legacies of two remarkable Rotarians, Lance Bullus and Warren Sanderson, whose contributions to the club will forever be cherished.

Under the dedicated leadership of Ms Bullis, the Rotary Club of Milawa Ox-

ley achieved remarkable milestones throughout the year.

Notable achievements included the induction of three new club members, the support of two Rotary Exchange Students, Abbey and Ruby, who represented Australia overseas, and fundraising efforts for worthy causes like the district governor’s kids project and the Alex Carmody fundraiser. President elect Ms McLaughlin expressed her gratitude to Ms Bullus, acknowledging her tireless dedication and exceptional leadership that set a solid foundation for the club’s success.

Ms McLaughlin looks forward to continuing the club’s important work of serving the community and upholding the core values of Rotary with the support of the dedicated members.

“I am deeply honoured and excited to step into the role of president for the Ro-

tary Club of Milawa Oxley,” she said.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Patti,

our former president, for her exceptional leadership and dedication.

“Her contributions have

Tour de Wang helps others

Friday, August 2

By CAITLIN SARTORI

KEEN Wangaratta cyclists pedalled their way through the Tour de France, in an effort to raise funds for disadvantaged members of the community.

Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre’s inaugural Tour de Wang drew 40 participants, who were challenged to clock up kilometres in Top Ride classes while the three week road race was being fought out.

Riders mimicked hill

climbs, time trials and flat racing stages of the Tour de France, with Wayne Schepis winning the male event with a staggering 732 kilometres, and Jules Styles winning the female event with 441.9 kilometres.

Mr Schepis said he undertook more classes than usual, and averaged around 20km per class.

“At the start I didn’t think I’d be going 730-odd kilometres during the trial,” he said.

Ms Styles said she felt a great sense of achievement.

“For me it was more

competitive to clock up the kilometres,” she said.

“It came down to the last day- the other girls were only four to five (kilometres) behind me.”

WISAC health and wellness director, Mike Paul, said they even worked in conjunction with North East Road Safety, which helped to promote cycle safety on the road

He said WISAC was already considering making the ride an annual event.

Entry fees for the competition were contributed to the YMCA’s Open Doors program, which

10 years ago 10 years ago

helps local people who are experiencing disadvantage to access facilities that the YMCA provides.

Mr Schepis and Ms Styles have both received a month of free membership at the WISAC for winning the competition.

paved the way for us to continue making a positive impact in our community.

“Together with our passionate members, I am confident that we can build on our successes and create a brighter future for those we serve.”

Reflecting on her term, former president Ms Bullus said she was proud of everything the club’s achieved.

“It has been an enormous pleasure to serve as president in the same year as Jennifer Jones, the first female president of Rotary International,” she said.

“What a tremendous year it has been.

“I am proud of the accomplishments of our club, and we truly have exceptional ambassadors in our Rotary Exchange students, Abbey and Ruby.”

The Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley, though small, remains committed to fostering goodwill, supporting the community, and making

a positive difference in the world.

The club extends an invitation to the community to join Rotary.

And why not elevate your next event with the delectable offerings of the Milawa Oxley Rotary crew?

Hailing from the renowned “gourmet” region, they bring culinary flair to your gatherings, making them the clear choice for your catering needs.

Their team of dedicated Rotarians is eager to serve up delicious grilled treats while supporting a good cause.

Keep an eye out on their website and social media for some fun events coming up including a High Tea to support the eradication of polio and a trivia night to raise money for the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

For more about the Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley visit their website or join them at their next meeting.

ON YOUR BIKE: Wayne Schepis and Jules Styles were the inaugural winners of Tour de Wang at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre. PHOTO: Caitlin Sartori

PASSING THE BATON: Patti Bullus, the past district governor and past president of the Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley (right), welcomed the new president, Emma Mclaughlin (centre), and new district governor, Neta Kirby.

The Beggars sing The Seekers matinee show

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

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

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

Holy Trinity Cathedral concert Sunday

AFTER falling silent for over four years after a devastating visit by rats, the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s organ will come to life again this Sunday.

Music will be played by the cathedral’s musical director Kieran Crichton and the Wangaratta Concert band.

The concert will feature original music composed by Gordon Kerry as well as Edward Elgar’s grand Organ Sonata, Sydney City Organist Robert Ampt’s Variations on Waltzing Matilda, CharlesMarie Widor’s famous Toccata, Pirates of the Caribbean, Abba Gold, and Crocodile Rock.

The concert starts at 3pm and tickets can be found at https://htcwfriendscelebrationconcert.eventbrite.com.au.

Reliving the video store glory days

A SENSE of 1990s nostalgia will be brought to the Wangaratta Performing Arts Convention Centre (WPACC) this Saturday night with the live cinema production Coil.

Combining verbatim interview material and real-time filmmaking, Coil uses bespoke video DJing technology to create an entire cast out of a solo performer on stage.

A hit with critics and audiences, Coil blurrs the boundaries of theatre and cinema, drawing on our collective memories to pay tribute to the glory days of the video store and the communities we made within them.

Inspired by the highs and lows of pop culture, re:group aim to turn typi-

cally comfortable and passive viewing experiences into something immersive, irreverent, and inherently live.

Co-creator and performer, Steve Wilson-Alexander, said re:group began making work together nearly a decade ago with an ensemble cast of 10 - and now only a single performer remains.

“It parallels our own story as a theatre collective continuing to make work despite the clear unviability of it all, trying to survive in the business of live performance in an age of online streaming,” he said.

“Counterpointing viability, it’s a story of friendship, partnership and the dangerous seductive appeal of nostalgia.”

Shooting a film live on stage before

Waterway and wetlands art exhibition

AN exhibition by two artists who share a love for nature and the wildlife and flora it supports, will open at the Art Gallery on Ovens tomorrow. Wetlands and Waterways features the paintings of local artist Helen Hill, inspired by the Winton Wetlands, and watercolours by her daughterin-law Yanina (Yanya) Hill celebrating beautiful birds. An official opening will be held on Saturday, August 5 at 1pm with all welcome to attend and the exhibition will run until August 14.

Focus on digital photography at Benalla gallery

PHOTOGRAPHY is being celebrated at Benalla Art Gallery ahead of World Photography Day on Saturday, August 19.

The gallery is hosting a workshop exploring digital photography for beginners tomorrow.

a captive audience, Coil uses a complex video design that allows a single performer to play every character in a cinematic scene.

The screens say there’s a connection whilst the theatre says he’s alone.

A playful and timely live cinema experience that reflects upon the joys, perils and pitfalls of nostalgia, join re:group as they outsource their own labour to technological replacements and grapple with goodbyes.

The show’s runtime is an hour without interval and is recommended for ages 12 and over.

To book tickets and find out more visit the WPACC website via: www. wpacc.com.au

Local photographers, Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart will demonstrate the things that make a difference in capturing good photographs such as best lighting for various subjects, composition, and tips for common genres such as portraits, landscapes, and close-up shots.

The workshop is for ages 15 and above, with places limited, so contact the gallery asap.

Both photographers will also present a talk at the gallery from 10am on Monday, August 7, exploring their photographic practice, which traverses themes, both personal and political, in the investigation and representation of “site” and “place” in the Australian landscape.

Our

Invites You to:

Dying to Know Day – Life Planning Session.

Tuesday August 8, 2023

North East Funerals, 184 Greta Road Wangaratta 10AM – 12PM

North East Funerals are strong supporters of the annual campaign that empowers all adult Australians to be strong self-advocates for their own personal planning when it comes to their future.

Come and improve your knowledge around choices regarding end-of-life. We want to support you in having conversations with the people most important to you about your unique choices and wishes for your end-of-life.

Representatives from local Aged Care Facilities together with local businesses specialising in Wills, Funeral Bonds, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney and Centrelink will be in attendance for a Q & A session.

Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the session.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT

For more information or to register your interest, please contact:

North East Funerals (03) 5722 2525

admin@northeastfunerals.com.au

Dr. Armaan Singh DDS Melb

Dr. David Lin BDSc Melb – Principal Dentist

Dr. Carolyn Chong BDSc Melb

Ms. Sarah Bekker Dental Hygienist

STREAMING KILLED THE VIDEO STORE: Coil Co-creator and performer, Steve Wilson-Alexander, will take audiences tomorrow night at WPACC through the glory days of the video store with a live cinema performance.

PHOTO: Rosie Hastie

Hard work and hobbies the secret to Glenore’s 104th

SURROUNDED by family and friends at the Rangeview Private Nursing Home, Glenore Kirkwood brought up her 104th birthday with a trademark beaming smile.

On Monday morning this week Glenore was greeted by generations of family members as the nursing home gathered to celebrate the special milestone.

Glenore was born on July 31, 1919, just one month after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending World War One.

Her birth year was also well-known for the birth of car manufacturer Ford, the invention of the toaster and the beginning of Prohibition in the United States.

Glenore had a difficult childhood growing up in Wandin North.

Her mother left her father when Glenore was just 11 and she was made to leave school and take care of her younger brother and two younger sisters as she was growing up.

During her life the centurion married twice, first to Harold Blanksby and then after Harold passed away at age 64, to Bill Kirkwood. She loves to bake, garden, entertain, knit, socialise and loved to volunteer, as she was a member of the Red Cross, CWA and Cancer Council Victoria.

After bringing up her

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@

family in Burwood and living most of her life in the Melbourne suburb, Glenore moved to Wangaratta to be closer to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Glenore had three children along with four grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Granddaughter and local Marlo Cavicchiolo said she grew up very close with her grandma.

“I think Grandma would say she has had such a long life because she has always worked hard and kept busy with lots of interests and hobbies,” she said.

“She always enjoyed going out shopping and holidaying; and she has been a very strong influence in my life.”

The centurion had a house in Younger Street and lived independently until she was 99 and has been a resident of Rangeview since 2018; where she has been described as a happy, go-lucky resident in her six year stay.

The family thanked the nursing home for taking care of Glenore and for organising celebrations for her 104th lap of the sun.

GOOD FEED: Alison Witham and Cathleen Rourke take in some of Glenore’s delicious birthday cake.

RAISE A GLASS: Wally Parker and Peter Usher commemmorate the celebration of Glenore’s milestone birthday.

BIRTHDAY SPIRIT: Carol Henry and Gail Biggs show some love during the special occassion.

CELEBRATION: Margaret Wayman, Shirley Block and Dorothy Darcy rejoice in each others company.

CHEERY CUPPA: Coral Osborn enjoying a refreshment to go down with Glenore’s milestone birthday cake.

GENERATIONAL: Great grandaughter Georgia Robertson (right) and four-month old great great grandaughter Abigail Robertson were at Rangeview Private Nursing Home Monday morning to help celebrate Glenore’s 104th birthday.

BLOWN AWAY: Glenore Kirkwood celebrated her 104th birthday on Monday at the Rangeview Private Nursing Home surrounded by friends and genrations of family members. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

nemedia.com.au

Colourful but hard to see –the Purple-crowned Lorikeet

By IAN DAVIDSON and CHRIS TZAROS

LORIKEETS are a group of parrots that have evolved to feed almost exclusively on nectar and pollen from native plants such as eucalypts, banksias and grevilleas.

They do occasionally consume fruit, insect resources such as lerp, and other plant resources such as manna and honeydew.

Of the four species found in north-east Victoria, the Purplecrowned is perhaps the rarest as they occur here at the extreme eastern edge of their range.

In Victoria, they are more common throughout central and western regions, and their distribution extends through South Australia and across into the southern parts of Western Australia, where they are perhaps at their most numerous.

At just 18cm in total length, Purple-crowned Lorikeets are one of the smallest parrots in Australia.

Unlike many other parrots that have long tails, Purplecrowned Lorikeets have a short blunt tail which give the bird an overall stocky appearance,

especially when in flight. Their habit of foraging high in the canopy of flowering trees not only make this species difficult to observe but also to fully appreciate their splendor and full array of pastel colours.

They have a characteristic powder blue throat, chest and belly, bright green wings, back and head, a bright orange circular cheek patch, a small amount of red above the beak, and a deep purple patch on the top of their crown.

In flight, they have characteristic red underwings, which helps identify them from the similar Little Lorikeet (with green underwings).

Like other parrots, Purplecrowned Lorikeets typically occur in flocks.

At locations where food is abundant, such as flowering ironbark forests or roadsides of flowering yellow gum or white box, there could be dozens, but usually they are seen in groups of between four to 10 or so birds.

They often keep company with other nectar-feeders such as Little Lorikeets, Musk Lorikeets, Swift Parrots, wattlebirds, friarbirds and a variety of small honeyeaters. In spring, flocks break up as pairs become territorial in readiness for breeding.

