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Monday, March 31, 2025

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MPs to fight ESVF tax Page 3

M&M spread the sunshine Page 4

FIRST CRACK

Football and netball made a triumphant return in the Ovens and King league in misty conditions on Saturday. North Wangaratta’s Hunter Fraser (left) puts a chase on Milawa’s Brandon Fitzpatrick in the Demons’ 45-point win at home. See full results in sport. PHOTO: Marc Bongers

McNamaras steer RUB to premiership Sport

Let the games begin Battle lines for Indi electorate have been drawn with campaigns underway for 3 May federal election

THE battle for the federal seat of Indi has begun in earnest, with candidates quickly pivoting into full campaign mode following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially dissolving parliament on Friday morning and calling a federal election on 3 May. The announcement, just days after Labor handed down its 2025/26 federal budget, kickstarts a five-week election campaign for candidates.

Incumbent Independent Helen Haines, Liberal James

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

Trenery, Labor’s Mitch Bridges, The Greens’ Alysia Regan, Family First Party’s Michael White, One Nation’s Athol Thomas and Libertarian Party’s Tim Quilty have already declared their candidacy.

While the Nationals, who polled 3.7 per cent of the primary vote in the 2022 Indi election, are a non starter, other candidates are likely to

emerge before nominations close on April 10.

Incumbent Independent MP Helen Haines will be seeking her third term this election and said she would be fighting for what matters to Indi, not party politics.

“We set our own priorities right here in Indi and I’ll keep fighting for a fair deal for us and for regional Australia,” she said.

Dr Haines outlined key election pledges going into her campaign would include the Border community’s fight

for a new Albury-Wodonga hospital, further local infrastructure to unlock new housing, improve health services, access to childcare and telecommunications and government accountability.

“I’ve got a strong track record and worked across party lines and with governments of both stripes,” she said.

“Whether that’s been fighting for stranded communities during the pandemic, relief for communities impacted by bushfires, shaping the national agenda with

housing solutions, and securing a National Anti-Corruption Commission, I’ve had local impact and national influence.

“We share a vision of what Indi is and could be.”

Liberal candidate James Trenery is looking to win the Indi seat for his party for the first time in 12 years.

For the Liberals to overcome the orange wave, Mr Trenery would need to pull off a near nine per cent swing from the 2022 election.

He said he is looking to de-

liver on the community’s call for change.

“Here in the North East, the past three years have been tough… we have not got our fair share,” the former Indigo Shire councillor said.

Mr Trenery has pledged to follow through with his party’s plan to halve the fuel excise and drop the price of fuel by around 24 cents per litre, as well as delivering on cheaper energy with a mix of renewables, and “getting tough” on violent crime.

■ Continued page 2

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Battle lines for Indi drawn as federal election is called ■ From page 1

“Our Liberal plan will lower the cost of living immediately,” he said.

“We can’t afford another three years of Labor and Helen Haines.”

Wodonga social worker Mitch Bridges will be vying for the seat as Indi’s Labor candidate, and said this election “is a clear choice between Labor building Australia’s future and strengthening Medicare with an $8.5b boost, or Peter Dutton, who will cut services and make you pay”.

“I’m committed to supporting our community with real solutions...under the Albanese Government, we’ve eased cost-of-living pressures through energy bill relief, tax cuts, and investments in affordable housing and childcare,” he said.

“We’re also improving the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to make medicines more affordable, and our industrial

relations reforms have improved working conditions and provided better security for workers.”

Taggerty-based Alysia Regan, who is The Greens’ candidate, said the Indi electorate was being left behind in terms of housing.

“This election, we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expect a different result,” she said.

“Labor and the Coalition are both backing new coal and gas and worsening the climate crisis… meanwhile, regional Victoria is experiencing more climate-related disasters, including bushfires and floods.

“I’m proud to be part of a party that is fighting for no new coal and gas, publicly owned renewable energy, cheaper groceries, and a rent freeze.”

Family First Party of Australia have announced Michael White as their candidate for the Indi seat while Wodonga account-

ant and former councillor and state upper house MP Tim Quilty is running for the Libertarian Party.

Athol Thomas of Wodonga and the Kiewa Valley will stand for One Nation, hoping a background in cattle farming and focus on the agricultural sector will bring him votes.

“I want to provide an alternate for a lot of people who have become disenfranchised with Liberal in particular,” he said.

“One Nation policies are fantastic policies that are clearly geared towards the reduction of cost-of living, reduction of energy costs and future growth for Australians.

“They’re all policies that impact Indi quite significantly and I don’t know if Helen Haines has presented anything forward in her six years of being in parliament that have assisted the electorate in any of those ways.

“People really need to delve deeper into

what political parties offer...it’s not just what’s at face value that comes across a lot of mainstream media.”

One Nation tallied the fourth most primary votes in the 2022 election under candidate Beth Stevens, with 5.28pc.

Other parties to have candidates run in the last election including the Animal Justice Party and United Australia Party (Trumpet of Patriots Party) have yet to announce if they’ll contest Indi.

Indi has been held by an Independent since Cathy McGowan beat then Liberal incumbent Sophie Mirabella at the 2013 election.

ENROL TO VOTE: The Australian Electoral Commission has advised that you must be correctly enrolled by 8pm Monday, 7 April, to vote in the federal election.

For more details go to the AEC website.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES: Monday

Max 25

Min 11

Mostly sunny

Tuesday

Max 25

Min 8

Sunny

Wednesday Max 25

Min 8

Mostly sunny

Thursday

Max 26

Min 7

Mostly sunny

RAINFALL: Wangaratta Lake Buffalo Cheshunt

Last 72 hours

Last 7 days

4.6mm 9.4mm 7.0mm

4.6mm 9.6mm 7.0mm

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Sunday

LUCKY NUMBERS Tattslotto - Draw 4559

36, 3, 17, 1, 21, 41 (24, 30) Winning numbers are subject to verification by ticket holders.

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SUSTAINING THE SOUND: A fundraising campaign with a $300,000 target has been launched by the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues to help secure its future in the rural city.

PHOTO: Jacob McKay

$300,000 fundraising goal set for Jazz Festival

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

By SIMONE KERWIN

CONTACTS

MUSIC lovers, arts supporters and the local community are being urged to help secure the future of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues via a fundraising campaign launched on Thursday.

The ‘Sustaining the Sound’ campaign has set an ambitious $300,000 fundraising target.

Following the festival’s successful revival in 2024, the board has developed a threeyear vision focused on innovation, earlycareer artist development, and long-term financial sustainability.

POSTAL ADDRESS: 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta GENERAL TELEPHONE INQUIRIES: 5723 0100 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 5723 0101 DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 5723 0100 Fax: 03 5721 9447 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au Website: wangarattachronicle.com.au

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

The first phase campaign, which runs from now until June 30, aims to raise funds over those three years through philanthropic donations, bequests and community contributions.

“The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues has been a cultural treasure for more than three decades,” festival director Andrew Nunn said.

“This campaign is about ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the magic of jazz and blues in our region.

“Every contribution, big or small, will help us grow and sustain this festival for years to come.”

Support for the campaign can be offered as a tax-deductible donation via the festival’s online giving program; joining the Legacy Lounge Bequest Society and leaving a lasting impact; becoming a Festival Champion by making a major gift or monthly contribution; and by spreading the word about the campaign and encouraging others to give.

Donors can give online or email wangjazz.gifts@yahoo.com for more information about major gifts, sponsorships, or bequests.

To learn more and support the campaign, visit https://wangjazzblues.com.au/sustaining-the-sound-investing-in-the-future-ofwangaratta-jazz/

V/Line bus to March much warmer than average Albury extend to Benalla

By PETER NELSON

THE month of March in Wangaratta, and much of Victoria, has been notably warmer than average.

In North East Victoria the mean maximum temperature has been the warmest since 1940.

In Wangaratta the mean maximum temperature to date of 31.5 degrees is four degrees above normal and the highest since 32.7 degrees; whilst the mean minimum temperature of 13.8 degrees is three degrees above normal and the highest since 14.5 degrees in March of 1985.

Rainfall totals for the month up until 9am last Friday include 61mms at Wangaratta, 60.1mms at Benalla, 53.6mms at Albury and 46.6mms at Yarrawonga.

Mt Hotham to date has had 148.8mms including 74mms on 21 March which was the wettest for late March since 1985.

Little change from the warmer than normal conditions is expected this week when maximum temperatures could reach 32 degrees.

The next significant rain expected near mid-April, which is somewhat similar to what happened in 1985.

We were saturated with very heavy rain in August 1985.

THE weekday Wangaratta to Albury V/Line bus will now depart from Benalla as of Monday, 31 March.

The extension will see the bus take off from Benalla 30 minutes earlier at 7am, before stopping in Wangaratta at 7:30am.

A V/Line spokesperson said the extension would improve access to employment, services and education for residents in Benalla.

The coach will stop at Wangaratta at 7.30am, Wangaratta city at 7.32am, Wodonga TAFE at 8.10am, Wodonga CBD at 8.20am and Albury at 8.35am.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 3

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Answer survey to help our local hospital plan for the future

BY STEVE KELLY

skelly@ nemedia.com.au

NOW is the time to share your valuable feedback with Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) by filling out a survey online that will inform its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.

Examples of added services include expanded telehealth and virtual consultations, more specialist services, extra communitybased outreach programs, increased in-home care and support services, and additional rehabilitation and therapy services.

NHW has been travelling around the region and conducting listening posts to hear firsthand from people in the different communities about what they need regarding the delivery of health services from the organisation.

NHW board chair Alison Maclean said the board is really excited to be undertaking its strategic planning process.

“We have taken the view that hearing from the community is as essential as it always is to make sure their needs, their voices and their expectations from their health service come through in our plan,” Ms Maclean said.

SCAN FOR SURVEY: Your feedback is key. Scan the QR code or visit northeasthealth.org.au/ have-your-say.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: Northeast Health Wangaratta CEO Libby Fifis and board chair Alison Maclean are eager to hear your feedback to inform the organisation’s strategic plan.

“We have been in various towns interrupting and grabbing onto people as they walk past, asking them about what matters to them in relation to what we do here at Northeast Health.

“We’re thrilled to bits about being a large employer in the town, listening to our staff as well because they are essen-

tially the heart and soul of the place and we need them to be letting us know what matters because they’re also the voice of the community.”

Filling out the survey is easy and will only take a few minutes.

Ms Maclean said the survey is for people who might or might not visit the hospital

frequently or can see themselves visiting in the future.

“Give us your brilliant ideas, you’ve probably sat in our waiting rooms or on various beds and you might have thought of a great idea, we’d love to know,” Ms Maclean said.

“Even if you don’t come here, but you might be get-

ting older and you see yourself accessing our healthy services in the future, how would you like them, would you like us to bring more services to your home, have you ever used the community health, or the dental service?

“We look at the demographic and we listen to very important people telling us

MPs plan to fight ESVF tax

By STEVE KELLY

sands of dollars.

“In comparison, residential property owners will see a ONLY $250 million out of an lower increase of 32%, highexpected $2.1 billion expected lighting the disproportionate to be raised by Victoria’s new Emergency Services and Volun- burden placed on the agricultural sector. teers Fund over the next three “The policy is a blatant cash years is to go to the CFA and SES, according to Liberal MP for grab that will worsen cost-ofNorthern Victoria Wendy Lovell. living pressures across the state and cripple many farming The upper house member is businesses.” among a growing chorus voicLegislation for the levy was ing their opposition to the state passed in the Legislative Assemgovernment’s new levy, which bly on 20 March and it could be is set to replace the former fire debated in the upper house this services levy from 1 July.

The Victorian Farmers Federa- week, where it is being opposed tion (VFF) is calling for an imme- by Ms Lovell and her Liberal and National party colleagues. diate halt to the levy, warning “The Labor government is dethat whilst every Victorian will liberately misleading taxpayers pay, farmers will pay the most.

“Under the proposed chang- by including the words ‘volunteers fund’ in the title of the tax, es, the median fire services levy for primary producers will when in fact almost 90 per cent of the extra revenue raised will jump from $621 to $1299 per go to two government departassessment, representing a staggering 109% increase,” VFF ments, and government entities including Triple Zero Victoria president Brett Hosking said.

“This change will result in and the Emergency Management Commissioner,” she said. some landholders receiving “Only $250 million of the exhikes in the tens of thou-

tra $2.1b collected will go to the CFA and SES, while a number of volunteer organisations, such as volunteer ski patrols in our alpine resorts, are not listed to receive any funds at all.”

One Nation MP for the region, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, said she was fundamentally against any additional taxes or levies that are going to increase the financial burden on regional communities.

“Our farmers are an integral part of our way of life...they feed us, and the entire nation, and for farmers to be subject to such a dramatic increase is a disgrace,” she said.

“I am committed to standing up for my constituents in Northern Victoria against what is yet another example of the government hitting the hip pocket of regional people.”

Primary producers face cost rises from 28.7 cents per $1000 capital improved value (CIV) to 83 cents, commercial properties would see a hike from 66.4 cent/$1000 CIV to 133 cents.

the town’s growing and the population’s changing, but we actually want to hear from you.”

As NHW is the centre for many services such as the emergency department, which people from outlying towns access, the opinion of people in the whole 90,000 resident catchment area is important.

Feedback from the listening posts so far has been generally positive and the consultation team wants to hear more about specific services that would be supportive to individual people’s needs.

To fill out the confidential survey scan the QR code with your phone’s camera, or visit northeasthealth.org.au/ have-your-say and click ‘Online Survey’.

The Largest Outdoor Pool range in the North East Now Servicing the Wangaratta Area Call in and see our friends at North East Homemakers for more information.

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State government refutes levy ‘lies’ THE Victorian government has defended its new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, accusing Liberal MP Wendy Lovell of “lying to regional Victorians” over where the funds raised will be spent.

Responding to questions from North East Media, a government spokesperson said the fund is about making sure emergency services have the sustainable funding and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and to recover from natural disasters.

“Regional Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world and natural disasters such as fire, floods and storms are becoming more frequent and severe,” they said.

“Every single dollar raised by the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund will support our emergency services – helping them to keep communities safe year-round.”

The spokesperson said Ms Lovell’s claims that “almost 90 per cent of the extra revenue raised will go to two government departments” was false and that Fire Rescue Victoria and the Country Fire Association would be the two entities receiving the most funding from the ESVF”.

The spokesperson also said “the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Bill makes it clear that the fund will be used to collect up to 95 per cent of the budgets for CFA and VICSES – this is more than $250m”.

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Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

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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.

Karen Grosse, Angel Mendoza, Laura Gaston, Merrilyn Giacopelli and Eliza Lewis.

Allison Winters.

Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton.

M&M continue to spread the sunshine MEL and Michael Paul, owners of M&M Xtreme World of Fitness, have once again spread the sunshine for the 2025 Sunshine Ride.

A new record of more than $150,000 was raised on the ride for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund, with the M&M Xtreme team contributing $2000.

“It was a day of fun, laughs and of course hard work,” Mel said.

“Local businesses such as The Dons delivered pizzas for the riders, Butlers Pantry Bakehouse took care of the sugar fix while Elite Supps Wangaratta had taste testing, Zambreros donated vouchers, our partners Anytime Fitness Wangaratta joined in, and the Spirited Party Shop

Webster Sornchai WEBSTER was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Tuesday, 18 March and weighed 3.77kg (8lb 3oz). He is the son of Ralganit Chanpreechaya and Salaleoon Sornchai.

Mel and Michael Paul.

brought along balloons.

“Mario Antonello from Afonso Building solutions was the first rider to begin with our son Brodie and some pretty amazing M&M members taking the early morning shifts.”

Mel and Mike’s other sons Bailey, Jett and Noah also took part making it a real family affair.

“RCOW councillors and deputy mayor Harvey Benton were there to support and we thank all our local community for supporting this event and making a real difference for cancer patients,” Mel said.

“We are so lucky to live in a caring generous and supportive town like Wangaratta.

“The M& M team look forward to doing it all again next year.”

Lucy Kelly LUCY was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, 20 March at 9.27am and weighed 3.93kg (8lb 7oz). She is the sister of George, and the daughter of Laura Kelly and Benjamin Kelly of Rutherglen.

Lou Byrne, Cheryl Jones and Jenny Emslie.

Mario Antonello.

Cr Dave Fuller.

Ruby Bihun and Bailey Paul.

Band in harmony Monday, 30 March, 2015

By KYLIE WILSON

Henry George Collihole HENRY was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, 20 March at 2.15pm and weighed 2.8kg (6lb 2oz). He is the brother of Grace, and the son of Madison Collihole and Bradley Collihole of Wangaratta.

TRIO: Band members Patrick McDonald, Thea McCarthy and Paddy Milne rehearse.

HAVING been in existence for around seven years, the Wangaratta Ukulele Band are a tight-knit group of people who enjoy making music together.

The group has grown to include about 20 members, and meet each Thursday at the Masonic Lodge in Appin Street between 5.30-7.30pm.

On the first Thursday of each month, the club meets for a social get together and public performance at the Vine Hotel.

Those who are interested in learning ukulele, whatever their skill level, are more than welcome to get in touch with the group.

The band held a “give it a go” session earlier this month and intends to run a series of classes to help people to polish their skills in singing, strumming and more.

The band will also be performing at Paddy’s Hotel in Albury as part of the Uke Empire event from 3.30 onwards on April 19.

The band performs regularly at public events in the region, including Relay for Life, and also play for residents of nursing homes and retirement villages on a regular basis.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 5

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Greens sow seeds of change with Indi candidate

ON THE TRAIL: ALYSIA REGAN WILL CONTEST THE FEDERAL SEAT OF INDI FOR THE GREENS.

READY TO BURN: Controlled burns are planned across the North East, including the Bright area, in autumn.

Planned burns to reduce risk of future bushfires

By SHAUN McMAHON

COMMUNITY advocate Alysia Regan has been announced as the Greens candidate for the seat of Indi in the upcoming federal election, pledging to push for climate action, affordable housing and a stronger regional voice in Canberra.

Ms Regan, who has previously stood as a Greens candidate for the District of Sandringham in the 2022 Victorian state election, and in the 2024 Bayside council election, brings a background in not-for-profit work, community advocacy and early childhood education.

She currently divides her time between metropolitan Melbourne and her family’s farm in Taggerty, in the Murrindindi Shire.

“My family have been proud Murrindindi Shire small business owners in the town of Taggerty for 45 years,” she said.

“I work on my primary producing farm on weekends and during school holidays, with my three daughters who enjoy riding their motorbikes around the 125-acre property.”

Ms Regan has served on campaign

and branch committees for the Bayside Glen Eira Greens and has been nominated for several civic awards, including the Victorian Disability Awards, as well as council’s Woman of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

“I have a strong history in advocacy across the not-for-profit, community and early childhood education sectors,” she said.

“I’ve been recognised for promoting rights for people with disability.”

In announcing her candidacy for Indi, Ms Regan said she would be a voice for regional communities.

“We’re in a housing crisis and regional Victoria is being left behind,” she said.

“In Indi, more than 40 per cent

of renters are experiencing rental stress.”

Ms Regan criticised the major parties for continuing to support fossil fuel projects, arguing the electorate is already bearing the brunt of climate change.

“Labor and the Coalition are both backing new coal and gas and worsening the climate crisis,” she said.

“Meanwhile, regional Victoria is experiencing more climate-related disasters, including bushfires and floods.”

She said the Greens’ platform offers voters a real alternative.

“I’m proud to be part of a party that is fighting for no new coal and gas, publicly owned renewable en-

ergy, cheaper groceries, and a rent freeze,” she said.

“We want to make big corporations pay their fair share of tax and fund things we all need, like dental and mental health into Medicare and government-built homes to rent and buy.

“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics and governments should actually solve the problems we face.”

Ms Regan said the people of Indi are ready for a stronger, progressive voice in parliament.

“The electorate of Indi knows they deserve more, and I am ready to demand it,” she said.

“If you want change, it’s time to vote for it.”

AI piling system speeds up solar build CONSTRUCTION is continuing at pace on ENGIE’s Goorambat East Solar Farm near Benalla with the help of a autonomous piling system.

Bouygues Construction Australia’s project director Bastien Sauvet said with ENGIE’s support, they have partnered with Built Robotics to trial the cutting-edge Autonomous Piling System at the 250MW solar facility.

“The system uses advanced AI, GPS, and sensor technology to precisely drive piles with minimal human oversight, boosting efficiency and accuracy,” Mr Sauvet said.

“This marks a major step in automating utility-scale solar construction, reducing costs, and accelerating timelines while maintaining high safety standards.”

The plan is for the piling to be completed around the end of June and installation of the first solar panels is about to start this week, with the first “golden row” almost complete – it will then be replicated across the rest of the site.

ENGIE’s general manager of engineering & asset delivery Leigh Newbery said its construction contractor, Bouygues Construction Australia, is managing the on-site works.

“We are currently peaking at about 240 people on-site for the construction, while our dedicated project team – including around 50 specialised staff in design, consulting, and management – ensures every detail is meticulously managed,” he said.

“Once the Goorambat East Solar Farm is built and commissioned in

AUTO PILOT: An autonomous piling system uses advanced AI, GPS, and sensor technology to precisely drive piles with minimal human oversight.

PHOTO: Bouygues Construction Australia / Sarah Craven 2026, it will have a generating capacity of up to 250 megawatts (MW), which is enough to power up to 105,000 average Victorian homes.”

Mr Newbery said the Goorambat East Solar Farm also incorporates numerous environmental initia-

tives, such as the planting of 14,000 trees on site to enhance local biodiversity and screen off the site for neighbouring farms.

“This approach is part of a broader vision to blend renewable energy with agriculture - a

concept known as agrivoltaics.

“In Australia we are lucky to have the space to experiment with agrivoltaics, which might involve integrating sheep grazing or even specialised horticultural practices under the solar panels.”

FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) intends to take advantage of favourable weather and forest conditions with priority burns in the North East, to reduce the risk of bushfires on the community and environment.

FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy, said priority burns are planned in state forest, parks and reserves around Beechworth, Yackandandah, Bright, Marysville, Toolangi, Kinglake, Glenburn, Woods Point, Tatong, Howqua, Mitta Mitta, Koetong and Tallangatta Valley over coming weeks.

He said more than 100 planned burns across an area of 46,300 hectares are prepared and ready for ignition in North East Victoria.

“Planned burning is one of the key tools firefighters use to reduce the size, intensity, and impact of bushfires,” Mr Kennedy said.

“Reducing fuels such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and small fallen branches means fires are less intense, slower to spread and safer for firefighters to control.

“Autumn is generally the best time of the year to undertake planned burns as the weather is more stable and fire behaviour is manageable and predictable.”

“Given the limited opportunities to undertake planned burning, it is important that we commence this work as soon as weather and forest conditions are suitable.”

Mr Kennedy said while planned burning is the most effective tool to reduce bushfire risk, in locations where planned burning isn’t suitable, crews will mulch, mow, slash and spray, build fuel breaks and upgrade and maintain the public land road network to keep Victoria safer.

“We work with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed and will only carry out burns when the conditions are suitable, and it is safe to do so,” he said.

Mr Kennedy said FFMVic works with emergency sector partners including the Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and Emergency Management Victoria to manage bushfire risk, prepare communities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

Register for the latest updates about where and when FFMVic deliver planned burning at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/.

Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

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

Listen wisely and inform your choice SOME of us may already be dreading what’s to come of the next five weeks of election campaigns, but we must pay close attention to what our candidates have to say.

After weeks, if not months, of pre– campaign campaigning by all parties a fair portion of the electorate would be already burnt out from all the political argy–bargy just when we should be starting to focus on the job at hand – deciding who to vote for.

Irrespective of the claims, accusations, counter claims and plain hysteria that will be thrust on us, we need to keep our mind on the job.

Voters must realise they have a significant role to play to ensure the successful candidate reflects the majority of our community’s opinion.

We can only choose who we think is best to serve our needs and hopes and that may be due to their personal strengths, their policies and for some their political allegiances.

Political advertisements and announcements will only become more frequent from today, but what’s important is for people who are unsure what their candidates will bring to the table.

Affordable housing, cost-of-living, energy and healthcare standout as the common key issues outlined by candidates and figuring out where they stand on these issues will be wise to keep track of before making your decision.

Most important of all, we remain a democracy and have the right to choose the people who will represent our values and hopefully take the entire nation forward.

The tricky part for all of us on 3 May will be who you entrust to take on that responsibility.

The Quiz No. 128 1.

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1. On 17 March 2017, who became the Treasurer of Western Australia?

2. What pseudonym is used by David John Moore Cornwell when writing novels?

3. Dustin Hoffman won his first Best Actor Oscar for which movie?

4. How many sheets are in a ream of paper?

5. Who succeeded Ferdinand Marcos as President of the Philippines?

6. What was the first building with 100+ stories?

7. Who provides the voice for the character, Baby Groot, in the 2017 movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2?

8. Which Greek philosopher is credited with the quote, “Love is a serious mental disease.”?

9. In which 2010s TV series does Téa Leoni play the role of Dr. Elizabeth “Bess” Adams McCord?

10. The martial art called okichitaw originated in which country?

11. Who created the famous children’s character, Noddy?

12. In which decade of the 18th century did George Washington become the first US President?

13. Which cartoon TV series had a character called The Great Gazoo?

14. What was the first non-Victorian team to win the AFL Grand Final?

15. Which country shares Botswana’s western border?

16. What is the largest and heaviest living land animal?

17. Which Perth Wildcats player won the 2017 Larry Sengstock Medal?

18. Who was the lead singer of the 1960s-70s band, T-Rex? 19. In which country are The Remarkables mountain range located?

20. Who wrote the 1905 novel, Invasion of the Sea?

Answers 1. Ben Wyatt 2. John le Carré 3. Kramer vs. Kramer 4.

500 5. Corazon Aquino 6. Empire State Building 7. Vin Diesel 8. Plato 9. Madam Secretary 10. Canada 11. Enid Blyton 12.

1780s 13. The Flintstones 14. West Coast Eagles 15. Namibia 16. African Bush Elephant 17. Bryce Cotton 18. Marc Bolan 19.

New Zealand 20. Jules Verne

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

•

Rob Bell: I hope you get it back Wayne Stafford Facebook users this week also commented on proposed fire services levy and the impact it could have on farmers.

Ant Meyer: Just another tax on hard working Australians from mismanaged Kylie Coatsworth Watson: government spending Linda Simpson: A I’m so sorry to hear this disgraceful cash grab!

Wayne. I really hope that this Facebook users this very special and meaningful week also commented item finds its way back to you on Indi Liberal candidate soon. xox

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the theft of a watch that belongs to Wangaratta resident Wayne Stafford and was gifted to him by his late wife.

Sally Rodgers: So sorry to read this Wayne and hope it is returned to you x

• •

• •

James Trenery’s support for nuclear power plans if Coalition wins government.

Kieran Crichton: Oh dear!

Leslie Matthews: It’s not like he will have much say either way ....

•• •Trenery needs to explain Raymond Andison:

things like how will they overturn the current nuclear ban? cost to purchase, install, operate and maintain? where is the nuclear waste going to go? Where are they going to

source the enormous amount of water needed for Reactor Cooling? Where are they going get skilled experienced staff to install, operate and maintain these white elephants?

What happens if the State Governments don’t want it?

What is plan B if like most LNP projects they go way over time and budget?

Jill Lindquist: Raymond Andison yours is a checklist of perfectly reasonable questions for which there have been no answers.

•

Like the

Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

15,200

Lazy governments and hiding the truth WHY do the governments not come out and tell everyone Australia we are not a major player in the world arena.

With Australia basically being a dig it up and ship it out country to maintain our standard of living.

But we are living beyond our means when we have to borrow money to cover all our expenditure concerns me as it will eventually come to an end quickly if the Greens, Teals Labor and some independents keep stopping or slowing down development of the resources which has sustained our standard of living for many decades.

Australia should have no foreign debt and have money put away for what we call a rainy day in case of our exports are interrupted for a significant period or a significant event occurs..

Two recent governments, Swan and Rudd along with Morrison and Frydenberg went on spending spree under the guise of an emergency.

Then and even until today I believed we should have taken our medicine there and then and probably gone into a recession.

But what we have now produced is a handout society and people do not seem to care where the money comes from.

If you look at the interest, we pay each year now it staggers me how we could be using that to make Australia’s future look totally different.

If you listen to some economists, you think recession is a bad word.

Yes, it is tough for many, but we tighten our belts during this short period.

Just think if you managed your household budget by continually borrowing money to live, what would be the result.

John Walker, North Wangaratta

Call for anti-theft screws for number plates WITH almost 27,000 number plates stolen across Victoria in 2024, representing a 45.8 per cent increase since 2023, RACV is calling on the Victorian Government to require new and second-hand vehicle dealerships to install number plates with anti-theft screws.

This requirement could be phased in, starting with standard number plates.

The latest data from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency reveals a concerning ten-year high in number plate thefts, with almost 27,000 reported cases in the 12-month period ending 31 December 2024, up from 18,480 the previous year.

On average there are 73 number plate thefts

ROLLOUT: Instant turf has been laid at Wareena Park as part of the ongoing revitalisation of the ground. The turf will be over-sown with a winter grass to ensure the surface is durable for the 2025 football season and beyond. The turf needs three to four weeks without use for the best possible establishment. Training is expected to resume on the oval in mid-to-late April, depending on weather conditions.

PHOTO: Simone Kerwin in Victoria per day and that people should be aware that the best deterrent from physical theft is to install anti-theft screws.

To deter cloning, registration numbers should be illegible when publishing an image of a car online.

RACV is also calling on the government to release the outcomes of the technology trials that were announced in 2019, to combat number plate theft and cloning.

While number plate theft seems like a lowlevel crime, the reality is it can lead to serious issues for motorists – including identity theft and other crimes.

Number plates remain the most commonly stolen item from vehicles, with thieves able to remove standard plates in under 10 seconds.

Stolen plates are being used to commit other crimes including fuel theft, drug trafficking, ram raids, burglaries, police evasion, and avoiding traffic infringements.

Beyond physical theft, criminals are now also engaging in ‘virtual theft’ by copying registration details from photos posted online to car sales websites or social media, printing them on laminated paper or 3D printers to attach over their own plates.

The financial impact for victims is significant, with replacement costs ranging from $39 to $293 depending on plate type, plus the time taken waiting for replacement plates.

Additionally, driving without displaying proper number plates can result in a $385 fine and three demerit points.

Neighbourhood Watch, in partnership with

Victoria Police and RACV, is hosting Safe Plate Days where volunteers install anti-theft screws.

Anti-theft screws are also available from auto shops, hardware stores, and service stations.

If number plates are stolen, victims should immediately report the theft to local police by visiting the nearest station, calling 131 444, or submitting an online form.

They should then visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre with evidence of identity to apply for new plates with different identification numbers.

For more information about upcoming Safe Plate Days, visit the Neighbourhood Watch website.

James Williams, RACV head of policy and Bambi Gordon, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria

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

Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility.

Email

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Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 7

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ACROSS THE ARTS

Magpie and mates take flight at Benalla gallery FANTASTICAL LANDSCAPES: Works being exhibition include Miles HOWARDWILKS Untitled 2023 glaze, terracotta 15 x 22 x 13 cm MHC23-0019.

BENALLA Art Gallery and Arts Project Australia are once again partnering to present an exhibition in the gallery shop: Magpie and Mates by Miles Howard-Wilks.

Miles Howard-Wilks is a midcareer artist who specialises in painting, ceramics, photography, digital art and zines.

His work features dynamic and surreal landscapes and seascapes with recurring motifs of iconic Australian animals, landmarks and transport.

Howard-Wilks has worked at Arts Project since 2000 and has presented three solo exhibitions.

He has exhibited in national and

international group exhibitions and has work in the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Museum of Contemporary Art and City of Melbourne collection, as well as private collections worldwide.

Arts Project Australia is an internationally leading visual arts organisation that champions neurodivergent artists and artists with intellectual disability.

Through their studio program, exhibition opportunities, and professional development pathways, Arts Project artists are empowered to develop their practice and build meaningful careers in the

contemporary arts sector.

Benalla Art Gallery director, Eric Nash, said the exhibition was “an uplifting continuation of our partnership with the country’s leading organisation supporting artists with intellectual disabilities.”

“Miles Howard-Wilks is such an inventive artist; the ceramic forms displayed feature fantastical garden scenes, trains and other features from our urban landscape, and of course prominently celebrate our favourite feathered warblers, the magpie,” he said.

All works in the gallery shop are available to purchase.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY: Harry Goeby and Anthony Chisholm, both year 12 students at Wangaratta High School, will be among the young performers taking part in the WHS Talent Quest on Wednesday, 2 April.

PHOTO: Simone Kerwin

Talent quest tradition rolls on

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED: Brought to you by the mastermind producers of Shrek The Musical and Dr Seuss’s The Cat in a Hat, Madagascar the Musical is offering audiences a wild and unforgettable adventure.

PHOTO: Showcase Entertainment Group

MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL TO MAKE WANGARATTA DEBUT MADAGASCAR The Musical is bringing the magic of the beloved DreamWorks film to the stage for Wangaratta audiences.

As part of their Australian tour, the production will be held at the WPACC on Saturday, 5 April at 10.30am and 2pm.

Presented by Showcase Entertainment Group and directed by Nick Wilkinson , this global sensation show has landed down under, ready to ignite the stage with electrifying energy, jaw-dropping

production and world-class performances.

Featuring iconic characters, vibrant storytelling, dazzling costumes and catchy tunes in a spectacular Broadway-style production, this the ultimate interactive theatre experience.

When New York’s biggest star, Alex the lion, and his best friends find themselves whisked from their pampered lives at Central Park Zoo to the untamed jungles of Madagascar, chaos, comedy and high-energy antics unfold.

Along the way, they meet hilarious unforgettable characters, including the outrageously flamboyant King Julien, who will have everyone dancing in their seats.

It’s a refreshing alternative to screen-based entertainment, encouraging participation, focus and family bonding through an exciting multi-sensory adventure.

Tickets are on sale now - so you better move it, move it.

SELLING FAST: Tickets can be Visit the QR code to find out purchased by following the QR more. code to the show’s website.

THE 41-year tradition of the Wangaratta High School Talent Quest is set to continue, with the 2025 event to be held on Wednesday, 2 April.

‘Nostalgic Kids TV’ is the theme of this year’s talent quest, which highlights the school’s quality music program and the depth of talent among students - and staff.

“It’s another chance to showcase our skills, and the last time we’ll get to be part of this event at school,” year 12 WHS student Anthony Chisholm said.

“It will be something to remember.”

Together with fellow year 12 student Harry Goeby, Anthony will be performing in a number of different bands at the talent quest, including Lukewarm Chilli Peppers.

High school teacher Scott Solimo said students set to take the stage in the WHS Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening had been through an audition process to win their spots in the line-up, resulting in the curation of a 20-act show covering a range of genres and everything from bands to solo acts.

“It’s a good opportunity for these young people to play in front of an audience, with full stage production,” he said.

Along with student performances including the opening and closing year 12 acts, the staff act is always a highlight of the show and will again feature in 2025.

Doors open at the WHS PAC at 6.30pm on Wednesday for a 7pm start, and the event is open to everyone. Tickets can be purchased via compasstix.com or the Wangaratta High School administration office.

For more information, visit https:// www.whs.vic.edu.au/talentquest/

Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

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Junior Reporter Club

Name the country’s FLAG...

dot-to-dot

complete the picture...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Grace Henshall............................................................................................................................... April 1 Ava Ryan .......................................................................................................................................... April 1 Harrison O’Brien ........................................................................................................................... April 4 Paige Shultz .................................................................................................................... April 4 April Senn........................................................................................................................................ April 5 Kaidyn Kohn ................................................................................................................................... April 6

APRIL 2025 Birthday Cake Winners - Paige Shultz April 4 & Luke Hunt April 21 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, March 31, 2025 - Page 9

wangarattachronicle.com.au

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD 4

5

6

C O W T D C K E T I E L F E H H S A N G Y M I U R O A M G S J J W I N E

7

8 9 10 12 13

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Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally.

Some letters are used more than once.

21

23

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24 25 26

narrow restrictions (8) 17 What is a call for 5 What is a protuberance a repetition (6) or swelling (4) 18 What do we call that which 6 Name a man’s soft felt hat (6) is the fewest in number (6) 7 Name a collusive 20 To astonish greatly, syndicate (6) is to do what (5) 12 What is money or 21 What is prolonged riches known as (4) separation from one’s 14 To be pressed in, is country or home (5) to be what (8) 23 Name an officiating 15 What is one unit of Letters have value of a mosque (4) a dollar called (4) a number priest

Jam Joy Key Net Now

Some values are in the right hand cells.

Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

384

BIYWORD

E-QUATIONS

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

H

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Solve the crossword.

Each answer has four letters.

2 5 9 3 6 7 1 4 8

© Puzzles supplied by AUSPAC MEDIA

SUDOKU

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7

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DOWN 1 Bounces 2 Iranian money 3 As well 4 Youngster

8 9 1 5 3 6 2 7 4

ACROSS 1 Sitter’s headache 5 Unctuous 6 Laze 7 Gin flavouring

WHICH WORDS: 1 (b) Associated surroundings 2 (a) The science of duty

3 2 5 7 B:14, O:18, Q:5, R:15, U:7, V:3, X:4 1 3 6 8 7 B O 8 Q R U9 V X 1 14 2 18 57 15 7 33 4 7 9

SOLUTIONS

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CLUES: Atlas (3) Limb (3) Manufacturing area (7) Online Reporting System (3) Pathology: thin discharge (5) Pretentiously virile (5) Religiously fervent (5) Ruin (3) Sicilian criminal society (5) Sloping roof supports (7)

CROSSWORD

18

114

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.

ACROSS: 1 Brat, 5 Oily, F 6 Bask, 7 Sloe.

M A R DOWN: 1 Bobs, 2 Rial, M A C H O © 3 Also, 4 Tyke.

R A F T E R S P I O U S A R M Y

U+U B+X R÷V V×Q X+V O-R O-B

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1 CONTEXT (a) A struggle for victory (b) Associated surroundings (c) A position argued for 2 DEONTOLOGY (a) The science of duty (b) The theory of the origin and nature of communities (c) The worship of demons

E-QUATIONS 7

B O Q R U V X

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WHICH WORDS

7 4 3 2 1 5 8 9 6

22

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D R I V E L L T C A A A Q U A R I A N M I R B I L L E T S U I M P O L I T E B E R E P E A T E U N I C Y C L E L D N E B E F R I E N D N N A E L A T E D M X S C O R P I O N O E M T R A G I C Z L D R E S S A G E E T M D E E M E D

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MINI WORD FIND

DOWN 2 To lift up, is to do what (5) 3 Name estimated worth (5) 4 What is freedom from

2

E-QUATIONS B:14, O:18, Q:5, R:15, U:7, V:3, X:4

the sign of Aquarius (8) 9 Name a term for an appointment (6) 10 To be rude, is to be what (8) 11 To say again, is to do what (6) 13 Name a vehicle with only one wheel (8) 16 To fraternise, is to do what (8) 19 To be jubilant, is to be what (6) 22 Name an arachnid with a venomous sting (8) 24 To be pitiful, is to be what (6) 25 What is the art and training of a horse in obedience, etc (8) 26 To have formed an opinion, is to have done what (6)

1

C O W T D C K E T I E L F E H H S A N G Y M I U R O A M G S J J W I N E

ACROSS 1 What is childish talk (6) 8 Which person is born under

MINI WORD FIND 374

1074

Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

wangarattachronicle.com.au

RURAL

Oat growers reminded to look at effective rainfall on residues before plantback bicide residues,” he said.

“There are certain products that require a set amount of effective rainfall over a defined timeframe before you can safely resow to oats.

“And while the rainfall and interval amounts are on product labels, the important thing here is ‘effective rainfall’ and not just whether you’ve had the total amount listed.”

For rainfall to be effective it must penetrate into the soil, keeping it moist to a depth of around 5-10cm for a reasonable period.

“It needs to persist long enough for the soil microbes to have the time to break down any herbicide

residues,” Mr Smith said.

“While you may have actually received the rainfall volume on the label, if it all came down in heavy falls that ran off or there were long gaps between events, you may not have had enough moisture in the soil long enough to degrade all your residues.”

There are several actives and products growers should be particularly aware of.

Pre-emergent treatment Overwatch (bixlozone, Group 13) has a replanting interval of nine months and 250mml interim rainfall for oats, while Sakura and Mateno Complete (pyroxasulfone, Group 15) have a 21-month

Wangaratta Livestock Exchange - Prime Market Report

TUESDAY 25TH OF MARCH 2025

GROWERS impacted by low rainfall across Australia’s southeast are being reminded to think about herbicide residues when planting back to oats this season.

Independent agronomist with Trengove Consulting, Ben Smith, says that in some situations there hasn’t been enough moisture in soil profiles to break down last year’s herbicide applications.

“It’s a real watch-out for oat hay growers this season, particularly in South Australia and the western half of Victoria where there will be areas that haven’t had effective rainfall or enough time pass to deal with her-

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and 550ml rainfall plantback to oats.

Any in-season application of imidazolinone (Group 2) products, like Intervix and Intercept, needs to be considered as in many areas there hasn’t been enough rain to satisfy plantback requirements.

Newer IMI tolerant oat varieties Kingbale and Archer can provide residue protection.

Likewise, Reflex (fomesafen, Group 14), Callisto (mesotrione, Group 27) and Talinor (bicyclopyrone, Group 27 and bromoxynil, Group 6) all have 9 month, 250 mm plantback restrictions which may not have been met.

DOUBLE CHECK: Oat growers are urged to check their herbicide application and rainfall records carefully, and talk to their agronomist before sowing oats.

Some sulfonylureas (Group 2) also pose a risk. This includes products with metsulfuron (Ally, Stinger, Trounce), chlorsulfuron (Glean), triasulfuron (Logran) and mesosulfuron (Atlantis).

Soil pH is an important consideration with group 2s.

“The key with all of these is that even if the rainfall volume is achieved, there still has to be adequate soil microbial activity for residue degradation,” Mr Smith said.

“If that hasn’t happened you run the risk of your oats being adversely affected, leading to issues such as poor crop performance with

yellowing, stunted growth, reduced vigour, bleaching and root pruning being potential symptoms.”

Mr Smith suggests growers check their application and rainfall records carefully, and talk to their agronomist.

“You can also do a bioassay on the crop or a soil sample to compare with a non-treated paddock, to check for any residues present.

“It has been an incredibly dry year, and in some areas the rain that has been received was patchy to say the least, so it really pays to double check your paddock situation before planting your oats.”

Hatchery first gives hope to endangered galaxias THE Victorian government has expanded the range of two critically endangered small-bodied native fish, Moroka galaxias and McDowall’s galaxias, by stocking both species into the wild for the first time.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said the release of 50 Moroka galaxias and 50 McDowall’s galaxias will help curb their risk of extinction and safeguard against increasing occurrences of climate-driven emergencies.

Moroka galaxias survive in one isolated population in the headwaters of the Moroka River within the Alpine National Park, while the last remaining McDowall’s galaxias population inhabits the headwaters of the Rodger River in the Snowy River National Park.

The 100 galaxias were bred for the first time in late 2024 at the VFA’s Snobs Creek Conservation Hatchery, which was completed last year using $2.725 million from the state and federal governments.

“This is significant a milestone in the recovery of critically endangered species and the health of our freshwater ecosystems, where smallbodied native fish play an important role,” Mr Dowling said.

“Moroka galaxias and McDowall’s galaxias have never

TAKING ACTION: VFA Scientist Brett Ingram and ARI’s Tarmo Raadik with Moroka galaxias fingerlings. PHOTO: Tim Fernando been bred or stocked for conservation before, so it’s exciting to see the collaborative 10inTen plan delivering benefits in its early days.”

Both galaxiids are nationally listed as critically endangered on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, having been identified as facing a high risk of extinction if no action was taken from threats including fire, drought, floods and predator invasion events.

The galaxiids are also part of the 10inTen plan to restock and recover ten aquatic native species in as many years, in partnership with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI)

for Environmental Research.

Other species in the plan include catfish, Murray hardyhead, Glenelg freshwater mussel, South Gippsland spiny crayfish, southern purple-spotted gudgeon, southwestern Victorian blackfish, Macquarie perch, and trout cod.

Entering its second calendar year, the VFA’s Conservation Hatchery has made ground-breaking progress breeding blackfish in a hatchery environment for the first time, reintroducing the once-extinct olive perchlet into Victorian waters, and successfully producing Glenelg freshwater mussel offspring.

For more information visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/10inTen.

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

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 11

WHEN TO BOOK

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EMPLOYMENT CONCRETING, big or small jobs, paths, d r i ve wa y s, s h e d slabs, verandahs, 15 years experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.

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CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

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Truck Driver/Meat Lumper

Wangaratta Abattoirs requires a reliable person able to be a delivery driver to distribute carcass meat throughout Victoria and the Riverina to local butchers and supermarkets.

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We are prepared to teach the suitable person lifting techniques to assist with carcass deliveries.

MAINTENANCE AND GROUNDS SCHOOL SERVICES OFFICER

HEAVY RIGID LICENSE ESSENTIAL. This is an opportunity to build towards a long term position with our company.

Apply by return response to this advertisement, call Peter Booth on 5721 2349 or come in and see us at 53 Greta Road, Wangaratta.

(FTE .39 ongoing)

Do you enjoy variety in your work? Do you like being outdoors, then Borinya is for you!

Borinya WCP are looking for a dedicated maintenance and grounds person to join our team.

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

For further details on how to apply and position description please visit our website: www.borinya.catholic.edu.au/news/#jobs OR email ksaunders@borinya.catholic.edu.au

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Apprentice Printer Full-Time Position

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Classifieds Your Local Marketplace EMPLOYMENT

THE ROLE OF PUBLISHERS

Children’s Services Authorised Officer – Hume Area – VPS4 2 x Full-time ongoing positions North Eastern Victoria Area The Victorian Department of Education is seeking two suitably qualified Children’s Services Authorised Officers based in the Hume Area.

As a Children’s Services Authorised Officer, you will play a key role in promoting quality improvement in Early Childhood Education and Care services by visiting centres and services in your regional area to actively monitor compliance, undertake investigations and conduct assessment and rating visits in adherence with the National Law, Children’s Services Act and Child Safe Standards. This dynamic and rewarding role will give you the opportunity to promote quality improvement and support practice outcomes, while working in a supportive environment that provides training and upskilling opportunities.

While you will ideally have experience in compliance, investigations or working in an early learning environment with a deep understanding of the legislations and National Quality Framework, this is not essential.

Candidates with suitably transferrable skills will be considered and are encouraged to apply.

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Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children’s Check and Victorian driver’s licence.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online via the Careers Vic website: https://careers.vic.gov.au Please refer to Reference: VG/1851162 Contact: Deb Ellis, Area Manager via (03) 5858 8982 or Deb.Ellis@education.vic.gov.au

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IN MEMORIAM

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WALKER, Matthew Paul.

18/9/1931 – 28/3/2025 Passed away peacefully at Woods Point surrounded by her loved ones.

Loving wife of Stirling for 66 years.

Loving mother of Kerry, Philip, Geoffrey, Michelle and mother-in-law of Rod, Donna and Chris.

Loving grandmother to Nicholas, Amy, Sarah, Rachel, Jessica, Terence, Abbey, Shannon, Justin, Jacinta, David, Thomas, Eleisha, Simon and Jay. Loving great-grandmother.

Reunited with Dad, Loved & remembered. xox

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THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 13

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Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

GRAND FINAL SCORES

A GRADE GRAND FINAL ROVERS UNITED BRUCK DEF WANGARATTA MAGPIES

WANGARATTA MAGPIES

A RESERVE GRAND FINAL

Rovers United Bruck 7/95 Jonathan Hyde 27 Nathan Goodees 3/7 def Delatite 10/94 Mark O’Loughlan 17 Adriano Speziale 2/10.

ROVERS UNITED BRUCK 1ST INNINGS Charith Perera c: Fraser Ellis b: Oliver Andrew..................2 Ryan Collier c: Cooper Matheson b: Oliver Andrew .........7 Reid McNamara c: Jack Davies b: Fraser Ellis .................47 Paddy McNamara (c) c: Jack Davies b: Oliver Andrew.....5 Jeremy Wilson (c) c: Jarryd Wallace b: Oliver Andrew.....2 Matthew Whitten lbw: Fraser Ellis ......................................3 Jacob Schonafinger b: Fraser Ellis ...................................26 Lakpriya S G Arachchilage lbw: Kyle Winter-Irving ........12 Luke Whitten lbw: Kyle Winter-Irving ................................0 Brady Bartlett not out......................................................10* Charlie Lugg b: Kyle Winter-Irving......................................2 Extras ...................................................................................14 Total ...........................................................................10 / 128 Overs ........................................................................73 Overs BOWLING: Oliver Andrew 25/9/31/4, Dean Simmons 6/1/10/1, Fraser Ellis 30/12/55/3, Kyle Winter Irving 12/1/21/3.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jonathan Hyde, Rovers United Bruck (27).

B GRADE GRAND FINAL

Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/95 Hudson Gillies 51 Brendan Duncombe 3/12 def by Benalla Bushrangers 6/111 Craig Williams 30 Geoffrey Montgomery 3/29.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lee Brennan, Benalla Bushrangers (24, 2/19).

WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS Dean Simmons b: Brady Bartlett .....................................11 Jarryd Wallace lbw: Paddy McNamara..............................1 Cooper Matheson (c) c: Jeremy Wilson b: Paddy McNamara ............................................................................0 Jack Davies c: Lakpriya S G Arachchilage b: Jacob Schonafinger ......................................................................13 Oliver Andrew c: Lakpriya S G Arachchilage b: Jacob Schonafinger ........................................................................5 Kyle Winter-Irving c&b: Brady Bartlett...............................2 James Thewlis c: Lakpriya S G Arachchilage b: Paddy McNamara ............................................................................4 Fraser Ellis not out ...........................................................34* Nic Bonwick lbw: Brady Bartlett ......................................13 Callum Honey c: Jeremy Wilson b: Paddy McNamara ..22 Zac Guilfoyle c: Charith Perera b: Paddy McNamara .......0 Extras .....................................................................................6 Total ...........................................................................10 / 111 Overs ............................................................................... 60.2 BOWLING: Paddy McNamara 19.2/10/26/5, Jacob Schonafinger 21/4/31/2, Brady Bartlett 13/3/25/3, Jeremy Wilson 7/1/26/0.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Reid McNamara, RUB (47).

KYLE WINTER-IRVING

MATT PRESTIANNI

C GRADE GRAND FINAL

Beechworth Wanderers Stanley 10/84 Ryan Niklaus 23 Ben Pickering 4/20 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 5/87 Damian Leeburn 44* Hamish Malsem 2/12.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Damian Leeburn, Yarrawonga Mulwala (44*).

WINNERS AND LOSERS

ROUND

�

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER TEAM � WHOROULY � GOORAMBAT � TARRAWINGEE � MILAWA � BRIGHT � GRETA

P � � � � � �

W � � � � � �

L � � � � � �

D � � � � � �

B � � � � � �

� NORTH WANGARATTA � BENALLA ALL BLACKS � KING VALLEY �� BONNIE DOON �� MOYHU

� � � � �

� � � � �

� � � � �

� � � � �

� � � � �

SCOREBOARD

PTS � � ���.�� � ���.�� � ���.�� � ���.�� � ���.�� � ��.�� � � � � �

��.�� ��.�� ��.�� ��.�� �

*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.

NETBALL SCORES A GRADE: Tarrawingee 54 def Benalla All Blacks 39 Greta 23 def by Bright 30 Milawa 61 def North Wangaratta 16 Whorouly 52 def Bonnie Doon 40 Goorambat 40 def King Valley 20 B GRADE: Tarrawingee 59 def Benalla All Blacks 22 Greta 42 def by Bright 43; Whorouly 44 def Bonnie Doon 43 Milawa 48 def Nth Wang 25; Goorambat 39 def King Valley 17 B RESERVE: Tarrawingee 33 def Benall All Blacks 26 Whorouly 44 def Bonnie Doon 38; Greta 30 def by Bright 43 Milawa 55 def Nth Wang 24; Goorambat 42 def King Valley 19 C GRADE: Tarrawingee 22 def by Benalla All Blacks 26 Greta 38 def Bright 35; Whorouly 7 def by Bonnie Doon 43 Milawa 47 def Nth Wang 14; Goorambat 11 def by King Valley 76 �� & UNDER: Tarrawingee 15 def by Benalla All Blacks 35 Whorouly 15 def by Bonnie Doon 50; Greta 13 def by Bright 28 Milawa 54 def Nth Wang 8; Goorambat 5 def by King Valley 53

ROUND � SATURDAY, APRIL � MILAWA vs GRETA BRIGHT vs WHOROULY NTH WANGARATTA vs BONNIE DOON KING VALLEY vs TARRAWINGEE MOYHU vs GOORAMBAT BENALLA ALL BLACKS � Bye

TARRAWINGEE 4.0 9.6 BENALLA ALL BLACKS 3.1 4.3

12.9 17.14.116 6.6 7.6.48

GRETA BRIGHT

4.5 4.8 2.1 4.6

9.9 11.11.77 8.8 12.14.86

MILAWA NTH WANGARATTA

3.1 8.1 114.4 15.10.100 3.3 4.5 5.6 8.7.55

GOORAMBAT KING VALLEY

4.0 5.3 4.2 4.5

11.6 16.11.107 5.6 6.7.43

WHOROULY BONNIE DOON

4.2 8.4 0.2 1.4

10.5 3.4

GOALS: TARRAWINGEE: N. Gorman 3, A. Cook 3, W. Creed 3, W. Phillips 2, S. Piper 2, S. Peters 1, O. Sharp 1, C. Chamberlain 1, Z. Howard 1. Benalla All Blacks FNC Seniors: M. Ryan 4, D. Broughton 1, C. Drury 1, D. Sinclair 1. BEST: TARRAWINGEE: Z. Howard, S. Piper, A. Cook, W. Creed, H. Amery, A. Amery. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: D. Button, B. Linke, M. Ryan, J. Walker, C. O Donnell, F. Weeks.

GOALS: GRETA: C. Crawford 2, B. Newbold 1, T. Arrowsmith 1, B. Pearson 1, L. Kennett 1, J. Kelly 1, F. Judd 1, J. McClounan 1, J. Bell 1, T. Baker 1. BRIGHT: C. Thomason 5, L. Quirk 2, W. Shem 1, R. Bacon 1, M. Kinthari 1, A. Dalbosco 1, J. Crawley 1. BEST: GRETA: M. Wettern, B. Hooper, L. Kennett, J. Bell, J. Kelly, P. Fruzynski. BRIGHT: W. Shem, J. Crawley, R. Arguello, A. Dalbosco, C. Thomason.

GOALS: GOALS: Milawa: B. Kearns 4, J. Radovanovic 3, J. Baker-Swain 2, A. Bihun 2, H. Allan 2, A. Law 2. NORTH WANGARATTA: T. Nanson 3, J. Brown 1, M. Curtis 1, L. McDonell 1, B. Lane-Gee 1, C. Smith 1. BEST: MILAWA: B. Kearns, J. Radovanovic, A. Law, H. Kebede, A. Bihun, K. Collisson NORTH WANGARATTA: M. Curtis, B. Kingston, J. Nanson, B. Raggett, D. Killen, C. Arbuckle.

GOALS: GOORAMBAT: KING VALLEY: S. Bettio 1, T. Curren 1, O. Day 1, D. Young 1, L. Toohey 1, H. Sims 1. BEST: GOORAMBAT: KING VALLEY: T. Curren, R. Wood, D. Browne, B. Collihole, J. Toy, S. Evans.

12.7.79 3.5.23

GOALS: WHOROULY: M. Newton 6, A. Ankers 4, J. Smith 2. BONNIE DOON: C. Azzopardi 1, C. Turner 1, Z. Tanner 1. BEST: WHOROULY: M. Scott, A. Ankers, E. Woolford, M. Newton, J. Smith, C. Wood. BONNIE DOON: l. Berriman, G. Murray, P. Cairns, J. Curtin, P. Smith, K. Curran.

RESERVES RESULTS Goorambat............... 10.4 (64) King Valley ................. 8.8 (56) GOALS: Goorambat: King Valley: E. Mcdonald 2, B. Sessions 2, S. Lindsay 2, J. Kelly 1. BEST: Goorambat: King Valley: J. Jones, J. Finger, S. Lindsay, B. Sessions, C. Swinburne, E. McDonald.

Milawa....................... 7.8 (50) North Wangaratta..... 7.13 (55) GOALS: Milawa: D. Larkings 2, M. Benton 1, R. Mckay 1, M. Walker 1, J. Stevenson 1, S. De Napoli 1.

North Wangaratta: J. Bartlett 3, C. Dagoli 1, K. Williams 1, D. Williams 1, D. Cutrona 1. BEST: Milawa: S. Williamson, S. De Napoli, D. Larkings, J. Friend, K. Stevenson, D. Farley. North Wangaratta: C. Bell, J. Bartlett, C. Dagoli, D. Cutrona, B. Schulz-Dahlenburg, A. Knights.

Whorouly ................... 5.9 (39) Bonnie Doon ............ 7.13 (55) GOALS: Whorouly: J. Pethybridge 2, B. Harrington 2, M. Bramich 1. Bonnie Doon: C. Houghton 3, T. Leiman 2, J. Kirley 1, L. Pinder 1. BEST: Whorouly: M. Harris, M. Vescio, S. Piazza, B. Harrington, K. Fitzpatrick, J. Morey. Bonnie Doon: T. Leiman, C. Houghton, L. Jenkins, A. Brkljacic, J. Octigan, F. Cameron.

Greta ......................16.7 (103) Bright ........................ 6.6 (42) BEST: Greta: D. Cassidy, A. Kennedy, T. Cheer, B. Hogan, O. Ramage, L. Brown. Bright: S. Cinquegrana, A. Shem, R. Jamieson, W. Redden, D. Martin, Y. Paulsen.

Tarrawingee..........15.14 (104) Benalla All Blacks ....... 6.8 (44) GOALS: Tarrawingee: D. Cleal 3, C. Fitzgerald 2, D. Hogarth 2, M. Smith 2, L. Zane 2, D. Adams 2, T. Salmon 1, T. Younger 1. Benalla All Blacks: H. Ellis 3, B. Marlborough 1, C. Jackson 1, A. Amos 1. BEST: Tarrawingee: D. Hogarth, D. Adams, T. Younger, T. Salmon, T. Barnes, D. Cleal. Benalla All Blacks: A. Amos, J. Kotvas, K. Glass, R. Mihan, B. Marlborough, H. Ellis

Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

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Wangaratta & District Cricket Association 2024/25 season

GRAND FINAL REVIEWS

Rovers United Bruck claim thrilling A grade grand final victory over ‘Pies

By NATHAN DE VRIES THE A grade grand final went down to the wire, but Rovers United Bruck managed to pip Wangaratta Magpies at the post, claiming the Geoff Welch Shield by just 17 runs at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

It was clear from the first ball it was going to be a lowscoring match, with the outfield lush and making runs so much more valuable.

Batting first, the Hawks managed 128, led by a fighting effort from young Reid McNamara, who’s battling innings of 47 from 172 staved off a top and middle order collapse.

Everything started off wrong for the Hawks, finding themselves in trouble at 5/55 early on day one.

Oliver Andrew (4/21 from 15 overs) and Fraser Ellis (3/55 from 30 overs) ripped through the top and middle order, dismissing Charith Perera, Ryan Collier, Paddy McNamara, Jeremy Wilson and Matt Whitten for single digit scores.

Schonafinger and McNamara got the score past 100, but after Schonafinger was knocked over for 26, the innings started to stagnate.

Kyle Winter-Irving was the bane of the lower order, picking up 3/21 from his 12 overs.

With a small total on the board, the Hawks needed to bowl out of their skin on day two to claim victory.

Paddy McNamara set the tone, dismissing Jarryd Wallace and Cooper Matheson in successive balls to see Wangaratta at 2/3 early.

A fightback was started by Jack Davies, whose 69-ball stay at the crease kept hopes alive for the Magpies.

Unfortunately, there was no one to go with him.

Oliver Andrew, Kyle Winter-Irving and James Thewlis were all dismissed cheaply, and when Davies himself fell for 13, it was up to Fraser Ellis and the tail.

Ellis was composed, while Nic Bonwick (13) and Callum Honey (22) chipped in with vital runs.

The Magpies were 9/95, with victory still in reach, but a massive effort was needed.

Zac Guilfoyle was determined to help his side to the victory, content to block everything out and let the in-form Ellis score the runs.

The pair managed to add a further 16 runs, but when Guilfoyle tried to punch a shorter one over point off Paddy McNamara, it caught the edge and sailed into the gloves of Perera.

McNamara was the spearhead with the ball, taking 5/26 from his 19.2 overs, while Jacob Schonafinger (2/31) and Brady Bartlett (3/25) were among the wickets.

McNamara said it was a fighting victory from his side.

“We had a bat, thinking if the ball gets wet it would be pretty tough to bowl, but to their credit, Magpies bowled unbelievably, it was a tough deck to bat on and we lost a couple of early wickets and were in a bit of strife,” he said.

“We had one huge partnership between ‘Schona’ and Reid; Reid’s knock was so crucial and he ended up getting the well-deserved man of the match.

“We always back our bowlers, it’s always been our strength.

“We started off well, we knew Cooper [Matheson] was the big wicket and to get him first ball was huge.

“We felt on top there but they dug in, a few of their players dug in and it looked like they were going to get it in the end, but we just got wickets at the right time, and it worked out well.”

Despite taking a five-fa in a grand final, McNamara said his cousin Reid was the deserving Player of the Match.

“We wouldn’t have won without Reid and his knock – if we didn’t have his 47, we simply don’t have enough runs on the board to win,” he said.

“He came in at two down and the ball was doing absolutely everything and he was there for the whole day pretty much, he faced 172 balls.

“As a cousin and almost a brother, I’m so proud of him.”

AGELESS KNOCK: 15-year-old Reid McNamara faced 172 balls for his 47 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award.

PHOTOS: Marc Bongers

EDGY: Ryan Collier flirts win one outside the off stump.

FIERCE BOWLING: Fraser Ellis tormented the top order on day one, while almost dragging his side over the line with the bat.

Hawks, Bushrangers, Lakers claim premierships

C grade premiers - Yarrawonga Mulwala.

A reserve premiers - Rovers United Bruck.

B grade premiers - Benalla Bushrangers.

THE 2025 WDCA senior cricket season ended in joy for some and heartbreak for others as the A reserve, B grade and C grade grand finals were fought out on Saturday.

In the A reserve final, Rovers United Bruck held on to take the Brian Fisher Shield over Delatite at the Benalla Gardens Oval.

Bowling first, the Hawks restricted Delatite to 94 all out before chasing the total in under 32 overs.

Bart Cann found the first breakthrough, removing Nicholas Ferguson for eight.

Adriano Speziale (2/10 from seven overs) and Cann (2/12 from eight) were tough to get away, while Dane Winter (2/10 from five) also found some wickets.

Delatite opener Mark O’Loughlan provided some resistance, carving out 17 from his 31 balls faced, but no other batter besides Lochie Pymer at nine made it to double figures.

With a meagre total ahead of them, the Hawks were in trouble early after a collapse saw three wickets fall for no movement on the scoreboard.

Jon Hyde came in and settled the innings, peeling off 27 from 45 to help increase the run rate, but wickets kept falling.

Eventually, Connor Dennis (13*) and Mark Drage (4*) saw the Hawks to a three-wicket win, with Hyde named player of the match.

The B grade grand final was a similarly low-scoring affair between Yarrawonga Mulwala and Benalla Bushrangers, with the Bushrangers getting the job done by 16 runs at Stan Hargreaves Oval.

Lee Brennan (24 from 68), Craig Williams (30 from 54) and Steven Pickering (21* from 15) made the runs for Benalla batting first, with Geoffrey Montgomery picking up three wickets.

The Bushrangers managed 6/111 from their overs, with Laker Hudson Gillies lighting up the run chase with a half century from 83 balls.

Unfortunately, no other batter would go with him, as wicket after wicket fell to see the Lakers bowled out for 95.

Brendan Duncombe finished with 3/12 from his 5.3 overs, with Stewart McLeod, Brennan, and Leigh Pollard picking up two wickets each.

In the C grade grand final, the Lakers managed to defeat the previously undefeated Beechworth-Stanley Wanderers by five wickets at North Wangaratta.

Ryan Niklaus produced the only Wanderers innings of note batting first, managing 23 from 36 balls, while Yarrawonga’s Ben Picketing (4/30) and Will Murphy (3/21) tore through the list.

A composed partnership form Damian Leeburn (44*) and Charles Jamieson (13*) would be the difference after a top order collapse.

THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025 - Page 15

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MATCH REVIEWS Lions debut explosive new look, Dees too strong for North Wang ROUND

�

By NATHAN DE VRIES THERE’s plenty to be excited about with Whorouly’s senior squad this year, after the Lions recorded a massive 56-point win over the fancied Bonnie Doon Bombers.

After a recruiting blitz in the off-season, the Lions looked the goods after stunning the Bombers 12.7 (79) to 3.5 (23).

The recruits made their presence known early, with Max Scott, Russ Eden and the back line holding firm, while the forwards presented well.

Senior coach Michael Newton was dominant inside forward 50, looking solid above his head and kicking true to finish with a bag of six goals.

Ed Woolford stood tall in the ruck, while Abe Ankers and Jessie Smith worked hard in and around the contest.

As the game wore on, tensions flared, the heat of the contest leading to some easy goals for the Bombers.

Luke Berriman was best on for the visiting Bombers, with Guy Murray, Peter Cairns and JayJay Curtain good as well.

Elsewhere, Milawa proved they would be around the mark again this year after dispatching North Wangaratta 15.10 (100) to 8.7 (55).

The Hawks led by two points at the first break, but a massive second quarter from the Demons saw them lead by 21 points at the major interval.

North Wangaratta couldn’t

break through the Demons defence with any regularity, as Milawa grew the margin past five goals with a quarter to play.

Milawa ran the show during the fourth quarter, kicking four goals, with a further six behinds to run out winners by 45 points.

Braydon Kearns was the standout for Milawa, kicking four goals, while Kyle Collisson and Joel Radovanovic were strong, while Hawks Matt Curtis and David Killen were impressive.

Over at Goorambat, King Valley were overpowered by the Bats, 16.11 (107) to the Roos 6.7 (43).

A four-point margin separated the teams at half-time, but a massive third quarter saw the Bats push out ahead and lead by six goals at the final change.

The Roos only managed two goals in the second half of play, with the Bats home comfortably by 64 points.

Tarrawingee dominated Benalla All Blacks 17.14 (116) to 7.6 (48) to record their first win of the season.

The Bulldogs only had a lead of one goal at the first break, but soon found their rhythm.

Benalla struggled to keep up, as Tarrawingee kept scoring with abandon.

A total of nine separate players would send one through the big sticks for the Bulldogs, with Zach Howard and Sam Piper among the best on ground for Tarrawingee, while Benalla’s Michael Ryan slotted four goals for his side.

INTERCEPT: Max Scott was strong in the back line, cutting off any Bonnie Doon advance.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

QUICK HANDS: Mick Batey fires off a handball before he’s taken down by Baxter Lane-Gee. PHOTO: Marc Bongers MARK: Kyle McQuade takes a solid mark above his head. PHOTO: Marc Bongers

Mountain Men come from behind in grand final rematch ■ From back page

FORWARD PRESSURE: Paul Fruzynski tries to get a fist to the ball as Cooper Thomason settles for the mark.

PHOTOS: Richard Xerri

HIT OUT: Mark Wettern soars in the ruck.

Ultimately, Bright started to get on top in the midfield while nullifying any Greta advance, and with more shots on goal in the final term, the Mountain Men managed to run out winners by just nine points, a thrilling start to the season for both teams.

Bright coach Michael Quirk said he was impressed by how his side performed against one of the benchmark teams of the competition.

“We always knew it was going to be tough when the fixture came out – Greta, reigning premiers, at the home ground was always going to be a very tough assignment, so we gave ourselves time to set ourselves for it,” he said.

“The first five minutes were very even, both sides were very competitive early, the Greta got onto the end of a few and kicked some goals, and there was a bit of a buffer there going into quarter time.

“We played Sam Buckley on Frazer Judd, we thought that would be a good match-up from our side.

“We wanted to be physical

on a few players, we gave some players some jobs to do and targeted their core group of players, their match-winners.

“I thought our guys stuck to their tasks quite well in shutdown roles.”

Will Shem was best on ground for Bright, while forward dynamo Cooper Thomason kicked five goals.

Greta’s Mark Wettern, Lachie Kennett and Josh Bell were impactful for the home side.

After the heartbreak in September last year, Quirk said the monumental effort from the whole team in the final term was incredible to see.

“The three-quarter time address was all about how much they want to win it - you can talk about game plan and structures and all of that sort of stuff, but it came down to how much both teams wanted to win it,” he said. “‘Shemmy’ [Will Shem] ran with McClounan and did a very good job on James, minimised his impact.

“Buckley on Judd, Zander Dalbosco on [Josh] Bell, we think those guys did their job for the team and helped us win.”

Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Monday, March 31, 2025

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Lions roar over Bonnie Doon

ISSN 2200-078X

9 772200

078028

Page 15

PREMIERS ROVERS United Bruck claimed victory in the A grade grand final by 17 runs over Wangaratta Magpies.

■ Story page 14.

PHOTO: Peter Whitten

Sweet revenge

Years in operation: We have been trading for over 40 years now.

Opening Hours: 8am til 5pm Monday to Friday & 8.30am til 12 noon Saturday.

Who’s who at Wangaratta Bearings and Industrial Supplies: (left to right)

Danni Barber, Greg Oates, Brendon French, Dylan Fishcher, Greg Baker, Tony Gigliotti,

Chris McInnes – Manager, Craig Fruend, Donna McInnes, Richard Nunn, Jodie Edwards.

Mountain Men come over the top of premiers Greta in grand final rematch to kickstart season

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We are now welding consumables & machines, and tools.We keeppayall trailer parts, Unimig welders, the realities of a full match sive structure started showing.Festool concrete machines tain Men pulled one over blockbuster firstthe North East distributors for WIA

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It took some time to work ing dividends. the reigning premiers, round of the Ovens and DE VRIES pure gas oxy/ LPG / acetylene / argon cylinders, Evakool esky’sonand 12 volt fridges, Fuchs oil, Terrain Tamer 4WD parts, Donaldson, Wix and Ryco Filters.and the humidity started taking the points 12.14 (86) King football season lived ndevries@ to the Blues’ 11.11 (77). up to the hype on Saturday. nemedia.com.au We guarantee: Exceptional Customer Service.

After falling at the fiAs Greta unfurled their first seniors premiership on to spoil the party in a nal hurdle last season to the tune of 68 points, the flag in 25 years in front of thrilling upset. an exuberant home crowd, After four quarters of Mountain Men were deterit would be Bright who went quality football, the Moun- mined to produce a better

into the game, with Greta’s midfield pressure and forward prowess affording them a 16-point lead at the first break.

Bright started moving the ball better, while the defen-

FULL RANGE OF DIESEL CAPTAIN TANKS IN STOCK WANGARATTA BEARINGS AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

Greta were kept goalless through the second term, as Bright found more forward entries to trail by just two points at half-time.

The second half was a struggle for both teams, as

having an effect on players.

A five goal to four third term kept Greta’s noses in front to the tune of seven points with a quarter to play.

■ Continued page 15

75 TONE RD WANGARATTA VIC 3677

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