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Monday, December 9, 2024

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Phone (03) 5723 0100

MAIN STREET MESS A wild storm cell left Moyhu’s Byrne Street in a “mountain of mess” on Saturday afternoon as emergency services and the local community continued to work to clear the damage on Sunday.

Wangaratta’s SES Unit responded to a total of 27 callouts for assistance over the weekend and urged the community to stay wary of fallen trees across the rural city.

STORY: PAGE 3

Valley tops the trends Page 2

PHOTO : VICSES Wangaratta Unit

Extensions finally open Page 5

Colts stumble with the bat Sport

Fire services burnt out

Years in operation: We have been trading for over 40 years now.

Nash calls for inquiry as monitor’s report shows systemic issues a barrier for CFA, FRV

Opening Hours: 8am til 5pm Monday to Friday & 8.30am til 12 noon Saturday.

Who’s who at Wangaratta Industrial Supplies: (left to right) “The challenges filling vapacted CFA districts, groups, a disastrous fire season or an- ness and readiness.

VOLUNTEER Fire Bri- Bearings andBY STEVE In 2023/24, CFA experi- brigades and volunteers not cancies and non-relief is a other Black Saturday where gades Victoria (VFBV) DisDanni Barber, Greg Oates, Brendon French,KELLY Dylan Fishcher, Greg Baker, Tony Gigliotti, trict 23 president Garry

skelly@

people are killed and commu-

enced a deficit of, on average,

receiving the dedicated op-

complex, multi-faceted issue

“The CFA Fire Chief should

(i.e. commanders and ACFOs)

ship they need to ensure op-

is likely caused by a combina-

being controlled by govern-

per cent of CFA’s operational

readiness,” Mr Blair reported.

“This includes personnel

Chris McInnes Manager, Craig Fruend, Donna McInnes, Richard Nunn, Jodie Edwards. nities are devastated,” he said. 17 senior operational leaders erational support and leader- that pre-dates the reform and Nash is calling–for an inquiry nemedia.com.au into the state’s fire services

Describe field ofreport expertise: Ability to supplywith anything each week, equating to 11 erational preparedness and tion of factors. be in charge of the CFA, or notindustrial. ades of experience the automotive,mechanical followingyour a damning from the state monitor.

CFA, has called for a bipar-

Did you know? We now thetisan North East distributors welding consumables & machines, Festool concrete machines and all trailer Unimig culture welders, and parts, organisational is“CFA alsotools.We reportedkeep that the workforce. ment or a union.”

Legislative Council for In- WIA The Victorian fireare services

vacanciesWix are and impacting on sues, staff being on medical At its Tamer worst, 4WD CFA parts, experi-Donaldson, Concerns the report in- oil, Terrain quiry socylinders, volunteerEvakool and profesmonitor NiallLPG Blair recently / argon pure gas oxy/ / acetylene esky’s and 12 voltinfridges, Fuchs Ryco Filters. released his report revealing

sional firefighters are listened

clude high level vacancies in

enced a deficit of 33 operation-

CFA’s ability to maintain op-

leave, FRV’s ageing workforce,

as a significant barrier to progression of actions jointly led by CFA and FRV. Mr Nash, who has dec-

a workable entity by the government.

“This needs to be done soon rather than waiting for

brigade level volunteers not receiving dedicated operational support and leadership they need to ensure prepared-

of its operational workforce) for one week in 2023/24.

“CFA reports that the vacancies have resulted in im-

obligations and provide safe systems of work in relation to fatigue management of its seconded workforce.

condment model, and FRV’s enterprise agreement and related corporate policies.

■ Continued page 2

to so it Service. can be reformed into the CFA that have resulted in al positions (i.e. 20.6 per cent erations against its statutory implementation of the sesystemic issuesExceptional presenting Customer We guarantee:

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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

Wangaratta police investigate stolen vehicles over weekend

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN WANGARATTA police are on the lookout for two stolen vehicles taken in the region within 24 hours over the weekend.

Senior Constable Kobi Strafford said a silver Ford Ranger was reported missing in Moyhu overnight from Friday to Saturday and was still yet to be located.

Sen Const Stratford said a white Mitsubishi Triton from Myrtleford had also been taken overnight Saturday to Sunday morning.

Police continue to investigate the reported vehicle thefts.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wangaratta police on (03) 5723 0888.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES: Monday

Max 26

Min 9

Mostly sunny

Tuesday

Max 29

Min 9

Mostly sunny

Wednesday Max 27

Min 11

Sunny

Thursday

Max 29

Min 9

Mostly sunny

RAINFALL: Wangaratta Lake Buffalo Cheshunt

Last 72 hours

Last 7 days

8.4mm 15.0mm 28.6mm

45.4mm 55.6mm 83.8mm

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Sunday

LUCKY NUMBERS Tattslotto - Draw 4527

1, 16, 11, 13, 35, 7 (5, 14) Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.

NEWS TIPS Office Hours: 5723 0100 After Hours: 5723 0107 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

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

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Wang campaign office opens for Trenery

By STEVE KELLY LIBERAL candidate for Indi James Trenery is confident he can win the seat of Indi at the 2025 Federal Election, a vision he shared at the opening of his Tone Road, Wangaratta campaign office on Friday.

Supported by Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson and two dozen local Liberal stalwarts, Mr Trenery admitted it would take a large swing in his favour if he is to defeat Independent Helen Haines, but he said he was doing everything he can to make it happen.

“The margin last time was 8 per cent, but it’s a big undertaking to do this and I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t think I could win,” Mr Trenery said.

“It’s a lot of hard work and you’re starting from a long way behind but I think we can win.

“One of the things that’s changing is the apathy is gone in the community, the apathy disappeared when people got a power bill.

“They want to see result and good policies to fix that and they want that discussion to take place.

“It’s the same as the housing and I’ve got kids living at home because they’re trying to save up for a house because they and their friends can’t even get a rental.”

He praised the Wangaratta business community for their support and their desire to see change in Indi.

“The Wangaratta business community is unique and they have been absolutely fantastic,” he said.

“You’ll go to an event and 40-50 people will turn up, it’s not competitive and they want to know what they can do to support the community.”

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Liberal candidate for Indi opens his new campaign office on the corner of Tone and Vincent roads, alongside Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson. PHOTO: Steve Kelly The Liberal Party hasn’t held Indi since Sophie Mirabella lost the election in 2013 to Independent and Dr Haines’ predecessor Cathy McGowan.

But Ms Henderson said Mr Trenery is getting out to every corner of the community, connecting with every group and organisation, which goes a long way to

winning their support.

“James has been door knocking and some people have never seen a politician on their doorstep in Indi before, it’s really exciting,” Ms Henderson said.

Mr Trenery will open a campaign office in Wodonga at some time in the new year.

King Valley tops national list of 2025 travel trends

By ANITA MCPHERSON THE King Valley has been announced as the top trending travel destination in Australia for 2025, according to Time Out Australia.

It follows the release of Booking.com’s 2025 travel predictions, with 27,000 travellers from 33 countries surveyed to find out which Australian destinations are set to be favourites in 2025, with the King Valley taking out the number one spot - the only Victorian destination in the top 10.

Time Out Australia magazine said the King Valley was “a slice of Italy tucked away in the rolling hills of North East Victoria” and described prosecco as “the King Valley’s calling card,” with Brown Family Wine Group’s Katherine Brown agreeing the popularity of the sparkling wine variety had definitely boosted the region’s profile.

Ms Brown said she found the King Valley being the top trending destination a bit of a surprise, because she always thought of it as a big secret - finding first time visitors still express their surprise

at how much there was to offer in the region.

“We all think prosecco has been around forever and everyone has tried it, but perhaps there is this groundswell of Australians drinking Australian prosecco and maybe jumping on and googling King Valley,” she said.

“Then they realise we have great restaurants, great prosecco, but also amazing reds and other whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, and beautiful natural scenery.

“The fact they say it’s on trend, I feel like we’re creating this sense of discovery, so people are wanting to know more.”

Ms Brown said the company had one of the busiest Novembers they’d ever had, with sales nationally looking good and visitation to the Milawa cellar door up, with a sense momentum was building.

She said they were seeing a real mix of visitors through the cellar door, including families who had recently migrated to Australia and wanted to explore outside Melbourne, and “grey nomads” interested in active pursuits like cycling, as well

as spending on food and wine.

Ms Brown said while the cost of living was still being felt by everyone, the fact there were a multitude of attractions within easy reach in the King Valley - and a wide range of accommodation including the ability to camp - meant there was something to suit every budget.

“We do have to be really optimistic about what next year’s going to bring a good ski season will bring the traffic through - and we’d really like to see people staying a little longer,” she said.

King Valley Tourism Association president Karen Barber said the news had spread quickly through the valley, with operators feeling buoyed about the year ahead.

“Every business in the King Valley was posting about it - we’re buzzing with excitement,” she said.

The Rural City of Wangaratta said it takes great pride in King Valley’s stunning landscapes, community spirit, incredible food producers and wineries, and congratulated all the businesses and tourism operators in King Valley.

Systemic issues a barrier for CFA, FRV: montor’s report ■ From page 1

“FSIM has seen evidence of correspondence from CFA to FRV in 2023/24 raising concerns about the scale of the vacancy and non-relief issues experienced by CFA and acknowledging FRV’s efforts to address these issues.”

CFA and FRV established Fire Services Operational Committee (FSOC) in 2021 to identify and promote collaboration and interoperability opportunities and to

strengthen working relations between the two agencies and FSOC has six subcommittees.

However, the monitor reported that FSOC did no progress any work against a formalist workplan in 2023/24.

“FSIM has been advised that FSOC responded to ad-hoc issues instead,” she said.

“In this reporting period, FSOC and four of its subcommittees did not have a workplan.

“In addition, FSOC and one of its subcommittees cancelled up to six meetings this financial year due to key personnel not being available to meet.”

The fire services implementation monitor (FSIM) was established as an independent entity in July 2020 and he monitors and reports on agencies’ progress to deliver relevant actions in the Fire Services Reform Implementation Plan and assesses the effectiveness of agencies’ actions.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 3

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Strike over as Woolworths workers agree to new offer New endorsed deal to increase wages, break link between speed of performance management

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN STOP-work action which has emptied Woolworths shelves in recent weeks has come to an end after an agreement was reached between the supermarket giant and its union workers on Saturday.

The United Workers Union (UWU) and Woolworths Group announced the endorsed deal on Saturday afternoon with hundreds of employees at Woolworths’ Barnawartha Regional Distribution Centre expected to return to work for the

first time since strike action began on November 21.

The UWU announced on Facebook Saturday afternoon they had reached an agreement with the company not to punish workers for their speed of work.

“The new enterprise agreement won by workers breaks the link between measuring the speed of their work and automatic punishment if they fall behind – a system that effectively attempted to treat Woolworths warehouse workers like robots,” a UWU spokesperson said.

“Workers’ wages will increase with above-inflation increases across all sites to help families in a cost-ofliving crisis.”

The stop-work action has significantly impacted supplies to Woolworths supermarkets and subsidiary outlets including in Wangaratta.

Woolworths Group chief executive officer Amanda Bardwell said the supermarket will now be focused on getting products back on empty shelves with just two weeks to go until Christmas.

“Turning back ‘on’ such a large part of our supply chain will mean it will take some time for our stores to look their best and we’ll be ramping up as much as we can to get products to the stores where they’re needed most,” she said.

“We know how frustrating it has been to shop in store and online with us in recent weeks.

“We thank all of them [customers] sincerely for their understanding and patience.”

On Friday the Fair Work Commission found the un-

ion had been unfairly negotiating with the supermarket giant, and protest picket lines outside its distribution hubs were “unlawful”.

The commission prohibited UWU members from preventing access to four out of five distribution sites, excluding Barnawartha.

UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy said shelves at Woolworths stores will soon be full again.

“Warehouse workers have challenged one of the most significant threats to worker safety and wellbeing as we enter a new AI-

surveillance era of work… and they have won,” he said.

“This has been a very hard struggle to get to this point, with workers forgoing pay on strike for 17 days to stand united against a punitive performance management system.

“The community support for these workers has been incredible.

“We would like to thank everyone who visited workers on strike, cooked for workers and families, donated money and sent messages of support.”

Southern storms: city’s south hit by damaging downpour, winds

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN MAINTENANCE and clean ups continued to take place across the rural city’s south on Sunday as a wild isolated storm cell passed through on Saturday afternoon.

