Arisa, Poppy, Jack and Sage Herry are brightening up the holidays for plenty of visitors to their bright blooms at Herry’s Harvest.
■ Full story page 2
WANGARATTA police have expressed their disappointment in the detections of low-level impaired driving and speeding o ences throughout the holiday period.
A statewide police crackdown on festive drivers outing the rules on local roads took place as part of Operation Roadwise from December 13 to January 1.
Acting Sergeant James Schi erle of Wangaratta
nemedia.com.au
Highway Patrol said police were happy to see no major collisions or injuries recorded within the region throughout the operation, but too many drivers were caught outing the law.
“Disappointingly we still
did detect too many people on the road with alcohol or illicit drugs in their system,” he said.
“That’s unacceptable and it continues to happen unfortunately.
“We also detected too many motorists for lowlevel speeding...people think that it’s ok to speed up to 10km/h over, but it’s not, and it puts everyone
on the road at risk.”
Due to ongoing industrial action, limited o ence data was recorded throughout the 20-day operation.
Act Sgt Schi erle said no excessive speeding or drink or drug driving incidents were observed within the Wangaratta area during the operation.
Wangaratta police reported two incidents of
high-level drink driving and dangerous driving just prior to the operation, with a driver caught at a reading of .194 on Wednesday, December 4 at Springhurst and a local man with a reading of .265 caught driving erratically on Saturday, December 7.
Act Sgt Schi erle said drivers can still expect high volumes of tra c within
FLOUTING LAW
the region throughout school holidays and into the Australia Day long weekend, when police will begin Operation Amity in another crackdown on local roads.
“Even though the operation is concluded police will remain out on the roads detecting these o ences and dealing with these drivers,” he said.
■ Continued page 2
PHOTO: Arisa Herry
Flowers from a family farm
BY JORDAN DUURSMA jduursma@ nemedia.com.au
ONE local family has been adding some colour to people’s weekends with bright blooms at their pick-yourown ower farm.
Herry’s Harvest is a smallscale family farm run by Jack and Arisa Herry, with a farm gate ve minutes from the heart of Wangaratta, practising sustainable growing and providing for the local community and region.
Jack said Herry’s Harvest has been around as a local farm for close to 10 years.
“We started early on growing garlic before incorporating a wider variety of vegetable crops and then, as of last year, stepping sideways into owers in a big way,” he said.
“Flowers had always been something we’d thought of adding in some way, shape or form.
“A friend gave us some Dahlias – Arisa’s favourite ower - for our wedding held in the old farm shed.
“We were so impressed by them, we decided to trial growing some on our farm, and found they grew really well in our soil.”
Last season was the Herry family’s rst full season with pick-your-own owers.
Arisa and Jack reported a great year with customers, both locals and travellers from far and wide, popping in to pick some owers.
Arisa said the idea for ower picking came from customers’ interest in walking around the farm.
There
is something extra special about being able to give a person a bouquet and being able to say you picked them yourself.
- ARISA HERRY
“We always thought it would be nice to o er something that gave people more of an experience, something hands-on,” she said.
“It gives everyone the opportunity to unleash their creativity in making their own bouquet.
“There is something extra special about being able to give a person a bouquet and being able to say you picked them yourself.
ers that lifts the mood.
“We o en have visitors comment how lovely it is just walking amongst the owers and taking them all in.
as they catch-up on the days, weeks or months since they last spent time together.”
something the whole family can enjoy getting involved in, so it is really an all-of-family operation now,” Arisa said.
“But even before picking anything there is just something about being surrounded by beautiful flow-
FORCING THE ISSUE: Police will continue to patrol local roads as high volumes of tra ic remains throughout school holidays and into Australia Day.
“Some come alone, some come with friends and family, chatting away, snapping photos and sharing blooms
Arisa and Jack have two children, Poppy who is almost ve and Sage who is three months old.
“So owers, while they still require a lot of care, are
“It has been a delight to see our daughter share her knowledge of owers and the local insects with children visiting the farm.”
“Disappointing” drink and drug driving detections mar safe holiday period
■ From frotn page
There were 282 lives lost in 2024 compared with 295 in 2023, with police data showing a six per cent increase in the number of single fatal collisions.
There were 18 people who lost their lives on North East roads last year, including two within the Rural City of Wangaratta
on Wangaratta-Beechworth Road.
Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and escooter riders made up 45 per cent of all lives lost on Victorian roads in 2024.
A total 149 lives were lost on regional roads, down from 172 in 2023.
Police identi ed single
acts of non-compliance or people making basic driving errors contributed to more than half of fatalities in 2024.
These are behaviours such as low-range speeding, lower-level drink driving, failing to obey road signs and distraction, like using a mobile phone while driving.
BLOOMING BOUQUET: Jack and Pippa Atkin are among the friends and families who visit Herry’s Harvest to take home a bouquet.
Teenager allegedly committed armed robbery while on bail
14-year-old was released amidst concerns of “escalating” alleged criminal behaviour
A NORTH East boy alleged to have committed an armed robbery of a Wangaratta store while on six counts of bail has been released.
A Children’s Court heard police were called to Wangaratta Tobacconists on Ford Street earlier this week after the store owner reported an alleged armed robbery.
The court heard the 14-year-old
Wangaratta man remains in custody for alleged arson of racecourse grandstand
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
AN alleged arsonist, believed to be from Wangaratta, will remain in custody after being charged with setting a heritage-listed Caulfield Racecourse grandstand alight.
The 51-year-old man faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he was charged with causing serious damage in a series of fires in Caufield and Mordialloc on Tuesday, January 7.
The man was alleged to have started a major blaze which tore through the Norman Robinson Grandstand of the Caulfield Racecourse about 6.25am, with more than 65 firefighters and 17 appliances used to respond and quickly contain the blaze within an hour.
Police also allege the man started several grass fires in Mordialloc about 12.30pm and set a series of small fires in Arnott Street, Caulfield shortly after.
Mordialloc police arrested the man at the Mordialloc Railway Station around 1:45pm the same day.
The man, whose last known address was in Wangaratta, was charged with four counts of arson, two counts of trespass and one count each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.
He was remanded in custody, and he will appear back before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 1 for a committal mention.
allegedly entered the store and pulled out a knife from a sieve and demanded money and goods.
The store owner took photos of the boy as he allegedly held the knife, which was shown to police along with CCTV footage upon their arrival.
A police prosecutor said the boy was “easily identi ed” around 30 minutes a er the alleged incident
and he was taken into custody overnight.
The prosecutor said the teen was on six counts of bail which included charges of the , assault and weapon possession and his alleged o ending was beginning to “escalate”.
The court also heard the boy allegedly made an explosive device out of a deodorant can and a
sparkler, making a “grenade-like” ignition in a public area in recent weeks.
Defence counsel for the boy said he was found suitable for bail support if released and had vulnerabilities in custody given his youth.
The court heard the mother of the boy said she had “great diculty” controlling her son and he
regularly “goes and does what he pleases”.
The boy was granted release on strict conditions, which included a curfew, strict living arrangements and a ban from possessing knives.
The police prosecutor said the boy would be regularly checked and monitored before his next appearance in court, where police had applied to revoke bail.
Kevin is grateful for local support
By SIMONE KERWIN
KEVIN Kelly has been overwhelmed by the level of support offered to him by Wangaratta and district residents in recent weeks.
The 47-year-old said when his lease was up just over a fortnight ago, he had intended to hit the road in search of work - until car trouble played havoc with his plans.
Kevin found himself in front of the WJ Findlay Oval with a blown head gasket, and nowhere to stay with his two dogs, Dozer and Jax.
He said a number of locals had stopped to ask whether he needed help as he checked out the car when
it rst stopped, and even o ered to tow him for assistance.
Camping in the highly visible carpark outside the Findlay Oval, Kevin said he had been surprised by the number of locals checking on him and o ering their help.
Some have even assisted him with his bid to nd labouring work to help him cover repairs to his car.
Kevin said he had been surprised by the hospitality of Wangaratta people.
“It is hard to ask for help, and it’s rare to nd people wanting to stop and help,” he said.
“Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve grown attached to the area and the
people, and I feel it could be a good place to settle if I had a place to stay.”
Local resident Joe Rourke, who posted on the Wangaratta Community Noticeboard Facebook page on Tuesday to let locals know Kevin’s situation, said he too had been overwhelmed by the level of support.
“I just put a Facebook post up, and it’s gone from there,” he said.
“It was just a chance to help him a bit, and people have really stepped up.
“People can be really good, and I’m so proud of my town.”
Anyone keen to assist Kevin can register their help via the Wangaratta Community Noticeboard post.
Pair avoid serious injury after Glenrowan crash
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
TWO Melbourne travelers were hospitalised following a crash on the Hume Freeway in Glenrowan on Wednesday evening.
First Constable Brent Nichols of Wangaratta Highway Patrol said at around 5:45pm a single vehicle towing a caravan crashed into the freeway’s wire barriers and rolled on the road’s southbound lanes.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were assessed at the scene for minor injuries and later taken to Wangaratta Hospital for observation.
As of 1pm Thursday, First Const Nichols said one of the Melbournebased occupants had been discharged while the other remained under observation at hospital awaiting results.
First Const Nichols said the freeway was blocked for a short period of time before operating as a single lane as crews cleared the vehicle from the road, re-opening some two hours later.
PHOTO: Simone Kerwin
Lodge your Hottest 100 votes
THERE’S still time to get your votes in for triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2024, one of the most anticipated events of an Australian summer.
Voting wraps up on Monday, January 20 at 5pm at https://www.abc.net.au/triplej for those keen to recognise the artists and songs which helped shape their year.
On Friday, January 24 from 12 noon, Double J will relive the Hottest 100 of 2004, while this year’s countdown kicks off on Saturday, January 25 at 12 noon.
Roadworks signage removal causing concern
BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au
WANGARATTA Livestock Exchange held its annual premier Angus weaner and grown feature sale on Wednesday, which saw a healthy yarding of 4000 cattle with a strong turnout of buyers.
It re ected the high demand for quality cattle following a tough 2024 which proved a struggle for many producers.
Corcoran Parker stock agent Reiley Murtagh said the turnout on Wednesday’s sale was a welcome sight with plenty of buyers travelling from NSW along with strong local interest, which boosted prices and showed the overall con dence in the market.
“There was a big push from northern buyers which added strong competition in bidding that kept prices up and re ected the current demand leading into the autumn period,” he said.
“Heifers saw the biggest rise in price which has not been seen in some time.
“Prices remained very strong in the open cattle section seeing prices jump by $1.10/kg.
“Overall, the start to the year is showing optimism and condence in the industry and we hope the trend continues.”
Hereford, Black Baldy, Euro and other breed of weaners and grown cattle sale will be held on Friday, January 10 at the Wangaratta Livestock exchange starting at 2pm with another strong line-up of stock expected to again attract interest showing from local and interstate buyers.
Mr Murtagh said prices at Wednesday’s sale saw top end Angus steers 420kg at $1820 or 4.25/kg, 380kg Angus calves at $3.40/kg, Angus calves 300320kg at $4.25-$4.68kg, Lighter Angus steers 270kg at $1350 or $5.00/kg.
Mans eld cattle producer Rodda Manning, who presented 700 Angus steers and 50 heifers at the sale, grew up on his family farm and took over the reins 15 years ago on the 7000-acre property.
Like most cattle producers in the region, he said the Davilait
By STEVE KELLY
THE removal of signage a liated with existing roadworks on Wangaratta’s Salisbury Street has been worrying some locals.
During the Christmas period the Rural City of Wangaratta council encountered several instances where the signage was removed or knocked over.
Council said this week that the contractor is continuing to regularly monitor their tra c management signage and reinstall it as soon as possible.
Road reconstruction works along Salisbury
Street are being undertaken as part of council’s asset renewal program.
Works include the installation of new road pavement, kerb and channel drainage and footpath installation.
The site of the works is on Salisbury Street between Burke Street and Cribbes Road.
This project has been co funded by the Roads to Recovery Program and council.
Council reported that the contractor has returned to site this week, with an anticipated completion timeframe late January.
Pastoral Company farm has had ups and downs with the unseasonal conditions that began this time last year, however, he was pleased cattle prices remained rm.
“Last year we had a terrible autumn with no rainfall to be seen, which continued into winter seeing conditions cold and dry,” Mr Manning said.
“This continued into spring, which continued to mount pressure on our farm, particularly our cattle who struggled during this period.
“The November rain did save us seeing 115mm fall on the farm.
“The cattle fed on what little grass was le and were supplemented with silage to keep them moving forward.
“The market prices here in Wangaratta and the North East are governed by rainfall in the north into NSW.
“Good rain along with plenty of feed in the north not only eases pressure on farmers, but also draws interest to sales here locally with producers in the north looking to buy in numbers and are prepared to pay market or above market value.
“The overall results of this sale were very pleasing pricewise, which I’m sure instills condence in producers moving forward into 2025.”
Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861
POSITIVE START: Mansfield cattle producer Rodda Manning believes the market is bouncing back
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
COOL BY THE POOL: Leon Newton, manager sports and aquatic and events at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, and
Cool place to be
KEEPING cool during the rural city’s current run of 30-degree summer days is as easy as dropping in to the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The centre has kicked o its Picnic by the Pool promotion, which o ers free entry to the WSAC outdoor pool between 12 noon and 3pm on a series of Fridays during January; the opening event last Friday attracted 140 people.
Leon Newton, manager sports and aquatic and events at WSAC, said the initiative o ered extra incentive for people to drop in and utilise the space.
“We are looking at di erent ways to get young families to come in and enjoy the facilities, and this is one of them,” he said.
“We’d love people to bring their in atables and a picnic, and to make the pool area their backyard for the a ernoon.
“We’re really excited by the initial take-up, and we hope it continues.”
Picnic by the Pool will again be held on January 10, 17, and 31 from 12 noon to 3pm.
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
On Friday, January 24, the outdoor pool will host a free pool party between 11am and 1pm for 12 to 25 yearolds, with a free barbecue and DJ entertainment.
The success of the rst Picnic by the Pool event on Friday rolled into the heat health alert for last Saturday and Sunday, which opened WSAC for free swimming, with the outdoor pool’s hours extended to 8am to 8pm.
Temperatures climbed into the very high 30s on both days, and Mr Newton said 750 people took the chance to swim at the centre over the two days.
“That’s an initiative supported by the Rural City of Wangaratta; we are one of the venues identi ed as cooling-o places, and it was great to see people making the most of that,” he said.
The centre has again been a hive of activity during this week, hosting VICSWIM classes for local youngsters.
And bookings are being
taken until Monday, January 13 for the upcoming threeday Bush Nippers program.
A great success during its inaugural year at Wangaratta in 2024, the program partnering WSAC with Lifesaving Victoria is a rural inland adaptation of the coastal Nippers education program, designed for primary school-aged children.
To be held at Wangaratta’s Sydney Beach, it aims to develop lifesaving water safety knowledge and skills in open water environments, to enable participants to make safe aquatic-related decisions while enjoying their local waterways.
Forty youngsters have registered for the program so far, and further enrolments can be made at https://www. wsac.vic.gov.au/Bush-Nippers, with registrations set to close on Monday.
“The program was booked out last year, and we have more sta involved this year, so can take more enrolments,” Mr Newton said.
There are also plans to expand this initiative by o ering it to schools, with an expression of interest having been issued for term one.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Day out at the outdoor pool
BRING your own inflatables and enjoy a day out at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre’s outdoor pool today, as well as January 17 and 31.
There will be free pool entry from 12 noon to 3pm on these days, offering the perfect chance to soak up the summer sun with family and friends.
Whether you want to float around in the pool, take a dip, or simply relax with a picnic, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, towel, and all your picnic essentials to enjoy a relaxed afternoon.
Wangaratta Community Market on Sunday
THE Wangaratta Community Market runs every Sunday at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.
There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments also on site.
Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market’s Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.
Free live local music
LISTEN to local musician Riff Ferguson at The Vine Hotel Wangaratta this Sunday, January 12 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.
Riff will be performing his new single ‘So Many Memories’ along with some familiar favourites. For more information, visit https://www. thevinehotel.net.au.
Shop local at the Wangaratta Farmers’ Market on Saturday
By JORDAN DUURSMA
THE Wangaratta Farmers’ Market is back for its 10th year running, kicking o the 2025 season tomorrow in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral from 8am until 12pm.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to shop for seasonal produce with a range of local growers, producers and makers.
Market coordinator Eleanor Currie encourages locals and tourists alike to visit the market.
“It’s a great place for a relaxing Saturday morning, to meet up with friends for a co ee and enjoy some live music, or to pop in a er park-run for a fresh OJ and loaf of warm bread,” she said.
“People who want to support local farmers, producers and makers, care for sustainability, or love good quality food and products should come.”
The Wangaratta Farmers’ Market is an accredited Victorian Farmers Market Association Market, meaning con-
sumers can be confident that all stallholders are selling their own locally grown, sourced and made product.
Ms Currie said it’s so important for the community have access to fresh, delicious, local produce, free from mass production and chemicals.
“It is so much better for our health to eat local, suitable to our climate and environment, which is also reducing the thousands of kilometres travelled by most supermarket food and therefore far less harmful for our environment,” she said.
“It’s also better for our mind as we can be proud of supporting the livelihoods of others in our community who have chosen to farm or produce small patch products.
“By supporting local, we put back into our local economy which ensures a healthy, happier community.”
This season’s o erings to look out for at the market are: stone fruit, berries, citrus of lemon, line and Valencia oranges, melons, beans, beetroot, peas,
Summer Fun Day on the way
A FREE Summer Fun Day will be hosted on Wednesday, January 15 by the Wangaratta Baptist Church, at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre.
All are invited to come along for a day of fun catering for the whole family, with free entry between 10am and 2pm, a sausage sizzle, and live music supplied by Cest Si Bon.
This event, along with an upcoming Easter Saturday Free Fun Day, has been supported by a Rural City of Wangaratta community grant, and Woolworths has generously donated supplies for the sausage sizzle.
The church’s aim is to help bring hope and joy to the community through a great day out together.
There will be fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables available, meat and fish, fresh flowers, as well as staples like bread, cheese, wine, honey and eggs.
Handmade goods like preserves, superfoods, sweets, hot food and co ee are a key feature of the market, along with handmade products like pottery, blankets and live music.
Ms Currie said whether it’s to eat better, reduce your plastic waste, support local business, or be more involved in community projects, the farmers’ market is a great way to support you on your health and wellbeing goals for the year ahead.
“If you haven’t been to check it out, you de nitely need to,” she said.
“The more support we get, the better it will be.”
ENJOY an unforgettable night under the stars in Merriwa Park at this year’s Outdoor Ball on Saturday, February 15.
The vibrant sounds of one of Australia’s top Latin bands, Zona 7, will provide the soundtrack as locals dance the night away between 6pm and 10pm.
There will be opportunities to capture memories at a photo booth, and to savour the taste of local beers, wines and food which will be available for purchase, or pack your own picnic for the night (no BYO alcohol).
Entry to the event is free, or a premium table can be reserved in a prime viewing area for up to 10 guests for $100.
SUPPORT LOCAL: Riley Mcdonald and Jes Myers from Edible Alchemy are two of the many local growers and makers who sell their produce and wares at the Wangaratta Farmers’ Market.
SMOKING RATES IN ADULTS IN WANGARATTA STILL HIGH
Plenty of puff here
By JORDAN DUURSMA
SMOKING among adults remains more prevalent in Wangaratta than many other parts of Victoria, according to latest research from Cancer Council Victoria.
A new report from the council’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) shows a concerning prevalence of smoking and vaping across Victorian communities.
According to the report, the estimated number of Wangaratta adults who currently smoke tobacco is 3774, which is 16.1 per cent of the adult population.
Overall, Victoria has an estimated 746,126 adults who currently smoke tobacco, which is 14.6 per cent of the adult population.
The estimated number of Wangaratta adults who spoke tobacco daily is 3124, which is 13.3 per cent of the adult population, and the estimated number of Wangaratta adults who currently vape is 1155, which is just 4.9 per cent of the adult population.
Quit director Rachael Andersen said the need for public health efforts and campaigns which address both smoking and vaping has never been more critical, considering the gateway effect between the two behaviours.
“A recent study of Australian teens showed people who vape but have never smoked are at least five times as likely to take up smoking,” she said.
“So, while much of the media narrative of the past years has focused on vaping, if we stop educating the community on
the harms of smoking and if we reduce support for quit smoking attempts, we risk seeing the areas with high vaping rate areas becoming high smoking rate areas in the future.
“If we don’t address the stubbornly high smoking rates in regional areas, we risk seeing health inequities continue to widen.”
According to the report, despite continuing declines in current smoking prevalence among Victorian adults, numerous LGAs such as Wangaratta had current smoking prevalence rates well above the state average in 2022.
“This reinforces that, while it is important to address vaping as an emerging and growing issue, comprehensive efforts must continue to focus on
reducing harm from smoking tobacco,” Ms Andersen said.
For support to stop smoking or vaping, connect with Quitline on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger @QuitVic, live chat through quit.org.au or request a call back at a time that suits you.
From Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, qualified Quitline counsellors are ready to support you on your quitting journey.
HEALTH CONCERNS: A new report estimates there are 1155 Wangaratta adults who currently vape, which is 4.9 per cent of the adult population. PHOTO: Shutterstock
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who smoke tobacco daily by LGA.
Victoria, 557169, 10.9 per cent
Wangaratta, 3124, 13.3 per cent
Alpine, 1336, 12.4 per cent
Indigo, 1636, 12.0 per cent
Strathbogie, 1263, 13.3 per cent
Wodonga, 4949, 15.0 per cent
Benalla, 1667, 13.9 per cent
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who currently smoke tobacco by LGA.
Victoria, 746126, 14.6 per cent
Wangaratta, 3774, 16.1 per cent
Alpine, 1590, 14.8 per cent
Indigo, 1962, 14.4 per cent
Strathbogie, 1425, 15.0 per cent
Wodonga, 5874, 17.8 per cent
Benalla, 1915, 16.0 per cent
Estimated number and percentage of Victorian adults who currently vape by LGA.
Victoria, 311524, 6.1 per cent
Wangaratta, 1155, 4.9 per cent
Alpine, 455, 4.2 per cent
Indigo, 579, 4.2 per cent
Strathbogie, 366, 3.9 per cent
Wodonga, 2170, 6.6 per cent
Benalla, 561, 4.7 per cent
Cut the casual approach to driving
WHILE it was pleasing to hear the Wangaratta region made it through the Christmas/New Year period unscathed on our roads, alarming trends continued to persist.
Raw data may not have been collected over a heavy 20-day police enforcement period, but it was disappointing to hear observations of low-level speeding and drink and drug driving offences continued to occur on local roads.
Especially in times like Christmas, New Year and the upcoming Australia Day long weekend, it’s simply unacceptable to approach driving in a casual way that could affect the lives of not only others but your own.
That being said, no major or fatal collisions occurred throughout the area during one of the year’s busiest times on our roads, which is a testament to enforcement and the majority of the community to adhering to warnings.
While last year’s road toll didn’t reach the extreme heights set in 2023 overall, it’s concerning to see the number of single fatal collisions occurring on our roads had in fact risen.
Although not as many lives were lost, it’s clear habits of our drivers continue to trend towards those that are consistent with what police data has seen as the cause of many fatalities on local roads last year.
The responsibility to buck this trend falls on everyone on our roads, from enforcement to those behind the wheel, riding the bike and even walking across the road. It won’t be long before road safety will again come close to the community’s attention as police prepare for the Australia Day weekend Operation Amity.
before you leave as there may not be one.
• Decide early what you will do with your pets and horses on hot, dry, windy days.
Wonderful New Year’s Eve celebrations
CONGRATULATIONS to Rural City of Wangaratta Council on organising the New Year’s Eve community celebration at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
How wonderful to be amongst such a happy crowd of people.
Families, children, teenagers, parents and grandparents all having a great timesinging and dancing.
The management of the event including security and tra c management ensured safety to all those who attended.
And of course the entertainment.
I have heard some criticism of the line up but to all you keyboard warrior whingers out there, Joe Camilleri has still “got it” and knows how to work the crowd and keep everyone happy.
Jane Baker, Wangaratta
Make fire safety a priority this summer
WITH warmer weather and dry conditions upon us, it’s vital that everyone takes steps to protect themselves, their families, and their properties from the risk of bush res and grass res.
I encourage local residents to prepare re plans, clear vegetation around homes, and stay updated on local re warnings.
The CFA has a range of tips for residents, including:
• Leave early on hot, dry, windy days if the re danger rating is extreme or catastrophic.
• Understand your risk and plan ahead. Tell your family and friends when you will leave, where you’ll go and how you will get there.
• Do not wait for an o cial warning
• If you are travelling, check the conditions for your destination and any areas you will travel through before you go. Listen to local radio for warnings and advice while you’re on the road.
You can phone the VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) and visit www. emergency.vic.gov.au to download the VicEmergency App.
Find more information at https://www. cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-toprepare-your-property
Gaelle Broad, Nationals’ MP for Northern Victoria
Common sense must prevail on gas
THE UK Labour Government has this week dropped proposals to force households to replace gas hot water boilers with electric heaters as recognition that such draconian approaches impose high costs, and do not enjoy public support.
This is a victory for common sense, and we call on the Victorian Labor Government to follow the lead of their UK counterparts and abandon its increasingly madcap push to ban the replacement of gas hot water and heating appliances.
The fact is that while electri cation may be sensible for some, for many of the two million Victorian households and businesses which use gas, forced electri cation will impose signi cant out of pocket costs while driving up gas and electricity prices for everyone else and putting more pressure on an already struggling electricity network. The high cost of these impacts cannot be ignored given it has now been independently con rmed by research just released by Professor Paul Simshauser and his team at Gri th University.
Ross Jamieson, Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association of Australia (GAMAA) president
Getting home safely from the races
A NEW campaign is being rolled out across regional Victoria, encouraging Victorians to get home safely from country races.
The Transport Accident Commission’s ‘Ready’ campaign with Country Racing Victoria highlights the risks associated with driving to and from races when alcohol is involved.
This year’s campaign follows a tragic year on Victoria’s roads in 2024, with 282 lives lost compared with 295 in 2023.
More than half of the fatalities in 2024 occurred in regional areas.
The campaign will be prominent in the run-up to country race events across Victoria - including Wangaratta’s Summer race Day on Thursday, February 6 - to highlight the various transport options available to those attending regional events, such as taxis, rideshares and shuttle buses.
The TAC will be present at more than 20 Country Cups, where punters will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win $500 fuel vouchers and learn about the dangers of drink-driving.
For more information on the campaign, visit the TAC website: tac.vic.gov.au/ country-racing-victoria.
Melissa Horne, Minister for Roads and Road Safety
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SUMMER FUN: Nelly Longok, Holly Brownlie, Blake Brownlie and Bonnie Longok made the most of the school holidays, having a splash at the Frank Garth Reserve on Wednesday a ernoon.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
FACEBOOK users this week commented on Monday’s wet weather following the city’s hottest weekend in almost four years.
• Leslie Matthews: It always rains after a dry spell.
• Nicki Jory: Cindy Knight it still amazes me how it can be hot in summer imagine how it was back then when there was no air con...
• Cindy Knight: Nicki Jory yeah I know And ppl complain about today’s heat with air con Facebook users this week also commented on a car
towing a caravan which crashed and rolled over on the Snow Road near Oxley on Sunday afternoon.
• Courtney Davern: Audrey Timms Skylar Davern everyone was ok!
Facebook users this week also commented on Wangaratta experiencing stable residential growth and sustained development in the commercial sector last year.
• Shaz Petersen: About time they did something about it go builders
This
Check out some of our best photos at our @wangchronicle Instagram account
• Terry Davern: we are full Facebook users this week also commented on the Wangaratta Chronicle’s year in review.
• Leslie Matthews: The favorite pastime of so many, looking back.
Facebook users this week also commented on forecasts and heat warnings for last weekend’s hot weather.
• Andrew Meloury: Gee groundbreaking a four year record Facebook users this week
commented on a wine body supporting calls for better gateway signage at King Valley to accompany abstract sculpture ‘Bubbles in the landscape’.
• Shaz Petersen: Haha
• Leslie Matthews: If it’s not provoking commentary it’s not art. Clearly this is
• Kim Michelini: Leslie Matthews your right. It’s not art
• Leslie Matthews: Kim Michelini Obviously it is because you deemed ‘It’ worthy of comment .
X USERS this week tweeted about a local musician launching his new single, a Wangaratta galloper, and this week’s cattle sale.
RIFF – Music @MrRiffMusic
Vine Hotel, Wangaratta - SINGLE LAUNCH TOUR RSVP here: https://www.mrriffmusic.com/event-details/vinehotel-wangaratta-single-launch-tour Gundagai Races @gundagairaces
Andrew Dale claimed the 2025 Adelong Cup with Copperfield. Ridden by Pierre Boudvillain, the Wangaratta galloper fought hard to defeat the John Rolfe-trained Off Shaw (Sinead Peebles) by a head, while in third was the Neil Osborne-trained Call Me Artie (James Innes Jnr).
The Weekly Times @theweeklytimes
Light steers again broke the 500c/kg mark at Wangaratta on Wednesday as buyers continued to bid on cattle across all weight ranges. See the latest from our coverage >>> http://bit.ly/3DJYcI4
If you have something to say, add our handle @wangchronicle to your tweet and we will publish some each week.
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
15,107
How awesome is this mural by Julian Clavijo, located in Wangaratta, Victoria
David Art @davidarttt
Bush Nippers! Lifesavings Victoria’s water safety program will boost your child’s confidence in open water environments.
program
fantastic way to build water safety skills in our very own Ovens (Torryong) River.
State water police called to more than 100 incidents in a week
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
THE Water Police Squad is issuing a water safety warning ahead of the weekend as gures show the unit has been called to more than 100 incidents across the state in the rst week of 2025.
During the same time last year there were 17 incidents, while the year before 36 were recorded over the period.
Police said many of this year’s callouts have related to
dangerous jet ski behaviour including speeding, travelling too close to other swimmers and in some cases even collisions with other vessels.
On Sunday, January 5, Victoria Police and NSW Police were required to respond to an incident at Lake Mulwala which hospitalised three people, including two children.
NSW o cers were told a boat towing a ski biscuit came around a bend and the in atable crashed into a sta-
tionary shing boat.
A 34-year-old man and a 10-year-old girl were airlied to Melbourne hospitals, both in a serious but stable condition while an eightyear-old boy was taken to Wangaratta Hospital.
Police also responded to serious collisions in Rye, Parkdale Beach and Safety Beach last weekend.
With maximum temperatures in the low 30s predicted by the Bureau of Meteorol-
ogy for Wangaratta and surrounds this weekend, police are urging vessel operators to take extra care with signicant crowds expected both inland and along the coast.
Water police will have a presence at key areas and beaches with o cers also to patrol inland areas including Lake Eildon.
Water Police Squad Inspector James Dalton said vessel operators can expect to be breath tested,
VISITOR INFO POP-UP ASSISTS ENQUIRIES
By SIMONE KERWIN
A POP-UP Visitor Information Centre operated in the Reid Street Kiosk over the festive period, drawing a range of enquiries from visitors and locals.
The pop-up is introduced at peak times, including Easter, jazz festival weekend and Christmas, to support visitors during times when the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre - where the regular kiosk is located - cannot be accessed.
It supplements the main accredited Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre at the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub in Glenrowan.
Over the festive period, the team at the Reid Street kiosk spoke with about 211 visitors and locals.
Enquiries leading up to the New Year related to water-based activities such as swimming holes and camping and shing spots, as well as the rural city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
King Valley and the Milawa Gourmet Region were popular
SEEKING TO CELEBRATE: Enquiries to a pop-up visitor information centre in the
have their marine licences checked, and vessels inspected for the mandatory safety equipment such as lifejackets, torches and re extinguishers.
“While most people do the right thing, there are some who show blatant disregard for the safety of other water users,” he said.
“Water police will continue to patrol the state’s waterways this summer, but vessel operators need to take
festive period included those seeking information about the Rural City of Wangaratta’s successful New Year’s Eve celebrations held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
over the festive season, with many people seeking to enjoy local produce and wines.
Visitors travelling with their furry companions enquired about places to stay, dine and camp with their four-legged family members.
Walking and cycling tracks were also in demand, with many
people perhaps wanting to kick o the New Year in a healthy way with some exercise.
Those with young families sought advice about activities to enjoy with children, with Myrrhee’s Brook eld Maze, and attractions at Glenrowan among the favoured choices.
For those seeking assistance,
the Wangaratta Visitor Information Kiosk is regularly available in the WPACC from 10am to 2pm.
The main Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre at Glenrowan’s Ned Kelly Discovery Hub opens seven days a week from 10am to 4pm (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday).
some responsibility for their own behaviour and safety, because we can’t be everywhere at once.
“People need to remember that a split-second decision can have lifelong consequences.”
On top of patrols, the squad will also be running several targeted operations over the summer season to target rogue jet ski riders both on the water and at ramps.
Benalla presents Creating Community Connections Expo 2025 next month
THE Benalla and District Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) is gearing up for an exciting and inclusive event –the Creating Community Connections Expo 2025 - set to take place on Friday, February 21 at the Benalla Showgrounds and Lakeside Community Centre from 3pm to 7pm.
The free, family-friendly event offers a unique platform for local community groups, organisations, and residents to come together, share their passions and foster meaningful connections.
The expo will feature a variety of stalls, interactive activities and live entertainment, making it a dynamic and fun-filled afternoon for attendees of all ages.
Community groups and organisations are encouraged to participate by showcasing their work, engaging with others, and inspiring collaboration.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for stallholders are open now and will close on Sunday, February 9.
For more information or to submit an expression of interest, please visit www. benalla.vic.gov.au/siag.
Sam’s off to Princeton Uni
Friday, January 9, 2015
By CAITLIN SARTORI
COMING home during holidays to the family property at Killawarra holds fond memories for former Geelong Grammar student Sam Parsons.
But the 2014 graduate now has America in his sights, after he was accepted into Princeton University in New Jersey for five years with the hopes to major in Economics.
Humble with every word, Sam explained the acceptance had come after hundreds of hours studying while maintaining other school activities including the school captain role and an extensive involvement in rowing.
He undertook international baccalaureate (IB) studies with the option of studying abroad, and discovered this week he had received a perfect score of 45/45.
It equates to a perfect Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 99.95.
not faze him.
“I’ve always been grateful to have a rural connection, I would come home to tranquility,” Sam said.
“But for me, going to live in America will be the same magnitude as going to boarding school, the only difference will be the time difference.
“It might make me more attentive to Facebook and Skype when contacting home,” he laughed.
He boarded at Geelong Grammar since year seven, and said living away from home for five years would
“I don’t consider myself to be leaving Australia for good, I hope to learn what I can and
bring it back here.”
Mother, Emma Williamson, said her and husband Simon Williamson were extremely proud of his achievements.
“Sam has worked so hard with his huge workload; he’s managed to juggle his rowing, being school captain and his IB,” Mrs Williamson said.
“He’s just put his mind to it and done it while managing extreme responsibility in his life.”
Reid Street Kiosk over the
PHOTO: Amanda Chrystal
KILLAWARRA TO AMERICA: Spending family time at their Killawarra home this week was (from le ) Emma Williamson, former Geelong Grammar student Sam Parsons with sister Liv Parsons, and Simon Williamson.
PHOTO: Caitlin Sartori
Younger sister, Liv Parsons, attends school at Galen Catholic College.
Family, friends helped Jack celebrate his 99th birthday
AGROUP of 60 friends and family gathered in Wangaratta last Saturday to help Jack (Gaudenzio) Frasca celebrate his 99th birthday.
Jack’s daughter Jo Frasca said her father arrived in Melbourne on April 4, 1933, aged seven, with his mother Lucia, both unable to speak English.
They were reunited with Jack’s father Giovanni who travelled to Australia in September 1926 to make a life for his wife and child.
The family who’s farm the Frasca’s worked on helped keep Jack, baby John and their parents out of an internment camps, where some Italians were kept during World War Two due to their country’s alliance with Germany.
As soon as Jack became of age, he le school to contribute to the family - he hunted, shed and got any worked he could, and joined in the hard toil with his parents as to-
bacco share farmers.
Eventually, the family decided to leave the Myrtleford area, and the land, a er many failed crops.
Moving to Corowa the family bought the Golden Key Cafe in 1946, and Jack worked there, and went hay bailing between September and May.
In 1950 the family sold the café and moved to a house they had purchased in Wangaratta.
Jack and John developed their hay bailing business hiring people to work with them.
While living in Corowa Jack met his wife of 74 years, Rose Wortham.
They were married 1951 and lived for a time in Melbourne.
At that time Jack drove the tramway buses and Rose worked at Eclipse Radio.
Eventually they moved back to Wangaratta and had four children - Pip, Lyn, Jo and John (dec).
A er hay bailing in summer and
working in Bogong and the Snowy Mountain Scheme in winter, they brought their farm in Myrrhee in 1952, where Jack and his brother John and their families stayed until 1998.
Jack was very active in the community and was instrumental in working toward the rural area of Myrrhee obtaining electricity and was the president of the Myrrhee Progress Association.
In 1964 Jack bought their rst petrol tanker, which was the beginning of a burgeoning trucking business.
He was also instrumental and active in the construction of the Myrrhee Hall and was the chairman of the hall committee, also donating signi cant materials for the construction of the hall.
He was the growers representative on the Victorian Tobacco Stabilisation Board, giving all growers
quotas and thereby stabilising the industry - and went on to be president of the Victorian Tobacco Growers Association.
In 1987 Jack was recognised for his work and signi cant contribution on the Tobacco Leaf Marketing Board (from 1971 to 1987).
At this point he had been involved in the tobacco industry since 1938.
For many years Jack also held the position of president of the Hop Growers Association in the 80s and helped implement many initiatives for the growth and bene t of hop growers in North East Victoria.
One of Jack’s greatest passions and achievements was the Boggy Creek Dam Project.
A er years of work the damnally opened in September 1972 and still operates today.
A er selling the farm in 1998, and thinking he was going to re-
tire, Jack started a very successful steel and rubber business in Wangaratta, selling Frasca Steel and Rubber in 2017.
For the entirety of his working life Jack and his brother John worked together, until they both retired in 2017 at 92 years and 84 respectively.
Another community contribution Jack has made was that he regularly sponsored and was financial grantor for many migrant families starting business in Victoria, especially the North East region.
He was a keen horse rider and one year won the Golden Spurs at the Myrtleford Rodeo.
Jack and Rose regularly set o in their caravan, doing their rst trip around Australia in 1962 in a plywood caravan.
Over the ensuing years they did a total of 24 trips seeing most of Australia.
CATCHING UP: Lynn Petersen, Lee Sinclair and Karen Matthews.
FRIENDS: Sam and Mary La Spina.
FRIENDS: Pat Delmastro and Kevin Wyllie.
CELEBRATING JACK: (From le ) Kade Petersen, Rose Frasca, Rose Frasca, Carl Watts celebrated with (front) Jack Frasca.
FAMILY: (Back, from le ) Adam Petersen, Varina Petersen, Carl Watts, Kade Petersen, Tom Hunt, Pip Else Lyn Petersen; (middle) Ayla Petersen. Rose Frasca; (front, from le ) John Frasca, Jack Frasca and Jo Frasca.
Marcus lends filmmaking skills for community benefit
By SIMONE KERWIN
LENDING a hand to prepare a virtual reality video promoting careers in the rural health sector has added another string to Marcus Davidson’s media skills bow.
The local resident, who graduated from year 12 at Galen Catholic College in 2024, took up the challenge of creating a VR video for Melbourne University which explores a day in the life of an occupational therapist.
Galen’s careers and further education coordinator, Peter Girolami, said the link came about a er a conversation with Melbourne University researcher Kristen Glenister about the university’s program during the Careers in Health Expo held at CSU Tone Road.
“Melbourne Uni were there with their VR headset, and Kristen asked if I knew any students who could help them with the lming,” Peter said.
“I organised them to come to Galen to meet a few students, they explained what they needed, and Marcus and a few students were keen.
“A er that, Marcus met with them, did the lming and interviewing and came up with thenal product.”
Marcus said work on the project began in August, and continued through his VCE exams.
A WANGARATTA man caught stealing from Bunnings Warehouse Wangaratta has been warned to stop o ending or risk jail time.
Pleading guilty and representing himself at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court this week, the court heard that patrolling police o cers observed the defendant entering the warehouse on November 13.
As a recognised past o ender, police followed the man into the store and were allowed access to the store’s CCTV room to observe him.
He was seen purchasing a y swatter before leaving the store and heading towards his vehicle.
Police followed the man where he was seen placing an unknown item underneath his car.
He was then arrested a er o cers found $88 worth of unpaid items, including a polishing compound, two screwdrivers and a testing bottle.
“I ended up with 400 to 500 gigabytes of data.
“I had never edited with VR before, so it was something new, and it took two weeks to edit.”
“I did ve interviews with rstyear occupational therapy students from Deakin and Melbourne unis, with third-year students, and with someone who has been working in OT for 20 years,” he said.
Marcus said he was pleased to be able to assist in something which could benefit the community, and to boost his experience as he follows his own pathway
The lm was launched for sta and students at Galen in December, and will now be used to encourage students to pursue rural health pathways for their future careers.
towards a career in filmmaking. He plans to take a gap year in 2025 and develop a concept for a short lm, and then hopes to study lm and television at Deakin.
“Now that I know how to work with VR, I might do more of it in the future, but for now I think I’ll focus on 2D footage,” he said.
Magistrate Ian Watkins issued a $500 ne, noting the o ending had occurred within a month of the defendant being charged for separate drug and the matters.
“You’re going to end up in jail pretty soon if you keep this up,” he said.
“If you’re going shopping at Bunnings again or anywhere else for that matter, make sure you pay.”
virtual reality video prepared by Marcus for the university.
Surviving the scorching summer
By IAN DAVIDSON & CHRIS TZAROS
WHILE people can escape the summer scorchers by returning to air-conditioned comfort, spare a thought for our wildlife that are facing increasingly intense summer extremes.
Though much of our local wildlife is adapted to live in the warm and dry environment that is summer in the North East, extreme temperatures and hot gusty winds, especially over prolonged periods, can make life difficult for many of our local critters.
During the peak of summer, many birds and other animals actively look for places to have a drink and cool off.
In the bush, these places could be forest dams or remnant pools in drying gullies, but in the garden these refuges could be well-placed bird baths or small ponds.
Providing water sources for birds can be one of the most useful and important things you can do this summer to help our feathered friends beat the heat.
Refuges need not be too elaborate - a simple heavy dish or saucer can do the trick - but there are a few key things to keep in mind to maximise their effectiveness and the safety and wellbeing of birds.
No matter what size garden or property you have, providing multiple water points of different types and in varying positions will give birds options as to where they want to visit.
If one water point is too busy or dominated by bigger bossy species, smaller birds might take the option of visiting an alternative spot.
It is usually a good idea to position water points in the shade, or at least in dappled shade or where they will receive some respite from the sun in the hottest parts of the day. This will allow visiting birds to cool off in the
water then perch and preen in the shade whilst they are relatively cool and fresh.
Varying the depth of water is also important.
Most standard ‘bird baths’ are too deep but placing a rock or three in the bath will give birds choices as to how deep they want to stand whilst having a drink or a splash. Some birds can drown in deep water by not being able to get out whilst their feathers are wet and heavy, so having rock ‘steps’ or sticks and perches emerging from the water can be an important lifeline.
Having perches close to water
points is also a good idea as it allows birds to fly in from nearby vegetation and assess the water and the surrounds for safety.
However, remember that predators such as cats can take advantage of dense cover close to water as they know that birds will visit.
Positioning water points on a pedestal of sorts can help alleviate this problem.
If you know that some aggressive birds will visit your water points, protecting water points with wire mesh can give smaller birds the opportunity to drink and bath without being
bothered by bigger ones who can’t fit through the wire openings.
Given that birds both drink and bath from water points, it is important to replenish water often and clean out water points regularly.
Having birds visit water is also a good opportunity for you to observe your local feathered friends with minimal effort.
Enjoying a morning cuppa or afternoon refreshment on a seat overlooking a water point often brings the reward of having some close and personal encounters with birds of many different species.
TAKING A PLUNGE: A male Hooded Robin enjoys a cool splash in a spring-fed rock pool in the Warby Range. PHOTO: Chris Tzaros (Birds Bush and Beyond).
GAS, flames, action: No it wasn’t the scene of a movie set, but rather local firefighters simulating a major gas fire, in the safe surrounds of the Wangaratta facility that has helped train up to 2000 emergency service members each year. The CFA’s Stewart Kreltszheim (left) and David Maxwell were among those kitted up in ‘retro’ 1980s CFA uniforms, entertaining hundreds of onlookers, to help mark the 40th anniversary of Wangaratta’s Victoria Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) on Saturday.
Marc Bongers
October
Wednesday, October 2
‘Ruthless’ burglary
SESSIONS Asphalt in Wangaratta has been left gutted this week as burglars broke in and stole around $400,000 worth of machinery and equipment.
Business owner David Sessions said at around 4:30am on Sunday, September 29, his Gibson Street business was targeted by balaclavawearing thieves.
Friday, October 4
After-dark shift
WANGARATTA’S weekend nightclub scene is set for a shift over coming months, with Murphy Street’s Grand Central Hotel closed for renovations until at least early December.
The hotel - affectionately known as The GC - held its ‘last call’ on Saturday before the lengthy break, with owner Steve Wilson now preparing for the venue’s first major renovation since 1994.
Monday, October 7
No water woes
WATER restrictions are not expected for Wangaratta this summer as local water storage levels have remained stable despite significantly below average rainfall for the year.
North East Water (NEW) general manager environment, systems and operations, John Day, said NEW is currently preparing its summer water outlooks, which assess each water supply system in the region.
Wednesday, October 9
Mental support
THIRTY-two mental health first aid scholarships are set to be made available to local small to medium businesses, in the first on-the-ground use of funds raised by Wangaratta initiative Project 365.
The scholarship program will be launched at tomorrow’s Grit and Resilience Festival Celebrating headspace Day, to be held in Wangaratta’s King George Gardens from 4pm to 6.30pm, where members of Project 365 will also perform.
Friday, October 11
Project concerns
FIVE objections have been received to a planning permit for the Wangaratta Creative Precinct project, including three from neighbouring properties - St Patrick’s Catholic parish, St Catherine’s Wangaratta, and St Patrick’s Primary School.
Peking Duk’s Reuben Styles (left) and Adam Hyde embrace Cathedral College year 10 student Kai McPhan as they fulfilled his deal of a lifetime to perform at Kai’s school formal on Thursday night.
($675 million) of the investment put into crumbling regional roads.
Monday, October 21
Council asked to object over Meadow Creek solar proposal
These three parties say while they do not object to development of the subject site, where council plans to ‘reimagine the co-development’ of the Wangaratta Art Gallery, Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) and Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre, they do have concerns about aspects of the proposal.
Monday, October 14
Flow of discontent
RESIDENTS on the Ovens River in Markwood are waiting for the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) to address problems of erosion which they say it promised to do over 20 years ago.
