THERE’S something cooking in the kitchen that is making a difference to both young and old alike in Wangaratta. Gateway Health and GOTAFE have teamed up for a special program pairing different generations, like Jackson
and
to learn more skills in the kitchen. Story page 5.
LOCAL pharmacists remain concerned over new legislation introduced by the Federal Government on July 1 that has fundamentally changed the accessibility of vapes.
As of Monday this week, the sale, supply, manufacture, importation, and commercial possession of non-therapeutic vapes is illegal.
BY EMILY GUY editorial.chronicle@ nemedia.com.au
a prescription to get one.
Adults will be able to get one over the counter after speaking with their pharmacist, but the rest of the rules will remain.
not good for patients,” Mr Kashani said.
with a nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml or less.
The only place a person is able to legally buy a vape is from a pharmacy and the person must have a prescription. Under the rules, vapes must be therapeutic, have plain packaging, and flavours are to be limited to mint, menthol, or tobacco.
From October 1, vapes will be rescheduled so that only people under 18 will require
Milawa and Glenrowan pharmacist Sherwin Kashani said the new policy is obviously a political move, and he personally won’t be selling vapes.
“We would be selling vapes that are potentially
“There is a variety of nicotine treatments available, vapes are not necessary and only add to the burden on pharmacists.”
As of October 1, the amendment means pharmacists will use their discretion to assess whether it is clinically appropriate for adult patients, or those without a prescription, to access vapes
In a statement to the Wangaratta Chronicle, Chemist Warehouse Wangaratta said for the time being it will supply vapes on script, however it remains unclear if it will yield to dispensing vapes to customers without a script after October 1.
Mr Kashani said it was alarming that the
government neglected to include health professionals in the making of the policy and believes this consultation is necessary.
“It is just more work for pharmacists - who were not consulted; we found out the day [the legislation passed in parliament],” he said.
Alistair Robertson from Robertson Pharmacy also refuses to provide vapes without a prescription for this reason.
■ Continued page 2
ALPINE Resorts Victoria says it will be “business as usual” at all six alpine resorts on Saturday, despite protected industrial action by a small number of its overall workforce.
“To be clear, all six resorts will remain open and fully operational, and this action will not impact holiday makers heading to the resorts this weekend,” an ARV spokesperson said.
“Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Lake Mountain and Mt Stirling staff are not taking industrial action so it’s business as usual in those resorts.
“The stop work action will be for two hours on Saturday at Mt Buller, and one at Mt Baw Baw.
“Ski lifts, restaurants, accommodation, and retail outlets offered at Mt Buller are run by commercial operators independently from ARV and will not be affected by this action.
“At Mt Baw Baw where ARV delivers these services, we will cover the one hour industrial action with other staff to avoid any impact on visitors or operations.”
Saturday’s protected industrial action by some of ARV’s workforce follows months of negotiations between the ARV and Australian Workers’ Union
regarding creating a single enterprise agreement.
The AWU is unhappy with progress to date, particularly weekend penalty rates and “fair compensation for non-daylight hours” by ARV staff
It has called on the State Government to intervene to “ensure that ARV employees receive the same treatment and compensation as other public servants.”
ARV says it is generally lifting the conditions of “all workers to the highest provisions from the four enterprise agreements that were in place before the creation of ARV in October 2022.
“We remain confident of achieving an outcome that delivers increased benefits for all staff as well as delivering a sustainable future for the resorts,” ARV said in a statement.
Vail Resorts Australia, which owns and operates the lifts and other commercial interests at Falls Creek and Mt Hotham, confirmed that none of its operations will be impacted by any ARV staff action.
“We remain committed, as always, to delivering a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests and all of those who work at our resorts,” Vail Resorts said in a statement.
By LEAH ANDERSONBYRNE
A
MYRTLEFORD
paramedic escaped major injury last week after rolling his ambulance into an embankment following an 18 hour shift.
Sergeant Phil Pelgrim told North East Media it was a single vehicle incident with all services called to the scene at 1.45am
Thursday morning.
“The driver ran off the road resulting in the vehicle tipping,” he said.
“After extraction the driver was suffering complaints of tingles to extremities and was airlifted to Royal Melbourne as a precaution only.
“In this instance Worksafe was notified as it was a workplace accident and it does involve fatigue as a potential contributing factor.”
Ambulance Victoria are reportedly reviewing the circumstances.
Mt Hotham Ski Lifts
MAKING MORE SNOW: Natural and man-made snowfalls this week have both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek alpine resorts looking a treat for today and the weekend. Mt Hotham’s (pictured) mountain operations team have been busy making the most of back-to-back sub-zero temperatures, running on-going snowmaking across the mountain. They’ve been making so much snow, in fact, that Hothamhs been able to unlock even more ski and snowboard terrain for school holiday visitors, with the Heavenly Valley chairlift running for the first time from Friday morning. “Heavenly joins the Village Chair, Road Runner, Summit, Summit Trainer, Big D, Bunderool Carpet and Cobungra Platter in Dinner Plain,” said Luke Rickards, senior mountain operations manager. “With these lifts running, we’ve got terrain on offer for all abilities, from first timers looking for their first snow experience, through to advanced skiers keen to make some turns on Imagine.”
■ From page 1
“The legislation came out of the blue,” he said.
The new legislation states that any non-pharmacy retailers, including tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores are prohibited from selling any type of vape.
These regulations aim to address the health risks posed by vaping while preserving avenues to therapeutic vape access, thereby also reducing the opportunities for illegitimate trade in local communities.
Mr Robertson said the legislation was flawed given that no nicotine-containing vapes are deemed by
the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to be a legitimate therapeutic good.
“There is no such thing as a therapeutic vape,” he said.
“Pharmacies sell medicines which are evidence-based therapies and vapes are unknown because they are yet to be researched.”
Mr Robertson explained that the legislation has been created before therapeutic vapes even exist.
For this reason, Mr Kashani predicts that people who rely on vapes will simply “go from pharmacy to pharmacy until they can get one”.
INDEPENDENT federal MP for Indi, Helen Haines, said vaping is a serious problem with profound impacts on long-term health outcomes, particularly for children.
“It is an issue that parents, teachers, and indeed young people themselves have come to me to discuss and to ask for government intervention,” Dr Haines said.
“I share their concerns and I congratulate the government on the work they have undertaken to reform vaping laws.
“While I very much support these laws, I want to acknowledge the concerns of pharmacists regarding amendments passed in the Senate.
“These changes mean pharmacists will shoulder the responsibility of selling vapes without a prescription for people over the age of 18.”
Dr Haines said the laws are important reforms and a good start.
“But there is still much work to be done to curb the use of vapes by children and young people, and to ensure laws are enforced to stamp out illegal vapes and illicit tobacco,” she said.
WANG Night Shelter is open seven nights a week thanks to local volunteers.
At the start of winter the shelter was open two nights out of the seven but just four weeks into winter the Wangaratta community has rallied to ensure that everyone in the community has somewhere to go during the chilly months.
The shelter offers a warm meal and safe place to sleep for those experiencing homelessness, with anyone welcome to stay and no referral is required.
Director of Zac’s Place and project manager of the Wang Night Shelter, Di Duursma, said thanks to volunteers’ selflessness the shelter is able to open every night of the week.
“I would like to say thank you to the people who are volunteering, they are amazing for giving their time and opening up a warm welcome to those who are strangers in the beginning but will become community together,” she said.
“Volunteering will change your life and the lives of those who come and stay with us.
“This is as a collective
BY JORDAN DUURSMA jduursma@ nemedia.com.au
response to homelessness, loneliness and heartache and it’s so important to invite our community to be part of the solution.
“While we do need housing, government policies and funding, alongside them we need to grow a community that is able to support the most vulnerable.”
The shelter is running out of six different locations, each venue donating their space and facilities.
“All of our church venues have said yes to opening up and are doing a wonderful job of hosting those spaces to make both volunteers and guests feel welcome,” Ms Duursma said.
“I think the support from the community says to those who are experiencing homelessness, that we know there is no short term solution but it does make a difference to give someone a safe place to stay and a warm meal tonight and lets them know they are welcome in the community.
“It can change everything, it can bring someone back from the brink of hopelessness and harming themselves or others.
“We have enough vol-
unteers to open up seven nights a week but there is always room for more.”
Those who wish to financially support the cause can donate at Bendigo
• Monday nights 6pm until morning at Wangaratta Wesleyan
Bank to Zac’s Place Inc, ref. Wang, BSB 633000, Acc. no.155600257 or The Wang Night Shelter has accounts that people can donate directly to at Everyday Gour-
met and La Bella Rocca. To get involved or for more information, contact Wang Night Shelter via email at wangnightshelter@ gmail.com.
AT least one of the Rural City of Wangaratta’s current councillors will stand again in October’s elections, with Irene Grant announcing her intention to nominate for Warby ward.
Cr Grant, a former mayor and administrator of the municipality who has served 12 years as a councillor, said the experience she had gained over her time in local government was one of the reasons she had decided to again seek a place on council.
“I have the experience, understanding and knowledge of what local government’s about,” she said.
“Having been invested in
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
it for so long, I feel it’s good to be able to give back to the community.”
Cr Grant said she brought to the role an ability to work through issues, to think laterally and with common sense, and that she had the skills required to sit at the council table.
She said it was important in local government to have a strong commitment to the community, and having lived, worked and raised a family in the area, she was as
committed as ever.
“I’ve always believed the Rural City of Wangaratta punches above its weight in so many ways, and we have the opportunity for a really good life here,” she said.
Cr Grant said while she was keen to see progress on council’s creative precinct visionwhich aims to develop cultural infrastructure such as the art gallery and performing arts centre and link it with the redeveloped railway precinct - she was interested in all of council’s areas of responsibilities.
“There are always the issues of balancing the budget and ensuring council’s priorities, through council plans,
are in focus,” she said.
“It’s all the business of council, and ensuring that we do the best for the community in areas such as roads, waste management and the environment.”
Cr Grant joins local community leader and nurse Allison Winters and fitness trainer Mel Paul as those who have announced their intention to run in October’s Rural City of Wangaratta council elections.
NOMINATING: Current Rural City of Wangaratta councillor Irene Grant will again nominate for selection in Warby ward.
THE Draft Inclusive Wangaratta Plan 20242029 (Inclusive Wangaratta) is out for public consultation this month.
The plan assists council in meeting its legislated responsibilities in considering the access and inclusion of its services and the community.
It also takes into consideration council’s duty to consider the health and wellbeing of all community members, and the disadvantages that they might face, under the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Act.
Council officers developed the Inclusive Wangaratta Working Group (IWWG) as part of its commitment to the motion moved at the March 2021 council meeting by Cr Dave Fuller, with consultation with the community and stakeholders helping to formulate the draft plan.
By JORDAN DUURSMA
A GROUP of local ladies are starting up a new Wangaratta chapter of the Red Hatters.
This new chapter will be part of an international social ‘disorganisation’ for women who gather to celebrate the power of sisterhood, while wearing red hats and purple attire.
It will be a chance for ladies aged over 50 from Wangaratta and surrounds to join in the pursuit of fun, friendship and frivolity, while upholding the group’s motto to ‘grow old disgracefully’.
Queen Arty Farty of the Merry Murray Madams Aussie Red Hat chapter, Lesley Starr, said the new chapter will provide a sisterhood and camaraderie for Wangaratta ladies.
“They will enjoy activities and social outings allowing for lots of fun and frivolity,” she said.
“This chapter will also have the opportunity to meet up with other chapters either locally or interstate, attending conventions where a room with 350 ladies dressed in purple with red hats is a sight to behold.
BONNIE and Will Leahy were among those who took the chance to learn how to spin the discs, with the help of DJ Michael, at Wangaratta’s Synergy Youth Hub on Monday. Tunes were pumping from the hub, located at 29 Flanagan Street, as the teens learnt how to DJ during the afternoon session. Continuing the school holiday activities, on Monday there will be an afternoon of board and card games from 12.30pm to 4pm. It’s a chance to challenge your mates and enjoy some friendly competition. To book your free spot, visit https://events.humanitix.com/game-on-adventure-beechworthboard-games On Friday, July 12, there will be a tie dye bleaching workshop running from 1pm to 3pm - visit https://events.humanitix. com/tie-dye-bleaching-workshop to book your place. If you’re not into the activities, though, the Synergy Youth Hub is open from 11am to 4pm on Monday, where 12 to 17 year olds are welcome to spend time with their friends, enjoy some tasty snacks, take advantage of free Wi-Fi or find a quiet place to study.
“The sole aim of red hatting is to have fun and enjoy life.”
Wangaratta previously had two chapters of the Red Hatters but they no longer exist.
Ms Starr said the new chapter won’t have meetings, but members will have get-togethers, hoots and outings as a chance to throw out the rule book while celebrating the power of sisterhood.
“Doesn’t matter whether they are single or have a partner, it’s just a way to socialise and meet other women,” she said.
Every year members cel-
ebrate Aussie National Red Hat Day on July 25, marking the establishment of the first Australian Red Hat chapter in Warwick, Queensland in 2001.
This years’ Aussie National Red Hat Day will be celebrated at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway from 11:30am with a cost of $58.
With only a handful of tickets left, make sure you get in quick to reserve your spot, RSVP by Thursday, July 11.
To get involved or for more information about the event contact Lesley Starr on 0414 895 232.
A familiar sight to students and staff at the Galen College (previously Champagnat College) campus for the past
this statue of
Marcellin Champagnat is being
as part of landscaping works at the
The statue of the founder of the Marist Brothers - the religious order which ran boys’ school Champagnat College on the Wangaratta site from 1955 to 1982 - has until now been situated in front of Galen’s main office. Landscaping is under way during the current school holidays and is due for completion in early term three, with the Champagnat statue to be settled into a dedicated garden area close to the main building.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
WANGARATTA police have charged a teen following a series of alleged bin fires at the Parfitt Road shopping complex on Tuesday night.
A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to the fires on Parfitt Road at 7.15pm.
Later that evening, a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said FRV crews responded to a fire of two large skip bins raring with flames near a building at 8.50pm.
A girl was allegedly seen fleeing from the bins at the rear of a business.
Police said officers chased her on foot, and she was arrested nearby shortly after.
The 17-year-old Wangaratta girl was charged with reckless conduct endangering life and criminal damage by fire and was remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
FRV said firefighters extinguished the flames and the scene was deemed under control at 8.59pm.
By CHLOE JAENICKE
GOTAFE and Gateway
Health have teamed up to create the Young & Old Learning Kitchen Skills program (YOLKS) for another year.
The program builds coaching for young hospitality students by pairing them up with older people who are also seeking to improve their cooking skills.
YOLKS is an integral part
of building intergenerational relationships and community.
Last week GOTAFE and Gateway Health chief executive officers came along to watch the students in action.
Gateway Health CEO, Trent Dean, said he believes the program can connect different generations in a meaningful way.
“Programs like YOLKS bring younger and older
generations together, fostering meaningful connections, sharing culinary traditions, and reducing isolation,” he said.
“The joy and learning experienced by participants underscore the importance of intergenerational sharing, promoting a stronger, more connected community.”
GOTAFE CEO, Kristie O’Brien, shared this sentiment and said GOTAFE is
proud to be part of program that provides opportunities to community members.
“It was great to see our cooking students connecting with community members, and the positive impact this can have on their learning journey,” she said.
“Intergenerational practice as a learning method creates more engaging educational outcomes, building confidence in participants.”
By SIMONE KERWIN
A FREE bus service will be available for the teen session of Wednesday’s Roller Disco, to be held at Oxley Primary School next week.
While the family/all ages session running from 11am to 1pm is booked out, there are still places available at the 1pm to 3pm teen session, for which the bus has been arranged.
Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a first-time roller disco enthusiast, the event promises an unforgettable experience of sparkling disco balls, dazzling neon lights and wheels spinning to the rhythm of the music.
The free bus to the afternoon teen session will leave the Wangaratta council building at 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 10.
For more information and to book your place at the disco, and on the bus if required, visit https:// events.humanitix.com/ roller-disco-teen-event
The roller disco is a FReeZA event, and will be fully supervised, and drug, smoke, vape and alcohol free.
By SIMONE KERWIN
WANGARATTA’S Da Vinci Social Club will receive just over $45,000 from the State Government to construct a soft-floor playground at its Pyles Lane clubrooms.
The club is one of nine organisations across the Northern Victoria region set to receive a share of more than $9.7 million in funding through the latest round of the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund.
This fund aims to support access to culturally appropriate spaces for Victorians to connect with community and have a sense of belonging, with the latest funding round supporting 89 ethnicities and 20 faith groups across the state.
“We have so many diverse communities right across the northern part of the state, it’s great to see them receiving the support and funding that they need to create inclusive spaces where people can meet and celebrate their faiths and cultures,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said.
your
COMMUNITY feedback is being sought on the Rural City of Wangaratta’s Draft Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.
The draft strategy outlines key initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth within the municipality.
Public input closes on Friday, August 2, and will be incorporated into the final report.
Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton said community input is important to finalising the strategy, emphasising its role in guiding achievable actions to support economic vitality and tourism development in Wangaratta.
“This plan is a culmination of extensive consultation with local community, businesses, and industry stakeholders who provided valuable insights to guide the future for our municipality,” he said.
“The strategy’s vision and implementation plan for the next five years set the priorities to drive the liveability and economic prosperity for Wangaratta.
“We encourage all community members to engage with the draft strategy.”
Community members can download the draft strategy from council’s website and submissions can be made via the Connect Wangaratta portal.
Da Vinci Social Club secretary Pip Else said the club’s events often attracted young families, who would benefit from the new playground.
“We have a real focus on family and making sure people have the opportunity to become connected to their community,” she said.
“We want to make sure we are encouraging families to get together and celebrate their culture, and for the children to have a safe place to play.
“It’s about building connection and resilience, and reducing isolation.”
Consultation sessions include July 10 from 9am-11.30am and 1pm-5pm, and July 18 from 1pm-4pm at the Wangaratta Government Centre, Foyer 4.
For more information visit https:// connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ or https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Your-Council/Policies-and-documents.
NORTHEAST Health Wangaratta (NHW) has introduced state-of-the-art robotic-arm assistance technology in the operating theatre, marking a new milestone in providing innovative and modern healthcare to our community.
The technology is designed to enhance the precision and accuracy of knee and hip joint replacement surgeries to assist surgeons in delivering the highest quality of care and improving patient outcomes.
NHW chief executive officer, Libby Fifis, said the new equipment was provided as part of existing consumable arrangements, requiring only a small investment from the health service and designed to support reduced patient length of stay and create other efficiency measures.
“The introduction of robotic-arm assisted surgery at Northeast Health Wangaratta provides public patients across our region with access to the latest medical technology,” she said.
“This system allows our surgeons to create a more personalised surgical plan, tailored to the unique anatomy of each patient, improving the precision of the surgery.
“Ultimately, this promotes recovery and the opportunity to improve patient outcomes.”
Ms Fifis said that in a complex operation like a complete knee replacement, the technology is used in two stages – before and during the procedure.
She said that before any incisions are even made, a detailed 3D model of the patient’s diseased joint is cre-
ated, helping the surgeon to plan specifically for the patient’s unique anatomy and pathology.
“During the operation, the surgeon is assisted by the robotic arm, helping make precise bony cuts and ensuring the new implant is exactly placed as according to the pre- made surgical plan,” Ms Fifis said.
Orthopaedic surgeon, Richard Kjar, described the technology as akin to having another highly accurate assistant on the team.
“Being able to operate with such precision helps ensure a better fit of the new implant and provides the patient with a more natural feeling replacement joint that works better for them,” he said.
“Overall, this helps deliver a faster and more comfortable recovery for the patient.”
IN just four weeks the Wang Night Shelter has increased its opening hours from two nights per week to seven. This change came after an influx of community members who were willing to give up their time and volunteer so those experiencing homelessness would have a warm meal and a safe place to sleep every night of winter.
For the sixth year running, The Wang Night Shelter is acting as a safe haven for the most vulnerable in the Wangaratta community who don’t have access to safe and affordable housing.
The Wang Night Shelter is a volunteer run initiative working in partnership with local churches as a collective response to homelessness, loneliness and heartache in the community.
In a cost of living and affordable housing crisis more people than ever are struggling to have their basic needs met.
Following a series of reports calling for more volunteers in the Wangaratta Chronicle, the community has responded in an overwhelmingly positive light.
With so many local residents struggling, the sheer volume of volunteers is a tangible community response to help those in need and is a testament to the Wangaratta community’s spirit.
This breaks down the stereotype of people experiencing homelessness not being welcome in the community and reinforces The Rural City of Wangaratta’s vision for Wangaratta to be a place where everyone can engage, prosper, grow and be supported.
If you are in a safe and stable position, it’s time to ask yourself what you can do to help those in need in the community.
FACEBOOK users this week commented on WSAC announcing their outdoor pool will close for the season.
• Alexis Baillie: Isn’t swimming in cold water good for your health? Just wondering?
• Alexis Baillie: Outdoor pool? Didn’t know we had one?
• Hugh Maguire: Probably lost a lot more money than the 2 outdoor pools keeping it open during the trial… Heard
it also costs them a lot more every season just to open than the 2 combined as well.
• Nathan Andrew: Battle of the regional pools about to begin.
• Ashley Clough: Lol. They had to do a trial to determine that it gets cold in winter. Who would of thunk it!
• Julie Roberts: With temperatures overnight in the minuses, what were people expecting????
• Nathan Bihun: Surprise!!! Facebook users also
THERE are no winners in war, there is no friendship in hate.
In response to Sandra Barry’s letter to the editor (Wangaratta Chronicle, July 1), I believe in intelligent, respectful debate.
I believe in the right as global citizens we have to form opinions, discuss and debate important topics of the day that directly affect us, our families and our communities.
What I don’t believe in is debate and disagreement whilst children are dying.
I don’t believe in pretending to care about humanity when whole families are being slaughtered.
You don’t have to be an expert in the history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict to care.
Children are seeing their parents, siblings and grandparents bombed, maimed and murdered.
The living, those Palestinians that have witnessed living hell, will forever live with trauma and its impact for generations.
I don’t believe in looking away, scrolling on or pretending that a genocide isn’t happening before our very eyes.
My humanity, my values and my faith tell me that I must do something.
I turn off the TV so that my children are protected from seeing bloodshed streamed into their living room, and we paint banners of resistance, peace and love instead.
We transform our heartache into action, we show courage and solidarity.
We rest when children are sleeping, not when they are dying.
To be involved in our next Community Banner Painting Gathering and Peaceful Walk please join our email listNEmumsforpeace@gmail.com.
Lucille
Milne, Wangaratta
WITH the Rural City of Wangaratta council elections, which are held every four years, only a few months away, there is a curious lack of information and, indeed, some misinformation about the municipality’s new ward boundaries on the council’s web page.
The new ward boundaries will impact voters with regards to which candidates they can vote for, so it is quite important for everyone to understand which ward they are eligible to vote in.
The Rural City of Wangaratta’s own website (home/your council/stand for
NOTE: Comments
commented on Victorian public sector nurses and midwives voting to endorse a State Government offer for a 28.4 per cent (compounded) wage increase by November 2027, ending 51 days of industrial action.
• Jack Carruthers: Well earned. Congratulations. You people do an amazing job often in very difficult circumstances. Facebook users also commented on a New
South Wales truck driver being fined $1000 in Wangaratta Magistrate Court on Monday for substantially exceeding the mandated driving hours.
• Ashley Clough: So it’s ok for the Ambos to do 18 hour shifts? Seems odd!
• Eighties Rock: Ashley Clough Ambos not on the road continuously, more down time waiting for beds in ED. Plus 2 up, take in turns driving.
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
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council/electoral structure) states that the existing boundaries of the three current rural wards - South, North and Warby - “will stay the same” but will be renamed King River, Ovens and Warby respectively.
This is absolutely not the case as the boundaries have changed significantly.
The same council site has a link to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s website where you can download a full map of the new ward boundaries and it quite clearly shows the changes which will come into effect at this year’s council elections.
The most significant is that the Warby ward has been substantially reduced on both north and southern borders, with the northern boundary now being Sessions Rd and the southern boundary being the Hume Freeway.
The new Ovens ward now encompasses Killawarra to the east and the border between the old North and South wards has been changed from the Ovens River to Oxley Flats Road and the Snow Road.
So, the main township of Whorouly is now firmly in the new Ovens ward.
The new King River ward now includes Laceby and Greta to the west, but as stated above, no longer incorporates the township of Whorouly.
The VEC review tries to ensure that each voter is represented equally, with the old city ward being split into four single councillor wards named Appin, Bullawah, Wareena and Yarrunga.
With seven wards and approximately 24,000 voters in the Rural City of Wangaratta, each ward now has an average of 3415 voters who will vote in one councillor
each at the October 2024 election. If anyone is interested in reading the final report, approved by the Minister for Local Government in February this year, it can be found at https://www. localgovernment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0018/205362/Wangaratta-RuralCity-Council-electoral-structure-reviewFinal-report-September-2023.pdf
Jennifer Garrett, Whorouly Editor’s Note: After receiving this letter The Chronicle contacted council and the incorrect information was removed overnight. In a statement from council: “Council is actively working on the Election 2024 website pages to ensure the information is current and in line with VEC recommendations. There is a map the public can refer to that clearly shows the new Ward boundaries.”. For more information visit https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Your-Council/Council-Election-2024/ElectoralStructure.
Post Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta
FACEBOOK users this week commented on a local theatre group receiving funding to preserve their history.
• Belinda Harrison: Fantastic news!
• Laura Gundrill: AMAZING
• Joanne Pane: Fantastic Facebook users this week also commented on wage increase for nurses and midwives.
• Leslie Matthews: Never happen under a Liberal Government.
• Jack Carruthers: Well
earned . Congratulations. You people do an amazing job often in very difficult circumstances.
Facebook users this week also commented on a federal grant to support outdoor stage at this years’ Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.
• Hugh Maguire: It’s a start to repairing Reid Street. Let’s just hope council doesn’t interfere and decide to not grant permits purposely.
Facebook users also commented on Rovers duo to
Check out some of our best photos at our @wangchronicle Instagram account.
be inducted into Ovens and Murray’s Hall of Fame.
• Jack Carruthers: The galloping Gasometer Mighty Mick Nolan R.I.P best tap ruckman ever. Ripping bloke. Well deserved.
Facebook users also commented on a woman raising $3800 for mental health charity.
• Tamara Newton: Well done Amy Facebook users also commented on Liberal candidate James Trenery to
contest Indi MP Helen Haines at next federal election.
• Viviane King: Could have knocked me down with a feather on finding out that the Libs have picked a man Facebook users this week also commented on intergenerational playgroup.
• Claire Higgs: Well done Liz! Hope all’s well! Facebook users this week also commented on police catching driver at 170km/h.
• Denise Gay: Take the car off her and crush it.
X USERS this week tweeted about upcoming game day festivities, local murals and walks down Wangaratta’s memory lane.
Wangaratta RoversFNC @wangrovers
Be apart of the game day festivities v @WodongaRaidersFNC when Eddie Betts takes to the field for the @WangRovers $110/ per person, includes beer, wine, soft drink & nibbles on Balcony. 1-5pm. Contact Mario to secure your spot: 0409008098. RSVP by Thursday 4 July. Spaces limited Rae Allen @raeallen
A little bit of paint, a very big wall and some determined students: how Wangaratta High’s Indigenous kids are making their mark
karl von moller @karlvonmoller
On route back to Melbourne, I stopped by Wangaratta where IBM had a factory (1 of 3 in the world) producing the IBM 5150 pc … the pc that changed the world! Hard to believe this factory was the site back in the 80’s where it all happened!
If you have something to say, add our handle @wangchronicle to your tweet and we will publish some each week.
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
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Country Project in Wangaratta, Victoria! Landcare Australia @LandcareAust
ACCLAIMED Australian author Garry Disher will be part of an exclusive event being held at the Wangaratta Library on Sunday, July 14.
Mr Disher, renowned for his gripping crime fiction, will engage audiences in a discussion centred around his latest novel, Sanctuary; a compelling standalone work delving into the lives of two women in hiding from dangerous men who are pursuing them. Based in the Mornington Peninsula, he grew up in the midnorth of South Australia - a backdrop featured in
his critically acclaimed crime novels. He has captivated readers worldwide with his popular book series, including the Wyatt thrillers about a master thief, the Peninsula Crimes police procedurals, and the Hirsch series about rural police constable Paul Hirschhausen.
Mr Disher is a three-time winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Novel (2007, 2010, 2021) and has over 50 titles to his name. His works span general fiction, children’s literature, young adult fiction and crime.
He has consistently graced best-seller lists and garnered prestigious awards both locally and internationally, including Germany.
Mr Disher is also the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Australian Crime Writers Association.
This free event will be held on Sunday, July 14 at 10.30am but bookings are essential, as it promises to be highly popular, with tickets available at events.humanitix.com/ host/wangaratta-library, or contact the library on 5721 2366 or library@ wangaratta.vic.gov.au.
By STEVE KELLY
NEW laws will allow for the suspension or disqualification of individual councillors found to have created a risk to health and safety, or prevented the council from performing its functions.
Local Government Act legislation recently passed through parliament aims to lift the governance and integrity standards in Victoria’s 79 councils.
Since the last council elec-
tions in 2020, 56 councillors have resigned and 12 councils have had municipal monitors appointed, with one council suspended and one dismissed as a result of governance issues.
There have been several dismissed councils prior to the latest adaptation of the Act including the removal of the Rural City of Wangaratta Council in 2013.
processes to resolve conduct matters earlier.
Powers of the Chief Municipal Inspector (CMI) will be enhanced under the changes, including by providing the CMI with the ability to issue infringement notices for certain offences under the Act.
increase accountability.
A program of mandatory training will also be introduced for councillors and mayors, including annual professional development.
ensuring all Victorians can be confident in their local representatives.
“These reforms have been developed through extensive consultation with the local government sector, and will help councillors perform their roles effectively,” she said.
and powers to resolve conduct issues, and better training so councillors can perform their roles effectively.
The government envisages that the expanded powers to address councillor misconduct will discourage poor behaviour.
For further information about the Model Councillor Code of Conduct and to contribute to the code design consultation visit engage.vic.gov. au. New
The reforms introduce stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved
In time for the new council term following the local government elections this October, the legislation will facilitate a uniform code of conduct to create consistent standards of behaviour and
Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, said by improving governance and integrity standards in councils across the state, they are
“The reforms have been developed in response to reports and recommendations of IBAC, the Chief Municipal Inspector and other interventions which highlighted the need for stronger processes
“These reforms will improve council accountability, governance and standards of behaviour across Victoria as new councils take office following the October elections.”
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project includes the development and installation of public art, landscaping and improved amenity along the Murray to Mountains rail trail. The proposed enhancements will elevate the region’s rail trail network, cementing it as an authentic, iconic tourism product, to deliver strong outcomes for the local community and visitor economy.
The project aims to:
•Make the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail the pre-eminent rail trail in the Southern Hemisphere
•Drive repeat visitation and advocacy to the trail through enhancing the user experience for locals and visitors alike
•Inspire, delight and encourage talkability and social shareability to position the trail as a ‘must do’ accessible cycling experience to local, domestic and international audiences
To support the delivery of the project, Tourism North East is acting as the lead agency, working closely with the Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo and Alpine Shires.
To find out more, visit tourismnortheast.com.au/m2m
The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2025.
By JORDAN DUURSMA
STAFF, students and families recently gathered for Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership’s ‘Stand Tall’ ceremony at Galen College’s Performing Arts Centre to celebrate students and farewell former principal Genevieve O’Reilly.
Staff served soup and nibbles to guests as they viewed an
exhibition of students’ work on display.
Staff and student’s farewelled former principal Genevieve O’Reilly who has been a guiding figure at Borinya since 2018.
The atmosphere created by those who gathered was a testament to Borinya’s mission of community walking together with courage, resilience, inclusiveness and curiosity.
Friday, July 4, 2014
By STEVE KELLY
TWO Wangaratta ladies are going to have a ‘Dry July’ in an effort to raise $1000 for adults living with cancer.
Sisters-in-law Jo Maples and Kylie Hughes will stay off the grog for the month to help people like their Dad who has been battling cancer for the past eight years.
“We figured that giving up alcohol was a minor thing that we’d have to do in comparison to what people have to do when they’ve got cancer,” Jo said.
“At the same time we can raise funds, which is really cool.”
Jo did Dry July about three years ago when she raised $500 and Kylie and herself have done Relay for Life and the Mother’s Day Classic to raise funding for cancer research as well.
“I felt unreal after completing the month without drinking last
time - it was a good experience,” Jo said.
Jo drinks socially about three times a week but with the prior experience of putting the can down for a whole month, she should breeze through it this time.
“It was tough not drinking at the start but it becomes the ‘norm’ and you don’t miss it by the end and you look forward to doing it again.”
Jo, along with Kylie, has been by her Dad’s side ever since she learnt of his illness.
“We’ve gone through the whole process of treatment and hospitals for ages now and we know first hand as family members what people, who are battling cancer, have to go through,” Jo said.
“The funds will go towards a lot of hospitals around Victoria and our money will go towards the Royal Melbourne Hospital to specific areas like music programs for patients.”
If Jo and Kylie find the going
tough and they have that special occasion they can buy a ‘golden ticket’ which will allow them to have a few drinks on their nominated day.
It will cost them a minimum $25 donation, but it will also go to the cause.
“I have my husband Leigh’s birthday later this month where we usually go out for dinner and drinks, but I’m not that fussed about the golden ticket this time around – I would rather go the whole month without having to use one,” she said.
Kylie said she will also go without drinking when she attends a big function with her mothers group.
“I do have the occasional social drink, but having a drink is not all that important to me, so I can do it,” she said.
“Most people who have been affected by cancer will support it because they know what you’re going through.”
MBY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au
YRTLEFORD
resident Barbara Broz has just returned from her most recent trip to visit friends in the Lacluta district of Timor Leste, a region she has been supporting for 15 years.
Barbara is a member of Wangaratta’s Friends of Lacluta, a group formed following the signing of a friendship agreement between the rural city and Lacluta back in 2005.
She spent four weeks in the country in 2023her first visit since the COVID pandemic halted international travel - visiting again earlier this year, saying it was great to finally get back.
Barbara says she has visited Timor Leste at least 14 times since her very first trip with fellow Friends of Lacluta member Elizabeth Walpole back in 2009, and she was pleased to see a number of areas have improved in Lacluta over that time.
A sub-district of Viqueque, located about 250 kilometres south east of Dili - the capital of the developing nation - villages in Lacluta are notoriously isolated, living conditions are rudimentary and resources are scarce.
“Many houses are now built using cement bricks rather than the bamboo and palm leaf huts of the past,” Barbara said.
“For people with nowhere to live, there are a few small houses being built with support from the government.
“I was very happy to see a lot of work being done to install underground water pipes to all houses, which, as you can imagine, is a big job.
HIGHER LEARNING: Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta members Karen Jones (second from left) and Linda
left) arrived in Lacluta this week, where they met with seven scholarship recipients from the Alola
The project helps students from remote areas continue their education, and Friends of Lacluta are among the organisation supporting it.
correspondence with her husband in Melbourne, to get ramps built at a house where an elderly mother has had to carry her almost adult daughter Amaia about the house yard.
“She can now wheel Amaia up and down the ramps in her wheelchair without heavy lifting,” said Barbara.
“This was a great achievement at both ends, Melbourne and Lacluta.
“We were also able to help with the repair of a small girl’s double cleft palate, which happened just last week at the National Hospital.
“We have been able to help a number of children get to the National Hospital where a team led by Adelaide specialist Mr Mark Moore, comes regularly to help children with this problem.”
“This meant they had beautiful posture, but how they managed it day after day, I could not imagine.”
During this year’s trip, Barbara spent four weeks visiting communities, delivering much-needed items including menstrual kits for girls, sewn for them by a group of women from Myrtleford since 2014.
Barbara said each year girls wait with anticipation to receive their bags - the reusable kits giving them the opportunity to spend more days at school, instead of having to stay home for days each month.
“Some use the kits for many years,” said Barbara.
“When I first visited, women would walk to the river and carry buckets of water back home on their heads.
“I once met a university student who was still using her kit six years
after receiving it.
“I talk to the girls about saving money and making a lot less waste (because while some with more finances now have access to pads or tampons, Lacluta has no waste collection).”
As a former maths/ science teacher in Myrtleford for many years, Barbara also makes
a beeline for Lacluta’s classrooms, because many are without teachers.
She says this has become a big problem in many areas as Timor Leste moves from teaching in Indonesian to Portuguese.
“Our local Myrtleford schools provide me with pencils, exercise books and other items which the
Lacluta teachers are very happy to distribute,” she said.
“It’s great to see that the Timor Leste government is now providing more for their schools too.”
Generous Myrtleford dentists also supply Barbara with children’s toothbrushes which she distributes through the schools, along with a funny, instructive story about the benefits of keeping your teeth clean.
Friends of Lacluta have also been supporting the many families and children in the region living with disabilities, who are unable to access assistance locally.
Barbara’s sister - who arrived in Lacluta from Melbourne while Barbara was there – managed to arrange by long distance
Barbara said the group’s English-speaking liaison officer in Lacluta, Ebron, who is sponsored by the Uniting Church in Wangaratta, is now becoming more accustomed to the role and is very happy to have the opportunity to help his own people.
She said although they see some improvements in housing, clothing and medical facilities, there are still many families who are subsistence living and in need of lots of help.
“Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta will continue to provide whatever little we can to help the folk of Lacluta,” she said.
“We know them well now and they certainly welcome us back with open arms.”
Anyone able to assist with sewing menstrual kits is welcome to join the Myrtleford team by contacting Barbara on 0460 854 896.
To find out more about Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta, become a member, a volunteer or make a donation, visit their website or Facebook page.
INDEPENDENT federal MP for Indi Helen Haines will host a ‘play date’ for families in Wangaratta this month to hear from parents about the challenges of accessing local childcare.
Dr Haines said getting a place for your child in early education and care is a problem in regional and rural areas, including Indi.
“Parents and carers who want to participate in the workforce should have opportunities to do so, knowing their children are well cared for within their local com-
munity, engaged in play-based learning and socialising with their peers,” she said.
Dr Haines has invited the national not-for-profit organisation Parenthood to attend the event to share its work advocating for improved access to early childhood education.
Campaign director of Parenthood, Maddy Butler, said many regional centres have two-year waitlists, and in other areas, there is unfortunately no service provision whatsoever.
GOTAFE trainer and assessor of agriculture, Megan Dodd, has been named a finalist in the Teacher/ Trainer of the Year category in the 2024 Victorian Training Awards.
The nomination underscores GOTAFE’s leading role in agriculture vocational education and training.
GOTAFE executive director education, Luke Surace, said the organisation is proud of Megan and her dedication to student experience and improving access to education.
“Megan puts students and their learning at the centre of everything she does in her role as a trainer, whether it is in a classroom or working with industry,” he said.
“She is very deserving of the nomination.”
The award is also a nod to Megan’s collaboration with
“Regional families with young children face a massive struggle finding appropriate early childhood education and care,” Ms Butler said.
Ms Butler and Dr Haines want to hear what negative impacts the lack of childcare has had on local families.
“The Parenthood will be publishing a report later this year highlighting the impacts of childcare inaccessibility in the regions, and we want to share our campaign efforts with local families as well as
hear from them directly,” Ms Butler said.
Parents and carers are invited to bring their children along for a fun session where they can socialise with other local families and share their experience of local childcare.
The Wangaratta event is on Wednesday, July 17, from 2pm to 4pm in the community room at Wangaratta Library.
Event registration is encouraged but not essential, visit https:// www.helenhaines.org/events/
Training Awards for the Teacher/Trainer of the Year category.
industry stakeholders to develop and deliver courses through TAFE, and the way she recognises challenges and teaches students how to address these.
Megan is a member of various professional bodies, including the Victorian TAFE Association, the National Herd Improvement Association and Dairy Australia.
•
Through her involvement in these bodies, she is fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the VET and agriculture sector.
“I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to be considered for this nomination and am committed to making meaningful contributions to the advancement
of vocational education and training,” she said.
“My dedication to advancing VET practice and driving positive change within the agriculture industry is unwavering.”
For information on GOTAFE visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au or call 1300 GOTAFE (468 233), Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
RURAL City of Wangaratta’s community and recreation team is looking forward to hosting a Community Sport Forum, with Good Sports, AFL North East Border, and Sport North East, at the HP Barr Community Centre at 7pm on Monday, July 15.
The forum will be an opportunity for sporting organisations in the rural city to hear from a range of guest speakers covering topics such as club culture, fair access policies, inclusion and diversity, vaping, alcohol and other drugs, and more.
Guest speakers and topics include:
Daniel Di Fiore, Good Sports rep from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF): Understanding risk and protective factors in sport for alcohol and other drugs (Including smoking and vaping);
Kirsty Branagan: Fair access policy for Wangaratta council; AFL Victoria North East Border: Women and girls regional action plan, women and girls community football and AFL funding programs;
Sport North East: Respect in Sport Standard Program to promote fair access and gender equality within clubs; people with a disability; and multicultural communities.
Marcus Goonan, council director of community and infrastructure, encourages community members to attend.
“This free event will strengthen understanding of the Community Sport Fair Access Policy Action Plan, which was recently adopted by council,” he said.
“It will also provide an opportunity to learn about initiatives from Good Sports, AFLNEB and Sport North East to support inclusion and positive club culture.”
There’ll be opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.
While the event is free, registration is essential, via https://events. humanitix.com/wangaratta-sporting-forum.
accessory workshop at gallery
MAKE a unique accessory for a furry friend during a pet accessory workshop being held today and on Friday, July 12 from 10am until 12pm, at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Choose from a range of activities using upcycled materials and make a hand printed bandana, floral headband or a rope toy, with basic material provided (and special fabrics and paw prints welcome).
Suitable for all ages and experience levels, the cost is $10 per child (children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or carer) with bookings essential at wangarattaartgallery.com.au.
THE Good, a major new solo exhibition by artist Anna Louise Richardson, is open at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Working primarily in charcoal and graphite, Richardson’s work explores ideas of intergenerational exchange, parenthood and identity based on her experiences of living and working on a multigeneration beef cattle farm in rural Australia. It explores the complex relationships between humans and the natural world, tinged by grief and the competing demands of nurturing new life, and will run until August 11.
Flossie Peitsch
FEARLESS is an exhibition of tapestry weavings by Flossie Peitsch which is open in Gallery 2 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery until August 4.
The artist’s textile practice is informed by the history of women’s craft work, particularly the quilting traditions passed down through the matrilineal generations of her family.
Fearless brings together a body of work created over the past seven years, drawn from her experiences as an educator in very remote Indigenous communities and her close familial relationships, as one of four sisters.
COMEDY GOLD: Troy Kinne is known for his relatable comedy, and he brings his new show Made Wrong to the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre tomorrow night.
MULTI award winning stand up, Troy Kinne, brings his new show, Made Wrong, to the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre stage on Saturday night.
It’s a show where Kinne shares too much information about the things wrong with him (saying when you’re in your mid 40s dating someone in their 30s, those things become slightly more apparent).
But if it means audience members get to walk away from the show feeling better about themselves, then he’s happy to take one for the team.
Troy Kinne is best known for his TV shows on channels 7 and 10 and his viral ‘Kinne videos’ which have racked up millions of views worldwide.
His new show, Made Wrong, won Best Solo Show of the Festival
at the Melbourne Comic’s Lounge.
In the early days of his stand-up comedy career, Troy won almost every new comic competition in the country.
The Comic’s Lounge ‘You Gotta be Joking’ competition saw him receive the prize of a trip to New York to attend the American Institute of Comedy.
He went on to perform at several well-known clubs in the US including Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand Up New York, Gotham Comedy club, the Laugh Factory, The Hollywood Comedy Store and The Comedy Cellar.
On returning to Australia Troy became a sought-after headline act for the Australian Defence Force, mining camps and comedy clubs around the country.
In 2010 he added some steady work alongside the comedy club
circuit, becoming a content producer for the Fifi and Jules radio show and hosting his own regular segment interviewing celebrity guests such as Seth Rogen, Josh Lawson, Simon Pegg and DJ Havana Brown.
More recently, Troy has made guest appearances on TV and radio including Have You Been Paying Attention, The Hundred with Andy Lee and The Comedy Channel’s Stand-Up Australia. His comedy is known for being extremely relatable, which is why his video content goes viral with an online following sitting at well over one million plus across all social media platforms.
But tomorrow night he’ll be live in Wangaratta, performing on the Alpine MDF stage at 7pm.
Get your tickets now at wpacc. com.au.
A JOINT exhibition by artisans David Hall and Susie Buykx called Pots ‘n’ Boxes is being held at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street. It features hand-dyed silk scarves and teepee-fired ceramics by Susie Buykx, alongside David Hall’s contemporary designed and finely crafted timber boxes.
It is open at the gallery today and Monday from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm until July 8 and entry is free.
THE Into Our Hand Community Race Day, raising funds for selected North East Victorian charity groups, will be held at the Wangaratta Turf Club on Saturday.
Enjoy a great day of thoroughbred racing action, with free admission and donations being collected at the gate to support the Into Our Hands community foundation.
A SELECTION of quilts made by local quilter Di Lazzarotto are on display at My Little Quilts for the month of July.
See them in the shop at the rear of 49 Reid Street during opening hours.
THE Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.
There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments also on site.
Stalls are available for $20 each (a winter special, no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market’s Facebook page.
By IAN DAVIDSON and CHRIS TZAROS
THE adult Australian Spotted Crake is one of our region’s less observed waterbirds with is considered a cryptic species because of its secretive nature and preference for dense vegetation.
The Australian Spotted Crake has dark grey colouring on the face, forehead, throat and chest.
The crown of the head, the back of the neck and upper parts are brownish olive, streaked black and finely spotted with white.
The lower flanks are black barred white, and the underside of the tail is white.
The bill is olive-green with an orangered area at the bill’s base.
The legs and feet are green to olive yellow.
The female is like the male but duller with less contrast in its plumage colours.
This bird is also known as the Australian or Water Crake.
The Spotless Crake looks similar but it is darker and has more uniform colouring than the Australian Spotted Crake
They are found in the south-east and the south-west of Australia.
They are rare in Queensland and widespread in much of New South Wales, Victoria and NE South Australia, away from the coast.
They are uncommon in Tasmania and in Western Australia can be found only in the south-west and the Kimberleys.
The Australian Spotted Crake is found in the well-vegetated edges of wetlands, whether permanent or temporary, fresh or saltwater.
They are usually found among dense growths of plants such as saltbush, reeds, rushes, mangroves and thick grass. Locally, their main habitat includes reeds, rushes and at time cumbungi.
The Australian Spotted Crake is not a migratory species, although like many waterbirds they do appear in unusually large numbers at times, suddenly appearing and then departing mostly in response to heavy rains and floods.
Australian Spotted Crakes eat seeds, water snails, insects, crustaceans and spiders.
They feed on the ground usually at dusk or dawn.
They forage on mudflats, and in reed beds.
They will also wade in shallow water or swim probing underwater, often submerging their heads while doing this.
Australian Spotted Crakes nest in swamps or lakes in a variety of vegetation types, such as rushes, grass and floating vegetation.
Nests are often in the middle of a clump of rushes with many having a worn track leading to them.
Nests can vary from a flat, flimsy structure to a cup of fine, woven material, sometimes with a dome or with rushes interlaced over the nest.
Nests are made of rushes or grass and lined with soft grass.
HUME Bank has announced a new initiative in partnership with Border Trust, committing $50,000 to the newly established Hume Bank Safer Communities Fund.
Hume Bank CEO Stephen Capello said the fund is designed to provide vital financial support to local not-forprofit organisations and initiatives that improve safety and well-being in our region.
“This fund will contribute funds directly to frontline family and domestic violence services in our community,” he said.
“Our ultimate goal is to create a safer community, and we know by standing together on this important issue we are taking a step in the right direction.”
The first grant round is scheduled to open on August 5 this year, with applications closing on September 15.
Successful programs will be announced at Hume Bank’s AGM on November 20.
Border Trust will receive and manage donations and deliver the grants program, ensuring funds are allocated to programs that meet the established criteria of support, across the entire region including, Albury/Wodonga, Wagga and Wangaratta.
This collaboration will involve extensive community consultation to identify the most pressing needs and ensure the effective distribution of resources.
“We are thrilled to partner with Hume Bank to address this pressing need in our community,” Sue Gold, Border Trust executive officer, said.
If you would like to contribute to this cause, tax-deductible donations can be made to the fund at any Hume Bank branch or via bank transfer into BSB- 640 000 Account number 111 334 863.
For more information about the Hume Bank Safer Communities Fund and how to apply for grants, visit Hume Bank’s website or contact Border Trust.
WANGARATTA CENTRAL COMBINED PROBUS
THE club’s June meeting was opened by president Gerry Knobben who welcomed members and guests.
The ‘Who Am I’ was of a member who had had a very bad time after WWII until she eventually was able to immigrate to Australia in the late 1950s.
Current club membership is 67.
Members present 56, nine apologies and two on leave of absence.
Members had an in-house lunch, celebrating the club’s 23rd birthday.
Upcoming events include:
l Christmas in July on Friday, July 26 at the Vine, $30 per head and payment is due at the club’s next general meeting.
l Swan Lake, the Victorian State Ballet on Saturday, July 27 at Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC).
l Mousetrap film screening on Saturday, August 10 at the Albury Entertainment Centre, $90 or $80 group booking.
l Mystery Trip on September 10, self-drive/car pool, meeting at Wareena Park, Swan Street.
l Spring Garden Party and croquet at Lamond’s in October, details to follow later.
l Caravanners and others trip to Wilson’s Promontory staying at the Yanakie Caravan Park at Corner Inlet Marine National Park in November from the 17 to the 22.
The next general meeting will be held at the Wangaratta Bowls and Sports Club at Park Lane at Friday, July 19 at 10am.
WANGARATTA WEST PROBUS
PRESIDENT Pauline McAliece opened the King’s Birthday holiday meeting welcoming all members and two visitors.
The welfare ladies have had a busy month and hope the sickies are on the mend now.
Three of the groups are in recess for the winter months, but the film group saw a lovely movie, The Way/ My Way.
Ten pin bowling date arranged for Friday, July 12.
The club’s had its Sunday lunch at the Vine Hotel on Sunday, June 30.
Helen Baker reported all these activities.
The Annual Casserole Luncheon was held on Wednesday, June 12 at the Park Lane Bowling Club and the menu was fantastic.
Thanks to all ladies for their wonderful cooking.
Christmas in July will be different at the Moyhu Hall on Wednesday, July 17.
TAFE luncheon will be at GoTafe on Wednesday, August 28.
Trip to Tasmania will be in October and bookings are finished.
In keeping with the King’s birthday holiday Margaret made up a quiz relating to the Royal Family and members answered many.
Dan also presented 17 photos of the Royals and members wrote down ones they recognised, Betty won the most and received a prize.
The club could not get a speaker for this meeting so their secretary Avril Annett filled in with a story of her time in the Women’s Royal Australian Navy way back in her younger days.
Members enjoyed this talk very much and Avril answered many questions.
IT was a cool morning on Tuesday, June 18 but inside the Wangaratta Club it was toasty warm when President Christine opened the meeting and welcomed members and three visitors.
The club’s Breakfast at the Gateway last month was enjoyed by 15 members.
The numbers are increasing each time at the bimonthly meetings.
It was a great start to the day and with one visitor joining the members.
The club’s virtual tour is continuing around Tasmania with Pam taking members to plenty of interesting places along the way.
If anyone wanted to tour Tasmania all Pam’s notes on what to visit would be worth taking along.
Ten Pin Bowling is picking up and after the game some members who don’t play come along and join in the coffee afterwards at Muddy Waters.
Which is what Probus is all about, fellowship and fun.
Garden group are not visiting gardens at the moment but are still meeting for lunch which was at The Precinct this month.
The guest speaker was Rosslyn Makin from The Wangaratta Family History Group.
Volunteers are at the library each Thursday from 10am to 3pm to help anyone who has a query or needs to
research their Family Tree or names.
The group has access to thousands of items and are happy to do the research for you or guide you through the process.
It was a very interesting talk which was very informative for those who are doing their Family Tree and members thank Rosslyn for joining them.
The club hopes everyone is rugging up during this blast of icy weather, keep warm.
WANGARATTA APPIN PARK COMBINED PROBUS
PRESIDENT Lyn Evans opened the June meeting welcoming members present and two visitors. There were several apologies this month with some sickies, some busy and some members travelling north to warmer places.
Happy birthday to all those celebrating this month, with special wishes to Glenda Cleal who is 80 years young.
Some members enjoyed the combined breakfast at Vintage Café Glenrowan on first Sunday of the month.
The next breakfast will be at King River Café on Wednesday, July 7 at 9am.
Men’s breakfast is on last Thursday each month at The Gateway, all gents are welcome to join in.
Sunday at the movies was on Sunday, June 16 with members and friends watching ‘The Way/My Way’.
A very delicious lunch was enjoyed by 20 members at Town ‘n’ Country Tavern on Friday, June 21.
Next monthly lunch will be 12pm on Friday, July 19 at ‘the Northo’ Cusak St.
Christmas in July will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23 at Wangaratta Club a two course meal is $25.
Afternoon card group meet each Tuesday at 1pm at Wangaratta Club, where new members are most welcome.
As the meeting was on the Tuesday after the long weekend, hospitality ladies presented a delightful morning tea of cup-cakes and treats in honour of the King’s birthday.
Guest speaker was Julie Boyd who told members of her adventures travelling the world competing in marathons.
What great stories she recalled, but members were worn out just thinking of your escapades and achievements, well done Julie.
WINTON Wetlands is hosting a morning tea for NAIDOC Week on Friday, July 12 from 10am to 12pm at its Education Centre.
The morning tea will feature an educational talk by cultural officer and proud Yorta Yorta woman Nikki James, Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.
A highlight of this year’s event will be Nikki and her colleague, restoration manager Dr Lisa Farnsworth, offering their insights into a ground-breaking new Plants and Planting Guide being released shortly, featuring more than 25 native plants indigenous to Mokoan, as the area is known to Yorta Yorta people.
The guide brings together information on traditional uses for these plants, alongside ecological information about the roles of these plants within the local ecosystem.
Nikki said one of the aims of the guide and of this year’s talk will be to encourage more people to “walk together” and learn communitydriven practices that honour cultural heritage and ecosystems.
“This will protect the resilience and vitality of our wetland ecosystems for generations to come,” she said.
The morning event will draw on the NAIDOC Week theme for 2024 ‘Keep The Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud’.
This will be the third annual NAIDOC morning tea held at Winton Wetlands, with each event drawing more people than the last.
Cost is $15, includes coffee and morning tea, payment on arrival.
Bookings can be made via the Winton Wetlands website at www.wintonwetlands. org.au, simply follow the links from home page.
THE Rural City of Wangaratta is looking to assist with the election of a new community asset committee for the Whitfield Recreation Reserve.
The reserve, and its community asset committee, have long provided an important venue and service for the Whitfield and King Valley community.
Over the years, council has worked with the committee to deliver projects and help secure funding for works, including the emergency generator and new playground.
The Whitfield Recreation Reserve is the proud home of the King Valley Football and Netball Club, the Neighbourhood Safer Place and it is also the location of events large and small.
Council says it recognises the significance of recreation reserves as vital hubs for our rural communities and is committed to maintaining their vibrancy and utility.
It is now looking to assist with the election of a new committee to help ensure this great work continues.
A meeting was originally scheduled for early July, but council says due to several interested parties not being available, the proposed special general meeting date is being shifted to a time that better suits the Whitfield community, on Wednesday, July 24 at 6pm at the AC Swinburne Pavilion in Whitfield.
Anyone wanting to know more about joining the committee, or to register for the meeting, should email recreation@ wangaratta.vic.gov.au or call the community and recreation team on 5722 0888.
In the meantime, council says its officers have contacted regular users of the Whitfield Recreation Reserve to assure them of a business-as-usual approach.
RURAL City of Wangaratta council was overwhelmed with the community response to their first ever free All Outdoor Expo on Sunday.
More than 1200 people rolled into the Wangaratta Turf Club throughout the day to explore 35 different outdoor stalls offering everything from 4WD vehicles, camping gear and bicycles to fishing, hunting equipment and more.
Event support officer Dave Jenkin said despite ominous signs of rain on Saturday, the weather gods turned on a picture-perfect day for the community to become fully immersed in the latest offerings in outdoor living.
“We’re really proud of the event we were able to put on and proud to do it as a free entry event,” he said.
“The retailers who were present were extremely happy with the turnout, the engagement they found was fantastic, they generated some new client data base from it and feel the flow on from the show will be exponential over the next couple of weeks.”
Mr Jenkin said a slew of family friendly activities from jumping castles, bike riding and dog petting to hair braiding and police dress ups made for an ideal family day out.
“The vendors that do these circuits were really complimentary we included kids activities, they find at times when the kids are bored, they drag their parents away from the conversations with the stallholders so they felt this allowed people the time to sit down
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
and look at the products in detail,” he said.
“We certainly want to thank North East Deer Stalkers and Wangaratta Fly Fishers who had stalls, represented themselves and gave people the opportunity to learn some skills.”
One of those families out and about on Sunday were keen fishermen Bryce and Jake Howard with mum Jess.
The boys were drawn to the Wangaratta Fly Fishers stall, looking for the right gear to attract their favourite fish, the Murray cod.
“I’ve caught seven before, and five in one weekend,” Bryce said.
The expo was the first of its kind hosted by council and the first free entry outdoor expo hosted in the rural city in more than 10 years.
Mr Jenkin said council is already looking forward to next year’s expo on the back of its success on the weekend.
“It’s something we really want to continue because it not only promotes the area, but also promotes the local businesses,” he said.
“We feel we can support them in that environment by bringing them all together and putting them on show.”
Mr Jenkin thanked event sponsors and partners including Edge FM and the Wangaratta Turf Club.
“Certainly without having partners in the event, it would be a lot more difficult to deliver, but they made things very easy,” he said.
BY LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE LAndersonByrne@ nemedia.com.au
MAJOR works for Myrtleford Splashpark, Myrtleford Memorial Hall, Ablett Pavilion, and Nimmo Pedestrian Bridge have been allocated a total of $2.169 million in Alpine Shire’s newly adopted budget for 2024/25.
A further $1.289 million has been allocated for Tawonga Memorial Hall, Dinner Plain Activation Project and Tronoh Dredgehole Precinct at Harrietville.
The budget, endorsed at the June council meeting, will also see a 2.75 per cent rate increase and a surplus of just over $8.5 million, which was attributed to council receiving funds in advance of capital works projects that have not yet been completed, making council’s total income appear higher.
These funds are allocated to be spent by the end of the 2024/25 financial year with some of the other major projects earmarked for the
next 12 months including upgrades to Myrtleford Memorial Hall, Myrtleford Splashpark and Nimmo Pedestrian Bridge.
The recommendation before council noted many of the projects are being delivered across multiple financial years.
Council will also be
delivering the Murray To Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project, fully funded by the Victorian Government, which encompasses a range of infrastructure improvements and public art installations along the trail.
Alpine Shire mayor, Cr John Forsyth, said the
budget continues council’s commitment to sustainable financial management and community engagement.
“This budget ensures we can meet our community’s needs both now and in the future,” he said.
“The upcoming financial year will bring a renewed focus on roads, drainage,
footpaths, bridges, playgrounds and buildings.
“More than 30 per cent of our capital works program budget is allocated to these areas, which will support delivery of essential works that enhance the quality and longevity of our existing infrastructure.”
By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE
THE Victoria Racing Club (VRC) 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has named the Alpine Shire as one of the tour hosts of the $750,000 18-carat trophy.
Dederang Recreation Reserve will see the trophy travel through on Wednesday, August 28 as it makes its way to Melbourne.
Dederang Picnic Race Club president, Marcus Goonan, said that the inclusion of Dederang as a destination on the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is a testament to the rich racing culture and community spirit of the town.
“This recognition not only puts Dederang on the map, again, but also highlights the significance of regional racing events like the Dederang Picnic Races, which will run again in February, 2025,” he said.
Dederang Recreation Reserve committee of management president, Darren Allsop, said that the Melbourne Cup is not just a horse race but also a cultural event.
He said that being a part of the tour has the potential to increase visibility and tourism interest in the area, and may prompt further use of the reserve’s facilities.
By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE
ALPINE Shire Council will again fund the delivery of traffic, facility cleaning and waste management within the Bright town centre over the course of the Bright Rod Run weekend and coordinate the delivery of the ‘informal’ event in and around the town centre, with costs anticipated to total $60,000.
At council’s meeting last month, councilors approved the alcohol restriction during the period 10pm Thursday, November 7 to 7am Monday, November 11 for the event that had been in place since 2019.
Councilors also noted that the Bright Iconic Rod and Custom Club Inc hold a ticketed event in Pioneer Park which is yet to be permitted by council, The Alpine Hotel must apply for a separate event permit to extend their redline to the front of the hotel and council officers will work with licensed operators in the restricted area to support them to operate within their redline area in line with event permit requirements.
In planning for the 2021 event, the Bright Rod and Kustom Club made a request for the footprint of the consumption of alcohol restricted area to be reduced to a smaller area and this was endorsed by council.
The same restricted area was also endorsed by council for the 2022 and 2023 event.
In planning for the 2024 event, the Bright Rod and Kustom Club has not requested any further change to the alcohol consumption restricted area.
In preparing for the 2024 event, council is preparing management of road closures and traffic detours in the Bright Town Centre like the 2023 arrangements.
The recommendation before council reported this approach has assisted in separating the formal Bright Rod Run event organised by the Bright Rod and Kustom Club from the informal attendance of car enthusiasts to the Bright CBD. Due to the influx of traffic and visitors to the town of Bright during this event, significant traffic management is required to assist with the safe operation of the centre of town.
Local Law Officers will be utilised to monitor the Bright town centre during the restriction period and take necessary enforcement action.
As in previous years, council will offer exemptions to the restrictions to licensed premises that hold the appropriate licence to sell alcohol outside their premises with the understanding that the premises must manage patrons within their venue and red line area.
By CORAL COOKSLEY
ONGOING delays of more than four years by Parks Victoria to start works at the Yeddonba Indigenous Rock Art site and walkway in the Chiltern–Mount Pilot National Park has meant continued lack of access for locals and tourists alike.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson advised this week a range of works to prepare for the Yeddonba walkway upgrade and rock art conservation project will again soon be underway.
The spokesperson said Parks Victoria were unable to secure a suitable contractor for the walkway works.
“We are running a second procurement process to find an appropriate candidate,” they said.
“Similar to the past tender, the upcoming procurement will look at a wide range of contractors, including businesses who operate in the local area.”
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said the question is whether Parks Victoria has the will to re-open Yeddonba.
“Now more than four years that this viewing platform has been locked up and two years since the then Minister said it would be completed by June 2022,” he said.
“Now after all these promises they admit they can’t get a tenderer – what was happening in 2022 when the Minister made that promise?
“Do they need a particular tenderer?
“Let’s face it they are essentially repairing a deck, something a home handyman does at the weekend.
“We don’t want spin, we want answers – if its bad news tell us, otherwise get on with it.”
LOCATED in one of Waldara’s newest estates, 20 Lendamm Terrace is a true masterpiece.
Loaded with quality finishes from the front mailbox to the rear shedding, this home needs to be inspected to be fully appreciated.
Upon arrival you’ll be greeted with a beautiful timber double door entry, an entrance sure to impress, featuring raised ceiling height and beautiful pendant lighting.
The kitchen/living and dining area is immaculately appointed showcasing several unique extras, including 60mm stone benchtops, dual wall ovens, hidden walk-in-pantry, barn doors to adjoining rooms and huge raked ceiling throughout.
Fitted with ducted refrigerated A/C, the home offers ultimate comfort and satisfaction year-round.
The master bedroom is fitted with full size WIR, ensuite with floor to ceiling tiles, separate bath, walk in shower and toilet.
Additional three bedrooms are all fitted with BIR’s, ceiling fans and zoned A/C for individual room control.
The main bathroom features free standing bath and huge walk-in shower.
Extra living space is well catered for with separate front lounge, plus large rumpus room with brick feature wall and access to outdoor area.
Alfresco area is well equipped for any family or social function, boasting a huge open space, exposed aggregate concrete, open fireplace, all
overlooking manicured lawns and an in-ground swimming pool.
The home has near perfect orientation with north facing views towards the creek and no rear neighbour, offering privacy and seclusion.
Other features of the property include: large shedding (9Mx18M), 15KW solar system, concrete plinthed driveways and so much more.
Completed July 2023 this home presents the special opportunity to purchase a near new product without enduring the building process.
If you are currently in the market for a property in this location with un-paralleled extras then look no further - contact Hugh Amery to book your private inspection 0487 777 311.
Wangaratta branch
76 Reid Street
Open weekdays
9am to 5pm (closed 1pm to 1:45pm) 1300 004 863 humebank.com.au
HERE
The
The kitchen area is open plan with adjoining dining and family room plus separate lounge at the front of the home.
Heating and cooling are well catered for with ducted gas heating, evaporative cooling plus a gas space heater in the kitchen area.
Externally there is great car storage with a double carport plus a second garage/ workshop ideal for storage plus a north facing undercover entertaining area.
The home is in a great location close to primary and secondary schools, bus
■ TRIED AND TESTED: Volvo has a history of being at the forefront of automotive safety and the EX30 carries on the tradition.
By DEREK OGDEN, Marque Motoring
WITH the new EX30 electric SUV Volvo appears to be walking the talk toward its being a solely electric vehicle manufacturer by 2030.
The Chinese owned Swedish automobile makers smallest sport utility vehicle has the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo to date.
The EX30, the company claims, is the most sustainable model it has produced, with its leather-free interior featuring recycled and renewable materials such as flax, wool, and denim upholstery, the last made from waste fibres of denim recycling.
At the heart of the EV is a high voltage 400V lithium-ion battery, with its three Australian models, incorporating single or twin motors, running on a 69kWh battery, offering ranges of an estimated 480km with the single motor and 460km with the twin option.
The three variants are EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus, at $59,990; EX30 Single Motor Extended Ultra $64,990; and EX30 Twin Performance Ultra $69,990.
All are plus on-road costs.
The Plus variant is well equipped with digital key, wireless charging, Harman/ Kardon Premium Sound, power tailgate, parking sensors,
welcome/farewell light and auto dimming mirrors.
The Twin Motor Ultra adds fixed panoramic roof, 360-degree camera, Park Assist Pilot, power seats, four-way lumbar support, tinted rear windows, heated front seats and steering wheel and 20-inch alloy wheels.
All EX30s are covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, eight-year battery cover and eight-year roadside assistance package and twoyear service intervals.
Five exclusive exterior colours are contrasted with an Onyx Black metallic roof and matching gloss black details.
Up front, Volvo’s signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlamps have been updated in a segmented design with extra width and narrower look.
The new look also extends to the rear with lighting now fitting flush with the body, helping the car stand out in all light conditions on the road.
The fixed panoramic glass roof of the Ultra model adds a further level of prestige to the car, while providing an airy feel to the interior.
I’m not a fan of large glass roofs.
Tinted glass might stop the sun’s rays but heat is a different matter.
However, I’m told the EX30
has an insulated retractable roof blind as an after-market option.
While on the subject of passenger wellbeing, Volvo is famous for its cabin climate control, with a two-zone system filtering hazardous gasses from the EX30.
Using a Volvo app, the cabin air can even be cleaned before entering.
As well as environmentally friendly surroundings, seating has been designed to the requirements of that in larger luxurious cars.
Ergonomics have been applied from shoulder to thigh to ensure comfort and safety, especially on long drives.
Integrated front seat headrests enhance the sporty feeling of the ride, while the seat backs are concave contributing to increased leg room for rear passengers.
Storage is particularly inventive, with multi-use areas at floor level between the front seats.
A sliding unit with twin cupholders is part of the centre console and with a soundbar replacing speakers, door pockets can be utilised to the maximum.
Active safety includes lane keeping assist, oncoming lane
mitigation, run-off road mitigation, blind spot monitoring with steer assist, intersection auto brake, collision avoidance (braking and steering), plus cyclist and pedestrian detection.
Also included are road sign information, intelligent speed assist, adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane change assist, park assist camera, rear view and rear door opening alert.
Spirited acceleration, especially good on overtaking, plus almost silent running was disturbed only by road noise on some course surfaces and the heated steering wheel was a welcome surprise on a rare nippy early morning get-go.
Claimed energy consumption is 18kWh per 100 kilometres.
When I last looked, the test car had recorded 18.5kW per 100 kilometres.
As for refuelling on a public fast charge station, the EX30 went from 40 per cent battery charge to 80 per cent in 32 minutes.
Volvo would not say this too loudly but at 3.6 seconds for zero to 100 kilometres per hour, the EX30 is in some very sporty company.
Fortunately, the powertrain and all-wheel drive handle the excess energy with aplomb.
The lane-keeping assist also deserves some praise,
reacting to any drift out of the centre of a lane with a gentle (yes, gentle) nudge on the steering wheel, unlike some of its ilk.
SUMMARY
The EX30, Volvo’s smallest (and quickest) car, may be big on style, performance and equipment, but as is the wont with EVs, pricing is out of proportion.
However, remember what the WRX of the 1990s did for Subaru?
Councils Customer Service opening hours are changing to better meet the needs of our community. From 1 August 2024, office hours will change to 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Current opening hours are 8:30am to 5pm.
In accordance with Section 112 of the Local Government Act (2020), Rural City of Wangaratta wishes to give notice of its intention to purchase part of the land at 21 Frascas Lane Myrrhee, being part of the land described in Certificate of Title, being Crown Allotment 17, Parish of Whitfield, Vol. 11557 Fol. 656 and shown on the map below. Map not to scale, indicative only
The proposed acquisition seeks to resolve the issue of a Municipal Road encroaching into privately owned land and effectively creating an orphan parcel of land between the road as constructed and the existing road reserve. The purchase will also remove a potential impediment to any future upgrade of the Benalla Whitfield Road.
For all enquiries, please contact Clive Brooker, Asset Officer –Policy & Planning, Community & Infrastructure on 5722 0888 or council@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
Author Leonie Kelsall will be discussing her latest work, Homestead in the Eucalypts on Thursday 11 July at 2.30pm at the Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker St. Bookings are essential and can be made online at https://events. humanitix.com/host/wangaratta-library or by contacting Library staff on 5721 2366 or library@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
Join us this school holiday to create a unique accessory for your furry friend. In this workshop you will be designing and creating accessories that perfectly match your pet's personality and style, and help you bring your creative visions to life. 12 July, 10am - 12pm. To find out more and to book your place visit the Gallery’s website www.wangarattaartgallery.com.au
Join our special Good Sports Wangaratta forum for insightful conversations, valuable information, and practical tips to support your club members to lead a healthier lifestyle. Hosted by Good Sports, AFLNEB and Sport North East. Mon 15 July 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. HP Barr Community Centre, Schilling Dr, Wangaratta. This event is free, registration is essential. https://events.humanitix.com/wangarattasporting-forum
The Rural City of Wangaratta invites the Whitfield community to a Special General Meeting to appoint a new Community Asset Committee.
New date: Wednesday 24 July 2024 Time: 6pm
Location: AC Swinburne Pavilion, Whitfield Recreation Reserve
For more information on becoming a committee member and to register please email recreation@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5722-0888
Council’s Events Team is seeking expressions of interest from local community groups and food vendors wishing to take part in the Summer in the Parks series of events.
If your community group or organisation has an event or workshop planned over the summer months, we’d like to promote it as part of Summer in the Parks series.
And if you are a local food vendor offering unique cuisine and able to serve a large volume of people in a short space of time, we’d love you to submit an EOI for our signature events: New Years Eve and the Outdoor Ball. For more information and to submit an EOI please visit the Events page of our website.
You are invited to attend this free family day in celebration of NAIDOC Week. There will be traditional dancing, weaving and woodworking workshops. Bangerang Language, astronomy and cultural artefacts. Wildlife display, kids’ art, games, face painting and free lunch!
This event is a collaboration between Council, Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education and Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
Friday 12 July from 10:30am-2:30pm Northern beaches, Scout Hall on College Street Wangaratta
Each month we are showcasing the cool, quirky, and unique shopping spots across our region. Until November 2024, residents and visitors alike are invited to explore our charming townships for a chance to win some awesome prizes. Make a purchase at participating businesses, scan the QR code at point of purchase, and you’re in! This month we are highlighting Mohyu. More info here: https://bit.ly/3IZq8Xy
Road Condition Assessment 57469 Annual Road Reseal Program
Tenders close at 2pm on Wednesday 17 July 2024. 64866 Wareena Park Oval Upgrade 65399 Redcamps Bridge Renewal 65293 Carboor & Whorouly South Road Reconstruction Tenders close at 2pm on Wednesday 24 July 2024.
Further details may be obtained by visiting Council’s website.
Application No PlnApp24/090
Location Pryse Road Tarrawingee
Proposal Removal of native vegetation (from the Pryse Road reserve adjacent 14 Pryse Road)
These applications can be viewed on Rural City of Wangaratta’s website under Development, Planning, Current Applications. Any person who may be affected by the granting of a permit may object or make a submission (must be in writing). For more information, please contact the Town Planning Unit on 03 5722 0888. Council will not decide these applications before 15 July 2024.
For further information on these positions please visit https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Careers
Water Act 1989
NOTICE OF MAKING OF THE BY LAW NO. 2024/01 WATERWAYS PROTECTION
NORTH EAST CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
By resolution of 25 June 2024 the North East Catchment Management Authority under sections 160, 219 and 287ZC of the Water Act 1989 made By-law No. 2024/01 Waterways Protection.
The purpose of the By-law is to make provisions for –
a) the control, management and authorisation of works and activities in, under, on or over designated waterways and designated land or works;
b) the protection and care of designated waterways and designated land or works; and
c) the conservation and preservation of flora, fauna and habitat in designated waterways and designated land or works.
The By-law is made using the Waterways Protection Model Bylaw made by the Minister for Water under section 287ZB of the Water Act 1989 on 6 March 2024.
A copy of the By-law is available on the North East Catchment Management Authority website, https://www.necma.vic.gov.au.
A copy is also available for inspection during the ordinary business hours of the Authority, free of charge, at the North East Catchment Management Authority offices at Level 1, 104 Hovell Street, Wodonga VIC 3690.
A copy of the By-law is able to be purchased, on demand, at the offices of the Authority during ordinary business hours.
NORTH EAST CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY LEVEL 1, 104 HOVELL STREET, WODONGA VIC 3690
Did you know 1 in 4 Australian pregnancies end in termination?
Have you ever really thought about the WHY?
This rarely discussed, controversial issue will be presented openly, honestly and without judgement. Come learn the facts, identify the real causes, draw your own conclusion – you may be surprised by what you didn’t know.
Hosted by: Paige Willoughby Free event tickets and further information at www.eventbrite.com truth about abortion/Wangaratta
Building Contractors are invited to register their interest in tendering for the redevelopment of St Mary’s School, Myrtleford. Works include 380sqm Refurbishment, 165sqm External Works. Registration of Interest does not imply inclusion on the tender list. Tender documents will be available in August 2024. Registrants must have a commercial registration. Email admin@jwparchitects.com.au for a tender information pack. Registrations must be in writing (via email above) by close of business on Friday 12th July 2024.
JWP ARCHITECTS
7 High Street WODONGA VIC 3690 Phone 02 6024 6566
EMPLOYED, casual part time, middle aged male, looking for room to rent. Quiet, tidy and friendly. Phone 0455 515 156
To Visit Visited
ANTIQUES and collectables. Sunday, July 7, 8am-3pm, 31 Roy Street, East Wangaratta.
To Visit Visited
GARAGE sale, 13 Buchan Avenue, Wangaratta. Saturday 6, 8am to 1pm, no early birds.
CONCRETING, big or small jobs, paths, driveways, shed slabs, verandahs, 15 years experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.
GUTTER CLEANING, hedge trimming, cleaning, pruning, garden tidy up, rubbish removal, odd jobs, 25 years trade experience. Phone Michael 0412 857 771.
MARK’S Mowing, reasonable prices, ride on mowing, edging, clean up, spraying and any waste removal. Ph 0472 603 156.
WHEELER
Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, rural work and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.
2004 BA Falcon, 2 front seats, left and right and back seat bottom in reasonable condition. Phone 0484 297 122 BLOCK of land for sale, 15 Valdoris Avenue, Wangaratta, 1100sqm. Phone Wes 0415 277 164.
We have on offer multiple Leadership and Teaching positions available for 2025!
Galen Catholic College nurtures a supportive, values-driven community where students feel a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Our focus is on student
Galen Catholic College’s unique blend of faith, education, and community makes it an attractive place for both educators and learners
CLICK ON THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE!
Closing Date for Applications: 12pm (midday) Wednesday 17 July 2024
CES Ltd embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children.
YELLOW Hyundai sedan, 2000, (1YM9QQ), 218,242km, great car for new drivers, 5 speed manual, $3999 ono, located Mansfield. Ph 0439 719 529
MERC E240 for sale, recent full service, excellent tyres, new windscreen, 337,000km, reg (QJE744), $2800 ono. Phone Charlie Brydon 0418 597 627.
ISUZU D-Max Ute, flat tray, excellent condition, 2015, auto, turbo diesel, 234,000kms, 2 lockable toolboxes included, (1EV5EX), $16,500. Phone Len 0457 494 102.
HOLDEN sedan 2000, Olympic model, reliable, body needs work, (QAO524), $2500. Ph 0402 184 262.
Advertising Sales/Account Manager (Print & Digital)
North East Media Pty Ltd
Wangaratta Division VIC
Sales Representatives/Consultants (Sales)
FULL TIME
About North East Media (NEM)
NEM is an independent family owned media company with community and farming newspapers, magazines and websites across North East VIC, Southern and Central NSW.
Our Wangaratta Division is responsible for a group of regular print and digital publications, including the Wangaratta Chronicle, Ovens and Murray Advertiser. We also have special publications, including North East Living Magazine, North East Tourist News, North East Farmer, Southern Farmer, North East Kids and Footy Focus.
Who are we looking for?
The Wangaratta Division is looking for a driven and committed individual to join our advertising sales team, responsible for managing existing clients while growing your own sales.
The ideal candidate will have:
• At least 2 years’ sales experience (sales of advertising in multi-media is a plus, not essential)
• The capacity to see opportunities and market trends and a drive to achieve results to help our business grow
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written), enabling connection with a wide range of people across various industries
• The capability to sustain existing relationships and continuously build new ones
• An excellent work ethic and organisational skills (including maintaining current records in our NEM Synergy CRM program) enabling you to consistently meet deadlines and achieve your sales targets
• The ability to collaborate (including with your manager, sales colleagues, our editors and graphic designers) to ensure seamless execution of advertising campaigns
• A motor vehicle and a current driver’s licence
What are we offering?
A full-time position with an attractive remuneration package comprising a base salary, commission and employer superannuation contributions.
How to apply
If you are self-motivated, results-orientated and looking for a challenge in the media environment, forward your resume and covering letter before 5.00pm on Friday, 12 July 2024 to:
Kevin Spendier
Advertising
Manager kspendier@nemedia.com.au
stunning purebred whippet puppies, $1200 each neg, 3 x males, 1 very handsome blue and white, 2 gorgeous white and blue brindles, 10 weeks old, m/chip, wormed, vaccinated, vet checked, and ve t approved, puppies doing exceptionally well with toilet training and raised around other dogs, cats and young children. Source No. MB251669, m/chip 991003002720665, 9910003002720657, 901003002720664. Ph 0427 179 997.
PUREBRED MINIATURE
POODLES, DNA clear, 1 x male apricot, 1 x male chocolate, 1 x male black, 1 x female chocolate, $2000, microchip No: 900164002271737, 900164002271737748, 900164002271737743, 900164002271737461
Source ID: MB170559. Contact: 0408 205 066.
PACKAGE Deal, for genuine sale 2004 Ford F250, 7.3hr Diesel, 291. 685km, has near new bravo a/t Maxxis 980 tyres, plus 2 spares on back, rear camera, rear airbag suspension, 274ltr fuel capacity plus 100ltr tank under rear canopy, rear slide on picnic table, central locking system, Hayman Rees tow ball, top winch to help load the boat, plus 5000 pound bull bar winch, lots storage includes 2x60ltr fridge slides, plus boat motor slide, 2 large draws in canopy, lots storage above canopy and below 3x120 Uni solar panels, has pro star solar controls wired ready to go, 4 glass matt batteries, plus built in charger, built in compressor. Side steps and bull bar all aluminum, driving lights CB radio, electric brake system to suit caravan, fully services and will sell with road worthy.
Caravan, 2004 Kedron Cross Country, made in Brisbane, 20ft inside, electric brakes, pullout awning, has matching wheels as the F250, dual axle plus 2 spares. 2 x jerry can, holders at rear, in front bin has 4 x glass matt batteries, pro star solar controls invertor, has 4x120 Uni solar panels on roof, tv antenna, fold up side cooking table built on side, steps that fold up on the door, single beds with inner spring mattresses, wired for CPAP machines x 2, lots storage cupboards, built with Tasmanian oak, 4 burner stove with grill and oven, 240ltr Vitri Frigo, full sink, wired for TV, reverse cycle air con, Island bench table with storage under seats, storage under beds, brand new elec and gas hot water service (never used), water filters and hoses, electric legs, A-Trail Jack plus ockie wheel, 2 wind stiffeners pegs and mat (outside 8x4m) original tyres and rims for caravan, out door shower, 5 water tanks, one tank for drinking only, carpet or vinyl flooring, wired for 12 volt or 240 volt, full annex plus extra plus sun shade, never used, new wheel bearings (never used), 2 gas bottles, front bin and generator compartment, very clean and neat, has lots of extra’s as well. $139,900 ono package deal, will consider splitting, but they do compliment one another. Boat not included. Ph 0427 936 630.
HYSTER forklift, new gas bottle, new battery, $5200. Ph 0427 936 630.
FIFTEEN plus red Nandinas, $10 each, two 6x4 trailers, $200 each. Phone 0484 297 122.
FIREWOOD, mixed loads, bulk orders only, milling on site Ph. 0448 933 999.
TYRES new and secondhand, trailer, rims, wrecking. New hours 9am to 5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 44 Newman Street, Wangaratta. Ph 0428 257 221, Adzam Tyres.
BROWN, William Keith “Keith”. 25/2/1940 – 2/7/2024
Passed away peacefully at home. Loved husband of Leonie. Loved father and father-in-law of Jenny and Howard, Alison and Terry. Adored Pa of Ashley, Sarah and partner David, Kate and Nicholas. Great Pa of Elaina. Funeral details to follow. The funeral service for the late William Keith Brown will be held at the Mulqueen Family Funerals, 15-25 Bridge Street, Bendigo on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10.30am. After which a private burial will take place.
FISCHER, Clarence Maurice 15/6/1928 - 3/7/2024
Passed away peacefully at home. Aged 96 years. Loving husband of Margaret (dec). Cherished father of Kaylene, Janelle and Tania. Adored Grandpa of Teagan, Luke and Dusty. Great Grandpa to 9 great grandchildren.
Remembering you is easy, We do it every day.
Missing you is heartache, That never truly goes away.
FURZE, Emily Novella. In memory of our dear Nan, who filled our lives with love and laughter.
If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
You will be dearly missed.
~ Love always, Cam, Anna and Ben.
ROBERTSON, Bruce. Our words are few, Our thoughts are deep, Our memories of you we will always keep.
~ The Croucher family, Colin and Jan, Troy and Michelle, Sally and Cam, Rohan and Jaime and families.
ROBERTSON, Bruce Russell.
We will never get to guess which car you have driven down the driveway at work again, or the good mornings which were almost afternoon, with the reply “is it?”
Thanks for the great years of working for you.
Catch up one day in the pharmacy in the sky. ~Jan and family.
SHANLEY, Mary-Ellen.
ROBERTSON
The celebration of the life of Bruce Robertson will be held in the Grand Oaks Room, Wangaratta Turf Club, Cruse Street, Wangaratta on Thursday, July 18, 2024 commencing at 11am.
Private family cremation will take place following the service.
Bruce’s Service may be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming
No flowers please, in lieu a donation made in memory of Bruce to the Lieutenant W Robertson Memorial Award, Raemus Rover Racing would be appreciated. Donations may be made via direct credit.
Name: Raemus Rover Racing BSB: 642170 Acc No: 100261081
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
The graveside service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Connie Wright will be held at the Milawa Cemetery on Friday July 5, 2024, commencing at 2pm.
26/4/1960–23/6/2024
Will be missed by many.
Privately cremated.
Please see North East Funerals website for funeral service details.
TERRETT, Leslie. 8/4/1957 – 1/7/2024
Loved and adored husband of Vikki. Dearly loved father of Richard and James.
Please see North East Funerals website for funeral service details.
A funeral service to honour the life of Clarence Fischer will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 7 Orwell Street, Wangaratta, commencing at 11am on Monday, July 15, 2024. Followed by burial at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
Donations to The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in memory of Connie can be made online at www.foundation.petermac.org/donate
Connies service can be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
HEATH, Alfred John “Jack”. 6/7/1999
To be together in the same old way, would be our greatest wish today. ~ Your loving family.
THE North East Baseball Association was well represented in the Girls Under 15 Invitational Baseball Championship and the Boys Under 14 Baseball Championships played in Bendigo at the weekend.
It was wet and cold on Saturday but that did not stop the baseball in the Girls U15s.
North East played two other teams, the Angels and the Orioles.
These games were 1.5 hours long with the maximum of five runs rule enforced.
North East played Angels in the first game and batted first, with one runner on base, and one out, North East’s third batter, Makayla Pool hit a two base hit to left field to bring in one run.
Their next four batters got on base from walks forcing another four runs over the plate.
Angels got their first two batters on base before North East’s pitcher, Paige Anders found the strike zone and the next three batters never reached first base and only one run for the dig.
Both teams got in the act in their next innings and brought in five runs each for the game to finish North East 10 to Angels, six.
The second game saw North East play Orioles.
Orioles brought in five runs in their first turn at bat to put the pressure on North East.
North East answered the challenge and scored five
runs without losing a batter in their turn at bat.
North East had a change of pitcher which worked well for them when Sophie Berry struck-out the first three Oriole batters to face her.
North East added four runs in their turn at bat, this being end of time and revert back to even digs saw North East win their second game nine to five.
North East defeated Angels again in the second round nine to four.
SUNDAY, June 30
Stableford
Winner: Daryl Johnstone 34. Ball Winners: Jack Lloyd (2) 32, Tom Arnold 30, Felix Gamze 29, Mark Dean 29.
NTPs: 4th Joe Marjanovic Jnr, 13th Joe Marjanovic Jnr, 17th Pete Evans.
Monday, July 1
Stableford Veterans
A Grade: Neville Hogan 37. B Grade: Brian Luxford 32. C Grade: Mick Tanner 26.
Ball Winners: Ric Chivers 32, Ian Mills 31, Ian Dinsdale 31, Alan White 30.
NTP: 4th Neville Hogan, 8th William Slade, 13th William Slade.
Tuesday, July 2
Ladies 18 Hole Stableford
Winner: Mary Jones 35.
Ball Winners: Marilyn Pane (2) 32, Di Murphy 31, Linda Stone c/b from Josie Fitzsimons 29.
NTP: 4th Linda Stone, 13th Janet Wraith, 17th Marilyn Pane.
Wednesday, July 3
Men’s 9 Hole Stableford
Winner: Leo McKoy c/b from Michael Tanner and Joe Marjanovic 16.
Ball Winners: Micheal Tanner 2 balls 16, Joe Marjanovic 16.
NTP: 8th Jim D’Arcy.
Wednesday, July 3
Mens 18 Hole Stableford
North East then met Orioles in the final.
North East started the final in the field.
Sophie Berry had thrown only 16 pitches in the last game that these two teams met, so she was the coach’s choice to start pitching in the final.
This time four batters faced her but still no runs.
North East got the start they needed when they scored three runs in their first turn at bat to lead three
runs to nil at the top of the second.
Both teams started to bat the ball and together with some good base running, both sides scored five runs each in the second inning.
With time running out, North East held the lead to win eight to five and take out the championship.
North East girls squad had three girls that were young enough to play in the Under 12s.
These girls, in their first year of representative baseball, were Lillie Brockwell, Charlie Smedley and Tayla Wilson and were asked if they would be willing to play for another team who had only six of their own players available.
The girls said yes and they ended up playing in the final of that grade and missed out by just one run.
Also winning the championship was the North East Under 14 Boys rep-
resentative team. They won three out of their four games and drew in the other then they won the final eight runs to six. Congratulations to all the boys and girls on their games and behaviour over the weekend.
A big thank you to the coaches, team managers and the scorers. This weekend sees the Under 18’s baseballers from all over, come to Wangaratta for their championship.
A Grade: Gordon Patterson 35. B
Grade: Peter Geldens 36. C Grade: Felix Gamze 32.
Ball Winners: Keith Moorhead 2 Balls 33, Steve Fisher 32, Pat Grady 32, Neville Hogan 31, Alan Sands 31, Greg Van Riet 30, Ray Hyland c/b from others 29.
NTP: 4th Ian Dinsdale, 8th Ian Mills, 13th Michael Munro, 17th Steve Fisher.
WGC Competitions: Week ending June 30
Tuesday, June 25
Women’s
18 Hole Stableford
Winner: Julie McInnes 40 Points. Runner Up: Maggie Ray 35 Points. Ball Winners: Jenny Kerr, Karen Smith, Dawn Fleet, Carol Coghill, Sue Miller.
NTP: 4th Julie McInnes.
Wednesday, June 26
Men’s
18 Hole Stableford Event
Winner: Andy Raison 36 C/B Points. Runner Up: Maurie Braden 36 Points.
Ball Winners: Glenn Burns, Davuid Woodstock, Daymn Hoffard, Geoff Webster.
NTP: 4th David Woodstock, 7th Trevor Cooper, 9th Trevor Cooper, 11th Daymn Hoffard, 13th Michael
Webster, 16th Dean Campagna.
9 Hole Stableford
Winner: Graham Whitehead 21 Points. Runner Up: David Lawson.
Ball Winners: John Walker, Bill Griffiths, Graeme Arnold.
Thursday, June 27
Women’s
18 Hole par
Winner: Karen Smith -1. Runner Up: Carol Coghill -3.
Ball Winners: Lorraine Adams, Dawn Fleet, Sue Miller, Jill Halbwidl.
NTP: 13th Sue McCall.
9 Hole Stableford
Winner: Candice Jones.
Saturday, June 29
18 Stableford Event
A Grade Winner: Russell Wallace
36 C/B Points. Runner Up: Chris Oates 36 Points. B Grade Winner: Neville McCormick 37 Points. Runner Up: Stephen Smith 36 Points.
Ball Winners: Ash Claton, Peter King, Dion Ploegmakers, Josh Owen, Sam Antonacci.
NTP: 4th Craig Bihun. 7th Trevor Cooper, 9th Trevor Cooper, 11th Peter Crawford, 13th Trevor Cooper, 16th Ian Rundell.
Birdies: Russell Wallace, Ian Rundell.
Secret 6: Brendan Reid.
Raffle Winner: Jason McCoy.
Sunday, June 30
18 Hole Medley Stableford
Winner: Lachy Moore 37 Points.
Runner Up: David O’Brien. 9 Hole Medley Stableford Winner: Nikole Cunningham 17 Points.
TARRAWINGEE Golf Club results
Saturday, June 29
The members played the doubles KO with the winners being Ken Miller and Manny Tanirau 1 up and Mark Nolan and Angelo Garraffo 2 up, none of the members managed to secure a nearest the pin, the monthly awards were as follows.
Captains award: Pete Nolan; secretaries award: Lindsay Steer; birdies: Ken Miller; gobblers: Mark Nolan.
Golf to be played on Saturday, July 6 will be a stroke event for the July Monthly Medal.
There will also be an event for the Ladies on the day.
Starting times are 11.30am registration for a 12pm start, ladies welcome.
New members are always welcome at the Tarrawingee club by contacting a member or phoning 0428 122 590.
Tarra ladies
On Tuesday, July 2, Tarra ladies played their Monthly Medal event.
The winner of the July Monthly Medal was Carole O’Sullivan on a countback from Lynn Barrow.
Toni Wilson scored a ball for the NTP on the second.
Next week the ladies will play a Stableford event.
RESULTS for Monday, July 1 are as follows:
Janet Kelly and Maureen O’Keefe d Wendy Waddington and Robyn Muller 7/6, Christine Ireland and Dawn Wind d Susan Fischer and Gavan Kelly 7/5, Margaret Bennett d Andy Barbero 7/6.
Eight members enjoyed games in the winter sunshine on Wednesday afternoon, with Christine Ireland running hoops from several metres after being cleared from in front of the hoop by the opposition.
Play is on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday commencing at 1.00pm.
Visitors are welcome to come down and enjoy some games with our members.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow for the draw to be done.
Late arrivals will be included in the next game.
The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.
For further information please contact President Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009 or Secretary Terry Wilson on 0417 326 739.
WANGARATTA Dragons’ under 14 boys won their first game for the season with a strong 4-0 win over CR United.
The boys played positively and passed well, and did most of the attacking early in the game.
They also defended solidly and a couple of great saves by fill-in goalkeeper Joseph Robertson prevented CR United hitting the scoreboard.
There was some great attacking play with several short corners, with Alistair Merritt striking the team’s first goal from a short corner.
More goals came, one in each quarter to James Thompson, Hamish Kerr, and Thomas Wright.
It was a difficult game for the division two lady Dragons this weekend, with Wangaratta taking on Norths.
The first quarter showed the Dragons weren’t going to let the wet field hold them back.
Excellent defensive work by Katie Crane and Jess Sachs prevented Norths from scoring a goal in the first quarter.
Following half-time Norths’ offensive picked up speed leaving the game at 0-4 at three quarter time.
Wangaratta had lots of shots on goals by Kylie Samson and Kate Reilly, but Norths’ defence was just too strong, and as the final buzzer went off the score was 0-6 Norths’ way
The division three ladies had a night game in the cold pouring rain on Saturday.
This did not dampen their spir-
CONTROL: Emma
Gall drags the ball into her possession.
its, with some awesome plays in the forward line.
Lou Trenker, who plays in defence, forced her way into the Dragons’ goal and scored her first ever goal.
Kylie Samson ran her feet off in forward and was always in great position to receive a ball.
Defence was on fire with Jessica White and Shanlee North shielding any ball coming their way.
Best on ground was Jamielee Sexton for swooping in behind the Dragons’ goalie saving a ball rolling into Wombats’ goals, which stopped Wombats from scoring.
It was a fantastic game for the ladies, winning 2-0.
The Dragon’s under 16 girls faced United Magpies for their last game
before the school holiday break.
With three of the under 14 girls stepping up to help out, they were looking forward to a great game. Some strong passing play saw the ball passed around the pitch.
Making sure that it wasn’t just channelled down the middle paid off, with wingers Bella Goodman and Kiana Lane combining well with captain Ellie Samson.
An attacking short corner saw the ball go into the goal, hit by Ellie.
Caitlyn Barnden, Ayla Mcintyre and Isabella Coghetto showed their strengths in the midfield, backing up the defence of Charlotte Marshall and Aimee McLaurin.
Unfortunately, they did not come away with a win, the other
team finding the back of the goals seven times.
The division 3 men played on their home turf at Cathedral College on Saturday, taking on a strong Norths team from Albury.
With their work cut out for them, the men came out strong, and Izaac Cameron scored an early goal put the men in front on the scoreboard.
Despite strong performances from Tim Longman and Simon Lipshut, who scored the Dragons’ second goal, the men were bombarded in the second half.
Unfortunately, even with amazing defence from Wes Samson and Luke Mercer, the men couldn’t hold out the relentless attacks and ended the game with a 2-all draw.
By JUNE UEBERGANG
WHILE the first-round matches of the Wimbledon tennis slam were being toughed out, nothing was tougher than the many rounds of table tennis contested by the 24 players at last Monday night’s social competition at the Oxley hall.
It was great to see Audrey and Allister Olsson ignoring the effects of ‘climate change’ when they travelled from Brisbane to refresh and re-live the memories of past experiences at the competition.
While Audrey paired up with Marnie Woodberry, Allister drew the short straw to partner June Uebergang in what developed into a lengthy battle of highs and lows.
A great game, won by Audrey and Marnie, and enjoyed by all.
New to the competition, but wellaccomplished in the sport, Gary Robinson and ‘up and Adam’ Bosley were in fine form when they lined up against ‘hard drive’ Clive Brooker and ‘fast startin’ Martin’ Butcher in a game where nothing was left to chance.
Power personified, mixed with
deftness of touch was on show as they took and delivered strokes from well behind the table, and then bounded for the short placements.
After a game that left spectators open-mouthed, final scores revealed one pair had won by a pinch.
When ‘catch me if you can’ Ken Parker and William ‘the Conqueror’ Bonwick took on the bloke who knows the game’s history, Neil Brock’ and ‘well sprung’ Pete Spring, those sitting courtside knew to hold onto their hats.
Court coverage was exhausting, but each player kept a handle on their positivity, as they contested a game of trial, with very little error.
This course of play saw the lead fluctuate right throughout the night’s longest game, until one pair won the marathon
In another game that went on forever, new girl on the circuit Karen Robinson partnered ‘quick as a wink’ Millie Bosley to play ‘hard at it’ Maree Parker and ‘dynamo’ Debbie Brunken.
While each pair kept their feet firmly planted on the ground, they
stood toe-to-toe with their opponents in a showdown to rival Wimbledon.
Millie’s up-front deliveries, strongly supported by Karen’s long and accurate drives were tried and tested to the limits by Maree and Debbie’s all-round court coverage, as each pair fought tooth and nail for victory – final scores were too close for comfort.
With bat in hand in readiness for yet another game at the table, Sharlene Gervasoni paired up with Richard ‘the lion heart’ Morgan, in a lively contest against ‘bir thday boy’ Jason Mullins and ‘the man with a plan’ Neil Spurgeon.
With the fellas giving their all, and Sharlene giving hers back, there were no ‘softies or gimmies’ on offer, as each pair combined their strengths in their endeavours to ‘buckle the wheels’ of their opponents’ driving forces.
And with no decline in any player’s performance, it came as no surprise that one pair won by a ‘sniff ’.
Pairing up for one of their many games, ‘LOL’ Lucy Uebergang and
‘the man with ‘Manni’ strings to his bow’ Poulos, joined forces to do battle against the ‘unstoppable’ Hugh Spring and ‘quick Mick’ Gervasoni, in a game that delivered it all in spades.
With Lucy playing it safe with well-placed serves and strokes, and Manni handling the heavy work, they combined well to take the game right up to the combined allround game displayed by Hugh and Mick.
After Hugh and Mick held the lead in the early stages of the game, Lucy and Manni changed direction in both attack and defence, resulting in the game being won by Hugh and Mick in a tie-breaker.
After an exhilarating night of social and physical enjoyment, everyone gathered for a cuppa and supper, and a celebration of Jason Mullins’ birthday.
A warm invitation is extended to adults and secondary school students of all ages and abilities to join the group, which meets each Monday night at the Oxley hall –BYO bat, $2 entry fee, and a plate to share.
Wangaratta Table Tennis Association
PLAYERS withstood the chilly conditions on Wednesday, June 26 to participate in the fourth round of the Winter Competition
Results:
A GRADE: Steve Picken, Pat Sehgal, Tom Brown (NE Ag & Industrial) def. Marcus Angehrn, Mark Comensoli, Corey Dagoli (Boralma Berkshire)-final rubber score 7/4.
Matches won: S Picken 1, P Sehgal 1, T Brown 3, M Angehrn 2, M Comensoli 2.
Doubles: T Brown/P Sehgal 1, T Brown/S Picken 1. John Maletta, Robert Voss, John Wright (Somerset Comms) def. Kim Brown, Nathan Vincent, Ken Parker (Nathan Vincent Contracting)-final rubber score 6/5.
Matches won: J Maletta 2, R Voss 1, J Wright 3, K Brown 1, N Vincent 2.
Doubles: N Vincent/K Parker (NVC) 1, N Vincent/K Brown (NVC) 1.
B GRADE:
Ted Tatulaschwili, Phil Fitzgerald, Ron Divinagracia (N.E. Ag & Industrial) def. Klaus Kazenwadel, Tim Oliver, Rod Gerrett (Boralma Berkshire)-final rubber score 8/3.
Matches won: Ted Tats 3, P Fitzgerald 1, R Divinagracia 3, K Kazenwadel 1, T Oliver 1.
Doubles: K Kazenwadel/T Oliver 1, R Divinagracia/T Tats 1. Daniel Larkings, John Bajada, Sienna Bajada (Somerset Comms) def. Andrew Higgins, Seth Knox, David Hudson (NVC)final rubber score 7/4.
Matches won: D Larkings 2, J Bajada 3, S Bajada 1, A Higgins 1, D Hudson 2.
Doubles: J Bajada/D Larkings 1, D Larkings/A Higgins 1. C GRADE: Stephen Alger, Manni Poulos (N.E. Ag & Industrial) def. Andrew Holmes, Jesse Hughes (Somerset Comms)-final rubber score 3/2. Matches won: M Poulos 2, A Holmes 1, J Hughes 1.
Doubles: S Alger/M Poulos 1. Reggie Kanaskar, Julie Lindner (Auto 8) def. Paul Hughes, Renee McCarthy (Blue Raven)-final rubber score 5/0.
Matches won: R Kanaskar 2, J Lindner 2.
Doubles: R Kanaskar/J Lindner 1. Play will continue with Round 5 after the school holidays –meanwhile, the shed will be open on Wednesday, July 10th for social hit-up.
Enquiries: Tom Brown (club president) 0429 809 927.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
IF Bright can manage to defeat ladder leaders Greta tomorrow, it would open the door for the Mountain Men to push for a top two finish.
Bright currently sits a game behind the Blues and Bonnie Doon in third, but a win tomorrow would see that gap close with six weeks before finals.
The last time these two sides went toe-to-toe, the Blues had the last laugh with a 22-point result at Pioneer Park, which Bright will be eager to correct.
Bright coach Paul Harrison said despite staring down a potential boost into the top two, having the second chance come September was not a necessity of the plan for a flag.
“We’re definitely eyeing it off, but we know if we finish third, we don’t really have an issue with it,” he said.
“We play better footy when we play every week, we’re a bit slow coming off byes, and there’s the potential of missing two games in three or four weeks.
“We had to get to the grand final from finishing third last year, we were able to do that.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’d prefer to finish top two, but if we don’t, we’re not going to be upset about it.”
The Mountain Men will have some gun players back and keen for selection this week, which will mean both their seniors and reserves sides will be out to perform.
“The little things in the game are really going to make the difference in the end,” Harrison said.
“We’re starting to get a few more
MASSIVE MATCH: Bright will be eager to correct their 22-point loss to Greta when the two sides come face-toface again.
numbers back, especially this week, we’ll have a few more available this week which is nice.
“We’ve got the likes of Declan Bren back available this week, who’s still in the top 10 of the goal kicking and he’s played five games for the year.
“It’s probably going to be the first time in a few weeks we’re going to have to actually drop a couple of players.
“I think it will be a very close
game in the firsts and twos.”
Harrison said they had plans in place to negate or counter some of Greta’s powerhouse players.
“Obviously ‘Juddy’ (Frazer Judd) was able to kick four or five in the first quarter against us last time, then ‘Quirky’ (Luke Quirk) went from deep forward for us to the back half and was able to shut him down for the last three quarters,” he said.
“It’s something we’ll look at,
PHOTO: Richard Xerri
we’ll probably start Quirky on him from the start of the game.
“With our midfield group, and the likes of Nick Lebish available this week, it adds a bit more strength and height through our midfield.
“It gives us a bit more flexibility with playing someone like Max Rampling on James McClounan.
“It’s a pretty potent forward half, we get opportunities, we’ve just got to take them.”
By NATHAN DE VRIES
THE next three weeks are crucial for King Valley in their pursuit of a top six finish and a spot in finals.
Currently a game out from the top six, the Roos face a run of matches which are definitely winnable, but it will be a challenge.
The Roos will be up against fifth placed Whorouly at home this weekend, before taking on Moyhu and Goorambat in the weeks after.
King Valley coach Deanna Mawson said the team had been performing and gelling well on and off the court, and were ready for a massive match this weekend against Whorouly.
“We’ve really got to beat Whorouly and Moyhu for us to stay in the top six, they’re our next two weeks, they’re going to be our toughest matches coming up,” she said.
“We’re gelling really well, we’ve had a really good second half of the season with availability of some of our girls who have been travelling.
“We’re happy with the way our team’s going, it’s actually been a really fun season this year with a re-
ally good bunch of girls.
“We had our social event on the weekend, our ball, and that was a great time.”
The Lions will look to build their game from their defensive third, and Mawson was confident tactical substitutions to her shooters throughout the game can upset any momentum Whorouly starts to generate.
“We’ve got two different structures in our shooting end, we’ve got a big, tall shooter and we’ve got another option as a fast shooter,” she said.
“We’re just changing it up whenever we need to with our backup plan.
“We’ll need to make changes quicker, not waiting - that’s why the tactical subs have been so good for us because we’re able to adapt
By NATHAN DE VRIES
THERE are seven weeks left of the Ovens and King’s home and away season, and if North Wangaratta wants to keep their finals spot, they need to be on the money in each game.
The Hawks sit just in the top six by virtue of percentage ahead of King Valley, while Moyhu (eighth, 16 points) and Whorouly (ninth, 12 points) area few short games behind.
Facing four of the top five sides in the run home, commencing with Goorambat this weekend, it’s shaping up as a crucial few months for North Wangaratta.
Coach Steve Manning said his side’s future was in their own hands.
“The pressure’s on us, we’re in the spot at the moment where we’ve got to keep on winning,” he said.
“Sides below us will be hoping for us to lose, and there’s pressure that comes with that, but pressure’s a privilege.
“We’ve got to take that on and understand that, the ball’s in our court, it’s in our hands.
“We can’t rely on anyone else, and these are the games we’ve got to turn up and make the most of it.”
Up against the Bats, who had North Wangaratta handily covered when they first met back in round four (19.15.129 –7.6.48), the Hawks will look to their midfield to lead the charge.
“They’ve got some terrific footballers to stop, any team with Jamie Dunne in it is going to be super competitive in that midfield,” Manning said.
“Our midfield has really been working hard over the last month to six weeks, it’s been consistent.
“Our pressure is a big part of our game, we pride ourselves on it – at times in the season it has dropped off and oppositions have been able to do their own thing.
“I think if we can have pressure on their ball carriers and around what they want to do, and on the flipside when we get the footy we can spread it and make the ground as big as we can and control the game in that sense.
“Last time we played Goorambat, we probably had a few missing and a few underdone still, trying to find their feet and positions, trying to find their way into the season.
quicker rather than wait.
“We’re hoping for a tough game, and where we can win this game is just fighting it out to the end.
“It won’t be won in the first, second or third quarter, it’ll be who can hang on the longest.”
King Valley takes on Whorouly at Whitfield this weekend, with the A grade match set for a 2.15pm start.
“We’ve been able to add more depth to our midfield and our forwards, our back six have been really solid throughout the year.” North Wangaratta heads to the Bat Cave on Saturday to take on Goorambat.
In other round 14 matches, King Valley hosts the Lions who will both be looking to bank crucial points, the Hoppers head down to Benalla to face the Panthers, and it’s a clash of the titans when Greta takes on the Bright Mountain Men.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
AFL royalty is set to spark WJ Findlay Oval to life as Eddie Betts prepares to run out with the Wangaratta Rovers on Saturday.
The ex-Carlton and Adelaide star will grace the field in a oneoff appearance with the brown and gold in the league’s Indigenous round against Wodonga Raiders, where a big crowd is anticipated.
Rovers co-captain Tom Boyd said he can’t wait to play alongside him.
“All of the boys are really excited to play with him,” he said.
“Hopefully he’ll bring a bit of energy and a big crowd in which is always nice at this time of year.
“We pulled a nice crowd against Wang a couple of weeks ago so hopefully it’s something similar with Eddie in town, it’s exciting.”
Betts’ wife Anna Scullie hails from Wangaratta and the fourtime Goal of the Year winner has already played in the area when he featured for Whorou-
ly in a one-off appearance in 2022.
The Hawks were made to grind out a 20-point win over the winless Corowa-Rutherglen last weekend in trying conditions at John Foord Oval.
With North Albury falling late to Wangaratta, Rovers now hold a comfortable two game gap in second on the ladder, as they line-up against the twowin Raiders.
The Wodonga Raiders could only manage the one goal at home against Albury in their 42-point loss last week.
Despite their record, one the league’s most potent performers Cam Ellis-Yolmen, a former teammate of Betts, has had yet another stellar season.
Boyd said the team would be backing in the strengths of their own midfield to get the job done over the star-power of Ells-Yolmen.
“It doesn’t really matter what you do in terms of sending personnel to him, we’re never going to take him out of the game, it’s whether we can limit his influence on the game,” he said.
“You’ve just got to back your own system, your own midfielders in to get the job done and the impact he does have, to make sure it’s not forward of the contest, it’s on the back foot and giving our backs the best chance to turn it over when he does get his hands on it.”
Rovers’ key stocks have been bolstered with the signing of former club junior Ed Dayman before the June 30 player transfer cut-off
Former teammates at Murray Bushrangers, Boyd said he was looking forward to taking the field with Dayman once again.
“It’s always great to welcome one of our own back, we’re really looking forward to having him,” he said.
“We’re just looking for a bit more of a ruck dominance and someone to help Gatto out in the middle.
“I haven’t played with him since juniors and I’m excited to see how far he’s come since then.”
Betts will run out with the Rovers from 2pm.
SET TO FLY: Eddie Betts returns to the fields of Wangaratta tomorrow for the Hawks after appearing for Whorouly in 2022.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
AN alleged brawl in the immediate aftermath of a Wangaratta District Junior Football League match is currently under an AFL North East Border investigation.
Following the under 17s match between Kangaroos and Bright match on June 22 at Tarrawingee Recreation Reserve, it’s been reported a fight broke out on the field, allegedly involving players and parents.
WDJFL operations manager Matthew Elliot confirmed the incident was under investigation, with both clubs cooperating with the league body. No other details about the incident have been released by the league.
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
WANGARATTA will look to learn their lessons from a second half scare last week at Wodonga on Saturday Leading by eight goals at half-time, the top-of-the-table Magpies looked a class above a North Albury team on the rise in the first half.
But the Hoppers came out of the main break a different team, bringing the scores level close to three-quarter time in the 12-6 period.
Wangaratta steadied in the last to put the game beyond doubt and win by 10 goals, but coach Shea Cunningham was hoping her team could strike the perfect mix of consistency across four quarters, starting at Martin Park this weekend.
“I think we’re there for three quarters, but we just have a little bit of a lapse in concentration and focus in a certain quarter, which we saw last week with North coming at us,” she said.
“It took us a bit of time to re-settle ourselves in the third quarter, but that was to be expected because North have been pushing themselves this year and they’re a really good team.
“That final quarter gives us a lot of confidence, to go out on court and execute in a tight match like that in those horrible, wet conditions; there’s a heap of confidence we can take out of that.”
Wodonga have been an improved side in the competition this year, al-
ready doubling their win total from last season.
In their last meeting at Wangaratta, the Magpies proved far too good, winning 61-42.
Cunningham said she expected minimal changes to her 10-1 side from last week’s slippery encounter on the court.
“We’ll be aiming for a bit more consistency across the board, and we’re getting better at that each week,” she said.
Closer to home, Wangaratta Rovers will be hoping to challenge another premiership hopeful in Wodonga Raiders at WJ Findlay Oval.
Rovers are coming off one of their best wins in recent years, beating third-placed Corowa-Rutherglen 5033 in an emphatic four-quarter performance.
Coach Gracie Reid said while Kim Borger will come out of the side, she hoped the winning momentum would carry on against a team many consider the benchmark of the competition.
“We really enjoy playing Raiders because they’re quite a young team similar to us, that have built over the years and they’re finally seeing that reward,” she said.
“They’ve kept that core group from a very young age and now they’ve managed to become one of the top teams to beat, so we’re definitely looking to develop like that over the next year or so.”
FULL REACH: Amanda Umanski netted 35 of her 46 shots on goal against North Albury last week.
COMPOSURE: Chaye Crimmins looks for options with the ball.
By SHANE DOUTHIE
WANGARATTA Turf Club’s inaugural Into Our Hands Community Race Day at Wangaratta Racecourse on Saturday, July 6 will still be a bumper event, despite the postponement of the Grand Oaks Charity Event featuring guest speaker Damien Oliver.
The scheduled 7-race card has increased to 10 races and packed with quality fields according to Wangaratta Turf Club CEO Sean Barrett, and with a warm, sunny afternoon forecast a great day of country racing is in store.
Barrett said the turf club had made the difficult decision to postpone the Grand
Oaks Charity Event component of the race day featuring Oliver to better maximise the fundraising element of the day at a later date but the race day and fundraising for Into Our Hands will go on.
The club is offering free admission on the day with racegoers invited to make a donation at the gate for
Into Our Hands.
“We have also auctioned the race names to raise money and expect the donations at the gate will be well-supported in lieu of admission fees,” he said.
“The day has been well-supported by members and it’s a really strong card of 10 races on offer with the first race at
11am and the last at 4.26pm
“The Grand Oaks Room will be open for racegoers but with such a fine day predicted it will be comfortable indoors or out.
“The betting ring will be open along with the usual oncourse refreshments and attractions on offer.
“While the racing and
having a great day out will be to the fore, raising funds for Into Our Hands and community groups is still a priority for the day and an ongoing focus for our club to support the local community.”
Gates at the Into Our Hands Community Race Day at Wangaratta Racecourse will open at 10.30am.
THE annual Canberra Junior Representative Carnival saw nine Wangaratta Dragons hockey players compete this year, on the June King’s Birthday weekend.
This is a large increase from two representatives the year before and shows how strong Wangaratta’s juniors are becoming, and reflects the growth of the club.
After many weeks travelling to Albury after school for training,
the kids were all looking forward to a great weekend playing the game they love, against some of the country’s best junior players.
The Wangaratta contingent consisted of Caitlyn Barnden and Claudia Kerr (under 12 girls), Alistair Merritt, James Wheeler, Hamish Kerr and Alex Rymill (under 14 boys), Edward and Joseph Robertson (under 16 boys) and Ellie Samson (under 16 girls). They all played under the ban-
ner of Hockey Albury Wodonga, with spots in the teams being hotly contested - trials were held earlier in the year with training commencing in March.
The carnival was played across the four different venues in Canberra, with some great hockey being played.
The skill of all of the kids is remarkable with some close and exciting games being played.
The under 16 girls went
through undefeated, with Ellie Samson of Wangaratta scoring three goals across the five games played.
The team combined really well together to produce the result which is an achievement considering that they come from different clubs.
With some clever positioning they were able to adapt the play to counteract different scenarios and were obviously the team to beat.
With the best results yet for Hockey Albury Wodonga, there were teams from all age groups in every grand final, with the under 14 boys and under 16 girls emerging victorious.
The kids were really proud to be there and played so well.
It is also showing the city teams that regional areas have some talented players and is changing the way that they select state teams.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
WANGARATTA City Raceway has been confirmed as one of the premier racing clubs in the state, after taking out the illustrious Club of the Year award at Saturday’s Speedway Sedans Victoria awards night.
While the awards night was held down in Ballarat, the North East was well represented, with around 20 Wangaratta club members in attendance to share in the glory.
Club president Kenneth Mankey said it was an honour and a testament to all of the hard work which goes on behind the scenes.
“It’s humbling to know our club’s getting recognised in the right areas,” he said.
“The whole club, the spectators,
volunteers, committee members, drivers – every single person who walks through our gate has a part in this award.
“We can’t do what we do without people coming to that venue.
“Local council, sponsors, everyone who gets behind our club, that’s what makes us who we are, and this award goes to every single one of them.
“We’ll definitely have it on display for next season so every person who walks in that venue gets to see that trophy hanging in their club.”
Wangaratta City Raceway is no stranger to accolades, after taking out Track of the Year last year, and Mankey himself awarded Volunteer of the Year at Speedway Australia’s annual gala dinner back in June.
Mankey said the awards and recognition were helping to grow the club within the sport.
“I’m going to say five years ago, we weren’t recognised, no one knew who we were,” he said.
“Now, after winning Track of the Year last year, we just got dual titles, an Australian title for next season, and now winning Club of the Year, we’re looking at some big races for next season as well.
“We’re getting spoken about by the right people in the right places, we get phone calls all the time, we’re getting more volunteers because they all want to be a part of the club
“It’s mind-blowing, our club from where it was to where it is now - it’s in the best position I’ve ever seen it.”
By CHLOE JAENICKE
WANGARATTA City Football Club (WCFC) is hosting a family violence round with Melrose Football Club this Sunday, July 7.
The round is being hosted in partnership with the Centre Against Violence (CAV) to raise awareness of the impacts family and domestic violence have in our community.
WCFC club president, Kristy Mellor, said the club prides itself on promoting equal opportunities for all and breaking down stigmas around family violence.
“A sporting club is a microcosm of the entire community, and you have people who may not have the awareness of the problems in our community surrounding
family violence,” she said.
“Also, a sporting club is where we have really strong values of respect and equality and I think you can then use those values to educate people about issues in the community.”
On the day, both teams will wear purple armbands and there will be a 39 second silence before the men’s and women’s games, with each second representing a woman killed by family violence this year in Australia according to “Destroy the Joint” research.
Teams will also play with a purple ball and there will be a family violence round medal given to the best on ground in each game.
“I think the medals will be really good for the players to play for but it also brings
home the message and starts the conversation as well,” Mellor said.
On the Thursday leading up to the game, CAV also held educational sessions for both the junior and senior players.
“We’re also having conversations with our junior and senior players about family violence, about what it means to be an ally and how to speak up if you notice something,” Mellor said.
CAV has partnered with other sporting clubs in the past for similar rounds and chief executive officer, Jaime Chubb, said it has had a big impact.
“We know that sporting clubs are really important places for many people and it’s a place where they feel re-
ally safe and secure,” she said.
“The fact that sporting clubs are starting to have these conversations raises awareness around having healthy relationships and what family violence is so it’s really important.”
On the pitch, the senior men’s Devils will look to stay within touching distance of a finals birth against the third-placed Melrose.
The Devils put in a muchimproved performance against Twin City last weekend after a 6-0 smashing at the hands of Cobram a fortnight ago.
Wangaratta City currently sit eight points outside of the Roar in eighth.
Melrose were too classy for the Devils in their last meeting earlier in the year at Melrose, winning 4-2.
TOGETHER:
By NATHAN DE VRIES
WANGARATTA City FC’s senior women’s side face one of the league’s best sides, Melrose FC, at home this Sunday in what is sure to be a brilliant match.
Both sides will be fired up and coming off outstanding victories, with the Lady Devils having trounced Twin City 10-0 last weekend, and Melrose handing the previously unbeaten Hotspurs their first loss 2-1.
Despite his side taking the points last weekend, Lady Devils’ coach Terry Masters said he wouldn’t underestimate their purple-clad opponents.
“They got a good result last week which was a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“You never know what happened in the game or player
availability, but they’ve been travelling alright, they’ve only lost one game for the year.
“Last time we played them (1-5), they were a very experienced side, so it’ll be interesting to see how the younger ones perform, and they can be quite physical.
“We’ll see how we match up on that side of things.
“We’ve still got some quality players there with Hannah (Swindley), Bianca (Mulqueen) and (Caitlin) Rizzo and those, so it should be a good game.”
While they claimed victory last weekend with a weakened squad, the Lady Devils will have a strong mix of youth and experience out on the park.
“We’ve still got a reasonable side that we’ve brought in,” Masters said.
“At this time of the year you’ve got to juggle players
because if they play too many games in division one, they can’t play finals in division two, so there’s the balancing act that has to be done.
“We go in with a good group, we’ll see how we go.
“We can’t win the league so the result’s probably not that relevant in the scheme of things, but you still want to know how you go against the better sides, and obviously Melrose and Hotspurs are the two sides to beat.”
The reserve side will look to climb up the ladder when they take on the 11th-ranked Melrose from 11.20am on Sunday.
The division two side has been inconsistent at times, but will back their strikers in to perform after having scored nine goals from the past three matches.
THIS weekend The Rugby League Goulburn Murray Storm Premiership takes a competition-wide bye.
All teams will enjoy a respite before the upcoming finals in August, though not all players will have the weekend off, with five of The Wangaratta Knights selected for The Country vs City Round in Melbourne on Saturday
Jimi Jo Larson, Scott Miller, and Mathew Ferguson have been named for the Men’s Country side and Tia Tahana and Tiana Stuart were named for the Women’s.
The Knights take great pride in all players chosen to represent the club in external competitions, but in particular recognise the ambition and effort put in
by women in sport. In the realm of Rugby League, the narrative of women’s participation has evolved greatly over the years, yet the journey toward equality remains ongoing.
From challenging stereotypes to achieving remarkable feats, women athletes have continually pushed boundaries, inspiring generations and reshaping social perceptions.
Representation matters, and seeing women excel in all sports reaffirms the notion that no dream is too big to achieve.
Longtime Knights League Tag player Alison Adamo recalls having to watch her brothers play football from the sidelines as a child.
“I’m thrilled that my daughter can grow up play-
ing football instead of being relegated to helping out in the canteen,” Ms Adamo said.
“It’s wonderful to see how sports like football can significantly boost girls’ mental health, providing them with confidence and a sense of community,” she said.
“Watching [my daughter] enjoy the game I love fills me with pride and joy.”
Captain of the men’s Wangaratta Knights, Scott Miller, recalls being drawn to the sport by his preexisting love for AFL and desire to take on new challenges.
“I popped out to training – and got talked into playing seniors, and have played almost every weekend since,” Mr Miller said.
“The club is very positive and family friendly.”
He went on to describe the unity of both the men’s and women’s sides and the growth the sport has seen over the past few years.
“The men’s and women’s team are tight, socialising, training and competing together - This energy has attracted more players, which has translated to some recent on field success,” he said.
“From a humble, almost boutique sport within an Aussie Rules dominated area, the league has grown with three new teams in the competition this year alone.”
“This has increased the talent and professionalism in the sport and made the game an accessible option for both men and women looking to participate in a team sport.”
Friday, July 5
Collingwood vs. Essendon (MCG)
Saturday, July 6
North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MRVL)
Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs (AO)
Geelong Cats vs. Hawthorn (GMHBA)
GWS
vs. Carlton (GS)
Fremantle vs. Richmond (OS)
Sunday, July 7
Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles (MCG)
St Kilda vs. Sydney Swans (MRVL)
Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide Crows (G)
WANGARATTA Turf Club CEO Sean Barrett is amped up for Saturday’s inaugural Into Our Hands Community Race Day. With a 10-race card and all of the fun and attractions on offer, the day is sure to be a blast for all attendees.
■ Story page 36, race fields page 31.
Wangaratta look to stay inside the top five against Wodonga Bulldogs this weekend gypggg
WANGARATTA could be seeing themselves on the fringes of finals with a loss to Wodonga this weekend, as their season defining month of matches continues.
Both teams share a 6-5 record on the season and with fifth-placed Albury going in favourites against Lavington, the loser at Martin Park could be entering round 13 a game out of finals.
Coach Ben Reid said it was going to be yet another
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
big game for his team which continues to fight for a spot in the top-five.
“They’re a really hard side to beat, so we know they’re going to be a massive challenge and we know it’s going to be a massive fight for us,” he said.
“We’ve got to start the game a bit better than we have in previous weeks and
that’ll be a bit of a focus for us.”
The Magpies pulled off the unthinkable against North Albury last week kicking a flurry of goals in the game’s dying stages to pinch victory, but the team know all too well the feeling of being on the other side of the comeback.
Earlier in the year the Magpies held a 26-point lead under lights against Wodonga during the last-quarter, only to see it evaporate as the Dogs
piled on five goals in nine minutes to steal the win.
Reid said his side wouldn’t read too much into their last meeting with the Dogs, with both teams experiencing plenty of changes since.
“Both teams are really different with how they’re lining up, we both have a couple of key players out but I think we’re pretty evenly matched still across the park,” he said.
“I really rate their hardness around the ball
and their tackling intensity.
“We’ve got to match them in the contest, it’s going to be a game that’s won around the middle and then we really want to defend the ground well.
“Last time they got through us pretty easily on our deck and we want to change that on their ground.”
Nick Richards could come back into the team this week after missing against the Hoppers, in what will be an otherwise unchanged team
from the physical win in the wet.
“We’ve actually pulled up pretty well out of it, it’s probably the first time we haven’t had anyone come up real sore from a game which is handy,” Reid said.
“Most guys that have been coming in have been doing a fantastic job, there’s around 10 guys aged 21 and under who have been playing and it’s just been really good to see the progression of those young boys throughout the year.”