While Wangaratta was left unscathed, a violent weather system involving heavy rain, large hailstones and damaging winds tore through communities in Greta and Moyhu around 3:45pm, December 7.

Wangaratta SES Unit Controller Jess Zuber said the storm left around six kilometres of road covered by fallen trees in its wake.

“It hit us pretty hard,” she said.

“A number of those trees falling brought down power lines.

“We were very lucky none of our community events like the Eldorado [Folk Rhythm and Life] festival were hugely impacted because the storms had the potential to cause some major damage.”

AusNet’s power outage tracker reported more than 1000 homes and businesses from South Wangaratta to the King valley region were without power from around 3:50pm Saturday afternoon.

While power was restored to most sites overnight, some 177 homes surrounding the Moyhu-based outage remained without power as of 2pm Sunday.

Owner of the Moyhu Hotel Melissa Wilson said she observed the build up to the afternoon storm on the radar, with pockets of rain coming from all four directions.

She said Moyhu’s Byrne Street was caught in the middle of the storm, as trees and powerlines tumbled in the heart of town.

“We still had quite a few large branches down in our backyard [on Sunday], but the street is still a mess, there’s tree litter everywhere,” she said.

Ms Wilson said the neighbouring Moyhu Caravan Park

and Camp Grounds was heavily affected, with community members doing all they can to help in the aftermath.

“Everyone stopped to help, particularly when we had the power line down across the road,” she said.

“Luckily we have road works going on in town so we were able to grab the signs from there and stop cars from driving across it.

“The community were wonderful.”

The hotel ran off an inhouse generator and a limited menu on Saturday night and were fully operational on Sunday, attracting a thirsty community as they helped repair damage on the main street.

Saturday’s storm followed a heavy downpour of rain which swept through the heart of Wangaratta on Friday night.

The Bureau of meteorology’s Wangaratta Airport gauge saw 6.4mm of rain fall between 6pm and 6:30pm on Friday night.

Ms Zuber said nearby properties along Warby Ovens National Park in Glenrowan and Wangandary were heavily affected.

Ms Zuber said the Wangaratta unit responded to 27 callouts in total across Friday and Saturday, bringing the unit 24 callouts shy of 2022’s busiest year on record, which stands at 391.

“Particularly at this time of year our amazing volunteers are missing out on Christmas parties and events while they’re helping, so they are very greatly appreciated across our community,” she said.

While sunny skies are expected to fill most of this week according to BOM forecasts, Ms Zuber said it was important the community stay wary around local river catchments and trees across the rural city throughout the next few days.

“While the rest of the rural city sweated through Saturday, there was a substantial amount of rain that went

TARGETED RESPONSE: Wangaratta SES crews responded to many tree falls across the rural city on Friday and Saturday.

TREE TUMBLE: The damage of Saturday’s storm could still clearly be seen on Moyhu’s main street on Sunday. through Saturday’s storm and Friday night so the ground is still quite wet,” she said.

“If we do get heat and wind, we have a high potential for limbs and trees to fall.

“I wouldn’t expect major flooding impacts but we do know people are coming into the season where they want to get away camping and enjoy our rivers, so we’re urging them to take care,” she said.

“Not only are trees falling but there are a lot of loose branches hanging in other trees at the moment.

“Council crews will be doing a lot of work Monday and Tuesday so we urge everyone to take care.”

You can report any incidents of fallen trees to the SES on 132 500.

ALL AROUND THE CLOCK: SES crews were busy in all hours of the day on Friday and Saturday following heavy downpurs.

PLANS, PERMITS AND INSTALL – WE HAVE YOU COVERED

SHEDS BUILT TOUGH FROM DAY ONE BUF_Wangaratta_Chronicle_Template.indd 1

26/11/2024 9:23 am

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

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Man set for third release from custody this year

Double the average storms in Wangaratta

A MELBOURNE man is set to be released on a deferred sentence for a second time this year after persistent intervention order breaches concerning a long-term ex-partner.

The 39-year-old appeared in the custody box at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as he continued to serve his third separate stint behind bars this year.

The court heard one of those arrests occurred in Wangaratta when he was caught driving erratically on the Hume Freeway in January.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ramadan Hamidon said on January 24 this year, the defendant used his mother’s car to take off from his Roxborough Park home “to get away from people”.

The 39-year-old was seen driving erratically along the Hume Freeway and facetimed his ex-partner, threatening to cut himself with a machete.

Wangaratta police were able to intercept the defendant after a “visibly distressed” ex-partner notified Melbourne officers.

He was admitted to Wangaratta hospital while police searched his vehicle and found a machete in the back seat and a smear of blood, with methamphetamine stored in a shoe and a firearm hidden under the air filter.

At the hospital, he was caught in breach of an intervention order placed by his ex-partner and was arrested.

He had been placed on the order

Freak flash flood frenzy

Monday, December 8, 2014

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER DOZENS of Wangaratta householders have been left counting the cost of flood inundation after a violent storm drowned most of the city in more than 50mm of rainfall within an hour on Saturday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology says 51 millimetres of rain soaked and battered Wangaratta between 1pm to 2pm, with heavy hail the size of 10 cent coins adding to the impact.

Homes in estates off Yarrawonga Road, through the west end and out along Tone Road felt the full brunt of the storm cell.

Roads were instantly turned into flowing rivers as storm water drains struggled to cope with what some residents believe was December’s heaviest hourly rainfall to beset the city in living memory.

Certainly, the 61mm to 9am Sunday was the heaviest 24 hour total since December 4, 1954, when 70.4mm fell.

Around 20 Wangaratta SES members responded to more than 60 calls

for help throughout Saturday afternoon, working into the evening to deal with mostly flood inundation.

Wangaratta SES controller Catherine Russell said the unit hadn’t been that busy since the September 2010 floods.

“Probably about 40 of the calls related to flash flooding,” Ms Russell said.

“Gutters and drains were overwhelmed by the intense falls and we had instances of floodwater flowing through homes and backyards.”

Sisley and Rangeview Avenues were among the hardest hit by flash flooding.

Resident Damian Isarin (pictured above) and his family only moved into their Sisley Ave home four months ago, and they were shocked to see a river flowing through their garage and newly built back room.

after an aggressive assault at the victim’s Epping home on January 12.

The court heard the victim had suffered a lacerated cheek bone and swelling from two punches to the face overnight while in bed with her and the defendant’s daughter.

The court heard Magistrate Ian Watkins granted bail for the matters after 62 days behind bars and placed the 39-year-old on a deferred sentence in May, but he found himself back in custody following further offending in July.

He would serve 25 days in custody before finding himself in hot water again in September.

The court heard from August 3 to September 13, the defendant made

multiple breaches of an intervention order between the same expartner, which included repeated visits to her home, threats and abuse.

The defendant’s defence counsel said her client had spent a total 143 days in custody for three separate stints of offending.

She said a “significant” methamphetamine addiction had marred all aspects of his life and submitted he would be better served accessing rehabilitation services in the community rather than behind bars.

Magistrate Watkins adjourned the matter for sentence on Monday in Wodonga Magistrates’ Court, where he said he would release the 39-year-old on a deferred sentence.

THIS DEEP: Sisley Avenue resident Stephen Wright said water a foot high flooded his shed.

PHOTO: Luke Plummer

“At its peak there was probably a foot high stream of water gushing through,” he said.

“We were lucky as there hasn’t been any serious damage, just the clean-up.”

Several doors down, Karyn and Stephen Wright said they’d seen nothing like it in the eight years they’ve lived in Sisley Avenue.

“We have a river flowing through the backyard,” Karyn said, picking up handfuls of hail where the water was receding.

“We had a photographer booked for 1pm to take family photos in the backyard for my son’s (Fabian) 21st birthday, but that didn’t happen.

“The toilet and all inside basins are blocked up with flood water.”

Stephen, in shorts and gumboots, was trying to salvage what he could from their flooded shed.

“All the power tools, mower, even the leather seat I’d taken out of the car were drowned by up to a foot of water,” he said.

“I’m hoping everything will dry out and still work.”

Ms Russell said SES crews had also

responded to many calls from householders who’d had flooding in their ceilings - with reports of several ceilings caving in.

In many cases, roof guttering and downpipes, often blocked by hail, had seen water forced back into roof cavities, drowning insulation which needed to be removed.

“We fortunately didn’t have to do any evacuations...we did advise some people to turn off their power though,” Ms Russell said.

“We attended St John’s and Rangeview nursing homes and provided sandbags to prevent water from coming in.”

A St John’s spokesperson said some water did get into several areas, which need to be cleaned and dried.

A shed in Newman Street, used by the Department of Justice, lost a large section of its roof, and SES volunteers attended to help temporarily secure the affected area.

Ms Russell said she was not aware of anyone being injured in the storm.

The deluge saw all outside sports cancelled on Saturday afternoon.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?

By Peter Nelson, retired CSIRO climatologist

THE month of November was noteworthy for the high frequency of thunderstorms, abnormally high humidity particularly from November 16 onwards.

There were eight days of thunderstorms in Wangaratta, which was twice the usual number for November.

Maximum and minimum temperatures were a couple of degrees above normal.

At Wangaratta the mean maximum was 28.0 degrees, at Rutherglen the mean maximum was higher at 29.2 degrees, at Benalla the mean maximum was 27.7 degrees, whilst at Yarrawonga the mean maximum was also higher at 29.2 degrees, At Albury the mean maximum was also higher at 29.1 degrees.

The mean minimum temperature for November was 11.1 degrees at Wangaratta; 9.8 degrees at Rutherglen which had a frost on November 8; 11.7 degrees at Benalla, 12.2 degrees at Yarrawonga and 13.3 at Albury.

The highest temperatures were 36 degrees at Wangaratta, 35 degrees at Benalla, 37.4 at Rutherglen, 37.5 at Yarrawonga, and 36.8 at Albury all occurring on Saturday November 23.

The lowest temperatures at all five major centres were all around two to three degrees occurring about November 9.

Rainfalls for November were all well above the average.

Wangaratta received 128 mm, the wettest November since 151.7 in 1954; Benalla received 126.6 mm, the wettest for November since 1971; Rutherglen received 129.8 mm, 83 mm above average and the wettest for November since 138 mms in 1946.

Yarrawonga received 81.6 mms and Albury received 90.8 mm not as wet as November two years ago.

Further towards the Alpine resorts Whitfield (Cheshunt) recorded 155.6 mms the wettest for November since 168.6 mms in 2010; a further 97.4 mms fell during the first four days of December which also happened in early December of 2010 and there was another burst of heavy rain on December 19, 2010.

This certainly led to a very wet summer with floods.

Whitlands recorded 222mm for November, the wettest for November since 247mm in 1988.

Moyhu recorded 152mm the wettest for November 167mm in 1954.

Another very wet November in Moyhu was 147mm in 1912.

Further hot and humid conditions with thunderstorms are expected by next weekend as another low pressure trough approaches from South Australia.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 5

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Local Men’s Shed finally celebrate a job well done

BY SHANE DOUTHIE

sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au

IT may have taken a bit longer than first expected, but the Wangaratta Men’s Shed celebrated with gusto at the official opening of its extensions last week, officiated by Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines.

Men’s Shed vice-president Mal White, filling in for president Ken Clarke, said the project had “hit a few hurdles” since the planning permit was approved back in May 2022, from having difficulty finding a builder to even quote on such a relatively small project ($80,000) to the club being scammed out of $25,000 set aside for the build, but a united effort had seen the task completed.

Mr White thanked Ed Crosher (Crosher Constructions) for taking on the building job, Max Vincent and his team of merry men, $40,000 from Victorian Government’s Stronger Sheds program, $5000 from Glenrowan Solar Farm’s Community Benefit Sharing Program, Dr Haines for helping the club gain the $10,000 Federal Gov-

HAPPY TIMES: Wangaratta Men’s Shed vice-president Mal White with Indi Independent MP Helen Haines at the opening the new recreation room.

PHOTO: Shane Douthie ernment grant, and Bendigo Bank and other banks quick action to stop the withdrawal of the majority of the funds scammed.

The result is a carpeted pool room and recreation area

which the members have embraced with enthusiasm.

Dr Haines congratulated the members and everyone else who had supported the project including the Wangaratta community

who turned out in droves for a fundraising fair held by the club to recoup some of the lost funds, which raised around $11,000.

“This really has been a television drama but like

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all good dramas, this has a happy ending,” she said.

“At the event here I saw the people who had turned out which made me feel proud.”

Police issue drink drive warning this December VICTORIA Police is issuing a zero-tolerance warning as new analysis reveals December is the worst month for drink driving on local roads.

Over the past three years, a total 2591 drink driving detections were recorded in December statewide.

This is 20 per cent higher than November when 2154 motorists were caught over the limit in the three years analysed.

December also posted the highest number of collisions where the driver was over the blood alcohol limit, with 321 recorded for the month across the three-year period.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said not only do police have more alcohol detections, we have more alcoholfuelled collisions than at any other time of the year.

A recent joint TAC-Victoria Police campaign has seen increased police presence targeting local roads with a history of high road trauma.

Two motorists were detected speeding at 137km/h on Saturday, November 23, on Wangaratta-Beechworth Road and Great Alpine Road as a result of the operation.

Victoria Police’s drink driving focus will continue into January with a significant statewide road policing operation set to kick off next week.

Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

Another timely thank you to our volunteers IT’S this time of the year when people are expected to be winding down and celebrating the festive season, but not for our local emergency service volunteers this year.

SES Wangaratta Unit has been kept busy over an extensively late spring storm period which has caused headaches across multiple areas in the municipality.

Another two weather systems passed through the region on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday’s isolated storm causing power outages and wide-ranging damage to rural areas and roads.

Following 27 callouts this weekend, the local unit has recorded 367 total callouts this year and is now another storm away from reaching its busiest year on record, which included 391 callouts in 2022.

While we sometimes take their help for granted, it’s quite remarkable the unit has been able to keep up with their successful assistance of the community, given an-ever regressing volunteer workforce and the variety of challenges which comes with emergency response.

Bureau of Meteorology forecasts show our emergency services volunteers are finally expected to get some reprieve this week as more typical summer weather hits the city.

Whether that’s the case or not, it will be a more than well-earned break for our hard working service people who will have time to look after themselves, rather than others.

It’s always positive to see members of the community make such an invaluable contribution to the rural city, and it’s vital we all find a way to do our part, whether it’s becoming a member of a local brigade or unit or help maintain our city’s beauty.

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the proposed removal of carparks near the local Senior Citizens Club.

Leslie Matthews: We need less parking not more.

The CBD is choking. Close off Murphy Street to parking Jody Davern: I’m all for progress, but not if it means sacrificing essential community spaces.

Wangaratta needs to focus on addressing its parking issues and ensuring that community

• •

spaces remain accessible for all citizens, particularly our more vulnerable ones.

Facebook users this week also commented on workforce challenges and financial constraints experienced by the Wangaratta council.

Eric Douthie: Let’s have a good look at staff qualifications and if they suit roles performed. The money that is used for discretionary spending needs closer attention along with use of

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2. The Dreketi River is a major river in which island country?

3. In the 2000 movie, The Dish, which sport was played in the dish?

4. Boyle Finniss was the first Premier of which Australian state?

5. The milk of which animal is used to make traditional Philadelphia cheese?

6. What are the two disciplines of canoeing in Olympic competition?

7. Who had the 1983 hit duet, Islands in the Stream, with Kenny Rogers?

8. Austrian composer Franz Schubert lived during which two centuries?

9. What is the capital city of Canada?

10. Which company makes Tiny Teddy biscuits?

11. Who was the first man to run the mile in less than 4 minutes?

12. Which popular TV vet wrote the books, WonderDog and WonderCat? 13. What is the full name of the fictional pilot known as Biggles?

14. In which country was Cliff Richard born?

15. Clark Kent/Superman worked for which newspaper?

16. What are the first names of the two children that were adopted by Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise?

17. In 2008, who did Malcolm Turnbull replace as the Leader of the Federal Opposition?

18. Elliot Stabler was one of the main characters of which TV series?

19. In what year of the 1940s was the United Nations established?

20. The 1970s Sunbury Pop Festivals were held approximately 30km NW of which Australian capital city?

Answers 1. Intelligence Quotient 2. Fiji 3. Cricket 4. South Australia 5. Cow 6. Slalom, sprint 7. Dolly Parton 8. 18th, 19th 9. Ottawa 10. Arnott’s 11. Roger Bannister 12. Katrina Warren 13. James Bigglesworth 14. India 15. Daily Planet 16. Isabella, Connor 17. Brendan Nelson 18. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 19. 1945 20. Melbourne

Compiled by Ric Allport – www.brainfoodfactory.com – Challenge your Brain

•Every time I visit the place I’m Craig Musselwhite:

amused there’s still only one coles and one Woolies and they’re both in the centre of

town. Reckon you all need some modern thinking town planners who will look at real growth for the town.

Cindy Knight: More ppl , yet the roads are getting worse, sewerage not updated either is the water and Greta rd still floods( for yrs and yrs now) Emma Harrington: Don’t know how considering locals can’t get housing how are outsiders getting houses when locals can’t get rentals or afford to buy

•

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Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page Our follower total is

15,054

Quilt display highlights our creative quilters I WOULD to acknowledge all of our very talented ladies who have had their creations displayed at My Little Patch.

This year we decided to display quilts by our ladies for a month in the shop to show people what you can achieve.

It has inspired ladies to try different techniques and types of fabric.

We also saw the change in the fabrics used from when they first started to now.

Visitors to Wangaratta were delighted to see so many different styles.

Wangaratta certainly has a lot of very talented ladies.

Thank you so much to all who participated Susan Callus, Wangaratta

At least 100 victims of V/Line train delay

to letter from Carole Bruest The Quiz No. 114 in INtheresponse Wangaratta Chronicle (Wednesday, 1. In relation to IQ tests, what does IQ stand for?

motor vehicles. Council needs to be more open to ratepayers questions and not just close down citing operational matters.

Facebook users this week also commented on Wangaratta being the regional growth hotspot according to report mapping bank customers.

December 4).

Carole, you were very lucky to have a lift to catch the V/Line train.

I was one of over 100 V/Line passengers stranded on Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy last Saturday evening due to both suburban and V/Line problems, trying to return to Wangaratta on the 6.02pm Albury train.

One of several announcements informed travellers the delay would be lengthy and to find an alternate form of transport.

A very difficult task for those travelling as far as Albury.

The poor communication from both Met and V/Line staff meant we were completely at a loss as what to do.

A Met person arrived after at least 90 minutes to inform the group that buses were coming but no time frame was given.

Most passengers stood but several had to find a seat further along the road due to feeling faint or using a walking stick as an aid.

Considering there were families with young children as well as elderly people left to wait without any facilities, is far from ideal.

Whilst everyone understands problems occur, the communication was extremely poor.

The second of two buses finally left Glenroy at 9:15pm meaning my journey home to Oxley was over 31/2 hours late.

Sue McGregor, Oxley

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: More than 50 people attended a life care and suicide prevention seminar on Thursday evening, where Rapid Response Ministries national director, Mark Bateman, discussed topics and provided practical steps to equip attendees to support those experiencing suicidal thoughts and empower attendees to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

Fire agencies are prepared for summer OVER the last few weeks you might have noticed a pick-up in news articles and broadcasts forecasting a hot, dry summer, and high potential for fire in some areas of the state.

This year’s outlook for Victoria predicts higher potential for fire for most of western Victoria, as well as southwest Gippsland, including Mornington Peninsula, greater Melbourne and North East Victoria.

The potential has been assessed this way because of the dry conditions in those areas, the availability of vegetation (e.g. grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and fallen branches) to ‘fuel’ fires, high temperatures and the continuing lack of rainfall to bring moisture to the landscape.

The fire potential elsewhere in Victoria has been assessed as ‘normal’, but hot, dry and windy weather can still pose a risk in areas dominated by forests, woodlands, or dense, low shrubs.

‘Normal’ is no reason to be complacent, but you should know that Victoria is prepared and that our land and fire agencies have worked all year to reduce our bushfire risk.

We are prepared and ready to respond.

On public land this year, FFMVic carried out risk reduction works across more than 138,000 hectares – and because it isn’t just about this summer or this season, I’m happy

to tell you that we also carried out works on more than 90,000 hectares the year before.

The impacts are cumulative.

Risk reduction works include planned burns, mowing, mulching, slashing and spraying.

On the frontline, FFMVic has close to 1800 personnel, including full-time and seasonal firefighters, fire lookout observers and fire support officers.

They are supported by hundreds of emergency and incident management staff, including surge staff who have a fire and emergency role in addition to their day job, as well as firefighting equipment.

Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria

WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words.

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Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 7

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Archives make for much easier walk down Memory Lane

By SHANE DOUTHIE

ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVES: Wangaratta Players Inc archivist Jeff Faithfull and the general public have ready access to the club’s historical archives thanks to the new Compactus storage system.

FANS of local theatre troupe, Wangaratta Players, can now look into its rich history far more easily with its new archive system.

Thanks to a $10,115.60 grant from The Public Record Office Victoria’s Local History Grants Program, Wangaratta Players now has a Compactus storage system providing ready access to the club’s rich history of performance going back to 1951.

Wangaratta Players Inc archivist Jeff Faithfull has been hard at work cataloguing archives since 2019 and is about two thirds of the way through the project with about 11,000 separate items stored so far.

“Hundreds of hours of work have gone into the archiving and probably the most visible result of

this is the poster display in the foyer of The Stage Door Studio,” Jeff said.

“The posters are rotated regularly.

“For instance, it currently features posters from past Youth Group productions to coincide with our Youthies’ end of year productions and showcases.

“But with the system we have now, present and past members of the Players, or the public who have an interest in our history, are welcome to arrange a viewing of the archives to relive some of our past productions.

“We really want to thank The Public Record Office Victoria for their generous donation, it has gone along way in not only preserving our history but making it far more accessible for the community to enjoy.”

The archive is by no means complete, however, and Jeff invited anyone

who has any memorabilia from the Wangaratta Players past - whether it’s a poster, program, script, videos, clothing, costume or prop - to contact arc h i ve s.w a n ga r a t t ap l a y ers@gmail.com.

“We are interested in anything that can help tell our story and remind us of all of the wonderful people who have gone before us in the performing arts and helped make Wangaratta Players what it is today,” Jeff said.

“We are working towards digitising the whole collection, including newspaper cuttings, committee documents, programs and photos.

“The aim is to eventually make the digital collection available through the Wangaratta Players’ website for amateur historians, other theatre companies and nostalgic members to enjoy.”

Billson’s stays in business, avoids liquidation following vote

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN THE future of Beechworth’s Billson’s Beverages has been secured following a vote in favour of restructuring and recapitalising the town’s beverage icon.

Creditors of Billson’s met on Thursday, December 5 to vote to execute a deed of company arrangement, recapitalising the company which entered voluntary administration in July.

Billson’s directors Nathan and Felicity Cowan released a statement on Thursday informing

their community of the news and said they were thrilled with the outcome.

“This marks a pivotal milestone for us of which we are truly grateful,” they said.

“The restructure will allow us to refocus on what we love most: the Beechworth venue experience, our range of traditional flavours and the sites pristine alpine spring water.

The pair said the plan would safeguard the roles of the remaining 42 employees with Billson’s, with opportunity to expand on its workforce.

“Whether you’ve enjoyed one of our drinks,

visited us in Beechworth, or sent a kind message of support on social media, you’ve played a vital role in keeping the Billson’s dream alive,” they said.

Creditors were faced with three available options to vote on; whether company control would be returned to directors, entering a deed of company agreement or enter liquidation.

A report received by creditors at the meeting outlined the key events leading up to the appointment of administrators on July 31, with a decline in sales, cost-of-living pressures and intense competition cited as some of the

company’s top difficulties.

The report also stated destruction and repair costs caused by mechanical failures and can leak issues in 2023 also contributed to liquidity challenges.

Billson’s Beverages grew at a “substantial rate” across a short period of time, growing from $400,000 in revenue in 2019 to $105 million in revenue by 2023.

The company set a target of $150 million revenue for the 2023/24 financial year and invested heavily in marketing, new product development and inventory, according to the report.

But by November 2023, sales declined markedly against budget and increasing financial pressure was placed on the business.

At the date of the administrators’ appointment, Billson’s workforce consisted of 101 employees, with 52 being made redundant and a further 13 employees resigning during the administration.

Creditors also heard details of how administrators from McGrathNicol were seeking a new buyer for the company.

