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IDEAL conditions in the wake of winter have buoyed Peechelba farmer Matthew Nish, who is optimistic he’ll be able to finalise his crop yield before Christmas after working through the festive season in 2022. Farmers across the North East are rejoicing, with Victoria on track to record the nation’s most successful cropping season for 2023. ■ Full story page 14. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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STUDENTS TO TREK FOR CITY’S HEROES Page 5
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RUB WINS CROSS-ROAD DERBY Sport
WSAC COST RISE
CONSTRUCTION of the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre’s (WSAC) expansion project will cost an extra $150,000 due to another rise in materials. The expansion works had already increased $3.92m in June 2022 when the price jumped from $8.46m to $12.38m. The works are progressing at 70 per cent complete, with an anticipated completion
BY STEVE KELLY
skelly@ nemedia.com.au
date of early 2024. Council reported that the latest cost escalations were due to rising cost of materials, in addition, future proofing the build to support the future home of the Wangaratta District Netball Association. Council has received
Expansion p works inflate byy $ $150k after materials increase
a further $3m from the State Government to carry out the netball courts redevelopment with funding confirmed for use in the 2023/24 financial year. The reason for the cost blowout 18 months ago was due to significant unforeseen increases in material and labour costs due to the pandemic.
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impacted by rising fuel prices. “Council officers have reviewed the costings internally and externally several times over the life of the project removing several non–essential items from the works package, and the final cost estimate was less than one per cent off the proposed award
Back then, materials such as steel, timber and concrete increased in cost by more than 30 per cent. In 2022, council reported that three significant changes were caused by both local and international factors, including supply chain issues and labour shortages, and further
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price,” their report said at the time. Councillors approved the extra $150k to complete the expansion project at December’s ordinary council meeting this week and noted that the adjustment still fell within the budgeted amount for the project. ■ Continued page 2
Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
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Expansion works inflate by $150k after materials increase ■ From front page
TOP FACILITY: An artist’s impression of how the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre extension will look once completed.
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Member
Friendly rivalry inspires ‘lights out’ festive display By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
TEMPERATURES: Monday
The WSAC building expansion works include redevelopment and expansion of the indoor stadium, with multi-purpose courts (netball, basketball and volleyball), two new courts, upgrading one show court to competition level including additional seating and a major gym expansion. Council was successful in securing funding through the State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for the construction of the extension and upgrade of the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatics Centre (WSAC) of $5.46 million. “These works are key projects from the Parklands Masterplan and will position Wangaratta’s Sports and Aquatics Centre as a state and national level facility,” council’s report read.
IT just doesn’t feel like Christmas for the Lee family without their bright neon lights decking out their Trotman Drive home during December. Eryn, Stuart and children Amelia and Ethan were hard at work at the beginning of the month laying out a collection of decorations, inflatables, lights and even moving elves inside and outside the front of their home. Ms Lee said it’s often all hands on deck when the month turns over. “It takes a while to untangle them all from last year and to figure out where to put it all; you’ve got to work out where the power points can go, I usually just tell my husband where I want them and he works out where they’re going to be plugged in,” she said. “We started before the kids were born but they like to help out now and choose what lights we should put up and they have a bit of a say in where we put them as well. “Probably the worst part is the roof, trying to get up there and get all of those done.” The Lees have been decorating their family home in lights for the past 13 years. The passion begun over a friendly rivalry between their neighbours while living
A MERRY TRADITION: Amelia, Stuart, Ethan and Eryn Lee love cheering up keen Christmas light onlookers with their display on Trotman Drive. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling in Queensland, where both houses would ‘light-off ’ to see if they could outdo each other in the Christmas tradition. Ms Lee said despite moving to Wangaratta in 2019, they’ve still been keeping tabs on comparing Christmas decorations with their former neighbours.
“I’ve sent them a video of what we’ve done; we changed it up this year with our dragon out the front which we didn’t have last year,” she said. Ms Lee said they have great enjoyment in seeing the completed lights during the night each year, and are always on the lookout for new additions
to the collection. “I noticed one house with the big gingerbread and the big reindeer, they’re pretty good,” she said. “We enjoy doing it for everybody and the kids who like to come have a look, it doesn’t feel like Christmas if we don’t put them up.”
Paramedic plea amid occupational violence spike AMBULANCE Victoria is calling on the Hume community to support paramedics to continue saving lives this festive season, amid reports paramedics are reporting an assault or attempted assault every 15 hours. Between July and November, 20 incidents of occupational violence (OV) were reported by Hume paramedics, while 35 cases were recorded in the 2022/23 financial year. OV incidents increased by 14 per cent across the state last financial year, with 580 cases reported, and Victorian paramedics are continuing to report a rise in violent assaults and verbal abuse. Injuring an emergency worker
in Victoria carries a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence. Ambulance Victoria Hume acting regional director Stuart Reid said there had been some horrific behaviour experienced by paramedics in the last year. “We’ve seen some disgusting acts, including a paramedic being kicked in the groin, a female paramedic groped while fitting a patient with equipment and even a crew on nightshift being harassed by someone banging on the building as they were trying to rest,” he said. “We have zero tolerance for these disgusting and illegal acts, and we do not accept occupational violence as ‘part of the job.’”
Mr Reid said paramedics would leave a scene if they felt unsafe. “Our people’s safety comes first, and they will always be supported not to enter a scene or to retreat if they believe they are at risk,” he said. “For us to provide treatment to you or your loved ones, we need a safe environment to work in. “We recognise emergency situations can be stressful, but becoming angry or aggressive will not help you or the patient paramedics are trying to help.” Mr Reid said paramedics were trained in a variety of strategies to assess, manage and de-escalate violent or aggressive scenes, and
noted the prevention of OV was a priority area for Ambulance Victoria and staff were encouraged to report each instance. He said emergency service worker safety should be paramount as the festive season approaches. “Many Victorians are out celebrating at this time of year, but for our paramedics it’s one of the busiest and toughest periods,” Mr Reid said. “We would ask all Hume residents to help our paramedics care for the community by being respectful towards them and if you are involved in an emergency incident, doing your bit to assist.”
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 3
Trees to be removed at Merriwa Park
DECADES old red gum trees at Wangaratta’s Merriwa Park will be removed on the basis they pose an “extreme risk” of falling and potentially harming people in the public space. Rural City of Wangaratta councillors heard from two objectors at last week’s December council meeting who put in a last ditch effort to save the trees. But it was a 6-1 vote in favour of the trees’ recommended removal, with only Cr Jack Herry against the recommendation because he had “a lack of confidence” in the risk appraisal process. He was referring to an earlier comment by council’s director of community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan that a quantified tree risk assessment (QTRA) only looks at tree health. “It (the QTRA) certainly does assess targets, it assesses the frequency of those targets within the vicinity, it assesses
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
the potential impact, consequences from the tree, it’s all about trying to take a structured approach to risk assessment,” Cr Herry said about the QTRA. He also voiced his uneasiness with what he believed was a conflict of interest with the process that the rural city was the determining authority, the proponent, and also the body which procured the tree risk assessment. But Cr Herry was stopped in his tracks at the meeting as he started down this line of commentary when Cr Harvey Benton made a point of order. “The conversation now has gone away from what we have on the table as a motion and it’s leading to a debate around the conflict of interest,” Cr Benton said. Cr Irene Grant also
interjected and said “it’s taking the argument in a very personal way”. Mayor Dean Rees also put a stop to Cr Herry and remarked “it’s not a conflict so let’s stop talking about it as being a conflict”. Mr Goonan walked back into the council chamber after a short absence and Cr Herry asked him how extensive has the risk assessment been around the removal and reduction of the trees with respect to harmonic dampening. “Trees are incredibly complex structures and they have complex responses to wind forces and other forces,” Cr Herry said. Mr Goonan agreed and said it (harmonic dampening) is certainly taken into consideration and hence why they have taken the approach of not just removing the initial 10 trees they originally noted as being extreme through the risk assessment process.
“We take that into account and there are other factors such as the fact that area is consistently irrigated,” he said. Earlier during public question time on the matter, vocal resident about the trees’ removal Claire Russell said she was confused how the three trees listed for destruction were initially declared safe and at no risk in the QTRA in November 2022. “Number 97 tree was listed as no work required and number 114 there was remedial work to enlarge the cutout for maintenance and tree 152, no work required,” she said. Mr Goonan made a point that he had been over the issue a number of times and apologised if he continued to repeat himself. “Essentially the two risk assessments that you’re talking about are different risk assessments and they’re utilised for different reasons,” he replied.
GUMS TO GO: Three trees will be cut down at Merriwa Park having been deemed a risk to the public.
The biggest toy donation drive for OAK FM By CHLOE JAENICKE OAK FM has had its biggest Christmas donation drop off since its involvement in the Gifts for Kids drive over the past four years. Community radio station president, Neil Barassi, said he was especially pleased with the generosity from the community in this year’s toy drive. “Gifts, large or small for kids of all ages, help to brighten their day and bring a little bit of joy this Christmas,” he said. The initiative is overseen by Upper Murray Family Care (UMFC) which takes the donated gifts and distributes them to families in need. Mr Barassi said it was fantastic to see OAK FM’s foyer filled with toys donated from the local community, especially when people are under their own financial constraints. “This has been by far the biggest toy drive we have been involved in and we wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas,” he said.
GENEROUS COMMUNITY: Neil Barassi is grateful for the community’s generosity in this year’s Gifts for Kids toy drive.
Driver remanded following alleged $100,000 ecstasy haul THE driver of a vehicle allegedly found to contain up to $100,000 in ecstasy tablets during a Dixon Street intercept in Wangaratta in early December has been remanded in custody. Police intercepted the man and a co-accused passenger around 4.30am on December 5, with a search of the vehicle allegedly uncovering a shopping bag filled with 10 ziploc bags full of pink pills in the shape of popular children’s television character ‘Peppa Pig’. The number ‘500’ was scrawled on each of the bags, which weighed a total of more than three kilograms. The pills were reportedly found in the back seat of the vehicle, behind the driver. Both men are charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of the drug. The accused faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court last week, and did not apply for bail. The co-accused had previously had his bail refused in the days following the pair’s arrest. Police had yet to formally test the tablets at the time of the co-accused’s bail application, however, a police informant noted a preliminary test on the night had indicated a strong likelihood the pills contained ecstasy. Both men will return to court on March 7.
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Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
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Kennel club dine out after new $25,000 expansion By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
A CHRISTMAS GIFT: Wangaratta Kennel and Obedience Dog Club’s Ron Webb (left) Kevin Flemingham and Marion Gray were overjoyed to open the new meeting and dining room on Wednesday after expansion works were completed. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Nominations for state Landcare awards now open NOMINATIONS are now open for the State and Territory Landcare Awards, with a number of new categories now open for submissions. Designed to honour the individuals, groups and organisations making contributions to caring for the local environment, the awards’ new categories will recognise climate action, environmental leadership, sustainable agriculture, First Nations, Women in landcare, youth, coastcare and children. Interested parties can nominate themselves, or nominate someone they know who they believe should be recognised for their work to restore, enhance and protect the natural environment in their community. The nomination process is free. The winners of the nine national Landcare Award categories in each state and territory will advance as finalists to the 2024 National Landcare Awards. For more information, or to nominate, visit https://aulandcareawards.awardsplatform.com. Nominations close on March 1, 2024.
CHRISTMAS has come early for the Wangaratta Kennel and Obedience Dog Club which opened its new meeting room and dining space on Wednesday night. The club formally opened the new room at the Wangaratta Showgrounds with Mayor Dean Rees cutting the ribbon while celebrating with a Christmas break up of festive dog dress ups and games with around 40 members. The upgrades are part of the Rural City of Wangaratta’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery and relief centre, which also includes works on relocation and expansion of the Lions Club Shed, improvements to the Wangaratta Rodeo ground, provision of cooling and heating to the existing Sports Development Centre and Wangaratta Football and Netball Club change rooms upgrades. Works at the kennel club have been completed for a few weeks, with the new expansion to increase the club’s ability to house additional animals and provide a
larger meeting room space. The club was awarded $25,000 via the FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities program in September, which will also be going towards the extension and renovation of a new kitchen. Club member Ron Webb said the club was rapt with the completion of the meeting room space and will hold another opening for the new kitchen, which was expected to be completed in March. “That’s probably 90 per cent finished, we’ve done well over six or seven weeks to get it to where it is so quickly,” he said. “We’ve moved out of our original clubrooms over to here [the meeting room] to give us some space to put down the flooring which was only finished last week.” The club’s location at the Wangaratta Showgrounds will complement a range of events which will also be able to benefit from the improved kitchen such as the Million Paws Walk, Relay for Life and the Rod Run car show.
Hospital receives $46k from golf Monday, December 16, 2013
FAIRWAY CASH: WAW Credit Union’s Linda Butler (left) and Jenny Nagle (right) hand over a cheque for $46,539 to Northeast Health Wangaratta deputy chief executive officer Don Tidbury and community engagement coordinator Nadia Tilson.
Local people, local places ...immerse yourself in the region
THERE was nothing backwards about the WAW Credit Union Latipsoh appeal this year, with $46,539 raised. Various events such as Northeast Health Wangaratta’s (NHW) famous Latipsoh Golf Day held at Jubilee and a donation envelope sent to every letterbox in Wangaratta helped reach the total. The money will help in the purchase of essential equipment which may not otherwise have been possible. This year all money raised will go towards much needed medical equipment for the theatre and emergency departments as well as the brand new outpatient clinic rooms. People can continue to support NHW by donating online at www.nhw.hume.org.au.
OU NO T W
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 5
Students to trek Kokoda in memory of local heroes BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au
A CONTINGENT of local secondary school students have jumped head-first into researching Australia’s World War II Kokoda campaign, ahead of trekking the famous trail as part of a local scholarship initiative next year. The Wangaratta RSL subbranch’s Bob Iskov Scholarship ran for the first time earlier this year fully funding a year 11 student from each of Cathedral College, Galen College and Wangaratta High School to make the iconic trek in the middle of their school year. Current year 10 students Mak Clark (Cathedral), John Blake (Galen) and Hayden Currie (Wangaratta High School) will make the journey during the July school holidays in 2024, with training for the expedition expected to ramp up after Christmas. The nine-day trek will see students tackle some 96km of treacherous terrain, and include a rest day at Myola Lakes, the location where the scholarship’s namesake Lieutenant Iskov was separated from his troops for 14 days following the 1942 Battle of Isurava. The former Wangaratta Shire president would eventually reunite with Australian forces at one of Kokoda’s most famous battles, the Battle of Brigade Hill – Mission Ridge in September. Each student will also
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Current year 10 students (from left) John Blake (Galen), Hayden Currie (Wangaratta High School) and Mak Clark (Cathedral) will trek the Kokoda Trail in 2024 as recipients of the Bob Iskov Scholarship. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling carry the name and service details of a local soldier lost during the Kokoda campaign, and lay a poppy at their grave in the picturesque Bomana War Cemetery on the outskirts of Port Moresby. The students said they were champing at the bit to embrace the challenge of the trek, and would consult
with inaugural trekkers Ella Kidd (Cathedral), Hugh Canning (Galen) and Zoe Baguley (Wangaratta) ahead of the journey. “It’s always been on top of my bucket list – I don’t know why but it’s always been there and when I first learnt about Kokoda in history class I thought ‘this is awesome’ and when I found
out there was a track I could trek I just thought it was such a great opportunity,” Mak said. “Ella’s always been a student I look up to – we have a class or two together so she’s been someone I look towards and as soon as I found out (I was selected) she was the first person I texted and I asked her some advice.”
“Hugh plays at my footy club (Wangaratta Magpies) so that sparked a bit of my interest and learning more and more about the history as the days go on since I’ve been accepted into this scholarship – my passion just grows for it and I can’t wait to trek it,” John said. Neither John nor Hayden have travelled overseas pre-
viously, while Mak spent time in Samoa in 2022. “I definitely like the physical challenge of it and the history, and seeing what the soldiers had to take on when trekking the Kokoda Trail,” Hayden said. He said he was particularly looking forward to “meeting the Papua New Guinean people and learning about what their culture is like over there”. The students will trek alongside scholarship students from Gippsland, where Nationals MP and shadow minister for veterans affairs Tim Bull has endorsed tours for students for a number of years. Wangaratta RSL subbranch volunteer coordinator and son of Bob Iskov, Craig Iskov, said the local initiative had been the brainchild of Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy, who had noted more needed to be done to celebrate the Australian victory over the Japanese at Kokoda after making the trek himself. Mr Iskov said the experience had proved invaluable to local students who embarked on this year’s inaugural trek. “The idea is they’ll all come back and be the fabric of society somewhere in life,” he said of the 2024 cohort. “No matter where they end up in life, we hope this experience sets them up and gives them some background history into why Australia is the way that it is today and more than that, just the skills of leadership and teamwork.”
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Local scholarship bridging RSL age gap THE three local students set to trek the Kokoda Trail next year as part of the Wangaratta RSL’s Bob Iskov Scholarship are well aware of the importance of their role in building the organisation’s next generation. The second crop of students will make the famous expedition in the July school holidays, following in the footsteps of this year’s maiden cohort who have so quickly become regular features of RSL-run events upon their return. Having each carried the names and personal details of a local soldier killed at Kokoda on their journey, those students returned to share their own stories of their experience, and reflect on the sacrifice of these people who they had learnt so much about and now better understood. This aspect of the Bob Iskov Scholarship is so central to the RSL’s efforts to bridge the organisation’s current age divide, by prioritising relatability and allowing the RSL’s key messages to spread organically within school groups. The focus of the scholarship is to create young leaders in the community, and have them become leading voices within the RSL membership. The fact two of the three students selected to make the trek next year spoke about how their school’s predecessors directly inspired their desire to apply for the scholarship, is a testament to the groundwork which has been laid behind the scenes, and the quality of student selected for the opportunity. The program is expected to continue until at least 2026, leaving plenty of time for the RSL to continue exploring beneficial relationship the scholarship has to offer. It’s off to a fantastic start.
The Quiz No. 66 1. In 1970, Fiji gained independence from which country? 2. What is the largest species of penguin? 3. Which 2000s TV series featured the character, Sydney Bristow? 4. Attila Abonyi represented Australia in which sport? 5. Who was the first person to become Australian Prime Minister on three different occasions? 6. In the Superman comics, what was the name of Superman’s pet dog? 7. Which Australian band started their career known as Innocent Criminals? 8. In which Australian state was The Wilderness Society founded? 9. Dizzy Gillespie was best known for playing which musical instrument? 10. In what year did Australia II win the America’s Cup? 11. What is the classical Latin name for the island of Ireland? 12. As at January 2016, who have been the two wives of Bob Hawke? 13. How many keys are on a standard piano? 14. The Tiwi Islands are a part of which Australian state or territory? 15. Who wrote the 1977 novel, The Shining, on which the 1980 movie was based? 16. In which decade of the 19th century was the Labor Party founded in Australia? 17. Wayne Gretzky is best known for playing which sport? 18. What was Peter Seller’s real first name? 19. Who founded the Kodak photographic company? 20. In which 2015 movie did Leonardo DiCaprio play the role of Hugh Glass? Answers 1. United Kingdom 2. Emperor Penguin 3. Alias 4. Soccer (Football) 5. Alfred Deakin 6. Krypto 7. Silverchair 8. Tasmania 9. Trumpet 10. 1983 11. Hibernia 12. Hazel Masterson (Hawke), Blanche d’Alpuget 13. 88 14. Northern Territory 15. Stephen King 16. 1890s 17. Ice hockey 18. Richard 19. George Eastman 20. The Revenant Compiled by Ric Allport – www.brainfoodfactory.com – Challenge your Brain
FACEBOOK users this week commented on the local year 12 cohort which received their VCE ATAR scores on Monday, with Greta Dwyer, Orlando Bulmer and Jake Skahill named duxes of the local high schools.
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Lauren McSporren: Wowsers!!! Big congratulations Greta Jane Kealey you guys must be so proud! Grace Patterson: Amazing Greta! So proud of our past St Pat’s students.
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Liz Morrow: Congratulations Greta. A wonderful reward for your dedication and hard work throughout the year Trudi Vincent Lechner: Congratulations Greta. Well done. And all the very best with the years ahead. The world is your oyster Gabby Simmonds: Jane Kealey - congratulations to Greta. Chris and yourself must be proud as punch xx WHS - Class of 73: Well done to the entire Year 12
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cohort from WHS - Class of 73. Hope your life’s journey is as rewarding as has been so far.
Facebook users also commented on the decision by council to reject a proposed 7-Eleven service station on Ryley Street.
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Lauren McCully: unfortunately if they take it to VCAT 7/11 will most likely win, and will come at some cost $$$ to Council Jeremy Kelly: Put out on the Yarrawonga road
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Joy Jones: Common sense prevails! Bellini Homer: Council listened to us the public for once. Thank you.
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Facebook users also commented on a local initiative imploring locals to register their CCTV cameras with police.
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Rebecca Saward: What a great idea. If it helps the Police to make arrests quicker and frees up their time for other police work it’s a good thing.
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V/Line tourism trade needs rethink IT is time V/Line got innovative and had a tourism relationship with regional rail trips. Create a rail pass for tourists to feature trips to some of Victoria’s amazing regions for wine and gourmet and the Great Ocean Road adventures, historic river towns like Echuca and Swan Hill or gold mining tourism of Ballarat and of course the Rutherglen wine region. Give the trains a name to suit the destinations. Maybe the Bushranger to Wodonga, the Gold Digger to Ballarat, or the Mighty Murray River to Swan Hill etc. The past days of the Rutherglen Red could also be recreated. Train travel needs to be about outbound from Melbourne as much as inbound from country towns. Tourism Victoria should see the potential to make rail trips enticing. This could grow regional tourism and the spin off tours and attractions. Stuart Davie, Corowa
Did the recent power outage prompt your household to look at installing your own home solar battery?
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Senior Constable Graeme Weldon and police custody officer Jacinta Hutton were two of a number of police members to take to the Reid Street kiosk on Thursday afternoon, answering community queries and providing important safety information ahead of the festive season. Inspector Ashley Mason said officers had received positive feedback from the community members they had engaged with throughout the day. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
that underpin our communities. portfolio and annual earnings in the millions, ‘Buyback fightback’ tour industries Millions of dollars in agricultural production he can afford to pay for a couple of days travel at risk and farming industries are already in Australia. sees strong response isfeeling the effects of this destructive Let’s make sure Aussie taxpayers’ funds go SHADOW Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, and myself (Shadow Minister for Water) travelled more than 600km in our three-day “buyback fightback” tour along the Murray River last week, hearing a chorus of complaints about the impact of Murray Darling Basin changes across northern Victoria. Our message is simple: Northern Victorian irrigators and communities face devastation and everyone will pay a hefty price at the supermarket register under the buyback plan. It was alarmingly highlighted in meetings with key stakeholders last week in Wodonga, Yarrawonga, Cobram, Shepparton, Kyabram, Robinvale and Mildura. Essentially, our valuable water is being flushed down the Murray River and out to the ocean, despite Victoria having already delivered more than its share of water to the basin plan. The Federal Labor Government’s controversial deals with the Greens and crossbenchers, including Indi MP Helen Haines, have sealed the fate of this destructive legislation. The legislation recently passed the Senate and aims to secure an additional 450GL of water for the environment, with a singular focus on ideology rather than safeguarding the vital dairy, horticulture and viticulture
legislation. Dairy production in northern Victoria has halved due to buybacks. Farmers can not be expected to maintain or increase production with diminishing water resources. It’s evident that Federal Labor shows little interest in supporting the viability of Victorian farming industries. As agricultural production in Victoria declines, we find ourselves increasingly dependent on other states and nations for our produce. It’s clear Premier Jacinta Allan can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and can’t be trusted to protect our water. Tim McCurdy, MP for Ovens Valley, Shadow Minister for Water
where they’re truly needed! Thank you in advance for standing up for a more responsible allocation of our money. As our national director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Australians are struggling to pay their mortgages or to even get into the property market, so why should they foot the bill for a King who owns a $25 billion property empire? To sign the petition go to www.change. org/p/stop-australians-from-paying-for-royalvisits. Alita Brydon, Australian Republic Movement
Stop Australians from paying for Royal visits
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.
WE are reaching out about the upcoming visit of King Charles and asking for Australians to take immediate action. We’ve created a petition ‘Stop Australians from Paying for Royal Visits’ demanding King Charles pay for his own visit. With an estimated $25 billion property
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 7
You’ve been warned: if ‘you light it, you own it’ WANGARATTA and district residents are being urged to consider the consequences of their actions as part of a concentrated bid to avoid the ignition of reckless or accidental fires across the state this summer. The ‘you light it, you own it’ campaign, a joint initiative of Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers Victoria, aims to remind residents of the penalties associated with fires, with those responsible for a fire which spreads out of control liable to face up to 15 years in jail. The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Council (AFAC) recently stated parts of Australia were being urged to prepare for a bushfire season similar to the 2019/20 Black Summer, following a forecast of above average temperatures and below average rainfall across the country. “We want Victorians to stop and think before their actions cause a fire this summer,” Crime Stoppers Victoria chief execu-
DON’T TEST LUCK: CFA commander Michael Masters, Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith and FRV assistant chief fire officer Anthon Pearce have urged everyone to consider the consequences of their actions this fire season. tive Stella Smith said. “Bushfires can start from actions as simple as lighting a campfire or using farm machinery and power tools on a hot and windy day. “No one wants to be responsible for risking lives from an out-of-control fire, so we want to encourage people to make the right decisions. “The forecast is for a hot summer and we want the
community’s help to stop bushfires before they start.” According to Crime Statistics Agency data for the year ending June 2023, there were 29 offences recorded in Victoria for causing a bushfire last financial year. Victoria Police Detective Inspector, Chris Murray, of the Arson and Explosives Squad, said preventing bushfires was everyone’s responsibility.
“For areas at risk of fire, expect to see a highly visible police presence, particularly during fire danger periods – expect to be spoken to by police and understand this, if you light a fire, you own it,” he said. “Accidental and recklessly lit fires are just as devastating as those fires deliberately lit – the consequences and outcomes to the community are the same. “You don’t want your
RSPCA launches Pet-Safe Summer guide for owners RSPCA Victoria has launched its guide to a Pet-Safe Summer; to ensure our furry friends stay cool as the mercury continues to climb. Summer brings its own set of challenges for pets, from scorching footpaths, sudden thunderstorms, to creepy crawlies and impacts on food availability. RSPCA Victoria’s chief veterinarian, Dr Bronwyn Oke, said there is a lot to look out for during the summer months. “One of the deadliest things for our pets over summer is being left in hot cars,” Dr Oke said. “It can take just minutes for your pet to die in a hot car, even with the windows cracked. “It’s not just hot cars that can be deadly; heat stroke is another real concern for pets and can happen quickly if they don’t have access to a well-ventilated, shady area with plenty of fresh water at all times. “Other things like taking dogs for walks on hot footpaths can potentially burn and injure their paw pads – a good test is checking the temperature of the footpath with the back of your hand, chances are if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. “Some pets may also be more susceptible to skin cancers too, so they should stay out of the sun during peak hours to reduce their risk.” Dr Oke explained it’s not just heat-related issues pet owners should watch out for. “We all know thunderstorms can make our pets feel anxious, and we can get some impressive storms over the summer months,” she said. “Making sure you have quiet, safe spaces ready for your pets during a storm can make a big difference. “It’s also things like tick bites and snake bites people should watch for when taking their pets out and about, and for those with
PET-SAFE SUMMER: Steve Cook (RSPCA) and Peter Loader (CFA) encourage people to help pets, including guinea pigs Benny and Toots, stay cool this summer. livestock, getting prepared in case drought conditions affect your feed supplies.” RSPCA Victoria’s guide to a Pet-Safe Summer is available online now with helpful tips and pointers to ensure our furry friends stay safe. As a part of this guide, RSPCA Victoria and CFA are urging people to include their pets as part of their Fire Ready plans as the state gears up for fire season. Some key steps for pet owners to keep in mind include updating microchips, storing all important documents regarding your pets in safe place, creating emergency pet kits and identifying nearby pet shelters and further information can be found at https://rspcavic.org/emergencyassistance/ emergencyplanning/. To learn more about RSPCA Victoria’s PetSafe Summer guide visit https://rspcavic. org/learn/seasonal-changes-and-your-pet/.
actions to be the cause of a bushfire – ask yourself this, if the fire gets away from me, can I control it? If the answer is no, don’t light it.” To report suspicious or reckless fire activity to Crime Stoppers, call 1800 333 000 or visit www. crimestoppersvic.com. au. In an emergency, or if you see smoke or flames, call 000.
Stick to signed speed limits this festive season THE Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is reminding drivers that signed speed limits still apply through roadworks sites during site shutdowns this holiday season. While crews will hit pause on maintenance works and major projects during late December and early January, speed limits will still be in place for the safety of all drivers and their passengers. DTP executive director – Loddon Mallee and Hume, Anthony Judd, said temporary speed zones were established around worksites for additional reasons such as changed road conditions, hazards such as roadside excavations, the presence of heavy machinery, or a change in space available for through traffic. “We’re reminding drivers to follow speed limits, particularly around closed worksites, plan ahead, avoid distractions, rest every two hours and be patient in regional areas to make our roads a safe place to travel this holiday season,” he said. “Thousands of Victorians are hitting the road this festive period for a welldeserved break, and its everyone’s job to keep themselves and each other safe.” With traffic volumes expected to grow in regional areas over the summer, the DTP has urged drivers to allow extra time and be respectful of other road users. The department also warned those driving on regional roads or in areas they are unfamiliar with to drive to the conditions, ignore distractions, and always follow the speed limit and safety signs. Roadworks are expected to recommence on January 8.
Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
wangarattachronicle.com.au
Street art exhibition by Gonketa breaks barriers
By Peter Nelson, former CSIRO climatologist
Storms bring temporary relief to hot start to summer
ACROSS THE
AN exhibition by street artist Gonketa called Moving Forward has just opened at the Benalla Art Gallery. The gallery teamed up with leading creative enterprise, Just Another Agency, to develop its final exhibition of 2023. Born profoundly deaf, Gonketa explained that people often ask him what language he thinks in internally, and he wanted to “bring it to life and show it to everyone.” “A student asked me: ‘What can you hear?’ like I can hear English inside my head,” he said. “I responded: ‘I can’t hear; all I can see are visual communications.’ “I imagine how we communicate through body expressions, whether it’s with hands or without them - it’s all visual - even now, I can see it.” As such, Moving Forward is about breaking barriers and preconceptions, prompting viewers to think deeply about how they think. The exhibition is a fully immersive experience, straight from the mind of the artist; a look into his innermost thoughts and perceptions of the world in terms of language, expression, gesture and feeling. Using painting as well as three dimensional augmentation, interactive projections and digital renders, the exhibition is a journey for viewers to immerse themselves in new ways of seeing, thinking and comprehending. For Gonketa, this is a chance to express himself in new ways, sharing his unique insights and reflections on deaf culture and making it accessible to all. Just Another Agency explained that working with Gonketa has been an eye opening journey in more ways than one.
MIND BENDING: Gonketa: Moving Forward is a fully immersive experience, straight from the mind of the artist. PHOTO: Courtesy of Gonketa. “There are so many nuances to the ways we are accustomed to communicating which most people take for granted, and this experience has really taught us to focus on not just what we are trying to express, but how,” they said. Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash said this was a per-
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fect way to conclude the gallery’s 2023 program. “It’s a privilege for the gallery to have worked with Just Another Agency and lean on their expertise and passion, to realise our first street art exhibition since 2020 and to bring Gonketa’s incredible vision to life,” he said.
“This is an incredibly important exhibition, but also a joyous one - a riot of heavy linework, vivid colour and exaggerated expressions, all of which are fundamental to non-verbal communication.” Gonketa: Moving Forward opened on Friday and continues until January 21 next year.
THE past few months has seen much less cold frontal passages than normally affecting Victoria with three in August, two in September, three in October, two in November and just two so far in December. This may suggest that this summer will be notably hotter than usual if the lack of cold fronts continue for the rest of this summer. Thunderstorms were statewide last Wednesday (December 13) and some extended to as far north as Forbes. The heaviest rainfalls were in some Melbourne suburbs with up to 35mms in a short period of time causing flash flooding, while hail and strong winds also damaged homes. Here in North East Victoria rainfalls were lighter, being 5mms to 15mms generally . The sequence of warmer months has continued. The mean minimum temperature at Wangaratta for the first fortnight of December is 16.1 degrees, which is more than four degrees above normal. Other notably warm nights in December were in 1914, 1942, 1950, 1975, 2018 and to some extent in 1990. The summers, although very hot, were not that dry with significant rains in December and about the third week of February, but the following autumns were all very dry until well into May. Tropical cyclone Jasper made landfall near Port Douglas last week and gave Cairns its heaviest December rainfall of 275mms since 1990. At Yandill, 624mms fell to 9am Thursday morning (December 14). This was second wettest December day ever recorded in Australia in the last 130 years. The wettest December day was 724mms at Sarina, just south of Mackay, on December 30, 1990. There was very heavy rain in Cairns during both mid December of 1942 and 1975. That led to significant rain to Victoria in the fourth week of January 1943 and the third week of February 1943 and during mid December and late December of 1975.
BIRTHS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA
H IR E
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1.7T Excavator 2T Excavator 200/300/400/450 Buckets, 1m Mud Bucket, Ripper, Grab, Post Hole Digger 300 Auger 21T Superaxe Wood Splitter Walk-Behind Trencher
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Oscar Peter Young OSCAR Peter Young was born on Tuesday, December 12 at 9:25am and weighed 2.6kg (5lb 11oz).He is the brother of Amber Middleton and son of Rhiannon Young and Joshua Young of Corowa. The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings. Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day. If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it. Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 9
Ferruccio Tonini celebrates 50 years in nursing at NHW BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au
FERRUCCIO Tonini recently celebrated 50 years of working in nursing at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) in nursing. He started at the NHW (then Wangaratta District Base Hospital) in 1973 and is currently the associate director of nursing. Mr Tonini said there have been many changes to the hospital during his time, particularly around staffing and the number of beds. Back in 1973, Mr Tonini said there were 35 more beds but thanks to technological advancements they can still give the same care with fewer beds. “In terms of emergency technology, the reason we needed 35 extra beds was because if you broke your leg in those days you’d be in hospital for six weeks whereas today you’re in hospital for two or three days,” he said. Mr Tonini also said there were more students working at the hospital and less people working at night. “Nursing was state funded in those days, so all the training was done within hospitals and itl basically employed students...most of the workers were student nurses in those early days,” he said. “Today, we are staffed morning, afternoon and night with the same number of nurses. “In those early days at night it wasn’t even staffed, you might get one or two people that would come in.” Mr Tonini said his secret to staying in the profession
I think knowing that the hospital and the patients in our care are in safe hands every time he’s (Fer erru er rucc ru ccio cc io)) on a io shif iftt ha if has s re eal ally ly give ven ve n me gre reat at conf nffid iden ence en ce. ce - NH HW CE CEO O Libb by Fi Fifi fiss fi
GOLDEN NURSE: NHW CEO Libby Fifis congratulated Ferruccio Tonini on working at the hospital for 50 years at the recent annual general meeting. so long was to find small ways to stay fit. “What I found is as the years went on, I had to park my car further and further away from the hospital so obviously it’s taking me longer to get to the hospital, but it’s made me fit,” he said. Many of his colleagues have also commended his hard work and mentorship over the years. Executive director at NHW, Bernadette Hammond, said she learnt about how the hospital operates through working alongside and shadowing Mr Tonini on a Saturday morning. Ms Hammond said she appreciates the values he
brings to NHW, especially his commitment, loyalty and kindness. “He’s very respectful, he’s so helpful, so committed and just has the welfare of Northeast Health Wangaratta at heart and all its staff, and in particular the nursing staff,” she said. “I know he supplies them with lots of lollies on the weekends to just keep them buoyed up, it’s lovely to see.” Some have been working with Mr Tonini for many years, including unit nurse manager Lois Foley. Ms Foley said there isn’t anything Mr Tonini doesn’t know about the organisation and that he faces eve-
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ry challenge that comes his way and is a huge inspiration to her. “He’s kind of the foundation rock of this organisation, that I think, no matter what happens, Ferruccio meets that challenge, every single day,” she said. “He taught me a lot about leadership and decision making and backing your decisions. “He’s much more than just a nurse - he is the biggest problem solver that I’ve ever met.” NHW chief executive officer, Libby Fifis, congratulated Mr Tonini on his achievement at the hospital’s annual general meeting on December 7.
Ms Fifis said she has enjoyed working with Mr Tonini since 2016 when she started as executive officer of clinical services and thanked him for the incredible 50 years he has committed to NHW and the community. “Some of the things I really remember about Ferruccio that are true to this day is certainly his smiling face, his relationships that he has with staff, his ability to make a joke,” she said. “But above all, I think knowing that the hospital and the patients in our care are in safe hands every time he’s on a shift has really given me great confidence.”
Minimise light pollution this Christmas, for the sake of our wildlife By CHLOE JAENICKE A WANGARATTA group is backing a new federal government campaign asking people to use less light to minimise light pollution and help wildlife. Russell Sully from Wangaratta Sustainability and Landcare said he thinks people should re-think their outdoor Christmas lights due to their impacts on local animals. “The lights are a problem as they lift our spirits but disrupt the life patterns of insects and wildlife,” he said. “Over recent times there has been concern about the impact on Bogong moths and Christmas beetles among others.” The Biodiversity Council is also backing the government’s campaign and has tips for people to still can get into the festive spirit while minimising light pollution. Their first tip is to switch to daytime decorations such as red bows on trees or plant a garden with festive colours. Another suggestion is to create decorative light displays in your windows instead of covering your house or fence in displays. They are also encouraging people to have timers on so lights aren’t left on all night. Mr Sully agrees that turning off your lights at a certain time can help reduce light pollution. “A 10 o’clock curfew might be a good compromise,” he said. Other tips include thinking about what lights you’re using, for example using warmer toned colours instead of bright white or blue lights or using low-intensity lights. They also suggest keeping any spotlights angled downwards and focused only on where you need them and to leave lights out of your trees and shrubs as these could be used as refuge for nocturnal wildlife.
Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
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This advertisement is a re-run with correct agent details.
Family home in Waldara with immaculate shedding LOCATED in Talgai Drive, Waldara, set on a 6365m2 allotment, this property boasts a newly renovated brick veneer home with immaculate new shedding. This four-bedroom home comprises a master bedroom featuring ensuite with separate shower and toilet along with BIR, and the three additional bedrooms are all fitted with BIR’s and ceiling fans. The kitchen has been newly renovated featuring new cabinetry, stone benchtops, walk in pantry, elec oven
and gas cooktop. The open plan kitchen living/dining space is a great size along with separate lounge/kids room, and the home also has new floor coverings, new painting and new electrical lights/ceiling fans. The main bathroom has separate shower and bath with second WC. Step outside and entertain your guests with an alfresco area all finished with concrete overlooking manicured lawns. The property is blessed with mature established trees and large lawn area,
perfect for someone needing the extra space, still within close proximity to Wangaratta’s CBD. Lawns are watered with in ground irrigation all fed from the property’s bore. If shedding is important to you then look no further, as this property has your storage needs covered with a double garage shed (6mx8.7m) and large workshop storage shed (12mx18m) perfect for the boat, caravan etc. The large shed is also fitted with an impressive fireplace/pizza oven.
4
2
2
Agent
| Nutrien Harcourts
Phone
| 5722 9444
Price
| $1,135,000
Location | 17 Talgai Drive, Waldara
Hamilton Park lifestyle THIS unique Hamilton Park lifestyle property occupying an elevated position capturing uninterrupted mountain views could be yours.. It is perfectly set amongst established leafy garden surrounds and situated on a spacious 3422m2 allotment. This sizable brick veneer home offers a versatile floor plan ideal for many living options for any buyers looking for space. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas along with meals area and second dining offers room for all the family. The central kitchen has been updated with electric cooktop, dishwasher and a stainless wall oven. The primary bedroom offers a renovated ensuite and a walk in robe, whilst two further guestrooms are generous in size serviced by the central bathroom. Further enhancing the property is the fully self-contained unit,
providing the home with an additional living space, bedroom and ensuite. Maintaining the perfect climate inside is made easy with a wood burning heater, ducted heating/cooling, ceiling fans and a split system. The rear yard is an ideal size for entertaining, featuring an inground pool with no compromise on privacy and seclusion.
4
3
Agent
| Nutrien Harcourts
Phone
|
Price
|
5722 9444 $805,000
5 Kingfisher Lane, Location | Glenrowan
2
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 11
SOCIAL FOCUS
Seniors enjoy Christmas lunch
WANGARATTA Senior Citizens Club held its Christmas break-up lunch at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway on Wednesday afternoon. The club held its final 2023 activity, a cards session, on Friday, and is now taking a Christmas break. Members will return to activities on Tuesday, January 9 with indoor carpet bowls at their clubrooms in Tara Court, off Ford Street.
Marion Kennedy and Margaret Colvin.
Michael Chambeyron, Suzanne Carney, Regine Lohse, Dieny Van Berlo, Lois Chandler, Margaret Colvin and Ken Daly.
Patsy Porter and Alan Moylan.
Morgot Hartmond and Ida Zanin.
Suzanne Carney and Graham Davey. Michael Chambeyron, Regine Lohse, Anne Vinar and Peter Vaughan.
Ruth Parker, Lina Raco and Elaine McDonald.
Phillip and Helen Servaes and Lesley Moore.
Wilma Lawn and Thelma Adair.
newsletter Ĵ + &)"! 1%/"" 1&+"0 4""( Ĵ " 12/&,$ ) 1"01 ,"40 %" !)&,"0 ,! -%*1*0 Ĵ "" 4% 1Œ0 + (&,$ ,"40 &, ,$ / 11 ,! 1%" */1% 01 /"$&*, ≥ PLUS Ĵ /" (&,$ ,"40 )"/10 0 &1 % --",0
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June Chopping, Marie Coulston, Margaret Johns and Elaine Finn.
Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
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Junior Reporter Club
WHOBILATIO N
WHOBILATIO N
Grinch’s L air WHOVILL
WHOVILL
E
E
Grinch’s L air
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... Hugh Wiedemann ................................December 23 Frankie Rivett .............................................December 25 Kenzie Boschetti ....................................... December 27 Milla Wallace .............................................. December 27 Koda Holt ....................................................December 29 Stella Johnson ...........................................December 29 Darby Rowles .............................................December 30 Sophia Petersen........................................December 30
Alessi Solimo............................................... December 31 Kayla Jose ............................................................January 1 Addyson Scutt ...................................................January 2 Peyton Kay ..........................................................January 4 Lukas Cannata ...................................................January 5 Xavier Blyss ........................................................January 6 Annabelle Adams .............................................January 6
This Week’s Winner of a birthday cake from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse is Hugh Wiedemann To be in the running to win a birthday cake from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse, join the Junior Reporter Club. Phone 5723 0100 or email bsommer@nemedia.com.au with your child’s name, address, DOB and phone number. Your address and phone number will not be printed in the Chronicle but is required to contact you should you win the cake. Birthday Book is for 1 to 14 year olds. All existing Birthday Book participants will remain eligible to win a birthday cake. Please note 48 hours notice required.
6 67a Reid Street WANGARATTA W
P: 5722 9211 P
Pies, Pasties & Sausage Rolls, Salad Rolls, Breads, Cakes & Pastries, Cold Drinks & Coffee HOURS: H OUR RS S: M Mo Monday on ond nd day ay - F Friday rriida rida day 6 6.30am . - 5.30pm S atur at urda day 7 .0 00a 0am - 2.30pm 0am Saturday 7.00am
THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 13
wangarattachronicle.com.au
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
Abet Able Age Help Hit
6 To be undiminished,
17 What is a narrow passage
is to be what (6) 12 What do the Americans call petrol (8) 13 Which term describes offensive or scurrilous speech (8) 15 What is a pointed stick of coloured wax (6) 16 Name the seventh major planet in order from the sun (6)
of water connecting two large bodies of water (6) 20 Which wading bird is allied to the heron (4)
1 ATIMY (a) Loss of honour (b) Wasting away (c) Calmness 2 BULLION (a) A deck game in which pads are thrown at an inclined board (b) Uncoined gold and silver (c) A fortification or rampart
BIYWORD
320
N
6
CLUES: A Australia and New Zealand (3) Betrothed (7) A Block of purified metal (5) Commonest pelargonium type (5) A Dead heat (3) A Fish (3) Irish Republican Army (3) C Of natural products (7) D Simple plants (5) Space between divergent lines (5)
18 010
QUICK THINK Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
© Puzzles supplied by AUSPAC MEDIA
7
4
6
3
5
2
1
WHICH WORDS: 1 (a) Loss of honour, 2 (b) Uncoined gold and silver
DOWN 1 Be an accessory to 2 Raise 3 Container weight 4 Done for
BIYWORD
ACROSS 1 Liberal pursuits 5 Sweetheart 6 Deserve 7 Arduous journey
E G N E I O E I O E L R G L T G N Z
SOLUTIONS
310
*6
SUDOKU
050
Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.
c25o050
J÷E A+E T×T Y+A C+T E÷T J-A
Ten Toad Yes
WHICH WORDS
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
A C E J M T Y
Post Rise Sit Stem Sum
SUDOKU
E-QUATIONS
Leg Lie Owe Pad Pen
CROSSWORD
to be closest to an admired stereotype (4) 5 What are standards of perfection (6)
T Y H E L P O W E E E E A H L S G N D B I A E S A R E T I U P O S T E M
A L M O N D I I E S N O C C I D E N T O E T B I G W I G E A G U N G A D I N L R S O I R E E T D R E G I S T E R E A I O S B S C R U P L E S R R O T T A W A R L P A L A T I A L Y N B I M A G E D I R S O L U T I O N N S S E A T E R Y
or burlesque verse (8) 4 Which person is seen
QUICK THINK
resistant fabric (8) 2 What is a point in front (6) 3 What do we call comic
MINI WORD FIND
DOWN 1 Name a banned fire-
ACROSS: 1 Arts, 5 Beau, E 6 Earn, 7 Trek. A N Z DOWN: 1 Abet, 2 Rear, I 1 G O T © 3 Tare, 4 Sunk. O R G A N I C A L G A E E E L D
important person (6) 9 Name Kipling’s heroic water bearer (5,3) 10 What is an evening party or social gathering (6) 11 Name a computing device found in many supermarkets, cash ... (8) 14 What are very small amounts (8) 18 Name the capital of Canada (6) 19 To be of the nature of a palace is to be what (8) 21 To have mirrored, is to have done what (6) 22 What is the act of solving a problem (8) 23 Name another term for a restaurant (6)
E-QUATIONS A:6, C:10, E:4, J:24, M:12, T:2, Y:18
Western Hemisphere (8) 8 What, colloquially, is a very
T Y H E L P O W E E E E A H L S G N D B I A E S A R E T I U P O S T E M
ACROSS 1 Name a particular nut (6) 7 Which term describes the
MINI WORD FIND 310
1010
Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
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RURAL
Golden grain gives ideal finish to local harvesting season By KURT HICKLING LOCAL crop farmers are rejoicing after a textbook ending to the year with harvesting in full swing with the expectation to finish before Christmas. Matthew Nish, a fifth generation farmer on the Moondi property at Peechelba, runs 2500 acres with 600 acres of cropping that consists of oats and wheat with the remaining part running 2000 sheep with his father and grandfather. “This year has been picture perfect from the winter season up until harvesting,” Mr Nish said. “We cannot ask for anything more as farmers with a stellar season that has presented a big crop with excellent moisture profile. “An excellent autumn break in combination with average winter conditions, really set us up leading into the spring/summer periods.” Recent thunderstorms which impacted the Wangaratta region saw high rainfall totals along with destructive winds, however, no impact was felt on the Peechelba farm and neighbouring towns.
CLOSE INSPECTION: Farmer Matthew Nish inspects the grain quality. “Eight millimetres of rain fell from the recent thunderstorms, however, there was no significant impact except delaying harvesting by two days,” he said. “Two thirds of the harvesting is completed and we expect to finish harvesting by Tuesday which is fantastic for us.
“Our family is looking forward to having Christmas at home this year and have a well-deserved break. “Last year we worked through Christmas and into January because of the wet year that put all local farmers in the region behind by 3-4 weeks, so it is a relief that tools can be put down on schedule.
Wangaratta Livestock Exchange - Prime Market Report
TUESDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2023
VENDOR
HEAD BREED
SEX
AV G. WT.
C/KG
AGENCY
Alpine logging pty ltd
7
red
cow
732.14
222
Australian wool network
Tawandi farm
5
angus
cow
734
223
australian wool network
Nolan jj
9
angus
cow
750.56
222
Elders
Jensen g.A & f.L
1
angus
cow
760
222
nutrien livestock
Blesser p & l
4
angus
cow
805
222
corcoran parker
Mcmillan ad & ps
4
angus
cow
847.5
222
Corcoran parker
Pyle r & w
4
limousin x
heifer
338.75
225
Australian wool network
Cooper bl & rf
7
angus
heifer
459.29
221.6
Nutrien livestock
Cooper bl & rf
1
angus x
heifer
520
234.6
Nutrien livestock
Cooper bl & rf
16
angus
heifer
524.69
247.2
Nutrien livestock
Cavedon d
4
angus
heifer
581.25
249.2
Elders
Byrne sm
19
angus x
heifer
602.89
228
Corcoran parker
Hourigan p & v
2
angus x
heifer
640
222.2
Corcoran parker
Hay en & me
1
angus
steer
330
263.2
Australian wool network
Lloyd wayne l
2
angus
steer
417.5
251.2
Australian wool network
Brain stuart
4
red
steer
482.5
255
Australian wool network
Nolan jj
2
angus
steer
497.5
265
Elders
Magpie hill
1
simmental
steer
540
255
elders
Gasperotti m
6
angus
steer
570.83
251.2
Elders
Howman pastoral
2
angus x
steer
602.5
267.2
Nutrien livestock
Mcmillan ad & ps
1
angus
steer
645
262.2
Corcoran parker
Bleeser m & j
1
angus
bull
855
205
corcoran parker
Blesser p & l
1
angus
bull
880
202.6
Corcoran parker
Lumsden rb & rm
1
hereford
bull
1,135.00
216.2
Elders
“There is a high expectation that the harvest this year will be well above average in comparison to our yield in 2022 and we cannot be more happier with the results this year. “All the farmers in the region say that everything is as good as you can get it right now.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling “2024 is a bit of an unknown with drier conditions forecast for the first half of the year, however, we will take everything in its stride and see how things pan out,” Mr Nish said. Nationally, the Australian Agriculture outlook for cropping puts Victoria on the map as having the most
successful year for cropping according to their recent report. Early harvest results show that wheat and barley yields will exceed expectations. Widespread rainfall at the end of November halted harvest with concerns arising that a significant volume would be downgraded to feed. Growers were cautiously optimistic they would still have milling wheat and malting barley if December remained dry and they got a clear run at finishing harvest. According to the Australian Agriculture report, winter cereal production in Australia is set to fall from the strong results it has posted over the past three seasons. Nationally the wheat crop is down 34 per cent from last season’s record to 25.8 million tonnes. The report also said timely rainfall across Victoria in early October had finished the crop off nicely. The results of the harvest show that Victorian wheat production will be similar to last season’s record of 5.6 million tonnes.
COWS
HEFIERS
STEERS
BULLS
Next Sale: Tuesday 9th January 2024 1.Nutrien 2.AWN 3.CP 4.Elders
DEFINITION DEBATE: Nationals MP for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has called out renewable energy terminology, saying solar and battery farms are “factories”.
McCurdy outraged over ‘farm’ term for renewables developments NATIONALS MP for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has called out renewable energy terminology, saying solar and battery farms are “factories”. Speaking during a debate in Parliament, Mr McCurdy said that he was outraged at the audacity of these companies and questioned the use of ‘farm’ to describe them. “The definition of a farm is ‘an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals’. “That is why I ask the question: who invented the term ‘solar farm’? “It is not a farm. It does not grow crops, and it does not feed animals or rear animals. It is a factory – it is a solar factory. “People get this assumption it is a nice green environment, a beautiful environment. “Well, it is actually not. When you get those renewable energy corporate companies all lined up doing what they do,
it is really important that our communities have a say in what is going on.” Mr McCurdy mentioned the proposed developments in Meadow Creek and Dederang, which have received community opposition. “I get concerned that people keep talking about solar farms or lithium battery farms like they are trying to do in Dederang, and the solar farm in Bobinawarrah – they call it Meadow Creek – is a factory, it is not a farm.” In a statement released last week Mr McCurdy said these areas are prime agricultural land. “If the people in Melbourne want the clean green future without any of the pain or sacrifice, I suggest they try farming and see how they go without regional Victoria supplying their food,” he said. “If they are using the power, they need to make some sacrifices as well.”
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 15
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CAR DETAILER Premier Panels Wangaratta has a part time position available for Car Detailer. Responsibilities include: ғ .#$)" ) ' )$)" 3/ -$*-ҝ$)/ -$*- *! 0./*( - 1 #$ ' . ғ ..$./$)" 2$/# (*1$)" *! 1 #$ ' . ғ ) - ' 2*-&.#*+ ' )$)" Skills and experience: ғ /-*)" 2*-& /#$ ) // )/$*) /* / $' ғ ** *((0)$ /$*) ) /$( ( ) " ( )/ .&$''. ғ ' /* 2*-& $) + ) )/'4 . 2 '' . + -/ *! / ( ғ *' 0-- )/ -$1 - '$ ) ! 4*0 /#$)& 4*0 - .0$/ ' !*- /#$. +*.$/$*) ) 2*0' '$& /* %*$) *0- / (Ѷ +' . ( $' *1 -$)" ' // - ) - .0( 2$/# - ! - ) . /* andrea@premierpanels.com.au
CUSTOMER SERVICE/OFFICE ADMIN Premier Panels Wangaratta has a full-time position available for someone who has had previous experience in a customer service/office administration role. Responsibilities include: ғ ) '$)" +#*) Ѷ ( $' ) *1 - /# *0)/ - ),0$-$ . ғ / $)$)" ) 0+ /$)" 0./*( - $)!*-( /$*) $) '0 $)" . # 0'$)" 0./*( - - + $- **&$)". ғ ) - ' *Ȃ$ ($)$./- /$*) $) '0 $)" ..$./$)" 2$/# **&& +$)" ) . # 0'$)" *! ,0$+( )/ ( $)/ ) ) ѵ Skills and experience: ғ # .0 ..!0' ++'$ )/ 2$'' . '!Ҋ(*/$1 / 2$/# ) )/#0.$ ./$ Ѷ +-*! ..$*) ' ) ( /0- *0/'**& ) +*.. .. !-$ ) '4 *0/"*$)" ) /0ғ 0/./ ) $)" *((0)$ /$*) ) 0./*( - . -1$ .&$''. - .. )/$ ' ғ ' /* 2*-& $) 0.4 )1$-*)( )/ ) (0'/$Ҋ/ .& ғ /-*)" *(+0/ - ) /$( ( ) " ( )/ .&$''. ! 4*0 /#$)& 4*0 - .0$/ ' !*- /#$. +*.$/$*) ) 2*0' '$& /* %*$) *0- / (Ѷ +' . ( $' *1 -$)" ' // - ) - .0( 2$/# - ! - ) . /* andrea@premierpanels.com.au
CONCRETING - Big or small jobs. Paths, driveways, shed slabs, verandahs. 15 years experience. For a free q u o t e p h o n e Tr e v Anderson on 0422 200 761. PLASTERER, no job too small. Ph 0424 911 161.
ANGEL! New to Wangaratta Sweet lady, slim and sexy No rush
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OLD cars wanted, cars removed. Ph 0435 083 115.
S T I N G R AY B o w Rider 2006, 135hp Volvo motor, seats 7 people, full boat cover and binini, just services and registered until August 2024, in very good condition, $18,000, ono. Call Keith on 0408 103 957.
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 , 9 0 0 . Ph 0407 161 665.
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Sport REFRESH: An artists impression of how the new Green Street bridge will look once completed.
Bridge rebuild to close Green St for 6 months New bridge and rail lowering works will trigger a change in traffic conditions for Wangaratta INLAND Rail works to replace the Green Street bridge will force a closure of the busy section of road for about six months from January 8. Vehicles will be directed to use either the Sisley Avenue level crossing or Rowan Street underpass to get across the rail line during the closure. Heavy vehicles will be directed to use Sisley Avenue
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
and Phillipson Street. In addition to a new bridge, the rail line will be lowered by 2.8 metres and the tracks realigned to allow for the safe passage of double-stacked freight trains.
From Monday, January 8, the bridge will be closed with vehicle and pedestrian detours put in place. Pedestrians will be directed via the One Mile Creek bike path or the Docker Street footbridge. ARTC advised that council has provided input and approved the traffic management plan and emergency services and Northeast Health Wangaratta
have also been consulted. A Northeast Health Wangaratta spokesperson said they had met with the ARTC Inland Rail Project Team who were also working with Ambulance Victoria and non-emergency patient transport on plans to mitigate any impact of the bridge closure. “They asked the community to be mindful of emergency vehicles,
WANGARATTA BEARINGS AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
particularly during busy traffic periods,” the spokesperson said. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said it is working closely with ARTC Inland Rail to ensure they can continue to respond effectively to emergencies and serve the local community during road closures. They also do not expect these works to impact on
its operations and access to Northeast Health Wangaratta. Ambulance Victoria is regularly kept updated on current works in the Wangaratta area and alternative routes during road closures. Traffic controls will be in place for the duration of the project to ensure ambulance access is maintained. ■ Continued page 2
75 TONE RD WANGARATTA VIC 3677
03 5721 6633
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WHITTEN, Jeff Past member of The Wangaratta Group. May your voice be with the angels forever. Sadly missed.
FUNERALS
BRYCE The funeral of the late Val Bryce will be held at the chapel of Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services, 67 Ely Street Yarrawonga, on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 11am. At the conclusion of service, the funeral will leave the chapel for the Yarrawonga Lawn Cemetery.
Local News.
TOPSOIL SALES Garden, lawn, veggies “COMPOSTED HORSE MANURE” Pick up or delivery. Call, text or leave a message. Greg: 0418 573 836 Wangaratta Garden Supplies Racecourse Rd Near the tip.
FUNERAL DIRECTORS 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
with his Touring Car. PHOTOS: Kieren Tilly
after a year like no other
Wang Repair Café returns
The only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association
John & Christine Haddrick
c REVVED UP: Northeast Radio Control Club president Matthew Johnson-Begg works on his machine in the pits.
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 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
(left) and Amy Henderson were celebrating
their university offers yesterday. PHOTO: Kieren Tilly
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
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.
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 Live at home for longer
HAY, pasture, 24 large rolls, $75 each, pick up only, near Wangaratta Golf Club. Ph 0422 687 804. P R E - L O V E D M O B I L I T Y SCOOTER, with sun canopy and large rear shopping bag, great condition, with warranty o n m o t o r a n d n ew batteries., first to see will purchase at $2700! Wang Mobility Scooters 0400 993 833
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 a median Valley of 28, Memorial College was next Grammar School scores 40+. well judging by the VCE study 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 21.6pc achieving dux achieved rian Curriculum and Assess- achieved Clarendon College 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.
W
Phone: (03) 5723 0101
Page 3
$1.80 INC. GST
Phone (03) 5723 0100
Nine new signings for Milawa
O
WORK!
BRYCE, Val. Passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023. Dearly loved wife of Reg. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Craig (dec) and Julianne, and Robyn and Trent. Adored Gran/Nin to Zoe, Troy, Rhys and Amber. Loving sister and sister-in-law to Reg and Wendy. Sadly missed, forever in our hearts.
Monday, December 11, 2023
Showgrounds’ relief centre amenities progress Page 3
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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 17
Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2023/24 season
SCOREBOARD: Saturday, December 16
A GRADE WANGARATTA MAGPIES DEF BY ROVERS UNITED BRUCK ROVERS UNITED BRUCK 1ST INNINGS Jez Rigoni run out: Frazer Dent..................................37 Bailey Dale c: Zac Guilfoyle b: Fraser Ellis .................27 Josh O’Donohue lbw: Frazer Dent .............................10 Jacob Beattie c: Jack Davies b: Thomas Clayton .....20 Jacob Schonafinger b: Frazer Dent .............................6 Paddy McNamara (c) run out: Fraser Ellis .................19 Josh Ansell c: Callum Honey b: Frazer Dent..............16 Jonathan Hyde run out: Fraser Ellis, Nic Bonwick ...20 Harry Jones not out .................................................. 13* Connor Dennis c: Nicholas Pell b: Fraser Ellis .............2 Matthew Winter b: Thomas Clayton ............................2 Extras .............................................................................7 Total ....................................................................10 / 179 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-66 Bailey Dale, 2-67 Joel Haddrick, 3-98 Jacob Beattie, 4-102 Josh O’Donohue, 5-110 Jacob Schonafinger, 6-134 Josh Ansell, 7-151 Paddy McNamara, 8-171 Jonathan Hyde, 9-174 Connor Dennis, 10-179 Matthew Winter. Bowling: Matt Gathercole 8/0/32/0, Thomas Clayton 8/1/45/2, Fraser Ellis/8/1/25/2, Zac Guilfoyle 8/0/36/0, Frazer Dent 8/0/37/3. WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS Cooper Matheson c: Jacob Schonafinger b: Matthew Winter ..........................................................................44 Nicholas Pell run out: Matthew Winter........................4 Jack Davies (c) run out: Jonathan Hyde ...................16 Fraser Ellis c: Connor Dennis b: Matthew Winter ......19 Nic Bonwick c&b: Jez Rigoni ........................................2 Ryan Malcolm b: Matthew Winter ..............................11 Callum Honey b: Jacob Schonafinger .........................1 Frazer Dent not out ................................................... 17* Zac Guilfoyle not out .................................................. 3* Thomas Clayton ...................................................... DNB Matt Gathercole ...................................................... DNB Extras ...........................................................................15 Total ......................................................................7 / 132 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-36 Nicholas Pell, 2-75 Jack Davies, 3-83 Cooper Matheson, 4-92 Nic Bonwick, 5-107 Fraser Ellis, 6-110 Callum Honey, 7-122 Ryan Malcolm. Bowling: Harry Jones 7/1/34/0, Paddy McNamara (c) 6/0/16/0, Jacob Schonafinger 8/1/22/1, Josh Ansell 4/0/13/0, Jez Rigoni 8/2/16/1, Matthew Winter 7/0/23/3.
YARRAWONGA MULWALA DEF BENALLA BUSHRANGERS YARRAWONGA MULWALA 1ST INNINGS Reid Clarke b: Charlie Bull ............................................2 Ben McDonald c: Gary Priest b: Conor Brodie ..........12 Fill-in lbw: Ross Cavill .................................................35 Brock McCabe b: Priyank Chohan .............................11 Harrison Wheeler c: Michael Honman b: Mitchell Wheelens .....................................................................43 Adam Dodd not out .................................................. 57* Angus McMillan (c) not out ......................................... 8* Angus Heslin............................................................ DNB James Irvine (vc) .................................................... DNB Van Kreeck .............................................................. DNB Matt McCabe ........................................................... DNB Extras ...........................................................................10 Total ......................................................................5 / 178 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-3 Reid Clarke, 2-15 Ben McDonald, 3-43 Brock McCabe, 4-74 Player, 5-127 Harrison Wheeler. Bowling: Conor Brodie 8/1/29/1, Charlie Bull 7/0/30/1, Mitchell Wheelens 8/1/48/1, Priyank Chohan 7/4/9/1, Daniel Brew 5/0/27/0, George Lithgow 1/0/11/0, Ross Cavill 4/1/20/1. BENALLA BUSHRANGERS 1ST INNINGS Michael Honman b: Brock McCabe ...........................15 Priyank Chohan c: Reid Clarke b: James Irvine ..........5 James Carboon c: Matt McCabe b: Brock McCabe ...31 George Lithgow c: Reid Clarke b: Brock McCabe ........9 Ross Cavill b: Brock McCabe ......................................11 Daniel Brew c: Reid Clarke b: Matt McCabe ..............12 Gary Priest (c) not out............................................... 13* Charlie Bull b: Matt McCabe .........................................1 Lucas Ham lbw: Matt McCabe ......................................1 Susanka Gamage b: Matt McCabe .............................13 Conor Brodie c: Angus Heslin b: Van Kreeck .............13 Extras .............................................................................7 Total ....................................................................10 / 116 Overs ...........................................................................38 FOW: 1-9 Priyank Chohan, 2-32 Michael Honman,
RIGHT ARM OVER: Frazer Dent in action in Wangaratta Magpies’ loss to Rovers United Bruck. 3-61 George Lithgow, 4-66 James Carboon, 5-83 Ross Cavill, 6-87 Daniel Brew, 7-87 Charlie Bull, 8-87 Lucas Ham, 9-106 Susanka Gamage, 10-116 Conor Brodie. Bowling: James Irvine (vc) 8/0/32/1, Angus Heslin 5/0/11/0, Brock McCabe 8/0/26/4, Angus McMillan (c) 6/3/11/0, Van Kreeck 3/0/16/1, Matt McCabe 8/1/20/4.
BEECHWORTH WANDERERS DEF BY BENALLA BUSHRANGERS BEECHWORTH WANDERERS 1ST INNINGS Clancy Ellett c: Samuel Piazza b: Cooper Thomason ......................................................................................18 Kayde Surrey c: Gurjot Gosal b: James Neary ..........37 Campbell Fendyk lbw: Gurjot Gosal ..........................56 Brenton Surrey (c) c: Nicholas Impink b: Glenn White ......................................................................................23 Gareth Taylor c: Cooper Thomason b: Samuel Piazza ........................................................................................1 Lewis Richards c: Conner Forde b: Glenn White .........3 Richard Worcester b: Samuel Piazza ...........................5 Timothy Cogger c: Seamus Phillips b: Glenn White ...3 Henry Scalzo not out .................................................. 5* Dean Fitzpatrick b: Cooper Thomason .......................3 Michael White run out: Nicholas Impink .....................2 Extras ...........................................................................11 Total ....................................................................10 / 167 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-33 Clancy Ellett, 2-106 Kayde Surrey, 3-142 Campbell Fendyk, 4-144 Brenton Surrey, 5-148 Gareth Taylor, 6-148 Lewis Richards, 7-157 Richard Worcester, 8-157 Timothy Cogger, 9-163 Dean Fitzpatrick, 10-167 Michael White. Bowling: Cooper Thomason 6/0/30/2, Gurjot Gosal 8/2/26/1, Samuel Piazza 8/0/34/2, Conner Forde 8/1/34/0, James Neary 5/0/20/1, Glenn White 5/0/20/3.
CITY COLTS DEF DELATITE DELATITE 1ST INNINGS Nick Scales c: Thomas Moore b: Tyler Nanson ...........4 Gregor Fraser lbw: Kent Braden .................................22 Alec Ritchie c: Jed Marek b: Kent Braden ..................41 Lachlan Scales c: ? b: Archie Crispin ..........................49 Richy Jacob Philip c: Ben Feldtmann b: Matthew Lister ........................................................................................4 Ben Martin not out .................................................... 22*
Trent Berry c: Jessie Smith b: Archie Crispin ..............5 Mitchell Purcell b: Josh Nanson...................................1 Sam Bell not out ......................................................... 5* Michael Burrows .................................................... DNB Joe Kelleher ............................................................ DNB Extras .............................................................................9 Total ......................................................................7 / 157 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-16 Nick Scales, 2-61 Gregor Fraser, 3-106 Alec Ritchie, 4-111 Richy Jacob Philip, 5-126 Lachlan Scales, 6-140 Trent Berry, 7-143 Mitchell Purcell. Bowling: Josh Nanson 7/0/27/1, Tyler Nanson 5/0/19/1, Jed Marek 4/1/9/0, Archie Crispin 8/0/32/2, Matthew Lister 8/2/25/1, Kent Braden 8/2/42/2. CITY COLTS 1ST INNINGS Mitchell Giggins (c) c: ? b: Joe Kelleher .....................97 Aaron Thrum run out: Gregor Fraser .........................27 Ben Feldtmann b: Gregor Fraser................................10 Josh Nanson b: Joe Kelleher .....................................31 Kent Braden not out ................................................. 17* Tyler Nanson b: Joe Kelleher .......................................3 Jessie Smith not out ................................................. 20* Archie Crispin ......................................................... DNB Matthew Lister ........................................................ DNB Miles Lovett ............................................................. DNB Jed Marek ............................................................... DNB Extras ...........................................................................26 Total ......................................................................5 / 228 Overs ...........................................................................40 FOW: 1-84 Aaron Thrum, 2-139 Ben Feldtmann, 3-170 Mitchell Giggins, 4-188 Josh Nanson, 5-195 Tyler Nanson. Bowling: Joe Kelleher 8/0/50/3, Sam Bell 2/0/16/0, Peter Scales 5/1/16/0, Mitchell Purcell 7/1/31/0, Gregor Fraser 8/0/39/1, Alec Ritchie 2/0/18/0, Michael Burrows 5/0/32/0, Richy Jacob Philip 3/0/20/0.
A RESERVE
Rovers United Bruck 8/119 Reid McNamara 27 Jordan Rufford-Sharpe 3/11 def by Wangaratta Magpies 10/147 Daniel Larkings 30 Mark Drage 6/10. Benalla Bushrangers 8/175 Simon Briggs 65 Andrew Dishot 2/34 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 9/156 Jyda House 50* Tyler Begnone 2/16. Ovens Valley United 10/178 Nicholas Bleeser 54 Baylee Morton 4/30 def Rutherglen United 9/129 Warwick Thompson 49 Nicholas Bleeser 4/27.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
B GRADE
Ovens Valley United 10/91 Richard Mapson 16 Jeremy Pope-Mercieca 4/27 def by Benalla Bushrangers 6/164 Stewart Mcleod 61* Corey Southern 3/21. Wangaratta Magpies 9/125 Zachary Wallace 54 David Radeski 3/7 Milawa 4/161 Russell Ferguson 48* Zachary Wallace 2/19. Greta 7/196 Michael Barnard 48 Marcus Hargreaves 3/17 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/75 Geoffrey Montgomery 23 Aaron Kosch 4/9. Rutherglen United 8/94 Andrew Holmes 33* Chris Beatson 4/16 def by Beecgworth Wanderers 7/128 Rama Schultz 52* Matthew Battisson 3/31. City Colts 10/103 Tony Ormond 36 Mitchell Hill 4/19 def by Rovers United Bruck 8/179 Adriano Speziale 55 Connor Ormond 2/14.
C GRADE
Yarrawonga Mulwala 3/284 Luke Buerckner 101* Paul O’Brien 1/18 def Gapsted 10/73 Peter Newton 41 Josh Bozzola 3/10. Beechworth Wanderers 7/180 def Benalla Bushrangers 9/155 Chris Nuck 50 Paul Ivery 3/51 Josh Heylbut 62 Kane Niklaus 4/10.
UNDER 16
Benalla Bushrangers 4/99 def Greta/OVU 4/70. Yarrawonga Mulwala 9/46 def by Beechworth Wanderers 7/93. City Colts 7/73 def Delatite 6/63.
UNDER 14
Beechworth Wanderers 7/80 def by Benalla Bushrangers 4/99. Greta 10/33 def by Wangaratta Magpies 5/89. Rovers United Bruck Gold 3/87 def Rovers United Bruck 7/62. Yarrawonga Mulwala 2/87 def by Rutherglen United 3/94. Ovens Valley United 3/100 def City Colts 8/84.
UNDER 12 GOLD
Benalla Bushrangers Green 4/88 def Benalla Bushrangers Red 8/50. Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 2/114 def Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 8/74. City Colts White 5/24 def by Benalla Bushrangers 1/110.
UNDER 12 BLUE
Beechworth Wanderers 4/103 def Rutherglen United 7/35. Ovens Valley United Black 7/54 def by Ovens Valley United Orange 4/134. City Colts Blue 7/37 def by Greta 2/105. Wangaratta Magpies White 2/88 def Wangaratta Magpies Black 5/83.
Page 18 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
wangarattachronicle.com.au
Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2023/24 season
MATCH REVIEWS: Saturday, December 16
Giggins makes 97 as City Colts brush Delatite aside ■ From back page
“We should’ve knocked them over for 120, 130 but Lachie Scales got away from us and we just didn’t build as much pressure as we should’ve. “We restricted them to 150 though which was still okay for us because the wicket was really good and the outfield was quick so we always gave ourselves a good chance to chase it down.” Giggins has led from the front all year sitting seventh in the competition’s top run scorers with 250 runs at 27.78. “I gave a few chances , they probably put one down that definitely should’ve been taken but the others were half chances,” he said. “The outfield was so quick so if you found a gap you always knew it was going to the boundary so I was just trying to hit the ball hard. “Unfortunately I got to 97 and because I had made most of my runs straight down the ground or through cover they had their field set there so there was a gap down to third man and I tried to run the ball down there but caught an edge. “When I first got out I was pretty filthy I didn’t make 100 but once I had a shower and sat down I thought you have to be happy with 97.” City Colts now sit second on the WDCA ladder only trailing Yarrawonga Mulwala. The Colts resume their season on January 6 with a one-day clash against Wangaratta Magpies at Norm Minns Oval locked in.
BIG DISPLAY: Mitch Giggins made 97 in City Colts’ win over Delatite. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
IN FORM: Lachie Scales made 49 in Delatite’s loss. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
POSITIVE INNINGS: Ben Martin made 22 not out. YOUNG GUN: Archie Crispin lets one go.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
DIRECT HIT: Frazer Dent ran Jez Rigoni out with a direct hit and celebrated with Matt Gathercole.
STRONG WIN: RUB’s Jez Rigoni made 37 in his side’s win over Wangaratta Magpies. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling
QUICK: Fraser Ellis in action.
was definitely our best batting performance for the year by a mile,” McNamara said. “We’ve struggled with the bat the last four weeks so we made a conscious effort to start well because we always put ourselves behind the eight ball by losing early wickets. “Jez Rigoni came back from boarding school so he went to the top of the order and took some pressure off Bailey Dale who has been struggling for some form.” Rigoni and Dale (27) put on an opening partnership
of 66 before the latter was dismissed. “We had a really good opening partnership which helped heaps,” McNamara said. “It made everyone else’s job so much easier because they knew they just had to come in and keep ticking the runs over. “Everyone ran well between the wickets and we were always confident we could defend 180 on that ground.” With the ball it was RUB’s Matt Winter who led the charge taking 3/23, while
BACK FOOT: Josh O’Donohue rocks onto the back foot.
Hawks hit the break on a high
BRAGGING rights belong to Rovers United Bruck (RUB) after downing rivals Wangaratta Magpies at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday. The Hawks managed to make a respectable 179 from their batting dig with youngster Jez Rigoni scoring 37 from 52 balls against a strong Magpies bowling unit that saw Frazer Dent (3/37), Fraser Ellis (2/25) and Tom Clayton (2/45) all take poles. Wangaratta Magpies would’ve seen themselves a chance to chase the runs down at 2/83 but once Coop-
BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au
er Matheson departed for 44 their groove faded. Ellis (19) and Dent (17 not out) tried to resurrect their side’s innings but it was RUB’s bowling attack who restricted them to 7/132 from their 40 overs. RUB skipper Paddy McNamara said it was his side’s best day with the bat so far this season. “180 was a great score at Norm Minns (Oval) and it
Rigoni and Schonafinger took one each. “We identified that it would be a good toss to win because it looked like the wicket would crumble up a bit which it did,” McNamara said. “It was hard to take wickets but it was also hard to score so we just ringed the field and kept it pretty simple with the ball, just trying to bowl dot balls. “Matt Winter had a great day in the field with a run out and he also bowled really well too.” The Hawks sit third on the
ladder going into the break, while the Magpies haven’t had the start to the season they were after notching just three wins from eight games to sit sixth. “The competition is even this year so to be sitting in the top half of the ladder is a positive,” McNamara said. “We were disappointed with our performance last weekend but to bounce back and get a win before Christmas is always good. “Hopefully we can have a good crack at it when we return.”
wangarattachronicle.com.au
THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023 - Page 19
SPORT
Terry Masters set to lead senior Lady Devils through 2024 season By NATHAN DE VRIES
MASTER MIND: Terry Masters is fired up to coach the senior Lady Devils in 2024.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
WANGARATTA’S senior women’s soccer side will have a fresh face at the helm, with Terry Masters taking the top job for 2024. Masters also holds a developmental role with the club, helping juniors rise through the ranks and improve their skills. Taking over from Dan Kelly in the top job, Masters has experience coaching at nearly all levels of the game, including senior men at Wangaratta and junior representative squads. “I’ve coached the senior men at Wangaratta before, I coached at Murray United all through the junior levels there, I’ve coached rep sides,” Masters said. “This will be the first time I’ve coached women at a senior level. “They (the club) were a bit proactive, asking if I had any interest, and I had a think about it and said why not. “With me overseeing all the junior development, I can take an active role bringing in the young girls through the juniors and getting them ready for senior football. “We’re also trying to get back a few of the girls who probably haven’t played for a few years for a number of reasons.
“They might’ve had kids, they might’ve gone out of the area and come back. “Hopefully we can get some of them back as well, get a bit of experience in the team.” Masters said he expected new players to want to pull on the boots, thanks to the Matildas’ success at the World Cup. “We had one girl turn up and she’s never played before - the reason she turned up was she watched the Matildas and thought she’d give it a go,” he said. “It’s going to be an interesting year, there’s probably going to be a lot of interest, especially through the junior age groups. “We really don’t know what sort of influx of players who would be wanting to try, it’s going to happen because of the (Matildas’) success, the hype level has created a huge amount of interest. “It could be a mixed bag of what turns up, I’m hoping to get some of the more experienced ones back playing around the group, which will be good.” Masters isn’t the only new appointment, with Joel Hooper set to coach the reserve women. The Lady Devils have had a light pre-Christmas training block, with training to begin in earnest in mid-January.
Lambing’s hard work pays off in busy year By WILLSON MACK LOCAL enduro star Ryder Lambing cleaned up in season 2023. After an action packed season on his 65cc KTM, Lambing dominated the 65cc 7-12-year-olds class winning the GNCC (Grand National Cross Country Championship), NSW Off Road Championships, NSW Enduro Championships, Victorian Off Road Championships, while he finished second in the Australian Off Road Championship. Lambing said he couldn’t be happier with how his season went. “I definitely achieved my goals as I wished for and more,” Lambing said. “My highlight of the year was competing in the very first GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) and taking the win in the 65cc Class. “It’s a great feeling (achieving goals) and I can’t wait to continue doing what I love to do.” Lambing’s motorbike riding took him and his family all over the country with his Dad (Mick) and Mum (Kelly) racking up a whopping 75,000kms throughout the year “It was an awesome season for me getting to travel parts of Australia, riding in all the different conditions but also grateful for the friends we have met along the way,” Lambing said.
“My favourite track this year would’ve been Coonalpyn in South Australia – I just loved the dirt there. “It was also the fastest race for the year.” Lambing will move up a class next season and will jump on an 85cc bike which is currently in the workshop. Lambing’s training program is now ramping up with his first race of the 2024 season set for March. The budding star is running and working on his core everyday and is now starting to get back on his bike. “Training has already started off the bike, but I’m really looking forward to getting out on my new bike for 2024,” Lambing said. Lambing will take on the Victorian, NSW and Australian circuits next season, while he’ll also ride at the famous Hattah Desert Race in North West Victoria. The family is also contemplating adding the South Australian Championships into an already hectic schedule as well. Lambing thanked his sponsors for helping throughout the season. “Without the help of my sponsors I couldn’t do what I do,” he said. “Thanks to Gas Moto, Monza Imports, On Point Suspension, my coach Ben Greenwood and of course mum and dad for their help.”
CLEANED UP: Ryder Lambing cleaned up the awards nights.
NEED FOR SPEED: Ryder Lambing in action.
AIR TIME: Ryder Lambing finds some hang time.
Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, December 18, 2023
wangarattachronicle.com.au
Lambing dominates enduro circuit
Page 19
STAND AND DELIVER ROVERS United Bruck’s Josh Beattie hits one through mid-wicket in his side’s win over Wangaratta Magpies at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday. ■ Story: Page 18 PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Giggins stars in Colts’ win Mitch Mi h Giggins Gi i makes k 97 iin Ci City C Colts’ l ’ strong win i over D Delatite l i at B Barr R Reserve on S Saturday d CITY Colts hits the Christmas break in plenty of form after a strong win over Delatite at Barr Reserve on Saturday. Delatite won the toss and went into bat first, putting together a respectable 7/157 from their 40 overs with Lachie Scales leading the
BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au
charge with a knock of 49 from 38 balls. Although 157 would be seen as the par score at Barr Reserve, the Colts never
looked bothered, chasing the total just three wickets down before going on to make 5/228. City Colts skipper Mitch Giggins was the star whacking 97 from 85 balls in an innings featuring 10 fours and two maximums. Giggins was pleased to
go into the Christmas break with a strong win. “The goal this week was to go into the break with a massive win and get back into second spot,” Giggins said. “We haven’t batted that well all year so to make over 200 runs going into the break is just huge.
“We’ve said all year that we just wanted our batters to all make a start and then for one or two to go on with it and make a big score and that ended up being me this weekend.” Along with Giggins, Josh Nanson (31), Aaron Thrum (27) and Jessie Smith (20*)
all played their part in the strong run chase. But it wasn’t all positives with Giggins saying their performance in the field wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. “We bowled okay but fielded terribly,” he said. ■ Continued page 18
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