Heather and Terry Greaves live on a 162acre property along the Pioneer Reach of the mid-Ovens River, upstream of Wangaratta - a stretch which suffered a major river outbreak in 2016 following public works undertaken by NECMA as part of the Markwood Deep Creek Management Scheme.
Wednesday, October 16
Healthy bed boost
THE Victorian Government is going to help fund more accommodation for healthcare workers at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW).
AN objection will be lodged against the Meadow Creek Solar Farm by the Rural City of Wangaratta Council if councillors move a motion recommending it on Tuesday night.
A recommendation to make a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning objecting to the issue has been made by a council planning department officer on the basis the development is not located in a suitable location.
Wednesday, October 23
Peking Duk on menu
AUSSIE music duo Peking Duk is expected to spend some time in Wangaratta this week, courtesy of local teenager Kai McPhan.
The 15-year-old Cathedral College student, who emailed the group asking whether they would play at his party, was shocked earlier this month to see the ARIA Award-winning Canberra duo post his letter to their socials and ask followers whether they should, in fact, DJ at Kai’s event.
Friday, October 25
Folk festival confirmed
cent) and Strathbogie (123.1 per cent), whose median home prices have more than doubled since 2014.
Wednesday, October 30
Bystanders help save Wangaratta man’s life
HEROIC acts by a handful of bystanders at a Moyhu crash helped saved the life of a young Wangaratta man.
Dylan Fordham, 22, remains in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after he was airlifted in a critical condition from a crash on Glenrowan-Moyhu Road, about 2.30pm on Saturday.
November
Friday, November 1
Music to our city’s ears
ACCOMMODATION is filling up, artists are on their way, and even the weather is in tune with an event weekend’s needs, as the Wangaratta district prepares for an influx of visitors and a significant boost to the local economy over coming days.
The four-day Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues kicks off tonight, while Tarrawingee’s Plough Inn will host its second annual Tarra Blues Fest over Saturday and Sunday, and a host of other complementary events are set to lend a real festival feel to the Rural City of Wangaratta’s pre-Melbourne Cup weekend.
blow” to users of the precinct, according to Wangaratta Senior Citizens Club president Michael Chambeyron.
The carpark, which senior citizens club members regularly utilise when attending events at their clubrooms in nearby Tara Court, is earmarked for removal as part of the council’s Wangaratta Creative Precinct project.
Friday, November 8
Votes are in
THE Rural City of Wangaratta Council for the next four years is starting to take shape, with Tania Maxwell and Dave Fuller joining unopposed candidates Irene Grant and Harry Bussell as the latest to be elected to their respective wards.
Both Ms Maxwell and Mr Fuller are in two-candidate wards and have received the required quota to be elected.
Monday, November 11
Taking a stand
THE Centre Against Violence (CAV) in Wangaratta is making a bold call to action.
It is inviting 500 men from across the region to come together in Wangaratta next weeky and be part of a movement that will shape future generations of good men, breaking the cycles of violence and creating hope.
Wednesday, November 13
Who shot honey?
Monday, November 4
Premier Jacinta Allan last Friday confirmed Wangaratta’s public hospital was among 20 successful applicants from across the state that will receive funding through the first round of the Victorian Government’s $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
Friday, October 18
No quick fix here
WANGARATTA won’t be included as part of the State Government’s major road maintenance projects in its regional Victorian blitz announced earlier in the week.
The State Government launched the $964 million road maintenance repairs program on Monday, with 70 per cent
Back to School
THE Folk Rhythm and Life Festival at Eldorado will be held this December after plans were extinguished in 2023 due to planning permit issues.
About 65 bands will perform at the Bilyana property in front of up to 3000 people on the weekend of December 6-8, an event that has attracted patrons from across Australia and the world.
Monday, October 28
Property prices doubled
HOUSING prices across Wangaratta have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from a median price of $253,500 in 2014 to $526,000 in June of this year, according to Domain.
Blown away
EXPECTATIONS were exceeded, as thousands of people soaked up the superb offering of music at various venues in the latest reincarnation of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues over the weekend.
Festival committee chair Andrew Nunn said more than 2800 tickets had been sold up until Sunday morning, with further expected into the day of what had been a very successful rebirth of the festival, which in its 34 annual hosting was revived by a new board and band of volunteers keen to ensure last year’s festival was indeed not a ‘last hurrah’.
Wangaratta’s 107.5 per cent median property price increase is part of a string of Victorian regional local government areas (LGAs), including Alpine (171.8 per cent), Mansfield (107.4 per cent), Indigo (140.7 per
Wednesday, November 6 Take a walk
LOSS of the carpark at the rear of the Wangaratta Art Gallery would be “a big
A SENSELESS killing of a beloved pet alpaca has a local family searching for answers to their grief as police investigate.
Alan and Kim Sturzaker found their 15-year-old pet ‘Honey’ fatally shot on their Rose River property last Sunday morning.
Friday, November 15
Smoke & mirrors
DETAILS around the introduction of a new illicit tobacco sale regulator have been queried by local parliamentary figures as the State Government makes a move to stamp out illicit tobacco trade.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Tuesday the State Government would be introducing the toughest penalties for illicit tobacco trade in the country as a part of new legislation to be brought forward in parliament.
PHOTO:
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Monday, November 18
Kindness through art
AN impressive pencil and charcoal drawing created by Wangaratta High School student Rosie Bulmer is set to be treasured at Illoura Residential Aged Care, after the teen presented it to residents as a gift of gratitude.
A year nine student at the high school, Rosie was involved in a volunteering project as part of the WHS Community Leadership Challenge (CLC) program, spending Wednesdays over a series of weeks among a group of 11 students who assisted residents at Illoura.
Wednesday, November 20
Energy hub push
WANGARATTA-based Indi
Independent federal MP Helen Haines is continuing to pursue Local Energy Hubs in regional Australia, believing they are “the vital missing link” with communities, in the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. She recently hosted a briefing in Canberra alongside Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, with industry stakeholders, discussing about where and how the hubs could be rolled out across Australia.
Friday, November 22
Back to basics
NEWLY installed Mayor Irene Grant will pose a figure of stability as council lifts its focus on the core services of council in a tough economic climate.
The experienced mayor was elected 4-3 at Tuesday night’s special meeting after eventual Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton put forward her nomination.
Monday, November 25
Parking pickle
ONE of the upcoming jobs of the new seven-member council will be to assess a review into paid parking in Wangaratta’s CBD, with free parking not off the table, according to Mayor Irene Grant.
She said the parking issue was a vexed one with commuters arguing that there’s never quite enough parking spaces or in the right location.
Wednesday, November 27
No slam dunk
INTERNAL staffing issues and a pending sign off from privately
contracted fire safety engineers are the reasons given for a delay in the opening of the $12.9 million basketball stadium expansion in Wangaratta.
Wangaratta council showcased a preseason match between NBL teams South East Melbourne and Brisbane on the redeveloped show court at the stadium in late August attracting 1000 people, but since then the facility has been off limits until an occupancy permit is authorised.
Friday, November 29
On track to open before Christmas
DESPITE heavy downpours this week the Green Street Bridge is on track to be completed by the week leading into Christmas with an exact date still elusive due to potential future impacts of weather on the schedule.
The total project is expected to be completed by March with the western carpark works and installation of pedestrian lifts giving access to the east and west platforms.
Back to School
December
Monday, December 2 Council woes
WORKFORCE challenges and financial constraints experienced by Rural City of Wangaratta (RCOW) Council have been put in the spotlight by a Victorian local government inquiry report.
Chaired by Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell, the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee released its final report of a year-long inquiry into local government funding and services on Thursday, after extensive input from all 79 councils and other stakeholders such as ratepayers.
with all proceeds going to Little Wings.
Ever since 1980, boxes of cherries from around Australia have been judged and the winning box is auctioned off to different charities.
Friday, December 6 Hotspot to live WANGARATTA has emerged as the top regional growth hotspot in Australia according to the latest report that maps migration of Commonwealth Bank
The report released by Regional Australia Institute shows that Rural City of Wangaratta’s net internal migration inflows increased by 592 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, topping the list with other nearby municipalities Strathbogie fourth and Moira fifth nationally.
Monday, December 9
Fire services burnt out
VOLUNTEER Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) District 23 president Garry Nash is calling for an inquiry into the state’s fire services following a damning report from the state monitor.
The Victorian fire services monitor Niall Blair recently released his report revealing systemic issues presenting as a significant barrier to progression of actions jointly led by CFA and FRV.
Wednesday, December 11 Grand access
A GRAND Final Super Saturday will be staged on Wangaratta’s new $12.9 million basketball courts with council approving a Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit for another one-off event.
It will allow 17 grand finals to be played using three new courts from 12.30pm this Saturday, with contenders to be finalised after Wangaratta Basketball Association (WBA) wraps up its semi-finals on Wednesday night.
Friday, December 13
Road blitz is on
Monday, December 16
Prosecco road fizz on signage
TOURISM operators in the upper King Valley say a lack of directional signage is making it difficult for visitors to find the wineries and attractions the region is famous for.
While the Rural City of Wangaratta’s recent installation of the “Bubbles on the landscape” sculpture at the intersection of the Snow and Wangaratta-Whitfield Roads in Oxley was intended to mark the gateway to the King Valley, the King Valley Tourism Association (KVTA) says there is nothing indicating drivers can find multiple cellar doors if they turn down the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road.
Wednesday, December 18
Growing pain
NEARBY residents to a proposed 233-lot subdivision on Wangaratta’s Clarkes Lane are largely worried about the density of the proposed estate and the impact traffic will have on connecting roads.
The planning permit and a recycled water facility at Targoora Park has been referred to an independent planning panel to suggest recommendations for the project’s future following the submission of unresolved objections.
Friday, December 20
Over the Moon
THERE is a Rural City of Wangaratta link to this week’s announcement of Federal Government funding for one of Australia’s most advanced robotics projects.
Former Galen Catholic College student Lachlan Carboon, the 2021 Rural City of Wangaratta Young Citizen of the Year, has been involved in the ELO 2 consortium’s successful bid to design and build Australia’s first lunar rover, nicknamed ‘Roo-ver’.
Friday, December 27
Wednesday, December 4
Cherry charity reaps
$165,000
TAMINICK cherry grower Andrew Smith of Smith’s Fruit has sold a 5kg box of cherries for a record $165,000 at the annual Sydney Markets charity auction,
LOCAL police are hoping to buck what’s been a “devastating” year on our roads throughout a festive season crackdown of reckless drivers in the region.
Operation Roadwise kicks off on Friday and will run until the new year in an extended 20-day period which will see police highly visible across the state’s major roads and arterials.
Busy year ahead
A BUSY “forming time” for the new Rural City of Wangaratta council should have residents feeling positive as the city enters 2025, according to recentlyelected Mayor Irene Grant.
“I’m feeling very optimistic,” Cr Grant said.
Ken Essenhigh polishes up his classic 1950 Holden FX for the Show ‘n’ Shine event at this Sunday’s Wangaratta Swap Meet at the Showgrounds.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
ENTERTAINING: Three-time Aria award recipient Vince Jones, with his quintet, were indeed a highlight of the weekend’s festival.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
CHERRY ON TOP: Andrew Smith with a box of his cherries, produce from the same orchard that sold for a record $165,000 on Saturday to raise money for Little Wings charity. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Wandi Walk work in progress
Alpine Shire Council is continuing to address the complex issue concerning public access
FINDING a solution to reopening the popular Wandiligong Walk remains a high priority for Alpine Shire Council in 2025.
Council con rmed late last year that the natural migration of Morses Creek has led to the Wandi Walk shiing, with parts of the creek and walk now traversing private land, with no Crown land available to support the existing alignment of the trail.
The walk has been closed since early last year a er a ected landowners exercised their rights to restrict public access across their private property.
Council said the situation presents signi cant challenges - involving Crown and private land ownership, historical public access, and the interests of multiple stakeholders and agencies - but
council “is committed to nding a resolution that balances these complexities”.
To ensure a thorough and transparent process, council is:
• have an independent review of council’s work completed to date to verify the ndings;
• undertake a boundary establishment survey of relevant Crown land parcels;
• engage with NECMA and collaborate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders such as DEECA, to ensure all perspectives are considered; and
• engage a land use specialist to develop and prioritise potential options for resolving the issue.
Council’s director of assets, Alan Rees, said once these steps are completed, council will de-
termine a preferred pathway forward.
“This is a challenging and sensitive situation, and council is dedicated to working collaboratively with all parties to achieve the best outcome for our community,” he said.
“We thank residents for their understanding and patience as we navigate this complex issue.”
Teen revived: drowning emergency at Bright riverside
By PHOEBE MORGAN
A TEENAGER remains in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital a er having being resuscitated a er a drowning incident at Bright on Boxing Day.
Authorities said the 17-year-old male was swimming in the Ovens River at Centenary Park in Bright on the a ernoon of Thursday, December 26, when nearby swimmers found the teen submerged and unconscious in the river.
The youth was carried ashore and attended to by o -duty medical professionals who performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.
Bright SES unit controller, Graham Gales, said emergency service o cers had to use the de brillator on the drowning victim for a long time.
The patient was airli ed to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he was reported to remain in a critical condition.
Acting Senior Sergeant Luke Vogels of Bright police said the near fatal drowning incident was a sobering reminder for people to be swim-safe.
“Water safety is an ongoing concern for us,” he said.
HOT SPOT: The Ovens River at Bright was a popular spot over the weekend as the region sweltered in the hottest days so far this summer. Riverside goers are being cautioned to play it safe a er a non-fatal drowning incident on Boxing Day.
Emergency services to the rescue after trail tumble for mountain-biker in Bright
By PHOEBE MORGAN
A MOUNTAIN biker rider required assistance from emergency services a er falling o the Mystic Park Bike Trail in Bright over the festive period.
On Friday, December 27, a female cyclist in her 20s fell four metres o the trail and into scrubland.
Members of Bright SES, Ambulance Victoria, Bright police and the Porepunkah and Bright CFAs attended the scene.
“We were called at about 3:45pm to assist in the rescue of the cyclist,” said Bright SES controller, Graham Gales.
“We had to coordinate a high-angle rescue with ropes
Expressions of Interest close on Friday 17 January 2025 for grants between $1,000 and $5,000.
to get her out,” he said. The patient was assessed by Ambulance Victoria personnel at the scene and deemed to have no serious injuries.
SLID OFF THE SIDE: Members of the Bright SES and Ambulance Victoria coordinated to return the patient to a more accessible area.
“We want both holiday-makers and locals to have fun in the water, but above all to stay safe and know where your loved ones are at all times.”
Mr Gales said the incident reminds us all to be careful when spending time in rivers.
“Keep up to date with water safety practices: know the depth of water you’re going into, check the water current, keep an eye out for all members of your group, particularly the elderly and young kids and so on,” he said.
PHOTO: Je Zeuschner
Harrietville’s rich Chinese past being unearthed in ongoing dig
By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE
AN ongoing archaeological dig on the outskirts of Harrietville is continuing to unearth the hidden secrets of a former Chinese mining village dating back to the 1860s.
Over four weeks in November and December, 40 archaeology students and enthusiasts, led by a team of archaeologists from The Uncovered Past Institute, combed the site o Bon Accord Track, to deepen their understanding of the Chinese miners who lived there from approximately 1860 to 1909.
According to the Institute’s president, Paul Macgregor, archaeology provides a unique window into the lives of Chinese gold miners, whose stories are otherwise hard to nd in historical records.
“No map of the village was ever created at the time, and it was only a bush re 25 years ago that revealed up to 25 distinct bench- ats cut into the hillside along the east branch of the Ovens River, on the outskirts of the modern town,” he said.
“Up to 100 Chinese miners may have lived in the village, with another 400 living in buildings dotted around the
valleys of the east and west branches of the Ovens River.
“So at least half of the mining population of the Harrietville area was Chinese in the 1860s.
”There were several Chinese stores in Harrietville, and at least one temple”.
The Institute has been excavating one of these benchats since their seasons began in 2017.
More than 10,000 fragments of metal, ceramic, glass, clay, bone and wood have been identi ed so far, from the two buildings on the bench- at.
“The nds suggest a comfortable and culturally diverse lifestyle, with food and provisions imported directly from China, complemented with locally purchased English and Australianmade food and goods,” Mr
Macgregor said.
“Brass trouser buttons and glass shirt buttons tell us that they wore European work clothes.
“They also smoked tobacco as well as opium, drank – and cooked with – European and Chinese liquor, served their food on British plates, but ate with chopsticks and ceramic spoons out of Chinese bowls.
“We have discovered no
FEASTIVAL Falls Creek is party time at resort
FEASTIVAL Falls Creek is back for 2025.
With a mix of internationally renowned Aussie icons, North East local talent and some must-see rising stars, this event from February 28 to March 2 at Falls Creek Alpine Resorts is the event you won’t want to miss.
Saturday’s Feast de Resistance music event is set to ignite the stage with headliners The Cat Empire, known for their electrifying jazzy energy that will have everyone on their feet.
Joining them are Slowly Slowly and Budjerah, promising a stellar a ernoon mix of pop, punk and indie rock.
Throughout the day, you’ll discover the next big names in music with acts like Azure Ryder, Eliza and the Delusionals, Dylan Wright and Gaudion.
Supporting this epic ensemble are a collection of the North East’s local talent including Ooz Music, Tahlia Brain, Zoe Neilson, Tash Poon and Kentone. The excitement doesn’t stop at the music - with the weekend packed with a smorgasbord of activities, sights, eats and drinks.
Explore the Maker’s Markets, admire the art exhibition, groove to DJ sets, and rejuvenate with wellness
experiences like paint and sip, pilates, yoga, and sauna sessions.
There’s plenty for the little ones too, including circus workshops, arts and cra s and more.
Enjoy the Comedy Night, this year hosted by the iconic Man Hotel, featuring comedic geniuses Lizzy Hoo, Sam Taunton, Dilruk Jaysinha and Sez.
You’ll be treated to the best food and drinks from the North East including the locally brewed Bright Brewery beers, Falls Creek’s very own Gin Distillery, the juiciest cuts from Albury’s Kennedy’s
meats plus so much more.
The early bird ticket sale ends today, January 10, with tickets to the main music event (Feast de Resistance) being $65 for adults, $30 for kids (12-17) and $10 for under 12s.
Sarah Watt, head of visitor experience at Alpine Resorts Victoria – Falls Creek, said the village cannot wait to host this line-up of incredible artists and a huge weekend of non-stop activity for everyone.
“It’s the perfect weekend to get a taste of our spectacular alpine environment and see what the North East has to o er,” she said.
metal forks or spoons, and none of the plates have scratches on them, so we can be con dent that they did not adopt European eating practices.
“The discovery of small round glass tokens in black and white version also reveals the miners played a Chinese board game called wei kai, similar to draughts, but so far there has been no evidence of
gambling games.”
Four other digs were undertaken in October 2017, October 2019, October 2022 and January-February 2024.
The next dig at the Harrietville Chinese Mining Village will take place on November 18 to December 12, 2025. For more information go to www.uncoveredpast.org. au.
WHAT LIES BENEATH?: It just looks like bushland, but this area o the Bon Accord Track is slowly revealing its secrets as home to Chinese miners for decades.
PHOTO: Je Zeuschner
DISCOVERING HISTORY: Participants and sta (pictured le ) at one of the two building sites excavated at the Chinese mining village.
FEASTIVAL: A sneak peak into what you can expect this 2025 from FEASTIVAL 2024. PHOTO: Falls Creek Alpine Resort
Honda ZR-V pick of the bunch
BY CHRIS RILEY, MARQUE MOTORING
YOU might think the ZR-V is the smallest of Honda’s SUVs but you’d be wrong because the latecomer actually slots between the HR-V and long-serving CR-V.
It’s taken us a while to catch up with the ZR-V, but it has been worth the wait because ZR-V is the pick of the bunch.
STYLING
ZR-V is a good-looker, in an understated way with its Maseratiinspired grille.
Based on the Civic hatch, ZR-V is a five-seat, mid-sized, front-wheel drive crossover.
It’s available in three petrol-only grades plus a range-topping hybrid, petrol-electric version.
Prices start at $39,900 for the VTi X, followed by $43,400 for the VTi L, $49,900 for the VTi LX and $55,400 for the hybrid e:HEV LX.
All prices are driveaway.
Our test vehicle was the ZR-V VTi LX priced at $49,900.
Standard kit includes 18-inch wheels, LED lights front and back, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, keyless entry and pushbutton start, walk-away door locking, power adjustment for the front seats, heated front and rear seats, plus heated steering wheel.
There’s also rear privacy glass, a frameless, an electric parking brake, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tra c sign recognition, auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors and a hands-free power tailgate.
A space saver spare is supplied in the event of a flat tyre.
ZR-V comes with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free access to Honda connected services for what it’s worth.
Service is 12 months/10,000km and capped at $199 per visit.
SAFETY
ZR-V unexpectedly scores a four-star safety for Australia, despite having 11 airbags, including frontcentre and driver’s knee airbag. Apparently, a di erent front bumper beam is fitted to Australian vehicles, which a ected test performance in some test impact locations.
While no observable e ect on test performance was identified, ANCAP says Honda is yet to provide information as to why the additional beam has been excluded.
Active safety includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist, tra c jam assist, tra c sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, plus tyre pressure monitoring.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The 1.5-litre turbocharged fourcylinder petrol engine drives the front wheels through a CVT-style continuously variable automatic transmission.
It produces 131kW of power at 6000 rpm and 240Nm of torque between 1700 and 4500 rpm.
DRIVING
It’s ino ensive, comfortable and easy to drive, and provides adequate accommodation for four adults - five at a pinch.
The cabin feels classy with soft-touch surfaces and a full-width mesh grille that hides the normally exposed front air vents.
Controls are simple and generally easy to use as we have come to expect from Honda over the years.
Physical buttons are o ered to
■
in an understated way with its Maseratiinspired grille.
the right side of the touchscreen for oft used functions, with other controls are located lower down for the air conditioning.
The instrument panel can be configured as dials or bars and you can select detailed information to display, but it lacks the bells and whistles of competitor systems.
The transmission supports manual gear changes, with change paddles and six steps or pseudo gears.
There are also three drive modes from which to choose: Eco, Normal and Sport, which are selfexplanatory.
Fuel consumption for this model is a claimed 7.2L/100km and it takes standard 91 unleaded.
We were getting 8.0L/100km from the 57-litre tank after about 250km of driving, including an enthusiastic spell on our favoured test route.
This is very close to the long-term 8.1L/100km average that the car showed after almost 2000km.
The 1.5-litre turbo feels a little underdone on torque, but plant it and the thing takes o well enough.
We tried this several times and although the initial response is a little tardy, it quickly recovered, the revs ramping up to around 5500 rpm where the needle hovered.
We kept waiting for the transmission to change up, but of course that didn’t happen - because it’s a CVT.
Instead, like a rubber band, the drive ratio changes to optimise response.
Sport mode proved pretty good, but for ultimate control changing gears manually produced the most satisfying result.
Ride and handling are surprisingly good, remembering this is a one-size-fits-all family SUV.
We had to push quite hard to get the car out of shape.
Not unexpectedly, the engine does become a little harsh under hard acceleration.
But engine, wind and road noise are fairly subdued the rest of the time - with the exception of coarse bitumen.
It’s a common theme.
Unlike CarPlay, Android Auto requires a cable to connect your phone to the infotainment system, with a choice of USB-C or older USB-A ports in front.
Having just purchased a new cable for this task, we were disappointed to discover that the USB-C to C port does not support data transfer.
Unlike the X-Trail that we drove recently, however, we were able to maintain a stable USB connection with USB-A.
So, remember to pack one of each sort - just in case.
According to the specs, this thing is supposed to have a premium Bose 12-speaker sound system, including a subwoofer.
Not seeing it guys.
Where are the badges declaring its existence?
If you’ve got it, flaunt it - that’s what we say.
SUMMING UP
The only blot in the ZR-V’s otherwise spotless copybook is the price, that and the four-stars for safety.
At $49,000 it’s pretty steep for what is a smallish SUV, especially when you line it up against the cheaper and larger Chinese o erings.
And therein lies the problem, not just for Honda but all the established brands in the Australian new car market.
At least Honda has a strategy.
STYLISH LOOK: The Honda ZR-V is a good-looker,
AT A GLANCE
Country charm meets modern comfort
DISCOVER the perfect blend of country charm and modern convenience with this delightful three bedroom cottage style home in Springhurst.
Offering a peaceful lifestyle, the home is nestled between the vibrant regional cities of Wangaratta and Albury/Wodonga, and just a short stroll from the heart of Springhurst township.
The home boasts an updated kitchen featuring gas cooking, and flows seamlessly into the combined living and dining area.
You will enjoy the winter months by the cozy wood fire in the main living
area, whilst keeping cool and comfortable in summer with ducted evaporative cooling throughout.
Two larger bedrooms at the front of the cottage include built-in robes and bay windows, whilst the third bedroom is also generous in size.
The family bathroom offers a separate bath, shower and toilet.
Stepping outside you can enjoy outdoor entertaining in the spacious alfresco dining/enclosed outdoor living area, perfect for enjoying the fresh air out of the weather or hosting gatherings and entertaining guests.
Positioned on a spacious 872m2 allotment, the property also includes a large 7.4m x 9.1m (approx.) shed, accessible from the front of the property. It provides ample secure storage for vehicles, caravans and trailers within the secure yard.
With plenty of room for pets and kids to run and play, or to add a veggie patch and chicken coop, don’t miss this excellent opportunity to make this charming Springhurst property your new home.
Contact the team at Garry Nash & Co to arrange your inspection today.
| 872m2
Road
30 Wenhams Lane
632m2 4 2 2
Spacious Family Living For Sale $630,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L23083232
Nutrien Harcourts Wangaratta
Danial Siperki M 0400
Wangaratta 17 Howell Street
Wangaratta 92 Sisely Avenue
West
Nutrien
Cheshunt 2064 Edi-Cheshunt Road
Charming
Nutrien
Milawa
869m2
- $485,000 View by appointment, wangaratta.nutrienharcourts.com.au/L19193065
THIS central and delightful home is sure to impress in every way from charm and functionality to location and convenience.
It is set on a beautifully landscaped and private allotment, only a short enjoyable riverside walk to Wangaratta’s CBD.
The home comprises of four traditionally sized bedrooms, with the master bedroom including BIR’s, ensuite and private adjoining office.
The formal lounge room features a lovely open fireplace.
The substantial open plan kitchen and living room showcases magnificent unique red brick flooring, gas cooking and modern touches.
Ducted gas heating and evaporative cooling provide year-round comfort throughout the home.
Outside within the fully landscaped garden you will find three beautiful entertaining zones including a paved din-
Agent | Garry Nash & Co
Phone | 03 5722 2663
Price | $1,150,000
Location | 84 Templeton Street, Wangaratta
ing terrace, firepit area and stunning undercover spa pavilion. Further features include a solar system and ample storage, adding to the appeal and liveability of this outstanding property.
Contact Garry Nash and Co to arrange your inspection of this magnificent home today.
Rural City Connection
Australia Day
Join us for Australia Day as we honour the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals and community groups in our region. The celebrations will include a citizenship ceremony, where we welcome our newest Australians and the presentation of Australia Day Awards for Wangaratta’s Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Event/Project of the Year.
Detox Your Home
Help keep toxic household chemicals out of the environment by spring cleaning your home and delivering them to the Detox Your Home event on Saturday 22 February 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm at the Council Works Depot, 51-69 Newman Street Wangaratta. Registrations are essential and close 20 February 2025. Register via www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome
Annual Business Forum
Local business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs are invited to the 2025 Annual Business Forum. This event is aimed at connecting and empowering the local business community with a keynote address by Michael Licenblat. The forum will take place on Thursday 20 February, from 6 - 9 pm at the WPACC. For more information and to book visit: www.investwangaratta.com.au
Tenders
T14871 Aged Care Management Software Program
Tender Closes at 12.00pm Wednesday 12 February 2025
Further details may be obtained by visiting eProcure on Councils website.
Have Your Say on the following projects via Connect Wangaratta
Council Plan Survey
We need your feedback to develop our new Council Plan. The Plan reflects the voice, experiences, ideas, and aspirations of our whole community. Complete the survey online and discover other ways to get involved via the QR code.
Rates, Revenue & Spending Priorities
We’re seeking community input to help us shape the 202526 Budget and the Revenue & Rating Plan 2025-29. Tell us how you think future funds should be raised and invested. Have your say by completing the survey online and/or by making a direct budget submission via the QR code.
Climate Adaptation Strategy
Have your say on the draft 10-year Climate Adaptation Plan for council’s assets, operations and service delivery. This strategy will prepare council to become more resilient to the e ects of climate-related natural hazards. Get involved online via the QR code or in person at a drop in session.
Drop-in Sessions
7 Feb | 11am-1pm | Wangaratta Library 10 Feb | 6pm-7pm | Online *registrations required https://events.humanitix.com/draft-climate-adaptationplan-drop-in-session
Backyard BBQ Showdown
Join us at the Summer Sizzle on Sunday 26 January for the Backyard BBQ Showdown, where you can prove your grilling prowess and compete for some fantastic prizes! You’ll need meat & utensils. BBQs are generously supplied by My Slice of Life. Registration is essential. For more info and to register visit the What’s On section of our website.
Planning Applications
Application No
PlnApp24/087
Location 10 Eldorado-Tarrawingee Road
ELDORADO
Proposal 7-lot staged subdivision and removal of native vegetation
Submissions close 10 January 2025.
Application No PlnApp24/151
Location 1128 Beechworth-Wangaratta Road
EVERTON UPPER
Proposal Use and development of the land for a dwelling and domestic outbuildings including a habitable outbuilding
Submissions close 14 January 2025.
Application No
PlnApp24/095
Location 56 Murphy Street WANGARATTA
Proposal Buildings and works for the display of an electronic sign.
Submissions close 14 January 2025.
These applications can be viewed on Rural City of Wangaratta’s website under Development, Planning, Current Applications. Any person who may be a ected by the granting of a permit may object or make a submission (must be in writing). For more information, please contact the Town Planning Unit on 03 5722 0888.
Aged Care Packages
If you need extra help at home, our Aged & Community Care team can assist. Our Aged Care packages support local people to stay living in their homes and communities. Experienced local case managers understand our community and are there when you need them. Servicing Wodonga and Wangaratta regions. Visit our website or call us on 1300 982 662 to find out more.
Positions Vacant
37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677
BATHROOM renovations, carpentry and plastering. Ph 0424 911 161.
DANIEL’S Carpentry and Maintenance Solutions. Servicing Wangaratta and surrounds. For a free quote and examples of my work find us on Facebook or www. danielscarpentry. com.au or phone 0413 660 636.
PAINTER. Ovens and King Painting Service, trade quali ed, over 25 years experience, Interior/exteriors, for free quote phone Cherime Demaj 0422 778 257 or 5721 5482.
WHEELER Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, rural work and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.
To Visit Visited
26 Taylor Street, Wangaratta, Saturday, January 11 at 8am til 2pm. Complete house and shed clear out, everything must go.
To Visit Visited
3 Wellington Street, Wangaratta, plants and pots (terracotta), 8.30am - 10.30am. Sunday, January 12.
To Visit Visited
FURNITURE, books, tools, household items, bric-a-brac, electric scooter and more. Saturday 11 and Sunday 12, 8am12noon, 72 Tone Road, Wangaratta.
2016 Mercedes GLA180, metallic blue, 120,000km, reg till Nov 25 (CIZ403), with warranty to Sep 28, economical 7.9l/100km, very good condition, RWC supplied, $22,000. Contact Joan 0422 261 537.
For the 2025 Grape Season. MUST BE OR HAVE: CURRENT HC LICENCE, OVER 25 YEARS OLD, FORKLIFT LICENCE, EXPERIENCED WITH GENERAL FREIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 8 WEEKS WORK, STARTING EARLY FEB.
Above Award Wages for the right applicants. PHONE GREG 0429 306 679 or email jenveytransport@gmail.com
The Milawa Hall & Park Committee sincerely wish to thank the following sponsors:
CARMODY, Keith “Carmo”.
8/1/1949 – 2/1/2025
Loving husband of Carmel.
Dad of Jason, Jo, Brendan, Rach and Mat. Pa and “Little Pa” of 15.
POLKINGHORNE, Brian Charles. 14/8/1959 – 30/12/2024
Died with dignity in Wangaratta.
Loved by his ancé Pamela, daughter Jessie and sister Margaret. Rest in peace.
The Garry Nash & Co Community Fund, Lancemore, Flourish Aesthetics, John Gehrig Wines, Henley’s Wine Bar & Kitchen, Michelini Wines, Milawa Cheese Company, Hunters, Sam Miranda, Ava Dining, Milawa Motel, Milawa Mustards, Monroes Hair Design, Gi s of Difference & Distinction, Milawa Post Of ce, Milawa Pharmacy, Milawa Bakery Café, Wood Park Wines, Milawa Fresh, North-East Fasteners, Walkabout Apiaries, Wang Bearings, Milawa Commercial Hotel, King River Café, Brown Brothers, Wangaratta Toyworld, Wangaratta Post Of ce, Tangled up Hairdressing, Bunnings Wangaratta, Websters Electrical, Lawrence & Hanson, Milawa Gourmet Region and North East Fencing Hire. Without these Businesses and their contributions to the Milawa Carols in the Park, this night would not have been possible, so once again thankyou and may you be blessed with on-going success in 2025.
KIDS single bed, teak frame, with King Koil mattress and linen, $150, Whitfield. Ph 0447 526 403.
FREE Range Hens, ISA Brown Pullets, POL, $30 each. Phone Becky or Hugh on 5798 1868.
TYRES new and secondhand, trailer, rims, wrecking. New hours 9am to 5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 44 Newman Street, Wangaratta. Ph 0428 257 221, Adzam Tyres.
FRASCA, Gaudenzio “Jack” “Zino”
I would like to thank everyone for helping us celebrate my 99th birthday. Your visits, cards and good wishes are truly appreciated. ~ Jack, Rose and family.
KUKULKA
Thomas and Sophie welcome with love the arrival of Frankie Holly on January 1, 2025. First grandchild for Chris and Maree. Thanks to the sta at Proserpine Hospital.
WILLIAMS (REEVES), Catherine Jane “Kate”.
27/3/1965 – 6/1/2025
Taken too soon.
Loved and missed by her husband Mark, sons Thomas and Peter and their partners Freya and Micol.
Sister to Pauleen, Peter, Patrick and Helen. Daughter to Dennis (dec) and Genevieve.
WILLIAMS (REEVES), Kate.
Dearly loved sister and sister-in-law to Helen and John Cavedon.
Dearly loved Aunty to Johnny and Megan, Jane and Brett.
In our hearts you will always stay, Loved and remembered every day.
WILLIAMS, Kate.
We are devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend and colleague, Kate Williams. Kate provided kindness, support, laughter, and, when needed, reality checks. She had many friends, stories and skills. A highly professional, competent and supportive colleague with an amazing work ethic. Gone far too soon and very sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Mark, Peter, Thomas and families.
Treasured memories.
~ Sue Hooper, Jenni Hopkins and David Ash eld.
WISE, Keith Raymond. 25/6/1938 – 5/1/2025
Loved husband of Dorothy for 61 years.
Treasured father and father-in-law of Trevor and Peta Wise and Sharon and Mark Prentice.
Adored Pop of Emily Wise and Ben Manifold, Cobie and Chris Boulay, Grace and Aaron Prentice.
Memories are ours to keep.
WISE, Keith.
Our dearly loved, true and loyal friend for over 60 years of laughter and tears. We will miss you but are sure Beryl will be meeting you on heaven’s golf course for a few rounds.
With love and deepest sympathy to Dorothy, Trevor, Sharon and families.
~ Tom and the Allan family.
WISE, Keith Raymond.
Long time special friend of Arthur (dec) and Val Clarke and family.
Great memories of the special times shared over the years.
Love and deepest sympathy to Dorothy, Trevor, Sharon and families.
WISE, Keith.
On behalf of the volunteers and sta of District 23, we would like to o er our sincere condolences to Dorothy and family.
Keith was an exemplary member who committed more than 64 years of his life to CFA.
Keith remained an active re ghter and member of the Wangaratta Fire Brigade including FEM Coordinator, supporter of the RCH Appeal and the Wangaratta Junior teams until his passing.
Keith’s dedication was recognised with various awards, including the National Medal, the National Emergency Medal and CFA’s 60-year Life Member Medal - an honour that re ects not only his tenure but his profound contribution to the CFA.
Keith generously gave his time, energy and expertise to the community he loved.
Keith will be deeply missed!
WISE, Keith. The Staff of Illoura Residential Aged Care would like to pass on their condolences to the family and friends of Keith. His passing has saddened the Illoura community.
WISE, Keith.
Members of the Wangaratta West Combined Probus Club note with regret the passing of Kieth, a respected member.
Sincere condolences go to Dorothy and the family.
BELL
Friends, relatives and those whose hearts have been touched by Graham, are invited to celebrate his life with his family.
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr Graham Arthur Bell will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10.30am.
Burial will follow the service at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
Donations made in Graham’s honour to Dementia Australia would be welcomed.
Donations can be made online at www.dementia.org.au
Graham’s service will be available to view via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/
Mason Park Funerals
5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
CARMODY
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Keith “Carmo” Carmody will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta, on Friday, January 17, 2025 commencing at 2pm.
A private cremation will follow this service.
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
POLKINGHORNE
WISE
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr Keith Wise will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Thursday, January 16, 2025 commencing at 10.30am. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
WISE, Keith.
The Chairperson, Board, Management and members of CFA regret the passing of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to Dorothy and family.
Keith’s commitment of more than 64 years to the Wangaratta Fire Brigade and to his community through his service with CFA will always be remembered.
The funeral service for Mr Brian Charles Polkinghorne will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
Mason Park Funerals
5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
WILLIAMS
A funeral service to honour the life of Kate Williams will be held at North East Funerals, 184 Greta Rd, Wangaratta on Monday, January 20, 2025 commencing at 10.30am.
A private cremation will follow the service.
masonpark.com.au
In lieu of owers a donation in memory of Keith to the Royal Children’s Hospital would be appreciated and can be made online at www.rchfoundation.org.au/ways-to-donate/ Keith’s service can be viewed via livestream at https://masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/ Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au Family owned and operated
www.northeastfunerals.com.au 03 5722 2525
Increased snake activity stirs up venomous debate
By MIKE SMITH
WHEN summer comes to Mans eld Shire each year, the sun performs its miraculous alchemy, turning the green farmlands and forests of the high country into shimmering gold and snakes leave the dark con nes in which they lay dormant during the cooler months.
They come out looking for food and friendship, for water and warmth, and sometimes their paths cross ours.
Encounters with snakes are part of the price of life beyond the city’s concrete sprawl.
One such encounter involving a Mans eld resident and a trodden on tiger snake has led to much discussion across community pages.
Residents have reported sightings of snakes in sheds on Howes Creek Road, in a garage on Rowe Street, and one tiger snake’s arrival upon a veranda was preceded by the deaths of two magpies.
One unlucky resident went to bed on Christmas Day to nd their dog had le them an unwelcome present, an ill-tempered, wounded snake writhing beneath the sheets.
The season in which Mans eld’s human and serpentine residents walk, or slither, the same paths is upon us and it has stirred up venomous debate.
Some say snakes must be managed as they are a threat to both human and animal life.
Others say they keep pest populations low and there-
fore slow the spread of disease amongst other positive impacts on the ecosystem around us.
Whether you like them or not, snakes are a protected species and to harm them without cause is punishable by law.
Besides, it is said that most snake bites occur when a human attempts to interfere with a snake.
There seems to be a prevailing belief online that Mans eld District Hospital (MDH) is unable to deal with snake bites, that they do not possess anti-venom, and that they don’t have the facilities to test a patient for the presence of venom.
When the Mans eld Courier spoke to a representative for MDH they made it clear this is simply not the case and that the treatment they provide is in line with known best practice.
“When a person presents to MDH with a suspected snake bite, the immediate treatment will be to apply a pressure bandage, immobilise the limb and the person, and to arrange an emergency ambulance transfer as soon as possible as per Safer Care Victoria Snake Bite Management guidelines,” they said.
“If there are signs of deterioration with signi cant symptoms of envenomation, MDH has antivenom available for administration.
“We do not test for venom in a patient as it is not currently recommended by the guidelines.
“We previously did test for venom when it was recommended by the guidelines.”
Snow gum ‘survival’ on agenda at Dinner Plain
A SUMMIT in Dinner Plain next month hopes to focus attention on the increasing threat to snow gums and the need to take action to save this iconic species of the Australian High Country.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) has organised the three day event, from February 14 to 16 at Dinner Plain Community Centre, to highlight what is says is a double threat - from fire and dieback - to the survival of the uniquely Australian Eucalyptus pauciflora.
FOE spokesman Cam Walker said land managers and academics will help explore what needs to be done to ensure the survival of snow gum woodlands, and put the issue firmly on state governments’ agenda.
“We are inviting First Nations people, local and statewide environmental organisations, local communities and businesses, groups active in outdoors recreation, and enthusiasts of highelevation, forest ecosystems to join in presentations, workshops and field trips,” he said.
Mr Walker said dieback of snow gums - caused by a native beetle - is a natural occurrence, but it is getting worse and more widespread because climate change is making winters warmer and summers drier and hotter.
For more information contact Mr Walker at cam.walker@foe.org.au
“Given this is the ‘snaky time of year,’ MDH has assessed and treated a number of snakebites since October 2024 and will continue to have the resources available to provide emergency care for any person who presents with suspected or known snakebites.”
According to Safer Care, Snake bite guidance, Snake Venom Detection Kits have a signi cant misidenti cation rate and for this reason their use is no longer clinically
recommended in Victoria.
The document also says that all suspected snake bite patients should be managed in a facility with access to antivenom, critical care facilities and a 24-hour laboratory for blood tests and that if these criteria are not met, inter-hospital transfer is required, even for asymptomatic patients.
Given some are saying this is the worst snake season in the past 25 years, it is welcome news that Brad
Leary, Mans eld Shire local, has completed his accreditation as a venomous snake handler.
He is now awaiting his wildlife control licence from DEECA which will allow him to set up shop as Mans eld Shire’s sole snake handler.
Brad is set to become a second-generation snake handler, his father having worked with Mans eld Wildlife Shelter, he grew up around Australian wildlife and while it is a passion and a respect for snakes that motivated him to become an accredited snake handler, he is well aware of the danger they present.
“I think anyone who doesn’t have a healthy fear of snakes is crazy,” he said.
“Avoidance is key, keep a safe distance.
“If you nd yourself close to a venomous snake, stay calm and stand still, snakes will move on.
Though their fearsome reputation is well earned, venomous snakes tend to avoid humans if given the chance as
said to be non-confrontational by nature.
“Wear high ankle boots that o er some protection and long baggy pants with a little give in them, that way if a snake has a crack at you, it will get material and not esh.
It’s Brad’s belief that everyone should have a working understanding of snake bite rst aid kit.
“Snake bite kits are just as vital as anti venom,” he said.
“They are not expensive and they can make a big difference to how big an impact a snake bite has upon you.”
They can be the di erence, Brad said, between some of the more unpleasant symptoms of a snake bite and not presenting any symptoms at all.
Finally, if you don’t want snakes in your yard or on your property, Brad advises you keep it clean.
“Remove habitable spots and sources of food and you’ll remove any reason for snakes to be in your yard.”
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
A BOATIE lost his licence on the weekend before Christmas a er being caught more than double the legal blood alcohol limit on Lake Eildon.
The 54-year-old skipper had several passengers on board a ski boat when he was intercepted by the Water Police Squad about 12.45pm on Sunday December 22, 2024.
Water Police inspected his vessel before conducting a preliminary breath test which returned a positive result.
The man subsequently underwent an evidentiary breath test on the police boat and returned an alleged reading of 0.122.
His marine licence was immediately suspended for six months, and he was ned $840.
“Alcohol does not mix with water,” said Water Police Sergeant Dave McHenry
“It leads to poor decision making and slower reaction times.
“The last thing we want to
see is a tragedy occurring.
“We want everyone to enjoy the waterways – we just them to do it safely.
“That means carrying the mandatory safety equipment, wearing a lifejacket, and ditching the booze if you’re the master of the vessel.”
Water Police had travelled from Melbourne to patrol the
popular waterway and deter unsafe behaviour.
Over one weekend they conducted more than 25 vessel inspections, licence checks and breath tests.
Around a dozen boaties were found not to be carrying mandatory safety equipment including re extinguishers, and several children under the
age of 12 were not wearing life jackets.
All were issued with formal warnings.
Two boat operators were ned $395 for not having life jackets on board their vessels.
The Water Police Squad will continue to have a highly visible presence at Lake Eildon this summer.
Boat and jet ski operators can expect to be tested for drugs and alcohol, and have vessels inspected for mandatory safety equipment.
Boat operators are reminded that children under 12 must always wear a life jacket.
If operating alone, boaties must wear a life jacket and attach an engine kill switch to ensure safety in the event they fall overboard.
“The community can expect to see us out and about this summer conducting vessel checks, licence checks, and alcohol and drug tests to ensure everyone can enjoy the break safely,” Sgt McHenry said.
SECOND GENERATION SNAKE HANDLER: Brad Leary is following in his father’s footsteps and setting up shop as a snake handler in Mansfield Shire. PHOTO: Supplied
on Christmas day and found a terrifying present le under the covers by their pet dog. PHOTO: Facebook
UNPLEASANT SURPRISE: A Mansfield resident went to bed they are
Christmas a er being caught more than double the legal blood alcohol limit on Lake Eildon.
WDCA juniors excelling in representative competitions
SCOREBOARD
JUBILEE GOLF CLUB
Saturday, January 4
Men’s Stableford
A Grade Winner: Aaron Kungl 40.
B Grade Winner: Sam Richards C/B, Mitchell Bush 39. C Grade Winner: Alan White 37. D Grade Winner: Mike Fitzsimons 42.
Ball winners: Mitchell Bush 2 balls
39, J Marjanovic Jnr 38, Alex Jones
38, Les Naidoo 37, Jim Moore 36, Peter Glidden 36, Albert Gigi 36, Gary Dinsdale 36, Bronte Bruce 35, Rhys Rigoni 35, Glenn O’Connell 35, Neville Hogan 35.
NTP: 4th C De Mink, 8th D Potter, 13th R Henderson, 17th A Charles.
Sunday, January 5
Mixed Stableford competition
A Grade Winner: Joe Marjanovic
39. B Grade Winner: Felix Gamze 43. Ball winners: Garth Fullerton 41, Brian Lee 40, Mick Reidy 38, Eon Scott 37.
NTP: 4th Robert Skase, 8th Eon Scott, 13th Andrew Skewes.
Monday, January 6
Men’s Stableford
A Grade Winner: Zachary O’Brien
40. B Grade Winner: Mark Dean 37. C Grade Winner: Barry Adams 42. Ball winners: Brian Thomas 39, Ray Hyland 39, Neville Hogan 39, Pat Ernst 39, Gordon Paterson 37, John McKenzie 35.
Mark Dean Eagle on 7th
NTP: 4th B Adams, 8th C Palmer, 13th A Gibbs, 17th N Hogan.
Grade Winner: Martin Hill 36. C Grade Winner: Geoff Veldman 42. D Grade
Winner: Rod Canny 43.
Ball winners: Ian Mills 40, Danny Potter 38, John Huntington 37, Terry Docherty 37, Bernie Grealy 36, Nigel Cooper 36, Brett Keir 36, Alan Sands 35, Luke Griffin 34, Mike Fitzsimons 34, Pat Ernst 34, Bill Slade c/b 33. NTP: 4th Brett Keir, 8th Bruce Poulter, 13th Alan Bastin, 17th Andy Black.
Thursday, January 9
Ladies 9 hole stableford
Winner: Helene Gallo 18. Ball Winners: Robyn Grealy 16, Marilyn Payne 16.
WANGARATTA GOLF CLUB
WGC Competitions: Week ending January 5
Tuesday, December 31
Women’s: 9 Hole Stableford Winner: Karen Smith 18 points.
Runner Up: Barbara Thomas 17 points.
NTP: 13th Julie McInnes.
Wednesday, January 1
18 Hole Medley Stableford Event
Winner: Leon Kantor 42 points. Runner Up: Arnold Sparks 38 points C/B.
Ball Winners: Dean Campagna, Glenn Burns, Logan Norris, Chris Oates, Bobby Hutchieson, Darren Burns, Trevor Cooper, Ray Hutton.
NTP: 4th Bill Dodd, 7th Darren Burns, 11th Maurie Braden, 13th Chris Oates, 16th John Southwell.
THE Wangaratta and District Cricket Association is proving itself as the home of talented junior cricketers.
Throughout December and January, local juniors have been thriving in representative competitions in the Country Cup for North East Knights, and even in Dowling Shield teams down in Melbourne.
The metro-based Dowling Shield (male) and the Marg Jennings Cup (female), along with the Country Cups (both) are feeder programs in Cricket Victoria’s player pathway, for the best and brightest young talent to excel on their way to Premier Cricket and beyond.
In the Country Cup, the under 16 boys Knights overcame some of the most promising juniors in the state to nish third overall.
Rovers United Bruck’s Reid McNamara led the way for the Knights, nishing second overall in the competition batting charts with 224 runs averaging 44.80 from six innings.
McNamara plundered two 50s with a top score of 63 and picked up two wickets as well.
Wangaratta’s Lenny Sims was the next highest run-scorer for the Knights, belting 105 runs averaging
points. Runner Up: Brennan Jenvery 18 points.
Men’s Competition: Saturday, January 4
18 Hole Stroke Event
Men’s Monthly Medal
A Grade Winner: Christopher Martens 70 nett C/B. Runner Up: Martin Anania 70 nett C/B. B Grade Winner: Rodney Godde 64 nett. Runner Up: Lenny Sims 65 nett C/B.
Ball Winners: Darren Burns, Trevor Trimble, Russell Wallace, Bobby Hutchieson, John Southwell, Jarred Clark, Stuart Bowman, Matt Nicolosi, Barry Thompson, Craig Donoghue, Samuel Reid, Phillip Winnell, John Mullins.
NTP: 4th Ray Hutton, 11th Simon McKay, 13th Josh Owen, 16th: Ray Hutton.
Eagle: Ash Clayton 17th Hole.
Secret 6: Neil McKinnon.
Raffle Winner: Trevor Cooper
Women’s Competition
18 Hole Stableford Event
Winner: Dawn Fleet 37 points. Runner Up: Sue McCall 35 points.
The members played a stroke event for the January Monthly Medal which was won by Leo McCoy 86/18/68, and the runner up was Pete Nolan nett71.
Nearest the pins - 2nd: Leo McCoy, 4th: Angelo Garraffo, 8th: Ken Miller.
Golf to be played on Saturday, January 11 will be decided on the day - all members welcome.
It will be an 8.30am roll up for a 9am hit-off.
The early starts will continue for
52.5, striking at an impressive 106.06. With the ball, Yarrawonga Mulwala’s Van Kreeck was imperious for the Knights, taking 10 wickets at 11.40, with best gures of 3/17 coming against Mallee Suns in the thirdplace decider.
City Colts up-and-comer Connor Ormond picked up seven wickets at 15.86.
Following their exploits in the Country Cup, McNamara and Ormond took part in the Dowling Shield for Northcote CC, which commenced on Monday.
A er the rst round was washed out, the WDCA juniors proved their mettle in their second round match against Greenvale Kangaroos.
Bowling rst, Ormond took 1/9 from four overs, while McNamara cashed in to take 3.20 from 6.3, helping Northcote bowl our Greenvale for 126.
Batting at four, McNamara came in with Northcote in trouble at 2/40, but produced an incredible 46* from 65 deliveries to steer his side home with 14 overs to spare.
Semi- nals in the Dowling Shield are set for Tuesday, January 21, while local WDCA junior cricket will resume on Saturday, January 18.
the remainder of the warm season until otherwise advised.
New members are always welcome at the Tarrawingee Golf Club with first-year membership of $100 and very reasonable competition fees - this can be done by contacting a member or phoning 0428 122 590.
WANG CROQUET
Results for Monday, January 6 are as follows:
Elise Downes and Maureen O’Keefe d Christine Ireland and Margaret Bennett 6/5, Robyn Muller and Janet Kelly d Wendy Waddington and Gavan Kelly 7/3, Jed Hart d Gabi Heywood 7/6.
A visitor, Jed Hart, a member of Byron Bay Croquet Club attended and enjoyed his time playing with and against our members so much so that he has joined our club as an Associate member.
On Wednesday evening, we returned to Twilight Croquet at 6pm and 11 members attended, with play finishing after 8pm.
We are involved with the Summer in the Parks program until the end of February and members of the public are welcome to come and try the game at no cost - please wear flatsoled, covered footwear.
A former member who was taught the game at Wangaratta is now the captain of Victoria and a current member is in the Victorian Squad and has recently been selected in the top eight In Australia, so we believe that Wangaratta Croquet Club is the place to learn the game with our friendly, welcoming approach.
Play is at 9am on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with twilight play from 6pm on Wednesday evenings.
Please arrive 15 minutes earlier to allow for a draw to be undertaken.
The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.
For further information please contact president Susan Fischer
on 0417 217 009 or secretary Terry Wilson on 0417 326 739.
WARBY WALKERS
Thursday, January 2, Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd, Beechworth. This walk was rescheduled to avoid the hot weather forecast for the following Saturday and was attended by 16 walkers, two of whom were casuals who initially attended a walk with our club via Try Bushwalking Month in November last year.
The amble began at Lake Sambell’s main recreation area and we followed the track alongside it to the Lake Sambell Caravan Park crossing a footbridge over Silver Creek to begin the shared walk/bike track to Lake Kerferd.
After crossing another bridge over Silver Creek we entered a cool forest area with covered mine shafts and then reached the Beechworth Holiday Park.
Continuing on the shared trail (with lots of friendly bikers) we then reached the Heaven and Hell Tunnels and continued on the Pipeline Track to Lake Kerferd.
Morning tea was held at Lake Kerferd in the shade of some majestic gum trees before we returned along the shared trail to Lake Sambell.
Lunch was beside Lake Sambell at the high point overlooking the lake just around from the very busy playground area.
Coming Events
Sunday, January 19
Myrtleford Trails (Erin, 0419 200 998)
One of the most level walks you can find, an easy walk of approximately 10km on the Old Ovens Highway and Rail Trail, then following the Mosaic Trail by the Ovens River for some interesting street art.
Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9
Weekend at Mount St Bernard Lodge near Mount Hotham – booked out.
UP AND COMING: Rovers United Bruck junior Reid McNamara is thriving in representative cricket for North East Knights and Northcote CC.
PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
Forgotten Spirit takes on $3,000,000 Magic Millions
ANDREW Dale will have the biggest runner of his career when Forgotten Spirit tackles the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Aquis Park (Gold Coast) on Saturday.
While the two-year-old lly won’t race in Dale’s name a er he transferred her to Scott Morissey’s care for the preparation in Queeensland, hoop Linda Meech will don the well-recognised maroon and white ADR colours.
The Magic Millions Carnival and in particular, the 2YO Classic is a huge occasion for any trainer given it’s one of the richest and most well-respected days on the calendar, let alone a horseman from the country town of Wangaratta.
“The whole process has been great, from the breaking in to the education done down here early days to then sending her up to Scott (Morissey) – it’s been a fantastic ride,” Dale said.
“To get to the Magic Millions Classic is fantastic con-
sidering there’s 1200-1300 yearlings purchased at the Magic Millions every year and we’re now in the top 16 of those.”
Dale, along with longtime friends Stephen Hines, Tom Royal and Scott Bailey sit in the ownership group a er the daughter of Spirit Of Boom was purchased for $100,000 at the 2024 sales.
“The friendship between all of the owners goes back a long way from our junior footy and schooling days,” Dale said.
“It’s pretty special to be in a horse like this with guys I’ve known for 40-50 years.
The Magic Millions Classic runs a eld of 16 runners with the order of entry based on prize money accumulated.
Forgotten Spirit just snuck into the eld of 16 a er earning $60,000 from a thirdplace nish in the $250,000 The Debut and second in the $125,000 Gold Pearl.
“She’s had a pretty good lead-up and Scott (Morissey) has done a great job with her
program,” Dale said.
“From The Debut to the Gold Pearl and now into the Magic Millions, the planning has been great and
the lly was assigned gate 11 with Meech to ride and installed as a $31 outsider with Sportsbet where she has since come in to $27.
For Dale, a run in the top half a dozen would be a great result.
“She’s drawn a bit of a sticky barrier but they go ridiculously quick and we saw that in the Gold Pearl so if that’s the case again hopefully it’ll stretch the eld out and we might be able to sneak in behind the rst three or four,” he said.
“The owners were really keen to get Linda Meech onboard, as soon as we found out we were in (the race) the whole ownership group knew she was the one we wanted to book.
“Going o her rst two runs I de nitely feel a run in the top six or so is achievable.”
she’s in terri c order heading into Saturday.
“Speaking to Scott on the phone he reckons she was a little bit o her best in the
Gold Pearl where she ran second so he’s hopeful she’s going to be peaking come Saturday.”
At Tuesday’s barrier draw,
Forgotten Spirit will come back to Wangaratta a er the preparation where she will be transferred back to him as trainer.
Club healthy as aggregate tennis returns
FOLLOWING a nice break over Christmas and New Year, tennis action will return to the grass courts at Merriwa Park as the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club (WLTCP) resumes their senior aggregate competition this weekend.
Ryan Patterson leads the pack with an average of 20.0, while Mark Gorman (19.6), Andrew Lindner (19.4), Brian Scobie
(19.3), Andrew Cope (18.9) Mark Brown (18.8) and Peter Curran (18.1) nd themselves in strong positions.
The junior competition is set to return to the court on Saturday, February 1.
With healthy participation in senior and junior tennis, as well as the club’s other branches of play, WLTCP president Barry Sullivan said they were in a great place heading into 2025.
“Our croquet is going well, we’re looking at ramping up our pickleball, so overall the club’s going well,” he said.
“We’ve had Greg Duns come in as the club coach with his partner and assistant, they’ve been doing a fantastic job and we’ve been getting great feedback from all the people he’s been involved in coaching.
“He’s got about 70-odd juniors and he’s starting to do some
adult coaching as well.
“Numbers have been reasonably strong, but a lot more kids are undertaking coaching and HotShots training, and we feel that’s going to be a great lead-in for people once they get the right level and skillset, that they can move into junior tennis competition, and we’re hopeful of getting between 50 and 100 in the coming seasons.”
The club’s popular annual
tournament is coming up at the end of the month, with hundreds set to flock to the club from January 25-27 for the Gateway Australia Day Tournament.
Entries for the tournament close on Wednesday, January 15 – for more information or to register, visit Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club on Facebook or check out www. wanglawntennis.com.au.
SPIRITED RUNNER: Andrew Dale’s ‘Forgotten Spirit’ will race in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Aquis Park on Saturday.
PHOTO: Magic Millions
BACK ON THE COURT: Senior aggregate tennis is back this weekend. PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Wangaratta & District Cricket Association
PREVIEWS: Saturday, January 11 2024/25 season
TWO Wangaratta clubs will reignite the 2024/25 WDCA A grade season this Saturday as the A grade competition returns.
Rovers United Bruck will look to continue their excellent form when they host City Colts in a one-dayer at WJ Findlay Oval.
The Hawks sit second on the white-ball ladder, and will be hot favourites to down the Colts, who have only won a single limitedovers clash this season.
City Colts captain Mitch Giggins said the key to a strong back end of the season would be their top order batters outlasting a strong Hawks bowling attack.
“We need to bat our overs, which we have done a couple of times, but we need to bat for longer and treat it as a two-day match rather than try to go out there and make 200 runs in 15 or 20 overs as opposed to the 40,” he said.
“We just need our top ve to stick it out for that little bit longer and build a decent score, then worry about the team later on to get to 200, 250 and putting a good score on the board.
“We’ve been having a few conversations about the second half of the year and what we want to achieve as a
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
group, and everyone’s striving to make nals again.
“This year’s a little more di erent – we’ve got the young fellas who are sort of leading the way a little bit, upping the standards of training and wanting to be better cricketers.
“It’s exciting, we’re going pretty well as a club, so we’ll start at the top with A grade making nals and hopefully everyone else follows suit.”
Giggins said the Hawks would prove di cult to overcome.
“They’re once again ying at the moment, but I’ll back us in to make some more runs,” he said.
“Their Sri Lankan, Charith (Perera) is making a fair few runs, so we want to knock him over early.
“We’re tipping young Jed Marek is going to have a good second half - he got 45* in our last game and he’s been taking wickets consistently, he’s going to be one to watch, he’s going to be an exciting talent in years to come.”
forward to pitting his batters against another talented attack.
“100 per cent, our batting has been huge for us this season,” he said.
“We had a little look at our form in recent years, and our batting probably hasn’t been consistent enough –we’ve had some really good games, but we’ve also had a lot of games where we’ve been bowled out for under 120 and we haven’t really done that (this season).
“Everyone’s had a pretty good knock at some stage this season, it’s been really impressive, the batting side of things.
“I feel like our overseas player Ryan Collier has had a fair few starts, he hasn’t been dismissed inside his rst 20 balls yet, but he hasn’t been able to go on with it.
“I feel like there’s a really big score coming from him, he’s been looking really good in the nets and he’s been pretty disappointed with some of his performances, so I feel like there’s de nitely one coming around the corner for him.”
RUB skipper Paddy McNamara said he was looking
Rovers United Bruck take on City Colts at WJ Findlay Oval this Saturday from 1pm.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
A SCINTILLATING rst half of the WDCA season sees a guaranteed spot in the A grade one-day nal within Wangaratta Magpies’ grasp with two matches to go.
The Magpies sit on top of the one-day ladder as the competition recommences this Saturday, and head across to Myrtleford to take on Ovens Valley United.
With matches against the Tigers and bottomplaced Benalla le , and with the xture of other matches favouring them, one more win should be enough to secure a berth in the decider.
The Magpies have been on a tear with the bat in recent matches, recording 200+ runs from their last three white ball games before the break.
Magpies skipper Cooper Matheson said the side was looking forward to blowing out the cobwebs a er the two-week break over the Christmas period and continuing their strong form.
“We’re looking forward to facing up against Ovens
Valley United - I think if we win this we’ll cement a spot in the one-day nal, which will be good,” he said.
“When you’re making 200, most of the time you’re usually going to win, and I think two of them were chasing as well.
“It’s mainly been the consistency we play with.
“When a couple have failed in the top of the order, the middle order has been stepping up every week and getting us over the line.
“In the one-dayers, me and ‘Bottles’ (Nic Bonwick) haven’t made a lot at the top, but the middle order’s just doing its job and winning us games.
“With the ball, ‘Chook’ (Kyle Winter-Irving) goes for 2.50 an over, Jimmy Thewlis is about the same, and Matty Prestianni against Colts was about 1.70 an over, so the spinners have really tied them up...not many teams have scored against our spin which helps a lot, especially in the one-dayers.”
While by no means out of contention, the Tigers will need two massive
City Colts and Rovers UB kick off cricket in 2025
wins if they hope to earn the chance to defend their white-ball title.
Ovens Valley’s playercoach and o -spinning all-rounder Geeth Alwis looms as an immediate threat to the Magpies, having made 482 runs averaging 96.40 and taking 12 wickets at 9.17 in the rst half of the season.
“Batting-wise, Geeth is the number one wicket we need to get, and hopefully we can get him out fairly early,” Matheson said.
“Cooper Thomason usually bowls pretty well, but Geeth is the main one, and if he’s back bowling, we’ve got to try and get through his eight and set ourselves up from there.
“Spinners always seem to get wickets in our comp, and it’s shown for us as well, all of our spinners have been taking wickets every week.
“You put four elders out and they still try to hit it over their head and get caught.”
Wangaratta Magpies take on Ovens Valley United this Saturday at McNamara Reserve this Saturday from 1pm.
with a massive win over Ovens Valley United this Saturday.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
DERBY BASH: Paddy McNamara and the Hawks host Josh Nanson and the City Colts in the first A grade clash at WJ Findlay Oval in 2025.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
October
Wednesday, October 2
Cricket’s ‘bridesmaids’ to step up in ‘24/’25
AFTER coming so close to glory twice last season, Rovers United Bruck are eager to produce better cricket as they stare down the start of the A grade season.
The Hawks made it all the way to the one- and two-day grand finals in ‘23/’24 but failed to bring home any silverware for their efforts.
Friday, October 4
Grand-slam winning coach locked in
THE Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club has secured the services of grand slam winning coach Greg Duns.
Duns coached Stephen Huss, who paired with Wesley Moodie, to claim the 2005 Wimbledon Doubles Championship, famously beating alltime greats the Bryan brothers.
Monday, October 7
Richards rewarded WANGARATTA’S Joe Richards capped off an outstanding first year of AFL football, claiming Collingwood’s Harry Collier Trophy for the best first year player.
After being drafted in 2022 and playing VFL in 2023, Richards debuted for the Magpies in round nine against West Coast and went on to play nine games.
Wednesday, October 9
No Warriors in 24/25
DELAYS with the opening of the new basketball courts has led to Wangaratta not fielding sides in the men’s and women’s Country Basketball League competition.
Despite hosting an NBL match in late August, the two new courts at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre have still not been cleared for public use.
Friday, October 11
Summer of cricket is here
IT seems like just yesterday the stumps were being pulled down and the whites were given one last wash, but
sport year in review
WELL DESERVED: Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club
member Michael Falkenberg was recognised for his contribution to tennis with a service award from Tennis Australia. WLTCP
president Barry Sullivan was on deck to present the award at the club’s first round of aggregate tennis on Saturday.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
it’s that time of year again – it’s time for cricket.
The Wangaratta and District Cricket Association will commence their 2024/25 season this weekend, with both senior and junior cricketers hitting the park, with the exception of the C grade competition which commences a week later.
Monday, October 14
Debut for the ages
OVENS Valley United player-coach Geeth Alwis announced himself to the competition after peeling off 89 from 71 balls and taking 5/14 against Benalla Bushrangers on Saturday.
79 and making 6/208 in reply to kick off the WDCA season.
Wednesday, October 16
City raceway secures
Aussie speedway title
WANGARATTA will play host to thousands of rev-heads in 2026, when the 23rd SSA National Production Sedan Title comes to the Wangaratta City Raceway across ANZAC Day weekend.
The local track won hosting rights for the massive event last week, following submissions from raceways across the country.
Friday, October 18
Richards traded to Port Adelaide
WANGARATTA product Joe RIchards is on the move.
After a breakout season with Collingwood this year, RIchards is off to Port Adelaide after requesting a trade last week.
Monday, October 21
Hawks hold off OVU
The first-year Tiger was instrumental in Ovens Valley’s win at Benalla’s Gardens Oval, knocking over the Bushrangers for
ROVERS United Bruck held on against Ovens Valley United at RC McNamara Reserve on Saturday.
CRAIG Weeding’s Prince Of Helena is one of two locally trained horses set to run in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance at Randwick.
Back to School
After setting the Tigers 145 to win, Ovens Valley United were well on their way to chasing the total at 2-102.
Wednesday, October 23
Aggenbach steps up
IT’S a new chapter in the storied history of Wangaratta City Football Club, with a changing of the guard in the role of president.
Kristy Mellor, who has held the office for the past three years, stepped down at the club’s annual general meeting on Wednesday night, with Brett Aggenbach appointed her successor.
Friday, October 25
Cross-road rivals to lock horns
CROSS-road rivals Rovers United Bruck and Wangaratta Magpies will once again lock horns at WJ Findlay Oval tomorrow.
It promises to be a cracking clash with both sides coming off confidence building wins after RUB held off Ovens Valley United and the Magpies stunned defending premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala.
Monday, October 28
Hawks soar over ‘Pies
CLASHES between Rovers United Bruck and Wangaratta Magpies are one of the highlights of the A grade fixture, and the latest edition of the rivalry delivered in spades.
The Hawks took bragging rights at W.J. Findlay Oval on Saturday, bowling the ‘Pies out for 170 defending their 7/190 total.
Wednesday, October 30
Weeding and co dominate weekend
CRAIG Weeding and his fellow Wangaratta horse trainers excelled on the weekend.
Not only did Weeding train three winners on Saturday and one on Monday, but local horsemen combined for eight winners on Saturday.
November
Friday, November 1
Player points released
WANGARATTA Rovers have been handed 36 player points for the 2025 Ovens and Murray season after their drought-breaking premiership win last
month, while the Magpies have been allocated 39.
Rovers had 40 points in 2024 and played with 39 in the grand final so will need to drop an additional three next season.
Monday, November 4
Ready for races
THE Race That Stops A Nation is almost here, and the crowds will be trackside at the Wangaratta Turf Club on Tuesday to take in the big race for the first time in five years.
Between COVID restrictions, track works and the ever-fickle weather gods, punters, fashionistas and the general public have been unable to enjoy Melbourne Cup Day at the local track since 2019.
Wednesday, November 6 ‘Pups’ to help elevate Bulldogs
REAPPOINTED Tarrawingee senior coach Justin Hoggan believes improvement will come from the young up and coming Bulldogs next year.
The club confirmed Hoggan would continue to lead the Bulldogs through the 2025 O&K season eager to continue to build the club back up to being competitive.
Friday, November 8
Theirs to win
AS the A grade competition moves to wrap up the first round of red ball cricket for the season, Ovens Valley United and City Colts find themselves both in a strong position to record a win in their matches.
After a woeful run with the bat in last season’s two-dayers, Ovens Valley United have 298 on the board to defend after declaring seven down last Saturday against Yarrawonga Mulwala.
Monday, November 11
Tigers stun premiers
OVENS Valley United A grade cricketers celebrated one of their biggest wins on the weekend, successfully defending their gargantuan 298 run total against reigning two-day premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala.
The Tigers were disciplined with their lines and lengths against the Lakers, and took their chances when they came, knocking Yarrawonga Mulwala over for 183 in a touch under 62 overs of play.
PHOTO: Racing Photos
horse racing
Greg Braden’s A1 side forced a tie against Rutherglen on Saturday.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Wednesday, November 13
Onwards and upwards
WHILE she didn’t set the world on fire at Flemington, the sky is the limit for Ledger Racing’s All Kinds Of Folk.
The three-year-old filly took to the track in the $1 million Group 1 Crown Oaks on Thursday afternoon, and gained valuable experience at the top level of racing, despite running 13th out of the field of 14.
Friday, November 15
A tall task
ROVERS United Bruck A grade co-captain Paddy McNamara is taking a cautious approach to tackling Ovens Valley United this weekend.
While they were largely the competition’s whipping boys in the red ball format last season, the Tigers announced themselves as a legitimate contender after they secured a 115run over reigning two-day premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala.
Monday, November 18
Barrett steps aside
THE winds of change have been blowing at Wangaratta Turf Club, with CEO Sean Barrett stepping down from the role.
Barrett joined in February 2021, and has helped steer the club through challenges presented by COVID, renovations, and facility upgrades.
Wednesday, November 20
D-day for Berry
WANGARATTA Magpies’ Joe Berry will realise his draft dream this week.
The mercurial small-forward has been tipped to be selected in the first round of tomorrow’s AFL Draft, with round two onwards following on Thursday.
Friday, November 22
Berry’s Power bound
WANGARATTA Magpies’ Joe Berry is off to Alberton Oval.
The crafty small forward was selected by Port Adelaide with pick 15 of the National Draft on Wednesday night and will now join former Wangaratta Magpie Joe Richards at the Power.
Monday, November 25
More than a game
TWO worlds will collide under one message next weekend as WDCA A
sport year in review
basketball soccer
Katie Ford assesses her next move at Wangaratta Basketball Inc’s junior tournament on the weekend.
The tournament was held in Wodonga with Wangaratta’s new stadium yet to open.
grade sides City Colts and Ovens Valley United partner with Zonta Wangaratta to stand against violence against women.
The ‘Orange Up’ two-day fixture beginning on November 30 at Bill O’Callaghan Oval will feature the worldwide colour against violence across the field with teams to don orange caps, sweatbands bat grips and take stance with orange stumps.
Wednesday, November 27
Giggins blasts maiden century
CITY Colts skipper Mitch Giggins was rewarded for years of loyalty with his maiden century on Saturday.
The experienced opener blasted 103 from 120 rocks in a knock that included 14 boundaries to steer his side to a convincing victory over Benalla Bushrangers.
Friday, November 29
O&M’s derby start
EXCITEMENT for the 2025 SS&A
Ovens and Murray Football Netball League season is building already, with the league releasing the season fixture on Wednesday morning.
It all kicks off on April 5, with a blockbuster standalone season opening Wangaratta Derby between the Rovers and Magpies at W.J. Findlay Oval.
December
Monday, December 2
Cricket wash out
ROUND six of WDCA action will revert to one-day games after Saturday’s fixture was washed out.
Wangaratta received 43.2mm of rain with WDCA officials calling games off early on Saturday morning, while junior affairs were cancelled on Friday night.
Wednesday, December 4
Tig White to coach A grade Bulldogs
TARRAWINGEE superstar netballer
Tig White is confident she has what it takes as she steps up to coach the
Back to School
A grade squad in 2025.
The two-time Fay Morgan Medallist, multiple club B&F winner and multiple league Team of the Year defender will take over the club’s top coaching role on the court from teammate Maddie Canning, who elected not to stay on after leading the club to a semi-finals berth.
Friday, December 6
Level playing field
WANGARATTA Rovers FNC will use a $1.45 million federal grant to build new women’s football and netball changerooms at W.J. Findlay Oval, to help cater to the club’s growing number of female participants.
Announced by Independent MP Helen Haines at the club’s annual general meeting on Wednesday, the club received funding through the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, which seeks to provide greater opportunities for women and girls to access, participate and remain involved in sport and physical activity.
Monday, December 9
Colts’ heartbreak
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
A NEW CHAPTER: Vitaly Leschen will take the reins as the new coach of Wangaratta City FC’s senior men’s squad. Leschen said he’s looking forward to the challenge of bringing the Devils back up the ladder. PHOTO: Nathan de Vries
before last weekend’s deluge shortened the game against Ovens Valley United to 40 overs a side, the match was preceded with a brief ceremony featuring leading family violence advocates in the area.
Wednesday, December 11 Festive race day joy
THE Wangaratta Turf Club kicked off the festive season with a successful Christmas Party Raczzzzzze Day.
Around 1550 eager spectators flocked to the beautiful facilities last Saturday despite the weather forecast promising a gloomy day.
Friday, December 13
Record breakers
AFTER months of training and fundraising efforts, Wangaratta District Specialist School students have returned from the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane with podium finishes and records broken.
Representing Athletics Victoria, WDSS students Dylan Vescio, Lara Pearson,
Mia Godwin, Harry White and Victoria Waddel-Laing and their families made the trip up to Brisbane to compete at the championships from December 6-8 in scorching conditions against the best from across the country.
Monday, December 16 ‘Pies’ class shines bright
WANGARATTA Magpies smacked 239 runs from 40 overs to run away convincing winners over Beechworth Wanderers.
The ‘Pies won the toss and elected to bat first with Cooper Matheson (21) getting his side to a reasonable start at 2/56.
Wednesday, December 18 Fixture shake up
THERE are just over 100 days until the start of the 2025 BankWAW Ovens and King Football Netball League season, and with a new-look fixture unveiled on Monday night, excitement is building. Round one of season 2025 is set for Saturday, March 29, but Moyhu will have to wait an extra week to commence their season, with the bye first up.
Friday, December 20
Crucial clash for Colts CITY Colts are out to snap their two game losing streak when they meet Wangaratta Magpies at Barr Reserve.
The Colts started like a house on fire, jumping to the top of the ladder with a 3-1 record, however, losses to Ovens Valley United and Yarrawonga Mulwala sees them sit in fourth on the overall ladder.
Friday, December 27
Hawks are flying
ROVERS United Bruck’s A grade side entered the Christmas break in style after securing a 48-run win over a strong Beechworth Wanderers outfit on the deck at WJ Findlay Oval last Saturday. Batting first, the Hawks posted an above-par 5/237, with opener Charith Perera leading the charge.
PLAY BALL: Wangaratta’s Sam Maher is realising his dream of playing college basketball in America, having signed with a Bay Area university.
Bulldogs’
PHOTO: Nathan de Vries
CRICKET’S BACK
A er the midseason break, Josh Nanson (le ) and his City Colts will roar back into the season against Paddy McNamara’s Rovers United Bruck. A grade cricket previews page 29.
Bring on the Carnival
JANUARY in Wangaratta means warm weather and eager anticipation for one of the biggest sporting weekends on the calendar, with the Wangaratta Sports Carnival just a few short weeks away. Set to be held on Saturday, January 25, the 104th running on the carnival will bring premier athletes to the Wangaratta Showgrounds on the Australia Day weekend, with athletics and woodchopping events set to delight spectators and competitors alike. The free event is sure to attract crowds to the showgrounds, with last year’s edition seeing around 1500 people pass through the gates throughout the day.
104th Wangaratta Sports Carnival just weeks away
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
said there was something for everyone to enjoy across the whole day.
“We’ve got the woodchopping at 10.30am, they’ve got the tree climbing back on, they haven’t had that for many years, and they’ve got crosscut sawing,” she said.
Wangaratta Sports Club president Anna Pasquali
“The athletics starts at 2.30pm all things being well, and by that I mean the weather – if it’s a really hot day we have to push it back
to a 5pm start or a 5.30pm start even.
“Hopefully we can have a 2.30pm start and it wraps up at around 10pm with nals action starting from around 7pm.
“We have a netballers relay that we’re running, which we ran last year, and we’ve got Little Athletics races that I’m organising, and the feature events are the 120m women’s and men’s gi .”
The athletics events in the evening have attracted talented runners for many years, and has o en served as a strong indicator of who will thrive at events later in the year such as the Stawell Gi .
“The Wangaratta Gi has been a really good leadup for the last few years heading into the Stawell Gi , and a good predictor of nalists,” club secretary Paul Hughes said.
Timeless Support has been approved to provide subsidised home care packages through the Australian Government.
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to receive care and services, funded either fully or partly by the Government.
“Last year’s Wangaratta Gi winner (Jack Lacey) went on to win the Stawell Gi , and the Wangaratta Women’s Gi winner (Chloe Kinnersley) was the runnerup in the Stawell Gi .” Entries for the Wangaratta Gi close this Sunday, January 12.
“We are expecting good entries for the carnival,” Hughes said.
“The Victorian Athletic League across the board has had an increase in entries this year, so we’re hoping for good numbers.”
