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COUNCIL WARDS TO CHANGE

Jimmy Ladgrove can lay claim to being Wangaratta's biggest Taylor Swift fan. The coowner of The Vine Hotel in North Wangaratta, who has championed live music locally, is among those eagerly awaiting the US superstar's shows in Melbourne this weekend. He is also attending three shows in Sydney and three in London.

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VEHICLE RISES FROM THE ASHES Page 12

SOLIMO’S RECORD INNINGS OF 400

STORY PAGE 4 PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Sport

Warby fire scare Major j regional g response p launched as fire burns in Warby-Ovens y-O National Park A BUSHFIRE which hi h sparked in the Warby Range and had threatened to escape the park is expected to keep local fire crews busy into the weekend.

The blaze, which Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) incident controller Michael Todd said was likely caused by lightning strikes

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

on Tuesday night, burned approximately five hectares of land in the Warby-Ovens National Park from 4pm Wednesday afternoon.

A ‘watch and act’ mes-

sage was issued i d to t residents id t in the vicinity of Sessions Road, Killawarra around 5pm, as a southwesterly breeze threatened to push the fire onto private land, however, CFA crews successfully repelled the front.

Residents in the vicinity were initially encouraged to activate their fire plans and

FRIEDRICH VON FLOTOW

evacuate t the th area.

Water bombing helicopters were deployed from Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) bases at Benalla and Ovens, while a bulldozer was used to construct a fire break on the southern edge of the fire.

Excavators were also used

to hazt manage a number b off h ardous trees in the vicinity of the fire, to allow FFMVic ground crews to work safely in the area.

Mr Todd said the fire was contained by 9.30pm on Wednesday, however, crews were kept on scene overnight and into Thursday to continue to manage its spread.

Another A th crew was expected to return to the site overnight Thursday, with further blacking out expected today.

By Thursday afternoon, an estimated six hectares had been burned, and 18 firefighting appliances remained on scene.

■ Continued page 3

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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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Young ambassadors are running from the front

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN A GROUP of Galen Catholic College year 12 students are raring to run through barriers at the Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run next month.

The cohort of eight (and counting) students have joined with Centre Against Violence Wangaratta (CAV) for the March 17 community event at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, and have fully embraced their initiative by flying the white CAV colours to help raise awareness and make a community stand on family and sexual violence.

One of those students will be school vice-captain Grace Jenkins, who said she felt it was significant for her and her cohort to jump out into the community and help raise awareness for social issues which CAV continue to tackle.

“It’s important for everyone in the community to know that these services are supporting those who are struggling and give them a chance to speak out, feel seen, heard and like they’re not alone in what they’re experiencing,” she said.

“It’s something I’m really passionate about, and particularly for our generation I hope it’s something that doesn’t get carried on now or when we’re older… I don’t want it to be a really touchy subject or something that no one talks about.

“I want to address it and

MAJOR BURN: Firefighters successfully contained a hayshed fire at Moyhu on Wednesday morning.

PHOTO: Bobinawarrah CFA

Hayshed burned in Moyhu fire

By RYAN MALCOLM

YOUNG LEADERS: Galen Catholic College year 12 students (from left) Hugh Carroll, Jorja Gumley, Lucy Cole, Conor Andrews, Vincent O’Brien, Tayah Martens, Julia Calvene, Sarah Wernert and Grace Jenkins are keen to be representing Centre Against Violence at the Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling While a self-proclaimed avid runner, Grace said she was hoping to encourage friends and others to take part in the 5km walk/run to help support the community initiative.

“I’m hoping for it to be a fun day but a day where you can see the different groups and organisations around Wangaratta and learn a lot from that but also a time

make everyone feel like they’re more powerful than what has previously been.”

The enthusiastic group have made the commitment to take part in the 5km and 10km walk and run as they continue to embrace the start of their critical year 12 journey.

The cohort are a part of Team CAV’s already 125 member strong team.

“It’s really exciting and we’re pretty lucky in that a lot of people are being more supportive of these sorts of things.”

To learn more and register for the Wangaratta Chronicle Marathon and Fun Run – head to https://www.wangarattamarathon.com.au/ or to learn more about Team CAV – head to www.centreagainstviolence.org.au.

we can unite with everyone else you’re walking or running with,” she said.

“I think it’s really about stepping out and giving it a go, even if you’re really feeling scared, silly or like you don’t quite fit in, everyone does and once you’re part of a group, you feel supported and you feel seen and I think that’s really important for everyone to have.

Community Raffle ticket sales approach close

LOCAL organisations involved in this year’s Wangaratta Community Raffle have 10 more days to finalise their ticket sales, with the raffle to be declared closed from Monday, February 26.

Organisations which have raffle books are being urged to collect them from their group members and return them to the Chisholm Street log cabin either today, or on February 22, February 23, February 29 or March 1, between 4pm and 6pm.

The Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta will also be selling tickets at the Wangaratta Post Office from 10am

to 4pm today and next Friday, February 23, for those seeking last-minute tickets.

Those who need to return or pick up raffle books outside of hours are urged to contact Geoff Dinning on 0418 530 242 or Bev Maher on 0419 533 898 to make further arrangements.

GRAND PRIZE: Wangaratta Motor Group’s Wally Armstrong (left) and Jarred Clark (right) with Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta members Geoff Dinning and Bev Maher pose with the 2023/24 Community Raffle’s grand prize, a Mitsubishi ASX GS.

A MAJOR firefighting effort was required at Moyhu in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after a hay shed became fully engulfed in flames.

Nine firefighting units attended the Kooringal Park Lane shed around 1.49am, after the 30x30m shed was found fully alight.

A CFA spokesperson said units from Moyhu, Bobinawarrah, Edi, Milawa, Greta and Glenrowan attended the blaze.

“An excavator was called to the scene to dismantle the haystack,” the spokesperson said.

“Hay from the other shed was moved to a safe spot.”

The fire was contained to only one of the property’s sheds.

The spokesperson said firefighters had worked to protect assets at the site, before the fire was deemed under control just after 2.30am.

Crews remained on scene throughout Wednesday, working with an excavator to further monitor the site and ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Community members were advised smoke would be visible from nearby roads and communities for at least 24 hours.

The fire follows news CFA firefighters have been called to more than 50 haystack fires across the state since November, with farmers urged to monitor the temperature and moisture content of their hay to prevent combustion.

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 3

Seven wards for rural city

VOTERS will go to the polls from seven different wards at this October’s Wangaratta council election based on an electoral structure review’s final report.

The Rural City of Wangaratta will be divided into seven wards represented by seven individual councillors, part of review of 39 local councils.

Instead of the existing city ward and three rural wards, the rural city will be divided into three urban, two rural and two peri-urban wards, which an advisory panel said would better support the mix of housing and land uses.

National Park.

Council ggoing g from 4 to 7 wards at 2024 October election Ovens It will follow the Hume

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

The rural city will be divided into seven wards named Appin, Bullawah, King River, Ovens, Warby, Wareena, and Yarrunga wards.

At the time of the review there were a total of 23,904 electors and the population distribution for each ward includes Appin (3562), Bullawah (3507), King River (3512), Ovens (3259), Warby

(3096), Wareena (3570) and Yarrunga (3398).

The land area for each ward consists of Appin (5km2), Bullawah (25km2), King River (2360km2), Ovens (1118km2), Warby (131km2), Wareena (2km2), and Yarrunga (4km2).

Appin, Wareena and Yarrunga wards contain predominantly established urban areas.

Wareena Ward will be bordered by Williams Road to the north, One Mile Creek

to the east, Sisley Avenue to the North and Worland Road to the west, with Appin Ward extending along Williams Road to its western border at Lindner Road, and east to the Ovens River.

The Yarrunga Ward would retain its previously outlined borders, while the Warby Ward would encompass land west of Worland Road and south of Sisely Avenue and Cruse Street.

Bullawah Ward unites residential and commercial

areas in the town of Wangaratta with semi-rural areas to the east of the town.

It will encompass the CBD, bordered by Reedy Creek to the north, Murdoch and Vincent roads to the south and One Mile Creek and Evans Street to the west.

Warby Ward is the most diverse, capturing south-west urban Wangaratta, some growth areas to the northwest, and Waldara, Wangandary, the rural township of Glenrowan and the Warby-

Freeway to the south, parts of the Ovens River to the east and Sessions Road to the north.

Ovens River Ward will encompass land north of Sessions Road, extending along Oxley Flats Road and Snow Road to the south.

King River Ward will extend south from Oxley Flats, taking in Glenrowan, Oxley and Milawa, down to Whitfield, Cheshunt, and Rose River.

■ Further coverage in Monday’s Chronicle

ignites Trees toppled as storms returned to city Storm Warby Range

By RYAN MALCOLM

WIND gusts of up to 85kph accompanied torrential rain bursts as the rural city was buffeted by stormy conditions on Tuesday night, laying waste to trees across the North East.

An initial burst shortly after 5pm brought heavy rain to the Wangaratta CBD, as the temperature dropped more than six degrees in less than 15 minutes, according to Wangaratta Airport’s automatic weather station data.

The storms returned around 7pm, as a west north westerly brought a further temperature drop and consistent gusts in the vicinity of 75 to 85kph for almost 20 minutes.

Individual weather gauges in Wangaratta reportedly recorded gusts in excess of 100kph, the second time in as many months gusts in Wangaratta have exceeded triple figures, following major storm cells in early January.

The storms caused chaos across the region, with almost 1300 homes in the rural city remaining without power until Wednesday afternoon.

SES Wangaratta unit controller Jess Zuber said local crews

had attended downed trees in each corner of the rural city, with nine jobs called in for trees blocking roadways.

“The thing that probably caused us the most damage was wind,” she said.

“Each job probably had a good 500m of trees down so it was quite excessive – it was a fair bit.

“We were hit in all areas, so we were up at Cheshunt, we were at the Warby Range and Federation Way, which is always hit, and Eldorado got hit pretty hard as well, so it was quite spread out.

“All of the tree jobs were on roads, so we cleared the major roads as quick as we could, and then council and VicRoads are working throughout (Wednesday).

“We did have one on the on ramp to the Hume Freeway (at Bowser), so that obviously impacted traffic there for quite a bit, but we did what we could as quickly as we could.”

Ms Zuber said despite the hairy conditions throughout the North East, it was pleasing to see residents taking initiative and being safe throughout.

Anyone who notices storm damage is urged to contact SES on 132 500.

fire scare ■ From page 1

Power restored to 1700 homes WIDESPREAD power outages due to Tuesday night storms have been mostly resolved across the Rural City of Wangaratta, according to Ausnet Services outage tracker.

A total of 1742 houses and businesses were left without power on Tuesday night after wind gusts of up to 85kph swept through along with torrential rain bursts, causing havoc within the region.

Some customers had power restored on Wednesday afternoon, and as of 2pm Thursday all but one local customer had power back on.

CAN’T JUMP THERE: Milawa resident Lara Maples wasn’t jumping for joy when she found the family’s trampoline had been carried 20m onto the home’s roof during Tuesday night’s storms.

PHOTO: Lara Maples

FFMVic units from Mansfield, Wangaratta, Ovens and Benalla each spent time managing the fire as it continued to burn, with assistance from the CFA. Mr Todd said he hoped the fire would be brought under control overnight.

“Our crews from Wangaratta, that’s their backyard, so they work and maintain those tracks,” he said.

“Once (Chiltern’s Mount Barambogie fire tower) located the fire, it gave us a good description of the location, and our local crews knew their way in – they did a situation report and that’s when I started deploying other crews and equipment and aircraft.

“The weekend’s going to start warming up, so we’ll still have crews on the fire line patrolling and still working on it until it’s declared safe.

“It’s a great effort for FFMVic to bring this fire under control as soon as they did, because if the wind was blowing from the north it could have been a different story in (terms of) size.

“The smaller the fires are kept, the safer it is.”

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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Nominees sought for Woman of the Year NOMINATIONS are being sought for this year’s Zonta Club of Wangaratta’s Woman of the Year award.

The woman should live, work or volunteer in the Wangaratta area and have done something extraordinary to benefit others outside of the framework of paid employment.

It could involve community or volunteer service, personal assistance, academic, educational or training assistance, business assistance, welfare or as an exemplary role model.

The award will be presented at the club’s annual meeting on Thursday, May 2 at Gateway Wangaratta.

Nomination details and application form can be obtained via email: zontwangaratta@gmail.com and nominations should be lodged with the Zonta Club of Wangaratta

by Monday, April 1.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

SPANNING THE ERAS: Wangaratta’s Jimmy Ladgrove has followed Taylor Swift’s career from its earliest days, and can’t wait for the cultural moment that is the Eras Tour.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

WEATHER

Taylor’s here, and Jimmy Ladgrove’s Ready For It IT’S been nigh on impossible to avoid mention of Taylor Swift in recent weeks.

From her appearances at NFL games and her record-breaking Grammy award, to growing excitement around the Australian leg of her Eras Tour, news bulletins are regularly carrying at least one Swift-inspired update.

That’s just the way Wangaratta’s Jimmy

TEMPERATURES: Friday

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BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

Ladgrove likes it.

The co-owner of The Vine Hotel at North Wangaratta has not missed a Taylor Swift

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tour since he began following her career 18 years ago.

He’s watched her in Times Square on New Year’s Eve leading into 2013; in Manchester; and in Brisbane on the ‘Red’ tour, where he caught a high-five and a smile from the superstar.

Jimmy will be in the crowd for four of the US singer-songwriter’s Australian shows - the first in Melbourne on Saturday night, then three concerts in Sydney, followed by a trio of shows in London in August.

Passionate about live music experiences, they are something Jimmy has focused on since returning from the UK to work at The Vine, where he’s helped showcase local bands and performers through gigs at the hotel.

“I do enjoy live music, so I thought I’d bring it to my workplace,” he said.

“It’s all been well-received, and a lot of the shows sell out.

“I love the atmosphere it creates - it’s just bliss.”

Now, fresh from a visit to Melbourne earlier this week to see Blink-182 in concert (which dove-tailed nicely with a visit to the ticketed Taylor Swift merchandise pop-up), Jimmy’s looking forward to catching his idol’s shows with family and a dedicated group of fellow ‘Swifty’ friends who worked together to secure their places at the concerts.

He said his love of Taylor Swift’s music was linked to his early music preferences.

“I grew up listening to Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill, that was the kind of music I loved, and then Taylor came out and they were her influences, so I followed her from the start,” he said.

“We’re similar in age, so all the albums have related to what I was going through at the time; I guess that’s why she’s so big - everyone can relate to her because she’s such an honest singer and songwriter.

“For me, she can do no wrong, and there are not many songs I don’t like.”

There is one tune Jimmy admits is a ‘skip’ for him; he’s nominated ‘Shake It Off ’ as his choice if he needs a bathroom break during the three-and-a-half-hour concert.

His number one favourite is the 10-minute Taylor’s Version of ‘All Too Well’, which he knows will be part of the show on Saturday night, as he’s previously attended a Gold Class screening of the Eras Tour concert film.

The tour is a cultural moment that Jimmy can’t wait to be part of, and he says while some can’t fathom the fuss, he and fellow fans understand that Taylor Swift brings light to the world.

“That’s the effect she has on people,” he said.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 5

Care sector jobs push Recruitment event with local employers p y aimed at showcasingg what’s on offer here

BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au

MORE workers are needed in the Ovens and Murray region care sector with a Victorian Skills Authority report estimating 2100 new employees will be required by 2026.

With the demand for care services in the region growing due to population growth and an ageing demographic, Wangaratta services will hold a recruitment day later this month to entice more people to the sector.

People interested in working in the care sector are encouraged to come along to the recruitment event showcasing employment opportunities in Wangaratta.

The event will be staged at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Conference Centre on Thursday, February 29 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

The Rural City of Wangaratta, in partnership with Workforce Australia, is hosting the event that’s aimed at bridging the gap between employers and potential candidates in the care sector.

CARING FOR OTHERS: New school-based apprentices have started work at Northeast Health Wangaratta’s Illoura Aged Care facility. Pictured are (from left) Di McIntosh (NHW student coordinator), Georgia Anderson (SBAT), Michelle Butler (executive director clinical governance, aged care, education and research), Maddie Fraumana (SBAT), Taylah Cryer (SBAT), Denise Durance (clinical support nurse, aged care), and Jacinta Swan (Illoura nurse unit manager).

This event will focus on facilitating connections for roles in Aged Care, Disability, and Early Childhood Education.

Participating employers will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses and available employment opportunities through allocated stalls.

This setup will allow attendees to engage directly

with representatives from various organisations, gaining insights into current job openings and the overall landscape of the care sector.

Simone Nolan, rural city acting director of sustainability and culture, said the Victorian Skills Authority have produced a report researching the employment capacity of the Ovens

and Murray region in the coming years.

“The report estimates that in 2023 there were around 13,639 people engaged in Health and Community Services, with an estimated growth required of 2.5-4.0 per cent, or around 2102 new workers by 2026,” she said.

“The Wangaratta community and surrounding Local

Government Areas (LGAs) are expanding as well as ageing, this is leading to increased need for care sector services now and into the future.”

Ms Nolan said qualifications vary depending on the individual care sector from care giving, physical and mental health support.

She said TAFEs and universities are offering a

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range of subjects and assistance programs to provide the core skills needed to apply for these roles, some employers may also offer on the job training.

“We encourage people to come along and speak with the exhibitors to gain more insight into a career in the care sector,” she said.

Mayor Dean Rees said the recruitment event is an excellent opportunity for employers to engage with individuals interested in available roles, where attendees will have the chance to learn about current job openings and gain insights from professionals already working in the field.

Participating providers include: Gateway Health, NE Core Support, HSSO – Home Care Careers, Hand in Hand Complete Care, North East Health Wangaratta (including lloura Residential Aged Care), Rural City of Wangaratta (including Wangaratta Children’s Services Centre), and GOTAFE Wangaratta.

No bookings are required to attend.

For more information contact council’s economic development officer Rebecca Golia on r.golia@ wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 7

Defendant at “crossroads” following nature strip brawl A WANGARATTA man who assisted a neighbour in the theft of a man’s toolbox before dislocating the victim’s shoulder during a melee on a nature strip last year has been warned he would face jail time if his behaviour continued to escalate.

The 29-year-old resident faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court this week, pleading guilty to charges which included recklessly

causing injury and theft following the April 1 incident.

The court heard the defendant had travelled to the victim’s Wangaratta address and stole a toolbox from the property in company with his neighbour, amid concerns the victim’s daughter had stolen cash from the neighbour’s kitchen bench.

The man later confronted both men on Rangeview Avenue, when the defendant was said to have thrown

the victim to the ground and pulled the man’s arm behind his back, dislocating his shoulder.

The man suffered facial fractures, a broken nose and torn shoulder muscles during the altercation, and was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital.

The defendant was bailed with a condition he not associate with the neighbour before returning to court, however, was spotted at the

man’s address three times in the early hours of August 28, failing to heed three separate police orders following a series of noise complaints.

The court heard when confronted and asked for his name by police at 5.10am, the defendant had provided the name of his earlier victim.

Officers attempted to arrest the man, however, he placed a senior constable in a headlock.

On Thursday, Magistrate

Allison Vaughan noted the man was considered ‘highrisk’ by Corrections Victoria.

“If you don’t address the issue it’s just going to be a vicious cycle for you,” she said.

“You’re at a crossroad for how you want life to look for you.”

She convicted and fined the man $1000, and placed him on a 12 month corrections order.

Opening night sold out for play’s world premiere

By SHANE DOUTHIE OPENING night of Wangaratta Players upcoming production of ‘Clarissa and Pip’ has sold out, with the performance still four weeks away.

Director Jo Pane said the rush for seats for the world premiere performance was testament to the popularity and drawing power of local playwright Margaret Hickey, along with the Wangaratta Players reputation of putting forward professional level theatre.

“We’re in the run home now as far as rehearsals are going so we’re fine tuning some of the scenes, coordinating lights and sound with the action on stage, and getting the actors to really engage in their characters,” Jo said.

“It will also allow the backstage crew to get to a level where scene changes will be seamless.

“As a first-time director I have loved the entire pro-

FAMILY STORY: Clarissa (Brenda Spilva), with her son Will (Owen Guy) and husband Tom (Drew Wighton) share a quiet moment during rehearsals for Clarissa and Pip presented by Wangaratta Players.

PHOTO: Elevated Media cess, and having an experienced cast has definitely helped and given me the confidence that I need.

“And having Shelley Bovenkamp as my assistant,

to take some of the pressure off in terms of dealing with production based matters has ensured that, so far, the directing experience has been a positive one and one

that I am sure I will do again sometime in the future.”

‘Clarissa and Pip’ will be performed at The Stage Door Studio, 4D Evans Street Wangaratta over two week-

IS YOUR

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ends from Thursday, March 14 until Saturday, March 23 including two matinees.

Tickets are available at https://www.trybooking. com/COXNK.

Industrial action on V/Line trains THERE will be significant disruptions to V/Line train services over the next week due to planned industrial action.

Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members employed

by V/Line will take protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage between 3am and 7am on Friday, February 16, Monday, February 19 and Friday, February 23.

No V/Line trains will run during the stoppage and significant delays are expected throughout the morning as trains get back into position and gradually resume the normal timetable.

Passengers are advised to avoid travelling on those mornings and to only travel if necessary.

A very limited coach replacement service will run for essential journeys with delays of two hours expected.

Replacement coaches will not stop at Metro train stations.

A schedule of the first trains to return on each line will be published on the V/Line and PTV websites so please check before you travel.

Metropolitan, freight and the Sydney-Melbourne XPT train services will still operate during planned industrial action so always obey warning signs at level crossings and stay safe around trains.

Motorists travelling on key routes between regional centres and Melbourne should allow extra travel time due to increased traffic.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic. vicroads.vic.gov.au and the latest public transport information is available at ptv.vic.gov.au.

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Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

More action needed for staff shortages STAFFING shortages are being felt nationwide across multiple sectors and the Wangaratta area is no different.

An article in today’s Chronicle reports on a forecast shortage in the care sector if more than 2100 people aren’t recruited by 2026.

The local manufacturing industry has been dealing with continued staff vacancies for years as has hospitality post-Covid.

The problem is multifaceted, and despite a massive boost in immigrant numbers over the last 18 months, including backpackers, the problem remains.

The housing crisis is greatly reducing the benefits of further migration and preventing more people from capital cities relocating to regional areas due to a shortage in affordable housing.

A short-term accommodation levy to be introduced in 2025 is expected to generate $70 million to fund social and affordable housing and the Federal Government announced its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund with a goal to build 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in the fund’s first five years.

But a large question mark hangs over this, with no firm commitment on a percentage of this money being spent in regional areas like North East Victoria.

To fill these staff shortages, perhaps the Federal Government needs to look again at the experienced jobless workforce that already has accommodation within all regions of Australia is prepared to work for the right remuneration.

Perhaps increasing financial incentives to encourage businesses to hire and retain eligible mature age employees who are 50 years of age or over, and further increasing the extra income pensioners can earn without losing their benefits could also make a difference.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DOWN 1 Halt 2 Adhesive 3 Come up at intervals 4 Spicy fragrances 5 Arachnid

6 Drinking vessels 7 Illustrious 10 Pernicious 12 S. African monetary unit 13 Plied the needle 15 Abnormally fat 16 Thick 18 Obscure 20 Wise men 21 Writer of lyric poetry 23 Strength 25 Corded cloth 27 Poet’s Ireland 29 Makes watchful 30 Glossy fabric 33 Kingdom 35 Vends 37 Cicatrice 39 Notion 40 Catch the breath S G R A N S O M I N G P U O T E L L E R O U C O P I N G B P R E S U M E D S O L D A E R A S E D B E E S T R I P E N S N O W I M O S E S A D D E R I D E A L S W E R E G P L E A S E I E R S S E T S E N T E R I N G A C A R T E L D A L A T E L D E R S A P I M P R I S O N S

ACROSS 3 Expiating 8 Bank employee 9 Dealing with successfully 11 Taken for granted 14 Exchanged for money 17 Effaced 19 Insect 20 Winter weather 22 Chevron 24 Viper 26 Biblical character 28 Standards of perfection 31 We are (abb) 32 Bitter vetch 34 Delight 36 Becomes firm 38 Going in 41 Challenge 42 Church office holders 43 Incarcerates

FACEBOOK users this week commented on our weekly poll which asked users: ‘Do you agree with the Albanese Government’s changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts?’

• ••

Ricky Iles: The Albanese government is pathetic, they couldn’t run a chock raffle!

Alex Dupuis: NO Jack Carruthers: Labor are to spend the same amount of money as was committed by the Noalition but distribute it more equitably. An elegant

solution to a nasty problem that has thrown the howler monkeys in the Opposition into a screeching frenzy.

Lisa Delahunty Peach: No…….how about stop double dipping on everything!! Taxes on income, 4 taxes on our fuel, Taxes on our clothes, Taxes on our food, Taxes on our leisure, Taxes on day to day living.

Australia may sit 30/38 OECD countries, but our goverments are not itself any favours with this countries economy!!

Leslie Matthews: Yes,

•

•

of course I agree and I don’t even benefit from any tax cuts. Anyone saying No is either living under a rock or is actually a rock.

Facebook users also commented on the El Nino forecast back in September and why the drier than average summer has yet to occur.

•

Andrew Meloury: The bom is a joke millions of dollars worth of equipment and can’t predict the weather right for tomorrow

•

Robert Rosicka: The private forecasters like David Burton have absolutely nailed the forecasts for the last two years and if right we have another two years of the same .

Linda Simpson: It is happening in other parts of the Country - bone dry in drought & bushfires - I’m just VERY very grateful it isn’t happening here! BOM did state “some parts of the Country” when they declared it, but it seems people don’t listen!

•

Like the

Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

14,670

Have your say in Wangaratta Chronicle poll

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

Health tax to see higher costs, less service THE Victorian government is currently in the process of implementing a GP payroll tax.

This tax in my opinion is simply a tax grab as the state is broke from ridiculous COVID lockdowns and reckless government spending on infrastructure projects that seem to have no ROI outlay to the Victorian taxpayer.

The outcome of this will be higher fees to patients, more wait times at emergency for what are likely many non-urgent cases and a percentage of private practices will likely close as a result.

A report from HotDoc for doctors stated that 16.5 per cent of practices surveyed would ultimately close their doors if this tax was introduced leading to chronic shortages especially in rural settings and send a surge of people into emergency for treatment, ultimately costing the government and the Victorian taxpayer more.

It’s no surprise the health sector has been disappointed with treasurer Tim Pallas for his lack of engagement with the AMA (Australian Medical Association) and other groups and is urging the premier to directly intervene on this issue.

Practices that have independent dentists working in them have said in the media they fear they will receive backdated tax bills due to recent rulings from state revenue offices.

Dentists have been reported as saying the proposed tax would likely result in the closure of some clinics while and others will add this proposed tax directly onto its fees and untimely patients.

It’s also been reported the ADA (Australian Dental Association) had previously written to then-premier Daniel Andrews, treasurer Tim Pallas and health minister Mary-Anne Thomas about the proposed tax which outlined their concerns that it would mean increased cost to patients, a heightened demand for public services that already are at breaking point with wait-time blowouts and staff shortages.

It is estimated that some of these bills will run into five or six figures for clinics but had received no meaningful response.

Matt Strahan, Greta South

Update on unpaid VFFUDV membership fees LONG-running talks between Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have failed to resolve a dispute over the non-payment of $500,000 in member fees by VFF.

Has the recent swarm of crickets impacted your home or business?

DRY LIGHTNING: Wangaratta was impacted by a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon around 5.30pm bringing dry lightning (pictured) and wind gusts exceeding 100kph that were associated with a trough due to a cold front with the SES receiving a number of calls with trees down. Wangaratta CDB received a total of 7.5mm.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling ADF has been very patient over the past 12 months.

ADF has endeavoured to pursue a resolution via mediation and negotiation, yet the parties are too far apart.

It has become apparent the only way to resolve this matter will likely be via court action.

The ADF Board considers it has a fiduciary duty to the organisation, to ADF’s other state members, and to the dairy farmers themselves, to pursue an outstanding debt that has been unreasonably withheld.

Farmers should be aware these are dairy farmers’ levies that have been collected by VFF on the grounds they would be remitted to ADF but have been unjustifiably withheld by VFF. Not only has VFF withheld these funds, but the dairy farmer members of VFF, the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria (UDV) have continually requested VFF remit these funds to ADF. It is unfortunate to find ourselves in this position and while ADF remains open to finding an amicable resolution, ultimately we must resolve the matter once and for all and move on for the good of dairy farmers and the industry.

Ben Bennett, Australian Dairy Farmers president

POLL RESULTS TAX CUTS Do you agree with the Albanese Government’s changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts?

54

35 19 voyteessteto noon

Yes

No

rday

THIS WEEK Has the recent swarm of crickets impacted your home or business?

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

Post

Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 9

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

FACEBOOK users this week commented on who’s the biggest Taylor Swift fan in Wangaratta.

• • • •• Brent Joshua Conway that you bull.

•

Jessie Pane: Dylan Baker your girl xo Dylan Baker: Jessie Pane I’d sell my soul to hang out with her for 5 minutes.

Rach Harrop: It has to be Jimmy Ladgrove!!

Sabitra Poudel: I am here.

Dale Cleghorn Wall and Floor Tiler 2.0: Emma Styles: Tahlia Williams

I know I am but unless they are going to give me a ticket I ain’t sharing my merch.

Sam Pitty: Tahlia Williams we know one.

Ash Shearer: Shane Plum Benalla’s biggest Swifty!

Charlotte Mullens: Lucy Tharratt for sure !!!!

Danelle-Mick Graham: Mia Graham you’re still going aren’t you?

David Bernardi: Tommy Positive Swift easy biggest fan.

Alexia Dickson: Lily BussellPoole she’s everything to me.

• • • • • •

• • • • •

Luke McClounan: Renee McClounan you still live in Oxley right.

Melanie Crispo: Taneisha King JAN!!!

Krystle Ritchens: Celeste ‘hi, it’s me. I’m the problem. it’s me!’

Philippa Louise Grosse: Ian Hayward this is you right?

Craig Weeding: Johnny Kissick your time to shine.

Facebook users also commented on a renewed application for childcare centre on Worland Road.

•

Lyn Mckinley: A cancer clinic

•

would be great in Wangaratta.

Greta Westra: After 7-11 goes ahead there are 2 more petrol stations coming to wangaratta. But we are in need of child care centres.

Vezz Davern: Greta Westra where r the other 2 planned.

Greta Westra: Vezz Davern haven’t been planned where yet.

Daniel Moore: Why another child care centre? Shouldn’t they think of a petrol station, supermarket, medical centre om worland road first before another child care centre ?

• • •

Like the

Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

14,670

Tweet Scott Fitzgerald @ScottFitzG

X USERS this week tweeted about Wangaratta regfest 2023, local jockey’s featuring on a podcast and local cricket players.

thechroniclesofrobbie

Beautiful morning at the @wangarattafarmersmarket!

Big Z @__Big_Z___ Loved seeing @traviscollinsonline live at wangaratta regfest 2023 John Tapp @johntappracing We head to Wangaratta for this week’s podcast with young trainer Ben Brisbourne. He left his native Shropshire a decade ago to test the water in Australia and is here for keeps.

Cus @CuskellyTony Check out the opening bowler for Wangaratta Paul.

Played at Greenvale - off spin with the new ball. Plays for Ovens Valley United CC.

Road tripping again. Stopped at Wangaratta (first time there), then on to Tumut for the night (first time there too).

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

If you have something to say, add our handle @wangchronicle to your tweet and we will publish some each week.

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Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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FACES OF SMALL BUSINESS WANGARATTA

A business written in the stars with

LEANNE & ROSS DODDS IN the King Valley, known for its vibrant landscapes and the lively La Dolce Vita festival, a tale of transformation and community spirit unfolds at King Valley Fine Foods.

This story of entrepreneurship did not begin with a grand plan, but with serendipity and a deep connection to a place that Leanne and Ross Dodds had cherished as their holiday spot.

“It all started during one of our regular visits to the area,” Ross recalled.

“We were here, enjoying the festival vibes of La Dolce Vita when we stumbled upon an opportunity that was too intriguing to pass up.”

What they initially thought was a property for sale during a leisurely walk, turned out to be King Valley Fine Foods, a business they were familiar with from their previous visits.

The journey home to Melbourne was a whirlwind of excitement and contemplation.

Leanne shared, “That drive back was filled with dreams and what-ifs. With our children now independent, it seemed like the universe was pointing us towards this new adventure in a place we already loved.”

Embracing the challenge, Leanne and Ross took over

King Valley Fine Foods

King Valley Fine Foods, bringing a fresh wave of energy and innovation to the already beloved local business.

“We wanted to put our stamp on it,” said Ross.

“We were ready to put in the hard work.”

However, their journey was not without tests, they faced local bushfires and the global pandemic.

Melbourne couple follow their heart to the King Valley These challenges only served to deepen their connection with the community and reinforce their resilience.

Their integration into the local community, spurred by their love for the area and its people, became a cornerstone of their business philosophy.

“We’ve always loved this place, and now we get to

CARPE DIEM: Leanne and Ross Dodds were regular visitors to King Valley and seized the opportunity to run their own business there. contribute to it in a new way,” Ross remarked.

Their relationships with

Faces of Small Business

customers and local businesses went beyond mere transactions, evolving into

friendships and mutual support.

One such relationship was with Gerard, a customer who became a friend, thanks to his love for their chili pasta sauce.

“Seeing Gerard’s reaction when we personalised a batch for him, that’s what this journey is all about,” Leanne said with a smile.

As they navigated the ups and downs of running a business, Leanne and Ross learned the importance of being adaptable and responsive to change.

They undertook a significant rebranding of King Valley Fine Foods and laid plans for future expansion and product development, showcasing their commitment to evolving with the times while staying true to the essence of the business.

Ross’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: “Commitment is key. You’ve got to be ready to give it your all and push through the tough early years.”

Their favourite product, the sun-dried tomato tapenade, has become a symbol of their journey, embodying their commitment to quality and the joy of their new life in the King Valley.

Under their guidance, King Valley Fine Foods became more than a business; it is a story of embracing change, the power of community, and the happiness found in following one’s heart to a place they truly loved.

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 11

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Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

International rises from the ashes

W

angaratta car enthusiast Doug Booth’s 1971 International pickup will be on show at the upcoming Rod Run event from March 8-11.

Doug’s interest and passion for motor vehicles developed at the age of 16 when he began a motor mechanics apprenticeship under well-known North East icon Clive McDonald.

The Glenrowan Shell service station and workshop (now Kate’s cottage) was Doug’s introduction to vehicles of all makes and models of the time.

He soon became keen to modify a car for himself as a daily driver when he obtained his licence.

Doug acquired a Hillman Minx to which he adapted a Humber Vogue disc brake front suspension and an EH Holden drum brake rear.

The addition of a strong 186 Holden motor and Morris Major 4 speed manual gear box completed the drivetrain package.

The Minx was trimmed out in Humber Vogue red leather seats and matching internal trims plus new carpet.

Gauges were original Hillman items.

Wheels were kept basically standard, with 6-inch wide rears and 5.5-inch fronts.

Prior to painting the Minx received a major rear end hit on its maiden outing, requiring substantial work to replace the back half of the vehicle Kensington Motors Wangaratta, were called upon to paint the Minx in a one off colour called “Booth Blue”.

Doug enjoyed his time driving the highly modified Hillman and had a guilty smile when he mentioned that GT falcons were often in the rear view mirror trying to catch up.

The Minx was eventually sold and Doug had a succession of vehicles while working away truck driving in Melbourne and Echuca.

On his return to Wangaratta Doug took up competitive GoKart racing.

Doug’s interest in street rodding took hold in 2003, having joined the Wangaratta Rod & Custom Club he purchased a very sought after 1934 Chev cabriolet body from well-known Wangaratta hot rod builders Fibrechev.

An Ajax chassis, which is very similar to a Chev chassis, was utilised to which Jaguar XJ6 disc brake front and rear suspension was adapted It had a 350 cubic inch Chev crate engine and turbo 350 transmission along with Commodore steering rack matched to a HQ Holden steering column.

Doug Booth’s passion for cars proves motivation for restoration of pickup p p after fire 2024 Wangaratta Rod and Custom Club Rod Run March 8-11

Paint was gelcoat orange with fold down top finished in black Mercedes hooding material.

Matching Subaru seats were finished in black leather with orange cloth inserts.

Neil Sinclair of Benalla Motor Trimmers & Upholsterers was called upon to complete this task to a very high standard.

The interior was complemented with a set of classic gauges.

I

n the meantime Doug was also building a 1971 International pickup when a devastating fire destroyed his shed in 2020.

Doug lost five vehicles and a motorbike plus all his workshop tools and memorabilia.

In true hot rodding fashion Doug salvaged what amounted to a very scorched chassis of his 71 inter pickup.

Another 71 inter was donated to the rebuild by Rob Egan of Alpine Drilling whereby Doug was able to use the cab section.

Other parts of the donor vehicle have since been utilised on other projects around Wangaratta.

The 1971 now sits perfectly on the restored and unmodified HJ Holden one tonner chassis.

Engine is basically stock 202 Holden mated to a Holden 4 speed gearbox.

Suspension is H series Holden, incorporating a rod tech power rack and pinion operated by an Astra electric pump.

A handmade pickup bed

by Doug is matched to a pair of rear mudguards manufactured by Craig Millar at Fibrechev Wangaratta, and the moulds for the rear guards came from Rob Hyrstic of Bermagui.

Paint on the pickup is original, as are the gauges and interior trim, and the speedo unit is GPS operated.

Wheels are 15 x 8-inch rears and 15 x 7-inch fronts, with Mr Muscle tyres, 245/80 R 15 rears and 215/85 R15 fronts.

The pickup is a testament to Doug’s ability and is often seen driving around Wangaratta and district proudly displaying the “Alpine Drilling “ logo on the doors, with the words “The Phoenix” in bold lettering below the back window, and very aptly so.

ry at amounted to a ve Booth salvaged wh he restored it. ug Do D: TE EC RR SU d RE an his 71 inter pickup scorched chassis of

THE biennial Rod Run event will be held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds with online entries closing February 19 (pre 78 or chrome bumper).

Jump on the website or Facebook page to book online.

Alternatively you can email wangarattahotrodclub@outlook.com for more information or an entry form.

Sunday, March 10 will be the show and shine event from 2pm until 5pm at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

Gold coin donation entry for the public.

Cars are welcome to enter on the day for a $5 entry fee - trophies awarded.

There will also be a display of remote control cars, planes and model trains.

A makers market, food vans, jumping castle, kids activities and a kids colouring competition will run throughout the afternoon.

Live music will be playing into the evening with cars cruising around the showgrounds.

The pickup is a testament to Doug’s ability and is often seen driving around Wangaratta and district proudly displaying the “Alpine Drilling” logo on the doors, with the words “The Phoenix” in bold lettering below the back window, and very aptly so.

LOOKING GOOD: Doug Booth with his 1971 International on a HJ one tonner chassis.

PHOTOS: Steve Kelly

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 13

Glenrowan bridge to open March 1 Local Inland Rail p projects j tracking g along g well one yyear on THE Beaconsfi B field ld Parade P d bridge at Glenrowan will be opened to public on Friday, March 1, Inland Rail has confirmed.

Locals and visitors alike have shown patience in navigating the township since work began on the grand project almost a year ago, with 1200m3 of concrete used to construct the new 145-metre bridge.

Work surrounding the Wangaratta Railway Station continues with a pedestrian underpass installed, the Green Street bridge removed for a new bridge to be built, and work on a new west platform commencing.

It comes as ARTC Inland Rail has celebrated the first anniversary of construction of Inland Rail in Victoria.

Already, $45.1 million has been spent, with the contracting of 196 local Victorian businesses and employment of 732 people on the Victorian section of the project.

The project started work at four sites in 2023 – Barnawartha North, Glenrowan, Wangaratta and SeymourAvenel Road, Seymour – and steady progress has been made with Barnawartha North completed and Glenrowan close to completion.

Inland Rail will transform how goods are moved around Australia, first connecting Beveridge (just out of Melbourne) to Parkes, NSW, by 2027 before later connecting from Narromine, New South Wales, to Ebenzer, Queensland.

In Victoria, work will take

TAKING ACTION: A joint planting effort was conducted by volunteers of the Greta Valley Landcare Group and the Wangaratta Landcare & Sustainability Group at a project site in Upper Lurg during winter 2023. Anyone interested in volunteering to help plant this winter can call facilitator Penny Raleigh on 0427 613 970.

PHOTO: Sally Day

Grant is welcome support for local biodiversity projects

By ANITA MCPHERSON

ALMOST THERE: McConnell Dowell contractors were busy working on the new road surface of Beaconsfield Parade in Glenrowan that connects to the new bridge.

The bridge required 1200m3 of concrete to construct.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling place at 12 sites to lower tracks and raise bridges to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely and ensure everyday products can be delivered faster and more reliably around Australia.

Inland Rail is planning to award the construction contract for the remaining eight construction sites in mid2024, with construction expected to commence in early 2025.

Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australian general manager projects, said it’s

WEST PLATFORM WORKS: Preparation work continues at Wangaratta Railway Station on the new west track platform.

PHOTO: Inland Rail been a busy year for the project and it will remain so as we push on to complete the Victorian work by 2027.

“The Barnawartha North project has been completed and we will soon finish the new Beaconsfield Parade bridge in Glenrowan and open it to the public,” he said.

“It great to see so many local Victorian workers and businesses working on the project and spreading the benefits of the project into

local communities.

“We thank local communities for their understanding and patience as we continue to deliver this nation building project.”

Harriet Christopherson, McConnell Dowell general manager of rail, said the communities at all sites have been amazing to work with and he thanked them for their understanding while they continue to progress construction.

TWO projects developed by the Greta Valley Landcare Group centred on engagement and biodiversity, have won support from the Glenrowan Solar Farm benefit program.

The program was established by the Glenrowan Solar Farm to deliver social, environmental and economic outcomes that meet local needs, developed with the help of the project’s Community Reference Group formed last year.

The Greta Valley Landcare Group will receive $1000 towards a community workshop designed to help local landholders identify and understand the value and significance of cultural trees in their landscape.

Greta Valley Landcare project officer Sally Day

said it will include a guided roadside walk with a local elder to learn more about the different types of scar trees in the local area, expected to take place later this year.

She said another $3200 will go towards an on-ground revegetation program, focusing on building biodiversity through targeted planting of 1000 tubestock plants adjacent to roadsides, on waterways and at the Greens Road Reserve and Fosters Lake Reserve in Glenrowan.

“We are very thankful to receive support for both of these projects,” she said.

Any Greta Valley Landcare Group members who would like to register their interest in planting on roadsides or waterways, should get in touch with Ms Day during February on 0437 136 162 so an order can be placed.

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Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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Homeless death reporting plea

By RYAN MALCOLM VICTORIA’S peak advocacy body for homelessness has urged the government to mandate the reporting of homeless deaths to the coroner, in order to further understand and address circumstances which impact an estimated 30,000 Victorians each night.

Council to Homeless Persons chief executive officer Deborah Di Natale recently wrote to Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes to prompt the move, noting more Victorians would die unnecessarily unless homeless networks could gain a better understanding of the contributing factors.

“People who experience homelessness are at much higher risk of serious illness and death from the extreme heat or cold, untreated medical conditions, mental health, addiction issues and suicide,” Ms Di Natale said.

“Despite the best efforts of frontline services, too many people who experience homelessness are falling through the cracks.

“People come to homelessness from a range of experiences – we must always remember that these are people whose friends and family love

them, and that they deserve a home and healthcare like everybody else.

“The absence of mandatory reporting means we simply do not know exactly who is dying prematurely in Victoria while homeless, when and why.

“Victoria cannot stem the rising tide of homelessness deaths if it does not understand what is fueling it.”

A recent investigation by Guardian Australia found homeless Australians were dying at an average age of 44, with high rates of suicide and overdose prevalent among those experiencing or at risk of finding themselves without a home.

The 2021 census found Wangaratta was home to 150 people experiencing homelessness, and Beyond Housing chief executive officer, Celia Adams, said more needed to be done to ensure those experiencing hardship were treated with the dignity and support they needed.

“The overrepresentation of First Nations people in the homeless deaths is a distressing indicator of the deepseated inequities within our society,” she said.

“This is unacceptable and requires a targeted, culturally-

sensitive approach to provide the necessary support and resources to Indigenous communities.

“The fact that Australia lacks a comprehensive system to count the number of deaths among the homeless, as highlighted by the investigation, is a significant oversight.

“Without accurate data, our understanding of the scale of the problem remains incomplete, and our efforts to address it are hampered.

“We advocate for a holistic approach that includes affordable housing, accessible healthcare, mental health support and culturally appropriate services for First Nations people.”

A Victorian Government spokesperson said the government invested more than $300m each year to support Victorians experiencing homelessness, and also provided targeted investments through the Victorian Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan, the From Homelessness to a Home initiative and Homes for Families.

The spokesperson said the Attorney-General was yet to formally respond to the Council for Homeless Persons’ request.

HAVING A BALL: Joan Guttormsen was among those enjoying a brisk game at the Wangaratta Croquet Club on Wednesday morning. The club welcomes members of the public to come and try croquet every Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9am, with equipment and instruction provided. For more details contact Susan Fischer on 0417217009. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

D C D E N TA L C L I N I C P U R P O S E D E S I G N E D FA C I L I T Y LO C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D Our team of experienced Dentists & Hygienist are here to offer our patients the highest calibre of professional oral health care and to service all of your dental needs.

GENEROUS FARMERS: Locky Heywood and Bruce Bennett have about 100 bales of hay to donate to fire-affected farms in Wunghnu.

PHOTO: Luke Plummer

Everton shares hay with fire affected Wunghnu farmers Friday, February 14, 2014

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THE Everton farming community has collected two trucks full of donated hay bales in just three days as part of a large hay drive organised to help farmers in fire-ravaged communities.

The donations are a generous show of support for the town of Wunghnu, north of Shepparton, which was the starting point of a fire that had spread to 9283 hectares as of yesterday.

Bruce Bennett said he saw the hay drive organised on Facebook and has worked with Locky Heywood to collect about 100

10 years ago bales of different sizes so far.

“I just thought, I can do something, and I started ringing around,” he said.

“There’s a lot of hay being burnt and a lot of grass in the paddocks.”

Although farmers need hay for their own feed this time of year, there was a big local response and many have donated between two and 20 bales each.

“Everton seems to rally together for everyone,” Mr Heywood said.

“It’s a pretty generous community I think.”

The town has also organised hay drives in the past during the fires in the North East in 2003 and Black Saturday in 2009, as well as major flood events.

“Maybe one day we’ll need the help, but we’d rather be giving than receiving,” Mr Bennett said.

He and Mr Heywood plan to drive to Wunghnu today to deliver the hay, but are still looking for more donations, for either this trip or another delivery during the week.

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 15

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Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND The Black Sorrows playing at WPACC

Moyhu community market tomorrow THE next Moyhu community market will also celebrate Lions Awareness Day, at the Moyhu Lions Park this Saturday from 8am until 12pm.

Learn more about the Moyhu Lions Club, what it does and how you can get involved, with the club also participating in the Lions Biggest barbecue which raises funds for the Australian Lions Childhood Research Foundation.

There will be a range of stalls, with breakfast available, freshly brewed coffee plus colouring-in for kids.

JOE Camilleri and The Black Sorrows are coming to the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre tonight, performing at 8pm.

Joe Camilleri has been at the forefront of the Australian music scene for decades and Joe’s band, The Black Sorrows, are one of Australia’s most prolific and enduringly popular bands.

With hits including Shape I’m In, Hit and Run, Chained To The Wheel, Harley and Rose and Never Let Me Go, limited tickets are available by visiting wpacc.com.au.

Beauty & Fear at Wangaratta Art Gallery AN exhibition called Beauty & Fear bringing together recent work by artists Robert Hirschmann and Andy Pye - who share a profound connection with North East Victoria and its landscape - is open at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

Together, the artists demonstrate their deep affinity for the natural world - the mountains, boulders, waterfalls, and birdlife captured in Andy Pye’s vibrant paintings on canvas and board, or the night sky lit and framed by an iridescent moon in Robert Hirschmann’s gestural paintings and drawings.

The exhibition is on display until February 25.

Quilt display in Wangaratta SUPPORT OUR CAUSE: Wangaratta Men’s Shed member Mal White is encouraging the community to help raise the $25k scammed out of the shed last year.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Men’s Shed market hits 115 stalls

THE Wangaratta Men’s Shed is set to host 115 stalls at their huge country market this Sunday, with an aim to recoup the $25,000 scammed from the organisation last year.

The money was being saved for a major upgrade of facilities for increasing members, and included a $10,000 grant through Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines’ office.

Men’s Shed member Gordon Remnant said the local community has been extremely generous with monetary and prize donations.

“We’re getting stuff all the time, it’s great,” he said.

“There will be 115 stalls present featuring a large range of products including clothing, jewellery, candles, crafts, antiques, homewares

and many other products.

“Food and refreshments will be available with a barbecue, soft drinks, ice creams and coffee vans.

“It will be a day for the whole family with displays, a busker and for the kids a jumping castle, hair braiding and face painting.

“And if you want to restock your pantry with some goodies there will be a fruit and vegie stand, salamis, homemade sauces and chutneys as well as berries and other treats.

The Men’s Shed will have their own stall with loads of hand tools, power tools and workshop equipment as well as appliances, furniture, planters and all sorts of odds and ends.

They will also be running a spin-

ning wheel throughout the day with dozens of prizes to be won.

Wangaratta Repair Cafe will also be taking the mobile fixing trailer to the market.

The cafe will be attempting any repairs that people might like to bring along and will also have a few items for sale.

For more information go to WangRepairCafe on Facebook or email fixit@wangrepaircafe.org.

For a comprehensive list of wares available, check out the Wangaratta Men’s Shed page on Facebook.

The market will be held on Sunday, from 9am to 1pm at the Wangaratta Saleyards Complex.

For more information contact Mal White on 0431 084 380.

EVERY month, Women in Stitches is featuring a selection of quilts created by some of its members at My Little Patch.

For the month of February, see the work of Jo Matheson and Anne McLean and be inspired by their creativity, on display at the shop located at the rear of 49 Reid Street.

Wangaratta 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 $25 each (no bookings required) with more information via the market’s Facebook page.

FEELING THE BEAT: Vatos Locos promise to get everyone dancing at the Rural City of Wangaratta’s Outdoor Ball on Saturday night.

Outdoor Ball will be a community party for all Experience Artdraft of Infinity by Akhila Fernando

ART OF INFINITY: An exhibition of paintings, photography and batik by Akhila Fernando, is being held at the Art Gallery on Ovens this weekend.

PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke

ONE of Australia’s top Latin bands, Vatos Locos, is coming to Wangaratta this weekend to perform at the rural city’s Outdoor Ball on Saturday night.

Hundreds are expected to gather in Merriwa Park for the popular annual event, when it is transformed into a magical party venue by the addition of live music, beautiful lighting and a giant mirror ball.

Vatos Locos are known for their energetic performances, blending Latin rhythms with contemporary sounds to create a vibrant, party atmosphere, drawing everyone to the

dance floor.

Fronted by lead vocalist German Silva, the band has performed and toured nationally and internationally with the likes of Ricky Martin, Cyndi Lauper, Men at Work, Vanessa Amorossi, Rogue Traders and more.

They also love to perform favourite tunes deeply rooted in the rhythms of salsa, Afro-Cuban music, samba, funk, R’n’B and Bossa Nova.

Those who attend will be able to purchase a variety of food and drink options from local vendors, including a selection of the region’s best local wines, and they can grab a photo for

the memory board at the photobooth.

Admission is free and there is no need to book, but for those looking to elevate their experience, VIP table bookings for 10 guests are available online at events. humanitix.com/2024-wangaratta-outdoor-ball-tablebookings.

The 2024 Outdoor Ball will be held on Saturday night in Merriwa Park from 6pm to 10pm.

The event strictly prohibits BYO alcohol or glass containers and maintains a smoke, vape, and drug-free environment (with service dogs welcome).

AN exhibition of contemporary batik textiles, paintings and slow-shutter photography by Wangaratta artist Akhila Fernando, has opened at the Art Gallery on Ovens.

Akhila is a Sri LankanAustralian artist who learnt batik from his artist father; the craft having been part of his life for as long as he can remember.

“Our home was a gallery, so I grew up surrounded batik and it’s part of my heritage,” he said.

“I remember working with my father at his studio day and night, doing some batik and making dyes.

“I thought it was part of living - I didn’t think of it as a career or profession.

“Over time I’ve developed my skills in other media - I like to have various practices in my creativity - different ways to express my thoughts, feelings and inspirations.”

Akhila and his family moved to Wangaratta from Bendigo in 2022 and his five-year old daughter also contributed her own batik work to her father’s first solo exhibition, which also includes batik silk scarves.

A technician at Wangaratta Art Gallery, he has contributed animation projection works to festivals in Bendigo, Benalla and the New Year’s Eve event held in Wangaratta at the showgrounds.

He said this exhibition

expresses the concept of infinity and the feeling that we are all doing a “draft” at some stage at life.

“I wanted to have a draft feeling to the exhibition - for me an artwork can be finished, but for someone else, it may be unfinished - so it’s always developing,” he said.

“What’s perfect for me might not be for someone else.

“It’s infinity - there’s no end to creativity, and there’s no beginning to it either.”

Artdraft of Infinity will be open at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street today from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 17

NORTH EAST NATURALLY

THE ELEGANCE OF THE BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE

By IAN DAVIDSON and CHRIS TZAROS THE Black-faced Cuckooshrike is the most common of the two species of cuckooshrike that occur locally.

The other species is the White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike which we featured several weeks ago.

The most characteristic behaviour cuckoo-shrikes display is the continual shuffling of wings as they raise and refold their wings several times each time they land on a perch.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes are slender, attractive birds with a black face and throat, blue-grey back, wings and tail, and white underparts.

Young birds resemble the adults, except the black facial mask is reduced to an eye stripe.

Their call most often heard is a soft churring, often being described as a warbling “creearck” mostly given in flight, as well as a range of other churring notes.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes are widespread and common, and found in most wooded habitats as well as in urban areas, where birds are often

seen perched on overhead wires or television aerials.

Outside the breeding season, large family groups and flocks may form.

They forage in the eucalypt canopy and the mid-layer, including tall shrubs such as wattles, flying from perch to perch where they momentarily sit and scan for prey, which consists of foliage and bark insects.

Once an insect is spotted, these birds flutter and snatch the prey firmly in their beak, before taking it to a nearby branch where they either swallow their catch or, if the item is large, beat it against a branch before swallowing.

They especially like to prey on caterpillars and play an important part in controlling leaf eaters on regrowth and young saplings.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes often mate with the same partner each year and use the same territories year after year.

The nest is remarkably small for the size of the bird.

It is a shallow saucer of sticks and bark, bound together with cobwebs, often in a fork near the tree canopy.

Both partners construct the nest and care for the young birds.

They breed from early spring into summer when the conditions are good and nestlings fledge at about three weeks.

These birds are often identified in flight, which appears rather lazy, as it gives a few flaps of its wings, then glides with them by its side for a second or two; during this glide, the bird loses elevation until it flaps again, giving the flight its characteristic undulating pattern.

MERRIWA PARK

STRIKE A POSE: Classic pose of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.

PHOTO: Chris Tzaros (Birds Bush and Beyond)

Tomorrow 17 February

6pm-10pm

FREE T EVEN Shake your hips to the rhythmic beats of the Latin band Vatos Locos set in the breathtaking Merriwa Park.

Enjoy food & drinks from our onsite vendors and create a keepsake at our photo booth.

VISIT wangaratta.vic.gov.au/sitp OR SCAN THE QR FOR MORE INFO! Smoke, vape & drug free event, strictly no glass or BYO alcohol. Service animals only.

Page 18 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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“It’s as bad as I’ve seen it”: pest hitting olive growers

By BRODIE EVERIST OLIVE groves in the Ovens Valley are being attacked by a fast-spreading pest, reportedly the worst infestation in years, impacting the local olive crop and adding costs for growers.

Growers are reporting an unexpected proliferation of the olive lace bug, a sapsucking insect up to 3mm in size, attacking the leaves and causing mass defoliation if left untreated.

At Micheal Freudenstein’s Rosewhite property some olive trees appear completely leafless from the sap-sucker.

“We’ve never had them before,” he said.

“Healthy trees should withstand a fair bit of disease pressure but this has just overwhelmed many groves,” he said.

Mr Freudenstein said nearly half of his 1000 olive trees have been impacted by the insect, leading to an estimated 75 per cent cut in his crop this year.

He will be consulting with an arborist to prune the particularly impacted trees to encourage regrowth.

“It’s an expensive operation, the spray you have to use is three or four hundred dollars for 20 litres,” he said.

“We’ve never had to spray for anything in 20 years.”

He said nearly every olive grower he has spoken to has been impacted – even his neighbour with one tree.

“He asked me what the problem with the tree was and I had a look and there were lace bugs all over it,” he said.

PEST PRESENCE: Adult lace bugs on an olive branch. The yellow leaf spotting is a common symptom of an infestation.

LEAFLESS: Olive grower Micheal Freudenstein has seen mass defoliation at his olive groves due to an unexpected infestation of olive lace bug.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist Whorouly-based olive grower Tony LaSpina said he’s never seen a lace bug infestation in the area before, with every tree in his 3000-strong grove impacted by the insect.

“Usually olive trees don’t get anything go wrong with them, but this year they

have,” he said.

“It’s impacted a lot of trees, I think, around the area.”

He said they won’t have an olive harvest this year due to the lace bug, when they usually harvest 18-20 tons of the fruit.

According to former olive grower Colin Bertuch, lace

bugs can be treated with sprayed pesticides, such as a pyrethroid or oil combined with a surfactant – but it’s best to get them early.

He said the Australian native insects will start breeding from September and are probably into their third or fourth breeding cycle by now.

“You can use olive oil in a simple form with a surfactant and spray them, and they suffocate the nymphs at a certain period in their cycle,” he said.

He continues to work on local groves and said he’s never seen infestations this bad.

“There are not many groves that have no impact,” he said.

“Where there is no impact, or apparently no impact, I would suggest the owners have sprayed fairly early in the piece and kept them under control.”

He said a completely defoliated tree will take around three years to restore its full canopy, impacting fruit

production.

“Once your leaves are all impacted, you no longer have photosynthesis and carbon deposits going into your fruit,” he said.

Russ Knight, from the Goulburn Strathbogie Olive Growers Association, said the pest can be eradicated if treated properly when the insects are still wingless ‘instars’ (between nymphs and adults).

“That’s when you belt them,” he said.

“Once they’re in the fourth or fifth instar stage they’ve developed wings - they’re gone.

“They will fly off right around the grove and you are in deep trouble.”

Authorities sick and tyred of cleaning up ENVIRONMENTAL authorities are urging Victorian households and businesses to spare the environment and dispose of their used tyres legally and responsibly after more than 2700 car and truck tyres were found dumped on public land last year.

The Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria recorded at least 60 separate illegal dumping incidents involving personal or commercial quantities of tyres across Victorian public land in 2023, with the State’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) estimating that thousands more have been dumped, burned, or stockpiled.

Dumped car tyres can have serious impacts on human and environmental health.

Old tyres also contain harmful chemicals that leach into the environment and groundwater as they

break down, potentially poisoning plants and animals.

Discarded tyres also present a serious fire risk, as tyre fires are harder to control or extinguish than regular fires.

As rubber burns hotter and more easily, tyres dumped in forests can fuel bushfires with devastating effects.

Legal disposal of old tyres reduces these environmental and safety risks, and recycled tyres can often be turned into other products, including roads and artificial playground turf.

Individual or small quantities of tyres can be responsibly disposed of at recycling centres, such as local council transfer stations, for a small fee so that they can be repurposed.

Most tyre outlets will also accept old tyres as part of government recycling

UGLY AND DANGEROUS: At least 60 separate illegal dumping incidents were reported to Victorian authorities in 2023. schemes, either for free if people have purchased new tyres from their shop, or for a small fee if brought

from elsewhere.

When disposing tyres through one of the above options, people should

check with their local council, recycling facility, or individual tyre seller to see if they accept them.

Victorian businesses also have legal obligations for safely storing and transporting large amounts of waste tyres.

EPA Victoria produces guidance on managing these responsibilities, which can be found at: w w w.epa.vic.gov.au/forbusiness/find-a-topic/manage-industrial-waste/wastetyres.

In Victoria, it is an offence to dump litter or waste under the Environment Protection Act 2017, with maximum penalties ranging between $3846 and $230,772.

For more information on local council waste services, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/recycling-andreducing-waste/at-home/ recycling-at-home/councilwaste-and-recycling-services.

The public can report illegal dumping on public land to 136 186 or to EPA Victoria on 1300 372 842.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 19

REGIONAL NEWS

It’s ‘Airbnb’ Alpine Shire

A NEW report shows over 10 percent of properties in the Alpine Shire are on Airbnb, with around 1.6 per cent of Victoria’s total dwellings listed on the short-term accommodation platform.

The figures have been detailed in a peer-reviewed report by consulting firm Urbis, who were engaged by Airbnb to examine the relationship between short-term rental accommodation (STRA) and housing affordability.

Holiday hot-spots the Alpine, Hepburn and Surf Coast local government areas all have over 10 per cent of dwellings listed as non-hosted STRA on Airbnb.

More than one in 10 p properties p on accommodation p platform

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

‘Non-hosted’ refers to dwellings where the accommodation host does not reside on the premises during the provision of accommodation.

As noted in the report, a hosted STRA property still functions as a long-term residential dwelling and therefore does not directly impact the supply and availability of longterm accommodation.

Key findings from the report include “a weak relation-

ship” between the number of non-hosted dwellings listed on Airbnb and changes in rent prices, and a similar “weak relationship” between the proportion of non-hosted dwellings on the platform and the proportion of households in rental stress.

“Even within locations with a relatively high proportion of dwellings utilised as non-hosted STRA (i.e. over 10 per cent), housing affordability varies substantially, indicating that STRA has no consistent impact on housing affordability,” the report says.

The Urbis report used data

supplied by Airbnb for listings between January 2016 to December 2022.

Airbnb country manager for Australia and New Zealand Susan Wheeldon said shortterm rentals are not the root cause of the housing crisis.

“We want to continue to work with governments and communities to implement statewide rules as the most sensible way to regulate short-term rentals through initiatives, like property registration schemes, so a sustainable approach can be adopted that benefits both communities and industry,” she said

Long-time Bright holiday rental property owner Rod Hall suggested the findings of the Urbis report cast doubt on the capacity of Alpine Shire Council’s proposed short-term accommodation local law to encourage more permanent rentals.

He said rental costs had increased across the state, suggesting the Alpine Shire’s significant number of shortterm rentals was not a primary cause of high rent prices, and said many short-term renters may be planning to move into their currently rented property.

“We don’t have knowledge of what, in that particular 10 per cent, how many will be turned into permanent accommodation,” he said.

“I know for a fact that many of those properties are owned by people who want to come up here eventually.”

A separate discussion paper released on Friday by the Regional Australia Institute suggested the increasing popularity of short-stay accommodation and vacant holiday homes is limiting rental stock availability in regions, and suggested regional councils encourage owners to put their properties up for long-term rental.

NAB set to close its Bright branch

By BRODIE EVERIST

IT’S ALL WORKING OUT MYRTLEFORD’S Apex Park has been fitted out with public fitness equipment stations and local Rotarian Alan Garside was keen to give them a workout this week.

PHOTO: Brodie Everist

Council is considering service station purchase ALPINE Shire Council has submitted an expression of interest (EOI) to purchase the business and freehold site of the Shell Service Station in Bright.

According to a statement released by council this week, the EOI is conditional on a clean environmental report, appropriate

due diligence and a formal council decision by council.

Alpine Shire Council chief executive officer Will Jeremy said the site, at the corner of Gavan and Anderson streets, has strategic value for the Alpine Shire community.

“We know that traffic movement through Bright township

during the busy visitor months can become congested,” he said.

“Council officers anticipate the key intersections of Star Road, Gavan Street and Anderson Street will become increasingly hard to navigate as traffic volumes increase into the future.

“Ownership of the Shell Ser-

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vice Station site would allow us to improve vehicular movements at these key intersections.

“It would also provide an opportunity to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and to improve amenity at the entrance to the Bright CBD.” The purchase remains subject to a formal decision of council.

THE Bright National Australia Bank (NAB) branch will be closing on April 18, with the bank citing falling foot traffic for the decision.

According to NAB, around 63 per cent of their customers in Bright have only visited the branch once in the last year, while more than 72 per cent of customers are also using branches in other locations, such as Wangaratta.

For customers seeking face-to-face banking, the nearest NAB branch is in Wangaratta - 76kms away.

The Bright Post Office offers limited banking services, such as cash withdrawal, cash and check deposits, and account balance checks.

“More and more, our customers are choosing to do their banking online, over the phone, or by video conference,” a NAB statement announcing the closure said.

“Because of these changes, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our NAB Bright branch at 34 Ireland Street, Bright on Thursday, April 18, 2024.”

According to NAB data, cash withdrawals at the branch had dropped from 1049 to 871 per year between 2021 and 2023, cash deposits had dropped from 1556 to 917, and in the same period cheque deposits had fallen from 492 to 281.

Business banking transactions had also fallen from 1808 to 1489 per year between 2021 and 2023.

The Community Bank Bright and the Bright Commonwealth Bank branch remain in operation.

Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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REGIONAL NEWS

Violet Town Music Festival THE Violet Town Music Festival this weekend is set to enter the 21st century with a bang, returning for the first time since the 1990s with a line-up full of local talent, as well as one international act.

The entry fee is whatever you can afford for the nonprofit, grassroots festival two-day festival tomorrow and Sunday.

Canadian troubadour Scott Cook and his sweetheart Pamela Mae (pictured left) form the festival’s feature act.

The duo features guitar, double bass and mandolin, with emotive vocals.

Australian Celtic royalty Saoirse will also be taking to the stage for two sets, along with a host of other performers.

As well as the wonderful musical acts, there are two art exhibitions on display in Violet Town during the festival.

Tickets are available online from https://events.humanitix.com/violet-town-music-festival/tickets.

GV Health looking to take over some hospital services at Euroa Health

Anti-battery campaign heats up at Dederang

By DARREN CHAITMAN

By BRODIE EVERIST

EUROA Health members appear set to vote in favour of a proposal that would see the operation of Euroa Health’s acute, urgent and imaging hospital services taken over by a government-funded health service, Goulburn Valley Health.

Most Euroa Health members appear to have a positive view of the proposal, which was recently endorsed by the boards of Euroa Health and GV Health.

“Based on the discussion at [an information session last week] and the general feedback we’ve been getting, it’s fair to say that members see the proposal as good for the community in terms of keeping hospital services local,” Euroa Health CEO Melissa Seymour said.

For the proposal to be adopted, 51 per cent of eligible Euroa Health members must vote in favour of it at a specially convened meeting on February 22.

If the proposal is endorsed by members, it would still require State Government approval.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the proposal “would bring many benefits to Euroa and surrounding communities”.

“I’ve been supporting and advocating for services at Euroa Health for many years and I am now excited by the prospect of a partnership with Goulburn Valley Health,” she said.

The full extent of the State Government’s support for and involvement in the process leading up to the proposal has not been disclosed, but North East Media understands the State Government has been in discussions with Euroa Health and GV Health throughout the process.

AROUND 100 people attended Mint Renewables’ drop-in session at the Dederang Recreation Reserve multi-purpose building this month to voice their concerns about the proposed Dederang battery energy storage system (BESS), according to spokesperson for Friends of the Kiewa and Alpine Valley Inc Sharon McEvoy.

“It was clearly evident [Mint Renewables] do not have the support of our community or the neighbours,” Ms McEvoy told the Myrtleford Times/Alpine Observer in a statement.

“We are not against renewable energy but ask at what cost to the environment?

“To those at the upper end of the Kiewa Valley our message is simple: please do not be complacent - this is happening everywhere.”

According to Ms McEvoy, the ambient temperature above a BESS can be 65 degrees on a 35-degree day with a 20km/hr wind.

“Mint representatives do not understand rural communities and how we operate and they had no idea what local CFA means and how it works,” she said.

In the past, Ms McEvoy has raised concerns around fire risk and smoke toxicity at the proposed battery site.

In a Falls Creek-Mount Beauty

BATTERY BOTHER: A group of around 100 people attened the Mint Renewables’ drop-in session on February 2.

PHOTO: Supplied weekly magazine last month she said the geography of the valley could possibly “lock in” toxic gases in the event of a thermal runaway incident.

A spokesperson for Mint Renewables said they are completing detailed environmental assessments to evaluate any potential impacts and develop suitable mitigation measures as part of their planning and environmental approval process for the BESS. “As part of this, we have engaged a fire and hazard risk technical specialist to provide advice and assess fire and hazard risk at the Dederang site,“ the company said.

“In the unlikely event of a fire involving a lithium-ion battery, the smoke and gas production is similar to that of a car or structural fire.

“The battery supplier will need to demonstrate through extensive testing against international best

practice standards that the occurrence of fires is mitigated through the use of numerous mandated treatments, including the need to demonstrate through large scale fire testing that the risk of a fire spreading from one battery unit to another is highly unlikely.

“At Dederang, the BESS is located at a significant distance from nearby dwellings, and natural air movement will be sufficient to disperse smoke and gases.

“In the event of any fire the standard advice from firefighters is to stay indoors, and close windows and doors.”

The company spokesperson also said the BESS must comply with the relevant guidelines, standards, and conditions to receive planning approval and operate in accordance with the legislation of the local jurisdiction.

“The indicative layout has been prepared considering the CFA guidelines,” they said.

“We will continue to consult with the CFA to refine the design.”

According to the company spokesperson, they will use the information and feedback learned through the drop-in sessions and from their ongoing engagement with the community and key stakeholders to update the indicative design, inform mitigation measures and impact assessments, and a planning permit application.

“In response to what we heard from the neighbours and community, a further and ongoing engagement program will be developed,” they said.

“We’ll continue speaking with the community, through meetings with neighbours, community groups and other interested parties.”

That same day, the findings of a six-month renewables infrastructure engagement review were handed down, with the Federal Government accepting all nine recommendations.

Recommendations include improving community engagement and transparency, improving complaint handling and keeping communities better informed on energy transition goals, benefits and needs.

Ms McEvoy was also an attendee at the ‘Rally Against Reckless Renewables’ outside Canberra’s Parliament House last Tuesday.

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FEBRUARY 16 - 22 | 2024

Charming restoration with period features THIS amazing fully restored period style home sits on a larger sized 1037m2 allotment in a central part of Wangaratta.

The home consists of three generous sized bedrooms with a central hallway leading to an open plan kitchen/dining and living area at the rear.

No expense has been spared with the renovation with painting, carpets, floating

floor, hot water service being replaced and new ducted refrigerated cooling installed.

The home has been beautifully restored and has kept all the original features with leadlight windows, ornate cornices and decorative fireplaces.

Externally there is a great deck ideal for entertaining, under cover alf resco and a great workshop with

Wangaratta branch 76 Reid Street

Open weekdays 9am to 5pm (closed 1pm to 1:45pm) 1300 004 863 humebank.com.au

Hume Bank Limited ABN 85 051 868 556.

AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 244248.

side access to the rear yard.

The rear yard is secure and is ideal for kids and pets or with the industrial zoning you could even set up your own workshop.

The home presents beautifully and inspections will not disappoint.

Contact Nutrien Harcourts to arrange your private inspection.

3

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Agent

| Nutrien Harcourts

Phone

| 5722 9444

Price

| $640K - $670K

Location | 73 Vincent Road, Wangaratta

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If you’re not in the North East Property Guide, you’re not in the market.

The region’s best property guide located inside your local paper every week and online anytime.

Heritage charm in the perfect location PERFECTLY located just a short walk to the Wangaratta CBD, this gloriously restored three-bedroom house retains all the charm of its era origins, complemented by contemporary living enhancements.

Set behind a picket fence with secure parking for two cars, this meticulous home is set within lovely low-maintenance established gardens and beneath a classically decked verandah.

Impeccably renovated throughout, timber flooring flows through the wide central hallway and open plan living and dining spaces which provides an abundance of natural light and amazing ceiling height.

Centrally positioned, the gourmet stone kitchen is equipped with quality stainless steel cooking appliances and dishwasher.

The main bathroom is fitted with twin stone vanities, oversized shower and a free-standing designer tub.

Each of the three bedrooms has charming original features, such as dado pan-

3

1

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Agent

| Nutrien Harcourts

Phone

| 5722 9444

Price

| $1.1M

Location |

86 Templeton Street, Wangaratta

eling with custom built-in robes.

Additional features include, central heating/cooling, split system, full-size laundry, and a built-in brick outdoor woodfired oven.

A sunny, fully fenced and private paved rear yard make the perfect outdoor dining area with low maintenance rear yard.

Join us at the top

Let us work twice as hard for you 5722 1428 Level 1, 40 Reid St, Wangaratta apex@email.propertyme.com

Win Securities Securities Ltd Win Ltd 43 Reid Street Street 37 Wangaratta Wangaratta 3677 223 ACN 007 346 223 240901 ACL No. 240901 info@winsec.com.au info@winsec.com.au www.wins ec.com.au www.winsec.com.au

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Family Comfort, West End

Family Friendly

Executive Living

5 Spink Avenue

21 Victory Parade

32 Jordyn Terrace

• 3 bedroom family home on approx. 694m2 • Spacious kitchen with meals & dining area • Large formal lounge room including separate 2nd living area • All year round comfort with Split system, gas heating & refrigerated cooling • Paved undercover entertaining area • Single carport with rear access to workshop, storage and further garden shed • Close to schools, childcare & walking tracks

• 3 bed family home on an established 693m2 approx. allotment in the popular West End • Large East facing lounge room • Tiled 2nd living space • Open plan kitchen with adjoining meals/ dining overlooking the rear yard • Ducted gas heating & evap. cooling • Carport plus secure garage/workshop (approx. 15m x 5m) • Paved undercover alfresco area

Vacant 3 Land 2 - 5.49 2 acres

Vacant - 512 3 Land 1

FOR SALE $520,000

FOR SALE $539,000

Beautiful Small Acreage 111 Hughes Road, Boralma • Delightful 4 bedroom weatherboard home boasting a verandah on 3 sides, nestled on a sprawling 2.9 hectares (approx. 7 acres).

• Open kitchen & dining area, slate floors, gas cooktop, electric oven, ample counter space • Spacious, light-filled lounge & sitting space with cozy wood heater & split-system • Three of the bedrooms with BIRs, charming main bathroom inside, separate laundry / second bathroom with a shower and toilet • Manicured gardens, mature trees, & lush lawns • Solar, large machinery shed & double garage

4

2

2

2.9ha

693m2

Spacious Home & Shedding 24 Eldorado-Tarrawingee Rd • Expansive living on over 2ac, offering generous sized residence & ample shedding • Four bedrooms, master with WIR & ensuite • Well-equipped kitchen, electric oven, 5-burner gas cooktop, & walk-in pantry • Light-filled main living/dining area • Two split systems & a wood fire for comfort • Covered alfresco for hosting family & friends • Double garage with internal access, two generous powered sheds, teenage retreat, man cave, workshop and storage.

• Ample water supply with three water tanks

Vacant 4 Land 2 - 513

9,607m2

• 3 bedroom plus study family home in the popular Cambridge Estate • Renovated ensuite to master with WIR • Open plan kitchen & meals area • Spacious lounge room • Versatile formal dining room/rumpus room • Ducted reverse cycle heating & cooling • Paved undercover outdoor entertaining • Double carport with additional garage

Vacant 4 Land 2 - 5.49 2 acres 564m2

FOR SALE $695,000

FOR SALE $795,000

RURAL FAR MI N G

RURAL FARMING

‘Sinclair’s’

167ac | 67.5ha 41 Ellis Lane, Greta • Exceptional Grazing, ideal for sheep & cattle • Capable of running more than 60 cows and calves or 500 breeding ewes • Subdivided 14 paddocks, Very good fencing • Level to rolling terrain. Rye, clover, pasture • Fertile soils with consistent fertiliser history • Fully enclosed 75m2 shed with concrete floor • 5 dams. Established shade & shelter trees • Glenrowan/Moyhu Rd & Ellis Lane frontage • Perfect out paddock, numerous house sites

‘Uppatrak’ 254ac | 102ha Waters Lane, Carboor • Magnificent undulating grazing country • Hurdle Creek frontage, two large water storages & dams, underground mains for irrigation (44 ML ground licence) • Substantial steel cattle and sheep yards • 336m2 hay shed, 131m2 machinery shed & rain water tanks • 9 main paddocks with good fencing • Small area native timber provides shelter • Approx. 250 silage rolls & 150 round bales

FOR SALE $1,690,000

FOR SALE $3,250,000

No GST, Farming Exemption

No GST, Farming Exemption

FOR SALE $900,000

COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT

COMMERCIAL FREEHOLD

Invest or Occupy

Rare Murphy Freehold

Gordon Gibson

104A Murdoch Rd, Wangaratta

5 Murphy Street, Wangaratta

40-42 Rowan St

• Invest in popular central location • Immaculate premises next to popular Hollywoods Wangaratta • Currently occupied by business Allure Luxe (www.allureluxe.com.au) • Four year lease commenced September 2020 (no Options) • 125m2 approx. premises with rear pedestrian access from Ford Street • 50% regional stamp duty concession available

8 Hardisty Street • New family home, desirable central location • Master bed ensuite with double vanity & WIR • Welcoming north-facing formal lounge • Spacious kitchen seamlessly connected to open-plan dining & family living areas • Paved alfresco areas for outdoor entertaining • Enjoy ducted gas heating & evap. cooling • Double remote garage with internal access • Versatile external office & adaptable games/ hobby room or workshop

Vacant 750m2 3 Land 2 - 5.49 3 acres

FOR SALE $850,000

• Located between popular Clydes on Murdoch and Oak FM • Current 3 year lease expires 8th June 2024 • Tenant negotiable with the 3 x 3 Options (for owner occupiers) • Net rental income of approx. $14,780 per annum + GST • High exposure location close to Cathedral College & Our Lady’s schools • 50% regional stamp duty concession avail.

Just Move In!

BUSINESS FOR SALE

BUSINESS FOR SALE

North East Temp Fencing 20 Murrell Street

• Est. in 1976, market leader with expertise in irrigation design, pumping system installation and retail supply across North East Victoria and Southern NSW. • Domestic, commercial & industrial clientele • Turnover $2.5m+. Fully equipped workshop • Extensive plant and equipment • EBITDA exceeding $250k • New & secure lease for incoming purchaser • Vendors will assist with transition of ownership

• 97% Gross Profit Margin • $400k + adjusted Net Profit • Reoccurring income via monthly fence rental • Extensive plant and equipment list • Easily relocated or acquired as a “bolt on” for an existing business • Extensive customer list • Owner willing to assist in hand over assistance

FOR SALE $239,000

FOR SALE $549,000

FOR SALE $350,000 + SAV

FOR SALE $1,495,000 + SAV

No GST, Going Concern

No GST, Going Concern

No GST, Going Concern

No GST, Going Concern

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

NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-L E-POWER WITH E-4ORCE

■ A LIVELY DRIVE: Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE, five-seat wagon . . pricey but different in a good way.

By CHRIS RILEY, Marque Motoring THE term e-POWER is Nissan’s take on hybrids.

In the case of X-Trail, it’s Nissan’s competitor for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, a car so popular there’s a two-year waiting list.

It’s a little different from the system offered by other manufacturers and made its debut in the medium-sized SUV at the beginning of last year.

The X-Trail ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE is the cheapest of the X-Trail hybrids and comes as a five-seater with allwheel drive.

STYLING Signature design elements such as the floating roof and V-motion grille have been enhanced by a unique grille treatment for e-POWER models.

The grille is framed by striking headlights that appear moulded within the bodywork of the front bumper, with combined daytime running lights and indicators nestled along the shut-line of the bonnet.

ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE is priced from $49,990 before on-road costs.

That’s from $3200 to $6300 more than its petrolpowered equivalent, but you can’t quite compare apples with apples.

The conventional five-seat petrol model is two-wheel drive, while the all-wheel drive version

comes with seven seats.

Got to love those tricky marketing people.

There’s also e-Power Ti at $54,690 and the Ti-L at $57,690, also five-seaters.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS The e-POWER with e-4ORCE system is comprised of a high-output 2.1 kWh battery together with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three cylinder variable compression petrol engine, power generator, inverter and twin electric motors -- 150kW for the front and 100kW for the rear (with a combined system output of 157kW).

All-wheel drive comes courtesy of front and rear electric motors, but like most SUVs it operates predominantly in two-wheel drive most of the time with drive to the front-wheels through a single-speed reduction gear.

SAFETY Five-star safety includes seven airbags, including a centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.

There’s also autonomous emergency braking (Car-toCar, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK) and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

A digital around view monitor provides moving object detection, with front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Without the initial start-up noise of a petrol engine, an acoustic alert system warns pedestrians that the car has begun to move.

Isofix child seat anchors are provided for the outside rear seats, as well as tethers for all three rear seats and rear seat alert prevents kids from being left behind in the car.

DRIVING The big difference between Nissan’s hybrid and the others is that the petrol engine does not power the wheels.

The petrol ICE is used only to produce electricity which powers the electric motors that turn the wheels.

That makes it a series hybrid, as opposed to a parallel hybrid like the Toyota Prius (sorry, forgot, they don’t do Prius anymore, at least not here).

Under heavy acceleration or when the battery is low on charge, however, the petrol engine will deliver power not just to the battery – but to the electric motors.

The beauty of this system, according to Nissan, is that the petrol engine is always able to run within its ideal rev range, not forced to lug or over-rev madly as in conventional cars.

In reality the e-Power system feels a little weird

and, in our experience, makes some strange noises from time to time.

In fact, it feels more like an electric vehicle than a petrolpowered one, which it is in a way.

Thanks to drive being provided by the electric motors, Nissan says there’s no delay in acceleration as with an ICE or traditional hybrid.

The instant response delivers exhilarating acceleration to make overtaking or merging onto a motorway easier.

Again, in reality, the response isn’t quite as instantaneous or as thrilling as promised, but it is relatively brisk.

In fact, it feels faster than the claimed 7.0 seconds from 0-100km/h.

However, it can deliver torque to the rear wheels when required up to 10,000 times faster than mechanical all-wheel drive.

A drive and terrain mode selector offers five different modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow and Off-Road.

A switch in the centre console enables one-pedal driving that slows the car as soon as the driver reduces pressure on the accelerator, slowing the car down to a creep -- but not to a complete stop.

It takes the tedium out of constantly switching between brake and accelerator in stop-start city driving as well as turning corner to corner country driving into a new experience.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE: ST 2WD $36,750 ST AWD 7 seat $37,790 ST-L 2WD $43,190 ST-L AWD 7 seat $46,290 ST-L AWD 5 seat e-Power hybrid $49,990 Ti AWD $49,990 Ti AWD e-Power hybrid $54,190 Ti-L AWD $52,990 Ti-L AWD e-Power hybrid $57,190 NOTE: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local dealer for drive-away prices.

And, in case you’re wondering, lifting off from the accelerator activates the brake lights, warning drivers behind you.

In Sport mode with onepedal driving selected, the e-Power X-trail feels lively and almost fun to drive.

It makes short work of hills and remains reasonably tied down in corners, albeit with a bit of tyre squeal.

SUMMING UP Hmmm . . . Not quite sure what to make of the e-Power idea.

The whole point of the hybrid exercise has been as a bridging mode to full electrification, designed to reduce fuel consumption and harmful engine emissions.

While it provides a lively drive experience, the e-Power X-Trail can’t match the RAV4 for emissions or fuel consumption,

but at least it gives buyers a hybrid option and point of difference from competitors.

However, is it enough?

Friends have a RAV hybrid and have been getting 5.7L/100km as regular as clockwork.

RATINGS: Looks: 7.5 Performance: 7 Safety: 7.5 Thirst: 7 Practicality: 7 Comfort: 7.5 Tech: 7.5 Value: 7 Overall: 7.3 SPECIFICATIONS: (Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE, fiveseat wagon) STANDARD WARRANTY: Five years / unlimited kilometres

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 25

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Rural City Connection Friday 16 February 2024

Public notices

Public notices

Public notices

Community Engagement Opportunities To have your say on the following policies please visit Connect Wangaratta www.connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au or visit our website.

Inclusive Wangaratta Action Plan Every person in the Rural City of Wangaratta experiences our community in a different way. Factors including gender, age, race and ethnicity, disability and health status, level of education, employment, and religion, all influence the way people experience the world. We’re asking the community to think about what Inclusion and Access mean to you. Share your ideas, input, and contributions via the Connect Wangaratta website. Submissions close 29 February

Shop Local Survey Your shopping experience in Wangaratta matters to us, and we’re looking to make it even better! We’ve put together a quick survey to gather your thoughts and preferences on shopping hours, seasonal promotions, and more. Whether you love late-night shopping or put an alarm on for big sale days, this is your chance to share your views and influence shopping in Wangaratta. You can take the survey by searching ‘Shop Local’ on our website. It only takes a few minutes, and your feedback can make a big difference!

Expression of Interest – Audit and Risk Committee Member

Outdoor Ball Come along tomorrow night and shake your hips to the rhythmic beats of Latin band Vatos Locos!

Enjoy food and drinks from our onsite vendors and create a keepsake at our photo boot. All set in the breathtaking Merriwa Park. This is a smoke and vape free event, strictly no glass or BYO alcohol. Service animals only. Saturday 17 February, 6pm – 10pm. Free

The Rural City of Wangaratta is seeking expressions of interest for the appointment of an independent member for its’ Audit & Risk Committee for a 3-year term commencing in March 2024. Applicants must confirm a relevant degree qualification and demonstrate their experience in finance, risk, audit, public sector management or experience on other audit committees. For more information, please visit our website www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au Applications close on 23 February 2024.

Banking Safely Online Free Education Session Bendigo Bank in collaboration with the Rural City of Wangaratta, is offering a free education session designed to educate individuals on the importance of digital security and how to recognise and prevent scams and fraud. The free 30-minute session delivered by experienced local Bendigo Bank staff, will take place at the Wangaratta Library on Wednesday 28 February at 10am. For bookings call 5722 0749 or email recreation@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Planning Applications Application No PlnApp23/208

Invest Wangaratta: Business Network Event 2024 Thursday 22 February, 6pm – 9pm, Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre Join us for an evening of networking and learning, tailored for the business community of Wangaratta, featuring keynote speaker Simon Kuestenmacher.

Designed specifically for local entrepreneurs, business owners, and those aspiring to dive into the business world. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights, network, and grow your business acumen.

For more information and to book your tickets visit the Events page on the Invest Wangaratta website.

Companion Animal Desexing Program This program provides low-cost desexing for those in our community who hold a pension, concession, or health care and low-income card. The scheme will also encourage responsible pet ownership by ensuring animals are microchipped and registered free of charge at the same time. Available now, until 31 July 2024, or until the funding is exhausted. For full terms and conditions and instructions on how to participate in the program please visit Council’s website or Customer Service desk.

Young people and their families are invited to join us to celebrate the grand opening of our much-anticipated Youth Hub at 29 Flanagan St, Wangaratta (behind James Tilson Kindergarten). The Hub will serve as a welcoming and safe drop-in space for teenagers aged 12-17 starting from the end of February. The opening event will feature a performance by local musician Jazy Jade, a free BBQ, and exciting giveaways for attendees. Monday 26 February, 4:00–5.00 pm

53 Worland Road Wangaratta

Proposal

Use and development of the land for a childcare centre, display of signage and 3-lot subdivision.

These applications can be viewed on Rural City of Wangaratta’s website under Development, Planning, Current Applications. Any person who may be affected by the granting of a permit may object or make a submission (must be in writing). For more information, please contact the Town Planning Unit on 03 5722 0888. Council will not decide these applications before 20th February 2024

Positions vacant

Care Sector Recruitment Event

Youth Hub Opening Event

Location

This event at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Conference Centre will focus on facilitating connections between potential employees and employers in Aged Care, Disability, and Early Childhood Education.

Attendees can engage directly with representatives from various organisations, gaining insights into current job openings and the overall landscape of the care sector. The event promises to be an invaluable opportunity for both employers and job seekers alike.

Thursday 29 February from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Accountant Customer Experience Officer Town Planner Community Care Worker Domestic Care Worker

closing 19/02/2024 19/02/2024 26/02/2024 25/03/2024 25/03/2024

For further information on these positions please visit https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Careers.

Contact your Councillors

Dean Rees

Harvey Benton

Ashlee Fitzpatrick

David Fuller

Irene Grant

Harry Bussell

Jack Herry

Mayor 0429 623 141

Deputy Mayor 0429 542 928

City Ward 0448 384 600

City Ward 0429 545 907

Warby Ward 0428 189 249

South Ward 0429 475 863

City Ward 0400 669 615

d.rees@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

h.benton@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

a.fitzpatrick@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

d.fuller@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

i.grant@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

h.bussell@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Council Contact Details 03 5722 0888 council@wangaratta.vic.gov.au Wangaratta Government Centre Cnr Ford & Ovens Streets Wangaratta 3677 PO Box 238, Wangaratta, VIC 3676. Open - Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm Closed - Public Holidays

j.herry@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Page 26 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

IN PERSON BY PHONE BY EMAIL 37 Rowan Street, classifieds@ 5723 0101 Wangaratta nemedia.com.au 3677

WHEN TO BOOK

Chronicle Classifieds 2pm business day prior to print North East Jobs 3pm Friday

SELLING A CAR

BUY ONLINE

General Classifieds: wangarattachronicle.com.au Employment: northeastjobs.com.au Real Estate: northeastproperty.com.au

2 WEEKS REGIONAL WITH PICTURE

from $42

OPEN HOURS 9AM TO 5PM MON-FRI

WANGARATTA’S MARKET PLACE WITH OVER 40,000 READERS EACH WEEK IN PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Financial Members of the Wangaratta RSL Sub-Branch Inc will be held in the 2/24th Inf Bn Function Room on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 commencing at 5pm.

Nominations for President, Vice President and three Committee positions will open on Friday, March 1, 2024 and close at 4pm on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Nomination forms and position details can be obtained from the Secretary.

Email: secretary@wangarattarsl.org.au

PUBLIC NOTICES WANGARATTA TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

AGM

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7.30pm, Clubrooms, Wangaratta Showgrounds.

All past and new players welcome.

ROOM for rent, aircon, TV, fully furnished, broadband included, shared accommodation, in Springhurst, $270 per week. Ph 0428 217 493.

First time in town TINA Japanese Nuru massage NO rush Incall / outcall Ph 0414 005 215

EMPLOYMENT R

R

To Visit

Visited

Country Market Sunday, February 18 99 Shanley St Wangaratta 9am – 1pm Over 100 stalls 3,000 garage sale items Mal 0431 084 380

R

R

To Visit Visited ELECTRONIC weight scales, 1.2x1.8 steel trailer, 40 fold down crates, old stone jars, steel shelling, baltic pin bookshelf, garden tools, Unit 60/10 Harrison Street, Wangaratta, Saturday 17. Ph 0450 183 753.

CONCRETING - Big or small jobs. Paths, driveways, shed slabs, R verandahs. 15 years R To Visit Visited experience. For a free q u o t e p h o n e Tr e v HOUSEHOLD items, Anderson on 0422 200 clothes, rabbit cages, dog kennel and heaps 761. more, 5 Phillipson DOG TRAINER, Frank Street, Wangaratta from Vickers, behavioural 8am-12noon. solutions, 0418 314 610.

R

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

Phone Julian 0412 597 482.

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

TILING, wall/floor, bathrooms, renovations.

Phone Claude 0435 945 513.

W H E E L E R Earthworks, available for all your household earthworks needs, yard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, and more.

Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.

R

To Visit Visited MOVING Sale, furniture and household goods, everything must go, cash or card, 8 Wylie Street, Wangaratta, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18, 8am-2pm.

R

R

To Visit Visited RETRO kitchenware, gardening lots of new stock, retro cupboard, Singer sewing machine and cabinet, linen, old tins, FREE stuff, check out pictures on marketplace. Unit 2/16 Donald Street, Wangaratta, Friday 16 11am-5pm, Saturday 17 8am-2pm, Sunday 18 11am-2pm, everything HALF PRICE SUNDAY.

Vacancies Health Care Worker

Part Time, Permanent Contract Up to 76 hours per fortnight

Security Guard

Full or Part Time Contracts 12 hour shifts

Executive Assistant - Executive Directors (EDICPSS & EDPC) Full Time, Permanent Contract

For further details and employment opportunities visit

northeasthealth.org.au/careers

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

North East Shade Sails Commercial or Residential jobs Cameron 0402 563 562

CLASSIFIEDS 5723 0101

HC Truck Drivers Search for more jobs online.....

Full time and part time work for Grape Vintage.

Phone Bruce

nejobs.com.au

0414 521 607

Position Vacant PHARMACY ASSISTANT ROBERTSON’S PHARMACY CURTIS ADAM’S PHARMACY BRIGHT PHARMACY The Robertson Group is looking for

pharmacy assistants to join their busy teams.

No previous experience necessary, training will be provided.

Junior or senior applicants welcome to apply.

Full-Time and Part-Time positions available.

The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate a high level of communication skills and be a team player.

Remuneration in accordance with pharmacy industry award, experience and capability.

Please send all applications to: administration@brucerobertson.com.au All applications will be strictly confidential.

Wangaratta Chronicle Graduate Journalist Career Opportunity Full-time

Following the commissioning of our new state-of-the-art production facility based in Milawa, our team is expanding and as part of our overall packaging development, we are now looking for a suitably qualified Filler/Labeller Operator reporting to the Packaging Production Manager.

North East Media, publisher of the award winning Wangaratta Chronicle, is currently seeking expressions of interest from enthusiastic and motivated candidates to join the team in Wangaratta as a journalist.

About the role: This is a permanent full-time role, responsible for operating our most complex Filling and Labelling equipment, including set up and fine tuning. The successful candidate will demonstrate consistency in achieving targets and have a proven track record in manufacturing operations. We are seeking a person who has passion for learning, who shows initiative and leadership and enjoys being part of a strong achieving team culture.

We are seeking university graduates in journalism/communications (or equivalent experience) who have a genuine interest in living and working in a progressive regional Victorian community.

About you: Ideally, you will have previous experience in a beverage manufacturing environment, have a strong mechanical aptitude, possess a positive and inclusive attitude, enjoy being part of a diverse work environment and the flexibility to undertake shift work.

Our ideal candidate will:

The successful candidate will be expected to write clear, concise and interesting news, sport and feature stories for our tri-weekly newspaper and associated digital and social media platforms.

We are searching for a skilful, passionate and determined journalist with excellent verbal and written English, sound computer skills, solid general knowledge, a genuine interest in the local community, and an ability to build rapport and networks quickly.

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Have well developed organisational skills to drive the continued improvement of our packaging facility.

You will need to be well organised, able to work to deadlines, and have strong attention to detail.

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The ability to demonstrate knowledge of operational functions including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), LEAN, HACCP and quality control will be critical.

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Proven commitment to site safety

Candidates must hold a valid driver’s licence, be available to work flexible hours, and photography and social media skills are desirable.

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Strong problem solving and analytical skills.

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Reliable with willingness to learn.

Full training will be provided to the successful applicants.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

If you enjoy a busy production environment and possess the attributes outlined above, we would love to hear from you.

North East Media is a leading independent family-owned media group with a commitment to community journalism.

Applications, including covering letter and resume, should be forwarded to: Jeff Zeuschner, Group Editor, North East Media jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au

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

Apply by scanning this QR Code.

Emailyouradvert______________classifieds@nemedia.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 27

wangarattachronicle.com.au

EMPLOYMENT

Administration Support 2ႈFHU Kerr Andison and Kenny Pty Ltd is an established ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Įƌŵ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ Ă ďƌŽĂĚ ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ͕ ƚĂdžĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂĚǀŝƐŽƌLJ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ƚŽ EŽƌƚŚ ĂƐƚ sŝĐƚŽƌŝĂ͘ dŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ĂŶ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ƚŽ ũŽŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƚĞĂŵ͘ dŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŝƐ Ă ĨƵůůͲƟŵĞ ƉĞƌŵĂŶĞŶƚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ϭϮ ƌŽƐƚĞƌĞĚ ĚĂLJƐ Žī ƉĞƌ LJĞĂƌ͘ dŚĞ ŬĞLJ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƟĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ƌŽůĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ͗ ͻ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ƌĞĐĞƉƟŽŶ ĚƵƟĞƐ ͻ WƌŽĐĞƐƐŝŶŐ ŽĨ ĞůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐ ůŽĚŐĞŵĞŶƚƐ ͻ ĂŝůLJ ŵĂŝů ĂŶĚ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ͻ ƐƐŝƐƚ ǁŝƚŚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ĚŽĐƵŵĞŶƚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ ͻ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚŽ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ ƚĞĂŵ ͻ KƚŚĞƌ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ŽĸĐĞ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ ĚƵƟĞƐ dŚĞ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ǁĞůů ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞĚ͕ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƟŽŶĂů ƐŬŝůůƐ͕ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ŬĞĞŶ ĞLJĞ ĨŽƌ ĚĞƚĂŝů ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĂďŝůŝƚLJ ƚŽ ƐŚŽǁ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĨŽůůŽǁ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ͘

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Galen Catholic College

FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER (FTE 1: ongoing)

Borinya is a specialist school setting inspired by the Catholic story, that offers young people in years 7-12, an opportunity to re-engage with their education.

An exciting opportunity exists for a highly skilled finance and HR professional to join our team in 2024.

For further details on how to apply and position description please visit our website: https://borinya.catholic.edu.au/news/#jobs or email ksaunders@borinya.catholic.edu.au Applications close on Sunday, February 25, 2024

Xīěʇ åğåāûʇåğʇĦāʈĘěāľåÆÊʇʨĦâĿ¨ŅğʇÜāěʇ¨õõʇĦāʇğīÀÀÊÊÆʇ¿¨ğÊÆʇāûʇĦâÊåěʇ åûÆåľåÆī¨õʇÝåÜĦğʇ¨ûÆʇĦ¨õÊûĦğɉʈHāåûʇāīěʇ¨ú¨ōåûÝʇĦʨúʇāÜʇÊÆīÀ¨Ħāěğʇ ¨ûÆʇ¨ʇĘěāÜÊğğåāû¨õʇÊûľåěāûúÊûĦʇĦâ¨Ħʇåğʇʨğğåāû¨ĦÊɊʇÀāõõÊÝå¨õʇ ¨ûÆʇÜāÀīğÊÆʇāûʇõʨěûåûÝʇÜāěʇ¨õõɉ Êʇ¨ěÊʇÀīěěÊûĦõŅʇğÊÊóåûÝʇ¨ĘĘõåÀ¨ûĦğʇÜāěʇĦâÊʇÜāõõāĿåûÝʇ āûÝāåûÝʇĦʨÀâåûÝʇĘāğåĦåāûğʇÜěāúʇ}ÊěúʇȟɊʇȟȝȟȡɋ

Mathematics Design and Technology – Materials Religious Education Indonesian English Êʇ¨ěÊʇāĘÊûʇĦāʇʨěĦʇɖʇÜīõõɨĦåúÊʇÊúĘõāŅúÊûĦʇ¨ğʇĿÊõõʇ¨ğʇ¨ʇ Àāú¿åû¨ĦåāûʇāÜʇ¨ûŅʇāÜʇĦâÊʇ¨¿āľÊʇĦʨÀâåûÝʇ¨ěʨğɉ

Borinya is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

Borinya embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Êʇ¨ěÊʇ¨õğāʇğÊÊóåûÝʇ¨ĘĘõåÀ¨ûĦğʇÜāěʇĦâÊʇÜāõõāĿåûÝʇ œńÊÆʇĦÊěúʇĦʨÀâåûÝʇĘāğåĦåāûʇÜěāúʇ}ÊěúʇȟɊʇȟȝȟȡɋ

Italian ĘĘõåÀ¨ĦåāûğʇÀõāğÊʇāûʇQāûƨŅɊʇ4Ê¿ěī¨ěŅʇȟȣɊʇȟȝȟȡʇ¨ĦʇȞȟʇûāāûɉʇ 4āěʇÜīěĦâÊěʇÆÊĦ¨åõğʇāûʇâāĿʇĦāʇ¨ĘĘõŅʇĘõʨğÊʇľåğåĦʇāīěʇĿÊ¿ğåĦÊʈ âŕĘğɋɖɖĿĿĿɉݨõÊûɉľåÀɉÊÆīɉ¨īɖÊúĘõāŅúÊûĦɖ

džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ yĞƌŽ WƌĂĐƟĐĞ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ƐŽŌǁĂƌĞ ĂŶĚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ^/ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ƐĞĐƌĞƚĂƌŝĂů ƐŽŌǁĂƌĞ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĂĚǀĂŶƚĂŐĞŽƵƐ͘ dŽ ĂƉƉůLJ ƐĞŶĚ LJŽƵƌ ƌĞƐƵŵĞ ŝŶĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ŽĨ ƌĞĨĞƌĞĞƐ ĂŶĚ Ă ďƌŝĞĨ ĐŽǀĞƌŝŶŐ ůĞƩĞƌ ŽƵƚůŝŶŝŶŐ ǁŚLJ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌŽůĞ ƚŽ ũŽďƐΛŬĂŬ͘ĐŽŵ͘ĂƵ Žƌ ďLJ ŵĂŝů ƚŽ WK Ždž ϯϳ tĂŶŐĂƌĂƩĂ s/ ϯϲϳϲ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĐůŽƐĞ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϮϰ͘

Wangaratta Urology ENDORSED ENROLLED NURSE Dynamic Enrolled Nurse wanted to join our Urology team commencing February on a Part-Time basis approximately 15 hours per week over 2 days.

Some flexibility with hours and days available, on job training provided.

Remuneration commensurate with award/experience.

For further information contact Nicki on 5757 6300 or reception@wangurology.com.au.

CVs to reception@wangurology.com.au

Catering Assistant – Term 2, 2024

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XīěʇğÀâāāõʇÀāúúīûåĦŅʇĘěāúāĦÊğʇĦâÊʇğ¨ÜÊĦŅɊʇĿÊõõ¿ÊåûÝɊʇ¨ûÆʇ åûÀõīğåāûʈāÜʇ¨õõʇÀâåõÆěÊûɉ

Administration Officer

5¨õÊûʇ ¨ĦâāõåÀʇ āõõÊÝÊʇÊú¿ě¨ÀÊğʇÆåľÊěğåĦŅʇ¨ûÆʇğāÀå¨õʇåûÀõīğåāûʇ ¨ûÆʈÊûÀāīě¨ÝÊʇĘÊāĘõÊʇÜěāúʇÆåľÊěğÊʇ¿¨ÀóÝěāīûÆğʇĦāʇ¨ĘĘõŅɉ

Full or part time opportunity An opportunity has arisen for an administration officer to join one of Victoria and NSW’s leading independent news and media groups, based at our Wangaratta office working on newspapers, magazines and digital properties across our group.

Following recent acquisitions, North East Media is seeking additional administration support. You will also be required to work with the finance team to support accounts payable, accounts receivable and general accounting duties.

Key Responsibilities Administration: r 8FFLMZ QSPDFTTJOH GPS DJSDVMBUJPO BOE distribution r %BJMZ EBUB QSPDFTTJOH UBTLT r %BUB FOUSZ BOE JOGPSNBUJPO NBOBHFNFOU r "TTJTU XJUI TFMMJOH BOE CPPLJOH DMBTTJàFE advertising r "TTJTU XJUI DVTUPNFS BDDPVOU RVFSJFT r (FOFSBM "ENJOJTUSBUJWF UBTLT BT requested Skills and Experience r )JHI MFWFM DPNQVUFS TLJMMT JODMVEJOH experience with excel and word r 1SPDFTT ESJWFO TUSPOH UJNF NBOBHFNFOU and organisational skills r &YDFQUJPOBM BUUFOUJPO UP EFUBJM BOE accurate data entry r &YDFMMFOU DPNNVOJDBUJPO BOE interpersonal skills r 5IF BCJMJUZ UP XPSL JO B UFBN CBTFE environment r 4USPOH DVTUPNFS 4FSWJDF 4LJMMT r 1SJPS FYQFSJFODF JO B TJNJMBS administration position would be highly desirable If you are looking for a new challenge in an energetic and stimulating environment, we would encourage you to apply.

Applications should be forwarded to: Deirdre Hart Finance and Administration Manager North East Media dhart@nemedia.com.au

2002 Toyota Landcruiser Prado Grande Auto 4cyl 3lt diesel, excellently maintained by original owner, always garaged, service records, new tyres, leather seats, powered windows, sunroof, remote locking, many features ahead of its time, 458,790km, RWC, registration till August, (RTM 834), $14,500. Phone John 0418 336 819.

2019 Kia Cerato S Auto, 92,600 kms, (1PC1YX), one owner, full-service history, tinted windows, f a c t o r y w a r r a n t y, excellent condition, RW C , $ 2 1 , 5 0 0 .

Ph 0413 780 416.

ݨõÊûɉľåÀɉÊÆīɉ¨īʇʇʇɓʇʇʇoɘʇȝȠʇȢȤȟȞʇȣȠȟȟ

SOLD

Accountant Kerr Andison and Kenny Pty Ltd is an established ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Įƌŵ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ͕ ƚĂdžĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂĚǀŝƐŽƌLJ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ƚŽ EŽƌƚŚ ĂƐƚ sŝĐƚŽƌŝĂ͘

2 0 0 8 F a l c o n Tr a y Ute, 6 speed manual, 294,150km, will come with a RWC, (ZZC298), $5950.

Ph 0438 095 329.

in the North East

Sell your car

ƐƵŵŵĂƌLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌŽůĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƟĞƐ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ͗ tŽƌŬ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝƌĞĐƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƐƚĂī ƚŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚŽ ĐůŝĞŶƚƐ ĚŝƌĞĐƚůLJ͘

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ƐƐŝƐƚ ǁŝƚŚ ĐůŝĞŶƚƐ dK ĐŽŵƉůŝĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂĚǀŝƐŽƌLJ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘

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džĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵƉƵƚĞƌ ƐŬŝůůƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ǁŝƚŚ yĞƌŽ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ ĂĚǀĂŶƚĂŐĞŽƵƐ͘

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ŽŵŵĞŶĐĞĚ Žƌ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĐŽŵŵĞŶĐĞ ͬ W ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͘

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ZĞŵƵŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƐƵƌĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ƋƵĂůŝĮĐĂƟŽŶƐ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ Ăůů ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ W ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĐŽǀĞƌĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ Įƌŵ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ϭϮ ƌŽƐƚĞƌĞĚ ĚĂLJƐ Žī ƉĞƌ LJĞĂƌ ĨŽƌ ĨƵůů ƟŵĞ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞĞƐ͘

dŽ ďĞ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌŽůĞ LJŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĂďŝůŝƚLJ ƚŽ ŵĞĞƚ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞƐ͕ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƟŽŶĂů ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂŶĚ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĂƩĞŶƟŽŶ ƚŽ ĚĞƚĂŝů͘ dŽ ĂƉƉůLJ ƐĞŶĚ LJŽƵƌ ƌĞƐƵŵĞ ŝŶĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ŽĨ ƌĞĨĞƌĞĞƐ ĂŶĚ Ă ďƌŝĞĨ ĐŽǀĞƌŝŶŐ ůĞƩĞƌ ŽƵƚůŝŶŝŶŐ ǁŚLJ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌŽůĞ ƚŽ ũŽďƐΛŬĂŬ͘ĐŽŵ͘ĂƵ Žƌ ďLJ ŵĂŝů ƚŽ WK Ždž ϯϳ tĂŶŐĂƌĂƩĂ s/ ϯϲϳϲ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĐůŽƐĞ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϮϰ͘

Looking for a change of direction?

Find your next job in the classified section of the or go online anytime at

OLD cars wanted, cars removed. Ph 0435 083 115.

Motoring

tĞ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƉĞƌŵĂŶĞŶƚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚ ǁŝƚŚ Ϭ ʹ ϱ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͘ dŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ŝƐ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĨƵůů ƟŵĞ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ ŇĞdžŝďůĞ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĞdžƚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŵĞŶƚŽƌŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĂƐƐŝƐƚ ǁŝƚŚ ĐĂƌĞĞƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘ ͻ

2005 Ford Falcon Ute XR6 BA MK II, auto, super cab, 173,000km, new tyres, (THQ392), $10,500. Phone Danny on 0405 165 092.

get

from 2 weeks * $ in 2008 Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R 3.2TD for sale, $12,000 ONO w/RWC, rego (YXZ612). Contact Michael 0431 880 783.

42 9 papers

*Cond apply.

Ph 5723 0101

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

CARAVANS & CAMPERS

MY 2019 Nissan Juke J AY C O Sterling Nismo RS, AWD, auto 2013 22ft, immaculate in stunning black, this condition, slide out fun packed small 5 Dr queen bed, full annex and hatchback has been veranda and lots of extras, lovingly cared for by (V71417), $40,500. Ph present older owner, 0438 511 958. regretful sale, making way for campervan, less than 25,000kms RQ FORFN 0DQV¿HOG DOO books, service records, keys, RWC etc, reg (BOP081), $26,750. Call P I O N E E R A rg y l e Paul on 0488 444 650.

Camper annex and 90L water tank, very good condition plus many CLASSIFIEDS other extras, $18,000.

Ph 0439 875 080.

WORK! 5723 0101

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

Page 28 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

DEATH NOTICES

BENNETT, Betty Irene.

4.6 Fibre Glass boat/ trailer, 70hp Yamaha, very little use, all safety gear, new seats, awning, paint and gel coat, totally refurbished, new transom, GPS, S o u n d e r, $ 11 , 7 0 0 .

Ph 0407 161 665.

FIREWOOD, garden sleepers, fencing timber, pallet material. Phone Northeast Firewood 0448 933 999.

FREE Range Hens, ISA Brown Pullets,POL, $28 each. Phone Becky or Hugh on 5798 1868.

GARLIC locally home grown, for eating and planting, A1 quality, come see us at the Men’s Shed Market! Ph 0427 936 630.

HORN sewing machine cabinet, $250.

Oak sideboard with oval mirror, 2 doors and 3 drawers, $200. Ph 0439 330 289.

TYRES new and secondhand, trailer, rims, wrecking. New hours 9am to 5pm, M o n d a y, Tu e s d a y, Wednesday, 44 Newman Street, Wangaratta. Ph 0428 257 221. Adzam Tyres.

If you don't use it...

Sell it!

Chronicle Classifieds

22/4/1941 – 13/2/2024 Passed away peacefully in Wangaratta with family by her side.

Loving wife of Ted (dec).

Loved Mum and mother-in-law of Rosalie and Greg (dec), Darryl and Vanessa, Gayle, Peter, Carolyn and Greg, Sheryl and Tim, Glenn and Tanya, Shane and Kim. Grandma of Tim and Josh; Jacob, Hayley and Mikaela; Bayden and Kayte; Asha and Xavier; Kya and Jade and Jye. Great Grandma of Ted. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, As we leave this earth one by one, The chain will link again.

wangarattachronicle.com.au

DEATH NOTICES

COLLINS, Dorothy.

Passed away on February 7, 2024.

Loved sister of Bill.

Sister-in-law of Yvonne.

Loved Auntie of Mark, Brendan and Tina.

Sleep peacefully.

Forever in our hearts.

DEATH NOTICES MEEHAN, Bruce Thomas.

3/10/1936 – 12/2/2024 Loving husband and father.

Graveside service.

Please see North East Funerals website for Funeral Service details.

BENNETT (nee Watkins), Betty.

Of Markwood.

Brother of Jim. Sister-in-law of Joan (dec).

Aunty to Vicky and Herman, Gary and Trish, Deb and Joe, Karen and Craig, Trudi and Nathan and their families.

Rest in peace.

BENNETT (Nee Watkins), Betty.

Sister of Dot. Brother-in-law of Max. Aunty of Greg and Lisa, Brian and Jacqui, Dale and Julie and their families.

A life lived with so much love, Never really ends, But goes on forever, In the hearts of those who remember.

5HXQLWHG ZLWK 7HG Ɔ

BUSSELL (nee Deering), Violet Mary.

15/4/1932 – 15/2/2024 Passed away peacefully at Rangeview Private Nursing Home with family by her side.

Loved wife of Max (dec).

Loving mother and mother-in-law of 6XVDQ DQG *UHJ 0LFKHOOH DQG *HR൵ Kristine and Ray. Devoted Nanny of Emma, Jessica, Tim, Ben, Claire and Stephanie and Great Nanny of Allie and Charlie.

God looked upon his garden, And saw an empty space, And then he looked upon you, And saw your smiling face.

He put his arms around you, And called you home to rest, God’s garden must be beautiful, Because he only takes the best.

get results.

CORIN, Valerie.

7KH 6WD൵ DQG UHVLGHQWV RI ,OORXUD 5HVLGHQWLDO $JHG &DUH DUH VDGGHQHG E\ WKH UHFHQW SDVVLQJ RI 9DO &RULQ :H ZRXOG OLNH WR H[SUHVV RXU GHHSHVW FRQGROHQFHV WR WKH IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV RI 9DO GXULQJ WKLV GL൶FXOW WLPH

MEEHAN, Bruce.

7KH 6WD൵ RI ,OORXUD 5HVLGHQWLDO $JHG Care are saddened E\ WKH SDVVLQJ RI %UXFH 0HHKDQ ZKR KDV EHHQ SDUW RI RXU FRPPXQLW\ :H ZRXOG OLNH WR SDVV RQ RXU GHHSHVW V\PSDWK\ WR KLV IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV GXULQJ WKLV GL൶FXOW WLPH

CURCIO, Francesco.

28/7/1946 – 11/2/2024 Loving husband and father.

Privately cremated.

Please see North East Funerals website for Funeral Service details.

Personal Notices LOOKING for a female partner between 60 and 70 years of age, friendship and companionship.

Please reply by email robertmccalman58@ gmail.com

14/8/1947 – 7/2/2024 With extreme sadness we say goodbye to our loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Wife to Harry (dec).

Mum to Tom, Sharon, Ann, June, Judy and Vickie.

Mother-in-law to Andrew and Daniel. *UDQGPD DQG 1DQQ\ WR (PPD 7L൵DQ\ Marshall, Benjamin, Jasmine, Hunter, Ehlana.

Nana to Malachai and Ariellah.

The things we feel so deeply are the hardest things to say, you will always be remembered in a very special way.

classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

MURPHY, Terry James.

7KH XQR൶FLDO &(2 RI 1+: 14/2/1944 – 11/2/2024 3DVVHG VXGGHQO\ DW 1+: MXVW WZR GD\V VKRUW RI \RXU WK /RQJ WHUP SDWLHQW RI WKH 2QFRORJ\ 8QLW &KHULVKHG 3RS RI .- DQG -RUGDQ 3DUWQHU RI 3DWULFLD GHF 6WHS IDWKHU WR &KHU\O 'HDU IULHQG WR PDQ\ He always enjoyed a laugh and a chat with everyone. +LV IDPLO\ ZRXOG OLNH WR H[SUHVV WKHLU VLQFHUH WKDQNV WR DOO WKH PHGLFDO VWD൵ WKDW FDUHG IRU 7HUU\ RYHU WKH \HDUV HVSHFLDOO\ WKH 2QFRORJ\ XQLW DQG KLV VWRQD WKHUDSLVW DW 1+: 3ULYDWH FUHPDWLRQ 'RQDWLRQV LQ PHPRU\ RI 7HUU\ FDQ EH PDGH WR WKH 2QFRORJ\ 8QLW DW 1RUWK (DVW +HDOWK :DQJDUDWWD WOOD, David Benjamin Douglas “Ben” 1/3/1926 – 12/2/2024 Loving husband of Rhona (dec).

Brother of Ella and Lorna (dec).

Dearly loved father of Dianne and Ian. Father-in-law to Dave and Fiona.

Adored Pop of Matthew, Jason, Ben, Olivia, Jason and Isabelle.

Great-Grandfather of Chase, Katelyn, Boston, Ivy, Alec and Grace.

FUNERALS BENNETT

WOOD, David Benjamin Douglas “Ben”.

DEATH NOTICES FLOYD, Reginald 18/5/1964 – 4/2/2024 Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Micheline and family. ~ Charlie (dec), Dawn (dec), Naomi, Rodney, Trudi, Murray, Annette, Neville, Gregory (dec), Justin.

Romans 8, 38-39.

5723 0101 COLLINS, Dorothy.

DEATH NOTICES

FOLETTI, John David “Jack”.

6/6/1932 – 6/2/2024 Passed away peacefully at Raymond Terrace, NSW. Formerly of Eldorado, VIC. Aged 91 years.

Much loved husband for 66 years of Pam. Loved and respected father of Michael, Christine, Debra, Raymond (dec) and Kylie.

“Pop” to 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Loved brother of Yvonne and Stuart (dec) McAliece, Milawa.

Uncle of Kerrie and Glenn and their families.

A cremation has taken place.

The President and members of the Probus Club of Wangaratta Inc. mourn the loss of our highly regarded member and former President.

With our deepest sympathy to Ben’s family.

Personal Notices

may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering for Mrs Betty Irene Bennett, to be held in the Milawa Hall, 181 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1.30pm.

A private service will have preceded this gathering.

Mason Park

Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

BUSSELL The service of thanksgiving for Mrs Violet Mary Bussell will be held in St Michael’s Anglican Church, corner Appin and O’Leary Streets, Wangaratta on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 1.30pm.

Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

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

Mason Park

Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication

classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

wangarattachronicle.com.au

FUNERALS COLLINS A funeral service to honor the life of Dorothy ‘Dot’ Collins will be held at The Pavilion, Pioneer Park, 72 Coronation Avenue, Bright on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 commencing at 11am, followed by interment at the Bright Cemetery.

Dot’s funeral service may be viewed via livestream at northeastfunerals.com.au/live-stream/

WOOD A funeral service to celebrate the life of Ben Wood will be held at North East Funerals – Bell Room, 184 Greta Road, Wangaratta on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10.30am, followed by burial at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

BEREAVEMENT THANKS SCHUBERT, Carl John.

28/3/1970 – 10/1/2024 Carl’s family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who VHQW XV ÀRZHUV IRRG DQG EHDXWLIXO comforting messages at this sad DQG GL൶FXOW WLPH LQ RXU OLYHV Carl will live forever in our hearts. ~ Kerrie, Merilyn, Andrea, Nigel and families.

SGARIOTO, Emma.

19, 1998.

A mother’s love is something special, No one can explain.

I t ’s m a d e o f d e e p devotion, sacrifice and pain.

A daughter’s love for her mother, Is a treasure no one can steal.

Then with the parting comes the heartache, No one can heal.

God took your hand, And made us part.

He closed your eyes, And broke my heart.

I would give the world if I could say, “I’m going to see my mother today”.

To see her face, And see her smile, Just to sit and talk awhile.

But to wish you back would be in vain, I wouldn’t want you to be in pain.

I not only lost my mother, I lost my best friend.

Missing you always.

Forgetting you never.

- Your loving daughter Denise, Peter, Sarah, Christopher, Erin, Arron and great grandchildren Leilah and Ryan.

Sunny

29o 31o 33o THURS

may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication

FRI

SAT

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

www.wangarattachronicle.com.au

ROMANCE BLOOMS IN RURAL CITY

BIG BLUE TALKING POINT

classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

$1.80 INC. GST

Phone (03) 5723 0100

Page 3

Wangaratta Golf Club has joined the Blue Tree Project, sparking potentially lifesaving conversations among golfers, according to club manager/secretary Tracey McKinnon.

plus

tv GUIDE

MAGPIES’ FIRST BIG HIT-OUT

STORY PAGE 5 PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Sport

PRIDE AND JOY Almost 1000 people celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and music at second annual festival

PRIDE Fair Day has made its case as a permanent feature on the rural city’s events calendar after a successful sequel event on Friday evening.

Nearly 1000 people attended Batchelors Green to help celebrate and immerse themselves in LGBTQIA+ music and culture through a

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

variety of festive stalls, activities and live performances.

People from as far as Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne trekked their way down for the festival

with 80 per cent of attendees coming from the rural city.

LINE executive officer Allison Winters said it was inspiring to see the positive local response to the event.

“It’s really comforting for us to know with 80 per cent of attendees from the local area, I think it’s showed us there is such support lo-

cally,” Allison said.

“It’s really amazing meeting all of the different people who were blown by how big the event was, how many stalls there were and by the fabulous music.

“I think we’ve seen from the numbers and the feedback this year that people want it, they value it, they

love it and it’s bringing not only a benefit for the local community in terms of social connection and safe and welcome spaces, but there’s also an economic benefit as well.

“A big thanks goes to the Wangaratta community and council for supporting the event and showing that it’s wanted in the community.”

After an overwhelming inaugural event at King George Gardens last year, festival organisers made the shift to the bigger Batchelors Green venue which doubled the attendance, with more stalls, activities and bigger performances proving to be a hit.

■ Continued page 2

Faces of Small Business Learn more in this Friday’s issue.

investwangaratta.com.au

Local News.

STAFFORD, Phyllis.

21/8/1957 – 17/2/2014 From mornings first light until evenings last star, We will always remember how special you are. ~ Love from Wayne and Liana.

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, January

SOCIAL FOCUS

15, 2021 wangarattachronicle.com.au

Charge up your engines

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, January 15,

Wangaratta students compare admirably

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

New members are always welcome.

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

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Country stacks up in VCE

2021 - Page 5

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

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

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

40+. figure.

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

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

with his Touring Car. PHOTOS: Kieren Tilly

after a year like no other

Wang Repair Café returns

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

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

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

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

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

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

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

A

SIGH OF RELIEF: After a long, tough

BORDER BUBBLE IS NOW IN PLACE

(left) and Amy Henderson were celebrating

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

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

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

“But, I got there in the end and am

looking forward to the next step.”

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

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

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

their university offers yesterday.

PHOTO: Kieren Tilly

offers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home Care Packages for Wangaratta

W

O

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

Travel delays are expected, so please plan ahead.

year local graduates Kayla Fisher

Teens look to the future with uni

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

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

Kayla, 17, has been offered a

N

The memory of a much loved family member or friend can live on through a donation to your local health service Northeast Health Wangaratta. This is a direct way of helping us to continually improve patient care and comfort, ensuring the availability of comprehensive health services in our local community.

Family and friends can make a donation in lieu of flowers in recognition of the medical care and attention provided.

Personal DELANEY, Kaye.

Notices Passed away February

LL

Remember your loved one in a lasting way

TODAY

26o

CA

The Sgarioto family would like to express how truly grateful we are for all of your wishes and support. Thankyou to all that were able to attend Mum’s funeral, many came from far and near.

To North East Funeral for the wonderful and professional care that they showed us with all the arrangements.

7R DOO WKH VWD൵ DW 6W -RKQV IRU WKH FDUH and love that they showed Mum, whilst she was there.

A special thank you to Dr Liz Walker for her devoted time and care.

Thank you again, God Bless.

RIP Emma Sgarioto.

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 29

Live at home for longer

For more information visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au

The only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta

Authorised by the Victorian

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

Gardening and home cleaning Transport for medical appointments

Home nursing services Personal care

Caring local staff

Government, Melbourne

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

Latrobe Service

Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association

John & Christine Haddrick

5722 2525

All Hours

northeastfunerals.com.au

A funeral experience... not just a funeral service

Mason Park 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.

To make a donation or to request information about memorial service donations or remembering Northeast Health Wangaratta in your will, please contact Community Engagement Team (03) 5722 5069 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.

Funerals

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

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Page 30 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

wangarattachronicle.com.au

SCOREBOARD

JUBILEE GOLF CLUB February 10 Ladies’ 18 Hole Par Competition Winner: Yog Naidoo +1.

Ball Winners: Lee Freeland (2) 0, Val Ellis 0, Kelly Roberts 0, Di Murphy -3.

NTP: 4th Lee Freeland, 8th Linda Stone, 17th Lee Freeland.

February 10 Men’s 18 Hole Par Competition A Grade Winner: Robert Voss +3.

Runner Up: Steve Fisher +1.

B Grade Winner: Trevor Gunn +4.

Runner Up: Eric Smith +2.

C Grade Winner: Finton Eames +2.

Runner Up: Michael Bailee 0.

D Grade Winner: Paul Stacey +3.

Runner Up: Brian Lee +2.

Ball Winners: John Johnstone +2, Michael Lugg +1, Peter Glidden +1, Rod Sebire +1, Terry Docherty +1, Greg Rigoni +1, Jeffrey Elliot +1, Glenn, O’Connell +1, Nigel Cooper 0, Bernie Grealy 0, Ben Honeychurch 0, Mark Dean 0, Leigh Symons -1, John McKenzie -1, Kelvin Archer -1, Wayne Hibberson -1.

Super Nine Club Shirt: Pat Ernst 21.

Aroma Deli: Trevor Gunn 21.

2 Balls: Val Ellis 20.

NTP: 4th Ken Beitzel, 8th Eric Smith, 13th Michael Lugg, 17th Michael Cordier.

Monday, February 12 Stableford A Grade: KeIth Moorhead 36.

B Grade: Garth Fullerton 36.

C Grade: Russell Stone 38.

Ball Winners: Ian Dinsdale 35, Brian Carr 35, John West 36, Martin VanRhee 35.

NTP: 4th Stan Goldsworthy, 8th Paul McInerney, 13th Stan Goldsworthy.

February 14 Men’s 9 Hole Competition A Grade Winer: Glen Hunt 20.

Runner Up: Mark Nolan 19.

Ball Winners: Gary Dinsdale 18, Mark Dean 17.

B Grade Winner: Russel Stone 20.

Runner Up: Tony Kosch 20.

Ball Winners: Rod Canny 19, Jim D’Arcy 18.

NTP: 4th Ben Honeychurch, 8th Mark Nolan.

February 14 Men’s 18 Hole Stroke A Grade Winner: Carmine Pane Even.

B Grade Winner: Pat Grady -1.

C Grade: Angus Williams Even.

Ball Winners: Trevor Nipress Even, Michael Monro Even, Martin VanRhee Even, Noel Holmes +1, Ian Dinsdale +1, Andrew Walker +2, Alex Jones +2, Pat Ernst +3, Atilla Kungl +3, Steve Fisher +4.

NTP: 4th Ken Beitzel, 8th Martin Vanrhee, 13th Ian Wiedemann, 17th Pat Ernst.

WANGARATTA GOLF CLUB WGC Competitions: Week ending February 11 February 6 Womens 9 Hole Stableford Winner: Lesley Anderson 19 Points.

Runner: Jill Halbwidl 18 Points.

Ball Winners: Sue Miller, Lorraine Adams.

NTP 9th: Jill Halbwidl.

Wednesday, February 7 18 Hole PAR Winner: Bobby Hutchieson +5.

Runner Up: Craig Donoghue +2.

Ball Winners: Rod Moyle, Kurt Schubert, Simon McKay, Trevor Cooper, Michael Webster, Steve Baertschiger, Andy Raison, Steve Noble, Geoff Davidson, Bill Dodd.

NTP: 4th Geoff Davidson, 7th Bobby Hutchieson, 9th Trevor

SHOT: Leah Jenvey hits her tee shot at the Wangaratta Golf Club.

Cooper, 13th Kurt Schubert, 16th Simon McKay. 9 Hole Stableford Winner: Graeme Arnold 21 Points.

Runner Up: Graeme Beale 20 C/B Points.

Ball Winners: Bob Haynes, Joe Antic, Mark Stephens, Sam Antonacci, David Lawson.

February 8 Women’s 9 hole Stableford Winner: Maggie Ray 19 Points.

Runner Up: Janette Collier 18 C/B Points.

Ball Winners: Helen Tate, Barb Woodward, Sue Miller, Dawn Fleet.

NTP: 13th Lesley Anderson February 10 Men’s Competition: 18 Hole Stableford A Grade Winner: Ashley Clayton 41 Points.

A Grade Runner Up: Martin Anania 39 Points.

B Grade Winner: Jake Burns 42 Points.

B Grade Runner Up: Craig Bihun 39 C/B Points.

Ball Winners: Rod Moyle, Ethan Bell, Denis Hill, Chris Oates, Scott Proctor, Kurt Schubert, Ray Hutton, Doug White, Dylan Shepherd, Bill Dodd, Trevor Trimble, Judd Schubert, Seb DeNapoli, Harry Verdon, Darren Hovey.

NTP: 4TH Joe Antic, 9th Geoff Webster, 11th David O’Brien, 13th Ethan Bell, 16th Arnold Sparks.

Secret Six: Darren Hovey.

Birdie: Jake Burns, Rod Moyle.

Raffle Winner: Karen Smith.

Women’s 18 Hole Stableford.

Winner: Jan Hill 36 Points.

Runner Up: Hayley Kuiper 35 Points.

Ball Winners: Barb Thomas, Liz Bannister.

Sunday, February 11 Medley Stableford 18 Hole Winner: Darren Oats 40 Points.

18 Hole Runner Up: Evan Laverty 39 Points.

CROQUET Results for Monday, February 12 are as follows: Dawn Wind and Terry Wilson d Wendy Waddington and Maureen O’Keefe 7/2, Elise Downes and Christine Ireland d Margaret Bennett and Cheryle Beckley 7/3, Joan Dyson d Robyn Muller 7/6.

On Wednesday morning five members attended in windy conditions with Lauren Kazenwadel and Terry Wilson playing ricochet.

Commencing at four o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, five members played in the Shepparton Croquet Club St Valentine’s Day Social event.

Last weekend Andy Barbero played in the three day Australian Croquet Association Presidents Eights Tournament in Melbourne and won his section by one hoop from his doubles partner Richard Hingst.

Andy won five of seven matches.

Each match is best of three, so at times he played nine games in a day.

Playing days are Monday,

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling Wednesday and Saturday commencing at 9am and Wednesday at 6pm.

Visitors are welcome to come down and enjoy some games with our members.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow for the draw to be done.

Late arrivals will be included in the next game.

The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.

For further information please contact president Susan Fischer on 0417217009 or secretary Terry Wilson on 0417326739.

TARRA GOLF CLUB Tarra Ladies Last week on a very hot Tuesday morning the Tarra ladies played a 9-hole stableford event.

Di McLaughlin was the winner with Audrey Bradfield coming second.

Di also had the NTP on the 8th.

Next week the ladies will hold their opening day with an 8.00am for 8.30am start.

WANGARATTA PICKLEBALL CLUB Results round 13 Section 1 Bryan Wilson 54 - 39, Trish Phyland 52 - 41, Geoff Allen 47 - 46, Klaus Kazenwadel 33 - 60.

Section 2 Teague Jenkin 60 - 48, Neville Bell 54 - 54, Tracy Loyst 53 - 55, Tim

Dickinson 49 - 59.

Section 3 Scott Bell 52 - 32, Michael Reid 48 - 36, Molly Booth 44 - 40, Andrew Howse 24 - 60.

Section 4 Jane Wachter 59 - 41, Judith Pollard 56 - 44, Nancy Reid 45 - 55, Georgia McGuffie 40 - 60.

Section 5 Courtney Mackinnon 60 - 33, Clive Jones 47 - 46, Jennifer Reid 43 - 50, Erin Matthews 36 - 5.

Aggregate top performers Kazenwadel, Klaus 504/498, Phyland, Trish 502/428, Dickinson, Tim 449/411, Gaudion, Ken 441/415, Johnston, Steve 439/436, Bell, Neville 429/452, Wilson, Bryan 353/204, Allen, Geoff 348/305, Simsen, Sue 339/309, Reid, Nancy 339/393, Reid, Jennifer 335/416, Booth, Molly 288/244, Wachter, Jane 267/184, Reid, Michael 266/307, Jenkin, Teague 265/217, Cripps, Graeme 265/289, McGuffie, Georgia 212/248, Loyst, Tracy 209/248, Bell, Scott 191/197, Mackinnon, Courtney 175/93, Jamieson, Chris 175/203, Matthews, Erin 166/203, Pollard, Judith 141/135, Goudie, Les 116/92, Newton, Marg 108/152, Chivers, Tyson 106/66, Westcott, Donna 106/147, Boyd, Noel 101/95, Howse, Andrew 101/173, Hanratty, Mandy 93/97, O’Brien, Russel 86/109, De Caneva, Carlo 85/88, Ross, Michelle 83/180, Jones, Clive 81/99, Densten, Phil 60/19, Diaz 41/60.

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 31

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PHOTOGRAPHER Kurt Hickling took photos of the A grade cricket match between Wangaratta Magpies and Ovens Valley United, as well as some players at the Wangaratta Croquet Club open day.

OVENS VALLEY PLAYERS

FRASER ELLIS CHERYLE BECKLEY

JACK DAVIES

JAMES NEARY

OVENS VALLEY’S SLIPS CORDON

COOPER THOMASON

LAUREN KAZENWADEL

NIC BONWICK

TERRY WILSON

NICK PELL

Page 32 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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AWFA main draw released for 2024 season

Bushrangers announce 2024 squads

SPORT

By NATHAN de VRIES WANGARATTA City FC will kick off the 2024 Albury Wodonga Football Association season with a home game on Sunday, March 17.

The Red Devils will host St Pat’s at South Wangaratta in the opening round of the season, and have a run of home matches before taking to the road in mid-April.

The 22-round season will culminate in a three-week finals series, with quarter finals played on August 25, semi-finals on August 31 and September 1, with the grand final set for Sunday, September 1.

The league will take a week off after round two (March 24) until round four (April 7), with the third round to be made up in the second half of the season in mid-June and July.

The club’s rivalry with Myrtleford Savoy for the Darrel Van Der Steeg Memorial Shield (men) and Christina Mancuso Cup (women) will once again fire up, set for round 10 on May 19, before the rematch in round 21 on August 11.

The senior men will have to wait for a shot at revenge for their fiery semi-final loss to Albury United, set for Sunday, June 2, with a second confrontation pencilled in for the Wednesday, June 12.

To view the 2024 Albury Wodonga Football Association main draw for season 2024, visit www.awfa.asn. au/2024-main-draw.

RIVALRY: Wangaratta City and Myrtleford Savoy will first meet on May 19.

A HUGE HONOUR: Four-time Muay Thai world champion Toby Smith (centre) hosted a special two hour seminar at local Jenko’s Muay Thai gym on Saturday afternoon which thrilled the enthusiastic class of 16.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

THE Murray Bushrangers have announced their squads for the 2024 Coates Talent League season.

In the under 18 boys five players from Wangaratta teams have been selected in the 41-man squad and will be hoping to put their names up in lights this season.

From Rovers, Tom Forrest, Will McCarthy and Jez Rigoni were all selected, while Joe Berry and Oscar Roberts will represent Magpies.

For the under 18 girls, Wangaratta Rovers guns Mila Armstrong, Lily Gibb and Amelie Thompson all made the cut.

The town of Wangaratta was well represented in the under 16 boys with Jaxon Coleman (Wangaratta Rovers), Kade Hadley, Gus Jayet (Wangaratta Centrals), Hamish Laverty and Blake Newton (Wangaratta Magpies) all selected.

The u18 boys’ season will kick off on the weekend of March 23

FISTS UP: Toby Smith with trainer and owner of local Muay Thai gym, Michael Jenkins after Toby’s seminar.

World Muay Thai champion brings the thrill for eager local fighters IT’S not every day you have the opportunity to learn from the very best, but 16 members of local Jenko’s Muay Thai gym felt that rare excitement on Saturday afternoon.

Four-time Muay Thai world champion fighter Toby “The Weapon” Smith held a special two hour seminar on Saturday afternoon, offering hands-on and in-depth teachings for local fighters.

Trainer and gym owner Michael Jenkins said it was a thrilling experience for everyone involved, with Smith

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

going through advanced techniques for grappling, stand-up clinching and sparring strategies which have taken the fighter to the top of the world.

“It was terrific, from the get-go he said he was going to throw a bunch of different stuff at us which was really cool; everybody learned a lot,” he said.

“The feedback from everyone was amazing, I was

a little bit anxious because you never know with some really big name people, sometimes being a really good fighter doesn’t mean they’re a great trainer, but this was one of the best seminars I’ve ever done.

“It was very physical, very constant and he had great energy which was infectious.

“He was really inclusive for people of different abilities and different fitness levels, everybody was just buzzing at the end.”

Smith was in Albury on Saturday morning hosting a

separate seminar and helping a local fighter, Noah Hamilton, prepare for their first pro fight.

Seminar spots quickly filled out before organiser Ben Hamilton could save room for mate Jenkins and his class.

But in good faith, Hamilton offered to see if Smith would travel to Wangaratta and host a separate seminar for Jenkins and his keen gym participants, which he was happy to do.

Learning the sport from his father’s gym in Perth, Smith took his career to the

next level by moving to the sport’s heartland in Thailand, where the 30-yearold became famous for his relentless, pressure based style which has led to an impressive 61-8-1 career record with 26 knockouts.

Jenkins said it was a privilege to host Smith at the gym and an excellent initiative in growing the sport through “The Weapon’s” masterclass.

“It’s one of those things which is really inspirational for guys to be able to have that experience, to train with someone who is world-

class in that sport and seeing how they put things together, how smoothly they move and their strategies,” he said.

“Grappling is not my strong suit so it was good to have someone come in and be able to open so many doors and different ways of approaching it and being effective in it.

“Even afterwards, most people stuck around for another hour just talking about their highlights, what they enjoyed and took away from it, so it was a really invaluable experience.”

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 33

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SPORT

Finals countdown: Every WDCA side’s run home

THE A grade WDCA season is rapidly approaching the knockout stages, with the top four set to play off for a spot in the grand final.

However, the ladder is poised on a knife’s edge with just over 17 points separating second from sixth, and with two matches left to determine finals standing, there’s still some explosive cricket to come.

Here’s where the A grade teams sit two rounds out from finals, and what they need to do to give themselves the best shot at a flag.

1st: Yarrawonga Mulwala (8W-4L), 96.8pts.

Last two opponents: Ovens Valley United (6th), Wangaratta Magpies (5th).

The Lakers have been far and away the team to beat in the red ball format, and so far, no one has.

An unblemished two-day record sees Yarrawonga Mulwala sit comfortably on top of the table, with a home semi-final all but guaranteed.

Should they fail to fire against the Tigers and Magpies over the coming month – both of which who have struggled with the two day game – and should both Rovers United Bruck and Beechworth pull off massive points-awarding victories, then possibly the Lakers can

fall out of the top two.

They have batting depth – four different batters have made centuries this season – and they have bowling depth, with an attack more than capable of skittling teams while limiting runs.

Pencil in a trip to Stan Hargreaves Oval for the semi-finals, because the Lakers are on fire.

2nd: Rovers United Bruck (8W-4L), 88.9pts.

Last two opponents: Delatite (7th), Benalla Bushrangers (8th).

There have been a few hiccups along the way, but there’s a reason Rovers United Bruck are in the top two teams more often than not.

The list is full of players who can take the game away from opponents with bat and ball, and looking at their run home, a pair of wins heading into finals is not out of the question.

They are the only team likely to jump the Lakers should results go their way, but could be jumped by Beechworth and City Colts should the Hawks take their eye off the ball.

The reigning premiers are going to be tough to handle in the finals, especially if they get a semi-final at their home ground.

3rd: Beechworth Wanderers (6W-5L, 1N/R), 81.5pts Last two opponents: Wangaratta Magpies (5th), Delatite (7th).

Much has been made of Beechworth’s top order batters, and for good reason – they’re the best in the business.

Their first four batters are in the top five leading run scorers in the league, led by skipper Brenton Surrey with 587 runs averaging 53.36.

If the big four are on, then the Wanderers can begin looking for space in the trophy cabinet, but it’s never as easy as it appears.

Their lower order has been damaged by the success up the top, with a lack of time in the middle leaving them vulnerable if exposed.

The bowling attack is solid, but batting is what will take them to the finals – be ready for some crowd catches if you’re at a game.

4th: City Colts (7W-5L), 80.6pts Last two opponents: Benalla Bushrangers (8th), Ovens Valley United (6th).

Rounding out the currant finalists are the Colts, and they’re been one of the biggest improvers this season.

They won three from three of their pre-Christmas red ball games, against fierce

rivals Wangaratta Magpies and Rovers United Bruck, but have also come up very short with the bat in recent matches.

A late-season resurgence against teams lower on the ladder could give them the confidence they need to shirk their historic ability to choke in finals, but fail just once and they could fall all the way to sixth and miss out on finals all together.

5th: Wangaratta Magpies (6W-6L), 79.0pts Last two opponents: Beechworth Wanderers (3rd), Yarrawonga Mulwala (1st).

It’s bizarre seeing the Magpies this far down the ladder.

The batting hasn’t been up to where it was previously, and they’ve been in the game multiple times only to just fall short with the willow.

Another thing going against them is their run home, taking on two of the top three sides who are very much in form.

One this which hasn’t changed is their bowling attack, sitting as arguably the greatest in the league – there have only been four matches where the ‘Pies have not bowled a team out, and in the past two rounds,

they’ve taken 20 wickets in the match.

If the ‘Pies can take a win over either Beechworth or the Lakers, it will have serious ramifications, and if results go their way, we could be seeing the Magpies in finals.

6th: Ovens Valley United (5W-7L), 72.8pts Last two opponents: Yarrawonga Mulwala (1st), City Colts (4th).

The one-day premiers have struggled in the twoday format, there’s no denying it.

From their five red ball matches, the Tigers have been bowled out for less than 90 runs four times against teams from across the ladder.

A drastic improvement in batting is needed, and they’ll have to withstand the might of the Lakers and Colts to even have a chance of playing finals.

One aspect in their favour is the ladder is so close, a single result could change everything, but the Tigers must win their final two matches to keep themselves in the conversation.

7th: Delatite (4W-7L, 1N/R), 67.6pts Last two opponents: Rovers United Bruck (2nd),

Beechworth Wanderers (3rd).

Mathematically, it’s not looking great for Delatite’s finals chances, a far few points off the pace and up against two of the best teams going around.

There have been some positives from the season, having posted 200+ totals and bowled teams out – they’ve even beaten Yarrawonga Mulwala in a onedayer back in January.

It’s very unlikely they’ll make finals, but they can still play havoc for those up the ladder if Delatite can pull off an underdog victory over the next month.

8th: Benalla Bushrangers (3W-9L), 58.2pts Last two opponents: City Colts (4th), Rovers United Bruck (2nd).

The Bushrangers won’t feature in A grade finals.

They’re too far off the pace and up against sides who are hitting their straps, but it’s not as grim as first appears.

They beat the Hawks back in round one, Beechworth in round nine, and came two runs shy of downing the Magpies in round four.

Improvements are on display, and if they can take down the Colts, it could open the door for teams to sneak into the finals.

Country Week blues for WDCA

By NATHAN de VRIES

SPIN-SATIONAL: Benalla’s Priyank Chohan has taken five of the 20 wickets taken by WDCA at Country Week.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

THE tough week for the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association squad at Country Week continued with two further losses on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wangaratta won the toss and elected to bat first in Tuesday’s match against Sale Maffra in a rain-interrupted affair in Kew, going down by two wickets.

The WDCA made 10/185, carried by strong starts from four of their first five bats.

Josh Nanson (21 from 48 balls), Priyank Chohan (22 from 35), Dylan Bursill (24 from 27), and Josh O’Donohue (28 from 82) all batted well but couldn’t translate that into a massive score for their team.

The wheels started coming off when Sale Maffra’s bowlers found their rhythm, with skipper Darcy Bolton (3/35 from 10 overs) and Steven Spoljaric (3/28 from seven) tearing through Wangaratta’s middle order.

A late innings stand from Tyler Nanson (36 from 37 balls) and an explosive cameo from Gurjot Gosal (10* from three balls) helped the WDCA to a tough but defendable total of 185.

The bowling innings started well after Gosal found an edge to remove opener Cormac Hassett for just six runs, and after Josh Nanson held onto a return catch from Spoljaric (12) and Josh Ansell castled Kevin Renecke (24), Sale Maffra were sitting 3/45.

Chohan and Kent Braden picked up wickets of their own as the runs kept coming, but the rain started to fall forcing a stop to proceedings with the chasing team 6/119.

After play resumed, Sale Maffra’s Ben Jones stood against the flow of wickets, belting an unbeaten 40 from 60 balls.

It came down to the wire, but Wangaratta didn’t have enough runs on the board to adequately defend.

Gosal (2/28 from 10) and Chohan (2/32 from nine) again impressed with the ball, with four other bowlers chipping in with a wicket.

The WDCA were looking to turn their Country Week around in Wednesday’s clash with Mornington Peninsula at Glen Waverly’s Central Reserve, but were knocked over for just 115 runs, a total Mornington chased three down in less than 31 overs.

Sent in to bat, WDCA’s Chohan slashed the ball and ran aggressively, but opening partner Josh Nanson fared less well, bowled by Patrick Nagel for one run.

Wangaratta’s batters offered little resistance, with number seven batter Jacob Beattie the only other to make more than 20 runs – the 16 runs coming from wides would’ve accounted for the third highest score for the WDCA. In response, Mornington were resolute in attack and defence, putting 43 runs on the board before Chohan snared the first wicket.

A run out from Mitch Giggins six overs later had the score sitting at 2/60, and while Chohan picked up a second wicket late in the chase, the WDCA had little luck defending the total.

WDCA sat on the bottom of Pool B heading into the crossover matches, and took on (Leongatha DCA) yesterday - match report in Wednesday’s Chronicle.

Page 34 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2023/24 season

PREVIEWS: Saturday, February 17

Justin Solimo on life, cricket, and how to keep battling along

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

CHANCES are if you’ve played any sort of cricket in Wangaratta over the last 35 years, you would likely have crossed paths with Justin Solimo.

The City Colts stalwart will play a record 400th senior game for the club this weekend in the A grade squad taking on Benalla Bushrangers at Bill O’Callaghan Oval at the Barr Reserve.

With 7156 runs, three centuries across multiple grades, numerous batting awards and the 1992/93 B grade premiership to his name, ‘Slimma’ has had an incredible innings in local cricket.

More into tennis in his younger years, Solimo started playing competitive cricket in the late 1980s in the primary school competition for Wangaratta West, a precursor to the current under 12 club based set-up in the region.

Solimo would make his way to City Colts Cricket Club in January 1989 to play under 14s cricket, rising through the ranks to make his A grade debut at 15 years old.

“I remember I batted number nine and I made two, I was pretty much dropped the following game and I didn’t play a game for A grade for probably another season and a half,” he said.

“My first 15-20 games of A grade I played as a bowler, not as a batter – I even had my time when I opened the bowling in a few games.

“I always thought I was quick, but I don’t think I was - I’d get a wicket here and there, I could always hit a spot but I always felt I enjoyed batting a lot more.

“From a young age, when

TUCKED AWAY: Justin Solimo in a one day match in 2023.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

MILESTONE MAN: Justin Solimo celebrates his 400th senior match for City Colts this weekend.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling I was in under 14s I used to get shoved into the A grade net, that’s probably where I had to learn how to bat a bit more.”

The runs started coming from ‘Slimma’, including his first century in 1996 (126 vs Beechworth), a follow-up in 2001 (101 vs Whorouly), and more than 20 half centuries in his tenure.

While he was in the victorious B grade squad in the early ‘90s, Solimo said the journey has had its ups and downs.

“I’m pretty proud to get to 400, but I’ll be honest, there have been a lot of disappointments along the way,” he said.

“I know I’ve played in six losing grand finals, but all the semi-finals wins were the biggest highlight for me, but we didn’t do any good when we got into the big one.

“A lot of people say to me ‘you’ve played a lot of cricket but you haven’t got that A grade flag next to your name’ and it hurts; when the club won it about five or six years ago, I’ll admit it hurt but I was pretty happy with the club, because I know what it’s like to go through and lose a few.

“That happens, unfortunately - it’s just luck, and I probably just haven’t had that luck along the way, but

sometimes it comes down to not being good enough.”

Solimo, ever a humble realist about the nature of cricket, sees the lowlights as just as important as the highlights, because it keeps the hunger and the drive to continue to play and improve in the beautiful game.

“I always believe, if any country person that plays cricket, I reckon they have more bad days than good days, and that’s probably why we keep turning up,” he mused.

“You feel like you’re losing for a while, then it comes back to you and you think maybe it’s not that bad, we’ll

BIG SWING: Solimo attempts a pull shot in 2013. keep rolling.

“I think that’s what it’s been like all my life with cricket – you might have a good innings, then the next five or six might be ordinary, then you might have a good one again.

“That’s how we keep rolling on.”

Entering the twilight of his career, and with the dreams of an A grade title diminishing but by no means gone, Solimo said one goal would keep him in the whites for a few more years at least.

“I’m coaching our under 14s at the moment, I’ve got one of my boys (Luca) in there, and I’ve got another (Liam) in under 12s, they’re

coming through,” he said.

“The plan is to maybe scale back a bit, probably drop out of A grade hopefully after this year and hopefully play a game with my boys, that’s what I’m looking at most down the track, it’d be good.

“I know a few mates at other clubs who have played with their kids, they reckon it’s a really big highlight, so hopefully I can do that in the next year or two, get a couple of games under my belt with the kids.

“Once they play up in the higher grades, I can maybe put the feet up and go down and watch them - we’ll see what happens.”

Action packed second last round in A grade WDCA action

By WILLSON MACK IT’S the second last round of the home and away season and the finals race is heating up.

With just nine points separating third to sixth place, it’s going to be an interesting race to finals with Beechworth Wanderers, City Colts, Wangaratta Magpies and Ovens Valley United all looking to grab the final two spots in the top four.

In the first game if the round, Yarrawonga Mulwala hosts Ovens Valley United with the latter needing a shcok win to ensure they remain in the finals hunt, but the Lakers have been on fire this season.

At WJ Findlay Oval, Rovers United Bruck will be looking for a con-

fidence building win over Delatite after falling to the Lakers badly last weekend.

City Colts will be looking to consolidate their spot in the top four when they hosT Benalla Bushrangers.

The Colts have lost their last three but will be looking for a spirited display for Justin Solimo’s 400th game.

And finally, arguably the most interesting round of the game will be when Beechworth Wanderers play Wangaratta Magpies at Baarmutha Park.

With the Magpies hosting Yarrawonga Mulwala in the final round of the season, a big win will be needed over the Wanderers if they’re to play finals

GAME ON: Rovers United Bruck meets Delatite this weekend.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024 - Page 35

A cricket season to remember for young star

SPORT

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

BYRON Dodd is a star on the rise.

The u12 Yarrawonga Mulwala cricketer has had a ridiculous season statistics-wise in both domestic and representative competitions.

They are so impressive they’re hard to believe- in the WDCA u12 Gold competition, Dodd has been dismissed just once with bat in hand, making 363 runs at an average of 363 from 13 games.

The 12-year-old also had an impressive country week scoring 166 runs at an average of 166 after losing his wicket just once when he fell to CAW Country for 12.

“I love it,” Dodd said about the game.

“I put a lot of work in and feel like I’ve improved because of it.

“I’ve always been an okay batter but I’ve definitely improved from going down to the nets and having Dad throw balls at me.”

Dodd’s country week for Wangaratta Blue included three 50s from four games, only going out once for 12 in his side’s final game against CAW Country, while he also picked up 5/12 from 5.4 overs in that final game.

“Country week has definitely been the highlight this season,” he said.

“Making three 50s and taking a five-for was awesome.

“It was just so much fun.”

Dodd also had the opportunity to sub field for Yarrawonga Mulwala’s A reserve side in their clash against Rutherglen alongside teammate and good friend Benji Wollington.

“It was cool to field for them,” he said.

“I think the biggest thing I learnt is to watch the batter not the bowler when fielding.”

And while the cricket season is coming to a close, Dodd is looking forward to pulling the football boots on for Yarrawonga Mulwala’s u14 side in the Albury Wodonga Junior Football League.

“I’m looking forward to playing footy but I’m also not sick of cricket yet,” he said.

“I don’t have a favourite out of the two, they’re even.”

TWO WEEKS AWAY: The 2024 Wangaratta Cup is just two weeks away.

Wangaratta Cup day is fast approaching ■ From back page

SUPERSTAR: Byron Dodd has been a prolific run scorer in the under 12 competition this season.

17 MARCH 2024 42.2K • 21.16K • 10K • 5K • 2K Register now

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For the kids, face painting and jumping castles have been booked and as always, Fashions on the Field will be a hit for those looking to dress up.

“It’s going to be a good day out for all,” Barrett said.

“Wangaratta Cup day isn’t just for older groups, we also encourage families to come along who are looking for a day out.

“For Fashions on the Field there will be great prizes on offer that have been supplied by local businesses.”

The cup weekend will kick off on the Friday night though with the annual Calcutta that will be hosted by Sportsbet’s Simon Marshall, while legendary racecaller Ric McIntosh will also be on deck.

Hosted in the Grand Oaks Room, tickets include a two and a half hour beverage package and gourmet canapes throughout the evening.

The club is currently offering a two for one general admission early bird deal which is on offer until Friday, February 23, while there are still premium packages and tickets to the Edge FM Lawn Party available.

Head to https://country. racing.com/wangaratta/calendar/2024-03-02/winsecsavings--loans-wangarattacup-day to purchase tickets.

Page 36 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, February 16, 2024

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Dodd’s a star on the rise

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Page 35

CELEBRATING ‘SLIMMA’ CITY Colts’ elder statesman Justin Solimo brings up a tremendous milestone this weekend, playing in his 400th senior match for the club. Solimo joined the club back in January 1989, and is the current club record holder for most matches played.

■ Story page 34.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Racing’s big day out Wangaratta g Cup p dayy is jjust two weeks awayy and the turf club’s p preparation p is well underwayy

THE Wangaratta Cup is just over two weeks away and preparation is well underway.

After a three year hiatus, the $100,000 event finally returned last year with Don’t Doubt Dory taking the feature out.

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

Alongside the cup, heat three of the Country Mile Series ($75,000) will be run again which will attract plen-

ty of handy milers.

Wangaratta Turf Club chief executive officer Sean Barrett expected the day would be a treat for thoroughbred fans “We’ll have the two main races for the day, those being the cup and a heat of the Country Mile Series so it will

Seeding & Tillage Field Day

be a great day of racing for racing purists,” Barrett said.

“We’re expecting to attract strong fields across the day, along with a good crowd as well.”

After a bumper January that saw the club host three meetings, along with a day

of jump outs, Barrett said the track team have the course in good nick.

“We had a massive January so the track team have been working hard to get it ready for cup day,” Barrett said.

“The track’s looking fantastic at the moment and it’ll

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only get better over the next couple of weeks.”

There will be plenty of entertainment to indulge in with the Luke and Dan Trio headlining the bands, while Marc Paola will also perform.

■ Continued page 35

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