They are fast and erratic when in flight and members of the group maintain contact with their continuous high-pitched ‘zit zit’ calls.

Locally, Purple-crowned Lorikeets may be seen in the Killawarra forest, patches of remnant ironbark around Goorambat and Boweya, and areas of flowering Yellow Gum and White Box around Glenrowan, Lurg and Winton. They are also commonly seen in planted flowering eucalypts around such places as Hamilton Park and Glenrowan township.

HIDE AND SEEK: Despite their rich and vivid colours, Purplecrowned Lorikeets blend in very well among the eucalypt foliage and blossom in which they forage.

PHOTO: Chris Tzaros (Birds Bush and Beyond)

Eventful month for local members

WANGARATTA APPIN PARK

COMBINED PROBUS

CLUB president Maureen Adcock opened the July 11 meeting and welcomed 45 members present and three visitors.

Birthday wishes were extended to Gloria, Marion, Dominic, Marion, Carol and Ken.

Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true and correct record and correspondence was dealt with.

In an email, mention was made by WAW Credit Union that as cheques were being phased out there were other ways of making payments, which club treasurer Di explained.

Welfare officer Beverly has made visits to several ‘sickies’ recently and club members wished them a speedy recovery.

All Special Interests Groups are being active and social despite the weather seeing many members travelling to places much warmer at present.

Christmas In July was enjoyed by several members in Chiltern recently.

Other activities are planned for the coming months including a casserole dinner from 5pm on August 26 at the Terrace Hall, a Father’s Day BYO barbecue from 5pm on September 1 at Apex Park, and the Caravan and Cabin Crew heading to Maiden’s Inn Moama on October 29.

Melbourne Cup Day, which is on November 7, will be celebrated at Helen Shepherd’s place and November 29 and November 30 is the Garden Bus Trip – for details contact Vicki on 0422 083 533.

December 7 is set aside for the Christmas luncheon at the Town and Country Tavern.

Leading Senior Constable Helen Parfitt from Wangaratta police gave an excellent talk on road safety for seniors, as well as safety around cars, garages and homes.

WANGARATTA LADIES PROBUS

WHAT a lovely day members had for the Christmas in July luncheon at King River Café on July 17.

Some 40 ladies attended the luncheon which was a two course meal and it was delicious, as you would expect for King River Café.

Before the lunch there was a short meeting with reports etc. and the club inducted Pat Fleming into the Probus group.

Pat was going to be inducted last meeting but was unable to attend.

There was a lot of chatter around the tables and it was noticeable there were lots of empty plates heading back to the kitchen, which is a good sign that everything was delicious.

In between the main course and dessert, members enjoyed the lucky ticket draw, with winners on all tables.

Thank you to Robyn Batten and Shirley Sullivan for providing the prizes.

WANGARATTA PROBUS (MEN’S)

RECENT Probus activities have included a lunch at the Australia Hotel Corowa by bus, two coffee mornings at Intermezzo Café at the WPACC and the installation of new club president Richard Gray.

Members look forward to an interesting year of Probus activity.

The club had some entertaining fellowship and speakers recently.

Guest speaker last month was Libby Fifis, chief executive officer of Northeast Health Wangaratta, who described the changes which have taken place since COVID and the rebuilding and expansion of the Emergency Department and many areas of the hospital.

Ms Fifis said workforce

recruitment of new and existing staff is now a priority and proceeding well.

The Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey rated NHW consumer’s overall experience of the hospital at 93.7 per cent, which exceeds the state average of 92.3 per cent.

Ms Fifis was a very interesting speaker and fielded many questions.

The club’s coffee mornings at 10am on the first and third Fridays at Intermezzo Café and the Probus lunches continue to be popular.

If you are interested in a coffee and a chat with friendly fellows or a monthly Probus lunch, please call acting secretary Ed Bradbury on 0402 142 268 and come along and meet members.

WANGARATTA CENTRAL COMBINED PROBUS

THE monthly meeting held at Wangaratta Bowls Club on Friday, July 21 saw 41 members in attendance, with 17 apologies and three on leave of absence.

The club welcomed two new members, taking total membership to 63.

More new members are also expected to join this month.

Thirty-two people went to Moyhu for lunch, where a great time was had by all.

The guest speaker Neale Fursdon started life with Victoria Police and at one stage was a Detective Senior Sergeant here in Wangaratta.

Before he commenced his talk he warned us it could be confronting.

Neale worked in various countries including Bangladesh, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand seeking to stop human trafficking.

Thirteen people attended the last breakfast, with the next breakfast at The Gateway

on Thursday, August 10 at 8:30am.

On Friday, July 28the club had Christmas in July at the Vine Hotel.

On Friday, August 4 at WPACC, members saw The Beggars Sing the Seekers at 10.30am, and on Saturday, August 19 members will be seeing “Ladies In Black” at 2pm.

Some other activities that have been planned include:

Monday, September 4 a tour of Billson’s Distillery in Beechworth $15/head at 11am to 12.00pm; Thursday, November 16 Crazy Whist and lunch at Lamond’s; December 15 is the Christmas lunch at Remel185, cost is $40/head.

Caravanners next trip away is to Barwon Heads from November 19 to November 24.

WANGARATTA WEST COMBINED PROBUS

JULY proved to be a busy month as members welcomed back president Ron Webb and wife Maxine after they had enjoyed a memorable seven week trip to the British Isles and Scandinavia.

The club’s various side groups – swimming, walking, craft and chat, garden and movies - are all active, while welcoming lunches on the last Sunday each month at various eating places are being well attended.

On July 12 members travelled by bus to Remel’s at Whorouly for Christmas in July lunch.

It was an interesting view from the bus of the vast amounts of water in paddocks, creeks and rivers along the Snow Road on the way to the venue, and members had another view of the country going home via the Ovens Highway.

As always, Ruth presented a scrumptious lunch, way and above the norm - many thanks Ruth.

Guest speaker at the July meeting was Di Duursma, talking of her involvement with Wang Night Shelter, where the homeless receive a good meal and a safe night’s sleep.

A dedicated band of compassionate volunteers make this happen and Di’s talk was most informative.

As this report goes to print, members and friends are enjoying another trip to Noosa, QLD and surrounds.

A similar trip last year was very popular, so members look forward to hearing about this one and are envious of the warmer weather the travellers will be experiencing.

On an extremely sad and unexpected note, members are mourning the passing of Barbara O’Flaherty.

Barbara’s vibrant presence will be sadly missed, as with husband Dan, she was a long-time greatly esteemed member of the club – a friend to many.

Affectionate condolences go to Dan and the family.

SPECIAL GUEST: Wangaratta West Combined Probus Club president, Ron Webb, holds the microphone for guest speaker, Di Duursma, as she sings one of her original songs that she shares with the homeless at the Wang Night Shelter.

Myrtleford’s annual Show ’n’ Shine changes date

By BRODIE EVERIST

THE Myrtleford annual Show ’n’ Shine and Swap Meet has moved to later in the year to avoid wet weather and place it closer to the Bright Rod Run, according to Chopped and Changed Kustom Car Club treasurer Craig McTaggart.

He said organisers didn’t want a repeat of last year’s event, when it was moved from the Myrtleford Showgrounds to the Old Butter Factory due to a particularly wet spring, so it has now been moved to November 5.

Mr McTaggart said they were also happy to move it closer to the

Bright Rod Run, which will run from November 10-12 this year.

“We thought having it a week before would be a way to complement both events,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great day and anyone with cars who want to come, they’re quite welcome.”

This year attendees are

Crash driver charged

encouraged to dress in their best 50s/60s themed clothing, with prizes awarded for the best dressed.

Last year’s event in early October featured about 60 heritage cars spanning all decades back to 1928, with an estimated 400 attendees.

Revegetating Refor m Hill Reform Hill

By BRODIE EVERIST

AROUND 45 people attended Myrtleford Landcare and Sustainability’s tree planting session last Sunday for National Tree Planting Day, at which around 470 trees and shrubs were planted.

Beginning at 9:30am just a little way up the track from Higgins Court, attendees had a quick introduction and safety briefing from Landcare committee members.

People then took the tube-stock plants and traversed the hill, some staying close to the meeting point,

others heading for steeper slopes.

Shrubs planted included indigenous acacias, grevilleas, teatrees, and Landcare’s particular pet plant – the rare stony-bush pea.

Trees planted included a range of eucalyptus, such as Yellow Box, Broad-leaved Peppermint and Red Spotted Gum.

Newly-planted trees and shrubs were kitted with stakes and guards to protect from nibbling kangaroos and rabbits.

Landcare committee member

Claire Stock said she was happy with the turnout – a

mix of Landcare members, Cubs, Scouts and community volunteers.

Ms Stock estimated the revegetation of Reform Hill, like last Sunday’s effort, has been happening for the last 7-10 yearsand the work has been paying off, with acacias beginning to flower over what was once a bare hill.

“It really was just a rocky moonscape with weeds,” she said.

“You just think ‘here’s the progress now, in another 5-10 years it’ll be great’.”

Myrtleford Landcare secretary

Glenda Janas said the morning

“had a really great atmosphere”, and put it down to the number of young people and Scouts who attended.

“I thought it was terrific to see so many young people doing something for the environment,” she said.

After the planting, attendees enjoyed a sausage sizzle provided by members of the Rotary Club of Myrtleford.

Myrtleford Landcare president Paul Reser said the event had been funded by Planet Ark, the environmental not-for-profit that started National Tree Day.

A DRIVER and his three passengers survived a car crash without injuries on the Bogong High Plains Road on Sunday night, but the driver was charged with driving a probationaryprohibited vehicle.

According to Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll of Bright police, the 23-year-old P-plater was driving a twin turbo V8 Mercedes station wagon when control of the car was lost and it tipped on its side.

Sen Sgt Incoll said the crash occurred at around 11:20pm on Sunday between Cranky Charlie and Bogong Village and the vehicle was a write-off.

“He was lucky he didn’t kill himself or his passengers,” he said.

Over 2000 cars turnbacked this snow season

POLICE are reminding those heading to the snow to pack chains, with over 2000 cars having been turned back this winter for not carrying snow chains.

Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll, of Bright police, said 2040 cars had been turned back this season at checkpoints at Harrietville and the Mother Johnson picnic area between Hotham and Dinner Plain.

According to VicRoads, a person in charge of a vehicle who enters an alpine resort must at all times during the snow season, carry wheel chains suitable to be properly fitted to that vehicle.

Restoring water to Bogong Village

CREWS are installing a temporary water supply to Bogong Village, according to Major Roads Projects Victoria.

According to the government infrastructure body, crews have laid 310 metres of pipe, and will soon install three 100,000 litre water tanks at the top of the Bogong landslip, which will feed water to the village until a permanent connection is made.

The village’s water supply has been disrupted since the AGL basin, located at the top of the landslip, was decommissioned in late 2022.

HABITAT HELPERS: Myrtleford Landcare members, Cubs, Scouts and other community volunteers all pitched in to plant 470 trees and shrubs on Reform Hill last Sunday.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Mid-century inspired

NESTLED in a central location, this charming ‘mid-century’ enthused, modern inspired brick family home offers an idyllic retreat on a rare 1300m2 approx. allotment.

The home boasts three bedrooms, polished timber floorboards and an abundance of natural light pouring through the large surrounding windows.

The thoughtful layout features an open-plan living area and a second living space, allowing for flexible use, whether

as a home office or an additional bedroom.

Keeping the home comfortable yearround are two split systems, ensuring a cozy ambiance.

The master bedroom, complete with built-in robes and a private patio, overlooks the backyard and creek aspect.

Speaking of which, the low-maintenance expansive rear yard includes a secure pet-friendly fence and a substantial

10m x 6m approx. shed with concrete flooring and power, easily accessible through rear access – perfect for your caravan or boat storage.

The convenience factor is second to none, with Kmart, Coles, CBD, parks, playgrounds, and walking tracks in close proximity.

In this home, you’ll find the perfect balance of space, convenience, and comfort, making it an ideal haven for families looking to create lasting memories.

5 Cramond Avenue

• Double fronted 3 bedroom weatherboard home ideally located in the West End

• Gas heating & reverse cycle air conditioning

• Single carport and 7m x 4m garage

• 3m x 3m garden shed

• Paved alfresco area

• Great investment property with excellent renters leased at $330pw

• 658m2 allotment FOR

Mid Century Inspired

31 Perry Street

• Prime central location, solid brick, midcentury modern inspired, 3 bedroom family home set on rare 1,300m2 approx. allotment

• Open-plan living, polished timber floorboards

• Second living space, ideal for a home office or fourth bedroom, & two split systems

• Master incl BIR & private patio overlooking the peaceful & shady backyard

• Expansive yard, 10m x 6m approx shed with concrete floor & power. Rear access.

Vacant Land - 5.49 acres

3 1 2

FOR SALE $560,000

1 Mackay Street

• Close to CBD/Coles in mixed residential/ commercial precinct

• Walking distance to Wangaratta Train Station

• Recently renovated with new flooring, bathrooms, split systems and wiring

• Very well maintained building set on approximately 638m2 land

• Rare Council permitted office in a Residential Growth Zone

• Property could continue to be an office or used as a residence FOR

COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT

Invest or Occupy

104A Murdoch Rd, Wangaratta

• Located between popular Clydes on Murdoch and Oak FM

• Current 3 year lease expires 8th June 2024

• Tenant negotiable with the 3 x 3 Options (for owner occupiers)

• Net rental income of approx. $14,780 per annum + GST

• High exposure location close to Cathedral College & Our Lady’s schools

• 50% regional stamp duty concession avail.

FOR SALE $280,000

No GST Going Concern

23 Baker St, Wangaratta | Ph: (03) 5722 2663 garrynash.com.au

Your Dream Townhouse

1/57 Swan Street

• Perfect balance of convenience & charm in the sought after West End location

• Easy access to schools, pathways & parks

• Contemporary living , beautifully designed 3 bed townhouse. Open-plan layout, updated kitchen & modern bathroom

• Ducted gas heating,

Vacant Land - 51

Privacy on Murdoch

Central Art Deco Charm

2 Graham Avenue

• Prestigious living, highly sought after location

• Circa 1940’s, beautifully renovated, incl many of the original art deco features, Jarrah flooring, 10ft ceilings & wrought iron gates

• 3 generous beds, 2 with private balconies

• Fully renovated bath with sep toilet upstairs. Downstairs reno bath/laundry w sep toilet

• Updated kitchen with stone benches, gas cooktop, electric oven & dishwasher

• Spacious living, rounded window, gas log fire

• Rooftop balcony for grand views/entertaining

3 2 2

FOR SALE $839,000

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Desirable Family Living

25 Rose Place, Waldara

• Situated on over 4116m2 approx. of land with well established gardens & fruit trees

• 4 spacious beds plus study all with built in robes, master with ensuite & walk in robe

• Quality timber kitchen, plenty of cupboard space overlooking large family meals area

• Glass sliding doors onto the rear verandah

• 2kw solar system, multiple tanks, extensive watering system, ducted gas central heating & evap. cooling, 2 split systems

• Oversized dbl garage, direct internal access

• Shed with concrete floor & power

FOR SALE $995,000

COMMERCIAL FREEHOLD

Gordon Gibson 40-42 Rowan St, Wangaratta

• Est. in 1976, market leader with expertise in irrigation design, pumping system installation and retail supply across North East Victoria and Southern NSW.

• Domestic, commercial & industrial clientele

• Turnover $2.5m+. Fully equipped workshop

• Extensive plant and equipment

• EBITDA exceeding $250k

• New & secure lease for incoming purchaser

• Vendors will assist with transition of ownership

FOR SALE $350,000 + SAV

No GST Going Concern

Hospital Precinct Freehold

52 Green Street

• Permitted medical premises close to Northeast Health Wangaratta

• Consulting & treatment rooms with reception and patient waiting area

• Large backyard, concrete car park area & shed

• Heating, cooling, kitchen, bathroom & sep toilet

• Retained features lend themselves to residential conversion

• 50% regional stamp duty concession available

FOR SALE $525,000

Plus GST

Vacant Land - 51

A Perfect Start

Wangaratta 12 Donovan Drive

671m23 11

Well presented 3 Bedroom Home, Private Yard

For Sale $482,500 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L23153504

Wangaratta

763m23 22

Renovated with a great Shed

For Sale $495,000-$515,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193554

Paul Reid M 0417 537 520

387m23 22

Superb Low Maintenance Living

For Sale $500,000-$550,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193852

Paul Reid M 0417 537 520

4121m23 12

Milawa Lifestyle Living

For Sale $730,000-$770,000

View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L22484425

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Danial Siperki M 0400 027 473

Harcourts

Harcourts

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta Joe McKenzie M 0423 655 179 Harcourts Wangaratta NEW LISTING

Wangaratta

6705m24 22

Perfectly planned practical Paradise

Waldara Lifestyle Living

For Sale $990,900 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L22420827

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta

Danial Siperki M 0400 027 473

Harcourts Wangaratta

Wangaratta 1025m26 44 Superb Investing

Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta Paul Reid M 0417 537 520 Harcourts Wangaratta

Waldara 15 Fairway Drive 967m24 32

Luxury

wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193873

L19192248 Hugh Amery M 0487 777 311 Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta NEW LISTING Everton

188 Diffey Road

plus road leases

Residence: 2nd Residence: ‘Kimberley

and two living areas

wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/ L21215065 Hugh Amery

Joe McKenziePaul ReidHugh AmeryDanial Siperki

X-TRAIL PUTS EXTRA ‘E’ INTO HYBRID SUV

■ ELECTRIFYING: The X-Trail hybrid SUV wheels out a boost to electrification

By DEREK OGDEN, Marque Motoring

NOT to make too much of a point about it, but beating of chests by automobile manufacturers about their fight to save the planet appear to be getting louder.

Take Nissan, for example, with its new X-Trail petrol/ electric hybrid SUV.

Badges announcing ePower and e-4orse, the company’s commitment to electrification, are plastered prominently all-round the vehicle on top of the restrained EV initials (for electric vehicle) found on rego plates of similar cars.

Under the skin e-POWER is a 100 per cent electric motor-driven system Nissan claims gives the owner same high-performance driving experience as an all-electric car.

It uses the EV technology perfected in the Nissan Leaf and adds an efficient, petrol engine to charge the lightweight, lithium-ion battery pack when needed.

In high power demand situations, such as strong acceleration, the petrol engine and generator are used to keep the battery pack charged and can directly power the electric motor, but not the wheels directly.

Not satisfied with the improved powertrain alone, Nissan also has upped the ante with new electric-drive four-wheel-control technology from e-4ORCE, which optimises the balance between powerful and unprecedented control, with a smooth ride for all, thanks to superior

handling on a wide range of surfaces.

Where does the hybrid sit in the SUV scheme of things?

The Mitsubishi Outlander comes only as a plug-in hybrid, while direct competition comes from Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid AWD and GWM Haval H6 Ultra hybrids.

The Tesla Model Y is fully electric and there’s no hybrid Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson as yet.

The X-Trail hybrid comes only in the premium Ti and Ti-L models with a starting price of $54,190, plus on-road costs, putting the hybrids $4200 above their 2.5-litre petrol-only siblings.

They are both covered by the standard Nissan warranty of five years unlimited kilometres with capped price servicing and prepaid maintenance plan.

STYLING

At a tad under 4.7 metres long, a bit over 1.8 metres wide, and 1.7 metres tall, the fourth-generation X-Trail squarely takes a mid-size SUV spot and follows a distinctly Nissan angular design direction, sharing several sharp lines with the Pathfinder and Qashqai, the e-Power hybrids differing from equivalent combustion-engineonly models with a revised V-Motion grille and badging.

Lighting is up presentday standards with auto LED headlamps, LED tail-lights, daytime running lights and fog lights.

The 19-inch alloy wheels, a floating roofline with panoramic sunroof, auto rain-sensing wipers put the

finishing touches to the newcomers.

INTERIOR

Inside, the surroundings are a blend of quality craftsmanship and materials highlighting comfort and convenience all round.

Comfort is covered by 10way power-adjustable (and heated) front seats, threezone climate control, sixspeaker audio (with digital radio), leather-accented trim, a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Move to the back and the first thing you notice is the rear door opening to 85 degrees, which makes it easier to get in and out.

The rear seats (split 40/20/40) can slide forward for more boot space, or back for maximum passenger room.

With all seats upright cargo space is 575 litres, a mere 10 litres less than the combustion-only X-Trail. Lower the rear seat and that volume increases to around 2000 litres.

A power tailgate eases loading.

There’s no spare wheel of any sort, only a puncture kit.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

Nissan’s e-POWER system includes a petrol engine with a power generator, inverter, battery and an electric motor.

The electric motor delivers power directly to the wheels, using energy stored in the battery pack.

Used for charging the battery pack or powering the electric motor, the petrol en-

AT A GLANCE

gine eliminates the need for an EV charger.

Towing capacity for ePOWER models is rated at 1650kg, compared to 2000kg for petrol versions.

SAFETY

The X-Trail hybrids earn a five-star ANCAP rating under 2021 test conditions and added information and testing.

Active safety is covered by forward autonomous emergency braking (pedestrian and cyclist), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and ProPilot lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, and reverse autonomous emergency braking (pedestrian).

Pedestrians close to the vehicle are alerted by an external audible warning when it is in almost silent EV mode.

Seven airbags include a centre airbag between front seat occupants.

DRIVING

With responsive electric motor control in factions of a second and instantaneous torque on tap, e-Power delivers smooth almost silent acceleration off the mark, courtesy of noise cancelling measures in the cabin.

When called on for more power, the petrol engine and generator chime in with a non-too unpleasant hum, keeping the battery pack charged and, if needed, directly powering the electric motor.

There is no direct connection between the engine and wheels, the power plant

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for driveaway prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Nissan X-Trail Ti AWD 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol, single-speed automatic, AWD SUV)

acting only as a generator recharging the battery through an inverter.

EV or e-Pedal control are instigated by means of buttons on the centre console.

EV is what it says – no petrol engine input here – and can be operated for a short distance.

On test, press of the EV button was answered by a message saying the battery was not charged enough to sustain electric-only operation.

Maybe at a later time.

The e-Pedal had no such impediment, leaving the accelerator to apply the brakes automatically when the foot was lifted off, calling on the regenerating capacity to slow the car almost to a halt.

SUMMARY

In its performance the Nissan X-Trail Ti e-POWER with e-4ORCE does lean more to the full electric vehicle rather than the hybrid SUV.

However, there’s the added running cost of buying

petrol. The premium purchase price over petrol-only models is covered somewhat by the increased Ti / Ti-L equipment.

POWERTRAIN:

Configuration: three cylinders

Electric motors: Front 150 kW / 330 Nm; Rear 100 kW / 195 Nm

Total power: 157 kW

Fuel Type: Petrol 95 RON Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.1 L/100km

CO2 emissions (combined): 139g / 100 km

DRIVELINE: Single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

4680 mm

Public

Road Naming proposal: Outcrop Road, Glenrowan

Council is proposing to name an unnamed government road.

Council is conducting community consultation on the proposed name “Outcrop Road GLENROWAN” as part of the official naming rules for places in Victoria. Submission can be made up to 5pm on Friday 18 August 2023.

How to make a Submission

· By Email: planningmail@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

· Mail: PO Box 238, Wangaratta VIC 3676

· In Person: Planning and Building customer service counter, Wangaratta Government Centre, corner Ford and Ovens Street, Wangaratta.

Please include “Road Naming proposal: Outcrop Road GLENROWAN” in the subject line of your correspondence

For further information please visit, www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Publicnotices or call the Planning Team on 03 5722 8121.

Killawarra and Peechelba Residents

A community meeting to share the results of the recent Placemaking Survey will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 16 August 2023 at the Peechelba Community Centre.

Council will highlight key themes from the Rural Placemaking Project including new and priority projects.

We look forward to seeing residents of Killawarra and Peechelba then!

Application for approval of a Development Plan

Wangaratta North West Growth Areas - Precincts 4 and Precinct 2 (part of), incorporating land known as Reith Road (Lot1 LP113608) and 48-52 Worland Road (Lot 2 PS 428662).

The plans and principle supporting documentation associated with the Development Plan are available for viewing on Council’s website at, https://www.wangaratta. vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Public-notices. Further supporting documents are available upon request. Interested and affected parties are invited to make comment for Council to consider during the assessment. Submissions must be made in writing via email, planningmail@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or post, PO Box 238 Wangaratta Vic 3676.

Submissions for comment on the Development Plan close at 5pm on 11 August 2023

Should you have any further queries regarding the above matter please contact Council’s Planning Department at, planningmail@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or on 03 5722 0888.

Public

Please join us to hear more about Electric Vehicles!

This event is being held in partnership with Wangaratta Landcare & Sustainability and will be an opportunity to learn the basics of Electric Vehicle ownership including, how they work, the cost to buy and run, how they connect to our homes and how you charge them at home and on the road.

For more information and to book your free ticket please visit, https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Residents/Events/Electric-Vehicles-Show-Tellage

Kindergarten Enrolments Open

If you are looking to send your child to kindergarten in 2024 Wangaratta Children’s Services have places available! There are integrated and sessional programs available for both 3 and 4-year-olds.

For more information, please visit https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Residents/Families-and-children

Community Grants applications are open! If you have an idea for a project come see us at one of our community drop-in sessions!

For more information, assistance or to apply, please visit, https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/YourCouncil/Grants-and-funding/Community-Grants or email communitygrants@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

Australia Day Nominations

Nominations are now open for the Rural City of Wangaratta’s Australia Day Awards 2024. Anyone can nominate a citizen, young citizen, community event or project that has inspired them over the last year. Nominations close at 4pm, Friday 3 November 2023

Tenders

T4597 Weed vegetation and pest control services in Native Vegetation Areas

Tender closes at 5pm on Thursday 17 August 2023

C41102 Rural City of Wangaratta Renewable Energy Audit

Tender closes at 2pm on Wednesday 9 August 2023

C41551 WSAC Change Rooms & Amenities –detailed design

Tender closes at 2pm on Friday 11 August 2023

C41554 Wangaratta Netball Courts – design

Tender closes at 2pm on Friday 11 August 2023

Further details may be obtained by visiting Council’s website at, https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/ Working-with-Council. To discuss upcoming projects in your community please contact Council on 03 5722 0888

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Live in position.

2 full time cleaners. Located in Bright. Contact Allan on 0400 501 434.

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAINEESHIP –CERTIFICATE IV

Are you keen on working outdoors?

Are you interested in teaching young people?

FIRST floor office space in Reid Street, carpet, split system heating and cooling, $95 p/w, includes power. Phone 0431 190 630.

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

Jobs at Strathbogie Shire Council Procurement Assistant

Applications close 9am, 7 August 2023

Revenue Administration Officer

Applications close 9am, 7 August 2023

OHS Officer

Applications close 9am, 14 August 2023

Risk Officer

Applications close 9am, 14 August 2023 www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au

To Visit Visited

19-21 Browning Street, Wangaratta, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6, gates open at 8am, furniture, house and kitchen items, toys, books, baby items, game consoles, tool bags and so much more.

To Visit Visited LOTS of stuff, plants, camping, shed items, power tools, trailer crate, mulcher, old dresser, fridge, freezer and more, Saturday 8am till sold out, 13 Albert Court, Wangaratta.

Credit Card &Eftpos facilities

Why not charge your advertisement to Mastercard or Visa?

5723 0101

DANIEL’S Carpentry and Maintenance Solutions. Servicing Wangaratta and surrounds. For a free quote and examples of my work find us on Facebook or www. danielscarpentry.com or phone 0413 660 636.

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

IRONBARK

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

ANGUS bulls, very quiet, good growth, visit mmas.com.au for videos, data and pricing, Marramungee Angus Stud. Ph 0429 809 288.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! 5723 0101

Are you keen to learn new skills and gain a qualification in Outdoor Leadership?

Outdoor School – 15 Mile Creek and Bogong Campuses are seeking young, enthusiastic people who have an interest in Outdoor Education to apply for their 2024 traineeship intake.

Positions are available at both campuses for a 12 month appointment starting early December 2023

Further information and how to apply is available by phoning 03 57666247 or emailing rhys.evans@education.vic.gov.au

Applications close Thursday 31/8/2023 at 5pm.

ASSOCIATE NURSING UNIT MANAGER –(Residential Aged Care)

Permanent Part Time – 0.60 EFT

ENDORSED ENROLLED NURSES

Permanent Part Time Contracts available.

For further information please contact Angela Clement, Director Clinical Services(03) 5728 0316

ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT –(Primary Health)

Permanent Part Time – 0.20 EFT

For further information please contact Louine Robinson, Primary Health Team Leader(03) 5728 0312

Application instructions can be found on our website.

Closing Date: 11/8/2023

As we are an Aged Care Facility, the COVID 19 vaccinations and booster vaccination is mandatory for all staff. A copy of your covid19 vaccination status is required upon application. All staff who work in our residential aged care units also require a current NDIS check To apply and for full details on the positions, please log on to: www.beechworthhealthservice.com.au

Strathbogie Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and a Child Safe organisation. We value diversity in our workplace and will consider flexible working arrangements.

EDUCATION SUPPORT

OFFICER

PART TIME (0.73 FTE)

TERMS 3 & 4 2023

Applications are invited for an enthusiastic, energetic, practical and organised person for the position of education support.

The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative and will enjoy collaboration and working with adolescents. The responsibilities will include support in the classroom, camps, excursions and other duties in line with the applicant’s skills and interests.

Qualifications or experience in secondary education support would be an advantage. Employment details are available on the College website, www.mcm.vic.edu.au or contact recruitment@mcm.vic.edu.au

Applications close 4pm, Monday, August 14.

Marian College is a year 7-12 coeducational Catholic School. We are committed to Child Safe standards and promote the wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

JOBS AT

RELIABILITY TECHNICIAN (MAINTENANCE FITTER)

About us: Brown Family Wine Group is one of Australia’s most loved and respected wine companies built on over 130 years’ experience in quality winemaking, market leading innovation and family values that are at the heart of everything we do as a business.

Our portfolio has grown over time to now include market leading wine brands such as: Devil’s Corner from the East Coast of Tasmania, Tamar Ridge and Pirie from Tamar Valley Tasmania, Innocent Bystander from the Yarra Valley and of course Brown Brothers from Milawa Victoria the spiritual home of our business.

About the role: Reporting to the Maintenance Manager you will be tasked with troubleshooting and completing a range of preventative and reactive maintenance tasks and implementing improvements and upgrades as and when required across a broad range of production plant, equipment, and infrastructure.

About you: Ideally, the successful candidate will be highly motivated and have a background in engineering, maintenance, and mechanical technologies. You will have qualifications and experience in a mechanical / engineering / infrastructure trade preferably in a food and beverage or similar manufacturing industry, the ability to maintain a safe, efficient, and tidy working environment as well as being able to research, develop, and implement innovative solutions and continuous improvements. You will also have:

Strong attention to detail.

Administrative and organisational skills including computer literacy across all platforms, and experience with computer-based operations and maintenance systems.

Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, use initiative and work without direct supervision and to communicate professionally and effectively at all levels.

Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships across the business.

Driver’s Licence.

Forklift License (desirable but not essential).

What’s on Offer:

Work within one of Australia’s leading wine companies

Career development

Be part of a passionate and dedicated team

Generous employee benefits including discounts on all products.

Apply Now!!

More Information:

Further information and a position description may be obtained by emailing Allyce Henwood at careers@brownfwg.com.au.

Applications will close on 18 August 2023

Find

WE ARE HIRING

Whitlands Engineering Whitlands Engineering

WELDER/ BOILER MAKER

Whitlands Engineering aka SuperAxe is located in North East Victoria, manufacturing world class firewood processing machinery.

We are looking to expand our team further and are seeking a full-time person with experience in fabrication & welding. Your skills will be utilised in the fabrication of various chassis builds and componentry.

The workshop location is 35 mins from Mansfield (20 mins from Whitfield) in the High Country.

Work hours are 7.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday Whitlands Engineering is an equal opportunity employer. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience.

Please call Sarah Carroll on 03 5729 7577 for more information or submit your resume and cover letter to hr@superaxe.com.au

Human Resources Administration Full-Time Ongoing Position

The Human Resources Administrator assists with recruitment services, onboarding and offboarding functions, staff queries, reporting and general administration services.

This position will be required to work in the Hume Region – East which includes Beechworth Correctional Centre and both Wodonga & Wangaratta Justice Service Centre’s. Base location negotiable between Wangaratta or Wodonga.

As our ideal candidate you will possess:

BEEL

Gary and Sheryl are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of SAMANTHA MAE on July 28, 2023. Weighing 3.3kgs.

Ahugethanksto NHWMidwiferyUnit.

DEATH NOTICES

BUSSELL, Dulcie.

The family of Mrs Dulcie Bussell is saddened to announce her passing on August 2, 2023, at Stringybark Lodge, Beechworth. Aged 96 years.

Beloved wife of Ray (dec). Loving mother of Sam, Sylvia, Joanna and Harry.

BUSSELL, Dulcie.

9-day fortnight and some WFH days. For more information and to apply for this role, go to www.careers.vic.gov.au and type in Job ID: VG-6545JULY23 or contact Sarah Lawless at Sarah.Lawless@justice. vic.gov.au

The closing date for this advertisement is the 8 AUGUST 2023.

Scan to Apply

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

MOTORCYCLES

HARLEY Davidson

2006, 1200cc xl

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

CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

A school of the Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)

The College invites applications from exceptional leaders for the following Executive positions in 2024:

Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School Head of Junior School

Applications are also invited for Secondary Teaching positions for one or more of the following Learning Areas in 2024:

Outdoor Education, Physical Education, Senior Art, Senior English, Drama and Humanities (including Geography)

Please refer to our website for more information, or contact Amanda Pigram, Executive Assistant to the Principal on 57 222 144.

Applications are to be forwarded to The Principal, Mr Nick Jones, at principal@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au by 9.00am, Wednesday August 9, 2023

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

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

3-Wheeler Bike, $1500 and a nonpowered walking 4-Wheeler $200, brand new.

Unit 3/16 Warby Street, Wangaratta. Phone 5721 2583 to inspect or email rmwf47@bigpond.com

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at the Stringybark Aged Care Home in Beechworth. A long life lived, 96 years of age. Rest peacefully, you have earnt it. Much loved and respected mother of Sam, much loved and admired mother-in-law to Jennie, much loved Nanna to Darren and Craig and a much admired step Nanna to Melissa and Janelle and their family. You will be missed greatly but never forgotten.

BUSSELL, Dulcie.

2/3/1927 - 1/8/2023

2013 Toyota Corolla

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

CLASSIFIEDS 5723 0101

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

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

TYRES new and secondhand, trailer, rims, wrecking. New hours 9am to 5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 44 Newman Street, Wangaratta. Ph 0428 257 221. Adzam Tyres.

We know it was time and that you wanted to go, But we will still all miss you so. The example you set and the lessons you gave, We always will cherish and forever will save. Tough beyond measure, in mind, body and soul, Hardworking and practical, an everyday role. Consistently caring, all kindness you shone, Your love saw no limits, your forgiveness never gone. Gracious and humble, not once did you faulter, For us all, you were the rock of Gibraltar. Standing for all that was good, right and true, Your great sense of humour we always knew! Firm in your beliefs, you were blunt and decided, Your decisions once made, left none unguided. Counting each penny, your path was frugal, Yet to all you were generous, there was no disapproval.

Dulcie Bussell, the world has lost the very best soul, You’ve played your part, now for us to take the role. With all of our love, hugs and treasured memories, always.

~ Harry and Nicola, Jack, Sophie and Emily Bussell. Leanne and Matt, Henry, Maddie and Charlotte Williams. Ben and Lauren, Brodie and Summer Bussell.

GRADY (Bell), Margaret Esther.

12/8/1934 – 30/7/2023

The family of Margaret is saddened to announce her passing on July 30, 2023. Aged 88 years.

Margaret passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at St Johns Respect Aged Care, Wangaratta. Much loved wife of Richard. Mother to David, Janice and Chris. Grandmother to Ashleigh, Hannah, Taylah and Charly-Rose. Great grandmother of Mila, Blaise and Dusty.

Mother-in-law to Sandra and Julia and friend to Lauren.

Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and always dear. Beloved wife of Richard for 60 diamond years.

“Sleep peacefully now sweetheart”. ~ Love always Richard.

Words are few, my feelings are deep, My memories of you are mine to keep.

~ Love you mum, David, Hannah and Taylah.

Of all the special gifts in life, however great or small, To have you as our mum and grandma, was the greatest gift of all. Deep in our hearts your life is kept, To love, cherish and never forget. You will always be my sun.

~ Love you always, Janice, Ashleigh, Mila, Blaise and Dusty.

There is a place in my heart, that is yours alone. A piece in my life that no other can own. The tears in my eyes I can wipe away, But the memories of you will always stay.

~ Love you mum, Chris, Lauren and Charly-Rose.

HOGAN, Greg. So lucky to have you as my Uncle So hard to believe you’re gone but I only have to think of you, and I smile again. Our loss and heaven’s gain.

~ Roxy and Danny.

KENNEDY,

Gwladys Emma “Gwlad”.

Died peacefully on 31 July 2023 at St John’s Village Respect Aged Care, Wangaratta. Aged 98 years.

Loved and loving widow of Leo Kennedy. Cherished mother of Ann (Lawry, of Riddells Creek), Paul (died as infant), David (of Newcastle) and Mark (of Stratford). Much revered mother-in-law to Paul, Katrine and Joanne.

Doting grandmother of Lucinda and Bethany (with partner Calvin), James and Steven, and Jacob and Joshua.

Devoted daughter of Claude and Frances Soden, and dear younger sister to Raymond, Ross and Betty (Wright) - all deceased.

Formerly resident of Murchison, Benalla, Tarrawingee, Moe, Wangaratta and Echuca.

Long-time teacher at Chisholm Street Primary School, Wangaratta; former member of Waldara Golf Club; and long-time active member of St Patrick’s parish.

Thanks to the staff at St John’s Village and Wangaratta Medical Centre.

KENNEDY, Gwlad. Gwlad, our beautiful neighbour for over 25 years, how blessed were we.

Lovingly remembered by your gorgeous garden, Christmas shortbread and your special laugh. Reunited with your beloved Lee (Leo).

~ Ian and Sandra Dinsdale, Keira, Leah, Lauren and families.

MacDONALD, Bevan Andrew.

18/7/1974 – 1/8/2023

Sadly passed away. Aged 49 years.

Adored son of Marilyn. Brother of Scott (Japan) Blessed are the pure of heart For they shall see God.

McCARTNEY, Ian “Mac”.

4/7/1928 – 29/7/2023

Ian’s family is saddened to announce his passing on July 29, 2023. Aged 95 years. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Reunited with his beautiful wife Enid. Loving father and father-in-law of Kerryn and Susan and Calvyn. Adored Grandpa of Christopher, Erica and Andrew and James, Cherished Great Grandpa of Vivienne and Harriet. Forever in our hearts.

Dearly loved Dad, Macca and Grandpa of Susan, Calvyn and James. A funny, caring, encouraging and supportive man who loved life and lived it well. Our hearts are broken but our memories will remain. Loved Always.

A life well lived. Loving Dad and Gramps of Kerryn, Andy, Chris, Rosie and Harriet, Erica and Vivienne. Deeply missed but forever reunited with Gracie.

McCARTNEY, Ian “Macca”.

Great mate of Richard.

Will never forget the fishing trips, card games and old work times.

“Gone Fishing mate”

~ Richard Grady and family.

NEATE (Woods), Helen Margaret. Passed away peacefully Sunday, July 30, 2023. Aged 78 Years.

Much loved mother of Christopher and Richenda. Mother-in-law of Christine and Paul. Grandmother of Brayden, Lachlan and Xander. Now at peace. Privately cremated.

NEATE, Helen. 30 years together. I loved you then and I still love you now.

~ Barry Hartnell.

KENNEDY

The requiem mass for Gwladys “Gwlad” Kennedy will be held at Our Lady’s Catholic Church, Corner Murdoch Road and White Street, Wangaratta at 1pm on Thursday, August 10, 2023 followed by burial at Wangaratta Cemetery and then by light refreshments.

to UNICEF Australia, for the support of children worldwide. Donation can be made directly to www.unicef.org.au

Gwlad would have loved you to wear cheerful colours to her funeral.

SHEPHERD, Kevin.

MacDONALD

saddened the

SMITH, Christopher John Collas.

16/2/1940 – 29/7/2023

Dearly loved husband of 57 years of Jill. Loved and respected father and father-in-law of Dominique, Matthew and Melissa, Joshua and Di, Bartholomew and Fleur. Cherished grandfather of six grandchildren, Antonio, Claudia, Sebastian, Archie, Felix, and Holly.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Bevan will be held at North East Funerals, 184 Greta Road, Wangaratta on Friday, August 11, 2023, commencing at 10am.

Following the service a private burial will take place.

McCARTNEY

A service to celebrate the life of Ian “Mac” McCartney will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Monday, August 7, 2023, commencing at 10.30am.

A funeral service will be held at Peter Tobin Funerals, 1251 Doveton Street North, Ballarat on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10am followed by the graveside committal service at the Ballarat Lawn Cemetery.

SMITH

FUNERALS

Bussell

McCARTNEY, Ian “Mac”.

The service to celebrate the life of Mrs Dulcie Bussell will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta, on Friday, August 11, 2023, commencing at 10.30am. Burial will follow at the Milawa General Cemetery.

GRADY

The celebration of the life of Mrs Margaret Grady will be held in the Mason Park Chapel on Friday, August 11, 2023, commencing at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

A donation in memory of Margaret to Cancer Council Victoria can be made online at www.cancervic.org.au

Requiem mass for the repose of Christopher Smith’s soul will be offered at Our Ladies Catholic Church, corner of Murdoch Road and White Street, Wangaratta on Monday, August 7 commencing at 12pm, followed by interment at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

Phone: 03 5723 0101

John & Christine Haddrick

5722 2525

Baseball rerun brings on a sense of deja vu

NORTH East Baseball played washout round 10 on Sunday in place of the bye set out for the Victorian Country Under 16’s Championship which were played in Morwell. This means that this weekend’s games will be a replay of last Sunday and hopefully for Wangaratta Rangers with different results.

The first game of the day saw Rangers U15s play Wodonga Warriors with both teams having boys away playing in the rep team at Morwell, but still had full teams.

Warriors lost only two runners in their first dig, when their seventh batter got on base safely to make five runs.

Rangers had their first two batters struck out, then had two runners on base when they lost their third out in their turn at bat.

fore they lost their third out, where Rangers got their first batter on base safely and after stealing second and third bases was brought home before they lost their third out to get one for the dig.

Bears added three runs in their second dig while Rangers brought home five runs to trail by just two runs at the top of the third innings.

Bears added another five runs in their turn at bat while Rangers could only get one runner to cross the plate to go down by six runs at the end of time.

In the Rangers Grey vs Bears B Grade game, Rangers led by one run at the top of the fourth innings, three runs to two and it looked good for them to continue, but it was not to be.

ers Black played Bears.

Bears are known for their big hitting and had two runners on base from outfield hits in their first at bat, they brought one home before they lost their third out, then they had Rangers first three batters all out with getting a safe hit.

Neither side scored in the second innings, in fact it was not until their sixth innings that Rangers were able to get their first run on the board while Bears had added four runs to the one in their first dig.

Bears had 20 safe hits for the game, all ground balls to the outfield, while Rangers had only eight safe hits for the game.

Oscar Maiden and Josh Wells. North East did not win any games but the association can be proud of the efforts that these players put in.

This Sunday’s games are back in Wangaratta at Targoora Park.

A Grade

Nth Albury Bears v Wangaratta Rangers Black. Wodonga Warriors v Porepunkah Panthers.

B Grade

Rangers Orange v Nth Albury Bears.

Wodonga Warriors v Rangers Grey.

Porepunkah Panthers v Benalla Bandits.

C Grade

GRINTER, Clarrie “Sparra”. 11/9/1937 – 3/8/2022

One year has gone, Others will pass, But the precious memories of a loving and caring husband, father and Grandad will forever last.

~ May, Debbie and Ronald, Ian and Robyn, Casey and Frazer, Luke and Anique, Jordan and Jorga. So sadly missed.

McDONALD, Terence John “Terry”. 27/10/53 – 8/8/98

25 years has passed since we had to say goodbye, but there’s not a day go by that we don’t think of you and appreciate everything you did for us.

~ Your loving family. Robyn, Brett, Michelle, Ellie and Lachlan, Danelle, Mick, William, Aden and Emma.

Remember your loved one in a lasting way

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

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

Warriors got another six runs in their next batting innings, then Rangers brought home six for the game.

Warriors won 11 runs to Rangers, six.

Rangers played Bears in the C Grade (Under 18s).

Bears batted through their lineup to bring in five runs be-

Neither side scored in their fourth at bat, then Bears broke away bringing in three runs in the fifth and another five in the sixth, while Rangers went three up, three down in both digs to go down 10 runs to three.

Rangers had five safe hits to Bears nine.

The story was much the same in the A Grade game when Rang-

Damien French was Rangers’ best with the bat, having two safe hits while Mark Taylor, Tom Simmons, Matt Condon and Brendan Simmons all had three each for Bears. Bears won 10 runs to Rangers Black, one.

North East sent a rep team to the Under 18s in Morwell with Wangaratta Rangers well represented in this squad with Owen Godenzi (coach), Daniel Wells (team manager) and four players, Ryan Brockwell, Tanner Godenzi,

Nth Albury Bears v Wangaratta Rangers.

Wodonga Warriors v Porepunkah Panthers.

Under 15

Wodonga Warriors v Nth Albury Bears.

Porepunkah Panthers vs Benalla Bandits.

Rangers have the Bye.

Under 12

Wodonga Warriors v Porepunkah Panthers. Nth Albury Bears v Rangers.

Enduring generosity races speedway to the top

■ From back page

“We raised $17,000 from a race meeting, held a raffle, and ended up raising just under $30,000 to keep their gates from shutting.

support to the family of the late racer Stephen Douglas, who tragically lost his life in a speedway accident in Daylesford earlier this year.

title after him and help his family out in some way,” he said.

Victoria’s track of the year.

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

To make a donation or to request information about memorial service donations or remembering Northeast Health Wangaratta in your will, please contact -

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

“It’s something that will go down in the history of the sport, I know that Wahgunyah put together a plaque hanging up in our social club saying thank you, and that’s stuff I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life, knowing I was a part of it and initiated it.”

The committee also showed their unwavering

The speedway hosted the Victorian Standard Saloon title race shortly after, and were quick to name the race in his honour and set up a fundraiser for the fallen driver’s family during the race meet.

“Stephen Douglas was a standard saloon driver for 30 years and we had the standard saloon title this season, so it was a no-brainer to name the

“They’re just little ideas our committee have and we’ve jumped on board and run with it, we’re a young committee, we’ve got no one under the age of 40 and we just jump in and go for it and hopefully it all works.”

SSV president Rod Meakins said the Wangaratta Speedway’s enduring ability to give back to fellow clubs and racing community members stood out in their search for

“They’ve come a long way in the last couple of years; their volunteers have stepped up as a group… the community in general is very volunteering, without volunteers you can’t make it work,” he said.

The Wangaratta Speedway are currently tidying the track before their season kicks off with a national training day held by the SSA at the local track, before a full calendar of events begin from October.

RACING AWAY: Wangaratta City Speedway committee members Kenneth Mankey (president), Kyle Styles (vice-president) and Felicity Roycroft (secretary) are still revved up by the speedway’s first ever state track of the year awards for last season. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

New and old stars appear for Oxley table tennis

INFECTIOUS enthusiasm and enjoyment were topped off with fine dining when 24 players gathered to thrash out the many games contested at the social table tennis competition at the Oxley hall last Monday night.

Renowned cakemaker Richard Morgan and the young Marnie Woodberry combined all the necessary ingredients while turning the heat on to Marnie’s mum, Kate, and the stirrer Neil Spurgeon in a mixture of skill and luck served up for opponents to chew on.

High and unending intensity finally saw both pairs cooked, with scores reading 21-20 in favour of the ‘young berry’ and Morgan.

New on the scene Desiree and Ty Koers quickly unveiled their talents when they faced up to ‘back in business’ Julie Reid and ‘gotcha’ Graham Stephens.

Loud and long laughter was clear evidence of the pleasure each player drew from the game.

When the young and talented Allister Olsson dared to partner the ‘older genera-

JUBILEE GOLF CLUB

SATURDAY, July 29

Stroke

Winner: Di Murphy 73.

tional’ June Uebergang, he knew he would have a heavy load to carry when they took on the ever smiling Manni Poulos and world-wide wonderer Sue McGregor.

After a very hard tussle by all players, Allister bore most of the weight that contributed to his and June’s unexpected tie breaker win.

Neil Brock and Adam Bosley began and remained in top gear from the first point when they and ‘out of retirement but not out of form’, Robb Mollison, and Jason Mullins threw everything including themselves into an action-packed battle of speed and accuracy.

It came as no surprise that the final result was 21-20 in favour of the ‘octoganarin’ and his off-sider.

Phoebe Bosley and Archie Crispin worked tirelessly and skillfully when they answered the call from the more experienced Kate Cole and Clive Brooker to ‘catch us if you can’.

A highly entertaining game for everyone finally saw Phoebe and Archie running away with their tails in

the air and scores reading 21-18 in their favour.

Like the Matildas, from the first minute of play the girls Alison Stephens and Lauren Olsson combines and invested their strengths and talents into registering an early lead over the Zac Mullins and William Bonwick.

But Zac and William quickly responded, setting up a strong wall of defence in a game of almost Commonwealth Games standard, which finished with the ‘home side’ in front.

After a night of relentless competition, it was time for a cuppa and a supper to revive, hold post-mortems of games contested and make early bookings for replays next week.

Adults and secondary school students of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the weekly social competition on Monday night, beginning at 7pm.

Bring your own bat, $2 entry and a plate to share.

New daytime table tennis program

By CHLOE JAENICKE

ON behalf of the Wangaratta Table Tennis Association, Maxine Miller is starting a new program to be held every Tuesday morning.

“The new daytime program welcomes people of all ages from beginners to more experienced players to play singles and doubles in a relaxed, friendly environment with coaching for beginners,” she said.

Beginning next Tuesday, August 8 from 10 am to 12 noon, the first two weeks will be free.

Bats are available or bring your own.

Maxine stressed that a water bottle is a must.

Maxine also mentioned that table tennis is uniquely and physically suitable to any age group.

Studies in Japan have shown that the eye hand coordination of table tennis is conducive to much improved brain activity.

A little known fact is that table tennis is the third most popular, and cheapest, participation sport in the world, after fishing and golf.

So, if you would like to be fitter and healthier, in mind and body, come along and try out, bring a friend and meet new people.

Start Date: Tuesday August 8 from 10 am to 12 noon.

Location: Wangaratta Showgrounds pavilion

Contact: Maxine on 0403 209 857 or Julie on 0422 321 456

Ball Winners: Angela Mitchell 74, Kellie Roberts 75, Allison Comensoli 77 c/b.

NTP: 4th Di Murphy, 8th Di Murphy, 13th Angela Mitchell, 17th Val Ellis.

Saturday, July 29 - Stroke

A Grade Winner: Jared Adamo

71. Runner Up: Jack Stamp 73. B

Grade Winner: Gordon Paterson (Medal Winner) 68. Runner Up: Wade Goodwin 70. C Grade Winner: Gary Butler 69. Runner Up: Doug Ritchens

72. D grade Winner: Ray Hyland

73. Runner Up: Brendan Essex

75.

Ball Winners: Julian Bau 71, Les Naidoo 72, Gary Walder 73, Joe Marjanovic 73, Mark Drage 73, Andrew Kelly 73, Greg Allan 75, Geoff Gourley 75, Bruce Reid 75, Phillip Densten 75, Ian Dinsdale 75, William Slade 75, Zac Hedin 75, David Richards 76, Michael Baillie 76, Wayne Hibberson 76c/b.

Best Scratch: Andrew Kelly 69

Hole in One: Ian Rundell 8th.

Super Nine

Club Shirt: Gary Butler 22.

Aroma Deli: Jack Reiter 21.

2 Balls: Peter Geldens 21c/b.

NTP: 4th Jared Adamo, 8th Ian

Rundell, 13th Greg Allan, 17th TBA.

Monday, July 31 - Stableford

A Grade: Ian Dinsdale 37. B Grade: Brian Luxford 38.

Ball Winners: Keith Moorhead 36, Ian Mills 34, Attila Kungl 34, Martin VanRhee 34.

NTP: 4th Martin VanRhee, 8th Ian Dinsdale, 13th Bill Slade.

Tuesday, August 1

Doris Chambers Foursomes

Winners: Pauline Mercer and Joy Hester 38

Ball Winners: Carol Myles and Val Ellis 34, Di Murphy and Liane Graham 29.

NTP: 4th Bruna McDonald, 13th Di Murphy.

Wednesday, August 2

9 Hole Stableford

Winner: Chris O’Keefe 19. Runner Up: Mark Dean 14 c/b.

Wednesday, August 2 - Stableford

A Grade Winner: Joe Marjanovic 70.

B Grade Winner: Micheal Baillie 72.

C Grade Winner: Noel Holmes 67.

Ball Winners: Danny Potter 71,

Peter Ford 72, Andrew Skewes 72, Glenn O’Connell 73, Pat Earnst 74, Pat Grady 75, Gordon Paterson 75.

NTP: 4th Glenn Hunt, 8th Gordon Paterson, 13th Laurie Miller, 17th Daniel McPhee.

WANGARATTA GOLF CLUB

WGC Competitions: Week ending July 30

Women’s Competition: 18 Hole

Stroke - July 25

Winner: Carol Coghill 69 Nett.

Runner Up: Julie McInnes 70 C/B

Nett.

Ball Winners: Ros Gormly, Lorraine Adams, Sue Miller, Barb Thomas, Maggie Ray.

NTP: 9th Julie McInnes, 11th Julie McInnes, 13th Sue Miller.

Men’s Competition: 9 Hole

Stableford - July 26

Winner: Phillip Winnell 17 Points.

Runner Up: Ray Hutton 16 C/B Points.

Ball Winner: Sam Antonacci.

Men’s Competition: 18 Hole

Stableford

Winner: Michael Webster 37 C/B.

Runner Up: Glenn Burns 37.

Ball Winner: Matt Nicolosi, Paul Judd.

NTP: 4th Paul Judd, 7th Dean Campagna, 9th Bill Dodd, 11th Rod Moyle, 13th Steve Baertschiger.

Men’s Competition: 18 Stableford

July 29

A Grade Winner: Nick Jones 38 Points.

A Grade Runner Up: Glenn Burns 37 C/B Points. B Grade Winner: Matt Fischer 42 Points. B Grade Runner

Up: Graeme Ray 38 C/B Points.

Ball Winners: Brannan Duffy, Trevor Clark, Glen Seymour, John Southwell, Rod Godde, Maurie Braden, Bill Dodd, Phillip Moss, Darren Hovey, Craig Donoghue, Roy Methven, Damien O’Brien, Mitchell Solimo.

NTP: 4th Dean Campagna, 7th

Matt Fischer, 9th Glenn Burns, 11th

Kurt Schubert, 13th Mark White.:

KFC Birdie: Glenn Burns, Glen Seymour.

Secret 6: Colin Walker.

Raffle Winner: Jeremy Winter.

Women’s Multi Round: 18 Hole

Stableford

Winner: Liz Madden 32 Points

Runner Up: Lesley Anderson 31 Points.

Ball Winners: Julie McInnes, Jan Hill, Maggie Ray.

TARRA GOLF CLUB

TARRA Ladies

Tarra Ladies had fine weather but some tough course conditions for their August Monthly Medal.

The winner was Di McLaughlin on a countback from Audrey Bradfield. Lorraine Grenfell won the stroke event for the day.

No one managed a nearest the pin but Audrey Bradfield won the least putts competition.

CROQUET

RESULTS for Monday, July 31 are as follows:

Joan Dyson and Terry Wilson d Janet Kelly and Dawn Wind 7/6, Gavan Kelly and Cheryle Beckley d Robyn Muller and Maureen O’Keefe 7/5, Andy Barbero and Lauren Kazenwadel d Elaine Mudge and Gabbi Heywood 7/3, Elise Downes and Margaret Bennett d Wendy Waddington and Elaine McDonald 7/3.

On Wednesday, thirteen members enjoyed some games in excellent, sunny conditions.

This weekend, Wangaratta Croquet Club member Andy Barbero is playing in the Victorian Open Golf Croquet Men’s Championship at the Victorian Croquet Centre in Melbourne.

Club member Terry Wilson will be refereeing the same event.

Playing days are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday commencing at 1pm.

Visitors are welcome to come down and enjoy some games with our members.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow for the draw to be done.

Late arrivals will be included in the next game.

The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.

For further information please contact president Susan Fischer on 0417217009 or secretary Terry Wilson on 0417326739.

TAP IT IN: Jacqui Hoggan in action at the Wangaratta Golf Club.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

LINE IT UP: Alister Olsson and Richard Morgan ready to go for another rally at the Oxley table tennis last Monday night.

PHOTO: Jason Mullins

Dragons fight hard on hockey field

THE Wangaratta Dragons under 14 side played at home in Wangaratta against Wodonga on the weekend.

It was a tough game up against a strong attack from Wodonga but Wangaratta’s forward line managed some really good connecting plays with Adara Evans, Jake Lane, Ed Robertson and in particular James Wheeler.

Wheeler showed some great skills and managed to score a goal under pressure in the ‘D’ and earned him the best on ground award.

Lily Radnor did really well assisting in moving the ball

through traffic in the midfield and got the encouragement award for her efforts.

The under 14s are really showing some great skills improvement this year but couldn’t come away with a win.

Wangaratta’s under 16 girls had a home game versing top of the ladder United.

With a full team, the girls are finally finding their feet and increasingly becoming a more competitive team.

With only a few weeks left, the side still has a chance to put that elusive win on the board.

A lot of strong defensive play managed to get the ball into the attacking zone and had a few shots on goal, with two attacking short corners the girls worked hard to get a goal on the board.

Newcomer Maria Feldmann scored her second goal since starting with us last week, she has fitted in well with the team, showing leadership and support to her teammates.

A very strong attack from United saw newbie goalie Eliza Garraffo working hard and showing off some natural skill.

The highlight was seeing an incredible diving stick save which had all the spectators on their feet cheering.

The division three women had an awesome game against Wodonga White, it was a tough even match with no goals scored for either team until the third quarter when Wodonga scored their first goal off a short.

The Dragons fought back hard, worked as a team and evened the score.

With seconds to go at the end of the final quarter, Lucy North sent the ball into the ‘D’ onto the opposition’s foot

which allowed the Dragons one final shot to score from a short.

Lucy ‘Mouse’ Dwyer pushed the ball to the top of the ‘D’, the ball was passed around the ‘D’ to Jessica White, Lucy North, Miriam Franzi and finally Mouse who snuck to the post where she scored a goal.

It was an exciting match to watch and really showed how far the girls have come this year.

The club is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness this Saturday, all games played over the weekend will see our

teams wearing pink socks. There will be a stall at the ground at Cathedral College to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation with donations also welcome.

The games kick off with the under 16 boys at 8.30am, under 16 girls play at 10am followed by the division three women at 1pm, the division three men play at 2.30pm, and the division two women play Sunday at 10am.

It will be a great weekend to spectate with the Dragons teams becoming more competitive towards the end of the season.

Merriwa Park croquet players find a

temporary home

WITH the Merriwa Park croquet facilities out of action for the next few months, the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis/ Croquet Club were desperate to find a new venue to continue to play.

To the rescue came the Corowa Croquet Club and now the Merriwa Park players are holding regular social days at Corowa, including last Saturday as pictured, to continue their enjoyment of the sport.

Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet Club member Ann Dodd expressed her club’s gratitude to their NSW neighbours.

“This kind gesture is really appreciated as many of our members are in their senior years the loss of our facility was deeply felt,” Ann said.

“Once again it proves there are still good and caring people out there in the community.”

Anyone interested in having fun, learning a new sport and joining a friendly group of people contact Anne on 0490 173 169.

Heather Gulbin, Clive Jones, Gloria Aylward and Michael Nixon.

Cheryl Sampson, Marie Wallis and Eileen Larkings.

Heather Gulbin and Gloria Aylward.

Michael Prater. Marie Wallis.

HEAD TO HEAD: Wangaratta’s Maria Feldmann takes her opponent on in a foot race.

ADVANTAGE: James Wheeler presses up.

PHOTOS: Kylie Samson

SMOOTH MOVES: Emma Gall gets around her opposition.

MATCH PREVIEWS

Finals-bound Hawks eyeing list return Lions aiming to rain on Hoppers’ parade

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THEY may be a lock to feature in finals, but if last week’s 160 point loss is any indication, North Wangaratta can still tighten a few screws before September.

The Hawks sit a game and a half clear in fifth heading into this weekend’s round 18, but were given a preview of the calibre of the O&K finalists last week with a 1.1 (7) to 23.29 (167) loss to ladder leaders Bonnie Doon.

Tomorrow, they have a chance to bring back injured players and find some form with a match against last-placed Benalla All Blacks at Friendlies Oval.

Coach Steve Manning said last week’s drubbing by the Bombers was a reality check for his side.

“It was a pretty tough week - we got Bonnie Doon at full strength and unfortunately with injuries they probably got us at our weakest for the year,” he said.

“We didn’t really anticipate to be winning on Saturday, and we probably took a couple of calculated risks to make sure that we’re going to be at full strength at the end of the year.

“There were probably three or four who could’ve played on Saturday but we chose not to, because we thought the risk was too high for where we want to end up at the end of the year.

“Pat Kelly will be back this week, Taylor O’Brien will be back this week, Jhye Devine had a bad corky but he’ll be right – they’re a couple of key players for us straight away that are going to make a big difference for us on Saturday.

“We gave them the opportunity to have the week off and to hopefully be right for this week.

A win over the Panthers this week will lock the Hawks into a finals berth and fifth on the ladder, without having to rely on other results falling their way on the remaining two rounds.

“What’s been nice for us is being in complete control of our destiny and not relying on other

results,” Manning said.

“It’s really driven the guys, it’s given them a real focus, a real sense of achievement having that sort of control and not relying on others.

“Benalla have had a pretty tough year and they’ll be looking at this one as an opportunity to try and get one before their season finishes.

“They’re still the reigning premiers and we go over there with a heap of respect, especially on their home ground.”

It will also be a fiery hit-out in the midday match, as the Hawks reserves try to make up the four points keeping them out of the six against a top four side.

Double chance up for grabs in A grade showdown

By NATHAN DE VRIES

TOMORROW’S A grade clash between Greta and Tarrawingee has massive ramifications for the state of the ladder heading into finals, as both teams attempt to lock in a top-two spot.

The Blues and Bulldogs sit second and third on the ladder, even on points, and with just three matches left before the finals series gets underway, the all-important second chance is there for the taking.

The two sides haven’t faced off since round four, which the Bulldogs won by a narrow margin, a slice of history Greta coach Milly Mathewson is eager to correct.

“The last time we played them we fell short by four goals in what was a high intensity, fast paced game of netball,” she said.

“We are coming off the back of a strong win against King Valley which saw Jorja Reidy play an absolute blinder – she’s come into another level of game play and will be integral for us on Saturday.

“We’re very excited for what

will be another great contest I’m sure.”

The Bulldogs have only dropped matches against the undefeated Milawa, and will head into Saturday’s game with confidence and respect for reigning premiers Greta.

“We are having a really solid season,” Tarrawingee coach Jackie Everitt said.

“They are the reigning premiers and even though we beat them the first round that was early on in the year, from their results each week you can see that they haven’t lost their form from last year and again we have to be really focused.

“They will definitely be out to make amends too so we know that they will be fired up from that

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THE race for the last elusive spot in finals takes another step up tomorrow, as fierce foes Whorouly and Moyhu go head to head one last time at the Whorouly Recreation Reserve.

While the Lions are an extreme outside chance to see September action, they can definitely make it difficult for the Hoppers, who sit at sixth by half a game.

With their last encounter decided by a single point, and with a history of close matches, tomorrow’s hit-out is sure to have a finals-like intensity.

Moyhu coach Darren Bell said there was definitely a score to settle with the Lions.

“We’ve got a lot to prove against Whorouly, we were a bit pissed off when we lost that game, and with it being a one point game of course you’re going to be thinking of all the things you could’ve done,” he said.

“It’s a big game for the boys this week.

“It’s good to be in the race, we’ve had a good three weeks at home against the Valley, Bright and Tarrawingee, so the boys are starting to get a bit more of a system together which is really pleasing.

“I’ve blooded a few boys later in the year instead of early, I think Caleb Bell and Harrison Bell have both shown after six or seven weeks in the twos they’re quite valuable in the seniors.

“Thomas Clough has done the same thing.

“There are these fringe boys that are just helping us, they know the roles they’ve got to play when they get in the ones and they’re starting to stand up which is really pleasing.”

Bell said his side had learned from their previous encounter with Whorouly, and were trying players in new roles to find the best mix possible.

“(Riley) Calvene cut us up a bit last time, so we’ve got to keep an eye on his midfield moves and just get the ball out wide,” he said.

perspective as second spot on the ladder is at stake.

“Our side has been fairly consistent and we’ve also been playing some younger players which has been good, they have gone very well in the games that they have played in.”

The match is sure to be a thrilling one, with star players for each team facing off across the court.

“I think it’s going to be a very good game if the last one was any indication,” Everitt said.

“The contests in each position are going to be really interesting as some of the match-ups will see great players pitted against each other.

“Kaylee Allen in shooting is coming up against Loren Gathercole at one end and Tig White against Lindsay Humphries at the other end, and then Maddie Canning and Jorja Reidy in centre.”

In other matches around the region, Whorouly hosts Moyhu, Milawa takes on Goorambat, the Roos play the Bombers at home, and North Wangaratta heads to Benalla to play the Panthers.

“That’s what we’ve done the last few weeks, got it on the spread and used our game plan which is a bit different to other sides because we don’t have the big bodies.

“It’s really come to fruition, our ball use has got a lot better, and our decision-making, and we’ve chucked a few boys around.

“Ned Taylor’s gone from a forward to a backman, Brady Bartlett’s gone from a backman to a ruckman, so we’re still feeling out what the boys’ best positions are – every time we move someone they seem to do alright in that position.”

Whorouly coach Riley Calvene said he was looking forward to a solid hit-out.

“Our past three years against Moyhu have put on some really close games,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge, they’re a young side and looking to make finals, so their tails will be up and they’ll want to hit some form at this time of the year.

“With Moyhu this weekend, and then Bonnie Doon and Greta, it’s three really big games for us, so if we can win one out of those three, we’ll be really happy.

SHOWDOWN: Greta’s Rebecca Naish and Tarrawingee’s Kelly Jackson fight for the ball in their round four match-up.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

ALL TO PLAY FOR: A win for Dave Killen and his Hawks tomorrow at Benalla would lock them into the finals at fifth.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

Devils expecting tough clash

By WILLSON MACK

WANGARATTA City won’t be taking Albury City lightly when they clash at Jelbart Park on Sunday.

Albury City have been one of the top sides in recent years but have dropped off this season, sitting seventh with a five wins, nine losses and one draw record.

But Devils assistant coach Terry Masters knows the damage his opponents can cause.

“Albury City seems to trouble us every year no matter where they are on the table,” Masters said.

“No doubt they’ll come out firing because they need to keep winning to play finals.

“We’re going to have a few out again this weekend, Stoycho (Ivanov) is suspended for another week, Alex Pitt is a couple of weeks away and Raul Pahina is out for the year after tearing tendons in

Quick turn-around for Lady Devils

By NATHAN DE VRIES

WANGARATTA’S senior women’s side has had a busy week.

After nailing a 5-2 win over Wodonga Diamonds on Sunday, the Lady Devils took on Albury United on Tuesday night in a catch-up match from earlier in the year, falling 3-1 ahead of their clash this weekend against Cobram Roar.

Team captain Beth Cope said only having a short break between matches had an impact on the result against United.

“They came out a lot more physical, we were expecting a very physical game, and they didn’t play last week either so they were fresher than us – that might’ve helped them as well,” she said.

“There were a fair few sore bodies (on Wednesday), I’d say.

“We had a few outs – our striker Bianca Mulqueen, Holly Veness and Hannah Swindley, three big game players out for us.

“We just couldn’t get the play we wanted to play, it just didn’t work for us.

“Getting more game time under our belt coming into finals will give us an extra hand – lots of teams have two or three games to go, we’ve still got a few more

due to catch-up games.”

The Lady Devils will front up against Cobram at Jelbart Park in Albury on Sunday for the first time since mid-April.

The Roar sit fifth overall and had some great matches against Wangaratta at the start of the season, with the Lady Devils taking a 4-1 win in the opening round of the season and a 1-3 loss.

Cope said the gap between outings with Cobram would not affect how her side structured up, and would be bolstered by returning players.

“It was ages ago, but nothing changes for us,” she said.

“We try to stick to the same game plan no matter what team we’re playing, so it’ll be the same as normal.

“We should have our full squad this weekend and we have our keeper Estella Hernandez back – she was back for us on Tuesday for the first time in maybe two months after injury, she had a great game on Tuesday night.

“I think we just need to carry the Matildas spirit into our game and just go along with the flow.”

Wangaratta City’s senior women’s side take on Cobram Roar at 11.20am this Sunday at Jelbart Park East.

his ankle.

“We might be a bit light on but in saying that we still have a strong side in and we have Raff ’s cousin playing his first game for us and he’s played at a few different NPL clubs in Melbourne so he should be okay.”

The Devils haven’t had any trouble finding goals this season thanks to a strong year from Dan Kelly. Masters said if his side can find the right balance down back they’ll be hard to beat.

“Ethan Whiley will start this weekend and DK (Kelly) has been in good form this year so our forward line is pretty good,” Masters said.

“We haven’t got a central defender and it’ll be no different this week so we’ll have to make-shift two centre backs.

“That’s meant we’ve blooded some youngsters this year with a few 17, 18-year-olds playing which has been good for the club.”

Sunday, August 6

- JUNIORS: FROM 8:30AM

- D1 WOMEN: 11:20AM - D1 MEN: 3:00PM

RETURN: Hannah Swindley’s presence up forward will be a welcome addition back into the Lady Devils for their match with Cobram.

PHOTO: Kat De Naps Photography

CHALLENGE: Joel Van Der Leuuw and Wangaratta City face Albury City tomorrow.

PHOTO: Kat De Naps Photography

Wangaratta battling with injuries ahead of Raiders

By WILLSON MACK

WANGARATTA returns from the bye with a home clash against Wodonga Raiders tomorrow.

After an injury riddled loss to Albury in their last outing that saw the ‘Pies left with 17 fit players, Wangaratta will be without key members tomorrow.

Although Callum Moore will be fit to play after suffering a concussion in that loss, thanks to the bye, Ben Reid, Michael Newton, Murray Waite and Matt Grossman will all be unavailable.

Wangaratta coach Reid said he’s hopeful his side will see more return next weekend.

“’Cal’ (Moore) will be right to play and Hunter Gottschling will return from a few weeks in the VFL with Geelong,” Reid said.

Are Rovers back in business?

By WILLSON MACK

THERE’S four rounds left of the Ovens and Murray home and away season and for Wangaratta Rovers tomorrow’s game could be the biggest one.

The fourth-placed Hawks will travel to Albury Sportsground to take on the Tigers who sit two wins ahead in second position.

As we’ve seen on multiple occasions throughout this year’s O&M competition, Rovers were on the end of a fixturing problem facing a club bye the week before last weekend’s league bye meaning they haven’t played since July 15.

Wangaratta Rovers football operations manager Barry Sullivan looked at the positives despite the lengthy break.

“All clubs are struggling with the amount of byes this season, you lose momentum for sure,” Sullivan said.

“We’ve used it as an opportunity to get ourselves as fit and healthy as we can and we should have close to a full list available for this weekend.

“Everyone had a responsibility to get something done on the weekend, whether that be a run or some skills in pairs and from all reports everyone did a good job on that front.

“Everyone’s just looking forward

“We’ll be without myself, ‘Grossy’ (Grossman), ‘Juice’ (Newton) and Murray (Waite) and then hopefully next week we’ll have some of them return.

“I guess the positive of the injuries are that blokes like Fraser Holland-Dean and Josh Tweedale who have been playing good footy in the reserves might get an opportunity this week.

“With three games for us left to play it’ll be a good opportunity for them to try and stake a claim to be playing at the business end of the season.”

Wodonga Raiders haven’t had the season they were looking for sitting in last spot with just a win to their name.

They do boast arguably the league’s best contested midfielder though with Cam Ellis-Yolmen set

to prove a massive task for the Magpies’ midfield.

“I’ve had a little bit of a look at them and they definitely have some players we’ll have to look out for,” Reid said.

“Cam Ellis-Yolmen is arguably the best contested player in the competition, he’s like having a key position player playing in the midfield so he’ll be a great challenge for our midfield.

“The Bracher’s (Nick and Tom) are also handy players as well.”

Despite coming off two losses in a row after falling to Yarrawonga by one point before their match against the Tigers, Reid still feels his side is playing a good brand of football.

“Albury was a hard game to review because we did only have 17 players for the second half but we

did take little bits from that game, we probably looked at what Albury were doing well,” he said.

“The week before we lost a close one to Yarrawonga so we definitely feel like we’re playing good footy at the moment.

“With three games left for us it’s about not going away from the things we do well and trying to be hard to play against, that’s the focus.”

Reid feels the bye came at a good time for his boys.

“It’s no secret we had a few sore bodies going into the bye so it was good to refresh,” he said.

“We had a few good training sessions during the week off so we’re ready to get stuck back in again.

“We’re ready to hone in on the way we know we can play and tuning a few things up before finals.”

BIG GAME: Ellie Cooper and Wangaratta take on Wodonga Raiders at home tomorrow.

‘Pies host Raiders, Rovers play Tigers

By WILLSON MACK

IT will be second against third in the A grade netball when Wangaratta take on Wodonga Raiders at Norm Minns Oval tomorrow.

The Magpies are just a game clear of Raiders so the away team will be gunning to take a scalp and putt pressure on second position.

Wangaratta only downed Raiders by five goals in their round six encounter with it tipped to be a similar affair this time around.

to getting on the park again.”

Albury has shown just how good they are this season, only losing two games.

The Tigers boast a stacked midfield, especially after signing arguably the league’s best ruckman Isaac Muller, as well as former AFL player George Horlin-Smith.

“It’s going to be a fantastic test against Albury at Albury,” Sullivan said.

“We’ve had some good recent success up there so we’ll go in with confidence and won’t be intimidated by that.

“Similar to Yarrawonga and Wangaratta, their midfield is very strong but we’ll back our own mid-

field of Toby Murray, Brodie Filo, Alex McCarthy, Cody Schutt and hopefully we’ll get Lockey McCartney back from injury this weekend as well.

“Dylan Stone should return next week as well and Tom Baulch (Prime Train) could be back sooner than expected too.”

Albury’s forward line of Jacob Conlan, Riley Bice and former AFL player Jeff Garlett is also as potent as any.

“We’re confident our back six can handle most forwards,” Sullivan said.

“We’ve got Michael Clark and Jace McQuade who are great at locking down and then the creativ-

ity of Sam Murray off half back.

“I feel like we’re really well balanced down there.”

Although Rovers went through a form slump through the middle of the season, they’re now gunning for four straight after beating Wodonga Raiders, Lavington and Myrtleford.

“I feel like we’re starting to return to some better footy,” Sullivan said.

“We used the ball well against Myrtleford and snuffed the belief out of them early which was positive.

“We didn’t have Toby Murray, Lockey McCartney, Michael Clarke, Justin Lewis or Dylan Stone for that match either.”

Raiders’ shooter Taylor Donelan has been one of the best in the competition this season, shooting 340 goals to sit second in the O&M so Magpies’ defenders Hannah Grady, Katie Dean and Brooke Pryse will have their hands full.

Meanwhile, Wangaratta Rovers face Albury at the Albury Sportsground.

The Tigers have suffered four straight losses since their shock win over Lavington in round nine so will be out to return to the winners’ list.

The Hawks will see themselves as a chance to grab their second win for the season but will need to find their best netball if they’re to do so.

HUGE TASK: Sam Murray and Wangaratta Rovers take on Albury at the Albury Sportsground tomorrow.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

The

Bumper champs at WSAC

ONE-hundred and 77 swimmers from 11 clubs across the O&M district competed at the 2023 Ovens & Murray Short Course Swimming Championships at Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre on Sunday, July 30.

Wangaratta Amateur Swimming Club achieved great results in the pool, finishing third overall behind North Albury and Wodonga City.

Inspired by the Swimming World Championships in Japan, 31 Wangaratta Amateur swimmers competed in 163 swims, achieving 77 personal best times and 10 new state qualifying times.

Key results include:

 Gabe Watson smashed the O&M Championship records in the 18-24 men’s 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke events, as well as winning gold in the men’s 50m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly, Silver in the 100m Breaststroke and 100m Intermediate Medley, Bronze in the open 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, and 100m Butterfly, and 4th in the 200m Breaststroke.

The history of table tennis

By PING PONG

THE Table Tennis name has only been around since 1921, when the Ping Pong Association that was formed in 1902 was revived.

The sport originated in Victorian England and was played by the upper class of that era as an after-dinner parlour game.

It has been thought that a makeshift version of the game was developed by British military officers in India in the 19th century (roughly the 1860s) and introduced back to England.

Originally the table tennis tables we are accustomed to were nowhere to be seen and the enthusiasts instead played on billiard tables, dining room tables or even on a row of books.

Players set up a makeshift net (could be books) in the middle of the table and sometimes used books as a paddle.

 Aidan Thomson won Silver in the 50m Breaststroke, Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke, and was a finalist in the 100m Intermediate Medley, 100m Butterfly, 400m Freestyle, and 50m Freestyle.

 Harry Allen won Silver in the 100m Breaststroke, Bronze in the 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke, and was a finalist in the 100m Intermediate Medley.

 Nina Fortaliza won the Silver medal in the 100m Intermediate Medley, Bronze in the 200m Intermediate Medley, and finalled in the 400m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, and 100m Breaststroke.

 Zara Kalish won Silver in the 50m Backstroke, and took a finalist spot in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke events.

 Liam Kidgell achieved Silver in the 100m Backstroke, and was a finalist in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly and 200m Backstroke.

 Emily Chandler won Silver in the 50m Breaststroke and finalled in the 50m Freestyle.

 Alice Colson won Bronze in the 400m Freestyle and 100m In-

Presentation Nights

THE INNER SANCTUM

termediate Medley events, and was a finalist in the 100m Freestyle.

 Sofia Gallo was a finalist in the 100m and 200m Intermediate Medley.

 Jasmin Thwaites was a finalist in the 100m and 200m Intermediate medley events, and the 100m Backstroke.

 Harry Chandler was a finalist in each of the 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 100m and 200m Intermediate Medley, 100m Backstroke, and 100m Breaststroke.

 Sadie Skewes was a finalist swimmer in the 100m Intermediate Medley.

 Evelyn Selby finalled in the 100m Intermediate Medley and 100m Backstroke.

 Jemima Pizzini won Silver in the 100m Backstroke, and was a finalist in the 100m Intermediate Medley.

 Maddison Craven achieved finalist status in the 200m Breaststroke, 200m Backstroke and 100m Intermediate Medley.

 Dylan Dickson finalled in the 50m Butterfly, 100m Intermediate Medley, and 100m Backstroke events.

Its quickly heading towards finals times and that means League Presentation Nights are just around the corner!

The WAW Ovens and King Football Netball League will host their Presentation Night on Sunday 20th of August at the Gateway Hotel where the Clyde Baker Medal and Faye Morgan Medal will be handed out to the fairest and best players as voted by the umpires in the Senior Football and A Grade Netball respectively.

The Insite Real Estate Wangaratta and District Junior Football League will host their Presentation Night on Monday 4th of September at the Gateway Hotel where they will crown new Best and Fairest winners in the U12’s (Kevin Mahoney Medal), U14’s (Ken Farrell Medal) and U17’s (McCormick Medal) as voted by the umpires.

 Mackenzie Lawford was a finalist in the 200m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke and 200m Intermediate Medley.

 Ingrid Brettig was a finalist in the 100m Backstroke, 100m Intermediate Medley and 100m Breaststroke.

 Layla Graham was a finalist in the 100m Backstroke.

 Logan Pace achieved a finals place in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly.

 Phoebe Alexander was a finalist in the 100m Breaststroke.

 Caitlyn Barnden, , Emmy Brettig, Olivia Briggs, Max Chandler, Kai Guley, Spencer Jackson, Cooper Kidgell, and Emma Wyatt all achieved significant PBs.

 New swimmers Tom Benton and Sebastian Brettig both achieved top 10 finishes at their first championship meet.

Overall the day was a huge success for Wangaratta Amateur Swimming Club, and the club now looks forward to competing at the Victorian Country Short Course Championships also being held in Wangaratta on August 12-13.

The nights are always an exciting time when members from all the clubs come together to celebrate all of what the year had to offer and then turn our attention fully towards finals and the Grand Finals.

Female Football Finals

The sun has started to shine which means finals is in the air, and we kick off the regions finals with the Fernwood Fitness AFL North East Border Female Football Finals this Sunday in Wangaratta at the WJ Findlay Oval.

It’s a footy finals feast

U14’s Elimination Final – 8:45am Wodonga Bulldogs v Murray Felines

The game quickly gained popularity not only in England but also Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Demark, India and a whole host of other countries couldn’t get enough of the sport.

Thank goodness our human endeavour and technology, materials and resourcefulness have saved the day with the game progressing to today’s standards.

Table tennis has thrived thanks to its minimum playing area, the ability to play in or outdoors in all climates, relative accessibility of equipment and cost, and has grown to a common recreational past-time amongst players of all levels and ages.

This brings me to our Wangaratta Keenagers that play Monday and Thursday mornings at the Showgrounds from 8am-10am (winter) and 7.30am-10am (summer).

Some of the players went up in late March to an Albury–Wodonga table tennis tournament on a Friday and Saturday - the first morning is grading mixed teams, ladies’ pairs and men’s pairs.

Two of the men’s players finished in second place and the ladies pair made it to the quarter finals.

Every year, this event is a wonderful couple of days of competition and fun, it’s a very professional club and a very well-run competition, and it’s always lovely to catch up with players from all over Victoria and become friends.

Don’t forget if you have that competitive urge to play then Wednesday evenings are the shot or if a friendly hit is the order, then its Monday and Thursdays mornings - see you there.

U17’s Elimination Final – 10:00am

Thurgoona Bulldogs v Murray Felines

Open Womens Elimination Final – 11:30am

Murray Felines v Wangaratta Rovers

U14’s Qualifying Final - 1:15pm

Lavington Panthers v Wodonga Raiders

U17’s Qualifying Final – 2:30pm

Wodonga Raiders v Lavington Panthers

Open Womens Qualifying Final – 4:00pm

Lavington Panthers v Wodonga Raiders

The Whisper

With Presentation Nights on the horizon and leagues beginning to circulate their ‘must attend’ lists to clubs, which player is waiting on their tap on the shoulder encouraging them to attend?

DYNAMIC DUO: Ruth Shalders backhands the ball while Michael Chamberyon readies for the return.

PHOTO: Ping Pong

READY SET GO: Swimmers in action.

IN FRONT: Gabe Watson leads the pack in the butterfly.

GO TEAM:

Wangaratta Amateur Swim Club enjoyed the Ovens & Murray Short Course Swimming Championships.

Friday, August 4

Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, August 5

Essendon vs. West Coast Eagles (MRVL)

Adelaide Crows vs. Gold Coast SUNS (AO)

Hawthorn vs. Collingwood (MCG) (T)

Geelong Cats vs. Port Adelaide (GMHBA) (N)

GWS GIANTS vs. Sydney Swans (GS) (N)

Sunday, August 6

North Melbourne vs. Melbourne (BA)

St Kilda vs. Carlton (MRVL)

Fremantle vs. Brisbane Lions (OS) (T)

Rovers return for huge clash with Tigers

CLOSE WATCH

Enduring generosity lifts raceway to best in state

Wangaratta City Speedway and its president each recognised with state awards gypypg

FOR the first time since its inception 55 years ago, the Wangaratta City Speedway has been recognised as the best track in the state.

The speedway took out the Speedway Sedans Victoria (SSV) 2023 Track of the Year at their awards ceremony last weekend, while also being a finalist for the national Speedway Sedans Australia (SSA) Track of the Year award.

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

Along with the SSV award, the track also took home the Victorian Speedway Council (VSC) DirtX Track of the Year, while club president Kenneth Mankey was given VSC Executive of the Year and runner-up SSA Executive of the Year,

marking a landmark year for the club.

Mankey said while he was blown away by the nominations of 27 others to be named runner-up executive of the year in the country, to win track of the year for the first time for the club was a huge honour.

“To display the racing and what we’ve done all over the state and to the country is huge,” he said.

“There’s a few big

achievements we’ve had this season and to win track of the year is not something that comes easy for any track.”

Upgrades in recent years on and off the track have allowed for higher quality racing and further flexibility to hold weekend long events, drawing over 90 entrants to each meeting with the highest total at 137 racers.

But the continuing generosity and unwavering support to the racing

community shown by the Wangaartta Speedway was seen as second to none.

When Wahgunyah Speedway struggled with floods late last year they were on the verge of financial ruin.

Unable to hold race meets and losing machinery to flood damage, the Wangaratta Speedway stepped in and enabled the club to host their major Boxing Day race meet in Wangaratta, raising

vital recovery funds in the process.

“I saw the photos of them under water and rang their president to ask if there was any way I could help and he said they were unsure, they lost just about everything,” Mankey said.

“I rang our committee and said we needed to do something and something fast because this club is going to shut their doors.

■ Continued page 31

PHIL Winnell hits his approach shot at the Wangaratta Golf Club on Saturday morning with playing partner Craig Donoghue watching on.

■ Scoreboard: Page 32

PHOTO: Marc Bongers