“Since 23 October 2024, administrators have been negotiating with an unrelated preferred bidder on

finalising a sale,” the report said.

“The asset sale is with an unrelated, confidential party and remains subject to ongoing negotiation at this stage.”

The proposed agreement voted on by creditors sees the company’s $12.2 million debt to NAB paid in full as a secured creditor, while unsecured creditors will get between seven to 10 cents on the dollar.

The report noted if the company were to enter liquidation, it would most likely result in no return for unsecured creditors.

Youth rate cost of living as number one concern

By AILIE WITTING THE 23rd annual Youth Survey was conducted by Mission Australia, which revealed that the cost of living was considered to be the most important concern among young people in Victoria.

The survey found 56 per cent of young Victorians rated the cost of living as their number one concern which was “a notable increase from 31 per cent in 2023”, Mission Australia said.

Wangaratta Indi College learners spoken to by this masthead agreed with the findings, sharing their concerns over the cost of living.

“Us kids won’t be able to find a house until we’re 40,” Natasha Kohn said.

Other local learners were worried about the prices of food and basic necessities, as well as moving out of their parents’ homes.

“Five items are now $50, when they used to be way

less,” Rosie Carroll said.

Laura Lengrand and Teegan Doyle, a coach and the welfare officer respectively, found it disheartening to see so many of their young learners struggle with money.

“Realistically, these items shouldn’t be hard to buy,” Ms Lengrand said.

“They should be in an affordable price bracket.”

Both adults encouraged young people to seek help before it became too late.

“There is lots of help available, sometimes it’s just about asking people where help is,” Ms Doyle said.

“There are foodshares all over town.

“One specifically is NESAY, another foodshare place is the community house at Pangerang Community Hub. “You can find information on the council website and it has a list of all food shares that are available.”

YOUNG VOICES: (From left) Ailie Witting, Natasha Kohn, Rosie Carroll, Tahlia Gregory, Teegan Doyle (welfare officer) discuss their cost of living concerns.

PHOTO: Lauren Grenfell Scott

Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

ACROSS THE ARTS

Photographs capture mystery and beauty of the Warby Range

BY ANITA McPHERSON

amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

THE wonder of the Warby Range and its spectacular grass trees are captured in a series of photographs now on display in the foyer of the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

The images were taken by Jan Osmotherly, who said she has been photographing the Warby Range near her home for over 20 years, in awe of its striking beauty and the significance of the environment.

“I’ve often thought it was taken for granted - that we had incredible things here in our back yard that we don’t really recognise,” she said.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the Grey Grass Trees, and the more I found out, the more intrigued I was.”

Jan began producing an annual calendar in an effort to get people to appreciate what they had on their doorstep, which was distributed by word of mouth, and demand for it began to grow.

She was then invited by the Wangaratta Art Gallery to exhibit in the foyer gallery, with gallery director Rachel Arndt carefully selecting just a handful of images from the hundreds Jan has taken.

An official opening celebration for the exhibition was held on Friday night in the Uniting Church Hall, where Jan gave a presentation which included about 100 of her photographs.

She said the ancient Grey Grass Trees, understood to be prehistoric (perhaps 35 million years old) have touched her heart.

“I think they’re almost spiritual - they are that special - and I don’t think people realise how old their origins are,” she said.

“They are not a grass and not a tree - they are unique - and the species we have in the Warby’s is a sub-species which is on the endangered list.

“We’ve probably got some of the oldest and tallest that exist on the planet.

NATURAL WONDER: Jan Osmotherly hopes her exhibition of photographs will inspire a greater appreciation in the local community of the nearby Warby Range and its endangered Grey Grass Trees.

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma “I love all their aspects - the yin and yang of them.

“They can take 100 years to grow a metre, yet their flower spikes can grow three centimetres in a night and I know because I have one in my front yard and I’ve measured them.”

Jan said what is also extraordinary is their interconnection with their surrounds - the grass tree unable to exist without its relationship to fungi - its flower spikes providing food for insects and birds, and the entire plant’s importance to First Nations people, used in a variety of ways.

She said her Indigenous friend Leonie, who sadly passed away of

brain cancer earlier this year, used to say they were ancient, wise spirits that look over you - and it’s something Jan has begun to feel herself.

Local groups Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability and Friends of Warby-Ovens National Park (which Jan is a member of ) asked her to show more of her images and share what she has learnt during the event held on Friday night, and she did so in the hope of inspiring more people to appreciate what we have in the region.

Speakers from those groups were also on hand to provide an update on the health of the grass

trees and the ways they can be protected.

Jan said the importance of looking after our grass trees can’t be overestimated, as their interconnection means they play a vital role in supporting biodiversity in the environment.

But she says it’s also about forging a deeper connection with them in our hearts and minds.

“I don’t just go and take a snap - I sit there forever trying to get the right image - and when you sit there for a while you notice all sorts of things,” she said.

“It’s about what Indigenous people call ‘deep listening’ and what we might call mindfulness - you

just need to go slow and be in the present - and I’ve found it very good for mental health.

“We don’t actually know why our Grey Grass Tree flowers - a lot of other grass trees are stimulated by fire, but ours isn’t - and while I try and figure it out, it’s actually good that we don’t know everything.

“I’m hoping through my pictures, to encourage an appreciation, a conservation and a fascination.”

Awe by Jan Osmotherly, and exhibition curated by the Wangaratta Art Gallery, can be seen in the foyer of the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre until March 12.

The Australian Quilt Show Challenge 2025 entries are open AUSTRALIA’S premier quilt competition, the Australian Quilt Show Challenge is back in 2025 and is now calling for entries.

The competition, sponsored

by Janome and Expertise Events Pty Ltd, invites passionate quilters nationwide to showcase their artistry and have their work displayed at Australia’s premier quilting events.

The competition is open to all Australian quilters.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or exploring quilting for the first time, this is a chance to gain national recognition, share your work with a supportive audience and be part of a legacy celebrating Australia’s rich quilting tradition.

Renowned quilter Sue De Vanny (VIC) described the competition as a “vibrant tapestry of creativity, innovation, and story-

telling,” highlighting its ability to offer exposure and foster a supportive artistic community.

Gloria Loughman (VIC), a three-time participant, praised the quilting challenge’s unique format, which brings quilts to audiences nationwide and offers a wealth of prestigious prizes.

Susan Sheath (WA) emphasised the significance of this national stage, noting how it encourages quilters to showcase diverse styles, from traditional to modern and abstract, beyond local forums.

Quilting is more than a craft; it’s a vibrant community that fosters creativity, and connection with like-minded makers and promotes positive well-being.

The competition is the perfect way to use your holiday ‘downtime’ to create something new or showcase any work that was cre-

ated between December 2023 and February 2025.

The challenge welcomes entries in seven exciting categories including Modern Quilt, Traditional Quilt, Art or Pictorial Quilt, Pieced and/or Appliqued Quilt, Recycled and Restyled, Embroidered by Hand or Machine and the inspiring Emerging Talent category for entrants aged 21 and under.

Judging will be based on the excellence in design, craftsmanship and interpretation of the theme where applicable.

Special awards will be given to celebrate creativity, innovation and craftsmanship, making this an unmissable opportunity for quilters of all styles and skill levels.

This year has an outstanding prize pool of $37,297 where the ‘Best in Show’ winner will take

home a grand prize of $10,000 cash and the category winners and special award winners will be awarded cash prizes (total value of $8900) and be in the running to win one of three Janome sewing machine prizes (valued at $5999 each).

The deadline for submissions is February 20, 2025 and the cost to enter is $35 per item.

The Australian Quilt Show prize winners will be celebrated and recognised at the Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) from April 10-13 2025, at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.

The finalists’ quilts will be displayed at AQC and the Craft & Quilt Fairs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Visit https://craftevents.com. au/aqs_enter-your-quilt_2025/ for more information and submission details.

DIAMOND DOG: This quilt made by Victorian resident Sue De Vanny won ‘Best Use of Colour’ in last year’s competition.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 9

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Wangaratta teen, friends building hope for a hospital step by step

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

MORE THAN A RUN: Wangaratta’s James Long took to the track to run a marathon with his mate Matt Allen to help raise vital funds for a new first aid post in a remote Vanuatu community. PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann INSET: READY TO RUMBLE: Matt Allen (left) and James Long (right) prepare to take on their very first marathons together on November 24, as they raised more than $4000 as a team.

The group decided among themselves to help raise funds build a health centre and air post in the town of Laus, aiming for a $2000 contribution from each group member to reach a $40,000 target.

Hive Rotary Club, alongside Bridging Health based in Albury-Wodonga, aim to build a four to six room maternal health centre and nurse station, built to the

highest cyclone and rodent protection possible.

Inspired by the treacherous walk taken by the North Tanna community to access basic first-aid, James and his friend Matt Allen set out to run a marathon as their way to give back.

“We thought for them to walk to the hospital is hard work and a marathon is around the same distance to their walk,” James said

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cided they would be running their marathon, they had six weeks to prepare.

“It was a pretty stupid idea,” James laughed.

With as much training under their belt as they could get, the pair hit the track at Lilydale’s Run for the Young Marathon on November 24.

If the 42.2km wasn’t hard enough, the pair reached the start line in the tumbling rain, which persisted.

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Hear better before the holidays!

“We’re not the most creative salesmen so we thought we’d get the word out that we’re running a marathon and see how people respond to that.”

According to various experts on websites across the web, the ideal training and preparation period for a marathon can range between 12 to 20 weeks and as long as 9-12 months for first time runners.

When James and Matt de-

YOU

THE island of Tanna, Vanuatu is home to the most accessible active volcano in the world and renowned for its cultural villages.

Wangaratta Cathedral College student James Long, 16, under his association with Rotary Club of Appin Park, travelled to the island with a group of 17 others with Hive Rotary Club Albury-Wodonga in June this year.

The group volunteered over the winter holidays to deliver aid, support and education to local communities, particularly in North Tanna.

“We taught them about their bodies because it’s a bit taboo for them, they don’t really know much about it,” James said.

During their travels, James and the group learnt some harrowing facts about the current health situation on the remote parts of the island.

James said the current medical centre was too small and in disrepair, leaving over 2000 people without reliable access to healthcare.

“There’s one hospital on the whole island and it’s a three-hour drive from the village we were at,” he said.

“They have this little hut and it’s not really suitable for treating anyone, we even heard pregnant women have had to walk to the hospital, with most people not owning a car.

“But if they build a big enough building the government will actually send out nurses and help them out with the things they need for the facility.”

“It wasn’t enjoyable at all,” James said.

“I was a bit worried, at about halfway I was starting to feel sore in the legs.

“It was a mental battle, from about 35km on I kept asking how much longer do I have to every volunteer I saw and it didn’t seem to be going down in distance very fast.

“I was at the point where I thought I can’t pull out from taking $4000 off a lot of good people, so I had to finish it.

“It was really difficult; but I was pretty happy to finish when I did.”

When the pair took off on their run, they had raised just shy of their $4000 target, but as James crossed the finish line around five and a half hours later, their tally sat at $4275.

“As soon as I crossed the line it was all worth it, personally it was a good achievement and a good box to tick,” James said.

“I was pretty chuffed, after they told me we made it.

“I sat down straight away and fell asleep not long after that.”

Inspired by his experience in Vanuatu, James will be going on exchange next year to the Argentinian town of Alcota, leaving in January.

While James and Matt have reached their target, others in their group of 18 continue raise funds for the construction of an aid post in North Tanna, including James’ sister Sarah.

You can help donate to the group’s cause via the GoFundMe link: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/hivehealth-hub-vanuatu?qid=19 76d2bea6fd12424c767815c53 ec7a4.

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Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

SOCIAL FOCUS

Art Gallery on Ovens’opens final exhibition of the year A GROUP exhibition by the 15 resident artists at the Art Gallery on Ovens opened this week in the laneway off Murphy Street, marking the final exhibition of the year.

The wide range of art showcases artists individual styles,

including examples of acrylic and oil painting, print making, drawing, watercolour, collage, multimedia, sculpture and more.

The gallery opened on Thursday night and will run until December 23.

PHOTOS: Mandi Chrystal

BARKING UP THE TREE: Karen Brown showcasing art as part of the group exhibition.

FILLING UP: Joan Mullarvey, Ninetta Santoro and Janet Campbell indulge at the offerings of Thursday night’s exhibition opening.

FULL BLOOM: Local artist Janet Leith in front of one of the variety of works on display as part of Art Gallery on Ovens’ final exhibition of 2024.

TEAM EFFORT: Linda D’Agostino with some of the exhibition’s resident artists Melissa Johns, Janet Leith and Kate Jenvey at their opening on Thursday night.

Submissions Planning for Wangaratta Historic open for Pet Elfie Photo Competition Motor Show & Fly In well underway PLANS for the fifth biennial Wangaratta Historic Motor Show & Fly In to be held on Sunday the April 27, 2025, are well underway.

The organisational committee, with support from the Rural City of Wangaratta Council, have embarked on another ambitious project to bring together the most diverse display of historic vehicles and machinery in the southern hemisphere.

The committee comprises representatives of local clubs in Wangaratta including: the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club Australia (northern branch); Early Holden Car Club; Veteran, Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club of Wangaratta; Harry Ferguson Tractor Club; Warby Engine Club; Wang Rod & Custom Club; Precision Airmotive & Classic Air Adventures and the Lions Club of Wangaratta.

The initial Wangaratta Historic Motor Show was held at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange carpark in 2017 and included 200 exhibits, which attracted a crowd of 2000 spectators.

The event was inspired by Richie Gardner, the northern branch president of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia and Mick Daws, a member of the Warby Engine Club.

HISTORIC VEHICLES: The fifth Wangaratta Historic Motor Show & Fly In will festure a range of historic vehicles.

The concept was to include a variety of historic vehicles including trucks, busses, fire engines, ambulance, police cars, veteran, vintage and classic vehicles, tractors and stationary engines in a display for the public in an attempt to create an event that all historic vehicle buffs could relate to and to raise funds for a nominated local charity.

Since then, the event has grown and over $30,000 has been donated to local charity organisations from proceeds generated.

Last year Northeast Health Wangaratta was gifted $7200 for vital

signs monitors and the suicide awareness program – Blue Tree received $2000.

In 2018 Doug Hamilton and Lou Harper joined the committee and introduced the concept of a ‘Fly In’ as part of the show and the venue was changed to the Wangaratta Airport.

Since then, the Wangaratta Historic Motor Show & Fly Inn has evolved to become a significant event for enthusiasts of historic vehicles to attend.

“The Wangaratta Historic Motor Show & Fly In is a great day for

families to enjoy the vast array of display vehicles and to experience the unique thrill of the WW2 planes flying overhead,” committee secretary, Steve Doig, said.

The Lions Club of Wangaratta have supported each of the four shows by catering for the event and the local CFA volunteers have assisted by managing parking on the day.

Entry forms for display vehicle participants will be available soon on the Wangaratta Historic Motor Show & Fly In Website www.wangarattahistoricmotorshowandflyin.com.

CHRISTMAS is around the corner and the Rural City of Wangaratta is inviting community members to enter their festively themed, Pet FESTIVE FEEL: Elfie Photo Entries for Rural Competition.

City of Wangaratta’s Take a Pet Elfie photo photo of your competition close pets in a Santa on December 12. suit, wearing reindeer antlers, or tinsel.

Then upload to the Connect Wangaratta portal for your chance to win family and pet friendly prizes.

There are four categories to choose from, whether you’ve got a furry, feathered, or finned friend you are encouraged to enter.

Prizes range from family swim passes at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, passes to Jungle Splash Fun Park and pet goodies from Wangaratta Vet Clinic.

Submissions close on December 12 and voting is open to all Connect Wangaratta members.

This will take place from December 12-18 via the portal.

You can submit your entries via the link: https://connect.wangaratta. vic.gov.au/pet-elfies.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 11

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2024 WANGARATTA YOUNG WRITERS AWARD

Through the Lens of Loss LILY PURSS took second place in the 2024 Wangaratta Young Writers Award year 7/8/9 story category with this piece.

The competition was jointly run by the Rotary Club of Wangaratta, and the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta.

Lila: Reaching my hand out towards my bedside table, I reached for the camera that had been placed in the exact same position as the day before. Continuing my regular routine, I flipped open the camera and found myself watching the same video yet again, over, and over. Her ethereal smile was incredibly contagious and brought a deep sense of safety and reassurance to my aching heart. The video had been recorded exactly one week before the accident. My mother, dressed in a floral dress, danced across the screen holding hands with a version of myself I no longer recognised. My hair was much darker in the recording and reached my lower back in length, but it wasn’t just my appearance that was different. My eyes glistened, my face beamed, I looked to be overflowing in happiness, now I feel as if I am drowning in an inescapable pit of sorrows. I watched in awe as my mother gently ran her hands through my hair whispering soft words into my ear, words that I still hold so tightly to my heart.

“You’re beautiful Lila, I love you,” she had said.

Carefully closing the camera, I placed it back into its designated position before switching off my lamp.

Lowering myself into a more comfortable spot, I shut my eyes and felt my conscience slip away. The blanket cradled me, bringing with it a sense of solace, momentarily filling the deep void left by my mother’s absence.

Ryder: An ongoing emptiness lay concealed in the depths of my chest. The world was quiet, yet the screeching demons inside my mind remained attached, shrieking louder and louder with every step I took. Once I had reached the familiar pathway, my feet found a rhythm walking between the cracks and narrowly avoiding weeping individuals. I had zero interest in discussing my personal reasoning for being present in a cemetery on a Tuesday morning, I also had zero interest in hearing sap stories from others wishing to confide in me. Pain struck me through the chest like a lightning bolt when I arrived at the grave. In its area, it seemed to be the only one unpolished, it stood out like a sore thumb. Every single grave nearby seemed to be freshly cleaned, freshly restored, all except my

parents’. Whilst they weren’t the highest-regarded people of Windalow, it takes some serious vengeance to clean every grave but theirs. The small bunch of flowers left behind since my last visit had been stepped on, further igniting my rage.

“Is it seriously that difficult to muster up an ounce of empathy?” I muttered.

Kneeling before the grave, I became tormented by the vicious feeling of grief. It was impossible to comprehend how the two loveliest people I knew, who nurtured me all my life, could in exchange have such a horrific thing happen to them. Crystal tears brewed within my eyes, threatening to fall at any given moment. Walking away from the scene before it worsened, I made my way down a street the opposite direction of my home.

A yellow trail caught my eye, beckoning me to follow it. I reached a small home with one of the most colourful gardens I had ever seen. Bright tulips planted amongst the garden drew me closer. Vicious thunder growled from behind me, the possibility of making it home dry disintegrated as a droplet of fresh rain splashed down onto my nose.

Ducking under the shelter of the home, I knocked at the door, praying for a somewhat sympathetic stranger to be inside. With no response, I tried the door handle which surprisingly, clicked open with ease. Calling into the home, I was still left with no response or indication of someone being there.

Clambering inside, I shut the door and made my way to the end of a hallway which led to a kitchen and a bedroom.

I knew I shouldn’t be inside a stranger’s home, but the offering of shelter from a storm seemed too good to reject. Exploring further, I made my way into what appeared to be the main bedroom. It was rather bland compared to the other rooms, the bed wasn’t made, and a half full glass of water had been left on the desk.

Walking closer, I noticed a camera, identical to the one my mother used to own, on the side table. It was freshly cleaned and appeared to be well maintained. As I began to open the camera, the sound of a garage opening startled me. Racing back towards the kitchen, camera still in hand, I searched for an exit. The front door swung open, and I was stunned to see a young, beautiful brunette enter the home.

Her hair was drenched from the rain and her mascara had smudged down her face and around her eyes, she looked a bit like a panda. Clearly taken back by my presence in her home, she dropped her bags and squealed so loudly it still rung in my ears as I escaped out her back

Lily Purss door, and my body worked on instinct to jump her fence and run back towards the cemetery, where I stopped to take some deep breaths and find shelter under a small bus bench. Taking a seat, I sighed in disappointment when I realised I still, tightly grasped the girl’s camera in my left hand. Guilt rushed through my head, a wave of dizziness drowned me, I gripped the railing as my exhaustion caused me to collapse against the wall. I desperately needed to get home, my legs ached as I forced myself upwards and into a jog. Reaching my bed, I fell into a heap.

“Why hadn’t I just given her the camera, and explained myself,” I groaned deeply.

My thoughts that were previously scattered and loud faded away, my heavy eyelids fell closed. All would be okay in the morning, I reminded myself before surrendering to the sleep I desperately required.

Lila: My fragile heart pounded rough in my chest, threatening to escape.

Crouched into a dingy corner, my throat began to constrict, tears began to pave windy roads down my face, forming dark bruising on the carpet. Feeling like an overly emotional child, I allowed myself to cry until I was no longer capable of producing tears. I washed my face in the bathroom, still shook from seeing a mysterious man lurking in my kitchen.

I punched myself for being so afraid and not racing after him to retrieve my camera. The thought of my camera being missing

caused physical agony in my chest. It felt like I was being repeatedly punched, over and over again, being winded each and every time. When I reached my bed, I reached for the camera only to be met with the sensation of cold wood.

Whimpering, I reached for my computer on the floor and began to create colourful posters with my details and the situation, I noted how desperate I was and completed the posters by adding an image of the camera I found on the internet. Whilst the camera was important to me, the memory card inside is what really held the most value to me. The card contained videos and images of my mother dancing, smiling, baking, taking care of me, videos that brought me a sense of hope and security.

Placing my computer back onto the ground, I combined all images in my mind of my mother to form my own variation of a recording.

Whilst it wasn’t perfect, I tumbled into a deep slumber.

Ryder: The next morning on the way to the cemetery, I spotted her walking down the street near her home.

She was carrying a stack of papers, stopping every once in a while, to attach what appeared to be a poster to a pole. Realisation and a swamping feeling of guilt struck me in the chest with such a force I questioned my balance. Walking towards the post closest to the cemetery, I began to read her poster.

‘Stolen Camera! Camera contains videos of my mother who has passed

away. Urgently need at least the memory card back! Call 0456 896 342 if you have any information. Will pay $$$ if returned!’

In that moment, I finally understood the importance of safely returning this camera I held concealed within my pocket. I lay besides my parents’ grave, observing the few people entering and making their ways to separate headstones, it had always felt surreal to me how different everyone’s lives truly are. Everyone is raised differently, everyone knows different people, and no matter how similar you are to someone they will never be your exact reflection. Surprise sprang upon me when I noticed the camera girl walking towards me.

“You look weirdly familiar; do I know you?” she asked, looking at me half sideways.

I shook my head nervously. She looked a lot cleaner; her mascara wasn’t smudged. Reaching over to the gravestone, she swiped away dirt from the two neatly engraved names in the headstone. I had no interest in talking to anyone in the cemetery, other than her. She intrigued me, she was rather friendly, her eyes glistened as the sun caught them after every gentle yet swift movement she made. There must have been hundreds of shades of blue, swimming through her pupils, she was breathtaking.

“Your parents?” she asked, clearly curious.

“Unfortunately, yes,” I responded.

“Your parents were in the same accident my mother was in,” she said, her posture

slouching.

Our eyes connected, desperately searching for information by examining each other. Holding eye contact, I reached into my pocket and handed her the camera and observed as her eyes transitioned from curious to confused and anxious.

“I didn’t mean to take it, I promise,” I stated, attempting to cure the silence she seemed to feel oddly comfortable in.

Taking a seat on the grass opposite me, she continued to study my face, clutching the camera tightly.

“How do you deal with losing someone you love?” she asked me.

Sighing, after a while I found myself almost hypnotised by this girl. I was willingly answering all of her questions with complete and utter truth, and she seemed to take mental notes on every single thing I said.

“You’re not a bad person,” she said, nodding her head at me.

“I met your mum once, she was so lovely,” she added.

My mum really was lovely, it felt very validating to hear that from an outside perspective considering my grandparents continued to remind me that she was so burdensome and embarrassing for them.

“I’m Lila, what’s your name?”

“I’m Ryder, it’s nice to meet you, Lila,” I answered.

She smiled back at me and let out a small giggle before quickly covering her mouth with her dainty hand.

“It feels so wrong to laugh in a cemetery,” she stated.

I began to laugh at her, and she wasn’t wrong, it felt incredibly odd to laugh in a cemetery. She reached down to grab my hand as I tugged myself from the ground.

“Let’s go get a coffee,” she suggested.

I laughed again, properly this time, her contagious smile lit a fire within me.

Baby pink lips with perfectly white teeth, her beauty was rather unmatched and certainly addictive.

