Wangaratta Chronicle 130324

Raffle joy Raffle comes from comes far and wide

Concussion questions remain remain

Shoot hunt still on

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

ARMED crime squad detectives have been roaming the region in the past few days calling for public assistance to solve one of the North East’s biggest mysteries.

This year marked the sevenyear anniversary of the nonfatal shooting of then 72-yearold Kelvin Tennant, who was found lying unconscious on the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail with gunshot wounds to his head and chest shortly after midday, February 18, 2017.

Search continues for information on Everton trail mystery S h ti f i f ti

He was subsequently airlifted to Melbourne with lifethreatening injuries.

Mr Tennant survived the attack but continues to experience issues with his eyesight and hearing in the ensuing years.

It’s believed his alleged shooter left the area in a dark–coloured sedan.

Detailed investigations undertaken by police throughout the area continue, while a $500,000 reward remains on offer

at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of police for anyone with information on the attack.

Police remain keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity or passed through the Everton area on the weekend of February 18, 2017.

Investigators still believe it is possible that an interstate visitor on holidays in the North East that weekend might have seen something, but doesn’t realise that what they know could be important.

Detective Sergeant Brad Potts said police had been making enquiries in the area since Monday, following up on reports made through Crime Stoppers and conducting Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches.

“We’re hoping to encourage people to come forward and provide some information,” he said.

“Despite our extensive enquiries over the years, we’ve

never been able to uncover any possible motive for this.

“Every job is important but certainly for those who have worked on it we’re very keen to get to the bottom of it and provide some closure and justice for the victim Kelvin; we’re doing everything we can.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www. crimestoppers.com.au.

HERE

9.30am

Share your feedback with WSAC

THE Rural City of Wangaratta will hold an Open House Coffee Morning at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday, March 14 at 9.30am.

This is the community’s chance to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and express any concerns they might have with the WSAC facility and operations.

Mayor Dean Rees, WSAC manager Sonya Dalgleish, and rural city director of corporate & leisure Sarah Brindley will all be in attendance to listen to feedback.

MEMORIES: Joyce Oxenbury at the Mercy Ave Maria residence where she now lives.

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IN HONOUR: About 100 people assembled at the monument on the Great Alpine Road on December 22 last year to remember the 10 people who lost their lives and others were injured by the fire.

A day that changed local lives forever

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

A 101-year-old former Wangaratta hospital nurse, who treated several patients after the 1943 Tarrawingee bushfire that killed 10 firefighters, has spoken to the Wangaratta Chronicle about her recollections of the tragic day more than 80 years ago.

On December 22, 1943 Joyce Oxenburg had no idea what was coming and that she’d end up working a 24-hour shift and become part of the care team to administer aid to a dozen men who had sustained severe and life-threatening injuries.

About half an hour before Joyce was due to finish her shift, a call came through alerting Wangaratta hospital staff that multiple burns victims from a bushfire at Tarrawingee were incoming.

Joyce, who now resides at Mercy Ave Maria in Shepparton, was working at Wangaratta hospital in her second year of training to become a general nurse.

“The victims were admitted directly into beds on the men’s

or

phone on (02) 9261 1930.

ward where I was working,” she recalled.

“In order to make room for the burns patients any patient already in the men’s ward that was able, for example almost recovered and ready for discharge willingly, gave up their bed for the burns victims.

“There were about 12 burns victims admitted on that evening.

“It was chaotic, discharging patients and quickly preparing fresh beds for the fire victims.

“I recall I didn’t go home that night at all, staying until 7am the next morning.

“All the staff remained to help.”

Joyce was assigned a man to nurse and she said he was about 33 years old.

He had extensive burns to his body, and Joyce remembered that even his tongue was burnt, but he was sitting up in bed and was able to speak.

“I had to remove his burnt clothing and dress his burns with Acriflavine wool, an an-

tiseptic dressing used to prevent bacteria from entering the burns,” she said.

“I recall this poor man asked me if he would ever be able to play cricket again.

“The only comforting words I could express were that he would be given the best care that we can possibly provide.

“Unfortunately, this poor man died later that night.”

Joyce remembered that several more of the men also died during the night and over the next few days.

Many burns victims required blood transfusions that night and in the following days.

A call went out for anyone with blood group O Negative (universal donor) to come to the hospital to donate blood.

Joyce said the doctor on duty was Dr Cole and he had a Julien Smith machine which enabled the transfusion of blood directly from the donor to the patient.

She said time was of an essence, there was no time to

group and cross match blood.

Blood was also transported from the Red Cross in Melbourne.

“The local community were marvellous, bringing food to the exhausted staff and helping wherever they could,” she said.

“All burns victims were nursed at Wangaratta hospital, the last person to be discharged left hospital almost 12 months after the fire.”

The people who perished in the fire include Godfrey Spencer (53), Andrew Joseph Guthrie (45), John Wolstenholme Marks (29), Arthur Willesley Wellington (46), Theodore Luke Lea (32), Joseph Louis Ryan (38), Edward Laurence Seymour (33), Norman John Robinson (49), Kevin Dunkley (14) and Henry Claude Hill (14).

An 80th year anniversary commemoration was held at the Tarrawingee monument, which adorns the firefighters and boys names, last December.

March On with fundraising for veterans

WANGARATTA RSL SubBranch volunteer Philip Bright is taking part in March On this month, to support Soldier On’s lifesaving mental health services for veterans and their families.

Throughout March, Philip

will walk to raise funds and honour the courage and sacrifice of veterans past and present.

Locals are encouraged to join Philip on his walk from the RSL car park off Templeton Street to the Northern Beaches

on Thursday, March 14 from 10.30am; Friday, March 15 from 9am; Saturday, March 16 from 9am; Monday, March 18 from 9am; Wednesday, March 20 from 9am; Thursday, March 21 from 9am; Friday, March 22 from 9am; Monday, March 25

from 9am; Wednesday, March 27 from 9am; and Thursday, March 28 from 10.30am.

To sponsor Philip’s fundraising efforts, visit https:// www.marchonchallenge.org. au/fundraisers/philipbright/ virtual24.

A nursing graduation photo of a young former Wangaratta hospital nurse Joyce Oxenbury which was taken about a year after tragedy at Tarrawingee.

RAFFLE JOY COMES FROM FAR AND WIDE

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

AFTER more than 13,000 tickets were sold, the community’s biggest raffle drew its lucky winners on Friday night at Wangaratta Motor Group.

The Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta were joined by Mayor Dean Rees to draw the raffle which had 33 local community organisations distribute tickets to those looking to win a haul of prizes.

The biggest winner of the night was Queenslander Tracey Underwood, who drove away with the first prize 2024 Mitsubishi ASX from Wangaratta Motor Group, valued at $28,000.

Other winners included locals Ray Oats ($4400 travel and accommodation package from Travel and Cruise), Brianna Cooper ($3500 worth of trailer and accessories from Wangaratta Trailer Sales and David Battin Electrical), Val Jones ($2000 electrical package from Bi Rite Electrical), Marg Hunt ($150 voucher at Wangaratta Gateway) and

Yarrawonga’s Marg Atkins ($1000 voucher from Wangaratta Bearing and Industrial Supplies).

Rotarian Bev Maher said the 2023/24 raffle was another major success, with almost $40,000 going back into the community through a variety of community groups who sold tickets for the raffle.

“The Rotary Club is indebted to the contributions made by all sponsors and local businesses along with everyone who sold and/or purchased tickets,” she said.

“Several local groups sold an amazing amount of books and raised considerable funds for their club/ group.”

Alec Carmody for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Wangaratta Baseball and Softball Club and Jubilee Golf Club were the raffle’s biggest contributors, selling $5000 worth of tickets each.

St Michael’s Church and Milawa Squash Club were also large contributors, selling $3000 worth of tickets each.

THE transfer of 27,000m2 of soil from Wangaratta Railway Station’s new west track to a large block of land on Rowan Street has caused several noise and dust concerns for residents.

Locals would have seen a procession of tip trucks carting soil from the railway line to the Rowan Street location since early Thursday morning but one neighbour to the property told the Wangaratta Chronicle that the dust late last week completely

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

covered several surrounding homes and vehicles.

After Rowan Street resident, Tracey, complained to McConnell Dowell about the issue, she said they admitted that the homes surrounding the block were forgotten.

“They were told that it was an industrial/commercial site and they didn’t realise

there was housing around it,” Tracey said.

“McConnell Dowell have been alright, they said they’ll organise details so residents can send invoices for the clean-up and they’ll organise neighbours to get paid.

“They’ve been here a few times and they even delivered a fruit box on Sunday because I have been complaining.

“They did organise a water truck to suppress dust and they have been nice, but

it was a bit sad that all the residents here were forgotten about.”

Not just the nearby residents heard the noise throughout the night but locally it was one of the largest scales of work, in such a short timeframe, to take place of this magnitude in recent memory.

An ARTC Inland Rail spokesperson said, “We have worked diligently with our construction partner McConnell Dowell to notify resi-

dents and minimise the impact of the planned works”.

“We thank the community for their patience and understanding as we carry out this important work,” he said.

The works involved the removal of the remaining sections of the old Green Street bridge, removal of 27,000m2 of soil, and lowering 900m of track.

Some 100m of track drainage was laid, and the old dive railway line was decommissioned and backfilled.

About 880m of the new west track, including construction ballast, sleepers and rail was installed.

