Wangaratta Chronicle 070623

Pages 11-16

BRAVING THE RAIN

Pokies spend up

LOCAL gaming venues can expect a visit from the state’s gambling regulator in the coming weeks, with Wangaratta having already shattered its record annual pokies expenditure in the first 10 months of the year.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) recently confirmed inspectors would be touring the Wangaratta and Benalla shires to ensure gaming venues were following rules and maintaining integrity, fairness and safety with

Gaming inspectors to visit region amid record gambling gpgggpexpenditure

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

their electronic gaming machines (EGMs).

The news comes after Wangaratta exceeded its record expenditure on EGMs for a single financial year in April, with two months of data still to be officially recorded.

Local residents have

so far recorded a player loss of $9.269m, passing the rural city’s previous record of $8.873m (2018/19), according to VGCCC data.

The figure is around $2.3m more than losses to the same time last year.

Having never previously pooled seven figures in expenditure in a single month, the rural city’s four venues and 154 EGMs raked in more than $1m in July, August and October last year, and fell just shy of

the seven–figure mark in September, November and December.

Expenditure has markedly reduced in the 2023 calendar year, with player losses hovering around the $800,000 mark each month on average.

Benalla’s six venues and 240 EGMs have been similarly busy, pooling $12.3m in expenditure to April, more than $250,000 more than the 2021/22 financial year.

VGCCC data for Benalla also includes Strathbogie and Moira shires.

VGCCC gambling director Glorija Kuzman said the VGCCC targeted venues based on a number of risk factors, including high growth in player loss and a history of not following the rules.

“Being led by data and intelligence, we’re sending our inspectors to places and venues where the risk to the community is highest,” she said.

“Places we’ve seen a significant jump in gambling spend over the past few years, where there is a high concentration of poker machines, or where we know there have been issues in the past.

“These venues not only have legal obligations to comply with, they also have a social licence with their local community, which includes making sure gambling is safe and fair.”

■ Continued page 3

CORONATION Kindergarten children (from left) Sonny Tiso (5), Harriet Bell (4), Arthur McLeod (4) and Zara Looby (4) were forced to rug up to brave wet conditions yesterday afternoon, as heavy rain set in throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta. Up to 20mm of rain is forecast to fall on Wangaratta today, while up to 40mm could buffet the region tomorrow as winter conditions settle in.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Caring, coping through disaster

Community conversations to help inform local research project

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WANGARATTA-based Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) has partnered with Australia reMADE to research how communities have beenand can be - cared for before, during and after disaster.

With disasters - like floods, fires and pandemics - increasing in the region, WHGNE chief executive officer Amanda Kelly said ensuring communities are cared for in their times of greatest need is more important than ever.

Between May and mid-July, WHGNE and Australia reMADE

will be providing people and groups with the resources needed to lead a kitchen table conversation with their friends, communities and organisations.

These conversations will give communities the chance to share how they cared, and were cared for, before, during and after recent disasters, as well as generate ideas for how to care for communities through future disasters.

“We’ve had more than our fair share of disasters during the past few years,” Ms Kelly said.

“Fires, floods and a global pandemic - we’ve felt and

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES:

Wednesday Max 19 Min 11

Showers

Thursday Max 16 Min 11 Rain

Friday Max 14 Min 6 Showers

grieved the devastating losses they’ve brought.

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“The chronic crises that people face, like cost of living pressures, ill health and housing insecurity, make the impact of disasters worse for the most vulnerable.

“Our research has shown that disasters affect women differently, and that they disproportionately take on post-disaster caring and emotional support roles in the home and community, and are subject to increased family violence.

“With crises affecting us every

day and more disasters coming, we need to think about how we can prepare for communities to be properly cared for, before, during and after disasters.

“We’re looking forward to hearing from communities what kind of care they need.

“It could be anything from food and shelter to counselling and emotional support.”

Interested individuals and organisations should contact rachel@australiaremade.org or visit https://www.whealth.com. au/news/care-through-disaster/ for more information.

Phoebe’s unique quest before 21

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

By LEAH TINDILL

A FORMER Greta resident has broken the traditional 21st birthday planning mould by setting out to mark the milestone with a major personal project.

NEWS TIPS

process in February this year with little luck.

Her first interview didn't happen until April and was a rushed process with Sydney based band Kill Appeal.

people starting out and about their achievements,” she said.

CARING FOR COMMUNITIES: WHGNE CEO, Amanda Kelly, said the partnership with reMADE Australia will help communities in the event of a disaster.

Fire authorities urge kitchen fire awareness through winter

FIRE officials have urged local residents to pay close attention while cooking this winter, after firefighters were called to 900 kitchen fires across the state.

Regarded as the single largest cause of fire in residential homes, kitchen and cooking–related fires were largely avoidable, according to CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook.

“We know that 6pm is the peak time triple zero dispatch CFA brigades to homes due to unattended cooking,” he said.

“Make sure your kitchen appliances are in good working order, and ensure your stove top, griller, oven, range hood and cooking area are free from built up grease, dust and oil.

“While most fatal fires occur in sleeping areas, it is important to note that most residential fires start in the kitchen and over the last 10 years, 15 per cent of fatalities and serious injuries have still occurred from kitchen fires.”

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

Phoebe O’Brien forged a plan to complete 21 interviews with international personalities by the time she turned 21 as part of finding a direction for her blog, The Girl in the Red Beret http:// girlintheredberet.wordpress. com/.

But it’s a journey that has proved trickier than she thought.

Relocating to Melbourne to pursue Film and TV at JMC Academy, Phoebe began the

“From that I learnt that preparation and research are really important because I didn’t really have much time before they went back to Sydney,” she said.

“But once I got the first interview done, I thought okay this isn't going to be that hard.”

Since then, Phoebe has completed four interviews with people ranging from musicians to filmmakers.

“I mostly ask about their career and how they got to where they are and what advice they have for young

The platform for interviewing has also proved a challenge, resorting to online video calling software like Skype to interview documentary filmmaker Cherry Healey from England.

“I just love interviewing people,” Phoebe said.

“It’s the best way to learn from other people's experiences.”

The interviews are aimed at gathering advice for young people to inspire them to achieve and Phoebe hopes she can expand this into a national campaign.

“I want to show what you can do by the time you reach a certain age,” she said.

Newly–appointed Fire Rescue Victoria commissioner Gavin Freeman said it was important residents remained aware of their kitchen environment at all times while cooking.

“We frequently encounter kitchen fires and we understand there’s lots to do around the home, but it’s crucial to be aware of your kitchen environment and reduce the risk of fire by staying near the stove,” he said.

“If a fire does start in the kitchen, turn off the stove if it’s safe to do so – use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket if you are confident in their use, evacuate everyone from the home, close the kitchen door and call triple zero.”

The state’s main firefighting bodies have pushed the importance of regularly checking smoke alarms within the home, and ensuring they are powered by a 10 year long–life battery in all sleeping and living areas of the home.

Interconnected smoke alarms are also recommended, so when an alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound throughout the house.

For more home safety tips, visit www.frv. vic.gov.au or www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

LAUGHS: Comedienne Hayman Kent (left) proved to be an entertaining subject for Phoebe O’Brien when she was questioned as part of Phoebe’s 21 interviews challenge.

PHOTO: Courtesy Phoebe O’Brien

STRONG MESSAGE: CFA D23 assistant chief fire officer Rod Railton and community safety officer Andrew Arnold (pictured last year) stressed the importance of interconnected smoke alarms within the home, with firefighters responding to more than 900 kitchen fires throughout the state last year.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Keith Snowdon and David Ward check on the storage container full of pre-loved books which will be available this long weekend at the Wangaratta Book Fair in St Patrick’s Hall. Conducted this year by the Rotary Club of Wangaratta and the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta, the event will see thousands of pre-loved fiction, non-fiction and children’s books fill the hall at the tantalising prices of $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hard covers - or patrons can fill a supplied bag for just $20. Entry to the sale is by gold coin donation, and proceeds from the event will be directed by the Rotary clubs to worthy local causes. Wangaratta’s Friends of the Hospital will also have delicious homemade quiche with salad, along with Devonshire teas, available to purchase on the day. The fair will run from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, and from 9am to 3pm on Sunday.

Arson leaves school facing major recovery

By RYAN MALCOLM

POLICE are yet to identify offenders who allegedly burnt down a number of storage sheds at Moyhu Primary School last week.

Moyhu Leading Senior Constable Jason Bray said the fire, which was allegedly lit sometime around 6.30am on May 28, had caused significant damage to a number of tin sheds at the school, with sporting equipment and a mobile art van inside completely destroyed.

Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Senior Constable Tim Doyle said officers believed the offenders, who also allegedly stole a generator and blower vac from the scene, would have likely been visible driving in the Moyhu area between 5am and 7am the same day.

Arson chemists indicated two fires were likely lit within separate sheds, with Sen Const Bray noting early indications were the offenders were “deliberate” in lighting the fire.

Moyhu Primary School principal

Rick Martin said the Department of Education had been quick to support the school as it recovered from the blaze, which also saw the school’s pump shed and mobile art van, which services nine King Valley schools, completely torched.

He said workers had since cleared away the damaged shed exteriors, while the school’s pump system had been restored, with temporary portable toilets subsequently removed from the school grounds.

“We’ve had workers in here and they’ve cleaned all of the sheds up – they’ve done a great job on that cleaning it all up,” he said.

“The water’s back on, so our toilets are right – that got fixed on the weekend so we’re not using portable toilets anymore –overall the kids have settled back and they’ve been pretty good.

“They were probably a little anxious but they weren’t too bad, they were probably excited in some ways that this had happened, but they’ve actually handled it pretty well.

BURNT OUT: Two fires are believed to have been deliberately lit at Moyhu Primary School last week, burning out storage sheds and a mobile art vehicle.

“They’ve looked at it and yeah it’s happened, and I think we were a bit the same too, but we just move on from here, we can’t do much about it – we clean up, move on and see where we are.”

Mr Martin said the fire had also destroyed a number of bikes kept in the shed complex following a recent bicycle education day, which he expected would be replaced by the Department of Education. He said there had been an outpouring of support and shock from the community.

“Originally I had parents reaching out seeing if we needed a hand and that they’d come and help clean it up, but because the department’s done it, it’s just made it so much better for the community,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s a very close-knit community in Moyhu which I think was a bit shocked with it, which I think we all are, and we just hope it’s someone from outside (who has lit the fire), which I think it will be.

“They’ve (Department of Education) cleaned the site off pretty well at the moment – the well still needs a little bit of work, they’ve got to secure it a bit more.

“The site will be out of bounds for a fair while I would imagine –because the sheds were built in stages, the concrete floors will be a trip hazard, so they’ll have to take up what’s there and replace the concrete underneath or put it down as asphalt.”

Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact Wangaratta CIU on 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NEW RECORD: Wangaratta has already recorded its highest–ever expenditure on local electronic gaming machines in a financial year, with two months‘ worth of data yet to be recorded.

Gaming inspectors to visit region amid record gambling expenditure

■ From page 1

Ms Kuzman said inspectors would be specifically checking if venues have a responsible gambling officer in the gaming room at all times, don’t allow minors to gamble or enter the gaming area, have compliant CCTV coverage and storage, and have their own Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.

They will also check to see if venues have the pre–commitment system ‘YourPlay’ installed and working on machines to allow users to track their expenditure and time spent gambling.

“Where we detect high–harm breaches we will take swift and strong action, but we are keen to work with industry to provide them with support to get back on track and follow the rules,” Ms Kuzman said.

“If gaming operators deliberately and knowingly break the law we will have a zero tolerance approach –we‘re here to ensure Victoria’s gambling industry operates with integrity, and is safe and fair – so we will be watching all gaming venues closely.

