WC20250425

KEEPING alive the spirit of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion is close to the heart of Wangaratta High School student Swaye Frankland.

The year 12 student is in the second year of her role as Wangaratta High School ambassador for the 2/24th, and said it was a privilege to learn more about the battalion known as ‘Wangaratta’s Own’ and to help foster and promote its connection to the city.

“It’s such an important part of our

collective history, and I love learning about that history,” she said, ahead of her attendance, among thousands of others, at today’s Wangaratta’s ANZAC Day services.

Swaye spent time this week with members of the 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion Association Inc,

comprising children and grandchildren of those who served in the battalion, which was raised in Wangaratta in July, 1940 and indelibly etched into the city’s story.

Association vice-president Janice Young, and treasurer/secretary Karen O’Shea, attended an ANZAC Day assembly at Cathedral College on Wednesday, before visiting Wangaratta High School for its event on Thursday.

They said the association would

also have representation at Galen College’s assembly next week, as part of its efforts to maintain awareness of the 2/24th’s local links.

After being raised in Wangaratta, the 2/24th saw active service as part of the 9th Australian division in North Africa at Tobruk, The Salient, Tel el Eisa and El Alamein, suffering heavy casualties.

■ Continued page 2

■ ANZAC Day services page 2

■ Magpies pay tribute - pages 16,17

FOSTERING A LEGACY: Representatives of the 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion Association Inc, vice-president Janice Young (left) and treasurer/ secretary Karen O’Shea (right) met with Wangaratta High School 2/24th ambassador Swaye Frankland in the lead-up to the school’s ANZAC Day assembly yesterday. The descendants of the battalion known as ‘Wangaratta’s Own’ also attended Cathedral College’s assembly on Wednesday, and will have representation at Galen College’s ceremony next week, as they work to leave a legacy in the rural city for future generations. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

ANZAC weekend plea: drug driving concerns amidst road safety blitz

POLICE are urging local drivers to not drive while im paired this ANZAC Day long weekend a er multiple drug drivers were detected in the Wangaratta area over Easter.

Despite numerous warnings for motorists to expect widespread alcohol and drug testing over the last long weekend, 11 drivers were detected on drugs within the Wangaratta Police Service Area in the rst week of the 10-day road safety blitz.

This is included in 248 drink driving o ences from

A TIME TO REMEMBER:

Janice Young, vice-president of the 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion Association Inc, Wangaratta High School prefects

Swaye Frankland (also the school’s 2/24th ambassador) and Alison Jones, and 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion Association Inc treasurer/ secretary Karen O’Shea prepare for the high school’s ANZAC Day assembly on Thursday morning.

BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au

150,116 preliminary breath tests statewide, and 218 drug driving o ences detected from 5308 roadside drug tests.

The high number of detections has police “extremely concerned” around the number of people getting behind the wheel while a ected by drugs or alcohol. Other o ences recorded within the Wangaratta area

from 17-23 April included 105 speeding o ences, seven unlicensed drivers and two cyclist and mobile phone offences each.

In Wangaratta, a vehicle was impounded a er it was seen creating large pu s of smoke on Burke Street on 21 April, while a driver in Benalla was caught more than ve times the limit on 18 April.

A vehicle was impounded in Cobram in the early hours of 24 April a er the car was seen driving erratically, and the driver blew a reading of .163.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the police data gathered over the Easter weekend showed people were continuing to make “poor choices” and still opting to get behind the wheel when impaired.

“We are extremely concerned at the number of motorists we’ve detected drink and drug driving over the Easter period,” he said.

“Our message is clear –there is absolutely no excuse for drink or drug driving.

“Our focus remains on im-

paired drivers – our testing will be widespread and every motorist should expect to see us and be tested anywhere, anytime.”

Police are also concerned at the number of motorists who have been detected behind the wheel that shouldn’t be driving at all, including those who are disquali ed, unlicenced and suspended.

So far 757 unregistered vehicles have been detected throughout the operation statewide, including 21 within the Wangaratta area.

■ From page 1

After regrouping back in Australia in 1943, this highly successful, experienced and battle-hardened unit went into New Guinea for further action in battles to free Lae, Finschhafen, Sattelberg, Wareo and then Tarakan in Borneo.

Karen’s grandfather, Robert Thompson, was a member of the 2/24th and a Rat of Tobruk, while Janice’s connection is through her father, Keith Clark, who joined the battalion when it was in Egypt.

While the 2/24 association has had a close connection with the high school since 1996, Janice and Karen’s visit to Cathedral this week included presentation of a commemorative fig tree to be planted at the school and a plaque, and the same will be handed to Galen next Friday.

“It’s a living piece of history, and helps to nurture and connect the past with the present,” Karen said.

The group is also planning to develop a 2/24th trail around

Wangaratta, enabling locals and visitors to learn more about significant sites such as the Wangaratta Showgrounds, where the battalion was raised and a mural has been erected, as well as the cenotaph, RSL, cemetery precinct, honour boards at local schools, and a plaque in the city’s centre.

“We’re hoping to collaborate with the schools and the local cadets to create a map,” Karen said.

Wangaratta High School vice-principal John Paola

and prefect Alison Jones said there remained a strong engagement from young people about the sacrifices made in war, and connections such as that with the 2/24th.

Mr Paola said year seven students were invited to lay sprigs of rosemary near plaques at the front of the school as part of the ANZAC Day assembly, and Australia’s war history was embedded in the curriculum.

“It’s definitely very important, and a big part of our school culture,” Alison said.

By SIMONE KERWIN

ANZAC Day has commenced today with solemn gatherings at dawn services across the Rural City of Wangaratta.

At the Wangaratta Cenotaph, Eldorado Community Hall and Cenotaph, and Cheshunt Hall, the 6am services o ered locals the chance to re ect on the 110th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.

The day also marks the 81st anniversary of the D Day landings, which were the beginning of the end to World War 2, some 11 months later in Europe and in August, 1945 in the Paci c.

On Thursday morning, Greta Cemetery hosted the rst of the district’s commemorative events.

Everton Cenotaph will host a service from 9am this morning, remembering and celebrating the contributions of three local women who served in World War 2, followed by morning tea at the Everton Hall.

Services will also be held at Moyhu Lions Park from 11am, and at Thoona Cenotaph from 11am, where locals are invited to lay a wreath and bring memorabilia for display, with morning tea provided at the conclusion of the service by Thoona CWA.

Assistant Commissioner Weir said with wet weather expected this weekend, police were reminding motorists to allow plenty of time to travel.

“Drive to the conditions and be courteous to other road users,” he said.

Operation Compass will continue until 11:59pm Sunday, 27 April.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

The 11am service at the Wangaratta Cenotaph will be preceded by a march, with participants asked to assemble on the footpath outside the King George V Gardens in Templeton Street at 10am. They will be called into their positions at 10.20am, and the march will step o at 10.40am, proceeding up Ovens Street to the memorial gardens. At the conclusion of the 11am service, participants will march back to the RSL, where they will be dismissed.

A lunch will then be provided for veterans, partners and carers by the women’s auxiliary at the RSL. Food will be available in the bistro at the RSL.

Templeton Street will be closed between Ovens and Baker Streets from 9.30am until 11am, and from 12 noon until the marchers have dispersed a er the march.

Other road closures will also be in place before and a er the march.

Rural City of Wangaratta ANZAC Day service details: • 25 April, 9am, day service at Everton Cenotaph; • 25 April, 11am, day service at Wangaratta Cenotaph; • 25 April, 11am, day service at Moyhu Lions Park; • 25 April, 11am, day service at Thoona Cenotaph.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Community voices are sought at Wangaratta policing forum

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

COMMUNITIES from the edges of the Moira Shire to the alpine resorts are invited to have their say at a Neighbourhood Policing Forum next week to discuss key concerns with local crime in the Wangaratta police service area.

The Neighbourhood Policing Forum encompassing the area will be run by a Victoria Police panel of divisional management and command

representation on Thursday, 1 May from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Cobram Civic Centre.

The forum will explore topics including current crime trends and crime prevention, family violence, young people, road policing and drugs and drug related crime.

Questions will be taken from the audience throughout the event.

Local Area Commander of the Wangaratta police service

said the force was encouraging key community representatives from Moira, Wangaratta and Alpine municipalities to attend and have their say in what matters most to them.

“It’s an opportunity for them to liaise and engage directly with Victoria Police around local community safety matters,” he said.

“It’s a great way for us to better connect with our local communities, it’s not just

community safety issues, it’s also about providing the opportunity for local communities to communicate to us as to what they see as local community issues.”

Inspector Mason said the forum would also touch on the results of last year’s community sentiment survey which identi ed safety of property and possessions, drugs and alcohol and road safety as the key issues for Wangaratta

“The three di erent LGAs are all impacted to varying degrees with all of those categories,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for people to listen to us present on that data, but also for community representatives and agencies to ask questions of us about those primary themes.

“All of these matters which contribute to community safety matters are not just a Victoria Police issue, these are whole of community issues.

SUSPICIOUS WARBY RANGE ROAD CAR FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

POLICE are investigating a suspicious re on Tuesday night a er a car was gutted by ames on Warby Range Road.

A CFA spokesperson said four CFA units from Wangaratta, Glenrowan and South Wangaratta alongside Victoria Police arrived around 9:49pm to nd a Commodore in ames, with the blaze spreading to trees.

“Crews declared the scene under control by 10:12pm, and

deemed safe by 10:36pm,” they said.

There were no occupants in the vehicle.

Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson of Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit said the Commodore was not reported stolen and had been abandoned at Warby Range Road for around a week, with VICSES tape around it.

Det Sen Const Thompson said no arrests have been made and police continued to

investigate the incident.

“We don’t yet know how the re started but you’ve got to think that’s suspicious,” he said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Wangaratta Police on 03 5723 0888.

TRUCK FIRE NOT DEEMED

SUSPICIOUS

Emergency services also responded to a truck re at an Alpine Truss storage area on

Tone Road just a er 9:15pm on Tuesday.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said re ghters responded to the incident just a er 9:15pm nding a semitrailer in ames.

“Crews worked to extinguish the re, bringing the incident under control in four minutes,” they said.

Det Sen Const Thompson said the re was believed to be caused by a mechanical issue and was not deemed suspicious.

“It requires an approach from everyone to work together to overcome and mitigate these community safety issues and maintain community safety.”

To attend, please register by sending your details to ED4DIVISIONAL-OFFIC@police. vic.gov.au

Seats must be reserved by searching for the neighbourhood policing forums on the Eventbrite website and entry is free.

Wanted man caught committing alleged Boorhaman home burglary

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

A MELBOURNE man who was caught in an attempted burglary of a Boorhaman home drove through several paddock fences in a stolen car in an attempt to avoid arrest, according to police.

Detective Sergeant Chris Hill of Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit said police arrested the 33-year-old Glen Waverly man on Sunday, 20 April in a black Nissan Navara stolen from Eildon.

Det Sgt Hill said occupants of a Boorhaman farm arrived home during the day to find the man in the stolen black utility.

They called police and officers were quick to arrive.

“On observing police, the offender then drove through several farm fences to avoid arrest,” Det Sgt Hill said.

“He was later arrested in the Boorhaman area.”

Det Sgt Hill said further checks found the man was wanted for “significant” offending in the Warrnambool area over the past month.

“Investigators in Wangaratta compiled a brief of evidence in relation to various charges,” he said.

Those charges included theft of motor vehicle, numerous charges of criminal damage and reckless conduct endangering life, and two counts of dangerous driving avoiding police.

The man was remanded in custody to face Benalla Magistrates’ Court on 27 May.

Det Sgt Hill said the stolen utility was a unique make, with six axles, and urged anyone who may have seen the utility in the area to contact police.

“Investigators are wishing to hear from witnesses who have observed this vehicle in the area behaving suspiciously or committing offences,” he said.

Anyone with information regarding the vehicle can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Wangaratta Police on (03) 5723 0888.

UP IN FLAMES: Firefighters responded to a car fire on Warby Range Road on Tuesday night, with police investigating the incident.

JOIN US: Fr Nathan Verallo will preside over a mass at St Patrick’s Church tomorrow morning to mark the passing of Pope Francis.

Prayers for Pope Francis on Saturday

By SIMONE KERWIN

ALL are invited to 10am mass at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ford Street on Saturday, 26 April to celebrate the life of Pope Francis.

This week has seen an outpouring of grief and admiration for the 88-year-old pontiff, who passed away on Easter Monday.

While Pope Francis’ funeral will be held in St Peter’s Square on Saturday (6pm AEST), the mass at St Patrick’s on Saturday morning will be an opportunity for locals to mourn and give thanks for his life.

Come and make a camp dog sculpture with Kamahi Djordon King

By ANITA MCPHERSON

AN opportunity to get creative and participate in a workshop with award-winning Northern Territory artist Kamahi Djordon King, to make a quirky camp dog sculpture, will be part of this year’s Goulburn and North East Arts Alliance (GANEAA) Across the Arts festival in Wangaratta next week.

Kamahi is a Katherine artist who works across both visual and performing arts, and has been an Artback NT artist on tour, successfully taking his papier mache cheeky camp dog workshop to remote communities in the NT.

He said he was surprised and delighted when his former teacher, Wangaratta’s Kerryn Taylor, invited him to be part of GANEAA’s 2025 Across the Arts festival program in Wangaratta.

“I used to go to her house in Katherine to make clay pots when I was seven years old,” Kamahi said.

“I also hope to catch up with my aunt Glenda Marshall while I’m there.”

Kamahi said he has been teaching his camp dog papier mache sculpture workshops at schools across the Katherine region.

“I recycle old core ute signs (from political parties) to make the armatures, and then we ll

By GRACE FREDSBERG

COMMUNITY e orts to

see John Giggins’ dream realised have paid o , raising a whopping $2890 from the ‘Cruise for the dream’ event organised by the Wangaratta Rod and Custom Car Club on Saturday, 5 April.

It comes as Mr Giggins recently surpassed his target of $28,000 on his GoFundMe page to help fund his dream of building a 1980 Ford Falcon XD, done up as Dick Johnson’s Bathurst winning ‘Tru Blue’ race car, with a small-block 351 V8 engine and ve-speed manual gear box.

Wangaratta Rod and Custom Car Club president Brendan Smith and member Darren Proctor recently presented him with the $2890 cheque.

Mr Smith said around 200 cars and motorbikes rallied at the Winton Motor Raceway for the cruise and car display to raise the funds.

“Winton’s never had so many cars on the track at once,” he said.

them up with paper rubbish and roadside cotton from local cotton farms,” he said.

“My workshop in Wangaratta is only one day, so I have prepared the camp dogs ready for painting, but we will also be making an armature so that people can make another camp dog for themselves.

“I will de nitely be using my excess baggage allowance to bring them to Wangaratta.”

The workshop will be held on Saturday, 3 May from 10am until 4pm at The Centre, with cost details and bookings available at ganeaa.com.au/ata-program, required by Monday, 28 April.

Kamahi will also be performing in the Across the Arts Last Blast concert later that night at The Vine Hotel, as his female alter ego, Constantina Bush.

The character is based on the funny, witty and sassy women he knows from the Katherine region.

A seasoned performing artist, Kamahi counts one of the highlights of his career as being cast in The Shadow King with the late Balang Tom E. Lewis.

The play was a reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear in an aboriginal cultural setting and was performed around Australia, and then in the Barbican Theatre in

London, as part of the 400th year celebration of Shakespeare. Another highlight was performing in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, performing Yothu Yindi’s Treaty in front of a crowd of thousands.

Constantina Bush will be joined by multi-award-winning Australian trumpeter Eugene Ball, and Australian guitar virtuoso Nick Charles, to present a magical night of music at The Vine Hotel on Saturday, 3 May, with tickets available now at ganeaa.com.au/ata-program/ across-the-arts-concert-the-vinehotel-2025/.

Following a stage four brain cancer (Glioblastoma) diagnosis, local business owner Mr Giggins organised the inaugural cruise night in October last year.

Since then, the Wangaratta

Rod and Custom Car Club have run the cruise nights, but the mission to bring John’s dream to fruition has remained stronger than ever.

Mr Smith thanked the Winton Motor Raceway for

their hospitality on the day, particularly Richard Weston who helped organise the event, and Moo’s Brew co ee for giving everyone a co ee before they made their way down to the tracks.

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

A SIGHT: There was a

at John’s cruise. PHOTOS: Auto Chick Photography

GRAND TOTAL: Darren Proctor (le ) and Brendan Smith (right) presented John Giggins with his $2890 cheque.

QUIRKY CREATION: Participants in the workshop will get to create a unique papier mache camp dog.

CREATIVE TALENT: Multidisciplinary artist Kamahi Djordon King, a Gurindji man from Katherine in the NT, will lead a sculpture workshop at The Centre on Saturday, 3 May, with all welcome to participate.

State funds for Wangaratta dog park expansion

WANGARATTA’S sole oleash dog park in Mitchell Avenue is to be expanded.

The Victorian government has con rmed that the council-owned dog park has been successful in gaining a share of $4.9 million o ered in the latest round of its new and upgraded Dog Parks Program.

Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said Mans eld and Benalla had also been successful to receive funding for dog parks.

Rural City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure, Marcus Goonan, said Wangaratta’s dog park will serve as an extension of the existing o -leash dog park in Mitchell Avenue Reserve.

He said designs of the park will follow community consultation and are expected to feature things including designated play areas, drinking fountains, fencing, shelters, bins and shading, as well as other upgrades such as pathway improvements, landscaping and lighting.

“The dog park will connect to the reserve in each section and interconnect with accessible gating,” Mr Goonan said.

He said fencing, accessible gates, a water fountain with a dog bowl, agility equipment and seating are all expected to be included in the project. The dog park projects were chosen through a statewide competitive application process with councils. Construction is expected

to be completed by the end of 2026.

Ms Symes said the projects are being delivered as part of the government’s $20.8 million investment to build new and upgraded dog parks and better parks and playgrounds.

“This investment is all about creating more open space for families and their pets so they can get outdoors and explore nature close to home,” she said.

early voting centre at the Wareena Park Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and the pre-poll was busy again yesterday. PHOTO: Je Zeuschner

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER

THOUSANDS of Indi electorate residents have already cast their votes in the 2025 federal election at the Wangaratta early voting centre.

The pre-poll station at Wareena Park Hall has had a consistent ow of voters since it opened on Tuesday morning this week.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission, some 1141 votes on Tuesday, and 1316 votes on Wednesday were cast at the hall. Wangaratta has been the busiest of all eight early voting centres operating within the Indi electorate.

It had a combined total of

2457 votes cast; with 2286 in Wodonga, 1348 in West Wodonga, 1436 in Benalla, 1122 in Mans eld, 661 in Bright, 153 in Albury, and 138 in Seymour.

Early voting centres are closed on ANZAC Day, but opened on Saturday, 26 April (9am-4pm), 28 April to 1 May (8.30-5.30pm), and 2 May (8.30am-6pm).

Polling places on election day voting, 3 May, will be open from 8am to 6pm.

In the Rural City of Wangaratta they include: Fr James Byrne Memorial Hall, White

Street; Purbrik Hall-Holy Trinity Cathedral; St Bernards Primary School Hall; Tarrawingee Community Hall; Glenrowan Primary School; Milawa Public Hall; Eldorado Memorial Hall; Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall; Springhurst Primary School; and Whorouly Library Hall.

Indi’s nine candidates vying for your vote are: Helen Haines (Independent), Mitch Bridges (Labor); James Trenery (Liberal); Athol Thomas (One Nation); Alysia Regan (The Greens); Tim Quilty (Libertarian); Michael White (Family First); Ben Howman (Legalise Cannabis); and Mark McFarlane (Independent).

BUSY: Almost 2500 people cast their votes at the

WELCOMED PROPOSAL: Emily Chong will get much use out of a new dog park with Bella. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Celebrating life and love

Ray and Isabel Dunstan reflect on 70 years of marriage

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

TWO signi cant milestones were reached in the Dunstan household on Wednesday, as Ray and Isabel marked their 70th wedding anniversary on Isabel’s 90th birthday.

Unlike their wedding day in 1955, which dawned overcast and rainy for their a ernoon nuptials, the couple’s platinum anniversary day was bathed in autumn sunshine to celebrate the dual occasion.

The Dunstans wed at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Myrtleford, as Isabel hailed from nearby Bu alo River, and the special date was chosen simply because it landed on a Saturday in April.

Their long-lasting union, which has produced six children, 21 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren, had its beginnings when Isabel’s older brother was invited to a 21st in Wangaratta and she accompanied him.

PLATINUM OCCASION: Ray and Isabel Dunstan will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with a family gathering in Wangaratta on Sunday. Their milestone was reached on Wednesday, the same day as Isabel’s 90th birthday.

She met Ray at the function, and he asked whether there were any balls coming up in Myrtleford. “I said there was the show ball, and he came to that, where we danced and I won Miss Showgirl,” Isabel recalled.

The couple married in 1955, and Dunstans sawmill started the same year, extending the business Ray had started with his father George.

Isabel did bookwork for

the business until she was 70, and the couple raised their six children - Rhonda, Helen, Allison, Elizabeth, Ian and Murray - in Wangaratta.

Their children, grandchildren and great-grand-

children will all gather in Wangaratta this Sunday to celebrate the 70th anniversary, a er Isabel enjoyed a high tea with friends and family for her birthday on Wednesday.

“We are very blessed to

Falling

in love is easy; staying in love for 70 years is really special.

- Isabel Dunstan

have that many able to be here and celebrate with us,” Isabel said.

“Falling in love is easy; staying in love for 70 years is really special.

“We’ve always worked together and been there for one another.”

Ray, 95, agreed, and both mentioned each other’s understanding nature as something they treasured.

“We’ve never even had an argument,” Ray said.

They agree that community involvement is a key ingredient for a long life, with Ray having been a long-time Wangaratta Lions Club member and Isabel closely involved with Guides in the city for decades.

“Giving back to the community is a very important part, and our kids have followed on from us in that way,” she said.

“Wangaratta’s been very good to us. We’ve done a lot of living and worked hard - that’s the thing, to keep busy.”

McCurdy backs Nationals’ ‘Scrap The Tax’ campaign

OVENS Valley MP Tim McCurdy has joined his Nationals colleagues in launching the ‘Scrap The Tax’ campaign - a push to stop the Victorian government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) in its tracks.

MPs are urging community members against the tax to send a message to the government and protest its proposed introduction on 1 July this year.

“This tax is nothing short of a cash grab,” Mr McCurdy said.

“It will hit regional families,

farmers and small businesses the hardest, while delivering little – if anything – back to our local CFA brigades and SES units.”

The controversial bill for the new ESVF was debated in the upper house on 3 April, but a vote was delayed until the next sitting on 13 May.

Under legislation before the house, primary producers face cost rises from 28.7 cents per $1000 capital improved value (CIV) to 83 cents.

Volunteer service men and women will be exempt from paying the tax, however, farm-

ers’ property taxes who are not volunteers would be tripled.

Mr McCurdy said the tax punishes regional Victorians at a time they can least a ord it.

“With costs rising and dry conditions hitting agriculture hard, this is the worst possible time to tax

This tax is nothing short of a cash grab.

- Tim McCurdy

farmers more,” he said.

“Labor’s priorities are completely out of touch with regional Victoria.”

The Coalition claimed only $250 million of the $2.1 billion expected to be raised by the ESVF will contribute to CFA or SES funding.

“The Nationals secured a win last sitting week by halting this tax in Parliament, but the ght isn’t over,” Mr McCurdy said.

“We’re urging people to visit scrapthetax.com.au and send a message to the Treasurer before Parliament returns in May.

“This tax must be scrapped - regional Victorians deserve better.”

“Every single dollar raised by the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund will support our emergency services – helping them to keep communities safe yearround,” they said.

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

A government spokesperson previously told North East Media the fund was about making sure emergency services have the sustainable funding and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and to recover from natural disasters.

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PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Remembering those who have served

EVEN 110 years on from the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, the impact of the event can stir powerful emotions.

It’s hard not to be moved, and to shed a tear, when attending an ANZAC Day dawn service and hearing the delivery of The Ode of Remembrance on a chilly April morning as first light breaks.

“They went with songs to the battle, they were young,” reads the beautiful Laurence Binyon poem ‘For the Fallen’, from which The Ode is drawn.

“Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

“They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

“They fell with their faces to the foe.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

“Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning

“We will remember them.”

Indeed, this is a day to remember, but also to honour and respect the sacrifices made by so many through the years - for our safety, and to enable the lifestyle we now enjoy.

ANZAC Day should also be a call to action; a chance to reflect on what we can do as individuals and as a community to assist our living veterans, in appreciation for the years of service they have given.

This work is undertaken with great compassion by our local RSL sub-branch, which always needs our support.

So while you take time to attend a service today, whether at dawn or mid-morning, or to pause in reflection during the day, also consider how those sacrifices being recalled can be practically honoured.

Nuclear energy was always poorest option

DEBATE about the wisdom of building nuclear power plants is not new to this country.

It was a divisive issue in the sixties and seventies and rejected then, largely on the basis of the problem of nuclear waste disposal.

Some waste has a half life of thousands of years meaning that if exposure to it today would cause death in a minute, and thousands of years later the same waste would take two minutes to be lethal.

Today’s debate about going nuclear has, surprisingly, ignored this problem.

The current discussion is focusing solely on the hip pocket; would we have more wealth if we had a few reactors?

We are no closer to being able to safely dispose of radioactive nuclear waste than we were half a century ago.

Producing more of the stuff would lead to yet another assault on our planet’s fragile eco system.

It would also be a damning indictment of our greed, and a sad reflection of our willingness to totally disregard the wellbeing of countless future generations.

Harvey Dike, Wangaratta

Decency and integrity a must for candidates

DISRESPECT for decency along with influential aspects of ‘Trumpian’ conduct is an insidious trend in society, and it appears a similar lack of values is displayed by an Independent contender for the Indi electorate.

Campaign tactics and slogans on his fundraising merchandise website are disparaging to the integrity of Indi’s highly respected incumbent member, Dr Helen Haines.

Required criteria for political candidates requires more than being an Australian citizen with eligibility to vote.

Background checks are essential to ensure political contenders are law abiding citizens with an impeccable background and genuine desire to commit to the overall well-being of the electorate and nation.

Beverley Waring, Hansonville

Support homeless veterans this ANZAC day

EACH ANZAC Day, Australians rise early in the cold dawn, light a candle, and bow their heads in solemn remembrance.

We honour courage, mateship, and sacrifice.

We say “Lest We Forget.”

But too often, we do forget - especially those who came home.

As the CEO of Vasey RSL Care, I see the reality behind the sentiment.

Veterans - those same people we applaud on ANZAC Day - are disproportionately homeless, unemployed, and dying by suicide.

They are three times more likely to sleep rough than other Australians.

That is not just unacceptable.

It is a national disgrace.

These aren’t nameless faces.

They are people who committed their lives to the protection of ours.

And yet, as we approach another federal election, veterans are once again forced

to fight - not for their country, but for basic support.

At Vasey RSL Care, we built the V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program to change that.

We couldn’t wait a single day longer and see one more life lost.

It is the only service in Australia directly aligned with the Royal Commission’s call for veteran-specific housing and integrated support.

And yet, despite the clear need, despite the recommendations, we are still footing the bill alone, running it on a shoe-string budget.

If this country can’t help the people who helped it, what has it come to?

In the lead up to the election, vulnerable Australians are crying out to be heard.

But some cries come from the depths of desperation - and our veterans’ cries must not go unanswered.

This ANZAC Day, we remember the dead.

But let’s also protect the living.

It’s time for our elected leaders to put words into action and fund programs that give our veterans what they truly deserve: dignity, stability, and hope.

Because no one who served Australia should be abandoned.

Janna

Voloshin, CEO, Vasey RSL Care

Honesty needed in election debate

EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion in this election, but could we hear something new from the conservative side?

How many times will it be repeated that Labor can’t manage money?

With Paul Keating refashioning our

economy for the future to Kevin Rudd getting us through the Global Financial Crisis with barely a scratch and now to Jim Chalmers reining in deficits to surpluses, you’d think they would shut up about it.

How many times will they claim Helen Haines votes for Labor most times?

Check her website - it’s all there, but they don’t want to know - she’s as close to 50-50 as it gets.

How about stopping referring to Teals as pretend Greens - they are individuals, not a party, but you don’t want to know.

Is Helen Haines funded by Climate 2000? - the fact is Climate 2000 provides 10 per cent of Helen’s funding (along with similar amounts to any pro-climate candidate), two other donors provide 10 per cent each, and the rest - 90 per cent - is provided by about 4000 individual donors like me - community participatory politics at its best.

And you can find all that on Helen’s website as well.

Let’s have discussions, but let’s stick to facts.

Peter Leonard, Wangaratta

MARKET DAY: Nicole Andrews, Joanne Andrews, Georgia Andrews and Rebecca Mayer were part of the busy crowd at the Glenrowan Warby Ranges Lions Club Community Market on Easter Monday.

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

FACEBOOK users this week commented on the Liberals change of voting preferences before prepolling after finding out Indi independent Mark McFarlane’s court history.

• Angela Taylor: Angus Calder and sponsored by Climate 200.

• Leslie Matthews: Angus Calder delusional nonsense..

• Judy Heather: Please dont vote teal, labor or greens Look at the big picture.

• Jeremy Sear-Pirko: Judy Heather looking at the big picture

is the reason to put the LNP and the other far right wackos last.

• Georgina Rea: Judy Heather please DO vote Labor, Greens or progressive independents like the Teals and Helen Haines if you want a fairer more tolerant nation

• Mindy Craig: Judy Heather please don’t vote at all.

• Heather Roman: Mindy Craig You are voting Labor/Green/Teals by doing that. We need as many good votes as possible. The reason you are helping the above by not voting is because all the above do make sure they vote correctly.

scoutsvictoria Follow

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

• Eric Douthie: Climate 200 would not keep sponsoring Helen Haines unless her votes went where they wanted them to. Watermelon!

• Leslie Matthews: Dirty politics from the Liberal Party - who would have thought??

• Nyree Bennett: God help us all if people vote liberal or Labor! Put liberal and Labor LAST! Dirty politics has always been the name of the name of the game!

Facebook users this week commented on a driver who was caught with no lights

on and five times the limit in Benalla on Good Friday.

• Nikolay Yashenko: Should be instant 3 years jail

• Ricky Iles: Proves some drivers have no respect for the law and other people’s lives. They know they are doing wrong but they don’t care.

• Missy Jean: If only he had turned his lights on lol good score by the cops, that could have ended badly for an innocent person

• Adam Anderson: He was just a day early for Earth Day... fun police!

X USERS this week commented on appearances from political parties at the pre-polling booths, increased traffic on the eve of Good Friday and an art exhibition showing at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

Tim Quilty - Libertarian @TimQMLCNorthVic

I was working the prepoll in Albury at lunchtime today. We’ve manned 2 pre-poll booths in Wodonga and 1 In Wangaratta. We will work to get coverage of more as we go…

Dona McQueen @DonaMcqueen

Wangaratta was crazy… seriously it’s a one day holiday… the shops are open Saturday

Art Collector @ArtCollectMag

NOW SHOWING Blake Griffiths: Trading Cloth Wangaratta Art Gallery, Wangaratta 12 April – 1 June 2025 Opening event: Friday 2 May, 5.30pm

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

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@wangrovers netballer, Bella Pasquali is through to the semi final of the 120m Stawell

Gift & in the final of the 400m too. On channel 7.

Scouts from 1st Yarrunga Wangaratta Scout Group are making the most of the warm evenings by heading out to LizEd for a shelter-building night, honing their knot-tying and bushcraft skills. The Scouts proved that practice makes perfect.

Sisters Sophie and Grace Darling take reins at Darling Estate Wines

IT has been a good year for the team at Darling Estate Wines in Whit eld.

Sophie and Grace Darling are excited about this year’s vintage, which got o to an early start and was wrapped up by the end of March.

They say the quality of the fruit is stunning with great avour development across all their varieties.

The sisters are moving the business forward, following in the footsteps of their father John and grandfather Guy Darling, who planted the King Valley’s rst vines in 1970.

While Grace looks a er the vineyard, Sophie is now chief winemaker, and the family were thrilled to open their new cellar door in Whit eld in December last year.

The pair share their story in the latest edition of North East Living magazine.

In the 20th edition of North East Living, we also talk to Beechworth’s Jodie Goldsworthy, who was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours list this year for signi cant service to primary industry, and hear about an amazing volunteer e ort which is driving the Mans eld Heritage Museum project.

We also talk to members of the North East Regional Pre School Association, and learn about their work over the last 20 years to create a

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

supportive environment for local students and teachers, and we meet Wangaratta brother and sister team Paul and Monique Szeligiewicz who are the creative force behind destination dining venue, Ava in Milawa.

Those with an interest in sustainable living will enjoy taking a tour of the Mckeeman family’s low-impact home in Wooragee, which they were able to build to a budget without comprising on comfort or quality (and which features on our cover) and see how renowned artist Ralph Bristow adapted his talents to landscape design, creating a garden for all seasons in Barwite which is proving to be an inspiration to others.

We also nd out how girls who are passionate about AFLW in the region are being supported to continue to play the game they love, and meet Paula Harrington who loves the rural lifestyle in Whorouly so much, she now shares it with visitors by offering holiday accommodation.

The 20th edition of North East Living is available now for $7.95 from local outlets including Edgars Books & News in Murphy Street, and from the Wangaratta Chronicle ofce in Rowan Street.

By JORDAN DUURSMA

MINOR tra c delays are expected as two large power transformers will be transported from Appleton Dock in Port of Melbourne to the Goorambat East Solar Farm, on Goorambat-Chesney Road on Monday, 28 April and Wednesday, 30 April. The transformers will leave from the Appleton Dock in Port Melbourne and are expected to arrive on Goorambat-Chesney Road, Goorambat, between 10am and 12pm.

AusNet general manager infrastructure operations and delivery, Keiran Connell,

said the delivery of these two transformers to site is a critical step in connecting the Goorambat East Solar Farm to Victoria’s transmission grid, contributing to a sustainable future.

“The transformers, to be located in a new terminal station within the solar farm, will ‘step-up’ the energy generated by the Goorambat East Solar Farm from 33kV to 220kV to connect it into the existing transmission network for distribution to homes and businesses,” he said.

The transformers will be transported on an oversize vehicle, approximately 53m long and 4.5m wide.

An oversized vehicle can travel upwards of an average speed of 45km/h where safe to do so.

However, there will be times where the vehicle will be travelling at 5km/h or under to cross bridges or turn corners safely.

Slower speed can be expected along Gooram-

OVERSIZED VEHICLE MOVEMENT: Two large power transformers will be transported to the Goorambat East Solar Farm, on GoorambatChesney Road on Monday, 28 April and Wednesday, 30 April.

bat-Chesney Road, Goorambat-Thoona Road and Benalla-Tocumwal Road.

During the deliveries, there will be minor tra c delays in the area.

There will be a large contingent of escort vehicles travelling in front of and at the rear of the oversized vehicle to guide the deliveries

safely on regional roads.

Traffic delays expected as transformers delivered to Goorambat East Solar Farm

ENGIE’s general manager of engineering and asset delivery, Leigh Newbery, said to date they have had more than 50,000 solar panels delivered for the Goorambat East Solar Far, which are currently undergoing installation.

“In total, the solar farm will have more than 500,000 panels and we are making very good progress,” he said.

“The electricity generated by the solar farm will be injected into the newly built Goorambat East Terminal Station, to be operated and maintained by AusNet, and located alongside the existing single circuit 220kV

transmission line route between Shepparton Terminal Station and Dederang Terminal Station.

“The energy will be utilised within the larger regional area and is also used to ensure local power quality and supply.

“ENGIE has committed to a range of local community bene ts throughout the construction and operational life of the project, of which more details can be obtained online.”

If you have any questions or enquiries about the delivery, contact 0491 801 932 or email DFN_majorprojects@ ausnetservices.com.au.

BUMPER CROP: Sophie and Grace Darling are thrilled with the quality of this year’s vintage. They share what’s new at Darling Estate Wines in Whitfield in the latest edition of North East Living.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

The gregarious Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

By IAN DAVIDSON & CHRIS TZAROS

THE very dry start to autumn this year has led many birds to congregate near the few remaining waterholes in the bush and gardens.

This includes the visually striking Yellow-tufted Honeyeater.

Often at this time of year loose flocks of mixed species can occur.

We believe that when breeding is not occurring there is no need to defend territories.

the sugary manna that oozes from the branches.

The bill of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater is slightly down-curved and the males are slightly larger but the sexes are otherwise similar.

Hence, at times, there are advantages in several species mixing in social groups together, for example to increase the number of eyes looking out for predators.

The Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

has an olive-yellow head and broad black mask that extends from the base of its bill, over its eye to the sides of its neck. It looks more striking due to the elongated yellow feathers on the sides of its head forming conspicuous tufts, which provide the bird with its name.

Living in the box-ironbark forests, Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters usually forage in the canopy, plucking insects and other invertebrates from among the foliage, or taking

Victoria’s faunal emblem, the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, is a sub-species of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, being restricted to the Yellingbo area on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne.

The Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters feed in pairs or may be found in large groups of over ten in the canopy of trees and shrubs.

They feed mainly on nectar from eucalypt flowers and insects from leaves and bark.

When flowering is scarce, they often forage for manna, which is soft and white, appearing after insect attack on the foliage or trunks of wattles and eucalypts

The Yellow-tufted Honeyeater is gregarious, breeding in colonies or ‘neighbourhoods’ of adjacent territories.

Pairs are monogamous, staying together on the same territory.

Parents are occasionally assisted with feeding and nest cleaning by ‘helpers’.

The tightly woven, cup-shaped nests are hung in understorey shrubs.

The females do most of the incubation, but both parents, plus

any helpers, feed the young.

Two or three broods may be raised in a season.

Locally, the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater is found in open boxironbark forests and woodlands, especially where a good middle layer of shrubs is present and often near water.

They sometimes visit gardens.

These birds are most easily seen in the Killawarra and Chiltern forest or surrounding wooded foothill forests, especially in gullies with a good shrub layer.

Their gregarious nature means they can be very vocal at times, making them relatively easy to locate.

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SEA OF YELLOW: LARGE NUMBERS OF YELLOW-TUFTED HONEYEATERS DRINKING AT A LOCAL WATERHOLE. PHOTO: CHRIS TZAROS (BIRDS BUSH AND BEYOND)

Electric vehicles: Emissions reduction and a big cost saver

By RUSSELL SULLY and ANN BRAIN for Electrify Wangaratta

THE single biggest impact your household can make on reducing its carbon footprint is to electrify your vehicles.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are three and a half times more energy efficient than petrol or diesel vehicles.

The average Australian home with 1.8 cars spends up to $2500 every year fuelling them up.

An EV can save $1500 per year on driving costs in 2025, or $2500 if its solar charged.

EVs save $17,000 over 15 years (including upfront costs) compared with a similar petrol car.

The saving increases to $35,000 if charged with solar electricity.

Dr Peter Chu, vascular surgeon, is dedicated to providing effective and prompt treatment of circulatory and venous conditions to the Northeast region of Victoria. He has recently established The Melbourne Vascular Surgery & Vein Clinic, and can now, in conjunction with Melbourne Vascular Imaging, bring the latest minimally invasive or “walk-in walkout” treatment strategies for varicose veins, spider veins and other venous disorders to the Northeast region.

This has saved $726 in equivalent petrol cost.

I bought a Tesla Model 3 in June last year and have travelled 17,132 kilometres with an out-of-pocket cost of $1118 to recharge using a mix of fast charger and home solar.

Households account for 23 per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions, the largest sector in our economy.

converting energy into motion.

An average petrol vehicle converts only 21 per cent of the energy from petrol into moving the car forward.

SUPERFICIAL VENOUS REFLUX DISEASE IS PROGRESSIVE. SYMPTOMS CAN WORSEN OVER TIME IF LEFT UNTREATED.

Hybrid vehicles convert about 31 per cent of the energy from petrol into moving the car forward.

Patients who suffer from super cial venous disease may present symptoms of:

Collectively our vehicles account for 69 per cent of households or 16 per cent of total national emissions.

Newer hybrid vehicles consume about 70 per cent of the fuel of conventional petrol vehicles.

• Varicose veins • Swollen limbs

• Skin changes and ulcers

• Leg heaviness and fatigue • Pain

Petrol and diesel vehicles are less efficient than EVs in

Electric vehicles convert 91 per cent of the electricity supplied into forward motion including charging losses and regenerative breaking.

Regenerative breaking (as the

car slows) recovers about 22 per cent of the energy to increase overall vehicle efficiency.

EVs are cheaper to run as they do not have the moving parts present in a conventional vehicle.

Maintenance costs are lower with service intervals of about three years apart.

An EV effectively removes 3222kg CO2 emissions per year compared with a conventional vehicle.

EV prices are dropping rapidly so it will not be long until EVs

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are also cheaper to buy than their petrol driven equivalents.

EVs are not only cleaner, healthier, and cheaper to run, their ability to work as a giant energy storage battery will play an exciting role in our energy future as they become “battery on wheels.”

Why choose an EV?

 Use less energy - EVs three and a half times more efficient than petrol and diesel vehicles!

 Cheaper to run – low-cost solar charging, less moving parts lower maintenance cost.

 Better for our climate – low embodied energy, renewable charging.

 Less pollution - University of Melbourne shows pollutants from cars cause around 11,000 premature deaths, ten times more than car accidents every year.

 Quieter – less noise pollution in our neighbourhoods.

 Performance and functionality - Instant torque, smooth acceleration, pre-conditioning before you enter, preconditioning for charging. Slowing down recharges the battery.

Russell admits “range anxiety” was a concern before purchase.

The increasing frequency of charging stations coupled with car navigation to charging station means it is about preplanning the trip.

Factoring in a 25-minute lunch/ charging breaks on a long trip to Sydney is the routine.

At home we use a 32 Amp wall charger powered by our solar panels. We also have a 7 Amp power outlet for slower charging away from home or paying 63c/kwh for a rapid supercharge.

With several charging options available to us, range anxiety is dealt with by planning charging, eating and coffee breaks.

https://electricvehiclecouncil. com.au/

Australia: https:// www.rewiringaustralia.org/

Blockbuster work by Blake Griffiths comes to Wangaratta Art Gallery

A LARGE, hand-built loom made by Sydney-based

Blake Grifths is featured in an exhibition currently being held at Wangaratta Art Gallery.

The work was selected for the prestigious blockbuster art exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Radical Textiles, and is included in Gri ths’ exhibition at Wangaratta Art Gallery, alongside work inspired by his travels in Iceland.

Gri ths’ exhibition, Trading Cloth, which is now showing and runs until 1 June, uses textiles to explore the introduction of particular European cultural practices to Australia incongruent to our climate and ecology, such as heavy woollen cloth.

During a 2023 residency at the Icelandic Textile Centre, Gri ths learnt speci c processing techniques of the Icelandic sheep breeds from Icelandic farmers (signi cantly di erent from the Merino wool he was used to handling) creating new work in response.

The residency also enabled Grifths the opportunity to delve into the connections between the origins of woollen cloth in Europe and the introduction of sheep here in Australia, where the hoofed animal can cause signi cant environmental damage.

Gri ths’ exhibition aims to explore these ideas, using textiles as an approach to investigate environmental devastation and repair.

Wangaratta Art Gallery director Rachel Arndt explained that during a 2023 residency at the Icelandic Textile Centre, Blake became fascinated with vaðmál (or wadmal) cloth – a speci c type of cloth with both spiritual and economic currency.

“Wool and weaving have been incredibly signi cant in Icelandic society throughout history,” she said.

“Remarkably, wadmal cloth was a

dominant form of legal currency in Iceland from the 11th to 17th century.

“Blake uses wadmal as the starting point for his investigations into uniquely Australian textile opportunities, including his experiments with native animal furs and feathers,

such as the emu and kangaroo.”

Blake Gri ths will be speaking about his work at the launch of the Goulburn and North East Arts Alliance Across the Arts Festival on Friday, 2 May from 5.30pm.

The artist will be delivering a full day workshop, Introduction to the

Loom, on Saturday, 3 May as part of the Across the Arts festival program.

In addition, Wangaratta Art Gallery will be hosting guided tours of its Crystalline exhibition that weekend, with bookings and information available at www.wangarattaartgallery.com.au.

A WODONGA man has had his driver’s licence suspended a er he was observed by police overtaking vehicles at 160km/h on the Hume

The 54-year-old appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court last week and pleaded guilty to speeding while just under the legal

The court heard at around 4:30pm on 15 December last year the defendant was clocked by police at 139km/h on the Hume Freeway near

O cers observed the man’s vehicle accelerate a er being held up by tra c and clocked him again at 160km/h as he was followed between the Springhurst overpass and

He was intercepted and told o cers he just wanted

He was also given a blood alcohol test which gave a reading of 0.042, just under Defence counsel Dane Keenes said his client is working in Wangaratta. Magistrate Victoria Campbell imposed a threemonth licence suspension and issued a $150 ne to go with a $543 infringement notice given on the day of the incident.

“It’s so easy with cars now to put your foot down and all of a sudden you’re doing 140,” she said.

“But you can’t a ord to speed.”

Whatever the job, it’s all in a day’s work with Kubota’s new RTV-X Runout models still available.

INTRIGUING PIECE: Director Rachel Arndt with the amazing hand-built loom made by Sydney-based artist Blake Gri iths - one of the highlights of the Trading Cloth exhibition being held in Gallery 2 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

artist

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

The Shoe Horn Sonata at Benalla Art Gallery

TO commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War 2, Limelight Touring Company and Benalla Art Gallery will present The Shoe Horn Sonata by John Misto at the Benalla Art Gallery on Anzac Day at 2.30pm.

Proudly supported by Veteran’s Remembers & State Government Victoria, The Shoe Horn Sonata is a a story of friendship, survival, enduring hope and sadness, as two women reunite and share their stories as war camp survivors.

Tickets are available now at events.humanitix. com/the-shoe-horn-sonata-limelight-touringcompany.

Friends of Warby Ovens art exhibition

FRIENDS of Warby Ovens National Park are holding an art exhibition in the Bainz Gallery at the Wangaratta Library during April.

Participating artists will be exploring three different ecologies in the park, the Warby Range, Killawarra Forest, and Lower Ovens, in forms of visual art including painting, lithograph, ceramics, photography and embroidery.

All are welcome to visit during library opening hours and entry is free.

Crystalline exhibition at Wangaratta Art Gallery

SEE exhibition Crystalline at the Wangaratta Art Gallery this weekend from 10am to 4pm.

Crystalline brings together existing and new bodies of work by Brisbane based artist Elizabeth Willing exploring the interconnected qualities of alcohol and sugar.

It can be seen in Gallery 1 until May 18.

Wangaratta community market on Sunday

THE Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday (except Easter Sunday) at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.

There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments available.

Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market’s Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.

Wangaratta Historical Society open weekends

TAKE a trip down memory lane each weekend by visiting the Wangaratta Historical Society and Museum in the old fire station in Ford Street.

The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 1pm and entry is free.

Anyone who has interesting items from Wangaratta’s past they think should be on display are welcome to bring them in or donate them to the museum, with more information via email to wangarattahistorialsociety@gmail.com.

Local artist to hold first solo exhibition

By CORAL COOKSLEY

LOCAL artist and sculptor

Maureen Varnavsky is showcasing a range of works in her rst solo exhibition called Obscurity, which has opened at Wangaratta’s Art Gallery on Ovens.

Maureen said the theme of this exhibition was inspired by university studies based on how society relates to older women becoming less important, less noticeable and less obvious.

She said ambiguity in her artwork invites people to explore the depth of the painting, encouraging them to look within.

“My work in oils and acrylics is varied across mediums, subjects and styles around the theme of obscurity,” she said.

“It’s a very eclectic collection, because I like to go where things

lead me - and I also like to paint seascapes as I love the ocean.”

A creative person all her life, Maureen recently pursued her art passion completing a threeyear bachelor’s degree in ne arts at Queensland’s Gri th University in 2023.

Studies followed on from her extensive background in interior design while living in the Southern Highland town of Bowral in NSW for around 40 years.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with art and artists, and helping clients and artists get together,” she said.

“I’m an emerging artist but have been involved in the Bowral and District Art Society as well as a number of art galleries for a number of years.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to work on the design of several art galleries.”

Maureen said since she discovered her love of art, it had progressed ever since, her work having been exhibited with other artists.

She said undertaking a degree gave her a chance to study at deeper and more intellectual levels.

Maureen moved to Beechworth towards the end of last year and she works from a studio at the Mayday Hills Art Society premises.

She has also joined Wangaratta’s Art Gallery on Ovens team as a resident artist.

A sculptor too, among Maureen’s bronze sculpture works is the ‘Goddess of old ladies’.

“I feel older women become less visible in society these days and our value can be overlooked,” she said.

“The goddess is very benevolent, encompasses the world, is gracious, and has the wisdom of the world in her.”

On show too are Maureen’s still life works, inspired by Italian painter and printmaker Giorgio Morandi’s (1890 – 1964) and his devotion to the honesty of form.

About 20 works are featured in this exhibition.

“I hope people enjoy the exhibition, with the theme expressed in di erent styles,” she said.

Obscurity is being held at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway o Murphy Street in Wangaratta until Tuesday, 6 May, open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm (except Anzac Day), and entry is free.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION: A new exhibition by Maureen Varnavsky has opened at the Art Gallery on Ovens in Wangaratta.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Peechelba Memorial Hall marks centenary

By SIMONE KERWIN

PEECHELBA Memorial Hall will be a hive of activity when a celebration is held this Sunday, 27 April to mark its centenary.

A market featuring 65 stalls catering for a range of interests will be part of the event, along with a car show and shine, music, free games and face-painting, and an informative talk from the RSL about the role of the memorial

hall in the community.

There will also be displays from the CFA, ambulance, and local embroidery and dance groups.

Memorabilia including centenary port, hats and stubby holders will be available for sale on the day, and a slideshow of photos featuring the hall through the years has been prepared.

Refreshments will include Devonshire tea, barbecue food and drinks.

Celebrations are set to commence at 9am, with a ag-raising and o cial proceedings at 10.30am, and are expected to continue until about 3pm on Sunday. Cash is preferred at the event, and entry will be by gold coin donation.

The landmark hall of the district for many years, the venue hosted dances accompanied by traditional suppers in its heyday, and has also been the setting for weddings, 21sts

and Christmas celebrations.

It is now utilised once a month by the Peechelba Machine Embroiderers group, which has produced a collection of bright wall hangings to create a welcoming space in the interior, and is also hired out for occasional events.

The Peechelba Memorial Hall is located at 2723 Wangaratta-Yarrawonga Road in Peechelba.

For more information, phone 0488 417 893.

PROVIDING THE BUZZ: Doug Hamilton’s P51 Mustang built in 1944 will be at the Wangaratta Historic Motor Show and Fly In this Sunday, 27 April from 9am at the Wangaratta Airport.

Enjoy Wangaratta Historic Motor Show and Fly In this Sunday

GET on down to the fifth biennial Wangaratta Historic Motor Show and Fly In this Sunday, 27 April at 9am at the Wangaratta Airport (Greta Road) for an incredible spectacle of a diverse array of classic vehicles.

Hundreds of historic trucks, veteran, vintage and classic cars and motorbikes will be on display and in action, as well as a stationary engines working display.

The fly in will feature up to 80 aircraft in a static display with up to 20, including some of Doug Hamilton’s popular ‘warbirds’, taking to the air weather permitting.

Kids entertainment and food and drink stalls are on offer, making this event the perfect family outing. On-site camping is also available. Tickets are available at the gate, with a $25 entry fee for adults while under 15s are free.

An exhibitors dinner with a guest speaker will also be held on the night prior.

Live music and afternoon tea.

All members will receive 1 free wine, beer or soft drink with each ticket.

Pre-ordered lunch option available

To be served from 12noon - 1:15pm.

Menu available 3 weeks prior to

historic tractor will be one of the many historic vehicles on display.

MARKING 100 YEARS: Janine Myers and Dot Kiven are among the Peechelba locals who have been preparing for centenary celebrations at the Peechelba Memorial Hall, which will be held this Sunday, 27 April.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Remembering former champions who made the ultimate sacrifice

Wangaratta Magpies to pay tribute to two former premiership players this ANZAC Day

BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au

LOCAL communities will be honouring those who made the ultimate sacri ce in military service for their country on ANZAC Day including the local sporting clubs.

Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval will host one of the O&M ANZAC Day matches this Friday when the Magpies clash with Myrtleford in all grades of football and netball.

Like most clubs, the Wangaratta Magpies will also be honouring former players this year who died in the service of their country including two premiership players, Bert ‘Herbie’ Ewing and Norm Le Brun.

They were members of the WFNC 1938 Ovens & Murray premiership team which was coached by Le Brun, and both served and died in WW2 which began the year a er their ag triumph.

Le Brun enlisted as a commando in the Second AIF on 26 February 1942, a week a er the bombing of Darwin, and he was killed in action, when shot by a Japanese sniper, on 15 November 1944, in New Guinea during the Aitape–Wewak campaign.

In the Aitape sector, there is the Le Brun feature, a steep hill on the Danmap River, and known now simply as Le Brun, who was the rst Australian killed in the area.

Herbie Ewing, who served in the RAN from 1925 to 1930, enlisted in the army in January 1941 at age 34 and died on 11 February 1945 on Borneo while being marched by the Japanese from the infamous prison camp Sandakan.

The Sandakan Death March is widely considered to be the single worst atrocity su ered by Australian servicemen during the Second World War.

He was survived by his wife Jean and three young children, Peter, Dorothy, and William.

O&M general manager Kane Arendarcikas said the league was excited to see ANZAC Day football and netball return to Wangaratta for 2025.

“All participants acknowledge the great privilege in representing their clubs on such an important day for the country, as we honour those who have served both past and present,” Arendarcikas said.

“Being a Friday xture, a big crowd is expected with the long weekend providing those who visit the North East region an opportunity to see some high quality community football and netball. “

A life taken too soon from Stephen Horswell, Herbie Ewing’s nephew

HERBERT ‘Herbie’ Ewing was born in 1907 in Carlton Victoria to a family who had been in Melbourne since 1841, six years a er Melbourne was founded.

He was the second child and only son of Herbert and Alice Ewing. His father worked as a stableman for Myers.

Times would have been tough.

Herbie le school at age 14 and joined the Navy at 18.

His grandparents, parents and older sister had all died by the time he was 20.

His sister Irene was his only immediate family.

He left the Navy at the age of 23, in 1930, just as the Great Depression was getting underway.

In 1932 and 1933, he played football for Euroa including stints as captain and was o en mentioned among the best players.

He was next sighted at Booligal, south east of Hay, in 1936 working on a property called Round Box as a station hand for 12 months.

It is said that he moved from Booligal to Wangaratta to play football.

In 1938, at age 31, Herbie met 21 year old Jean Clune (from Avoca) in Wangaratta.

He was working as a rigger on the enormous gold dredge in nearby Eldorado.

In 1939 he was living in Hoddle St near the MCG.

Jean and Herbie married in early 1939 and three children quickly followed.

Herbie had enlisted in the Army in April 1941, aged 34, just about the time Bill was conceived.

He landed in Singapore just two weeks before it fell to the Japanese.

A er the fall of Singapore in early 1942, he was shipped to eastern Borneo, along with many others, to build an air eld for the Japanese at Sandakan.

His last PoW communication was an undated typewritten letter from Borneo:

“My Dearest Jean. Five letters received. Am quite well. Pleased to hear all well.

“Your allowance OK. Keep your chin up. Best love Bert.”

In early 1945, the Japanese decided to kill the remaining PoWs by a forced march into the interior of Borneo, to a town called Ranau.

Herbie died when in the rst party in the rst death march group on 11 February 1945, at the age of 38, as one of the old blokes on the march.

He died of beri beri (it is directly caused by vitamin B1 de ciency) and heart failure which is common with beri beri.

(https://lynettesilver.com/

sandakan/the-death-marches/)

His life was taken under brutal circumstances and unnecessarily.

He le behind a destitute wife and three very young children.

His widow Jean remarried soon a er the war and had two more children.

They all just got on with life as a new family.

Herbie lived a married life for less than 30 months.

His sons Peter and Bill are in their 80s.

His daughter Dorothy died a few years ago.

He has eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Peter Ewing said the family has come to appreciate his commitment to his family and his courage in going to war.

“His motivation for enlisting seems to be securing his family’s future as times were still very tough,” Peter said.

“Our mother was a most marvelous person who gave us lots of love and a ection but didn’t tell us much about our father and remarried a er the war to the only person we knew as father.

“My brother Bill and cousin Stephen went to Sandakan together, I was supposed to go as well but emotionally didn’t think I could handle it.

“I do go sometimes go to local Dawn Services with my sons and I love to see my grandchildren wear my father’s medals to those services.”

Peter said some of their father’s traits were passed onto the following generation.

“Bill was a good footballer playing preseason games with South Melbourne (Sydney Swans before the club was relocated by the VFL to Sydney), and I played football also but my passion was running,” he said.

Peter was touched when he learned about the Magpies honouring his father this year along with Norm Le Brun.

“I think the people at the Wangaratta Football Netball Club should be congratulated for this initiative to honour past players who have served their country,” he said.

“ANZAC Day is still a very emotive day for me and I hope it will continue to remind people of the futility of war and the ongoing su ering of those le behind.”

• Bert ‘Herbie’ Ewing’s enlistment photo.

• Herbie Ewing taking a strong mark from behind during a game against Rutherglen.

PHOTO courtesy of Sue Phillips Eldorado

The sad demise of Trooper Le Brun

Excerpts from

The Wangaratta Clubrooms balcony will be open with bar service and screening the AFL ANZAC Day clash between Colingwood and Essendon. Usual refreshments, bar services and canteen will be operating around the ground.

The 124-year history of the Ovens and Murray Football League has seen only ve clubs rise from the ignominy of inheriting the wood-spoon to winning the premiership the following year.

Lake Moodemere Rovers (1904-’05), Rutherglen (1906-’07), Wangaratta (1937-’38), Corowa (1967-’68) and Albury (1984-85) share that ‘Lazarus-type’ honour.

But Wangaratta went one better.

In winning the ag in 1936, plummeting to the bottom in 1937 and miraculously resurrecting their fortunes to win again in 1938, they performed a feat which will, in all likelihood, never be repeated.

Drastic measures were implemented for the 1938 season.

A er an involvement of 10 years at the club, Fred Carey relinquished the coaching position.

The net was cast far and wide to replenish the playing ranks and experienced former VFL player Norman Le

Brun accepted the coaching appointment.

He concluded his VFL career with a total of 50 games, comprising three at South Melbourne, 23 at Essendon, 19 with Collingwood and ve with the Blues.

He had a ne season with Coburg, moved to South Warrnambool for a year and had actually applied for the coaching position at Tasmanian club, Ulverstone, before Wangaratta came knocking.

A bachelor, with a carefree personality, which endeared him to everyone, Norman Le Brun was ‘adopted’ by the town.

He enjoyed an outstanding season in and around the packs and nished h in the Morris Medal, his inspiring play giving his ‘new-look’ team a huge li . Wangaratta nished second, equal with Yarrawonga and Rutherglen on points, at the conclusion of the home-andaway rounds, but earned a quick passport to the Grand Final.

Their four-point win over Yarrawonga in the second-semi earned them favouritism for the ag.

They met Yarra again in the Grand Final and it was to prove another clinker of a contest.

The Magpies led by 12 points at half-time, but the Pigeons

booted themselves out of the contest in the third term, when they could only manage 2.7. Wangaratta ran away in the nal quarter, to win by 27 points.

“It was the greater all-round strength and teamwork of players like Ernie Ward, Norm Le Brun and Alec Fraser, that took them to the ag,” the Border Morning Mail said of the game.

“Much of the credit for this premiership must be given to coach Le Brun, for welding this side together throughout the season,” chortled the Wangaratta’s Chronicle Despatch. Le Brun was again in charge in 1939, but Wangaratta just missed out on the nals.

In his nal year of football –1940 - Norman Le Brun coached Ganmain to a South-West League premiership.

He was one of the thousands of Australians who signed up to serve, when World War 2 got into full swing soon a er.

In November 1944, whilst pursuing retreating Japanese forces through thick jungle, Trooper Le Brun was shot and killed by an enemy sniper, concealed among the roots of a large tree.

The varied, hectic life of Norman Le Brun was over, at the age of 36.

• WFNC A grade netball captain Hannah Grady and 1st XVIII captain Jackson Clarke in front of the showgrounds mural honouring Wangaratta’s 2/24 Battalion. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Glenrowan a buzz for market day

By JORDAN DUURSMA

THE Glenrowan Warby Ranges Lions Club Community Market saw a huge crowd on Monday to round out the busy Easter long weekend.

With a variety of stalls o ering handmade goods, local produce and much more, the Lions Park saw visitors and locals stopping to browse and connect with the community.

CFA SUPPORT: Michael Headland-James with Glenrowan CFA volunteer David Smith.

(8) and Maddie Flood (11) at their stall ‘Stu For Kids, Made by Kids”.

LONG-WEEKEND VISITORS: Tony Cambourakis, Kerrie Cambourakis, Troy Rolls and Lisa Rolls from the ‘Fantom Rodders’ car club all the way from the Central NWS coast.

INTERSTATE VISITORS: Susan and Alan Davies from the Gold Coast.

LADIES DAY OUT: Kim Smith, Marie Murray, Joell Murray, Annabelle Hall with Pedro the puppy.

MARKET DAY: Bridget Nelson, Harper Nelson (7) and Maia Nelson (8) from Bee’s Cra y Things.

ALL SMILES: Addi Amendola (13), Alex Amendola (13), Norah Barker (10) and Mae Barker (8).

LOCAL SUPPORT: Mira Vogel (9), Tegan Vogel and Rylee Vogel (3).

FAMILY FUN: Donna Prior, Elsie Prior (7) and Mick Prior.

COMMUNITY EFFORT: Glenrowan Warby Ranges Lions Cub volunteers (from le ) Robyn Coles, Warren Coles, Helen McInnes, Paul Tucker, Tom Little and John Caughton, cooked up a feast for the steady stream of locals and visitors at the market on Monday. PHOTOS: Jordan Duursma

Stunning home in central location

EXPERIENCE the ultimate in luxury with this impeccable newly built four-bedroom home, ideally located at 16a Crisp Street in Wangaratta.

Built with an uncompromised attention to detail, the home pays perfect homage to its heritage surrounds.

It’s also perfectly suited for all buyers looking to downsize in a central location without any compromise on living space.

The kitchen is the home’s centerpiece where functionality and design are perfectly paired.

It features stone benches, fully appointed with premium Meile appliances, custom cabinetry and abundance of soft close

storage along with a butler’s pantry.

A beautiful contemporary interior provides open-plan design, high 3m ceilings throughout and an abundance of natural light adding warmth to an exceptional space.

This magnificent home provides a primary domain with a walk-in robe and a luxury ensuite showcasing walk-in shower, frameless glass, floor to ceiling tiles, dual vanities and stone surfaces.

Cleverly designed, the three further guest bedrooms all contain built-in robes and share the main bathroom featuring frameless shower, freestanding bath, floor to ceiling tiles, dual vanity and stone benches.

There is a strong emphasis on indooroutdoor living that seamlessly integrates to the alfresco area featuring a tiled and heated plunge pool surrounded by travertine paving and frameless glass.

Comfort is ensured with ducted refrigerated cooling/heating while a massive 48 panel solar unit, insulation and double-glazed windows make the home extremely efficient.

The property provides a double garage with built-in shelving and additional offstreet parking, so you can leave the car at home with a short walk to the CBD approx. 650m and 450m to Coles.

Phone | (03) 5722 9444

Price | $1,100,000 - $1,200,000

Land | 382m2

Location | 16A Crisp Street, Wangaratta

Please contact Danial Siperki on 0400 027 473 to arrange your private inspection. 4 2 2 Agent | Harcourts Wangaratta

Modern, stylish finishes all with low maintenance

IDEALLY positioned just four kilometres from the heart of Wangaratta, 2 Bowerbird Way offers a rare blend of contemporary design, low-maintenance living, and everyday practicality.

3 2 2

“RIVERVIEW

Agent | Harcourts Wangaratta

This stylish two-storey home is perfectly suited to families, first-homebuyers, or investors looking for quality and comfort in a growing community.

Set on a 297m² block, the home features a luxurious master suite complete with a private balcony, walk-in robe, and ensuite.

There are an additional two bedrooms both with WIRs and their very own A/C units.

The open-plan living zone is a generous size and boasts a modern kitchen featuring electric appliances, stone benchtops, a breakfast bar, and a striking tiled splashback.

The home is fitted throughout with multiple split systems, offering comfort yearround.

Entertain in the outdoor alfresco area, which flows seamlessly from the living space, the perfect spot to entertain guests.

ESTATE”,

5B

MCMAHONS

Phone | (03) 5722 9444

Price | $749,000

Land | 297m2

Location | 2 Bowerbird Way, Wangaratta

The home is just a few minutes drive to secondary and primary schools, childcare centres and more.

If you are currently in the market for a custom-built home, low maintenance yard, move in ready with all the hard work done then enquire today to book an inspection.

Please contact Nutrien Harcourts Real Estate to arrange your inspection today on (03) 5722 9444.

LANE, SMOKO (11.5 HA)

Immaculately

bathroom.

Modern kitchen with twin AEG ovens, SMEG induction cooktop, dishwasher, Caesarstone benchtops and Butler’s pantry. Massive open plan living with combustion wood heater and decked undercover alfresco area. Plus separate studio, workshop/machinery shed and open bay shedding.

Fully fenced into four main paddocks with the potential to graze a small number of livestock. Plus established Truf ere with mature English Oak trees and opportunity to generate additional income.

Only 10 mins to Bright, 10 mins to Harrietville, 40 kms to Mount Hotham and 55 kms to Dinner Plain.

INSPECTIONS Strictly By Appointment Only FOR SALE Price On Application

JOHN HONEYCHURCH 0419 790 924

MICHAEL WELLER 0410 663 041

Myrtleford Autumn Special Cattle Sale

COWS & CALVES/JOINED FEMALES

Paragunyah-Mudgegonga

18x18 Angus Cows 3rd-5th calvers w Angus CAF 2m by Campaspe AngusBull TBD

2x2 Charolais x Cows & calves

1x1 Red Angus x Cow & calf IBP-Myrtleford

18x18 Angus Heifers 2YO Rennylea & Sterita Park Angus Blood w Angus CAF (all bull calves) 1-2m CAF by Shacorrahdalu Angus bulls

P & J Carney-Rosewhite

30 Angus Heifers ‘U drop’, Alpine & Iveragh Blood PTIC to Alpine Angus Bulls for 9 weeks due 27th July-25th Sept NE Accr. TBD

B & K Robinson F/T-Londrigan

5x5 Angus Heifers 2YO Hazeldene Blood with Angus CAF 2m by Bowmont Angus Bull WEANERS

Walkabout Apiaries-Rosewhite

65 Poll Hereford M/S 8m by Wirruna Hereford Bulls

WEANED NE Accr.

15 Angus/Hereford x M/S 8m by Pinnacle Angus Bulls

WEANED NE Accr.

Matandra-Rosewhite

70 Angus Steers 10m by Rennylea Angus Bulls WEANED IK Junor-Hinnomunjie

65 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine & Ardrossan Angus Bulls

WEANED NE Accr.

J & L Townsend-Germantown

60 Angus/Hereford x M/S 7-9m by Pinnacle & Stellar Angus Bulls

Yarumpa-Bu alo River

50 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bull WEANED

Dan Ivone 0427 480 548 Hayden

A Browne-Ovens

50 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bulls

RT Moorhead-Myrrhee

40 Angus Steers 10m by Injemira & Black Aqua Angus

Bulls Drenched Cydectin & Multimin vacc WEANED

D Hamilton-Whorouly

40 Angus Steers 9m by Alpine & Jarobee Angus Bulls

WEANED NE Accr.

K & A McCormack-Ovens

40 Angus M/S 9-10m by Alpine Angus Bulls NE Accr.

A & B Malcolm-Milawa

40 Angus/Simmental x M/S 8-10m by Woonallee Black

Simmental Bull

M & J Shields-Bonegilla

30 Angus M/S 7-10m by Alpine Angus Bull

J & B Fraser-Harrietville

28 Angus M/S 9m by Alpine Angus Bulls NE Accr.

A & M Crisp-Mudgegonga

25 Angus M/S 12-14m by Alpine Angus Bulls WEANED

E & M Notarianni-Myrtleford

25 Angus Steers 10m by Alpine Angus Bull WEANED

E & C Martinez-Ovens

20 Angus M/S 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bull

SD Robertson-Bu alo River

20 Angus Steers 12m by Alpine Angus Bull WEANED

NE Accr.

A & J Brain-Eurobin

20 Angus M/S 10m by Stellar Angus Bull WEANED

Clayfield-Rosewhite

20 Angus/Charolais x M/S 12-14m by Rangan Black

Charolais Bull

A & M Ringe-Kancoona

16 Angus/Fleckvieh x M/S 9-10m by Serpell Fleckvieh Bulls

L, S & T Witherow-Murmungee

15 Angus Steers 8-9m by Black Aqua Angus Bull

Andiamo Angus-Wooragee

15 Angus Steers 8-9m by Alpine Angus Bulls

D & S McMahon-Myrtleford

15 Angus M/S 8-9m by Rennylea Angus Bull

S Felmingham & B Brown-Whorouly South

14 Angus Steers 14m by Murramungee Angus

Bulls WEANED

H & L Martin-Buckland Valley

14 Angus/Hereford x M/S 10-12m Alpine Angus Bull WEANED

G, P & D Norman-Londrigan

13 Angus Steers 12m by Banquet Angus Bulls WEANED

P & R Serpell-Kancoona

12 Fleckvieh M/S 12-13m by Serpell Fleckvieh Bulls

WEANED NE Accr.

Andalaur-Byawatha

12 Simmental x M/S 7-9m by Mt Ararat Simmental

Bull NE Accr.

KJ Morrison-Barwidgee Creek

10 Angus M/S 12m by Alpine Angus Bull WEANED

NE Accr.

Modtage-Rosewhite

10 Angus Steers 7-10m by Alpine Angus Bulls

Southfork-Whorouly South

10 Fleckvieh Steers 7-8m by Serpell Fleckvieh Bull

WEANED NE Accr.

R & N Ivone-Ovens

7 Angus Steers 14m by Alpine Angus Bull

Emerald Hill-Merriang

4 Angus/Simmental x 9m M/S By Sammi Bella

Simmental & Black Aqua Angus Bull

Mazda CX-70: A matter of give and take

By DEREK OGDEN, Marque Motoring

AS the Merlin of Mazda would say: pick a number between 60 and 90, say 70.

Now add CX and GT or Azami, then take away two seats and cap it o with a $10k-plus price advantage over its seven-seat twin.

You now have the CX70, the fourth SUV from the Japanese auto maker’s new rear/all-wheel drive ‘Large Product Group’ platform.

It’s the same size as the ‘wide-body’ seven-seat CX90 flagship, with the third row removed.

Then there are the CX-60 and CX-80 twins, the latter riding on a wheelbase that’s 250mm longer which gives it three-row capacity.

The CX-70 is considerably more expensive than all but each of the range-topping CX-60 and CX-80 variants.

Let’s concentrate on the last but far from least sibling, the CX-70.

The CX-70 becomes Mazda’s flagship five-seat SUV and the company’s first allhybrid o ering.

Pricing gets o the ground with the petrol-powered GT at $75,970, plus on-road costs.

Diesel power adds $2000. Meanwhile, the Azami pet-

rol goes for $82,970, diesel again adding $2000.

The GT petrol was on test.

All are covered by Mazda’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with capped price servicing for seven years, and five years roadside assist.

STYLING

A seven-seat body is shared by the five-seat model, so it’s di cult to tell one from the other from the outside, while CX-70 exterior standard features across the range include 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power tailgate and adaptive LED headlights.

INTERIOR

In the nicest possible way, the five-seater has a big behind.

With the second row gone, the load space is a fulsome 923 litres with the rear seat backs raised and 2015 litres with them folded.

Plenty of room for adventure kit.

Comfort equipment includes leather seat trim, a powered steering wheel and front seats, heating for all outboard seats and the steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control.

INFOTAINMENT

Inside there are dual 12.3inch digital screens and an always-welcome head-up windscreen display for infotainment and instrumentation.

Features include satellite navigation, FM/AM and digital radio tuners, plus wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A 12-speaker Bose audio fills the space with passable sound.

Mazda Connected Services also integrate seamlessly with the MyMazda app across the entire CX-70 range and o er useful features such as vehicle status and health,

AT A GLANCE

MODEL LINE-UP:

Mazda CX-70 GT petrol $75,970

Mazda CX-70 GT diesel $77,970

Mazda CX-70 Azami petrol $82,970

Mazda CX-70 Azami diesel $84,970

■ SIZED UP: The CX-70 is a five-seater SUV launched as part of Mazda’s ‘Large Product Group’ program and bears the same size as the seven-seater CX-90 flagship.

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mazda dealer for drive-away prices.

stolen vehicle assistance, remote lock, flash-light function, vehicle locator services, curfew notification, geofencing capability and emergency SOS services.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

As for powertrains, on offer are the choice of either petrol or diesel, a 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, helped along by M Hybrid Boost 48V mild hybrid technology – mated with Mazda’s eight-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and rear-based all-wheel drive.

The test GT sported the former with a claimed combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 95 RON premium unleaded of 8.1 litres per hundred kilometres.

The lowest figure on test turned out to be 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

SAFETY

Despite the absence of an

ANCAP crash rating, the CX70 is replete with safety tech, such as lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning.

Smart brake support when turning across tra c includes pedestrian and cyclist detection for reversing, or rear crossing.

Mazda debuts unresponsive driver support as part of Mazda’s cruising and tra c support.

If the system observes closed eyes or continued distraction it will alert the driver.

If no action results, the vehicle will slow down and come to a halt to prevent an accident.

Ten airbags take added care of occupants.

DRIVING

A burst of electrons from the mild hybrid thingy has the CX-70 squirting o the mark in a quiet fashion.

Up and running, the advantages are not so clear.

In ride and handling, the CX-70 is out of step with rivals in the segment, being a touch hard on ragged roads, especially at speed out in the country.

Slow going in well-kept suburban streets is an improvement.

On the other hand, wide ranging comfort and safety, on and o road, are a result of the CX-70 rear biased i-Activ all-wheel drive and front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension.

Brakes require some sturdy pedal attention, with the two-tonne bulk proving a tad di cult to tame.

The gear lever is notchy and na .

Park-reverse-drive shifting takes some getting used to.

SUMMARY

It’s hard to see what Mazda is driving at with the CX70 and where it fits in the large SUV scheme of things.

Niche model comes to mind.

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 5/10

Safety: 7/10

Thirst: 7/10

Practicality: 7/10

Comfort: 5/10

Tech: 7/10

Value: 6/10

Rural City Connection

Youth Climate & Resilience Program

Do you care about the environment? Do you want to inspire change and grow as a leader? Join a free one-day leadership program for young local changemakers. Wednesday 28 May, 9.15am-4.30pm at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre. For more information contact environment@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or sign up via the QR code today.

Business Health Check

Take the Business Health Check Survey via Connect Wangaratta. Share what’s working and what’s not, so we can better support local businesses like yours. Survey closes Friday 2 May. connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/business-health-check

We currently have places available for 3-year-old long day care at the Children’s Services Centre. If you’re looking for a nurturing and engaging environment for your little one, get in touch with us today.

Call or email to secure your spot. Ph: 5721 7879 Email: Ldc@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Community Food Survey

Council is seeking community input to understand the local food system and improve access to nutritious, a ordable food for all people in the municipality. Complete the survey for your chance to win one of three $50 vouchers. Survey closes Saturday 12 May. connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/community-food-survey

Youth Strategy

Young people aged 12-25 are encouraged to voice their ideas, hopes, and priorities via the What YOUth Want campaign. The 60-second survey is designed by and for young people. Participate for a chance to win great prizes. For more information follow @wangyouth on Instagram. Survey closes Sunday 11 May. connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/what-youth-want

Local Laws

Council’s Local Law No. 1 - Community Amenity, is due for review. We’ve simplified the language, made it easier to find provisions, and made sure it meets our legislated obligations. Take the quick survey and let us know if you are happy with the changes. Survey closes Wednesday 30 April. connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/local-law-no-1

Aerodrome

Rural City of Wangaratta gives notice under section 115 of the Local Government Act 202 (the Act) of its intention to lease the Terminal Building at the Wangaratta Aerodrome, 72 Brian Higgins Drive, Laceby. Written submissions can be made before 4.00 pm Monday 28 April. connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/aerodrome-terminal-building

Community Grants Opening Soon

Get ready for the annual Community Grants Program! Applications open Thursday 1 May and close on Thursday 5 June. The Program assists community to deliver projects that enhance accessibility, promote equity and resilience, and improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors to the region . www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/CommunityGrants

Expressions of Interest –All Outdoor Expo

EOI’s are open for the All Outdoor Expo taking place at the Wangaratta Racecourse on Sunday 1 June 2025 . The event is tailored for businesses including but not limited to camping, hiking, fishing, boating, caravanning, four-wheel driving, mowers, chainsaws, and adventure gear specialists. Applications close 1 May 2025. For more information and to submit visit www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/outdoorexpo-eoi

IN

37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677

CONCRETING , big or small jobs, paths, driveways, shed slabs, verandahs, 15 years experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.

FRANKS DOG

TRAINING, behavioral solutions, quali ed, experienced, a ordable. For more information please ph Frank 0418 314 610

KITCHENS JUST FOR YOU, cabinet making solutions. Kitchens available before Christmas. Phone Roland 0414 950 647.

MARK ’S Mowing, reasonable prices, ride on mowing, edging, clean up, spraying and any waste removal. Ph 0472 603 156.

PAINTER, old school, for all your painting needs, commercial, industrial renovations. Phone Juliano 0412 597 482.

WHEELER Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, rural work and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.

BY PHONE

10FT 6 Boat, on a new trailer, 9hp motor $900, Ph 0439 766 211.

JOHN Deere ride on lawn mower 50 hours, numerous household, garden and garage items, 9am Saturday, April 26, 65 Chardonnay Drive, Milawa.

SATURDAY, April 16, 8am-2pm, no early callers please, cash only, 15 Oxley Plains Road, Oxley.

CARAVAN BOX/STORAGE

Heavy duty aluminum checker plate W:1200, D:500, H:700, Slide suits 2KVA generator Storage box side 500x600x700.LED tail, brake and indicator lights. $200. Ph. 0417 551 904.

BOX trailer, well built, $350. Ph 0439 766 211

CLEARING out sale, furniture, garden and shed items, shing and camping and lots more, Saturday April 26, 8am, 469 Whorouly Road, Whorouly, Enquires 5721 1449.

FARM goods and household goods, Saturday, April 26, 8am-12noon, 1349 Wangaratta-Kilfeera Road, Greta.

CONVERTIBLE for sale, 1997 AMG Mercedes SLK 230 Kompressor, solid top folding roof, VIN: WDB1704472F034586, 156,000km, I am selling due to vehicle rationalizing, it is a lovely car in very good condition, a great drive and with Club registration is economical to own, more photos are available upon request, RWC will be supplied, $12,500. Contact Ken on 0418 300 220.

MITSUBISHI Tray

Top Ute, 2WD 410,00km, motor rebuilt, 5 month rego (CU57VL), $2800. Ph 0439 766 211.

FREEDOM ON WHEELS, Mobility

Scooter for active living, compact and lightweight for easy manoeuvrability, comfortable seating with adjustable armrests and headrest, powerful motor for smooth and e ortless rides, longlasting battery for extended use, $3900.

Phone Denice on 0402 411 346.

FREE Range Hens, ISA Brown Pullets, POL, $35 each. Phone Becky or Hugh on 5798 1868.

Why VACCA?

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is deeply committed to advocating for and serving the interests of the Aboriginal Community. We believe that every team member contributes to our collective mission of creating brighter futures for Aboriginal young people and their families.

Are you ready to make a profound impact on the lives of Aboriginal families and children? Look no further – VACCA is on the lookout for a vibrant individual like you to join our team and become a catalyst for positive change!

Join VACCA and help transform the lives of Aboriginal children, young people and families.

Executive Manager

Position: full time, ongoing

Location: Wangaratta/Wodonga

Salary: Between $138,746.15 - $155,357.99 plus superannuation and salary packaging

About the role:

The Executive Manager Ovens Murray has overall responsibility for a combination of VACCA Ovens Murray programs. The Executive Managers play a key leadership role that includes supporting the Director Ovens Murray. You would be expected to work both independently and collaboratively and work closely with other senior managers as part of the VACCA Ovens Murray Division Client Services Leadership Group. As an active member of the Executive Team, the Executive Manager is expected to play a major role in ensuring the organisation’s vision, goals and annual priorities are achieved and that our organisational values are promoted and celebrated across the whole organisation

What we can offer you:

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction

• The support of regular internal supervision

• Professional development and training opportunities

• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay

• 17.5% loading on annual leave

• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel

• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs

• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment

• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture

• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program

Are you ready to create positive change?

Visit www.vacca.org/careers to find out more about this role and others or apply.

Have questions or want to learn more? Email recruitment@vacca.org.

Your journey toward a fulfilling and impactful career starts here!

VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL CHILD and COMMUNITY AGENCY

Advertising Sales Manager

North East Media - Wangaratta

Who are we looking for?

North East Media is looking for a driven and committed individual to lead our advertising sales team at Wangaratta, where you will be responsible for managing existing clients while growing your own sales for group newspapers (including the Wangaratta Chronicle), websites and special publications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• The capacity to see opportunities and market trends and a drive to achieve results to help our business grow.

• Effective communication skills (verbal and written), enabling connection with a wide range of people across various industries.

• The capability to sustain existing relationships and continuously build new ones.

• An excellent work ethic and organisational skills (including maintaining current records in our company CRM program) enabling you to consistently meet deadlines and achieve your sales targets.

• The ability to collaborate (including with your manager, sales colleagues, our editors and graphic designers) to ensure seamless execution of advertising campaigns.

• A motor vehicle and a current driver’s licence

What are we offering?

A full-time position with an attractive remuneration package comprising a base salary, commission and employer superannuation contributions.

About North East Media

North East Media, a division of Provincial Press Group, is an independent family-owned media company publishing over 25 newspapers across North East Victoria, Central West and Southern NSW.

How to apply

If you are self-motivated, results-orientated and looking for a challenge in the media environment, then please forward your resume and covering letter to:

Edward Higgins

CEO North East Media ehiggins@nemedia.com.au

CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

The College seeks applications from suitably experienced persons for the following positions commencing in Term Three, 2025.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Part-time (FTE 0.6, hrs neg).

Location: Wangaratta

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• An individual who is dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic about creating opportunities for regional and remote students.

• Strong collaborative skills with ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and work within a team.

Good public speaker, presenter, and ability to coordinate activities and events.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organisation and time management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media knowledge.

Email degrees@cucovensmurray.edu.au or Call 0490 022 028 to request a copy of the Position Description.

Applications close Friday, May 9 at 5pm.

ADAMS, Colin.

The pain I feel, no words can explain. I will always treasure the memories of our days riding and chatting over co ee. Now riding the highways of Heaven. Rest easy my Mate.

~ Kris, Janine, Paige and Layla. ARCHER, Francis Edward.

22/10/1924 – 14/4/2025

The family of Frank is saddened to announce his passing on April 14, 2025.

Loved husband of Olive (dec). Father to Geo and Cathy. Pa to Eliana.

So dearly loved, so sadly missed.

CALLIAS,

Nickolas.

“Nick”

The College seeks applications from suitably experienced persons for the following positions.

The College seeks applications from suitably experienced persons for the following positions commencing in Term Three, 2025.

Legal Studies Teacher

Plus an additional subject/learning area

Legal Studies Teacher

Plus an additional subject/learning area

Legal Studies Teacher

Full time or Part Time (Negotiable)/Ongoing

Plus an additional subject/learning area

Full Time or Part Time (Negotiable)/Ongoing

Teacher Assistant

Full time or Part Time (Negotiable)/Ongoing

Learning Enhancement Assistant

Middle and Senior School

27/2/1937 - 17/4/2025

Teacher Assistant

Middle and Senior School

Full time/Ongoing

Middle and Senior School

Full Time/Ongoing

Full time/Ongoing

Please refer to our website, www.cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au for the position description and application closing dates.

Please refer to our website, www.cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au for the position description and application closing date.

Please refer to our website, www.cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au for the position description and application closing dates.

Loved husband of Jan (dec). Father of Maria (Mini) and Nicole. Father-in-law of Niko. Grandfather of Xenia, Zoe, Sophia, Izabella, Markella, Daniel, Connor and Jimmy. Great-Grandfather of So a and Luca.

In our hearts forever.

You are nally at peace and reunited with your beloved Jan.

Cathedral College Wangaratta is a Child Safe School and an

COONAN

Seth

18/8/2005 – 20/4/2025

Forever loved son of Simon and Daniela. Forever cherished brother of Lilias.

Words are few, thoughts are deep. Memories of you are ours to keep.

My dearest brother Seth, I will love you forever and I will never stop loving you. You will forever be my brother. ~ Lilias.

COONAN, Seth. Passed away suddenly.

Much loved grandson of Nan and Pop. Always in our hearts.

~ Robyn and John and family.

COONAN, Seth.

Loving nephew and godson to Vicki and Leigh.

Loving cousin to Mitchell and Riley.

Our lives are forever changed. We will miss you.

COONAN, Seth. Suddenly taken away from us. Adored grandson of Mima and Pippa (Shelah and Nick Curcio). Forever loved, always in our hearts.

COONAN, Seth. Our deepest condolences to Simon, Daniela and Lilias on the passing of Seth, who was a loving and very kind boy. We will miss his music and miss him a lot. We will always be here for you Simon, Daniela and Lilias if ever you need to talk. We know what you are going through.

~Love Graham and Elsie Patman.

In loving memory of COONAN, Seth.

A shining example of a well-mannered, compassionate, hilarious and loyal young man. e privilege of knowing him will never be lost on us.

We will certainly miss his weekend visits, cheeky commentary and familiarity with our sta .

Seth, may your wit and charm be appreciated in heaven as much as they were appreciated here at Old Faithfulls.

~ With love to your family, Tan, Dave and the Team at Old Faithfulls.

COONAN

Funeral prayers in honour of the life of Seth Coonan will be held at North East Funerals, Bell Room, 184 Greta Road, Wangaratta on Friday, May 2, 2025 commencing at 1pm.

The funeral will leave at the conclusion of prayers for the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

WILSON, Kathleen Miriam.

ADAMS

A service to celebrate the life of Mr Colin Adams will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Thursday, May 1, 2025 commencing at 10am. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.

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

Mason Park Funerals

5721 5060 masonpark.com.au

ARCHER

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr Francis Edward Archer will be held in St Michaels Anglican Church, 42 Appin Street, Wangaratta on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11am.

Private cremation will follow the service.

Mason Park Funerals

5721 5060

CALLIAS

The funeral service for Mr Nickolas ‘Nick’ Callias will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 commencing at 11am at Our Lady of Myrtles Greek Orthodox Church, 52 - 54 Mather Street, Wangaratta.

The funeral will leave at the conclusion of prayers for the Wangaratta Cemetery. Nick’s funeral service may be viewed via livestream at northeastfunerals.com.au/live-streaming.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all family and friends for their overwhelming support following the passing of Kath. Please accept this as my personal thanks for the many condolence messages, visits, cards, owers and meals received at this di cult time.

Sincere thanks for the wonderful medical support provided by sta at North East Oncology, Albury Wodonga Cancer Clinic, Dr Clare Wright and North East Community Palliative Care. Commendation to Mason Park Funeral sta for their professionalism and kindness.

~ Dennis.

HERBERT, Vija Vizbulite.

Passed away April 27, 2024. It has been one year since we lost you. You are always in our thoughts and hearts, and we miss you every day. Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words, And missed beyond measure.

Loved wife of Bob. Dearly loved mother of Chris, Tracey, Robert and families.

GASKELL, Anne.

Passed away April 29, 1982. So greatly missed but never out of my thoughts.

~ Loving memories always your husband Ray.

MCCORMACK, Ann June. April 25, 2024. 1 year has passed thinking of you daily. - Brian, Molly, Rebecca and Michael.

MCGEEHAN, Ed.

My Mate.

Happy heavenly birthday. I love you more each day. Yet it is comforting you are home with God. I am honoring your promises. You know where I will be on your birthday. Love always your Little Mate.

Remembering you on your 100th birthday I miss you so much. We still gather together to honour you and your service for our country on this, your special day. Lovingly Alma and all your family.

Science studies

CONCENTRATION: Cathedral College Wangaratta students Eliza Harding, Harry Mullane and Jed Marek used CRISPR technology in biology.

Cathedral College Wangaratta

AS part of their Biology VCE studies, year 12 students edited DNA using cutting-edge CRISPR technology. It involved separating the DNA fragments using gel electrophoresis.

St Patrick’s Primary School

STUDENTS are very excited about their new addition to the school, a blotched blue tongue lizard.

The whole school had a competition to name the lizard and Pebbles was the winning name.

Pebbles sits outside in the glorious sun each day happily listening to the student’s stories.

Katie Pallot, the specialist science teacher, introduced Pebbles to the school as part of the biology unit.

FASCINATING FRIEND: Having fun hanging out with Pebbles at St Patrick’s are grade one students Elsie Naish and Alessia Bandera.

Amazing Race

Carraragarmungee Primary School

THE whole school dressed in orange to celebrate Harmony Day. It was a lovely day full of inclusion activities and a focus on mixing with new friends and sharing interests.

SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT: The Carraragarmungee Primary School community all wore orange in celebration of Harmony Day last term.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Appin Park

students Colton Livermore, Callum Bassett, Geordie Bell and Harry Knox learnt a traditional Haka before gaining a pass to their next clue and country in the Amazing Race.

Wangaratta Primary School

GRADE 3/4 students have really made maths fun with hands-on activities. Using dice, cards, counters and more they explored key concepts through interactive learning.

It not only demonstrates the practical application of maths in a variety of settings but helps develop confidence and problem-solving skills.

Appin Park Primary School

AS a culmination of year 5/6 world studies in term one, all students formed small groups to participate in their own Amazing Race.

The adventures began in Australia before ‘travelling’ to places like New Zealand, the Nile River and the Sahara Desert, before heading off to Russia, USA, France, Stonehenge, the Antarctic and Brazil.

When visiting these countries and sites, students had to successfully perform a variety of tasks such as recreating Stonehenge, participate in a leg of Tour de France, create colourful costumes for the Brazilian carnival, transport water along the Nile, create an origami samurai helmet and stack Russian Matryoshka dolls within a specific time limit, in order to gain their next clue.

Students had great fun participating in the varied activities which consolidated their learning. It was a creative and engaging way to finish off the term

5

2True or false? Gastroliths are microscopic bubbles that damage rechargeable

students Naire Shine and Lily Jones.

START YOUR ENGINES: RACERS WILL ROLL UP TO THE STARTING LINE ON SATURDAY, 26 APRIL, WITH TEST AND GRUDGE RACING HELD THE DAY PRIOR. PHOTO: AUTO CHICK PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDNESDAY, 16 April

Men’s 18 hole Stableford

A Grade Winner: Tanumafili Nu’u

37. B Grade winner: Stephen McNaughton 40. C Grade winner: John Batchelor 35.

Ball winners: Neville Hogan 38, Martin Van Rhee 37, Ian Mills 36, Thomas Aggett 35, Michael Baillie JNR 34, Robert Hancock 34, Jim Moore 34, Steve Fisher 34, Keith Moorhead 34.

NTPs - 4th: Neville Hogan, 8th: I Mills, 13th: T Aggett, 17th: S Fisher. 9 hole stableford

Winner: Doug Ritchens 21.

Ball winners: Jim Darcy 20, Bill O’Brien 19, Allen Mercer 19, Rhys Rigoni 19, Mark Dean.

NTPs - 4th: K Arnold, 8th: R Rigoni.

Thursday, 17 April 2025

3 Person Ambrose Ladies

Winners: Frances Duffy, Judy Fogarty, Liz Collihole 61.

NTPs - 4th: Frances Duffy, 8th: Frances Duffy, 13th: Judy Fogarty.

Good Friday, 18 April

Medley Stableford

A Grade Winner: Sam Bayles 36. B Grade winner: Dan Lloyd 49. Ball winners: Mark Flack 40, Jon Coghill 39, Tim Bayles 36, Jacob Schonafinger 35, Ali Comensoli 35.

NTPs - 4th: G Ryan, 8th: B Stokes, 13th: Jack Lloyd, 17th: J Schonafinger.

Saturday, 19 April

Ladies’ 18 Hole Stableford Winner: Kellie Roberts 37. Ball winners: Di Murphy (2) 35, Marion Hunt 35.

NTPs - 4th: Marion Hunt, 8th: Kellie Roberts, 13th: Alison Comensoli, 17th: Alison Comensoli.

Men’s 18 Hole Stableford

A Grade Winner: Glenn Ryan 38. Runner Up: Jacob Schonafinger

37.

B Grade Winner: Trevor Nippress

38. Runner Up: Pat Ernst 37.

C Grade Winner: Alan White 40. Runner Up: Trevor Gunn 35.

D Grade Winner: Bill Slade 35. Runner Up: Ian Cockle 35. Ball winners: Neville Hogan 37, Geoff Nicholson 36, Alan Sands 35, Adrian Speziale 35, Nat Hirunwiwat 35, Peter Phillips 34, Gary Dinsdale 34, Alex Gibbs 34, Peter Evans 34, Darren Jones 34, Eddie Luke 34, Peter Collihole 34, David Richards 33, Ian Dinsdale 33, Bill O’Brien 33, Julian Bau 33, Michael Baillie 33, Rick Harn-

well c/b from many 33.

NTPs - 4th: Ben Waite, 8th: Ian Cockel, 13th: Gary Butler, 17th: Jacob Schonafinger.

Sunday, 20 April

Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford

Winner: Jack Lloyd 41.

Ball winners: Lyndel Adgemis 33, Judy Fogarty 32, Charl Demink 30. NTPs - 4th: Jack Lloyd, 17th: Charl Demink.

Tuesday, 22 April

Ladies’ 18 Hole Stableford

Winner: Jackie O’Brien 37.

Ball winners: Sue Clayton (2) 36, Marilyn Pane 35, Carol Myles 34.

NTPs - 8th: Ros White, 13th: Kathie Hyland, 17th: Bruna McDonald.

Wednesday, 23 April

Men’s 18 Hole Stableford

A Grade Winner: Ian Dinsdale 38.

B Grade Winner: Gordon Hines 36. C

Grade Winner: David O’Connor 34.

Ball winners: Peter Challman 36, Peter Geldens 36, Bill O’Brien 36, Alex Gibbs 36, Glenn O’Connel 35, Steve Fisher 35.

NTPs - 4th: Trevor Nippress, 8th: Trevor Nippress, 13th: Alex Gibbs. 9 hole Stableford

Winner: Steven Rigoni 20. Ball winners: Tony Kosch 19, Jez Rigoni 19, Jim Darcy 18, Kim Arnold 18.

NTPs - 13th: Kim Arnold, 17th: Jez Rigoni.

Thursday, 24 April

Ladies’ 9 hole

Winner: Kathie Hyland 20.

Ball winners: Elfie Jones 19.

Ladies 18 hole stableford

Winner: Mary Jones C/B From Leeanne Carmody 36.

Ball winners: Leeanne Carmody 2 balls 36, Sherre Coghill 33, Angela Mitchell C/B from others 33.

NTPs - 4th: C Hazel, 8th: L Carmody, 13th: S Clayton, 17th: S Coghill.

WANGARATTA GOLF CLUB

WGC Competitions: Week ending 20 April

Tuesday, 15 April

Women’s 9 Hole Stableford Event

Winners: Jill Halbwidl 16 points.

Runners Up: Barbara Thomas 13 points.

NTPs - 11th: Barbara Thomas. 18 Hole Stableford Event

Winner: Dawn Fleet 37 points. Runner Up: Janette Collier 36 points C/B.

Ball Winners: Maggie Ray, Glenda Dodson, Barbara Woodward, Julie McInnes.

NTPs - 9th: Annie Wilson, 13th: Sue McCall.

Wednesday, 16 April

18 Hole Stableford Event

Winner: Cooper Patterson 43 points. Runner Up: Darren Kelly 40 points C/B.

Ball Winners: Tim Leslie, Peter Maddern, John Wiskin, Drew Winter, Henrey McInnes, Phillip Winnell, Ashley Clayton, Maurie Braden.

NTPs - 4th: Jeremy Winter, 7th: Craig Donoghue, 9th: Nick Jones, 11th: Drew Winter, 13th: Dean Campagna, 16th: Ashley Clayton.

9 Hole Stableford Event

Winner: Peter King 20 points. Runner Up: John Millman 16 points. Thursday, 17 April 2025

Women’s 18 Hole Stableford Winner: Jan Hill 31 points C/B. Runner Up: Rhonda Bray 31 points.

Saturday, 19 April

18 Hole Men’s Stableford Event

A Grade Winner: Joe Patterson 40 points. Runner Up: Matt Sharp 39 points.

B Grade Winner: Harrison Grant 45 points. Runner Up: Robert Murray 38 points.

C Grade Winner: Neville McCormick 40 points C/B. Runner Up: Rodney Godde 40 points.

Ball Winners: John Southwell, Rod Moyle, Spencer Sharp, Trevor Cooper, Kurt Schubert, Chris Oates, Mark Comensoli, Ashley Clayton, Christopher Martens, Russell Wallace, Paul Judd, Jason Perna, Stan Grant, Luke Thorpe, Shane Watson, Geoffrey Webster, Neil McKinnon, Arnold Sparks.

NTPs - 4th: Geoffrey Webster, 7th: Rod Moyle, 9th: Rodney Godde, 11th: Matt Nicolosi, 13th: Ray Hutton, 16th: Denis Hill.

Birdies: Subway - Robert Murray. McDonalds - Ross Anderson. KFCPaul Judd, John Southwell, Marty Anania.

Eagle: Marty Anania, 10th Hole

Secret 6: Neville McCormick.

Raffle Winner: Marty Anania.

Women’s 18 Hole Stableford Event Winner: Carolyn Sullivan 35 points. Runner Up: Deb Patterson 25 points.

TARRA GOLF CLUB

RESULTS Saturday, 19 April.

The members played a Stableford round with the winner being Pete Nolan on a countback from Mark Nolan both with 37pts.

Nearest the pins were Pete Nolan on the fourth, and Mark Nolan on the eighth.

Golf to be played on Saturday, 26 April will be the second round of the

singles KO for those remaining and golf for players not involved will be arranged on the day.

The gates will open on Friday, 25 April and Saturday, 26 April from 10am to 6pm each day.

While entries to compete have closed, spectators are still more than welcome to turn up on the day.

Ladies are definitely welcome to also join the members for a day’s golf.

It will be an 11.30am roll up for a 12pm hit-off.

New members are always welcome at the Tarrawingee Golf Club with first year membership of $100 and very reasonable competition fees - this can be done by contacting a member or phoning 0428 122 590.

Tarra Ladies

The Tarra Ladies completed the second round of their championships on Tuesday.

The winner of the stroke event conducted in conjunction with the round two of the championships was Lynn Barrow.

Di McLaughlin had the next best score and had the number for the putting competition.

Toni Wilson was the closest for the NTP on the 13th.

WARBY WALKERS

SUNDAY, 13 April. Myrtleford to Gapsted, Stanley State Forest.

A group of seven of us from Warby Range Bushwalkers set out for our adventure on Sunday, 13 April.

We started near Gapsted Wines, and it was a bit fresh with quite a breeze blowing, so we walked fast to warm up.

Up and into the bush, then along a bush road we meandered at the edge of the Stanley State Forest.

There would have been spectacular views of the surrounding hills, but due to the smoke from burn offs we weren’t able to fully enjoy them.

What we did delight in of course was each other’s company as well as simply ambling through the bush.

At lunch time we had completed the 12km walk, and we ended our trek with a picnic lunch in the shade, as by then had warmed up.

Coming Events

17-30 April – last few days to visit the Bainz Gallery in the foyer of the Wangaratta Library and an exhibition of visual art stemming from the Warby Ovens National Park flora, fauna and magnificent views of our club’s very special area.

Saturday, 26 April, Yackandandah Creek - Karen, 0409 215 286.

An easy walk of approximately 6.5km, or an easy/medium return walk of approximately 13km along a new section of the rail trail between

Yackandandah and Osbornes Flat.

The trail leads alongside the Yackandandah Creek and is mostly within the Recreation Reserve.

A good surface, slightly undulating, with about 50m difference in elevation from one end to the other.

Saturday, 10 May, Kangaroo Hill, Eldorado - Jeanette, 0417 546 974.

A choice of two walks.

A medium to hard loop walk of approximately 14km from Eldorado township to Reedy Creek, and into Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park.

Following gravel roads, bush tracks and a short, steep, rough, and rocky scramble over a partly eroded bush track en route to the top of Kangaroo Hill for excellent views, then back down to a creek crossing.

Some minor waterfalls, if there’s been enough rain.

A shorter option of approximately 11km excludes the climb up Kangaroo Hill.

Both walks include a creek crossing, so BYO spare footwear, and poles.

WANG CROQUET

RESULTS for Monday, 21 April are as follows:

Wendy Waddington and Christine Ireland d Robyn Muller and Susan Fischer 7/4, Yvonne Mclaughlin and Cheryle Beckley d Maureen O’Keefe and Joan Dyson 7/6, Terry Wilson d Elise Downes 7/4.

Cheryle Beckley scored a hoop from 15 yards to level the scores six all and then won the game 7/6.

On Wednesday, 16 April, Wangaratta defeated Albury 7-5 in round two of the NEDCA Pennant competition.

Last Wednesday, 23 April saw Wodonga play Wangaratta in round three of the pennant competition at Wangaratta, with the result being Wangaratta eight games and 70 hoops to Wodonga’s four games and 58 hoops.

Janet Kelly was unbeaten on the day, winning four out of four games.

Play is at 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday - please arrive 15 minutes earlier to allow for a draw to be undertaken.

The club is located at 46 Ryan Avenue, Wangaratta.

For further information please contact president Susan Fischer on 0417 217 009 or secretary Terry Wilson on 0417 326 739.

JUBILEE GOLF CLUB

Let’s play ball: Wangaratta Rangers take to the diamond

OIL up your glove and take a few practice swings of the bat, because baseball is starting up again in the North East.

The 2025 North Eastern Baseball Association season commences this weekend for junior and senior squads, and Wangaratta Rangers are eager to make their mark early.

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

to be elding two A grade sides, two B grade sides and a C grade side, which is massive,” he said.

The Rangers boast ve senior teams and four junior squads, with players from under 12s all the way up to the A grade keen to play.

Club vice-president and club coach Owen Godenzi said numbers were booming out at Targoora Park ahead of the season.

“We’ve actually got 60-plus senior members this year which means we’re going

“We’ve got a lot of young kids coming up, so we’ve split our senior sides a little di erently and give the kids a bit more opportunity.

“There’s going to be a junior senior side, a junior A grade side, and a senior A grade side, so there’s going to be a little di erence in the club this year which hopefully give those kids a bit more game time.

“We’ve got two under 15 and two under 12 sides again this year - they’re looking good, we

probably need a couple more under 12 players.”

Godenzi said the club’s comeand-try days and summer soball programs had helped bolster player numbers.

“We’ve had come-and-try days at the start of the year, those numbers have helped us - there are a whole heap of new kids who haven’t played the sport before,” he said.

“A lot of cricketers have come over because cricketers use the same type of skillset - hitting a ball, throwing a ball, catching a ball, so those kids who play cricket but don’t play footy or soccer have come over to baseball.

“We had so ball over the summer, we played a bit in the Albury Wodonga competition, so there’s starting to be a bit of a resurgence of so ball in Wangaratta, that’s helped with our female participation.”

A er a strong showing in the 2024 season, the Rangers will be hoping to take home silverware in every grade, a re ection of how far the club has come in a few short years.

“We won A grade last year,

won B grade last year, and played nals in C grade but didn’t take home the chocolates, so we’re just looking to capitalise on that again this year,” Godenzi said.

“We’ve recruited well, we’ve got a few past players returning which is good for our senior ranks.

“In 2017, we had two sides, an A and a B grade side - now we’ve got ve senior sides and four junior sides, so it’s going well.”

The season kicks o with round one at Targoora Park on Sunday, 27 April, with the Rangers playing a derby in all grades bar C grade, who will host Bears.

For more information about the club and training times, visit Wangaratta Rangers Baseball on Facebook.

Stawell heartbreak for Bella

IT was a tough time for local runner Bella Pasquali at the 2025 Stawell Gift over the Easter long weekend. The talented teenager and 2023 Women’s Gift champion did not progress past the semi-finals in the 120m race, and came seventh in the final of the 400m event.

Pasquali entered the meet in PB form, and looked good, coming second in her 400m heat o a 1m mark with a time of 53.973 on Saturday. She was also running well in the Gi heat, winning through to the semis o 2.75m with a time of 14.066. In the 400m nal on Monday, Pasquali was the backmarker, and ran the race well but was not able to catch eventual winner Sophie Stokes.

Senior and junior hockey now in full swing

By NATHAN DE VRIES

WHILE the senior hockey competition has been rolling for just shy of a month, this weekend, the juniors are let loose on the eld.

Hockey Albury Wodonga will commence their junior season alongside the return of the seniors a er taking the Easter weekend o last week, and Wangaratta Dragons could not be more excited.

The club has six junior squads, seven if the under 10s development side is included, and healthy numbers have been present throughout the preseason period.

Dragons president Daniel Warner said the enthusiasm from the juniors ahead of their season was incredible to see.

“The juniors have been looking at a lot of the seniors playing and saying ‘why can’t we play?’,” he said.

“We’ve got an amazing club culture, the juniors are super excited to get on the eld.

“We’ve had a few of the older juniors, the under 14s and under 16 girls stepping up and they’ve played a few games for the senior women’s team already this season, which is really good, they’ve had a bit of a pre-start to the season and a couple of warm-up matches which is good.

“We’ve got under 12 boys, we’re tracking well but still a bit short on players so it’d be good to get another couple of under 12 boys down to the eld to have a run.”

The staggered start to full competition in the league allows clubs to get their feet under them from an administrative perspective, rather than a full-blown panic in round one.

“Sometimes it’s good because you get to stagger the starts of the two different competitions – if it all starts on

the same weekend, on the same day, it can be quite a nightmare trying to coordinate,” Warner said.

“It can get a bit hectic and a little overwhelming if they all start at the same time, but the seniors have got their act together because they’ve already had three rounds, they know what their teams are doing, they’re sorted, all the admin work has been done.

“This weekend, we can just focus on the ve junior teams who are playing this weekend, get all the administrative stu done for them, get their shirt numbers, teams entered, all new managers and coaches organised and coordinated.”

While the under 16 girls will have to wait an extra week to pick up their sticks and engage in competition, with the bye rst up, the ve other junior teams and three senior squads are ready to play.

“We’ve got ve games in Wangaratta on Saturday, one game in Albury on Saturday, a game in Wangaratta on Sunday and a game in Albury on Friday night,” Warner said.

“It’s a pretty full-on weekend this weekend – I’ll try to work out if it’s fortunate it’s a long weekend to give us a chance to get on top of it or whether it’s going to be a nightmare because it’s a public holiday on Friday.

“It’s all about getting kids involved, people involved and parents involved in volunteering and helping out, just creating an atmosphere where everyone is welcome, that’s one of the things we pride ourselves on.”

Hockey is on at the Cathedral College eld from 8.30am on Saturday, with junior and senior action on the cards.

Pasquali started well back in her Gi semi- nal, coming o a mark of 2.75m. She was closing the gap on the pack, but with about 10m left to race, Pasquali pulled up suddenly and gingerly crossed the line last.

Cameras captured Pasquali gripping her right upper leg, visibly grimacing in pain as she walked out of shot.

Pasquali’s mother, Anna, said scans had con rmed Bella had pulled her hamstring “quite badly” in the race.

“She was meant to head to China for the world relays [World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 2025] in two weeks, so that’s no longer on the cards,” Anna said.

“She’s looking at 12 weeks, but we don’t know for sure.”

The Women’s Gi was won by Bree Rizzo running o scratch in a time of 13.521.

BACK IN ACTION: Lily Radnor and the junior Wangaratta Dragons commence their season this weekend.

READY FOR THE PITCH: Under 15 Rangers Kazu AndersonOhata, Darcy Sanders, and Zac Williamson can’t wait for the first pitch of the 2025 NEBA season.

Every club should have one

Wangaratta

By SHANE DOUTHIE

IT’S one thing to reach a major milestone on-court as Bree Schutt will do this weekend in her 250th Ovens and Murray netball game.

Most of those have been in B grade, but when your teammates and the entire club heap as much praise on Bree for her o -court involvement, you know we are talking about a rare sporting gem indeed.

Chosen as an Optus O&M Unsung Hero, Bree was described by Hawks 17 and under netball coach Mina Lamb as the “epitome of what it means to be a Wanga-

Rovers

netballer Bree Schutt celebrates 250 games this week

ratta Rover - she’s loyal, she’s passionate, she’s a good netballer and rst and foremost she’s a great human being.”

Renowned for taking on any job that needs to be done, from player rosters and helping out in the canteen or getting involved in the junior program, Bree credits her work ethic to her parents Lionel and Michelle.

“Mum and dad have always been in involved in sporting clubs,” Bree said.

“Mum has been my biggest role model, she was always involved in di erent jobs around the club.

“It taught me when you do join a club you need to give it

everything you’ve got.

“When you’re young you probably don’t appreciate the e ort made by your coaches and other volunteers.

“That’s developed in me over the years.”

Bree started at the Rovers when she was in year 11 in 2009, ‘kicked’ out of the car she said by her dad who told her she “needed to go out there and be better at netball.”

“I also had some friends playing there and a coach who asked me along,” Bree said.

“It’s always been the friendships that’s kept me involved.

Alice’s wonderland with debut win

By STEVE KELLY

LOCAL apprentice jockey

Alice Kennedy has scored a scintillating debut career win at her rst race meet with a victory on Rocket Tiger at Benalla on 14 April.

She steered the six-yearold gelding to her rst win in emphatic style a er pushing the button at the 200m, swooping the front runners in the 1206m 3YO+ BM64 to win by 0.75 lengths.

Kennedy said Rocket Tiger jumped well and was in a spot her and Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne wanted him

to be as he’s a horse that can get on the bridal.

“We wanted to have him o the bridal, nice and relaxed and when it came to push the button hopefully he let down well and he let down wonderfully and won the race,” she said.

“At the 400m we came out wide around the eld about six to seven lengths o them, and down the straight he made up all that ground.”

It was Rocket Tiger’s rst win since August last year, but he has been knocking on the door with two consecutive seconds at Wangaratta

and Sandown in March, and a sixth at Cau eld on 5 April.

Kennedy had already put in a solid performance earlier in the day, holding onto a second place in a 1406m 3YO+ BM58 aboard Brisbourne trained Torn, nishing ve lengths behind Biden Time that bolted it in from the 200m.

The 18-year-old has been an apprentice with the Brisbourne stable for more than two years and was thrilled to get her rst ride and win after about 200 jump outs and 60 trials.

“I just want to remain con-

sistent, as all us apprentices know that you can hit a rough patch where you can’t get any rides,” she said.

“I’m just hoping I stay with Ben and keep getting opportunities and have a successful career and progress into town.

“Ben is one of the best for apprentices as he puts you on and gives you opportunities.”

Her colleagues, Hannah Edgley who was a former apprentice with Brisbourne has been super helpful, as has Hannah Le Blanc.

“Some of the seniors o er helpful advice which is really appreciated,” she said.

“I’ve met so many wonderful people at the club.”

Bree said the club’s junior program had proven highly successful with players graduating through the grades at club level and beyond.

“We now have some who have gone on to play in major competition in Melbourne; I never imagined that was possible when I started,” she said.

“We have really strong juniors coming through now, they’re not quite there yet but they’re the future for the club.

“Unfortunately we lose a lot Melbourne, to university, but we hope and want eve-

ryone of them to come back and play.

“I do have a special passion for helping out in the juniors, maybe it comes from being a teacher.

“When I see kids learn something new it brings me joy.”

Bree said she may not meet the 500 game milestone Rovers footballer Brodie Filo achieved a few weeks back, but she’s certainly not done yet.

“It’s in my blood a little bit; my dad played over 400 games, mainly in the O&K.

“And like Brodie, I’ve always been t and healthy which makes it easier.”

Twin City Wanderers an opportunity for building Devils

By NATHAN DE VRIES

THEY’RE rested, they’re ready, they’re working hard on the track, and now it’s time for the Devils to bank some points.

The Easter long weekend allowed Wangaratta City’s senior men’s side to take stock of the season to date, recover from their e orts, and plan their next moves.

The Devils sit eighth out of the 11 teams in the division one men’s competition, with a record of 0-3-1.

Senior men’s coach Vitaly Leschen said the week break was well needed.

“I think the week o came at a good time - training numbers over the last couple of weeks have been very good, and I think that shows where the boys are at with the season, with the sense they want to get out what they put in,” he said.

“I’ve still had 30-plus at training over the last couple of weeks, so we’re pretty happy with that.

“Results have been what they are, I harp on about it but we said a er ve games we’d know where we’re at, and that’s alright, we’ll build from there.

“I think the most impressive thing from the boys, it’s buying in, getting down to training, we’re one squad through thirds to seniors, that’s really created a positive environment where everyone seems to want to be around.

“In terms of the seniors, I’ve spoken to a couple of the older lads over

the last couple of weeks to get their thoughts on where we’re at, if anything’s going wrong, what we can do.

“In general, the senior, experienced boys are pretty positive about where we’re at, they know we’re building but they see a lot of potential, and think once we click and gel we’ll kick on from there.”

The next three weeks are crucial for the Devils, with a pair of opportunities to bolster con dence before challenging the top end of town.

This weekend’s opponent, Twin City Wanderers sit 10th overall with a goal di erence of -44, having conceded 24 more goals than the Devils.

“We’ve got a couple of games coming up that are very winnable, and I expect to win them, then we go into a couple of games against Hotspurs and Myrtleford who look like they’re going to be the two teams to beat,” Leschen said.

“We’ve got three weeks to get the fundamentals right like shape before going into two games which will really challenge us, which will be good.

“We’ll look at the next few games, see what I think we can achieve, then reassess a er that.

“It’ll be a good chance for the boys to get some con dence under their belt and build a er a couple of weeks.”

The senior Devils take on Twin City Wanderers at Kelly Park from 3pm this Sunday.

The division one women’s side has the bye.

THRILLING RIDE: The smile says it all for Alice Kennedy as she swoops the field for her debut win on her first day of riding.

GOLDEN CHANCE: Brody Tyres and the Devils enter a winnable match against Twin City Wanderers this Sunday.

PHOTO: Kat De Naps Photography

HAWKS HEART AND SOUL:

Bree Schutt will reach the 250 game milestone this Saturday.

Monster round of O&K netball on the cards MATCH PREVIEWS

A TRULY massive round of A grade Ovens and King netball is on the doorstep, with some incredible matches on the cards.

All eyes will be on Pioneer Park on Saturday, when Bright hosts reigning premiers Bonnie Doon in what’s sure to be a thriller.

Bright has been arguably the biggest improver this season – a er nishing eighth last year, they managed to knock over Greta and Whorouly, who both made nals last season.

Their defensive pressure is something to behold, and their transition from defence into o ence can leave other teams in their dust.

Despite the loss to Tarrawingee, who sit undefeated on top of the ladder, Bright will fancy themselves able to hand the current premiers their second loss of the year.

For their part, Bonnie Doon is rapidly gelling a er a slew of changes from the world-beating team last year, and if they get momentum on their side, they’ll be tough to stop.

Elsewhere, Moyhu are at home to King Valley, with both sides eager to nd some form.

The Roos are yet to record a victory in 2025, and Moyhu is coming o their rst, making for a high-stakes clash early in the season.

King Valley will look to lock down in their defensive end, having conceded on average 47 goals per game this year.

Demons without Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan for one-off game, sportsman’s night still on

■ From back page

“We come up against a tough opposition with one of the best local product forwards that’s come out of the area in the last 20 years, and we’ve got to be able to stop their mid eld so ‘Juice’ [Newton] doesn’t get on the end of a few.

“Those who haven’t watched Ovens and King football before probably need to come out and have a look, the standard of the senior football can be exceptional, and we’re hopefully going to showcase it on Saturday.”

For their part, the Demons will be tough to beat, with stars at either end of the ground.

“There’s a real even structure in that mid eld now that we haven’t had the last couple of seasons, we’ve cra ed Brady Bartlett into a full forward who seems to be excelling at that role,” Graham said.

“The backmen, they’re like good bottles of red wine - Mick Batey, Rick Petts, Josh Owen, they’re just getting better and better with age.

“We need to get the jump on Whorouly this weekend and see if we can put a little bit of a gap on them - we know once they click in the second half of the season,

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

For Moyhu, their transition into attack from a turnover will be a critical part of the game plan.

It’ll be a blockbuster at the Milawa Recreation Reserve, where the Demons play host to the Whorouly Lions.

The Dees have only gone down once, a thrilling twogoal a air at Tarrawingee, but there’s a reason they’re considered one of the benchmark sides of the competition.

Whorouly will be looking to relaunch into their season, having taken the bye over the Easter long weekend, and will bring their iron-clad defensive structures to bear against the formidable shooting power of Milawa.

Over at Goorambat, the Bats come up against a lively Benalla All Blacks squad who will be looking to start climbing the ladder.

The Bats have been quite impressive under new coach Olivia Ryan, and are, along with Tarrawingee, as yet undefeated.

To close out the round, North Wangaratta are at home to Tarrawingee in a ‘top plays tail’ match-up.

While the Bulldogs will be heavy favourites, the Hawks will aim to surprise the frontrunners with some scintillating netball and cra y skills.

they’re going to be coming like a freight train.”

Following the match, the club will host Swan at a sportsman’s night at the Wangaratta Turf Club, which Graham said would be an event not to be missed.

“We’ve sold 200-plus tickets to the night already, and there are still tickets available that we’d love for people to grab a hold of, the space can still cater to another 40-50 people,” he said.

“It’s going to be a cracking night, Swanny’s probably got an hour onstage of information, we’ve got an hour on canapes and drinks to start the night, a main meal, Gus McLeod from O&M Live and Ace Radio is going to emcee the night for us.

“We’ve got former player and local stock agent Justin Keane to run an auction for the night, we’ve got about 18 memorabilia items that will be auctioned o on the night, so there’s going to be something for everyone.

“Once that’s all over there’s a DJ from 9pm to see everybody out for the evening.”

Milawa hosts Whorouly this Saturday, 26 April, with junior footy from 8am, reserves from 12pm and the senior hit-out from 2pm.

CLIPPED WINGS: DANE SWAN, PICTURED IN PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL CREATED BY MILAWA FNC, WILL NOT PLAY THIS WEEKEND, BUT WILL STILL BE AT THE GROUND MINGLING WITH SUPPORTERS. PHOTO: MILAWA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

JUICE IS LOOSE: Michael Newton will make his return a er serving a two-match suspension.

PHOTO: Nathan de Vries

 CONSISTENT FORM: Matilda Taylor and the Hoppers will look to back up their win over Greta when they take on King Valley.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

Lest we forget: Magpies host Saints in ANZAC Day thriller MATCH PREVIEWS

ANZAC Day holds a special place in Australian culture and identity, and is almost as de ning as our love of sport – there’s no better day on the calendar to compete shoulder to shoulder with your mates.

This Friday, 25 April, ANZAC Day, Wangaratta Magpies host Myrtleford at the Wangaratta Showgrounds in what’s sure to be a blockbuster showdown between two proud and talented sides.

For the Magpies, the match represents the chance to continue their unbeaten streak to 4-0.

A er a gritty and courageous win over Yarrawonga by 11 points last weekend, Magpies coach Jason Heatley said the side was travelling well, but could always improve.

“It was a tough game with the di erent dynamics of the ground,” he said.

“The game was played in tight, Yarra were very contested and very physical, and we expected nothing di erent, to be fair.

“I think we’ve been really even, that’s been really important across the whole group.

“We’re trying to play the way we want to – we put a lot of work into the opposition, we’ve had some really good

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

games, really good arm wrestles, and we’ve been able to stand up.

“Prevailing is great at the end of the day, but we come away fromevery game with plenty to work on.”

One of the major sparks for the Magpies has been midelder Alex Federico, who has been named in the best in each of their three matches so far.

“He’s the ultimate professional team man, he’s the teammate you want to have,” Heatley said.

“He’s very caring and sets really good standards, then on game day you get Alex the competitor, the Alex that’s driven and gives himself every opportunity to perform.

“While he might’ve been in the best in the three games, I still think his best footy’s coming, so that’s exciting.”

Up against the Magpies is a strong Saints out t who will be eager to post a huge win.

The Saints fell to Lavington last weekend a er dominating Wodonga Raiders in round one, and will be looking to bounce back.

Myrtleford will be without

star player Lachy MurphyDale, who sustained a broken jaw in a marking contest against the Panthers, and looks to spend the next 12 weeks out of the game.

Heatley said the signicance of ANZAC Day would be rst and foremost in the minds of the players, who he felt would stand tall against the Saints.

“The rst thing we need to do is to respect the day, respect why we’re there,” he said.

“Once we get past that, we need to respect tour opponent.

“We’re anticipating they’ll want to bounce back o the back of last week.”

The Magpies take on Myrtleford at the Showgrounds on ANZAC Day, Friday, April 25. Elsewhere, Rovers take to the eld on Saturday at home against an undefeated Lavington Panthers out t.

ANZAC Day schedule

Reserves – 1pm. Seniors – 3pm (ceremony just prior to senior match).

Thirds – 5.40pm.

Netball:

15&U – 1pm.

17&U – 2.20pm. C grade – 3.40pm. A grade – 5pm. B grade – 6.20pm.

Rovers and Magpies ready to bounce back

By SHANE DOUTHIE

IT’S a rare double bill this weekend as Wangaratta Rovers and Wangaratta Magpies both have home games.

Both A grade netball teams are coming o losses and face tough opponents again this week with the Magpies on Friday facing Myrtleford, who will be extremely desperate to open their account for this season, and the Hawks on Saturday up against Lavington, who rolled Myrtleford last round.

Rovers coach Gracie Reid comes back into the side a er a brief sojourn in Bali last week and is con dent her side will make a good account of themselves.

“We’ll be back at full strength and ready to give it our all this week despite the absence of Sophie Hatzismalis and Kelsie Wilson,” Reid said.

“This week, our focus is on regrouping and re ecting on our last two games.

“It’s a chance to look at how we can better stick to our game style, stay connected as a team, and bring a consistent four-quarter e ort every time we step on the court.

“I know Lavington are a relatively new team with a new coach, but they’re never a side to take lightly.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and a solid hit-out against them.”

Reid said her players have shown they have what it takes to play at this level, it was just a matter of developing the team mentality a bit further.

“This year, every player on my team has stepped up and shown what they can do individually - and they’ve been playing some great netball,” she said.

“But the reality is, we won’t win with individual brilliance alone.

“Our focus now is on coming together, playing as one unit, and becoming a team that’s hard to beat.

“It’s no secret that Rovers still have a way to go, but I truly believe I’ve got the right group this year to put some wins on the board.

“Across every part of the courtdefenders, midcourters, and goalers - we’ve got real talent.

“Now, it’s about guring out how that talent clicks into a strong, united seven.”

Reid said the club was fortunate to have a strong leadership team in the netball program.

“My captains, Mik (Mikaela Trethowan) and Briony (Simpson) as well as Bec (Kreltszheim) and Kara (O’Donohue), have all demonstrated love, passion, and determination for this team,” she said.

“And honestly, if a leader doesn’t show these qualities, then what are the young players looking up to?

“It’s their example that sets the tone for everyone - leading with heart and commitment is what drives the whole team forward as well as the club.”

Wangaratta Magpies kick o the long weekend on ANZAC Day, with the netball starting at 1pm with the 15 and under game while the A grade match against Myrtleford will be at 5pm.

PHOTO: Marc Bongers

2025FootyTIPPING AFL

2025FootyTIPPING AFL

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The AFL has launched its new Concussion Hub! This centralised hub includes a suite of resources for community coaches, umpires, players, volunteers, and parents/guardians to brush up on their concussion smarts. It’s a fantastic initiative to ensure everyone involved in the game is well-informed about concussion management and safety. Scan the QR code below to access more information and resources.

THE FOOTY PULSE

THE WEEKLY FOOTY WRAP UP

The Toyota Good For Footy Ra e is back for the 2025 season! Last year, North East Border raised over $30,000 through this program. This year, you have the chance to win a brand new Toyota car while helping your club raise funds for their projects and initiatives at no cost. Check if your club is participating by scanning the QR code below, and if not, encourage them to register. It’s a win-win for everyone involved! TOYOTA

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY - CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME!

CDS Victoria o ers community football clubs a fantastic opportunity to raise funds while making a positive impact on the environment. Clubs interested in fundraising can register to become a donation partner and receive payments from members. For more information and to register as a donation partner, simply scan the QR code.

GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO YOUR CLUB VOLUNTEERS!

Do you know a volunteer, coach, or umpire at your club or Auskick Centre who has made a positive impact?

Nominate them now by scanning the QR code, and they could receive a $50 Apco Service Stations voucher as a token of appreciation for their dedication.

ANZAC DAY

AT THE NORM MINNS OVAL

Remembering former champions who made the ultimate sacrifice

2-PAGE FEATURE PAGES 16-17

Football 1pm Reserves

2.45pm RSL representative to recite The Ode 3pm Seniors

5.40pm Thirds Netball: 1pm 15 and Under; 2.20pm 17 and Under 3.40pm C Grade; 5pm A Grade; 6.20pm B Grade

HONOUR

THE FALLEN

Magpies captains Hannah Grady and Jackson Clarke will lead their teams into the fray in their ANZAC Day matches against Myrtleford on Friday. A small ceremony will be held just before the senior football match at 3pm at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.

 Match previews page 33.

Swanny sidelined

Demons without Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan for one-o game, sportsman’s night still on

IT was touch and go for a while there, but unfortunately Dane Swan has been ruled out and will not play for Milawa this weekend.

Swan will still be at the ground from 11am and will help with the coaching of the under 17 Tigers squad in their junior match against Imperials before the reserves.

Announced by the club back in January that the 2011 Brownlow Medallist and AFL Hall of Famer would play a one-o game for the Demons, excitement has been

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

steadily building for months, but an unexpected spanner was thrown into the works just last weekend.

Swan was playing a match for Wagga Tigers on Good Friday against Coolamon, when in the rst quarter he su ered a hamstring injury and did not retake the eld.

Although scans con rmed it was not a full tear and Swan was back jogging on Monday, ultimately the decision was made not to play.

Milawa senior coach Matt Graham said while it was disappointing the community wouldn’t see Swan in action, he would still be around and chatting with supporters.

“At the moment we would say he’s not playing, but he will be at the ground from 11am,” he said.

“He’s going to be part of the

under 17 Tigers coaching team, he’s going to be mingling with the supporters.

“Either way, we’re going to have Dane Swan Day at Milawa, but it looks unlikely Swanny will get up to play but he’s doing everything possible to get there.”

Despite Swan not playing in the game, the match has all the makings of a blockbuster.

The Lions have started the season well and are fresh o the bye, and they’re determined to

knock over the Demons no matter who they’ve got on the park.

High-pro le signing and Whorouly coach Michael Newton is set to make his return a er his two-match suspension, and the Lions have been training the house down preparing for the match

“I think it’s going to be a very high-standard game,” Graham said.

“There’s going to be some big marks, some really good passages of play.

■ Continued page 32

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

 BERT ‘HERBIE’ EWING’S ENLISTMENT PHOTO.

 NORM LE BRUN’S ADF PHOTO.