“Inland Rail is conducting ‘once in a generation’ works in Wangaratta that will create a safer, more connected and accessible rail station precinct,” the spokesperson said.

“The work will also allow for the safer passage doublestack freight trains, reducing the number of trucks required on our roads.”

The

to the Rowan Street soil dump site was has been a truck

day and night.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

PHOTO: Inland Rail

Rotary Club of Appin Park’s Bev Maher (left), Mayor Dean Rees and Wangaratta Motor Group’s Wally Armstrong drew out the highly anticipated winners of the community raffle on Friday night.

PHOTO: Nick Richards

ARRIVALS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA

The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings. Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.

If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it. Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.

Henry Beau Williams

HENRY Beau Williams was born on Thursday, March 3, 2024 at 4:28pm and weighed 3.09kg (6lb 13oz). He is the son of Stephanie Williams and Angus Williams of Benalla.

Riding together to bolster wellbeing

REGISTRATIONS are filling up ahead of Wangaratta’s 2024 Black Dog Ride, as the initiative continues its focus on promoting conversation and awareness around depression and suicide prevention.

The March 17 event will see riders depart from Apex Park at 10am, winding towards Myrtleford and up through Beechworth before returning to Wangaratta for lunch, while raising funds to support mental wellbeing through the Black Dog Ride Australia Community Grants program.

The afternoon is then spent building camaraderie by speaking to faces both familiar and otherwise.

Wangaratta coordinator Kurt Dissegna said the Black Dog Ride’s ‘One Dayer’ initiative was an enjoyable and meaningful way to help the organisation achieve its mission of furthering the national conversation around mental health.

“More than 3000 lives are lost to suicide in Australia every year, and one in five Aussies will be affected by mental illness every year, with three million living with depression or anxiety,” he said.

“The tragic loss of loved ones to suicide is what drives Black Dog Ride to build a community culture of awareness, inclusion and acceptance, and we’d love for more people from the local community to get behind that in 2024.”

Riders can take on the ride solo or carry a passenger in a pillion, with hundreds expected to take part.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided by the Lions Club of Wangaratta.

Black Dog Ride Australia

general manager Lawson Dixon said fostering awareness was the catalyst for encouraging help-seeking behaviour and preventing suicide.

“We’ve been helping Aussies have conversations about mental health and suicide prevention for almost 14 years and we know that every conversation, every activity, every ride and every piece of awareness we help cre-

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

BY CAITLIN SARTORI

ate has the potential to change lives for the better,” he said.

“Last year we were thrilled to have 6000 people across the country register for their local One Dayer rides – this year we’re calling on the community to help us register 8000 riders to help support our cause.”

Local schools, clubs, community groups and individuals can also raise awareness

A HEARTFELT donation of his pocket money to his favorite V8 Supercar driver after a spectacular crash has left Wangaratta’s Brodie Pearson with an experience he’ll never forget.

Nine-year-old Brodie was devastated after watching on TV Brad Jones Racing’s Jason Bright write-off his car in a severe crash at the Clipsal Adelaide 500 two weeks ago.

Brodie was concerned he wouldn’t be able to see Bright racing at the Winton V8 Supercars round in early April due to the extensive repairs required to the car.

So he sent off his savings of $10.20 – the car is valued at more than $200,000 – along with a handwritten letter to the Albury-based team, and in return, was treated to a morning in the BJR workshop with Bright on Monday.

Spending one-on-one time with his idol, the Wangaratta Primary School grade three

around depression and suicide prevention and support the work of the Black Dog Ride by organising local fundraising activities and events.

To register for the Wangaratta ride, visit https://events.humanitix.com/wangaratta-blackdog-ride-1-dayer-2024.

Tickets for riders are $35, while passenger tickets cost $20.

student was handed a signed door by Bright from the car damaged in Adelaide.

“I’ve followed V8 Supercars since I was four...I just loved cars since when I was little,” Brodie said.

“When I saw it (crash), I was not feeling very well for him.

“I didn’t cry or anything, but just didn’t feel in a good way for him.”

Bright hoped the letter would be an extra boost for the team who had worked non-stop on the car to have it completely rebuilt by Monday evening.

“It’s very special for not only myself but the team...little kids tend to feel a lot more from the heart,” Bright said.

“I grew up like he did, with a motorsport background and it brought back memories of how I would’ve felt at that age, and how much children do care about motorsport.

“It’s good to see that kind of emotion.”

Bright’s new car has been dubbed “Brodie” after an outpouring of fans on social media requested the name. A keen soccer, cricket and North Melbourne footy fan, Brodie now has his eyes set on his own motorsport pursuit – go-karting.

Proud parents and avid motorsport fans, Jaya and Ashley Pearson estimated they visit Winton up to a dozen times a year for local to national level meetings.

Army cadets soldier on to support community

By CHLOE JAENICKE

WANGARATTA’S 33 Army Cadet Unit will be providing support to the community through manning one of the aid stations at the Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run.

This will be their first year being a part of the marathon and Jodie Butler said they were excited to help.

“Providing support to community aligns with all army cadet values though their actions and service by doing what is required to assist community” she said.

“33 Army Cadet Unit is looking forward to the partnership with the Wangaratta Chronicle, the marathon and additional community events in the future.”

Ms Butler said a major aspect of the cadets is to engage in community events and provide support.

“Cadet Under Officer (CUO) Connor Brown’s goals for the unit in 2024 is to provide service through community engagement, he is currently supported by all staff to achieve his goals,” she said.

“Service is one of our values within Australian Army Cadets, character of selflessness is putting interest of nation and its people ahead of their own.”

On the day, they will have 14 cadets there to provide water to marathon participants and their first aid officer will also be there.

“Army cadet value of excellence is the willingness of character to strive every day to be professional and the best version of self has

been demonstrated by the 14 cadets who nominated themselves to provide assistance,” Ms Butler said.

33 Army Cadet Unit will also have

an information tent at the Wangaratta Showgrounds for those interested in learning more.

The Wangaratta Chronicle Mara-

thon and Fun Run will be taking place on March 17, for more information or to register, visit https:// www.wangarattamarathon.com.au.

Leak doesn’t cool down long-weekend business

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

A NEW-LOOK cellar door greeted long-weekend winery enthusiasts on Monday at Brown Brothers as the venue improvised with no in-house cooling.

About 16,000 litres of coolant was discovered to have leaked into an underground tunnel below the Milawabased winery in the early hours of Sunday morning.

CFA and FRV crews arrived within 15 minutes of the call and the incident was deemed

under control an hour after their response.

The winery was advised to close on Sunday to ensure the safety of staff and customers as crews continued to work on resolving the spillage from the underground tunnel.

Tourism and Hospitality Operations manager Georgia Beavis said while it was unfortunate to lose a busy day of business at the winery an restaurant over the long weekend, the safety of staff and customers came first.

“It was good the wine operations team made the decision to call it early, so we didn’t have any public here and minimal staff,” she said.

While repair works were being undertaken, the winery re-opened on Monday with an impromptu cellar door located out of the winery’s historic barn.

“We’ve never run a pop-up cellar door out of the barn before, so it was exciting,” Ms Beavis said.

The cause of the leak was still under investigation.

AN IMPROVISED

TASTE: Visitors Evie Cook (left), Marcus Cook, Karen Ablett and Monqe Richards inside the improvised cellar door of the Brown Brothers’ historic barn on Monday afternoon.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Make our weekend trains permanent

THE trial for additional V/ Line trains is now over and Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, believes they need to be made permanent.

An additional Saturday and Sunday train were added to the timetable last year after passengers were left standing and sitting on carriage floors after demand outstripped the seats on the train.

The trial finished at the end of February.

Anecdotally there has been no reduction in demand with trains stations at both Albury and Wodonga over capacity on most weekends.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell called on the Minister for Public Transport to produce the results of the trial during the Victorian Parliament last week.

“The Labor Government’s $10 V/Line fare policy caused chaos on the Albury-Wodonga line last year as passengers who were not required to book were crammed onto existing services, leaving people sitting on the floor of the carriages or standing for a four hour journey,” she said.

“After much lobbying by the Member for Benambra, an additional service was added to the timetable.

“We were told this was a trial – that trial ended last week.”

Mr Tilley said long-suffering commuters had been loyal to the service and that loyalty should be rewarded.

“We love going down to the footy and events in Melbourne but we need the certainty of the service,” he said.

“These trains have no food or drink service despite being fully staffed and having fully stocked fridges because they are considered temporary.

“They should be a permanent fixture on the timetable and increased to six carriages.”

TALENT QUEST AUDITIONS OPEN

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Toby Pearson, Lucas Butler, Ben Rogers, Torrin Busk, Connor Brown, Cara Broady, Brody Chisholm and Chase Lovell from the 33 Army Cadet Unit will be providing support at the Wangaratta Marathon and Fun Run.

Community reaps reward from raffle

RAFFLES have been a staple of the Australian community for decades, whether they’re run by workplaces, sporting clubs or service clubs, they have a power of bringing community together and raising funds for worthwhile causes.

Wangaratta’s annual community raffle organised by the Rotary Club of Appin Park goes a few steps further by delivering a raffle that’s on a grand scale, inviting businesses and community groups to the fold.

Profits from the raffle go to the Rotary Club which organises the raffle, and also the array of community groups who sell the tickets.

Local businesses also support the community initiative with the supply of prizes which this year included a car, travel and accommodation, trailer, electrical goods, dinner voucher, and industrial supplies.

The 2023/24 raffle was reported to be a major success with almost $40,000 going back into the community through the groups who sold the tickets.

If one service club was to try and achieve this scale of success on its own it would be an unachievable task and the incentive for community groups to jump on board has worked well for many years.

In tough financial times, community and sporting groups need every extra dollar they can get a hold of to buy new equipment or pay for any extracurricular activities within the organisation.

A shout-out should also go to the people who buy the tickets, often club members and their families and friends.

Well done to Rotary, businesses, clubs who went out of their way to sell tickets, and congratulations to the prize winners listed in the story on page 3.

The Australian QuizNo.66

1 Ace Frehley is best known as the original lead guitarist and a co-founding member of which famous band?

(a) Black Sabbath (b) Kiss (c) ZZ Top (d) AC/DC

2 Who was named Senior Australian of the Year in 2022?

(a) Suzanne Packer (b) John Newnham (c) Valmai Dempsey (d) Graham Farquhar

3 The J-Bay Open World Surf League event is held in which country?

(a) South Africa

(b) Australia (c) United States (d) Brazil

4 What is the name of the element that was named after Nicolaus Copernicus?

(a) Nicolodium (b) Copper (c) Nickel (d) Copernicium

5 Who won the Academy Award for Best Director for the 1976 movie, Rocky?

(a) John G. Avildsen (b) Sidney Lumet (c) Alan J. Pakula (d) Herbert Ross

6 Turkmenistan is bordered by which two countries to the south?

(a) Iran, Uzbekistan (b) Afghanistan, Iran (c) Iraq, Uzbekistan (d) Afghanistan, Tajikista

7 Matthew Wade played for which team in the 2022 IPL competition?

(a) Rajasthan Royals (b) Punjab Kings (c) Mumbai Indians (d) Gujarat Titans

8 Tivoli Gardens is a popular amusement park and pleasure garden in which European city?

(a) Brussels (b) Naples (c) Copenhagen (d) Barcelona

9 Who wrote the original The Bourne Trilogy series of novels?

(a) John Grisham (b) Tom Clancy (c) Dan Brown (d) Robert Ludlum

10Mario Abdo Benítez became President of which country in 2018, a title still held in 2022?

(a) Chile (b) Uruguay (c) Peru (d) Paraguay

Ludlum 10 (d) Paraguay

1 (b) Kiss 2 (c) Valmai Dempsey 3 (a) South Africa 4 (d) Copernicium 5 (a) John G. Avildsen 6 (b) Afghanistan, Iran 7 (d) atGujar Titans 8 (c) Copenhagen 9 (d) Robert

More needed to attract doctors here

HOW innovative and engaging are regional towns and chambers of commerce and council and local MPs in finding ways to entice new GPs to town?

Our region has much to offer GPs to live and be part of great communities.

Perhaps some incentives need to put in place such as no stamp duty for a house purchase years rates free two years free school fees for doctors with families.

The main issue to live here is available health care and enough doctors so one doctor does not get overloaded with our healthcare.

Everyone wins with incentives to entice doctors to our towns .

Perhaps we should be advertising into the UK to lure doctors here and feature the lifestyle.

Stuart Davie, Corowa

Insurance – The cost of “just in case”

IT’S the safety net for trapeze artists, the safety harness for rock climbers, the helmet for motorcyclists.

While not everyone performs aerial acrobatics, scales rock formations or rides motorbikes, they understand and respect the need to protect against “just in case.”

It’s insurance – the protection against something bad if the unexpected happens.

Most everyday Australians want to protect their biggest assets in life, including their home, contents, motor vehicle and health.

Yet, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, how important is insurance and what sacrifices are made to keep it?

Recent National Seniors Australia (NSA) research of around 6000 older Australians aged 50 and older shows insurance is the one thing many people will try to hold on to, no matter how tight their belt.

The increasing cost of insurance premiums are some of the biggest cost-ofliving concerns keeping older Australians awake at night.

Yet, as the responses to our research show, maintaining insurance often comes at the expense of other necessities.

According to ABS data, insurance premiums rose 16 per cent in the 12 months to the December 2023 quarter – the highest

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annual increase since 2001.

Much of the increased costs for home insurance are attributed to the increased frequency and destructive impact of weather events and natural disasters, resulting in more claims, more often, and higher costs to settle these claims.

For homes in vulnerable regions, pricing for extreme flood risks can be as high as 4 per cent of a house’s sum insured before tax.

Add to that 10 per cent for GST and between 9- 11 per cent in State Stamp Duty – it’s no wonder people are tossing-andturning at night.

When it comes to motor vehicle insurance, higher premiums are trending significantly upward with a 24 per cent increase since May 2021.

Larger claims are due to multiple factors including increasing repair costs, increasing vehicle prices with used vehicles up 54 per cent, new vehicles up 18.5 oer cent since the pandemic, and repair delays – the median wait time to get a vehicle repaired has increased, keeping customers in hire cars longer and increasing hire car costs.

Also, lengthy wait times for new vehicles result in more people choosing a cash settlement.

Cash settlements are more expensive for

insurers than vehicle replacement which is subject to discounting from the vehicle manufacturer.

While cost-of-living increases are important issues which NSA advocates on, they can often be overshadowed by the cost of “just in case.”

Many older people are struggling to keep their safety net in place, posing a threat for their future financial resilience.

This is a problem for government, as much as it is for individual consumers.

Chris Grice, National Seniors Australia CEO

Keep up with regular cancer screening

THE State Government is calling on Wangaratta and district residents to make sure their cancer screenings checks are up to date as part of a major push to boost screening rates for breast, bowel and cervical cancers.

The inaugural 2022 Victorian Cancer Screening Annual Statistical Report was released this week and showed that while Victoria has some of the best cancer outcomes in the world, more people need to be getting screened, particularly in regional Victoria and areas of economic disadvantage.

The report was developed by the State Government in collaboration with the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health

Organisations under the Victorian Cancer Screening Framework to help health experts better understand where to focus efforts to increase screenings.

“Victoria has some of the best cancer outcomes globally, but we know more can be done – prevention and early detection are the best ways to minimise the risk of cancer” said Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.

“We urge all Victorians to undertake regular cancer screening and see a doctor as soon as any symptoms develop for the best chance of survival.”

Using data from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, BreastScreen Victoria and the National Cervical Screening Program in Victoria, the report

found that just 50 per cent of the eligible population aged 50 to 74 participated in breast screening in 2020-2022, however, the overall participation rate improved by 4.2 per cent compared to 20192021.

In 2022 there was an 11 per cent decrease in completed bowel screening tests compared to 2021, with 79 per cent of eligible Victorians aged 25 to 74 had a cervical screening test in 20182022.

This work will also inform the development of the State Government’s Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-2028 which identifies ways to prevent cancer, increase survival, improve cancer treatment and care, and achieve equitable outcomes for all Victorians.

Entries open for Wangaratta Artist Society exhibition

ENTRIES are invited for the Wangaratta Artist Society Easter Unframed Art Exhibition being held at The Studio in Batchelors Green in Wangaratta from March 27 until April 2.

This exhibition is open to all artists, but entry forms must be received by March 13, with delivery of artwork required no later than Saturday, March 23 between 10am and 12pm, or by prior arrangement.

For a copy of an entry form, or to submit an entry, email secretary@wangartists.org.au along with a .jpg image of the artwork.

Evasive driver released on corrections order

A WANGARATTA woman is set to be released from jail, after she repeatedly evaded police in stolen vehicles and hit an employee charged with retrieving a rental car from her.

Magistrate Amina Bhai released the woman on a 12-month corrections order on Thursday, after the woman spent almost six months in custody for offending dating back to last July.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty earlier this week to a series of driving-related charges, after she sped from police after being pulled over in her driveway in a rented Hyundai i30.

The same vehicle was involved in an evasion later that same month, when an officer of the rental company attempted to retrieve the vehicle from the woman in Melbourne.

He offered the woman a lift to a friend’s house after she noted she was currently homeless, however, was hit by the vehicle after the woman jumped into the driver’s seat and drove from the scene.

Dr Megan Dynan, specialist general practitioner at Gateway Health in Wangaratta, said she found in her practice that many patients had fallen behind in their routine cancer screening due to the impact of COVID-19.

“It is really important to keep up-to-date with your cancer screening,” Dr Dynan said.

“When bowel, breast or cervical cancers are picked up early, health outcomes and survival rates improve.

“If a person has a family history of cancer, they should speak to their GP as they may require an individualised screening plan.

“And, of course, if you have any symptoms of concern, you should always speak with your doctor as soon as possible.”

She was later arrested after crashing through a fence in Chelsea Heights, with the vehicle found to have different stolen number plates affixed.

Ms Bhai noted the woman had a longrunning relationship with drugs, which had also been observed when the woman attempted to evade police in a stolen BMW last September and was deemed unfit for interview after her arrest.

She said the woman had a significant criminal history in both Victoria and New South Wales, but noted the woman had expressed a keenness to engage with local supports to address her offending. She convicted and imprisoned the woman for 181 days, which she noted had already been served, and released the woman on a 12-month corrections order which mandates treatment for drug use and mental health.

She also banned the woman from driving for eight months.

MAKE IT ROUTINE: Dr Megan Dynan, specialist GP at Gateway Health in Wangaratta, urges locals to keep up with their regular cancer screenings.

Art class

Wangaratta West Primary School

IN a vibrant art class, teacher Stacey Hedderman guides her enthusiastic fourth grade students on a journey through the captivating realm of colour theory.

Inspired by the incredible works of Sandra Silberzweig, the class delves into the exploration of analogous colours.

Students are encouraged to channel their creativity into crafting abstract self-portraits, incorporating analogous colour schemes.

Making music

Edi Upper Primary School

STUDENTS are having fun on their ‘new’ piano which was generously donated to the school by Merv and Glenys Jackson.

Tim at Benalla Furniture Removals also donated his time, truck and team to move it off Glenys and Merv’s veranda and into the music room.

The kids are loving playing it as part of their Edi Rock Band.

Award winners

Carraragarmungee Primary School

STANLEY Richardson and Macey Williams are the first winners of the Carra Catcher award.

New in 2024, it is a way of promoting school values and further strengthening the school culture throughout the year.

Teachers and staff hand out raffle tickets every day to students that they see conducting random acts of kindness and promoting the school values of “Courage, Aspire, Relate, Respect, Achieve.”

The new initiative has created quite a buzz this year as new students are inducted into Carra’s culture of wellbeing and connection, and existing students are encouraged to help pass on everything they have learnt to a new generation of students.

CULTURAL CONNECTION: Students Stanley Richardson and Macey Williams are the first winners of the Carra Catcher award for 2024.

Hockey clinic

Wangaratta Primary School

STUDENTS enthusiastically took part in a lively hockey clinic, led by skilled instructors from the Wangaratta Dragons Hockey Club.

The event focused on developing stick handling techniques, ball handling skills and teamwork.

Guided by the expertise of the instructors, students honed their skills in this exhilarating field hockey clinic.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as participants navigated the dynamics of the game, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

The clinic not only promoted physical activity but also instilled values of sportsmanship and collaboration among the students.

As the session concluded, students left with newfound skills, teamwork experience, and a heightened appreciation for the dynamic sport of field hockey.

DYNAMIC SPORT: Students (from left) Sophia Boyle, Nash Farrugia (front), Ryan VanDerPoel and Katelyn Joe, were among those honing their hockey skills during the clinic.

Cathedral College Wangaratta

THE college’s MTB team had an excellent day at Mt Buller on Friday, February 23, racing in the Rocky Trail Academy Interschool Mountain Biking Competition. They achieved wonderful individual results and CCW also took out the Champion School Award, a title it has defended for three consecutive years.

A very special thank you went to Wes Sammon from Westend Cycles who volunteered his time to transport bikes, assist with repairs and ride with the students on the trails.

2Opals

1Humans are diphyodonts while sharks are polyphyodonts. Which part of the body do these two terms refer to?

3‘All heat is of the same kind’ is one way of phrasing which law of thermodynamics? Is it a) the first law, b) the second law, c) the third law or d) the zeroth law?

4Some aquatic animals, including octopuses, have an organ called the statocyst. What does it detect? Is it a) light, b) sound or c) gravity?

5What is the second largest object in the asteroid belt?

For more CSIRO

law of thermodynamics says that if two objects have the same temperature, and one of them is the same temperature as a third object, then all three are the same temperature. 4. c) Statocysts contain tiny ‘stones’ called statoliths that help some caquati animals detect gravity, helping them keep balance. 5. Vesta

On the other hand, sharks produce many sets, making them polyphyodonts. 2. Opals are mostly silica and water. 3. d) The zeroth

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. Both terms refer to teeth. Humans produce two sets of teeth in their lifetime, making them diphyodonts.

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

is the second largest object in the asteroid belt, behind Ceres.

are made mostly of silica and which other common chemical?

TRAIL SUCCESS: Members of the CCW MTB team including (back, from left) Elliot Ford, Rhylee Turner, Daeja Murtagh, Claudia Neil, Lewis Neely, Finley Grotegoed, Hugo Rodda, Logan Ring and Samson Devereux, with (front) Eliot Bye, Dakar Hilton, Riley Howell, Caleb Sinclair, Liam Sinclair and Leon Gabler, were supported at the championships by Wes Sammon (kneeling).

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE: Edi Upper students Charles Allen, Jessica Young, Samuel Allen and Edward Allen are making the most of the new piano which has arrived at school.

SELF PORTRAIT: Student Lucy Vincent artfully applied principles of analogous colours in her stunning portrait.

Flying Fly Circus presents Tempo

THE Flying Fruit Fly Circus will bring their dazzling new show Tempo to the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday night.

Tempo features an extraordinary ensemble of young performers aged between 12 and 18 who not only possess amazing circus skills but also play instruments.

Enjoy magic, slapstick, juggling, balancing, acrobatics and aerials as they tumble in, out and around the concert grand piano in this fun, family show with tickets available now at wpacc.com.au.

Explore Off-Grid Living in Chiltern

THE next Off-Grid Living Festival and Camp Out will be held at its new location, the Chiltern Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, on April 6 and 7.

The festival showcases a diverse array of products, services, skills and knowledge sharing with over 250 stalls, workshops and demonstrations in areas of sustainable, alternative, off-grid and eco-living.

Learn to live off-grid, become self-sufficient and lower your carbon footprint with everything from electric vehicles and the latest technology, to traditional skills and homesteading.

Its open from 9am until 5pm both days with tickets available at offgridevent.com.au (and only at the gate if not sold out online).

Women’s Dance Party fundraiser

CENTRE Against Violence will hold a Women’s Dance Party Fundraiser at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway on Friday, March 15 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Join them for a joyful night of dancing, connection and celebration in honour of International Women’s Day 2024, at an event designed for women of all ages, with a playlist including pop, rock and roll, disco and R’n’B classics from across the decades.

Tickets are $40 available via Humanitix with 100 per cent of profits supporting the Centre Against Violence.

Opening night will have some

sparkle

Cast raring to go for world premiere of Clarissa and Pip ggpp

THE world premiere of Margaret Hickey’s new play, Clarissa and Pip, will be presented by the Wangaratta Players Inc at the Stage Door Studio in Wangaratta this week.

It’s an exciting time for director Jo Pane and the dedicated cast and crew who have been in final rehearsals for the production, to be performed for the first time before a sell-out audience tomorrow night with a complimentary drink for each attendee.

Clarissa and Pip is the first, full length play written by the award-winning local author and playwright, who is known for her insightful explorations of rural people and communities.

Margaret Hickey said she was looking forward to seeing the play presented by the local theatre group, whose performances she has frequently attended and admired.

“What will be exciting is that this will be the first time it’s been on stage and I’m so pleased it’s being performed here in Wangaratta, by our own Wangaratta Players,” she said.

Clarissa and Pip is a show about the relationship of two lifelong friends, both now in their 40s. It follows the trials and tribulations they’ve experienced during their lives, the changes in their relationship over time, and their evolving relationships with family and friends.

The play is full of witty dialogue and relatable situations which will resonate with all.

First time director Jo Pane auditioned both well-known actors and new faces for the cast of 13, with Brenda Spilva and Kirsty Woods taking on the pivotal roles of Clarissa and Pip in middle age, and Laura Gundrill

and Aleeta Carmody playing the friends in their 20s.

They are supported by a talented cast of characters playing family members and significant others who have entered their lives over the decades.

Actor Kirsty Woods said all the best theatre has elements of humour and poignancy, interesting and relatable characters, and maybe some plot twists, and Marg’s play definitely has all of those.

“I think the audience will experience a range of emotions in a story that will make them think or reflect, and ultimately be entertaining and engaging to watch,” she said.

Clarissa and Pip will open at the Stage Door in Evans Street tomorrow night and tickets are available for shows on March 15, 17, 21, 22 and 23 at 8pm, available now by visiting trybooking. com/events/landing/1175912.

SUBTLE STITCH - A MARIAN GREAVES RETROSPECTIVE

THE work of wellknown local textile enthusiast Marian Greaves (pictured) will be celebrated during an exhibition being held in the Bainz Gallery at the Wangaratta Library during March.

Called “Subtle Stitch - A Marian Greaves Retrospective,” it includes of wide range of pieces created by the artist over the years which reflect her unique style and interests.

Marian (91) is a machine embroidery textile artist who has been plying her craft since 1984 when she first went to a machine embroidery class promoted by the Embroiderers Guild Victoria.

Marian honed her skills by attending workshops with tutors such as Gabrielle Verstraten and Ken Smith.

She said further skill development came through practising techniques from

books (in the days before YouTube).

“I still enjoy stitching and creating, but these days I have slowed down a bit,” she said.

One area where Marian has not slowed down is in coordinating the Peechelba Machine Embroidery Group which meets monthly in the Peechelba Memorial Hall.

The group has been active for over 20 years and was started after Marian taught a machine embroidery class at an early Stitched Up Festival.

She realised there was a lot of local and regional interest which was the catalyst for the group’s formation.

Marian’s textile work covers a variety of topics and she is particularly skilled in her textile renditions of trees and landscapes. See the exhibition throughout March, with entry free.

An official opening will be held on Saturday, March 16 at 10am in the Bainz Gallery and everyone is welcome to attend.

Inner Wheel fundraiser in Wangaratta

INNER Wheel Wangaratta will hold a cord blood fundraising event at the Old Town and Country Tavern on Saturday, March 23 at 11.30am.

Guest speakers will be Professor Graham Jenkin and Dr Courtney McDonald, both from the Monash and Ritchie Hudson Institute, discussing the importance of cord blood research.

Seats are $35 per person with RSVP and payment required by March 14, and there will be a raffle and prizes to be won.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the fundraiser, contact Patti Stafford on 0408 261 330 or Dale King on 0418 469 755.

Amber Lawrence at The Vine Hotel

SIX-time Golden Guitar winner, Australian singer-songwriter, Amber Lawrence, will perform live at The Vine Hotel in North Wangaratta on Friday night from 8pm. Amber Lawrence is one of Australia’s most celebrated country artists, announced the 2023 Female Artist of the Year at the CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, and the highest seeling artist of the year. Tickets are available now by visiting thevinehotel.net.au/event-details/amberlawrence.

yourstars

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Congratulations, Lamb. The end of the month brings good news in the workplace, thanks to all the efforts you’ve made to get your projects off the ground and running.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Don’t let yourself be cowed into thinking that you’re not up to the challenge you’ve taken on. Keep reinforcing your self-confidence. No one and nothing can stop you.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Positive responses to a recent workplace move should give you the added assurance that you’re on the right track. Celebrate the good news with family and/or friends.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) There’s still a little emotional fuzziness you have to work through before you can feel really certain about your recent decisions. But you’re on the right track. Stay with it!

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re tempted by an offer that seems close to what you’ve been looking for. But before you pounce on it, see if you can coax out some added perks to sweeten the deal.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your efforts to settle a volatile situation should prove to be successful. Now could be a good time to analyze what might have created the problem in the first place.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A once-close associate reemerges with news that could cause you to reconsider a recent decision. But don’t make a move before consulting a trusted adviser.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)

You might feel pressured to reveal a colleague’s secret. But you can rely on your strong Scorpion sense of rectitude to help you continue to do the right thing.

EYE FOR DETAIL: Marian Greaves uses machine embroidery to capture to the beauty of the Australian landscape in works such as Butterflies.

PHOTOS: Kerryn Taylor

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A pesky situation is still creating problems. But you are moving ahead with it, and it should soon be successfully resolved in your favor.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A spate of indecision leaves you susceptible to doubt. But you’ll soon regain your emotional sure-footedness and be back leading the way as usual.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)

Love rules the week with new romances favored for single Aquarians looking for partners. Cupid also targets renewed commitment for wedded Water Bearers.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A surge of creativity keeps you happily busy through the week. But set aside some quiet time to share with loved ones. Some long-awaited news finally comes through.

HEARTWARMING JOURNEY: Laura Gundrill, Brenda Spilva, Kirsty Woods and Aleeta Carmody play

Clarissa and Pip in the Wangaratta Players Inc production, which opens at the Stage Door Studio in Evans Street this week.

PHOTO: Elevated Media

THE February

FICTION

The Chocolate Factory - Mary Louise Stevens

A novel based on historic facts, featuring the early history of the Cadbury factory in Tasmania.

Experienced workers were brought out to swell the labour force in the early 1920s from Bourneville in the UK.

Friendships develop, love blossoms, and the pace picks up as chocolate spies from Cadbury’s competitors are determined to steal the recipe for the much-prized dairy milk chocolate.

Andromache Between Worlds - Gabriel Bergmoser

This is a fantasy novel for upper primary school level.

The heroine, Andromache, slips between our world and many alternative worlds, some of which bear a strong resemblance to ours, but have surprising and disturbing elements.

Her most unsettling experience is coming faceto-face with her alternative self.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

No, she’s not!

Eleanor lives in Glasgow and works as a finance clerk.

She has no social life, and buys two bottles of vodka every week to get her through the weekend.

Is her life about to change?

Winner of the Costa Book Award.

This is the author’s first novel, and is highly recommended.

Past the ShallowsFavel Parrett

Three brothers are growing up with a single father and living in an isolated Tasmanian village.

The father has an alcohol problem, and takes the boys out of school far too early to work on his fishing boat.

A major incident at the end of the book answers many questions. Winner of the Newcomer of the Year award.

The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck

An account of poor sharecroppers making the long trek from the dustbowl area of the US, destroyed by over-cropping, to the ‘Promised Land’, California.

The story focuses on the Joad family, their false hopes and broken dreams, as they journey west in search of work.

Published in 1929, it was later adapted to a celebrated film starring Henry Fonda.

The photographer Dorothea Lange took some very moving photos of individuals on the road at that time.

Lola in the MirrorTrent Dalton

Described in a reviews as ‘big-hearted, magical and moving’.

Recommended.

Lincoln Highway - Amor Towls

A boy from a poor family starts work as a builder and finds himself in prison after causing a death.

Far more enjoyable than A gentleman in Moscow.

Ripper - Shelley Burr

Lane Holland, a private investigator who featured in the author’s debut novel, Wake, returns to investigate yet another murder in the small town, and unearths secrets and lies on a grand scale.

Medicus - Ruth Downie

This is the first in a series set in Roman Britain, and features the army doctor, Ruso, who is forced to become a reluctant sleuth when crimes are going unsolved.

His life is complicated by his rescue of a feisty British slave who is being mistreated by her master.

She then becomes

Ruso’s responsibility, and doesn’t abide by accepted Roman standards of female behaviour.

The author has a good feeling for the historic period, and always does meticulous research.

Many books in the series are available on audio.

Resurrection WalkMichael Connelly

Another in the Harry Bosch detective series.

Harry teams up with his half-brother Micky Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, to prove the innocence of a woman who has been in prison for five years for the murder of her husband, a sheriff ’s deputy.

Recommended.

Martha B Rabbit, The Fairies’ Cook - Shirley Barber

A charming illustrated children’s book by an author who lived for some time in North East Victoria.

The author died last year.

A History of InsectsYvonne Roberts

This novel is set in Pakistan in the 1950s.

Black Echo - Michael Connelly

An early novel in the Harry Bosch detective series.

The story harks back to the Vietnam war.

The Reversal - Michael Connelly

Micky Haller, Defence Attorney, changes sides to prosecute in the retrial of a brutal child-murderer.

Harry Bosch is his investigator, as they try to prove the perpetrator’s guilt.

A Shadow at the DoorJo Dixon

A reclusive divorcee in Tasmania is struggling to meet her financial demands when her former husband tries to force her to sell her home.

Then a series of ‘accidents’ occur, and she realises that someone is out to get her.

The Search PartyHannah Richell

A glamping holiday, with no mobile coverage and some messy relationships.

What could possibly go wrong?

Born a Crime - Trevor Noah

In Apartheid South Africa a child is born to a black South African woman and a white Swiss father.

The book has been described as autobiographical comedy.

Trevor Noah is a wellknown South African comedian.

It is on the Year 12 English list this year.

Question 7 - Richard Flanagan

The story begins at a love-hotel in Japan and ends beside a river in Tasmania.

The author lives in Tasmania, and also wrote The Long Road to the Deep North.

Over My Dead BodyJeffrey Archer

Revenge, betrayal and murder.

A rollercoaster ride.

NON-FICTION

Wild Hope - by Donna Ashworth

A member recommended this collection of poetry and read the poem You.

The Man Who Carried the Nation’s GriefCarol Rosenhain

An account of the valuable lifetime’s work of Major James Malcolm Lean, The Army Records Manager during WWI.

He kept meticulous records of all Australian soldiers who had enlisted, and answered loved ones’ letter with honesty and compassion.

He would go to great lengths to track down a deceased soldier’s next of kin.

When We Were Young and Foolish - Greg Sheridan

A memoir by the wellknown foreign affairs journalist and public figure, who trained initially in the priesthood, and is a close friend of Tony Abbott.

Hot rods shine on show

THE Wangaratta Rod and Custom Club Show ‘n’ Shine lived up to expectations on Sunday with large crowds enjoying a stroll down Memory Lane among the classic autos on display at the showgrounds .

CLASSIC ‘A’: Neville ‘Nifty’ Haynes with his 31 A Model Coupe.

BLACK BEAUTY: Darren Coldeballa and his 1935 Ford TuDor.

WIND IN THE HAIR: Mark Sampson.

HARDTOP: Neil Fletcher.

POWER PAIR: Wayne and Cooper Branson.

SOFT-TOP: Peter Abdallah.

CURVY: Peter Villiers and his Ford Deluxe Sloper.

PRETTY IN PINK: Ian Hardy (1954 Ford Skyliner). PHOTOS: Nick Richards

More live entertainment coming to King Valley halls

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

AN initiative aimed at bringing quality live theatre to the community while supporting its local venues has received a funding boost, courtesy of the State Government.

The King Valley Arts live performance program King Valley Arts Presents says it is thrilled to have received a Creative Victoria Small Regional Presenters Grant to bring four live performances from Regional Arts Victoria’s Connecting Places program to halls in the King Valley, in partnership with local community groups and the King Valley School Cluster.

King Valley Arts received $10,781 to bring theatre and musical productions to the region, with performances taking place in Cheshunt, Edi Upper, Moyhu and Myrrhee.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said King Valley Arts was one of 15 groups in the state to receive support his year from the Small Regional Presenters program.

She congratulated the worthy community organisations, saying she was looking forward to seeing these events in local communities.

King Valley Arts president Anita Laurence said there were a wide variety of shows on the program and they had been paired to suit the most appropriate venue.

“We like to connect with each

of the different halls and the local community groups who will be hosting these shows - it’s a wonderful way to engage as we work together,” she said.

“We have some very enthusiastic and talented people on the King Valley Arts committee who have helped drive a number of successful initiatives under the King Valley Arts banner.

“The King Valley Arts Presents 2024 season builds on our audience appetite for quality live theatre and music in our own community venues across the King Valley and

will engage and connect people throughout the year.”

On the program this year are “Damon Smith’s Piano Palooza” which will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the Cheshunt Hall, Stephen Hall’s “Letters from my Heroes ..if they’d actually bothered to write back” at the Edi Upper Hall on Friday, July 19, “Casting Off by A Good Catch Circus” on Friday, August 30 at Moyhu Soldier’s Memorial Hall, accompanied with a Laugh ‘n’ Craft session the day before, and “You’re An Instrument by Travelling Airsticks Laboratory” on Friday, August 2 at

Autumn Harvest Festival in Cheshunt

SUSTAINABLE King Valley will hold an Autumn Harvest Festival at the Cheshunt Hall food hub on Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Supported by the Rural City of Wangaratta, there will be a food swap, monster zucchini competition, preserving demonstrations, native plant propagation, critter displays and more, including a raffle, with all welcome.

Moyhu community meal in March

THE next Moyhu community meal will be held at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 21 from 12pm.

RSVP is essential, one week before meal date to Neil Jarrott on 5727 9464 or email neil.jarrott@bigpond.com.

the Myrrhee Hall, for the King Valley School Cluster.

The shows complement the King Valley Arts’ Film Club second season program, held bi-monthly on the second Tuesday at the Cheshunt Hall.

This year will also be the 25th King Valley Art Show, with King Valley Arts looking forward to announcing some special events to celebrate the milestone.

For more information on King Valley Arts events and to purchase tickets go to kingvalleyarts.com.au or follow on social media.

NETBALLERS PREVAIL IN MOYHU COMMUNITY BOWLS EVENT

THE final night of the Moyhu Community Bowls competition was played last Friday and the tight finish which was expected was exactly what eventuated.

Club member David Waring said any one of four teams could have won, but the Moyhu Netball team hung on for a close win with 120 points over Sustainable King Valley on 118 points - a great finish to the 2024 competition.

He said the netball team of cousins, Olivia Baker, Bree and Amber Finger were very experienced players and received the $100 cheque for their club, while the Sustainable

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

Indoor carpet bowls will be held tomorrow (Thursday) from 12 noon, with cards (500) on Friday from 1.30pm, indoor carpet bowls on Monday from 12 noon, and cards (500) and hoy on Tuesday from 1.30pm, all in the group’s clubrooms or in the adjoining St Patrick’s supper room.

The Golden Oldies Bowls Competition will be held on Friday, March 15 from 9.30am.

Social event next Wednesday, March 20 is lunch at the Wangaratta Club from 12 noon.

WANGARATTA Prostate Cancer Support Group will hold its next meeting at the North Eastern Hotel in Spearing Street today from 7pm to 8pm.

Members and prospective members are welcome to come along

King Valley team were newbies who showed a lot of potential as bowlers for the future.

All attention then turned to the “Monster Raffle” for a prize of $400, and Moyhu Primary School, represented by Hamish Falla, Adam Vescio and Cory Sloan, were the worthy winners.

The final draw for the very desirable Edwards Street Butchers meat tray raffle was won by Mark Baker.

Club president Ian Ritchie thanked everyone for their support of the competition and invited them all to come and play social bowls at the club any Sunday from 1pm.

earlier at 6pm for dinner prior to the meeting. Partners most welcome.

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

WANGARATTA Orchid Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6.30pm in St Patrick’s supper room, off Ford Street, with its next meeting to be held this evening.

Meetings include flowers shows and talks, and everyone is welcome.

For more information, phone Hans on 0428 119 737.

OXLEY Garden Group will hold its next gathering on Thursday, March 14 from 10am at Janet and Don Heath’s garden at 43 Smith Street.

BYO cup, chair and a small plate to share, and bring along cuttings, bulbs, etc and gardening tips to share. Everyone most welcome.

SOCIAL CALENDAR

SUCCESS: Moyhu Netball Club players Olivia Baker, Bree and Amber Finger were presented with the winning cheque for their club by Moyhu Bowls Club president, Ian Ritchie, following a close final round.

For more information, phone Janet on 0427 273 389.

MARCH’S workshop for the Cake Decorators Association of Victoria Wangaratta group will centre on decorating Easter eggs.

It will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 10am to 2pm in the Galen College food tech room, off Phillipson Street.

Make and decorate your own, or buy some eggs and decorate themlet your imagination run wild.

Suitable for ages seven upwards, cost of the workshop is $15 members and $20 non-members (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Basic tool kit required, BYO mug and lunch, afternoon tea supplied.

For more information, phone Lee on 0419 513 735.

SPRINGHURST Old Time Dance will be held at Springhurst Hall on Sunday, March 17 from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Music will be provided by Allison, entry $12 per person, please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share.

For more information, phone 5726 5241.

WANGARATTA’S Black Dog Ride will leave from Apex Park on Sunday, March 17, with check-in at 8am.

The day-long ride aims to amplify a national message of hope, awareness and prevention.

For more information, contact Kurt Dissegna on 0428 657 196 or email kurt922@yahoo.com

INNER Wheel Wangaratta will host Professor Graham Jenkin and Dr Courtney McDonald, from the

Moyhu community barbecue

A MOYHU community barbecue will be held at the Moyhu Recreation Reserve on Friday, March 22 at 6pm.

All are welcome to the free event where they’ll be a sausage sizzle, kids’ activities and drinks available at bar prices.

Myrrhee School bulb fundraiser

THE Myrrhee School is once again holding its bulb drive, to support the purchase of specialised reading books for Myrrhee students.

Orders are to be placed online at bulbfundraiser.com.

au/MYRRHEEPS, with a $6.50 postage fee per order placed, so orders can be sent directly to the purchaser.

Products are available until April 11 unless sold out, with more information including help to place an order available by contacting Myrrhee School on 5729 7524.

Ritchie Centre at the Monash Institute of Medical Research, at a cord blood fundraiser at the Old Town ‘n’ Country Tavern on Saturday, March 23 from 11.30am.

Cost if the event is $35, which includes a light luncheon. Raffles and prizes to be won, limited seats available.

For more information, phone Patti on 0408 261 330 or Dale on 0418 469 755.

WANGARATTA Family History Society will hold its annual general meeting on Saturday, March 23 from 11am in the community room at the Wangaratta Library.

Guest speaker will be Annette Delaney, who will offer advice on making use of genetic science and provide the tips and tricks she has compiled during her own decadeslong genealogical hunt.

The meeting will be followed by a light lunch.

WORKING TOGETHER: The King Valley Arts committee includes Michael Ashby, Anita Laurence, Alicia Tua, Anita Torrance, Karen Eastwood and Rowena Tainton, meeting at the Mountain View Hotel in Whitfield.

PIANO PALOOZA: Damon Smith will present a time-travelling piano extravaganza with songs that span centuries at the Cheshunt Hall on Saturday, May 18.

PHOTO: Brenda Smith

CHECK OUT OUR NORTH EAST JOBS in today's Regional Extra for more employment opportunities. Published every Wednesday in your Wangaratta Chronicle, Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer

TILING, wall/floor, bathrooms, renovations.

Phone Claude 0435 945 513.

WHEELER

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

2005 Ford Falcon Ute XR6 BA MK II, auto, super cab, 173,000km, new tyres, (THQ392), $9500. Phone Danny on 0405 165 092.

MAZDA 3 Meo 2010, 2ltr manual, 6 speed, graphite in colour, cruise control, always serviced at Mazda, rwc, new tyres, excellent condition, 1 owner, 287,000km, $6500 ono, (X0C012). Ph 0456 236 310.

2.5 seater and armchair,

ARB

FREE range hens, been laying 12 months, available Wangaratta, Friday, March 15, between 12noon - 1pm.

Metry’s Poultry Farm, phone 0416 151 696.

HONDA AG bike

X R190CT, as new, p urchased new in A pril 2023, travelled only 350km, farm bike r egistration (2049Z) and RWC, $5500. Ph 0407 752 960 (no text)

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

Phone: 5723 0101 email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au

CARAVANS & CAMPERS

$250. Ph 0481 388 681, DEB dress, one lovely size small deb dress and for Mum two ball gowns and black skirt and white silk top, very reasonably priced. Ph 03 5721 3514 or 0491 132 204.

GU Nissan Patrol, bar only, no swing away

FRIDGE “Hisence”, 1 year old, excellent condition, 242ltr, white, $400. Ph 0427 549 021.

SILEAGE for sale, top quality, $90 a roll. Phone Bruce 0408 338 187 in Whitfield.

CANNING (Ryan), Elizabeth “Betty”.

Lion COGAN, Kyle. An inspiration to all. Fondest memories and our sincere condolences to Rod and Jenny.

~ Lions and Lions Ladies Lions Club of Wangaratta.

HENDERSON, Merrin.

The Laceby West Fire Brigade expresses their deepest condolences to Clayton, Amy, Sarah and family on the passing of Merrin.

A wonderful person taken much too soon.

HOOPER, Robert.

2/5/1941 – 2/3/2024

REDUCED

KOKODA caravan 20’6”

13/1/1941 – 9/3/2024

The family of Elizabeth “Betty” Canning is saddened to announce her passing.

Betty was the much loved wife of Russell.

Mother and mother-in-law of Russell and Andrea, Tracey and Anthony, and Ricky and Leah. Adored grandmother and great-grandmother.

Passed away peacefully after a brave and gracious battle for 7 months at Wangaratta Hospital.

Loved son of Leslie (dec) and May Hooper (dec).

Beloved and loving husband of Ellen. Dear father, father in-law, and friend of Deborah and John, Lisa and Karl, Jason (dec), Daniel and Imogen. Adored Grandfather and friend of James and Amy, and Thomas. He will be sadly missed.

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Dear Betty

Thank you for 62 wonderful years, Wouldn’t change a thing.

Love always

~ Russell xx

Dear Mum

Today, tomorrow, our whole lives through, We will always love and remember you.

Love always ~ Russell and Andrea Terri, Ryan, Lachlan, and families xx

Dear Mum

The moment that you left us, my heart split into two. One side is filled with memories, the other side died with you.

Love you forever

~ Tracey, Anthony, and family xx

Dear Mum

You always did you very best, Your heart was true and tender. You simply lived for those you loved, And those you loved, remember.

Love always ~ Ricky and Leah Molly, Jay, and Ryley xx

STOREY, John.

ARCHIE JOHNSON

WANGARATTA Chronicle photographer Melissa Beattie made her way down to the Under 14s WDCA junior cricket grand final between Rovers United Bruck Mixed and City Colts Mixed on Saturday to capture some action. Photographs can be purchased at the Chronicle.

TATE LLEWELLYN

HUGH SPRING

CHARLES KELLY

BAXTER McLEOD

KOBY ACKROYD

LUKE O’BRIEN

GUS MAREK

HENDRIK ELZINGA

NATHAN ALLAN

NOAH GIGLIOTTI

Who decides?

THE recently implemented 21-day break for players who suffer concussion is set to make community football leagues make changes to how they deal with the issue.

The AFL’s decision to change the concussion break from 14 days to 21 is no doubt in the best interest of all players and the O&M will now need to decide how they adjudicate it.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid believes the O&M needs to employ professionals to assess concussed players on match day.

“To be honest I think making it 21-days is a good idea because we need to look after players,” Reid said.

“There’s more to life than footy so we need to minimise the effects of concussion post football.

“What I do believe is that the O&M should pay doctors to be there on match day because putting the pressure of making the call on a concussed player in volunteers’ hands isn’t fair.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

“Volunteers aren’t trained to deal with that sort of thing so I think if the O&M are going to take this seriously they need to pay doctors to be there game day.”

Wangaratta Rovers football operations manager Barry Sullivan is in favour for the change but was interested to see how it will work.

“No doubt the players health is important,” Sullivan said.

“I can’t imagine the pressure that the medical staff and coaches will be under when they have to make one of those decisions that might mean someone misses up to three matches, especially in finals.

“The key thing is that when a player is deemed concussed none of the blame is put on the volunteers and medical staff, players are going to have to accept the decision.”

O&K coach says new concussion rules are for the “greater good”

■ From back page

Many clubs struggle to field a full reserves side week in and week out, and if players are ruled out for extended periods of time, more and more forfeit matches may be seen.

For many players, the mandatory three weeks away from the game may cause them to downplay any concussions symptoms they may have, but Dube said it was up to the leaders and coaches at the clubs to do the right thing by their players.

“There is always the risk that if there is an increased sit-out period, that it then reduces those speaking up, but I think it’s going to take some time for us to really work through this,” he said.

“It is going to be challenging to navigate, but on a whole, I welcome this call.

“There’s an expectation that those leaders, rightly so, are putting the welfare of individuals ahead of the amount of goals you kick on the weekend.

“It’s going to be an interesting space, I’m somewhat fascinated to see how it plays out because it will be a shift, but I think if we’re honest, it was probably a shift that at some stage was going to occur.”

The Ovens and King and Ovens and Murray seasons commence on Easter weekend.

Real Gun’s aging like fine wine

Saturday.

The now seven-year-old gelding was at his scintillating best, taking out the benchmark 70 Mackenzie Family Shadoways Sprint (1000m) by over two and a half lengths.

Group one winning hoop John Allen slotted in behind the leader and put his rivals to shame down the straight.

Wangaratta trainer Scott McIntosh said it was a nice win.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@

“John Allen gave him a really good ride, it’s always nice getting group one jockeys on your horses,” McIntosh said.

“He put him in a ripping spot, parked behind the leader and they travelled well and then kicked away down the straight.

“Real Gun’s going as good as ever, he’s in career best form and he’s seven-years-old rising eight.”

Real Gun showed plenty of potential early winning his maiden at Caulfield but lost his way a bit through the middle of his career with his second and third wins over two years apart.

But the son of Reward For Effort has now won four of his past six starts, taking his prizemoney over $200,000 in the process.

“He lost his way a bit so I gave him a good spell and that seemed to get him going again,” McIntosh said.

“Through 2022 we’d run him through the winter and give him

little spells and he wasn’t going too well, he’s just not a wet tracker.

“In July of 2022 I decided to give him a good spell and it ended up being nearly 12 months and I reckon that did him really good.

“His first few runs back from that spell were poor but we were putting apprentice jockeys on him and he was missing the kick and being ran off his legs.

“We started bringing him back in distance and he started to find his form again and now he’s going as good as ever, his win on the weekend was his first over 1000m

so he’s showing he still has some speed in his legs.”

Real Gun’s rating is currently at 71 and McIntosh is well aware that he might have to start taking his star to metropolitan meetings.

“He’s going up in the ratings so we might have to start taking him to the city,” he said.

“When they get over 70 you don’t really have another choice so we might look for a (benchmark) 78 in the city now.

“He’s pulled up well so he’ll get another run somewhere this month I’d say.”

BIG CHANGE: Community footballers who suffer a concussion will be required to have a 21-day break.

IN FORM: Real Gun took out the Shadoways Sprint at Echuca on Saturday.

PHOTO: Racing Photos

nemedia.com.au

REAL Gun ($4.10) turned back the clock with a dominant win at Echuca’s cup meeting on

Ranger s Rangers rise to the rise to competition at state championships

WANGARATTA

Rangers Softball Club was well represented at the Under 16’s Softball State Championships held in Albury over the long weekend, with Makayla Pool and Oscar Maiden representing Softball Albury Wodonga.

The girls’ team made it all the way to the final with three wins, one draw and two losses, only to fall short in the final.

Pool led the way for Albury-Wodonga, batting leadoff throughout the weekend, producing six hits including three triples as well as six walks.

“Makayla’s strong batting was backed up with an even stronger fielding performance, taking multiple catches in outfield and then she produced four strong games behind the plate as the team’s main catcher,” coach Cassie Argus said.

Albury Wodonga lost the final 5-17 after being mismatched at the end of a long and hot weekend.

The boys’ team were at the disadvantage of fielding a young team, with many players new to that level of competition.

Albury Wodonga finished with an 0-4 record for the weekend, but were unlucky to not win their last game, going down by a single run.

Oscar Maiden showed great poise at the plate, laying down a fantastic bunt along with being a pest on the base paths, stealing multiple bases.

“[the team] played well at times and deserved to win the last game,” head coach Keith Quinn said. Maiden played some sterling defence through the outfield, even cutting down a runner at the plate to keep Albury in a game.

MARQUEE EVENT: Wangaratta Golf Club women’s captain Barbara Thomas and her club will host the Jessie Conners Bowl on Thursday.

Wangaratta GC set for Jessie Conners Bowl

THE Wangaratta Golf Club will host the Jessie Conners Bowl stableford event on Thursday.

Seventy-four players have entered from clubs in Wangaratta, Tarrawingee, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Benalla, Bright, Jubilee, Howlong, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Beechworth and Numurkah.

Jessie Conners was the Wangaratta Golf Club’s first women’s club champion starting in 1906.

The event is 8:30am for a 9am shotgun start.

The best three scores from a team of four players will win the bowl.

SWING: Makayla Pool takes a swing at the state championships.

PHOTOS: Constant Motion Photography

Successful first season for Wangaratta softball

THE Wangaratta Rangers Softball Club’s season has ended with losses to both the juniors and senior team; however, the season can be seen as an overall success in their inaugural venture.

The juniors, requiring a win to make the playoffs, were overpowered by a strong Albury Bears team.

Player of the week was Madeline Flood, with another great performance from Isaac Maiden with both the bat and ball in the circle.

The final score was 21-12.

The senior ladies put up a trying effort to finish their season.

The bats started strong but were unfortunate to run into a strong Wodonga Warriors squad lead by starting pitcher, Clarie Nichols, who kept the Rangers at bay.

Player of the week, Sarah Warfe, led the way with two hits, with Lorelle McMonigle, Jess White

and Jenny Warfe also collecting a hit each.

Some valiant efforts in the field from Leah Dinsdale couldn’t help the Rangers in the end.

The final score was 13-2.

Even with the results, overall, the season has been a success according to head coach Sean Warfe.

“We hope that this will only lead to greater things next season,” he said.

The club is looking toward to hosting games at Targoora Park in Wangaratta next season and developing juniors further with more programs to come soon.

The club would like to thank their sponsors, North East Life, Wangaratta Jewellers and North East Family Medicine.

Training will start again in August – for more details, before to keep an eye on Wangaratta Rangers’ Facebook page.

AT THE BAT: Maddie Flood prepares to swing in the juniors' last match of the year.

PHOTO: Sean Warfe

TO HOME: Oscar Maiden rounds the plates.

Wang Hardcourt advance to NERTA grand final

By BACKHAND WINNER

Section 1

WANG Hardcourt have won the right to challenge Corowa for top honours after they defeated a depleted Everton.

Although the scores indicate a straightforward and comfortable win for Hardcourt, in actual fact Everton were determined, dogged and pushed Hardcourt to the limit in most sets.

The tennis was of a high and consistent standard, with many long rallies and most points were decided by great passing shots or a touch of luck.

Both teams endured the high temperature and still managed to maintain composure and skill levels not thought possible with the temperature and length of the rallies.

It was a credit to both teams.

Wang Hardcourt always had control of the match from the outset and were never going to miss the opportunity to atone for their defeat the previous week to Corowa.

Hardcourt’s best were Mario Pane, Andy Lucas, Kerrie Henderson. Everton’s best were Jo Lucas, Ruth Kneebone, Ben Evans, Gene Williams and Russell Bennett.

Section 3

Wahgunyah Wranglers (Scott Parker, Wayne Johnstone, Josh Parker, Mitch Parker) edged their way into the grand final with a hard fought win over Wahgunyah United (Brad Schmidt, Brian Jones, Erinne Lutz, Lorraine Plunkett).

The match was tight from the start to the finish, as both teams traded sets as the match progressed.

United nearly pulled off

the tactic of the year by playing number one man Brian Jones at two, to gain sets and hopefully games as well.

With two sets to play the match was tied on sets (two apiece) and Wranglers held a healthy five game advantage.

The last two sets were

tense with neither willing to take the initiative and attack, with both teams preferring to play the ball for in and hope the opposition would make an error.

This ensured that there were plenty of long exhausting rallies, unfortunately for

United, Wranglers managed to win the vital points when required and win the one set they required to take the points.

The two standout players for the match were Wranglers’ Josh Parker who showed maturity beyond his tender age and United’s Brian Jones who continually hit the ball deep with pinpoint accuracy.

Section 1 grand finals to be played at Corowa, 1pm start.

Wang Hardcourt have found their mojo after an impressive victory on Saturday, but Corowa will be a different opponent.

Corowa will be playing for their departed inspirational leader who may just provide the difference in the final outcome.

However, Hardcourt have been the form team all season and will start slight fa-

vourites.

Hardcourt to win a super tie-break.

Section three grand finals to played at Wang Hardcourt.

Wahgunyah Wranglers are back on the winners’ list and although Wooragee defeated them two weeks ago, Wranglers will be favourites after their outstanding and consistent season.

Wooragee to fall short by three games, Wranglers 3-37 - Wooragee 3-34.

Under 15 grand finals 16/3 to be played at Corowa.

Wahgunyah will be far too strong for Corowa Hewitt in the grand final.

Results

Section 1

Wang Hardcourt 9-72 def Everton 0-32.

Section 3

Wahgunyah Wranglers 3-36 def Wahgunyah United 3-30.

Magpies youth impresses against Seymour

By WILLSON MACK

DESPITE the mercury pushing towards 40 degrees on the thermometer on Saturday, Wangaratta enjoyed their practice match hit-out against Seymour at Cathedral College on Saturday.

While the Magpies played a more senior line-up compared to their first hit-out against Mansfield, Reid was particularly

impressed by his youth.

“Both teams had a few out but we probably had a more senior line-up playing, especially centre-forward,” Reid said.

“Our backline was a real positive for us though because we had a few young guys down there who put their hand up for senior selection.

“Tom Montgomery went really well down there, he’s a young fel-

la finding his way and I thought he did really well.

“Xavier Laverty had a strong game behind the footy too.”

The Magpies also got their first look at big name recruits Patrick Naish and Alex Federico who both looked a class above in the midfield.

“Naish and Federico both played in the midfield alongside ‘Dools’ (Daniel Sharrock) which

was good for all three of those guys to get some time together,” Reid said.

“Naish was really good with his run and carry and foot skills, you could just see his class.

“Federico’s such a good stoppage player and stood out in there.”

Reid said the learnings over pre-season shone throughout the clash.

“We saw plenty of stuff that we’ve been working on over the pre-season come to life,” Reid said.

“In practice matches you want to work on the things you’ve been training, even though it won’t be perfect.

“The boys kept cracking in and sticking to those things which is was pleased me the most from the day, we played how we wanted to play.”

IN SPACE: Patrick Naish sends his side forward.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie IMPRESSIVE: Wangaratta youngster Tom Montgomery impressed in his side’s practice match against Seymour on Saturday.

GRAND FINAL TIME: Mario Pane and Wang Hardcourt advanced to the NERTA grand final.

Massive weekend for clay target club

WITH a hot day forecasted numbers were down but for those who came and shot, there were some great scores at the Wangaratta Clay Target Club.

Rhys McGauran shot two clean rounds of 25 and finished with a 95/100 to take out AA grade over his dad Shaun McGauran, shooting 92/100.

Regular visitor from Wodonga, Mark Reynolds, took out A grade shooting 89/100 with Paul Crittenden from Wagga taking out second with 87/100.

Local butcher John Gibb won B grade with an 83/100 and Barry Ellis took second in B with 75/100.

Unfortunately no C graders shot.

The junior grade was fought out by the Chisholm brothers, with Anthony being the victor by one target with 68/100.

David Jackel took home the Veterans trophy with an 89/100.

Thanks must go to those who set up: Colin Crittenden, Ian Auranaune, Graham Coyle,

Bill McInnes, Terry Pigram and John Gibb.

Bruce Henshall made the best salad rolls for lunch, and Bob Glossop and Alison Harwood did an awesome job in the office.

The club’s next shoot will be a Pre Duck Opening shoot on Sunday, April 14, with a 10am start.

The club was well represented at Yarrawonga Gun Club on Sunday, with one of their newest members, Kanya Thumsud, cleaning

up C grade in the double barrel and the points score with scores of 41/50 and 53/90, to win her first sash.

B grade in the double barrel was taken out by Kudri Demaj, a long-time member of the club.

Brock Thompson won AA grade in the points score and new committee member Greg Peterson was equal first in B grade for the points score with a score of 80/90 along with one of his former students Brock Bates.

WELL DONE: Kudri Demaj (left) and Kayan Thumsud represented the club well at Yarrawonga.

Four section’s feature in round 19

By WILLSON MACK

THE Labour Day long weekend meant there were low numbers at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club’s aggregate competition but there was still plenty of quality tennis played.

Matt Curran (23-15) sat atop of the pile with his section one win, narrowly edging out Mark Brown (22-16) in second spot.

In section two it was Frank Harris (23-14) who saluted and continued a strong season, downing his rivals comfortably with Henry Dean (21-16) the closest in second.

Section three was tight at the top with Joel Eulenstein (21-15) just edging out Michael Falkenberg (21-16), while Peter Curran (17-18)

grabbed the bronze medal.

Section four’s Max McAuliffe was the best player of the day, grabbing the top score of 24-16 to run away to a clear section victory.

Full results:

Section 1

Matt Curran 23-15, Mark Brown 22-16, Kevin Callahan 18-21, Ryan Patterson 16-21, Brian Scobie 15-21.

Section 2

Frank Harris 23-14, Henry Dean 21-16, Maree Sullivan 16-19, Andrew Cope 14-19, Phil Dryden 14-20.

Section: 3

Joel Eulenstein 21-15, Michael Falkenberg 21-16, Peter Curran 17-18, Geoff Allen 1620, John Shanley 15-21.

Section 4

Max McAuliffe 24-16, Terry Flynn 20-22, Peter Ablazej 1921, Des Steele 17-23.

SOLID TURNOUT: The hot weather over the weekend didn’t keep shooters away from the Wangaratta Clay Target Club.

SOFT TOUCH: Des Steele hits a forehand.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

QUICK HANDS

O&K coach says new concussion rules are for the “greater ygggood” Health is paramount

GRETA coach Chris

Dube says the new 21-day return to play concussion protocol for all community football competitions is a positive development, but it would need to be carefully navigated.

Under the new community football guidelines, the earliest that a player suffering a concussion can return to play is on the 21st day post the concussion incident

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

provided, they get medical clearance.

The rules, which will apply for the upcoming Ovens and King, Ovens and Murray, and Wangaratta and District Junior football

seasons, aim to protect players who may have received a concussions, and provide a safe path back to playing.

Dube said he initially can concerns about the 21-day return policy, but said it was a positive change.

“I’m one of those ones who initially thought back to what if someone misses

a crucial match, and I checked myself and realised the greater good is going to have to win here,” he said.

“There will no doubt be some heartbreak, there will be some injuries and some tough calls made, but those tough calls will be made purely for the wellbeing of that individual during and post-footy for years to come.

“There certainly appears to be a greater understanding for increased awareness and precaution, having seen what some of the longer-term effects can be

“I think it’s the new normal, I think it’s just something we’re going to have to be really mature and respectful about.

“We’re just going to have

to treat those injuries with whatever we’re being asked to manage.”

For the Ovens and King competition, which struggles with available player numbers more so than other leagues in the area, players missing for 21 days will undoubtedly present a challenge.

■ Continue page 16

WANGARATTA’S Harry Smart fires a handball off in the Magpies’ practice match against Seymour on Saturday.

STORY: Page 18

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie