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Stem cell researcher joins elite company

Page 3

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ENJOYING CUP FEVER

tv GUIDE

Smith races to biggest win of his career

MELBOURNE Cup fever was everywhere on Tuesday across the rural city as most locals made the most of the public holiday including some keen 'racegoers' at the Wangaratta Turf Club.

A good crowd turned out in the Oaks Room to make the most of the carnival atmosphere despite the lack of ontrack action.

Pictured were Melissa Wernert and Deidre Harrington from Wangaratta and Jody Leonard from Wodonga grabbing some fresh air trackside before the cup.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Sport

CURFEW REVIEW Council cat p policyy to consider North East outcomes,, consult with communityy

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

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

preventing domestic cats from leaving the boundary of their registered property unless under supervision.

Some 86.18 per cent

of the 904 Indigo Shire community members surveyed were supportive of cat containment measures being introduced, with 60.18pc in favour of a 24hour curfew as opposed to a dusk to dawn constraint.

Protecting local wildlife (94.5pc) was the major reason cited by those in

support of the move.

Rural City of Wangaratta director sustainability and culture, Stephen Swart, said the success of cat curfews across the nation would be assessed as part of council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan review process.

“Council does not

currently have a cat curfew in place and will review this by considering lessons learnt from other councils and appropriate measures tailored to our community,” he said.

“Any future proposal to introduce a cat curfew will be informed by community engagement and will be

put forward as part of council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan review process.”

Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability president Russell Sully said he would encourage council not to rule out implementing a curfew, particularly at night.

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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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Council cat policy to consider North East outcomes, consult with community ■ From page 1

WAIT AND SEE: Wangaratta council will assess the success of cat curfews in other municipalities before it investigates whether one could be implemented locally.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

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are at risk, and it’s a good step and there are a lot of municipalities doing it across the nation.”

Having initially been cited as being in support of Indigo Shire’s curfew, a RSPCA spokesperson said further evidence was required to understand the impact of 24/7 restrictions on domestic felines.

“While the RSPCA encourages owners to keep cats contained in environments that meet their physical and mental needs, given the lack of evidence on the outcomes associated with 24/7 mandatory companion cat containment and many complex potential negative consequences that may arise, the RSPCA does not currently support the

introduction of mandatory 24/7 cat containment legislation,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Sully said fellow Landcare members Ian Davidson and Chris Tzaros had undertaken extensive work documenting “how rich the native wildlife is” in the Wangaratta region, and said it was important steps were taken to protect it.

“We need to do everything we can to protect their (native wildlife) habitat but also minimise the attacks on those animals by the likes of cats I suppose,” he said.

“The green spaces through Wangaratta with the old redgums are a beautiful natural asset to the whole livability of the municipality.”

Council touts strong Summer in the Parks THE Rural City of Wangaratta is preparing to host a jampacked Summer in the Parks program full of free or low-cost events later this year.

The December festivities kick off with the lighting of the Wangaratta Christmas Tree at the Ovens Riverside Square on December 1, before a host of events including the country music Regfest, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Aquathon, croquet and a dogs day out.

The 2023 events will be rounded out by council’s New Year’s Eve celebrations at the showgrounds, featuring music, food, wine and two rounds of fireworks.

TEMPERATURES:

“Cats can cause a huge amount of damage in killing native wildlife – particularly birds – and there’s quite a few efforts going on nationally to control feral cats and we’ve got to make sure cats that are pets are contained, particularly at night, because that’s when they can do a lot of damage,” he said.

“We haven’t got to that point locally, but it’s something we shouldn’t rule out – when you’re dealing with a whole lot of issues it’s about which issues rise to the top to be dealt with.

“Some of the smaller native mammals are also at risk, like the yellow-footed Antechinus – there’s a range of animals that

FUN IN THE SUN: Crowds flocked to Wangaratta’s Outdoor Ball in Merriwa Park last year.

PHOTO: Field of Canning’s Photography January will see a rubber duck regatta, a ‘pots, parmis and pooches’ day at the Vine Hotel, and a host of Australia Day events across the municipality.

To round out summer, February will include a body balance day in the King George V Gardens, the rural city’s Pride Fair Day to celebrate the LGBTQIA+

community, and the popular Latin-themed Outdoor Ball.

Mayor Dean Rees said the events calendar had plenty of offer this summer.

“It’s a time for the community to come together, create lasting memories, and relish the best of the season,” he said.

“Whether you call this place home or you’re just passing through, ‘Summer in the Parks’ has something for everyone.”

For the full program of events, visit https://www.wangaratta. vic.gov.au/Residents/Events/ Summer-in-the-Parks-20232024 or look out for the Summer in the Parks booklet coming to your letterbox soon.

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Police officer Kyle Gemmill made his way through Wangaratta on Sunday as part of his RUN4KB, honouring Brendan Warburton (also known as KB), a member of Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group community who succumbed to Ewing sarcoma. The rare cancer annually affects 200 Australians, and Kyle was keen to honour KB’s legacy through a fundraising 441km run from Nathalia to Melbourne’s Victorian Police Centre, where he will arrive tomorrow. Locals got behind the event during the Wangaratta leg, stopping and passing cash through Kyle’s support car’s windows as they watched him make his way through the rural city. The event has raised almost $90,000 for cancer research, and is on track to gather more than $100,000 by its end. For more information or to support Kyle’s fundraising effort, visit www.run4kb.com

RAINFALL:

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Tuesday

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Member

Time to remember at Saturday service

By SIMONE KERWIN

WANGARATTA’S RSL SubBranch will hold a Remembrance Day service at the city’s cenotaph on Saturday at 10.40am.

The ceremony will mark the 105th anniversary of the 1918 signing of the armistice be-

tween Germany and the Allies, which ended hostilities on the Western Front and was a step towards the end of World War 1.

Saturday’s ceremony will be conducted at the Wangaratta Cenotaph, on the corner of Ovens and Docker Streets, regardless of weather conditions, with warm temperatures currently

predicted for the rural city.

Guest speakers at the gathering will be the three recipients of the inaugural Bob Iskov Memorial Kokoda Scholarship, who represent Galen Catholic College, Wangaratta High School and Cathedral College Wangaratta.

Members of the public are

requested to arrive at the cenotaph before the 10.40am starting time, and veterans’ descendants are invited to wear the medals of their forebears on their right breast.

Those wishing to lay a wreath may do so, and there will be poppies for people to place in a hat for remembrance.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 3

Benalla fatal assault accused withdraws bail plans

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT: AURORA Australis (Southern lights) made an appearance on Monday night in Wangaratta around 10pm and is expected to be visible again through the camera throughout the remainder of this week with weather permitting.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling.

‘Dusty’ joins elite stem cell research company

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

FORMER Wangaratta High School graduate and now stem cell researcher Dr Dustin Flanagan has been recognised as one of Australia’s rising stars in his field as a winner of the 2023 Metcalf Prize.

One of two winners of the highly sought after award in the stem cell research field, the $60,000 main prize pinpoints two mid-career rising stars which aims to recognise and reward scientists who are conducting excellent and sustained work focused on stem cell research.

The National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia awarded Dr Flanagan the prize in recognition of his leadership in the field in his current and past research which has led to the development of treatments for Crohn’s disease, bowel cancer, and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Dr Flanagan said it was a humbling honour to be named among the highly regarded alumni of the Metcalf Prize.

“It’s good company to keep; you

EXCEPTIONAL RESEARCH: Former Wangaratta resident Dr Dustin Flanagan has been awarded as one of the winners for the highly regarded Metcalf Prizes for his work in development of treatments in gastrointestinal conditions. don’t always think of yourself in that sort of realm and to get a bit of a tap on the shoulder it’s nice,” he said.

“I’ve always tended to think I was in the background, I put my hand up for it and the judges voted in my

favour so it does feel good but it was unexpected.”

During his postdoctoral work in Scotland, Dr Flanagan made breakthroughs in colorectal cancer research as he and his team discovered a way to identify ‘born to be bad’ tumours in the early stages of colorectal cancer, which have only ever been identified in late–stage cancers.

He’s now at Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute turning his attention to stomach cancer, which is less common than bowel cancer but just as lethal.

Currently, people diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer have a less than 10 per cent chance of surviving more than five years - around 1200 Australians die from stomach cancer each year.

Dr Flanagan said he and his team were investigating the ‘plasticity’ of cancer stem cells to find weaknesses that can be targeted with new drugs.

“A lot of the time the standard treatment plan, which is maybe

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chemotherapy and another type of drug, tends to have a decent initial effect at knocking the head of the tumour, but then those patients will sadly become resistant to those treatments and then they’re left with not much option at all,” he said.

“Little is known about the molecular blueprints that control stomach cancer stem cells in particular.”

Dr Flanagan said with the help of the winnings of the Metcalf Prize, his goal was to make discoveries that have the potential to generate new therapies for therapy resistant metastatic gastric cancer.

“But I hope my research will also produce powerful insights that can be shared with the broader cancer research community and applied to other cancers plagued by drug resistance, such as breast and lung cancer,” he said.

The 2023 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research will be formally presented at the Australasian Society of Stem Cell Research Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney on Wednesday, November 15.

A BENALLA teenager has withdrawn his application for bail following an alleged assault linked to the death of a 63-year-old man last month.

The 19-year-old was expected to lodge a bail application at Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, however, the court heard the application on police charges including intentionally cause injury, recklessly cause injury and affray had been withdrawn.

Neither the accused man nor his lawyer appeared before the court.

Corrections officer Robert Parkinson noted charges laid

by Corrections Victoria would need to be adjourned to December 11.

The teenager was arrested several days after an alleged October 11 attack on Ballantine Street, which left a Benalla man lying on the road injured around 7.10pm.

The man was transported to hospital, but died as a result of his injuries on October 28.

A hand-up brief of the police case is expected to be filed by the end of the month.

Firefighters douse Bungeet grassfire

By RYAN MALCOLM A FIVE-acre grassfire which took hold near Bungeet on Monday afternoon was quickly brought under control by firefighters.

Some six CFA crews from Benalla, Chesney, Killawarra, Thoona and Boweya were called to the site at Martin Road around 3.45pm.

Advice was published to the VicEmergency website noting the blaze travelled in a south-easterly direction towards Thoona.

Crews brought the blaze under control at 4.22pm, and declared the site safe five minutes later.

According to the CFA’s fire danger forecast, the North East is subject to a moderate fire risk through to Friday.

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Cocaine trader spared conviction A LOCAL man has avoided a conviction after being found in possession of twice the traffickable quantity of cocaine as well as more than $3000 in cash on the side of a Wangaratta road.

Facing Wangaratta Magistrates Court this week, the 23-year-old entered a plea of guilty to charges including drug trafficking and possession, after his vehicle was searched by police during an intercept earlier this year.

According to police pros-

ecutor Senior Constable Victoria Lennon, officers had been patrolling in the vicinity of Lindner Road on the afternoon of April 30 when they identified a vehicle parked on the left hand side of the road.

The vehicle was registered to a Wodonga car dealer and, as the female driver attempted to retrieve paperwork from the vehicle’s glovebox, officers identified a large wad of cash and commenced a search.

The defendant was seated in the vehicle’s passenger seat.

Sen Const Lennon said officers located $3245 in cash, two Ziploc bags filled with vegetable matter believed to be cannabis, two bags of creatine, two clear containers filled with bags of cocaine, a container filled with raw tobacco and small weigh scales.

The court heard the defendant had admitted to possessing some six grams of cocaine, as well

BIG FINISH: A crowd of around 300 were entertained by Melbourne-based musicians Joe Chindamo and Monique di Mattina at Monday evening’s Cup Eve Concert.

