SUPPORT agencies came together in Wangaratta showcasing a suite of services available for older residents. Pictured are the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation Ovens Murray were Marlane Davis, Sakina Babia and Margaret Murray. Seepage 5 for more stories on aged care including a search for volunteer visitors, and Indi MP Helen Haines’ request for more funding for regional-based Home Care Packages.
AN objection will be lodged against the Meadow Creek Solar Farm by the Rural City of Wangaratta Council if councillors move a motion recommending it on Tuesday night.
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
catchment considerations; biodiversity and protection of native vegetation; and traffic management and drainage.
development of the facility itself and for access upgrades and the installation of the transmission lines.
important for the retention of habitat.
A recommendation to make a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning objecting to the issue has been made by a council planning department officer on the basis the development is not located in a suitable location.
A broad range of objection topics include protection of agricultural land; appropriate siting and land use compatibility; rural landscape character and facilitation of tourism; water
The application is for a 566-hectare site in Meadow Creek and will involve the loss of more than 2ha of native vegetation, including 33 large trees.
The removal and losses include both direct removal and consequential losses associated with the
State and local policy seeks to ensure that applications for the removal of native vegetation demonstrate that they have sought to avoid and minimise vegetation losses.
Further, local policy also seeks to protect scattered paddock trees as they are
For example, leading objector and nearby resident Jess Conroy snapped a photo of a rare golden brushtail possum near the site on Friday.
Are endangered or protected species have been known to live in the area.
The possible objection by council comes after it decided earlier this year to appeal
legislation that allows the State Government to fast-track renewable energy facilities, and to support the protection of agricultural land.
Meanwhile, Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy and shadow minister for planning James Newbury met with about 80 locals at the Bobinawarra Hall, encouraging them to make a submission to the application last Friday.
■ Continued page 3
EMERGENCY services responded to reports a tree had fallen on a tent and vehicle in Kevington on Saturday morning.
The large tree had fallen at a campground near Eildon-Jamieson Road at about 3am.
The 27-year-old Bayles man died at the scene.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
By SIMONE KERWIN
TWENTY-six years after the inaugural Monaro Nationals event was held in Wangaratta, the rural city is set to host the 2024 gathering, with the motto ‘Monaro is Back’.
An estimated 271 Holden Monaros will be on display at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday, October 26 in a show and shine event which will be open for public viewing from 10am to 4pm.
There will also be displays at the Showgrounds from the Rod and Custom Club and the Early Holden Car Club, along with market stalls and a range of food trucks.
Admission to the event will be $10 adults and under 18s free, with parking available on the day for non-entered Monaros at a cost of $20 (payable at the gate entry between 7.30am and 9.30am on the day).
The October 26 show and shine event will be part of the third day of the Monaro Nationals event, which is expected to draw close to 500 people to Wangaratta for a weekend of activities in the district.
It will be hosted by Monaro Club Victoria, which is excited about bringing the gathering back to the city where it was
THE MONAROS ARE COMING: Monaros drawn from across Australia will converge on Wangaratta between October 24 and 28 for the Monaro Nationals, with a show and shine open to the public to be held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday, October 26.
first held in 1998.
“We have attendees coming from Australia-wide, many of whom only get to reunite every two years for this biannual event,” Marlene Rowe from Monaro Club Victoria said.
“Some of our entrants attended the first Monaro Nationals event, which started as a trial run in 1998 in Wangaratta to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first Monaro made.
“That first event was a huge success, with 300 Monaros attending, and led to subsequent Monaro Nationals being held in Wangaratta in 2000 and 2002,
before it was hosted by Bathurst in 2004, which heralded a state-by-state allocation of hosting the event every two years somewhere in Australia.”
The most recent nationals were held in Queensland’s Toowoomba in 2022.
This year’s event will kick off on Thursday, October 24 with registration and scrutineering, followed by an entrants meet and greet at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, October 25.
After the show and shine at the Showgrounds on Saturday,
October 26, there will be an informal cruise around Wangaratta from 6pm. Sunday, October 27 will feature a driving event at Winton Motor Raceway from 9.30am to 2.30pm, which will also be open to the public, with the national presentation dinner to be held for entrants that night.
On Monday, October 28, the nationals will wind down with a farewell cruise poker run leaving from the Wangaratta airfield.
For more information about the Monaro Nationals, visit www.monaroclubvic.com.au.
THE Illoura Aged Care Kitchen Garden, a project that has brought joy, engagement, and fresh produce to the Illoura residents has officially opened.
The project was made possible by a $65,000 grant received through the Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS) and Community Kitchen Garden Initiative.
The garden is designed to be accessible and welcoming for all residents, with wheelchairfriendly paths and seating areas.
It’s filled with herbs and vegetables like snow peas, strawberries, cabbages, beetroot and onions, which residents help grow and enjoy in their homestyle meals.
This space offers a calm place to relax and a way for residents to stay connected with nature and each other.
Northeast Health Wangaratta executive director clinical governance, aged care and education, Michelle Butler, shared her thoughts on the positive impact the garden will have.
“The kitchen garden gives our residents the opportunity to nurture and maintain a space that feels very much like the gardens they would have tended to at home,” she said.
“It’s more than just growing vegetables; it’s about reconnecting with the land, staying active, and engaging in something that provides both purpose and pleasure.
“They get to enjoy the fruits of their labour with delicious, home-style meals made right here from the produce they’ve grown.”
Kate Marshall, director of nursing at Illoura, said gardening is known to enhance physical and mental health.
“This space allows our residents to keep up a hobby they love, regardless of their age or mobility,” she said.
“The garden is fully accessi-
ble, inclusive, and designed for year-round use.
“It has already become a focal point for social interaction, with residents gathering to plant, harvest, and simply enjoy the outdoors together.”
This beautiful new space not only promotes independence but also plays a vital role in fostering community connections within the Illoura family.
Residents can take pride in their contribution while benefit-
ting from the therapeutic nature of gardening.
A special thank you was extended to everyone who contributed to the success of the Illoura Aged Care Kitchen Garden including Chris Welsh Landscaping and Design who played a key role in bringing the vision to life with their expert planning and execution, and Jane and the team at Wangaratta Bunnings who have contributed plants, gardening advice, and ongoing support.
Greg Lynn to spend at least 24 years in jail following murder of Carol Clay in gypyjgygWonnangatta
SUPREME Court Jus-
tice Michael Croucher was brought to tears on Friday as he reflected on the “pain and suffering” of the families of killed Wonnangatta Valley campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill.
The families were made to wait 20 months to become aware of the fate the two retirees who were reported missing in March 2020.
Their disappearance received nationwide exposure, with the remains of a burnt out campsite the only thing left to trace their secret romance back to the world.
Former pilot Greg Lynn was arrested and charged with the pair’s murders in November 2021, after becoming a suspect when a traffic camera snapped his vehicle and trailer leaving the valley the morning after the murder.
Justice Croucher cried as he acknowledged the “plight, agony and suffering” the families of the deceased had been through over the past four years, “from one
person to another”.
“To the families of both deceased, I’m terribly sorry for your loss,” he said.
“The sentence imposed is not a measure of Mrs Clay’s life, it can’t be.”
Lynn was jailed for 32 years for the 2020 killing of camper Mrs Clay as Justice Croucher laid down his findings at the Supreme Court of Victoria of the “grave example of murder”.
Lynn was found guilty of murdering Mrs Clay (73) but acquitted of murdering Mr Hill (74) by a 12-person jury panel in June this year.
Lynn pleaded not guilty to both charges of murder, arguing their deaths at Bucks Camp campsite on March 20, 2020 were an accident.
Following the pair’s deaths, the 58-year-old former pilot took action to hide the bodies in remote bushland and set them fire, while also taking multiple other measures to avoid detection until his arrest 20 months later.
Justice Croucher said
Ovens Valley MP and shadow minister for planning urge locals to make formal submission against plans
■ From page 1
They invited Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to attend the forum, however, she did not respond.
“The community has been against it for two years and all they wanted to do is get the government to listen to them,” Mr McCurdy said on Friday.
“We’ve got 14 days before the application closes and people can put in their objection - that’s why we’re encouraging everybody to put their objections in over the next 10 to 14 days.”
Ms Newbury was vocal on the removal of the VCAT appeals process with renewable energy facilities and guaranteed that if the Liberals National Coalition is returned the office this would
be reinstated.
While Mr Newbury wouldn’t comment on the details of the planning application and potential red flags as they are in the middle of the process, he said the most important red flag is that “the government won’t talk to the community”.
Tuesday night’s October council meeting will take place at the Wangaratta Government Centre chambers from 6pm.
WHERE ARE YOU?: Dozens of locals turned out to a meeting organised by Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy on Friday, one the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny was invited to, but did not attend. INSET: A rare golden brushtail possum spotted close to the site on Friday.
TRAGIC LOSS: A jury found on June 25 that Carol Clay (pictured) was murdered by Greg Lynn at a Wonnangatta Valley campsite. On Friday he was sentenced to spend at least 24 years in prison.
while he could not disclose the motive behind the murder of Mrs Clay due to the evidence given during the five-week trial, he found the killing as “violent, brutal and horrific”.
“It is a very grave example of murder,” he said.
Throughout the trial Lynn claimed Ms Clay was shot in the head while he and Mr Hill struggled over control of Lynn’s shotgun after a
dispute, most likely over Mr Hill’s drone.
He said Mr Hill died in a subsequent struggle, after a knife accidentally plunged into his chest.
Prosecutors had described Mr Lynn’s series of events as a lie and argued his actions to destroy evidence and cover up the deaths of the campers as ones made by a man who had committed murder.
Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu submitted the “grave nature” of the murder warranted a life sentence behind bars.
Justice Croucher said Lynn’s desecration of the bodies “appalling treatment” and “just a terrible thing to do”.
“He thought his career as an airline captain would be over, and that he would never be allowed to pursue his interest as a sporting shooter… so, instead of alerting the authorities, he set about doing a number of things designed to cover up these events, and to conceal
his involvement in them,” he said.
Justice Croucher said a number of the elements of the deadly fight at Bucks Camp still remained unclear, including the exact order of deaths and whether Mrs Clay’s killing was planned or premeditated.
“I am not satisfied, whether on the criminal or the civil standard of proof, either that this interaction resulted in Mr Hill’s death or of the order in which the deaths occurred,” he said.
“There are several other things that I cannot say about the circumstances surrounding Mrs Clay’s murder.”
Justice Croucher said he believed Lynn intended to kill Mrs Clay and believes the jury came to the same conclusion.
Justice C roucher said Mr Hill’s family gave evidence “with dignity” despite their feelings of “hurt and humiliation” of discovering his death and affair with Mrs Clay.
He said the loved ones of Mr Hill were left in “excruciating” legal limbo, due to the acquittal of his murder.
In a letter submitted to the court Lynn said he was “disappointed and perplexed” by the jury’s verdict and maintained his innocence, announcing he would appeal their finding.
Lynn showed his sympathy for the deceased’s families and apologised for the “pain and suffering” he had caused his family, his associates and emergency service workers who worked the case for 20 months before he admitted his crimes.
“I don’t ask for forgiveness, I am simply sorry for what I have done,” the letter read.
The 58-year-old former pilot was given a non-parole period of 24 years.
This sentence means Lynn will not be released from prison until he is at least 79 years old and he will be 87 if he serves his full sentence.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and presenter/educator Karen Kyriakou invite primary-age children on a whirlwind, musical adventure exploring Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.3. Inspired by the ruins of
FEDERAL Independent Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines wants a stronger regional focus to address key issues in aged care, as debate in Federal Parliament last week marked another step in the overhaul of the aged care system.
Speaking to the bill in parliament, Dr Haines expressed concern that the new Support at Home packages will not be large enough for regional participants, who face additional costs due to higher transportation costs and workforce shortages.
“It is important our aged care system is sustainable, now and well into the future, and this is the policy equivalent of knocking the house down and starting again,” Dr Haines said.
“For people in Indi, we have a much higher proportion of older people compared to the national aver-
age, and many people move to our beautiful towns to retire.
“This reform is crucial to their quality of life.
“Across Indi, I hear from older people who do not receive the full benefit from their existing home care packages, because the cost of travel chews up their budgets too quickly.”
Dr Haines continued her push for attention on regional transport issues during question time, asking the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells how the government will ensure regional and rural Australians won’t be disadvantaged by travel costs in delivering Support at Home care.
“The minister, in responding to my question, said the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority will advise the government on services and pricing, particularly with respect to
and
the
of
INFORMATION was accessed and knowledge was shared at the Caring and Ageing Well Festival held at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on October 16.
Representatives from a range of different organisa-
transport,” Dr Haines said.
“I will be looking at this closely to see if this delivers better outcomes for regional people.”
The aged care reforms have been developed by the Labor Government, with consultation with the Coalition and other stakeholders before legislation was intro-
duced to parliament.
The new Act will commence on July 1, 2025, with the government saying the ‘no worse off ’ principle will provide certainty to people already in or assessed as needing home care or already in residential care that they won’t make a greater contribution to their
care than they have already planned for.
Dr Haines supported expanded regulatory powers for the Aged Care and Quality and Safety Commission and the establishment of a new independent statutory complaints commissioner but said there was room to strengthen older persons’ rights and whistleblower protections.
“These were key recommendations, after shocking stories of abuse, neglect and violence were shared during the Royal Commission and in the years since. Unscrupulous providers and workers must be held accountable,” she said.
“I share concerns of some older peoples’ advocacy groups that not all rights will be enforceable and pathways for reviewing any decisions of the complaints commissioner will be limited.
“If an older person does not feel that the response to their complaint is sufficient, they should have fulsome review rights.
“We need an end to the fragmented, overlapping and inconsistent whistleblowing regime, and I want to see whistleblower protection authority created.”
The reforms are yet to pass the House of Representatives before moving to the Senate, and could face amendments in both Houses of Parliament.
Dr Haines said she will be paying close attention to implementation of the new aged care system and taking concerns to the government as they emerge.
“I speak regularly with people using aged care services, as well as workers and providers, and this will continue as the new system comes into effect,” she said.
Volunteer visitors needed to connect with elderly
By STEVE KELLY
VOLUNTEERS are desperately wanted to visit lonely or disconnected older people in the Wangaratta community.
As part of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, volunteers in the community are asked to visit a resident once a fortnight for a cuppa and a chat.
Elder Rights Advocacy volunteer visitor program officer Jane O’Brien said the valuable initiative was designed by the Federal Government to address loneliness and isolation among the older population.
tions and service providers were on hand to showcase products, provide advice and promote beneficial lifestyle choices.
The well-attended event was part of the Wangaratta Seniors Festival 2024, which runs until the end of October.
“People who are eligible are those who live in aged care facilities or are on, or waiting for, a Home Care Package.
“If they are feeling a little bit lonely or they would benefit from a regular visitor, our program recruits, trains and supports volunteers and links them up to people in their area to regularly visit them for social contact.
“It’s not support services or personal care, but rather it’s all about social connection.”
Ms O’Brien said they really need volunteers in Wangaratta as they have several referrals for people who would like a regular visitor and are feeling a bit lonely.
“We’re looking for people who are willing to commit to a visit at least every fortnight and it only needs to be for a cup of tea for an hour or so,” she said.
“They can visit them at an aged care facility or at someone’s home if they’re a Home Care Package recipient.”
Ms O’Brien said they have people who have come to their service because they’re lonely and haven’t got social connection.
There are about seven people in Wangaratta currently waiting for someone to visit them through the service.
She explained that older people can often go from living a full and active life to having lost their partner, the kids have grown up and don’t get back to visit very often, their mobility is limited and they can’t drive or even walk much.
“All of a sudden their world is reduced to waiting for whoever happens to pop in and see them,” Ms O’Brien said.
“It can really change someone’s life around from having little or no visitors to having something to look forward to each week or fortnight.
“We try and match people who have some things in common and our volunteers tell us that they really value and enjoy the relationships they form with older people and they enjoy someone who has life expe-
rience and wisdom.
“Sometimes if there is a shared interest and the recipient is well enough it can involve outings.”
Volunteers like Margarette are making a profound difference in the lives of isolated and lonely older Victorians through the volunteer visitors scheme.
Margarette, who dedicates her time to visiting Esmae, an older resident in an aged care facility, finds immense fulfillment in her role.
“After seeing how my own father was feeling very lonely in his last years, I felt I could help someone else who needed some extra companionship and happiness in their life,” she explained as the reason why she started volunteering.
“Through volunteering, I feel like I’m contributing in a small way.”
Her visits not only brighten Esmae’s days but also foster a sense of commu-
nity and connection.
“My time spent with Esmae is valuable to both of us learning more about each other and sharing life experiences,” Margarette said.
Esmae eagerly anticipates her weekly visits with Margarette.
“I look forward to these visits each week,” Esmae said.
“Having someone from outside come in and share their life with me makes me feel more connected to the community.”
This simple act of companionship provides Esmae with a renewed sense of connection and joy, highlighting the profound impact of personal interactions on wellbeing.
To learn more about the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme and to register your interest as a volunteer or refer an older person for this program, contact Elder Rights Advocacy at 1800 022 887 or visit www.elderrights.org.au.
SEVERAL stories about aged care are in today’s edition focusing on support that is out there for older members of the community; a need for extra Federal Government support in the regions; and a call out to local people who can make a real difference.
Elder Rights Advocacy has put out an urgent call to people in the community who can spare at least an hour every fortnight to visit older members of our community.
For many of our aged community, life can be very lonely due to varying circumstances.
If you have a small amount of time every week and would like to visit older members of our community living in aged care or at home and to be someone to talk to, see the article on page 5.
Indi MP Helen Haines has also addressed parliament last week expressing her concern that the new Support at Home packages will not be large enough for regional residents who face additional costs due to high transportation costs and workforce shortages.
It’s important that the government recognises that packages and services such as these cannot be based on a one size fits all model.
Support at Home packages are crucial to the quality of life of older Australians, and while support for older people has come leaps and bounds over recent decades, the geographic location of recipients must be factored in.
While wage increases for aged care staff earlier this year is welcome, it’s important that the quality of life for people who rely on government services is maintained and reviewed regularly to ensure our precious older residents are looked after.
1. Montevideo is the capital city of which country?
2. Who was the lead vocalist for the band, Hootie & the Blowfish?
3. What is the singular form of the word, paparazzi?
4. In which ocean is the Caribbean Sea located?
5. What are the two main lengths of Subway sandwiches?
6. Which one of the presidents on Mount Rushmore has a moustache?
7. What are the two main islands of the Tiwi Islands?
8. Which TV series features the mild-mannered, under-confident comic book store owner, Stuart Bloom?
9. Merv Hughes played domestic cricket for which Australian state?
10. In the Bible, who was swallowed by the great fish (whale)?
11. If you flew directly south from Portugal’s southernmost tip, which country would you reach first?
12. Who replaced Harold Holt as Australia’s Prime Minister?
13. White ants are better known by what name?
14. Who wrote the 2004 children’s book, Toad Rage?
15. What is the official language of Yemen?
16. In relation to computers, what does RAM stand for?
17. Which 2016 movie is based on the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss?
18. Mount Field National Park is a popular tourist destination in which Australian state?
19. Which sport is often called ‘chess on ice’?
20. Who was the original main star of Lord of the Dance?
FACEBOOK users this week commented on Wangaratta being left out of the State Government’s road blitz.
• Leslie Matthews: You have to wonder why we have a State member of Parliament, what’s his name again?
• Starsky Hutch: Leslie Matthews He is too busy working for country people trying to stop a solar factory going on prime farming land…..
• Leslie Matthews: Starsky
Hutch yeh righto, if you say so..
• Annee Daglish: But we spend money on that eyesore on the oxley roundabout
• Zita Heywood: Seriously?
I hope they fix The Great Alpine Rd at Everton. They have reduced speed signs in place for at least two years, and it is on a bend where there has been a serious accident previously!
• Starsky Hutch: That’s good, look at the stuff up they did on Phillipson Street a few
WHERE does our food come from?
Plants use sunlight, water, and soil nutrients along with carbon dioxide to photosynthesise.
This process harvests energy from the sun to produce plant foods.
Agricultural industries take advantage of this natural phenomenon to grow grain, wine grapes, fruit, vegetables, milk, meat, eggs, and wool.
Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using PV solar panels. This technology has been developed through studies in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry.
Electricity harvested from the sun is used for heating, lighting, and to drive the machines used in our everyday life.
This process produces no emissions compared with current fossil fuel alternatives.
I have studied agricultural science, worked across, and been actively involved in various rural industries for 57 years.
I understand the need to diversify agricultural land use due to the seasonal volatility of farm income.
Innovation and diversifying farm income is critical for sustainable farm viability.
Solar farms provide a secure farm income diversification in a changing climate. They can be effectively combined with many agriculture enterprises.
Who should decide what is the legitimate use of the energy harvested from the sun on farmland?
Few farmers regret the transition from when draught horses were used for ploughing and harvesting.
Russell Sully, Wangaratta
IT concerns me now that the government is having an inquiry into supermarket behavior.
If they had been awake from their slumber, they would have noticed that supermarket costs went up well above CPI during the COVD period but no one cared as the economy was awash with borrowed cash and interest rates were at an unrealistic low rate.
I am not defending the behavior of the big supermarkets, but other factors need to be acknowledged.
Firstly, over many decades because the government allowed some of the best vegetable growing land in Australia has been taken
NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.
years back… Facebook users this week also commented on a local laneway market.
• Brandon Joel Milky Moore: Thats because there is better wall art down there then there is on the Silo Facebook users this week also commented on the WDA looking for extra umpires.
• Mitch Giggins: Is Aac you look good in the blues, can’t wait for this weekends carnage
• Is Aac: Mitch Giggins Blue
as in umpire blue?
• Mitch Giggins: whichever you prefer Facebook users this week also commented on a free stage for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.
• Linda Simpson: The new Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues Board & Volunteers have pulled off a minor miracle in raising the Festival from the ashes. If we can all support them, they will be able to grow and thrive into the future.
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
15,008
over by developers to build houses.
The government should apologise for this lack of governance over this period like they do for other causes made before their time.
Secondly, why not investigate the cost structure in producing the goods and getting them onto the supermarket shelf.
Milk is a prime example as supermarkets seem to be able to reduce its cost to approximately the equivalent of a bottle of water.
The governments increase excise cigarettes, alcohol and costs of a raft of other services with no shame.
John Walker, North Wangaratta
THERE have been many letters written with regard the proposed solar facility at Meadow Creek (PA2403133).
We are now into our last few days to object to the inappropriate use of this 566 hectares of prime agricultural land.
This proposal contravenes the RCOW Planning Scheme and the DELWP (Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action) Development Guidelines for Solar Energy Facilities Design.
If approved, this would be one of the largest solar facilities in the state and country.
I invite your good readers to take the time to visit the site.
It is most of the land contained within three roads – the Oxley-Meadow Creek Road, Docker-Carboor Road and Allans Lane.
It is 283 times the size of the MCG, 2.5 times the size of the Melbourne CBD (Spring to Spencer streets, Flinders to La-
trobe streets) and will be the combined size of the Glenrowan Solar Farm and Glenrowan West Solar Farm, on the left hand size of the Hume Freeway heading south.
Whilst visiting the area, observe the narrow, flood prone gravel roads that access the proposed site.
Also consider the community concerns regarding environmental issues and fire safety.
The proposal suggests the fire load will be managed by sheep grazing – note that there are no sheep in sight as the land is not suitable for sheep grazing.
Local volunteer CFA members will be the first responders to any fire at or near this industrial site.
The site is also part of the catchment area that provides the drinking water supply to Wangaratta and Oxley.
Put simply, this project is inappropriate for this location.
If you need help submitting your objection, please email MACAG@yahoo.com.
Kerrie McAliece, Bobinawarrah
WE welcome your letters to the Editor. Priority is given to typed/emailed letters under 250 words. Every letter must have your full name, address and a daytime phone contact number supplied for verification purposes. Any letter may be edited for reasons of space, content or legibility. Email edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au Post Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677
The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings.
Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.
If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it.
Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.
PHOTOS: Jordan Duursma
Cherwin Kate Oyda Abordo
Cherwin Kate Oyda Abordo was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Monday, October 7 at 8:05pm and weighed 2.67kg (5lb 14oz). She is the daughter of Kate Abordo and Jason Abordo of Bright.
Lincoln Hunter Skrzeczeck
Lincoln Hunter Skrzeczeck was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Friday, October 11 at 1:08pm and weighed 3.35kg (7lb 6oz). He has three siblings and is the son of Sarah Rudebeck and Andrew Skrzeczeck of Wangaratta.
Maree Robinson
Olive Maree Robinson was born at Northeast health Wangaratta on Thursday, October 17 at 1:13pm and weighed 2.87kg (6lb 5oz). She is the daughter of Laura Gorman and William Robinson of Yarrawonga.
LOCAL emergency service agencies have been putting themselves through the ringer to prepare for what could be a “busy” upcoming fire season.
Wangaratta CFA District 23 headquarters hosted members from a variety of emergency service agencies for a simulated fire training exercise on Tuesday, turning the facility into a control centre for a simulated fire on its way to Wangaratta.
It was the third simulation the agencies have participated in this year which put members to the test in the emergency scenario where every second counts.
Acting assistant chief fire officer Steve Contessa said the collaboration of the agencies in the emergency response of a fire was vital to the success of community safety.
“It’s a fire that’s written on a day of extreme fire danger and it’s a day we could expect on any given summer,” he said.
“It’s a real environment we’re seeing here and it’s taking into consideration a number of impacts to local communities, some of our emerging risks and infrastructure that is being built into the local environment.
“It’s a great opportunity for the local agencies to come together, practice their skills, use it as a developmental opportunity or upskill in preparation for
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
what we could see as a busy upcoming fire season.
“We see some really great networking and collaboration; great ideas have come from this and it’s a brilliant opportunity for everyone who is involved.”
The simulated fire broke out at Thoona on a hot, windy summer’s day, rapidly travelling south by the hour.
An incoming westerly wind change threatened to blow the blaze towards the Hume Freeway, Warby ranges and the Wangaratta township.
Inside Wangaratta incident control centre, emergency services simulated attempts in trying to contain the fire along its eastern flank, before it hits the Hume Freeway, and keeping it out of the Winton wetlands, Warby ranges and South Wangaratta community.
CFA incident controller
Geoff Rowe said there would be around 30 tankers at the site of the fire within the first hour, with the potential of requiring 100 tankers if the fire were to go out of control.
“It’s not the conditions you’d get for a code red or a big fire danger rating day, but it’s still challenging to control a fire under these conditions, let alone if conditions get worse,” he said.
Mr Rowe said it seemed the 50 to 60 members of the emergency service agencies were working industriously throughout the simulation and seemed well prepared for the real thing.
“We haven’t had a fire in the North East for quite a few years, eventually there will be one, we’re hoping for a bit of rain to ease that pressure but it’s quite dry for this time of the year,” he said.
Mr Contessa said due to record low rainfall in the region throughout winter, the CFA were expecting an earlier start to this year’s fire season than average, with predictions restrictions would kick in by mid-November.
“We will be asking local residents and land owners to start preparing their properties, understand and refine their own plans on what to do if a fire was to impact them.”
“Summer for us is a little unpredictable this year with the forecasted weather, we do know there’s a chance of warmer weather throughout spring and that means the fuel loads out there are already dry from low rainfall.
“Once the weather dries out and becomes warmer and windier, all of those fuels will be available to burn, and we ask people to clear their properties and tidy up their homes, so the impact is less on them when it does occur.”
SEARCHING for Light, a collection of watercolour artworks by Traci J, are on display in the Benalla Art Gallery shop for the month of October.
Based in Talgarno, Traci J draws inspiration from the intricate layers of life’s journey, exploring themes that traverse the past, present and future.
In Searching for Light, Traci’s artworks illuminate the delicate interplay between light and shadow, both within the natural world and the human experience.
Water serves as an important element in her work, symbolising simplicity, survival and the continuous flow of time.
Traci’s paintings feature the diverse flora and fauna of Australia, including bees, whales, seals and native trees and flowers.
These subjects highlight the dynamic relationship and delicate balance between environment and nature.
Traci begins each piece by applying a watercolour wash to the paper, allowing the initial flow of the paint to inspire the
subject’s that emerge.
This allows her to capture the essence of the natural world.
Benalla Art Gallery director, Eric Nash, said Traci J’s light-filled works are uplifting and further testament to the artistic talents residing in our region.
“Like Traci J, many continue to be inspired by our incredible natural surrounds,” he said.
All works in the gallery shop are available for purchase with more information available by contacting the gallery or visit benallaartgallery.com. au.
WATERCOLOUR WASH: Traci J’s paintings feature the diverse flora and fauna of Australia including Bottlebrush watercolour on paper, 42 x 29.7cm.
AWARD-winning stand-up comedian and USA Today best-selling author Benjamin Stevenson will speak at the Wangaratta Library on Tuesday, October 29 at 5.30pm.
Benjamin’s books have sold over 750,000 copies in 29 territories and have been nominated for eight ‘Book of the Year’ awards.
He is the author of the globally popular Ernest Cunningham Mysteries, including Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, which is currently being adapted into a major HBO TV series.
Join Benjamin in conversation with Booktique’s Mark Bolsius at 5.30pm, as he discusses his latest release, Everyone this Christmas has a secret.
On Thursday, October 31 at 6.30pm, author Gary Davis will delve into the experiences and stories that led to the making of his novel, Tom Mortimer Pitt Street Bankers.
Gary Davis is a retired solicitor, and Tom Mortimer Pitt Street Bankers is a fictional novel based on real events; about money and how it impacts on the lives of farmers and small business owners, in an environment where privileged bankers and powerful politicians are the decision makers.
Join Gary as he delves into the experiences and stories that led to the novel’s creation; the foreign currency bank loans scheme that occurred in Australia in the 1980s, and which adversely affected approximately 4500 families.
Bookings for both events are essential and can be made via Humanitix, or contact the library at library@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or call 5721 2366.
By
THE very dry conditions have certainly continued during the first half of October in North East Victoria.
Wangaratta has received 14mm, Benalla 17mm, Rutherglen only 2.4mm and Albury 1.2mm and Yarrawonga 5.8mm until October 15. It was the driest first half of October at both Albury and Rutherglen since 2006.
The mean maximum temperature to October 16 was 22.3 degrees Celsius at Wangaratta, 23.1C at Rutherglen, 22.3C at Benalla, 24C at Yarrawonga and 23.3C at Albury; all were a degree or so above the October normal.
The mean minimum temperatures were 5.5C at Wangaratta, 7.3C at Benalla, 4.6C at Rutherglen, 6.8C at Yarrawonga and 7.9C at Albury.
All these were 1C to 1.5C below normal.
There were four frost days at Wangaratta, six frost days at Rutherglen, just one frost day in Benalla and none at Albury.
The highest temperatures during the first half of October at these towns were around 26C and 27C but 29C at Yarrawonga.
By mid October the highest temperatures have topped 30 degrees in most years at these centres.
Increasing humidity the last few days in Victoria and the southern half on NSW has resulted in scattered thunderstorm activity with light falls 5mm to 10mm mostly in the Wimmera and in the Riverina around Hillston and Wagga across to Canberra.
Pressure gradients between a high pressure system and small low centre are weak, however, a low centre deepening in the Bight region brought a surge of very hot, dry northerly winds over inland parts of South Australia, with the highest temperature reaching 42.5C at Oodnadatta almost a record high for mid October.
THE hi-tech aerial drones that EPA Victoria flies over industrial sites and pollution incidents can now sniff out air pollution too.
The state’s environmental watchdog has equipped its existing drones with a new Aerial Air Pollutant Detection & Mapping system.
It adds to existing uses, including collecting water samples, detecting hotspots and fire risks in waste stockpiles, as well as inspecting landfills, illegal dumping sites and spills.
EPA executive director operations Joss Crawford said the gas detection system provides detailed information on the move, for EPA officers on the ground.
“The sniffer drone gives us real-time gas concentrations and distributions, that will help assess total emissions from the landfill, oil and gas refinery, wastewater treatment plant or other industrial site we’re inspecting,” Ms Crawford said.
NOSE FOR POLLUTION: EPA
“The new technology also enables us to pinpoint significant sources at these sites so we can then target the real cause of pollution and direct measures to do something about it.”
The arrival of the new technology fits in with EPA’s increased regulatory focus on landfills this year.
Operators can expect more direct engagement and education, backed by strengthened monitoring and enforcement, all de-
signed to prevent typical landfill problems with gas, leachate and contamination of the land and water. The system will enable
EPA officers to measure the typical pollutants Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide (noted for its rotten egg odour), particulates
such as dust or smoke, and Methane, a common byproduct of landfills.
The collected data is fed to software that provides real-time mapping or 3D visualisation of the pollutants to pinpoint the polluting source, enabling targeted and effective intervention by EPA officers on the ground.
“Each pollutant comes with its own challenges; hydrogen sulphide creates immediate problems with odour, while carbon monoxide is a poison with no smell at all, particulates mostly affect the old, people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women and small children, and methane is a greenhouse gas associated with climate change,” Ms Crawford said.
With over 500 flights carried out across the state each year, EPA Victoria’s drones are constantly in action; detecting, mapping and sampling pollution from the sky.
“EPA’s drones give our frontline officers practical tools that make the job of detecting and stopping pollution faster and more effective,” Ms Crawford said.
1. Located in YOUR Declared Special Water Catchment Supply Area for Oxley's and Wangaratta's drinking supply
• The Wangaratta Planning scheme states that industrial development is to be avoided in the Declared Special Water Catchment Supply Area to ensure high quality water for human consumption.
• What happens if a fire destroys the site?
• The next large rain event following the fire will wash the burnt industrial waste into Oxley's and Wangaratta's water supply.
2. Environmental Overlays
• Home to the Endangered Sloane’s Froglet, Gang Gang Cockatoo, and Swift Parrot.
• Majestic mature trees will be removed which have large carbon stores and act as climate modifiers, these trees can not be replaced.
3. Strategic Prime Agricultural Land
• High-value terrestrial land which serves as habitat for fauna and flora.
• Due to the highly reliable annual rainfall and fertile soils, this type of farmland is extremely productive and has a Strategic Agricultural Land overlay.
• This land should be preserved for food production, especially considering future water security concerns.
• Solar Sites are better located on LOW-productive agricultural and LOW biodiversity land.
With Pauline Moncrieff, The Book Circle
THE October gathering of The Book Circle was held on Wednesday, October 9 and a variety of books were shared.
Fiction
This novel is one in a series about the time police, a force which has come into being to thwart time-travelling criminals.
Unauthorised time travel is banned, because of the terrible consequences that could ensue from changing history, but this does not stop people who seek to gain a great deal of money from doing it.
The time police are ruthless in their pursuit of wrongdoing, and will not hesitate to kill miscreants to avoid the destruction of history and the resulting changes which could affect life as we know it.
A gripping novel, almost believable, and thoroughly recommended.
The SevenChris Hammer
This is a gripping story of water taken from the Murrumbidgee River - its harvesting, use and trading, and most of all, the power and wealth coming from it.
The story spans 100 years, from the opening of the privately owned Yuwonderie irrigation scheme.
We see its beginning through the eyes of an Indigenous woman, a servant to one of the founding fathers.
Unusually for the time, she can read and write, and sends letters home to her mother.
Her moving story is piv-
otal to subsequent events.
Nine families were involved at the beginning of the scheme, but by 1993, 7 remained.
Trouble begins when a son of one of the families, writing an academic thesis, researches the early days of the scheme.
He and his girlfriend disappear mysteriously, presumably murdered.
Then the body of the local accountant is discovered, and a police investigation takes over.
A well-written story, with an unexpected finale.
The Edge -
David Baldacci
Travis Devine, introduced in David Baldacci’s previous novel 6.30 man, uses his many skills to investigate the murder of a highranking female CIA officer, in Putnam, Maine.Travis delves into previous deaths in Putnam, and connects events going back 15 years.
The reader is swept along by each new challenge and discovery that Travis finds.
The ‘Prince of Pageturners’ delivers yet another high-paced drama.
The Last TudorPhilippa Gregory England, 1550 CE: A tale of politics, power and collateral damage.
It is told in three parts, by three sisters: Ladies Jane Grey, Katherine Grey and Mary Grey.
All had tragic and ill-fated lives, and each tells her own story in the present tense.
The death of Edward VI, aged 16, who was Henry VIII’s successor, brings about chaotic and uncertain times in England.
Papists and Reformers vie for supreme power, because whoever sits on the throne
out Elizabeth’s permission, marries the gatekeeper of the Tower of London.
She and her husband are placed under house arrest, well apart.
He dies before she can see him again, and she goes on to live a quiet, secluded life.
The Shearer’s WifeFleur McDonald
The story starts in 1980, when Rose and Ian Kelly arrive in Barker, South Australia, on their way to an outback station so Ian can begin shearing.
Rose, heavily pregnant with twins, is worried that despite impending fatherhood, Ian remains a drifter, always on the move and taking Rose with him.
It then moves to 2020, when police swoop on Barker and make an arrest for possession of narcotics.
Detective Dave Burrowes is certain there is more to the story than meets the eye.
year investigation in which the author exposes unmitigated misery, shocking levels of neglect and rampant substance abuse in this remote community.
He also introduces Alison Anderson, the woman whose presence has so dominated Papunya and NT politics.
The NT government is shown as turning a blind eye to Council corruption and misbehaviour.
The book is a shocking exposé of many longstanding wrongs.
Mark Tregellas
A gripping memoir by a police officer who served recently in remote corners of Victoria.
He recounts many amusing incidents, and some tragic ones as well.
This would make an excellent gift, even for someone who doesn’t read much.
So You Want To Live Younger Longer - Norman Swan
In this fantasy novel, set in the real world, time travel has been made possible, and historians, each with expertise in different periods, travel back in time to major events to observe and verify them.
In this fantasy novel, set in the real time travel and each with in different travel back in time to events to observe and them.
From 11th century London to the Somme in World War I, to the Great Library of Alexandria, they are there
From 11th London to the Great of are there
will dictate the practised religion.
Lady Jane, although reluctant, finds herself on the throne, a move orchestrated by her titled father and his influential friends.
A Protestant, after only nine days she is overthrown and imprisoned by Catholic Mary I, where she was even-
to observe and take notes. Chaos follows in their wake when they must thwart time-travelling terrorists, or attempt to save burning scrolls from the Library of Alexandria. Their quests are never without risk, and not all the historians survive. This is the first in an entertaining series of novels.
Journalist Zara Ellison is assigned to investigate the arrest, but her police officer boyfriend begins to believe she is working against him.
when must thwart scrolls from the of Their quests are never without and not all an series of novels.
tually beheaded.
Then we move to the court of Elizabeth I, where Katherine Grey is a lady-inwaiting to the queen.
She too meets a sad fortune, and dies under house arrest, aged 27.
Mary Grey, another Ladyin-waiting, fails to take heed of her sisters’ fate, and with-
We eventually discover how these two events, 40 years apart, can possibly be linked.
This is an enjoyable and riveting novel.
Non-fiction
King Brown CountryRussell Skelton
This is an outback horror story, an angry book about the failure of successive Federal governments to make any difference in the aboriginal community of Papunya, despite spending huge amounts of money over many years.
Skelton’s quest began after receiving an email: ‘Why don’t you check out Papunya’.
This commenced a five-
Monday, October 20, 2014
By STEVEN BURKE
IT has some of the most pristine views between Wangaratta and Glenrowan but the roadside beside Warby Range Road is “disgusting”.
The road is a whole lot cleaner today than it was yesterday, after local resident Megan Kaye and her family made it their mission to clean the road.
Megan decided to clean the road as a fundraiser for an overseas trip she is taking at the end of the year with fellow students from Wangaratta High School.
Megan will travel to South Vietnam and will undertake volunteer work, as well as exploring the region.
And while other students are working to pay for their trip,
Megan decided to clean the road her family travels on every day, asking other residents and businesses to make donations.
“I though because this trip is something I’m doing for myself, I would do something that would help something else,” she said.
The Kaye family planned to spend yesterday working along the road between Glenrowan Tourist Park and Colson Drive.
But due to the amount of rubbish they found, an hour into their day they were still at the caravan park, with 10km of road still to cover.
“It’s pretty disgusting that people litter along this road,” Megan said.
“We’ve found a lot of beer cans, a bit of McDonald’s and just lots of random stuff.”
Online donations to Megan’s fundraiser can be made at megankaye@gmail.com.
A sensible account of ageing and the ways in which we can stay healthy for as long as possible.
The encouraging fact is that 80 is now the new 60.
Melbourne Circle: Walking, Memory And LossNick Gadd
The author and his late wife went on long walks through interesting older areas of Melbourne, taking the time to look up and find remnants of the past, including ‘ghost signs’ advertising long-gone products.
After his wife died, he wrote the book to record the places they had visited together on their wanders.
An absorbing book for those who know Melbourne, or would like to go exploring there.
OPEN Door Neighbourhood House (ODNH) is one of the 29 local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to be allocated financial support as part of the Rural City of Wangaratta’s Community Grants Program.
ODNH has received $7000 to go towards making the neighbourhood house a safe, connected and just location to visit, keeping the community and staff safe from harm and increasing a sense of inclusion and connection for everyone.
ODNH office administrator, Gady Parker, said ODNH is a community asset that is open and inclusive for all people.
“Many people experience vulnerabilities and service inequity and feeling safe to access a community asset is important for their inclusion,” she said.
“As the community is ex-
BY JORDAN DUURSMA jduursma@ nemedia.com.au
periencing higher amounts of duress than normal, with increased living pressures, there are more people coming in to our service in heightened states.
“After a recent incident of violence, mitigating the increased risk will assist in addressing our community’s safety needs.”
Providing additional measures of safety will make this community asset a more inclusive and accessible space for all members of the community.
Ms Parker said utilising this wonderful grant they have installed automatic locking doors and security cameras.
“Installing security cameras have been shown to encourage healthier behaviours and reduce inci-
dents,” she said.
“All of the measures we have taken with this project will improve engagement and rebuild trust that we are a responsive organisation, who take safety seriously, keeping people free from violence.
“We recognise people from diverse backgrounds can already experience violence and intolerance to their diversity.
“Again, standing for a place and space free from violence will increase inclusion rather than further marginalise people.
“We are very grateful to be the recipients of this worthwhile grant.”
For more information about ODNH’s services, visit http://opendoornh. org.au/ or contact ODNH via email at coordinator@ opendoornh.org.au, call (03) 5721 9175 or drop in for a cuppa and a friendly chat.
LOCAL clubs and centres continue to offer seniors in the community the opportunity to try a range of activities this week as part of the 2024 Wangaratta Seniors Festival.
Come and Try Croquet on October 22 and 24 at the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club from 1pm to 3pm, visit the Wangaratta Woodworkers in Evans Street on October 22, 24 and 26 from 9am to 12pm, or discover the Wangaratta Library’s collection of E-Books and Audio Books on October 22 at 2.30pm.
A digital mentor will also be on hand at the Wangaratta Library on October 23 at 10am and 11am to assist with your smartphone, tablet, computer or internet needs.
By JORDAN DUURSMA
AS many members of the local community are facing increasing financial pressures due to the rising cost of living, Open Door Neighbourhood House (ODNH) committee is continuing to support the community by offering a cost reduction in all their classes as a community service.
For the duration of term four, all classes at ODNH are available at the discounted rate of $10.
ODNH program and administration worker Emma Gerrett said by reducing fees for participation, the committee can ensure that these valuable services remain accessible to individuals and families who may be struggling with daily expenses.
“A discount, even a small one, makes a significant difference to those who rely on Open Door Neighbourhood House for social connection, skill development and personal well being,” she said.
“Programs like these are vital in our community and critical in fostering community resilience during challenging times.”
For more information visit http://opendoornh.org. au/ or contact ODNH via email at coordinator@opendoornh.org.au, call (03) 5721 9175 or drop in for a cuppa
and a friendly chat.
Open Door Summer Special Classes on offer include:
Beginners Computers: Will teach you to use a computer, learn keyboard and mouse skills, Microsoft Windows and Word Documents, web browsing, physical equipment and software.
Intermediate Computers: Will build upon your fundamental knowledge and skills, covering more advanced topics such as specific software and programs and will expand on your basic computer skills.
Gentle Exercise: A friendly class designed to provide a low-impact movements,
and activities that improve flexibility, balance, and mobility.
Mosaics: Discover the art of crafting stunning, personalized masterpieces using an array of coloured materials, materials and tools provided.
Tuesday Cooking: Discover the joy of creating practical and delicious meals from scratch, learn how to read and interpret recipes, budget for meals and learn new skills.
Friday Cooking: A casual cook up and a great way to meet new people and share a meal, fostering friendships and good conversations.
M&M Xtreme World of Fitness are also offering more free Body Balance and Active Ageing sessions this week.
Those with an interest in music can hear musical duo Naturally Kerley play at the Glenrowan Hall on Wednesday, October 23 from 12pm, or enjoy an evening with the MSO at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Wednesday, October 23 at 7.30pm, before Marcia Hines brings her Still Shining concert tour to the centre on Saturday night (bookings required).
On Sunday, October 27, don’t miss the Wangaratta Concert Band when it performs an afternoon of music at the Wangaratta Unit-
Try Lifeball, Yoga, Reformer Pilates, Healthy Heart or Zumba at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, with multiple sessions available this week.
ing Church Hall in Rowan Street from 2pm, with free afternoon tea provided, all welcome and no bookings required.
The finale of the 2024 Wangaratta Seniors Festival will take place when Naturally Kerley plays popular music with a country vibe at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Thursday, October 31 while everyone enjoys afternoon tea in the Memorial Hall from 2.30pm ($25 per person, tables of eight available and bookings required by October 28).
Times and booking details are in the program available online at wangaratta. vic.gov.au/SeniorsFestival or pick up a copy from council, the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre, and various post offices and stores around the region.
QUESTION: Are there any council services or projects you would look to have reduced or cut to ease pressure on ratepayers?
In recent years, substantial investments have been made in sporting venues and community gathering spaces. While I don’t see this spending as wasteful, I believe we need to shift our focus toward commercial growth. The limited availability of commercial land is a barrier to business development, and it will take time to open up more land. By attracting additional businesses and expanding housing options, we can alleviate cost pressures on ratepayers.
This needs to be considered as a part of
Not a council service, however reducing the ‘fire services levy’ for those who actively volunteer within our emergency services. Full disclosures of how funds are distributed within our municipality and the impact that cuts would have on the community to be transparent.
Increased diligence and oversight on spending which doesn’t provide adequate services to the community.
I recognise that the costs incurred by council to deliver on services and infrastructure are increasing. Without working within council, it would be premature to make comments on specific projects or services I would look to have reviewed or reduced. If elected, I will take a sensible approach to how budgets are allocated for projects and services. I will encourage opportunities for our council to partner with other councils and government agencies to share costs for the preparation of strategies and tendering for services where there is a mutual benefit.
Council needs to look at ways it can improve and build on the services it provides.
Local Government is the beating heart of regional communities.
Before making any changes, councillors need to know current figures and a financial position to assist determining what council resources or projects could be cut back, and what services and projects to invest in. I believe being briefed with essential information on projects and our council services is the key before making any decisions.
I believe we need to focus on better management of projects to avoid cost blow-outs like what we experienced with the Aquatic Centre. It’s also important that what we build or deliver reflects community needs and priorities, so strong consultation will help us prioritise future budgets and maintain services. It will also ensure residents are getting value for money and access to the facilities and spaces they need which is important in bushfire recovery as well as places for families to use in the cost of living crisis.
A very loaded question. No - nothing is currently underway, or budgeted for, that hasn’t already been available to the community for their ability to have a say in. Services exists because there is a need, and it’s not for one person to judge that need - instead a collective needs to review and consult with the community before such measures are taken. Projects are recommended by staff based on community feedback and such, and again hard to cut something without first assessing the impact of such a cut.
The continuing use of consultancy which at times is required.
But the demand on Local Government has to have a consultancy report are rather onerous on council funds is rather extreme.
• Barr Reserve could be divided into leasable units, then offered to suitable persons to operate.
Anne DUNSTAN
We must ensure the current services offered provide the best value. The council is responsible for ensuring ratepayers receive good service for their rate dollars. This entails closely monitoring and consulting with the community. We must also recognise that the council is now responsible for more than just roads, rates, and rubbish. Many costs are shifting from a state government level to a local government level, which requires the council to carefully consider the current financial position.
I would like to see projects that the community are not specifically requesting or requiring be either put aside or those resources be utilised for direct community, health and safety programs that aid the community. Those programs that are optional should be either privately funded or run in small scale with organic growth to assist the actual measured and required need for them.
The real cost to ratepayers is the number of council workers. Wages are a huge expense at council and I would certainly ask for an independent review into the number of public servants working at council and whether the number of workers at the Rural City of Wangaratta is in line with the number of workers at other municipalities.
Our Q&A series continues with all candidates in Wednesday’s edition. They will answer the following: How best can council communicate its plans, etc with the community? (Answers are restricted to a maximum 90 words)
Rubbish collection costs a lot of money, is controversial and not always necessary. Years ago, it was decreed that the urban area would receive green bins for organics but the rural areas would not. It was felt that rural areas would have their own compost heaps and wouldn’t need the service, saving money. While true for some in rural areas but not others, why not offer all ratepayers a partially funded compromise - organic worm bins. A win for the environment and a long-term cost saving with less collections.
I believe council should carefully review current spending to identify areas where savings can be made without compromising essential services. Projects like the $14 million pool need to be reassessed to ensure they provide long-term value to the community. By reducing or cutting unnecessary or overly ambitious projects that don’t serve ratepayer interests, we can ease financial pressure. My goal is to prioritise necessary improvements and eliminate wasteful spending to relieve the burden on ratepayers while still delivering quality services.
• I would generally oppose new programs and expenditure, rather than cut existing programs.
• I would require new programs and new expenditure to be specifically approved by council, to ensure they are essential.
• I will review the existing programs to see if they are delivering value for money
• I will encourage council to concentrate on its core businesses.
NOTE: Irene Grant (Warby Ward) and Harry Bussell (King River Ward) are already elected as they were the single candidates for the single vacancy in their respective wards. Those enrolled in those wards won’t need to vote. Ballot packs have been posted to enrolled voters in all other five wards. If you haven't received your pack go to vec.vic.gov.au to complete an online replacement ballot pack form. Your vote must be posted before 6pm Friday, October 25.
What principal (most important) difference will you make if elected to council?
Mark CURRIE APPIN WARD
As a councillor, my focus will be on effective governance and supporting the implementation of the Council Plan, which is shaped by both council and councillors. With my experience as a CEO and training from the AICD in governance, I bring a strong background in leadership, strategy, and most importantly, the ability to execute plans effectively.
I am committed to ensuring that council strategies are not only well crafted but also successfully delivered for the benefit of our community.
As I’ve already proven over this last eight years, I am always available, I will act with integrity, I’m there for everyone and I’m committed to helping people throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta.
Some of what I will bring to council if elected - not certain this qualifies as a ‘difference’ - will be:
- Bring a commonsense approach to decision making;
- Be transparent and informative to the community;
- Research, plan and provide oversight prior to decision making;
- Engage with community members, stakeholders, businesses and organisations.
If elected to council, my principal focus will be on ensuring that rural communities are strongly represented and equitably provided for in the allocation of budget for the delivery of services, upkeep of facilities, running of events and maintenance of infrastructure. Equally, I will also be focusing on improving governance, transparency and community engagement in order to build trust and confidence in Council’s ability to deliver on the services which the residents and businesses are seeking and needing.
Irene GRANT
As a councillor I work as part of a team – not as an individual and my focus would be on managing competing priorities to provide the best outcomes for the community as a whole.
There are often difficult decisions to make and the challenge is to see issues from a big picture perspective.
Continuing to give our younger demographic a voice. Over the last seven years, I have represented our next generation. During my terms on council, I have advocated for our young community members to become involved with council and educate our future generations on what local government is about. I understand it is essential to have a diverse group of leaders with a wide range of expertise and knowledge around the table. I will continue to bring that perspective difference when making decisions for our future.
I look forward to an opportunity to perhaps lead a different discussion, a renewed focus on current priorities and challenges.
• Communication where possible by picture and word right around our rural city.
• There will be seven councillors, and I would like their photos and communication details to be spread far and wide as a group, especially where council has committed community funds.
• This would include sporting facilities, community halls, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Glenrowan Ned Kelly facility and the list goes on and on.
I would rather say the difference if you can call it that is experience, and I believe I a have rather good connection to the whole community of the RCOW.
Communication - providing information to residents from council and providing information to council from residents. There should be no surprises, like whopping big town signs that nobody knew about and still don’t understand. Likewise, council should have a good understanding about what the issues are in each community. Council should be asking, “How can we help you?” rather than enforcing change. Communication, communication, communication!
I am a very strong advocate for RCOW and its ease of living, abilities and great facilities.
I am an incredibly supportive and passionate person who puts in immense efforts to get things done in a quick, thorough and efficient manner. My background in my professional fields and drive make me highly articulate, and the best guy to get the jobs required done.
As a long-term resident with a background in business and volunteering, I bring a practical, community-focused approach to council. My priority will be to improve council’s efficiency, ensuring resources are managed responsibly and in line with community needs. I will work to promote economic growth, particularly for local businesses, while maintaining transparency and open communication with residents. My principal difference will be a hands-on, engaged leadership style, focused on making decisions that benefit the entire community and foster long-term prosperity for Wangaratta.
Allison WINTERS
As a Yarrunga resident with a young family, I know firsthand what needs to change in the way council does business. I will bring a strong focus on ensuring the people of Wangaratta are highly engaged, that they will back council on the big decisions, and feel assured council is working for them. With strong board, governance, and financial experience, I will advocate for better communication and transparency, ensuring council services, decisions, and investment meet community needs, especially when decisions improve community wellbeing into the future.
Anne DUNSTAN
I have the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to represent our community with integrity and commitment.
I would like to improve public awareness of council responsibilities and how to effectively use the council to encourage active community participation in the decision-making process.
Fairness, truth, honesty, transparency will guide my every decision and vote. I will be a passionate advocate for those within my ward, Yarrunga Ward. I will ensure that the views of the community members within this ward are put at the forefront of all my actions and voting positions on council. No matter whether they align with my own personal views or not, so as to finally enable Yarrunga community members to have a ‘voice’ at council.
Our Q&A series continues with all candidates in Wednesday’s edition. They will answer the following: How best can council communicate its plans, etc with the community? (Answers are restricted to a maximum 90 words)
I will reduce rates for residents by helping council better manage its finances. I will do this by:
• minimising council spending by ensuring that expenditure is necessary and appropriate for council:
• helping council develop alternative income streams;
• increasing business activity and business rates income in Wangaratta.
NOTE: Irene Grant (Warby Ward) and Harry Bussell (King River Ward) are already elected as they were the single candidates for the single vacancy in their respective wards. Those enrolled in those wards won’t need to vote. Ballot packs have been posted to enrolled voters in all other five wards. If you haven't received your pack go to vec.vic.gov.au to complete an online replacement ballot pack form. Your vote must be posted before 6pm Friday, October 25.
Heavy heifers sell for $3.40/kg; feed stocks deplete, producers at seasonal crossroads y/g;p,p
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
A HEALTHY yarding of store cattle was presented at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange for the October sale on Thursday with 1650 head and heavy heifer prices raising some eyebrows.
Heavy heifers at 350kg+ made $1150 to $1380 which divided down to $3.40/kg, which Elders Wangaratta manager Kirsty Taylor said was very strong.
Heifers 300-350kg were $850 to $1120 and Euro heifers were $1000 to $1170.
And light, black heifers were anywhere between $600 and $880.
Heavy steers 350kg+ made between $1300 and $1650, while Angus steers at 300350kg were $1150 to $1360.
Under 300kg made from $850 to $1100 which was solid and Euro steers made between $900 and $1180.
There were 20 cows and calves on offer making between $1400 to $2100.
“There was a lot of feedlot competition on the heifers but there was the odd restocker/breeder order to go back to the paddock which certainly pushed those join-
able heifers along in price,”
Ms Taylor said. “It was a solid result from a good yarding of cattle and there weren’t many commission buyers present but those
that were certainly operated.
“Those who are willing to take the gamble (were buying in) but the feed is certainly running out and that’s probably forced a lot of people
to sell, potentially a little bit earlier than they would like to sell.
“This is why we saw so many cattle at this sale.”
With the drier than usual
spring the quality of fat cattle has fluctuated significantly in the last 2-3 weeks, but Ms Taylor said anything that has been fat, in a state for processing, has sold very well.
“If we don’t see a decent rain over a large area we might see higher numbers at sales continue as producers offload for the drier months,” she said.
ANTICIPATION: Blake Lobe and Jenny Mercer from Tarrawingee were looking forward to the sale.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
A FIVE-CENT cut to generic milk prices by Woolworths has been rebuked by Australian Dairy Farmers, a cut that coincided with a damning report by the consumer watchdog.
Woolworths slashed the price of one litre generic milk from $1.60 to $1.55, two litre bottles from $3.10 to $3 and three-litre bottles from $4.50 to $4.35.
Coles swiftly matched their supermarket rival while Aldi retained $1.60 pricing at the time of publication.
The peak representative body for Australia’s dairy farmers said actions by the country’s big supermarkets are pushing the sector toward a devastating milk price war for the second time.
In 2011, Coles cut the price of its home brand milk to $1 per litre.
Major supermarkets
Woolworths and Aldi followed suit shortly afterwards, accelerating the dairy industry’s decline.
Thirteen years later, after the dairy sector had made a small recovery from the original price war, Woolworths has again cut the price of its home brand milk with a claim it’s “passing on savings from its processor”.
The big supermarkets claim the price reduction has been passed onto dairy farmers, however, farmers have not seen a return at the farmgate with any form of savings made when it comes to the bottom line.
Consequently, the price of milk on supermarket shelves is now at its lowest level since 2011.
Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) is concerned a second milk price war is underway, coming at the expense of dairy farmers
and processors.
ADF president Ben Bennett said the move by Woolworths and Coles would place deflationary pressure on the farmgate, which was already hovering around the cost of production.
He said it was troubling the price slash coincided with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s interim report into supermarket behavior which alleged both major retailers had advertised “fake discounts”.
“These decisions are made without thinking about the broader industry implications for dairy farmers,” Mr Bennett said.
“The supermarkets hide behind comments saying ‘we pay our farmers well’ but ignore how a cut like this flows onto the wider industry at a time when dairy is in big, big trouble.”
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Maths Teacher (FTE 1: ongoing)
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For further details on how to apply & position description please visit our website: https://careers.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/jobs/search Job Number: 492667
About the Company: At Brown Family Wine Group, we are passionate about our quality wines and our amazing people, and we are committed to the core family values of our company - Wellbeing, Respect, Innovation and Pride in What We Achieve Together. We are a proud and passionate business who is strong on values and culture. Most recently we have identified by workplace culture authority Great Place to Work as one of the 100 Best Workplaces in Australia for 2024. We have also maintained our certification as “A Great Place to Work” for the sixth year in a row and we are committed to honouring this recognition throughout all aspects of the business.
Location: Our Winery is based in Milawa northeast Victoria and only 15 minutes’ drive from Wangaratta.
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ABOUT THE WANGARATTA TECH SCHOOL
The Wangaratta Tech School, set to launch in 2026, will be a hub of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) innovation for local students. As part of the Victorian Government’s Tech School network, it will offer cutting-edge programs designed to complement the curriculum of partner schools.
JOB DETAILS
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Programs at the Wangaratta Tech School.
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MASON
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BEACH, Neil.
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GAMBOLD, Brian. Loved brother of Marie Coulston, Uncle of Wayne and Darren, and families.
BUTLER, Joyce Margaret. 5/6/1926 – 18/10/2024
Passed away at Rangeview Private Nursing Home surrounded by loving family. Aged 98 years. Loved wife of Gordon (dec). Loving stepmother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Please see later paper for funeral details.
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For further information regarding this opportunity, please contact recruitment@gotafe.vic.edu.au
MASON, Marion Elizabeth. 27/9/1927 – 18/10/2024 Aged 97 years. The family announce the passing of Marion on October 18, 2024. Wife of Bill (dec). Mother of Richard, Miriam, Heather and Jenny. Mother-in-law of Beverley, Brian, Michael and Shaun (dec). Grandmother of nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. O, Love that wilt not let me go
OVENS VALLEY UNITED DEF BY ROVERS UNITED BRUCK
ROVERS UNITED BRUCK 1ST INNINGS
SCOREBOARD: Saturday, October 19 2024/25 season
Charith Perera run out: Glenn White ............................43
Dean Shaw lbw: James Neary.........................................5
Paddy McNamara (c) b: Fill-in .........................................3
Reid McNamara run out: Glenn White, Geeth Alwis ....11
Ryan Collier c: Geeth Alwis b: Glenn White ....................8
Jeremy Wilson (c) not out............................................20*
Lakpriya shantha Gangabadawatta Arachchilage
lbw: Gregor Fraser ............................................................4
Jacob Schonafinger not out ........................................37*
Brady Bartlett ..............................................................dnb
Daniel Jones ................................................................dnb
Charlie Lugg ................................................................dnb
Extras ...............................................................................18
Total .........................................................................6 / 145
Overs ...............................................................................40
FOW: 1-18 Dean Shaw, 2-36 Paddy McNamara, 3-61
Reid McNamara, 4-80 Ryan Collier, 5-81 Charith Perera, 6-87 Lakpriya shantha Gangabadawatta Arachchilage
Bowling: James Neary 7/31/1, Conner Forde 6/0/23/0, Fill-in 4/1/13/1, Gregor Fraser 8/0/30/1, Geeth Alwis 8/1/21/0, Glenn White 7/1/24/1.
OVENS VALLEY UNITED 1ST INNINGS
Seamus Phillips c: Ryan Collier b: Jeremy Wilson .......24
Gregor Fraser b: Jacob Schonafinger .............................1
Geeth Alwis lbw: Daniel Jones ......................................46
Dylan Bursill c: Paddy McNamara b: Charlie Lugg ......29
Noah White b: Paddy McNamara ..................................15
Conner Forde c: Ryan Collier b: Jeremy Wilson.............2
Ethan White b: Charlie Lugg ............................................1
Fill-in c: Ryan Collier b: Jeremy Wilson...........................1
Nicholas Impink b: Paddy McNamara ............................4
Glenn White not out .......................................................2*
James Neary b: Daniel Jones ..........................................1
Extras ...............................................................................12
Total .......................................................................10 / 136
Overs ............................................................................39.2
FOW: 1-0 Gregor Fraser, 2-44 Seamus Phillips, 3-102
Dylan Bursill, 4-112 Geeth Alwis, 5-127 Conner Forde, 6-127 Noah White, 7-128 Player, 8-130 Ethan White, 9-135 Nicholas Impink, 10-136 James Neary
Bowling: Jacob Schonafinger 8/2/34/1, Ryan Collier
3/0/15/0, Paddy McNamara (c) 8/2/24/2, Jeremy Wilson (c) 8/1/24/3, Charlie Lugg 5/0/14/2, Daniel Jones 7.2/1/21/2.
WANGARATTA MAGPIES DEF YARRAWONGA MULWALA
WANGARATTA MAGPIES 1ST INNINGS
Cooper Matheson (c) c: Kyle Archibald b: Angus McMillan ..........................................................................60
Nic Bonwick b: Angus Heslin .........................................23
James Thewlis c: Angus McMillan b: Matt Knight........21 Oliver Andrew not out..................................................49*
Callum Honey run out: Fraser Smart..............................3
Kyle Winter-Irving c: Sam Lidgerwood b: Van Kreeck .31
Jarryd Wallace not out...................................................4*
Rhys Grant....................................................................dnb
Matthew Prestianni .....................................................dnb
Kieran Radcliffe ...........................................................dnb
Oscar Timms ................................................................dnb
TEXTBOOK: Moksha Tamraker in actrion for Wangaratta Magpies.
FOW: 1-39 Nic Bonwick, 2-95 James Thewlis, 3-115
Cooper Matheson, 4-118 Callum Honey, 5-190 Kyle Winter-Irving
Bowling: Angus Heslin 8/1/64/1, Angus McMillan
8/2/28/1, Xavier Mitchell 5/0/20/0, Van Kreeck 6/0/31/1, Ben Welsh 3/0/5/0, Matt Knight 8/1/37/1, Kyle Archibald (c) 2 0/12/0.
YARRAWONGA MULWALA 1ST INNINGS
Ben Welsh st: Oscar Timms b: Matthew Prestianni.......3
Fraser Smart c: Callum Honey b: Matthew Prestianni ..2
Zach Moore c: Jarryd Wallace b: Matthew Prestianni ...3
Matt Knight c: Nic Bonwick b: Kyle Winter-Irving ........12
Kyle Archibald (c) c: Callum Honey b: Kyle Winter-Irving ..........................................................................................13
Sam Lidgerwood c: Oscar Timms b: Kyle Winter-Irving ............................................................................................2
Angus McMillan lbw: Kyle Winter-Irving .........................6
adam dodd b: Kieran Radcliffe .....................................15
Angus Heslin c: Callum Honey b: Matthew Prestianni21
Van Kreeck not out .........................................................8*
Xavier Mitchell st: Oscar Timms b: Matthew Prestianni8
Extras ...............................................................................15
Total .........................................................................10 / 97
Overs ............................................................................39.4
FOW: 1-0 Ben Welsh, 2-1 Fraser Smart, 3-5 Zach Moore, 4-28 Matt Knight, 5-32 Kyle Archibald, 6-32 Angus McMillan, 7-38 Sam Lidgerwood, 8-63 adam dodd, 9-85
Angus Heslin, 10-97 Xavier Mitchell
Bowling: Matthew Prestianni 5.4/2/13/5, Oliver Andrew
8/2/17/0, Kyle Winter-Irving 8/4/10/4, Rhys Grant
5/0/13/0, James Thewlis 5/1/20/0, Kieran Radcliffe 5/0/10/1, Nic Bonwick 3/0/9/0.
CITY COLTS DEF BENALLA BUSHRANGERS
CITY COLTS 1ST INNINGS
Mitchell Giggins (c) c: Cooper Binion b: Ross Cavill.......6
Tyler Nanson c&b: Conor Brodie.....................................1
Josh Nanson lbw: Cooper Binion .................................21
Joshua Newton not out .............................................106*
Kent Braden c: Brayden Stepien b: Conor Brodie .......44
Alasdair Brett b: Conor Brodie ........................................3
Aaron Thrum c: Jonty Priest b: Mitchell Wheelens .......3
Jed Marek not out ..........................................................4*
Archie Crispin...............................................................dnb
Matthew Lister .............................................................dnb
Corey Petersen ............................................................dnb
Extras ...............................................................................11
Total .........................................................................6 / 199
Overs ...............................................................................40
FOW: 1-7 Mitchell Giggins, 2-7 Tyler Nanson, 3-46 Josh Nanson, 4-160 Kent Braden, 5-164 Alasdair Brett, 6-182
Aaron Thrum
Bowling: Conor Brodie 8/0/28/3, Ross Cavill 8/0/40/1, Cooper Binion 8/0/47/1, Charlie Bull 2/0/10/0, Mitchell Wheelens 6/0/31/1, Susanka Gamage 8/1/39/0.
BENALLA BUSHRANGERS 1ST INNINGS
Michael Honman b: Kent Braden..................................12
Brayden Stepien (c) c: Josh Nanson b: Jed Marek ......19
Ross Cavill b: Jed Marek ..................................................3
Charlie Bull c: Tyler Nanson b: Matthew Lister ............12
Gary Priest st: Mitchell Giggins b: Kent Braden .............2
Jonty Priest b: Alasdair Brett...........................................7
Susanka Gamage b: Matthew Lister ...............................4
Conor Brodie c: Mitchell Giggins b: Alasdair Brett.........8
Mitchell Wheelens run out: Archie Crispin .....................7
Cooper Binion b: Aaron Thrum .......................................4
Sameera Witharana not out ..........................................0*
Extras .................................................................................5
Total .........................................................................10 / 74
Overs ............................................................................28.3
FOW: 1-28 Brayden Stepien, 2-36 Ross Cavill, 3-38
Michael Honman, 4-39 Gary Priest, 5-58 Charlie Bull, 6-58 Jonty Priest, 7-70 Conor Brodie, 8-70 Mitchell Wheelens, 9-70 Susanka Gamage, 10-74 Cooper Binion City Colts CC Bowling
Bowlers: Josh Nanson 2/0/18/0, Kent Braden 8/4/7/2, Jed Marek 6/1/19/2, Alasdair Brett 5/1/12/2, Matthew Lister 6/3/14/, Aaron Thrum 1.3/1/4/1.
Delatite 5/179 Mitchell Copey 100 Owen Adams 3/18 def Ovens Valley United 7/116 Geoffrey Zach 6 Lochie
C GRADE
PHOTOS: Marc Bongers GOOD ARM: City Colts’ Noah Gigliotti mops up in the field.
Pymer 4/33. Benalla Bushrangers 7/155 Simon Briggs 57 Jordan Rufford-Sharpe 2/16 def Wangaratta Magpies 9/138 Brandon Fitzpatrick 54 kallum croxford 3/19. Rovers United Bruck 7/148 Blake Nixon 34* Thomas Moore 3/35 def City Colts 10/142 Ben Feldtmann 83 Jonathan Hyde 4/18.
City Colts 9/83 def by Milawa 7/191. Merton 4/114 def by Benalla Bushrangers 3/118. Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/199 def Rovers United Bruck 10/34. Ovens Valley United 9/152 def Greta 10/77.
Greta White 8/147 def by Rutherglen 7/148. Beechworth Wanderers/Stanley 4/75 def Gapsted 10/68. Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/150 def Greta Blue 9/72.
City Colts 2/100 vs Wangaratta Magpies 3/46. Wangaratta vs Benalla Bushrangers 8/192. Remainder of games washed out.
Yarrawonga Mulwala 4/98 def Benalla Bushrangers Red 7/51. Delatite Blue 8/44 def by Benalla Bushrangers Green 3/72. Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 7/98 def Wangaratta Magpies White 8/70. Wangaratta Magpies Black 8/45 def by Benalla Bushrangers Blue 9/96.
Ovens Valley United Orange 4/73 def City Colts Blue 7/35. Beechworth Wanderers 2/91 def Ovens Valley United Black 5/58. Remainder of Under 12 Blue games washed out.
All under 16 games washed out
MATCH REVIEWS: Saturday, October 19
■ From back page
“To have those guys chip in was huge for us.”
With the bat, Rovers were in trouble at 6-87 but Wilson (20 not out) and Schonafinger (37 not out) teamed up for a 58 run stand to get their side to a respectable total.
“We were happy with our total,” McNamara said.
“’Schona’ and ‘Jez’ were so good down the order, if you give them the last 10 overs you’re going to come out on top most times/
“We were 6 for 80-odd and were thinking that 120-130 would be a good score for us so to get to 145 was a bonus.”
McNamara said the win will do plenty for his side’s confidence.
“After a disappointing loss to Yarrawonga Mulwala starting the season 0-2 wouldn’t have been ideal,” he said.
“This win will give us pmeyt of confidence and hopefully kickstart our season a little bit.
“It’s a huge win.”
HAWKS HOLD ON: Jacob Schonafinger made 37 not out in Rovers United Bruck’s win over Ovens Valley United.
By WILLSON MACK
A FIVE-WICKET haul from off-spinner Matt Prestianni saw Wangaratta Magpies pull off an unexpected win at Barr Reserve 2 on Saturday.
The new look Magpies were an unknown side going into their first match of the new season but announced their presence with a 100-run smashing of defending premiers Yarrawonga Mulwala.
First year skipper Cooper Matheson led from the front at the top of the order carting 60-runs off 78 rocks, while Oliver Andrew (49 off 59) and Kyle Winter-Irving (31 off 20) added to the 5-197 total.
Yarrawonga Mulwala’s chase got off to the worst of starts as Prestianni took the wickets of opening pair Ben Welsh and Fraser Smart for ducks, slumping to 2-1.
Prestianni then claimed Zach Moore to have the Lakers 3-5, a position they haven’t been in too often in recent years.
Experienced due Matt Knight (12) and Kyle Archibald (13) steadied the ship to some degree until Winter-Irving dismissed them both.
Angus McMillan and Sam Lidgerwood were the next to go and at 7-38 the game was virtually over.
A rear guard display from Adam Dodd (15) and Angus Heslin (21) got the Lakers to 97 but that was no where neat enough. In other games, City Colts claimed an emphatic win over Benalla Bushranger, downing them by 125-runs.
New recruit and former Ovens Valley United all-rounder Josh Newton made the season’s first ton, smashing 106 off 99 balls in a knock that included 11 boundaries and two maximums.
His total would’ve single handedly won Colts the game as they took just 28.3 overs to roll the Bushrangers for 74.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
WHILE the netball season in the area seems to have just wrapped up, for the region’s representative sides, it’s almost go-time again.
Wangaratta Netball Association will begin hosting their trials for their representative teams this week, looking for the best and most promising netball talent from around the area from under 11s through to under 17s.
There will be three trial sessions staged on the courts at the Barr Reserve, on Tuesday, October 22, Thursday, October 24, and Tuesday, October 29.
WNA president Rebecca Weir said the representative program allowed the next generation of netball talent to get the most out of their game.
“The whole purpose of this is to develop junior netballers that have some skills,” she said.
“We play four tournaments, they’re playing in North East regional areas, Albury, Wodonga, Shepparton and Echuca - the culmination is we go to association championships which will be in Shepparton this year.
“At the association championships, some of the girls may be talent identified, which they may be considered for an invitation to trial for the Netball Victoria Talent Academy.
“It’s a really great opportunity for young netballers to play outside of their normal Satu rday morning or club environments, to play against other players across the region, and to really stretch themselves and develop further netball skills which will benefit them not only today, but also into the future, and to be coached by different coaches to pick up different tips and tricks.”
The WNA rep program has had plenty of success over the years, re-
NORTH Wangaratta has locked in star forward Corey Smith for the 2025 O&K season, who is sure to have an impact on and off the field as playing co-coach.
Smith, who played 53 games at Moyhu, has spent the last four seasons at CDHBU, lighting the Hume league up as a key forward.
His goal kicking prowess – and funky lightning bolt hairdo – saw the Power reach the preliminary finals in 2024, with Smith booting 11 goals through a stunning finals series.
Alongside Steve Manning, Smith will look to shape the Hawks into a side who can challenge any team in the league and reclaim their place in the finals.
Smith said with a young family, he couldn’t be driving an hour each way to train at CDHBU two nights a week.
“I live over the road, so it had always crossed my mind, driving past the ground all the time,” he said.
“I’ve been travelling for the last five or six years out to Coreen which is an hour each way – having three kids at home, it’s sort of hard when you’re knocking off at 5pm, driving to training
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
then not getting back until around 9pm some nights.
“It’s a lot of lost time, I suppose.
“I’ve been talking to Steve, he reached out midway through the year, he never put any pressure on me about footy, he just wanted to get a bit of feedback, have a chat about all things footy.
“We were chatting pretty much every Thursday on the way to training, so it stemmed from there.”
Smith said the young group of Hawks had what it takes to play finals consistently, and was looking forward to getting stuck in.
“I’ve more or less been trying to concentrate on my footy over the last few years, but I think the time’s right to step into a coaching role,” he said.
“I’ve trained a couple of times with them last year just when I couldn’t get out to Coreen - they’re young, the facilities are unreal.
“Having the experience from previously playing in the league five or six years ago, they’re there abouts,
and I certainly know that it doesn’t take much in the O&K, you add a few players to an already strong-ish team, you can push for that finals berth.”
Manning said he was looking forward to working with Smith.
“It’ll bring another voice, another set of ideas to the table, particularly as a playing coach,” he said.
“I think the one thing we need a bit more of is on-field leadership – our on-field leaders over the last couple of years in ‘Killa’ (David Killen) and ‘Damo’ (Damien Bradley), but someone with Corey’s experience over the journey and particularly as a key forward or power forward, how we’d like to have his forward line set up in and around him, is going to be crucial for us.
“One thing that’s really struck me about him more and more is his passion for the game, he’s so passionate about his footy - it’s really exciting to have that, and it’s kind of infectious.
“We’ve got young forwards like Tyler Nanson and Khye Devine, and young defenders like Kyle McQuade and Jay Barker who are going to eat up everything he has to say with their craft.”
cently with Holly McCarthy and Milly O’Kane both talent identified and progressing to state sides.
The sides will be guided by the best coaches in the area, with Deanna Mawson, Colleen Balbour, Bonnie Shanley, Kelly Bihun, Jaye Miller, Megan O’Keefe, Laura Fisher, Kaye O’Kane, and Cydoni Edwards all volunteering their time and expertise.
Kerri Michelini will serve as coach coordinator, while Prue Porter and Dawn Allen will take the role of rep coordinators for the 2025 season.
Weir said the coaching panel and support staff assembled would help get the best out of every single player.
“All of the coaches are qualified through Netball Victoria coaching pathways, they’re all involved in netball at a local club level – most of those coaches involved have been involved in and around Wangaratta for a number of years,” she said.
“They come with a lot of experience, they’re really committed, they’re all volunteering their time and they’re all really excited to see what 2025 brings and this g roup of young, talented netballers.
“We’ve got new rep coordinators for this year in Dawn Allen and Prue Porter, two very organised and committed women who are also involved in netball outside of the rep teams.”
Weir said the response from prospective players was extrem ely positive, and the 2025 WNA representative season was shaping up to be a strong one.
“We’ve had a fantastic response to the player registrations across all age groups,” she said.
“Being a female-dominant sport, what Wangaratta Netball Association is really proud of is we’re maintaining the high level of skill and enabling young girls and women to play a sport they love in a really safe and supportive environment.”
HUME league superstar Corey Smith (right) has signed on with North Wangaratta as playing cocoach for the 2025 O&K season. Smith will share the top job at the Nest with Hawks’ Steve Manning (left).
■ Story page 19.
PHOTO: Nathan de
Vries
ROVERS United Bruck held on against Ovens Valley United at RC McNamara Reserve on Saturday.
After setting the Tigers 145 to win, Ovens Valley United were well on their way to chasing the total at 2-102.
From there, RUB went on to take 6-14 debutant Charlie Lugg and veteran Jeremy Wilson snagging two wickets each to bowl the Tigers out for 136 and hold on for a top win.
Tigers import Geeth Alwis was seeing them like beachballs but his departure for 46 left his side at 4-112 and the Hawks had their tail up.
“Winning was looking unlikely at drinks,” McNamara said.
“We just believed the whole time that we could turn it around, even when they were on top.
“At 2-90 it was looking unlikely though and their import Geeth (Alwis) was bat-
ting superb and didn’t look like going out.
“We got him out then tightened up our bowling and built heaps of pressure which held us in good stead.”
The Hawks have been one of the best bowling sides in the competition in recent years and despite a change
of personnel, McNamara still believes it will be their strength with the likes of Wilson, Jacob Schonafinger and himself still at the forefront.
“But having new guys step up will also be huge for us –Charlie Lugg took two wickets on debut and our import Daniel Jones (1-21) bowled beautifully.
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“We’ve always been strong in the bowling department and when you have experienced players like ‘Schona’ (Schonafinger) and ‘Jez’ (Wilson) I still feel like we will be,” he said.