TODAY
28o
Possible storm
31o 32o 33o THURS
FRI
SAT
www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Monday, January 8, 2024
Phone (03) 5723 0100
RAIN DASHES HOPES OF A PERFECT START FOR COUNTRY WEEK
$1.80 INC. GST
AUSSIE DAY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
UNRELENTING rainfall in Wangaratta yesterday saw the first round of junior Country Week cricket matches abandoned. It was a disappointing false start for WDCA U15 co-captains Lucas Ham (left) and Reid McNamara, and their fellow team mates, who only got two overs in against their CAW opponents. “We’d been looking forward to this for the past month so it’s not ideal,” the captains said. “We’ve got a pretty good team and are hoping to go well this year...we’re to play Benalla on Monday but that may not happen either because of the rain.” ■ Further story on the rain, and calls for help to the Wangaratta SES on page 3. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
Page 3
YEAR IN REVIEW Pages 8, 9
WILLETT’S WINNING INNINGS SPORT
Active dialogue
APEX Park is Wangaratta’s favourite open space, walking is locals’ most popular form of non-formal recreation, and netball rates as the top organised sport. That’s according to the results of a community survey that helped inform the Rural City of Wangaratta’s draft recreation and open space strategy, which was endorsed by council recently.
Community C i y ffeedback db k sought gh on d draft f pl plan ffor recreation i spaces p BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
The draft 10-year strategy is now on public display until February 15, with council seeking further feedback from the community in its bid to create
inclusive and accessible opportunities for locals to be and stay active. Developed with the help of funding from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, the document will provide a blueprint for programming, priorities, and activation of both existing and planned
open spaces within the municipality. Along with the survey quoted in the draft strategy, community engagement to develop the draft strategy was sought via drop-in sessions and stakeholder interviews, in order to canvass a broad cross-section of the community.
A number of government organisations and agencies were also consulted, with input from specialist agencies including Sport and Recreation Victoria, Gateway Health, Sport North East, Tourism North East and Parks Victoria. “We know the impact of well-planned and managed
community spaces,” rural city deputy mayor Harvey Benton said. “In our rural communities, a reserve can be the heart of the community, and in Wangaratta they provide somewhere to gather, to play, and to build connections. ■ Continued page 2
Back to School TRUSTED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL FOOTWEAR FOR OVER 75 YEARS
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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
Police vehicle rammed, driver flees near Euroa VICTORIA Police are appealing for witnesses after a police vehicle was rammed in Euroa on Wednesday. Police have been told a grey Toyota Hilux dual cab utility was spotted travelling on the wrong side of the road northbound in the southbound lanes on the Hume Freeway between Avenel and Euroa, on January 3 between 8-8:30pm. Investigators believe the Toyota was travelling in the wrong lanes for approximately 25kms. Officers safely intercepted the Toyota, before exiting the police car to speak with the driver. It is believed the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle then reversed into the police car, causing significant damage, before fleeing northbound on the freeway. No one was injured. Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861
WEATHER
TEMPERATURES: Monday
Max 28 Max 31
Min 17
Fog then sunny
Wednesday Max 32
Min 16
Max 33
Min 15
Sunny
RAINFALL: Wangaratta Lake Buffalo Cheshunt
Last 72 hours
Last 7 days
23.0mm 2.8mm 11.0mm
77.0mm 40.2mm 37.0mm
*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Sunday
LUCKY NUMBERS Tattslotto - Draw 4431
17, 12, 36, 42, 13, 34 (41, 38) Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.
NEWS TIPS Office Hours: 5723 0100 After Hours: 5723 0107 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
CONTACTS POSTAL ADDRESS: 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta GENERAL TELEPHONE INQUIRIES: 5723 0100 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 5723 0101 DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 5723 0100 Fax: 03 5721 9447 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au Website: wangarattachronicle.com.au
Follow us ADVERTISING CLOSING TIMES Monday Issue: Display Thurs. 10am. Classifieds Fri. 2pm Wednesday Issue: Display Fri. 10am. Classifieds Tues. 2pm Friday Issue: Display Tues. 10am. Classifieds Thurs. 2pm Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission. The Chronicle is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the standards may have been breached, you may approach the Chronicle itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.
Member
■ From page 1
“This strategy considers the work we’ve done on masterplans, and all the projects we have underway to plan for our growing community. “It’s important the community take this opportunity to have their say and tell us if we have it right.” The draft strategy outlines the need for greater opportunity for young people and older people to participate in active recreation; for formalising highly-desired waterside open spaces; for facilitation and promotion of programs and events in open spaces; as well as the potential to install community garden beds in some parks. It also sets out the future direction of sport across the rural city’s venues, with an action plan highlighting high, medium and low priority actions. Among the high priority recommendations contained in the draft strategy are rationalisation of some smaller park spaces; development of a masterplan for South Wangaratta Recreation Reserve; drainage and lighting work at Targoora Park for baseball and softball; development of a pavilion at the refurbished Barr 2 Oval; and removal of the velodrome at the Wangaratta Showgrounds. Ninety-two per cent of respondents surveyed during
AT PLAY: Kane Beardow and Shoko Woshimura enjoy the playground in Apex Park. The park was identified as local residents’ favourite open space in a survey which has helped inform the Rural City of Wangaratta’s draft recreation and open space strategy. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling preparation of the draft strategy said they visited open space and recreation facilities in the rural city at least weekly. In line with walking being the most popular recreational pursuit for residents, 69 per cent of those surveyed identified footpaths as their preferred place for recreation. Residents nominated the top
three priorities for open space over the next 10 years as new or upgraded playgrounds (30 per cent); improved access to lakes, rivers and creeks (28 per cent); and new and upgraded paths (26 per cent). The provision of additional dog off-leash areas (preferably fenced) was highlighted as a further priority, with respond-
ents also expressing a need for mountain bike facilities. The full strategy, along with an executive summary, can be viewed at https://connect. wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Further community drop-in sessions will be held in early February, before the public exhibition period closes on February 15.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?
Fog then sunny
Thursday
Public feedback sought on draft plan for recreation spaces
Stormy start to year
Min 18
Possible storm
Tuesday
wangarattachronicle.com.au
By Peter Nelson, retired CSIRO climatologist
THE new year commenced with widespread thunderstorm activity, strong winds, heavy hail and flash flooding in several towns in Victoria. The Bureau of Meteorology weather station at Wangaratta Airport recorded 54.4mms to 9am Wednesday, January 3, although some residents around town recorded falls over 80mm in their rain gauges in the same period. It was Wangaratta’s wettest day for the first week of January since 1991 and before that in 1974 and 1934. Wind gusts reached 104kph in Wangaratta at 4.40 pm on Tuesday January 2, which was the second time we’ve had a gust over 80kph this summer. It was a record wind gust for January in Wangaratta - the previous strongest gust in January was 93kph on January 22, 2009 about a fortnight prior to the Black Saturday bushfires. In the Melbourne suburb of Coldstream 68mms fell in just over two hours in the late afternoon trapping many motorists with road closures . The maximum temperature at Coldstream reached 31.2 degrees before the storm hit. Other suburbs were more than five degrees cooler. It was the highest daily rainfall at Coldstream for January since 70mms in 1963. Yan Yean Reservoir with a deluge of 60mms also recorded its highest daily rainfall for January since 1963.
FLASH FLOODING: The thunderstorms and torrential downpour which hit Wangaratta last Tuesday afternoon caused flash flooding in Rowan Street. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner Shepparton recorded 78.4mms to 9am Wednesday, January 3, which was the town’s wettest January day since 105mms in 1941. Kyabram with 65mms recorded its wettest January day since 82.8mm in 2008. Most rainfalls in North East Victoria were in the 20mms to 40mms range, but Albury had less than 2mms; this maybe due to the fact that earlier on Tuesday morning a low pressure trough had its axis projecting south over Albury then suddenly this trough moved westwards and deepened during the afternoon resulting in heavier rainfalls to Shepparton.
Last September the City of Melbourne recorded one of its warmest and driest Septembers and was then followed by a wet October, then a dry November and then a wet Decembe. Past records show there was a very similar profile in 1980 and we certainly had a very hot summer in Victoria and NSW in 1980-81 with a high frequency of thunderstorms and rainfalls were notably above average in North East Victoria. The City of Melbourne in December last recorded only 207 hours of sunshine making this the most sunless December since 1992. Both January and early February of 1981 and 1993 had
many hot days of 40 to 42 degrees in our regions, particularly at mid January and during the fourth week of January, early February and mid February. The heaviest rains were near end of January and the third week of February. The wet season at Broome has made a feeble start following no rain in December and only 1.8mms in the last six months of 2023. This was the fourth driest such period at Broome in the last 130 years. The driest such periods were in 1929, 1935 and 2011. Looking at 1930, 1936 and 2012 and also 1981 we are in for a very wet winter in 2024.
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 3
Aussie Day award finalists By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE
SIX of Wangaratta’s finest have been nominated as finalists in the 2024 Rural City of Wangaratta Australia Day awards, alongside two young citizens and five events and projects held across 2023. The finalists for the Citizen of the Year award are Lucia ‘Pip’ Else, Ruth Kneebone, Marie Wallis, Arthur Parker, Elizabeth Walpole and Jenny McGregor. Their nominators applauded each nominee on their vari-
ous commitments, roles and effort within the community. Pip has played an integral role in multiculturalism and creating inclusive spaces and events for people to connect, be included and increase social connections. Ruth is a dedicated volunteer and active community member across multiple RCOW community organisations that benefit the sporting, culture and welfare of others across the town. Marie has given exemplary community service to Wanga-
ratta over many years throughout her involvement with various different clubs. Arthur has been a resident of Oxley for 48 years and has been a long standing member of the Oxley Residents Association, the Oxley Recreation Reserve Committee and the Greta Valley Landcare Group. Elizabeth, the first female VFF president among a range of other roles, has been nominated for her ongoing commitment to community and development. Jenny has gifted hundreds
of volunteer hours over four decades to make life better for many Wangaratta residents. Local young achievers Gracie York and Louis Pye are both up for the Youth Citizen of the Year award, and in the events and programs category, The Art Project - Warriors Unmasked, Free Family Fun Days, Wangaratta City Raceway, Project 365 and Wangaratta Cruise Night are all in the running. Winners will be announced at the rural city’s Australia Day event in the King George Gardens on Friday, January
26, kicking off at 9am. Wangaratta’s Australia Day ambassador this year will be, John Brown, a prominent member of the Brown Brothers family, and the event will also showcase seven new citizens welcomed to the community, who have come from India, Ireland, Philippines and Thailand. The Wangaratta Lions will be cooking up a free barbecue breakfast, donated by Wangaratta Woolworths, for all on the day with live performances from Sing Australia and Wangaratta Con-
cert Band to feature. For more details go to https://www.facebook.com/ events/760839925878607. The Rural City of Wangaratta will also be hosting a free community event at Mitchell Avenue Reserve from 10am – 2pm. This family friendly event will include roller-skating, jumping castles, a sausage sizzle, live music, and more. Fifteen rural townships have also planned community gatherings, with more details to feature in future editions of the Chronicle.
ROAD DANGER: This large tree limb recently fell on the Snow Road at Laceby.
Life and limb: fear on our local roads
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: People were accessing sand bags from Wangaratta SES on Sunday morning ahead of the heavy rainfall forecast. PHOTO Wangaratta SES
More rain: SES responds to calls for help By JEFF ZEUSCHNER EMERGENCY services remained on standby in Wangaratta yesterday, answering several calls for assistance as various rain fronts passed over the city, dropping more than 23mms between 10am and 2pm. VICSES Wangaratta unit controller, Jess Zuber, said around a dozen members were on deck and had already responded to seven requests for assistance in Wangaratta. “Three calls were to do with building damage...residences with roof damage from last week’s storms with rainfall flooding in,” she said. “Another four calls were for sandbagging...people concerned about potential flash flooding.
“We also had a tree down in Smith Crescent.” Ms Zuber said proactive members of the community had flocked to the SES unit’s sand bagging area on Sunday morning, with more than 330 bags filled. “After the flash flooding we saw last week, and the warnings about today, people weren’t taking any chances,” she said. “We’ve already had 20mm (in Wangaratta at 2pm) today and according to the forecasts there is worse to come...potentially up to 80mm ins some areas. “We’re not sure where or how much rain will fall Sunday afternoon into the evening, and also tomorrow but our crews are ready to respond.” Wangaratta’s 23mms of rainfall between 10am and 2pm Sunday
was the heaviest rainfall in the North East, with other totals including 16.6mm at Greta South, 10.6mm at Cheshunt, 13mm at Yarrawonga and just 2.3mm at Everton. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast on Sunday morning warned that shower and thunderstorms will increase across Victoria throughout the day as a low pressure system develops across the north of the state. It said heavy to intense rainfall will develop during Sunday night as this low becomes slow moving in a very moist environment. Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast for parts of the North East, Northern Country, North Central and East Gippsland districts. Showers and thunderstorms
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were expected to move across the state Sunday afternoon into the night and early Monday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40mm to 70mm were likely. The bureau said locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was also possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 100mm. Heavy, locally intense rainfall is forecast to ease below warning thresholds late Monday morning or during Monday afternoon. A Flood Watch and various Flood Warnings were current and locations which may be affected include Wangaratta, Bright and Falls Creek. Go to the BOM website for the latest forecast and check the Vic Emergency app for updates.
BIGGE ULTRA-BOSOT FLEET IN M VICTORIA
WANGARATTA-based state MP Tim McCurdy is calling on VicRoads to help reduce the risk of overhanging tree limbs falling on local major roads. The Nationals MP for Ovens Valley recently met with around 30 concerned residents from Oxley, Milawa, Moyhu and Whitfield to discuss dangerous overhanging trees on major local roads. He said days later, his “worst fears” were realised when a massive tree limb fell on the Snow Road near Laceby. “This would have spelled tragedy if a car was going past at the time,” Mr McCurdy said. “The Snow Road carries tens of thousands of vehicles, and it was sheer luck that nobody was killed this time.” Mr McCurdy, who has previously addressed Parliament citing his concerns and experiences of near misses, said he was keen to see VicRoads take action to avoid any major accidents. “I have heard stories of windshields being smashed or cracked from falling branches, near misses, some really harrowing stories,” he said. “There is always going to be some level of risk involved, but this is about making sure we are reducing the risk to life by having a heavy limb falling off onto a car as it goes underneath. “I hope VicRoads will be vigilant about monitoring these major roads to avoid any devastating accidents.”
Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
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ARRIVALS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA
Lola Grace Simon LOLA Grace Simon was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta an Friday, December 29, 2023 at 10:05pm and weighed 2.68kg (5lb 14oz).She is the daughter of Cody McMonighe and Michael Simon of Wangaratta.
Jean-Yves Tavoa
OUR HERO: Oxley unicycle enthusiasts Harry McDonald (left) and Thomas Leask (right) were rapt to meet their hero Samuel Johnson.
Jean-Yves Tavoa was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, January 4 at 7:55pm and weighed 3.58kg (7lbs 14oz). He is the son of Inneth Navya and Jean Caino Tavoa of Benalla.
A real cycle of life for Samuel Monday, January 6, 2014 BY JEFF ZEUSCHNER WANGARATTA residents were surprised to see famous Australian actor Samuel Johnson whizz past on a ‘mini mini’ motorbike on Saturday afternoon. “It was probably the easiest, and one of the most fun dares I’ve had to do,” he said, grateful for the $210 it raised towards his ‘Love Your Sister’ campaign, to fundraise for breast cancer research. It certainly was a change to the seat of his unicycle which has been his constant companion for the past 11 months, on which he has pedalled almost 14,000 kilometres throughout Australia. He expects to cover another 2000 kilometres in his final month breaking 16,000kms in 12 months - to set a new Guinness World Record, having raised well over $1.2 million for breast cancer research. A street party in Muntz Street was Wangaratta’s opportunity to embrace his cause - and hundreds did, helping to raise over $3500.
“It was a crackerjack party,” Samuel said yesterday morning, as he continued his journey, with a 100km ride. “I can honestly say that of the hundreds of fundraisers I’ve done, Wangaratta was the most relaxed, and one of the most enjoyable . “The band, dancers and the food...I had a cracking pizza and burger...were just terrific, and I really appreciated all the support.” Organiser Kellie Adamo was also rapt with the support, from both the community and businesses. A personal friend of Samuel, Ms Adamo echoed the sentiments of many when she said what an amazing feat he was doing. It is a challenge that strikes at the most personal of motivations.
Samuel’s older sister Connie has terminal breast cancer and it was she who tasked him with riding the unicycle around Australia, to raise $1m for breast cancer research, and importantly increase awareness. “The last thing I wanted to do was leave my dying sister, but she said I must, as there is a greater cause here than ourselves,” Samuel said. “She’s a year older and I’m the compliant younger brother. “We’re very close and we’re in contact constantly, and she joins us in each of the capital cities. “This is something we are doing together.” Samuel admits saddling up in the unicycle is not the most comfortable thing, but it’s cushioned by the support, and hope communities have offered along the way. And he believes his fundamental message of warning people “not to fall into the booby-trap, be breast aware”, is getting through. “Early detection remains the best cure,” he said.
YOUR ONE STOP FIRE PROTECTION SHOP
Annabelle Zoe Beirne Annabelle Zoe Beirne was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, January 4 at 9:33am and weighed 3.625kg (7lbs 15oz). She is the daughter of Aimee Hollonds and James Beirne of Corowa. The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings. Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day. If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it. Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 5
Solar farm grants bring sunny smiles to groups
A TOTAL of $50,000 in funding was distributed to 10 different community groups in the inaugural Glenrowan Solar Farm 2023 community-driven benefit sharing program. From a community garden to a defibrillator, groups across Glenrowan and Wangaratta will receive the funding as part of Glenrowan Solar Farm’s first year of its launched 10-year commitment to the region with their benefit sharing program. Major beneficiaries of the program were Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability (WLS), who tallied almost $14,000 of funding towards three separate community projects. WLS vice president Mary Reid said the community organisation was delighted to have received three separate grants that will assist in local environmental work in the New Year. Some $8000 will go towards the WLS Renewable Electrification team and their electrification project, spreading awareness around the community understanding of the benefits of home electrification and assistance in developing home plans to change to electric space, water heating and electric cooking. The WLS Bush Regeneration team received $5000 to undertake work along a section of Three Mile Creek to remove introduced trees and weeds, and regenerate the native creek side vegetation, while the Clean Up Wangaratta team received a $728 grant to buy much needed equipment to continue improving the
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
quality of One Mile Creek for people and wildlife. “If anyone in the community is interested in being involved in any of these exciting projects please go to the WLS website and register your interest,” Ms Reid said. Pacific Partnerships’ managing director, Simon Nicholls, said the program received an overwhelming response in its first year, with more than $200,000 in funding requests from local community groups for community projects. “We were thrilled with the volume of diverse applications received and thank all the organisations who took the time to complete the application process,” he said. “It is wonderful to be able to support so much important work in the community, and while we couldn’t fund all the requests, we encourage groups who missed out to re-apply next year.” The community benefit program asked for initiatives which demonstrated a direct local benefit, supported the natural environment and climate change, promoted health and wellbeing and improved energy literacy. Applications were assessed by the project’s Community Reference Group (CRG) and those that best met the selection criteria were selected for funding.
WORK TO BE DONE: Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability members John Naylor, Mary Reid and Libby Smith were delighted to receive funding for three projects in the Glenrowan Solar Farm 2023 communitydriven benefit sharing program, including works at this section of Three Mile Creek. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Other successful projects in the program’s $50,000 in funding included: • Glenrowan Preschool Cultivating Futures: The Glenrowan Kinder Community Garden $7000 • Greta Valley Landcare Group Building biodiversity and engagement in the Greta Valley $4200 • Hamilton Park Co-Operative Limited Hamilton Park (Glenrowan) Playground $6000 • Wangaratta Repair Cafe Test & Tag electrical equipment capability $2300 • Warby Range Landcare Group Inc. Ngalan Wala Restoration – our water restoration project $5000 • Christopher Robin Pre-School Centre Enhancing outdoor and environmental education facilities $5000 • Wangaratta Men’s Shed Extension to existing shed area $5000 • Moyhu Recreation Reserve Committee breathing life into the creation of community (new defibrillator) $2000
GREEN STREET BRIDGE DETOUR Road closed
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WANGARATTA DETOUR MAP
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Green Street Streetbridge bridgewill willclose close Green from 10 January from Wednesday WRGD\ 8 January for approximately six six months until for approximately months Inland Rail works are safely until Inland Rail works are safely completed. completed. To enable enable the the safe safe clearance clearanceof of To double-stacked freight freighttrains, trains, double-stacked we’re replacing replacing the the existing existing we’re bridge with with aa new new bridge bridgeininthe the bridge same location. location. same
Green Street bridge Northeast Health Wangaratta Sisely Avenue Level Crossing Wangaratta Station Wareena Park
victoriaprojects@artc.com.au
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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
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Migration boost needs infrastructure ONGOING calls for increased migration to boost employee numbers across virtually every sector of society is no surprise. In an ideal world it should be a balance of skilled and casual workers to not only fill the growing gaps in workforces across, health care, education, manufacturing and trades but also primary production and hospitality with casual and seasonal workers in high demand. And it can’t just be short–term visa arrangements shipping people in to do the work and sending them home. There must be the lure of citizenship for the right workers to make Australia their home. Australia has been a migrant destination since its settlement and particularly during the gold rush of the 1850s and post WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War. North East Victoria has proven a popular and successful destination for migrants which has contributed to our rich multicultural society that is the envy of many other regions in Australia. But we also need the infrastructure to support this growth and despite financial pressures of debt and inflation, it has to be a top priority. Infrastructure that helps improve productivity or indeed, reduces the population pressures on our capital cities, is good for the country financially. There must be more support for local government to have not only the residential or industrial subdivisions ready to go, but also the associated expansion of health, education and other support services. Yes, it’s a massive undertaking, but it‘s a job that has been deferred for too long.
The Quiz No. 67 1. What is the only country with a name that starts with the letter Y? 2. In the TV series, South Park, what is Cartman’s first name? 3. Nikki Hudson represented Australia in which sport? 4. Roquefort cheese is made from the milk of which animal? 5. Mount Zeil is the highest peak in which Australian state or territory? 6. The famous Surrealist artist, Joan Miró, was born in which country? 7. Deniz Tek and Rob Younger formed which influential punk band in the 1970s? 8. Which 14th century author wrote the collection of stories called The Canterbury Tales? 9. What is the main ingredient in Baba Ghanoush? 10. In what year of the 1990s did Telecom Australia adopt the Telstra branding for the domestic market? 11. What is the northernmost country in Central America? 12. Western Australian senator, Scott Ludlam, is a member of which political party? 13. Which liqueur is used in the cocktail called a Moonwalk? 14. What do you call a baby platypus? 15. In which 2004 movie did Tom Hanks play the role of Viktor Navorski? 16. West Coast Eagles coach, Adam Simpson, played for which AFL team during his playing career? 17. Which company makes the Milky Way bar? 18. In which ocean are the Galápagos Islands located? 19. By what name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta best known? 20. In feet, how long is a cricket pitch? Answers 1. Yemen 2. Eric 3. Field hockey 4. Sheep 5. Northern Territory 6. Spain 7. Radio Birdman 8. Geoffrey Chaucer 9. Eggplant (aubergine) 10. 1995 11. Belize 12. Australian Greens 13. Grand Marnier 14. Puggle 15. The Terminal 16. North Melbourne 17. Mars 18. Pacific Ocean 19. Lady GaGa 20. 66 feet Compiled by Ric Allport – www.brainfoodfactory.com – Challenge your Brain
CLEAN UP CONTINUES: Constant reminders of last week’s severe storms remain throughout the city, with crews still having quite a bit of work to do. This tree, which crashed through the fence line around the Barr Reserve 2 oval, is among many larger trees that fell during the storms. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
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Where is we heading under this council? IN response to Mayor Dean Rees comments in the Wangaratta Chronicle (December 29) on what the council has achieved. In my opinion council has wasted ratepayer money on closing two swimming pools (old outdoor pool and Yarrunga) and the new splash park in Mitchell Avenue needed more funds to fix the dangerous hazards. Painting of the water tower and the Rowan Street underpass were both wastes of money. Lots of money was spent on Docker Street which left one very narrow side to turn into out of Baker Street heading to the Ford and Ovens streets roundabout. The Parkour development in Apex Park gets flooded and goes under water. Lots of money was spent in Baker Street on a new road surface and parking bays with cobblestones - there was nothing wrong with the way it was. The Christmas decorations in the CBD roundabouts cost lots of money but sit in storage for months. Still we have no money to fix drainage problems in Greta Road - an ongoing issue for more than 20 years that I have lived there. Planting of trees on nature strips in residential areas is another waste, in a few years they make it hard to see traffic when residents leave their driveways. Council may have saved $500,000 on closing the pound but will people bother driving to Albury Wodonga to pick up a pet? It's a disgrace not having a pound in a city this size. The moving of the Visitor Information Centre to the WPACC is another waste. I went there for some information but left without anything after being told to ring up or check online - not everyone has computers. I believe many of council's priorities are not in ratepayers' best interests. The lack of sewage infrastructure shows the city planning leaves a lot to be desired and the location of the electric vehicle
Which way do you face in the shower - towards the taps or away from the taps? charging station near the war memorial and roundabout is not appropriate. And how much money was spent on the New Year's Eve free event? Cr Rees said planned improvements to the city's entries at North Wangaratta and Tone Road would make the city more attractive to visitors. I would rather have the potholes, broken kerbs and guttering fixed properly, and waterways cleared of weeds and timber that gets caught in bridges over creeks to reduce flooding. We used to be a pretty city for visitors, not so now, even with all the money spent. Bill Kohne, Wangaratta
One Mile Creek needs a clean out HAVE you ever wondered why houses and roads flood in heavy downpours in Wangaratta? Just go for a walk along the One Mile Creek. All the water backs up and then sewerage leaks (overflows) from the Bronmar and Swan street outlets. I think council or North East Water should combine funding and give the creek a good clean out of reeds, fallen trees and all the other rubbish that doesn’t belong. Bobby Hutchieson, Wangaratta
WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words. Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility. Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
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Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677
FACEBOOK users this week commented on the recent flooding in Wangaratta and offered a suggestion as to what may be a contributing factor.
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Starsky Hutch: I don’t know why. Just go for a walk along the one mile creek, it’s disgusting and needs a good clean out
FACEBOOK users also commented on the Bush Nippers water safety program which is being trialled in the Ovens River at Wangaratta this week.
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Cheryl Osborn: Fabulous idea Tracey Wadley: Good idea Jo Mich Butler: Awesome idea Vanessa Temperley: Great idea Bianca Furlan
FACEBOOK users also commented on the flooding of thre Rowan Street underpass, and the felled trees in the wake of last week’s severes stroms.
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Joan Fuller: They should have team to work on drains all year and this want happen Josie Hurley: Joan Fuller exactly Debbie Anderson: I hope we get some smaller wood this year at the Glenrowan wood depot. The big stuff they had last year, was no good for seniors to cut
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 7
It’s time for slime: kids’ fun at library
WANGARATTA Library will kick off its school holiday program tomorrow with a chance for youngsters to make their own colourful and creative slime. The slime-making session runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm at the library in Docker Street, and is one of several activities planned for primary school-aged children over the summer holidays. On Friday, January 12 there will be a games afternoon at the library, again from 2.30pm to 3.30pm; bring a friend or meet one by playing a range of games including Scrabble, Guess Who and checkers. The theme of activities on Monday, January 15 will be science, with simple experiments to enjoy and enlighten between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
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Thursday, January 18 will be all about rock painting from 10.30am to 11.30am. Celebrate the library’s new rock garden by painting a rock and adding it to the garden, or take it home with you. Monday, January 22 will be a chance for youngsters to explore or discover a love of Minecraft between 2pm and 3.30pm. Places are limited, so bookings are essential, and if there is enough interest, the library may look to start a Minecraft club. On Thursday, January 25 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, watch a movie and enjoy some popcorn at the library. Bookings are essential for all library school holiday events, and can be made by phoning 5721 2366 or emailing library@ wangaratta.vic.gov.au
Fruit, veggie prices need urgent ACCC inquiry: Nats NATIONALS leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is calling for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Inquiry into fruit and vegetables. Mr Littleproud said on Sunday that while families struggle to pay for their food amid a cost-of-living crisis, supermarkets are still making record profits, “even though all they are doing is putting fruit and vegetables on the back of a truck and onto the supermarket shelves”. “Farmers are walking away because supermarkets are taking them for a ride,” he said. Mr Littleproud said an AusVeg recent survey found record-low morale and more than 30 per cent of Australian vegetable growers considering leaving the industry this year, with labour shortages, policy changes and rising operational costs their major concerns. He said Coles and Woolworths own 65 per cent of the market share and made record profits of more than $1 billion each last year. “I previously called for an ACCC Inquiry into beef and lamb but it must also now investigate fruit and vegetables – we need to investigate the price disparity, compel CEOs to give evidence and have greater penalties for those who do the wrong thing, including not paying farmers a fair price,” he said.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Claudia (9), Metuschael, Bethanie (1), Josiah (7) and Benaiah (5) Meunier gear up for Wednesday’s Free Summer Fun Day to be held at the WSAC, organised by the Wangaratta Baptist Church. PHOTO: Simone Kerwin
Free summer fun at the pool By SIMONE KERWIN DON’T forget to put Wednesday’s Free Summer Fun Day at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre on your holiday schedule. Conducted by the Wangaratta Baptist Church, the Wednesday, January 10 event will see free entry to the WSAC pool for the
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whole community between 10am and 1pm, as well as an inflatable zone, and a free sausage sizzle from 10am to 2pm. Another fun day will be held on Wednesday, January 17 in Apex Park, where there will be a super slide, face-painting and free sausage sizzle, running from 10am to 2pm. There is no need to
book to attend the Free Summer Fun Days; children, teens and families are encouraged to just turn up on the day. Parents are responsible for their children at all times. For more information about the events, contact Pastor Aaron Wardle on 0415 721 590 or search for the events on Facebook.
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Welcoming Families To Our Community For 2025-2026 G A L E N C AT H O L I C C O L L E G E
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Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
October Monday, October 2, 2023 Crime Rate Up WANGARATTA’S overall crime rate over the past financial year is up 13.7 per cent on last year, but local police say there’s no cause for alarm and believe there is infact a silver lining in the increase. Data released from the Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday shows the number of criminal incidences in the Rural City of Wangaratta rose to 1850 - the second highest in the past decade.
Wednesday, October 4 Joelie behind the Kiss army JOELIE Younger had the opportunity to design and make the costumes and makeup for Kiss’ AFL Grand Final pre-game show that was performed at a sold-out MCG on Saturday. It was a mammoth undertaking for Ms Younger to transition the 502 children and the four Kiss minis, inspired by the band’s aesthetics and classic costumes.
Friday, October 6 Flood watch NEAR-record breaking rainfall through the state’s Alpine Shire earlier this week was expected to result in floodwaters just shy of the major level overnight in Wangaratta. Some 30 years after Wangaratta’s 1993 one-in-100-year October floods, the rural city yesterday braced for near-major floods for the second time in as many years, following torrential falls in the Ovens River catchment on Tuesday night.
Monday, October 9 Safety boost FLEXIBLE safety barriers along the Hume Freeway have saved lives with the number of fatalities and serious collisions reducing by 35 per cent since their installation in October 2019. Historical data between 2002 and 2019 show 35.4 serious or fatal crashes on the Hume Freeway occurred on average each year compared to 23 in the 2020 to 2022 data period.
Wednesday, October 11 Fill flood gaps LOCAL SES members are hoping to build a broader picture of the region’s flooding impacts, in the wake of the Ovens River’s most recent moderate flooding event.
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: Elias (Catman ROCKSTAR to perform in Joelie ed cit Mini) was ex Grand me for the AFL Younger’s costu ow. sh Final pre-game- O: Mushroom Events PHOT
SPECIAL VISITO R: Wangaratta’s St Patrick’s Hall early vot ing centre received a visit from Aus tral Minister Anthony Albane ian Prime se who continued to flag his on Friday, support for the ‘Yes’ campaign ahead of this Saturday’s ‘The Voice’ refe Albanese spoke with loc rendum. Mr al elder Uncle Dozer (picture Bpangerang d), as well as members of Wangaratt a’s ‘Yes23’ cohort throughout. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
After the river passed the moderate flood level for the second time this year late last week, Wangaratta SES unit controller Jess Zuber said local crews would welcome community feedback on whether the way their properties were impacted had changed in recent years.
Friday, October 13 Solar battle EFFORTS to halt development of a $750m proposed solar farm at Meadow Creek have gained parliamentary support, with Wangaratta-based state upper house MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell launching a bill to protect Victoria’s prime agricultural land. The One Nation MP’s Planning and Environment Amendment (Soil Protection) (Solar Power Generation Facilities) Bill 2023 was formally tabled before the Legislative Council last week, in an effort to protect “precious agricultural land and water catchments” from large-scale solar farm development.
Monday, October 16 Indi votes no INDI voters have given a resounding No to altering the Constitution to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Voters were massively against the notion, with just 33.2 per cent Yes and 66.8 per cent writing No on their ballot papers, as of Sunday afternoon, with postal votes still being counted.
Wednesday, October 18 Permit delay PLANNING permit application processing times in Wangaratta dipped to new lows last financial year with just 55.61 per cent processed within the timeframe and the average application taking 105.8 days between lodgment and determination. To address similar trends across Victoria, the State Government has announced new measures to hand over extended powers to the Minister for Planning to approve residential developments speed up the building of affordable housing.
WORK UNDER WAY: Uniting past president Alistair Macrae (front left) and Uniting general manager, housing and property Kristie Looney, with the project team including Ethan Pan - Uniting development manag er (left), Natalie Murphy - Homes Victoria, Geoff Dinning - Wangaratta Uniting Church , Carey Landwehr and Ben Inman - Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, Serg Djurovic - D5 Build, Jan Berriman - Uniting head of housing strategy and develop ment, and Chris Kelly - project director Point Polaris. PHOTO: Steve Kelly h i to t emerge from f th h after ft a hoping the ashes, fire at their Mullinmur Billabong storage shed destroyed thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment at the weekend. An 11-year-old boy was rescued from the site by a passer-by and treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics around 7pm on Sunday evening, as emergency crews converged on the Phillipson Street site, in the vicinity of Galen College and the Borinya Community Partnership.
Monday, October 23 Solar queries A KING Valley CFA captain has called for additional consultation on how the local brigade would proceed in the event of a fire at a proposed 1400 acre solar farm at Meadow Creek. The $750m development is forecast to host up to 330MW of energy and power as many as 110,000 homes, as part of an increasing focus on renewables in North East Victoria.