A stylish end to a huge festival Wednesday, November 6, 2013

By SIMONE KERWIN BUOYED by the weekend’s success, jazz festival organisers will tomorrow kick off planning for next year’s event.

And according to artistic director Adrian Jackson, there is – as usual - no shortage of performers putting up their hands to return to Wangaratta in 2014.

“It’s never hard to fill the program, which is a great position to be in,” Mr Jackson said.

The festival officially wound down on Monday night with the annual Cup Eve Concert, featuring two Melbourne-based musicians, Joe Chindamo and Monique di Mattina.

Attracting an audience of about 270, the pair brought

this year’s piano-focused festival to a stylish close at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre.

Their performances followed a busy final day, with Monday jazz events at Baileys of Glenrowan, at the Wangaratta Golf Club, and in Milawa proving popular with those enjoying a long weekend.

“We had good crowds all day, with the bus drivers kept very busy,” festival chair Paul Squires said.

Mr Squires said Sunday’s market at Merriwa Park was a success, despite strong winds.

“We were pretty well sheltered, so the wind didn’t interrupt us, and the market went well,” he said.

“We tried to bring about offers you don’t normally have in Wangaratta, so in Reid Street there were the food offers, and at the market, the range of stalls.

“This year I felt it was particularly strong as a festival.

“Now everything is done, finalised and complete, and artistically and operationally, we had a fantastic weekend.

“I’ve spoken to a large number of traders who want to come again, so we hope to continue to grow.

“Friday night particularly was huge for the locals at the blues venue, so we will look to capture that and grow from that next year.”

as the other drugs found.

His mobile phone was subsequently analysed, and texts detailing weights and drop-off points were discovered, however, the defendant maintained the drugs were purely for personal use.

He told officers the cash was a result of completing ‘cashies’ work on his friends’ cars.

Lawyer Geoff Clancy said only two conversation threads were found on his client’s phone, and noted

the trafficking charge was a ‘single-date’ allegation.

He said his client’s guilty plea had saved the court an “onerous” contested hearing, and noted the 23-yearold had no priors before the court.

“This was not a huge industry,” he said.

Mr Clancy told Magistrate Peter Mithen cocaine differed significantly from destructive drugs such as methylamphetamine in its impact on the community.

Mr Mithen said trafficking could carry with it a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.

“This should be an incentive for you never to do this again,” he told the accused.

“If you dabble in this again, all bets are off.

“We don’t want to see you back here.”

He imposed a $1500 fine, and noted the defendant’s age and lack of history were reason to refrain from imposing a conviction.

RAZORS OUT: Graeme Gregory (right) and Keith Snowdon (left) are preparing to have their signature moustaches shaved off by Jonah Patiole and his A.P Fades barbershop team later in the month for Movember.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

Graeme’s Movember cause continues to grow

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN THE month of mousatches has come again and Big W Wangaratta’s Graeme Gregory will be leading the charge of Movember donations, teaming up with more than 40 local businesses to help raise funds for men’s mental health.

For the third year running Big W Wangaratta have organised a team led by Mr Gregory to grow and eventually shave off their ‘mo’s’ at a community event on Saturday, November 25, which will include a raffle and a sausage sizzle.

Mr Gregory said it was exciting to have so many

local businesses involved with fundraising, in what is now becoming a community event.

“We hope to do the same as we did last year with a few different people for their shave offs,” he said.

“I’ve been through it myself and I know what people go through and it’s something I like to see get bigger and bigger every year.

“You don’t want to see people go through all of that, I talk about it here to people.

“This is something that I really enjoy doing now.”

Rural City of Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees will be joining the five member Movember team which includes

the Rotary Club of Wangaratta’ Keith Snowdon for the second straight year.

The shave off will be held at the Big W Wangaratta carpark from 10am.

Big W Wangaratta’s first Movember two years ago was held as an in store raffle, raising $750 and $2500 was raised last year.

Mr Gregory said the team’s goal is to raise $4000 for the charity group this year.

You can donate to the Big W Wangaratta team’s cause via the link: http s : //a u . m o ve m b e r.c o m / team/2398964.

Anyone interested in joining the team can contact Mr Gregory via 0420 566 768.

BACK IN TOWN: Former Galen Catholic College students Caitlin Somerville, Jayelle Walsh and Archie Gemmill were among the cast of a University of Melbourne production of ‘Non Tutti I Ladri Vengono Per Nuocere’ (‘The Virtuous Burglar’) in Wangaratta recently. The university students also spent time working with Galen students studying Italian while they were in the rural city.

About 100 people attended the public performance in the Galen auditorium.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 5

Campaign focus on family violence in our community

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN COMMUNITY organisations and members rallied in Wangaratta’s King George Gardens last Wednesday in order to help promote Wangaratta Centre Against Violence’s (CAV) 16 days of activism awareness campaign.

A large group shot was taken as a part of CAV’s upcoming 16 days of activism social media campaign, where community members represented the lives lost to family violence in 2022 around Australia, which included 57 women and seven men aged 18 and over.

The annual international movement begins on November 25 with community organisations locally and abroad aiming to shine a light on the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence.

Wangaratta CAV chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said the local social media campaign was to help visualise to the community that family violence could be effecting anyone, not just those abroad.

BINDING TOGETHER: Bernadette Edwards, Megan Earl, Rebecca Golia and Zaylee Saint-James Turner were among the 64 participants at King George Gardens last week to help promote and support CAV’s 16 days of activism campaign.

PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke “Family violence impacts everybody and it’s really important for a community like ours that we recognise no one is immune from the challenge of family violence,” she said.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to step up and have conversations about it but also support people who may be going

through challenging times that involve family violence.

“I think it’s really easy for people to sometimes think it happens over there in someone else’s community or neighbourhood but the reality is that it impacts people right across the social spectrum and we know it happens at really

high rates here.

“The worst outcome of family violence is murder and that can impact children, friends and families for generations and we can’t turn a blind eye to it.”

So far in 2023, 57 women have allegedly lost their lives due to family violence around

the country according to the Australian Femicide Watch.

Rural City of Wangaratta manager of arts, culture and events, Simone Nolan was among the 64 participants representing various local community organisations at last week’s launch and she said it was important to promote

awareness of gender-based violence in her community.

“It’s important the community is aware of these 16 days where we remind of the violence in our community, but mostly violence against women,” she said.

“It may be hard for some parts of the community to hear but it is women who mostly suffer from family violence, mostly perpetrated by men… the stats are still really high and it’s time to bring some awareness to really stamp it out.

“I don’t think there’s an easy answer, it takes organisations like ourselves to tap into all parts of the community to bring forward the awareness.

“There’s responsibility at our football clubs, at our schools, anyone in the community can play a mentor role to start to change what we think is being accepted as ok behaviour and it’s not.”

CAV’s social media campaign will launch closer to the beginning of the 16 days of activism on November 25.

Community groups share in $140,000 of council grants 12 urban and 17 rural community-based rural city organisations are set to benefit THE Rural City of Wangaratta has dispersed $140,000 to support 29 local community groups and not-for-profit organisations through the annual Community Grants Program.

These funds will enable organisations to host events, provide essential training, and make crucial equipment and infrastructure improvements.

The program aims to help community organisations within the Rural City of Wangaratta deliver projects that help improve accessibility and equity, provide cultural or arts experiences, increase community resilience, safety, mental health and wellbeing, or encourage healthy behaviours and environmentally sustainable projects.

Community organisations to receive funding include: • Whorouly Memorial Park - chairs - $7615 • Zac’s Place Inc. Wang Night Shelter - Streetlockers for Homeless - $2000 • Milawa Cricket Club Inc - pitch replacement - $10,000 • LINE Wangaratta - Pride Fair Day - $3000 • Greta Cricket Club - training facility upgrade project - $6000 • Fosters Lake Water Hole Reserve (Glenrowan) - park furniture - $2645 • Moyhu Football/Netball Club - electronic scoreboard - $10,000 • Inner Wheel Club of Wangaratta - food handling certificates - 1000 • Wangaratta City Soccer (Football) Club - equipment - $2000 • Everton Hall and Sporting Complex - sound quality - $2658 • North East Multicultural Association Wangaratta - CALD Community Safety and Socialisation Program - $2000 • Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra - community music trailer - $10,000 • Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria - expanding vision loss support in city - $1542 • North East Windsport Club Inc - Blokart storage container - $8000 Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said he was impressed by the wide range of projects that are being funded this year.

“We have consistently received an enthusiastic response from our community for these

grants, and this year proved to be no exception,” he said.

“We’ve encountered some excellent ideas within these projects, and it is an honour to provide our support to help bring about impactful out-

• Moyhu Action Group - Carl Schulz Garden upgrade - $1550 • Wangaratta Cycling Club - Learn to Ride - $4500 • Sustainable King Valley - food hub - $3500 • Glenrowan Public Recreation Reserve - heating and cooling - $7000 • Dirrawarra Indigenous Network - Marmungun Rock ceremony - $3200 • Friends of the Warby-Ovens National Park - storage trailer - $5367 • Milawa Racquets Club Inc - install wi-Fi, Square payment - $9200 • Trust for Nature - Ngalan Bitja (Our Fire) - $4500 • Glenrowan Our Town - carols by candlelight - $2090 • RandLAN Inc - RandLAN event expansion - $7698 • King Valley Childrens Services Group - Fit out of childcare entry/reception, office - $10,000 • Moyhu Bowling Club - cardiac defibrillator - $1650 • Wangaratta Historical Society - Preserving The Past - $3625 • Wangaratta and district Men’s Shed - tools and equipment - $3660 • Gateway Health - Active Rural Communities - $4000

comes for our community.”

Through council’s latest funding initiative, 12 urban and 17 rural communitybased organisations are set to benefit.

These grants will provide

crucial support to diverse projects, including the Wangaratta Cycling Club’s learn-to-ride program and Glenrowan Our Town’s Carols by Candlelight event.

“The program supports

community organisations to develop and deliver projects, programs and events which benefit, enhance and meet the needs of the community.”

Andrea Noble, community group officer, said.

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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

The Australian Quiz

1

DR Dustin Flanagan’s latest personal triumph in stem cell research is a tremendous achievement from the former Wangaratta local.

Dr Flanagan was recognised for his leadership in the field and exceptional past and present stem cell research work being awarded as a Metcalf Prize winner and the $60,000 prize money.

The Metcalf Prize pinpoints the Australian mid-career rising stars in stem cell research and for Dr Flanagan to be judged the number one male in a highly contested field of participants is to be admired by his hometown.

Currently Dr Flanagan is at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute leading a research team into stomach cancer, with the ultimate goal of generating new therapies for therapy resistant metastatic gastric cancer.

As local year 12s begin to see the light at the end of the exams tunnel and into post-schooling life, Dr Flanagan’s pathway from Wangaratta High School shows there is no such thing as a traditional pathway to success.

Dr Flanagan graduated some 20 years ago initially entering a music degree at university, after excelling in those subjects at school and keeping some of his Wangaratta neighbours up at night while practicing the drums.

He then turned his focus into research science and more specifically stem cell research which kick started his career internationally.

Dr Flanagan’s persistence in STEM subjects at school and success that followed is an important reminder of the vital everyday life skills they provide for students.

From rural beginnings, Dr Flanagan’s inspiring rise in the research science field is only just beginning and a great beacon for local students to aspire towards.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

7 Fashion 10 Fish trap 13 Washes 14 Line of metre 16 Small children 17 Slender sticks 19 Dogma 20 Takes away 21 Highland Games tossing pole 22 Jewish surplice 23 Stop up 24 Enquires 28 Cosmos 30 Worker in stone 31 Sources of light 32 Approaches 34 Trees 35 Period of time 36 Brownish-purple

SOLUTION A A R E L I C M C O N V O Y S E N I O R T B E F O R E D T O L I V E S L I T T E R T A S O O R A C E S V R D E T E C T E D E N E A S P S T E A S B H A S S E N T E D M K A R T M E L O N P A R A D E P E S E T A L R U C K U S M A C O O P E R I M P A R T S E S S E N S S

ACROSS 3 Souvenir 8 Accompany for protection 9 Higher in standing 11 Ahead of 12 Oily fruits 15 Stretcher 18 Speed contests 19 Apple Isle (abb) 20 Found out 23 Afternoon receptions 25 Compass point (init) 26 Serpents 27 Expressed agreement 29 Craft 30 Gourd 33 Former Spanish monetary unit 36 Procession 37 Disturbance (coll) 38 Make known 39 Maker of tubs and casks 40 German city DOWN 1 Thespian 2 Caper 3 Garments 4 Optics 5 Detached 6 Light and clear red

Who was the reigning monarch of Denmark during 2021? (a) Queen Beatrix (b) King Harald V (c) King Willem-Alexander (d) Queen Margrethe II

2

Which of the following Latin phrases is a legal term meaning “in private” or “in chambers”? (a) In silico (b) In salvo (c) In camera (d) In retentis

3

What is the official language of Austria? (a) English (b) German

6

(c) Dutch (d) French

4

Who won the 2022 Margaret River Pro women’s surfing event? (a) Isabella Nichols (b) Courtney Conlogue (c) Carissa Moore (d) Tyler Wright

5

In the TV series, Seinfeld, Kramer plays a small part in which other TV series as a character named Steven Snell? (a) The Golden Girls (b) The Nanny (c) Murphy Brown (d) Mad About You

The Pitcairn Islands are an Overseas Territory of which country? (a) United States (b) New Zealand (c) France (d) United Kingdom

7

In 2003, who had a hit with the song, Forever and for Always? (a) Faith Hill (b) Carrie Underwood (c) Lucinda Williams (d) Shania Twain

8

Which novel is the debut novel

by John Grisham? (a) A Time to Kill (b) The Firm

(c) The Pelican Brief (d) The Rainmaker

9

What is the symbol of the chemical element, arsenic?

(a) A (b) Ac (c) As (d) Ae

10

In which sport can players win the Damian Martin Trophy? (a) Rugby union (b) Basketball (c) Cricket (d) Soccer

Answers 1 (d) Queen Margrethe II 2 (c) In camera 3 (b) German 4 (a) Isabella Nichols 5 (c) Murphy Brown 6 (d) United Kingdom 7 (d) Shania Twain 8 (a) A Time to Kill 9 (c) As 10 (b) Basketball

A well-earned national honour

No.49

Have your say in Wangaratta Chronicle poll

Visit our website to vote at www.wangarattachronicle.com.au

No end in sight for Middle East conflict I HAVE noticed how one-sided all the reporting is about “poor Israel”, in regards to attacks by Hamas.

But everybody needs to keep in mind the history of both Israel and Palestine, in order to get the perspective from both sides.

Israel was created by the allies after WWII as a home for the Jewish nation on land taken from the Palestinians and there has been conflict ever since.

These two religious peoples simply cannot get along with each other, and a definitive country border must be set in place if there is any hope for peace.

The current right-winged Israeli Government want to smash HAMAS, and kick out the Islamic Palestinians, and the Palestinians are indignant that they had the Jewish faith shoved onto their lands without their consent by the British and the UN, in 1947.

To make things worse, the HAMAS, being a terrorist organisation, is very buddy-buddy with other terrorist organisations like ISIS and the Hezbollah.

But HAMAS is fighting back in very ruthless ways against the Israeli Government’s policy of occupation, which was, at the beginning, popular with the Palestinian people.

Both governments deserve to be charged with war crimes, with one continuing to provoke and antagonise the other, with no end in sight for anyone - their innocent people included.

While the current right wing Israeli Government and HAMAS both reject a two state solution there can be no peace in the region.

Unless the rest of the world puts pressure on both parties this terrible conflict will continue.

Dianne Nicholson, Milawa

Wartime remembrance before November 11 ON the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we will pause to remember those who sacrificed their lives in any of the wars our country has been involved in.

We may also take time to reflect on the suffering, anxiety and distress endured by those who ‘kept the home fires burning’, on the domestic front for their loved ones, facing the perils of mortal conflict.

I was born in 1945, during the final phase of the Second World War.

Does Wangaratta need an annual event of state and national significance to replace the jazz festival?

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE: Wilbur Wilde and his band entertained a capacity audience to open the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues last Friday night. Wilbur is best known for his musical abilities on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, and has played alongside some of the great world musicians.

Pictured after the show are (from left) Eugene Ball (trumpet), Wilbur Wilde (saxaphone), Mike Jordan (drums and cymbals), Phillip Rex (bass) and Mark Fitzgibbon (piano). PHOTO: Steve Kelly I can remember shopping with ration coupons for sugar, butter, tea etc, scarcities from war time shortages.

I am fortunate not to have been directly involved in any war, but am honoured to have known some who distinguished themselves in hostilities against foreign foes.

Roy Miller Lived with his family a few doors from our house in Goomalibee Street Benalla.

Roy was a young sailor on HMAS Sydney, on the 9th November 1914, and a combatant in The Royal Australian Navy’s first victory, when the Sydney destroyed the German Cruiser SMS Emden.

In 1969, my first teaching engagement was Stuarton Rural School NE Victoria.

The community arranged a ‘Back to Stuarton’ at Easter of that year.

As the incumbent teacher I officiated in that role at the Back to School frivolities.

Weary Dunlop the iconic war hero, a former student was in attendance, appropriately clad in short pants, and looking for mischief as the class clown.

As stern teacher, I was obliged to discipline the intrepid prisoner of war survivor, with a metre ruler across his famous back side.

He had an exercise book stuck down his pants in anticipation.

I imagine I have exclusively given the former Australian rugby representative and

boxer a hiding.

I got to know Eric Hooper through his daughter Sandra, a High School friend.

Eric, a Goorambat farmer, was a prisoner of the Japanese in Nagasaki, when the atom bomb destroyed the city on 9th August 1945.

Fortunately, Eric was employed in the camp kitchen at the time, and survived.

What are the odds that a kid from Benalla would know someone who participated in the first hostile engagement of WWI and another who experienced the horror that ended hostilities of WW II. ‘Lest We Forget’.

Barry McArthur, Wangaratta

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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.

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THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 7

You’re invited to Christmas Day lunch

By STEVE KELLY

FESTIVE SPIRIT: Local businessman Jonathan Sanders is calling on volunteers and businesses to help support this year’s Community Christmas Day Lunch in Wangaratta.

THE Community Christmas Day Lunch in Wangaratta will again spread the festive joy to people in the community who would like to spend the special day with other locals this year.

Christmas is a much-cherished time by local families to spend with loved ones but for those who live alone or away from family, the doors are open to anybody in the community to attend the lunch in Wangaratta.

It will be held at Wangaratta Uniting Church in Rowan Street on December 25 from 11.30am, with lunch to be served at 1pm and festivities finishing up at 2.30pm.

Event organiser Jonathan Sanders said last year’s event was a great success with volunteers coming to help out, with generous

support from local businesses - the Wangaratta RSL, the Wangaratta Club, and La Bell Rocca Fruit - helped bring it all together.

He encouraged any other businesses to provide contributions whether it’s food, which could be dropped off the day before, or monetary donations.

“There was another person who dropped off gifts for people who attended and this would be welcomed from anyone again,” Mr Sanders said.

Last year the Christmas Day lunch was held at Charlie’s Burgers, but Mr Sanders is still in the process of acquiring new premises.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Jonathan Sanders on 0410 669 908.

No change for police stations

By RYAN MALCOLM POLICE stations throughout the Wangaratta Police Service Area (PSA) will not be impacted by temporary reductions to reception counter hours.

Victoria Police last week announced it would be making temporary changes to staffing during off-peak times at 43 stations in order to divert as many officers

as possible to the frontline, with those previously rostered for reception shifts instead set to undertake duties such as community patrols.

The changes come as a result of efforts to manage a “significant number of officer vacancies” police linked to attrition.

Some 23 police stations in Victoria will reduce reception counter hours from the end of this month, with

a further 20 to reduce over the coming months, however, stations in the Alpine, Wangaratta and Moira local government areas will not be impacted.

Wodonga and Shepparton police service area stations are also set to be unaffected.

The Police Academy is expected to graduate 48 constables every fortnight for the foreseeable future in an effort to fill vacancies across the state.

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Deputy Commissioner regional operations, Neil Paterson, said police would not be closing any existing stations.

“Reception counter hour reductions will occur predominantly during the evening or overnight when we know they are rarely attended,” he said.

“Even when reception counters are unstaffed, police continue to patrol the

local community and often still work within the station.

“Every Australian policing jurisdiction is currently experiencing resourcing challenges and police counter reductions are also occurring in other states.

“When give the choice, police know crime is most effectively deterred and detected via highly visible patrols in the community, rather than from behind a

scarcely attended reception counter.

Deputy Commissioner Paterson said most people attending police stations did so to have statutory declarations signed or documents certified.

“Redirecting officers towards frontline policing duties will increase the likelihood of crime being prevented, offenders being arrested, and the community remaining safe.”

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Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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STEM day Wangaratta Primary School

LOCAL AUTHOR: Bec Lanham shared her first picture book, ‘Scout goes to Dreamyland’, with the students of Appin Park.

Author’s visit Appin Park Primary School APPIN Park students were excited to have their very own chaplain Bec Lanham present her first picture story book ‘Scout goes to Dreamyland’ to the whole school.

As the book is yet to be released, the students were keen to hear about the writing process from start to finish, the motivation behind the story and the length of time the whole process took before receiving the completed product from the publishers.

The students were most impressed that they, as part of Appin Park Primary School, were mentioned in the dedication at the front of the book.

The time that Bec has spent at Appin Park in her role as a chaplain, gave her some great insight into the thinking and wonderings of young people, and some actions that they had undertaken to help with regulating their emotions and feelings certainly helped form a strong platform to create the fictional story.

Questions asked after reading the story were insightful and thought-provoking, around perseverance, ideas, and illustrations.

Hopefully there will be some budding young authors who take on the advice from Bec and begin their own journey into writing for a greater purpose.

STEM EXPERIENCE: Christopher Munzel, Mark Henschke, Ryan VanDerPoel, Charles Jones, Vihas Wasala, Jane Foster, Shay-Lee Butler, Marley Higham and Chelsea Wallace had the opportunity to visit Starr’s Planetarium on their STEM day.

STUDENTS at Wangaratta Primary School together with other local primary schools with the support of WHS and Galen College were treated to a day full of STEM activities including Starr’s Planetarium.

Students chose from an array of activities from box construction, replication of the solar system, robot driving, water engineering, paper glider construction, rocket blasting and more.

A huge thanks to Charles Sturt University, DTAC, Galen Catholic College, Cathedral College and NETracks LLEN for facilitating such an amazing opportunity for the students.

Grandparents’ day

MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT: Deborah Devenson celebrated working at Carraragarmungee Primary School last week.

Oxley Primary School LAST week students at Oxley Primary School enjoyed an afternoon with their grandparents at school.

The students celebrated grandparents’ day through playing old school games and having afternoon tea.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY: Emilia Slefandorfas celebrated grandparents’ day with her grandfather Steve Panagiotakis.

Celebrating Deborah Devenson Carraragarmungee Primary School DEBORAH Devenson celebrated 20 years of working as an educational support staff member at Carraragarmungee Primary School last week.

The school would love to thank Deb for all that’s she does at Carraragarmungee Primary School on a daily basis and acknowledge all that she has done over the years to help make Carraragarmungee Primary School the special caring place that it is.

Big W donation Wangaratta West Primary School STUDENTS of Wangaratta West are expressing their joy and gratitude towards the generous team at Big W Wangaratta.

Big W Wangaratta kindly donated all of the necessary items for the year five students to successfully carry out their inquiry topic of “managing a business” for the upcoming school fundraiser, “West Fest,” scheduled for December 7.

This donation holds immense value as it will greatly support the students in their learning journey and provide them with valuable hands-on experience in running a business.

The school would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Big W Wangaratta for their unwavering support and commitment to education in our community.

Prep buddies Cathedral College

BUDDIES: Natalie Walker, Edwina Porter, Grace Martin and Isabella Hawthorne all enjoy spending time together as buddies.

A HIGHLIGHT for the year five students at CCW is getting to spend time with their prep buddies. They read with them, enjoy lunch or recess and even play together.

1

What is the name for two stars that orbit so close that they touch each other? Is it a) a dumbbell system, b) a contact binary, c) a stellar friendship, or d) a solar bridge?

2

What is CSIRO researching to control the invasive wandering trad weed? Is it a) a leaf smut fungus, b) a beetle called the silly borer, c) a glass mosaic virus, or d) a rodent called the capybara?

3

Which of these is not a rock? Is it a) tuff, b) basalt, c) granite, or d) bakelite?

BUSINESS READY: Dayne Jeffries, Bridie Kay, Macy Carr, Lindsey Oyugi, Ollie Fisher, Clay Thewlis and Matt Burns were grateful for the items donated by Big W Wangaratta.

4

True or false?

Bluebottles aren’t true jellyfish: each individual is a colony of cooperating animals.

5

In which month is Earth closest to the Sun? Is it a) January, b) March, c) July, or d) September?

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

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. b) Scientists have detected many contact binary systems because the stars block each other in the sky regularly, making them appear to darken and brighten repeatedly. 2. a) CSIRO has been testing a leaf smut fungus to ensure it will only affect the target weed, and not native plants. 3. d) Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic ever made, and was patented in 1909. 4. True. A bluebottle is made up of lots of individuals of the same species, but they take different forms and have different jobs. Some have tentacles, some can eat, some help with swimming, and so on. 5. a) The Earth’s orbit is not quite circular, and it gets closest to the Sun in early January at about 147 million kilometres away. Throughout the year it averages about 150 million kilometres from the Sun.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 9

Brown Brothers Restaurant awarded back-to-back hats

HATS OFF: Brown Brothers Restaurant executive chef Bodee Price (centre) and his team have been recognised with a second straight gold hat at The Age 2024 Good Food Guide Awards.

BROWN Brothers Restaurant has been awarded a hat at the 2024 Good Food Guide Awards for the second year running.

The Age Good Food Guide Awards, held last week, showcases the very best in food and dining across Victoria.

Led by executive chef Bodee Price, the Milawa based restaurant was recognised for delivering a contemporary, yet casual dining experience that showcases all Milawa has to offer.

Mr Price said the team was humbled to be awarded a second straight hat.

“Our dedicated team work hard every day to produce

and deliver what we do here at the Brown Brothers Restaurant,” he said.

“I’m incredibly proud of the food and wine experiences we have been able to offer our guests, with this award highlighting the passion and determination behind our food philosophy.”

Whether it’s savouring the grazing menu in the casual dining area (with families and dog in tow) or indulging in a ‘Slow Lunch’ with paired wines inside the restaurant, guests are invited to tailor their experience and taste something new each time they visit.

Mr Price designed the dining experience around his

love of food, fresh produce and sustainability, aligning his kitchen philosophy to that of Brown Brothers’ broader winemaking practices in a way that’s authentic and humble to their 134year history.

Mr Price has taken the ethos of fresh produce and a move towards minimal waste and sustainability and harnessed it into the menu at the Brown Brothers Restaurant, putting produce and quality at the forefront.

Changing daily, the menu is inspired by native Australian flavours and intentionally designed using ingredients sourced from their own backyard.

The Kitchen Garden is located just behind the Brown Brothers Cellar Door and is where you’ll find most of the magic happens - outside the kitchen of course.

Guided by the seasons, this garden is tended to by the chefs and produce is picked fresh each day, ensuring everything on the plate has been created with intention.

“We serve fancy food but we’re not fancy people,” Mr Price said.

“Our dining experience is crafted with passion and respect and designed to connect you with your surroundings, and to enjoy with the people around you.”

Donations help to bridge literacy gap OFFICEWORKS Wangaratta has raised more than $2000 for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) thanks to community donations.

Wangaratta’s fundraising was part of the more than $650,000 in total raised by Officeworks and its stores across the nation in this year’s Literacy is Freedom Appeal to help bridge the literacy gap for children in vulnerable communities.

Wangaratta store manager Rhi Bradfield said she was proud of the contribution to the foundation made by the team, which will support eight children with access life-changing literacy programs.

“We’d like to thank the

Wangaratta community for their generosity in exceeding our store’s fundraising target, and in turn supporting the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and the vital work they do for children’s education,” she said.

Officeworks customers and team members across Australia supported the appeal throughout September, with 20 cents from every Studymate product sold during the month also donated to the appeal.

This year’s appeal marks 11 years of partnership between ALNF and Officeworks, with more than 30,000 students supported and over $4 million raised to date.

SETTING THE COURSE: Officeworks Wangaratta store manager Rhi Bradfield and Karen Starr were proud to be able to raise more than $2000 throughout September for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) thanks to community donations.

Oxley Bush Market great success again THE 42nd annual Oxley Bush Market was again a great success last Saturday at the historic Oxley Shire Hall, with 155 market sites and thousands of people attending to purchase high quality goods, eat delicious food, meet up with friends and enjoy toe-tapping music from Terry Shaw.

Oxley Hall committee secretary, Janet Heath, said the stalls were being set up from 6.30am, and the people started arriving to enjoy the day right from the start time of 9am.

“Quite a number actually arrived a bit before that time, but the stallholders were ready for them,” she said.

Ms Heath said one way the committee estimated the number of visitors was by the takings of the ‘Monster Raffle” organised by the Oxley Residents’ Association.

“This year was a record amount, and I must thank all the local businesses who donated the 41 prizes, which came from Oxley, Milawa and right up the King Valley,” she said.

John & Christine Haddrick welcome their daughter Kat to their team.

BUSY MARKET: Markwood Mushrooms was among the 150 odd stalls at the Oxley Bush Market on Saturday. Thousands of people again attended the annual event. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner “The large number of volunteers who helped set up the market shows the strength of our community.

“Besides the early work of sending out the market information to potential stall holders, we had to lay out the hall grounds on the Friday, then get to the hall by 6am in the morning of the event, have volunteers in attendance during the day, then pack

up and tidy the hall and its grounds after the closing time of 2.30pm.

“This year has seen incredible extra input from community members, and I must send out a thank you to all those who have assisted in so many ways.”

Ms Heath said plans for next year’s market, which will be held on Saturday, November 2, are already underway.

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Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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Winding down the year WANGARATTA APPIN PARK COMBINED PROBUS PRESIDENT Maureen Adcock opened the October 10 meeting welcoming members present and one visitor.

Birthday wishes went to Nancy Devlin and to John Cleal who received his ‘OBE’, happy 80th birthday John.

Welfare officer Beverly Wolfel reported that all were well – cheers to that.

All in-house duties: minutes, correspondence, treasurer’s report and general business were attended to, then special interests groups told of their upcoming events.

Games group meet at 5.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at the Terrace Hall on Williams Road for games, cards, pool and take-away dinner.

Gents breakfast is on the last Thursday each month 8.30am at the Gateway.

Combined breakfast is at 9am the first Sunday of the month, next one is at Aroma Deli on November 5.

Afternoon cards meet each Tuesday 1pm at Wangaratta Club.

Craft group meet 10am-2pm last Tuesday each month at the Terrace Hall, Williams Road.

Walking group meets at Apex Park 9am on Monday mornings for a walk and coffee.

Caravan and cabin crew head off to Echuca/Moama on October 30.

Melbourne Cup Day celebrations are at Helen Shepherd’s place 7 Wonga Drive, $30 per person.

Fully booked garden tour group head off for overnight trip on November 29 and 30.

Guest speaker coordinator Robyn Dunstan is doing a great job finding people to inform and entertain us.

Recently author Dawn Mauldon came and spoke about her book, ‘Unheard Voices’ telling of experiences of her parents, both of them deaf and her growing up in a family in post war Melbourne with such difficulties and how they all managed well.

WANGARATTA CENTRAL COMBINED PROBUS THE meeting on Friday, October 20 was opened by president Rob Lamond who welcomed members and two visitors to the club.

Upcoming activities hosted by Julie Lamond include Crazy Whist at the Lamonds, Thursday, November 16 at 10:30am, 434 Lyons Road, Tarrawingee.

speaker, who is also a member of the club, kept us entertained with his job.

Hans buys and displays Aboriginal Art and displays them in five different outlets in the North East.

The biggest display is in Rutherglen at the old Seppelt’s building.

He showed some art and explained the subjects.

Hans and his wife Nikki answered many questions from members.

WANGARATTA LADIES PROBUS CLUB

GROUP UP: Members of the Wangaratta Ladies Probus Club gathered for their monthly meeting at the Wangaratta Club where long-term member Margaret O’Brien was presented with her 20 year badge.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling There will be a pasta lunch, bread and desserts, cost $10.

Please bring a plate for morning tea.

Dinners organised by Christine Magee on 22 September, 29 people had a very enjoyable meal at Chrismont in Cheshunt.

Breakfast club organised by Ralph Meggs had 17 people enjoy breakfast in September.

The next breakfast is at The Gateway on Thursday, November 9 at 8.30am.

Next rip for caravanners is from Sunday, November 19 to Friday, November 24 with 19 starters.

Daryl Pearson was nearly scammed, while talking to the person on the other end he became uneasy, so he turned off his computer.

Alistair advises if you are unsure, turn off your technology and leave for a while.

Guest speaker was Carol Rosenhain.

Carol, introduced by Lyn Male, has written a book titled “The Man Who Carried the Nation’s Grief” – James Malcolm Lean MBE & the Great War Letters”.

A World War one military staff clerk who ended up a Major was asked to form the nucleus of basic records which are housed at St Kilda Road Victoria Barracks.

In-House Lunch was on October 20 when about 50 people enjoyed the lunch and a chat.

The next general meeting will be held on Friday, November 17 at 10am at Wangaratta Bowls Club.

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WANGARATTA MEN’S PROBUS CLUB THE October lunch at the Old Town and Country Tavern, and two coffee mornings at Intermezzo Café kept members busy and socially entertained.

Guest speaker in October was Craig Iskov, son of Bob Iskov who fought in World War two on the Kokoda Trail.

Bob was a member of the Probus club and from his experiences at Kokoda in Papua New Guniea, he initiated scholarships (through the RSL) for year 10 and 11 students to travel for 11 days total via Brisbane to Port Moresby and walk the Kokoda Track.

This year 15 students applied and three were chosen.

They all came back “a foot taller” for the experience.

A little-known fact is that there were a large group of men from Wangaratta and Benalla who fought together in 2/14 Battalion for 2 years in the Middle East then were recalled to Australia, and then to PNG to guard the airfields at Port Moresby, as the Japanese were quickly invading PNG and not far from Australia.

The Japanese were repelled from getting to Port Moresby by the Australians who fought a closehanded tough battle to stop them.

The RSL are looking for more donations to be able to continue sending the year 11 students from our three Wangaratta secondary schools and learn first hand of Australian and local Wangaratta history, and be inspired by the deeds of brave Australians.

Craig’s talk was very good and impressed our members.

If you would like to meet members over coffee or a Probus lunch, or hear interesting guest speakers, please call acting secretary Ed Bradbury on 0402 142 268.

WANGARATTA WEST PROBUS CLUB PRESIDENT Ron Webb opened the October meeting to see members dressed in blue and gold, which are official Probus colours and as October was Probus month.

All groups are being well supported.

The garden group went to Floriade and Webbs.

Another garden walk is on Friday, November 20, contact Shirley 0405 020 617.

Chat, craft and coffee at Homestead Life is on Thursdays at 1:30pm.

The next Sunday lunch will be at Winton Wetlands on October 29, Contact Pam 0428 251 621.

There is an Oaks Day barbeque arranged for Thursday, November 9 at Batchelor’s Green.

After morning tea the guest

PRESIDENT Christine Spriggs opened the meeting at the Wangaratta Club by welcoming the members.

Birthdays were celebrated and the previous minutes moved.

Margaret O’Brien was presented with her 20 year badge.

Margaret has enjoyed the fellowship and activities whilst in the club.

Social Club had 12 ladies attend The Vine Hotel for the monthly dine out.

The meal was very enjoyable and there was constant conversation and laughing around the table.

The fun and fitness group have 13 members who meet each Tuesday to enjoy some exercising and fun and then onto coffee at Hollywoods afterwards.

Sometimes joined by other members for coffee only.

The garden group visited Warra Historical Homestead and Garden.

The garden is being brought back to its original glory.

The ladies enjoyed being shown around.

After lunch they headed to Robin Kneebone’s garden which has a lovely display of orchids.

Some of the ladies were lucky enough to be given an orchid.

Mahjong has shifted its meeting place to St John’s Terrace Craft Room and last month they had nine people attend, so the numbers are increasing.

The virtual tour, organised by Pam Neal, had members enjoying the sights of Tasmania.

It is always interesting to read what Pam has mapped out.

Since the guest speaker couldn’t come in October, Shirley Sullivan, Bev Greskie and Rosemary Forster gave an account of their recent trip to Bowral which sounded wonderful and the gardens looked spectacular.

After all this the group enjoyed a lovely morning tea with a beautiful sponge to celebrate Probus month.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 11

SOCIAL FOCUS

LADIES MORNING OUT: Bernadette Albertson, Tracey Walsh and Sharon Scopel caught up for morning tea.

FAMILY TIME: George and Alfie Van Engelen spent some time with their Grandmother Pam Wheeler.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

DINING OUT: Harold Smith and Vic Lowen took a break at Where’s my coffee.

Out and about in Wangaratta

BROTHERS IN ARMS: Ben, Ethan and Nathaniel Anthony took up some holiday fishing in the Ovens River.

By KURT HICKLING WANGARATTA was bustling with locals and visitors who took advantage of the Melbourne Cup long weekend.

QUILTERS DREAM: Moira Watkins, Dot Hurley and Heather Younie lead the way at the Strictly Quilts Exhibition held over the long weekend at the Uniting Church Hall.

HOLIDAY VIBES: Lewis Henderson, Simone Cassidy, Elio Cassidy-Chan and Miles Henderson took a break at Apex Park.

A WALL OF ART: Sue Matthews and Kay Jackson pose in front of some quilt magic.

SLIDING AWAY: Matt and Frankie Gregory and Mel Bull enjoyed some family time at Apex Park.

TALENT: Jo Dickson and Barb Miller admire the creative display.

STUNNING: Heather Tribe stands proudly in front of an amazing piece.

Brown Brothers long weekend experience

By KURT HICKLING

LONG WEEKEND OUTING: Laiz Souza, Harry Kennedy-Field, Charlie and Lauren Hunter enjoyed njoyed the Brown Brothers experience.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

CHILLING OUT: Jo Bowers, Ryland and Paul Mitchell had some lazy time while on holidays.

GREAT DROP: Peter Cianciosi and Hannah Lenton sample some wine.

SUPPORTING LOCAL: John Michaelis, Geoff Dixon and Leesa Houghton enjoyed a fine wine.

THE Melbourne Cup long weekend drew in visitors at local wineries dr including Brown Brothers on Monday in with tasting of wines and a great meal w from the restaurant.

LONG WEEKEND FEELS: Greg Hope, Alex De-Bono, Gray Warren, Gael Hope and Isabelle Warren take advantage of the Brown Brothers experience.

Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

WHAT’S ON

Wangaratta Artist’s Society Inc’s 52nd Annual Art Exhibition

TWILIGHT MARKET

Wangaratta Artist’s Society Inc’s 52nd Annual Art Exhibition continues today from 10am until 4pm at The Studio in Batchelors Green Park on Tone Road.

There is free entry and ample parking so go along and see what masterpieces the local artists have created.

THE November Wangaratta Farmers’ Market is a special twilight market, on this Saturday, November 11.

It will be held on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, corner of Ovens and Docker St, from 4pm to 7pm.

Come on down to find fresh seasonal produce and handmade goods, and support our local farmers, producers, and artisans.

Vinefest at Sambar Hills this month THE team at Sambar Hills Wines in the King Valley is welcoming everyone to enjoy the party when Vinefest is held on Saturday, November 18.

There will be plenty of fun, food and plenty of bubbles to enjoy with samples of their range of sparkling and still Pinot Noir wines.

For more information or to book tickets visit sambarhillswines.com.au/ pages/sambar-hills-vinefest-2023.

Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends Art Auction THE Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends are hosting an auction that will be filled with stunning pieces by local artists.

Over 25 artists have donated their artwork the auction across a variety of mediums including painting, printmaking, drawing, textiles and more.

Potential buyers will have the opportunity to preview the selection from Wednesday, November 8 until Friday, November 10 with the auction taking place on November 10 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery in Gallery 2.

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www. wangarattaartgallery.com.au/ Programs/Wangaratta-Art-GalleryFriends-Art-Auction.

Wangaratta Community Market THE Wangaratta Market has something for everyone including handcrafted items, plants, socks, second-hand books, food stalls and more.

It is held every Sunday at 11-13 Mason Street from 8am to 1pm.

Moyhu Lions Country Market THE Moyhu Lions Country Market will take place on Saturday, November 18.

The market takes place on the third Saturday of each month and has a variety of stalls for visitors to browse.

It will take place on Byrne Street from 8am to 12pm.

Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra: Timeless ENJOY an evening with the local Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra as they play some timeless classics from all around the world.

They will play music from a range of composers including Mozart, Ferdinand David, Elgar, Rossini and more.

The show will take place at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, November 24.

For more information to book tickets, visit https://www.wpacc.com. au/Whats-On/Wangaratta-SymphonyOrchestra-presents-Timeless.

WANGARATTA Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at the North Eastern Hotel in Spearing Street today from 7pm to 8pm.

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

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

WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club will host bingo from 1.30pm today at its clubrooms in Tara Court.

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

Social event for next Wednesday, November 15 is lunch at the Wangaratta Club from 12 noon.

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

The next community meal and general meeting is on Thursday, December 14 from 12 noon.

OXLEY Garden Group’s next gathering will be held on Thursday, November 9 from 10am at Joan and Lou Maher’s garden at 7 Simpson Street, Oxley.

Everyone is invited to bring along cuttings, bulbs, etc to share, as well as their knowledge of how to get the best results from plantings.

Bring your own cup, a chair, and a plate to share. For further information, contact Joan Maher on 0400 367 857 or June Uebergang on 0497 860 785 (text only).

VETERAN and family morning tea is held at the Wangaratta RSL on the second Tuesday of each month. The group’s next catch-up is on Tuesday, November 14 from 10am to 11.30am.

All ex-service personnel and families are welcome, for further information contact 0447 217 768.

RESIDENTS and guests of The Terrace Village will conduct their annual craft and market day at The Terrace Village Hall, 138 Williams Road Wangaratta on Thursday, November 16 from 9am to 1pm.

Stalls include hand-crafted greeting cards, patchwork and quilting, crocheted toys, Friends of the Hospital cake stall, jams, jellies and relishes, pot plants, bric-a-

brac and antiques and collectables.

Devonshire tea for $5 is also available. For further information, phone Jan on 0417 390 913.

WANGARATTA West and the Warbys Parish will host a Christmas-themed artisans’ market on Saturday, November 18 from 9am to 1pm in the grounds of St Michael’s Church, corner O’Leary and Appin Streets, Wangaratta.

Stalls will feature fresh produce, plants, homemade cakes, jewellery and craft, and food and drinks will also be available for purchase. There will be face-painting, colouring and games for youngsters.

WANGARATTA Cake Decorators will hold a chocolate Christmas tree demonstration on Saturday, November 18 from 10am in Galen College food tech room.

Kids 10 years and over are welcome, and must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost is $15 members, $20 nonmembers. For details, call Lee Johnson on 0419 513 735.

CRB, RCA and VicRoads past and present employees will gather for a reunion on Saturday, November 25 from 11am at Edwards Tavern, Moorefield Park Drive, Wodonga.

Seniors meals are available, and there is disabled access at rear.

For more information, contact Marg Murphy on (02) 6071 2644.

PANGERANG Ukes and More meets each Thursday from 5.30pm at Pangerang Community Hub. Cost is $5, and any instruments, as well as voices, are welcome.

All enquiries to 0407 311 899.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New string and wind players are welcome to come along to rehearsals to try out.

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

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

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

For more information, phone Clare on 0419 365 149.

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

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

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

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

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

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

New players welcome, contact Helen on 0401 021 448.

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

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

WANGARATTA Toastmasters conducts its meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6.45pm at The Centre in Chisholm Street.

For more information, contact president Joanne Howell on 0417 558 881.

COME and try croquet at the Wangaratta Croquet Club, 46 Ryan Avenue, on any Monday, Wednesday or Saturday at 9am.

Equipment and instruction provided in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. For further information, phone club president Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009.

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

Contact Colleen on 0427 221 138.

THE North Eastern branch of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria meets every fourth Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge in Appin St, Wangaratta.

Beginners and experienced embroiderers are welcome to come along at 9.30am.

For more information, contact Jen on 0407 560562.

OSTINATO Wangaratta and District Community Choir meets each Tuesday from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Log Cabin, corner Faithfull and Chisholm Streets, Wangaratta.

New members are welcome to join this enthusiastic and welcoming group of singers. For more information, contact Helen on 0457 269278.

LIFEBALL is held each Tuesday from 1pm on the basketball court at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Lifeball is a non–contact game of netball, designed by a doctor and physio for the safety of mature players, with no running, walking backwards or throwing high balls, but enjoying fun and friendship.

For more information, phone 0418 574 404.

COME and play mahjong at the Wangaratta RSL on Thursdays from 11am. Beginners welcome. Contact Jan on 0429 166 016.

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

The group plays on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, equipment supplied.

For more information, contact Anne on 0490 173 169.

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

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 13

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The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications.

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MARKS Mowing, reasonable prices, ride on mowing, edging, clean up, spraying and any waste removal. Ph 0472 603 156.

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

Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

Regional Vic & NSW – Resource Development & Environmental Compliance Manager - RDM005 Mildura – Concrete Site Manager – MILD006 Mildura – Concrete Site 2IC – MILD007 Echuca – Assistant Materials Engineer – TECH001 Regional Victoria - Operations Cadetship for 18-25 year olds

www.mawsons.com.au/careers/join-us

WORK WANTED

PLASTERER, no job too small. Ph 0424 911 161.

HAY and SILAGE CONTRACTING We can cut, rake and bale.

TILING, wall/floor, bathrooms, renovations.

Phone Claude 0435 945 513.

Ph 0409 841 422.

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Your local Wangaratta Chronicle has brought together local employers and local employees for generations ...and it is no different today.

People prefer to work close to home, to save on transport costs, the frustration of travel and to be closer to family.

Both our printed and digital newspapers have a highly engaged local audience looking for news, sport, local information

Call our Classifieds team on 5723 0101 or email us - classifieds@nemedia.com.au

MECHANICAL and earthmoving repairs.

Pre-season repairs and servicing, breakdowns and call-outs on Ag and earthmoving equipment, dam cleaning, boundary prep and drainage.

Phone Tenny 0400 232 760

F O R D FG Fal con XR8 Ute (CAT-290), 290 Boss MTR Auto, 145,800km, powder coated custom tray, reverse camera, radio, amplifier, powered driver’s seat, new front screen, RWC supplied $15,000 ono. Ph 0429 809 643.

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Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

TOPSOIL SALES 2015 Mazda BT50 space cab high rise Ute with tray and toolboxes, 3.2ltr diesel, 6spd manual, 141,200km, $19,600 ono, (IGN4ZP).

Ph 0429 845 814.

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WHEELED walking frame with hand brakes and storage under seat, very good condition.

Ph 0438 828 241.

Garden, lawn, veggies “COMPOSTED HORSE MANURE” Pick up or delivery.

Call, text or leave a message.

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FIREWOOD, private and commercial, milling on site, pallet and sawn timber, telephone 0448 933 999.

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wangarattachronicle.com.au

CUNICO, Phillip Joseph.

We shared a long friendship and I am left with many fond memories.

Deepest sympathy to all of Phillip’s extended family.

“Rest in peace mate”. ~ Rick Le Lievre.

Personal Notices

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EMBRACING HALLOWEEN

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plus

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Phone (03) 5723 0100

Let’s talk, resolve solar concerns

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LEANNE Meredith was among Wangaratta residents who enjoyed decorating their houses and welcoming trick-or-treaters as part of yesterday’s Halloween celebrations. Story page 7 PHOTO: Simone Kerwin

tv

GUIDE

Sledging: Just not cricket Sport

It’s bubbly relief King Valley winemakers praise Australia’s trade stance, protecting prosecco

KING Valley winemakers say Australia’s decision to walk away from a trade deal with European Union (EU) was the right one, offering them more security around the grape variety, 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

FUNERALS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

like prosecco wine, feta and parmesan cheese, which would have prevented Australian producers using the product names.

Dal Zotto Wines was a pioneer in planting the prosecco grape variety in Australia, and director Michael Dal Zotto said this

week’s decision will allow growers in the $200 millionplus sector of Australia’s wine industry to continue with certainty for at least the next three years.

“It will allow growers to move forward with investment in prosecco as it is the hero variety of the region,” he said.

“It takes away the uncertainty and this will be a three year cycle as the EU goes into an election process.”

Businesses were faced

with uncertainty if the GIs were implemented and this would have involved a phase out period of prosecco that would have cost millions of dollars in remarketing of the variety.

“Now we can look at all the vineyard investments that we were looking to graft or plant, we can now step into that process,” Mr Dal Zotto said.

“We feel pretty buoyant that we’ll continue to grow that segment of the

industry, therefore hold more value to the industry overall.”

Brown Family Wine Group CEO Dean Carroll said no deal is far better than a bad deal for regional Australia.

He said it’s not often all areas of government agree but it’s clear on this issue that walking away is the best option for Australia.

“Prosecco is a grape variety and has been for hundreds of years

and attempting to force limitations on Australian producers’ right to use as part of a ‘free trade agreement’ is against the very heart of why free trade agreements exist,” Mr Carroll said.

“It’s so pleasing to see how the King Valley region in conjunction with our local MP and industry bodies have been able to work together to get the message heard in all the right places.

■ Continued page 2

$5 from every tyre sold on Friday November 17th and Saturday November 18th will be donated to McHappy Day

WANGARATTA

is celebrating

Sat 18th Nov

McCORMACK The service to celebrate the life of Paul McCormack will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Monday, November 13, 2023, commencing at 10.30am.

Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery. ,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV D GRQDWLRQ PDGH WR &DQFHU Council Australia in memory of Paul can be made online at www.cancervic.org.au/upport-us/donate/1in2 Paul’s service can be viewed via live stream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/

FAST CA$H for only

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Monday, Wednesday, Friday For details phone the Classifieds today

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The only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, January

SOCIAL FOCUS

15, 2021

Charge up your engines

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, January 15,

Wangaratta students compare admirably

with his Touring Car. PHOTOS: Kieren Tilly

after a year like no other

John & Christine Haddrick

DEATH NOTICES

5722 2525

Wang Repair Café returns

All Hours

northeastfunerals.com.au

c HOT WHEELS: Teo Valle (9) from Peechelba raced for the first time in RC Touring Class.

c FAST TRUCK: Talon Fullerton (14) from Wangaratta with his racing truck.

A

SIGH OF RELIEF: After a long, tough

WANGARATTA High School year 12 graduates Kayla Fisher and Amy Henderson were among hundreds of local students, and tens of thousands around the state, who received their first round university offers yesterday.

The pair are both interested in humanitarian work and development, and were offered their first choice course at their chosen universities.

Kayla, 17, has been offered a

(left) and Amy Henderson were celebrating

their university offers yesterday.

PHOTO: Kieren Tilly

double degree in Arts and Public Policy with a major in third-world development at the Australian National University in Canberra.

“I was happy with my ATAR score even if I thought I could do better but it’s been a tough year,” Kayla said.

“It was difficult not having feedback from classmates because I didn’t know if I was doing okay or needed to improve.

“But, I got there in the end and am

looking forward to the next step.”

Amy, 18, will be doing occupational therapy at Deakin but hopes to branch into humanitarian work in third world countries.

“I had hoped for a higher ATAR but I didn’t need one, I’m pretty happy with how I went,” Amy said.

“Last year I really missed out on having the balance of sport and social aspects of school which really help me get through the study aspect.

offers

“The offer I received was my first choice so I’m really happy with that.

“I’ll jump straight in this year I think because my initial plans to have a gap year and travel aren’t likely now.

“Eventually I want to go into allied health overseas and Kayla and I have always talked about collaborating; she’s more interested in the politics side and I’d do the health side so that could be cool.”

Musicians invited to orchestra meeting MUSICIANS interested in becoming part of a new regional orchestra being formed in Wangaratta will be meeting in the King George V Gardens on Sunday at 2.30pm.

A newly formed committee, involving local violinist Sally Ross, will be in attendance and the group welcomes other potential members to come along, particularly seeking violin and flute players, a percussionist and a conductor.

For more information visit the Wangaratta Arts Council on Facebook or come along to the meeting in the park on Sunday.

Home Care Packages for Wangaratta

W

O

N

Victorian and New South Wales border residents will be able to travel into Victoria by showing their driver’s licence or other formal photo ID, to access the services they need.

Travel delays are expected, so please plan ahead.

year local graduates Kayla Fisher

Teens look to the future with uni

LL

A funeral experience... not just a funeral service

THE Wang Repair Café will hold its next event tomorrow at Apex Park from 8am until 12pm.

The café will have some t-shirt rugs for sale as well as other items, and cash donations as well as donations of unwanted Christmas presents for them to sell would be appreciated, as the volunteer-run organisation seeks assistance to cover its operating costs and ensure its continuation.

Bring items in need of repair to the park tomorrow morning where volunteers will be on hand to help bring them back to life.

CA

Dearly loved and loving husband of Lois (dec) for 55 years.

Devoted father to Rodd and Dean, devoted father-in-law to Sarah and Jacqui, and devoted grandfather to Alex, Nastassja, Jacob, Harry, Grace, Nyoka and Shem.

c REVVED UP: Northeast Radio Control Club president Matthew Johnson-Begg works on his machine in the pits.

BORDER BUBBLE IS NOW IN PLACE

CUNICO, Phillip Joseph.

Passed away peacefully at St Catherine’s Hostel Wangaratta on Friday, November 3, 2023 after a long illness at the age of 81 years.

Phillip was dearly loved by his family; he will be sadly missed by many.

2021 - Page 5

A STUDENT’S ability to apply themselves during their schooling is a large ting a slightly better percentpart of how they perform Beechworth Secondary Mansfield Secondary Col- College age of 40+ scores at 3.6pc College

BY STEVE in VCE, but there are many Wodonga had a mehad a median study lege had a median of 29 with dian of 29, with compared to Cathedral’s score KELLY other factors that contribute 3.2pc 40+. of 29, but it was its 40+ 1.3pc of scores 40+.

3.3pc. their desired outcome such skelly@ Yarrawonga College P-12 score that was a standout Myrtleford P-12 College was nemedia.com.au But while Wangaratta with as getting into a university a median of 28 with 13.7pc reaching the A had a median of 28 with 3.3pc of scores High School had a lesser me- grade course of their choice.

40+. figure.

Wangaratta’s three sec- dian 3.9pc of scores 40+, while study score at 26, it was Despite students dealing ondary The top three schools in Benalla P-12 College had Marian schools stack up well better than College had a me- Victoria Galen and Cathe- a median study with adversity from the pan- when were Bialik Colscore of 26, dian of 28 with zero compared to others dral with a 40+ percentage of with zero over scores lege in Hawthorn that demic in 2020 and the touted across had 40+, while FCJ 40+. the region and even 3.9. country-city education divide, several a median of 38 with 39.9pc College Benalla had a strong metropolitan counMount Beauty Secondary of scores Across the region Goul- median they performed reasonably terparts 40+, Mount Scopus of 30 with 6pc of College had across the state. burn Valley Grammar School scores a median of 28, Memorial College well judging by the VCE study was next 40+.

Galen Catholic College in Shepparton with 2.7pc of scores 40+. scores released by the Victo- and had a median with 38 and 39.7pc, with Euroa Secondary College’s Cathedral College both 35 with Wodonga Senior Second- Ballarat 21.6pc achieving dux achieved rian Curriculum and Assess- achieved Clarendon College one of the ary College had a median study 40+, placing a median third with 38 and 38.4pc. ment Authority (VCCA). it 30th best in highest scores score of 29 with Galen get- Victoria. in the region score of 23, with 1.1pc of For the full results visit with a 98.55 ATAR. scores 40+, while Catholic vcaa.vic.adu.au.

MEMBERS of the Northeast Radio Control Car Club gathered at Mitchell Avenue last Saturday to test their vehicles in competition.

New members are always welcome.

For more information contact president Matthew Johnson-Begg on 0467 974 305. f INTO HIS CARS: Gordon Flighty

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Country stacks up in VCE

Live at home for longer

For more information visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian

Latrobe Community Health Service has worked as a trusted provider of Home Care Packages for 23 years. If you live in Wangaratta or the surrounding area, we can help you live at home for longer.

Gardening and home cleaning Transport for medical appointments

Home nursing services Personal care

Caring local staff

Government, Melbourne

1800 242 696 or visit care.lchs.com.au

Latrobe Service

Mason Park Funerals

P. 03 5721 5060 W. masonpark.com.au

Finally, at peace.

McCORMACK, Paul William.

29/11/1953 – 4/11/2023 Aged 69 years.

Much loved husband of Kaye.

Father and father-in-law of Ricky, Troy and Mel, Lisa and Kade.

Adored Pop of Seriah, Ryan, Harry, Dion, Cooper, Grace, and George.

Deep in our hearts memories will be kept, To love and cherish and never forget.

Tears in our eyes will wipe away, But the love in our hearts, Is there to stay.

Forever in our Hearts

Remember your loved one in a lasting way The memory of a much loved family member or friend can live on through a donation to your local health service - Northeast Health Wangaratta. Your memorial donation can assist in securing the continued availability of comprehensive health care locally.

The bereaved family will be notified of your memorial gift according to your wishes and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation. For further information or to make a donation please contact: Community Engagement Team (03) 5722 5069 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.

Subscribe now at

wangarattachronicle.com.au/subscriptions

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 15

wangarattachronicle.com.au

WANGARATTA Chronicle photographer Melissa Beattie made her way down to WDCA junior cricket on Saturday to capture some action. Photographs can be purchased at the Chronicle.

HARRISON O’BRIEN

AVA PENNEY

EVA PENNEY

JACK DEAN

JACK POPLE

LUKE JONES

SAM BRIGGS JACK POPLE EVA DEAN

LUKE JONES JAKE BRIGGS

Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

SPORT

Wangaratta Hardcourt down Corowa in NERTA action Section 1 WANG Hardcourt and Corowa had an enthralling match on Saturday with the result unknown until the last point had been played.

Hardcourt had a slender lead early but Corowa hit back to level the scores with the final three sets to play, the result was all but done when Hardcourt’s Mario Pane and Andy Lucas won 8-0, then Corowa’s Marianne Spencer and Mel Rhodes won 8-2 to have the match on a knife’s edge.

The last set see-sawed but it was Matt Curran and Kerrie Henderson that held strong for Hardcourt to ease them over the line and a four games victory.

Hardcourt’s best were Mario Pane (three sets), Matt Curran and Kerrie Henderson.

Corowa were best represented by Peter Filliponi, Greg Filliponi and Marianne Spencer (two sets each).

Boorhaman were on the brink of an upset against Everton when they won two of the first three sets but as good teams do, Everton overcame a sluggish start to win the next three sets and regain the ascendancy, and then went on to complete a comfortable victory.

Everton had none better than Jo Lucas and Bec Sacco (three sets each), Boorhaman were lead by Darren Saward, Jack Nolan and Sally O’Donahue.

Section 3 Wooragee (Mark Knoth, Ian McVea, Dean Bensted, Eiylish

McCrostie) were too good for Wahgunyah Deep Heat (Josh Reid, Jacob Palmer, Kendall Reid, Katie Bergin) and moved to second place on the ladder.

This could be Wooragee’s best chance to snare an elusive flag if they continue their consistent form.

Wahgunyah Wranglers (Jesse Johnstone, Jax Johnstone, Wayne Johnstone, Ali Bartel) eased their way past Wahgunyah United (Brian Schmidt, Lorraine Plunkett, Clara Davis, Dorryelle Carmody) to claim top spot on the ladder.

Results: Section 1 Wang Hardcourt 5-52 def Corowa 4-49, Everton 7-69 def Borhaman 2-39, Rutherglen 9-72 def Wahgunyah 0-0.

Section 3 Wahgunyah Wranglers 5-43 def Wahgunyah United 1-24, Wooragee 5-44 def Wahgunyah Deep Heat 1-24.

Under 15 Wahgunyah 4-34 def Corowa Hewitt 3-26, Rutherglen White 5-40 def Corowa Barty 2-21.

Ladders Section 1 Wang Hardcourt 22, Rutherglen 20, Corowa 20, Everton 15, Boorhaman 10, Wahgunyah 3.

Section 3 Wahgunyah Wranglers 14, Wooragee 12, Wahgunyah United 12, Wahgunyah Deep Heat 4.

Under 15 Corowa Hewitt 16, Wahgunyah 13, Rutherglen Red 9, Rutherglen White 6, Corowa Barty 4.

CRACKING FOREHAND: Jo Lucas hits a forehand.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Oh Danny boy: Craven in QAFL HOF

By NATHAN de VRIES

HONOURED: Danny Craven (left) alongside fellow former West Brisbane players Nigel Lappin, Brad Miller and Corey Lambert at the Queensland Football Hall of Fame dinner over the weekend.

NO matter how far afield you may wander, once you play for a country footy team, you’re one of them for life.

This is why former Wangaratta player Danny Craven still feels he’s a Magpie after spending the better part of three decades up in the Sunshine State, leaving his mark on every level of Queensland football from AFL to juniors, and earning a spot among legends of the game in the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.

After playing for Chiltern before racking up 60 senior games with the Wangaratta Magpies, where he started as just a teenager, the 162cm and 68kg midfield dynamo was originally drafted by St. Kilda at pick 15 in the 1988 AFL National Draft.

The scouts had seen Craven’s talent on show in representative fixtures, including a seven goal, 40 disposal day out against Essendon and District, and a best on ground performance against WA. Following four years, 33 games and a broken leg with the Saints, Craven felt the call to head northward, and signed with the then Brisbane Bears.

With 25 matches for the Bears, Craven stepped away from the AFL in 1995, and began a lauded coaching career in Queensland footy, which saw him coach three senior clubs to five premierships in seven years, and coach at a state level.

While he’s most remembered up north, Craven still feels like a

Victorian in many ways, thanks to the treasured memories forged in the black and white in Wangaratta.

“Those are probably my most special years of footy in many ways, and some of my best mates in football are from that period with the Wangaratta Magpies from 16 to 21 years of age,” Craven said.

“Wangaratta’s been a very special part of my life, and I still follow the Ovens and Murray – the whole finals series this year, I watched on livestream in and around our footy up here, so I feel like I know the competition really well, almost like I’m there.

“It’s a special place, and it’ll always be home.”

While the official announcement about Craven’s induction into the Hall of Fame came earlier in the year, the weekend’s formal dinner was a chance to share in the moment with fellow inductees and good mates Nigel Lappin and Corey Lambert.

“It was obviously a great honour and privilege for sure to be recognised among your peers at any level, but it was a bit of a thrill,” he said.

“There were 500 Queensland footy people over the last 30 years, it was just good to catch up with everybody.

“It was certainly special to spend it with Nigel Lappin together as well - I was lucky enough to coach Corey in 1996 with West Brisbane, we won a premiership and he won the Grogan Medal (QAFL best and fairest) that year, and we had a great year together back then.”

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 17

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Fixture revealed for All Girls Cricket League THE Wangaratta and District Cricket Association has unveiled the fixture for the three-round under 13 All Girls Cricket League competition, which commences this Friday.

The four-team round-robin competition will play every second Friday around the region, with Rovers United Bruck, Beechworth Wanderers, Benalla Bushrangers, and Yarrawonga Mulwala putting forth a squad.

Beechworth team manager Andrea Belci said her club was bursting at the seams with eager participants for the entry-level junior competition, proving just how popular the sport is in the area.

“I can’t believe it – I knew we’d have interest, I felt we’d have 10 players and I’ve got 16 girls who’ve put their

hand up to play in our under 13 comp,” she said.

“I’m totally rapt, and I feel there’ll be more.”

The pre-Christmas competition is only the beginning, with the league hoping to increase to a larger tournament in the new year, provided there is interest from other clubs.

“The plan, I believe, is towards the end of January we’d have another three or four rounds, with options for other clubs to join,” Belci said.

“There’s scope to increase it.

“After Christmas, the thought would be that some other clubs would have seen we’ve been able to do it, and they’d be encouraged to try and field a team themselves.”

WDCA secretary Wayne Cooper said the pre-Christ-

mas matches would be conducted with a soft ball following Super 8s cricket rules.

If any players are interested in joining the competition, they are encouraged to contact their local club for further information.

Round one of the WDCA All Girls Cricket League commences this Friday from 5.15pm, with Beechworth Wanderers hosting Benalla Bushrangers at Mayday Hills, and Rovers United Bruck playing Yarrawonga Mulwala at Wareena Park.

The full fixture can be found online at https://www. playhq .com/cricket-australia/org/wangaratta-anddistrict-cricket-association/ junior-competition-summer-202324/wdca-all-girls-cricketleague-u13-girls/8b122dde/ R1.

BUCKS PARTY A BLAST: Mathew Vernon and a group of his mates arranged his bucks party at the Wangaratta Clay Target Club on Saturday, November 4. Under supervision of club members, the group had a fantastic time trying out their shooting skills. Each person in the group managed to hit many of the targets thrown and easily picked up the skills to put in a good performance to be proud of. Their level of enthusiasm and enjoyment made the morning well worthwhile for all concerned. Several of the group have indicated they will return for another crack at clay target shooting in the future. The club and committee were very pleased to provide all facilities, ensuring a fun day for Mathew and his mates.

POP THE CORK: Third placed female in the 120km elite UCI event Cassia Boglio gets the podium celebrations rolling with second placed Matilda Raynolds and winner Courtney Sherwell in a wildly successful Gravelista in Beechworth last weekend.

PHOTO: Lee Omond

Gravelista pedaling Beechworth onto global cycling stage

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN BEECHWORTH’S Gravelista further cemented its status on the Gravel World Series, almost doubling its participants from its inaugural event across a bumper weekend of cycling.

The Trek UCI Gravel World Series returned to Victoria’s High Country last week for the event’s sophomore year with 556 of some of the world’s best gravel riders descending to Beechworth.

The series includes both new and existing events from around the world, predominantly in Europe, for com-

petitors to qualify to attend the World Championships in Italy per age group and gender.

Tracks included 120km and 80 km world series and recreational events, a 45km recreational event and a community ‘mini gravelista’ 10km recreational ride.

The “brutal” feature 120km race took riders from atop Beechworth at Mayday Hills up to Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park, before circling back via Eldorado and Stanley topping at a maximum of 837m elevation.

This year’s men’s gravel national champion, Connor

Sens, held off Tasmanian Torben Partridge-Madsen in the elite mens while Courtney Sherwell was the winner in the female category ahead of Matilda Raynolds and Cassia Boglio.

Blessed with clear skies for the weekend, event director Michael Hands said the event went very well with participation numbers almost doubled from last year’s inaugural Beechworth Gravelista.

“We’ve had great feedback from riders and the likes and it was a really good step up in development and growth,” he said.

“There’s a lot of reach

around the world because it is a part of the world series with the UCI promotion of the gravel series so I think we helped put Beechworth on the map further to a global audience rather than just an Australian audience.

“It was certainly a testing course and created the selection you want at that type of level of event.

“We launched the event last year and year one is about establishing the event and you want to see growth from there and we’re pleased about that.”

Outside of the action, local community groups including

the Beechworth Chain Gang were among the event’s village in town helping promote the world-class cycling.

Hands said the community rallied around the event, especially the mini gravelista around Mayday Hills on Friday night which brought out families and the next generation of ager gravel riders.

“A lot of local families and kids came out, hung around the village and set up around the jigsaw jumps area and it was great to see kids going up and down all of those over the weekend,” he said.

“The local community was great there and the whole

town was covered in bikes and lycra over the weekend which is great for business.”

Outside of the elite categories, riders participated from as young as 16 years of age to 70 to take on the challenging high country climbs.

Hands said those who came through and made it to the finish line in itself showed a tremendous strength of character.

“You had people from 16 to 70 riding to compete in a tough course, so the person who came last should be as much applauded as the person who came first,” he said.

Page 18 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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SPORT

Nanson breaks through for first five wicket haul

By WILLSON MACK

CITY Colts’ rising all-rounder Josh Nanson led his side to a memorable victory over Rovers United Bruck with a five wicket haul at Barr Reserve on Saturday.

After being rolled for just 113, City Colts looked down and out but a clinical display from the rising side’s bowling unit on day two saw the Hawks bowled out just three runs short of victory.

Nanson’s 5/47 from 16 overs was crucial and could be a sign of things to come for the budding star and City Colts skipper Mitch Giggins said Nanson was super.

“Josh was phenomenal,” Giggins said.

“It was his first five-for in A grade cricket and he made sure he let me know about it because last time he was close he’d taken four wickets and then I put someone else on to bowl.

“He was moving the ball a

heap and was struggling to control it at times but he was so dangerous, he was the only one who looked like taking a wicket at times.”

Giggins said Nanson wasn’t the biggest fan of two day cricket coming into the season.

“He was thinking about testing his skills in Albury where it’s all one day cricket but his bowling suits the red ball more,” he said.

“In the one day games he wasn’t moving the white ball very much so batters were getting ahold of him a bit.

“With the red ball though he was hooping in swingers and taking poles so he likes two day cricket a bit more now.”

Two wickets each to Kent Braden (2/16 from 10 overs) and Tyler Nanson (2/16 from nine overs) provided great support Nanson.

“Tyler’s elevated himself into bowling a bit more this year, he just bowls little mediums that do enough

to be annoying,” Giggins said.

“Kent’s just ever reliable, he bowls plenty of dot balls and no one can get ahold of him, I think everyone just respects him too much.

“Our young bowlers probably struggle with putting the ball in a good spot consistently but that’s what Kent does best.”

Giggins said the victory was huge for his side who now sits atop of the A grade ladder.

“Starting day two with Rovers 3/20 we said if we get a couple of early wickets you never know what might happen and we just ended up running through them,” he said.

“A win like that gives our young boys great confidence and it’s a great reward for the hard work all of the senior players do.

“We were disappointing last season but to bounce back and win three on the trot to start the season is great.”

UP AND ABOUT: Josh Nanson celebrates one of his five wickets on Saturday.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Smith’s breakthrough cup on wheels glory ■ From back page

TOP STEP: Reuben Smith (centre) on the top step of the podium with second placed Hamish Clarkson and third placed Callum Porritt after claiming the men’s Melbourne Cup on Wheels.

ALL CLASS: Almost immediately following his Melbourne Cup on Wheels win, Reuben Smith (second from left) placed second in the Victorian Elite Madison Championship with teammate Lawson Franzman.

GAINING SPEED: Reuben Smith in action at the Darebin International Sports Centre last weekend.

As a backmarker (105m), Smith was tasked with a challenging heat to catch a slew of front markers down the track, which he did convincingly to win his heat.

The final shaped up as a great race with the form riders from the state and interstate including the likes of Victoria Institute of Sport’s (VIS) Sam and Oscar Gallagher taking their spot.

After the starter’s gun, Smith worked up his speed in the first 250m and began to overtake the front markers at a successive rate.

With three laps to go, Smith still had some chasing to go to reel in the remaining front markers, while holding the other backmarkers at bay.

With one lap to go, Smith was holding on grimly to his maximum speed as he swooped around the front pack on the final bend.

In the final straight, Smith had the speed on his side as he clawed his way past the leader to shoot to the line and win.

Smith was effusive in thanking his family for their support since he took up cycling, his coaches past and present, and his training squad.

“To think four years ago I was here as a kid learning how to ride the velodrome for the first time as part of the beginner’s squad; never would I have dared to dream I could win such an important race as this,” he said.

Wangaratta Cycling Club secretary Paul Somerville said it was vindication for over three years of hard training and sacrifice, with Smith and his family often having to go to Melbourne for training two to three times per week due to the unavailability of the velodrome at Wangaratta.

“The win was absolutely fantastic for the club; this is one

of the biggest races on the track cycling calendar and for a small club like us to win this, is beyond a David and Goliath outcome,” he said.

As is so often the case at a cycling meeting, Smith had little time to celebrate before his next race where he teamed up with Lawson Franzman of the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club in the Victorian Elite Madison Championship.

Smith and Franzman were teaming up for the first time and were up against some seasoned combinations in the six team strong field.

With the race going down to the final sprint of the 100 laps, the more experienced combination of Oscar Gallagher and Xavier Sirianni from VIS were able to nail their changes at critical points of the race.

This combination won the Madison state title with 38 points ahead of Smith and Franzman in second place on 26 points in a highly entertaining race.

Jo Somerville also competed at the Melbourne Cup on Wheels with an improved showing over the course of her four races.

The highlight for Somerville was coming second in the Women’s C Grade Track Crit race.

Somerville also had the honour of leading the Melbourne Cup on Wheels Women Race for the first four laps, until the backmarkers unfortunately caught her with two laps to go.

The Wangaratta Cycling Club encouraged any young cyclist who is interested in the speed of velodrome racing to visit training at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

The club will be holding a junior clinic each Friday evening from 5:30pm from Friday, November 17 until Christmas.

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THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Page 19

SPORT

Wettern and Harris continue strong form

By WILLSON MACK

GOOD TOUCH: Ben Kneebone hits a backhand slice.

ACE: Hayden Broadbent hits a serve.

FULL FORCE: Michelle Flynn hits a forehand at WLTCP on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

MARK Wettern made it backto-back section one wins at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club on Saturday.

Wettern finished the day with an impressive score of 23-16, edging out Mark Brown (20-19), Michael Clark (20-19) and Ben Kneebone (15-24).

Section two saw Frank Harris (23-16) also win for the second successive week in a show of his current strong form.

Brian Scobie followed Harris in for the silver medal on 22-18, while Mike Lairson (19-18) wasn’t far behind in third.

Julian Taylor (18-18) and Greg Renner (12-24) rounded out section two.

In section three Ryan Patterson impressed with the elusive 24 games for (12 against), beating podium getters Michelle Flynn (19-16) and Henry Dean (17-19) to gold.

Hayden Broadbent (17-21) and Maree Sullivan (13-22) toiled effortlessly.

Mark Gorman and Andrew Cope couldn’t be split in section four with a finishing score of 21-17, while Phil Dryden (20-16) was close behind.

Noel Boyd (19-20) and Pat Flynn (13-24) finished behind.

Section five saw Brett McClen continue his strong form with a score of 22-17, as Alan Busk (21-17), Peter Curran (19-19), Josh Murray (18-21) and Russell O’Brien (16-22) trailed.

Section six’s Max McAuliffe was the only other person to snare 24 games (14 against), while John Shanley (20-17) and Beth Cope (18-18) finished in

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

second and third respectively.

Patrick Oudin (16-22) and Amy Lairson (16-23) weren’t far away.

In the final section of the day Tom Wilkinson (23-17), Sue Piper (21-15) and Peter Ablazej 20-16 battled it out for top honours, but it was Wilkinson who prevailed.

Tim Dickinson (17-22) and Mick Keogh (13-24) followed.

Results: Section 1 Mark Wettern 23-16, Mark Brown 20-19, Michael Clark 20-19, Ben Kneebone 15-24.

Section 2 Frank Harris 23-16, Brian Scobie 22-18, Mike Lairson 19-18, Julian Taylor 18-18, Greg Renner 12-24.

Section 3 Ryan Patterson 24-12, Michelle Flynn 19-16, Henry Dean 17-19, Hayden Broadbent 17-21, Maree Sullivan 13-22.

Section 4 Mark Gorman 21-17, Andrew Cope 21-17, Phil Dryden 20-16, Noel Boyd 19-20, Pat Flynn 13-24.

Section 5 Brett McClen 22-17, Alan Busk 2117, Peter Curran 19-19, Josh Murray 18-21, Russell O’Brien 16-22.

Section 6 Max McAuliffe 24-14, John Shanley 20-17, Beth Cope 18-18, Patrick Oudin 16-22, Amy Lairson 16-23.

Section 7 Tom Wilkinson 23-17, Sue Piper 21-15, Peter Ablazej 20-16, Tim Dickinson 17-22, Mick Keogh 13-24.

Wangaratta B3 the only winners in tough weekend A1: WANGARATTA lost a close game at Rutherglen on Saturday.

The home side took full advantage of their smaller greens to put enough pressure on Wangaratta and come away with a win.

Maurie Braden, Jodie Fruend, Steve English, and Greg McDonald (17-15) had a close win and Trevor Selwood, Mark Allan, Graeme Smith, and Leon Quartermain went on a 7-0 run over the last three ends to snatch a rink win (19-18).

Chris Randell, Paul King, Gary Fenlon, and Michelle Van Praagh just fell short (14-16), while Phil Davern’s rink (12-18) also went down.

Final scores: Wangaratta 4 pts 62 shots lost to Rutherglen 14 pts 67 shots.

Next week Wangaratta will host Corowa RSL.

A3: Wangaratta were no match for visiting Moira on Saturday as last year’s runner up stamped their authority on the match from the outset.

Richard Hermassoo, Terry Corrigan, Barb McDonald, and Tyson Chivers were the only winning rink for the home side (21-14).

Peter Selwood, Jan Hermassoo, Mick Mackow, and Norm Hallett lost narrowly (13-16), however, big losses to Gary Chambers (17-28) and Tom Morrow (6-33) saw Wangaratta go down by a big margin.

Final scores: Wangaratta 2 pts 57 shots lost to Moira 16 pts 91 shots.

In other local games Milawa 2 pts 45 shots lost to Bright 16 pts 112 shots.

Next week Wangaratta will host Milawa.

B1: Wangaratta had an all rink win away to Rutherglen on Saturday.

Richie Allen, Klaus Kazenwadel, Neil Jensen, and John Black cruised to a big win (33-8), and likewise Ken Essenhigh, Chris Bell, Lance Jenkin, and Joy Izard were never troubled to win (2214).

Keith Izard, Gayle King, Sussan Singleton, and Mick Montgomery were made to work hard, before getting home by the barest of margins (24-23).

Final scores: Wangaratta 14 pts 79 shots def Rutherglen 0 pts 45 shots.

Local side Moyhu 3 pts 46 shots lost a close game against St James 11 pts 49 shots.

Wangaratta host Bright next week and Moyhu travel to Moira.

B3: Wangaratta had a loss against visiting side Lavington on Saturday.

Graeme Norman, Lyn Sier, John Knight, and Bob Edwards (23-17) were the only winning rink for the home side.

Lyn Kahlefeldt’s rink (1421) and Ron McAuliffe’s rink (14-20) both went down.

Final scores: Wangaratta 2 pts 51 shots lost to Lavington 12 pts 58 shots.

Wangaratta travel to Myrtleford next week.

O&M State Triples: Fresh off a victory in the Ovens and Murray State Fours, Wangaratta’s Jodie Fruend, Rhoanna Smith and Jan Hermassoo will contest the final of the O&M State Triples on Sunday at Corowa RSL. They will play Evelyn Calder’s Yarrawonga rink in the final.

WENT DOWN: Mark Allan’s Wangaratta A1 side lost to Rutherglen on Saturday despite his rink having a comefrom-behind victory.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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JUMPING FOR JOY Wangaratta Magpies White under 12s player Jack Dean was ecstatic after making 50 runs on his way to 63 not out on Saturday. More photos from the match on page 15.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Smith’s breakthrough Local cyclist y Rueben Smith takes out prestigious p g Melbourne Cup p on Wheels on Saturdayy 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.

Smith said it was an unbelievable feeling as he won a thrilling sprint to the line.

“As I passed the final rider with 20 metres to go, the sense of elation overcame me as I hit the line,” he said.

“With two laps to go, my legs were burning and the lungs could barely keep up; I just knew I had to relax as best I

could, and to be patient and maintain my speed.

“I didn’t dare to dream even after I swooped around the front markers in the final bend.”

The win has launched Rueben’s name with some of the great names of Australian cycling, with previous winners including Sid Patterson, Danny Clark, Dean Woods and current Olympian

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Matthew Glaetzer in its 86 year history.

The race is run as a handicap over six laps of the 250m velodrome, with backmarkers reaching speeds of up to 70kph.

More than 50 riders took part in the men’s category, with riders needing to place in the top six of their heat to progress to the final.

■ Continued page 18

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As I passed the final rider with 20 metres to go, the sense of elation overcame me as I hit the line.

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