TODAY
13o
Fog then sunny
15o 15o 17o SAT
SUN
Weekend Edition
MON
Friday, June 20, 2025
edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
wangarattachronicle.com.au
$2.00 inc GST
TIME FOR A DIP
Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre staff members (from left) Jaimie Field, Gracie Reid and Paul Barker test the water in the outdoor pool as they prepare to host this Sunday's Big Freeze event. Kicking off at 1pm, the afternoon will offer a range of icy activities aimed at raising funds and awareness for the FightMND campaign spearheaded by Neale Daniher. Story page 3
Chamber still keen on free parking in CBD Page 3
Bishop: You gotta have faith
PHOTO: Simone Kerwin
Page 7
Taking on the big guns
Sport
STOP THE ABUSE Police urge community to report crimes against elderly
WANGARATTA police are calling on community members to report elder abuse, with new data revealing physical assault is the most common form of elder abuse. The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows reports of elder abuse victims aged over 65 has increased 18 per cent in the year to December 2024, with 7002 reports statewide 1211 were physical assaults. Senior Sergeant Mick Mannix of Wangaratta police urged anyone who know or suspect an older per-
BY JORDAN DUURSMA
jduursma@ nemedia.com.au
son is being abused to come forward and make a report to police. “We are seeing elder abuse often carried out at the hands of someone the victim should be able to trust such as a family member, friend or even a paid carer – and it needs to stop,” he said. “Whether it’s physical abuse perpetrated against older people – such
as hitting, kicking or pushing – or psychological manipulation and intimidation such as threatening to put an older person in an aged care home if they don’t do as demanded – the crime will not be tolerated. “All of these forms of abuse fall under the umbrella of family violence and should be reported to police because any attack on an elderly person or any other vulnerable person within our community is completely unacceptable. ■ Continued page 2
We are seeing elder abuse often carried out at the hands of someone the victim should be able to trust such as a family member, friend or even a paid carer – and it needs to stop. Senior Sergeant Mick Mannix
www.rjsanderson.com.au Wangaratta Ph: (03) 5721 7002 | Albury Ph: (02) 6023 5524 | Myrtleford Ph: (03) 5752 2666 | Corowa Ph: (02) 6033 2233 | Rutherglen Ph: (02) 6032 7522