Lila: My camera had been returned by the thief that I had once despised, yet I found myself sitting in a café drinking coffee with him, making small talk, and laughing like a little girl for the first time in forever.

It’s funny how quickly my opinion changed on Ryder, talking to him was easier that talking to anyone and I couldn’t help but feel that feeling was reciprocated.

His parents’ car had crashed into my mother’s car, taking all of their lives, it truly was the embodiment of horrific.

Now, with my hand tightly intertwined with his, I had a feeling he would not be exiting my life anytime soon.

Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

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Junior Reporter Club

HOW MANY? WHOBILATIO N

WHOBILATIO N

Grinch’s L

air

E

WHOVILL

E

WHOVILL

Grinch’s L

air

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Billy Pell.........................................December 10 Keira O’Sullivan ..........................December 10 Finn Norris ...................................December 10 Meegan Davey ...........................December 10

Maltilda Rose Gibson................December 14 Benjamin Loechel ......................December 15

DECEMBER 2024 Birthday Cake Winners - Lachlan Fenn December 3 & Kenzie Dec Boschetti December 27 To be in the running to win 1 of 2 birthday cakes each month from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse, join the Junior Reporter Club. Phone 5723 0100 or email reception@nemedia.com.au with your child’s name, address, DOB and phone number. Your address and phone number will not be printed in the Chronicle but is required to contact you should you win the cake. Birthday Book is for 1 to 14 year olds. All existing Birthday Book participants will remain eligible to win a birthday cake. Please note 48 hours notice required.

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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 13

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD 2

3

4

E G R E T D X P U L L N P S D O O R E O E W A S R L E E F H T F F T H E

6

7 8 9 10 11

13

16

17

19

18

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally.

Some letters are used more than once.

21

Door Egret Elf Expert Fear

20

22 23

6 Who is granted a lease (6) 12 What are non-SI units of

2 What is a quality of

13 To be depressed, is

Few Loaf Low Old Poet

1 ASSONANCE (a) A correspondence in sound (b) Habit (c) Feeling of certainty 2 BRATTLE (a) A piece of armour for the arm (b) A clattering noise (c) A boastful threat

E-QUATIONS 7

Some values are in the right hand cells.

Create remaining values using 368 clues in centre cells.

BIYWORD

E-QUATIONS

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

A

SUDOKU

3 1 8 4 9 5 2 7 6

5 2 9 3 6 7 8 1 4

8 6 5 1 4 9 7 3 2

1 9 3 5 7 2 6 4 8

2 7 4 6 3 8 9 5 1

© Puzzles supplied by AUSPAC MEDIA

CROSSWORD

7 4 6 2 8 1 5 9 3

7

4

9 8 2 7 1 4 3 6 5

6

3

4 3 7 8 5 6 1 2 9

5

2

6 5 1 9 2 3 4 8 7

5

1

DOWN 1 Superstition 2 Hawaiian island 3 Perth’s river 4 Narrow opening

D R O V E R O D L A E E M P L O Y E E U N S N I T R I C D I R E S P O N S E R E R U S T L E U Y A C C O S T E D T A O F W W F A R E W E L L M L O B E R O N A C B A N I S T E R Z X O I M P A L A O S D O M I C I L E N R L S U N S E T

2

ACROSS 1 Forest growth 5 Sailing vessel 6 Asian tongue 7 Stalk

WHICH WORDS: 1 (a) A correspondence in sound 2 (b) A clattering noise

10 21 7

Solve the crossword.

Each answer has four letters.

I P T L Q T L R T L R T O S U P S U

SOLUTIONS

358

BIYWORD

A B E

3 8 I M Q Z 6 9 3 25 4 17 1 3 4 4 1

QUICK THINK

A A A E E E

GS

A:10, B:21, E:7, I:3, M:25, Q:4, Z:17

058

216o098

SUDOKU 9 7 5 8 3 1 2 6 5 3 7 2

2 3

CLUES: Depend on (5) Digit (3) Earlier part of a story (7) Halt briefly (5) Mountain (3) Painting: work of ... (3) Part of the total amount (7) Pseudonym (5) Ready (3) Vigilant (5)

7 3

© Auspac Media - meq0368

098

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

A ACROSS: 1 Moss, 5 Yawl, 6 Thai, 7 Hunt.

A L P DOWN: 1 Myth, 2 Oahu, © A L I A S 3 Swan, 4 Slit.

P R E Q U E L T R U S T T O E T

E+I I×E B÷I E-Q Q+B B-Z E+A

Sue The Was Won

WHICH WORDS

heat measurements (8)

being true (6) to be what (8) 3 To refresh physically, 15 Name the longest river is to do what (8) in South America (6) 4 What is a musical 16 What is a cure-all (6) composition (4) 17 Name an instrument for use 5 What do we call those in attack or defence (6) persons who give 20 What is hard and blood, etc (6) continuous work (4) Letters have a number value

A B E I M Q Z

Pull Rod Rude See She

QUICK THINK

15

12

MINI WORD FIND

14

DOWN 1 Name a scurf that forms

on the scalp (8)

5

E-QUATIONS A:10, B:21, E:7, I:3, M:25, Q:4, Z:17

drives livestock to market (6) 7 Which person works for others (8) 8 Name a very powerful acid (6) 9 What is an answer or reply (8) 10 To steal cattle, is to do what (6) 11 To have approached someone, is to have done what (8) 14 Name another term for goodbye (8) 18 Name an NSW town west of Katoomba (6) 19 What is one of the supports of a stair rail (8) 21 Which animal is known as an antelope (6) 22 Name a place of residence (8) 23 What might we call twilight (6)

1

E G R E T D X P U L L N P S D O O R E O E W A S R L E E F H T F F T H E

ACROSS 1 What do we call one who

MINI WORD FIND 358

1058

Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

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RURAL

Global beef markets facing declining production in 2025

HERD contraction in the world’s four largest beefproducing nations – the US, Brazil, China and Europe – is expected to lead to the first reduction in global beef supply since the Covid-19 pandemic, altering trade flows in the year ahead, Rabobank says in a recently-released research report.

In its latest (Q4) Global Beef Quarterly, titled Navigating declining global production, uncertainty in 2025, the agribusiness banking specialist says Brazil and the US are likely to lead declines in beef production next year.

“Reductions in China, Europe and New Zealand are also likely,” it said.

“Australia may be the only top-10 beef-producing nation to post year-over-year production gains in 2025.”

While North American cattle prices have been high for close to two years as a result of lower cattle numbers and strong consumer demand, the report says, other regions around the world have experienced low cattle prices.

“This trend has started to change as declines in global beef supply start to firm up support for cattle prices in South America, Australia

and New Zealand,” it said.

With available supplies altered across the top global beef markets, the report says, beef trade is expected to shift dramatically.

“We anticipate Australian beef producers will increasingly depend on exports to absorb stronger domestic production, while Brazil will see global markets as a better demand opportunity compared to lacklustre domestic demand,” report lead author, RaboResearch senior animal protein analyst Angus Gidley Baird said.

The report says global beef production has the potential to swing dramatically if weather patterns change.

“US producers are waiting on more dependable precipitation to rebuild the herd, and Brazilian production is being slowed by rain delaying the supply of cattle fattened on pasture,” it said.

The report said Australia has maintained relatively adequate rainfall for the past few years, but the threat of dryness could lead to more production (as producers are forced to turn off more stock).

Though, Mr Gidley-Baird said, when it comes to weath-

RALLYING THE HERD: RaboResearch senior animal protein analyst Angus Gidley-Baird said he anticipated Australian beef producers will increasingly depend on exports to absorb stronger domestic production er for 2025, the forecasts suggest a favourable season.

“The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation models are predicting La Niña weather conditions to persist into quarter one 2025,

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728.75

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430

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HEUVELS M

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415

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ROSCOE, MT

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665

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615

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370

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315

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775

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NEXT SALE 10TH OF DECEMBER ‘24 1ST AWN 2ND CP 3RD ELDERS 4THNUTRIEN

before a transition to a more neutral pattern by midyear,” he said.

“This will support Australian beef production.

“Furthermore, year-overyear declines in US beef production will remain relatively small, as US cow herd rebuilding remains stalled by slower replacement heifer development.”

Australia continues to produce and export record volumes of cattle while prices hold, the report says.

Quarter three production volumes for Australia showed a new record for the quarter, Mr Gidley-Baird said, up 17 per cent on the same time last year.

“This brings total Australian beef production for the year to date (to September 30) to 1.9 million metric tonnes (mt), also an increase of 17 per cent on the same period last year,” he said.

The report said higher slaughter numbers had been the main contributor to this growth in production – up 19 per cent for the year

to date.

Mr Gidley-Baird said the female proportion of total slaughter numbers remained above 50 per cent.

“This would normally indicate liquidation of the herd. However, RaboResearch believes this higher proportion reflects the high number of cattle in the systems and the reduced need for replacement cattle,” he said.

The higher beef production volumes have led to Australia setting new monthly export records, the report said.

“In October, a new record of 130,000 mt shipped weight was exported, surpassing the previous record set in July,” it said.

Mr Gidley-Baird said the US was taking a large chunk of these exports, with 29 per cent of total volumes heading there in the first 10 months of the year.

High export volumes could see safeguard-measure thresholds potentially exceeded under various

trade agreements – in particular South Korea, China and the US – triggering additional tariffs, he said. However, these would reset at the beginning of 2025.

Despite the record production volumes, Australian cattle prices have been holding steady, the report said.

Mr Gidley-Baird said heavy steers had been trading between AUD 3-AUD 3.50/kilogram lwt (live weight) from late October onwards, with weaner cattle trading at around the same level.

Cattle prices softened slightly in mid-November, he said, potentially reflecting an easing back in demand from processors with exports approaching safeguard thresholds.

“However, with safeguards resetting at the beginning of next year and declining cattle volumes from Brazil and the US, RaboResearch believes prices should hold into the new year,” he said.

New firefighting boots a fine fit for females THOUSANDS of firefighters will soon be sporting new boots as CFA goes to market to find the perfect fit for female volunteers.

In an Australian fire service first, CFA is currently sourcing a new supplier to make fire rated safety boots designed specifically for the unique needs of women.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the authority recognised more options can be offered to ensure personal protective clothing (PPC) is designed for women as part of our uniform offering.

“This ensures we provide a conducive environment for an

increased number of women to join our ranks as operational firefighters,” he said.

“Unisex products may be suitable for some of our female members, but with nearly 5000 operational firefighters who are women, there is more CFA can do to ensure all our members have a greater selection of PPC that fits appropriately, is safe and fit-for-purpose.

“We are committed to providing a great place for females to work and volunteer and we look forward to working with the successful suppliers to enable this.

“CFA’s highest priority

is its members’ safety, so it’s important to equip our firefighters with modern and comfortable fire gear.”

CFA kicked off the project following feedback there may be a lack of ‘designed for women’ firefighting garments currently in the market.

CFA has also worked with members on improving other uniforms and PPC fit and size including gloves, pants and shirts.

The procurement was expected to conclude mid-2025.

Delivery timelines will be known once a supplier is selected and the contractual arrangements are finalised.

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EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

ENGINEERING MANAGER

CASUAL PACKAGING OPERATORS

Fulltime About us: Brown Family Wine Group is one of Australia’s most loved and respected wine companies built on over 130 years’ experience in quality winemaking, market leading innovation and family values that are at the heart of everything we do as a business.

Our portfolio has grown over time to now include market leading wine brands such as Devil’s Corner from the East Coast of Tasmania, Tamar Ridge and Pirie from Tamar Valley Tasmania, Innocent Bystander from the Yarra Valley and of course Brown Brothers from Milawa Victoria the spiritual home of our business.

We are a proud and passionate business who are strong on values and culture. Most recently we have identified by workplace culture authority Great Place to Work as one of the 100 Best Workplaces in Australia for 2024. We have also maintained our certification as “A Great Place to Work” for the sixth year in a row and are committed to honouring this recognition throughout all aspects of the business.

About the Role: Reporting to the Head of Viticulture and Sustainability, the Engineering Manager will Lead the Engineering Department and team to plan, establish / develop, maintain, and improve Brown Family Wine Group (BFWG) sites and assets to best meet the needs of BFWG and our customers and consumers. This role ensures operational excellence, cost efficiency, and high product quality through continuous improvement initiatives, team leadership, and collaboration with cross-functional departments.

Role responsibilities include: • Lead and manage the Engineering Department.

• Manage the operation of site services and infrastructure.

• Manage engineering projects from concept to completion.

• Overseeing budget planning & compliance.

• Ensure engineering and maintenance processes comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company quality objectives.

• Play a lead role in the HACCP team to ensure all HACCP requirements are implemented and maintained.

About the person: We are looking for a skilled and experienced Engineering Manager who has: • Minimum 5 years of experience in a Management/ Supervisory role.

• Well-developed leadership skills.

• Proven experience in rolling out strategic plans across facilities.

• Engineering qualifications or extended qualifications in facility management.

• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal, negotiation).

• A current driver’s license.

What’s on Offer: • Work with a well-established, rapidly growing organisation.

• Generous employee benefits including discounts on all products.

• Flexible work arrangements.

• Career Development and growth opportunities.

More Information: Further information and a position description may be obtained by emailing Allyce Henwood at careers@brownfwg.com.au or calling (03) 5720 5500.

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Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

Personal Notices DEATH NOTICES FOX, Dawn Elizabeth.

Dear friend of Janet and Ken Clarke.

A women of enterprise, who gave so much to Wangaratta over her lifetime.

Lawn Bowls, Council, Bridge club to name a few.

Another flower passed into God’s garden.

FOX, Dawn Elizabeth.

To my dear friend of over 50 years, we have made many great memories together.

Love and sympathy to Brian, Adrian and Leanne, Jennifer, Damien and Glenys, Milton and Carol, and their families.

Rest peacefully in God’s garden Dawn until we meet again. ~ Janet.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

FUNERALS

FOX, Dawn Elizabeth.

Requiem mass for the repose of the soul of Dawn Fox will be held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1 Ford Street Wangaratta on Friday, December 13, 2024 commencing at 11.30am.

Burial will take place at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery at 4pm on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Read local news wherever you are • Quality local journalism you trust • Information that keeps you connected • News from the Wangaratta and the local region

GOLEC Family and friends are invited to attend funeral prayers for Mrs Elizabeth Anne (Liz) Golec OAM in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday December 13, 2024 at 11.00am Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

Liz’s prayers can be viewed via Livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/

31o 29o 30o 31o

ROCKY ROAD

VICSES Wangaratta Unit were kept busy Saturda volunteers and police y responding to emergencies stemm various ing from Wangar November week atta’s wettest in 70 years. More than 106mm during the week saw Wangandary Road, this large boulder roll onto the while flash floodin trees blocked other g and felled roads around the rural city.

PHOTO : VICSES Wangara tta Unit

PAGE 3

flow at Oxley 150t h

Mason Park

GOLEC Elizabeth Anne OAM “Liz”

01/03/1945 – 05/12/2024 Passed away peacefully at Northeast Health Wangaratta.

Loved wife of Ed (dec).

Loving Mum of Matthew & Gloria, Dael & Elisha.

Beloved Libby of Tyiren, Chaise and Logan.

Thank you, Mum, for the time we shared, The love you gave, the way you cared.

You left a place no-one can fill, We miss you, Mum, and always will.

Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

PAGE 5

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PIKE The graveside funeral service for Mr John Joseph Pike will be held at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery, Mason Street Wangaratta on Wednesday December 11, 2024 at 10.30am.

■

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FUNERAL DIRECTORS Libby Loved daughter of Alice and Thomas (both dec).

Sister of Marg and Bob (both dec).

Sister-in-law of Ron (dec) and Sue. Beloved aunty of Brendan, Danny, Ronny, Allison, Jason, Fabian, Brad, Tennille and families.

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PIKE John Joseph

12/10/1934 – 06/12/2024 Passed away peacefully in Wangaratta.

Dearly loved husband of Bev (dec).

Reunited with his beloved Bev

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Personal Notices classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

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 5310 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.

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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 17

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Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

A GRADE YARRAWONGA MULWALA V BEECHWORTH WANDERERS

SCOREBOARD: Saturday, December 7

Newton, 4-38 Ben Feldtmann, 5-52 Tyler Nanson, 6-77 Kent Braden, 7-79 Josh Nanson, 8-91 Jed Marek, 9-97 Aaron Thrum, 10-109 Connor Ormond.

Bowling: James Neary 5/1/11/1, Geeth Alwis 5.3/2/9/1, Josh Harris 5/0/24/3, Glenn White 8/2/19/1, Marcello Vescio 5/0/13/0, Cooper Thomason 1/0/10/0, Gregor Fraser 7/0/18/2, Nicholas Bleeser 2/0/3/1.

BENALLA BUSHRANGERS DEF BY WANGARATTA MAGPIES

MATCH ABANDONED.

CITY COLTS DEF BY OVENS VALLEY UNITED OVENS VALLEY UNITED 1ST INNINGS Seamus Phillips b: Jed Marek............................................................................. 1 Cooper Thomason b: Tyler Nanson................................................................. 17 Geeth Alwis c: Jed Marek b: Tyler Nanson ...................................................... 58 Gregor Fraser st: Mitchell Giggins b: Kent Braden ............................................ 8 Dylan Bursill (c) c: Kent Braden b: Matthew Lister ........................................... 7 Conner Forde b: Jed Marek............................................................................... 22 Nicholas Bleeser lbw: Tyler Nanson .................................................................. 0 Marcello Vescio c&b: Jed Marek ......................................................................... 3 Kane Fitzpatrick c: Tyler Nanson b: Jed Marek................................................. 3 Glenn White c: Tyler Nanson b: Connor Ormond ........................................... 10 Josh Harris not out .............................................................................................2* Extras ................................................................................................................... 10 Total ........................................................................................................... 10 / 141 Overs ................................................................................................................39.1 Fall of Wickets: 1-4 Seamus Phillips, 2-25 Cooper Thomason, 3-56 Gregor Fraser, 4-80 Dylan Bursill, 5-120 Geeth Alwis, 6-120 Conner Forde, 7-120 Nicholas Bleeser, 8-125 Marcello Vescio, 9-131 Kane Fitzpatrick, 10-141 Glenn White.

Bowling: Josh Nanson 5/2/8/0, Jed Marek 8/2/28/4, Tyler Nanson 8/1/32/3, Kent Braden 8/1/26/1, Connor Ormond 3.1/0/11/1, Matthew Lister 5/0/21/1, Aaron Thrum 2/0/13/0.

CITY COLTS 1ST INNINGS Mitchell Giggins (c) c: Dylan Bursill b: James Neary......................................... 4 Thomas Moore c: Conner Forde b: Josh Harris .............................................. 11 Ben Feldtmann lbw: Josh Harris........................................................................ 3 Joshua Newton b: Josh Harris ......................................................................... 12 Josh Nanson c: Conner Forde b: Geeth Alwis ................................................. 10 Tyler Nanson c: Marcello Vescio b: Glenn White............................................. 11 Kent Braden c&b: Gregor Fraser....................................................................... 17 Aaron Thrum c: Cooper Thomason b: Nicholas Bleeser ............................... 10 Jed Marek c&b: Gregor Fraser ............................................................................ 7 Connor Ormond run out: Gregor Fraser, Geeth Alwis...................................... 6 Matthew Lister not out .......................................................................................5* Extras ................................................................................................................... 13 Total ........................................................................................................... 10 / 109 Overs ................................................................................................................38.3 Fall of Wickets: 1-14 Mitchell Giggins, 2-23 Thomas Moore, 3-37 Joshua

BENALLA BUSHRANGERS 1ST INNINGS Brayden Stepien (c) c: Rhys Grant b: Kieran Radcliffe.................................... 19 James Carboon c: Fill-in b: Matthew Prestianni............................................. 49 Ross Cavill lbw: Matthew Prestianni ................................................................ 13 Lucas Ham c: Fill-in b: Nic Bonwick ................................................................... 5 Jonty Priest not out ......................................................................................... 39* Gary Priest c: Cooper Matheson b: Fill-in .......................................................... 1 Josh Hart st: Jack Davies b: Kieran Radcliffe .................................................. 15 Conor Brodie not out..........................................................................................1* Cooper Binion ..................................................................................... did not bat Mitchell Wheelens............................................................................... did not bat Sameera Witharana ............................................................................ did not bat Extras ................................................................................................................... 22 Total ............................................................................................................. 6 / 164 Overs ................................................................................................................... 40 Fall of Wickets: 1-30 Brayden Stepien, 2-67 Ross Cavill, 3-96 James Carboon, 4-97 Lucas Ham, 5-105 Gary Priest, 6-158 Josh Hart.

Bowling: Matthew Prestianni 8/0/40/2, Kieran Radcliffe 8/0/39/2, Fill-in 8/4/12/1, Jarryd Wallace 8/0/25/0, Nic Bonwick 7/0/35/1, Rhys Grant 1/0/7/0.

WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS Cooper Matheson (c) lbw: Brayden Stepien ................................................... 27 Jack Davies c: Cooper Binion b: Mitchell Wheelens....................................... 10 Fill-in c: Ross Cavill b: Josh Hart ....................................................................... 72 Oliver Andrew c: Ross Cavill b: Conor Brodie.................................................. 40 Nic Bonwick b: Sameera Witharana .................................................................. 0 Callum Honey lbw: Sameera Witharana ........................................................... 0 Jarryd Wallace not out .................................................................................... 34* Daniel Larkings c: Gary Priest b: Cooper Binion ............................................... 1 Fill-in c: Josh Hart b: Cooper Binion ................................................................ 10 Rhys Grant not out ..............................................................................................0* Matthew Prestianni............................................................................. did not bat Extras ..................................................................................................................... 6 Total ............................................................................................................. 8 / 200 Overs ................................................................................................................... 40 Fall of Wickets: 1-14 Jack Davies, 2-49 Cooper Matheson, 3-120 Player, 4-139 Nic Bonwick, 5-139 Callum Honey, 6-172 Oliver Andrew, 7-176 Daniel Larkings, 8-186 Player.

Bowling: Conor Brodie 7/0/43/1, Mitchell Wheelens 2/1/8/1, Cooper Binion 5/0/34/2, Brayden Stepien 8/1/17/1, Ross Cavill 7/0/37/0, Sameera

Witharana 8/0/30/2, Josh Hart 3/0/29/1.

A RESERVE

Ovens Valley United v Delatite match abandoned.

Wangaratta Magpies v Benalla Bushrangers match abandoned.

Rovers United Bruck 10/131 Dean Shaw 55 Archie Crispin 3/14 def by City Colts 8/134 William Petersen 47 Adriano Speziale 3/32.

B GRADE

Rutherglen United v Merton match abandoned.

Ovens Valley United v City Colts match abandoned.

Greta v Delatitie match abandoned.

Beechworth Wanderers 9/114 Private player 52 Ryan Brereton 3/32 def

by Milawa 3/115 Reuben Corsini 64*Findlay Duff 1/10.

Benalla Bushrangers 10/77 Michael Honman 20 Jyda House 3/8 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala lachlan Phillips 37 Brendan Duncombe 4/16.

C GRADE

Greta White v Greta Blue match abandoned.

Beechworth Wanderers Stanley 5/159 Chris Nuck 69* Tom Osborne 2/38 def Benalla Bushrangers Blue Fill-in 9* Jed Enslow 2/8.

Gapsted def Rutherglen United (forfeit).

Yarrawonga Mulwala v Benalla Bushrangers match abandoned.

UNDER 16

City Colts 1/117 def Rovers United Bruck 9/78.

Ovens Valley United 9/32 def by Delatitie 2/75.

Beechworth Wanderers v Benalla Bushrangers match abandoned.

UNDER 14

Rovers United Bruck Gold 3/86 def Wangaratta Magpies 7/38.

Benalla Bushrangers v Rutherglen United match abandoned.

Beechworth Wanderers v Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams match abandoned.

Ovens Valley United 6/80 def Wangaratta Magpies White 8/42.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 4/75 def by Greta Blue 6/105.

Greta White 8/57 def by City Colts 7/126.

UNDER 12 GOLD

Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 4/85 def Benalla Bushrangers Red 4/71.

Benalla Bushrangers Green 0/12 def by Benalla Bushrangers 3/61.

Delatite Gold 5/52 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers 3/90.

Delatite Blue v Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams results unavailable.

UNDER 12 BLUE

Rutherglen United 4/103 def Rovers United Bruck Green 3/89.

Beechworth Wanderers v Ovens Valley United Orange results not available.

City Colts White v Greta results unavailable.

Ovens Valley United Black 4/118 def City Colts Blue 8/27.

NOT OUT: Mitchell Benton makes his ground before Max Marek can break the stumps.

CARVED: Connor Ormond cuts the ball through the off side.

OVER THE STUMPS: Hugh Spring gloves a throw from the outfield.

WATCHFUL: Reid McNamara keeps his eye on the ball as he sets off for a run.

CLIPPED AWAY: Charlie O’Brien works a straighter ball off his pads. PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

Page 18 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

MATCH REVIEWS: Saturday, December 7

Jimmy Thewlis stars for ‘Pies in belting of Benalla Bushrangers

By NATHAN DE VRIES

AN all-round performance from Jimmy Thewlis was the catalyst for Wangaratta Magpies’ convincing win over Benalla Bushrangers at the Gardens Oval.

Bowling first, the ‘Pies kept Benalla to a very chaseable total of 6/164 from 40 overs, before piling on 4/200 in reply.

While he didn’t take a mountain of poles, Thewlis’ control over his line and length made him very difficult to get away, finishing with 1/12 from his eight overs, including four maidens and finishing with an extremely tidy economy of 1.5.

Kieran Radcliffe claimed the prized wicket of Benalla captain Brayden Stepien for just 19, while Mattew Prestianni carved through the top order to finish with 2/40 from his eight overs.

While they did concede 22 extras and 13 wides, Magpies skipper Cooper Matheson was very happy with how his side bowled.

“We only got six wickets for the day, but we bowled two-day lengths, tied them down for the first 25-30 overs,” he said.

“In the last 10 we let a few slide, but we bowled very tight all day.

“Matty Prestianni at the top, he’s good with the new ball with his little tweakers, kept them tight.

“Jimmy Thewlis’ economy was 1.5, he bowled unreal, set fields and he just bowled to them.”

With an achievable total ahead of them,

Wangaratta’s top order proved the goods, with Thewlis peeling off a casual 72 from 86 with ease, the Magpies 3/120 after his dismissal.

While Nic Bonwick and Callum Honey didn’t trouble the scorers too much, Oliver Andrew (40 from 86) would anchor one end and see the ‘Pies home, while Jarryd Wallace belted 34* from just 21 deliveries.

“The past few years at the Gardens we’ve always made about 200, so we were very happy with 160,” Matheson said.

“We started off pretty strong apart from Nic Bonwick going out pretty cheap.

“All our batters did their jobs, the majority of us got starts and Jimmy went on with it.

“If you have one bloke that goes on with it, you’re either going to set a good target or chance a good target, so we were pretty happy with our run chase.”

The victory sees Wangaratta Magpies sit atop the one day ladder, with two rounds remaining before the Christmas break.

“We’ve got Beechy and Colts, they’ll be two very good games,” Matheson said.

“We’ll see where we’re at, I think we’re sitting on top of the one day ladder, so as long as we can stay there, that’ll be unreal.”

Elsewhere, the A grade match between Yarrawonga Mulwala and Beechworth was called off due to ground conditions at Stan Hargreaves Oval.

ANCHOR INNINGS: Oliver Andrew faced out 86 deliveries to allow Jimmy Thewlis to thrive at the other end in the Magpies’ triumph over Benalla.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

City Colts bowled out for 109 by OVUCC in family violence awareness match ■ From back page

With 142 needed for victory, several Colts players found starts but were unable to turn them into innings of note.

No batter made it past 17 runs, set by stalwart Kent Braden batting at seven, while Josh Nanson fought hard for his 10 from 46 deliveries.

City Colts’ skipper Mitch Giggins said it was a very unfortunate performance with the willow.

“After keeping them to 140 and consistently taking wickets, it’s very disappointing we couldn’t back it up with the bat,” he said.

“I don’t know what it was, I don’t know if we were mentally ready or not.

“Everyone wanted to get the job RELIABLE: Kent Braden top scored for the Colts as he’s done for so many ON YA BIKE: Tyler Nanson sneaks ones through the gate and knocks done in 20 overs and get off the years. over Cooper Thomason.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie ground, but the ground was a bit slow, you had to be a lot more patient and wait for the bad balls, and we just couldn’t do it.

“The only real one who wanted to stick around and win the game for us was Josh Nanson, he grit his teeth but in the end it just got a bit hard for him, running out of partners.

“Jed’s taken the new ball for us as well, and he’s killing it.

“A noticeable improvement now he’s not playing juniors anymore, he’s not so tired when he comes to play in the seniors in the afternoon.

“We’ve been waiting for this season for him for the past two years now, he’s really flourishing.”

Despite the disappointing result for the Colts, Giggins said the Zonta match would be a mainstay of seasons to come.

“It’s something that’s probably going to happen every year, it’s for a really good cause, and we’re very happy to be part of it, showcase the Barr Reserve and put on a good game for RISING STAR: Jed Marek snared four wickets in a breakout performance with RUN MACHINE: Geeth Alwis’ half century brings his season total to them,” he said. the ball.

453 runs at 113.25.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024 - Page 19

wangarattachronicle.com.au

SPORT

sign son ‘Roos expand netball pathways ‘Pies of a gun

By SIMONE KERWIN

By WILLSON MACK

JUNIOR development will be a key focus for King Valley netball in 2025, with expanded opportunities for youngsters adding to the Ovens and King league club’s offering.

Tryouts for both senior and junior players have commenced, and will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, as the ‘Roos lay the groundwork for next year.

The club’s junior netball development officer, Sally Keith, said along with its under 15 and under 17 teams - coached by Stacey O’Brien and Amber Vincent respectively - King Valley would reintroduce a junior development team, for players aged 11 and above, to compete in the Wangaratta Netball Association’s 2025 Saturday morning competition.

In addition, players in grades three and four will have the chance to represent King Valley in the NetSetGo competition, also held at the Barr Reserve on Saturday mornings.

“We’re trying to set up pathways so there are opportunities for players to follow through their netball careers,” Keith said.

“If you’ve played all your junior netball at King Valley, you’re likely to want to stay with what is a great club in a strong competition.

“We’re raising the bar with really experienced coaches: Stacey and CREATING PATHWAYS: King Valley junior coaches Stacey O’Brien (under 15s) and Amber Vincent (under 17s) at a Amber, as well as Abby Rickard, recent junior tryout session. Tryouts for both junior and senior teams continue on Wednesday and Thursday in who is overseeing the senior teams.

Wangaratta.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling “Abby has played VNL (Victorian cember 12 from 6pm for under 17s, ments in the event of wet weather on Netball League), so she has a lot of seniors, and senior netballers.

“We want to draw quality players and on Thursday, December 12 from these days. netball knowledge to pass on.

Squads are expected to be selected “We pride ourselves on being so we can keep making the Ovens 6pm for seniors.

All sessions are scheduled to be before Christmas, with training to a welcoming place for families, and King a strong league and keep held at the Barr Reserve courts, but start in February for the junior deand a really supportive club with developing netball.”

The next round of King Valley try- players are advised to follow the velopment and NetSetGo teams. a great sense of community, and For more information, contact we’d love to attract junior players, outs will be held on Tuesday, Decem- King Valley Football Netball Club those who are under 17s going into ber 10 from 5pm and Thursday, De- Facebook page for updated arrange- Sally Keith on 0431 303 496.

WANGARATTA has signed the son of Danny Craven.

Jasper Craven arrives at the Magpies from AFL Queensland League outfit Aspley, where he played eight VFL games in 2021 and 32 NEAFL matches between 2017-19.

His father Danny was drafted from Wangaratta with pick 15 of the 1988 National Draft and played 33 games at St Kilda (19891992), followed by 25 at Brisbane Bears (1993-1995).

“It’s something Jasper has wanted to do for a while, we looked at it last year but it didn’t quite work out with work arrangements,” Wangaratta president Jon Henry said.

“Jasper can play back, forward, wing, he’s the classic utility.

“He’s a good user of the ball and we’ve got a fair bit of experience going out of our side, he’s played a fair bit of footy and we think he’ll add to our side nicely.”

Jasper Craven played in Aspley’s 2022 premiership win over Broadbeach in the QAFL. The Pies have lost 2021 Morris medallist Callum Moore, fellow former AFL player Pat Naish and veterans Michael Newton (exMelbourne AFL) and Daine Porter, but have now added Craven to Northern Football League’s leading goalkicker Parker Heatley.

Local business helps send students to nationals

By JORDAN DUURSMA ALFONSO Building Solutions has donated $7500 to Wangaratta District Specialist School (WDSS) to help send five students to the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane over the weekend for the first time in the school’s history.

The students who qualified for the national championships are Dylan Vescio, Lara Pearson, Mia Godwin, Harry White and Victoria Waddel-Laing.

WDSS teacher, Rowan Barrow, said the donation form Alfonso Building Solutions will go towards to the overall costs: including flights for the families/carers that will assist the students, transport, uniform, team levies and equipment during the events.

“This is an incredibly generous donation and the students, families, and carers as so grateful for their support, especially this close to Christmas,” she said.

“It has been an overwhelming response from the community.

“We are beyond thank-

ful for all donation to enable the students to take part in this once in a lifetime and potentially life changing event.

“Thankyou so much to all who have reached out to help not only with money but with loan of equipment, coaching time and wishing the students the best of luck.

“A massive thanks to everyone in our community for rallying around our students.”

Ms Barrow said each student attending, has earnt their selection based on their success from each state and territory athletics championships.

“This competition provides a national platform for both able bodied and para-athletes,” she said.

“The experience will give our students opportunity to be exposed to a world ranking competition with the best junior athletes in the country and give access to pathways to continue their Para athletic journey.”

Alfonso Building Solutions decided to lend a helping hand after WDSS reached out to local business for financial support

for the five athletes.

Alfonso Building Solutions area manager, Mario Antonello, said they understand that the cost of travel, accommodation and meals for sporting events can become overwhelming for some families – especially in the month of December when Christmas is only a matter of weeks away.

“Afonso Building Solutions are huge contributors to local teams and clubs throughout the area already, but we saw this as an opportunity to help local families and individuals, rather than that of a team or club, to assist the athletes on their sporting journey,” he said.

“We wanted to make certain that all five athletes had the capacity to attend and compete at these national titles without financial burden.”

“It is important for local businesses and individuals to support community sport, it encourages health and fitness, building relationships and builds social skills.

“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to play sport at any level.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Wangaratta District Specialist School students Lara Pearson, Mia Godwin, Harry White, Dylan Vescio and Victoria Laing Waddell being presented a generous donation by Alfonso Building Solutions’ Mario Antonelo and Ryan Vincent.

Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 9, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

‘Roos expand netball pathways

ISSN 2200-078X

9 772200

078028

Page 19

OFF AND RACING The Wangaratta Turf Club held a successful Christmas Party Races meeting on Saturday. The rain held off with thousands flocking to the local club.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie More in Wednesday’s Chronicle.

Colts’ heartbreak City Colts bowled out for 109 by Ovens Valley in Zonta family violence awareness match

DESPITE the end result for City Colts, Saturday’s Zonta round raising awareness of gender-based violence can be marked as a massive success.

Originally planned as a two-dayer before last weekend’s deluge shortened the game against Ovens Valley United to 40 overs a side,

BY NATHAN DE VRIES

ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

the match was preceded with a brief ceremony featuring leading family violence advocates in the area.

Speakers included WDCA president Justin Kelly,

Joanne Metzger of Zonta Wangaratta, Colts’ president Kevin Feldtmann and North Wangaratta senior football coach Steve Manning, who all spoke about the importance of raising awareness of the scourge on society which is family and gender-based violence.

Donning orange gear like

hats, bat grips and sweatbands, the colour of Zonta Wangaratta, the two sides took to the park.

Winning the toss and choosing to bowl paid off early for the Colts, with Jed Marek and Tyler Nanson striking early to have the Tigers struggling at 2/25, but as he has done all sea-

son, Ovens Valley United’s Geeth Alwis stuck around and made runs.

Alwis belted 53 from 73, and threatened to go on until Nanson dismissed him, with Conner Forde pitching in with a handy knock of 22.

The resistance from the rest of Ovens Valley’s order

was minimal, with Glenn White’s 10 the only lower order innings of note.

Youngster Jed Marek had the ball on a string, taking 4/28 from his eight overs, supported by Nanson (3/32), Conner Ormond (1/11), Matt Lister (1/21) and Kent Braden (1/26).

■ Continued page 18

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