“In the meantime, I encourage the communities of the Wangaratta and Benalla shires to let us know if they believe a gaming venue is not doing the right thing, by contacting us.”

To make a complaint about a gaming operator, visit www. vgccc.vic.gov.au.

PHOTO: Rick Martin

MEMO, BOOK LOVERS: Rotary Club of Wangaratta’s

PHOTO: Simone Kerwin

Sports day brings out the best in King Valley kids

STUDENTS from the King Valley cluster schools including Edi Upper, Greta Valley, Moyhu, Myrrhee and Whitfield, took part in their annual Personal Best Sports Day at the Appin Street Athletics Complex on Wednesday, May 24, supported by teachers, family members and friends.

There was excitement in the air as more than 100 competitors sought to achieve their personal best scores in a variety of athletics events, having a lot of fun and encouraging each other along the way.

ENCOURAGEMENT:

SWEET SUCCESS: Archie Pryor, Albie Murtagh, Frankie Keith and Jack McCoomb received accolades.

SUN SHINE: Greta Valley Primary School students Doogal Pollard and Kara Barr take a break from competition.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Emily, Arlo and Maverick Hansted from Moyhu enjoyed the day.

GO TEAM: Judd Denholm, Samuel Allen, Nate Denholm, Edward Allen and Jessica Young represented Edi Upper Primary School.

FAST PACE: Whitfield’s Esther Grounds runs like the wind.

Myrhee’s Xavier Graham and Greta Valley’s Ted Clancy are cheered on by the crowd.

EVERYONE WINS: Students (from left) Kyah Currie, Sophie Clancy, Kara Barr, Charlie Morgan, Orlando Orr, Doogal Pollard, Maya Satori and Judd Denholm celebrated their achievement.

TOP EFFORT: Young students Evergie McGann, Juliet Smerdon, Renee Andrews, Sybil Maconochie and Eadie Waters were well rewarded.

Four year ban following drink, drug-fuelled crash

A BOGGY Creek man who crashed his vehicle into a tree while drug-affected and more than three times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from driving for four years.

The 30-year-old man pleaded guilty to serious driving offences on Monday, with Wangaratta Magistrates Court hearing the defendant had been unlicenced when he veered across lanes while driving in Moyhu last Au-

gust, before coming to rest against a tree.

In an interview with police in the weeks following the August 24 crash, the accused told officers he had planned to “sit in the forest and smoke some cones (cannabis)” ahead of the 7.50pm crash, and had “woken up” only a metre before the crash.

Police and ambulance crews had attended the scene, with officers locating two empty bottles of beer, as

Urgent call for O and A blood donors as flu season hits

By CHLOE JAENICKE

AUSTRALIAN Red Cross

Lifeblood is urging Wangaratta people with O and A blood groups to donate as the cold and flu season, combined with ongoing COVID–19 cases, has created a perfect storm for a potential blood donor shortage.

Around 2000 donors across Australia each week are cancelling or rescheduling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms, and it is expected to get worse in the coming weeks.

Lifeblood spokesperson, Shae Burns, said Lifeblood data shows that higher numbers of people are cancelling their donations due to cold, flu, and COVID–19 symptoms this year compared to last year.

“We are expecting those cancellations to increase over the coming weeks so are asking people of O and A blood types to book a donation,” she said.

“More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood type, meaning these are the types most needed by patients.

“O Negative is the universal blood type and is used to treat patients when their blood type is unknown.

“It‘s often stocked in ambulances and rescue

well as drug paraphernalia in the defendant’s car while he was being tended to by paramedics.

A blood sample of the accused taken my doctors at Northeast Health Wangaratta later in the evening showed the presence of cannabis and methylamphetamine, while further analysis found the accused would likely have had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.158 at the time.

He had previously lost

his driver’s licence for drug driving six months prior to the crash.

Defence counsel Geoff Clancy said his client had suffered significant injuries as a result of his actions, which continue to see him walk with a limp and unable to work.

“If it can be lacerated or broken in the lower half of his body, it’s happened to him,” Mr Clancy noted.

“He’s carrying a constant

reminder of this crash – (it’s) a real reminder of why we need to be careful.”

Mr Clancy said his client remained on pain medication, and had since ceased using recreational drugs and drinking alcohol.

Magistrate David Faram noted the accused had prior convictions for similar offending, and said he had been lucky to survive his most recent crash.

“(He’s) lucky he’s not dead,

and lucky someone else is not dead,” he said.

“Do you really understand how truly disastrous this could have been for you, your partner and anyone else on the road?

“You’ve got to own this problem and you’ve got to work really hard.”

He convicted the accused and fined him a total of $1500, before banning him from holding a driver’s licence for at least four years.

Local COVID cases continue their decline

THE number of active COVID cases in Wangaratta reported last week has fallen again, dropping from 46 to 29.

It’s a promising sign, with COVID cases across the state falling in the last weekly reporting period, down 15 per cent on the previous week, to 8669, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

But it’s not all good news, with 464 COVID patients currently in Victorian hospitals and 11 in intensive care.

A total of 50 COVID-related deaths were reported to the department in the past week, an average of seven deaths a day, which represents an almost 18 per cent increase when compared to the same period the previous month.

The department says there was a continued increase in COVID hospitalisation admissions over the week.

helicopters to be used to treat trauma patients who can require huge quantities of blood in a short amount of time.”

Fewer than seven per cent of the Australian population is O Negative, making it one of the rarer blood types, however its versatility means it makes up 16 per cent of the blood ordered by hospitals.

To combat the seasonal drop in donors, Lifeblood has partnered with emergency services across the country to launch a blood drive to help secure blood stocks over the winter months.

“Emergency Service workers are used to coming to the rescue in times of need and emergencies, and at this time of year they will also help save lives

by donating blood and plasma,” Ms Burns said.

One blood donation is needed every 18 seconds in Australia, with around 33,000 donations needed every week to meet demand.

Make an appointment to donate at Wangaratta donor centre this winter by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au or through the Donate Blood app.

With multiple COVID variants circulating, we are being advised to take measures to protect ourselves and others from getting infected, including wearing a mask and getting a booster.

Booster appointments are available through a local GP or pharmacy including South Wangaratta Medical Centre and Ramsay Pharmacy in Ovens Street, or visit www. healthdirect.gov.au to search for a provider.

LIFEBLOOD CHAMPION: Romina McEwan gave blood for the 20th time last Thursday and encouraged others to give blood this cold and flu season.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Blood donors urgently needed

IT seems we will be coping with the impact of COVID-19 for a while yet as its presence and lingering after effects still pervade many aspects of society.

While the pandemic is nowhere near the extent it was at the height of its powers it is still affecting many and, combined with the rising number of influenza cases, is forcing many people away from their usual commitments.

While the impact on businesses remains challenging with workforce shortages still an issue across much of the country, it is becoming a major concern for Australian Red Cross Lifeblood with a drastic depletion in their donor ranks.

Around 2000 donors across Australia are canceling each week and considering the majority of donors are regulars, we need a new cohort of like-minded people to step forward in their stead.

Most of us would have made at least one blood donation in our lives but for all manner of reasons, many have not returned on a regular basis.

Irrespective of the reason, now is the time to make a commitment to get back on the donation bed and give blood.

If you are at a workplace form a group of workmates to join you, if you are a member of a sporting or community club, enlist their help.

If you live alone get out and join the donor army so the Red Cross doesn’t have to continue making these call-outs almost weekly.

Your donation could save a life or help another recover from serious injury or illness.

Whatever you can give will make a difference and you will feel all the better about yourself when it’s done.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

The Australian QuizNo.27

1 Which of the following phrases describes an extremely negative event or occurrence that is impossibly difficult to predict?

(a) Golden giraffe

(b) White lion

(c) Brown python

(d) Black swan

2 The country formerly known as the Ellice Islands is now called what?

(a) Fiji

(b) Tonga

(c) Tuvalu

(d) Solomon Islands

3 Luke Brooks started his NRL career with which team in

2013?

(a) Sydney Roosters

(b) Canberra Raiders

(c) St. George Illawarra Dragons

(d) Wests Tigers

4 Which band released the 2021 album, Medicine at Midnight?

(a) Guns N’ Roses

(b) Pearl Jam

(c) Foo Fighters

(d) Red Hot Chili Peppers

5 What is the currency code for the official currency of Peru?

(a) PRU

(b) PEN

(c) PER

(d) PRS

Not enough support for mental health issues

I WRITE on behalf of the not–for–profit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) to highlight that it is critical much more is done to help Australians who have a severe or complex mental illness.

Right now, a massive 154,000 Australians who have a severe and complex mental illness are getting absolutely no support from either the National Disability Insurance Scheme or other Commonwealth and State/Territory programs.

That many people are enough people to fill 388 standard jumbo jets.

The issue is on a substantial scale.

Without adequate support, people with severe and complex mental illnesses may die up to 23 years earlier than the general population.

Approximately 50 per cent of people with the most severe mental illness attempt suicide (compared to 3.7 per cent of the general population).

There is so much work to do.

We know there is a huge gap.

It is undoubtedly time to close that gap.

There are not enough services available to help people in trouble.

Too many people wait for their distress to escalate into a full–blown crisis before they seek support at emergency departments.

We are working with a range of sector partners to outline how things could be changed.

Progress has been so slow and it is quite unacceptable.

Recovery is possible.

We have a major network which is called ‘Finding North Network‘.

It is a growing on–line community of people who want to share their experiences and help others.

It is safe and secure.

It is a place where people with first–hand experiences of mental illness can connect as a community.

It is a forum for people to share experiences and discuss ideas.

We urge readers to visit ... just go to www.findingnorthnetwork.com.au.

Tony Stevenson, CEO Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia

The AC/DC song, Hells Bells, is played at which surfing tournament every morning before the contest starts?

6

(a) Billabong Pipeline Masters

(b) Corona Open J-Bay

(c) Rip Curl Pro

(d) Margaret River Pro

7 The first iPhone was released in the United States during June of which year?

(a) 2001

(b) 2003

(c) 2007

(d) 2009

8 What is the nationality of famous guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen?

(a) Swedish (b) Italian

(c) Austrian

(d) American

9 Tofu is made by coagulating what type of milk?

(a) Rice milk

(b) Goat milk

(c) Soy milk

(d) Oat milk

10 In the Sergei Prokofiev composition, Peter and the Wolf, which instrument depicts the bird?

(a) Flute

(b) Bassoon

(c) Oboe

(d) Clarinet

Should V/Line offer additional services on the North East line during peak travel times?

LEADING THE WAY: St Bernard‘s Primary School FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carriers student leaders including (from left) Archie Johnson, Hudson Membrey, Sam Lewis, Addi Chilcott, Makenzie Ledger, Charli Norris, Tahlia Palling, Olivia Gamze and Ruby Everitt organised a walk for reconciliation on Thursday to celebrate National Reconciliation Week (May 27 to June 3). Guided by classroom teachers, classes walked around the oval, stopping at several checkpoints to listen, learn and celebrate First Nations

Doggy day care closure a community loss

IT’S a shame the doggy daycare centre is no more.

It would have thrived with all the caring people who love their dogs and the lady who was opening it and her workers.

I have heard about dog care places in Melbourne and they apparently thrive.

I think all councils should help these small businesses in their ventures instead of making it harder for them.

What an asset this doggy care centre would have been for this town.

Maree Parkinson, Wangaratta

New info centre site is miniscule

THE location of an information centre in Wangaratta has been an issue for some time, and the latest site is miniscule.

A week ago on our travels we were in Portland, Western Victoria.

Their info centre is magnificent with heaps of parking space.

They certainly know how to do it.

Maybe our councillors could make a trip there to get some ideas.

I remember in the early 1970s Beechworth councillors took a bus trip to Echuca for ideas on tourism promotion, as Echuca was powering ahead and Beechworth was just gaining some traction as a tourist destination.

Doug Brockfield, Milawa

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Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

3677

1 (d) Black swan 2 (c) Tuvalu 3 (d) Wests Tigers 4 (c) Foo Fighters 5 (b) PEN 6 (c) Rip Curl Pro 7 (c) 2007 8 (a) hSwedis 9 (c) Soy milk 10 (a) Flute

culture.

Drink driving truckie banned from the road

A TRUCK driver who was caught near Glenrowan with a blood alcohol level of 0.118 last November has been slammed with a $2000 fine, and banned from driving any vehicle for 12 months.

The 63-year-old Griffith man faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, pleading guilty to drink driving charges after he was intercepted around 6pm on November 11 while driving northbound on the Hume Freeway.

Police prosecutor acting Sergeant Stuart Pritchard said officers intercepted the accused, who was driving a 12-tonne Kenworth B-double at the time, and he tested positive to alcohol.

He admitted to consuming several beers at a Euroa truck stop earlier in the evening, before continuing more than 70km on to Glenrowan.

All heavy vehicle operators controlling a vehicle weighing

greater than 4.5-tonnes are expected to have a blood alcohol concentration of zero.

Sgt Pritchard said the accused was also identified as having exceeded his allowed work hours in the preceding seven days.

Defence counsel Kate Freshwater said her client had been driving trucks since 1991, and did not shy away from the seriousness of the offending. She said the accused had not

realised he had had that much to drink while showering in Euroa, but conceded he should not have consumed alcohol at all.

Three references were provided to the court, including one from the accused’s son, who also acts as his employer.

Magistrate David Faram imposed a $2000 fine, and backdated the accused’s 12 month suspension to begin as of November 11 last year.

RSL ecstatic over appeal raising $35,000

THE 2023 ANZAC Appeal in Wangaratta was a huge success after the people of Wangaratta and district again made a huge effort of support by buying badges and other items. The total raised for 2023 was $35,261.

“We appreciate the public support as the money raised delivers very real outcomes for our local veterans,” Wangaratta RSL sub-branch president Lt Gen (Retd) Ash Power said.

“It funds everything from

crisis care with food and accommodation to assistance with transport and home maintenance and other needs.

“It makes a difference in our veteran’s lives.”

Lt Gen (Retd) Ash Power

particularly wanted to thank all the volunteers who gave their time to assist the appeal.

“It is a wonderful community effort, and the Wangaratta RSL is proud to be a part of such a caring community,” he said.

VICTORIA’S NEXT

GOVERNOR: Professor Margaret Gardner is set to become Victorian governor on August 9.

New governor of Victoria announced

EMINENT academic and university sector leader, Professor Margaret Gardner AC, will be appointed the 30th Governor of Victoria.

The term of the current governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO, will expire on Friday, June 30.

Professor Gardner will commence a five-year term as governor on Wednesday, August 9, after she concludes in her current role with Monash University.

During the interim period before Professor Gardner’s inauguration, Lieutenant Governor, Professor James Angus AO, will serve as acting governor. A prominent and well-respected academic with a background in economics, industrial relations and organisational management, Professor Gardner has had a distinguished career in Australia’s university sector and abroad.

As the first woman to lead Monash University, Professor Gardner has served as president and vice chancellor since 2014.

Professor Gardner was a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow spending time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and the University of California, Berkeley. In 2018, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

Professor Gardner was chair of the Group of Eight Universities in Australia from 2020 until 2023 and chair of Universities Australia from 2017 to 2019. She has also been a member of a range of boards and committees including Infrastructure Victoria, Museums Victoria, the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, the ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board and the Australian Technology Network.

COMMUNITY EFFORT: Volunteers like Iris Cameron and Toni Moore who sold ANZAC Appeal items at Coles Wangaratta helped raise more than $35,000.

CREATIVE COOKING: Students Lucas Doig and Imogen Rocchiccioli enjoyed their visit to the hospitality section of GOTAFE Wangaratta.

THE annual Italian Day event was held during Education Week to celebrate all things in education. Students were split into

WHEELY GOOD: Ethan Millis and Dusty McAninily didn’t let the cold weather at camp stop them from having fun on their bikes.

Wangaratta Primary School

their house teams for the day and rotated through activities including playing Italian themed games like tombala and rota, designing Carnevale masks,

constructing the colosseum out of newspapers as well as making mosaics.

To top the day off, students enjoyed a pizza lunch.

Appin Park Primary School

THE year five students have had the opportunity to experience GOTAFE Wangaratta and the further educational programs it has to offer to people in our community. Through the support of the ARDOCH foundation where they aim to support the realisation of children’s potential through education, the students completed a tour of the facilities including the hairdressing, nursing, automotive, refrigerated air conditioning and hospitality venues. Students enjoyed showing their creative side, presenting artistic work on a biscuit, however more fun (and

Oxley Primary School

Italian Day Advanced education Camp fun Seasons greetings

YEAR 3/4 students have been on camp at 15 Mile Creek. Ethan Millis and Dusty McAninily were among those braving a bike ride in the cold, wet weather, but still having big smiles on their faces.

1Which element is second on the periodic table? Is it a) hydrogen, b) helium, c) carbon or d) oxygen?

2Which of these is not a threatened species? Is it a) the northern corroboree frog, b) Leadbeater’s possum, c) the Lord Howe Island stick insect or d) the eastern grey kangaroo?

a little frightening) was entering the nursing facility after washing their hands thoroughly, to be put under a UV light to show all the germs that were still on their body and clothing. It was a great eye opener for the students to see how many germs everyone carries, even after washing our hands.

The students enjoyed the experience and have a greater awareness of steps to further their education to secure a job of their choosing.

The year six students will be hoping for the same experience this week.

NATURAL PLAY: Student George Newman made his own fun in the outdoors at Carra.

Carraragarmungee Primary School

STUDENT George Newman enjoyed making leaf angels, which basically means enjoying being a kid.

It’s another example of something that doesn’t change no matter how many generations go by.

3What does the letter K stand for as a unit of measure? Is it a) kilogram, b) kinematics, c) flux or d) kelvin?

4The oldest spider in the world, named Number 16, died recently. How old was she? Was she a) 2, b) 17, c) 28 or d) 43?

5Which of these is NOT a type of cloud? Is it a) cumulus, b) nimbus, c) canopus or d) cirrus?

?

5. c) Canopus is the name of a star, not a cloud.

the symbol for kelvin, the scientific unit of temperature. 4. d) Number 16 was a trapdoor spider that lived

until she was 43 years old.

The eastern grey kangaroo has a population of several million, so it is not a eatenedthr species. 3. d) K is

For more CSIRO Double Helix science visit www.csiro.au/helix or call 02 6276 6643. QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. b) Helium is the second element on the periodic table, as it has two protons. 2. d)

FESTIVE SPIRIT: Students including Poppy Jones, Archie and Walter Barrett and Nate Robinson show off their Italian themed attire, worn on Italian Day.

Local creators Bling It On to celebrate textile artistry

AN extravaganza of glitter, gold, sequins and beads is dazzling visitors at the Wangaratta Library, with the opening of the Bling It On exhibition.

The exhibition showcases the textile talents of the Peechelba Machine Embroidery Group and members of the Embroiders Guild Victoria North Eastern branch and it has just been installed in the Bainz Gallery.

Bling It On is a glittery array of textiles art and it will be on display for the month of June.

Glenrowan’s Trails, Tastings and Tales festival this weekend

DISCOVER impressive wines to taste and brews to sip and savour when the Glenrowan Trails, Tastings and Tales festival is held from Saturday through until Monday.

The three day festival program also offers delicious warming lunches, live music as well as workshops and learning sessions to extend your wine knowledge, with Glenrowan’s community and craft market being held on the Monday.

To find out more or purchase a ticket visit www.visitwangaratta. com.au/Explore/ Glenrowan.

Ross Noble in Wangaratta tomorrow

POPULAR comedian Ross Noble will visit the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre tomorrow, performing live on stage from 8pm.

Jibber Jabber Jamboree marks Noble’s 21st solo stand-up tour and he invites audiences to join him for an evening of the sort of inspired nonsense that has cemented his place as the supreme master of freewheeling stand up.

Enjoy the ride, with a limited number of tickets still available by visiting www. wpacc.com.au.

Dolly Parton Experience coming to The Vine

BAND Vanessa and the Jealous Guys will bring their eight-piece band show – The Dolly Parton Experience – to The Vine Hotel on July 1, to celebrate one of popular music’s greatest talents.

Enjoy the hits of the superstar singer, songwriter and musician, who took Nashville by storm in the sixties and whose career in country and pop has spanned generations.

Tickets are available now by visiting www.thevinehotel.net.au.

yourstars

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The often skeptical Aries might find that an answer to a question is hard to believe. But check it out before you chuck it out. You might well be surprised at what you could learn.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your resolute determination to stick by a position might make some people uncomfortable. But if you’re proved right (as I expect you to be), a lot of changes will tilt in your favor.

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

Group convenor Marian Greaves said the participating artists drew inspiration from a range of sources, including the materials themselves.

“We had been experimenting with foils, lumiere paint, shiny crumpled paper and lots of metallic threads which stimulated the idea of a

Wangaratta Contemporary Textile award

THE Wangaratta

Contemporary Textile award, a biennial acquisitive award and exhibition which celebrates the diversity and strength of Australian textile art, will be held at the Wangaratta Art Gallery from June 10 to August 20.

In its eighth year of delivery, a partnership with the Kyamba Foundation has seen an increase in the award’s prize money from $10,000 to $40,000; the significant investment ensuring a representation of excellence from practitioners across the nation.

The work of finalists and announcement of the award will be unveiled by judge Dr Rebecca Coates, curator, writer and former CEO and artistic director of Shepparton Art Gallery, this Saturday from 2pm until 4pm.

themed exhibition,” she said.

“It also gave us a chance to use up some of our supplies of sequins and beads that had been accumulated over time.”

The artists come from across North East Victoria including Mansfield, Tocumwal, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Stanley, Peechelba and Wangaratta.

Each has added their own unique twist, taking inspiration from ancient cultures, marine environments, postcards and decorative patterns to produce wall hangings, jewellery, small

Margaret Hickey to speak at the Wangaratta Library

AWARD-winning local author and playwright Margaret Hickey will celebrate the release of her new novel at the Wangaratta Library on Thursday, June 15 from 6pm.

Author of Cutters End and Stone Town, Margaret will discuss her latest book Broken Bay; the third crime novel featuring Detective Mark Ariti. Proudly supported by Edgars Books and News, bookings are essential with tickets available athttps://events. humanitix.com/meet-theauthor-margaret-hickey or by contacting the library.

art works and icons using a variety of textile art techniques.

Exhibition coordinator Kerryn Taylor said she was pleased they were able to have a second textile exhibition in the same month as the prestigious Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Art Award, which opens this weekend.

“It will provide visitors and local a chance to appreciate the wealth of textile art that is promoted in Wangaratta,” she said.

See Bling It On at the Bainz Gallery now, with entry free.

The Robertson Brothers 60’s Variety TV Show

FOLLOWING their sold out national tour in 2022, Australia’s new ‘Kings of Variety Television’, the Robertson Brothers, are back in 2023 with a brand new show on Friday, July 7 at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

Geoff and Ben Robertson will be the charming hosts for a nostalgic night of entertainment as they pay tribute to the musical giants of the 1960’s - The Bee Gees, Simon and Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Frankie Valli, The Everly Brothers, Neil Sedaka and The Seekers.

Aslo featuring Simon Brook McLachlan and Dean Bourne, enjoy a 150 minute ground-breaking and interactive theatrical TV experience filled with all the fun, music and long forgotten memories of the fabulous 1960’s, with tickets available at www.wpacc. com.au.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might feel conflicted between what you want to do and what you should do. Best advice: Honor your obligations first. Then go ahead and enjoy your well-earned rewards.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) That financial matter still needs to be sorted out before you can consider any major monetary moves. Pressures ease midweek, with news about a potential career change.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A workplace problem threatens to derail your well-planned project. But your quick mind should lead you to a solution and get you back on track without too much delay.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

An opportunity opens up but could quickly close down if you allow pessimism to override enthusiasm. A trusted friend can offer the encouragement you need.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You’ve come through a difficult period of helping others deal with their problems. Now you can concentrate on putting your energy to work on your own projects.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Forget about who’s to blame and, instead, make the first move toward patching up a misunderstanding before it creates a rift that you’ll never be able to cross.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Good news for the travel-loving Sagittarian who enjoys galloping off to new places: That trip you put off will soon be back on your schedule.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A mood change could make the gregarious Goat seek the company of just a few friends. But you charge back into the crowd for weekend fun and games.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A decision you made in good faith could come under fire. Best advice: Open your mind to other possibilities by listening to your challenger’s point of view.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You can avoid being swamped by all those tasks dangling from your line this week by tackling them one-by-one, according to priority. The weekend brings good news.

DAZZLING TEXTILES: Group members Janice Jones (left) and Kerryn Taylor have installed Bling It On within the Bainz Gallery at the Wangaratta Library.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

KING VALLEY NEWS

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

Sustainable King Valley is hoping to go electric

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

LOCAL group Sustainable King Valley are hoping to purchase their own electric vehicle, following a successful trial of an affordable model which has been taking place over the last month.

The group was able to borrow a 40kW Nissan Leaf courtesy of Russell Close from Kilowatt Cars, which was used by its food hub coordinator Jess Young to complete errands, including the regular shopping trips required to service the fortnightly food outlet.

Kilowatt Cars imports second hand electrical vehicles (EVs) from Japan, with the intention of making their ownership more accessible to everyday Australians, helping reduce emissions and keep the planet healthy.

The modest car challenges the notion EVs aren’t suitable for those who live in rural areas, with its range of around 200km appearing to meet the needs of those who tried it.

While Jess has been generously donating her own time and vehicle to service the requirements of the food hub, access to an EV would make it fairer and more sustainable in the long term.

Sustainable King Valley’s Kate Walsh said as it was only going to be used occasionally for the food hub, they came up with the idea of making available to others.

“We thought rather than have it sitting idle when it’s not being

WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club will host an in-house movie, ‘Celtic Thunder’, from 1.30pm today at its clubrooms in Tara Court, off Ford Street.

The club will host indoor carpet bowls from 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday), cards (euchre) from 1.30pm on Friday, indoor carpet bowls on Monday from 12 noon, and cards (500) and hoy on Tuesday from 1.30pm, all at its clubrooms or in the adjoining St Patrick’s supper room.

Next Wednesday’s social gathering at the clubrooms is for bingo from 1.30pm, following an 11am committee meeting.

ELDORADO Senior Citizens Club will host its next community meal and general meeting on Thursday, June 8 from 12 noon at the Eldorado Community Hall.

VETERAN and family morning tea is held at the Wangaratta RSL on the second Tuesday of each month, with the next catch-up on Tuesday, June 13 from 10am to 11.30am. All ex-service personnel are most welcome. For further information, phone 0447 217 768.

WANGARATTA Prostate Cancer Support Group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, June 14 from 7pm to 8pm at the North Eastern Hotel (Northo) in Spearing Street.

Members and prospective members are welcome to come along earlier at 6pm for dinner prior to the meeting. Partners most welcome.

For more information, phone Bill on 0408 552 768, Neil on 0427 214 856 or Frank on 0448 313 506.

Flower arranging in Cheshunt tomorrow

LEARN to make your own native flower posy during a workshop being held at the Cheshunt Hall tomorrow night at 6.30pm.

Presented by Pangerang Community Hub, the workshop will be led by freelance florist Kodi Oke, who will teach some basics of flower arranging and floral design using locally sourced blooms. Cost is $35 per person and bookings are essential on 5721 3813.

CWA fundraising stall

THE CWA King Valley Group will have a market stall on Saturday at the King Valley Community Memorial Hall (former RSL in Whitfield) during the trash and treasure event.

Come and support your local CWA and its ongoing work in the local community, with goodies on sale from 10am until 2pm.

There will be homemade cakes, loaves, jams, biscuits and preserves and more, plus lots of bargain tables to browse at the trash and treasure.

Moyhu community meal next week

used for food hub collections, why not make it a share car?” she said.

“We could form a user group and then others could access it, paying a little to cover costs like registration and insurance.”

Kate said the project complemented the group’s broader objectives; the EV reducing emissions because of its technology, but also through being used by multiple households.

She said while they recognised its limited range and slower charging may make it unsuitable as the only car in a family, after two weeks of trialling it, they found it a very handy runabout.

WANGARATTA Royal Children’s Hospital Ladies Auxiliary will hold its winter street stall on Thursday, June 15 in the council kiosk in Reid Street, to raise funds for the RCH.

Beautiful hand-knitted baby and children’s wear, cakes, preserves and other items will be available for sale from 8.30am, as well as freshly-made lamingtons.

NEW and Free, a peer support group for parents and guardians of anyone who is neurodiverse, will commence on Thursday, June 15 between 7pm and 8pm at Kids Plus, 47 Ryley Street (next to Watermarc).

“EVs are expensive and out of reach for many, but sharing one makes them accessible,” she said.

“An EV with a range of around 200km can do a great deal of the day trips we need to do.

“We anticipated sharing it could be a bit tricky - working out how to get it from one person to the next with adequate batterybut it’s been surprisingly easy, with people collecting it from Whitfield.

“Charging has been a mix of ‘trickle’ charging at home which works well overnight, and then using various chargers found in the North East.

“We’ve come to realise the

SOCIAL CALENDAR

value of the highest quality DC rapid chargers, and most (not all) of the fast chargers in the region have been quite straightforward to use.

“Ideally the SKV would like to see a rapid charger in Whitfield - the whole community would benefit.

“They need to be available in the same way petrol stations are.”

Sustainable King Valley is now considering the purchase of an EV and anyone who would like to get involved with the initiative, or who has bright ideas on how it could be financed, is encouraged to get in touch by contacting sustainablekingvalley@gmail.com.

Beginners welcome. Contact Jan on 0429 166 016.

THE next Moyhu community meal will be held on Thursday, June 15 at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall from 12pm. RSVP is essential, one week before meal date, to Neil Jarrott 5727 9464 email neil.jarrott@bigpond.com.

King Valley United club comedy night

THE King Valley United Football and Netball Club will be holding a comedy night on Saturday, June 17 at the Whitfield Recreation Reserve.

Fresh from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Suburban Footballer - Tom Siegert will perform, with meals from 5.45pm and the show starting at 6.30pm.

Tickets are available through www. trybooking.com with a bus running from Whitfield to Wangaratta after the show.

welcome to come along to rehearsals to try out.

Presenter will be John van Riet, on the subject ‘The History and Art of Botanical Illustration’. The presentation will include an opportunity for all in attendance to do an illustration.

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

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

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

The group plans to meet fortnightly at first, then monthly or as required by participants.

For more information, phone Deb Humphreys on 0490 286 968.

WANGARATTA Cake Decorators meet every third Saturday of the month at Galen College in Phillipson Street from 10.30am.

The next meeting is on June 17, when the group will welcome Chris Cottrell from Melbourne, demonstrating a toy box. Those who want to take part must book and pay $10 for their kit by June 10. Cost for the day is $15 members and $20 non-members. BYO lunch and mug. All welcome. Phone Jeanie on 0439 087 630 for more information.

THE Australian Plant Society (Wangaratta) will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 22 from 7pm at the Masonic Hall, corner Appin and Esmond Streets.

THE North Eastern branch of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria meets every fourth Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge in Appin St, Wangaratta. Beginners and experienced embroiderers are welcome to come along at 9.30am.

For more information, contact Jen on 0407 560562.

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

A NEW croquet club has started at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club in Merriwa Park.

The group plays on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, equipment supplied. For more information, contact Anne on 0490 173 169.

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

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

New players welcome, contact Helen on 0401 021 448.

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

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

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

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

WANGARATTA Symphony Orchestra meets each Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Wangaratta Baptist Church, 1 Sisely Avenue.

New string and wind players are

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

WANGARATTA Woodworkers Inc meet at the Wangaratta Showgrounds each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 12 noon (closing earlier if no-one is present).

The rooms are open on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 8.30pm, and Sundays from 10am to 1pm. All welcome.

For more information, contact Bevan on 0437 196 118 .

OSTINATO Wangaratta and District Community Choir meets each Tuesday from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Log Cabin, corner Faithfull and Chisholm streets. New members are welcome to join this enthusiastic and welcoming group of singers. For more information, contact Helen on 0457 269278.

LIFEBALL is held each Tuesday from 1pm on the basketball court at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre. Lifeball is a non–contact game of netball, designed by a doctor and physio for the safety of mature players, with no running, walking backwards or throwing high balls, but enjoying fun and friendship.

For more information, phone 0418 574 404.

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

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Sustainable King Valley’s Kate Walsh (with dog Tex) is among those who have tried the smaller battery EV which can be charged overnight, and found it a reliable car for day tripsincluding into Wangaratta.

Festival making its royal return

By CHLOE JAENICKE

KING Valley’s Weekend Fit for a King makes its return this weekend for the first time since winter 2019, with local venues welcoming visitors this Saturday and Sunday.

Wine making families of the King Valley invite everyone to experience the hospitality they are famous for, with each winery celebrating winter in the region in their own unique way.

This year there are eight participating venues including a couple which are new to the event - John Gehrig Wines and Hurdle Creek Stillshowcasing the wide variety of attractions there are to enjoy.

Experience the beauty and diversity of the region by travelling through the King Valley and sampling what’s on offer, including an array of delicious food, premium wines and more.

On the menu may be salsiccie and sugo, Nonna’s gnocchi or piping hot woodfired pizzas and antipasti platters made to share; ideal to enjoy with a glass of Prosecco or Sangiovese.

Many of the wineries will also feature live music, children’s activities, local produce and market stalls to round out the festival experience with family and friends.

A festival ticket provides access to activities at all participating wineries on Saturday and Sunday.

Upon arrival at the first venue, you will check in by scanning a QR code on your ticket and receive a special festival glass, which gives you access to all other participating venues over the two days.

With different experiences on offer at each location, it’s the ideal way to get a true taste of the King Valley region.

Participating in the 2023 festival are Brown Brothers, Dal Zotto Wines, Darling Estate, Hurdle Creek Still, John Gehrig Wines, La Cantina King Valley, Pizzini and Politini Wines.

To see the Weekend Fit for King festival program or to purchase a ticket, visit www. winesofthekingvalley.com.au/ weekend-fit-for-a-king.

FIT FOR A KING: Celebrate winter and the King‘s Birthday weekend at participating wineries across the King Valley, including Darling Estate.

WEEKEND FIT FOR A KING

Craft gin fit for royalty

UNLIKE other venues participating in the Weekend Fit for a King Festival, Hurdle Creek Still specialises in craft gins, rather than wine.

The StillHouse is located just six kilometres from Milawa (or a 15 minute scenic drive from Moyhu), where a simple farm shed has been transformed into a rustic distillery which is home to a range of products, made and bottled on site.

The double-distilled base

spirit is made from locally sourced grain using a traditional infusion mashing system which gives Hurdle Creek’s gin a unique character.

Weekend Fit for a King guests will have a guided tasting to showcase Hurdle Creek Still‘s diverse array of regular and seasonal smallbatch gins and spirits including their luxurious Dark Cacao liqueur or, for the aniseed lovers, their Pastis.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite flavours, neat or with tonic, created using a select blend of local and native botanicals - some of which are grown in their garden.

Come to the distillery, be captivated by the sight of the still and engage in conversation with the distiller, giving you the opportunity to learn about the process and savour the remarkable flavours of the gin first-hand.

Dance, sip, feast at Pizzini Dance, sip, feast at Pizzini

THERE are multiple ways for you to join in the fun at Pizzini Wines this King’s Birthday long weekend as we welcome the return of the Weekend Fit for a King Festival.

“Join us in the grounds to dance, sip and feast as we celebrate winter in the King Valley and one of our favourite grape varieties – Sangiovese,” said Lou Way from Pizzini Wines.

“Paris and Co. and Bric a Brac will have you tapping your toes or up and dancing from 11am to 4pm.

“Pinchos will be serving up

delicious Italian dishes, ice cream and sweet treats from 11am to 3pm.”

“Our team in the wine bar will be turning out wine cocktails, non–alcoholic cocktails and wine by the glass.”

Entry also includes a wine tasting at the festival tasting bar.

Tasting notes will help you evaluate and better understand the complexity, flavours and aromas of the extensive Pizzini Wines range. Buses by appointment onlyplease email events@pizzini.com.au.

WELCOME WINTER: Welcome the change of season at Pizzini’s with wine, dancing and food.

Our event is part of the King Valley’s Weekend Fit for A King

Entry is $30pp and includes event glass plus access to all festival venues.

For details and to book your tickets - www.wineofthekingvalley.com.au

CELEBRATE WITH GIN: Visit the rustic Hurdle Creek StillHouse and explore the range of gins and spirits this long weekend.

A taste of Sicily at Politini Wines

FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE: La Cantina has plenty of entertainment to enjoy this weekend.

A Tuscan weekend with the Corsinis

COME join the Corsini family at their classic Tuscan cellar door in the heart of the King Valley where traditional winemaking methods are used which have been passed down through the generations.

Try a vast range of preservative–free and vegan friendly wines, including many Italian varietals, the popular 2021 Saperavi and delicious 2022 Dolcetto.

On the menu will be homemade Italian food the whole family will love, like Nonna‘s Lasagna, Arancini, Spezzatino, Tiramisu and much more.

Stroll through the local produce market and browse a range of stalls including Adele Pasta, Dawn View Olives, Zephyr Jewellery, Belinda‘s Aprons, Homemade by Annie Preserves, Koorinook Biltong Jerky, Peachy Lux and Mamabearlyn Jewellery.

Bruno Spiller will entertain festival goers throughout the day on his piano accordion.

The weekend‘s events will go ahead no matter what the weather, as there is plenty of space under cover and in marquee areas if there is rain, with heaters to keep

GET A TASTE: Enjoy preservative-free and vegan friendly wines at La Cantina King Valley.

everyone toasty and warm. The cellar door is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

VISIT the Politini family and enjoy warm Sicilian hospitality on the June long weekend from 11am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Their cellar door team will be on hand for wine tasting offering a curated festival selection, and Salvatore Politini will also make a special appearance playing the piano accordion.

There will also be live music by Luke Dewing on Sunday.

With stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere, Politini is the perfect spot to spend an hour or two sampling beautiful wine, eating antipasto, enjoying a fine espresso with homemade sweet treats, including Nonna Josie‘s legendary cannoli, and having fun with family and friends.

DELICIOUS: Politini will be o

ering a selection of savoury and sweet treats including Nonna Josie’s legendary cannoli.

Located in Cheshunt, Politini Wines specialise in estate-grown Italian and traditional French varieties, plus Sicilian varieties Grecanico and Nero d’Avola.

The Weekend Fit for a King ticket price includes a free tasting of festival selection wines and a festival glass to keep and use at all other participating wineries.

Politini‘s food and offerings for the weekend will include antipasto boxes, cannoli, dolce plates, local Sixpence Coffee, tea and wine by the glass.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC: Salvatore Politini will make a special appearance playing his piano accordion during the weekend festivities at Politini Wines.

Add some sparkle Add some to your life at to your life at Dal Zotto Wines Zotto Wines

DAL Zotto Wines is the place to be to celebrate on the June long weekend.

The Dal Zotto family lives and works by the credo of family, tradition and innovation and with a third generation now becoming involved in the business, it seems there is plenty more in store.

Spend the Weekend Fit for a King sharing a bottle of your favourite Dal Zotto wine with family and friends while enjoying acoustic covers by Ash Kennedy from 12pm to 4pm and face painting for the kids from 11am to 3pm.

There will be delicious, wood-fired pizzas available from 12pm to 3pm and antipasti plates and chips from 11am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The cellar door is open both days from 10am to 5pm where you can experience a wine tasting of five carefully chosen wines, included in the ticket price, or on the day you can

choose to upgrade your experience for $10 and immerse yourself completely with a sit-down tasting of their full premium range.

All tastings include an array of Italian varietals, both reds and whites, including Dal Zotto’s famous Prosecco, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Pioneers of the variety, the first vines of commercially grown Prosecco in Australia were planted in 1999 by Otto Dal Zotto and his sons Michael and Christian, and in 2004 the first bottle of Australian Prosecco was released.

Dal Zotto Wines now have five styles of Prosecco for tasting at their cellar door, so it’s a ‘must do‘ stop when visiting the King Valley.

While pets are welcome in the outdoor areas at Dal Zotto’s, they must be kept on a lead at all times (with no BYO food or alcohol permitted).

POPULAR PROSECCO: Try the variety Dal Zotto Wines is known for this weekend.

FESTIVAL FUN: Celebrate the Weekend Fit for a KIng with family and friends at Dal Zotto Wines.

ALWAYS POPULAR: Relax and enjoy the atmosphere at Brown Brothers this weekend.

Food, wine and fun at Brown Brothers this long weekend

VISIT Brown Brothers in Milawa for two full days of wine, food, and frivolity in celebration of the King‘s Birthday weekend.

Open as normal across the June long weekend, there is a splendid line up of festivities on both Saturday and Sunday, with cellar door tastings and sales open from 9am (with bookings highly recommended for personalised and premium tastings).

Brown Brothers restaurant is open for lunch, with bookings for the set menu and slow lunch experience essential at the 2023 Good Food

Guide-hatted destination, where the menu changes with the seasons.

The bar is also open from 9am to 4pm, offering a tantalizing snack menu which is available from 12pm to 3.30pm, and the private Prosecco Lounge is open for brunch and lunch, so family groups and friends can enjoy the long weekend in style.

Listen to live music in the grounds and browse the ‘self-made’ market where local makers come to connect and share their creations between 11am to 3pm, or relax on the lawns and watch the young (and young at

heart) play games from 11am to 3pm. Weekend Fit For a King ticketholders receive a free ‘classics tasting‘ in the Milawa cellar door, which includes five wines of your choice from a limited list (no bookings required).

Brown Brothers‘ weekend activities will go ahead rain, hail or shine, with music and the self-made market to move indoors in the event of bad weather.

For more information or to make bookings visit https://www. brownbrothers.com.au/.

SEASONAL FARE: Indulge in the good food and fine wine on offer.

WINTER WONDERLAND: Warm up with good food, wine, market stalls and live entertainment at the cellar door in Milawa.

RELAX AND ENJOY: Brown Brothers winery offers plenty of room and comfort for the entire family this weekend.

WINE FOOD & MUSIC

WEEKEND FIT FOR A KING

Brown Brothers is a participating venue in the Weekend Fit for a King festival on the King’s Birthday weekend.

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June 2023

Open as normal across the June Long weekend, here at Brown Brothers we have a splendid lineup of festivities on both Saturday and Sunday, including: Cellar Door tastings and sales, open from 9am, with bookings highly recommended for Personalised and Premium Tastings

Our Good Food Guide-hatted Restaurant is open for lunch as normal, with bookings essential.

Bar is open 9am – 4pm, and our tantalizing Snack Menu is available. 12-3:30pm, indoor and outdoor non-bookable tables.

Live music in the grounds and ‘SelfMade Market‘ between 11am – 3pm Lawn games for the young ones (and the young at heart) 11am – 3pm

Weekend Fit for a King ticket holders receive free ‘Classics Tasting’ in our Milawa Cellar Door (no bookings required).

…Don’t forget about our

PRIVATE Prosecco Lounge

for Brunch or Lunch. Gather your mates and enjoy the long weekend in style!

*Brown Brothers’ weekend activities will go ahead rain, hail or shine! Music and Self-Made Markets will move indoors

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

PROPOSAL TO INSTALL A 4G/5G MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT WHITFIELD VIC 3733

1. As part of the Round 2 of the Victorian Governments Connecting Victoria Program Amplitel (part of the Telstra Group) is proposing to install a new 4G/5G base station at 49 Whitty Lane Whitfield VIC 3733 (Plan TP600913). The proposed facility will comprise:

The construction of a new 40m Monopole

The attachment to the top of the Monopole of a triangular headframe accommodating six (6) panel antennas

The total structure height will be 41.3m

The installation of one (1) equipment shelter at the base of the facility

Ancillary items including fencing, feeders, adaptors, cable tray and a GPS antenna

2. Telstra has lodged a Planning Permit Application with the Rural City of Wangaratta Coucnil for the Proposed Facility. Further information can be found at www.rfnsa.com.au/3733006

3. Telstra welcomes your comments on the proposal. If you would like to comment, please send your feedback by contacting us by letter, email or by calling the contact number outlined below no later than Friday 23 June 2023. Emily Wardlaw, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au, 0422 685 472, PO Box 586 Elsternwick Vic 3185.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

Wangaratta Chronicle

Cadet Journalist Career Opportunity

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in The Chronicle, Ask us about 5723 0101

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PROPOSED OPTUS 5G UPGRADES TO EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASESTATIONS LOCATED WITHIN THE WANGARATTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

1. Optus is proposing to upgrade existing facilities with 5G technology at the following locations:

183 WANGANDARY ROAD, WANGARATTA VIC 3677 (WWW.RFNSA.COM.AU/3677018)

The proposed upgrade to the monopole at this location consists of the:

Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with hree (3) new panel antennas less than 2.8m in length;

Replacement of nine (9) existing remote units with nine (9) remote radio units;

Installation of one (1) GPS antenna; and

The installation of ancillary equipment associated with the operation and safety of the facility.

LOT C PS808868, MACQUARIE COURT, WANGARATTA VIC 3677 (WWW.RFNSA.COM.AU/ 3677006)

The proposed upgrade to the monopole at this location consists of the:

Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with three (3) new panel antennas less than 2.8m in length; nine (9) remote radio units;

Replacement of one (1) GPS antenna with one (1) GPS antenna; and

The installation of ancillary equipment associated with the operation and safety of the facility.

2. Optus regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 ("The Determination") based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Enquiries and/or comments should be directed to: Skyaus on 1300 845 444, via email at optusplanning@skyaus.com.au or via mail at 188 Newton Road, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 by 22 June 2023.

ACCOMMODATION wanted, single male, clean, tidy, non drinker, employed full-time, prefer rural. Ph 0407 280 972.

ADULT SERVICES

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To Visit Visited

DECEASED estate, Saturday 10, 9am-1pm, 30 Wenhams Lane, Wangaratta, lazy spa, gun safe, rifle rest, toolbox, cupboards, eskies and lots more.

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

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

Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

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

The cadetship is ideally suited for a Year 12 graduate.

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

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

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

Candidates must have excellent verbal and written English, sound computer skills, solid general knowledge, a genuine interest in the local community, and an ability to build rapport and networks quickly.

You will need to be well organised, able to work to deadlines, and have strong attention to detail.

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

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

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

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DEATH NOTICES DEATH NOTICES

ALLEN (nee Kazenwadel), Anneliese.

1/4/1940 – 3/6/2023

Passed away peacefully with family by her side on the June 3, 2023. Loving wife of Donald (dec).

Cherished mother of Kathryn, Jenny, Robyn and Trevor. Adored grandmother of Alexandra, Erin, Sophie, Jack, Elise and Charlotte. Loved sister of Kurt and Heinz.

ALLEN (nee Kazenwadel), Anneliese.

In loving memory of Anneliese Allen. She touched so many with her kindness and generosity - but I had the privilege of calling her mum.

Forever in our hearts, ~ Trevor and Fiona.

ALLEN (nee Kazenwadel), Anneliese.

From her humble childhood as a WW2 internee in Tatura, she was determined to give back and embrace the community that had given her so much. Hers was a life of service.

To her community in so many areas: CWA, Wangaratta North CFA, netball coach and badged umpire, Vicswim instructor, St Jude’s Eldorado and Wareena Park Bowls; on the family farm, to her family and her lifelong partner Don. Now is time to rest sweet motherreunited in eternal peace with your true love. ~Jennifer, Gareth and Jack Sleep.

ALLEN, Anneliese.

My dear cousin and friend, I have so many happy memories of us as children, our trip to Europe and other precious memories. You will be sorely missed.

Rest in peace.

~ All my love, Gerda and Kevin.

PERUZZO, Irma.

Passed away at Myrtleford Lodge on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Aged 99 years.

Nonna of Paul; Steve and Lisa,

PERUZZO, Irma.

4/5/1924 – 31/5/2023

Passed away peacefully at Myrtleford Lodge. Aged 99 years.

Much loved mother of Ray (dec). Mother-in-law to Chris. Friend to Des.

Much loved Nonna to Steve, Lisa, Tania and Doug, Mark and Brooke. Special Nonna to Matt and Emma, Keenan, Indi and Tristan. Reunited with Joe and Ray. We were all so lucky and blessed to have her in our lives

SHEARER, Jenny.

Goodbye dearest lifelong friend, we will miss your company.

Love to Stephen, Andrew, Rose, Jazmine and Moss.

~ Love Wendy, Belinda, Sam and Louise xx.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

FUNERALS

ALLEN

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Anneliese will be held at North East Funerals, 184 Greta Road, Wangaratta on Friday, June 9, commencing at 11am. Interment will follow the service at the Eldorado Cemetery.

Anneliese’s service can be viewed via live stream at https://northeastfunerals.com.au/live-stream

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia Foundation would be greatly appreciated, donations can be made online at https://www. leukaemia.org.au/make-a-donation/donate/ PERUZZO

Funeral mass to honour the life in St Patrick’s Catholic Church,

Mason Park Funerals

P. 03 5721 5060

BEREAVEMENT THANKS

LARKIN, Jennifer Maree (Jenny). 26/1/1962 – 1/3/2023

Peter and family would like to thank everyone for their support, sympathy and kind thoughts to our family at this difficult period in our lives. Special thank you to the palliative nursing staff at Northeast Health.

~ Peter, Matthew and Sarah, Nicholas and Holly, Christopher and Anne.

Remember your loved one in a lasting way

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

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

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

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

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

Jenny Shearer

This Sunday is race day at Wahgunyah

By DEAN THOMPSON

WAHGUNYAH Speedway

is ready to go this Sunday in its annual Kings Birthday weekend race meeting with some big events to close out the competitive season.

Production Sedans will compete in the Production Sedan 1000, Standard Saloons will compete in the Lachie Howie Memorial and the interstate challenge is on once again for Australian Motor Contest Association (AMCA) drivers in their great looking Modifieds.

Junior Open Sedans, Victorian Speedway Council Open Sedans and the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association will also have competition on Sunday plus the spirited demonstration of the Humpy Holdens.

Corowa will be represented in the Production Sedan feature by Jack Bear while Howlong based racer Jacob Mills will also hit the track with strong competition coming from two times national champion Steven Laidlaw, Leeton driver Scott Hawkins, Goulburn New

South Wales racer Craig McAlister, Moruya’s Johnny Ralph, plus Rodney Anderson and Brett Norman from the Wagga club.

It’s hard to pick a winner always in the Production Sedans and the action is likely to be door on door.

Warrick Howie from Chiltern will once again try to win his own brother’s memorial race in the Standard Saloons but he does have fierce competition from

BEST: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Aaron O’Riley. BRIGHT: Lee Robinson, Tom Russell, Aidan Hargreaves, Aiden Toy, Noah McMonagle, Ethan White.

GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Will Phillips 5, Riley Burrows 3, Lukas Allan 2, Aaron O’Riley 1, Corey Petersen 1, John Wohlers 1.BRIGHT: Stefan

BEST: MANSFIELD: Daniel Bruno, Jack Marks, Samuel Guppy, Adam Storer, Hayden Desmond, James Benton. TIGERS: Dane Fountain, Samuel Allan, eden white, Benjamin Hogan, Harry Mullane, Jock Correll.

GOALS: MANSFIELD: Adam Storer 4, James Benton 2, Christopher Caminos 2, Astin Browning 1, Samuel Guppy 1. TIGERS: Lucas Webb 5, Harry Mullane 3, Samuel Allan 1, Deacon Cleal 1, Jock Correll 1, Dane Fountain 1, Ryan Mckay 1, Kayden Mckelvie 1.

Benalla Bulldogs

BEST: BENALLA GIANTS: Owain Boyle, Xavier Wapling, Bryce Cooney, Max Smyth, Ryder Levy, Josh Stacey. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Jaxon Brunner, Connor Breheny, Blake Calvert, Lucas Ham, Kyle Pearce, Private player. GOALS: BENALLA GIANTS: Owain Boyle 6, Max Smyth 4, Mitchell Cooney 3, Lochlan Duggan 2, Ryder Levy 2, Josh Stacey 2, Josh Hart 1, Austin Siede-Davon 1, Xavier Wapling 1. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Connor Breheny 3, Blake Calvert 1, Jet Russell 1. Imperials

Myrtleford

BEST: IMPERIALS: Jay Canning, Jed Marek, Mitchell Schultz, James Long, Luke Griffiths, Mitchell O’Sullivan. MYRTLEFORD: Jake Skahill, Tai Miller, Jock Pascoe, Cooper Howden, Samuel Crisp, Taj Cooper. BEST:

IMPERIALS: Will Prebble 1, Parker Stamp 1. MYRTLEFORD: Jock Pascoe 2, Jake Skahill 2, Erik Martin 1, Patrick McLean 1, Liam McManus 1. College 2.2 3.6 6.9 6.13.49

Centrals 2.1 3.2 5.7 7.13.55

BEST: COLLEGE: Hudson Lloyd, Rory Harvey, BRANDON HARRISON, Jonah Massey-chase, Angus Kennedy, Tom Rebbechi. CENTRALS: Bailey Paul, Charlie Kerwin, Cody Johnson, Kane Deans, Seth Johnson, Kade Hadley. GOALS: COLLEGE: Brandon Harrison 2, Rory Harvey 2, Max Mckenzie 2. CENTRALS: Charlie Kerwin 2, Bailey Paul 2, Hunter Barry 1, Charlie Eames 1, Jett Paul 1.

Josh Thomas, this season’s class Victoria three driver, and Wayne Sheerman, this season’s class Victoria two competitor.

Add Matt Domburg from Portland, Corowa’s own Micheal Fleming-Robertson, Andrew Cormack, Arron Cormack and Steven Dadswell and you have a strong line-up for the Howie Memorial.

Riley Balins leads the entrants list in the Junior Open

Sedans with Cooper Lack, Mackenzie Bunt, Jordyn Tewkesbury, and Marcus Maclean all capable challengers.

Balins was most recently very strong at the Victorian title in the qualifying and is keen to close the season out strong at Wahgunyah, while Jordyn Tewkesbury has been very consistent, but yet to have a big victory.

Billy O’Donoghue, the victor at Wangaratta’s last show,

BEST: MANSFIELD: Ben Baklis, Andrew Friday, Samuel Kain, Lenny Gardner, Judd Turner. KANGAROOS: Alasdair Brett, Oscar Edwards, Ollie Reynolds, Archie Symons, Kade Jackson, Hudson Wallace. BEST: MANSFIELD: Xavier Maroney 2, Zander Haslau 1, Joshua How 1. KANGAROOS: Alasdair Brett

Lachlan Downing

Oscar Edwards

leads the field in the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association racing this Sunday.

Marty Bassett, Justin Brockley the Victorian champion, Peter Little, Ben Schmetzer, Tom Schmetzer, Ross Maclean, and Chris Brockley are others in the field who will make winning difficult for each other.

The annual Victoria versus New South Wales AMCA event has been affected by the lack of actual New South

Wales nominations, as a result it really becomes a Victoria versus Tasmania match up.

Frank Thierry from Mildura, Stephen Hopkins from around Bendigo, Darren McCarthy another from Mildura, Neale Peachey from Melbourne, Justin Richardson, and Rodney Bassett are just some of the entrants fans will see flashing down the straight in their mostly LS Chevrolet powered machines on Sunday.

Anybody can win this class, again it’s too hard to pick a winner.

Gates to the public open from 8am. Racing starts at 10am.

A full canteen operates on site with hot, cold food and drinks.

Entry is $25 for adults while aged pensioners and children aged 12 to 16 is $15 entry. Any child under 12 is free.

Family tickets are $60 for two adults and three children in the 12 to 16 age bracket.

For enquiries contact Brendon Eames on 0400 126 487.

JUNIOR MAGPIES: Lane Sloan, Samuel Patterson, Baxter McLeod, George Thomas, Archie Johnson, Jake Olenczuk. Bright: No best players have been selected. GOALS: JUNIOR MAGPIES: Archie Johnson 1, Jake Olenczuk

Lane

Hudson Wallace

Kade Jackson

Archie

BEST: MANSFIELD: Cruz Purday, Darcy Leenen, Sam Kynnersley, Orlando Miller, Liam Smith, Alex Kipping. TIGERS: Oliver Mullane, Mac Correll, Jaxon Wickham, William Farrington, Mitchell Benton, Xavier Dodgshun.BEST: MANSFIELD: Cruz Purday 2, William Benton 1, Alex Kipping 1, Sam Kynnersley 1, Mitch Rossiter 1, Liam Smith

Mitch Storer 1. TIGERS: Jaxon Wickham

Mac Correll

Riley Webb

BEST: IMPERIALS: Harry Allen, Ryley Canning, Beau Benton, Max Marek, Archer Direen, Aiden Sibraa. MYRTLEFORD: Ryder Harris, Skylah McPherson, Taylor McPherson, Matthew Morgan, Hudson Durling, Noah Robb. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Beau Benton 2, Archer Direen 3. MYRTLEFORD: Hudson Durling 1, Max McMahon 1, Taylor McPherson 1. College

BEST: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims, Harrison Bowman, Sam Reid, Nathan Allan, Joshua Duffy, Zeke Peebles. CENTRALS: Reid McNamara, Beau Johns, Kaiden Wohlers, Connor Ormond, Henry Burke, Dean Balfour. GOALS: COLLEGE: Lenny Sims 3, Luke Dillon 1, Charlie OBrien 1.

BEST: MYRTLEFORD - RED: William Koers, Gemma Corcoran, Milla Corcoran, Charlie Matheson, Jake Jennings, Claye Corcoran. TIGERS: Blake Kantor, Vaughn Godenzi, Paige-Lee Dummet, Mia Simpson, Patrick Edwards, Zac Williamson. GOALS: MYRTLEFORD - RED: Benji Lupo 1, Koby Prott 1. TIGERS: Logan Benton 1, Patrick Edwards 1, Lachie Farrington 1, Ollie Fisher 1, Murphy Flanigan 1, Blake Kantor 1, Thomas McCully 1, Quinn O’Keefe 1, Hugh Sharp 1, Zac Williamson

BEST: BENALLA GIANTS: Thomas Mount, Xavier De Fazio, Samuel Mount, Jack Hart, Lucas Webster, Oliver Smith. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Joshua Montgomery, Nicholas White, Hugh Ross, Alex Lambert, charlie Bell, Joshua Bamford. GOALS: BENALLA GIANTS: Jack Hart 2, Charlie Bowen 1, Noah Cooney 1. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Joshua Montgomery

Reid McNamara 3, Ryan Parsons

Kaiden Wohlers

Dean Balfour 1, Cooper Grimshaw

Benalla Giants

BEST: BENALLA GIANTS: Josh Hart, Josh Mathieson, Liam Fielding, Ayden Barnard, Boden Hazell, Kai Dervish. BENALLA BULLDOGS: Kobi Thwaites, Nate Nicholas, Ryder Robertson, Jackson Fry, Jobe Stovell, Luke Boulton. GOALS: BENALLA GIANTS: Josh Hart 3, Kai Dervish 2, Logan Gould 1, Dustin McCarthy 1, Hunter Smyth 1. BENALLA

BULLDOGS: Jackson Fry 1, Jack Montgomery 1, Tom Osborne 1, Angus Richardson 1, Ryder Robertson 1. Junior Magpies vs Bright - Pending

BEST: IMPERIALS: Luke Jones, Harrison O’Brien, Will Clark, Finn Hughes, Jack Ginnivan. MYRTLEFORD - BLACK: Noah Harris, Nash Durling, Mitch McMasters, Louis Sanderson, Blake Parolin. GOALS: IMPERIALS: Finn Hughes 1, Luke Welch 1. MYRTLEFORD - BLACK: Nash Durling 2, Blake Parolin 2, Xavier Millar 1.

BEST: COLLEGE: Charlie OBrien, William Pickett, Reegan Monk, Jax Borschmann, Luke OBrien. CENTRALS: Archie Knobel, Nicholas Jones, sonny gales, Isabella Boulton, Samuel Elkington, Angus Fraser. BEST: COLLEGE: no goal scorers submitted. CENTRALS: no goal scorers submitted.

FOR THE BIG V: Justin Richardson will be one to watch in the AMCA interstate challenge.

FAMILY HONOUR: Warwick Howie from Chiltern will be out to win his brother Lachie’s memorial race for Standard Saloons at Wahgunyah Raceway this Sunday.

PHOTO: Vern Parker Photography

Cup final spot up for grabs

WANGARATTA Lady

Devils will have the chance to redeem their weekend loss tonight, as they face the might of the Albury Hotspurs for a spot in the women’s FA Cup final.

The two teams faced off in somewhat of a preview for tonight’s clash at Jelbart Park on Sunday in their regular season fixture, with the top of the table Spurs prevailing 2-0 over Wangaratta in a fierce contest.

After going ahead with a penalty in the 25th minute, the Spurs were reduced to 10 players quickly after half-time with Lily Godfrey sent off with a red card for the second time in as many matches against the Lady Devils this season.

A window of opportunity opened for Wangaratta, but it was in fact the Spurs who doubled their lead in the 69th minute which turned out to be the sealer.

Wangaratta coach

Dan Kelly said the Spurs looked undeterred by their

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

second half red card as they were able to find a way to stifle the Lady Devils attack and keep a clean sheet.

“The girls gave it a good shot and played well, the first goal came from personal error and we were caught off guard with a questionable referee decision for the second,” he said.

Isabella Antonello and Beth Cope were the standouts through the 90 minutes for the Lady Devils as they look to rebound with a similar side in place for tonight’s game.

Kelly said taking chances when they present themselves will be the key for an upset win over the Hotspurs who boast the strongest defence in the league.

Kick off will be at 7pm at Kelly Park t wo, Wodonga before the league-wide King’s Birthday bye on the weekend.

OVENS AND MURRAY

Baulch stars to silence critics

TOM Baulch kept his haters quiet with an eye catching performance and his best of the year on Saturday.

Baulch was one of Wangaratta Rovers’ best players in their statement making win over Yarrawonga, racking up 26 touches, six clearances, seven marks, eight score involvements and two goals.

The social media star has copped plenty of flack for his outgoing and huge presence on Tiktok, Instagram and Youtube this season, with his weekly O&M game day vlogs attracting tens of thousands of views.

Baulch said the last few weeks have been tough but he’s still enjoying his footy.

“It’s definitely been a tough few weeks but at the end of the day I want people to be coming to the footy and I do enjoy the chat over the fence,” Baulch said.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

with the crowd at times but I think it’s good for the theatre of the game and it’s good fun as long as it’s acceptable.”

Baulch has booted 10 goals from seven games this season but admitted his game on the weekend was his best thus far, especially the third quarter when he racked up a whopping 14 disposals.

“Half forward can be a hard position to play but I was lucky enough on the weekend to get on the end of a few touches,” he said.

“I only had eight contested possessions so that shows that all of my teammates were passing me the ball so I couldn’t do it without them.

Pigeons with tensions boiling over a number of times in the fiery clash.

“I did go into the game wanting to get in their faces a little bit,” he said.

“I don’t do anything untoward I just like to stir things up a little bit and try and get the opposition off their game and it probably worked on the weekend.

“If by doing that I end up getting a few free kicks I’m happy about that because it’s helping my team, some people mightn’t like that and it probably isn’t the best look but I just want to help my team.

“I’m not the most physical player but I feel like when I do get into a bit of push and shove it gets me in a mindset to hit the next contest as best as I can.”

win premierships in June,” Baulch said.

“We’ve got players coming in with ‘Pup’ Clarke and Jace McQuade returning and ‘Muz’ (Sam Murray) said on the weekend that we’ve got such a well-balanced backline now with those two returning.

“We’re definitely tracking in the right direction but we just need to stay focused.”

Baulch spent time with Aspley in the VFL competition and doesn’t believe the O&M is far off the country’s second tier competition.

“I definitely found the O&M pretty tough at the start and I still am, no doubt it’s a really good standard of footy,” he said.

ON:

“If I was on the other side of the fence I’d probably be doing the same thing so it’s all good fun as long as it doesn’t cross the line which has happened a couple of times this year.

“People ask why I engage

“On the weekend I was playing as a bit of a fifth mid so I’d sprint off the square after the bounce and try and get in and around the stoppages and no one from Yarrawonga was following me.”

Baulch was in the thick of the action all day against the

Wangaratta Rovers have welcomed a number of troops back to the side over the past few weeks with star key backs Michael Clarke and Jace McQuade playing together for the first time on Saturday.

“It’s definitely exciting how we’re going but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves because you don’t

“I’d actually say it’s nearly on par with the VFL so it’s a great standard.

“I’m loving my time at Rovers though and I feel like we’re all starting to gel which is really exciting, it’s always tough starting at a new club but I feel like I’m starting to make connections.”

TIME AND SPACE: Ruby Snowdon prepares to send a long ball forward in the Lady Devils’ loss against the Hotspurs.

GOLDEN TOUCH: Sarah Morris tries to weave her way through traffic against an Albury Hotspur defender.

PHOTOS: Kat De Naps Photography

POWER STRIKE: Reese Chuck about to get her kick away at Jelbart Park on Sunday.

BEST

Tom Baulch was arguably Wangaratta Rovers’ best player in their win over Yarrawonga on Saturday.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Wangaratta Rovers face North Albury at Bunton Park this weekend.

Fast starting Boomers down Devils

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

WANGARATTA City

couldn’t hold off the fast starting Boomers at Glen Park on Sunday.

Boomers scored through a penalty in the fourth minute of the match, jumping out to a 1-0 lead immediately, and that was followed by two goals in 34th and 38th minutes to just about put the game to bed by half-time.

Wangaratta City would have to produce a near perfect second-half display to even tie the match but they couldn’t find that, with a goalless second-half resulting in a 3-0 loss for the Devils.

Wangaratta City coach Raff Molinaro said it was a disappointing performance.

“It was one of those days where players couldn’t get things right across the board,” Molinaro said.

“We had chances to convert and at the end of the day that’s what hurt us, not taking those chances.

“When Boomers had shots they converted and that was the difference so on another day where we convert it could be a different story but unfortunately Sunday wasn’t it.”

Despite the 3-0 scoreline suggesting a one-sided affair, Molinaro felt the game was a lot closer.

“I’m confident we had more chances on goal so it was definitely closer than it looks,” he said.

“We know the game style we want to play but we let them convert a penalty really early and we were then on

NORTH East

Bushrangers

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

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

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

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

the back foot from the start.

“This year our side is a lot younger and less experienced so when you have certain players who aren’t having their best game it’s hard to grind out a result.”

Wangaratta City was missing one of their stars in Ethan Whiley who was out with back soreness.

“Ethan was our biggest loss on Sunday,” Molinaro said.

“We really could’ve used

ROUND RESULTS:

his danger on the wing, especially on a day where our forwards couldn’t convert.

“Tom Christison was also sore so he couldn’t start for us so we were definitely lacking a bit of depth in the side.”

Wangaratta City has consecutive byes over the next two weeks after Twin City was forced to pull their division one men’s team from the competition this season, while Wodonga Heart also don’t

U14 Boys 1 40 def by Casey 2 43

(Top Scorers: Keoni Anderson 15, Charlie Voss 10, Sam Lupo 7)

U14 Boys 2 37 def by Coburg 3 40

(Top Scorers: Brock Buckland 15, Michael Moylan 7, Thomas Waite 5)

U14 Girls 1 52 def   Darebin 2 46

(Top Scorers: Ella Mercieca 23, Lily Purss 12, Maisey Moscrop 9)

U14 Girls 2 32 def Darebin 2 27

(Top Scorers: N/A)

U16 Boys 1 55 def by Gippsland 1 60

(Top Scorers: Connor Breheny 17, Blake Newton 10, Dashiell Smith 7)

U16 Boys 2 43 def Bellarine 2 42

(Top Scorers: Josh Vearing 12, Sam Kain 11, Lenny Lonergan 9)

U16 Girls 1 38 def by Melbourne 2 50

(Top Scorers: Molly Moylan 11, Lily-Anne McClure 10, Indianna Phillips 5)

U16 Girls 2 46 def Bulleen 4 31

(Top Scorers: Sophia Kotzur 12, Ebony Chapman 11, Lily Moffatt 8)

U18 Boys 1 62 def Diamond Valley 1 58

(Top Scorers: Lochie Harvey 22, Frank Oguche 11, Ben Skalic 10)

U18 Boys 2 38 def Melbourne 4 33

(Top Scorers: Bailey Allen 9, Zach Schluter 9, Jac Green 8)

U18 Girls 39 def by Eltham 1 41

(Top Scorers: Jess Freeman 10, Elley Donelan 8, Elyssa Cole 6)

YLM 48 def by Sunbury 137

(Top Scorers: Jesse King 15, Isaac Plummer 13, Jordan Birch 8)

have a division one team.

“This season is full of byes with two teams not fielding senior teams so it definitely adds a different element to the mix,” Molinaro said.

“It’s something all teams have to face but it’s a good chance for us to regroup, review the footage from the weekend and then start to build momentum after that.

“The byes give a few players the chance to recover from any niggles as well.”

U14 BOYS 1 TEAM: (L-R) Rohan Cassidy (Team Manager), Cooper Cassidy, Harris Kain, Patrick Oliver, Harper Spierings, Sam Lupo, Connoah Hart, Sam Oguche, Keonie Anderson, Kaine Anderson (Coach).

TOUGH CONTEST: Stoycho Ivanov battles for the ball.

PHOTOS: Kat De Naps Photography

CORNER: Vitaly Leschen kicks a corner in Wangaratta City’s loss to Boomers on Sunday.

NETBALL REVIEWS

Demons crush Bats, Blues survive scare

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

MILAWA Demons have asserted themselves as the team to beat at the halfway mark of the Ovens and King netball league season with another crushing win.

Goorambat faced the daunting task of heading into Milawa on Saturday coming off an impressive win over Moyhu, but were met with an almost complete performance from the Demons who prevailed 59-36.

Milawa made steady gains to their lead throughout each quarter and opened the floodgates in the last finishing on a 14-4 run.

Coach Kerrie Gray said she was impressed with how her team maintained the high standards of consistency of play fresh off the bye.

“We were happy with the majority of how the game played out, especially

NETBALL SCORES

A GRADE

Myrtleford 34 def by Wangaratta 35

BEST: MYRTLEFORD: Rebecca Piazza

3 Saige Broz 2 Sophie Hanrahan 1.

WANGARATTA: Kate Dean 3 Issy Newton 2 Hannah Grady 1.

GOALS: MYRTLEFORD: Rebecca Piazza 26

Sally Botter 8. WANGARATTA: Georgia Clark

19 Amanda Umanski 11 Amy Byrne 5.

Wangaratta Rovers 43 def by Yarrawonga 73

BEST: n/a. GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS:

Samantha Kreltszheim 25 Rebecca

Kreltszheim 18 . YARRAWONGA: Kaleisha

Pell 46 Hidden Player 27.

Lavington 44 def by

Wodonga Raiders 45

Wodonga 45 def by Albury 66

B GRADE: Myrtleford 29 def by Wangaratta 36, Lavington 30 def by Wodonga Raiders 42, Wodonga 52 def Albury 39, Wang Rovers 40 def by Yarrawonga 55.

C GRADE: Lavington 48 def Wodonga

Raiders 24, Wodonga 34 def Albury 33, Wang Rovers 34 def by Yarrawonga 44, Myrtleford 43 def Wangaratta 35 .

17 & UNDER: Lavington 35 def by

Wodonga Raiders 58; Corowa-Rutherglen

32 def by North Albury 62; Wang Rovers

55 def Yarrawonga 38; Myrtleford 22 def by Wangaratta 60; Wodonga 50 def Albury 38.

15 & UNDER: Myrtleford 35 def

Wangaratta 24; Lavington 24 def by

Wodonga Raiders 43; Wang Rovers 58 def

Yarrawonga 17; Wodonga 48 def Albury 22; Corowa-Rutherglen 24 def by North Albury 29.

against a tough opposition,” she said.

“We made sure we had a solid training off the bye and each week the girls know their expectation and the roles we need to play.

“Everyone was great across the board, but Kyra Clarke read the ball beautifully in defence and Alyse Owen was another standout, we missed her for a few weeks with an injury but she had a great training and was just strong all day coming out of an injury.”

The King’s Birthday round bye will be the second bye in three weeks for the Demons who will be using the week off as a break from training as they stand alone at the top of the O&K ladder undefeated through eight games.

The team in second place didn’t find the win as easy on the weekend, as King Valley almost caused one of

the upsets of the season at Greta, pushing the Blues to the brink before being left behind with a 44-37 defeat.

The Roos brought the margin to within just three goals going into the last quarter seemingly full of momentum, but were stifled by a 12 goal to eight finish from the Blues who held on for their eighth win on the year.

Andrea Uebergang was instrumental in goal, putting all but five of King Valley’s 37 goals through the ring, while Bridgette Lewis scored with impeccable accuracy for Greta on her 24 goals off 28 attempts and Jorja Reidy starred in the midcourt.

Around the grounds in the A grade, Bonnie Doon defeated North Wangaratta 54-30, Moyhu were too good for Bright winning 58-25 and Tarrawingee continued their winning ways against Whorouly 54-29.

NETBALL REVIEWS

Magpies rise from jaws of defeat

■ From back page

The

Wangaratta now has the next two weekends off with the club scheduled to face Corowa-Rutherglen this weekend, while they play the second weekend of next week’s spilt round.

“We can’t do much about it but it’s not ideal,” Byrne said.

“Sometimes you don’t want to lose momentum with a weekend off, you just want to keep the ball in your hands and keep the foot on the pedal.

“We’ll continue to train though and hopefully come back from the break refreshed.”

Meanwhile, Wangaratta Rovers were shown what the ladder leaders are made of, falling to Yarrawonga 44-73 at WJ Findlay Oval.

Pigeons’ shooter Kaleisha Pell shot 46 goals in the victory, while for the Hawks Samantha Kreltszheim (25 goals) and Rebecca Kreltszheim (18 goals) made up their team’s total.

BATTLE: Sami Kreltszheim battles for possession against Yarrawonga.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

ASSIST: Georgia Clark looks for a teammate in Wangaratta’s win over Myrtleford. PHOTO: Janet Watt

Magpies won the contest without gun defender Brook Pryse and goaler Kelly Keen.

MAGIC TOUCH: Mic Larkings looks to pinpoint a pass in the Demons’ eighth straight win against the Bats. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

FULL FOCUS: Emily Canny lines up a shot at goal as she went on to have 34 goals on 82 per cent shooting in the win against Goorambat.

CATCH THIS: Alyse Owen moving the ball forward as she made a sucessful return from injury on the weekend.

Action packed round six of junior netball

By WILLSON MACK

ROUND six of the Wangaratta Netball Association’s junior competition was played on Saturday at Barr Reserve.

Premier A: Magpies Black 24 (Lilly Tahin) def Rovers Gold 12 (Emma Jose)

Greta Blue 11 (Steph Parsons) def by Rovers Brown 27 (Ally Nolan).

Magpies White 19 (Beth Meisenger) def Tarra Blue 12 (Claire Shilcock).

Premier B: Yfnc 10 (Not Supplied) def by Rovers Pink 14 (Freya Bell).

ROUND 9

Greta White 13 (Grace Fahey-Pyle) def by Rovers Navy 13 (Sophie Mitchell).

Myrtleford Black 17 (Neve Creswell) def Milawa Red 4 (Charlee Clark).

Section 1: Bright 22 (Summer Iles) def Milawa Blue 8 (Marley Higham).

Milawa White 20 (Holly Rees) def by Whorouly Cubs 20 (Jasmine Uebergang).

Maltesers 20 (Mia Thompson) def Rovers Yellow 9 (Ivy Roberts).

Rovers Black 15 (Sky Hall) def Tarra Red 4 (Crystal Copeland).

Section 2: Myrtleford Red 13 (Aimee Pozzan) def Redbacks 5 (Charlotte Graham).

The Strikers 16 (Catherine Ford) def Jellybeans 15 (Charlotte Mcmahon).

Wolf Pack 2 (Macy Boschetti) def by Alpha Wolves 12 (Georgia Kelly).

Section 3: Fantales 20 (Lucy Malcolm) def Wild West 1 (Hazel Wyllie).

The Diamonds 30 (Grace Ely) def Sharks 3 (Grace Martin).

Westy Warriors 7 (Ky Press) def by Golden Girls 13 (Imogen Okeefe).

MATCH REVIEWS

Youngest Hawks fly the flag

WANGARATTA Rovers’ under 14 female footballers flew the flag for the Hawks on Sunday at the WJ Findlay Oval.

With the under 17s and open women enjoying a bye, the youngest Rovers took on Wodonga Bulldogs, and were ready for a close contest.

Captain for the day was Harper McGrath, who led a team of 18 players - including newest recruit Matilda Davies - onto the field in near perfect conditions.

The first quarter had the ball travelling mostly between the 50 metre arcs, with some great running in both directions from the Rovers team.

A quick forward entry led to Rovers registering the first score of the day, a point. Some late forward pressure from the Bulldogs resulted in the first major score.

At the break, the Hawks spoke about making tackles stick, and players forward of the ball moving to claim

front position. Their tackle count immediately improved, with 15 tackles recorded in a muchimproved effort from Rovers players all around the ground.

Trinity Hasgall, Hannah Carroll, Lily Currie Fraser and Sadie Skewes all provided excellent pressure at the defensive end of the ground, with Inanay Gilson, Lizzy Healy, Madi Boulton and Tessa Koop doing likewise further up the ground.

A push forward from the

Rovers led to Ruby Newton snapping a lovely, bending goal.

After half time, the Rovers continued to bring the pressure to each contest around the ground, with Zierra Melbourne winning a majority of the stoppage hit-outs, and Molly Thomas reading Melbourne’s taps to great effect.

Tackle-of-the-day came from Currie Fraser, who landed a perfectly-timed tackle on a player who was about to run into space on

the wing for the Bulldogs.

Another push forward from the Rovers saw Ruby Newton take a long kick into the forward 50 which bounced and bounced, and eventually bounced through the goal posts for the Rovers second major.

The last quarter was another excellent display of improvement in the Rovers’ ability to win contested footy, with Amy Lowe positioning well around the ground to find space and take several marks.

Erin Collins provided excellent support around the contest, laying plenty of shepherds and bumps to allow her teammates time to pick up the football.

Skills, positioning around the ground and general game-play from the Rovers are all improving every week.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 2.1 (13) lost to Wodonga Bulldogs 6.5 (41).

Goals: Ruby Newton 2.

Awards: Erin Collins, Amy Lowe, Sadie Skewes.

PASS AWAY: Rovers Black’s Taylah Wyatt sends a pass forward.

LINE IT UP: Magpies Black’s Jada Ryan lines her shot up. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

EYES ON THE BALL: Wangaratta Rovers’ Amy Lowe contests the ruck in Sunday’s match, watched by teammate Chloe Mizzi.

ON THE RUN: Lily Currie Fraser makes a getaway from her Wodonga opponent during Sunday’s clash at the WJ Findlay Oval. PHOTOS: Kev McGennan

QUICK PASS

Magpies rise from jaws of defeat

WANGARATTA A grade netballers saluted in an absolute thriller after coming from behind in the last quarter against Myrtleford.

Taking on the Saints at RC McNamara Reserve, the Magpies started the final term four goals behind but found a spirited comeback to snatch a 35-34 win.

It was a massive clash in the context of the ladder with only percentage separating the two sides in second and third position, but Wangaratta now holds the higher position outright.

Wangaratta coach Lou Byrne said it was a tight contest.

“It was definitely a stressful game,” Byrne said.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

“Our comeback in the last quarter was awesome, it was tight up until half-time but then they broke away in the third.

“We managed to break their centre pass in the last quarter and capitalised on turnovers which was probably the difference in the end.

“At three quarter time we regrouped and made sure that everyone would play their role in the last quarter and they did which was pleasing.”

Georgia Clark (19 goals)

Umanski played only half a game as she continues to ease her way back into netball after rupturing her ACL last year.

“Amanda only played half a game but step by step she’s easing back into it,” Byrne said.

“Amanda’s still finding her way into it and she has to get used to playing with Georgia (Clark) because they haven’t played a lot together.

“She’s only allowed to play X amount of court time at the moment but hopefully she’ll be back to full strength soon.”

■ Continued page 22

Amanda Umanski (11) Amy Byrne (5) all made shots at goal, while Hannah Grady was named best on court.

Magpies Black’s Minnie Humphrey passes to her goalers in round six of the Wangaratta Netball Association’s junior netball competition at Barr Reserve.  Results: Page 23

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling