Chronicle Friday 100524

STARS SHINING BRIGHT

Aladdin (Elliott McPhee), Princess Jasmine (Charley Miller), Prince Ali (Spencer Hayward), Abu (Lucy Sinclair) and Genie (Eve Blackall) are ready for opening night of Aladdin at Galen Performing Arts Centre next Wednesday, May 15. Full story page 2

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

High school has to wait for $11.7m; no cash

WANGARATTA High School will again have to wait for its promised $11.7 million for classroom modification upgrades, with the 2024/25 State Budget overlooking the city’s major public school.

WHS executive principal Dave Armstrong received confirmation that the school, which more than

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

600 students, remains fully funded to have stage one of its masterplan designed and documented, but the money for the actual building works will not be funded yet. The money was promised

before the 2022 state election, however, as time passes and the cost of goods and services rise, Mr Armstrong said he was concerned that what will be built when the tender is awarded, probably will not equal what could have been achieved several years before.

The school was one of 54 schools in the previous budget to share in the $20m School

Upgrades Delivery Fund to create a masterplan, however, it was announced in the budget that WHS was one of 29 to miss out on the 2024/25 capital works allocation.

“It was disappointing news, but not unexpected given the recent signaling from government about the Victorian fiscal situation,” Mr Armstrong said.

“We’re really hopeful of receiving the funding next budget because we’ve done a lot of great work with consultants GHD to plan for the new junior and senior school buildings.

“The masterplan has been completed and we’re getting towards the final schematic designs for stage one of the plans and when

the money comes it will be off the shelf and out to tender immediately.”

Along with the building modernisation works, Mr Armstrong said some external landscaping site improvements will be carried out to focus on “the most welcoming and engaging school campus you can possibly have”.

■ Continued page 2

Disney magic coming to Galen

BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au

THE magical Walt Disney musical Aladdin will be performed by Galen College junior school students on Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16 at the school’s spectacular performing arts centre.

The junior version of the popular musical is based on Disney’s 1992 Academy Award-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street kid who learns that his true worth lies deep within.

Aladdin and his friends are down on their luck until he discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes.

Wanting to earn the respect of the princess Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character.

With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story opens up “a whole new world” for

the young performers involved as well as the audience.

The production is under the direction of the junior directors Bonnie Melbourne, Emily Bevan, Sarah Baker, Maya Humphreys, Tom Mason, Christian Prestianni, Allanah Beggs, Georgia Hovey, Grace Gough and

Leila Gephart, who are year 10 students who have been involved in the past junior and senior productions, under the supervision and guidance of teachers Olivia Jones and Julie Nolan (codirectors).

They are joined by Beth Code and Charli Rispin choral directors, Felicity Davis

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC: Prince Ali (Spencer Hayward) tries to work the magic of the lamp on the Genie (Eve Blackall) but with little luck.

IT’S

as musical director, Mackensie Honey choreographer with year 12 student Bella Charlton-Evans as the student choreographer, and Cheryl Taylor as the backstage co-ordinator.

“It has been great for our new drama teacher Abbie Hough to assist with the production, and we are loving

her knowledge and creative ideas for set design as she has recently completed a design course at the VCA,” Ms Nolan said.

Co-director Ms Jones said it has been an enjoyable rehearsal process.

“For me being a part of a junior production is a fantastic opportunity to see the

students thrive,” she said.

“When we do a junior production the year 10 students act as the directors so we step back a bit and let them take the lead.

“It is great seeing them shine in this role, and grow to be leaders and mature.

“It is also excellent to see the junior students get a chance to be a lead and shine on stage.

“We have a lot of new year 7s who have joined and it is always wonderful having as many students involved as possible.

“I have been surprised by the kids’ dedication and commitment especially when there are a few obstacles and roadblocks that we hit.

“Students after being involved in a production have a new found confidence and resilience that help them in their day to day lives and at school.”

Performances are at 7pm Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16 with two matinees for schools on the Thursday.

Tickets are $5 and available from the Galen College website.

High school has to wait for $11.7m; no cash for major road; regional spend down

■ From page 1

“All the works are designed around increasing student enrollment which we are seeing particularly at Year 7, in our mainstream program, but also our Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) enrollments, already high for 2025.

Beechworth Secondary College was one of the 25 successful schools to receive infrastructure funding - it was granted $6.4m for a new hospitality building and classroom.

Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy said funding one school in the region and not the other creates a two-class society in Wangaratta.

“You always have to keep investing in public education and you don’t want the kids at the high school in substandard conditions,” he said.

“People have choices of schools but when people can’t afford other schools you want to make sure they have the same opportunities as everybody else.

“We knew it was going to be a tight budget but we’re disappointed to see that the high school’s redevelopment of $11.7m has been put on hold, and this hurts.”

The lack of direct funding for the Rural City of Wangaratta in the 2024/25 state budget is highlighted in the regional versus city population funding ratios that are out of kilter, according to Mr McCurdy.

With Victoria’s population made up of 25 per cent of regional residents, Mr McCurdy said only about 10 per cent of the budget goes to health and education, and about 12 per cent to roads.

The Wangaratta-Whitfield Road is a major thoroughfare that has been in desperate need of funding for several years, but Mr McCurdy cannot see any dedicated money for this.

He highlighted the potential merging of hospitals that has been on the State Government’s agenda and said smaller hospitals

THE Wangaratta District Specialist School’s Benalla campus has received about $7m and works are expected to be completed by the end of June this year.

An election promise for a new tech school at Wangaratta was also in the budget and this is due to be “open and operating by 2026/27”.

It’s part of a $116 million investment across six campuses and will facilitate a work pathway, giving people the skills to gain employment for the renewed government entity, the State Electricity Commission (SEC).

Continued funding for Northeast Health Wangaratta for “expanded hospital capacity, including emergency department expansion, short stay units, and inpatient beds” was mentioned.

The State Government had also previously committed an undisclosed sum to assist with the Greta Road social and affordable housing project.

from Cobram, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford and Bright are all going to be merged into the larger hospitals like Northeast Health and Goulburn Valley Health.

“We’re spending more money; it’s costing us more to live and we’re getting far less,” he said.

“The land tax is killing us up here and I’m getting about 20 phone calls or emails a day complaining about increases.

“Some have a bill that used to be $800 and now it’s $2500, or a $2000 bill, it’s now gone to $8000, they simply can’t afford it.”

Mayor Dean Rees views the large debt for the state as the reason for the skint budget.

“It just goes to show that the massive amounts of spending over the years is now going to come back and haunt everybody in Victoria that we need to pay

some debt down,” Cr Rees said.

“I hope they have some common sense and put some of these Transurban projects in Melbourne on hold and start to get more money back into the country areas.

“It’s all going into Melbourne and the plan is to make it the biggest city in the Southern Hemisphere, if not Australia.

“I feel for the fact they market country areas in Victoria for people to visit and expand their horizons, but our roads are in such poor condition and we don’t have any money for infrastructure.”

Cr Rees did not discount the support the State Government has given in recent years for infrastructure in the Rural City of Wangaratta, including the sports centre expansion, Ned Kelly Discovery Hub and the railway precinct and other streetscape programs.

“This is great but we now see that the gravy train is going to stop.”

Glass collection bins delayed for rural city

THE Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is having an impact on the prospects of the fourth bin roll out for glass recycling in Wangaratta, but it’s still due to go ahead in July 2025.

Multiple factors including questions over the required frequency of the service for the Rural City of Wangaratta are being reviewed.

A tender for the collection of other bins was last week awarded to Cleanaway, a service that will cost Wangaratta council $1.35 million per annum.

Council director of community and infrastructure, Marcus Goonan, said the reason for the removal of the glass collection (from the contract) was due to the delayed supply of new kerbside trucks.

Students stride in the name of safety

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

PRIMARY school students across the rural city are stopping to look, listen and think of the safe steps to walking to school on National Walk to School Day today.

Throughout the week Wangaratta police officers have been attending school crossings at St Patrick’s and St Bernard’s primary schools promoting the safe walking message.

On Thursday morning a host of St Pat’s Primary School students and teachers were joined by police members to stroll to school.

Senior Constable Hayley McDonald said the force tries to show students not only the health benefits of walking to school, but spotting for safe points on the road to cross.

“We want to make sure everyone thinks about their safety, whatever age group we’re talking to,” she said.

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

He said the delivery of the trucks will govern the implementation of additional FOGO and glass and will create economic scale if achieved at the same time.

The trucks will include the supply and delivery of four 24m3 waste compactor trucks due by late 2024 or early 2025.

“The Container Deposit Scheme is having a significant impact on glass generation volumes within the municipality and the current minimum tender frequency is two months, which may result in a low presentation of volumes,” Mr Goonan report-

ed to last week’s council meeting.

The postponement of rollout due to delays in delivery of kerbside trucks will allow further time for council to consider actual glass generation volumes with the full effect of CDS known.

“The fund partners DECCA and Sustainability Victoria have been consulted and have offered in principle support for the pause on the glass roll out,” Mr Goonan said.

“The recommended contractor for Cleanaway has also been consulted and are generally in support of us excluded that (glass collection) as well.”

Councillors awarded the contract to Cleanaway at the meeting without any discussion on the matter.

Wangaratta council introduced

glass drop-off facilities at the Wangaratta, Markwood, Moyhu and Eldorado transfer stations from July last year.

The drop-off collection points are specially designed for modified purple collection bins.

They are designed with separate compartments for different coloured glass.

These bins and surrounding hardstands were commissioned with the assistance of funding from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DECCA).

Types of glass accepted include glass jars (empty, no lids), pasta sauce, jam, condiments etc, glass bottles - including broken bottles (empty, no lids), wine bottles, beer bottles, spirit (alcohol) bottles, olive oil and sauce bottles.

Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event when all primary school children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school, seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment. Juggling roles as an advocate for safety on our roads with police and as a primary school student parent, Sen Const McDonald said she hoped people would continue to be role models for our youth when

walking across the road.

“You do see parents crossing in spots 30 or 40 metres away from the crossing,” she said.

“I saw a parent one day with kids either side of her in the middle of the road away from the crossing while it was operating.

“Even when the crossing is not

manned, it still provides an island in the middle.

“When people are in a hurry, they just cross wherever they are and you see it in the main street a bit too.

“Don’t be in too much of a hurry, cross at safe points and teach our kids to cross at safe points.”

UNDER CARE: Police, paramedics and CFA attended an incident at the corner of Sisely Avenue and Swan Street on Thursday morning, as a man in his 50s was airlifted to hospital.

Man airlifted after Sisely Avenue

episode

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

A MAN in his 50s was airlifted to Melbourne after a suspected medical event at Sisely Avenue in Wangaratta on Thursday morning.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics attended the incident on the corner of Sisely Avenue and Swan Street at around 7am with Advanced Life Support and Mobile Intensive Care units.

Police said off-duty members located the man inside his vehicle after reports of someone suffering a medical episode.

Paramedics, police and CFA blocked off the scene for several hours. The man was transported to the Victorian Heart Hospital for further treatment.

Murder trial to start today

FORMER JetStar pilot Greg Lynn will commence his trial today in the Supreme Court on two charges of murder allegedly committed in the Wonnangatta Valley.

Mr Lynn has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering Carol Clay and Russell Hill while they were on a camping trip in March 2020.

The campers’ disappearance sparked a major police search and investigation, which led to the arrest and charges of Mr Lynn in November 2021.

On Thursday 14 jurors were paneled for the trial, which will eventually be balloted to 12 by the end to deliver a verdict. Opening addresses from the prosecution and defence are due to commence today.

WALK ON: St Patrick’s Primary School students Hans Dino (left), Fergus Malcolm and Nash Hunter with principal Gabrielle Downie and Senior Constable Hayley McDonald before taking off for their walk to school.

PHOTO: Bailey Zimmermann

From Dusk to Dawn

Have your say on early childhood services

THE community is urged to give their input on Wangaratta’s Early Years Plan via a survey. This survey is designed to gather insights and opinions from residents regarding the future direction of early childhood services in the Rural City of Wangaratta. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the strategies and focus areas for children’s services in our community.

Municipal Early Years Plans (MEYP) foster a whole-of-community, whole-of-system approach to building community strength and addressing the underlying causes of inequity and

vulnerability of children and families.

MEYPs are place-based with a focus on prevention, equity, health, and long-term social and educational outcomes for children.

Wangaratta’s Municipal Early Years Plan (MEYP) is a local plan designed to provide strategic direction for the development and coordination of early year’s programs, activities and other local community development processes that impact on children 0–12 years in our municipality.

The MEYP engages our community and partners to work together towards positive early

years outcomes for children and families within the Rural City of Wangaratta. It provides a roadmap for planning services and facilities that will be delivered in collaboration with other partner organisations committed to the support and wellbeing of children.

The MEYP is a product of collaborative community involvement, and its development has involved families, residents and other service providers who have provided ideas, opinions, data, and feedback on the strategic directions proposed.

Director community and in-

frastructure Marcus Goonan encourages people with young families to have their say as they believe in a community-led approach to decision-making.

“Your input is essential for council to better grasp the diverse needs and priorities of families with young children, enabling us to customise our services effectively to meet those needs,” he said.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, but your insights will have a lasting impact on the future of children’s services in Wangaratta.

Have your say online now by visiting https://bit.ly/3VYc20D.

CENTRE AGAINST VIOLENCE PRAISES COMMUNITY SUPPORT

United we stand against violence

A STAND to end violence against women and children at last weekend’s match between North Wangaratta and Milawa football netball clubs and other clubs in the Tallangatta, and junior Wangaratta leagues has created a landmark action to send a clear message to the community.

Jaime Chubb, CEO of the Centre Against Violence in Wangaratta, thanked everyone who joined with CAV in taking a powerful stand against family violence last weekend.

“Together, we made a strong statement against family vio-

lence, and the response has been nothing short of overwhelming,” she said.

“It’s great to see the collective strength of our community in addressing this critical issue head-on.

“The impact of our actions goes far beyond the field.

“It sparks vital conversations within our homes, workplaces and schools, empowering individuals to seek support and create safe spaces.

“Through initiatives like these, we send a clear message: family violence will not be toler-

ated, and everyone deserves to feel safe.”

Ms Chubb thanked Steve Manning, coach of the North Wangaratta Football Netball Club, whose passionate advocacy brought this idea together in just one week.

“Steve’s message that misogynistic behaviours will no longer be tolerated by their club and the importance of creating safe spaces for everyone is extremely powerful,” she said.

“The support from all the staff and players from the North Wang, Milawa, Beechworth,

Keiwa, Tallangatta, Chiltern and Centrals (juniors) clubs has been amazing.”

Ms Chubb also thanked businesses that joined in to support fundraising and awareness efforts, with almost $3000 raised at the North Wang vs Milawa match towards supporting necessary family violence prevention initiatives and support in the local community.

Yarrawonga Football Netball Club from the Ovens and Murray league will join CAV in their fight against family violence this weekend.

Give feedback on council housing strategy

RESIDENTS and stakeholders are encouraged to share their feedback on Wangaratta council’s Draft Affordable Housing Strategy, out for public consultation until June 3.

Marcus Goonan, council director community and infrastructure, said people’s feedback is essential in crafting a housing

plan that truly resonates with the needs and aspirations of the community.

He said this extends beyond the council’s mandate and they require the active involvement of the community, government partners, and private industry to address this vast complex challenge.

Download the strategy via council’s website at wangaratta. vic.gov.au.

Ways to provide feedback include:

 Email Council@Wangaratta. vic.gov.au with the subject line Affordable Housing Feedback; and

 Written hard copy submissions can be delivered to customer service.

 Attend a drop-in session at the Wangaratta Library for a chance to chat with council officers on Wednesday, May 15 from 4.30pm to 5.30pm and Thursday, May 30 4.30pm to 5.30pm.  Online via Connect Wangaratta;

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

UNITED WE STAND: North Wangaratta and Milawa opponents stood together as one in the cause to end violence against women and children.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

WSAC investment worth the cost, for community benefit

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

Council is confident investments into the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre (WSAC) will continue a downwards trend year on year after recording a $1.18m deficit this past financial year.

The Rural City of Wangaratta, which owns and manages the sporting facility, will be investing nearly $1.2m into it, with $2.84m in revenue and just over $4m in total expenses recorded over the 2023-2024 period.

Mayor Dean Rees said the investment was a necessary one for council to best serve the community.

“At the end of the day you could say it’s a capital loss rather than an investment of $1.18m, but that’s a community investment for all of the community,” he said.

“It’s a community facility, like our ovals we maintain, mow, trim, put new grass down and have maintenance people cleaning up rubbish, putting drainage in which costs hundreds and thousands of dollars.

“It will keep improving as the years go on, we’re streamlining our running costs, we’re getting new providers to ensure our power bills are kept to a minimum, we’re looking to streamline all of the processes involved down there.

“It’s all to build better communities and that’s what council is all about.”

Expenses at the centre included power, gas, staff wages, equipment, cleaning, painting and other general maintenance.

“There’s around $200,000 these days just in cleaning bills,” Cr Rees said.

“You’ve got to expect costs to rise after adding the hydrotherapy pool and 50m outdoor pool to the existing facility.”

A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT: Mayor Dean Rees believes ongoing investments to run WSAC will continue its downwards trend, after recording a deficit of $1.18m this past financial year.

Sporting facilities including at the Barr Reserve and Merriwa Park came at a cost of $761,000 this past financial year under council’s Project and Recreation budget.

Under the 2024-25 draft budget, council expects the deficit to come down nearly $100,000 to $673,000.

Cr Rees said council was very confident it would be able to maintain its continued investment into WSAC, with it coming down year on year from $1.4m last financial year.

“It’s never going to run at a profit, otherwise the cost of using the facility will be out of reach for most people living in Wangaratta,” he said.

“When the YMCA had it, it was exactly the same situ-

ation, we had to pay YMCA hundreds of thousands of dollars for them to take the contract.

“Council expects WSAC to continue to require annual investment to cover costs and ongoing costs into the future, as we do with all of our sporting facilities.

“As we continue to develop and grow on the surface things will keep improving and we’ve seen a decrease of costs per person by about $7 over the last three years.

“We have one of the biggest facilities in country Victoria and it will only get better and costs and investment into it will come down year by year, so that way it becomes more profitable.”

Since taking over management of WSAC from YMCA in 2020, council has overseen expansion of a hydrotherapy pool, 50m outdoor pool, new and expanded state of the art gym, pilates reformer studios and a significantly expanded stadium with new basketball courts, which is planned for completion and opening at the end of the month.

Cr Rees said costs of the facility ran on par to before council took over management, even with the centre now “twice the size”.

“Any new things we wanted an organisation like YMCA to do, including aerobics or pilates, they would say yes, but we would have to put in

more money,” he said.

”It was a lot of money council had to pay the YMCA and they took everything else from there.

“The requirements these days for council to run these facilities and pool safety is a paramount, and that all costs money.”

Cr Rees said improvements around the facility were in the works, in particular around staffing and community consultation, which will be an added feature to the council website in weeks to come.

“We know there’s been issues down there, staffing is super hard at the moment in all aquatic and leisure facilities,” he said.

“We know we want to improve it and make it a lot better and we’re working on that, we’ve got some great staff down there and we’ve got new staff who are starting to come on at a regular basis.

“We benchmark ourselves against a lot of similar sized facilities and we’re running on par with them and better.

“We need to upgrade staff qualifications because they want to be more upgraded, rather than just being a lifeguard, they can work behind the counter, take gym classes, do pilates.

“We’ve got a lot of staff who can do those things and that’s what we’re looking for.”

“We have something going up on the website where you can register for a text message, so if we know the pool is going to close because of a problem, it will automatically text you notice.”

Council will also be setting up a feedback section on the website so people can register a complaint through the website anonymously and can discuss with WSAC management to ensure requests are being heard.

Cr Rees said council still sees the facility as a great investment for the future of Wangaratta, which will be there for the community for many years to come.

“Participation continues to grow, there’s now 320,000 visitations over the past three years, memberships are up 30 per cent year on year and the Learn to Swim program participation is up 40 per cent year on year,” he said.

“Council is committed to grow the service for years to come as we approach the 50th anniversary this year.

“But most importantly the users, we’ve got to make sure the users are looked after, well-respected and heard.

“It can’t change overnight… we’ve got to open up better communication channels and that’s what we’re here to do.”

Kyle proves an inspiration to all

By SIMONE KERWIN

KYLE Cogan’s favourite saying was, “I don’t have a disability; I have an inconvenience”.

It was a motto indicative of the positive outlook displayed by the Wangaratta resident during his 36 years, and which helped make him an adored member of his family and the local community.

From his membership of the Wangaratta Lions Club to his regular appearances in the Wangaratta Chronicle, from his time spent traversing the district by tandem bike with fellow local Ron Webb, to his job at Superior Joinery, Kyle loved being part of community life.

COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM OPENING

By JORDAN DUURSMA

So it was no surprise following his passing in late February that Kyle’s funeral service at Mason Park was attended by about 350 friends and family members, including a guard of honour at the conclusion.

It was a fitting tribute to an inspirational young man, who was born in Wangaratta on August 7, 1987 to loving parents Rod and Jenny.

Four days after his arrival, Kyle was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where Rod and Jenny were to learn of his blindness and kidney problems; with the unwavering support of his parents, he defied early medical predictions.

Kyle had two kidney transplants, in 1996 and 2009,

OBITUARY

Kyle Steven Cogan

- 27.2.2024

with seven and a half years of dialysis in between.

Despite these challenges, he remained an extremely inquisitive child, taking in everything that was happening around him and asking lots of questions.

Rod and Jenny helped fill in the gaps, talking to him about his surroundings, TV shows, music, machinery and his favourite topic: cars.

Kyle’s memory was the

envy of many, and he could provide the make, model and even potentially the colour of a passing car based on what he knew and heard.

Likewise, during his years at Coronation Kindergarten, Yarrunga Primary School, Ovens College and Galen College, he could recognise teachers and fellow students by their voices, footsteps, and even the perfumes they wore.

Kyle loved going out for

cappuccinos, cakes, sausage rolls and meals, as much for the social interaction as for the food - which he always proclaimed was good, but not as good as that whipped up by his mum.

He could converse with anyone of any age on most topics, as he was extremely well-read, with the assistance of braille, audio books and his talking computer.

Kyle had proudly lived independently since 2012; he joined the Wangaratta Lions Club in 2015 and enjoyed the friendship with fellow members; and he worked two mornings each week as ‘quality controller’ at Superior Joinery, a job in which he took great pride.

He overcame the “in-

convenience” of his vision impairment to rack up experiences such as flying in a Tiger Moth, and driving at speeds of up to 140kph at Sandown Raceway.

Kyle’s tandem rides with Ron Webb continued over 10 years and 6000km, and focused on the “four Cs”cycling, chatter, coffee and company.

In August last year, Kyle commenced chemotherapy, which he completed in December, and in January this year his health declined.

On January 30 he was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he remained until his passing on February 27, with his loving parents by his side as they always were.

THE Rural City of Wangaratta had announced the upcoming launch of its annual Community Grants Program.

The program seeks to empower organisations dedicated to making a positive impact within the Wangaratta community.

A total of $160,000 in funding will be available through the 2024/25 Community Grants Program, with grants of $1000 to $10,000 being available.

Applications open Wednesday, May 15 and close on Tuesday, July 2.

The initiative aims to foster meaningful projects that address key priorities and contribute to the overall enrichment of the shared environment.

The Community Grants Program assists local community organisations and not-for-profits to deliver projects that enhance accessibility, promote equity, bolster community resilience, and improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors to the region.

Mayor Dean Rees is encouraging community groups to register for the upcoming community sessions, to discuss their ideas with council officers, and find out more about the program.

“These grants are always really

popular with the community, and we’ve seen some fantastic projects come to life through our Community Grants,” he said.

“From supporting the Wang Night Shelter with lockers for those experiencing homelessness, to a learn to ride program with the Wangaratta Cycling Club, there’s always a

2X DOUBLE PASSES (2 TICKETS EACH)

wide range of innovative, grassroots ideas that meet the needs of the Wangaratta community.

“This year there is specific funding around historical display boards in our rural communities, with $20,000 designated to help those communities update and add to these important memorials.”

IF you are not sure how to get started on your application or would like a friendly ear to speak with about your project, council officers will be available to chat at the following sessions:

 Wednesday, May 29 at Glenrowan Vintage Hall Cafe, from 10am to 12pm.

 Thursday, May 30 at Wangaratta Library, from 5pm to 7pm.

 Monday, June 3 at Hobbledehoy Café Whitfield, from 1pm to 3pm.

 Wednesday, June 5 at Milawa Bakery, from 10am to 12pm.

 Wednesday, June 5 at Vine Hotel, from 3pm to 5pm.

 Thursday, June 6 at Eldorado Tavern, from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

 Thursday, June 6 at Wangaratta Library, from 2pm to 4pm.

 Thursday, June 6 at Wangaratta Library, from 5pm to 7pm.

To register, email communitygrants@wangaratta. vic.gov.au or call 5722 0888. For guidelines and application form visit, https:// www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Your-Council/Grants-andfunding/Community-Grants or email communitygrants@ wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

Beechworth clinches national title

By CORAL COOKSLEY

BEECHWORTH has been crowned overall winner of this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful National Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards announced at a presentation in Western Australia on Saturday night.

It is the third time Beechworth has won the national award, with the title awarded in 2010 and 2020.

Beechworth as last year’s state winner competed against other state winners from around Australia, except Queensland and the ACT.

The awards encourage, motivate and celebrate sustainability achievements of

rural and regional communities across Australia.

From eight entries submitted in various categories, Beechworth Honey’s Bee School won the Behaviour Change Campaigns and Education award, Indigo Future Proof Action Group for Young Legends while Heritage and Culture was nabbed by the Burke Museum’s People of Beechworth Exhibition.

Beechworth’s Iris Mannik (OAM) and Anne Wilson have rounded up projects for years to submit entries.

“We’re over the moon to win and up against tough competition as usual,” Iris said.

Anne said the wins should keep encouraging volun-

teers to take up new projects.

“Volunteers like to contribute to their community and should all be proud as they are doing a fantastic job to keep our town vibrant and to be a wonderful community in which to live,”’ she said. Keep Australia Beautiful National Association (KAB) chief executive officer, Olivia Lynch, said Beechworth epitomised the transformative power of communitydriven environmental endeavours.

“Beechworth has emerged as frontrunners in environmental stewardship, illuminating the path for communities nationwide,” she said.

INFORMATION SESSIONS: Alexis Stanuga and Tammy Wallace from Glenrowan Vintage Hall Cafe will help kick off council’s Community Grants Program drop in sessions on May 29. PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

 LOVED COMMUNITY MEMBER: Kyle Cogan’s positive outlook was admired in Wangaratta.

their home base at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, is in the background.

Marathon effort by Lions earns $4000 donation

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER

WANGARATTA Lions Club gratefully received a $4000 donation from the Wangaratta Chronicle this week, as the chosen charity partner for this year’s Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run event.

Club president Steve Kazenwadel said the funding would be used to benefit others in the community, as part of the club’s ongoing mantra as a service club to support local causes.

“This is the third year we’ve been the charity partner and it’s a valued relationship,” Mr Kazenwadel said.

“Previous funding has been used for things like buying heart monitors for North-

east Health Wangaratta and supporting activities at the Wangaratta District Specialist School.”

Around 20 club members, including many of their family members, were involved in course and traffic marshalling for the 42km marathon and other run events (half marathon, 10km 5km and 2km) based out of the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday, March 17.

The event, presented by Garry Nash and Co Real Estate which has signed on as major sponsor for another three years, drew more than 1050 participants from across the country, as well as international runners.

Mr Kazenwadel said it was a major undertaking for the

club, whose members also continued to help cater at local events as part of their fundraising.

He said the club’s newly constructed shed at the Wangaratta Showgrounds still needs to be fitted out before it can replace its existing home base since the mid 1990s.

“We’ve got a District Convention in October and it would be nice to have it completed by then,” Mr Kazenwadel said.

“We’ve got a number of other community groups interested is using some of the space for storage and the facilities,” he said.

“Our former shed (at the showgrounds) will be removed after we are in our new facilities.”

LIONS SHARE: Wangaratta Lions Club president Steve Kazenwadel received the $4000 donation from Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run co-ordinator Maddie Pelly. The club’s new shed, which will become

PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

It’s time for someone to pay the piper

THE stark reality of Victoria’s most recent state budget should have come as no surprise to most Victorians.

We had been living beyond our means as a state (and as a nation) since well before COVID-19 hit and prior to the global turmoil in Europe and the Middle East but this perfect storm of disasters only burst the bubble that eventually would have needed to be lanced.

Massive infrastructure spending primarily in the city is the prime reason Victoria finds itself as the state with the overwhelmingly biggest debt in the land.

Yes, supporting the state through the pandemic was costly, as it was for the former Coalition Federal Government, but the state Labour government under Daniel Andrews seemed to throw caution to the wind in its frenzy of infrastructure spending despite warnings to take a more cautionary approach.

Now Premier Allan must make the hard choices to avoid the state facing even worse financial ruin in the near future, but despite wide-ranging cuts in many areas and some major infrastructure contracts being postponed, the financial outlook remains grim.

It’s also a concern that, like governments of all persuasions and at all three levels, the ‘rose-coloured future’ in the budget forecasts relies on very optimistic outcomes, and again leaves no wriggle room for any other unforeseen local or world calamities taking place.

No matter, MPs will still be rewarded with pay rises, as will those with the loudest of unions, and contractors in a market short of choice.

So it will be small businesses, self-employed, and the recipients of support programs who will be left to pay the piper.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the web poll which asked: Is your household looking to use more electricity rather than gas for your energy needs?

• Paul Crabb: I think all households are trying to use less of both to avoid being ripped off by the energy supply companies !

• Phillip Coghetto: I have used less electricity and gas for the past 2 years and yet my bills are increasing.

• Ken Willmott: Turning off all the gas heating too expensive to run.

• Jill Lindquist: Taking a phased approach. Just replaced gas cooktop with induction. Heating will be the big one.

Facebook users commented on Cam Green competing in the Port Macquarie Ironman

• Corina Falconer: Well done cam, super effort!

• Bec Van D Heyden: Incredible Cam Green!

People should let out their empty buildings

WE continually hear about the housing shortage and rental crisis, so why are there so many empty houses in Wangaratta.

It seems you could walk down nearly any street in Wangaratta and you will find an empty house.

Whoever owns them should let them out, not only for the income but also to help others.

Think what comfort you would bring to people who have no home of their own.

Laurie Collier, Wangaratta

Nominate local mental health champions

AS co-chairs of the Australian Mental Health Prize, we’re reaching out to Australian communities to encourage nominations for the 2024 Prize.

It is also imperative that we have responsible conversations that challenge stigma and misinformation surrounding mental health.

With almost half of Australians facing mental health challenges in their lifetime, it’s clear that no community is untouched by these issues.

Despite this, mental health funding remains disproportionately low, exacerbating service gaps and leaving marginalised individuals without essential support.

The aftermath of COVID-19 has only intensified these challenges, emphasising the interconnectedness of mental health with broader societal issues.

Nominations for the 2024 prize are open until July 8, 2024, with winners announced on September 23, 2024.

Categories include Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, lived experience, professional, and community hero.

To nominate, visit https://www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au Together, let’s prioritise mental well-being and create more inclusive and supportive societies.

Lucy Brogden and Allan Fels, co-chairs of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group

Women protect their health, prevent cancer

WE’D like to thank Victorians in Wangaratta who have booked in to do a cervical screening test following Cancer Council Victoria’s regional cervical cancer awareness campaign, run late last year.

A recent Cancer Council survey of 800

Legendary status!

• Hayley Currie: Well done Cam thats an incredible achievement with tonnes of kms of hard work behind it! Unreal darl!

• Anne Willett: Amazing job Cam.

Facebook users also commented on a new boost to ratepayers after a draft 2024-25 budget was publicly revealed at Wangaratta Council.

• Warren Rickard: Glass half full / could be worse. Given

inflation on nearly everything else is astronomical… 2.75% Is much better than what it could have been…

• Jack Carruthers: Waste charges hike? I hope that means we get at least one hard rubbish collect ion per year?

• David Thayer: Awesome.

Facebook users also commented on sister duo Vika & Linda performing at the WPACC in June.

• Darcy Keith: Luke Peters not to be missed. NOTE: Comments as they

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regional Victorians showed that more than two thirds of eligible Victorians who saw the campaign said they were now motivated to do a cervical screening test when they were next due, while almost one third who were due said they had booked in to do a cervical screening test.

A test looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.

In Wangaratta, 63.6 per cent of eligible women and people with a cervix are participating in the National Cervical Screening Program, compared to 69 per cent of all eligible Victorians.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and can be successfully treated if found early through regular cervical screening.

We are continuing our work to increase knowledge of cervical screening and ensure everyone eligible is aware of the option to selfcollect through our new In Your Hands cervical screening campaign currently running statewide until late May.

If you’re due for your test, book in today at your local doctor’s clinic or community health centre.

To learn more about cervical screening and the In Your Hands campaign, visit cancervic. org.au/cervical.

Kate Broun, head of screening, early detection and immunisation, Cancer Council Victoria

42 Yes 24 No 18

ELECTRICITY USE votes to yesterdaynoon

Is your household looking to use more electricity rather than gas for your energy needs? THIS WEEK

Do you agree with council increasing rates by 2.75% rather than cutting services? Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words. Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility. Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

PROUD MUMS: Kirsty Lawrence, with nine-week-old daughter Poppy Jenkin, and Nicole Pell, with four-and-a-half-month old son Beau Griffin, were among those who gathered for Rhyme Time at the Wangaratta Library on Thursday. Kirsty said she was excited for Mother’s Day and would enjoy a day out at a local winery with family. Sunday also marks Nicole’s three-year-old son’s birthday, so she said it would be spent at the Kyabram Fauna Park as a birthday/Mother’s Day celebration. PHOTO: Simone Kerwin

FACEBOOK users this week commented on industrial businesses in North Wang being offered power incentive to connect to power facility.

• Noel Barnard: a eyesore all around Winton / Benalla

• Charles Branstom: Up to 95 per cent of the materials used to make a solar panel can be recycled, with the most valuable parts being the silicon, aluminium frames, and silver - which is mainly used in the front contacts of the module.

• Stacey Campbell: For

reference, Victoria still burning huge amounts of brown coal every day: https://www.nem-watch.info/ widgets/reneweconomy/

• Ross Benton: Was anyone asked? Where was our local council on this issue.

• Jarrod Fulton: Solar Factory !

Not a farm . Farms make produce, day or night for the survival of our way of life an have been doing so before electricity was ever invented just saying

• Zita Heywood: It is industrial land , why then is farming land being targeted for solar farming in

sibling_architecture: Follow

all

Check out some of our best photos at our @wangchronicle Instagram account.

NOTE:

our municipality?

• Rez Leslie: Waste of bloody money,what’s going to happen to all the solar panels when they no longer work. They don’t think

• Steve Carmody: There will be no farm land left just to power this country ask china why it’s building heaps of coal fire power stations where the idiots Facebook users this week also commented on Cathedral College student Ava Ryan who raised more than $1600 for the Wangaratta RSL sub-branch.

• Lesley Ruth Browne:

Fantastic Ava

• Debbie Smith: Super proud of you Ava, you have true values

• MacColl Moore: Well done Ava, you’re a legend

• Sue Witham: And the Anzac live on well done ava xx

• Laura Kelly: Congratulations Ava! Great work

• Michelle Tremellen: Amazing work Ava, your mum and dad must be so proud of you.

• Jade Penney: Ava you are a superstar!!

• Sian Browne: Beautiful work Ava!!!

X USERS this week tweeted about rock legend coming to Wangaratta, construction work on Inland Rail and the Angus Victoria AGM.

Ross Wilson @rosswilsonmusic

Our “Now Listen! We’re Steppin’ Out” tour of Vic arts centres/theatres is going great, next level. 3 more this w/e. Fri 10/5 Wangaratta PACC, Sat 11/5 Frankston Arts Centre, Sun 12/5 Karralyka Theatre, Ringwood (Sold Out)

Infrastructure Magazine @inframagoz

Construction work on Inland Rail in Wangaratta will temporarily change the access to the railway station and progress the Green Street demolition and re-build.

Angus Australia @angusaustralia

NOTICE OF ANGUS VICTORIA AGM NOTICE The AGM for Angus Victoria will be held at 1.30pm Wednesday May 15th, at Wangaratta.   Learn more https://buff.ly/3WscioH #AngusPremium #GrowAngus #AngusAustralia #AngusFamily #leadership #AngusCattle

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.

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Tweet

David M Watson @D0CT0R_Dave

In Wangaratta tonight for the ‘Swamps, Rivers and Ranges’ AGM. I’ll be giving a talk on my recent research, with plenty of tasty morsels about mistletoes, sandalwood, microclimate and facilitation.

Wangaratta District Specialist School has been shortlisted in the Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) in the Public category! Congratulations to

the other shortlisted projects, we look forward to celebrating with you at the awards night in Sydney on June 14.

10 POUND POM WHO HELPED CREATE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DECIMAL

I always loved drawing, but I think my creativity would have been stifled in England; Australia gave me a new outlook on life.

- PETER MORRISS

LIFELONG LEARNER: Wangaratta’s Peter Morriss enjoys the chance to step outside his comfort zone, developing skills such as ukulele-playing. INSET: BUILDING SKILLS: Peter Morriss enjoys some practice time on the

with a rendition of ‘Come Fly With Me’.

Lifelong lear ner learner celebrates 90 years

AMOVE to Australia as a 14-year-old changed the course of Peter Morriss’ life - and drew out creative talents which continue to shine in his adopted home of Wangaratta.

Peter, who moved to the rural city about six years ago and has since immersed himself in community life through the Wangaratta Keenagers table tennis group, Wang Ukes and activities including carpet bowls at The Terrace Retirement Village, recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

“My motto is to always have things to look forward to,” he said.

“Plan your life with little goals along the way to achieve, and as you achieve them, get more.”

He added with a smile: “And as your bones get creakier, choose less ambitious goals.”

It’s an approach that has served Peter well since his father decided post-World War 2 that the family should relocate from their native London.

“I lived through wartime England, saw London in ruins, and spent 1944 to 1948 on scholarship at a

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

boys’ school where Saturday lessons and backside canings were part of life,” he said.

“Dad, a fitter, saw no chance of owning a home in class-conscious England.

“He found an Aussie sponsor, a builder, and we landed in February 1949; 10 pound POMs with 40 pounds between us.”

The eldest of three children, Peter was enrolled at Box Hill High School, where he transitioned from playing rugby in the English snow to learning the rudiments of Australian Rules in the dust - and quickly adapted to the Aussie art of sledging.

“A lot of English people are sensitive to sledging, but I found that if I gave it back, they accepted me straight away,” he said.

“As for Aussie Rules… well, it’s not rugby.

“I got a kick out of it, but not a buzz out of it.”

Coming from an English school environment which he described as “Dickensian”,

Peter said the Australian education system was by contrast “like Heaven” in the year he spent at Box Hill High.

Then, after spotting an advertisement in The Age, he took up a role aged 15 as a trainee artist-engraver at the Note Printing Branch in Fitzroy, where Australia’s postage stamps and banknotes were printed, and studied graphic design at night school.

By day, Peter’s work involved using hand tools to cut minute dots and lines under an eyeglass into a small, polished steel plate.

When these cuts were filled with stiff ink and pressed to paper, the result was a printed scene or a portrait, with lettering.

“I always loved drawing, but I think my creativity would have been stifled in England; Australia gave me a new outlook on life,” he said.

An early chance came Peter’s way to design five Papua New Guinea stamps which then had to be handengraved.

“The general manager generously disregarded the seven years’ experience conventionally needed to

engrave a stamp, and gave me, then 18, a chance to engrave my first one,” Peter said.

“It got printed, giving my engraving an early start.”

Engraving stamps performed the valuable role of keeping up an artistengraver’s skills in times when new notes weren’t being designed.

“I loved doing it - there were no rule books and you were in your own world,” he said.

“I did get a buzz out of knowing my work was getting out there.”

Peter fell in love with his late wife Val - then a young widow with a small son, Gordon - and they married in 1958 and had two more children, Sue and Len (Len passed away aged 25).

By the mid-1960s, Peter’s stamp designs and engravings had been issued by Australia, its territories and New Zealand, with one design used by Great Britain.

Peter was head of engraving, but realised that the advent of photogravure printing would make handengraved stamps obsolete. So he started a part time

Bachelor of Commerce degree at Melbourne University, completing it in six years, followed by a Master of Business Administration.

In 1964, he found himself in charge of engraving and pre-press work for Australia’s 1966 decimal banknotes, and from the 1970s was working with the CSIRO on plastic note technology, and overseas on research.

In 1981, stamp-printing stopped, and Peter later moved out of note printing and into central banking in Collins Street.

He said he was contacted in the early 1980s by a philatelic researcher who asked if he knew that almost 8.5 billion Australian stamps had been printed from his creative work.

“I didn’t know that, but his findings led eventually to an OAM Award; I feel grateful to my adoptive country for such a privilege,” he said.

Peter said his greatest fortune, though, was finding Val, his wife of 60 years and a wonderful mother.

“Val nurtured them all to readiness for eventual adoption, and we all helped - they were happy times,” he said.

Val also ran her own small business teaching healthy food recipes, to which Peter was able to contribute his artistic skills by illustrating a recipe book.

“It taught me the value of a balanced diet - that’s another very important part of life,” he said.

Now, Peter thrives on his schedule of Keenagers table tennis twice a week, performing with Wang Ukes, and playing carpet bowls at the village“though I can’t beat the ladies at bowls”.

Like many of his ilk, he is concerned about the role mobile phone technology currently plays in society, and encouraged people to focus on engaging with others and communicating well.

He knows it’s something that has served him well through a life and career which has contributed plenty to his adopted nation, and to those who know him.

While their children grew, Val fostered 17 babies in succession, most for about six weeks each, and some for several months.

ACTIVE FUN: Peter Morriss with fellow Wangaratta Keenagers Table Tennis Club member John Fisher.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

ukulele,

PHOTOS: Simone Kerwin

MARKING A MILESTONE: Peter Morriss (centre) with son Gordon Morriss and Tarrawingee-based daughter Sue Tarrant at his 90th birthday celebration.

Memorial tree removal leaves community stumped

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

THE replacement of a memorial tree at Cheshunt honouring two local nurses killed at Bangka Island during World War II has caused a stir among the local community.

A regular feature of the Cheshunt ANZAC Day services, the tree has been in position at the Cheshunt Hall for many years as a symbol of the annual tributes to fallen servicemen and women within the community.

President of the Cheshunt Hall committee, Lyn Lewis, was met with surprise when she was notified by a friend of the tree’s removal on the eve of ANZAC Day.

“I was livid, I said in a post to Facebook it was a lovely dawn service, but it was disappointing that someone had cut the tree down before ANZAC Day,” she said.

“To me, I thought it was gross vandalism.”

Ms Lewis reported the cut tree to Whitfield police that afternoon, who followed up the matter with council.

Ms Lewis said they were told council had been in discussions with a relative of one of the nurses to take down the tree, but was disappointed no one had notified her of the tree going down.

“There was no consultation, otherwise we would have gone out and bought a new Claret Ash and had a lovely tree planting at our ANZAC

LINE (LGBTQIA+ In the North East) Wangaratta Inc is running free workshops with Omni Insight this month for services and organisations working with carers to improve understanding of LGBTQIA+ communities.

Project support officer Jess Coventry said these upcoming interactive workshops will be incredibly valuable to the community.

“LINE Wangaratta and Omni Insight have worked hard to create really useful and engaging workshop content in order to support the LGBTQIA+ carer community as well as the local services that support carers,” Jess said.

“These workshops are more than just educational sessions, they are an opportunity to create positive change within the LGBTQIA+ community and support inclusive policies and practices within local services.”

LINE Wangaratta executive officer Allison Winters said the Caring for our Rainbow Carers project aims to increase the access to safe and inclu-

Day service, which had over 60 people there,” she said.

Ms Lewis said while she acknowledged the tree had to come down, the community was upset about the timing on the eve of the ANZAC Day service.

“We’ve got memorials there for these nurses and they were the talk for ANZAC Day down at Moyhu and Oxley so it was a little bit more important because there were two acknowledgements happening down the road,” she said.

“It had to come down, but my main problem at the time was that nobody knew what had happened or why it had gone then.”

Nurses Sister Dorothy Gwendoline ‘Bud’ Elmes and Sister Caroline Mary Ennis were two of the 22 Australian nurses captured and brutally killed on February 16, 1942, at the Indonesian island.

Michelle West, a great-niece of Caroline Ennis, said she had con-

tacted council to put in motion a replacement of the memorial tree at the request of her aunty, Margaret.

Ms West said she never heard back from council after her initial request and was unaware to its removal until Ms Lewis had posted on Facebook on ANZAC Day.

“I understand the locals were bereft when on ANZAC morning they saw the tree removed, and it was a big surprise to us as well,” she said.

“There’s just a stump in the ground now, which is a bit of a pest.

“I’ve had to explain to my aunty that council saw fit to remove that tree and we couldn’t put a new one in until that stump came out.”

Rural City of Wangaratta director of community and infrastructure, Marcus Goonan, said the job and several others were bundled and contracted out on the day in an effort to reduce costs to ratepayers.

“The team assessed the tree and

marked it for urgent removal,” he said.

“The timing of the tree removal was unfortunate, and officers apologise for any offence caused.

“The tree sits on the property boundary of the hall and road reserve, although outside the existing hall fence.

“If the family or the hall committee would like, council would be happy to assist with a community event to mark the planting of the new tree.”

Mr Goonan said council officers were aware of the known significance of the tree and contacted Ms Ennis’ family.

Ms West said the replacement tree would be a Claret Ash just like its predecessor, picked out by Margaret, and planned on holding a tree planting ceremony once the stump is removed.

“It’s really important to keep that history going,” she said.

Free workshops to promote inclusive practices

Time to stand for the Rural City of Wangaratta council

COUNCILS are the closest level of government to the community.

To represent their communities successfully, they need great quality candidates to put their hand up for election.

If you have a passion for your local area, the Rural City of Wangaratta is calling all community leaders and potential candidates to get inspired through the Municipal Association of Victoria’s (MAV) Stand for Council campaign.

To support potential candidates, the Rural City of Wangaratta in partnership with the MAV, is hosting information sessions to provide information and inspiration.

The Goulburn Ovens Murray session will be hosted by the Rural City of Wangaratta on Thursday, June 13 from 6pm at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre.

The MAV will also provide a Citizen to Councillor Guide 2024 – a guide for prospective candidates to further understand the roles and responsibilities of a councillor and the importance of this elected position.

Rural city chief executive officer Brendan McGrath said the importance of strong local leadership could not be understated.

“The Rural City of Wangaratta has a proud history of community representation,” he said.

“This representation relies on community leaders to put their hand up and become a candidate.

“I encourage anyone thinking about standing to come along or log in to the session and utilise the resources of the MAV Stand for Council campaign.”

practical skills to create more inclusive spaces.

The Support in Transition workshop is a two-hour session on Thursday, May 23, and will aim to grow knowledge and understanding best practice when supporting carers of trans and gender diverse people.

Both sessions will be held online.

Carers of LGBTQIA+ people are invited to attend a workshop on Sunday, May 26 at the Pride Hub in Textile Ave, Wangaratta, to meet other carers, learn more about caring for an LGBTQIA+ family member, friend and/or neighbour with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or an older person with care needs.

All workshops are free to attend and the project is supported by the Victorian Government and Carers Victoria.

MAV chief executive officer Kelly Grisby said the MAV Stand for Council campaign is designed to encourage and support a diverse range of candidates from across the Victorian community including first nations, and new and emerging communities.

“If you are thinking of nominating for council as a candidate, these sessions and resources will help you to further consider the broad responsibilities of a councillor, the wide range of issues you will be required to make decisions about and the time commitment,” Ms Grigsby said.

sive services for LGBTQIA+ people, and part of that is through increasing the knowledge of LGBTQIA+ communities among local service providers and organisations.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Care, is a 3.5 hour workshop on Monday, May 20, and will aim to provide participants with an introduction to LGBTQIA+ identities, health outcomes and

Further information and registrations can be found at www.linewangaratta.org/upcoming-events.

For more information about LINE Wangaratta visit www.linewangaratta.org or www.facebook.com/linewangaratta/.

To register for the information session visit, https://mavevents. cventevents.com/event/ SFCInformationSessions/ register, and to learn more about MAV visit https:// www.mav.asn.au/standfor-council-2024.

ORGANISATIONAL INCLUSIVENESS: LINE Wangaratta executive officer Allison Winters (left) encourages organisations to register for the Caring for our Rainbow Carers project. Pictured also are Elena Sewell-Dolphin (centre) and Rhys Lok. 1PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

CLEAN CUT: The Cheshunt memorial tree honouring two local nurses has been cut down and is in the process of being replaced at its Cheshunt Hall location.

SISTER DOROTHY GWENDOLINE ‘BUD’ ELMES

SISTER CAROLINE MARY ENNIS

Club says farewell with afternoon tea

WAREENA Park Bowls Club marked its departure from its longtime home base with a farewell afternoon tea on Tuesday.

Life members Marie Hume, Ellie Black and Gwen Elward were among about 40 people who gathered for the event at the clubrooms at Wareena Park.

The club, which began as Wangaratta City Ladies Bowls Club in 1969 before becoming a mixed club in 2010, has

confronted falling membership numbers and rising costs by deciding to depart Wareena Park.

Most of its remaining members have joined up at Wangaratta Bowls Club, but Wareena Park will retain its pennant team and bowl under the club’s name for at least the next 12 months.

Club president/secretary Neil Reid said it was positive that the club would retain some of its identity.

“We had to decide whether to disband completely or try to

keep the team together by going to Wangaratta Bowls Club and fielding our own pennant team; at the end of the day, optimism prevails,” he said.

A garage sale offering remaining items from the clubhouse is planned for late May, while Rural City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan said at this stage council officers were looking at options for the bowling club building and facilities.

• Walter Brett, Joan Lamb and Jim Lamb.

• David Williams, Greg Stevens and Jenny Stevens.

• Jessie McQuade and Heather Prentice.

• Greenskeeper Trevor Prentice and treasurer Terry Kirby.

Lola Clarke, Fiona Beck, Ivan Shortis, Rosemary Forster and Gizella Tahin. PHOTOS: Simone Kerwin

• Marie Hume and Ellie Black, both life members of the club, with Heather Payne.

• Dawn Fox and club life member Gwen Elward.

• Heather Renkin, Peggy Ritchie and Jan Creed.

• Kath Bourke, Maureen Walker and John Hall.

• Faye Rowe and Marlene Thompson.

By SIMONE KERWIN

Writers to beam into Wangaratta

By SIMONE KERWIN

THIS month offers a feast of entertainment for local lovers of words, who will be able to hear writers of the calibre of Trent Dalton, Julia Baird, Leigh Sales and Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Than Nguyen speak about their work - all for free.

It’s happening as part of the 2024 Sydney Writers Festival’s Live & Local program, which will see selected events livestreamed to the Wangaratta Library on May 23, 24 and 25.

Australia’s largest celebration of books and ideas, the Sydney Writers’ Festival

brings together the world’s finest authors and esteemed thinkers for insightful and exhilarating conversations and discussions.

The Live & Local program offers a livestream of festival sessions to libraries and community centres across regional Australia to share directly with their audiences.

Locally, the sessions will be held in the community room at the Wangaratta Library; all events are free and bookings are not required.

Sessions on Thursday, May 23 will begin at 10am with Julia Baird speaking about her new book, ‘Bright Shining’.

Successful launch for 2024 Petite Miniature Textiles exhibition

By JORDAN DUURSMA

POPULAR Petite Miniature Textiles exhibition had a successful launch on Friday, with more than 80 people coming along to view the works at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

The exhibition was opened by Tara Whalley, Melbourne based fashion and textile designer and artist who has family connections to Wangaratta.

Ms Whalley spoke about the artists’ work, inspiration and practice and wore her very own Wangaratta collection pieces.

Gallery director Rachel Arndt said the opening was fabulous and the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive.

“We received so many compliments about the exhibition design, the selection of artists and the works themselves,” she said.

“People described the exhibition as inspirational, loving the way the show is hung and the exhibition design.

“The bold graphic shapes painted behind each work really succeed in anchoring the works into a cohesive whole.

“Viewers were fascinated by the techniques, materials and stories.”

Ms Arndt said she’s delighted to see the exhibition come together and thankful to the artists and co-curator Susie Losch.

“I’ve learnt so much throughout the whole process,” she said.

“I think we’ve successfully shown how diverse, innovative and extraordinary miniature textiles can be.”

The Creation Station with the Mini Future City Landscapes activity designed by Inga Hanover was incredibly popular.

The gallery has had three school visits and many kids come in to create their own landscape in response to works in the Petite exhibition.

Julie Monro-Allison’s artist talk was also supported by a large number of the community.

The exhibition is open to the public at the Wangaratta Art Gallery until Sunday, June 23.

Viet Thanh Nguyen follows at 12 noon speaking about his memoir, ‘A Man of Two Faces’, then Suzie Miller takes centre stage from 2pm to discuss the adaptation of her play, ‘Prima Facie’ into a novel and screenplay.

At 4pm, Julian Borger will discuss his memoir, ‘I Seek a Kind Person’, and from 6pm young adult and fantasy fans will enjoy the ‘Fantastical Worlds’ session with authors Garth Nix, Shelley ParkerChan, Samantha Shannon and Aimee Lindorff

On Friday, May 24 from 10am, philosopher AC Grayling will speak about The

Meaning of Life in a Technological Age, followed at 12 noon by a session titled The War on Journalists featuring Julian Borger, John Lyons, Alisa Sopova, Anastasia TaylorLind and Hamish Macdonald.

From 2pm, Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah will speak about his book, ‘Afterlives’, and the Friday sessions will wind down with 4pm’s Feminist Firebrands, featuring Hannah Ferguson, Sisonke Msimang, Jennifer Robinson and Jo Dyer.

Saturday, May 25 will see Celeste Ng kick off proceedings from 10am speaking about her book, ‘Our Missing

Hearts’, while popular author Trent Dalton will speak about his work in a session titled From Eli to Lola, beginning at 12 noon.

From 2pm on the Saturday, journalists and friends Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar will be in conversation about nonfiction writing.

Wangaratta Library coordinator Loueen Twyford encouraged locals to come along to any or all the sessions they choose in the community room, and soak up the offerings of the writers’ festival.

For more information, phone the library on 5721 2366.

FROM ELI TO LOLA: Author Trent Dalton’s Sydney Writers Festival address will be livestreamed to the Wangaratta Library this month. PHOTO: David Kelly

ARTISTSIC INSPIRATION: Melbourne based fashion and textile designer and artist Tara Whalley opening the exhibition.

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

Lost sense of time proves costly

A WANGARATTA man in his 60s has been told to be more vigilant around the time of day after breaching a family intervention order.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Victoria Lennon told Wangaratta Magistrate’s Court on Monday that police were called to a

Wangaratta property at 11:30pm on March 31, as an argument had boiled over around lost jewellery.

The affected family member (AFM) locked herself in her car as the defendant refused to leave her property and begun knocking repeatedly on her car window.

Sen Const Lennon said the defendant was “pugnacious” when being questioned by police.

Magistrate Ian Watkins said the relationship had been the cause of multiple matters heard before the court.

Police arrived to find the man sitting on the balcony of the victim’s property and arrested him.

Defence lawyer Geoff Clancy said his client had been diagnosed with a brain injury after a fall from a ladder six months ago.

Oh baby, we’re glad you’re finally home

Friday, May 9, 2014

BY SIMONE KERWIN

THREE months after his dramatic arrival into the world, baby Mason Ryan is finally able to enjoy a cuddle on the couch at home with his mum.

And for her first Mother’s Day, Wangaratta woman Jaime Ryan couldn’t think of a better gift.

“I said to (partner) Matt, if we get this boy home, I don’t need anything – for Mother’s Day, birthday, Christmas, anything, just as long as he’s well,” Jaime said.

Mason was born nine weeks early, on February 10, after Jaime was flown to Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital when complications were detected.

The young parents prepared for a low birthweight and a stay in the hospital’s special care nursery.

But Mason was born with hydrops fetalis, a build-up of fluid in his abdomen and chest.

The condition placed pressure on his heart, and required him to be re-

suscitated on a couple of occasions.

Jaime said hydrops was usually seen as a symptom of another condition, and in Mason’s case it was chylothorax.

Discovered once he began feeding, chylothorax involves a build-up of fluid around the lungs, which left Mason puffy and unable to breathe without assistance.

Despite his tough start, the youngster continued to display his trademark determination.

Treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital saw him gradually improve, and during a Channel Seven interview to promote the Good Friday Appeal, doctors revealed that

The defendant was issued a $390 fine for the breach.

“That’s what losing track of time is going to cost you,” Magistrate Watkins said.

“You’ve got to be very careful with the terms of the order.”

He said his client was called to help find lost jewellery belonging to his AFM and “lost track of time” when he entered her house one hour and 30 minutes past his allocated time of visit listed on the intervention order.

were just always told we had a long journey ahead,” Jaime said.

HOME TOGETHER:

Jaime and Matt Ryan watch over baby son Mason, who arrived home last week after almost three months in hospital.

PHOTO: Luke Plummer

Mason was breathing and feeding well and almost ready to go home –months earlier than Jaime and Matt had expected.

That homecoming happened last Wednesday, and Jaime said she still couldn’t quite believe the family was in Wangaratta together.

“We never had a timeframe, we

“But I spoke to a few people through Facebook (who had babies with the condition), and a lot were in hospital for 150 to 180 days.

“So 79 days seems like nothing.”

Matt, who has spent months travelling between Mason’s hospital room and the family’s Wangaratta home to continue attending work, said the time apart had been difficult but, “That’s just what you do”.

“I do know every pothole between here and Melbourne, though,” he said.

Now weighing in at almost 4kg, average size for his corrected age, Mason is fascinated by his Dad, according to Jaime.

“As soon as Matt walks in, he’ll just watch him,” she said.

“He’s a stickybeak, and a real social butterfly with all the visitors he’s had.”

As far as plans for Mother’s Day, Jaime and Matt have similar plans to most parents of new babies –“Sleep”, Matt said.

See Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks

ONE of Australia’s most awarded, respected and well-known artists, Ross Wilson and his all-star band The Peaceniks, will perform 50 Years of Hits at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, May 10 at 8pm.

The show includes all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites you’d expect, along with the latest offering from an almost six-decade career, tracks from his latest EP and everything in between.

Twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Wilson’s live performances are legendary, with tickets available now at wpacc.com.au.

Community market

THE Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.

There is 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 $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are $15 each with more information via the market’s Facebook page.

Wangaratta Farmers Market

THE Wangaratta Farmers Market runs on the second Saturday of each month and offers a range of local produce.

All the stallholders are located within 100km of Wangaratta and sell locally grown, sourced and made product.

The next market is on Saturday, 11 May at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Gardens.

Comedy classic on stage

By CORAL COOKSLEY

AUDIENCES are set to be hilariously entertained when an amateur production of The Vicar of Dibley hits the stage this weekend.

Beechworth Theatre Company (BTC) performers with some talented youngsters from Beechworth’s Montessori School have been rehearsing for the comedy since earlier this year.

The play based on episodes of the first two series written by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter was adapted from the popular British sitcom series by Richard Curtis and Paul MayhewArcher, with the vicar played by Dawn French.

Set in the fictitious village of Dibley in South East England’s Oxfordshire in the mid-90s from when female Vicars could be ordained, Geraldine Granger arrives to her new position full of enthusiasm and love for her eclectic flock.

With the conservative congregation coming to terms with the appearance of their new female vicar, the play makes its way through Geraldine’s (played by Lyndal Perry) various encounters.

Directing a play for Beechworth Theatre Company for the first time, Kath Buckingham has an in-depth background in acting, singing and directing plays when in Melbourne before a move to

Beechworth two years ago. Kath said the talent of the actors in the BTC play has been exciting.

Performances are being held at the Beechworth Memorial Hall tonight from 7.30pm to 10pm, Saturday, May 11, from 5pm to 7.30pm, and Sunday, May 12 from 2pm to 4.30pm.

The show will also be performed on Saturday, May 18, from 5pm to 7.30pm, and Sunday, May 19 from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or visit www.stickytickets.com.au with a search for the Vicar of Dibley.

Visit www.beechworththeatrecompany.com.au for more information.

Enjoy Future Now exhibition at library

THE Future Now exhibition from the Australian Museum in Sydney is open at the Wangaratta Library.

The exhibition was developed to demonstrate positive solutions for the future and to explore the impacts of climate change through interactive displays.

Take a look into a hopeful future with three dioramas featuring scale models and audio-visual content bringing sustainable landscapes to life and highlighting innovative solutions for tackling the impacts of climate change.

Featuring everything from community gardens to flying taxis, each pod explores how solutions can be applied to your home life or community, and they are on display until June 4.

Bright autumn art exhibition

THE 62nd Annual Autumn Art Exhibition is being held at the Bright Art Gallery and Cultural Centre until May 12.

See a wide range of beautiful paintings, sculptures, ceramics and jewellery by award-winning artists from around Australia, with all artworks for sale. It’s open daily from 10am until 4pm in Mountbatten Avenue and entry is $5.

Janet Leith’s

Melancholia exhibition

WANGARATTA artist Janet Leith will be launching her solo exhibition Melancholia at the Benalla Art Gallery today.

In the exhibition Ms Leith explores the pre-nineteenth century system belief relating to humoral therapy in her art. The exhibition will have its grand opening today at 3pm and will be open until June 23.

ENTERTAINING: Elroy Bos (left), Joe Moran, Greg Clydesdale, Shane Tompkins and Monique Hillenaar with Daniel Kilpatrick and Lyndal Perry (standing) are performing the hilarious comedy The Vicar of Dibley by Beechworth Theatre Company this month.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

Capture the heart and soul of your special day with Kurt

FROM humble beginnings to a dedicated wedding photographer for over 15 years, Kurt Hickling has taken a journey that captures timeless wedding images.

Kurt has been passionate about photography since 1991 and has always been a people person and worked under some of Melbourne’s leading photographers in the wedding industry before creating his own wedding business in 2008.

After winning multiple photography awards in the wedding industry, Kurt has continued to excel and perfect wedding photography with close attention to detail and creative flair.

He has captured weddings at many locations in the northeast from the pristine canvas of the wineries in Rutherglen to the landscape views of Mt Buffalo.

Capturing love stories through the lens of a camera is more than just a job to Kurt, it’s a calling.

With every click of the shutter, Kurt aims to capture the core of your deepest feelings.

He takes a detailed but natural approach to wedding photography, telling your unique love story, with a mix of candid and planned shots, he provides lasting photos that capture the heart and beauty of your special day.

Kurt understands how important a wedding day is and leaves no stone unturned and captures every intimate detail using stunning digital photography that can be reflected for years to come.

He understands from

TIMELESS PHOTOGRAPHY: Kurt Hickling aims to capture your unique love story through his photography.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Photographer

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

IF you think a pictureperfect smile is out of your reach... think again.

Evolve Orthodontics has a clear alternative to traditional braces that can help you achieve a smile to be proud of.

Clear, removable and comfortable, Aligners can transform your smile in just a few months.

The best part is, a new smile doesn’t wash off at the end of the day – you can enjoy it for the rest of your life together.

Book your free, noobligation consultation with the dedicated team at Evolve Orthodontics today to discuss how orthodontic treatment can fit in to your dream wedding plan.

Their treatment coordinators work closely with their specialist orthodontist, to guide you through the initial

treatment process and will be with you every step of the way as you start your journey towards your picture perfect smile.

Your personal treatment coordinator works with you to ensure your treatment and all the events associated are scheduled in a convenient and efficient way.

They will help arrange a payment plan to cover the cost involved and will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed and confident decision.

Evolve Orthodontics use the revolutionary Dental Monitoring technology to make sure your treatment stays on track in the countdown to your big day.

Say yes to the smile of your dreams.

To request a free consultation visit www. evolveorthodontics.com.au.

PERFECT SMILES: Evolve Orthodontists can help you have the perfect smile on your special day.

Make your smile the ‘something’ new on your very special day

Celebrate your love, your way

AS your celebrant, Lesley Sanderson will work with you to create a ceremony that celebrates the magic of your story and truly reflects your love.

To craft the perfect ceremony, you and your celebrant need to connect, you need to be on the same page, because there’s never been another wedding like yours and there never will be again.

So, if you’re looking for a celebrant who will laugh with you, cry with you, celebrate your love with you, and do it your way, do not hesitate to set up a no obligation meeting where you can get together and chat about having your day, your way, with Lesley.

Over the years Lesley has garnered many positive reviews.

Raman and Garry

“Lesley was our celebrant on our wedding day and she was absolutely amazing thanks for such a great service she has been so good and supportive throughout from the beginning till our day and she was so welcoming on the day as well and she allowed us to take photos at her backyard. Thanks for such a great service.”

Daniel and Andrew

“It is impossible to put into words how amazing Lesley was as our celebrant. My husband and I were married in Wandiligong, Lesley ensured that we felt at ease and comfortable throughout the entire planning of our wedding. Going above and beyond Lesley ensured all of our family and friends felt valued and included. Many of

Maddi and Brad

our guests could not get over how amazing she was, we couldn’t have dreamt of a better celebrant.”

“Six months ago, Lesley was outstanding right from the start. From enquiring about our wedding service, through to the prewedding meet up, all communication and especially on our wedding day. We highly recommend Lesley as she listened to our needs and executed them perfectly. She is kind, understanding, accommodating and funny and was the perfect celebrant for our wedding day. She made the whole process so relaxed and easy. We love her.”

To work with Lesley or learn more about her services visit https://www. sandersonscelebrancy.com.au/.

EVERY year new wedding trends emerge and this year it’s all about couples embracing personalisation and innovation into their special day.

Some of the key trends set to make an appearance this winter include:

1. Intimate weddings

People have shifted from big extravagant weddings to the charm of smaller intimate ones.

These kinds of weddings allow for a more personalised guest list and more quality time with all the guests.

They are also more practical for both budget and space.

2. Seasonal styling

Many couples are set to have their wedding decisions and decorations reflect the season the ceremony takes place in.

Decisions including venue, colour scheme, attire and wedding styling will be heavily influenced by the season.

For winter, some trends will include brides ditching the strapless gown in favour of a sleeved silhouette.

3. Retro wedding cakes

Couples are now looking to have fun with their wedding cakes with nods to the past that embrace bold colours, dynamic shapes and quirky designs.

Some possible design choices include heart shapes and layers of ruffled piping.

The wedding cakes will be more than just deserts and will also serve the purpose of being a conversation-starting centrepieces that reflect the couple’s personality.

This year’s wedding trends

4. Technology infused weddings

Technology is making it’s way into the wedding celebrations through livestreams and drones to create digital content.

Couples are also moving away from traditional guests books to digital guest books where guests leave their messages in either video or audio forms.

5. Wedding content creation

Couples are looking towards social media creators to make memorable wedding content for them alongside the traditional photographers.

Many are shifting to this option as it allows for authentic and immediate records of their celebrations.

This trend isn’t only for content creators but also allows for guests to get involved and create their own content. This allows for everyone’s point of view to be seen with all of the candid moments being captured and easily viewable the next day.

Bridal Collection

PERSONALISED CEREMONIES: Celebrate your love in a way that reflects your story with celebrant Lesley Sanderson.

INTIMATE CEREMONIES: More couples are choosing to have smaller weddings so they can spend more time with guests.

Thomas Hogan ward celebrates 50 years of service

MAY 10 represents 50 years since the opening of the Thomas Hogan ward at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW).

The date coincides with International Nurses Day, a worldwide day of recognition of the important care that nurses provide around the globe.

In 1940, Thomas Hogan (one of three brothers from Peechelba) left a large bequest to the Wangaratta hospital, with the estate providing substantial funds each year until 1971.

The funds were put towards building a long-term ward, which opened in 1964 and was later amalgamated with the ground east sub-unit to become the Thomas Hogan Centre in 2005.

The ward continues to provide rehabilitation and geriatric evaluation management and recovery for hundreds of patients each year, many who require a longer stay in hospital.

Mary-Emma Hurley has worked in the Thomas Hogan Centre for eight years and said the multidisciplinary approach of the teams is a major factor in enhancing care for patients.

“Some of our patients are with us for extended periods of time – it could be months – and from their first day in our unit, the teams work together to identify what the patient needs to help them make the best recovery to be in a position to go home,” Mary-Emma said.

“We work closely with patients and their families, and the medical and allied health teams to set achievable goals and everyone comes together to contribute to the development of their care plan.”

As a ward that caters for both acute and sub-acute patients, staff working

in Thomas Hogan Centre often develop a close rapport with patients and their families, with patients sometimes admitted for months while they undertake rehabilitation.

“Our Thomas Hogan Centre is quite

different to other wards, in terms of its environment,” Mary-Emma said.

“Because of the length of stay required for some of our patients, we try to make it as homely as possible and encourage patients to eat at the dining table, watch TV in the

lounge and socialize with other patients.

“It’s wonderful to see patients progress, from potentially not being able to walk, or to eat on their own, to make each steps in recovery and see how far they come.

“If we cross paths in the community and see them back to their more normal routines, that’s really special and satisfying.”

Newer to the Thomas Hogan Centre is enrolled nurse, Cass Foreman, who has been a nurse for two years and working at NHW for 18 months.

“I did my placement here as a student nurse and loved it from the start,” Cass said.

“The team, the work environment, the behind-the-scenes planning is all really interesting and there is a great sense of teamwork.

“When I finished my placement I told the team I would be coming back to work here…. And here I am!

“I love the rapport that we build with patients, because they are often here for longer, and seeing the progress they make.

“It makes me proud to be a nurse, to help a patient feel proud of the progress they have made. And you know they appreciate it so much, and I love that.”

International Nurses Day is Sunday, May 12.

A theme is set each year by the International College of Nursing (ICN), incorporating 130 national nursing associations around the world, which for 2024 is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future.

The economic power of care’ to promote the economic and societal benefits that strategic investment in nursing contributes to healthcare and society as a whole.

The ICN will release an international report on the economic power of care on May 12.

TIME TO CELEBRATE: (Front) Cass Foreman, Nicole Sullivan, Meaghan Asham; (back) Mariya Joy, Letoya Southern, Mary-Emma Hurley from the Thomas Hogan Ward will celebrate the ward’s 50th birthday this Sunday coincidentally on International Nurses Day.

Outstanding “Burrayang”

SIMPLY outstanding water supply on this Ovens River frontage property, situated between Tarrawingee and Everton. A substantial quantity of high reliable Ovens water currently with property negotiable but the Ovens water, Deep Creek, Bore and tanks make this productive farming operation droughtproof.

Modern designed and installed irrigation system of risers, pump and suction all in place and stay with the farm. Summer crops, Autumn watering and/or a Spring finish all options when you have it at your disposal.

Crops in recent years when required in 2019 included summer crops, or stands of Balansia and Rye for exceptional fodder results of hay or silage. Deisel Cummins motor on pump, set on trailer for ease of movement if required.

3 Bedroom home with verandah and shedding, sundry shedding and yards all in place. High exposure, if that’s what you’re after, with the privacy of river flats and superb Remnant Gums over the Deep Creek and down to the sandbars and heavily grazed flats.

15 or more paddocks, from improved

Red loam soils to the Phalaris and Paspallum of the flats. Fishing, Sambar and Fallow Deer as well as your own stock is exciting as it is unique.

17 km to Wangaratta Rural City for shops, hospitals and secondary schools, 5 km to Tarrawingee or Everton for Food or Fuel. Freeway on our doorstep, 125 kms to Ski fields at Hotham and only 263 kms to Melbourne Airport if you want to go international.

Property is superb opportunity to gain River frontage.. Inspections to suit.

Wangaratta branch

76 Reid Street

Open weekdays

9am to 5pm (closed 1pm to 1:45pm)

1300 004 863 humebank.com.au

Classic spacious home in a great central location

PERFECTLY located in Gray Street, occupying a generous 701m2 allotment, this 1950s triple-fronted brick veneer residence provides the perfect foundation for all buyers seeking space and a central location in Wangaratta.

Upon entry, you are greeted with high 9ft ceilings and polished pine floors throughout.

The spacious home offers four generously sized bedrooms accompanied by a separate study or possibly a fifth bedroom.

The fantastic sized primary bedroom offers an ensuite and WIR.

The open plan kitchen, living and dining space features French doors for access to the outdoor entertaining and rear yard.

The home provides a second living space with an adjoining study at the front

of the property filled with an abundance of natural light thanks to its orientation.

The traditional main bathroom offers a full bath and separate shower.

Modern home offering low maintenance living

11A WILLIAMS Road provides the perfect opportunity for someone looking to downsize to a low maintenance property or looking for a great returning investment.

The home consists of two separate living areas, three bedrooms all with built in wardrobes and the main having an ensuite and walk in wardrobe.

Heating and cooling are well catered for with gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling throughout, gas cooktop, electric oven and gas boosted solar hot water service.

Externally there is a concreted outdoor entertaining area, garden beds and the property is on its own title.

WANGARATTA STORE CATTLE SALE

The home is approximately seven years old and is in a great location close to schools, bakery, post office and walking tracks.

THURSDAY 16th MAY 2024 – 9am

* INTERFACED WITH AUCTIONS PLUS *

D & B Scott – Mansfield (CP)

** Herd Dispersal - Property Leased **

Myrrhee Meadow Highlands- Myrrhee ( NUTR)

7 Registered Highland Cows Springing to Highland Bull (to be Preg tested)

4 Highland Bulls 1-3 years

7 Highland Steers 18 months

(** Above cattle will be sold at Completion of store sale. All to be sold Individually **)

GROWN CATTLE

Width Farm - Keithbrook (CP)

25 Angus M/Sex 12-14mths

YOUNG CATTLE

Brewer Pastoral Co- Koetong (ELD)

80 Angus & Angus/Simmental X Steers 7-9 months Sired by Brewer beef bulls, bred out of Banquet, Dunoon, Alpine, Moogenilla Angus & Brewer Pastoral Simmental Angus Cows.

5in1x2 drenched Cydectin P/O 7/4/24 VB Grass fed, Antibiotic free & cross weaned 7 weeks

Barley & Cox “Quartz Hill”- Jindera (ELD)

30 black baldy M/Sex Jarobee blood VB Weaned & Grass fed

20 Angus steers 8-9mths ‘Riga blood’ 5in1x2 VB WND GFO EU

20 Angus heifers 8-9mths ‘Riga blood’

JJ & LE Northey - Myrrhee (AWN)

35 Angus & Angus Cross M/Sex 11-12mths

‘Jade Park Blood’ Weaned

WH, GM & SW Swinburne – Cheshunt (AWN)

25 Angus Heifers 12mths ‘Witherswood & Jarobee Blood’ Weaned

L Fowler – Violet Town (AWN)

20 Angus M/Sex 12mths Weaned

Andrew Watson- Whitfield (CP)

10 Angus steers Black star Angus blood VB GA

10 Angus heifers Black star Angus blood VB GA

Warrick Armstrong - Tatong (CP)

20 Black Baldy M/Sex 9-11mths

JH & TM Parton - Benalla (AWN)

15 Angus M/Sex, 9-10mths ‘Riga Blood’ Weaned

BC & MB Kelly – Creightons Creek (AWN)

15 Angus Steers 12mths ‘Rennylea Blood’ Weaned

NJ Blewett – Myrtleford (AWN)

15 Limousin M/Sex 7-8mths 7in1x2 Moximax

– 10th April ‘Chateau Blood’

MA & BM Ford - Invergordon (AWN)

4 Speckle Park X Steers 12mths Weaned

12 Speckle Park X M/Sex 7-8mths Weaned

R Hughan – Tatong (CP)

12 Hereford M/Sex 9-11mths

RF & VJ Allen – Byawatha (AWN)

12 Angus M/Sex 10-11mths Weaned

M Griffiths – Greta South (AWN)

10 Angus M/Sex 9mths Weaned

M Brennan - Laceby (AWN)

10 Angus Heifers 9-10mths ‘Witherswood Blood’ Weaned

J Pherson - Benalla (CP)

10 Red M/Sex 10-12mths

J Allen – Everton (AWN)

6 Angus/Friesian X Heifers 10-12mths Bucket Reared

Curtis & Stevenson-Upper Ryans Creek (NUTR)

4 Belgian blue x Steers 9mths WEANED

ONLINE CLEARING SALE

475+ Lots A/C: Estate of E.J. Irvine 475+ Lots

Radios, Cameras, Records, Military Goods, Manuals & 4x Ford Falcons

2 LOCATIONS - 1432 & 1697 Goorambat-Thoona Rd, Thoona 3726

VIEWING

Please note: Both locations have accessibility challenges for those with limited mobility. Multiple steep steps. No wheelchair access.

Auctioneers remarks: This is a lifetime of collecting with many rare valves, domestic, police, military & car radios, cameras, photographic equipment, journals & books, bric-a-brac, collectables & sundry items. Attendance to view items highly recommended NB. VIEW FULL LISTING & PHOTOS ONLINE.

Register to bid by scanning the QR code here View photos, T&C’s or download the full catalogue.

Terms: No GST applicable. 5% Buyers Premium, applicable on all goods Goods must be paid and funds cleared prior to collection date. Copy of receipt by authorised person must be shown when collecting items.

OPPORTUNITY ON LIFESTYLE ACREAGE CLOSE TO TOWN

Modest four room Fibro cottage on the edge of Thoona township

• Cottage relocated on site Circa 1980

Power connected, rain water tank and septic system

Potential to connect to Thoona & District town water supply

• One main paddock with some established trees and a small dam Excellent position with Rural City of Wangaratta & Rural City of Benalla

23 Baker St, Wangaratta | Ph: (03) 5722 2663 | garrynash.com.au

Four Bedroom home with the hard work done

SALE BY FIXED DATE – all offers to be submitted by Tuesday 4th June 1pm.

Located in the popular new Baltimore Estate, this 2020 built brick veneer home consists of four bedrooms, two spacious living areas, two bathrooms and double lock up garage with internal access.

Stylish open plan living with the adjoining kitchen offering a seamless flow into the dining, light filled rooms and north facing outdoor entertainment zones are a highlight of this home.

Well-appointed central kitchen with large breakfast bar and 900mm stove/oven cooking appliances. Master suite provides walk in robe and ensuite whilst three further guestrooms are generous in size and fitted with built in robes.

The 4th bedroom offers the option to be used as a perfect study space, the main bathroom features shower and separate bath, gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling-

takes good care of the climate control throughout the home.

Other impressive features include;

• Ceiling fans to 3 of the bedrooms and main living room

• Professionally landscaped and manicured low maintenance native gardens

• 19 panel, 6.55Kw Solar System

• Sunblinds fitted throughout for optimal weather protection

• New Westinghouse dishwasher

• Swann security camera

• Security flywire screens to front and rear doors

• Keyed window locks throughout

• Close proximity to local schools including, Galen college, Wangaratta High School and St Bernards Primary. This immaculate home is move in ready. Contact our office today to book your inspection. Hugh Amery 0487 777 311

House - Saturday 11th May 11:30am - 12pm

| $600,000 - $660,000

| 44 Corncob Blvd,

ThoonaWangaratta BenallaGlenrowan

Joe McKenziePaul ReidHugh AmeryDanial Siperki

Why it is crucial to know the motivations of the vendor

AS a buyer, the one person you really need to convince to accept your offer is, simply, the vendor.

This is the individual, or possibly a group, that will officially say yes or no to the price you have suggested you’ll pay for their home and the terms that you have presented to them.

Each vendor is likely selling for a different reason.

Some will be simply looking to move on, possibly tentatively seeing if their home will sell so they can upgrade.

Others will be needing to sell due to a change in circumstances or even a move overseas or to a different place.

For this reason, the mindset and motivations of the vendor are crucial for you to understand to determine three things:

1. How much to offer

2. How hard to push

3. What terms to include

Vendor motivations

Remember that a vendor has a financial and emotional stake in their home and reasons for selling will vary.

The big question is what this reason for selling is. Real estate transactions can be stressful and expensive.

Undertaking a sale is not something that a vendor enters into easily.

If they need to sell the home quickly, they may opt for a shorter settlement and a lower price. Meanwhile, others may actually want a longer settlement.

How to contact the vendor

Most commonly, the vendor’s agent will be the way you communicate to the vendor and will know their circumstances. It is worth asking them the following queries:

• Why is the vendor selling? Is this a deceased estate?

• What settlement terms does the vendor desire?

• Can you describe the ideal outcome for the vendor?

• How long has the home been on the market?

• Do they have another property lined up?

• How motivated are they to sell?

• Have there been any reductions in price already?

Some vendors will be more open to negotiation than others.

However, this may be due to personality or some other factor.

On its own this isn’t necessarily an indicator of motivation.

There is a limit to what the real estate agent can tell you and, remember, they act on behalf of the vendor and so are likely to present information that is more positive about them.

Things to look out for

Look to see if there is furniture in the home, and consider looking for rental records - perhaps this hasn’t been their primary place of residence for a period of time.

If the property is actually a rental home, and the owner is an investor, then that may also be a clue as to their perspective.

It’s worth knowing whether it was used as a holiday home or for some other purpose.

Sometimes real estate agents will let you know some of these details in their advertisement or in their usual spiel about the home.

They may be downgrading due to

Most commonly, the vendor’s agent will be the way you communicate to the vendor and will know their circumstances.

children moving out of home and they may have already moved overseas.

If your offer is knocked back, remember that price isn’t the only factor.

Do ask the agent why the buyer didn’t accept the offer as you could adjust your terms in a way that they might be more interested in.

While common ground may not always be possible and their expectations could simply be beyond your range, you may find that you are not far off of what they want to achieve.

It’s worth knowing if the seller is facing a loss on the purchase.

You can usually find this out by searching on portals offering sales history of houses. When was it last purchased and for how much? Have they been dropping the asking rent? Sometimes, these records can fill in the blanks.

They can also be useful for determining whether there have been any discounts already that may suggest an increasing desire to sell the home.

While a price drop or falling rent can indicate why a homeowner or investor may be selling, it can also be worth ensuring that the reason isn’t the property itself or the area.

Have a look and see how many other properties on the street are selling.

Consider council plans near the home and any upcoming developments or changes that may affect the home’s value.

The owner may be trying to sell before a price drop.

Tip: Bear in mind that most vendors have an emotional connection with the home and you don’t always want to make negative comments about that the agent can pass on to the seller to put them on the defensive.

However, it sometimes doesn’t pay to seem too enthusiastic for the same reason.

Being genuine, but explaining that you have a number of considerations, is usually the best option when asking about the vendor and the home.

Audi Q5 drives up to the auto holy grail

■ HOLY GRAIL: The Audi Q5 has outstanding performance coupled with miserly fuel consumption.

By DEREK OGDEN, Marque Motoring

COULD it be that auto giant Audi has grasped the holy grail of the industry with its most popular vehicle, the Q5?

The most desirable, yet elusive, automotive properties claimed by the Q5 plug-in petrol/electric hybrid, outstanding performance coupled with miserly fuel consumption, stand as the chalice of Arthurian legend.

The new Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line showcases the manufacturer’s expertise in electrification and highly efficient internal combustion engine technology with a claimed sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a sizzling 5.3 seconds, while, on average, sipping a mere 2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

The upgraded vehicle comes to market in a choice of SUV or Sportback styling, starting from $102,900 and $110,200, respectively, without on-road costs.

Metallic paint adds $1990 to the price; twenty-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels are a no-cost option.

On test was the latter at $112,190.

Like all new Audis in Australia the Q5 55 TFSI e is covered by the maker’s five-year unlimited kilometre and 12-year body corrosion warranties.

The battery is guaranteed for eight years.

STYLING

The Q5 PHEV takes on the robust character of the standard Q5, which is enhanced

by the inclusion of the S line features including S front and rear bumpers and grille, plus tailgate spoiler.

The Sportback is upgraded from the SUV by headlamps with LED Matrix lights, with washers, and dynamic front and rear indicators.

Twenty-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels have a part polished finished which goes to showing off red painted brake calipers.

Optional roof rails on Sportback feature electronic stability control detection, which adjusts ESC when heavy loads are carried on the roof altering the vehicle’s centre of gravity.

INTERIOR

Welcoming up to five occupants, Nappa leather wrapped seating, with diamond stitching, up front is power adjustable, heated and with four-way lumbar support.

The driver’s side boasts memory function.

Sliding rear seats have 40:20:40 separation and the three-zone climate control aircon has its own display back there.

The mood can be subtly altered with one of 30 shades of ambient lighting.

With seat backs in place there is 460 litres of boot space, extending to 1400 litres with the backs folded.

The 14.4kWh battery is stored under the luggage compartment.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS

works with an electric motor to put out a combined 270 kW and 500 Nm, which is fed to the road through a sevenspeed dual clutch automatic transmission and Audi quattro all-wheel drive.

A 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the rear cargo area, can be fuelled up to 7.2 kW AC for a full charge in around two-and-a-half hours.

The vehicle is supplied with all charging gear, including 240V three-pin standard plug, 230V 32 Amp industrial plug and wall bracket mount, plus a Type 2 cable for use at public charging stations.

SAFETY

The Audi Q5 range initially received a five-star ANCAP rating, which ran out in January, not that safety is now second class.

Passive features include eight airbags, dual front, dual front-side, dual curtain and dual rear-side.

Active safety includes autonomous emergency braking (up to 85 km/h) with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring (side assist), collision avoidance assist, exit warning, automatic high-beam, hill descent control, lane-keep assist, rear crosstraffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, turn and swerve assist, predictive efficiency assistant, driver attention monitoring, plus rear-view camera and active bonnet.

Parking is given a wider perspective thanks to 360-degree cameras, plus park assist, hold assist and hill descent control.

DRIVING

Unlike other ICE / electric motor hybrids, which generally make all the decisions about power generation, the Q5 55 TFSI e gives the driver a greater input into how the two sources combine by choosing one of four operating modes via the touchscreen.

Hybrid mode operates automatically through the route guidance in the navigation system and can be also selected manually.

Here the battery charge is optimally distributed across the route to maintain minimum fuel consumption.

In stop / start traffic the Q5 Sportback e quattro runs mainly on battery power based on a large amount of data from on-board sensors.

On the open road, when the driver releases the accelerator engine management decides whether to coast with the engine off or use power regen to convert into electrical energy.

All these functions are switched on and off with the minimum effect on the driving performance, the rare engine note in no way being a negative intrusion to cabin occupants.

A further three modes are at the driver’s fingertips.

In EV mode – the default setting whenever the car is started, the car is powered by electricity alone, so long as the driver does not depress the accelerator pedal past a certain variable pressure point.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE: AUDI Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line $102,900

AUDI Q5 SPORTBACK 55 TFSI e quattro S line $110,200

OPTION: metallic paint $1990

NOTE: This price does not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for driveaway prices.

The Sportback can run as far as 53 km up to 135 km/h on the emission-free electric motor alone.

In Hold mode, battery capacity is held at the current level.

In Charge mode, the drive management system the increases the energy in the battery using the internal combustion engine.

As it does during regeneration, the electric motor charges the drive battery.

SUMMARY

The Audi Q5 Sportback 55 TFSI e quattro S line?

In a word, impressive.

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 9/10

Safety: 7/10

Thirst:7/10

Practicality: 8/10

Comfort: 8/10

Tech: 8/10

Value: 6/10

SPECIFICATIONS (Audi Q5 Sportback 55 TFSI 2.0 L 4-cyl turbocharged petrol, electric motor, 7-spd automatic, quattro AWD)

Wangaratta Primary

STUDENTS from Wangaratta Primary School eagerly anticipated Crazy Hair Day, an annual event filled with vibrant creativity and boundless imagination.

Crazy Hair Day

Excitement buzzed through the hallways as children arrived adorned with fantastical hairstyles defying gravity and conventional norms.

Some sported rainbow-coloured mohawks, while others showcased intricate braids interwoven with glittering beads and ribbons.

Pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and even toy surfboarders found their way into students’ hair, transforming ordinary locks into wild, whimsical masterpieces.

The schoolyard became a kaleidoscope of colours and textures, each hairstyle a testament to the students’ (or parents) boundless creativity and willingness to embrace the unconventional.

Crazy Hair Day wasn’t just about wild hairstyles; it was about fostering a sense of community and celebrating individuality.

It was a day where uniqueness reigned supreme, reminding everyone that sometimes, a little bit of craziness is just what’s needed to brighten the day.

MAD:

Carraragarmungee Primary School

CARRARAGARMUNGEE has recently received their ropes and resources and have gone skipping mad.

Students from prep to year six have been supporting each other through learning new tricks and challenges.

They are looking forward to developing their fitness and motor skills while raising money for a good cause.

Open morning

LAST Friday and Saturday morning Appin Park opened the school for prospective Foundation students and their families.

It’s the time of year where new families like to see and feel what the school and classroom might offer to their child, before making decisions. Families were able to explore

Appin Park Primary School

some of the activities offered to Foundation students early on in their time at school, especially with the play-based activities.

A big part of the first term for the younger students is developing their personal and social capabilities, working on social skills, and getting them into a routine where they can explore their imagination

and develop connections and friendships through a variety of hands-on activities.

Having a child who is relaxed and wanting to come to school will give them a great start for their learning.

Don’t hesitate to contact the school if you missed this opportunity and would like to have a tour.

Wangaratta West Primary

STUDENTS from grade three have been focusing on ‘All about Australia’ for their mentor text unit.

Students are currently writing postcards to relatives sharing their adventures and stories about where they have been, including the vibrant culture, unique wildlife, and stunning landscapes they’ve encountered.

Cathedral College

SENIOR school students had the pleasure of having psychologist Andrew Fuller run workshops on April 30. He explored the mysteries of the brain and the thought processes we all experience.

1What is the largest confirmed crater in the Solar System? Is it a) the Utopia basin on Mars, b) the Caloris crater on Mercury, c) the Mordor basin on Pluto’s moon Charon, or d) the Chicxulub crater on Earth?

3In 2016, scientists announced that something was happening to the ozone hole over the Antarctic. Was it a) growing, b) healing, c) moving towards Australia, or d) causing radio interference?

4Which element makes up most of the weight of polystyrene? Is it a) carbon, b) nitrogen, c) aluminium, or d) hydrogen?

5What is the name for the region around a black hole that nothing can escape from? Is it a) the event horizon, b) the black zone, c) the bleeding edge, or d) the vacuum point?

VIBRANT CULTURE: Aiden Simsen and Angus Renshaw are some of the students who have been learning about Australia.

BRAIN MYSTERIES: Cathedral college students Riley Robinson and James Wilkinson attended the psychology workshops run by Andrew Fuller

NEW STYLES: Enjoying Crazy Hair Day at Wangaratta Primary were: (back, from left) Ryan VanDerPoel, Harlow Muratore, Darcy Wheeler, Chelsea Wallace, Vihas Wasala, Khalil Gabriel; (front, from left) Gemma Flanagan, Morgan Hope, Olive Brown and Maya Blackall.

OPEN DAY: Hudson Leslie, along with his parents Tim and Jordan, and younger sister Willow enjoyed sampling some of the activities in the Foundation Room at Appin Park.

SKIPPING

Sadie Pye and Tanner Richardson have been practicing their jump rope skills.

Rural City Connection

Have your say

Municipal Early Years Plan - Community Survey

This survey is designed to gather insights and opinions from residents regarding the future direction of early childhood services in Wangaratta. Your feedback will help us understand the needs and priorities of families with young children, ensuring that our services are tailored to meet those needs effectively. Submissions close Friday 31 May

https://bit.ly/4cYqHyD

Draft Budget 24/25

The 2024/25 Draft Budget has now been published, and Council is seeking community engagement and feedback. The 2024/25 Draft Budget outlines the resources required to deliver the Council Plan strategic objectives and includes a fouryear budget forecast. Copies of all documents are available on our website or from the Wangaratta Government Centre, during office hours. Visit Connect Wangaratta to make a submission https://connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ Submissions will be received up to 5.00pm on Wednesday 5 June.

Affordable Housing Strategy

Council has developed an Affordable Housing Strategy which aims to see an increase in the supply of social, affordable, and key worker housing in the city. Council is now seeking feedback on the Strategy. You can make submission in writing or via the online engagement portal Connect Wangaratta https://connect. wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ For more information visit our website or come along to a drop-in session at the Wangaratta Library Wednesday 15 May 4.30pm to 5.30 pm, Thursday 30 May 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Submissions close Monday 3 June.

Have your say

Shape our Masterplan - WSAC Survey

The Wangaratta Sport and Aquatic Centre is developing a Masterplan and invites community members to contribute through an online survey. The Masterplan will ensure the facility reflects the needs of its members and wider community for generations to come. Current and past users of WSAC, as well as those who have never visited the facility, are all encouraged to participate. Submissions close Friday 17 May https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WSACMasterplan

Event Space for Hire

Did you know that you can hire space at the Digital Hub?

They have a conference room with camera and TV display for Teams/Zoom meetings and presentations, a kitchenette and lounge for breaks, plus co-working desks, PCs, MACs, and iPads for use. They are open to bookings from all organisations and groups, whether you need the full site or just a table. For more details visit https://www.wangarattadigitalhub.com.au/

Kindergarten Open Day

Come along to the Kindergarten Open Day to meet the kinder teachers and learn more about our services. See how we can provide a great place for your children to grow!

Please feel free to bring children along for a play. Wednesday 15 May | 9am – 10.30am | 1 Handley Street. For more information call 03 5721 7879

Community Grants Opening Soon

Ready, set, go! The annual Community Grants Program is opening soon. The Program empowers organisations dedicated to making a positive impact within our community. Applications open 15 May and close on 2 July 2024. If you are not sure how to get started on your application or would like to discuss your project, Council Officers will be available to chat at the sessions listed on the Community Grants page on our website.

Local Shop Hop

Each month we are showcasing the cool, quirky, and unique shopping spots across our region. From April to November 2024, residents and visitors alike are invited to explore our charming townships for a chance to win some awesome prizes. Remember to scan the QR code at point of purchase, and you’re in! This month we are highlighting Milawa. More info here: https://bit.ly/3IZq8Xy

The Rural City of Wangaratta is inviting expressions of interest (EOI) to lease the Wangaratta Aerodrome terminal building.

The Wangaratta aerodrome is located within a short distance of the CBD and close to the Hume Freeway. The terminal building presents an opportunity to extend the aviation industry within Wangaratta and to grow the vision for the aerodrome. For more information or for a copy of the information booklet and registration form, please email economicdevelopment@wangaratta.vic.gov.au EOI Closes: Thursday 13 June, 5pm

37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677

WHENTO BOOK BYEMAIL

BIG GARAGE SALE , Saturday, May 11, 9am-1pm, 41 Halls Road, Goorambat. Cash only. To Visit Visited

ANGUS Bulls, very quiet, great EBV’s. Murramungee Angus Stud, visit mmas.com. au or phone Howard on 0429 809 288.

LAND FOR LEASE BY TENDER UPPER RYANS CREEK

271 ac cleared country + access to 130 ac of bush & creek country 2 sets of cattle yards

Commencing – 1st June 2024

Term – 3 years with Option of additional 3 years

Open for inspection

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 3-4pm

Tenders closing 4pm Thursday, May 23, 2024 Tender forms and any information

AGENT DETAILS

Daniel Fischer 0429 165 073

daniel.fischer@nutrien.com.au NutrienAgSolutions.com.au

HOME being emptied for sale, everything cheap or free, kitchen goods, gardening, antiques, furniture, electronics, battery mower, fridge, LG washing machine (barely used), walkers, too much to list. Saturday, May 11, 7am-1pm, 9 Taylor Street, Wangaratta.

HOUSEHOLD clearance, lots of bargains and free items, all must go! Saturday, May 11, 8am - 12 noon, 134 Wangandary Road, Waldara.

HOUSEHOLD furniture including lounge suite, dining table with 6 chairs, dresser with mirror and lots more. Saturday, May 11 from 9am, 17 Brien Crescent, Wangaratta. HOUSEHOLD goods, furniture, garden hanging baskets and pot plants, tools and shed equipment. Saturday, May 11, 8am, 15 Wenhams Lane, Wangaratta.

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

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 or phone 0413 660 636.

DOG TRAINER, Frank Vickers behavioural solutions. Ph 0418 314 610.

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL. Ph 0466 897 315.

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

PAINTER, old school, for all your painting needs, commercial, industrial renovations. Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

WHEELER Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.

Accounts & Office Manager

North East Media and Group Companies

Full Time

North East Media and associated companies are looking for an experienced accounts and office manager to bring their expertise into play in a role that is pivotal to our success.

If you are looking to be a part of a company that values your skills and offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team then this role would be ideal for you.

Key Responsibilities:

Overseeing financial management, billing, payroll and accounts payable/receivable.

Managing the administration operations of the media business, including workflow management, resource allocation, and staff supervision.

Implementing and maintaining efficient office systems and procedures to enhance productivity and quality improvement processes.

Providing leadership and guidance to the team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Requirements:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in accounts and administration.

Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients and colleagues.

Intermediate to Advance Level in the Microsoft suite of products (Outlook, Word and Excel).

Experience in accounting systems such as Xero or MYOB.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience to: Edward Higgins CEO North East Media Pty Ltd ehiggins@nemedia.com.au

BATTIN, John.

Lifelong friend of Sergio and Marjorie Sartori and family. Fond memories of good times shared. Condolences to the Battin family. RIP

FINCH (nee Nanson), Mary Patricia. 15/8/1950 - 4/5/2024 (Late of Wangaratta) Passed away peacefully at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Aged 73 years.

Loved and loving wife of Peter (married 53 years). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Andrew (dec), Leanne, Tracey and David (Payne). “A wonderful, dedicated and caring person”

SEWELL, Christine.

“Mother Sewell”.

Deepest condolences to Alistair, Mercia, Olivia and family. So sad to hear of the passing of Mrs Sewell, a true friend, work colleague and wonderful Mum. You were a surrogate mother to many at work through the years and luckily for me I was one of them.

Thank you, you will be truly missed. ~ Paul Schulze and family.

SQUIRES,

Mervyn Leonard “Merv”.

15/9/1932 to 8/5/2024

Late of Wangaratta, previously from Bendigo.

Son of the late Leonard and Elsie Squires. Brother to Norma (dec).

Devoted husband to Valerie (dec) for almost 65 years.

Much loved father and father-in-law to Margaret and Chris, Geoffrey and Pam and Lynette and Brendon.

your car, boat, caravan, bike or trailer across all North East Media newspapersfor Conditions apply.

5723 0101 email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

HONDA Accord Euro sedan 2005, red, auto, one owner, regularly serviced, runs well, reg (TNC309), no RWC, straight, 466,686km, Whitfield, $1800 ono. Ph 0447 526 403.

for sale, good dry hardwood

FINCH (nee Nanson), Mary.

15/8/1950 – 4/5/2024

Dearly loved sister of Michael. Sister-in-law of Sally. Cherished Aunty of Anthony, Joanne, Christine and families. Beautiful, caring and cherished lady.

gel coat, t otally refur bished, new transom, GPS, Sounder, $10,500. Ph 0407 161 665.

m , Mo nday, Tue s day, Wedne s day , 44 N ewman S t r eet , Wangaratta. Ph 0428 257 221, Adzam Tyres.

GREENWOOD,

Don.

The Committee and Members of Wangaratta West Combined Probus Club are saddened by the passing of Don, who was one of our highly esteemed and loved Founder Members.

Loved grandpa to David and Moira, Matthew and Ainslee, Katelyn, Emma, Annie, Thomas, Philip, Nicole and Eliza. Great grandpa to Elenor.

Special thanks to the amazing staff at McDonald House, St Johns Wangaratta for their wonderful care.

Reunited with mum.

Forever Remembered

With our deepest sympathy to Betty and the family.

O’CONNOR, Rose Josephine.

12/1/1935 - 5/5/2024

Loved wife of Ronald (dec).

Dearly loved mother of Anthony, James, Paul (dec), David, Philip, Andrew, Christopher (dec), Mark and Margaret and their partners. Adored grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 10. Remembered with love.

PARTRIDGE, Brian.

23/12/1934 - 6/5/2024

Brian passed away peacefully at Northeast Health Wangaratta. Beloved husband of Jill (dec). Devoted father to Anne Partridge and Jim Bowden, Leonie Partridge and Poppy to Olivia Briggs. In our hearts you will always stay, Loved and remembered every day. Privately memorialised.

FINCH

Funeral prayers for Mrs Mary Patricia Finch will be offered at the N J Todd Funeral Home, 81 Baddaginnie-Benalla Road, Benalla on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 commencing at 11am. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of prayers for burial at the Benalla Lawn Cemetery. To livestream funeral, go to the N J Todd Website and follow the Links.

N.J. TODD

Member AFDA

BENALLA (03) 5762 2461

EUROA 1800 352 425

O’CONNOR

Funeral prayers to honour the life of Rose O’Connor will be held at North East Funerals, Bell Room, 184 Greta Road, Wangaratta commencing at 11am on Thursday, May 16, 2024 followed by interment at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery 12.30pm.

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

SEWELL

A service to celebrate the life of Christine is being held TODAY at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1 Ford Street, Wangaratta commencing at 2pm, followed by interment at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

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

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

SQUIRES

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr Mervyn Leonard “Merv” Squires will be held in the Wangaratta Uniting Church, 10 Rowan Street, Wangaratta on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 1pm.

A private cremation will have preceded the service.

In lieu of flowers a donation in memory of Merv to The Heart Foundation can be made online at www.heartfoundation.org.au/

Merv’s service can be viewed via livestream at www.masonpark.com.au /live-streaming/

HOLMES, Chris.

Kath, Bernie, Therese, Paul, Jamie, Helen and Allison sincerely thank everyone for their cards, flowers, food, phone calls and support for the loss of their son and brother Chris Holmes on April 10, 2024. We did appreciate all the support.

BEREAVEMENT THANKS IN MEMORIAM

O’CONNOR, Chris. 14/2/1948 – 13/5/2022

In loving memory of my beautiful brother Chris.

Thinking of you and missing you always ~ Love Margie.

Remember your loved one in a lasting way The memory of a much loved family member or friend can live on through a donation to your local health service - Northeast Health Wangaratta. Your memorial donation can assist in securing the continued availability of comprehensive health care locally. The bereaved family will be notified of your memorial gift according to your wishes and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation. For further information or to make a donation please contact: Community Engagement Team (03) 5722 5069 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.

Copies of photographs taken by our staff at North East Media Pty. Ltd. are available for sale, and can be ordered through the mail or at our office in Rowan Street, Wangaratta. Phone 57230 100 for more information.

WANGARATTA Chronicle photographers Melissa Beattie and Marc Bongers made their way to O&M and O&K netball on Saturday to capture some action. Photographs can be purchased at the Chronicle.

LARA CORKER

HOLLY McCARTHY

MICAELA LARKINGS

GRACIE REID

ELLIE MILLER

MAYA ACKROYD

KAITLYNNE FROST AND MAYA ACKROYD

SAMI KRELTSZHEIM

BEC KRELTSZHEIM

ELLIE MILLER

JANELLE MOSS HOLLAND

Thrills at Oxley table tennis

By JUNE UEBERGANG

THE action was full-on when 25 players came from here, there, and everywhere to take part in the Oxley social table tennis competition last Monday night.

Undoubtedly there is power in the written word, as after reading weekly reports Brian Bourke, and Gwen Nesbitt who had travelled from Perth, ripped into it when they faced ‘fourwheeled’ Simon Brown and the bloke who knows the game inside and out, Neil Brock.

A great game, with the result going down to the wire.

It was a fierce contest between the ‘hims’ Gary Coad and Jason Mullins, and the ‘hers’ Debbie Brunken and Chery Coad, in a long and loud free-for-all workout.

In the lengthy battle, while scores went point for point until 19 each, Jason and Gary managed to record the win 21-19.

When Manni and Jenni Poulos teamed up against Manni’s brother Theo and ‘full throttle’ Graham Ste-

SCOREBOARD

phens, it was destined to be a corker.

Eye-watering serves, table-edge skirmishes, net cords and swish and miss shots, all contributed to a competitive and enjoyable game for players and spectators alike, with the win snatched by one of the Poulos brothers and partner.

Leaping out of the blocks, Pete and Hugh Spring lined

JUBILEE GOLF CLUB

Ladies’ 18 Hole Stroke

Winner: Alison Comensoli 70.

Ball Winners: Di Murphy (2) On a c/b 72, Carolyn Jeffrey 72, Ros White 73.

NTP: 4th Alison Comensoli, 8th Marion Hunt, 13th Kellie Roberts, 17th Di Murphy.

Saturday, May 4

Men’s First Round Club Champs

A Grade: Thomas Agget 68.

R/U: Greg Rigoni on a c/b from Tristan Heath 74.

B Grade: Tanumafili Nu’u 70.

R/U: Nigel Cooper 73.

C Grade: Alan White 71.

R/U Ian Mills on a c/b from Ben Honeychurch 72.

D Grade: Mark Flack 71.

R/U Matt Sanders on a c/b from Russel Stone 72.

Ball Winners: Russel Stone 72, Ben Honeychurch 72, David O’Connor 72, John Fitzgerald 73, Gary Dinsdale 73, Tristan Heath 74, Glenn O’Connell 74, Jacob Schonafinger 74, Richard Arnold 74, Doug Ritchens 75, Jack Stamp 75, Alex Jones 75, Greg Van Reit 75, Gordon Paterson 75, Robert Voss 75, Gavin Braybrook 75, Laurie Miller 75, Fraser Jeffrey 75, Danny Potter 75, Adam Anderson 75. Super 9 Shirt: David O’connor 23.

Aroma Deli: Laurie Miller 21.

2 Balls: Martin Hill 21.

NTP: 4th Jack Stamp, 8th Gordon Paterson, 13th Joe Marjonovic, 17th Mark Flack.

Monday, May 6

Stableford Vets

A Grade Winner: Pat Ernst 36. B

Grade Winner: Alex Gibbs 39. C Grade Winner: Paul McInerney 36.

Ball Winners: Dave Richards 37, Trevor Nippress 35, Kieth Moorhead 35, Martin VanRhee 34, John Batchelor 33, Michael Monro 33, John Porter 33, Laurie Miller 33, Roger Barker 33, Peter Geldens 33.

NTP: 4th Jimmy Moore, 8th Ian Dinsdale, 13th Dave Richards, 17th Pat Ernst.

Wednesday, May 8

Men’s 18 Hole Par

up against ‘gingerbread man’ Richard Morgan and ‘man about town’ Adam Bosley in a tough-out of huge proportions.

With each pair working in unison with their partner, all bets were off as to which duo would hit the line first.

A great game finished with both pairs winning.

A lively contest was enjoyed by all when Janet

A Grade Winner: Ian Dinsdale +5. B

Grade Winner: Martin Van Rhee +3. C

Grade Winner: Peter Geldens +6

Ball Winners: Angus Williams 2 balls +6, Kelvin Archer +5, Robert Hancock +3, Alex Jones +3, Noel Holmes +2, Jim Moore +2, Adam Anderson +2, John Fitzgerald +1.

NTP: 4th Alex Jones, 8th Pat Ernst, 13th Stan Goldsworthy, 17th Alex Jones.

Wednesday, May 8

Men’s 9 Hole Stableford

A Grade Winner: Joseph Marjanovic Jnr 20. B Grade Winner: Allen Mercer 20.

Ball Winners: Jack Lloyd 2 balls 20, Rhys Rigoni 20, Peter Walker 19. NTP: 4th Greg Rigoni, 8th Greg Rigoni.

WANGARATTA GOLF CLUB

WGC Competitions: Week ending May 5

Tuesday, April 30

Women’s 18 Hole Stroke

Winner: Lorraine Adams 66 Nett. Runner Up: Jacqui Hoggan 67 Nett.

Ball Winners: Sue McCall, Barb Thomas, Dawn Fleet, Glenda Dodson, Candice Jones, Ros Gormly, Judy Brown, Jill Halbwidl.

NTP: 9th Ros Gormly, 11th Lorraine Adams, 13th Jan Hill.

Wednesday, May 1

Men’s Competition

18 Hole Sableford

Winner: Glenn Burns 39 Points.

Runner Up: Matt Nicolosi 37 Points.

Ball Winners: Trevor Trimble, Andy Raison, Matt Fischer, Kurt Schubert, Denis Hill, Russell Wallace, Rod Moyle, Matt Walsh.

NTP: 7th Matthew Walsh, 9th Julian Bau, 11th Glenn Burns, 13th Rod Moyle, 16th Rod Moyle. 9 Hole Stableford

Winner: David Lawson 19 Points.

Runner Up: Graham Whitehead 17 Points.

Thursday, May 2

Heath dived and somersaulted with Erica Pike against ‘back in the harness’ Dianne Feldtman and young goer Phoebe Bosley.

With all strengths on display in their attempt to capitalise on their opponents’ weaknesses, it was a game of cat and mouse, with each desperate to win the cheese.

The noise was deafening, but it was an added ingredi-

Women’s Competition 18 Hole

Stableford

Winner: Glenda Dodson 39 Points.

Runner Up: Carolyn Sullivan 36 Points.

NTP 4th: Glenda Dodson.

Saturday, May 4

May Monthly Medal

A Grade Winner: Trevor Clark 68 C/B Nett. A Grade Runner Up: John Southwell 68 C/B Nett. B Grade Winner: Trevor Trimble 67 Nett. B Grade Runner Up: Jason Oats 69 C/B Nett.

Ball Winners: Neil Membrey, Scott Thomson, Rod Moyle, Matt Fischer, Tom McAtee, Rod Godde, Peter Korteman, Steve Bismire, Dion Ploegmakers, Geoff Davidson

Bill Dodd, Mitch Solimo.

NTP: 4th Steve Bismire, 7th Neil Membrey, 9th Neil Membrey, 11th Scott Thomson, 13th David Ryan, 16th Mitch Solimo.

KFC Birdie: Greg Sullivan.

Subway Birdie: Neil Membrey.

Secret 6: Neil Membrey.

Raffle Winner: Jason McCoy.

Women’s 18 Hole Stableford

Winner: Nora Martin 36 Points.

Runner Up: Sue McCall 35 Points.

NTP: 4th Sue McCall, 9th Glenda Dodson.

Sunday, April 28

Medley 9 & 18 Hole Stableford

18 Hole Winner: Tracey McKinnon 39 Points. Runner Up: Mick Webster 37 Points.

Ball Winners: Neil Membrey, Glen Seymour, Steve Graham.

9 Hole Winner: Belinda Winter 22 Points.

9 Hole Runner Up: Jeremy Winter 15 Points.

TARRA GOLF CLUB

TARRAWINGEE Golf Club results

Saturday, May 4: The May Monthly Medal was played in conjunction with the first round of the club championships with the medal being won by Peter Scoullar 105/33/72.

The daily winner was Mark

Phoebe and Archie pulled the strings.

A game from which everyone took home some plusses was eventually won convincingly by Phoebe and Archie.

After each having played their umpteenth match, Cheryl Coad and Jason Mullins were still hungry for more when they, and Dianne Feldtman and William Bonwick locked horns in another thriller.

Big hits, little hits, lucky shots and complete misses were intertwined in a very even and hotly contested battle of the brave.

No final scores were mentioned, but the smiles on Cheryl and Jason’s faces said it all.

ent to a game won and lost with great enjoyment.

Don Heath drew the short straw when he partnered June Uebergang to play against Phoebe Morgan and the ‘de Minaur’ of table tennis Archie Crispin.

While Don and June unveiled some previously untapped talent, as expected they were often left stranded on the tightrope, while

Nolan on a countback from Angelo Garraffo, both with nett 69.

NTP: 2nd Mark Nolan, 4th Peter Scoullar, 8th Ken Miller.

April monthly awards: Secretary award Mark Nolan, Birdies A. Garraffo, Gobblers. A. Garraffo.

Ladies stroke winner was Andrea Simmons 100/30/ 70, runner up Lynn Barrow nett 72.

NTP: 13th A. Simmons.

Golf to be played Saturday, May 11 will be a stroke round for the second round of the club championships.

Starting times for the cooler months are 11:30am registration for a 12:00noon start, ladies welcome.

New members are always welcome at the Tarrawingee Golf Club by contacting a member or phoning 0428 122 590.

Tarra Ladies

On Tuesday, May 7 the Tarrawingee Ladies played for the May Monthly Medal in conjunction with the the third round of the Club Championships.

The Monthly Medal winner was Lucia Da Pos winning from Andrea Simmons on a countback.

Carole O’Sullivan had the NTP on the 4th.

Lynn Barrow and Andrea Simmons had the same number for the Least Putts competition.

The ladies are starting to prepare for their Annual Tournament which is on June 7.

Entries to Di McLaughlin “laugh@ westnet.com.au”, the field is starting to fill.

WANG TABLE TENNIS

A GRADE:

Plum Digital Hub (Pat Sehgal, Andrew Lindner) def Somerset Comms (Mark Comensoli, Marcus Angerhn). Final rubber score 3-2. Singles matches: A Lindner 2, P Sehgal 1, M Comensoli 1, Doubles: M Comensoli and M Angerhn

N.E. Ag and Industrial (Ash Harding, Ash Wurtz) def Boralma Berkshire ( Austin Lindner, John

An exhilarating and exhausting social and physical night ended with everyone enjoying supper and a natter, and promises of ‘see you next week’.

Adults and secondary students of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the group when it meets every Monday night, beginning at 7pm – BYO bat, $2 entry, and a small plate to share.

Wright). Final rubber score 4-1

Singles matches: A Wurtz 2, A Harding 1, J Wright 1, Doubles: A Harding and A Wurtz.

B Grade:

Nathan Vincent Contracting (John Maletta, Ivano Groom) def Plum Digital Hub (Steve Picken, Ron Divinagracia). Final rubber score 4-1.

Singles matches: J Maletta 2, I Groom 2. Doubles: S Picken and R Divinagracia.

N.E. Ag and Industrial (Ken Parker, James Loughnan) def Boralma Berkshire (Dave Hudson, Robert Voss). Final rubber score: 3-2. Singles matches: K Parker 2, D Hudson 1, R Voss 1. Doubles: K Parker and J Loughnan.

C Grade:

Plum Digital (Maxine Miller, Ted Tatulaschwili) def N.E. Ag and Industrial (Klaus Kazenwadel, Julie Lindner). Final rubber score 4-1

Singles matches: T Tatulaschwili 2, M Miller 1, K Kazenwadel 1. Doubles: M Miller and T Tatulaschwili.

Brownles Builders (Phil Fitzgerald, T Oliver) def N.V.C. (Andrew Higgins, Michelle Bowd). Final rubber score 3-2.

Singles Matches: A Higgins 2, T Oliver 1, P Fitzgerald 1. Doubles: T Oliver and P Fitzgerald.

D Grade:

Boralma Berkshire (Reggie Kanaskar, Jessie Hughes) def N.E. Ag and Industrial (John Ngiam, Stephen Alger). Final rubber score 3-2.

Singles matches: R Kanaskar 2, J Ngiam 1, S Alger 1, Doubles: J Hughes and R Kanaskar.

Plum Digital Hub (Renee McCarthy, Seth Knox) def N.V.C. (Paul Hughes, Matt Curran). Final rubber score 3-2.

Singles matches: S Knox 2, R McCarthy 1, M Curran 1. Doubles: P Hughes and M Curran.

The top four teams in each grade now play off in the semi-finals. The shed will be open from 6pm each Wednesday. Enquiries Tom Brown (Club President 0429 809 927.

The Pack sur vives survives

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

THEY’VE endured COVID woes, a change of home ground, and a host of other setbacks, but The Wolfpack Rugby League Football Club is still standing and thriving.

The Wolfpack will host their first home games in the Goulburn Murray Storm Premiership competition for years this Sunday, christening the club’s new home base at Eldorado Centennial Park.

It hasn’t been an easy time for the club, which launched their first season in 2019 and felt the brunt of COVID impacts on community sport.

“We were originally based in Benalla, COVID hit and we struggled to maintain players,” president Ivy Higgins said.

“We went on the hunt for a new ground because the ground we were using was shared with the soccer down there, they were saying it was getting a bit overusedunfortunately, Benalla council couldn’t give us many options in town, we were a bit shafted out in the sticks.

“A lot of our women players were from the Wangaratta area, we had people from Everton and all that travelling to Benalla, so going even further out of Benalla became a bit difficult, so we started looking elsewhere.”

The club found Centenni-

WANGARATTA’s division three women’s hockey team fought with all their might in their weekend clash with Norths.

The Norths found a sneaky goal in the first two minutes of the game but could not score another goal for the rest of the game.

Defender Susie Rudd was best on ground stopping countless shots on goal.

Jamielee Sexton was in great form, intercepting the ball to pass it to Lucy North to get it to the forward line.

Dragons did not manage to score a goal but going down 0-1 will be counted as a win in their eyes.

The div two Dragon men’s team took on fourth placed Magpies at Cathedral College on Sunday.

Sam Couche and Xavier Bennett were kept particularly busy when the Magpies were on attack.

After weathering the Magpies’ consistent attack for three quarters the Dragons were down 2-0, but were still playing strong.

Charles Webster was able to score an amazing solo goal, which led into two more team goals by father and son, Stewart and Hunter Kerr but in the final seconds of the game, the Magpies scored of a penal-

al Park as a potential home base, and it fit the bill perfectly.

The ground was largely unused by any organised sport club, was large enough for NRL but not AFL, and was a closer trip for more players.

Combined with a hardworking committee of management, the Rural City of Wangaratta council, and a set of donated rugby goals from NRL Victoria, and the Wolfpack had found their new home.

“They haven’t had a sporting team here, and I don’t know the specifics, but it

would be for at least a decade,” Higgins said.

“In the last year, the committee of management has been working hard, Wangaratta council donated topsoil and relevelled it, took out the cement cricket pitch, reseeded it – they did a lot of grunt work for us to get it to this level.

“As far as the posts go, NRL Victoria actually donated the posts to us, free of cost to get it shipped up here.

“The committee of management already had the AFL posts from a grant, they got those installed at the same time as ours.

WOLFPACK TO HOST FIRST RUGBY LEAGUE MATCHES AT ELDORADO

“It’s a nice, usable field for the community, two different codes for the kids to come and kick the footy around.”

Sunday is set to be a massive day for the Wolfpack, hosting two matches of men’s full-tackle rugby and two women’s non-contact tag games at their new home.

The club is also hosting an hour-long session for juniors aged 5-12 to come and experience the fun of rugby league.

Higgins said the junior come-and-try session would help solidify the family-focussed atmosphere the club prides itself on.

“It’s a mixture of skills,

drills, and minigames for them, it’s free registration to the league, so whatever kids are out and about, we can get them on the field and get them to have fun,” she said.

“This is the first time we’re hosting (at Eldorado), everyone’s so keen to get out.

“We’re trying to get that family orientation going, and now we can get the kids involved as well, the more the merrier.

“It starts with the little ones, they can grow up to become those NRL players of the future.”

Gates open from 9am at Eldorado Centennial Park,

and the canteen and bar will follow.

Entry is $5 for 16 years and over, free under 16 - no BYO alcohol permitted. Game times at Eldorado Centennial Park

10am: Women - Wodonga Wombats v Border Bears

11.15: Women - The Wolfpack v Tumbarumba Greens 12.30-1.30pm: Juniors 5-12 years - All welcome. 1.30pm: Men - Wodonga Wombats v Border Bears 3.15pm: Men - The Wolfpack v Tumbarumba Greens. For more information, visit The Wolfpack RLFC on Facebook.

Improvements are on display for Wangaratta Dragons

SAVED: Taylah Coonan deflects the shot on goal.

ty stroke for a 3-3 draw.

The division three men took on a very strong Magpies team from Albury.

Phil Fitzgerald was strong in the goals, Wes Samson is improving every week and Edward Robertson and Ollie Fox worked the ball up the field.

Even with the team playing an amazing game, the Magpies team were a little too strong and took the win 2-0.

The div two women faced the fast-paced Corowa Rutherglen United

team on Sunday at home.

The Wangaratta Dragons women moved to ball well and kept up with the face pace of United.

Chloe Collins was strong on the ball, earning herself the best on ground cup.

Goals flowed for both teams with Sharon Watkins, Addie Crocker and Nikki Theodossi scoring for Wangaratta.

CR United came away with a 5-3 win after a well fought game.

The Dragons’ under 16

girls played against the United Magpies.

The opposition scored the first goal, but after that, the game evened out.

Eliza Garaffo made some great saves, and it wasn’t long before the Dragon forwards found their rhythm and Ellie Samson scored.

Bella Goodman also showed great promise.

It was a very evenly matched game with the final scoreline 6-3.

Lachlan Rymill defended

well in the under 14 boys’ match against Corowa Rutherglen United.

Jake Lane made a lot of goal attempts in a very congested goal area.

Hamish Kerr, Tom Wright, and James Wheeler worked hard all game.

Hamish managed Wangaratta’s only goal in the last quarter with the final score 2-1 to CR United.

The under 12 boys faced Magpies at Albury on Saturday.

It was clear the boys were

beginning to work together as a team.

Great defending by Will Reilly, Alex Harper and Ethan Parkinson kept the Maggies’ attack frustrated.

Miles and Lewis Henderson and Liam and Owen Watchcorn were too much for the opposition and the Dragons scored in the first quarter.

Arlo Rivett, Cooper Drage and Dominic Smail controlled the play in the midfield until the Maggies equalised with a short corner in the last 10 minutes.

Brilliant goalkeeping from Jaxon Walker helped the Dragons stay in the game.

The under 12 girls had a very evenly matched game against the Falcons in Albury on Saturday.

There were several standout attacking plays through Morgan Hope, Arlo Whitehead and Lilly Barrett.

Falcons scored three goals in the first half through some quick turnovers.

In the second half, Wangaratta’s youngest Maddy Benton and Pippa Reilly were working at hard trying to score for the Dragons without luck.

Falcons managed two more goals before the final whistle making the end score 0-5.

RUN WITH THE PACK: Wolfpack RLFC president Ivy Higgins is excited to welcome everyone to the club’s new home back at Eldorado Centennial Park this Sunday.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

Fresh Hoppers ready to have a crack

COMING off the bye with revitalised legs and a hunger to post some massive wins, Moyhu’s senior squad will rip into this weekend’s match.

Up against a strong Milawa outfit, the Hoppers will look to take the game on at the Moyhu Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The Hoppers have recorded two wins from their five matches played, triumphing over Benalla and North Wangaratta.

Coach Darren Bell said the bye last weekend came at the perfect time for his young and battered list.

“We’re feeling really good, the young boys needed a bit of a freshen-up, a few boys with niggling injuries should come across the line this week,” he said.

“It’s come at a perfect time for us to freshen up for the next four weeks before we get another bye at King’s Birthday weekend.

“When they do a couple of things, settle into our style of play, they realise they can actually play a role for us and step up to the seniors.

“It’s been really good in the last few weeks to give six or seven boys a run in the seniors a bit earlier than I’d have liked, but we get about six or seven back this week.

“It makes it a bit hard on selection, which is nice for a change.

“We’ll have at least five in this week, maybe seven, and a couple more the week after and we’re almost full strength then, which will be nice.

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

“It’s coming together well, everyone’s freshening up, we’ll get a bit of run into some boys legs at training and they should be right to go.”

While in past years the Demons have had the wood over Moyhu, Bell said he felt this season, most teams could be handled by anyone.

“The top three sides stand out in the competition, but the rest of them, you feel like you’re going to be competitive and a chance,” he said.

“Hopefully we can give Milawa a bit of a scare, and who knows?

“They’re a bit vulnerable at the moment, I think they’ve got a couple of injuries – it might be a chance to give them a good shake.

“It’s more of a running game, but we pride ourselves on contested ball to, I’m quite proud of how the boys get their nose in the trough and get dirty, and do the hard work in the middle as much as they can.

“I don’t think many of this group have beaten Milawa at all in their careers, and I’d like to turn that around. I just want to get them into that winning mindset – let set up to play, give them a crack, and not take the win or loss as a given, it’s a matter of how we perform.”

The Hoppers host Milawa this Saturday at the Moyhu Recreation Reserve in round seven.

TARRAWINGEE PRIMED FOR FIGHTBACK

AFTER a rough month of footy, Tarrawingee will look to hit back in a meaningful way when they take on North Wangaratta at the Hawks’ Nest.

The Bulldogs have had one of the roughest draws to start their season, taking on Bonnie Doon, Milawa, Greta and Bright to date.

A bright spot came back in round two, when the Bulldogs knocked off King Valley by four points, and Tarrawingee will be hungry for their second scalp.

North Wangaratta have faced a similar run of losses, their only win so far coming from their round three victory over Whorouly.

Bulldogs’ co-coach Justin Hoggan said he knew the start of the year would be an uphill battle, but he was impressed with how they’d approached it.

“We always knew at the start of the year when we got the draw we were playing the top four sides straight off the bat,” he said.

“Now it’s about getting that positive energy, and we’ll be in with a sniff against North Wangaratta if we play our best footy, and we’ll go from there - as long as the mindset’s right, we’ll go a long way to getting a result.

“If we keep getting that effort for the four quarters and stay in the game, a bit of luck goes our way and hopefully we can get the win.

“It’ll be a good result for the

boys who have battled hard against those top sides.”

Hoggan said his side would be hard at the contest, with a number of younger players having a run through the midfield in recent weeks.

“We’ve had a few guys we’ve tried in there over the last couple of weeks when we’ve had a few guys down,” he said.

“Will Styles came to the club last year from the junior league, he’s

just one of those really good kids to coach.

“He went through the midfield on the weekend and easily played his best game for the footy club, he’s put his hand up to get more midfield minutes in there.

“Our back six has been serviceable, I know we’ve had some big scores kicked against us, a lot of that was from pressure up the ground and through the midfield.

BOUNCE BACK: Taylah Allen and the Lions will look to respond after their loss to King Valley last weekend.

Lions

look to reset, Roos take on Panthers

ROUND seven of the O&K season presents some cracking match-ups in the A grade netball competition across the region.

Whorouly’s A grade netball squad will be looking to return to form after their first loss of the year, but come up against the ever-difficult Greta this Saturday.

The Lions lost to King Valley 3441, and coach Kelly Cousins said the squad had been hard at work to rectify the aspects of the game they got wrong last weekend.

“We probably broke down in both defence and attack last week, so we looked back and reassessed what went wrong and how we can improve on that,” she said.

“There were a lot of small, uncharacteristic errors on our behalf, which is full credit to the full court defensive pressure that the King Valley girls put on us.

“We have a tough road ahead of us for the next month - hopefully we can take some learnings from the loss and be competitive with the top teams we are about to face.”

Greta will be a tough team to handle, looking just as strong as they did last season and coming off a monster 57-goal win last weekend.

Whorouly takes on the Blues at the Greta Recreation Reserve this weekend, with matches from 9.30am and the A grade clash from 2.15pm.

Elsewhere, Bonnie Doon will look to continue their form against Goorambat at the Bat Cave.

The Bombers managed to see off Tarrawingee by just two goals, firmly establishing themselves as a legitimate finals contender.

Goorambat will look to prevent the Bombers from using their quick ball movement to open up a margin early.

King Valleys head to Friendlies Oval to take on Benalla All Blacks, with both sides searching for some much-needed premiership points.

“We’re starting to get some of our mids back, so I reckon we’ll go toe to toe with them.”

It will be a full day of footy action at the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve, with Centrals Junior Football Club taking to the ground for their under 12, under 14, and under 17 matches, beginning at 8.50am.

The senior hit-out between North Wangaratta and Tarrawingee is set for a 2pm start.

The Panthers haven’t tasted success for almost a month, and will be eager for a scalp, while the Roos will look to maintain their momentum.

Moyhu hosts a powerhouse Milawa outfit, while the Hawks will be angling for their first win of the year when they host the Bulldogs. Bright will sit the weekend out with the bye, resting after their back to back wins in the past fortnight.

ON THE HUNT: Sam Piper and the Bulldogs will be in action this Saturday against the Hawks. PHOTO: Marc Bongers

STANDING UP: Josh Coonan and the Hoppers will give everything they’ve got to this weekend’s match with Milawa. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries

Magpies set to be bolstered for crucial Panthers face-off MATCH PREVIEWS

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

WANGARATTA returns from the bye with a huge clash with Lavington at the Norm Minns Oval.

After a tough draw to start the season when they faced all of the current top four teams, the ‘Pies now have a run of mid-tier sides as they look to push up the ladder.

At 1-4, every game is important and coach Ben Reid said he’s looking forward to seeing how his side responds post-bye.

“We have played some of the better sides and that’s given us an idea on where our game’s at and what we need to improve on,” Reid said.

“It’s given us a good understanding of the things we’ve done well and things we need to do better so we used the bye to look at those things.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond, particularly over the next two weeks before the interleague bye.”

The Panthers may be 2-3 to start their season (beating Albury and Myrtleford), but have been extremely competitive falling to Wodonga Raiders, Yarrawonga and Wangaratta Rovers by a combined 20 points.

“They play a solid brand of footy and seem to do everything well,” Reid said.

“They’re solid with the ball in hand and have plenty of quality young kids along with guys like Billy Glanville, Ben Ashley-Cooper, Tom Hargreave and Tim Hanna who are all top players in the competition.

“Their recruit Tim Oosterhoff also has plenty of presence up forward too.

“Having a look at their stats they’re very similar to us in terms of the KPIs that we look at so I reckon it’ll be an arm wrestle.”

The Magpies will need to keep

close tabs on Glanville who has been impressive thus far, averaging a whopping 34.8 disposals, along with 9.6 clearances.

“We’ll back our mids in to do a job collectively on him (Glanville) to start with,” Reid said.

“Our clearance stuff has been strong over the past three games so our mids have been solid.

“We’ll obviously keep an eye on him because he finds the footy at will but we don’t want to be too defensive.”

The ‘Pies are set to be bolstered with Pat Naish, Tyler Norton, Cam Barrett, Jessie Smith and Harry Hewitt all available for selection.

“We should get four or five back so that’s exciting,” Reid said.

“We’ve been hit pretty hard with injury so it’ll be good to get four or five back in.

“The bye came at a good time in that respect because had we played last weekend a few of those boys would’ve been touch and go to play.”

Shane Gaston’s winding the clock back

SHANE Gaston is well aware he’s at the pointy end of his football career but he’s enjoying it as much as ever.

The ruckman turned forward showed he’s still more than capable in his side’s win against Lavington on Saturday, booting six majors in a best on ground performance.

Gaston said he’s enjoyed his side’s start to the season.

“It’s been a good start to the season for the whole club,” Gaston said.

“The seniors, reserves, thirds and all of the netball teams have been going well so there’s a good feeling around the club.

“We’re under no illusions that there’s a long way to go in the season though.”

Gaston’s six goal performance was accompanied 11 disposals, 11 hit outs, nine score involvements and 112 ranking points in a dominant display.

“Going forward has been nice and I guess me kicking six is just proof that if you hang around long enough the ball will fall your way eventually,” he said.

“I don’t kick goals if the boys up

the field aren’t working hard though but it was nice to get on the end of a few.

“I know I’m getting to the end of my career so this year I’ve just said I’m going to go out and have fun and if the body calls it quits then so be it, I’m content with where I’m at.”

Gaston’s fiancé Laura is a Pilates instructor with the 35-year-old crediting a big off-season paired with Pilates to getting his body in a good position.”

“My fiancé Laura is a Pilates instructor so I was a guinea pig for her over the pre-season,” he said.

“Pilates has been huge in getting the body moving and when the body’s feeling good the mind’s feeling good as well.

“It makes a big difference when you’re not running around in constant pain but I’m under no illusions that the body will catch up to me eventually.”

And while Gaston is happy to be in the forward half of the ground he’s more than happy to assist in the ruck when required.

“Early days I was a forward and played second fiddle in the ruck to

Karl Norman so my career’s gone full circle in that way – now I’m playing second fiddle to Will Christie,” he said.

“I’m nowhere near the best rucks in the competition anymore so

when I go in there I just like to give an honest contest and try and make the opposing ruck earn it.

“I love helping Will (Christie) and the younger rucks out though and I’ll continue to do that until I finish up.”

The Hawks face the in-from North Albury at Bunton Park this weekend with Gaston expecting a tight affair.

“North (Albury) have taken a step up this year,” he said.

“Tim Broomhead’s a superstar and their big forward (Josh Minogue) is kicking plenty of goals so we’ll need to make sure they don’t get it in to him too much.

“Our gun defenders Tom Boyd and Jace McQuade will have their work cut out for them.”

OAKFM Player of Year Votes: Rov v Lav 5 Shane Gaston, 4 Sam Murray, 3 Ben Ashley-Cooper (Lav), 2 Tom Boyd, 1 Adam Butler (Lav).

Wang v Myrt: 5 Alex Federico, 4 Michael Bordignon, 3 Michael Newton, 2 Chris Knowles 1 Charlie Crisp (Myrt).

Top 3 leaders: Tim Broomhead (NA) 17, Sam Murray (Rov) 14, Isaac Muller (Alb) 13.

Magpies gain Clark for Lavington

clash

WANGARATTA will be looking to keep their unblemished record in tact when they meet Lavington at Norm Minns Oval tomorrow.

The Magpies will go into the clash as heavy favourites given the Panthers have notched just the one win this season.

After a week off, Wangaratta coach Shea Cunningham is desperate for her girls to start well.

“Hopefully we’ve learnt from our slow starts at the start of the year and can start well on Saturday,” Cunningham said.

“I think we’ve worked out how to start well but it can be tough coming off a bye so that’ll be a focus for us.

“We’ve trained well this week so we should be in a good position to hit the ground running.”

After winning the grand final in 2023 the Panthers lost a number of players and were somewhat of an unknown in 2024.

“They are a bit of an unknown and have brought up a number of girls from lower grades but they’ve still got some players that can do damage,”

Cunningham said.

“Maddi Lloyd can cause a lot of damage through the mid court, as can Ange DeMamiel so we won’y take them lightly.

“Their defensive end is strong too and then their goalers are probably the ones we’re not too sure about.”

In a huge boost Wangaratta is set to gain Georgia Clark back from an ankle injury as the star goaler plays her first game for 2024.

“Georgia’s back this week which is really exciting,” Cunningham said.

“She trained well this week so she’ll play this weekend but we’ll be really cautious with her load and will be guided by the medical professionals, if they say she can only play a certain amount of minutes per quarter then that’s what we’ll do.

“She’ll give us a point of difference which we can’t wait to see.”

Meanwhile, Wangaratta Rovers face North Albury at Bunton Park.

The Hoppers have won two of their five games this season and the Hawks will have them in their sights given they’re just one win behind.

FINE WINE: Shane Gaston kicked six goals in Rovers’ win over Lavington.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

RETURNS: Pat Naish will return for Wangaratta when they meet Lavington on Saturday. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

SPURS AWAITS: Mason Taylor and Wangaratta City face Albury Hotspurs on Sunday.

Devils on the hunt for win two

WANGARATTA City will be looking for their second win of the season when they meet Albury Hotspurs at South Wangaratta Reserve on Sunday.

Like the Devils, the Hotspurs have also only won the one game thus far and both sides will see the round nine clash as a winning opportunity.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

Fresh off a bye, Wangaratta coach Raff Molinaro said his side is keen to get back into it.

“A few of the boys weren’t too keen on having a week off so we had three or four

play in the reserves which is good that they’re keen to keep playing,” Molinaro said.

“This weekend’s going to be a big game, we can’t discount Hotspurs – they’ve had a few good results this year.

“Training was good on Tuesday, we had a harder session so hopefully every-

one will be ready to go.”

After a 1-1 draw against Twin City, keeping their opponent goalless after going a player down when Alex Pitt was handed a red card, Molinaro feels his side is trending in the right direction.

“I think the second half against Twin City was a bit of a turning point,” he said.

“We took plenty of posi-

tives from that game and found good balance across the board in our squad.

“This weekend I want to see us score a few goals and find some form in that area.”

The Devils will be looking to get on a rollover in the coming weeks as they look to climb up the ladder.

“The next few rounds are huge, we need to start win-

ning games,” Molinaro said.

“We’ve got our full squad together now and I feel like we’re starting to hit our stride so hopefully we can put a few strong games together over the coming weeks.

“We want to make sure we’re in form to tackle the likes of Myrtleford and Cobram.”

PHOTO: Kat De Naps Photography

Rangers milestone men lead team to victory

TWO of Wangaratta Rangers longest serving players achieved major milestones last Sunday in the third round of North East Baseball.

Rob Seymour and Tetsu Kamiyama both played their 350th game for Rangers Orange in their A game against Wodonga Warriors.

These two players share the coaching of the Rangers Orange team and all involved in baseball congratulated the pair on their achievements.

Warriors were first to bat and Rangers pitcher, Tanner Godenzi had thrown just seven pitches and Warriors had lost their first three batters.

Rangers had seven batters face the plate but brought in two runs.

Neither team scored in the second innings.

Warriors lost their first batter to a fly ball catch at first base then settled to get some safe hits and bring in one run before side away.

Rangers added another two runs in their turn at bat to lead four runs to one at the top of the fourth dig.

Warriors shut down Rangers from adding runs for the next two innings and with two runs down and two runs in with loaded bases it looked like a Warriors comeback, but not to be, their next batter was struck out for side away.

Rangers came back bringing another two runs in their next bat and held Warriors out to win six runs to three.

Rob Seymour was best with the bat for Rangers Orange batting 1000 having four safe hits from four plate appearances while Jack Niewerth was the only Warrior to have two safe hits.

In the C Grade game, Rangers after winning their first game last week could only get one runner on base in their first two turns at bat, while Warriors batted well to score six runs in their first innings. Both sides scored two runs in the third with Josh Wells from Rangers hitting a three

baser to deep centre field.

Rangers added one more run in their last turn at bat while Warriors put one seven to run out winning 15 runs to Rangers three.

Tracy Loyst made the play of the day for Rangers when she took a fly ball catch at third base then touched her base to catch the runner off

base for a double play.

Warriors were far too good on the day in the Under 15s game against the younger Rangers/Benalla United team.

The United team only see each other when they play and are improving each week and although beaten, they never give up trying

Wangaratta hosts the masters

WANGARATTA is growing in reputation in the hockey world, with the Wangaratta Dragons’ home field used by the Victorian Masters women’s hockey team last weekend.

The whole squad, bar four players, took to the field at Cathedral College to prepare for the National Championships to be played in Sydney from Tuesday, June 25 to Saturday, July 6.

Trials for the Masters squad were conducted back in March and the team was

announced in April. There are four Hockey Albury Wodonga players in the squad – Sharon Watkins (Wangaratta), Jo Hale (United), Lesley Forman (Wangaratta) and Lorraine Plunckett (United).

HAW has a number of players in other Victorian state teams, as well as teams representing ACT. Since the squad announcement, regular training sessions have been conducted in Melbourne, which often means local players

are unavailable for their own club games.

It was suggested to try and run at least one training up in this end of the state, so with no games fixtured for Saturday at Cathedral College, players travelled up from Melbourne to Wangaratta for training.

There are still more training sessions, some practice matches and a lead-up hockey carnival to go before the squad heads to Sydney for the National Championships.

and this shows in their improvement.

In the Under 12s game, the same situation is in the United team.

The coach of each team pitches the ball to their own batters, which is a significant help for their batting.

United and Warriors played a great game with

both teams scoring runs and were incredibly good in their fielding.

Each team played four innings and the game ended in a draw with 16 runs each.

Wangaratta’s other A grade team, Rangers Black played Albury Bears Gold at Targoora Park, the only game played there on Sunday.

Bears batted first but could only score one run in their first turn at bat, then Rangers Black got their first two batters on base safely and lost their third batter after being struck out forcing fielding errors from Bears from some good base running scoring five runs for the dig.

Neither side scored in their next innings, then they both added one run each in the third.

Neither side got a runner on going three up, three down. Bears were able to add one more run in their last dig, then Rangers added another four to their score ending the game winning 10 runs to Bears three.

This Sunday’s games are: Porepunkah Panthers at home to Rangers Black. Albury Bears Green play Wodonga Warriors at Springdale.

Rangers Orange play home to Bears Gold.

United have the bye in both juniors and Benalla have the bye in the B Grade.

BASEBALL LEGENDS: Tetsu Kamiyama and Rob Seymour (both kneeling) are congratulated by Rangers Orange fans on their 350th games.

RANGERS REGULARS: Baseballers form a guard of honour to congratulate Rob Seymour and Tetsu Kamiyama on their 350th games.

POWER SHOT: Sharon Watkins winds up.

HOME DECK: Wangaratta Dragon Lesley Forman showed off her home club’s facilities.

WOLFPACK’S BACK

Wolfpack RLFC president Ivy Higgins is excited to welcome everyone to the club’s new home back at Eldorado Centennial Park this Sunday.

■ Story: Page 37

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

World champs bound

WANGARTTA’S Bella Pasquali is off to Peru in August as part of the Australian contingent competing in the 2024 World Athletics Under 20 Championships.

The local running sensation was named in the 4x400m relay team off the back of her run in the under 20 women’s 400m final at the Australian Track and Field Championships in

Bella Pasquali selected for World Athletics Under 20 Championships team qpp

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

South Australia last month, a blistering time of 54.15 seconds.

Pasquali said she was overjoyed to make the team.

“I’m super excited, I’m so happy to be selected in this

team, it’s really something special,” she said.

“I feel like I was on the edge - possibly, possibly not, it could’ve gone either way.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent sure I knew I was going to get picked, so it was a nerveracking few weeks waiting to hear.”

Australia’s team for the 2024 World Athletics Under

20 Championships will complete a camp on the Gold Coast from June 20-23, before flying to Lima, Peru in August for the championships to be held August 27-31.

“I’ll be doing my individual training in Wangaratta, and we have a camp up in the Gold Coast, a pre-departure camp at the end of June,” Pasquali said.

“We’ll be getting to know all the other athletes and the coaches, doing a bit of relay passes and training with them up there.

“We leave on August 17 and the competition doesn’t start until August 27, so we have that week and a bit to acclimatise to the time zone difference.

“We’ll be doing training

and lots of sightseeing in that time there, which is pretty cool.”

The women’s 4x400m relay team consists of Pasquali, Charlotte McAuliffe, Sophia Gregorevic, Ella Penman, Amelia Rowe and Jemma Pollard.

A group of 68 athletes will represent Australia at the world championships.

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