Wangaratta Chronicle 041023

Joelie behind the Kiss army

JOELIE Younger had the opportunity to design and make the costumes and make-up for Kiss’ AFL Grand Final pre-game show that was performed at a sold-out MCG on Saturday.

It was a mammoth undertaking for Ms Younger to transition the 502 children and the four Kiss minis, inspired by the band’s aesthetics and classic costumes.

Growing up in Wangaratta, Ms Younger is self-taught and first explored her passion for fashion while at Wangaratta Secondary College alongside her teacher, Rosemary O’Brien.

Former local student’s pivotal role on AFL Grand Final Day

BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au

“I’ve always loved fashion,” she said.

“I actually entered lots of fashion competitions at tech school with my teacher who was honestly the best teacher I could have had...she gave up weekends, evenings to help me.”

From there she has designed costumes for entertainers and

py

shows with the Kiss performance being her biggest project to date.

She was given the opportunity to design for the pre-game show and work with Mushroom entertainment through the choreographer, Yvette Lee, who has she been working with for around 15 years.

“I’m her go-to if she needs anything done that’s a little bit special and she works with Mushroom events,” Ms Younger said.

She only became a part of the show at the last minute, leaving her only four weeks to have her

meetings with Mushroom designs and finalise the costumes.

Throughout the design process, Ms Younger communicated with Mushroom events and the band to get approval, which she received in only two designs as well as high praise from the band.

“For the 500 Kiss army kids they wanted the four looks represented, obviously within a certain budget and time frame, what was going to be performed when they did that Kiss formation and choreography,” she said.

■ Continued page 3

ROCKSTAR: Elias (Catman Mini) was excited to perform in Joelie Younger’s costume for the AFL Grand Final pre-game-show.

PHOTOS: Mushroom Events

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Weather sees council postpone expo event

TODAY’S scheduled ‘Recreation: Reimagined Expo’ in Wangaratta’s Apex Park has been postponed.

The forecast of bad weather saw the Rural City of Wangaratta postpone the free community event to a future date to be fixed.

A variety of stalls, hosted by 14 different sports and recreation clubs across the municipality, was to provide an opportunity for people to try their hand at numerous unique activities. Council will advise of a new date once known.

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Passionate teachers share their knowledge

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BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES:

Wednesday Max 16 Min 9 Rain

Thursday Max 17 Min 6 Clearing shower

An office building overlooking Wangaratta’s Ford Street is a world away from west Arnhem Land, but it’s from here that Olga Scholes currently oversees the operation of three independent Northern Territory schools boosting the educational prospects of children in remote communities.

Olga and husband Mason, who hails from Wangaratta, have moved back to the rural city with their two young sons, after spending 20 years in the Northern Territory.

While Mason is on study leave from his NT teaching role and lending his experience to a re-engagement program at Wangaratta High School, Olga is continuing her role remotely as chief executive officer/ principal of the Nawarddeken Academy.

The couple are set to speak about their Northern Territory experiences at tonight’s Oxfam annual general meeting at The Vine Hotel from 7pm, and the evening is a timely opportunity - just a week and a half before the Voice to Parliament referendum - to hear their perspective.

NEWS TIPS

PRACTICAL: Elders share their ecological knowledge using Nawarddeken’s locally developed seasonal curriculum.

TIMELY TALK: Mason and Olga Scholes are back living in Wangaratta after 20 years spent in the Northern Territory, and will share their perspectives at tonight’s Oxfam AGM at The Vine Hotel. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

CONTACTS

POSTAL ADDRESS: 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta

Based in the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), the Nawarddeken Academy began in 2015 at the community of Kabulwarnamyo, as a one-teacher classroom under a tarp, with minimal resources.

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

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.

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

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

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

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

Established as the request of local Indigenous elders, who wanted children to be able to access full-time education in their home communities, the academy offers a unique model of bi-cultural, communitydriven education in remote Indigenous communities in west Arnhem Land.

Since then, the initiative has grown and now operates three registered independent schools at Kabulwarnamyo (registered in early 2019), Manmoyi and Mamardawerre (registered in late 2021).

Each campus has two or three permanent teachers, up to four casual Indigenous teaching assistants, and up to 20 students.

Communities have joint ownership of Nawarddeken Academy, actively overseeing the direction of the schools and participating in the education of their children on a daily basis.

For Olga, involvement in the creation of the Nawarddeken Academy was a progression of her first real experience of life in the NT, upon her relocation up north in 2003.

Polish-born Olga, who moved to Australia as a six-year-old,

met Mason on New Year’s Eve 1999 at Mount Buffalo, and said the fellow teacher had captured her heart and encouraged her to venture north.

“Mason had been to the NT, and his brother Luke was up there at the time. He’d been to some of the remote communities, knew I wanted to travel and see Australia, and he said, ‘You’ve got to come and see the real Australia’,” Olga recalled.

“I was totally out of my depth; I went from teaching at a Catholic girls’ school in Melbourne to working in a primary classroom at Maningrida (500km east of Darwin).”

While settling in, Olga and Mason immersed themselves in community, culture and language of the Territory.

“It’s a whole different life, a whole different country up there,” she said.

“The biggest thing that blew me away was that there were 12 completely different, strong languages over 102 clans in Arnhem Land.

“People and kids were speaking these languages fluently in our classrooms, and some days you would have several different languages

being spoken in the same room.

“I just thought it was amazing for me to not know (before I arrived) that that was the case, and for it not to be celebrated and taught in schools.”

Olga was approached by Warddeken Land Management Limited about initiating the academy’s first school, at Kabulwarnamyo - a challenge which aligned with her passion for social justice.

“We had no government funding, and worked with Warddeken Land Management and Karrkad Kanjdji Trust who raised over $2.5 million to operate and make the school independent,” she said.

When Nawarddeken started, there were teenage students who had no prior access to education and were unable to write their own names; Olga said it had been wonderful to watch their progress.

She said Nawarddeken had been approached by a number of other communities to start similar independent schools.

“There is a lot to be said for people having agency, so that the decisions made are conducive to community values, needs and aspirations,” she said.

The place-based curriculum has a fair bit to do with the school’s success, with classes based around the seasonal calendar.

“You won’t get the same engagement from students in a classroom as you will when you’re on country learning from a ranger,” Olga said.

From her current base in Wangaratta, Olga oversees the nuts and bolts of the school’s operation - everything from curriculum to sanitation to power and food delivery to the remote locations.

So what keeps her involved in what must be an extremely complex operation?

“I guess it’s my passion. I’m very passionate about (overcoming) injustice, and making sure kids across Australia - no matter where they are, what their culture is, where they live or what language they speak - have access to education.

“It is a basic human right, and for people in this country to not have access to that is just frightening.”

Tonight’s Oxfam AGM is open to all, and there is no need to book.

For more information, contact Loretta on 0409 558 245.

Bracing for more storms in North East

By RYAN MALCOLM

COMMUNITIES along the Ovens and King rivers have been urged to stay aware of their flooding risk over the coming days, amid anticipated heavy rainfall throughout the North East into today.

Advice issued by the Bureau of Meteorology yesterday forecast heavy falls exceeding 50mm throughout the North East and into Gippsland in the afternoon, while a low-pressure system was expected to form near the NSW border today, amplifying widespread rain, thunderstorms and damaging winds.

Between 40mm and 60mm of rain was forecast to fall in Wangaratta today, with the potential for isolated major flooding in a number of North East catchments should the rain persist.

Minor to moderate flooding was expected to be seen in the region from as early as last night.

As of 3pm yesterday afternoon,

Wangaratta Airport’s automatic weather station had recorded only 3.4mm of rain since 9am.

Strong winds were also anticipated throughout the region’s more alpine areas and across the Great Dividing Range into today.

A severe weather warning issued for the North East outlined the potential for wind gusts of up to 120kph near the state’s elevated terrain, with gusts expected to hover between 60 and 70kph on average.

Severe conditions were expected to ease across the state on Thursday, with up to 5mm of rain forecast to fall throughout the day.

For up-to-date weather warnings, visit https://www.emergency.vic.gov. au/respond.

STORM STRIKE: Lightning lit up the night sky at North Wangaratta on Tuesday morning, paving the way for anticipated heavy rainfall and flooding in the region today.

Joelie behind Kiss army at grand final

■ From page 1

“We had a meeting and the feedback from the band was ‘this is a chick we can actually work with’ which was pretty cool.”

The production team then got to work on creating the costumes for the kids which according to Ms Younger, proved to be a challenge due to the three-week time constraint and the children not being cast yet.

“I’ve never worked with children before, this is actually my first time, we also didn’t know sizes, we still hadn’t cast any of the kids,” she said.

Ms Younger paid homage

to Kiss by creating four variations of the same design, each with unique elements to represent each of the Kiss band members.

She also had to ensure the costumes stayed within budget and that none of the costume elements fell onto the MCG ground while the kids were performing.

For the Kiss minis, without knowing what the band was wearing, Ms Younger created four replicas of iconic Kiss and by sheer coincidence, managed to match the costumes some of the band members wore on the day.

Ms Younger said the task would normally take months so she ended up working long days to finish making the costumes.

“It was insane, that last week I was working 18 to 20 hour days just to pull it off because I’m not a big production company, I’m just a single event designer,” she said.

Despite the long stressful hours, Ms Younger said it was all worth it once she experienced the electric energy of the MCG on grand final day and getting to see the costumes in action with more than 100,000 other people.

“I can’t explain the thrill, being there with that many people the band playing and the kids, everyone was so excited and I think it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she said.

“The best thing was after the show when the band actually said the best part of that show wasn’t even the 100,000 people it was all the little kids’ faces running towards the stage all in costume.”

Ms Younger said Kiss has requested to keep the Kiss mini costumes and the MCG is planning on displaying the costumes in the near future.

KISS MINIS: Cuban (Spaceman mini), Quba (Starchild mini), Isiah (Demon mini) and Elias (Catman mini) performed in Kiss replica costumes.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling and Alison Ward

THE Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings.

Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.

If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it.

Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office in Rowan Street.

Oliver Henry Parton

OLIVER was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, September 28 at 2:53pm and weighed 3.62kg (7lb 15oz). He is the brother of Tyler and Kaleb Parton and son of Stephanie Evans and Rowan Parton of Benalla.

Archie Lee Naden

ARCHIE was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Wednesday, September 27 at 7:30pm and weighed 4.31kg (9lb 8oz). He is the brother of Phoebe Naden and son of Kaitlin Muscat and Harmon Naden of Corowa.

How to make your answer matter

Xavier and Archie Ellis

XAVIER and Archie were born on Tuesday, September 26 and weighted 1.905kg (4lb 4oz) and 2.160kg (4lbs 12oz). They are the brothers of Olivia Ellis and sons of Cindy Chalmers and Michael Ellis of Yackandandah.

Teen driver hit traffic light in bid to evade police

A 17-YEAR-OLD driver who evaded police at estimated speeds of up to 80kph through the Wangaratta CBD has been ordered to undertake a road trauma awareness course before applying for a learner’s permit.

A North East court recently heard the defendant, who has turned 18 since the May 7 offending, had been visiting Wangaratta and had offered to drive friends home from a Murphy Street nightspot, after they were deemed too drunk to drive.

Driving a vehicle belonging to one of his passengers, the defendant drove at a fast rate of speed along Murphy Street, and was later seen by police near Ford Street.

Officers activated their lights and attempted to intercept the vehicle, which turned onto Murphy Street and then lost control as it attempted to turn left onto Reid Street, colliding with a central traffic light in the process.

The court heard the accused had then exited the vehicle and escaped police on foot, with his passengers emerging from the vehicle and informing officers of the accused’s identity.

He attended Wangaratta Police Station two days later, and admitted he had panicked after noticing police while driving a vehicle full of passengers.

He admitted the driving had been “unacceptable”.

Observing pictures of the crash scene, a magistrate remarked the vehicle “used to be a nice car”.

The accused said he had commenced an apprenticeship in the wake of the offending, and was in the process of applying for a learner’s permit, having never held one prior the incident.

“Everything seems to be heading in the right direction, except you made a stupid decision,” the magistrate said.

He urged the accused to “put (his) brain into gear” whenever he got behind the wheel of a car going forward, and placed the accused on a 12-month good behaviour bond with the condition he complete a road trauma awareness course.

Temporary closure of Bogong High Plains Road

BOGONG High Plains Road was temporarily closed to all road users from 7pm last night, in both directions between Mount Beauty and Falls Creek due to forecast heavy rainfall and high winds impacting an area where landslip rectification works are ongoing.

To check if the road has re-opened go to bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions.

Early voting centre open

By SIMONE KERWIN

ST Patrick’s Hall in Ford Street is Wangaratta’s early voting centre for the national Voice to Parliament referendum.

Early voting began on Monday in Victoria, just under two weeks from the Saturday, October 14 referendum day.

Jenny Essex, Australian Electoral Commission divisional returning officer, said there appeared to have been a “good stream” of people attending the early voting centre in order to have their say.

The St Patrick’s Hall location will be open from 8.30am to 5.30pm today, tomorrow and Friday; from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, October 7; from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday, October 9 to Thursday, October 12; and from 8.30am to 6pm on Friday, October 13.

Ms Essex advised those seeking to vote early to refer to the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au) to confirm times ahead of their visit.

She said early voting centres were also operating in Bright, Benalla, Wodonga and Mansfield.

On October 14, there will be voting sites at Whitfield, Whorouly, Springhurst, Moyhu, Eldorado, Milawa, Glenrowan and Tarrawingee, and in Wangaratta at the Wangaratta High School, Our Lady’s Primary School hall, and 36-40 Murphy Street.

The referendum asks Australians to write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in answer to the question: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

Still time to join in Community Raffle

LOCAL community groups will have an extra two weeks to secure their raffle books ahead of the 2023/24 Community Raffle, organised by the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta.

The Rotary club’s committee recently elected to extend distribution of raffle books from the Chisholm Street log cabin through to October 13.

As a result, Rotary members will be on hand October 4, 5, 6 and October 11, 12 and 13 be-

tween 4pm and 5.50pm to ensure sporting clubs and community groups are able to secure their ticket books, which can be sold through to February 26.

Through the initiative, community groups will receive $3 of every $5 ticket they sell, with the remaining $2 supporting the Rotary club’s further investment in the community and the prize pool.

The raffle’s major prize is a 2024 Mitsubishi ASX GS valued at $28,000, while second place

Fire decimates Rutherglen property

By RYAN MALCOLM

OCCUPANTS safely escaped a Rutherglen house fire which decimated a semi-rural property on Glasgow Street earlier this week.

Some 15 CFA units from Rutherglen, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Chiltern and other surrounding brigades attended the fire around 7.40am on Monday, locating a home fully involved in flame.

Breathing apparatus crews worked to bring the blaze under control, however, the fire took hold and largely decimated the home, with an excavator subsequently called to clear the scene.

Police and ambulance crews also attended the incident, while the relevant power company was also required to cut power to the address.

An ambulance spokesperson said paramedics assessed two people at the scene of the fire, but were not required to transport the duo to hospital.

The incident was eventually deemed under control around 8.55am.

will receive a $4400 accommodation and travel package from Travel and Cruise North East.

A number of other prizes are also up for grabs, with the official draw to be held at the Wangaratta Motor Group showrooms on March 8.

For more information or to arrange a raffle book collection outside of regular hours, contact Geoff Dinning on 0418 530 242, David Battin on 0407 500 648 or Robert Tate on 0408 573 392.

Book sale at the library on Saturday

THE Friends of Wangaratta Library are holding a book sale on Saturday, October 7 from 9.30am to 12pm at the Wangaratta Library.

There will be a large range of second-hand adult fiction, non-fiction and children’s books to choose from with all money raised assisting the library in providing programming and events.

GRAND PRIZE: Wangaratta Motor Group’s Wally Armstrong (left) and Jarred Clark (right) with Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta members Geoff Dinning and Bev Maher pose with the 2023/24

Community Raffle’s grand prize, a Mitsubishi ASX GS.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Locals show how to make a difference

THE Wangaratta Chronicle is fortunate enough to be able to showcase so many locals who are making an impact locally and further afield.

We do so not only in the pride such individuals bring to our community but to hopefully provide examples for others to step up and play an active, positive role in local, state and national affairs.

Today we have stories on two inspiring former locals who have set very high benchmarks indeed in their respective fields.

Olga and Mason Scholes have devoted themselves to improving the lives of young Indigenous people in remote Northern Territory, providing bi-cultural, community-driven education - their amazing story is on page 2.

They will be guest presenters at tonight’s local Oxfam AGM at The Vine Hotel and everyone is invited to attend.

It’s also a chance for you to be involved with Oxfam, an organisation built on helping others.

Our other inspiration is Joelie Younger, on our front page today, a self-taught custom costume designer and maker who had the epic task of producing the stunning outfits used by the 500 plus young Kiss army members at the AFL Grand Final pre-match entertainment.

For many, her efforts contributed to one of the major highlights of the day.

Joelie attributed much of her success in her chosen field to another inspiring local, her secondary school teacher Rosemary O’Brien who fanned Joelie’s flames of passion for fashion working above and beyond her job title.

These people show the way for all of us, that if we can imagine it then why not have a red-hot go making that dream come to realisation.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

The Australian QuizNo.44

1

“Rochambeau” is another name for which popular game?

(a) Marco Polo

(b) Rock-paper-scissors

(c) Hopscotch (d) Charades

2 Which 2014 movie starred Matthew McConaughey as Joseph Cooper?

(a) Interstellar

(b) The Imitation Game

(c) Birdman

(d) Gone Girl

3 Tyson Fury knocked out which boxer in round six of their April 2022 heavyweight title fight?

No-one will benefit from a Yes vote

(a) Alexander Povetkin

(b) Mariusz Wach

(c) Dillian Whyte

(d) Deontay Wilder

4 Which planet is known as the Swift planet?

(a) Mercury

(b) Venus

(c) Uranus

(d) Saturn

5 Sophie Monk was a member of which girl group, who won the first season of Popstars Australia?

(a) Girlfriend

(b) Scandal’us

(c) Bardot

(d) Lash

THE referendum is full of yesses and nos, with political parties having taken sides on the issue.

Australia is a great country, with people from many societies being represented.

We count immigrants, locally, from war torn countries, who don’t ask for a separate flag, separate voice or anything which makes them different.

Their elected representatives and they themselves have worked hard to make Australia the rich country it is today.

Yet there are those amongst us who wish to divide us and I believe Labor is divisive in its wording of this referendum.

The Aboriginal question should be how we should help those people, to help themselves, not some politically open cheque we should say yes to.

By all means recognise Aboriginals in our constitution, like immigrants are, as Australian first and look at all the benefits of being Australians.

I do not think Australians overall will benefit, least of all the Aborigines.

Let us help all the poor with housing, job generation, energy costs and let’s look at what Labor has done to cause all these costly problems by pushing for renewables. Vote yes at your children’s peril… otherwise you may not like what you get.

John Vance, Wangaratta

Council can play role in referendum engagement

IN declining to proactively participate in The Voice, Rural City of Wangaratta Council and its representatives have not only missed an opportunity to encourage good outcomes for local community members but have contributed to a less fulsome exploration of how our community might come together to discuss and think about complex social issues, such as constitutional Indigenous recognition.

Council has a direct interest in the outcome of this discussion about the collective wellbeing and equality of Indigenous people, because our municipality includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – people whose lives will be impacted by the referendum outcome.

Furthermore, local government, charged with achieving the best outcomes for the entire

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

6

(a) 120 million

(b) 57 million

(c) 93 million

(d) 21 million

(a) Moonwalk (b) Neverland

(c) Thriller (d) Mirror

9 Israel shares control of the Dead Sea with which country?

7

Which team won the wooden spoon in the only Australian Super League season, held in 1997?

(a) Adelaide Rams

(b) Perth Reds

(c) North Queensland Cowboys

(d) Hunter Mariners

8 What is the title of Michael Jackson’s 1980s autobiography?

(a) Egypt

(b) Syria (c) Saudi Arabia

(d) Jordan

10Which of the following events occurred during 1912?

(a) King Umberto was assassinated

(b) Hindenburg disaster

(c) RMS Titanic sank

(d) Queen Victoria died

municipality and recognising that what lifts one – especially the most marginalised of us –lifts us all, undeniably has a unique, local stake in the outcome of the vote.

This doesn’t mean council’s engagement with the issue must be by alignment to either the “Yes” or “No” campaign.

Rather, there exists a third, more nuanced, way for the Rural City of Wangaratta to participate in this discussion, by committing to fostering and modelling a positive attitude towards evidence-based civic engagement and respectful conversations, highlighting the fact that it is critical that as a community we learn about how to have these conversations together, regardless of how we intend to vote.

The Rural City of Wangaratta Council and its representatives still have a unique opportunity to:

- promote community engagement with legitimate information to counter misinformation;

- explore how it might initiate activities that foster the broad set of skills that underpin information literacy and civic engagement to help our communities navigate suchto the future; and

- steer clear of language and rhetoric that perpetuates racism and discrimination in our community.

I believe community members are right to expect their leaders to take on such a role, and that local people can differentiate this role from councillors’ personal beliefs, or binary commitments to “Yes” or “No” votes.

I, for one, look forward to using my time as a councillor to encourage greater engagement with the issues that are a stake for Indigenous communities, and to support community members to access the information they need to make up their minds in good faith.

IN doing so, I am optimistic that the outcome, in turn, will be one of good faith.

Jack Herry, North Wangaratta

WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words. Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility.

Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

Post Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677

FAMILY AFFAIR: Moyhu FNC netball coordinator Carmel Annett (middle) with the mother and daughter winning duo from Moyhu’s 2023 season presentation night on Thursday, with Emma Duffy (left) as the under 17s encouragement award winner and mum Sandra (right) as Moyhu’s best clubperson.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

Music acts to battle it out on Saturday

By SIMONE KERWIN

SOME of the district’s best young musical talent will take to the stage at The Vine Hotel on Saturday for this year’s Wangaratta Battle of the Bands.

Kicking off the North East Battle of the Bands series, Saturday’s free event is being hosted by the Rural City of Wangaratta’s youth services FReeZA crew Spilt Milk.

Doors will open at 1.30pm,

and the competition starts at 2pm, with 12 bands set to compete for the chance to line up in the final at an all-ages gig on the Benalla foreshore on January 20.

Further heats will be held in Euroa, Mansfield, Bright, Albury, Beechworth and Tallangatta over the next couple of months.

There will be two categories in each battle - soloists and duos, and bands of all genres.

Entrants will perform up to

three songs, one of which must be original material.

Returning to the event after performing at Wangaratta last year are indie rockers and 2022 winners The Dunners, threepiece punk/grunge outfit The Counterfeits, solo artist Tess Goodman, and solo rapper KMB.

Up against them will be solo artists Mieke, Tully Frasca and acoustic soloist Alysha, pop duo Khiana and Charley, along with three-piece grunge

Driver caught at 148kph on Snow Road

A MOTORIST caught driving almost 50kph above the speed limit along the Snow Road earlier this year has been sidelined from driving for the next 12 months.

Facing Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, the local woman pleaded guilty to driving at a speed dangerous, after she was intercepted by police on the morning of April 8 driving at 148kph in a 100kph zone near Markwood.

The court heard police had been conducting patrols when the woman was detected on the Snow Road, travelling east at speed.

She was intercepted and admitted she knew she had been driving in a 100kph zone, but noted she had not looked at her own speed, and instead been focused on the road.

Police analysis of the incident said a crash at the alleged speed would have had “horrendous” consequences, with the vehicle expected to have travelled more than 80m before the woman would have been able to brake in a potential emergency situation.

“I made a huge mistake,” the defendant told the court.

“I was in shock when he told me how fast I was going.”

The defendant said she had been stressed and anxious that morning, after her farm was rendered without power or water, and admitted the circumstances had been distracting.

bands Eyegaze and 7 Pound Halo, rock band Snowgum, and five-piece indie punk rock band The Soggy Pockets.

Saturday is a great chance to see and support young talent while enjoying a day out with friends.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at The Vine, and the event will be drug, alcohol, vape and smoke free.

To book your tickets, visit https://events.humanitix.com/ battle-of-the-bands-wangaratta

She said the road had been completely clear of traffic, and noted if other traffic had been in her vicinity “it would have certainly alerted (her)”.

Magistrate Peter Dunn noted the defendant had no prior criminal history outside of a small number of speeding fines, and had tendered a number of letters speaking to her usual good character.

He cancelled the accused’s driver’s licence for 12 months, and placed her on a good behaviour bond for the same period.

He also noted the woman would still be permitted to drive tractors and other vehicles around the family farm, but would be found to have breached her licence suspension if she drove across a roadway.

IN THE RUNNING: Three-piece grunge band Eyegaze - with members Josh, Kai and Spence - will be among the performers competing in Saturday’s Battle of the Bands at The Vine.

PODIUM FINISH: Champion competitors on Sports Day included Lane Sloan (third), Liam Bennett (second) and Will Boulton (first) in the 12 year old age group.

Real life experiences

Appin Park Primary School

SENIOR students were trying their hand at real life experiences last term.

Creating their own Martinville City, the students conducted their own businesses, ‘selling’ goods to the residents of Martinville.

Written applications were the first step to building the community.

Some of the businesses that were present in the city were a pet store, toy store, sports store, electrical goods, sign writers, travel agents, lotto agency, clothing and a jewellery business.

Students had to create their own catalogues of items they believed consumers would purchase.

Oxley Primary School

LANE Sloan (3rd), Liam Bennett (2nd) and Will Boulton (1st) were the 12 year old age group champions of the Marmungan Sports Day, held last term. Each year the schools of the Oxley, Milawa, Carragarmungee, Everton and Whorouly join together for a Sports Day, with lots of parents viewing and volunteering.

BOARDING CALL: Students Jesse Sanderson and Declan Cox were booking their flights through travel agent, Kyla Moncrieff, as part of their real life experience.

Footy day

Wangaratta West Primary School

ON the last day of term three, students celebrated their success with a school footy day.

They were encouraged to wear their team colours from any sport. Students participated in group activities involving team building whilst continuously incorporating school values.

CELEBRATION: Skylah Thompson, Urban Holt, Noah Cooper, Archie Calvene, Chad Vincent were among the students proudly wearing their team colours on Footy Day.

TOP EFFORT: Carra student Max Herrmann-O’Brien won age group champion for seven year old boys on Athletics Day.

Carraragarmungee Primary School

Good sports Athletics Day

STUDENT Max Herrmann-O’Brien was proud as punch to win age group champion for seven year old boys on athletics day last term.

It was such a fun day with many personal bests broken and a great effort by all Carra kids.

The students had been receiving weekly payments for their work, to cover rental, amenities expenses and insurances, and were in readiness to spend at each store on the grand opening day.

The ‘Around the World’ travel agents were a popular store as students flocked to purchase trips to Africa, Russia, Paris, America and places around Australia.

Real life maths skills were definitely on show.

Reducing waste

Wangaratta Primary School

RECYCLING was the hot topic when Sally Hughes from the Rural City of Wangaratta came and spoke to the students, educating them about the school’s three - and soon to be four - bin system, and the importance of correct recycling.

The students discussed what items could and couldn’t go into the bins and how our waste is collected, sorted and then used.

BIN IT: Students Zara Cagas, Jane Foster, Charlie Couche and Mark Henschke were among the students to pick up valuable information from educator Sally Hughes about recycling.

1

Which of the following is nature’s toughest fibre? Is it a) spider silk, b) limpet teeth, c) cocoon silk or d) qiviut?

2

What is the average number of tastebuds on an adult’s tongue? Is it about a) 50,000, b) 15,000, c) 5000 or d) 1000?

3Which type of insect has a species named after the President of the United States, Donald Trump: a) moth, b) wasp, c) butterfly or d) bee?

How many elements are there on the periodic table? Is it a) 108, b) 117, c) 118 or d) 122?

4

5

What was the last planet Voyager 2 flew by before it set off for the unknown reaches of interstellar space? Was it a) Uranus, b) Neptune, c) Saturn or d) Jupiter?

four planets listed. It is now on an extended journey in interstellar space.

As at February 2019, there are 118 elements in the periodic table. 5. b) Neptune. Launched in 1977, Voyager 2 has flown past lal

much grinding, these teeth need to be super tough. 2. c) 5000. Adults commonly have between 2000 and 8000 tastebuds on their tongue.

3. a) In 2017, a moth with yellow scales on its head was named Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, after Donald Trump. 4. c) 118.

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. b) Limpet teeth overtook spider silk as the toughest naturally occurring fibre in 2015. Limpets are a type of marine snail. They spend most of their life looking for food by dragging their teeth along rocks in shallow ocean waters. With so

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

Weaving our historical links to woollen mills

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

WANGARATTA Woollen Mills is being remembered for its community minded workforce during a research project into its history.

Bendigo Woollen Mills, owners of the Wangaratta mill, is celebrating their 40th anniversary next year, and RMIT University historian Robert Crawford is working on a chronological history of the mills and its connections.

With Wangaratta Woollen Mills being sold to the company in 2017, it then inherited the history of the Wangaratta mills, dating back to 1923.

University of Melbourne historian Jackie Dickenson has been helping Professor Crawford with research and visited Wangaratta last Thursday and Friday, going through countless pages of records at the Wangaratta Historical Society museum and visiting the mills to explore cultural and business history.

Dr Dickenson said, as a labour historian, she was interested in learning of the cultural history of the mills.

“I suspect it’s to chronologically explain how this company is connected now to this long history of woollen work in Australia, which in Victoria has

been a really important employer and essential to a town like Wangaratta and its existence really,” she said.

“We’ve found a lot of employee handbooks, when an employee joined Wangaratta Mills the handbook showed how they should behave, the ethics and all the things they should do.

“I was really happy to see that Wangaratta was somewhere that the employees weren’t just

employees, they were actually a part of a community.”

Dr Dickenson said she was interested in learning firsthand the experiences of those who used to work at the woollen mills in the past to learn more about the social and cultural changes at the mills over time, including the childcare of the women who worked there.

“The kind of questions I would like to ask link into lo-

cal history, like what was the meaning of the mills to the people of this town,” she said.

“It brings it to life, otherwise it’s just a dry bit of history; it’s the people and the community who make it interesting.”

Any past workers at the woollen mills or family members of former workers who wish to be interviewed for the research are encouraged to reach out to edit. chronicle@nemedia.com.au.

$3300

fine for truckie found with fireworks, tested positive for illicit drugs

A TRUCK driver caught with methylamphetamine in his system and fireworks stored in his cab has been fined more than $3000 and handed a lengthy driving ban for the offending.

Appearing before Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, the man pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from an April 8 intercept on the Hume Freeway near Springhurst.

According to police prosecutor Constable Immy Akers, heavy vehicle unit police had intercepted the defendant’s black Ford prime mover around 1.10pm, when an oral fluid test returned a positive result for methylamphetamine.

A subsequent search of the cab located three small red ‘penny bangers’ amounting to some six grams of explosive.

Defence counsel Geoff Clancy said his client had shown remorse for possessing the firecrackers, and noted the man’s limited criminal history in urging Magistrate Peter Dunn to impose a fine.

However, Mr Dunn contended the offending was of a serious nature, particularly as the fireworks were “sitting on top” of “hundreds of litres of diesel”.

He convicted and fined the defendant $2500 for possessing the fireworks, and imposed a further conviction, $800 fine and suspended the man’s driver’s licence for nine months.

Police soften barriers to entry as they focus on more recruitment

By RYAN MALCOLM

POLICE applicants between the age of 18 and 21 will no longer be required to have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, in an effort to fill hundreds of currently vacant roles.

The police entrance exam will also be waived for applicants who have

achieved a specified bachelor degree in arts, humanities, law, science or business in the past five years at an Australian university, or for those who have worked as a police officer elsewhere in Australia, New Zealand or the UK in the last five years.

A police spokesperson said the VCE requirement, which was initially introduced in the 1990s, was “creating an unnecessary barrier

and loss of potentially suitable candidates such as those who have left school early to pursue a trade”.

The police entrance exam will still confirm academic suitability for applicants hoping to join Victoria Police out of high school.

The spokesperson said the removal of the entrance exam for experienced police officers or with recent bachelor degrees was a re-

Are you aged 70 years or older? You must still vote in the 2023 Referendum

The referendum will be held on Saturday 14 October 2023. Voting is compulsory even if you are 70 years of age or older.

If you can’t make it to a polling place on voting day, you may be eligible to vote early.

For more information go to www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26

Appropriate COVID-19 safety measures will be in place at all polling places.

Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 years and older. If you don’t vote, you may be prosecuted. Voting more than once is a criminal offence.

2023 Referendum, Saturday 14 October

aec.gov.au | 13 23 26

sult of analysis which showed the vast majority of these qualifications passed the exam.

They said the exam requirement caused “unnecessary delay and cost for applicants”.

“Analysis shows in the last year just one applicant with prior policing experience failed the exam but later passed,” the spokesperson said.

More than 1500 prospective po-

lice members are expected to attend a careers expo at La Trobe University in Bendigo on October 14.

The expo will allow those over the age of 18 a window into the opportunities available in policing.

The expo will run from 10am to 4pm, and attendees are urged to register for the free event by visiting police.vic.gov.au/victoria-policebendigo-careers-expo.

IN ITS HEY DAY: Historians are exploring the archives of the Wangaratta Woollen Mills as a part of historic research of the Bendigo Woollen Mills, which owns Wangaratta’s mills.

King River floods and road damage leaves residents isolated

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@

AKING Valley resident whose property is cut off whenever the King River floods, fears she may one day find herself stranded in an emergency situation.

Rose Malgioglio lives on Mahlooks Lane on a property her family has owned since the 1970s, located about 800 metres from the WangarattaWhitfield Road.

She is the full-time carer for her father who is now in his nineties, frail and living at the property.

When there was a major flood over the King’s Birthday long weekend in June, Ms Malgioglio and her father found themselves cut off from the main road for five days.

“We were surrounded and the culverts in the lane were washed out - I called council but they wouldn’t come out because it was a public holiday,” she said.

“They came out the next business day (on the Tuesday) and only patched up one of the culverts - they didn’t come all the way down the lane to fix the other - so we still couldn’t get out and I had to ring them again.”

Ms Malgioglio said she tried calling the State Emergency Services and then the Wangaratta police - who also tried to contact council on her behalf - but it took multiple calls by Ms Malgioglio before she finally got onto someone who told her they wouldn’t be able to come.

“We were in a situation where if my Dad was ill, I couldn’t get him to a hospital - which is frightening,” she said.

“Unfortunately there have been no flood mitigation works along the river, and

Council responds to flooding issues

RURAL City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan said Mahlooks Lane was classified as an “access” road and inspections were carried out as per council’s Road Management Plan definition (or once a year) - and there were no plans to upgrade the lane.

Mr Goonan said council has attended to all road infrastructure throughout the King Valley more than standard over the past 18 months due to the weather.

upstream from us there is a lot of stuff which needs to be cleaned out - and when the flood comes, it all comes down.

“It creates this erosion and there’s debris and rubbish - fences come down, gravel gets washed out and the culverts get washed out - and we get trapped like a little

“The cost of flood repairs across the entire municipality over the past 18 months has run into the millions of dollars,” he said.

Mr Goonan said he couldn’t comment on whether or not a resident was advised over the phone that council officers wouldn’t attend on a public holiday, saying that “council and all emergency services run after-hours services”.

“Not all call-out issues are council’s responsibility and depending on

island and no-one can get through.”

Ms Malgioglio said she remembers when she was growing up there were occasional floods every few years - but they were not as powerful or intense and the floodwaters were always quick to subside. She said while they may

the nature of the emergency event, council officers will prioritise works as required,” he said.

When asked if council seeks reimbursement or contribution from NECMA for the repairs to public roads damaged by flooding of the King River, Mr Goonan said there was no such arrangement. He said council and NECMA officers “have a close working relationship and continue to work together on many projects”.

have been cut off a short time, the road wouldn’t be as damaged or washed out.

“Now the floods seem to be coming two, three or even four times a year,” she said.

“Every time there is a flood, we get cut off and can’t access the main road.

“It’s because the river is all clogged up and the water obviously finds the quickest

way to get out - so it all comes across the land and we get cut off.”

Ms Malgioglio said up until the mid-1990s when the lane was under the Shire of Oxley, it was regularly maintained, with grading completed and pot holes fixed about twice a year.

She said she’s disappointed that even

though it’s a public access road, the Rural City of Wangaratta seems to only attend when called, and only to conduct basic, short term repairs on culverts which appear too small to deal with the volume of floodwater.

Ms Malgioglio said she would also like to see the North East Catchment Management Authority clean up the river so the damage to the lane would be less severe and she wouldn’t be left stranded.

She was one of 13 landholders who signed a petition asking the authority to address the problem back in 2020, but were advised that while the problem was acknowledged, they should hire their own contractors and clean it up themselves.

NECMA CEO Katie Warner confirmed earlier this month the CMA was “project funded to deliver specific river health actions consistent with the waterway management strategy, and this does not enable the site specific works requested by the adjacent landholders”.

Ms Warner said NECMA had a regulatory role, under the Water Act 1989, in authorising individuals and organisations to carry out flood mitigation activities on waterways, however “it does not have a responsibility to carry out flood mitigation activities on waterways themselves”.

The affected landholders in the King Valley believe they should not have to pay for rectification works in the river - on top of repairs to their own properties - when it was once conducted by the authority themselves, which had the specialist equipment and expertise.

ROAD CLOSED: When the King River floods now, the volume of water is greater and more ferocious, washing out the culverts in Mahlooks Lane (pictured) and leaving the Malgioglio family isolated for days, until council comes to repair it.

FLOODED IN: Rose Malgioglio says while decades ago the King River might flood every few years, a build-up of debris is causing the river to flood several times a year, edging closer to her home.

HIGH AND DRY: In the spring sunshine, it’s hard to imagine the King Valley property can be surrounded by floodwater, right up to where Rose Malgioglio (pictured) is standing.

PHOTO: Anita McPherson

nemedia.com.au

Five ways to build personal wellbeing

MENTAL Health Month is celebrated each year in October.

It encourages us to think about our mental health and wellbeing.

It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages us to get help when needed.

The World Health Organisation confirms that mental health is an important part of our overall health.

Health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

This is the underlying basis for ‘five ways to wellbeing’ - a collective of various ‘ways’ that holistically help to promote, protect and restore mental health.

‘Five ways to wellbeing’ introduces five simple and effective ways to improve your psychological and emotional health: connect, be active, keep leaning, be aware and help others.

Here are some really simple ideas on how you can do this today:

1. You can connect by developing close relationships and socialising with friends, family and others.

You can also broaden your social networks within the wider community by attending local events or joining community groups.

2. Being active can help your

mind and body continue to work well longer.

It doesn’t have to be hard or costly.

You can ask a friend or your partner to go for a walk or

consider joining a community group program, such as Tai Chi.

3. Learning new things can be fun, boost your self-confidence, improve your thinking skills and your ability to cope with stress.

You can learn to cook a new meal and enjoy it with friends or family.

4. Being aware means you take time to pay attention to our thoughts and feelings.

It also means you are aware of your surroundings and are ‘in the moment’.

Doing this can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach life’s challenges

5. Helping others releases endorphins in the brain and boosts happiness for you as well as the people you help.

It can be as simple as a smile, saying “thank you” or holding a door open for someone.

You can also volunteer in your community.

Follow Gateway Health’s socials for some more recommendations and programs we offer to support the five ways to wellbeing each week during October.

Gateway Health offers professional and confidential counselling and mental health services provided in safe, supportive and non-threatening environments.

If you would like more information about these services, freecall 1800 657 573 or email info@gatewayhealth.org.au.

Alcohol and Drug Counselling

Child Health and Parent Support (CHIPS)

Children’s Counselling

Children’s Psychological Therapy Services

Family and Relationships Counselling

Food In Mind

Gambler’s Help

Gender Service

General Counselling

Head to Health

headspace

Listening to Voices

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres

Provisional Psychologist Clinic

Recovery Counselling

Youth Counselling (Resolve)

Gateway Health offers professional and confidential counselling and mental health services provided in safe, supportive and non-threatening environments.

Scan the QR code to find out more information about these services or contact us on freecall 1800 657 573 or email info@gatewayhealth.org.au.

MENTAL WELLBEING: Eden Porter helps others take care of their mental health through instructing Tai Chi classes at Gateway Health.

Double Feature by Damian Callinan

AN engaging show in which comedian Damian Callinan shares the story of how his parents met during the late 1940s, will visit the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre tomorrow in what will be the final matinee show of the year.

The surprise discovery of his mother’s diary led Damian, a three-time Barry Award nominee, to create a cinematic, romantic romp through post-war Melbourne.

Part of this year’s Wangaratta Seniors Festival, the show starts at 10.30am with tickets available at wpacc.com.au or by calling 5722 8105.

Battle of the Bands at The Vine

YOUNG local artists will take to the stage in this year’s Battle of the Bands being held at The Vine Hotel in North Wangaratta this Saturday from 2pm.

The all ages event is hosted by the Rural City of Wangaratta’s youth services FreeZa crew, Spilt Milk and The Vine Hotel with doors open at 1.30pm and food and drinks available to purchase.

See a wide range of acts at the event which is funded by FreeZa, ensuring a safe and fun environment for everyone in a drug, alcohol, vape and smoke-free zone.

yourstars

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although practical situations continue to dominate this week, there’s time for the Lamb to indulge in the fun things in life, like maybe taking a special someone out for a great evening.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) This week favors relationships. Take time to renew old ones and make time to go where new friends can be found. On a more practical note, expect news about a business deal.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You should be seeing some progress on that new workplace situation. Meanwhile, family matters might demand more attention, and you’ll want to set aside time to deal with them.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A relationship might suddenly present some challenges you never expected. After talking things out, you might want to consider taking some time to assess what you’ve learned.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A disappointing response to a request might dampen the Lion’s spirits, but you might want to ask the reasons behind it. What you learn can be of great importance in a future undertaking.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A once-volatile situation should be settled by now, giving you a chance to refocus on a project you’ve been planning for. Look for an interested party to rally for support.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A business matter that unexpectedly turns into a personal situation could create complications. Best to resolve the matter now before too much harm can be done.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Emotions can run high when they involve personal matters no one really wants to talk about. But this could be a good time to create the means to a workable outcome.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A positive response to a workplace request could lead the way to other long-sought changes. Congratulations. A personal situation also takes a welcome turn.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Patience pays off, as that onceoverwhelming work situation continues to become easier to handle on a one-by-one basis. Look for positive news from a colleague.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) It might be a good idea to take more time and reassess your next move in working out a complex situation. You could benefit from a new perspective on the matter.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might want to consider making time to discuss a change of plans with everyone concerned. Be prepared to explain your actions. Also be prepared to listen to alternatives.

Free concert for Seniors Festival

THE Rural City of Wangaratta and “Safer Together” are proud to present a free Seniors Concert with Arthur Hull at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 11 at 2pm.

A rising star, student of Albury’s Flying Fruit Fly Circus and a recent performer on The Voice in 2022, Arthur will be performing popular ballads from past 30 years.

While the event is free, space is limited and bookings are essential by visiting wpacc.com.au or by calling 5722 8105.

Family entertainment at Wangaratta Show

Soweto Gospel Choir to lift spirits with epic Australian tour

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE

WANGARATTA’S Performing

Arts and Conventions Centre will play host to three-time Grammy winning Soweto Gospel Choir this month, performing their show HOPE which kicked off its Australian tour in August.

Presented by Andrew Kay, Soweto Gospel Choir’s new show celebrates the music of protest and freedom; from Mandela’s South Africa to the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King’s 1950s America.

“It’s always a special treat to bring the unique and inspirational power of Soweto Gospel Choir to Aussie shores,” Mr Kay said.

“The energy and presence they bring is unparalleled, and following a smash season at the 2023 Adelaide Fringe, we’re

WANGARATTA Newcomers

will hold their next gathering on Thursday, October 5 from 2pm to 3.30pm at Intermezzo Café.

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

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

WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club will hold indoor carpet bowls tomorrow (Thursday) from 12 noon, cards (euchre) from 1.30pm on Friday, indoor carpet bowls on Monday from 12 noon, and cards (500) and hoy on Tuesday from 1.30pm, all at its clubrooms in Tara Court, off Ford Street, or in the adjoining St Patrick’s supper room.

There will be breakfast at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway on Friday from 8am. Next Wednesday, members will attend the Arthur Hull concert at the Wangaratta Per-

excited to share their extraordinary talent with the rest of Australia.”

As part of this tour, the choir will perform one night only at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on October 10 during the Opera House’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

HOPE opens with a rousing program of South African freedom songs, before the repertoire echoes down through time to the USA, with beautiful renditions of the protest music of the Civil Rights Movement, including works by legendary artists James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.

Soweto’s choir master Shimmy Jiyane said HOPE was a special show for all members in the Soweto Gospel Choir.

“These are the songs that we grew up on; that inspired us and that keep in-

SOCIAL CALENDAR

forming Arts and Convention Centre from 2pm to 3.30pm.

ELDORADO Senior Citizens Club hosts indoor carpet bowls at the hall every Thursday from 12.45pm.

The club will host its next community meal and annual general meeting on Thursday, October 12 from 12 noon.

WANGARATTA Family History Society will host two events at the Wangaratta Library during Seniors’ Month in October.

The first will be held on Thursday, October 5 from 10am, on using your computer and technology to research your ancestry, and the second, on Thursday, October 19 from 10am, will focus on trouble-

spiring us,” she said.

“HOPE showcases how the power of song and the power of performance can inspire and soundtrack real change.”

While in Australia, Soweto Gospel Choir will also team up with legendary Australian DJ Groove Terminator for the uplifting celebration of house music, History of House, playing eight highly dance-able shows across selected venues in Darwin, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Castlemaine.

Formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music, Soweto Gospel Choir draws on the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto.

The choir will perform in Wangaratta on Tuesday, October 31 from 7.30pm with tickets av

shooting with family tree software.

Although there is no cost, bookings are essential, and can be made by emailing wangfamhs@gmail.com or phoning 0474 443 626.

VETERAN and family morning tea is held at the Wangaratta RSL on the second Tuesday of each month, with the group’s next catch-up set for Tuesday, October 10 from 10am to 11.30am.

The gathering will celebrate Veteran Health Week, as will a Pizza in the Park session on Sunday, October 15 at Apex Park (at the RSL if raining) from 12.30pm to 3pm.

All current and ex-service personnel and family are welcome to attend.

For further information about these events, phone 0447 217 768.

RSL Wangaratta women’s auxiliary will hold a hoy day

ENJOY a huge line-up of entertainment over two big days when the Wangaratta Show is held on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14.

There will be steam engines and Fergie tractors on display on Saturday plus an array of farm animals including cattle, sheep, alpacas, poultry and more, with live music, pavilion exhibits and Animals of Oz display and carnival-style entertainment running on both days.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit wangarattashow. org.au.

Friends of Lacluta Open Gardens

BE inspired this spring by visiting beautiful gardens in the local area when Friends of Lacluta holds its annual Open Gardens day on Sunday, October 22 from 10am until 4pm. Gardens will be open in 434 Lyons Road, Tarrawingee, 77 Boorhaman Road in North Wangaratta and 1610 Boorhaman Road in Boorhaman, with plants and produce stalls, refreshments and live music in Tarrawingee.

Entry is $10 for one garden (or $20 for all three) with children’s entry free, and funds raised support projects underway in communities in Timor Leste.

on Thursday, October 12 at the club in Templeton Street.

The $15 entry includes a light lunch, lucky door prize and hoy prizes, with games from 11am to 2pm.

For more information, phone 5721 2501 or email info@wangarattarsl.org.au

OXLEY Garden Group’s next gathering will be held on Thursday, October 12 from 10am at Barb and Russell Godde’s garden at 858 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, Oxley.

Everyone is invited to bring along cuttings, bulbs, etc to share, as well as their knowledge of how to get the best results from plantings. Bring your own cup, a chair and a plate to share.

For further information, contact June Uebergang on 0497 860 785 (text only).

■ More social calendar page 13

POWERFUL TALENT: The Soweto Gospel Choir is performing their show HOPE in Wangaratta this month.

Covering Moyhu, Edi, Myrrhee, Whitfield, Cheshunt and Whitlands areas

Landcare to spr uce up spruce Jessie’s Creek for the future

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

A COLLABORATIVE project being led by King Basin Landcare Group involving Whitfield District Primary School and the local community, will see Jessie’s Creek habitat restored and its biodiversity protected for the future.

The group received a $16,500 Victorian Landcare grant towards the initiative which is already underway with an expert botanist conducting an assessment of the site to identify species for retention and removal.

Group president Rosie Suter said she was excited by the opportunity to not only complete the works but to put a plan in place for the future.

“The most exciting part for me is working with kids, the school and the community,” she said.

“We will be creating a plan to engage the community and involve them in the maintenance of the site going forward to ensure it is a sustainable project.”

Ms Suter said conducting a thorough assessment with a local expert botanist was the starting point, identifying what was already there, what species are missing from the area (that should be there) and tagging weed species for removal.

“Our next plan is to renovate the path that runs along Jessie’s Creek to allow safer, cleaner access for the school kids as well as for future Landcare projects and workshops along the waterway - creating a space for the community and visitors to learn, explore and grow - to

■ From page 12

WANGARATTA Cake Decorators meet on the third Saturday of each month at Galen College in Phillipson Street from 10.30am, with the next meeting scheduled for October 21. This month’s session will focus on creating spooky Halloween-themed mini-cakes. Come and try your hand and have some fun, or get the kids to come along (10 years and over). BYO lunch and mug.

Phone Lee on 0419 513 735 to book and get your kit/requirements list, and check out the club’s CDAV Wangaratta Branch Facebook page.

PARKINSON’S Disease Support Group meets every Friday at the Wangaratta RSL for coffee at 10am.

Those who are able can also meet at the main entrance from 9.30am for a 30 minute river walk prior to coffee.

For more information, contact Dave James on 0409 011 953 or Ros Taylor on 0429 624 844.

WANGARATTA Table Tennis As-

Seniors Festival event in Cheshunt

A FREE community event will be held at the Cheshunt Hall tomorrow from 12pm to 2.30pm as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.

Celebrating the resilient community, there will be a barbecue and ice cream with live music by performer Arthur Hull and representatives from emergency services will also be present.

To RSVP for catering purposes call Angie on 5722 0790.

Milawa Racquets to celebrate 50 years

Milawa Racquets Club will celebrate 50 years this Saturday with a barbecue lunch and ‘come and try’ sessions from 12pm.

A celebration dinner and plaque unveiling will be held at the Milawa Hall on Saturday night, with doors open from 6pm and the unveiling to take place at 6.30pm.

 COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOUR:

King Basin Landcare Group members and friends including Anita Torrance, student Sylvie Grounds, Rosie Suter, Rosemary Buchanan and students Charlie Morgan and Maxwell Perry, at the Jessie’s Creek site.

 HANDS ON: Students at Whitfield District Primary School, who regularly maintain a flourishing garden at their school, will play a key role in restoring the biodiversity along Jessie’s Creek.

PHOTOS: Anita McPherson

nurture nature and become warriors for wildlife,” she said.

“Once the path is formalised, some revegetation of trees and understory plantings will take place, with the final stage to involve species identification and educational signage.”

The timeline for the works will be discussed at the group’s next committee meeting in October.

SOCIAL CALENDAR

sociation is hosting a new social daytime group at the Wangaratta Showgrounds pavilion on Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon.

People of all ages, from beginners to more experienced players, are encouraged to play singles and doubles in a relaxed, friendly environment, with coaching for beginners.

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

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

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

For more information, phone Clare on 0419 365 149.

Ms Suter said the school will be involved in each stage, as she said re-establishing a great relationship with Landcare and Junior Landcare through the school and the wider community, was key to the project.

“The kids will help in planting, plant identification, monitoring any possible sites for nest boxes and trail cameras and so on,” she said.

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

Beginners welcome. Contact Jan on 0429 166 016.

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

Play begins at 8am. New players welcome. Morning tea provided –please bring your own cup.

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

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

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

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

“The community will be invited to planting days, working bees and social barbecues as the project progresses.”

The King Basin Landcare Group said it was also happy to be working collaboratively with the Rural City of Wangaratta on weed management for the site in an ongoing capacity.

New players welcome, contact Helen on 0401 021 448.

GLENROWAN Indoor Carpet Bowls is held at Glenrowan Recreation Reserve Hall each Wednesday – arrive 12.45pm for 1pm start.

The competition runs until 3.30pm–4pm, and is followed by afternoon tea. For details, phone Frank on 0409 662 462.

COME and try croquet at the Wangaratta Croquet Club, 46 Ryan Avenue, on any Monday, Wednesday or Saturday at 12.30pm. Equipment and instruction provided in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. For further information, phone club president Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009.

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

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person (byo drinks) or $10 for children five to 12, with lucky door prizes to be won, and RSVP can be made to 50years@milawasquash. org or phone 0417 944 994.

King Valley Residents Association meeting next week

THE next meeting of the King Valley Residents Association will be held at the Whitfield Recreation Reserve on Wednesday, October 11 at 6pm.

All are welcome to give the King Valley community a voice.

Community opportunities workshop

RESIDENTS from upper King Valley communities are encouraged to attend a special workshop where they can have they say and help plan the King Valley’s future.

Facilitated by Peter Kenyon from Bank of IDEAS and supported by Rural Aid, the event will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at the Whitfield Recreation Reserve with a free meal provided at 5.30pm before the workshop begins at 6.30pm.

Coordinated by the King Valley Residents Association, RSVP is requested for catering purposes to Jenny Ashby on 0419 878 025 or email kingvalleyra@gmail.com.

INPERSONBYPHONESELLING ACAR BUY ONLINE

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

WHENTO BOOK BYEMAIL

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WITH PICTURE from $42

General Classifieds: wangarattachronicle.com.au

Employment: northeastjobs.com.au

Real Estate: northeastproperty.com.au

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

BRIGHT COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

The AGM will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 7.30pm at the Clubhouse. All members are invited to attend.

Notice of intention to apply for an Amendment to our existing Licence to Take and Use Surface Water and Operate Works

GMW Reference No: BSW0317-23

We Brown Brothers Land Holdings No.1 Pty Ltd

Of 1550 Banksdale Road HANSONVILLE 3675

Refer to Vic Roads Map 48 F4 Intend to make application to Goulburn-Murray

Water and if successful:

ONE bedroom, shared accommodation with one other person, electricity, gas and unlimited internet included, fully furnished. Phone 0428 217 493.

RAMS

Further details Hill View Poll Dorset and White Suffolk Chiltern 0437 490 738

$800 - $1200

Breeding rams since 1994

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

PAINTER, old school, for all your painting needs, commercial, industrial renovations.

Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

PAINTER. Ovens and King Painting Service, trade qualified, over 25 years experience, Interior/exteriors, for free quote phone Cherime Demaj 0422 778 257 or 5721 5482.

COMMITTEE OF GOVERNANCE POSITION AVAILABLE

Open Door Neighbourhood House invites members of the community to nominate for our Committee of Governance.

We work to reduce barriers while fostering self-determination and building pride in our neighbourhoods because we are passionate about social justice and empowerment of our communities.

We are seeking interested people to actively contribute to the ongoing governance of our organisation and form part of our committed and hardworking team.

Desirable qualities are:

2020 Toyota Hilux SRS 4x4 2.8l, twin cab white, 23,000km, as new, tilt lid,, bull bar, towbar, side steps, 12 month reg (1SO2UL), $52,000. Ph 0457 906 725.

Volume Folio Plan Type. Parish 10990 193 PC365023P Myrrhee

Any person able to demonstrate that their interests will any intended surface water use, is invited to make a the nature of the impact within 14 days of receipt of considered.

available to download from refer to the surface water section (or contact GMW to arrange for a copy writing using the template available by either mail or email to Customer Support Coordinator, Licensing email licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS WORK!

5723 0101

TILING, wall/floor, bathrooms, renovations.

Phone Claude 0435 945 513.

Office Administrator/ Sales Support

Full or part time

Are you working in office administration, retail or hospitality and looking to take the next step in your career? This position is a permanent opportunity which offers stability while working in a supportive team environment.

You will be joining a well established and highly successful print and digital media company based at our Wangaratta office.

As a Sales Support/ Office Administrator you will be supporting the team by providing administrative and sales support. Your role will have variety and a typical day will include.

phone and email our in-house design team

To be successful in this role you will have:

skills

verbal and written skills

The person in this role will also demonstrate a strong sense of urgency working to strict deadlines.

This is an opportunity to join our sales team and use your customer service skills to support our clients with their print and digital marketing needs.

Applications should be forwarded to:

Ian Pople

Wangaratta Sales Manager

North East Media ipople@nemedia.com.au

All enquiries are to be directed to our Executive Officer, Loretta Waters on PH: 03 57 219 175 or coordinator@opendoornh.org.au.

Finance and Administration Manager

North East Media and its subsidiary companies has a vacancy at its head office in Wangaratta (Victoria) for a motivated and experienced accounting and business administration professional to provide administration management, financial management, and HR support across the group. Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful applicant will be responsible for the provision of day-to-day accounting and financial management responsibilities in the company. They will deliver on all financial and management accounting requirements within allocated deadlines, collaborate with the wider business to optimise finance operations and provide insightful financial and team information to the CEO for strategic decision making.

Essential Experience:

management and the ability to multitask while working autonomously.

role and the group.

data entry and financial record-keeping.

to collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.

We offer a competitive and attractive salary package for the right person and the chance to build a good long-term stable career with a well-respected employer.

letter to: Edward Higgins CEO North East Media Pty Ltd ehiggins@nemedia.com.au

2011 VW Tiguan

2.0 103TDi 5n auto (YIF824), silver, tow b ar, 242,000km used as work commute car, full service history, automatic, diesel, rwc, rego july 2024, $9900 neg, ph 0427 333 417.

2008 Holden VE SS Sedan (1KF5UZ), 197,800km, manual, 19” rims, has upgraded cams, genie extractors, 3-inch exhaust, high

BLACK Holden Cruze CDX 2010 (XWT095), 173,400klm. $3000 neg. Contact Andrew 0428 410 341.

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

TRAILER, 7x4, (V29916) til March 1, 2024. $600, ph 0429 143 363

2016 Ford Focus Trend (1GO8OS),1.5L t urbo petrol, 6 speed auto, 51,000km, 4 n ew tires, registered to Feb 24, 50,000km service completed, RWC supplied, $17,900 ONO. 0427 273 427

SOLD

2015 Holden Cruze SRi-V, (1OK9GX), great first car, 1.6L turbo, auto. Top of the range including heated seats, Bluetooth, Sat.nav, 6 air bags. Registered to Nov. 2023. RW certificate. $8700. Couple minor scrapes on passenge r side. Contact Brad 0488 095 109.

HD Fat Bob, 2009, (HY607), 38,000km, $18,000 ono. Ph 0422 794 387.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK!

5723 0101

CARAVANS & CAMPERS

2016 18’6” Kokoda Endure II Platinum Caravan, semi off road, full ensuite, washing machine, queen bed, 3 gas burners, 1 electric hot plates, microwave oven, tv, 175ltr fridge, freezer, 3 way pull out awning, many more extras, never been used, $47,500. Ph 0457 906 725.

EVANS, Bernard John “Bernie”.

The family of Bernard Evans is saddened to announce his passing on October 2, 2023. Aged 78 years.

Bernie was dearly loved by his family. He will be sadly missed by many.

Beloved husband of Fiona, former beloved husband of Faye.

Father to Demelza and Austin, Estelle, Gabrielle and David, Justin and Brooke. Loving Pop to Oht, Declan, Darby and Wilkie, Tahlia, Ryan, Hayden, Riley, James, Fairlie, Henry and Clancy, and loved step-father of Daniel and Stuart Martin and Poppy to Annabelle and Lilith.

Blessed are the many for having him in their lives.

EVANS, Bernard John (Pop’s).

Father to Estelle, grandfather to Tahlia, Ryan and Hayden.

Thank you for the love and support given so freely. I hope the cattle are fat, grass long and your stock horse sound. An extraordinary man. Your memory will stay alive forever in our hearts.

LEE, Ronald Adrian ‘Ron’. 16/12/1958 - 25/9/2023

Loving son of Liz and Alby (dec). Dearly loved brother of Peter and Sandy. Ron you were everything to us, a perfect son and brother. We miss you, we love you and we will carry you in our hearts always and forever. R.I.P Ron.

CHALKER, Tony.

30/10/1944 – 5/10/2022

One year ago we had to part, but you

RALPH, Hazel.

The Committee of Management, and Residents of St Catherine’s extend our deepest sympathy to Dianne, Steven, Katie and family on Hazel’s passing.

EVANS, Bernie.

Dad, a golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

How lucky we are to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. You’re forever in our hearts our Dad and Pop.

Thank you for everything.

~ Our love, Justin, Brooke Fairlie, Henry and Clancy

EVANS, Bernard John. 1945 – 2023

Rest easy now Pop. Forever in our hearts.

~ Love Gab, David, Riley and James xxxx.

VERDON, Lynette. The Committee of Management, and Residents of St Catherine’s extend our deepest sympathy to Paul, Mark, Simon, Jackie, Kristen and family on Lyn’s passing.

FUNERALS

EVANS

The funeral service to honour the memory of Bernard John Evans “Bernie” is to be held at the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta, on Friday 6th October, 2023 at 2pm. Friends and relatives are all invited to attend the service, followed by burial at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

of Bernie can be made to Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre. Donations can be made online at www.awh.org.au/donate-now/

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

3788646

EVANS, Bernard John.

The President and members of Wangaratta RSL mourn the passing of our highly esteemed Member. Lest We Forget.

MORRIS, Elaine. 5/7/1932 – 30/9/2023

The family of Elaine is saddened to announce her passing on September 30, 2023. Aged 91 years.

Much loved wife of Vernon (dec). Devoted mother and mother-in-law to Peter and Wendy, Trevor and Helen. Proud Nana of Lauren, James, Leah and Julia.

Great-grandma to Jock, Georgie and Ted.

Thank you for the memories we hold in our hearts.

Thank you for the love and care you’ve shown.

Thank you for being there and thank you for just being you.

MORRIS

The graveside funeral service for Mrs Elaine Morris will be held at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery, Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, October 6, 2023, commencing at 10.30am.

LARKIN, Frederick Anthony, passed away October 3, 1999. So quick the time has gone since you went away, and sadly you are missed in a very special way. Your loving children Dianne, Philip, Pamela, Andrew and families.

Personal Notices

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

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

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

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

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

Hoppers crown their 2023 champions

MOYHU celebrated its night of nights at the Wangaratta Racecourse last Thursday night, crowning their best and fairests across all grades.

In their first seasons with the club, Jett Roberts and incoming coach Ainslee Dowling were senior football and A grade netball best and fairest winners respectively.

The 18-year-old Roberts used a strong second half of the season to propel to the top senior football award

while Dowling pipped last year’s winner Sophie Morey in a competitive A grade count.

Other best and fairest winners across the night were Anna Ford in under 15s netball, Maya Draper in under 17s, Josie Donald in B reserve, Charli Draper in B grade and league best and fairest winner Leroy Dowling in reserves football.

PHOTOS: Bailey Zimmermann

OFF-FIELD WARRIOR: Josh Stone was recognised for his off-field contributions at Hopperland this year as the best playing clubperson.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Kaylene Hogan with Moyhu’s 2023 best club person, Sandra Duffy.

WELL EARNED: Reserves coach Dylan Corcoran with his coach’s award winner Jaden Scobie.

THIS WAY: Jack Mckinley with reserves best and fairest winner Leroy Dowling and daughter Edie.

TIGHT-KNIT: Under 17s coaches Tayla Ward and Georgia Allen faired highly among the A grade netball count.

TOP MARKS: Seniors football most consistant George Hearn with Moyhu’s best and fairest winner Jett Roberts.

GLAMOUR NIGHT: Amy Holmes with Moyhu’s B reserve medalists Shannon Sampson, Eva Kelly and Josi Donald.

YOUNG BRIGADE: Under 15s award winners Anna Ford, London Sloan, Emily Vincent and Claudia Humphries.

SHINING STARS: Under 17s award winners Maya Draper, Hannah O’Connor, Ascha Comey-Harvey, Emma Duffy and Tilly Flynn.

United Bright FNC members celebrate phenomenal year

ON Saturday, September 23, the United Bright Football Netball Club came together to celebrate a terrific season, and recognise their exceptional players and club people.

PHOTOS: Charlotte Kilner

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Seniors

Best and fairest: Sam Dalbosco.

Runner up: Michael Elliott.

Third best: Darcy Sholl.

Leading goal kicker: Cooper

Thomason.

Coaches’ award: Max Rampling.

Best defender: Reuben Jamieson.

Most improved: Harry Jamieson.

Best in finals: Joe Gray.

Reserves

Best and fairest: Tom Mullane-Grant.

Runner up: Joe Crawley.

Third best: Brodie Brain.

Best defender: Tom Gray.

Most improved: Cal Smith.

Best in finals: Regan Alexander.

A grade

Best and fairest: Madelaine Muller.

Runner up: Ashley Farmer.

Coaches’ award: Lara Lock.

B grade

Best and fairest: Monique Martin.

Runner up: Kristi Hackett.

Coaches’ award: Charlotte KilnerWheeler.

B reserve

Best and fairest: Taykea Boogaard.

Runner up: Kiah Ross.

Coaches’ award: Madelyn Tomasoni.

Best in finals: Kylie Wickham.

C grade

Best and fairest: Molly Whitty, Chloe Pasquinelli.

Runner up: Hannah Witts.

Best team player: Neve Fillipi.

Best in finals: Molly Whitty and Mackenzie Lynch.

15 and under

Best and fairest: Luca McIntosh.

Runner up: Zoe Whitty.

Coaches’ award: Jemma Ditcham.

Most improved: Heidi McKee.

Club people of the year

Juniors: Samara McCallum, Dane Garrat.

Seniors: Mick Abbate, Amy Sholl.

Kristi Hackett.

Tom Mullane-Grant.

Ashley Farmer.

Michael Elliott.

Taykea Boogaard.

Joe Crawley.

Molly Whitty, Mackenzie Lynch.

Brodie Brain.

Jemma Ditcham, Luca McIntosh, Zoe Whitty, Heidi McKee.

Sam Dalbosco.

North East’s own premiership ‘Pie

By NATHAN DE VRIES

BORN and raised North East footballer Jack Crisp made history with the Collingwood Magpies on the weekend, playing an integral part of the club’s 16th V/AFL flag.

Played in front of a bumper crowd of 100,024 screaming Brisbane and Magpies faithful, Collingwood prevailed to hoist the premiership cup 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86).

Crisp was transcendent, with the Magpies’ most consistent player putting together another brilliant performance, with 25 disposals and two crucial goals.

Crisp’s second goal, a long bomb after the half-time siren from outside 50m, put the Magpies six points up, one of many pivotal moment in the match.

A see-sawing match for four quarters, Crisp’s ever-present form from across half back, as well as his clean use of the footy and work at ground level, saw him end with a premiership medal and two Norm Smith votes.

It brought Crisp’s story full circle, after he was traded to the Magpies from the Lions after the 2014 season.

Crisp’s father Matthew said he couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work Jack’s put into his footy.

“As a parent, I’m just so proud, because you know the work they put in, the effort,” he said.

“It hasn’t been built on one year or a couple of games, it started a few years ago.

“The way they prepare and work through things, it’s a good reward for effort.

“When you go back over the game it was pretty amazing with how many lead changes there were, and a lot of spectacular things happened, a lot of long goal kicking

“They had to change things around a little because of the injury to (Nathan) Murphy, meant he had to go back and defend a lot more, so it changed the dynamic of things, but he (Crisp) still had a really good game.

“I thought he might’ve been pushing it a bit (kicking for goal after the half-time siren) but it went straight through the middle.”

Crisp is expected to poll well in the Magpies’ E.W. Copeland Trophy for the club’s best and fairest, an award he’s won the last two years in a row.

Delatite’s Toy soldiers keen for cricket season

By NATHAN DE VRIES

DELATITE paceman Lincoln Toy will lead the A grade squad in the upcoming 2023/24 Wangaratta and District Cricket Association season, which commences this weekend.

A relative newcomer to the region and the league, Toy played just four A grade matches for Delatite in the back end of last season after joining from Red Hill CC in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

Toy said he felt at home with Delatite, and the entire squad was eager to begin the season.

“The focus has been on preparation, being prepared for round one and for the rounds following,” he said.

“As the batters keep telling us, they’ve never hit this many balls in their lives before round one.

“We started probably five weeks ago, so we’ve had a really good build up into round one, and here comes the rain.

“We’ve been hitting as many balls as we can, bowling as many balls as we can, catching as many balls as we can – the more prepared we are for the season, I think, the better.

“We had a bit of a tough year last year which everyone knows, but we’ve got a few people back on this year and rallied the troops, and we need a game to know where we’re at.

“Internally, we feel like we’re a much more improved side.”

With new and returning players, plus the benefit of preparation on their side, Delatite are poised to shake up the A grade competition, with Toy eager to prove his leadership capabilities.

“The captaincy came about at the end of last year, I think they were in a bit of a transition period, with the older crew stepping aside and letting someone younger do it, but there was a bit of an age gap so that’s where I fit in at 29 as the person to lead us from here,” he said.

“We’ve got Nick (Bogar) who’s jumped on board from Ferntree Gully Footballers CC - he’s building a house in Bonnie Doon and walked in off the street and we got lucky.

“He’s a top order batter who seems like he can whack them around, and he bowls some handy mediums as well.

“We’ve got a fair few spinners, so it might be spin to win.”

Delatite’s first outing – and Toy’s fifth match in the WDCA – will be against the ever-challenging Beechworth Wanderers at the white-picketed Lords Reserve in Mansfield.

“They’re a good side, I played them last year,” Toy said.

“They have a couple of quality bowlers and a couple of quality top order batters, I think they’re quite a good all-round team.

“It should be a good challenge first up to see where we’re at.”

Works has Milawa Bowls Club buzzing ahead of season

By NATHAN DE VRIES

EXCITEMENT is permeating through the Milawa Bowls Club, as bowlers prepare to kick start their A3 campaign at the newlyrenovated club.

The club has been a hive of activity over the past months, as works in and around the Milawa Recreation Reserve have improved drainage, the roadways, and the bowls club itself.

The funds, secured by the Milawa Recreation Reserve committee, has seen concreting take place at the bowls club, a new gravel carpark, and a host of other activities.

Milawa Bowls Club secretary Maureen Walker said the club is looking picture perfect ahead of the start of the pennant season this weekend.

“There are beautiful walkways, a beautiful veranda which goes along the full length which wasn’t there before – it may have been many years ago,” she said.

“Around the back, where we usually sit and have a bit of social activities, it’s all beautifully cemented and evened out.

“It’s just opened the whole area up, got rid of old shrubs and trees and so forth.

“Everyone can see a bowling green there now.

“There’s nice fencing around, nice rock gardens – they’ve done an amazing job with the new carpark which has all been

levelled off and gravelled.

“Once they’re finished over there (the footy club) it’s going to make a lot of difference getting in and out to the footy club, the bowls club and the cricket club.

“We’re very pleased with the works they’ve done with us.”

Walker said the works had energised the club ahead of pennant season, with new bowlers joining the club.

“The works that have happened

have just made people feel a little bit more happy and brighter,” she said.

“We’ve got some new members, we’ve picked up some newies - that comes down to the breast cancer fundraising night barbecue (held back in April), we picked up some bowlers who are going to come and learn how to play bowls, so that was a good thing.

“We’ve got our first round this weekend of pennant, and on Sunday we’ve got our opening - midweek starts on the 17th.

“At this stage, we’re going to be doing social bowling on Wednesday night, and we’re going to advertise to get barefoot bowling happening on a Sunday – we’ll have to talk to our social bowlers to see which days suit people.

“It’ll either be social bowling or barefoot bowling, whatever our social bowlers want to do.”

The Milawa Bowls Club begins their pennant season with the A3 bowlers hosting Wodonga this Saturday from 1pm.

LEADER LINCOLN: Lincoln Toy (left) is keen to get stuck into the WDCA season, up against Beechworth this Saturday.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

A CAKEWALK: (from left) Matthew Crisp alongside sons Jack, Ryan and Callum in the rooms after the Magpies’ premiership win.

RENOVATIONS: The entirety of the Milawa Bowls Club has undergone works during the off-season, with vegetation cleared, concreting done, and a new gravel carpark installed.

Warriors perform well at Echuca tournament

By NATHAN DE VRIES

WANGARATTA’S first basketball tournament for the season is in the rear view mirror, following the completion of the Echuca Moama Junior Tournament over the weekend.

A contingent of 12 Wangaratta teams, both boys and girls, from under 12s all the way to the under 18s, made the trip on the AFL grand final weekend to test their might against the best in the region, with varying levels of success.

Wangaratta Basketball Inc president Adam Maher said giving the players court time and experience was more important than results.

“The Echuca tournament is always a good weekend – it’s full of mixed feelings going into it because it’s AFL grand final weekend,” he said.

“We had a spectacular weekend weather-wise, you couldn’t have asked for better.

“Our sides got a really good feel around where they were at – whilst we only got one team into the grand final, I think every team developed well.

“The under 16 girls were outstanding, they had a real nail-biter of a grand final and just fell short a little bit, but it was an outstanding effort.

“The rest of the sides, while they didn’t get the wins, showed really great development as well – I don’t think any coach came out of it disappointed.”

Players will turn their attention to the domestic competition before the Warriors next tournament in Swan Hill, held at the end of the month.

In the meantime, Maher said it was clear the season was well underway after a great event for the entire basketball family.

“There was a lot of great positivity coming out of the week - the parents were happy, the kids seemed happy, the team managers got into their role, coaches knew what they need to do,” he said.

“It’s one thing to be training and doing some preseason before, but it’s a different thing to get on the

floor against a bit of pressure and understanding how your team’s going to gel with each other.

“I think it was a really rewarding weekend.”

The good news keeps coming for the Warriors, with five players named across the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup (ACJBC)

and the State Development Program (SDP) squads.

Wangaratta’s Jack Pople (u14 boys ACJBC, emergency), Scarlett Van Schaik (u14 girls ACJBC), Meg Evans (SDP girls), Scarlett Mullavey (SDP girls), and Cooper Newton (SDP boys, u18 boys ACJBC) have all made the cut.

BINDING TOGETHER:

Yarrawonga Football Netball Club have offered the community a chance to support premiership player Jess Koopman.

Pigeons open support for Jess’ recovery

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

YARRAWONGA Football

Netball Club is encouraging people to donate towards supporting premiership player Jess Koopman and his family, as he recovers from serious facial burns sustained post Ovens and Murray FNL grand final celebrations.

The club released a statement Saturday night on Facebook, reassuring Koopman remained in a stable condition at a Melbourne hospital and reaching out to the community with details on how to contribute funds of support for Koopman through a trust account.

“No doubt many of us would like to help; to facilitate the Yarrawonga Pigeons are creating a fundraiser where every dollar collected will go to Jess and his family,” the statement read.

The post has been shared more than 90 times since being posted and has comments of support and commitments to donating.

The 27-year-old was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital last Tuesday night, having suffered severe facial injuries after attempting to ignite a commercial grade manufactured firework at a gathering at the Dunlop and Gilmore Street intersection.

A 45-year-old man has been charged following the explosion, amid allegations he supplied the firework.

He was bailed to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates Court on December 4.

A 25-year-old man was also assisting police with their enquiries regarding the incident.

JUNIORS READY: Young tennis players like Mollie Hogan, pictured last year, are welcome to come have a hit this Saturday at the Merriwa Park courts.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

MAKING PREPARATIONS: The senior social hit this weekend is a good chance for senior players to blow out the cobwebs ahead of the official aggregate star next week.

The Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club is confident everything will be ready by this weekend

■ From back page “We hope to get people familiar with the club again and getting things organised so they can get

involved in good social activities as well as some tennis,” Sullivan said.

“We’ll kick off the formal aggregate season the

following weekend, with our annual general meeting on Saturday, October 14 - we’re going to be inducting a couple of life members too.

“We encourage as many people as possible to get back into tennis as we can.”

The unofficial start of the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis

Club’s 2023/24 season is this Saturday, with a junior come-and-try hit from 9am and a senior social round robin hit from 1.30pm.

The Pigeons had emerged victorious two days prior in a four-point nail-biter against Albury in the Ovens and Murray FNL’s grand final.

You can donate to the trust account via a EFT transfer to Hargraves Trust Account, BSB 063 537, account number 1019 7147, with the reference JK and your surname.

Receipts are available by emailing Hargrave@ hargrave.com.au.

GREAT EFFORT: The under 16 girls division one side were runners up at the Echuca Tournament: (back, from left) Hayden Sampson (assistant coach), Scarlett Mullavey, Lainey Draper, Sienna Sampson, Kaity Ford, Portia Johnston, Geoff Ford (coach), (front, from left) Angela Skipper, Ebony Chapman, Meg Evans, Minnie Humphry, and Layla Graham.

FUN AND GAMES

In the swing of it

The Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club is confident everything will be ready by this weekend gygyy

DESPITE the wild weather over the past day or so, the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club is confident everything will be ready by this weekend to get their season started.

While the WLTC’s official aggregate season doesn’t commence until next weekend, there’ll still be action at the

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

courts at Merriwa Park on Saturday, with a junior come-and-try day at 9am, and a senior social roundrobin aggregate hit in the afternoon.

WLTC president Barry Sullivan said the deluge felt across the region wouldn’t impact the courts in any meaningful way before the weekend.

“The courts are very resilient to rain – we’ve had an inch of rain in the morning and still been able to play in the afternoon,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it

won’t affect us, and it’ll be all cleared up by the weekend.

“It should be a good weekend for tennis.”

Sullivan said he was hoping for a large contingent of juniors to come along to the Saturday morning hit, to prepare for a strong junior program as best they could.

“The first weekend is

really just to get organised, see how many people we can get down and get prepared for the following week when things officially start,” he said.

“We’ve had anywhere between 60 and 100 over the years, but we’re hopeful of getting at least on the first day 40 to 60 people of all grades and standards.

“Then at 12.30pm, people need to get their names in for our social aggregate hit.”

Competition at the WLTC doesn’t officially begin until next weekend, following the club’s annual general meeting, with the ever-popular twilight competition set for a start on Tuesday, October 17.

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The Milawa Bowls Club are excited to begin their 2023/24 season, with pennant and social bowls on the horizon. The club has been the focus of several renovation works, and hopes to improve player experience with a new and updated look. Story page 18.