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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 1

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TODAY

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Monday, February 24, 2025

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Decision time on meters Page 2

Vale Graham Colson

WELL BRED

Page 4

Jade Park Angus stud principal Andrew McLean put on a successful Beef Week open day in February, attracting strong interest from buyers.

■ Story page 11

PHOTO: Anita McPherson

Runs galore in WDCA Sport

TAX HIKE CONCERNS Mayor, council to voice unhappiness with new levy to local government bodies, Ovens Valley MP

THE forecast doubling of the existing Fire Services Property Levy is in the crosshairs of Rural City of Wangaratta councillors who will advocate against it.

From 1 July, the levy will be renamed the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund (ESVF) and it will rise from 8.7 cents to 17.3 cents per $1000 capital improved value [CIV].

Property owners will be

BY STEVE KELLY

skelly@ nemedia.com.au

slugged with the increases and Wangaratta councillors have particular concern about the impost on primary producing property owners.

Under the new fund, emergency services volunteers will be exempt from

paying the tax on their primary place of residence, but it leaves everyone else with yet another cost burden that Mayor Irene Grant said council does not want to collect on.

Cr Grant will meet with the Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) councils this week and the topic will be discussed.

“We’re not happy with the levy and I’ll be attending

the RCV council and I’ll certainly be making our concerns known,” she said.

“The last thing we want to be is a debt collector for the government.

“The matter isn’t on the agenda but there is always general business and I have spoken to other mayors with our concerns about that.

“I had a conversation with a landholder last week

and they were talking about the impact on them and it will be a very significant financial burden.”

Cr Grant also queried how the exemption for emergency services volunteers would be regulated and she described the whole thing as “beyond ludicrous”.

“Councillors have talked about the tax and we’ve made it quite clear to the CEO in as much as we

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would like to see council take it on,” she said.

“This is because of not only the burden to our community but also the burden to the organisation.”

Cr Grant said a special motion detailing that the Rural City of Wangaratta does not support the increased property tax could be tabled at a council meeting.

■ Continued page 2

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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

Two suspicious fires lit in Wangaratta township

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN A PAIR of suspicious fires lit within the Wangaratta township overnight on Thursday are being investigated by police.

A Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) spokesperson said suspicious grass fires were attended to by emergency services around 11:30pm, 20 February near the intersection of Graham Avenue and Crisp Street and at around 1:22am, 21 February near the intersection of Schilling Drive and Edwards Street.

At Graham Avenue, the spokesperson said firefighters found a small fire that had started in scrub and was spreading to trees, while the incident close to the city’s sporting precinct was quickly deemed safe.

Both fires were deemed suspicious and handed to police for investigation.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES: Monday

Max 32

Min 13

Sunny

Tuesday

Max 34

Min 12

Sunny

Wednesday Max 36

Min 15

Mostly sunny

Thursday

Max 39

Min 15

Mostly sunny

RAINFALL: Wangaratta Lake Buffalo Cheshunt

Last 72 hours

Last 7 days

6.8mm 6.0mm 5.2mm

6.8mm 6.0mm 5.2mm

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Sunday

LUCKY NUMBERS Tattslotto - Draw 4549

5, 39, 26, 2, 28, 31 (7, 8) Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.

NEWS TIPS Office Hours: 5723 0100 After Hours: 5723 0107 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

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Find us on: ADVERTISING CLOSING TIMES Monday Issue: Display Thurs. 10am. Classifieds Fri. 2pm Wednesday Issue: Display Fri. 10am. Classifieds Tues. 2pm Friday Issue: Display Tues. 10am. Classifieds Thurs. 2pm Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677.

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.

Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.

The Chronicle is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council.

If you believe the standards may have been breached, you may approach the Chronicle itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.

Member

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Council to raise concerns with local government bodies, Ovens Valley MP ■ From front page

“We need to get a sense of what other councils are thinking and feeling and we’ll obviously take our concerns to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV),” she said.

“We’ll talk to our local MP [Tim McCurdy] about our concerns and the impact it will have, not only on council, but rural ratepayers.

“The rural city is assessing the rating strategy at the moment in how it collects it’s own rates, let alone for someone else.

“It’s a tough one, particularly when this is just imposed on you.”

The ESVF will fund up to 87.5 per cent of FRV’s budget, and up to 95 per

cent of CFA’s budget.

Other emergency services on the bill include VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria where the ESVF will fund up to 95pc of their budgets.

Meanwhile, Mansfield Shire Council this month voted to advocate against the ESVF as it’s an unreasonable burden on the community and local government.

It cited that primary producers could see an increase three times what they’re paying now, and the burden for ratepayers will be on top of their existing rates, and the recently implemented Vacant Residential Land Tax.

TAX HIKE CONCERNS: An increase in property tax will add a greater burden on ratepayers when it’s renamed as the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund from 1 July. Council is not happy.

Stewy’s smile to beam as he spends birthday celebrations at CFA state championships SPRINGHURST CFA’s Stewy Fryar said he couldn’t think of any better way to celebrate his 53rd birthday than at the upcoming CFA state championships in March After moving from Sydney to Springhurst in 2008, Stewy was encouraged to join CFA by the brigades then Captain, Kevin Atteridge.

It wasn’t long after he joined up that Stewy was fighting the Black Saturday fires and afterwards was eager to get even more involved with his new brigade and joined a team for his first ever state championships competition.

“Kevin Atteridge took me under his wing and told me I would be perfect for these firefighting games and so it all just started from there,” Stewy said.

Fifteen years later Stewy is still competing in the championships and has also taken up a role coaching both junior and senior teams for Springhurst and he said he particularly enjoys coaching the juniors.

“It gives them really good training, even though we aren’t using flames it is good for their skills, good for discipline, gets them really involved and I try to instil all the CFA values in them,” Stewy said.

“My son has just started, and I look forward to the next few years getting to do it with him.”

This year’s state championships fall on Stewy’s 53rd birthday and he said he can’t think of a better way to celebrate.

“I probably only have a few more left in me because I am getting up to that age, so I am really going to make the most of it,” he said.

Stewy said he loves the camaraderie of

FAMILY EVENT: Stewy Fryar (right) and son Lucas will represent Springurst CFA at the upcoming state championships in Mooroopna. the championships and even though winning medals is a good motivator it is the sense of community that keeps him coming back year after year.

“You meet new people, it’s lots of fun, a

bit of an adrenaline rush, there is nothing negative about it,” he said.

This year’s state championships will take place at Mooroopna on March 29 and 30.

Future of parking meters on the table FOUR options for the future of Wangaratta’s parking meters will go before council on Tuesday night.

The existing machines installed in 2015 are non-functional due to an update in technology.

Rural City of Wangaratta council is now either looking to use a combination of cash and app payment systems, an app only system, or remove paid parking altogether from the CBD. The options before council include: 1. Reduce the number of machines to 16 to cover the more central parts of the CBD. To be used in combination with EasyPark which will apply to all areas of

the CBD where the current payment system applies.

2. Reduce the number of machines to 50 to cover the more central parts of the CBD to be used in combination with EasyPark which will apply to all areas of the CBD where the current payment system applies.

3. Change to only using EasyPark in all areas of the CBD where the current payment system applies. No machines required.

4. Free parking - no payment system for council parking across the entire CBD. The current payment system includes 72 machines that only take cash with the

option of using the EasyPark App as an alternative payment method.

There are also locations within and near the CBD where parking remains free.

A review has been completed to prepare for replacement of these machines with a modernised car-parking payment system.

It included consideration of the types and number of machines, locations, financial implications and alternative payment methods.

The February ordinary council meeting will be held at the Wangaratta Government Centre council chamber, level one, corner of Ford and Ovens streets at 6pm.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 3

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ARRIVALS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA

The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings.

Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.

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

Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.

Scientists of the future at parliament

By SIMONE KERWIN

Isla June Nicholson Isla June Nicholson was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Tuesday, February 11 at 9:22am and weighed 4.1kg (9lb 2oz).

She is the daughter of Sarah Nicholson and Jayke Nicholson of Yarrawonga.

Aira Masyo Gurung Aira Masyo Gurung was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:17pm and weighed 3.87kg (8lb 5oz). She is the daughter of Dina Gurung and Dilli Gurung of Mansfield.

Finishing touches to Inland Rail project TEMPORARY closure of the Green Street bridge at night will take place from late February to early March as part of the final stages of works on Inland Rail project at Wangaratta.

Activities will include station precinct landscaping, lift shaft and platform works.

Finishing works on the Green Street bridge will include installation of safety screening, handrails, anti-graffiti paint and street lighting.

There will be construction activity between 6am-7pm from Monday to Sunday at the station precinct and the bridge.

Green Street bridge will be temporarily closed from 8pm-5am over multiple nights from late February to early March.

Refer to traffic management signs near the bridge for closure dates.

Along with the movement of machinery, there will be approved vegetation removal within the project area.

Meanwhile, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has expressed its disappointment over recent vandalism in the from of graffiti to the new bridge.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE: Finishing touches on the Green Street bridge will be carried out in late February to early March.

Name public servants linked to robodebt

By STEVE KELLY THE National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) investigation into the robodebt scandal needs to be public and the six people at the centre of claims should be named.

This is the view of Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines as she also calls for reform of the commission to create more transparency.

The robodebt scheme was an automated debt collection program that raised incorrect debts from welfare recipients in Australia.

Dr Haines said the robodebt scandal is one of the worst examples of public maladministration in Australia’s history.

“Tragically, people lost their lives because of this scheme,” she said.

“We cannot, and must not, ever forget the impacts of robodebt and there must be accountability for those involved.”

After NACC initially declared it would not pursue an investigation into the six people referred by the robodebt royal commission, on

10 February the commission confirmed it will now investigate.

“That initial decision, from June last year, was an early misstep for the new commission,” Dr Haines said.

“It drew more than 1000 complaints to the NACC inspector Gail Furness.

“I welcome the decision by the independent reviewer of this initial decision, Geoffrey Nettle KC, that the NACC should investigate the six individuals.”

The NACC will now decide whether or not to hold public hearings in its investigation of robodebt.

Dr Haines said this involves considering whether exceptional circumstances will apply.

“It is important that the NACC now undertakes an impartial and fair investigation of the six individuals referred by the Royal Commission into robodebt.

“That referral was provided to the NACC in a ‘sealed section’.

“I believe it is now time to make public that sealed section which names the six individuals.”

If re-elected, Dr Haines will introduce legislation to improve transparency of the National Anti-Corruption Commission by removing the unnecessary ‘exceptional circumstances test’ the NACC must consider when deciding to hold a public hearing.

“This would mean that the NACC can hold public hearings when it is in the public interest to do so,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the work of the NACC to date has been undertaken mostly behind closed doors.

“We need more transparency to trust that it is doing its job properly.”

Previously an inspectors investigation report informed that across the complaints addressing the NACC’s decision not to pursue an investigation into robodebt, there were expressions of profound disappointment, including the commissioner’s conflict of interest.

Other themes covered a lack of public accountability for former ministers and Australian Public Service employees.

A CONTINGENT of Wangaratta students were at Parliament House in Melbourne on Friday for a future-focused panel discussion marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The eight enthusiastic female year 10 and 11 STEM students from Wangaratta High School travelled with Lia Mitchell, head of programs for Wangaratta Tech School, to be part of the audience at ‘The Solutions of the Future’.

This event convened remarkable women leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), and aims to involve secondary school students, who are the scientists and problemsolvers of tomorrow.

Young women from across Victoria converged on Parliament House for the event, to help explore the future problems facing society, including those in climate, energy and health, and discuss how the next generation can be prepared to find new solutions.

The discussion, hosted by ABC science journalist and presenter Natasha Mitchell with support from Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Maree Edwards, highlighted the challenges facing the world and the innovative solutions that STEM can offer.

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

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Vale Graham Colson

GRAHAM Colson is being remembered as a modest, unassuming gentleman, a loyal, reliable and goodnatured friend with an undeniable legacy within the Wangaratta community.

Graham passed away on February 5 this year, at 84-years.

From 1954, to his last days, Graham was a fireman.

He’s calling to become a volunteer firefighter came from his great grandfather David’s association with the South Wangaratta Fire Brigade, in which he chaired the first meeting of in 1902.

Graham followed in his father Les’ footsteps, who let him come out to the fire ground as a boy after it was extinguished to mop up and following this he was registered with the brigade as a 15-year-old.

Given his family’s extraordinary involvement with the brigade, Graham had little chance of avoiding captaincy of South Wangaratta CFA brigade, assuming the role in 1969.

He would serve in the position for 27 years, until 1996.

Much of Graham’s firefighting took place in the Warby Ranges, and he became involved in developing tactics to deal with unique problems associated with firefighting in the area.

Water relay systems were developed to pump water up the steep escarpments, with such fires posing potential threat to private property, several townships and the city of Wangaratta.

Graham’s love of the Warbys extended far beyond his firefighting capacity, including involvement with

A GREAT LEGACY Graham Colson served for more than 70 years as a volunteer firefighter in Wangaratta and held a distinct love for the Warby Ranges.

the Warby Range Landcare Group for 30 years.

He held a particular interest in the conservation of flora and fauna in the area, particularly the orchards.

One of Graham’s pet assignments has been the Turquoise Parrot Project, which involved the building of nest boxes for the rare bird in the Warbys.

Thousands of trees have been planted in the area by Landcare as well, and work

has been done to reduce the prevalence of pest species.

His firefighting experience extended to innumerable group fires, highway incidents, major North East forest fires and campaign fires.

After being deputy group officer for the previous 23 years, Graham was appointed Wangaratta CFA group officer in 1995, a role he would occupy for the next 15 years until 2010.

He also had long involve-

Your phone can help you hear!

ment with Volunteer Fire Brigades’ Victoria, serving as vice-president for some years.

Of more recent times, Graham was one of the major contributors and facilitator of the ‘Make Tankers Ten’ book that reflects the formation and history of the Wangaratta Fire Brigade Group.

Graham was a member of the Wangaratta Ski Club for 54 years having joined in 1967.

He especially enjoyed cross country skiing, away from the crowds with good friends and family, particularly at Mount Hotham.

Graham’s service to the community wasn’t just in his spare time as he was a police officer for 28 years.

In 1960 Graham joined Victoria Police and served brief stints at Russell Street and Fitzroy Police stations before returning to the farm in 1964.

He would rejoin the force

in 1976 and work as a crime analyst based in Wangaratta until his retirement in 2000.

He is remembered by wife of 59 years Sally and daughters Fiona and Emma.

As a Rural City of Wangaratta Citizen of the Year in 2021, Graham’s handprint will forever be immortalised on the Murmungan Rock at Apex Park alongside previous local citizens of the year.

Event continues to grow in numbers

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SOME got up before the crack of dawn, others waited until later hours of the morning, but the Wangaratta Marathon and Fun Run was consistently buzzing with people.

Starting and ending at Norm Minns Oval, the 2015 event garnered more than 200 entrants to the marathon with 176 runners crossing the finish line, according to preliminary results.

In other races, preliminary numbers indicate growth in the half marathon, 10km and 5km events, while the 2km Primary School Challenge also interested a huge number of kids, according to event organiser Justin Scholz.

“We haven’t worked out exact numbers yet, but at the

HAPPY RUNNERS: Ryan Dillon and John Blake enjoyed participating in the 2km Primary School Challenge.

PHOTO: Luke Plummer

moment we’re sitting nicely in front of 2014, with massive additional entries in the marathon and finishers of the marathon,” Scholz told the Wangaratta Chronicle yesterday afternoon.

The event attracted runners and walkers from around the country, with the foreign entrants bringing high praise with

them for the local event.

“In some running circles, we’re hearing that Wangaratta is the marathon of choice because it’s not as big as Melbourne but it has all the features and runners don’t have to be too crowded as their going around the track,” Scholz said.

“It really is a massive event now, not only in Wangaratta but in the North East.”

Sholz said the support from some 100 volunteers as well as the community was invaluable to the event’s success.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 5

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Peak body’s plan to cut outof-pocket cost of visit to GPs Local GP welcomes move to train more GPs but emphasises need for rural based doctors

THE peak general practice body has released a plan that aims to train more GPs and lower average out-ofpocket fees from $59 to $25.

South Wangaratta Medical Centre GP Julian Fidge supports the push but he would like to see it go one step further to make GP visits free for all concession and pension card holders seeing doctors and specialists.

The Royal Australian College of GPs launched its plan for accessible and affordable GP care last week, one that would get the bulk billing rate back to 85 per cent for those who need it

BY STEVE KELLY

skelly@ nemedia.com.au

most, creating 6.2 million more bulk billed appointments per year.

It would also halve out-ofpocket costs – from $59 to $25 on average for consults longer than 20 minutes collectively saving $268 million annually for people seeing their GP. Dr Fidge said he support’s the RACGP’s push for more GPs but he would like to see more positions created in rural Australia, rather than in the major cities.

“GPs provide the vast majority of medical care to Australians, and it is vital that patients can access a GP in a timely manner,” he said.

“Sadly, this is often not the case in rural Australia, and health outcomes are worse for us, compared to our city cousins.

“The trouble for us is that most voters are in the cities, so politicians will always prioritise city patients over rural patients.

“It’s a simple, cruel calculation that needs to be justified by state and federal members of parliament.

“It is particularly gall-

ing when we contribute so strongly to Medicare through our tax dollars.

“We need to use the upcoming election to ask politicians to explain why our tax dollars are spent in the cities, and not on us.”

RACGP president Michael Wright’s said the 2025 Federal Election is critical – people across Australia need urgent cost-of-living relief, including for essential healthcare.

“Despite Australia’s world class health system, many people are missing out on essential care,” Dr Wright said.

“Medicare has been un-

derfunded for decades, including a 10-year funding freeze, so patients are paying more out-of-pocket and it’s harder for specialist GPs to bulk bill.

“At the same time, while GP numbers are increasing, they aren’t keeping pace with the need for care across Australia.

“Our population is growing and ageing, and there’s an epidemic of chronic illnesses.

“Compounding the issue, our GP workforce is ageing, with a third of doctors planning to retire in the next five years.”

RACGP’s plan also calls for an increasing of fund-

ing for longer consults by 40 per cent, mental health consults by 25pc, and extending tripled bulk billing incentives to those aged 34 and under.

Dr Wright said the RACGP trains 90pc of Australia’s GPs and they’re calling for an extra 1500 training places over the next five years, which will immediately get more registrars into communities across Australia.

He said they are also calling for funding to remove the barriers to specialist GP training, so registrars get equal pay and work entitlements as hospital-based doctors.

Event to reflect on success of RESPOND Wangaratta project A COMMUNITY celebration event on Tuesday, February 25 at the Wangaratta Library aims reflect on the outcomes of children’s health and wellbeing projects as part of the RESPOND Wangaratta project.

A research project delivered

by Gateway Health, the Rural City of Wangaratta and Northeast Health Wangaratta, and supported by Deakin University, RESPOND aims to create a shared community response to support and maintain children’s health and wellbeing.

Three community workshops were held in Wangaratta (MarchJune 2023) to identify local factors influencing childhood health and wellbeing.

During these workshops, community members came up with project ideas to address these factors and contribute to building healthy environments

locally.

Some of the projects include sport and recreation expos and come and try days, school cooking workshops and activating footpaths to encourage students to walk, ride, scoot or skate to school.

A vegetable garden mapping project involved mapping the locations and status of veggie gardens in educational and community settings across Wangaratta, outcomes of this included funding and resource support for early childhood services and schools as well as establishment of a veggie garden at a children’s centre.

One project involved developing mobile bus art workshops with the aim of providing open-ended, creative opportunities for children to tinker and explore materials, use their imagination and unlock the hid-

COMMUNITY FOCUS: Gateway Health chief executive officer Trent Dean said the RESPOND project’s strength was its ability to involve and tailor initiatives to the local community. den potential of “waste”.

The workshops have been run at Outside School Hours Care services at several schools

and a resource kit developed for other services to run the workshops themselves.

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tive officer Trent Dean said the RESPOND project’s strength was its ability to involve and tailor initiatives to the local community.

“As an organisation, we are committed to the health and wellbeing of people in rural and regional communities and it has been fantastic to see RESPOND Wangaratta’s reach into some of the smaller towns in our catchment, making these initiatives accessible to all,” he said said.

“We should not underestimate the power of communityled projects which allow people to participate in, and feel ownership of, the ideas generated which leads to more successful outcomes.

“Much of the success of these projects lies in the partnerships behind them, the alignment across the organisations which participate, and the passion and dedication of the people involved.”

Registrations have closed but anyone interested in attending should contact Gateway Health.

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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

wangarattachronicle.com.au NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

Strength must be shown for volunteers ALREADY stretched resources of rural councils should not be used to play debt collector in the state government’s forecasted doubling of the new Fire Services Property Levy.

The Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, coming into effect in July, is just another cost for property owners who have already had to fork out significant extra costs for insurance premiums and are effectively paying tax for the organisation they volunteer for.

The current proposal of the levy will not only burden our community but burden our very own council organisation collecting the debts.

As debt collectors, council will most likely be placed on the frontline for public frustration with community members already entrenched in a cost-of-living crisis.

The additional tax, particularly for primary producers who could see an increase of three times what they’re paying now, is unreasonable.

Group officer of Wangaratta and district CFA brigades Lachie Gales has already spoke of his and the groups displeasure in the levy, attempting to shine a light on “yroubling policy” and “insensitive treatment” of volunteers.

The state government offered little in response to Mr Gale’s concerns, leading us to question how much they truly value the efforts of our volunteers.

Although it may be for different reasons, it’s encouraging in a way council has shown a similar stance with our local brigades and shows solidarity with one of if not our most important volunteer driven community organisation.

Hopefully council and the CFA can continue to press the issue and voice their frustrations, and a reasonable answer may come from the state government.

The Quiz No. 123 1.

Who was the flag bearer for Australia at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics?

2.

In which sea would you find the Paracel Islands?

3.

Which Greek goddess is known as the Winged Goddess of Victory?

4.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the role of Selina Meyer in which 2010s TV series?

5.

Totsuko and Tokyo Teletech were early names of which well-known company?

6.

How many seats did Labor win in the 2017 Western Australian state election?

7.

Astana is the capital city of which country?

8.

Geoffrey Rush won his first Academy Award for his role in which movie?

9.

The Strzelecki track is an outback track in which Australian state?

10. In which decade of the 19th century was Vogue magazine founded?

11. Frank Beaurepaire was associated with which sport?

12. What is Will Smith’s real first name?

13. Who was the first woman to become head of government in an Australian state or territory?

14. In which part of the human body is the orbicularis oris muscle located?

15. The study of glaciers is called what?

16. In Australia, what does RAAF stands for?

17. Cognac is named after a town in which country?

18. Which former Spice Girl had the 2001 hit, Not Such An Innocent Girl?

19. Hoosier is the official demonym for a resident of which US state?

20. Which sport is featured in the movie, The Legend of Bagger Vance?

Answers 1. Anna Meares 2. South China Sea 3. Nike 4. Veep 5.

Sony 6. 41 seats 7. Kazakhstan 8. Shine 9. South Australia 10.

1890s 11. Swimming 12. Willard 13. Rosemary Follett (ACT) 14.

Head (mouth) 15. Glaciology 16. Royal Australian Air Force 17.

France 18. Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) 19. Indiana 20. Golf

Compiled by Ric Allport – www.brainfoodfactory.com – Challenge your Brain

FACEBOOK users this week commented on what will happen to Wangaratta’s parking meters in the upcoming council meeting.

Wayne Stafford: You realize that money generated from paid parking will still have to be replaced in the annual budget. So obviously some rates or charges will have to increase to make up this shortfall

•

•

Robbie Alexander Photography and Fishing:

I really hope that one of the options is to remove them. Everyone hates them and they’re literally bad for business and bad for the town.

Julie Anderson: Remove them so we can actually shop or go to the drs without being fined , it might help small businesses if we try it . Benalla is good to go shopping at because you have time . Even a two hour limit would be good Ross Benton: Albury and Benalla are good examples of successful retail areas which

•

•

benefit from NOT having meters. Just keep the time limits.

Facebook users this week also commented on a Peechelba woman’s submission into a parliamentary inquiry on ambulance delays across Victoria.

Melissa Hebbard: The ambulances were probably all ramped at Northeast Health with patients not sick enough to be admitted by the hospital and the paramedics forced

•

to sit twiddling their thumbs babysitting waiting for a bed to be made available. If the patient is more unwell, a bed is usually found quite quickly but if the patient isn’t that urgent then the hospital won’t be in a hurry to admit them and release the ambulance. Some nights, the entire fleet of ambulances for North East Victoria sit ramped at NHW leaving all of our district vulnerable. It is soul-destroying for the poor paramedics.

Like the

Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

15,175

Electricity license puts farmers’ rights at stake THE Essential Services Commission’s decision to grant Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) an electricity transmission license must not be treated as a license to steamroll landholders in the path of planned renewable energy projects.

Amongst a raft of new powers, the license enables TCV workers to legally enter farms and carry out preparatory works for the VNI West powerline without the need to obtain landholder consent.

Landholders and farmers have reacted with trepidation to the announcement and TCV has a duty to act respectfully and in good faith with impacted landholders and communities.

TCV’s newly minted electricity transmission license doesn’t trump their social license obligations.

There is a genuine sense of uneasiness around this decision and it boils down to a deplorable track record when it comes to these companies treating landholders and communities with respect.

We absolutely cannot lose focus that those impacted are generational farming families and not ‘soft targets’ for compulsory access.

These people are the glue of our regional communities and they deserve to be treated with dignity.

I have conveyed the Victorian Farmers Federation’s views strongly to TCV and we will be keeping an eagle eye out for any conduct that oversteps the line.

The VFF is continuing to call on the state government to pause the VNI West project immediately until they get the community and landholder engagement right.

We can’t stand idle and watch as prime agriculture land is irreversibly destroyed without consideration to the agriculture industry and the farming livelihoods at stake.

Once destroyed, these landscapes can never be restored.

Brett Hosking , VFF president

100 Australians tackle housing reform AUSTRALIA’S housing crisis is reaching a breaking point.

While house prices might have levelled in some areas, and owners finally benefit from a rate cut, the effect of a long-term housing crisis continues to tear the social fabric of the country.

In a nation-first move, a group of 100

TEXTILE CREATIVITY: An exhibition by the North Eastern branch of the Embroiderers Guild of

Victoria is being held in the Bainz Gallery at Wangaratta Library during February. Golden Needles celebrates 50 years of the branch operating in Wangaratta and includes a wide range of unique embroidered works created by members of the branch, showcasing the variety of techniques and materials available to the contemporary embroiderer. Exhibition coordinator Kerryn Taylor (pictured) said in addition to individual members’ work, a group work created in conjunction with the Peechelba Machine Embroidery Group, is also on display. It is open to the public and entry is free.

PHOTO: Grace Fredsberg

representative Australians will took charge of the longstanding housing crisis over the weekend; putting 13 reforms from leading experts to the test in a radical push for action.

The bold approach by AMPLIFY, a nonpartisan and independent community-led organisation, saw 100 Australians from all backgrounds come together to tackle the country’s biggest challenge with experts, demanding urgent action from leaders to reshape policy, rise above the politics, and make housing affordable for everyone.

The housing crisis is too important for political point scoring.

With an election on the horizon, those who have the ability to create real change are too busy tearing each other down.

A crisis that has been decades in the making demands long term, cross party action.

The housing crisis is creating serious fault lines in the community, deeply affecting mental wellbeing, livelihoods, and destroying the social contract for future generations.

An issue this significant demands better, and this is why we’re putting the power back where it belongs - in the hands of the people.

The public has a say, their voice needs to be heard, and we’ve taken the results to

parliament to demand urgent action.

Research shows 95 per cent of Australians believe housing is the biggest issue facing Australians right now.

With soaring prices and shrinking options, the dream of a secure home is slipping out of reach for far too many.

With trust in politics, government, and institutions at an all-time low, the vast majority (84 per cent) of Australians want community at the heart of policy decisions.

That is why AMPLIFY is taking a fearless approach to policy reform.

Georgina Harrisson, CEO of AMPLIFY

WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words.

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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 7

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More funding bolsters early intervention services for men

WANGARATTA’S Centre Against Violence (CAV) says newly announced Federal Government funding will support early intervention services for men, including those who have experienced family violence or have a history of using violence.

Funding includes $1.89 million for No to Violence’s Men’s Referral Service and Brief Intervention Service, and $800,000 for Lifeline Australia’s Men’s Line.

The services provide vital support to men, helping them address issues such as anger management, mental health, and relationship challenges, while also protecting victim-survivors from further harm.

Wangaratta CAV CEO Jaime Chubb, said the funding is a critical step forward in addressing the root causes of violence and supporting men to break the cycle of harm.

“Providing care for men is not just necessary – it’s essential,” she said.

“When men reach out for help, it’s a positive and courageous step, and we need to celebrate and support that.

“Too often, men face shame and stigma when they seek help, but this is where the community

JOIN IN: CAV’s and the MANCAVE’s free speakeasy workshop will be held at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Monday, February 24 from 6pm to 8pm. comes in.

“We need to drop the stigma and create a culture where asking for help is seen as a strength, not a weakness.

“This funding will go a long way to ensure that men get the support they need when they need it.”

Ms Chubb said tackling violence requires a multifaceted approach, one that involves everyone from the government to the community.

“Teachers, coaches, and influential community leaders all have a valuable role to play in shaping attitudes and behaviours,” she said.

“By promoting safe spaces for open conversations, particularly with young people, we can aim to address the underlying issues before they escalate.

“In line with these important steps forward, CAV is excited to partner with The Man Cave for an upcoming

free speakeasy ‘Movember’ workshop designed to help create meaningful conversations, especially among teenage boys.

“This program is a fantastic opportunity to equip the next generation with the tools to communicate openly, ask for support, and recognise the difference between caring and controlling behaviours.”

“We are very thankful for the support of groups such as the Into Our Hands Foun-

HEALTHY PATH: The speakeasy Initiative is a great starting point to build a culture of respect, understanding, and connection. Pictured are Matt Brown, founder of the She is Not Your Rehab movement, and CAV CEO, Jaime Chubb. dation who have supported this initiative.”

CAV’s and the MANCAVE’s free speakeasy workshop will be held at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Monday, February 24 from 6pm to 8pm.

Bookings: https://centreagainstviolence.org.au/ events/man-cave-movember-speakeasy-workshop/ The CAV team encourage anyone that needs support due to family or sexual violence to contact them.

Join in a weekend of connection and creation in nature with the ‘Muddles’

By JORDAN DUURSMA THE community is invited to the inaugural meeting of the ‘Muddles’, a chance for likeminded folk to gather in nature to dawdle, wander, connect and create.

Held over the weekend of March 22 and 23, the gathering will include a free light lunch, tea and coffee at Out of Town Nursery and Humming Garden on 980 Beechworth/Chiltern Rd, surrounded by the Mount Pilot National Park.

Organiser Gavin Doherty described the event as an opportunity to learn how to dawdle and wander again, finding and collecting elements for an afternoon of “making stuff ”.

“You can work with others or on your own,” he said.

“It will be days without plans, without restrictions, and no interest in skills and finishing with something prettier than everyone else did.

“The good outcome is not the object created, but the mindless time making it and the best outcome is something that is incomplete and you long to finish.”

Gavin said the idea behind the event is to use

CREATING: Gavin Doherty creating a mobile/wind chime with materials found in nature. nature and art to relieve stresses and issues.

“I have always be an ‘evangelist’ for the benefits to the soul in being out in nature,” he said.

“I heard a psychiatrist who is head of happiness. com say that an hour “wandering randomly” in nature was better than an hour with a good therapist, and how do you find, let alone pay for a good therapist.

“So it seems like a nobrainer to me.

“We have open space and

nature, so why not share it.”

This inaugural weekend event is free of charge to gauge the interest from the community.

Gavin said hopefully it is just the first step.

“I don’t know if it will be called the Muddles but hopefully some class of a group grows out of these days,” he said.

“It could be beginning of something beautiful.”

For more information or to book in, contact Gavin at outoftown6@bigpond.com.

GET BACK TO NATURE: The inaugural meeting of the Muddles is an opportunity to connect with nature and create art at the Out of Town Nursery and Humming Garden.

You can contact the CAV team during business hours at the Orange Door on 1800 271 157.

If you require immediate support outside of business hours, please call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.

If you are unsafe, call the police on 000.

In addition if you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.

Come along to Black Dog Ride REGISTRATIONS for the the Black Dog Ride from Wangaratta to Myrtleford and Yackandandah are now open and motorcyclists are encouraged to enter.

The Black Dog Ride began in 2009 as a ride to raise awareness of depression and evolved into a national charity raising millions of dollars for mental health programs.

About 133 participants and volunteers in Wangaratta joined the 2024 One Dayer and raised $5000 towards the total of $435,000 funds raised for the Black Dog Community Grants Program.

This year’s ride will begin at Wangaratta’s Apex Park at 10am on Sunday, 16 March.

People who want to register or donate, can head to: One Dayer Registrations: https:// www.blackdogride.org.au/view/ ride-information/1-dayer-2025 Make a donation: https:// www.blackdogride.org.au/ view/donate Local schools, clubs, community groups and individuals can also raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention and support the work of Black Dog Ride by organising local fundraising activities and events, or simply make a donation.

For more information on Black Dog Ride and One Dayer ride, visit www.blackdogride. org.au or keep up to date on the Black Dog Ride Facebook page.

Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

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Junior Reporter Club

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Isabella Coghetto ........................February 24 Annie Johnson .............................February 26 Cyruss Lee Allen ..........................February 26 Nicholas Jones .............................February 28 Luke Dillan ..............................................March 1

Zeah Kate Nelson.................................March 1 Shaylee Harrison .................................March 2 Daisy Kennedy......................................March 2

FEBRUARY 2025 Birthday Cake Winners - Sophie Martin February 15 & Lucas Gilmore February 20 To be in the running to win 1 of 2 birthday cakes each month from Shelley’s Country Bakehouse, join the Junior Reporter Club. Phone 5723 0100 or email reception@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.

67a Reid Street WANGARATTA

P: 5722 9211

Pies, Pasties & Sausage Rolls, Salad Rolls, Breads, Cakes & Pastries, Cold Drinks & Coffee HOURS: Monday - Friday 6.30am - 5.30pm HOURS Saturday 7.00am - 2.30pm

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 9

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Humble doilies transformed in mixed media exhibition ARTIST Bev Aisbett celebrates the transformation of the humble doily into a diverse range of art forms, including jewellery, wall art and 3D sculptures, now on display in the Benalla Art Gallery shop.

Doily Digressions features intricate jewellery pieces such as necklaces, brooches and earrings - all crafted from doilies.

The wall art includes framed doily-inspired motifs of iconic figures like Frida Kahlo, as well as mixed-media paintings that incorporate doilies into vibrant collages.

The 3D sculptures take on the form of whimsical animals and plants, further exploring the doily’s versatility as a medium for artistic expression.

Bev Aisbett is a widely exhibited visual artist whose work has been featured in numerous galleries, including the Dancing Dog Café Gallery, SmartArtz Gallery, Without Pier Gallery, and the AMAZING TRANSFORMATION: The humble doily is almost unrecognisable in Bev Aisbett’s, Tasmania Shop Gallery Sala- Doily Elk Fern 2025, mixed media, at Benalla Art Gallery shop. manca.

In addition to her visual best-selling self-help books, Most recently, her work (Marysville), along with nuhas been showcased at Ren- merous group and solo exhi- art, Bev is a well-known au- particularly celebrated for nies of Acheron and MiRa bitions. thor and illustrator of 19 her illustrated guides on

managing anxiety and depression, including Living with IT (now in its 33rd year in print) and Taming the Black Dog (in its 30th year), with all titles published by HarperCollins.

Bev made the tree-change from Melbourne to Alexandra in 2018, where she continues to create and inspire through both her art and her writing.

“As an artist who has transitioned from an urban environment, I have a great appreciation for the amazing range of talent in rural areas, which is championed by galleries such as Benalla Art Gallery, and I am thrilled to have my work exhibited here,” she said.

Benalla Art Gallery director, Eric Nash, said the works on display were “a vibrant and diverse selection which spoke to Bev’s creativity and the versatility of the medium, and provide an uplifting and engaging focal point for all visitors upon entering the gallery.”

Doily Digressions is on display in the gallery shop until 13 March and all works are available to purchase.

Film screening to tap into interest in body size-inclusive practice at cinema FOLLOWING on from successful size-inclusive seminars in Wodonga and Wangaratta, Gateway Health is hosting a screening of documentary Your Fat Friend at the Wangaratta Cinema Centre on Wednesday, 26 February at 6:30pm.

The film charts the rise of writer and activist Aubrey Gordon from anonymous blogger at Your Fat Friend to The New York Times best-selling author and beloved podcaster of Maintenance Phase.

Made over six years, Your Fat Friend covers themes of fatness, family, the complexities of change and the

feelings we hold about peoples’ bodies.

The film screened in Albury-Wodonga late last year and now Gateway Health is bringing the thoughtprovoking movie to Wangaratta.

Gateway Health dietitian Courtney Nelson said she was keen to bring the screening to Wangaratta following the increasing interest in size-inclusive resources and body acceptance.

“The film has an important message about weight stigma and its negative impacts on health and wellbeing. It shares a real experience of navigating the world

and accessing services in a bigger body,” she said.

“We want everyone – from community members to health professionals - to gain a better understanding of how we can support people of all shapes and sizes.”

Tickets can be booked online at https://fan-force. com/screenings/your-fatfriend-wangaratta-cinemacentre/.

GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING: Gateway Health dietitian Courtney Nelson encourages the community to attend film screening of Your Fat Friend documentary in Wangaratta on 26 February.

Chilly change a harbinger of more heat WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?

By Peter Nelson, retired CSIRO climatologist

FOLLOWING a significant warmer than normal first fortnight of February in Wangaratta since 1983 a significant cooler change arrived last weekend with light snowfalls at some Alpine Resorts.

At Falls Creek the temperature last Sunday, 16 February fell to minus 3.3 degrees, the coldest for February since minus 3.9 on 17 February 1998.

At Mt Buller the temperature fell to minus 2.4 degrees and at Mt Hotham the temperature fell to minus 3.7 degrees, the coldest for February at both resorts since 2008.

Very hot days arrived quickly during the last week of February 1998 and 2008 and a long hot spell around 38 degrees during the second and third weeks of March and then much needed rainfalls about 24 March.

Maximum temperatures then reached 33 degrees the second week of April; then heavy rain about 21 April.

The City of Melbourne recorded a minimum temperature of 9.9 degrees last Sunday morning, 16 February, the first time just under 10 degrees in February since 1993.

Canberra recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees last Sunday; the coldest in February since 1962.

The autumn and winter season of both 1962 and 1993 was warmer than usual but October of both extremely wet in NSW and Victoria.

Currently a high pressure system is approaching our region and will move into the Tasman Sea before bringing more hot days but not as hot as earlier this month.

The low pressure trough arriving here during this weekend does appear not that active and rainfalls light and patchy.

Many major centres are facing their driest JanuaryFebruary period since 2009 over most of Victoria.

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Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD 1

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L E D A M P V I C U P S A A V O D T G O T E L E U S E O Y A E S L A M M

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E-QUATIONS 7 Some values are in the right hand cells.

Create remaining values using 379 clues in centre cells.

BIYWORD

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MINI WORD FIND 369

1069

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 11

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RURAL

Handy bulls and heifers draw interest at Jade Park Angus A SUCCESSFUL open day in February during Beef Week, with strong interest from buyers from across the state, has the Jade Park Angus team looking forward to their Bull Sale on Tuesday, March 25.

The stud’s well researched infusion of New Zealand bulls in its AI and Embryo program, and its determination to consistently produce an easy going, well-structured bull with great temperament, means buyers can tap into the line without having to do all the extensive legwork themselves.

Taimate Angus stud has produced some highly influential bulls in New Zealand including Taimate Lazarus, with which Jade Park had a lot of success last year.

The current breed changer is Taimate Roy, who has already performed with the leading studs in Australia (and is having an impact in USA and Canada) and has 10 sons in this sale.

Stud principal Andrew McLean said the open day attracted property owners and managers from the local region and as far away as Gippsland and the peaks of the High Country, including some with herds of up to 500 cows.

He said the opportunity to

BY ANITA McPHERSON

amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

visit the family-owned Hansonville operation, to ask questions and see the quality of the cattle in the yards, proved to be an inviting combination.

“It’s important to have bulls on display, but the heifers have drawn attention too,” he said.

“Breeding good females is what we aim for, but the byproduct of that is some pretty handy bulls, and I’ve had lots of requests for videos from people who couldn’t make it here on the day.”

All bulls and heifers have been videoed and will be on Auctions Plus and YouTube.

Mr McLean said while they have their Autumn sale on the last Tuesday of March each year, they service the spring demand through private sales year-round.

“Docility is a major factor we bred a cracker of a bull last year whose calves are coming through and their level of docility is second to none,” he said.

“Turbo T104 sold $100,000 of semen with 1000 straws going to other studs.

“We have Turbo’s natural

PRIME STOCK: It will be the first time Jade Park heifers - pregnancy tested in calf - will also be available at the Bull Sale on March 25.

PHOTO: Anita McPherson brother in the sale, who has already drawn some attention he was noted by our bull tester Chris Saunders to have kind eyes with presence.

“Docility is becoming a very important trait to value; handling cattle doesn’t have to be a scary experience - the benefits of docility flow all the way to the consumer.”

Positive outlook for autumn break, prices

A COWS and calves dispersal sale accompanied by the regular store sale was held at Wangaratta livestock Exchange last Thursday.

Corcoran and Parker livestock agent Reiley Murtagh said there were 802 head yarded.

Mr Murtagh reported that the herd dispersal through Elders included cows and calves that topped at $2180/head.

He said poorer types of cows and calves sold for $1350/head.

“Angus steers from 380kg-500kg made from $3.30/kg to $3.80/kg,” he said.

“Lighter weight Angus steers to go back to the paddock, 379kg-280kg, were $3.70/kg to $4.20/kg.

“Angus steers at 200kg sold for about $4/ kg.”

Mr Murtagh said it was a mixed yarding of cattle and the better weaners were cleared out in the blue ribbon sales.

“The job is on the rise and the job from the blue ribbon was all very good, but it was in a downward trend,” he said.

“Now we’re seeing the market on a rising trend right across Australia.”

While it’s still on the edge as to whether an autumn break will come in the next few weeks, with last year’s dry period still in the minds of producers, Mr Murtagh said with the unpredictable, stormy weather throughout summer, similar weather could come to Victoria in the coming weeks.

“It’s very positive and people are buying cattle to tuck away and hope for that autumn break,” he said.

ed in calf - will also be available at the Bull Sale - having been artificially inseminated to NZ Taimate Tama T83 and Jade Park Turbo T104.

The heifers, alongside Jade Park’s stand-out sires and draft bulls, will be on display for inspection on Sunday, March 9 before the sale on Tuesday, March 25.

Wangaratta Livestock Exchange - Prime Market Report

TUESDAY 18TH OF FEBRUARY 2025

VENDOR

HEAD BREED

SEX AVG. WT. C/KG

AGENCY

COWS

trend upwards

By STEVE KELLY

cultural sector - and I believe agriculture will become a very healthy and secure business going forward.”

The family will now prepare for the sale on March 25, creating content for their catalogue to provide quality information for their customers.

It will be the first time Jade Park heifers - pregnancy test-

Mr McLean said although there had been a recent dry spell, he was well prepared and confident about the year ahead.

“It will rain - this is a fantastic area - the season will come” he said.

“The demand will be there - it’s very promising and encouraging across the agri-

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Tarcombe Herefords 51st Annual Production Sale WEDNESDAY March 5th, 2025 (On property - using the Helmsman Buying System)

Selling:H 2 Horned Bulls H 38 Polled Bulls H 32 PTIC Heifers Tim Hayes 0439 257 693 temagong@bigpond.com

J-BAS 6 Lots can be viewed at www.herefordsaustralia.com.au

gooram springs gooram springs Bennett A & B PARTON JH & TM FLOYD PJ & TROMPF JP HUMPHRIES LEIGH FURLAN BROS CALDWELL R

1 4 4 3 2 2 16 8

ANGUS ANGUS ANGUS ANGUS SHORTHORN HEREFORD ANGUS ANGUS

COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW

780 673.75 635 688.33 495 635 668.75 625.63

330 330 320 332 250 305 335 328

NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK CORCORAN PARKER CORCORAN PARKER

1 3 1 2 2 1 1 8 1 1 1 1

ANGUS ANGUS SPECKLE PARK ANGUS ANGUS BLACK BALDY BLACK BALDY FRIESIAN FRIESIAN X ANGUS LIMOUSIN CHAROLAIS X

STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER STEER

425 455 400 307.5 265 630 485 650.63 620 655 465 480

335 335 330 402.2 402.2 345 325 302 302 350 358 358

ELDERS ELDERS ELDERS ELDERS ELDERS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK CORCORAN PARKER CORCORAN PARKER CORCORAN PARKER CORCORAN PARKER CORCORAN PARKER

11 8 4 1 2 3 1 2 2 4 2 1

ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS X HEIFER BLACK BALDY HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS X HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER ANGUS HEIFER SPECKLE PARK HEIFER

520.45 430 396.25 495 402.5 475 365 432.5 572.5 506.25 520 465

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Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 13

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WANGARATTA Chronicle photographer Melissa Beattie made her way down to WDCA junior cricket on Saturday, 22 February to capture some action shots.

Photographs can be purchased at the Chronicle.

KOBE ACKROYD

TATE LLEWELLYN

LUCA POIDOMANI

BAXTER McLEOD SAM ELKINGTON

LOUIS SANDERSON

RYAN ALLAN

MITCH McMASTERS BILLY McMAHON

AUSTIN WHITEHEAD

HARRIS BRUNEAU

BAXTER McLEOD

Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

A GRADE BEECHWORTH WANDERERS VS WANGARATTA MAGPIES WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS Dean Simmons c: Jackson Cull b: Brenton Surrey...........................................19 Jarryd Wallace lbw: Henry Scalzo........................................................................8 Cooper Matheson (c) lbw: Henry Scalzo ...........................................................77 Oliver Andrew c: Austen Fendyk b: Timothy Cogger..........................................1 Jack Davies c: Austen Fendyk b: Timothy Cogger..............................................0 Kyle Winter-Irving not out ................................................................................. 50* James Thewlis c: Kayde Surrey b: Tristan Lenaz..............................................24 Nic Bonwick c: Austen Fendyk b: Timothy Cogger...........................................19 Rhys Grant c: Brenton Surrey b: Jack Ryan.........................................................7 Kieran Radcliffe run out: Clancy Ellett .................................................................8 Matthew Prestianni lbw: Jack Ryan.....................................................................0 Extras .....................................................................................................................11 Total .............................................................................................................10 / 224 Overs ..................................................................................................................70.4 Bowling: Timothy Cogger 17/1/62/3, Jack Ryan 15.4/2/47/2, Henry Scalzo 10/3/20/2, Brenton Surrey 18/5/50/1, Clancy Ellett 2/1/8/0, Will Prebble 3/0/14/0, Tristan Lenaz 5/0/17/1.

SCOREBOARD: Saturday, February 22

ROVERS UNITED BRUCK VS BENALLA BUSHRANGERS

CITY COLTS VS YARRAWONGA MULWALA

BENALLA BUSHRANGERS 1ST INNINGS Brayden Stepien (c) c: Brady Bartlett b: Paddy McNamara.............................37 James Carboon lbw: Jeremy Wilson .................................................................15 Ross Cavill lbw: Cormac McNamara ..................................................................54 Charlie Bull c: Charith Perera b: Jeremy Wilson .................................................5 Jonty Priest b: Paddy McNamara.......................................................................10 Lucas Ham c: Reid McNamara b: Jeremy Wilson .............................................11 DALE STRATTON c&b: Jeremy Wilson .................................................................0 Gary Priest (vc) b: Jeremy Wilson.......................................................................14 Steven Pickering b: Brady Bartlett .......................................................................8 Conor Brodie c: Paddy McNamara b: Brady Bartlett .........................................6 Mitchell Wheelens not out .................................................................................. 0* Extras .....................................................................................................................13 Total .............................................................................................................10 / 173 Overs .....................................................................................................................72 Bowling: Jacob Schonafinger 15/7/34/0, Paddy McNamara 16/6/34/2, Jeremy Wilson 25/10/47/5, Brady Bartlett 8/4/13/2, Daniel Jones 4/1/17/0, Cormac McNamara 4/0/20/1.

YARRAWONGA MULWALA 1ST INNINGS Reid Clarke c: Mitchell Purcell b: Jed Marek .......................................................2 Ben Welsh c: Jed Marek b: Matthew Lister ........................................................61 Matt Knight st: Mitchell Giggins b: Matthew Lister ...........................................41 Brock McCabe c: Josh Nanson b: Mitchell Purcell ...........................................41 Zach Moore c: Joshua Newton b: Matthew Lister ............................................10 Adam Dodd b: Josh Nanson ...............................................................................37 Kyle Archibald (c) c: Mitchell Giggins b: Mitchell Purcell..................................25 Matt McCabe not out ......................................................................................... 21* Angus McMillan (vc) b: Jed Marek ........................................................................0 Van Kreeck not out............................................................................................... 2* Angus Heslin did not bat ........................................................................................Extras .....................................................................................................................16 Total ............................................................................................................... 8 / 256 Overs .....................................................................................................................75 Bowling: Jed Marek 14/4/54/2, Tyler Nanson 9/2/33/0, Josh Nanson 14/4/38/1, Archie Crispin 4/0/26/0, Matthew Lister 21/7/45/3, Connor Ormond 5/2/10/0, Mitchell Purcell 8/0/38/2.

A RESERVE

Wangaratta Magpies 10/123 Charlie Davies 64 Blake Nixon 3/19 def by Rovers United Bruck 9/183Luke Whitten 55 Jordan Rufford-Sharpe 3/30.

Yarrawonga Mulwala 3/112 Fraser Smart 42 Archie Mapson 1/12 def Ovens Valley United 10/77 Ethan White 35 Tyrn Docking 3/2.

City Colts 10/125 Alasdair Brett 42 Nathan Goodes 3/23 def by Delatite 5/149 Mark O’Loughlan 62 Flynn Noble 2/13.

B GRADE

Greta 10/110 David Allen 64 Hudson Gillies 4/13 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 9/142 Lachlan Phillips 57 Jeremy Hill 3/10.

Ovens Valley United 8/142 Nicholas Bleeser 57* Brendan Suncombe 5/25 def Benalla Bushrangers 10/139 Cody Crawford 46 Marcello Vescio 4/18.

Rutherglen United 8/144 Kurt Schmidt 58 Aden Graham 4/35 def Milawa 9/106 Aden Graham 35 Jacob Fuge 3/25.

Delatite 10/96 Mitchell Copey 33 Joel Haddrick 4/27 def by Rovers United Bruck 7/189 Gary Elliott 75 Richy Jacob Phillip 3/34.

Merton 7/168 Luke Berriman 49 Kent Braden 3/36 def by City Colts 6/171 Kent Braden 92 Noah Whittall 3/29.

C GRADE HOWZAT: Wicket-keeper Baxter McLeod asks the question of the umpire.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie

Greta White def Rutherglen United (forfeit).

Benalla Bushrangers Red 7/111 Jordan Smith 64* Josh Hard 3/20 def by Benalla Bushrangers Blue 2/112 Darren Skelton 61 Jordan Smith 1/16.

Beechworth Wanderers Stanley 5/82 Hamish Malsem 22* Shane Wheeler 3/39 vs Gapsted 9/116 Wayne Millis 27 Ryan Niklaus 4/17 (match abandoned).

Yarrawonga Mulwala 6/130 Joshua Vagg 42* Aaron Kosch 5/35 def Greta Blue 8/124 Russell Wyllie 27 Ben Pickering 3/25.

UNDER 16

Rovers United Bruck vs City Colts 10/178.

Benalla Bushrangers 9/147 vs Beechworth Wanderers.

Delatite 7/103 vs Ovens Valley United.

UNDER 14

Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams vs Benalla Bushrangers 10/133.

Rovers United Bruck Gold vs Ovens Valley United 6/139.

Beechworth Wanderers 10/141 vs Rutherglen United.

Wangaratta Magpies vs City Colts 7/182.

Greta White vs Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 8/159.

Benalla Bushrangers Blue vs Greta Blue 10/137.

UNDER 12 GOLD

Wangaratta Magpies Black 8/63 def by Benalla Bushrangers Red 3/138.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 4/121 def by Benalla Bushrangers Green 7/144.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers 6/125 def Delatite Gold 6/67.

Wangaratta Magpies White 7/85 def Delatite Blue 8/63.

Benalla Bushrangers Blue 3/162 def Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 6/100.

UNDER 12 BLUE

QUICK SINGLE: Conner McEwan tries to sneak a quick run.

LEG SIDE: Billy McMahon tries to hook the ball.

Ovens Valley United Orange 5/151 def Rovers United Bruck Green 8/42.

Rutherglen United 4/99 def Ovens Valley United Black 8/48.

Beechworth Wanderers 3/125 def Greta 6/86.

City Colts Blue 6/111 def City Colts White 1/96.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025 - Page 15

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

MATCH REVIEWS: Saturday, February 22

‘Pies and Colts in the contest

By NATHAN DE VRIES

UP AND COMER: Colts pace tyro Jed Marek took 2/54 from BEND THE BACK: Tyler Nanson strains and his 14 overs against the Lakers.

PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie sends down a quicker one.

THE runs were flowing in the A grade WDCA competition on the weekend, with multiple scores above 220 recorded.

Out at Baarmutha Park in Beechworth, Wangaratta Magpies managed to post 224 on the board before losing their 10th wicket in the 71st over.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the ‘Pies were under the pump early when openers Dean Simmons (19 from 45) and Jarryd Wallace (eight from 31) departed with limited impact.

Things went from bad to worse in the 19th over, which saw Tim Cogger dismiss Ollie Andrew for one, and Jack Davies for a three-ball duck in the same over.

The Magpies were floundering at 4/42, with a strong partnership needed to steady the ship.

Cooper Matheson and Kyle Winter-Irving would form just that

partnership, compiling 93 runs through the middle overs to help resurrect the innings.

Matheson played patiently for his 77 from 114 balls in an innings which included 11 boundaries, while Winter-Irving would anchor the rest of the day’s play, finishing unbeaten on 50 from 134.

Handy lower-order runs from Jimmy Thewlis (24 from 32) and Nic Bonwick (19 from 14) would keep the total rising, while contributions from Rhys grant (seven from 13) and Kieran Radcliffe (eight from 14) would see the 200-run mark surpassed.

Cogger was the standout performer for the Wanderers, finishing with 3/62 from his 17 overs, while Brenton Surrey (1/50 from 18 overs) and Henry Scalzo (2/20 from 10 overs) bowled economically.

The Wanderers need 225 for victory to keep their finals hopes alive.

Elsewhere, the City

Colts will need to be on the money next week if they want to chase down a substantial total set by the Lakers.

Yarrawonga Mulwala batted their full allocation of overs at Bill O’Callaghan Oval, reaching 8/256 by stumps.

The vast majority of the Lakers line up made starts, with opener Ben Welsh (61 from 149) the clear standout.

Matt Knight (41 from 59), Brock McCabe (41 from 87) and Adam Dodd (37 from 60) were all damaging for the Lakers, helping to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Spinner Matt Lister took pace off the ball to great effect, sending down 21 overs for figures of 3/45, with seven maiden overs.

Jed Marek (2/54) and Mitch Purcell (2/38) were in the wickets, while Josh Nanson (1/38) was also economical.

The matches will resume on Saturday, 1 March from 1pm.

Hawks keep Benalla Bushrangers to 173 all out ■ From back page

“It was a different wicket to what we’ve played on so far after Christmas, there was absolutely nothing in it for the bowlers.

“The last few weeks we’ve had a lot caught behind the wicket, but since the wicket was dead it was pretty hard to get caught behind when the ball’s not flying through.

“We just had to really target the stumps, put the pressure on the batters and make them play.

“After the first 10, 15 overs that’s what we went to and it worked.

“Stepien does what he does and got them off to a really good start, I think they were 0/40 off 10 overs - we were looking in a bit of trouble, but thankfully we removed him.

“We were able to build a lot of dot ball pressure through maidens and wickets came through that.”

While the deck does favour the batters, McNamara said it would be a difficult chase.

“I think a 200 plus score would’ve been good, so they’re probably a little under par, but we’ve still got a game on our hands,” he said.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to have a good challenge against a pretty decent total.

“Hopefully we can get the score without too many wickets lost and bat the full 75.

“It’s not going to be easy, there’ll be a bit of pressure on, and they’ve got some good opening bowlers and a couple of good spinners, so they’re definitely going to challenge us, it’s going to be a good contest for us next week.”

Play resumes at 1pm at W.J. Findlay Oval on Saturday, 1 March.

FIVE FOR: Jeremy Wilson was the spearhead of the bowling innings, taking 5/47 to keep the Bushrangers to under 200.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, February 24, 2025

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Senior, junior WDCA results

ISSN 2200-078X

9 772200

078028

Page 14

STRONG ACTION ARCHIE Crispin reaches high in the air as he prepares to bowl in the City Colts’ match with Yarrawonga Mulwala.

■ Story page 15.

PHOTO: Melissa Beattie

Fight on their hands Rovers United Bruck Hawks keep Benalla Bushrangers to 173 all out, Jeremy Wilson takes 5/47

ROVERS United Bruck’s bowlers will be pleased with their efforts from Saturday, keeping Benalla to 173 on a batting-friendly deck.

After being handed the ball by Bushrangers’ skipper Brayden Stepien, the Hawks were made to toil away on the flat surface, a far cry from the spicy bowl-

BY NATHAN DE VRIES

ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

ing-favoured strips at W.J. Findlay Oval from previous matches.

Stepien would make the most of an early reprieve after being dropped in the slips to clobber a quickfire

37 from 48 to put the Hawks under pressure early.

Benalla were trucking along nicely at 0/45 from 12 overs before Paddy McNamara would find the breakthrough wicket of Stepien.

Partnerships would be the name of the game, with James Carboon (15 from 60) and Ross Cavill (54 from 94) ticking the scoreboard over,

the Bushrangers in control at tea.

Rovers United Bruck’s Jeremy Wilson would turn the momentum back towards the Hawks, combining tight bowling and threatening lines and lengths.

He would chime in with regular wickets from his 25 overs, finishing with 5/47 and 10 maidens to company

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an incredible economy rate of 1.88.

The Bushrangers’ middle order and tail would have limited impact, with Gary Priests’ 14 from 50 the only score of note outside the top three.

Brady Bartlett was extremely economical, going at 1.62 with figures of 2/13 from his eight overs, while

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Paddy McNamara (2/34 from 16) and Cormac McNamara (1/20 from four) chipped in with scalps of their own.

Hawks’ skipper Paddy McNamara said it was a fairly difficult grind in the field.

“We just had to toil hard all day to get the result we wanted,” he said.

■ Continued page 15

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