Friday, October 20 Flaming shame
Wednesday, October 25 Easing social housing strain
WANGARATTA’S Landcare and Sustainability (WLS) community will be
WORKS have begun on the $18 million, 44-unit community housing development
l t St tt th on T Templeton Streett iin W Wangaratta, the first of its kind in regional Victoria, that aims to help alleviate a long 1000-person waiting list for affordable homes across the region. The units will be one and two bedroom, which will house about 100 people, and it was made possible by $13.5m through the State Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build initiative.
Friday, October 27 Free stage joy SPACE provided by the Wangaratta Club will enable the free outdoor stage element of the final Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues to go ahead on the first weekend in November. The Saturday afternoon/evening session will channel the spirit of the much-loved former Reid Street free stage, with local performers set to entertain the public between 4pm and 8pm on November 4.
Monday, October 30 Odour drift guilt TWO Wangaratta locals have told of the impact a Wangaratta sausage casing factory had on their day-to-day
lives, after the Shanley Street business dispelled persistent offensive smells throughout the city late last year. Van Hessen Australia Pty Ltd on Friday pleaded guilty to Environment Protection Authority (EPA) charges the company had failed to ensure odours from its wastewater treatment plant were not released beyond the boundaries of th premises. the
Wednesday, November 1 W IIt’s bubbly relief KING Valley winemakers say Australia’s decision to walk away A from a trade deal with European fr Union (EU) was the right one, offering U them more security around the grape th vvariety, prosecco, which is worth more than $80 million annually to the local industry. Trade Minister Don Farrell ended talks in Osaka on Monday, after the EU refused to budge on geographical indicators being attached to products like prosecco wine, feta and parmesan cheese, which would have prevented Australian producers using the product names.
Friday, November 3 Our festival’s ‘Last Hurrah’ CELEBRATION of a 33-year-old Australian music institution will be the focus of this weekend, as the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues bows out with its ‘Last Hurrah’. Tonight’s sold-out gala dinner featuring Wilbur Wilde at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre will kick off the final festival in its current form, before Saturday afternoon’s National Jazz Awards finals, and Saturday night’s performances by Barney McAll with Unforeseen, and Elixir featuring Katie Noonan, also at the WPACC.
THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 9
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Monday, November 6 One last song IT was an emotional weekend for volunteers who have played their role in the more than 30-year history of the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, as the event celebrated its ‘Last Hurrah’ under its current format. A sold-out gala dinner at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) on Friday night sparked strong attendance throughout the weekend, with more than 200 enjoying Saturday afternoon’s National Jazz Awards, and more than 400 attending an evening performance by renowned jazz band Elixir featuring Katie Noonan.
Wednesday, November 8 Curfew review WANGARATTA council will review the outcomes of cat curfews nationally and in the North East before assessing whether to implement similar constraints locally. Indigo Shire councillors last week green-lit a 24/7 cat curfew to begin six months from now, with the goal of preventing domestic cats from leaving the boundary of their registered property unless under supervision.
Friday, November 10 Rezoning need DEMAND for land sizes should be taken into account when it comes to the rezoning of land, to make properties more available and affordable in Wangaratta, according to Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees. His comments came as councillors endorsed a new land strategy for public exhibition, specifically for Wangaratta that investigates future needs of low density and rural residential zoned land.
Monday, November 13 Easing squeeze HOUSING development is getting back on track in Wangaratta, with new measures helping to overcome sewerage system capacity woes that slowed planning and building activity over the last few years. Construction in the Warby Views Estate off Cruse Street is continuing, ahead of thousands of lots in northwest and south Wangaratta marked for development in the coming years.
Wednesday, November 15 Backyard build IT will soon be easier for local property
Prosperity
EMBRACING HALL OWEEN: Leanne Meredith was am ong Wangaratta residents wh o decorating their houses enjoyed and welcoming trick-or-treate rs as part of yesterday’s Halloween celebrations. PHOTO: Simone Kerwin
owners to build a second home on their land, potentially providing extra living options for family members. Under State Government initiated changes, from next month landowners will no longer have to apply for a planning permit to build a granny flat of less than 60 square metres, allowing family members or renters to live independently on their land.
Friday, November 17 Jazz, blues revival mooted A GROUP of locals is working behind the scenes to resurrect the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues. A ‘Last Hurrah’ event was held earlier this month, after the festival’s board made the announcement in August that it could not proceed beyond 2023 due to financial constraints, uncertainty around music festivals, and diminished resources.
Monday, November 20 Fallen tree fears MULTIPLE serious incidents on local roads due to falling trees or limbs has a group of King Valley residents wanting action before somebody gets killed. The incidents have taken place over a number or years where occupants of the vehicles have been lucky to walk away without physical harm.
Wednesday, November 22 “Blindsided” COUNCIL has ruled out the Folk, Rhythm and Life festival from taking place this year based on the advice from the CFA, which has rejected the event’s staging due to an inadequate emergency management plan. But event organiser Hamish Skermer has confirmed although he is restricted to what he can say under advice from his legal team, he is intending to challenge the denial.
Low Lo Density and Rural Residential Strategy that will in time allow for the St St resizing of lots for potential land sales. re e es
Monday, November 27 M CFA tells why C THE Country Fire Authority has re responded to claims it was responsible fo for the cancellation of the Folk, Rhythm and Life festival at Eldorado that was scheduled for this Friday and over the weekend. Council issued a notice of decision to refuse a permit based on advice it received from referral authority the CFA and following enquiries from the Wangaratta Chronicle a problem was in relation perceived shortfalls within the emergency management plan and ample time before the festival to rectify them.
Wednesday, November 29 Spillway stoush A SPILLWAY built to prevent breakouts in a Markwood catchment of the Ovens River has landholders losing patience, experiencing unprecedented levels of flooding on their properties. Landholders south of the Markwood spillway built between McCormack Bridge (Tarrawingee) and Pioneer Bridge (Everton) has around 34 properties impacted by floods which is “cutting farms in half”.
Friday, December 1 Housing waitlist attack A GOAL to end homelessness in the area remains the fundamental drive for the region’s leading affordable housing developer, BeyondHousing, as it aims to construct 305 homes by the end of 2025. The housing provider is currently building 220 homes and they aim to construct 70 more in 2024, involving an investment of about $24m alongside key partner the Peter & Lyndy White Foundation.
Monday, December 4 Sporting hope
A SOUTH Wangaratta family is trying to make sure their house isn’t demolished to make way for road access to a potential future housing estate following the current public exhibition of a draft strategy. Wangaratta council endorsed a Draft
A SPORT based education program, The Academy, which formerly operated in Wangaratta under ex-AFL footballer Alex Rance, could return to the rural city, with council’s newly elected mayor and deputy fully behind a revitalisation of the initiative. Mayor Dean Rees and Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton spoke about the idea for council to work with a provider such as GOTAFE to secure funding so the program could be provided for local students in 2025.
Responsibility
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Friday, November 24 Home security
Wednesday, December 6 Break-in bungled
nowned RHYTHM: Re FEEL THE ans Ben Hauptmann ici in front Australian mus an performed and Katie Noon adoring jazz fans 0 of more than 40 Performing Arts tta at the Wangara Centre on Saturday n and Conventio angaratta Jazz and W e th as g, in even ‘Last celebrated its Blues Festival . at rm rrent fo Hurrah’ in its cu OTO: Marc Bongers PH
A NEW South Wales man has been arrested and charged after allegedly being caught burgling a Wangaratta tobacco store in the early hours of Saturday morning. Detective Senior Constable Tim Doyle of Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit said a 37-year-old Narrandera man had been bailed as a result of the alleged offending, after he was reportedly caught attempting to steal cash, safes and an automated teller machine (ATM) from the Ford Street TSG.
Friday, December 8 Mixing it with best FRESH from their whirlwind trip to Sydney for the opening of the Artful Art Show, Artmania Wangaratta director Shea O’keefe and studio artist Ryan Mullavey are still buzzing from the experience. Ryan, runner-up in the mixed media section of the National Artful Art Prize, was a guest at Achieve Australia’s Igniting Inclusion event held in Parramatta, the pair flown up to attend the gala and opening, held to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
Monday, December 11 Demons building BY far the most successful recruiters through the off-season to date, Milawa’s list seems to be even stronger than the group which made finals in both grades in 2023. The club has announced nine new signings to the red and blue, with height, skill and experience sure to bolster all three lines.
Wednesday, December 13 Top of their class WANGARATTA’S three secondary schools have praised the efforts of their respective Year 12 cohorts in the wake of their VCE results on Monday. Hundreds of local Year 12 students were among more than 50,000 across Victoria who anxiously awaited their ATAR scores, with many waking up early to open their laptop and see how they did in their final year of school.
Friday, December 15 ‘Eerie’ storm cell lashes rural city A SERIES of storm cells which swept through the rural city on Wednesday evening left a trail of destruction in their
Diversity
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wake wake, and could see more trees fall in the coming weeks. Gusts of more than 90kph were recorded at Wangaratta Airport around 5pm, as heavy rain pummeled the region areas east of the Warby Range, while grass and tree fires at Tarrawingee, Dockers Plains and King Valley kept firefighters busy in trying conditions.
Monday, December 18 WSAC cost rise CONSTRUCTION of the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre’s (WSAC) expansion project will cost an extra $150,000 due to another rise in materials. The expansion works had already increased $3.92m in June 2022 when the price jumped from $8.46m to $12.38m.
Wednesday, December 20 Hub cash hope AN application for $4 million in Federal Government funding could help grant Wangaratta Senior Citizens Club’s New Year wish: progress on the mooted Wareena Park community hub. Rural City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure, Marcus Goonan, said council had been invited to complete a stage two application for the Growing Regions Fund in relation to the project.
Friday, December 22 Not over yet TWO well-attended recent meetings have put the continuation of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues on the agenda for 2024. Another gathering is planned for early January, when it’s hoped further community support will be forthcoming to ensure the festival continues beyond this year’s event, held in November, which was billed as its ‘Last Hurrah’.
Friday, December 29 Looking ahead with confidence LOCALS should look forward with confidence to 2024, according to Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees. As the current council enters the final year of its term, with elections to be held in October, Cr Rees - now the municipality’s longest-serving mayor - said there was still “a lot to get done”.
Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
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Junior Reporter Club
Summer Time What are the 3 hottest months in Australia? A. January B. February C. March D. April E. May F. June G. July H. August I. September
h c t Ma uns s e th
J. October K. November
L. December. Answers: L. December, A. January, B. February.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... Kieran Hope ..............................................January 9 Billie Karp ...................................................January 9 Grace Stephens .......................................January 9 Emily Ievenieks.........................................January 9 Xavier Dodgshun .............................January 10
Sonny Wallace ......................................... January 11 Bella-Quinn Fenn ................................... January 12 Clancy Ledger......................................... January 12 Joel McNeill ............................................. January 12
This Week’s Winner of a birthday cake from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse is Xavier Dodgshun To be in the running to win a birthday cake from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse, join the Junior Reporter Club. Phone 5723 0100 or email bsommer@nemedia.com.au with your child’s name, address, DOB and phone number. Your address and phone number will not be printed in the Chronicle but is required to contact you should you win the cake. Birthday Book is for 1 to 14 year olds. All existing Birthday Book participants will remain eligible to win a birthday cake. Please note 48 hours notice required.
6 67a Reid Street W WANGARATTA
P: 5722 9211 P
Pies, Pasties & Sausage Rolls, Salad Rolls, Breads, Cakes & Pastries, Cold Drinks & Coffee HOURS: H OUR RS S: M Mond Mo Monday on nd day y-F Friday rriid da ay 6 6.30am . - 5.30pm Saturday 7.00am S attu a urrda day 7 .0 00a 0am - 2.30pm
THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 11
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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
S T W I N S N E M O U T O A T E E A W E W O R K E A P E W E S O R T B N
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
Mere Note Omen Out Poet
5 To be catching or seizing,
an enclosed space (7) characteristic of something (7)
1 CREPUSCULAR (a) Pertaining to twilight (b) Gradually increasing in loudness (c) Composed of or like chalk 2 DUODENARY (a) Twofold (b) Able to last or endure (c) Relating to twelve
BIYWORD
321
8
CLUES: Conclude: you infer; I ... (5) Doctors (abb) (3) Established doctrine (5) Grapnel (7) Milk-producing ruminants (5) Motionless (5) Scot’s music (7) Secret agent (3) Sydney council: Ku-rin-... (3) The whole: ... of us (3)
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Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
SUDOKU
© Puzzles supplied by AUSPAC MEDIA
CROSSWORD
7
4
WHICH WORDS: 1 (a) Pertaining to twilight, 2 (c) Relating to twelve
6
3
BIYWORD
5
2
DOWN 1 Curvature 2 Island feast 3 Main point 4 Colony members
*6
1
c32o051
ACROSS 1 Pond organism 5 Archaeological site 6 Throw 7 Bungalows
A E L P A G L P A G L R B G M S D I O S E I P Y
SOLUTIONS
311
QUICK THINK
26 16
011 SUDOKU
051
Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.
ACROSS: 1 Alga, 5 Ruin, B 6 Cast, 7 Huts. G A I DOWN: 1 Arch, 2 Luau, D O G M A © 3 Gist, 4 Ants. G R A P P L E S 7 I L L S P Y E
X×P E+N P+I I-E K-I E÷P X+P
Web Work
WHICH WORDS
16 What is a typical
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
E I K N P X Y
Stake Tea Town Twin War
15 Name a current of air in
is to be doing what (7) 6 Name another term for a knitted jumper (7) 11 What is a male donkey (7) 12 Name a State in the central United States (7) 13 What are inns also known as (7) 14 What might we call the final part of a tennis match (4,3)
E-QUATIONS
Saw Set Sew Snow Sort
C A D I O G E N E S A A W B A D G E R L E A D O R A B L E B B A B Y E L A W P E E S C A P I S T S S R G N E L E D G E R J O I S T S N A A R P A C A D A V E R S A I K I E T A U N T S G O A N A G R A M S S N N E X H U M E T E S N A P S H O T
QUICK THINK
Legend detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia (7) 2 To be never growing old, is to be what (7) 3 What are sliding compartments as in pieces of furniture (7) 4 What is household rubbish called (7)
MINI WORD FIND
DOWN 1 Which sea-nymph in Greek
E-QUATIONS E:8, I:24, K:26, N:16, P:2, X:4, Y:6
philosopher (8) 7 What is a burrowing carnivorous mammal (6) 8 To be lovable, is to be what (8) 9 What is a standard rule, as of a company or society (6) 10 What, in particular, was Harry Houdini (8) 11 Name the lengths of timber etc, used for supporting ceilings etc (6) 14 What is an account book of final entry (6) 17 What are corpses also known as (8) 18 When one mocks, one does what (6) 19 What are transpositions of the letters of words or sentences (8) 20 To disinter, is to do what (6) 21 Name an alternative term for a photograph (8)
S T W I N S N E M O U T O A T E E A W E W O R K E A P E W E S O R T B N
ACROSS 3 Name a Greek Cynic
MINI WORD FIND 311
1011
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RURAL NEWS
Quality drafts beef up northern interest
BALANCED returns from Wangaratta’s annual New Year weaner feature sales brought steady returns in first-rate yardings of cattle across two bumper days last week. A total of $1.6m was turned over for Wangaratta’s Premier All Breeds Feature Weaner Sale on Thursday afternoon which had a yarding of some 1800 head. Between Tuesday and Thursday’s annual feature weaner sales, $6.1m was traded at the livestock exchange with around 6700 head of cattle yarded. While the coloured heifers brought in slightly higher results on Thursday at an average of $2.66/kg, steers performed around 30c/kg cheaper than Tuesday’s results, finishing with an average sale of $3.00/kg. Top of the range Black Baldy steers in the 300380kg range from vendors in Raheen Park and Brooklyn Pastoral were standouts and brought in solid returns from $3.00/kg to $3.30/kg. Corcoran Parker Wangaratta cattle agent Reiley Murtagh said it was a high quality line up once again for the colours sale, with a majority of the cattle attracting interest from northern buyers. “It was a pretty solid line up of young calves again, in the feeder section, the grown steers section; you were seeing prices anywhere from $2.70/kg down to $2.20/kg for Hereford types,” he said. “A few cattle were retained in the heifer section for breeders around here; local push was good enough too, a few local buyers were buying some cattle to grow out. “All the vendors and your purchasers I think would be very happy; it’s a step up from what was happening in December, cattle were presented beautifully.
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
“It was at a good rate where vendors were still getting a bit out of it and the people buying the cattle are buying top notch cattle that aren’t terribly dear.” Mr Murtagh said it was promising to see the strong contingent of northern buyers at both sales, with market trends highly dependent on the quality of season they will experience. “There’s far few cattle going up to Tamworth, Gunnedah, Gondiwindi, and they’re mainly buying these cattle to turn out and then do a kill job later in the year,” he said. “They’ve had a fair bit of rain in December and very early January and they’re predicted to get a bit more as well, so it’s good to see them come down here and buy these cattle.” The next round of annual feature sales at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange begin with the blue ribbon weaner steer sale on January 31, followed by the heifers on February 2. Mr Murtagh said he expected the sales later this month to fall around the same mark as the early January feature sales, with forecasted rain in the northern states and surrounds bringing potential of a slight uptick in the market come February. “I think it’s shaping up alright, it’s looking like it’s going to be pretty steady going forward,” he said. “The rain forecasted up north and surrounds going forward, whether there’s a massive increase when we get to our February sales it’s hard to pick, but it’s going to be very close to the mark we’ve seen in January.”
AN ANNUAL EVENT: Maindample’s Tony Marchese and Vincenza Di Filippo with daughter Elena were at the all breeds weaner feature sale in Wangaratta on Thursday afternoon looking to sell 55 head of cattle. PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann
Wangaratta Livestock Exchange: Market report Thursday, January 4 Vendor Head/Breed Avg. Wt. C/kg STEERS BROOKLYN PAST 8 MIXED 540 1460 FRASER ANDREW 5 MIXED 498 1370 CONROY JRM 16 SHORTHORN 452.5 1310 O'DONOGHUE M & TD 14 HEREFORD 448.57 1200 GRANITE FLAT PASTORAL 14 ANGUS X H’FORD 407.5 1295 HEALY C & T 12 ANGUS X H’FORD 426.25 1315 MCGUFFIE GLENBURN P/L 1 ANGUS X H’FORD 475 1280 BOURKE B & B 7 CHAROLAIS 502.86 1420 GLEN VALLEY PASTORAL 11 CHAROLAIS 452.27 1305 FRASER ANDREW 14 ANGUS 409.29 1280 HALL CJ 6 HEREFORD 459.17 1270 VALLEY VIEW P/SHIP 2 HEREFORD 457.5 1270 RAHEEN PARK PARTNERSHIP 24 MIXED 370.4 1190 RAHEEN PARK PARTNERSHIP 25 ANGUS 376.8 1190 HEIFERS DAVILAK PAST CO 12 ANGUS 435.83 1150 HEALY C & T 16 ANGUS X H’FORD 374.69 1190 GRANITE FLAT PASTORAL 13 ANGUS X H’FORD 380.77 1105 FRASER ANDREW 14 ANGUS X 410 1115 BRIGGS RJ & PC 12 CHAROLAIS 363.33 1030 Nagnom Family Trust 27 CHAROLAIS 328.89 905 DEEPDALE P/L 6 CHAROLAIS 313.33 865 BOURKE B & B 14 CHAROLAIS 380.71 1090 VALLEY VIEW P/SHIP 6 LIMOUSIN X 385.83 1045 VALLEY VIEW P/SHIP 11 LIMOUSIN X 329.09 895 CRADDOCK DANIEL 2 SIMMENTAL 367.5 1060
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Global dairy infrastructure experts coming for Raising the Roof 2024 SOME of the world’s leading experts in the design and management of dairy feeding and housing infrastructure are coming to Australia in February to share their knowledge with Australian farmers at the ‘Raising the Roof 2024’ event. Presented by Dairy Australia and Agriculture Victoria, Raising the Roof 2024 will run from Tuesday, February 27 to Thursday, February 29 in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley. It is the only Australian dairy industry event dedicated exclusively to intensive farm systems, and is designed to help Australian dairy farmers learn global best-practice from international and local experts. A stellar lineup of global industry experts has been lured to Australia to present at the event. Michael Heinrich from GEA Farm Technologies in Europe will present on designing automatic milking systems in contained housing. Alain Houle from the Valmetal Group in the United States will talk on reducing emissions and renewable energy solutions. The topic of ‘Making housing systems an animal-centred environment’ will be covered by US experts Dr Mike Wolf of VES-Artex and Karl Burgi from SaveCows. The four international speakers will bolster an already strong line-up of local Australian experts that includes Professor Ian Lean (Scibus), Dr Steve Little (Capacity Ag Consulting), Scott McDonald (Agriculture Victoria), Professor Richard Eckard (University of Melbourne), Clare Fitzpatrick (Progressive Rural Solutions), Tony Anderson (Rural Bank), Claire Waterman (Agriculture Victoria), Sheena Carter (NSW Department of Primary Industries) and Brian Crockart (Agribusiness Solutions). Attendees at Raising the Roof 2024 will also hear first-hand from a number of Australian dairy farmers who have already successfully transitioned their farm systems. For more information on Raising the Roof 2024 click here: https://bit.ly/40RcWw8.
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 15
2023/24 season
SCOREBOARD: Saturday, January 6
CHARLIE STAFFORD
SAMUAL PIAZZA
KANE FITZPATRICK
KENT BRADEN
HARRY JONES
DELATITE DEF YARRAWONGA MULWALA
BEECHWORTH WANDERERS DEF BY BENALLA BUSHRANGERS
WANGARATTA MAGPIES DEF BY CITY COLTS
ROVERS UNITED BRUCK DEF OVENS VALLEY UNITED
YARRAWONGA MULWALA 1ST INNINGS Reid Clarke c: Ben Martin b: Matt Stevenson ....................9 Matt Knight c: Mitchell Copey b: Lachlan Scales ..............8 Matthew Casey b: Joe Kelleher...........................................3 Fraser Smart c: Ben Martin b: Matt Stevenson................23 Brock McCabe c: Matt Stevenson b: Nicholas Bogar........6 Ben McDonald lbw: Matt Stevenson ................................2 Angus McMillan (c) lbw: Mitchell Purcell..........................21 James Irvine (vc) c: Peter Scales b: Mitchell Purcell .......11 Matt McCabe c: Lachlan Scales b: Mitchell Purcell ...........1 Angus Heslin run out: Ben Martin.....................................12 Van Kreeck not out .............................................................1* Extras ....................................................................................22 Total ........................................................................... 10 / 118 Overs .................................................................................39.3 FOW: 1-16 Matt Knight, 2-23 Matthew Casey, 3-39 Reid Clarke, 4-60 Fraser Smart, 5-60 Brock McCabe, 6-83 Ben McDonald, 7-91 Angus McMillan, 8-91 Matt McCabe, 9-112 James Irvine, 10-118 Angus Heslin. Bowling: Lachlan Scales (c) 8/2/26/1, Joe Kelleher 5/0/18/1, Nicholas Bogar 4/1/20/1, Matt Stevenson 8/4/8/3, Gregor Fraser 8/0/34/0, Mitchell Purcell 6.3/3/9/3.
BENELLA BUSHRANGERS 1ST INNINGS Michael Honman c: Lewis Richards b: Gareth Taylor.....12 Gary Priest (c) c: B Surrey b: R Worcester...........................4 James Carboon lbw: Gareth Taylor....................................8 Priyank Chohan c: Clancy Ellett b: Gareth Taylor .............4 Ross Cavill c: Gareth Taylor b: Timothy Cogger ..............13 Jonty Priest b: Richard Worcester ....................................13 Daniel Brew lbw: Richard Worcester ................................12 George Lithgow c&b: Brenton Surrey ................................3 Charlie Bull b: Richard Worcester .......................................2 Conor Brodie not out .........................................................6* Tyler Begnone c: Clancy Ellett b: Richard Worcester .......4 Extras ....................................................................................32 Total.............................................................................. 10 / 86 Overs ....................................................................................37 FOW: 1-9 Michael Honman, 2-11 Gary Priest, 3-12 James Carboon, 4-13 Priyank Chohan, 5-45 Ross Cavill, 6-70 Jonty Priest, 7-73 Daniel Brew, 8-73 George Lithgow, 9-82 Charlie Bull, 10-86 Tyler Begnone Bowling: Gareth Taylor 8/1/17/3, Richard Worcester 8/1/22/5, Jake Biddulph 4/1/14/0, Timothy Cogger 7/3/10/1, Campbell Fendyk 6/0/12/0, Brenton Surrey (c) 4/1/7/1.
CITY COLTS 1ST INNINGS Mitchell Giggins (c) c: C Matheson b: Z Guilfoyle ............18 Aaron Thrum b: Charlie Stafford.......................................14 Isaac Willett c: Nic Bonwick b: Charlie Stafford ..............95 Josh Nanson c: Nic Bonwick b: Fraser Ellis .....................16 Kent Braden c: Fraser Ellis b: Nic Bonwick ......................25 Tyler Nanson c: Cooper Matheson b: Fraser Ellis .............5 Jessie Smith c: Jack Davies b: Fraser Ellis .......................13 Justin Solimo not out.........................................................5* Ben Feldtmann not out......................................................2* Archie Crispin .......................................................did not bat Matthew Lister .....................................................did not bat Extras ....................................................................................21 Total.............................................................................. 7 / 214 Overs ....................................................................................40 FOW: 1-32 Aaron Thrum, 2-41 Mitchell Giggins, 3-92 Josh Nanson, 4-152 Kent Braden, 5-159 Tyler Nanson, 6-198 Isaac Willett, 7-206 Jessie Smith. Bowling: Matt Gathercole 8/1/28/0, Thomas Clayton 7/0/48/0, Charlie Stafford 5/0/27/2, Zac Guilfoyle 8/0/46/1, Fraser Ellis 8/1/30/3, Nic Bonwick 4/0/32/1.
OVENS VALLEY UNITED 1ST INNINGS Seamus Phillips lbw: Jeremy Wilson ...............................27 Gurjot Gosal c: Matthew Winter b: Harry Jones................3 Kane Fitzpatrick c: Luke Whitten b: Harry Jones............37 Cooper Thomason c: J Beattie b: J Schonafinger ............1 Nicholas Bleeser c: J Schonafinger b: J Wilson ..............14 Dylan Bursill (c) lbw: Matthew Winter ..............................10 Thomas Chettleburgh run out: J Schonafinger, P McNamara ..2 Samuel Piazza not out .....................................................24* Nicholas Impink not out ....................................................2* Glenn White ..........................................................did not bat James Neary ........................................................did not bat Extras ....................................................................................24 Total.............................................................................. 7 / 134 Overs ....................................................................................40 Bowling: Harry Jones 8/1/24/2, Paddy McNamara (c) 7/1/20/0, Josh Ansell 5/0/29/0, Jacob Schonafinger 8/4/11/1, Jeremy Wilson 7/1/17/2, Matthew Winter 5/1/22/1.
DELATITE 1ST INNINGS Gregor Fraser b: Matt McCabe ...........................................24 Nick Scales (vc) st: Reid Clarke b: Brock McCabe .............8 Mitchell Copey c: Van Kreeck b: Brock McCabe ..............15 Nicholas Bogar c: James Irvine b: Angus McMillan ........38 Lachlan Scales (c) c: Reid Clarke b: Matt Knight ...............3 Ben Martin run out: Angus McMillan ................................48 Mark O’Loughlan c: Angus Heslin b: Van Kreeck ..............6 Mitchell Purcell not out ......................................................0* Joe Kelleher not out ...........................................................0* Christopher Anderson.........................................did not bat Peter Scales ..........................................................did not bat Extras ......................................................................................7 Total.............................................................................. 7 / 143 Overs ....................................................................................40 FOW: 1-31 Nick Scales, 2-45 Gregor Fraser, 3-53 Mitchell Copey, 4-57 Lachlan Scales, 5-127 Nicholas Bogar, 6-131 Mark O’Loughlan, 7-143 Ben Martin. Bowling: James Irvine (vc) 5/0/28/0, Angus Heslin 7/0/36/0, Angus McMillan (c) 8/2/14/1, Brock McCabe 8/2/16/2, Matt McCabe 6/0/22/1, Matt Knight 3/0/11/1, Van Kreeck 2/0/14/1, Ben McDonald 1/0/1/0.
BEECHWORTH WANDERERS 1ST INNINGS Kayde Surrey lbw: Conor Brodie ........................................4 Clancy Ellett c: Gary Priest b: Charlie Bull........................12 Campbell Fendyk c: Jonty Priest b: Charlie Bull...............4 Brenton Surrey (c) c: Daniel Brew b: Ross Cavill .............22 Gareth Taylor c: Mitchell Wheelens b: Charlie Bull ...........4 Lewis Richards c: Ross Cavill b: Conor Brodie ..................1 Richard Worcester c: Ross Cavill b: Charlie Bull................2 Jake Biddulph c: Jonty Priest b: Tyler Begnone .............10 Dylan Pool c: Ross Cavill b: Tyler Begnone......................12 Hunter North not out .........................................................2* Fill-in run out: Daniel Brew, Gary Priest .............................3 Extras ......................................................................................4 Total.............................................................................. 10 / 76 Overs .................................................................................27.1 FOW: 1-4 Kayde Surrey, 2-20 Campbell Fendyk, 3-21 Clancy Ellett, 4-21 Gareth Taylor, 5-25 Lewis Richards, 6-30 Richard Worcester, 7-48 Brenton Surrey, 8-62 Jake Biddulph, 9-69 Dylan Pool, 10-76 Player Bowling: Conor Brodie 8/1/18/2, Charlie Bull 8/1/18/4, Priyank Chohan 2/0/12/0, Tyler Begnone 5.1/3/9/2, Ross Cavill 4/0/19/1.
WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS Cooper Matheson c: Tyler Nanson b: Josh Nanson .........2 Nicholas Pell run out ............................................................0 Jack Davies (c) c: Mitchell Giggins b: Jed Marek .............28 Fraser Ellis lbw: Matthew Lister.........................................40 Nic Bonwick c: Mitchell Giggins b: Jed Marek .................14 Callum Honey lbw: Jed Marek ............................................2 Zac Guilfoyle not out ........................................................32* Charlie Stafford b: Matthew Lister ....................................13 Matt Gathercole c: Josh Nanson b: Tyler Nanson ............4 Thomas Clayton not out....................................................9* Jarryd Wallace .....................................................did not bat Extras ....................................................................................14 Total.............................................................................. 9 / 194 Overs ....................................................................................40 FOW: 1-2 Nicholas Pell, 2-2 Cooper Matheson, 3-72 Jack Davies, 4-78 Fraser Ellis, 5-106 Nic Bonwick, 6-106 Callum Honey, 8-158 Charlie Stafford, 9-173 Matt Gathercole. Bowling: Josh Nanson 8/0/44/1, Tyler Nanson 8/0/32/1, Kent Braden 7/0/35/0, Archie Crispin 4/0/18/0, Jed Marek 5/1/19/3, Matthew Lister 8/0/41/3.
ROVERS UNITED BRUCK 1ST INNINGS Luke Whitten c: Kane Fitzpatrick b: Samuel Piazza..........3 Jeremy Wilson c: Gurjot Gosal b: James Neary ..............35 Jacob Beattie lbw: Gurjot Gosal .......................................16 Paddy McNamara (c) c: Gurjot Gosal b: James Neary .....3 Josh Ansell lbw: James Neary ............................................4 Jacob Schonafinger c: J Neary b: C Thomason ..............20 Matthew Whitten run out: Glenn White ...........................40 Harry Jones c: C Thomason b: N Bleeser ........................31 Connor Dennis not out.......................................................2* Matthew Winter not out.....................................................2* Blake Nixon ..........................................................did not bat Extras ....................................................................................30 Total.............................................................................. 8 / 186 Overs ....................................................................................40 Bowling: Cooper Thomason 7/0/42/1, Samuel Piazza 6/0/42/1, James Neary 8/1/28/3, Gurjot Gosal 8/3/19/1, Glenn White 8/2/25/0, Nicholas Bleeser 3/0/24/1.
A RESERVE
City Colts 10/90 Tyler Schulze 14 Matthew Prestianni 3/16 def by Wangaratta Magpies 10/162 Zachary Wallace 56 Harvey Moore 4/39. Ovens Valley United 10/146 Marcello Vescio 58 Simon Godfrey 2/40 def Rovers United Bruck 10/135 Senaka Lakmal 34 Marcello Vescio 3/21. Benalla Bushrangers 4/141 Simon Briggs 57* Jack Andison 2/27 def Rutherglen United 10/114 Dean Simmons 57 Leigh Pollard 4/17.
Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
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Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2023/24 season
SCOREBOARD: Saturday, January 6
RUB too strong for Ovens Valley By WILLSON MACK
ALL-ROUND DISPLAY: RUB’s Jeremy Wilson made 35 with the bat and took 2/17 with the ball in his side’s win over Ovens Valley United. PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie
CATCH: Kane Fitzpatrick hits one at Jeremy Wilson.
RIGHT ARM OVER: Jacob Schonafinger steams in.
SHOT: Gurjot Gosal hits a cover drive.
ROVERS United Bruck proved too strong for Ovens Valley United in their WDCA A grade match at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday. Ovens Valley United elected to bat with Seamus Phillips (27) and Kane Fitzpatrick (37) providing some stability at the top of the order before 24 not out from Sam Piazza saw them set RUB 135 for victory. Hawks’ seamer Harry Jones was excellent with the ball taking 2/24 from eight overs, while Jeremy Wilson’s offspinners proved handy as he finished with figures of 2/17 from seven overs. “We bowled really well and probably could’ve kept them under 120 but we dropped away in the last 10 overs and gave them a few more runs,” RUB skipper Paddy McNamara said. “Harry Jones bowled well at the top and took some big wickets and then ‘Schona’ (Schonafinger) and ‘Jez’ (Wilson) built pressure with dot balls and took a couple of wickets.” Despite losing Luke Whitten (3) early, the Hawks’ chase got off to a flier with Wilson (35) and Jacob Beattie (16) getting their side to 1/56 before Beattie departed. Paddy McNamara (3), Josh Ansell (4) and Wilson fell in quick succession taking their side to 5/74 with the Tigers back in the game. However, a 64 run stand between Jacob Schonafinger (20) and Matt Whitten (40) saw the Hawks home, eventually going on 8/186 from their 40 overs.
“We threw ‘Jez’ (Wilson) up the order to get us off to a good start and he did that which was great,” McNamara said. “We lost a few wickets in the middle but because we got off to a pretty good start we didn’t have to panic. “Matt Whitten and ‘Schona’ (Schonafinger) came in at the end and ticked the runs over and got us home. “Harry Jones (31) batted well after the game was won and helped put an extra 50 runs on which could come in handy at the end of the season with bonus points.” RUB sit in third position on the overall ladder with McNamara pleased with where he side sits. “A few sides did us some favours this weekend so we’re happy to be in third position,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep ticking wins off and lock ourselves into that top four and then strive for top two. “But yeah I’m pretty pleased with how we’re going.” Meanwhile, Delatite provided one of the upsets of the season when they downed ladder leaders Yarrawonga Mulwala at Lords Reserve. Delatite rolled the Lakers for just 118 with Matt Stevenson and Mitch Purcell picking up three wickets each before chasing the total just four wickets down. Ben Martin led the charge with the bat with a 48 run effort, while Nicholas Bogar (38) and Gregor Fraser (24) were also prominent.
Isaac Willett posts 95 in City Colts’ win over Magpies ■ From back page
City Colts’ rising star Jed Marek was the pick of the bowlers taking 3/19 from five overs, while Matt Lister was also strong with figures of 3/41. “We probably opened the door a little bit with the ball but for the most part I felt we were in control,” Giggins said. “We set our field pretty deep and gave them ones and twos which held us in pretty good stead. “Fraser Ellis and Zac Guilfoyle both batted well but we felt like we were in control for most of the game. “Jed Marek would’ve been the pick of our bowlers, he’s still playing under 16’s so he’s going to be a good bowlers in the years to come.” Giggins said the twilight clash provided a great atmosphere but said there were a few little things that may need to be looked at if the fixture is to be played again. “It was a really good atmosphere because we had both team’s reserves come and watch and then Rovers (United Bruck) popped over after their game so there were plenty of people there,” he said. “There were a few little things that made things a bit tough though, the ball got pretty dewy – it was like holding a bar of soap at times. “I struggled to see the ball and a few of the boys said they couldn’t really see it off the bat. “I’d definitely be happy to give it another go though, it was a good change up but maybe a T20 twilight game would be a good option too.”
TEXTBOOK: Isaac Willett hits a cover drive in City Colts’ win over Wangaratta Magpies. PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie
WELL BOWLED: Matt Gathercole in action.
STRONG GAME: Fraser Ellis picked up 3/30 and made 40 in his side’s loss.
AERIAL ROUTE: Josh Nanson hits one over the top.
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 17
SPORT
Triumphant return for Wahgunyah Speedway with Christmas races By DEAN THOMPSON WAHGUNYAH Speedway returned to action on Saturday, December 30 with not one, not two, but three big feature events plus supporting categories. Held underneath the recently installed LED lighting system that was required to replace the former lights which were destroyed during the November 2022 flooding of the Corowa– Wahgunyah area, the stage was set The traditional Boxing Day fixture had to be moved a week back due to weather, but fans and drivers were treated to a terrific night’s racing, with two feature length race records set in Sports Sedans by Josh Service from Melbourne and in Goulburn Ovens Sedans by Daniel McCarten of Albury. In the traditional Noel McGrath Memorial for Production Sedans Zoey Salau from Swan Hill would hold out Scott Hawkins from Leeton and Chris Fitzgerald from the Wangaratta club. Salau took the lead in the final from the drop of the green flag and local hope Jack Bear was the first favoured driver to exit the race. At the fall of the chequered flag, Salau had claimed a first blue-ribbon Production Sedan feature event victory in front of Hawkins, Fitzgerald, Leighton Evans, and Kenneth Mankey after earlier power
INSIDE TRACK: Daniel McCarten hugs the corner at Wahgunyah Speedway on Saturday, December 30. steering issues in the night. The Sports Sedan class were competing for the Grand Slam with $1000 up for grabs to the winner. Dennis Reid, Josh Service and Reid a second time won the three heat races heading into the feature event with Reid’s last win by half a car length at the finish line with Craig Cottier breathing down his neck. In the feature event for the Sports Sedans, Josh Service from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs assumed the race lead on lap one after starting at the front of the field with Reid.
Bradin Claridge moved into second spot ahead of Reid on lap eight and at the halfway mark Service led Claridge, Reid, Daryl Joosten and Craig Cottier and that is how things remained. Forging ahead by almost a quarter-track margin, Service went on to win from Claridge by five seconds at the finish line with Reid, Joosten and Cottier rounding out the top five. Racing for the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association, the second night of two for the Colin Young Memorial, saw competitors each compete in three of the six qual-
ifiers before their twentylap feature event. State champion Justin Brockley claimed a huge win in heat race number one finishing ahead of potential overall honours combatants Billy O’Donoghue, Tommy Schmetzer and Ben Schmetzer. Brodie Montague then won heat two, O’Donoghue claimed victory in heat three, Daniel Joosten was a winner in heat four, with heats two to four all finishing less than a car length apart. Daniel McCarten took victory in heat five and Daniel
PHOTO: Vern Parker
Kettels claimed a win in the last heat race. As the feature event got underway Joosten settled out front ahead of O’Donoghue, Kettels, Brockley and McCarten. At the halfway mark Joosten led McCarten, Ross Maclean, Brockley, and Mitch Watts. McCarten then moved to the lead on lap fourteen and with five to go led Joosten, Brockley, Maclean, and Watts. Brockley moved to second on lap 16 and Joosten and Maclean swapped positions a number of times lap after lap until McCarten claimed
victory by a car length in front of Brockley, Joosten, Maclean and Watts. In support class, action state Standard Saloon champion Rhys Lansdown claimed a win in the twelvelap final ahead of Trevor Evans. Evans had the lead of the race briefly before Lansdown moved back to the front of the field. Lansdown from Wahgunyah finished in front of Evans, Josh Delarue, Micheal Fleming-Robertson, and Rhyse Lavender. In Ladies Sports Sedans, Chelsea Hodge from Bendigo claimed the win in front of Lisa Chalcraft, Tara Johannesen, Chloe Creek, and Leah Orgill. A spin during the race to Orgill seen Emma Threlfall come unstuck with contact, and a winded Threlfall was cleared by medics soon after. Two Junior Sedan competitors were given the chance to get valuable lap times in for the nationally aligned up to 1500cc class. The more experienced Maddy Capon was first to the finish line in the final whilst newcomer Taijan Ussher from the Wangaratta club set a new one lap record time, the first time the class had competed with transponders at the venue. In Unlimited Sedan action, Corey McDonald from nearby Mount Beauty club claimed the win ahead of local member Wayne Eames and Peter Camilleri.
Prep going well for Australia Day tennis tournament By NATHAN DE VRIES THERE is just over a week remaining before entries close for the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club’s annual Australia Day tennis tournament. The main event on the club’s tennis calendar, the tournament will run from Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28 at the pristine courts in Merriwa Park. WLTCP president Barry Sullivan said the entries were above where they were last year, with the deadline of January 16 fast approaching. “Last year, we had 380 entries and we’re hoping to get close to 400 or a bit more this year,” he said. “The two open singles finalists have re-entered, we’ve got quite significant prize money for the men’s and women’s singles winners thanks to Premier Panels, so everything’s looking pretty good. “The courts are going to be in absolutely phenomenal condition. “Luckily, we got through the latest round of storms without too many issues. “Hot temperatures and plenty of natural rain, in addition to the normal watering you do, just sets the courts up to be in fantastic condition.” While some of the best tennis play-
ers in the North East are sure to be in attendance, Sullivan said the fun and festive atmosphere of the tournament was welcome to all who wanted to come. “We want to make sure everybody knows in the local area who’s interested in coming down and playing that it’s not just for the elite tennis players, there are many grades,” he said. “We’ve got Open, A, B, C and D grades, so there’s plenty of opportunity for everybody. “There is certainly an opportunity for anybody in the local area to come down and play in the tournament in the grade they feel comfortable in, and make sure they enjoy a really good festive environment. “There’s lots of food and drink and socialisation going on down there. “We’ve got Minnesota Mike doing his famous barbecue ribs again on the Saturday night, so even if you’re not playing in the tournament, feel free to come down to the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club in Merriwa Park – you’ll be entertained by some great tennis and have a fantastic feed of barbecue ribs.” Entries close on Tuesday, January 16 – for the latest information on schedules, draws and more, visit https://www.wanglawntennis.com. au/tournament.html.
ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS: (from left) Sam Allen, Frank Harris (WLTPC secretary), Barry Sullivan (WLTPC president) and Lachie Canning (Premier Panels) are hard at work preparing for the tournament. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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HIGH HOPES: South Wangaratta harness trainer Sharon Hahne with Luverboy and Olly Odd Potts. The trio have high hopes for this Sunday’s meeting at Avian Park. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
BIG SWING : Rising tennis star Tom McInerney hits a forehand at Merriwa Park on Saturday morning. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
Junior Tennis October
Friday, October 13 In search of consistency
Friday, October 20 Court queen’s honour
CHARLIE Stafford can’t wait to play his first Australian summer of cricket. The right-arm English bowler, hailing from Mottram CC, just outside Manchester, will suit up for the Wangaratta Magpies in the 2023/24 Wangaratta and District Cricket Association season.
WANGARATTA Magpies’ start to the WDCA 2023/24 season wasn’t how they drew it up but with a loss, comes a chance to bounce back. The defending one-day premiers fell to Yarrawonga-Mulwala in their round one clash but skipper Jack Davies said his side took plenty of positives from the loss as they turn their attention to Ovens Valley United.
Wednesday, October 4 In the swing of it
Monday, October 16 Rovers lock in coaches
WANGARATTA’S Michelle Hill has taken out the Most Outstanding 30+ Tennis Master award at the 2023 Victorian Tennis Awards, held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on Tuesday night. The Victorian Tennis Awards, delivered by Tennis Victoria, align with the Australian Tennis Awards, and Victorian Tennis Award winners with a national category are now eligible to be nominated for the 2023 Newcombe Medal (the Australian Tennis Awards).
Monday, October 2 Stafford: Let it rip
DESPITE the wild weather over the past day or so, the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club is confident everything will be ready by this weekend to get their season started. While the WLTC’s official aggregate season doesn’t commence until next weekend, there’ll still be action at the courts at Merriwa Park on Saturday, with a junior come-and-try day at 9am, and a senior social round-robin aggregate hit in the afternoon.
Friday, October 6 It’s time to play ball WANGARATTA and District Cricket Association president Justin Kelly is happy the season is just one day away. The region’s A and A reserve competitions begin tomorrow, with the other grades to commence next weekend.
SEASON 2024 is looking like a strong one for the Wangaratta Rovers’ netball sides, with the club announcing their coaching line-up last Wednesday. Gracie Reid will continue on in the A grade coaching role, and will be assisted by long time Milawa coach Stacey Lamb.
Wednesday, October 18 Young boxers shine ULTIMATE Fighting Academy (UFA) in Wangaratta may have unveiled their next boxing stars. Paddy Bennett and Luke Macklan made their boxing debuts at Lilydale last week with both fighters impressing.
Monday, October 23 Fresh faces for ‘Pies WANGARATTA have been quick to bolster their stocks for the 2024 Ovens and Murray season. The Magpies have brought in West Preston Lakeside duo Alex Federico and Aidan Tilley who both have VFL experience under their belts.
Wednesday, October 25 Rovers land EDFL pair WANGARATTA Rovers have locked in an Essendon and District Football League duo for 2023. Sam Cattapan has played more than
Friday, October 27 City Colts’ biggest challenge awaits AFTER a tough 2022/23 season, City Colts have started their new campaign with a bang winning two of their first three matches. After falling to Ovens Valley United by a hefty margin in round one, City Colts have bounced back admirably to down Beechworth and Benalla the following weeks.
Monday, October 30 New look for WLTC THE winds of change are blowing through Merriwa Park, with the storied tennis club updating its name to reflect the breadth of sporting options on offer. Formerly the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club, the entity will take on a new name reflecting all users, and will henceforth be known as the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis, Croquet and Pickleball Club.
THE local cricket season may only be a month old, but players are already being warned abusive language and sledging is not acceptable. Wangaratta and District Cricket Association umpires are making a concerted effort to stamp out sledging and ensuring the game is played in the spirit and to the rules as set out in the Laws of Cricket, as written by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
OVENS Valley United kick-started their 2023/24 season with a handy win over City Colts at Bill O’Callaghan Oval on Saturday. The Tigers maintained a strong line and length with the ball to knock Colts over for 71, before reaching the total with four wickets in hand, eventually recording 132.
A QUARTET of Murray Bushrangers impressed at the AFL National Draft Combine on the weekend. Wangaratta Rovers’ gun and projected first round draft pick Darcy Wilson smashed the 2km time trial, finishing second among his peers with a time of 5:52.
100 games for Aberfeldie, winning the club’s best and fairest in 2019 and featuring in the competition’s team of the year in 2019 and 2022.
Wednesday, November 1 Just not cricket
Monday, October 9 Tigers roar over Colts
Wednesday, October 11 Wilson stars at AFL National Draft Combine
Harness Racing
Friday, November 3 Dube to lead Blues
Cricket COLTS WIN WELL: City Colts’ Matt Lister celebrates one of his three wickets as City Colts downed Beechworth at Barr Reserve on Saturday. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
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OUTGOING coach Greg Newbold may have left some big shoes to fill out at the Greta Recreation Reserve, but if anyone can fill them, it’s Chris Dube. The 2018 Clyde Baker Medallist was confirmed as the Blues’ senior coach on the weekend after holding the coaching reins in the twos in the 2023 season.
Monday, November 6 Hawks’ huge signing WANGARATTA Rovers have continued their recruiting blitz, locking in VFL key forward John Jorgensen for the upcoming season. The 196cm tall played 17 games in Essendon’s VFL squad in 2023 with incredible scoreboard impact, including a bag of five against Collingwood.
Wednesday, November 8 Smith’s breakthrough REUBEN Smith from the Wangaratta Cycling Club has broken through with the biggest win of his career to take out the prestigious Melbourne Cup on Wheels last Saturday. The 17-year-old didn’t hit the lead until the very last bend of the Darebin International Sports Centre velodrome in the final, which was enough to claim a place in Victorian cycling history and a $750 pay cheque to boot.
Friday, November 10 Two-dayer grand final rematch ONE of the most heated and bitter rivalries in local cricket will be reignited at the WJ Findlay Oval this weekend, with Rovers United Bruck hosting Wangaratta Magpies in a two-day showdown. The second long form match for the season will pit two teams with experience battling it out in the whites against each other, with the Hawks prevailing when these two sides last faced off, taking the two-day premiership over the Magpies by six wickets back in March.
Monday, November 13 Match in the balance DAY one of the much anticipated A grade clash between Rovers United Bruck and Wangaratta Magpies didn’t disappoint, with 11 wickets falling to have the match poised on a knife edge. The Hawks were rolled by an extremely economic Magpies bowling attack for 114 runs, before RUB hit back late in the day, the ‘Pies to resume at 1/22.
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Wangaratta Sports Development Centre, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta Ph: 03 5722 1993 | Wodonga Ph: 02 6056 1993
THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024 - Page 19
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Golf
FULL STRETCH: Blake Brockman outplays three Wodonga players for the lay up in the Warriors’ loss on Saturday. PHOTO: Marc Bongers
GREEN IN REGULATION: Peter King lines up his putt at the Wangaratta Golf Club. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
Basketball
Wednesday, November 15 Happy homecoming
Friday, November 24 Best eyes graduation
Monday, December 4 Colts force collapse
BRAD Melville can’t wait to play full-time at Wangaratta for the first time since 2019. The gun midfielder has played the last three seasons at Richmond VFL, while the 2020 season was abandoned due to COVID-19. The 25-year-old is in the sweet spot of his career and will add plenty to a midfield that’s already been bolstered by the signing of West-Preston Lakeside gun Alex Federico, while Jackson Clarke will be back in action after missing half the 2023 season with injury.
BENALLA product Zak Best is on the cusp of claiming his first Dunlop Super2 Series title, heading into this weekend’s VAILO Adelaide 500 with a 30-point lead in the championship standings. Having finished runner-up in the last two series championships, Best will look to strengthen his claim to a seat in next year’s Repco Supercars Championship in the final two races of the 2023 season, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
THE City Colts A grade cricketers’ train is rolling on after a statement making win over Wangaratta Magpies at the Barr Reserve on Saturday. After last weekend’s weather ruined any chance of the game starting, the clash was changed to a one day match.
Friday, November 17 Richards is back
Monday, November 27 Cricket washed out
A WANGARATTA premiership player is returning to Norm Minns Oval as the Magpies continue their recruiting haul. 2017 premiership ‘Pie Nick Richards will return home after spending a year at Northern Football League side Heidelberg in 2021 and more recently Sydney where he featured for Pennant Hills in the AFL Sydney competition over the past two seasons.
ALL junior cricket matches and the vast majority of senior games in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association fell victim to the wet and wild weather across the region from Friday night and Saturday morning. The association started cancelling matches on Friday afternoon, with the All Girls Cricket League games the first to fall, followed by the Under 12 Gold competition.
Monday, November 20 Hawks roll Magpies
Wednesday, November 29 Exceptional eleven
ROVERS United Bruck rose from the dead to down Wangaratta Magpies at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday. After being rolled for just 114 on day one of the clash, not many would’ve given RUB a sniff but a four wicket haul to skipper Paddy McNamara saw the Hawks tear through the Magpies batting line up, knocking them over for just 93.
IT was a massive weekend for local horse trainers, tallying a mammoth 11 winners at Wodonga, Bong Bong, Cranbourne, Tatura and Hay across Friday and Saturday. Craig Weeding led the charge with four winners, all at Hay’s cup meeting on Saturday, while Dan McCarthy had three, Ben Brisbourne grabbed two and Andrew Dale and Ledger Racing had a winner each.
Wednesday, November 22 Wilson’s a Saint DARCY Wilson is a Saint. The Wangaratta Rovers and Murray Bushrangers product was drafted to St Kilda with pick 18 of the first round of the AFL Draft on Monday night. Incredibly, Wilson was one of four Bushrangers selected within the first round with Albury duo Connor O’Sullivan (pick 11, Geelong) and Phoenix Gothard (pick 12, GWS) also realising their dreams, while Oscar Ryan went to Adelaide with the 27th selection of the night.
racing is back for the annual Christmas Party Races.
Wednesday, December 6 “Unacceptable” SATURDAY’S C grade match between Strathbogie Panthers and Yarrawonga Mulwala was ended after 10.4 overs due to umpire abuse, and two members of the Strathbogie Panthers Cricket Club have been charged with abusive language, disputing an umpire’s decision, and intimidation of an umpire by threatening language. The players in question have been offered 10 week suspensions, which they can appeal, and the game was awarded to Yarrawonga Mulwala.
Friday, December 8 Live racing returns RACING returns to the Wangaratta Turf Club tomorrow for the first time since Wangaratta Cup Day. After track renovations prevented racing at the local club for months,
Monday, December 11 Bridge rebuild to close Green St for 6 months INLAND Rail works to replace the Green Street bridge will force a closure of the busy section of road for about six months from January 8. Vehicles will be directed to use either the Sisley Avenue level crossing or Rowan Street underpass to get across the rail line during the closure.
Wednesday, December 13 Naish is a Magpie WANGARATTA has landed arguably the biggest recruit of the off-season. Former AFL player Patrick Naish has joined the ‘Pies full-time after it was initially expected that he would nominate the ‘Pies as his home club while splitting his time with Carlton’s VFL side. Wangaratta have had a huge off-season locking in Alex Federico and Aidan Tilley from West Preston Lakeside, while Brad Melville and Nick Richards will return to their junior club.
Croquet
CALLUM Bott has made a flying start to his 2023/24 athletics season after taking home Australian All Schools Athletics Championships gold with the Victorian mixed 4x400m relay team. Running in his first 400m relay in Perth last weekend, the 15-year-old ran first for the Victorian mixed team starting from the outside in lane eight.
Monday, December 18 Giggins stars in Colts’ win CITY Colts hits the Christmas break in plenty of form after a strong win over Delatite at Barr Reserve on Saturday. Delatite won the toss and went into bat first, putting together a respectable 7/157 from their 40 overs with Lachie Scales leading the charge with a knock of 49 from 38 balls.
Wednesday, December 20 Weeding’s reeling winners in CRAIG Weeding’s excellent 2023/24 season continued on the weekend, reeling in two winners. Weeding’s Smart Poppy ($6) ran home to the second win of his career in race three (BM58) at Benalla by a convincing 2.25L, while A Bit Racey ($12) was too strong for his rivals in race seven (BM58) at Albury.
Friday, December 22 A Warrior on the water THERE’S not much Graeme Nugent hasn’t seen or accomplished while pursuing an almost decade-long career in dragoon boating. The experienced dragon boat paddler had an exceptional year on the water, with an Australian Masters Games win, competing in the inaugural Phillipines Kagay-an International and leaving the best until last with a win at the Penang International two weeks ago in Malaysia.
Friday, December 1 Colts keen for Magpies showdown AFTER play was called off last week due to rain and ground conditions, City Colts’ A grade squad have been doing everything they can to make sure they get a game this weekend. The downpour last Saturday came just as play was set to begin, with the rainfall ruining any chance of the match between Colts and Wangaratta Magpies from commencing on the Bill O’Callaghan Oval.
Friday, December 15 Bott dashes to gold
Friday, December 29 O’Brien’s a Hawk
DRAINAGE UPGRADE: Cheryle Beckley (left) and Joan Dyson’s (right) Wangaratta Croquet Club received a grant from Dean Rees’ (middle) Rural City of Wangaratta Council to upgrade the club’s drainage. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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WANGARATTA Rovers has landed arguably the biggest recruit of the O&M’s off-season. Former Carlton player Lochie O’Brien has signed at the club after 66 games in the Navy Blue in a huge boost. to Rovers’ aspirations of silverware.
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Wangaratta Sports Development Centre, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta Ph: 03 5722 1993 | Wodonga Ph: 02 6056 1993
Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, January 8, 2024
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Prep underway for annual tournament
Page 17
HOWZAT? O ? ROVERS United Bruck bowler Jeremy Wilson successfully appeals for LBW in his side’s win over Ovens Valley United on Saturday. ■ Story: Page 16. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
Willett stars in Colts’ win Isaac Willett makes 95 in ggame winning g knock as Cityy Colts down Wangaratta g Magpies gp
THE return of Isaac Willett proved a winning move for City Colts as they returned from the Christmas break in style to defeat Wangaratta Magpies in their WDCA A grade Saturday twilight clash. Back at his home club after years with Premier League outfit Essendon, Willett’s 95 from 89 balls
BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au
saw the Colts post a strong 214 from their 40 overs at Norm Minns Oval. The Magpies got off to the shakiest of starts at 2/2 but 40 runs from Fraser Ellis which was supported by
Zac Guilfoyle (32 not out) and Jack Davies (28) saw the home side come close to their target at 9/194, but it wasn’t enough to claim victory. City Colts skipper Mitch Giggins said Willett was on fire. “He (Willet) is just a class above,” Giggins said. “He’s played two games
for us now and has made around 170 runs so it’s handy when we can get him in for a game. “We’d love to get him for a few more games this season but it’s his first summer not playing cricket and I think he’s enjoying that.” A 28-run over off Magpies youngster Tom Clayton saw Willett take his run rate
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over 100 in a powerful display. Willett was supported well by his Colts’ teammates with five of the eight players who batted reaching double figures. “He was 50 or 60 off 80 rocks so it was a well-constructed innings for him because usually once he gets to 30 or 40 he starts whack-
ing them,” Giggins said. “He hit 28 off an over which took him to over a run a ball, I think he hit four sixes in that over. “He was the batter to go on with it but it was good that we had plenty of blokes getting starts, that’s something we spoke about pregame.” ■ Continued page 16
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