Chronicle Monday 220424

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TWO Cheshunt nurses, executed with 20 others on Bangka Island in 1942, was an horrendous atrocity in World War Two. Dorothy Gwendoline ‘Bud’ Elmes and Caroline Mary Ennis are named at the Oxley Cenotaph, but there is a new push to honour them with statues. Helping lead the push are (from left) family relatives Rachel Peters and Margaret West, Russell Godde (Oxley Remembrance Day committee) and Barb Godde (Oxley Residents’ Association), and Jan Vincent. Full

“7-Eleven Australia

■

Proponents of 7-Eleven business on Ryley St ask VCAT to decide

■ From page 1 Her reasons weighed on the proposal’s “lack of attention to nearby sensitive land uses, as it would result in inappropriate built form and visual bulk that is inconsistent with the surrounding neighbourhood character, particularly to Perry Street and Meldrum Street”.

“The application does not represent compatible land use in proximity to an established residential area and has not provided a suitable design response that incorporates siting and setback objectives,” Cr Grant said at the time.

Traffic at the intersection was another key concern, as the motion cited its failure to “address the traffic safety risks associated with the existing road network and intersection of Ryley and Perry streets”.

At the meeting, both Mayor Dean Rees and Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton spoke mainly about the traffic issues and made reference to the problematic crossover in the middle of Ryley Street for vehicles attempting to turn right from Perry Street or perform a southbound U-turn on Ryley Street. “This application doesn’t assess the traffic at an already

dangerous intersection and a confusing one with U-turns permitted, access in and out of Perry Street, multiple directions, and trying to navigate across Ryley Street is just a nightmare and I’m surprised there haven’t been more accidents,” Cr Rees said.

In debating the proposal, Cr Rees foreshadowed that 7-Eleven would take the matter to VCAT but “council will fight the decision if it gets up” at VCAT.

Council has confirmed that “at this time, the application for review is scheduled for a merit hearing (at VCAT) in June”.

STILL

Support plea for the ANZAC Badge Appeal

SUPPORT the ANZAC Day appeal by purchasing an ANZAC badge this week.

The badges are available from volunteers at various locations including Bunnings, Coles, Post Office Arcade and the RSL Club, as well as many other desktop locations in businesses and schools around Wangaratta.

Local ANZAC badge sales directly support local people including veterans, but the money is injected into the local economy.

Wangaratta RSL Sub-branch president Lieutenant General (Rtd), Ash Power, said the Wangaratta RSL has well over 350 service members, veterans who

SUPPORT LOCAL VETERANS: RSL volunteers, veteran Allen Archer and wife Mary Archer, selling badges

have served their nation and hence their community.

“We take great pride in not only recognising their service but when necessary, lending those that need it a helping hand,” he said.

“This takes many forms but wouldn’t be possible at all without the magnificent support of the community in which they live.

“Every year I am uplifted by the enormous generosity of the people of Wangaratta and surrounding districts, by businesses and very importantly our schools, all pitching in to provide valuable funds to enable that support.”

Badge sellers include veterans, family members, students, Scouts, sporting clubs, serving Military Personnel, Army Cadets and community members.

Planned surgery wait times longest on record

PLANNED surgery wait times in Australia’s public hospitals are the worst they’ve been and emergency departments remain strangled by access blocks.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) released its annual Public Hospital Report Card and has written to health ministers, saying the findings highlight the need for governments to take further action to address the issues impacting hospitals.

AMA president Professor Steve Robson said the annual report card, first published in 2007, clearly demonstrated the need for urgent action on top of existing planned reform to the National Hospital Funding Agreement (NHRA).

“Last year we welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a significant public funding boost to the hospital funding agreement and the decision to replace the 6.5 per cent funding growth cap with a more generous approach,” Professor Robson said.

“This announcement followed tireless AMA advocacy for funding reform.

“But the new agreement will still need more investment and agreement by all health ministers.

BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au

“It also doesn’t come into effect until 2025.

“Urgent action is needed now.

“Australians are now waiting almost twice as long on average for planned surgery than they were 20 years ago, which is unacceptable.”

The report also found the national proportion of individuals receiving category two planned surgeries on time has again fallen to the lowest point on record.

“We think about 20 per cent of those people waiting on a planned surgical waiting list are not able to work - it puts strain on their careers, it increases incidents of mental health problems,” AMA emergency representative, Dr Sarah Whitelaw, said.

“These people are in pain.

“And actually, they are developing emergency complications of waiting too long with these conditions.”

Category two surgeries include heart valve replacements,

congenital cardiac defects, curettage nerve decompression and surgery of fractures that won’t heal on time.

“These surgeries are essential and urgent - they are not elective or cosmetic and every day of waiting can bring serious pain and increased risks to patients,” Professor Robson said.

In a letter to all health ministers sent with the report card, Professor Robson has urged ministers to agree to a $4.12 billion plan to address the planned surgery backlog, split between the commonwealth and the states and territories.

The plan would be time limited to ease the immediate backlog while a new NHRA is negotiated.

The report card also found that our emergency departments remain strangled by access block, with the national average of ED patients being seen on time at the lowest level in the past 10 years across all categories except resuscitation.

The proportion of people in all triage categories who completed their emergency presentation in four hours or less was at just 56 per cent, representing a fall of five per cent

since last year.

This is the lowest number since 2011 and a fall of 14 per cent since pre-pandemic levels.

AMA vice president Dr Danielle McCullen said that while hospitals have caught up on the COVID demand, another factor influencing wait times is the ageing population.

“We’re seeing an ageing population and so that means with more older Australians, with more chronic disease and more complex disease, the medical care that they require isn’t as easy or as simple as it may have been 20 years ago,” she said.

And while rural and regional areas are experiencing a shortage in GPs, Dr Whiteclaw said that this has little impact on the wait times for surgeries and in emergency rooms.

“Most of our patients, particularly the patients that are ramped in ambulance corridors and are stuck in our emergency departments, are really sick and they need hospital admission,” she said.

“They are not patients that are coming into our emergency departments because they can’t get access to general practitioners.”

A CHANCE: A 7-Eleven service station on Ryley Street in Wangaratta is still a possibility after the applicants lodged an appeal to VCAT, based on several grounds as to why they think it should have been approved by council.

in the post office arcade.

New MRI ready and raring to go

INSTALLATION of the new Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine is complete at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW), with the service set to return on Monday in line with the project schedule. NHW staff were immersed in training this week and enjoying the higher level of imaging detail the new MRI promised.

The significant installation process included a section of roof being temporarily removed to enable the old MRI to be craned out and the new machine carefully manoeuvred into place. Construction works were carried out to support the requirements of the superconducting magnet that enables whole body MRI.

Executive director of Med-

ical Services Dr Garry Wilkes said the installation was executed with precision and NHW is pleased to have delivered the project within the allocated six-week timeframe.

“We have been without an operational MRI for six weeks, which has been tough for staff and our community,” Dr Wilkes said.

“We are enormously grateful to everyone for their patience during this period, and we’re excited that the new MRI is ready to go.

“The team has undertaken training this week and already giving positive feedback on the new scanner benefits include more detailed imaging, more efficient scan times and increased comfort.”

Dr Wilkes praised the

LOCAL SCENE: On display at the exhibition will paintings by local artists including Leon Pappas, such as The House Next To Baddaginnie Hall.

Fundraising exhibition at Baddaginnie Hall

LOCAL creatives from the Baddaginnie region will hold a one-day art exhibition at the Baddaginnie Jubilee Hall on Saturday, April 27.

Supporting the local community, the exhibition will feature the work of local artist Leon Pappas, guest artists from the Benalla Broken River Painters and other crafts from the citizens of Baddaginnie and Benalla areas.

technical and construction teams, as well as the NHW staff for their collaboration on the project.

“This project has been another great team effort, bringing external contractors, engineers, construction teams, technical experts and our radiology team together to ensure things ran smoothly,” Dr Wilkes said.

“I know our team is raring to go, with the new MRI fully operational as of Monday, April 22 to provide this valuable service for our community.”

Hands On Trades Career Expo at Winton

will be bigger, better for local students

THE team at NE Tracks LLEN are in full swing preparing for the Hands On Trades Career Expo at Winton Raceway on August 15.

Employers from across the North East present a hands on experience for students to try as they see a range of different businesses demonstrating activities taking place in their work place each day.

NE Tracks LLEN chief executive officer Tim Oliver said this year’s expo will be bigger than ever with new and returning employers keen to engage with local students who are the workforce of the future.

Along with paintings and craft there will be old leather from Clydesdale horses, old tools and bric-a-brac, with a range of items for sale at reasonable prices (cash only).

The exhibition will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 3pm and entry is by gold coin donation, going to the Baddaginnie Jubilee Hall restoration fund.

Included will be chairs with hand-painted designs by Anne Hutchinson, and coffee tables made by Ray Croxford of Baddaginne.

“Last year, North East Tree Services sent some students up a gum tree in a harness while others cut timber with a chainsaw, they climbed in and around heavy army vehicles, changed tyres on the GOTAFE Tesla, completed an aged care obstacle course with The Centre and Cooinda, tried their hand at packaging with Merriwa Industries, operated the CFA firehose, ran a 3D printer and put a robotic dog through its paces.” Mr Oliver said.

“Everywhere you looked there was something interesting to try.”

Following the expo where up to 1200 senior secondary students are expected to attend, the LLEN arrange for visits to workplaces by students in small groups to learn even more about what goes on in

GP skill boost encouraged to help people experiencing family violence

VICTORIAN general practitioners are being urged to boost their skills and expertise in helping people experiencing family violence.

The Royal Australian College of GPs has relaunched its Family Violence GP Education Program, which is available to all Victorian GPs, and the first sessions of the program began this month.

RACGP Victoria chair Dr Anita Munoz urged all GPs across the state to sign up.

“More must be done to address family violence,” she said.

“We know for women aged 18 to 44, intimate partner violence contributes to more burden of disease than any

other risk factor, and estimates suggest full-time GPs may see up to five women per week who have experienced some form of intimate partner abuse in the past year.

“GPs play a vital role, with one in five women first disclosing this experience of domestic violence to a GP.

“So, we are relaunching this program with new case studies, including cases of coercive control.

“Coercive control is something that all GPs need to be mindful of, and this program will help them identify and act on it.”

Dr Munoz said the program was available via online and

flexible formats to reach GPs in all corners of Victoria.

“Many GPs do a tremendous job helping people experiencing family violence; however, we should always strive to do more,” she said.

“Our program increases awareness and understanding of the prevalence and impact of family and domestic violence, boosts knowledge and skills in recognising when it is occurring, and provides strategies for responding to individuals experiencing violence, including safety planning and referral pathways.”

Local GPs can register for the program via www.racgp.org.au.

businesses around the region.

After that, students can undertake work experience placements, with many winning after school and holiday part time work, and some are offered apprenticeships when they leave school as employers look to secure the best of local talent coming through.

Employers in the North East interested in showcasing their business at this year’s expo should contact event director Annette Borradale on 0473 677 463 or register through the website netracksllen. wixsite.com.

NEW AND IMPROVED: Kasey Flanigan, Mike Atkins and Alistair Browne from NHW are all looking forward to the MRI machine being back in action.

WELCOME ABOARD: Mel Elliott, LLEN program coordinator assists Kyal Tripodi, dealer principal at Wangaratta Mazda to register as an exhibitor and sponsor of the Hands On Trades Career Expo.

SOCIAL FOCUS

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Charlie, Vienna and Alexa Ridgway made their wreaths together.

Kids create wreaths at the Wangaratta Art Gallery

FAMILIES enjoyed a paper wreath making session at the Wangaratta Art Gallery during the school holidays.

Kids taking part made beautiful wreaths in different shades of green, adorned with the leaves of healing plants such as calendula, elderberry, mint and nettle.

It was enjoyed by everyone and the results were truly spectacular.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

GOING GREEN: Edward Churchill had plenty of contrast in his wreath.

Luka Leonard Cassar

Luka Leonard Cassar was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, April 18 at 3:41pm and weighed 3.15kg(6lb 15oz). He is the son of Hannah Jaggers and Alec Cassar of Wangaratta.

Hudson George and Braxton

Ray Shalders-Coats

TWINS Hudson George Shalders-Coats and Braxton Ray Shalders-Coats were born at Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne on Saturday, March 30 . Husdon was born at 1:03pm and weighed 2.25kg(4lb 14oz) while Braxton was born at 1:05pm and weighed 2.60kg(5lb 11oz). They are brothers for Leveigh and sons of Sydnie O’Toole and Jake Shalders-Coats of Corowa.

NEW ARRIVALS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA (NHW)

WELL

BALANCED: The leaves on Fiona Oon’s wreath had delicate patterns. GETTING STARTED: Iris Angikiamo prepared the base for her wreath.

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 NHW 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.

For many people, the after Funeral gathering can be almost as important as the Funeral ceremony itself.

Mason Park’s Memories Room, directly opposite the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery is the ideal location to gather and support one another following a loss. It is a fully licensed facility and we have many food and drink options to suit everyone.

BEAUTIFUL FOLIAGE: Clementine Churchill used an array of differently shaped leaves.

Successful vintage almost wrapped up in Glenrowan

BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au

MODERATE weather conditions and a year without fires or floods has been welcomed by grape growers across the region, including Glenrowan.

As in the King Valley, picking started a little earlier this year, and the main challenge was managing harvest with multiple varieties ripening around the same time.

At Bailey’s of Glenrowan, chief winemaker Paul Dahlenburg said they were at the tail end of a quite compressed vintage, compared to last year when it was spread over a longer period. He said they were finishing the last of the reds and expected to be wrapped up by Anzac Day, when they might have normally run into May.

“A lot of the whites and reds were ready at the same time so we had to juggle the intake,” Mr Dahlenburg said.

“In terms of weather and disease pressure it was an easy vintage - it was just that there were such good growing conditions, the fruit tended to ripen at the same time.”

Local literary events keep on coming

TASTE TEST: Bailey’s of Glenrowan chief winemaker Paul Dahlenburg said varieties including shiraz were very strong this year, as were durif, muscat and tokay.

Mr Dahlenburg said Bailey’s appreciated having enough staff on hand to manage the intake, many who had returned from last year, making up an experienced crew.

He said varieties including shiraz were very strong this year, as were durif, muscat and tokay, with volumes meeting the figures initially forecast.

At Morrisons of Glenrowan, winemaker Bob Morrison said it was one of the best vintages they’ve ever had.

He said while spraying was required at the end 2023 to prevent disease, a perfect change of weather came at the right time, with a dry break between February and late March allowing just enough time for all

their grapes to ripen and be picked, before it rained again.

“With cool nights and warm days, it turned out to be an ideal season,” he said.

“All our varieties which suit this area have come out well, including shiraz, durif, tempranillo and primitivo.”

Mr Morrison explained the location of the vineyards and their topography - on the side of Mount Glen-

rowan - meant they had good drainage and didn’t suffer from wet ground, so it was always accessible in a tractor for spraying if required.

He said good morning sun and light breezes proved ideal conditions for the fruit, which resident kangaroos had enjoyed the taste of too, although not enough to be a serious problem.

LITERARY events in Wangaratta will continue in May, with writers Kylie Orr and Amanda Hampson set to visit the rural city.

Both visits are supported by Edgars Books and News and will be held at the Wangaratta Library in Docker Street.

Kylie Orr, author of ‘Someone Else’s Child’, will be in the rural city on Thursday, May 2 from 6.30pm to speak about her new release, ‘The Eleventh Floor’.

Local author Jodi Gibson will join Kylie for a conversation lifting the veil on her spine-tingling thriller, and revealing the secrets behind crafting tales that keep readers turning pages late into the night.

The library will host Amanda Hampson on Wednesday, May 8 from 2.30pm.

Author of best-selling crime novel ‘The Tea Ladies’, Amanda will discuss the next instalment in the series, ‘The Cryptic Clue’, and will share the inspiration behind her beloved stories and the joy of connecting with readers through her writing.

Bookings are essential for both events, and can be made online at https://events. humanitix.com/host/wangaratta-library or by contacting library staff on 5721 2366 or library@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Record surgery list and also record debt

SURGERY wait lists have reached record levels according to the Australian Medical Association’s report card and while extra funding has been promised from 2025, urgent action is required now.

Wait lists are reported to be twice as long as they were 20 years ago and this could be attributed to multiple factors with an ageing population, a higher rate of comorbidity, and an overall higher rate of pressure on the health system across the nation.

Like with many other sectors it is a bank up of services that is still stemming from a change in service delivery models witnessed throughout the covid years.

Staff shortages have and still are causing major headaches across government services and the private sector and hospital operations are certainly not sheltered from this.

Like with anything, if the funding isn’t available to service the delivery of the surgeries, then the waiting lists will continue to grow.

Australian Government debt levels have been increasing in both absolute and relative terms since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008–09 and increased further to fund government health and economic support packages in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the start of 2007 gross debt was under $52 billion.

Between 2007 and March 2020 debt increased to $580 billion, and was $897 billion as of May last year.

AMA Professor Steve Robson has urged ministers to agree to a $4.12 billion plan to address the planned surgery backlog.

While Australia’s balance sheet indicates that we can’t afford it, what price can you put on people’s health and wellbeing?

The Quiz No. 81

1. What is the official animal emblem of Western Australia?

2. Who wrote the 1976 novel, Interview with the Vampire?

3. Which iconic rock band released the 2016 album, Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello?

4. How many playing squares are there on a chess board?

5. In what year did Western Force play its first Super Rugby game?

6. Pruneface, Flattop Jones, Breathless Mahoney, and Bundles Filagree are all villans in which comic strip?

7. Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of Australia?

8. Jim Parsons is best known for his role in which popular TV sitcom?

9. Which dairy product is used in a traditional tzatziki dip?

10. Mariah Carey became engaged to which Australian in 2016?

11. What is added to vodka and champagne to make a flirtini cocktail?

12. Which actress described her marital separation as “conscious uncoupling”?

13. What are the three green properties on a Monopoly board (UK version)?

14. Who did Trevor Gleeson replace as coach of the Perth Wildcats?

15. In which 2006 movie did Will Ferrell play the role of Harold Crick?

16. Mount Woodroffe is the highest mountain in which Australian state?

17. Who was the Governor of Western Australia when Colin Barnett first became Premier?

18. Which Australian capital city has the lowest population?

19. How old was Prince when he died in April 2016?

20. In which

was the Commodore 64 computer released?

FACEBOOK users this week commented on Bella Pasquali being eligible for selection at August’s World Championships in Peru.

• Kate Elizabeth Bell: You bloody Rippa. go team Pasquali.

Facebook users also commented on Debbie Clayton helping local women with cancer by bringing her Beautiful You charity to Wangaratta.

• Vikki Law: Awesome job.

• Rita Robinson: Well done Debbie.

Facebook users also commented on The Stamp Garden and Gundabooka opening to the public from April 20 to 21.

• REALITY FINE

CLOTHING: Such a beautiful garden Rhonda Stamp

Facebook users also commented on Madam Espresso celebrating their fifth anniversary.

• Patricia McNeilly: Thanks for added personality

Shortcomings in state flood response

DURING a regional parliamentary sitting in Echuca on Thursday, the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee tabled its interim report on the Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria.

The report focused on flood recovery in Northern Victoria and highlights significant shortcomings in the Allan Labor Government’s response and recovery efforts for flood impacted Victorians, 18 months on from the devastating event.

Alarming findings show that the complex processes involved in accessing financial aid for flood recovery intensified the suffering of numerous individuals, businesses, and communities.

Complexities and delays have discouraged some from applying, while others found that the aid available did not meet their actual needs.

Another finding found a pressing demand for timely insurance processing to ease financial strain, and the broader issues of housing availability, affordability and suitability in the region created additional distress in housing flood affected people.

With the Inquiry Chair an inner-city Labor Party member, it highlights how the findings simply could not be ignored.

Currently, local councils are still awaiting financial assistance from the Allan Labor Government to address the significant damage to infrastructure in flood-affected areas.

The Allan Government has been slow in its response and many communities are still waiting for appropriate support 18 months on from the floods.

Loddon Shire Council has $30 million in infrastructure damage across the region but has received approval from the Commonwealth for disaster recovery funding that covers less than half of the $4.6 million already spent.

While the Allan Labor Government continues to waste billions on project blowouts on Melbourne infrastructure projects, regional Victorians impacted by floods continue to pay the price for Labor’s inability to manage money.

Regional communities continue to miss out on the funding required to upgrade local infrastructure, making vital improvements that could help prevent severe infrastructure damage and save lives in a future flood event.

With many residents still residing in

NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

and value to the West End. Best coffee in Wangaratta.

• Shelley Asquith: We love the coffee and buy the beans for our Airbnb. You are fantastic business woman, congratulations.

• Kim Winnell: Great coffee, buy the beans and do my coffee at home.

Facebook users also commented on local CFA crews remaining busy, despite the end of the Fire Danger Period.

• Linda Simpson: Yes,

things are unbelievably dry right now & there have been many private burn-offs that have quickly gotten out of control.

Facebook users also commented on plans being put before council for a 10unit development costing $3.5 at Garnet Avenue’s former Salvation Army Wangaratta Corps site.

• Pam Gregory: Hmmm carefully considering the neighbouring residents...not to sure about that.

Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

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temporary accommodation, the Allan Labor Government must do more.

Tim McCurdy, opposition spokesperson for water

Law of probability

“fallacious” in case

WITH more twists than a Rubik’s Cube, and more newsprint than the coverage of Harold Holt’s disappearance, the Bruce Lehrmann, Brittany Higgins circus rolls on.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee, embellished his 324 page judgement with more droll witticisms than an episode of Seinfeld, including a scrounge from Barry Humphries’ memoirs.

Having successfully grappled with alcohol addiction, in reply to a cocktail party invitation, Barry wrote, ‘Having escaped from the lion’s den, one does not return for his hat’.

Judge Lee lambasted both protagonists in this sorry saga for telling ‘porkies’.

In Scottish Law, there are three possibilities of judgment, guilty not

guilty, and not proven.

To use the Judge’s representation of the case, as an omnishambles, perhaps the latter judgment may have merit.

The law of probability holds up in general, but is so fallacious in a particular instance.

‘Sir they have committed false report, moreover, they have spoken untruths, secondarily they are slanders’, William Shakespeare [Much Ado About Nothing].

Barry McArthur, Wangaratta

PHOTO: Jordan Duursma

Childhood dream comes true, on exchange in Japan

WANGARATTA teenager

Leo Harwood is currently living in Ishikawa prefecture in Kanazawa City in the Chubu region of Japan.

Leo left for Japan on January 20 and is three months into his one-year exchange sponsored by the Milawa Oxley Rotary Club as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

The 17-year-old said he chose Japan for his exchange trip as he has always had a keen interest in the country.

“As a child a lot of my favourite films, games, animated shows and books were from Japan,” he said.

“Later, I started to get into studying Japanese culture and history, from traditional events and traditions to the customs and lifestyle of the country.

“When I started learning Japanese my interest only deepened further, and all of that pretty much cemented my want to go to Japan someday.

“To go as an exchange student and to be able to experience everything I had been so interested in first hand was the perfect opportunity for me.”

Leo said it is difficult to choose a favourite memory from the trip so far.

“I think the two memories that stick out to me the most would be my first day here...

BY JORDAN DUURSMA jduursma@ nemedia.com.au

getting off the aeroplane into Narita Airport was one of the best feelings I have ever had, everything I had worked for the whole of last year finally led me to going to Japan,” he said.

“Then my Rotary trip to Osaka and Hiroshima with the other exchange students in my district.

“From going to Itsukushima to see the traditional shrines, to learning about the history of the Hiroshima bomb memorial museum, to going on rollercoasters at Universal Studios Japan.

“I’ve loved everything about the trip, and I am extremely thankful to being able to have such a great opportunity from my Japanese Rotary Club.”

Leo said the biggest challenge he has had to overcome was the language barrier.

“I have to pretty much rely on Japanese 24/7 and especially at the start having to work out how to say something is very draining,” he said.

“Now I can speak a lot better than when I started... at the beginning I was often very tired and mentally strained when I returned

from school.

“When I came here, I could speak a bit of Japanese, I could probably hold a simple conversation about a simple topic, but yet still struggled a lot with understanding, especially listening.

“One thing that surprised me was just how fast people speak here, learning to get used to such a fast-paced language was very difficult and one of the main challenges.

“After a lot of practice through speaking to my host family, friends and others, and listening to as much Japanese as I could here, things have become better.”

Leo’s journey learning about Japan started long before his exchange trip.

“When I started learning Japanese, I just started by using some apps on my phone to learn the basics, and then a couple weeks later I was hooked, and started formally learning Japanese through the Victorian School of Languages during year 11,” he said.

“After putting in multiple hours per day, I was able to get from beginner to being relatively confident within simple Japanese conversations pretty quickly, and I was able to do well and pass my Japanese class.

“I still have a long way to

go, but It’s a really enjoyable journey that has given me so many great moments.”

Leo said there have been many things that surprised him about Japan.

“Japan and Australian culture are totally different, and learning about the mannerisms, customs and just the way of life in general has been super interesting to me,” he said.

“I really enjoy learning and experiencing the differences between different places and people.”

Leo said he has enjoyed his time in Japan so far and his overall experience has been incredible.

“Massive thanks and appreciation to my Rotary clubs for helping me make this incredible opportunity go from just an opportunity to a reality,” he said.

“Thanks for everything to my sponsor clubs, the Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley, Higashi-Kanazawa Rotary Club and the Rotary Youth Exchange 9790.

“I can’t wait to see what waits within the rest of my exchange here in Japan.”

Council surplus plunges $1.95m

Facility maintenance costs rise $500k due to increase of contracts and supplier price rises y$ppp

WANGARATTA council’s accounting surplus is expected to drop $1.95 million by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

A report on the second quarter budget review tabled at council’s last ordinary meeting indicated decreases to the accounting surplus of $1.95m and to the adjusted underlying operating result by $5.7m.

This was primarily driven by a conservative restatement of forecasted operating grant funding relating to financial assistance funds which will still be received but may fall into the 2024/25 financial year, and increases to materials and services relating to facilities maintenance costs.

Council’s 2023/24 capital works expenditure has increased from $35.43m to $36.97m, a net increase of $1.53m, impacted by expansion to existing projects as well as additional funding received for new capital projects. The decrease in the adjusted underlying operating result is the result of movements in cash contributions, operating grants, capital grants, other revenue, employee benefits, other expenses, and materials and services.

Operating grants, net decrease $3.83m:

• Reduction in expected Financial Assistance Grants due to uncertainty around the timing of payment and which financial year the funds will be recognised in, $4.29m (funds will still be received and may be added back to the current year as a gain in future periods).

• Increased grant funding relating to the Ovens & Murray Multicultural Area Partnership, $372k. Capital grants, net increase $3.75m:

• Increase in funding relating to showgrounds, $1.6m. This favourable variance is attributed to newly secured, previously unexpected funding.

• Increase in funding relating to Prosecco Road, $837k. This favourable variance is largely due to previously unexpected funding.

• New grant funding relating to Murray to Mountains Trail Enhancement, $470k. This is new grant funding, which was not initially budgeted for.

• New grant funding relating to Federal Blackspot Program, $325k. This favourable variance is largely due to previously unexpected funding.

Materials and services, net increase $1.71m:

• Increased facilities costs resulting from an ongoing review of contract costs and

significant price increases from suppliers. The adjustments from the original budget were made to better align expectations with invoices received, $500k.

• Carry overs relating to Detour Road Irrigation Pipeline, $294k.

• Increases to the Ovens & Murray Multicultural Regional Area Partnership, $218k. This Project had not been originally budgeted for.

• Increases to reactive

arboriculture works due to significant weather events affecting trees, $162k. Contributions – cash, net increase $1.06m:

• Increased developer contributions, $1.06m. This favourable variance is due to receiving previously unexpected developer contributions.

Other expenses, net increase $751k

• Increase in WIP writeoffs relating to the review

of current projects where it was identified that items were not capital in nature and in recorded in a capital project $751k. Employee benefits, net increase $544k:

• Increased FTE for casual staff in Community Care to address increase in service provision due to increased funding ($160k). School Crossing Supervisor Program ($109k) mainly attributed to a reassessment of required hours, reflecting a

more precise understanding of operational needs for this program.

• Approval of band 6 safety role, $85k.

• Unfavourable increase in expenditure due to extension of Future Proof YACVIC, $48k Other revenue, net increase $271k

• Increased interest income due to higher than anticipated cash balances and interest rates, $150k.

TOWN VISIT: The gallery of people at the March council meeting that was held at Whitfield. The next council meeting will be held at Eldorado on April 30 at 6pm.

PHOTO: Steve Kelly

HONOURING TWO CHESHUNT NURSES KILLED AT BANGKA ISLAND IN

It’s time to It’s to recognise ‘our gir ls’ ‘our girls’

ASMALL group of committed locals are determined to see two Cheshunt nurses who were killed at Bangka Island in February 1942 remembered in a meaningful, tangible way. Former schoolteacher and resident of Whitfield and Cheshunt, Jan Vincent, has been the driving force of the group following the publication of Georgina Banks’ book ‘Back to Bangka’ last year.

Georgina is the greatniece of Sister Dorothy Gwendoline ‘Bud’ Elmes and her book is a deeply moving transgenerational family story which follows Bud’s time as a nurse, her letters home to family and friends in Cheshunt and Corowa, her last days on Bangka Island, and Georgina’s search for the truth about what happened to her greataunt all those years ago.

“I had no idea that two of the nurses killed at Bangka Island even came from our area until I read Georgina’s book,” Jan said.

“I was so moved by the story and what Georgina went through in her research, along with those poor nurses on the beach, that I knew I had to find others who felt the same way and push for greater recognition.”

Currently, there is a plaque mentioning Bud and the second local nurse – Sister Caroline Mary Ennis – in the medical imaging section of Northeast Health Wangaratta and, for many years, Bud and Caroline’s photographs graced one of the walls.

There is also a plaque in Cheshunt which acknowledges the two women who gave their life for King and Country. “But people don’t go to see plaques, they go to see ‘things’ and people,” Jan said.

“That’s why we want to have statues made of the two women - putting a face to a name is far more powerful.”

The group is currently in discussions with Oxley RSL and Oxley Residents Association members (as Cheshunt was part of the Oxley Shire during the 1940s) for the statues to be placed in the cenotaph

area in Oxley where both girls’ names feature on the current monument.

Each sculpture will cost approximately $15,000 which will be raised by the group through fundraisers, business and personal donations and suitable grant applications.

Once the location has been finalised, details of an account to accept donations and funds will be announced to the public.

Myrtleford has two sculptures of nurses – Staff Nurse Elizabeth Rothery who served in World War I and Myrtleford-born Sister

Alice Margaret O`Donnell who was killed in action in the sinking of the hospital ship “Centaur” in May 1943 during World War II. Violet Town also has an impressive 17 metre long Women in War Time mural by local artist Tim Bowtell which commemorates Australian women who served in the military or supported Australia’s war effort from the Anglo-Boer War to the present.

“If those little towns can put something together like that, surely Wangaratta and the King Valley areas can do it too,” Jan said.

Joining Jan and Georgina in the group is Georgina’s

aunt, Sally Alsop (nee Banks), who originally gave Georgina Bud’s letters to read, as well as members of Caroline Ennis’ family – niece Margaret West, great-nieces Shelley West and Rachel Peters and great, great niece Georgia Peters, along with local bookseller and former writer for the Wangaratta Chronicle, Belinda Harrison.

Belinda’s involvement came about due to an article she wrote for the Chronicle in 2022 on the 80th anniversary of the Bangka Island massacre and Georgina’s book.

“Like Jan, I had no idea about the massacre on

Bangka Island or that two local nurses were killed there until I was asked to write the story, but it really got to me and stayed with me,” she said.

“When I learned about Georgina’s book, I knew we had to get her here to share the story and the history and when Jan suggested organising funds for a statue to make more people aware of it I was immediately in.”

Shelley, Margaret and Georgia were all in attendance at Georgina’s book talk last year and were also keen to get involved.

“A plaque isn’t suitable for this story we want to tell,” Shelley said.

Hit the winning run or just had a great day.

Get a permanent reminder with great sports shots from The Chronicle

www.wangarattachronicle.com.au/photo-sales day

SMALL f

“We need something tangible...something that shows the faces of these young women who deserve to be remembered in a meaningful way.”

For those unfamiliar with the details of what occurred on Radji Beach, Bangka Island, Indonesia on February 16, 1942, it is a confronting yet important story to tell. It was the scene of one of the worst massacres in the war in the Pacific when 22 Australian Army nurses were raped, tortured and then murdered to conceal the crime.

Those nurses were

not fighting against the Japanese soldiers who found them on the beach that day.

They had left Singapore with a group of soldiers and civilians ahead of invading Japanese forces on the ship the Vyner Brooke two days earlier.

They refused to leave their patients behind in that hospital and leave them in the hands of the enemy. Their ship was bombed by Japanese aircraft and they were shipwrecked off the island of Sumatra.

They had clung to rafts and lifeboats and each other for hours or days.

They had seen friends

A plaque isn’t suitable for this story we want to tell. We need something tangible... something that shows the faces of these young women who deserve to be remembered in a meaningful way.

- SHELLEY WEST

WANTING A LASTING TRIBUTE TO LOCAL NURSES

KILLED IN WW2 MASSACRE:

Jan Vincent is leading a local group seeking to have statues - putting faces to the names - of former Cheshunt nurses Dorothy Gwendoline ‘Bud’ Elmes and Caroline Mary Ennis, who were killed at Bangka Island in 1942. The nurses are honoured at the Oxley WW2 cenotaph (pictured), which is where their statues would be placed.

and colleagues die or be swept out to sea.

They were exhausted.

They were tending to the injured among them.

They were not a threat. Instead, the men were taken just out of sight, shot and bayoneted and the 22 Australian nurses and one British civilian woman were brutally treated before being marched into the water and sprayed with machine gun fire.

Only one nurse survived the brutality on the beach that day: Sister Vivian Bullwinkle.

She became a prisoner of war, then returned to Australia and rose through the ranks of the army.

She was an inspiration and has been celebrated, written and spoken about and has a statue at the War Memorial in Canberra.

She held her head high and she never spoke publicly of what had really happened on that beach.

As far as the group of local supporters are concerned, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen and it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be spoken about now as the information comes to light.

“It is time to celebrate and properly commemorate the 22 nurses and one civilian woman who didn’t make it off that beach,” Belinda said.

“It’s time the story of ‘our girls’ was told and passed on to future generations.

“It’s time their sacrifice was recognised in more than a mere footnote of history; To remember that they were loved by family and friends and their loss was deeply felt.

“They deserve it and it is time.”

If you would like more information or to be involved in fundraising or would like to donate, please contact Jan Vincent on jan. vincent1@bigpond.com or Belinda Harrison on beeharrison78@gmail.com.

ANZAC Day services in Wangaratta and district

By JORDAN DUURSMA

ANZAC Day services will be held in Wangaratta at dawn and 11am on Thursday, April 25 to commemorate Australian service members.

To attend the dawn service, members of the public are asked to start assembling at 5:45am at the cenotaph in Docker Street, with the service to commence at 6am and conclude at approximately 6:25am.

Veterans, wives, partners and their carers are invited to attend the Gunfire Breakfast at the Wangaratta RSL at 6:30am following the dawn service.

Intermezzo Cafe, opposite the cenotaph, will be open for light breakfasts, coffee and tea from 5:30am, for those who cannot attend the breakfast.

To participate in the March leading to the 11am service, assemble on the footpath outside of the King George Gardens in Templeton Street (opposite RSL) at 10am.

Participants will be called into their positions at 10:20am and the march will step off at 10:40am.

The march will proceed up Ovens Street and the service will commence at 11am.

Wangaratta RSL invites all veterans, their families, friends, and carers to come along and support one another.

All veterans are welcome and members of the public are encouraged to line the march route along Ovens Street.

At the conclusion of the service, participants will march back to the RSL where they will be dismissed.

The Women’s Auxiliary Lunch is available to veterans and their families in the 2/24th Battalion room following the march, but not the general public.

Reserved seating for the service can be arranged by contacting ceremonial officer, Liz Rouse Salmon, via phone at 0438 573 357.

Transport for the march and main service can be arranged by contacting welfare officer, Colleen Davis, via phone at 0447 217 768.

For more information and enquiries, please visit or call the Wangaratta RSL on 03 5721 2501.

After the main service, there will be an outdoor bar and rounds of 2Up from 1.30pm in the RSL carpark.

Vehicle access to Templeton Street will be restricted from 9:30am until 11am and from 12pm until the marchers have dispersed.

Other road closures in surrounding streets will be in place.

MORE LOCAL SERVICES

Other local services members of the public can attend are:

• Wednesday, April 24, 10am Day Service at Greta Cemetery.

• Thursday, April 25, 6am Dawn Service at Eldorado Community Hall and Cenotaph.

• Thursday, April 25, 6am Dawn Service at the Cheshunt Hall.

• Thursday, April 25, 9am Day Service at Everton Cenotaph.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which were the beginning of the end to WWII, some 11 months later in Europe and in August 1945 in the Pacific.

The theme for ANZAC Day 2024 is ‘The Peacekeepers’.

Australia has been involved in Peacekeeping duties for the United Nations since 1947 and defence personell are still serving in this capacity in various places around the world.

SISTER DOROTHY GWENDOLINE ‘BUD’ ELMES

SISTER CAROLINE MARY ENNIS

PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

ACROSS THE ARTS

Wangaratta artists celebrate success of Easter exhibition

By ANITA MCPHERSON

LONG running local group the Wangaratta Artists Society Inc, is thrilled with the success of their Unframed Easter exhibition, which drew plenty of visitors to The Studio in Batchelors Green.

The committee thanked all the volunteers involved, particularly acknowledging the dedication and hard work of Marina Foad and Robyn White in ensuring the exhibition’s success.

Sales were also strong this year with multiple artworks sold, reflecting the positive response from the public and the appeal of the artwork on display, created by the society’s talented artists.

It has emboldened the group in its attempts to engage with a broader audience and attract new members, several of whom have already

come on board in the last year.

The winner of the people’s choice this year was ‘Ah the Serenity’ by Robyn White; a soft pastel work of a man (Robyn’s partner, David Mortimer) gold panning at Woolshed Falls.

Robyn received a voucher to spend at Carlisle Art in Benalla.

The committee thanked Louise from Carlisle Art and Bob and Dianne Morrison from Morrisons of Glenrowan for their generous support and contribution to the exhibition, along with Rural City of Wangaratta councillor David Fuller, who opened the event.

Most paintings are still on display and members of the public are welcome to come and have a look at The Studio in Bachelors Green, open to the public from Monday to Friday.

HIGH SCHOOL TALENT HITS THE STAGE

WANGARATTA High

School conducted its annual talent quest in the final week of term one, with students and staff taking to the stage to present a range of original songs, and cover versions of classics.

The 43rd annual talent quest attracted 350 people, who enjoyed watching 22 student acts as well as performances by staff members.

Alexis Cox of year eight was the overall winner and was named best female vocalist, while year 11 student Anthony Chisholm was awarded best male vocalist

The Dunners, comprising senior boys Ollie Chambers, Eden Van Bergen, Xavier Zachariou

and Josh Robertson, picked up best duo/small group.

Best new talent went to 9E classmates Rosie Bulmer and Jacinta Snowdon, while year 11’s Harry Goeby won the special judges award for his work on bass in a number of bands.

Year 12 duo Sienna Box-Corsini and Kalika Miliankos-King won the gong for best variety act.

Best year 12 costume went to The Wiggles (Clove Boonzayer, Ryley-HardingCollis, Tristan Scott, James Shaw, Reuben Smith, Darcy Stone and Cope Swinburne), and the positive energy of emcees Sophie McPhan and Cope Swinburne was a key to the night’s success.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Wangaratta High School’s year 12 cohort enjoyed performing a group dance.

SHOW OF TALENT: Anthony Chisholm (guitar), Josh Robertson (guitar) and Harrison Goeby (bass)

VOCALIST: Overall winner Alexis Cox.

LIGHTING UP THE STAGE: Ollie Chambers (guitar), Edan Van Bergen (drums) and Josh Robertson (bass) in action.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: A pastel artwork called ‘Ah the Serenity’ by Robyn White (pictured) was voted as the favourite by visitors to the Wangaratta Artists Society Inc’s Unframed Easter exhibition. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Uncertainty remains for farmers as autumn break deadline closes

BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au

LOCAL farmers have a very nervous wait ahead of them as they prepare crops in the hope of significant rainfall which has been tipped at the end of May - well after the traditional ANZAC Day deadline.

New data released last week by the Bureau of Meteorology gives La Nina nearly a 90 per cent chance of returning this spring, as the ocean continues to cool in the tropical eastern Pacific.

Predictions give La Nina an 80 per cent chance of occurring by late winter/early spring and an 86 per cent chance in late spring and early summer.

Most models suggest that the Pacific Ocean will return to a neutral phase in the next month, despite El Nino having little influence on Australia’s weather recently.

Wangaratta AG Warehouse agronomist Bec Bingley is concerned by the current autumn conditions, saying there are more challenges to face other than a lack of rainfall.

“I am very nervous about

the little rainfall we have had, however, the concerns at the moment is frost damage to newly emerging crops,” Mrs Bingley said.

“Conditions were looking good up until mid-March, but a lack of rainfall since then has raised a lot of questions.

“The long-range forecast models suggest that crop producers will not see substantial rainfall until the end of May.

“Some broadacre producers are in the position where they are changing the variety of seed to suit the current conditions if they are to raise a successful yield this year.

“For example, winter wheat is being changed to spring wheat as the spring variety is quicker to mature and can handle the current conditions when seeding.”

While many international models are hinting at

the return of La Nina this year, the Australian model suggests that we will be in neutral ENSO conditions during late winter and early spring.

The large supply of abnormally cool water in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean does add some weight to the possibility of La Nina returning this year.

However, it is too early to know with much certainty whether this will happen or not.

During the last five years we have seen three consecutive La Nina (2020-2023), and an El Nino, with the possibility for a fourth La Nina in 2024.

This would be the first time this sequence was to occur in the history of Australia’s record keeping in 1910.

This seasonal dip in model reliability is called the autumn predictability

barrier in the Southern Hemisphere (spring predictability barrier in the Northern Hemisphere) and means the current outlook should be treated with caution.

Ms Bingley said while some farmers are being cautious, other producers have rolled the dice in the hope conditions will swing in their favour.

“Dairy farmers have seeded grass which is at one leaf (just emerged),” Ms Bingley said.

“The concern with this is frost hitting the new growth which can damage the cells of the plant by burning the leaf off and limit overall growth and production.

“Some beef, sheep and cropping producers are holding off because of the lack of rain.

“There is some moisture in the subsoil but the first 10 centimetres is extremely dry.

“Right now everyone needs to take things week by week and use local knowledge and a stroke of luck moving forward.”

In the coming months, the bureau will observe the ocean temperatures in the Pacific and the international climate models closely.

Wangaratta toy librar y a family must

Thursday, April 17, 2014

By SIMONE KERWIN

IF your child’s toy box has lost its lustre, or they’d love some new activities for the coming winter months, the Wangaratta Community Toy Library is a one stop shop.

The toy library offers a wide range of toys and activities for hire for families with young children, and is particularly popular with grandparents keen to have a mix of attractions in the toy box at a reasonable price.

Flanagan and Burke Streets, on Fridays or Saturdays from 10am to 11.30am.

Meanwhile, the toy library is currently planning its annual children’s market, which will be held this year on Saturday, October 18 at the Wangaratta YMCA Stadium.

President Bree Broomfield said it was a perfect time to consider toy library membership, at just $35 per family for a year ($20 concession).

“Member numbers have been steady, and are slowly growing, but we would love to see some more people join us,” she said. Anyone interested in joining can visit the toy library, on the corner of

It has also recently rejuvenated its party pack, offering everything required for a successful children’s party, including table, chairs, cups and plates, and party games, available for members to hire free of charge.

Anyone keen to sell quality second-hand baby and children’s items is encouraged to consider booking a stall for the event, which always attracts plenty of attention.

For more information, visit the Wangaratta Community Toy Library’s page on Facebook, or send an email to info@wangarattatoylibrary.com.au

TO SEED OR NOT TO SEED: Wangaratta AG Warehouse agronomist Bec Bingley believes significant rainfall is not due until the end of May. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

PACKED WITH FUN: Brianna Robison and Isla Broomfield all set up for party time with the Wangaratta Community Toy Library’s party pack. PHOTO: Luke Plummer

4 Name another term for a bullfighter (7)

8 To which order does a monkey belong (7)

9 What is a nerve cell called (7)

10 Name the chief town of the Isle of Wight (7)

11 Who played an important part in the underworld (7)

12 What is a loose overcoat called (6)

14 Name a political group whose aim is to protect the environment (6)

18 Name a British politician and prime minister,

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

WHICH WORDS

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

Prices soften, awaiting rain

BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au

JUST over 1300 head of grown and young cattle were yarded at the Wangaratta Stock Exchange for last Thursday’s monthly store sale.

Corcoran Parker Wangaratta agent Reiley Murtagh said the market proved soft with prices down, amid a state of limbo from concern over a lack of rainfall and evasive autumn break.

“There were a total of 1308 cows, calves, steers and heifers penned which was a great line-up for our April sale,” Mr Murtagh said.

“Condition was varied across the board due to the lack of rain.

“Prices were a bit softer compared to the last few weeks, however, there was still a local demand from producers across the region.”

The best pen of cows and calves fetched $1950 while feeder steers 400kg made $3.20-$3.40/kg, restocker steers 350kg made $3.40$3.60/kg, light steers 250-280kg made $4.00/kg, Angus heifers 400kg made $2.80/kg and lighter angus heifers 280kg made $2.50/ kg.

“The market will continue to struggle in the absence of rain, however, when the rain does arrive it will be an absolute game changer for the cattle industry,” Mr Murtagh said.

“Producers who have a feed setup are in a good position right now compared to grass fed farms who have no feed in paddocks and are now buying in feed.

“Producers are currently making calculated decisions based on current food in stock and food retained.”

Finley cattle producer Duncan Carmichael - who presented 20 joint heifers for sale at the Wangaratta market - runs 100 head of cattle, 3000 sheep

and broadleaf crop farming on his 1800 acres.

He believes the cattle market is under pressure due to autumn conditions and producers cutting numbers back.

“The cattle market is ordinary at the moment with pressure of costs on the farm versus the return at the market,” he said.

“There is current pressure with a lack of feed due to the current autumn conditions which is forcing producers to buy feed in.

WANGARATTA STORE SALE, THURSDAY, APRIL 18

VENDOR HEAD/BREED AVG. WT. $/KG AGENCY

STEERS

SIMPSON AG & JE 2 ANGUS 485 1390 CORCORAN PARKER

STEER

BLACK, J S 1 STEER 290 585 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

BLACK AQUA ANGUS 1 STEER 369.2 310 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

McCULLOUGH S 1 STEER 358.2 365 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

HARGREAVES PAUL 1 STEER 283.6 755 BLACK BALDY CORCORAN PARKER

CORNERSTONE PASTORAL 1 STEER 300 680 ANGUS CORCORAN PARKER

KENTUCKY TURF NURSERY 8 STEER 308 608.13 HEREFORD CORCORAN PARKER

KORTAR 1 STEER 320 640 CHAROLAIS X CORCORAN PARKER

MARTIN GRAZING PARTNERSHIP 1 STEER 312.2 440 BLACK BALDY CORCORAN PARKER

BREMOSE M 10 STEER 322.6 594 ANGUS ELDERS

RYPOR 11 STEER 310 510 ANGUS ELDERS

PATERSON JM 10 STEER 300.2 470.5 ANGUS ELDERS

THORPE C & W 1 STEER 312 590 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

Daws GD & PJ 1 STEER 312 510 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

MCWILLIAMS T&C 2 STEER 363.2 352.5 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

HEIFER

VOIGT DH & SON 2 HEIFER 310 635 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

VOIGT DH & SON 5 HEIFER 313 541 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

LIMA PARK PASTORAL 4 HEIFER 315 573.75 ANGUS AUSTRALIAN WOOL NETWORK

HARGREAVES PAUL 1 HEIFER 310 675 ANGUS CORCORAN PARKER

HOURIGAN BR & JE 2 HEIFER 296 562.5 ANGUS CORCORAN PARKER

BELMONT FJ 10 HEIFER 335 524.5 LIMOUSIN ELDERS

LACEBY MEADOWS 1 HEIFER 330 415 CHAROLAIS X ELDERS

PATERSON JM 11 HEIFER 290 454.55 ANGUS ELDERS

HINES P & A 1 HEIFER 304 530 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

TUSSIO P/L 2 HEIFER 315 490 SPECKLE PARK NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

THORPE C & W 1 HEIFER 286 510 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

BULLS

MERINDAH FARMS PTY LTD 1 BULL 228.6 1,065.00 ANGUS NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK

HARRIS R 1 BULL 232 995 CHAROLAIS CORCORAN PARKER

THWAITES DA & TL 1 BULL 232 995 LIMOUSIN CORCORAN PARKER

NEXT SALE 23TH OF APRIL 2024 1ST CP 2ND ELDERS 3RD NUTRIEN 4TH AWN

“With the current market, producers are downsizing to reduce financial pressure.

“Store sales have brought good numbers in because cattle producers are under stress as recent prices

have not been promising enough to restore confidence at this point.

“Producers need to be optimistic that the market will stabilise and the latter part of the year will swing the tide.”

Sheep market ‘likely’ to remain steady for now

By KURT HICKLING

SHEEP producers have experienced a rollercoaster ride over the last 12 months with a flooded market and below average prices.

According to Meat and Livestock Australia, Victorian trade lamb prices softened by around seven per cent in February with the national trade lamb indicator still 12 per cent down from the same time last year.

Doug James, who is a sheep producer at Boweya, believes despite the frustrations of the sheep market prices over the last 12 months, the market has levelled out somewhat.

“A flooded market a few months back made the situation very difficult as prices were forced down putting financial pressure on the farm,” Mr James said.

“I was confident the market would eventually settle, however it all takes time for things to recover.

“Prices have improved to date but they are still not as good as we would like.

“It will be tough right now to see anyone get more than $7/kg cwt.

“We currently have 2600 lambing with two thirds lambing for twins and one

third lambing for singles with 700 ewe weaners which we will use later in the year.

“With the market settling and leading into winter, producers will be hanging onto their stock, which will have a potential to see prices spike over late autumn and into winter due to numbers tapering off.”

Meat and Livestock Australia says average prices across Victoria have seen light and medium types lift by up to $3 making from $131 to $157 per head on average,

Heavy trade has averaged $192 (averaging 708c/ kg cwt) with heavy lambs lifting by $3 a head and selling from $174 to $206

per head on average.

“Viewbank farm is currently feeding out grain and hay as our ewes have just starting lambing,” Mr James said.

“With the market under less pressure, we do not have to wait for as long for kill space at the abattoir compared to recent months.

“Market prices over the coming months will factor on how how the autumn/ winter seasons pan out which includes rainfall and how competitive the market will become come spring.

“Right now our focus remains on preparation of our paddocks and monitoring our ewes and lambs.”

NERVOUS TIMES: Finley cattle producer Duncan Carmichael was among the vendors at last Thursday’s monthly store sale in Wangaratta. He believes while there is no rain, the market prices will remain soft

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling.

KEEPING A LOOKOUT: Property owner Doug James is keeping a close eye on the sheep market.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling.

Full-Time Educator Position

This position is 5 days, Mondays to Fridays

We seek an energetic and committed educator to join our team.

of Early Years Learning training or equivalent and have a Current Police Check, Working With Children Check,

BUILDING maintenance, all jobs including carpentry, painting, electrical, TV antenna and computer solutions. Call Mark on 0472 668 237.

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

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

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

TILING, wall/ floor, bathrooms, renovations. Phone Claude 0435 945 513.

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

Expressions of interest for further information and position description please telephone Mandy on (03) 5728 2378 or email BCEYLC@gmail.com

Application close Friday, May 17, 2024

Rovers roll over the top of Tigers

■ From back page “’Gatto’ (Gaston) did an exceptional job,” Murray said.

“Muller’s one of the premier ruckman of the competition and ‘Gatto’ took it up to him – we just wanted him to halve the contest and he definitely did that.

“Shane doesn’t have the body he used to have when he was the premier ruckman of the competition a few years ago but he’s still so valuable to us and the way he battled was great.”

Wangaratta Rovers now hit the split round 4-0 and will have a hard earned rest next weekend before facing Lavington the following weekend.

“The bye’s come at a good time for us, it’ll be good to rest the bodies and reset before firing up for Lavington,” Murray said.

“Out of the first four games we knew that Wangaratta and Albury were going to be the two tough games and to win them both is great.

“We’ve set ourselves up nicely now and we’re confident that our process and system is good enough to beat anyone.”

SILKY: Jack Gerrish finds space.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

DISHED OFF: Sam Murray gets a handball away.CONTESTED: Lochie O’Brien tries to reel the ball in.

Justin Lewis looks for a teammate.TIGHT

Samuel Cattapan tries to keep the ball in bounds.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

OVENS AND MURRAY SENIORS LADDER

SCOREBOARD RESERVES RESULTS

GOALS: YARRAWONGA: Bailey Frauenfelder 3, Michael Gibbons 3, Perry Lewis-Smith 2, Leigh Williams 2, Matthew Casey 1, Ryan Einsporn 1, Will Robinson 1, Jordan Urquhart 1, Harrison Wheeler 1. WANGARATTA: Callum Moore 6, Fraser Holland-Dean 2, Will O’Keefe

2, Nick Richards 2, Liam Mcveigh 1, Michael Newton 1. BEST: YARRAWONGA: Harrison

Wheeler, Lach Howe, Bailey Frauenfelder, Perry Lewis-Smith, Ryan Einsporn, Cameron

Wilson. WANGARATTA: Will O’Keefe, Liam Mcveigh, Jackson Clarke, Aidan Tilley, Callum Moore, Alex Federico.

GOALS: LAVINGTON: Benjamin Ashley-Cooper 3, Tim Oosterhoff 3, Ryder Corrigan 1, Jack Driscoll 1, Shaun Driscoll 1, Samuel Hopper 1, Jake O’Brien 1, Charlie Sanson 1. MYRTLEFORD: Brody Ricardi 3, Ashton McPherson 2, Frazer Dale 1, Lachlan Miotto 1, Matthew Munro 1, Lachlan Murphy-Dale 1, Levi Young 1. BEST: LAVINGTON: Benjamin

NETBALL SCORES THIRDS RESULTS

A GRADE Yarrawonga 37 def by Wangaratta 44

Lavington 34 def by Myrtleford 59

Wodonga 29 def by Corowa-Rutherglen 48

North Albury 45 def by Wodonga Raiders 48

Wangaratta Rovers 52 def Albury 43

B GRADE: Yarrawonga 28 def by Wangaratta 30; Lavington 40 def by Myrtleford 53; Wodonga 50 def Corowa-Rutherglen 30; North Albury 48 def Wodonga Raiders 40; Wangaratta Rovers 53 def Albury 40.

C GRADE: Yarrawonga 25 def by Wangaratta 40; Lavington 38 def by Myrtleford 59; Wodonga 54 def Corowa-Rutherglen 40; North Albury 39 def Wodonga Raiders 37; Wangaratta Rovers 36 def by Albury 48.

UNDER 17s: Yarrawonga 31 def by Wangaratta37; Lavington 23 def by Myrtleford 46; Wodonga 89 def Corowa-Rutherglen 19; North Albury 36 def by Wodonga Raiders 44; Wangaratta Rovers 72 def Albury 32.

UNDER 15s: Yarrawonga 46 def Wangaratta 39; Lavington 26 def by Myrtleford 57; Wodonga 77 def Corowa-Rutherglen 26; North Albury 28 def by Wodonga Raiders 61; Wangaratta Rovers 44 def Albury 42.

ROUND 5 -ANZAC SPLIT ROUND

Thurs, April 25th Wod. Raiders vs Wodonga, Albury vs North Albury

Sat, April 27th Wangaratta vs Myrtleford

Sun, April 28th Corowa R’glen vs Yarrawonga

Sat, May 4th Lavington vs Wang Rovers

Yarrawonga 4.5.29 def by Wangaratta 10.12.72

BEST: YARRAWONGA: Jack Eales, Lucas Eales, Oliver Watson, Mitchell Parker, Zac Forge, Charlie Lappin.. WANGARATTA: Oscar

Ashley-Cooper, William Glanvill, Jack Costello, Samuel Hopper, Christopher Annett, Jake O’Brien. MYRTLEFORD: Matthew Munro, Zac Pethybridge, Toby Cossor, Josh Muraca, Brody Ricardi, Bowen Calogero. LAVINGTON

McNamara 2, Zac O’Shannessy 2, Oscar Clelland 1, Cody Johnson 1. ALBURY: Lenny Koller 1, Jack McPartland 1. Lavington 17.16.118 def Myrtleford 3.4.22

BEST: LAVINGTON: Cooper Hall, Harry Dean, Harryson Barber, Riley Costello, Jack Phegan, Flynn Scott. MYRTLEFORD: Tai Miller, Fearghus Jones, Samuel Crisp, Blake Woodall, Harry Stripeikis, Ethan Edwards. GOALS: LAVINGTON: Cooper Hall 6, Flynn Scott 3, Harryson Barber 2, Riley Costello 2, Jack Powling 2, Noah Edmunds 1, Carson Way 1. MYRTLEFORD: Nicholas Hall 1, Jock Pascoe 1, Harry Stripeikis 1.

Wodonga 5.13.43 def Corowa R’glen 4.5.29

Nth Albury 4.13.37 def by Raiders 13.10.88

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

A GRADE: Bright 28 def by Whorouly 48

Bonnie Doon 47 def by Greta 51

King Valley 31 def by Moyhu 38

Milawa 53 def Tarrawingee 33

North Wangaratta 44 def by Goorambat 46

B GRADE: Bright 36 def by Whorouly 54; Bonnie Doon 58 def Greta 28; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 56 def

Tarrawingee 36; North Wangaratta 38 def Goorambat 32

B RESERVE: Bright 34 def by Whorouly 52; Bonnie Doon 46 def Greta 31; King Valley vs Moyhu; Milawa 46 def Tarrawingee 26; North Wangaratta 47 def Goorambat 25

C GRADE: Bright 50 def Whorouly 34; Bonnie Doon 40

def Greta 27; King Valley 49 def Moyhu 29; Milawa 38 def

Tarrawingee 37; North Wangaratta 28 def by Goorambat 73

UNDER 15s: Bright 20 def by Whorouly 24; Bonnie Doon 29 def Greta 13; King Valley 16 def by Moyhu 29; Milawa 23 def

Tarrawingee 5; North Wangaratta 45 def Goorambat 4

Not all scores available at time of print

GOALS: WODONGA: Ethan Redcliffe 5, Jett Cassidy 3, Noah Bradshaw 2, Joshua Mathey 2, Thomas Johnson 1, Adam Jorgensen 1, Jack Mathey 1, Oscar Willding 1. COROWA

RUTHERGLEN: Sam Dunstan 5, Judd Kuschert 1, Christian Masson Moyle 1, Brady Morton 1, Tom Young 1. BEST: WODONGA: Joshua Mathey, Ethan Redcliffe, Noah Bradshaw, Jack O’sullivan, Thomas Johnson, Tom Miller. COROWA RUTHERGLEN: Ryan Eyers, Caleb Bertram, Brady Morton, Tom Forrest, Kade Kuschert, Nicholas Wright.

GOALS: NORTH ALBURY: Joshua Minogue 11, Joshua Murphy 6, Tim Broomhead 3, Ben Fulford 3, Nathan Dennis 2, Cody Gardiner 2, Julian Hayes 1, Jack Penny 1, Jack Reynolds 1, Harry Weaven 1. WODONGA RAIDERS: Way 4, Nick Bracher 1, Ned Conway 1, Cameron EllisYolmen 1, Archer Scammell 1, Darrean Wyatt 1. BEST: NORTH ALBURY: Joshua Minogue, Jack Penny, Flynn Gardiner, Foster Gardiner, Joshua Murphy, Archer Gardiner. WODONGA RAIDERS: Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Mitchell Way, Justin Gordon, Harry Sweetman, Bradley St John, Ned Conway.

GOALS: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Alexander Marklew 3, Elijah Amery 1, Alex McCarthy 1, Will McCarthy 1, Samuel Murray 1, Finn Osborne 1, Judd Schubert 1, Dylan Wilson 1. ALBURY: Fletcher Carroll 2, Jake Gaynor 2, Kolby Heiner-Hennessy 1, Jonathan Male 1, Mat Walker 1. BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Jace McQuade, Shane Gaston, Lochie O’Brien, Will McCarthy, Jack Gerrish, Charles Ledger. ALBURY: Jacob Page, Hamish Gilmore, Jake Gaynor, Jackson Kelly, Isaac Muller, Charlie McGrath.

GOALS: BRIGHT: Declan Bren 6, Cooper Thomason 5, Luke Quirk 3, James Love 2, Max Rampling 2, Rodrigo Arguello 1, Nick Lebish 1, Mikka Paulsen 1. BEST: BRIGHT: Alexander

Dalbosco, Declan Bren, Michael Elliott, Max Rampling, Mikka Paulsen, Joe Gray. WHOROULY: Cameron Wood, Daniel Harris, Samuel Ferguson, Oliver Dixon, Darcy O’Shannessy, Matthew Vescio.

BONNIE

GRETA

GOALS: BONNIE DOON: Conor Heaslip 2, Luke Murray 2, Al Bennett 1, Luke Berriman 1, Will Foster 1, Campbell Smedley 1. GRETA: Frazer Judd 3, Cody Crawford 2, Tyler Arrowsmith 1, Joshua Bell 1, James McClounan 1, Brenton Newbold 1. BEST: BONNIE DOON: James Law, Matthew Hedin, Peter Cairns, Ari Croxford-Demasi, Beau Smith, Luke Murray. GRETA: Frazer Dent, Joshua Bell, Brenton Newbold, Paul Fruzynski, Lachlan Hadden, Tom Fursdon.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

GRETA vs NORTH WANGARATTA

GOALS: KING VALLEY: Anthony Ciancio 6, Jack Davies 2, Ben Bray 1, Charlie Davies 1, William Davies 1, Sam Evans 1, Oliver Willett 1. MOYHU: Harrison Grant 3, David McDonald 2, Ethan Rooney 2, Harrison Bell 1, Noah Campbell 1, Sam Phillips 1, Logan Reynolds 1, Darby West 1. BEST: KING VALLEY: Ben Bray, Connor Shanley, Sam Evans, Charlie Davies, Joshua Toy, Tom Davies. MOYHU: Ethan Rooney, Ryley Dalton, Harrison Grant, Harry Verdon, Matthew Thrum, David McDonald.

MILAWA

GOALS: MILAWA: Sebastian De Napoli 6, Braydon Kearns 3, Brady Bartlett 2, Nick Giggins 2, Jared Lea 2, Ricky Ahearn 1, Daniel Bihun 1, Ben Clarke 1, Matt Graham 1, Josh Roman 1, Jarryd Wallace 1. TARRAWINGEE: Austin Amery 1, Zeke Carruthers 1, Deacon Cleal 1, Will Creed 1, Sam Peters 1, Sam Piper 1. BEST: MILAWA: Kyle Collisson, Brady Bartlett, Braydon Kearns, Daniel Bihun, Tyler Dunn, Josh Roman. TARRAWINGEE: Dylan Adams, William Sharp, Sam Piper, Will Creed, Reiley Murtagh, Jarrod Everitt.

NTH WANGARATTA

GOORAMBAT

GOALS: NORTH WANGARATTA: Liam McDonell 3, Josh Nanson 2, Jhye Devine 1, Matthew Prestianni 1. GOORAMBAT: Duane Haebich 7, Jamie Dunne 3, Sully Malay 2, Travers Nolan 2, Lachlan Boyle 1, Rhys Goodley 1, Brady Purcell 1, Brayden Stepien 1, Rory Wapling 1.

BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: Andrew Knights, Sean Gales, Daniel Williams, Kade Parkinson, Damien Bradley, Josh Nanson. GOORAMBAT: Benjamin Reaburn, Jamie Dunne, Lachlan Boyle, Travers Nolan, Dylan Beavis, Sully Malay.

Yarrawonga ...............6.1.37

Wangaratta................8.8.56

BEST: YARRAWONGA: Jess Koopman, Jack O’Dwyer, Lochie Forge, David O’Dwyer, Tyler Bonat, Jack Robinson. WANGARATTA: Waitai Tua, Hunter Graham, Braeden Marjanovic, Lachlan Bray, Charlie Ross, Hugh Canning. Wangaratta Rovers ....7.10.52

Albury .......................7.9.51

BEST: WANGARATTA ROVERS: Joel Smith, Sam Nolan, Sam Allen, Noah Amery, Riley Allan, Connor Crimmins. ALBURY: William Haberecht, Dominic Gibbons, William Blomeley, Oliver Hayes, Ty Quade, Charlie Summerfield. Lavington .................8.10.58 Myrtleford .................4.9.33

BEST: LAVINGTON: Oscar Lyons, Ethan DePaoli, Jordan Weidemann, Will Liersch, Darcy Smith, Peter Flood.

MYRTLEFORD: Addison Bedendo, Ned Turner, Tom Crisp, Nicholas Ferguson, Charlie Crisp, Rhys Grant. Wodonga ................12.22.94

Corowa Rutherglen ......1.3.9

BEST: WODONGA: Kade Brown, William Teunon, Jake Hodgkin, Rhys Venturoni, Aaron Reichman, Denis Mutsinzi. COROWA RUTHERGLEN: Clayton Munro, Jayke Nicholson, Edward Haynes, Benjamin Talarico, Bailey Minogue, Aaron Spencer.

North Albury.............9.12.66

Wodonga Raiders .......5.2.32

BEST: NORTH ALBURY: Darcey Cullen, Callum Fisher, Thomas Anderson, Mitchell Wadley, Cooper McIntosh. WODONGA

RAIDERS: Myles Harding, Will McCarty, Wil Conway, Kieran Jones, Josh Perry, Ned Twycross.

OVENS AND KING SENIORS LADDER

NETBALL SCORES

MATCH REVIEWS

Demons blast Bulldogs after bye

MILAWA’S senior football squad showed no signs of lethargy after the bye last weekend, running over the top of Tarrawingee at the Milawa Recreation Reserve 21.18 (144) to 6.4 (40).

The Demons missed shots on goal early, entering the quarter time break at 3.7, but worked into it as the match wore on.

An understrength Milawa backline performed exceptionally well against a determined Tarrawingee forward line, as the midfield kept the pressure on all day.

Milawa co-coach Matt Graham said the work at training had paid off in a major way, but there was always room for improvement.

“They worked really hard on the track for the two weeks prior to the game, they knew the areas we needed to improve on and they definitely executed it on the weekend,” he said.

“It seems to be a little bit of a stick in the mud for us, every week the accuracy at the start has been a little bit of a problem, but it seems to be something we improve on as the season goes on.

“We know it’s going to be a bit of a slow burn this season with the new guys gelling, they’re aware of it and we’re aware of it, now it’s just about finding those improvements week in and week out.”

Milawa’s new-look side is coming together well, with a number of first-year Demons named in the best on ground for the match.

“The gelling is getting to work together and have them all fire at the same time,” Graham said.

BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

“On the weekend, Kyle Collisson played his best game for the club, working really well on the wings in tandem with Tyler Dunne.

“Braydon Kearns saw the benefit on the weekend with the return of Josh Roman, two likeminded footballers combining together.

“Brady Bartlett and Jared Lea have just been contesting absolutely everything, their second and third efforts have been great – they’ll continue to work and the reward will come.

Graham said the backline executed their role perfectly.

“Our backline is still being led by Mick Batey, but losing Rick Petts for the season takes a bit of leadership out of that defensive 50,” he said.

“We were missing Josh Owen who was out injured on the weekend so we had a couple of young players down there, they slotted in, knew their role, and were able to halve the contest at worst case scenario and a lot of the time they were able to rebound out of our defensive 50.

“Hopefully with the return of Josh Owen we’ll have a bit more leadership in that backline, and start working towards creating that fortress down back that we had last season.”

Tarrawingee fought hard all day, with Dylan Adams, Will Sharp, and Sam Piper turning in solid performances, while Jarrod Everitt was resolute in his 300th club game.

MILESTONE: Jarrod Everitt played his 300th game for Tarrawingee

the weekend, working hard in the ruck.

Roos edge out Moyhu, Bombers remain undefeated

By NATHAN de VRIES

IT came down to the wire at Whitfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday, when King Valley and Moyhu went head-to-head with only a kick separating the two.

The Roos fought hard all day and managed to grind out a 13.12 (90) win over the Hoppers’ 12.13 (85).

Early misses in front of goals by Moyhu kept the door open for the Roos, who only trailed by a goal at halftime.

Momentum swung one way and then the other in the second half, as neither side taking a step back in intensity or pressure.

King Valley’s midfielders kept upping their presence at the contest, feeding the forwards well to take the lead by a goal with one quarter to play.

A frantic and high pressure final term saw nine goals kicked in total, but when the final siren sounded, it was the Roos up on the scoreboard.

Co-coach Anthony Ciancio said it was a brilliant result after a handful of close matches went the other way.

“Being in a somewhat simi-

lar position in the Milawa game and the Tarrawingee game, we learnt to stay in the hunt for long enough and keep the pressure up,” he said.

“It was a really good game, it had lots of different ebbs and flows with momentum between us and Moyhu.

“For us, consistency is what we’re striving for and we were able to keep the pressure up for long enough to finish on the other end of a close tussle for the first time this year which was nice.

“Credit to Moyhu, they’ve got a lot of great young talent, and jeez they move the ball well.”

Ciancio finished with six goals to his name, but credited the midfield unit for their class and intensity.

“A lot of our success would be down to our mids, particularly late in the game where they stood up, played the percentages at times, took some risks to hit the scoreboard,” he said.

“Ben Bray for us yesterday, he was amazing, he was able to get the ball going forward for us quite a lot on Saturday.

“He and Connor Shanley, we speak a lot about that two-

way player, defending as much as they can to win the footy, but when we actually win it, they’re able to get it and go and get us some great looks moving forward.

“They were absolutely outstanding and were able to give some of us forwards really good looks and have the ball coming in quick, which at times is tricky to defend.”

For the Hoppers, Harrison Grant finished with three goals, while Ethan Rooney and Ryley Dalton gave it everything they had for their side.

In other matches, Bonnie Doon proved one goal too good for the Blues, taking the win 9.12 (66) to 9.6 (60).

The two touted teams traded blows all match, but the Bombers’ midfield provided more looks on goals and proved the difference.

Elsewhere, Goorambat stunned the Hawks with a 19.15 (129) to 7.6 (48) result, with Duane Haebich and Jamie Dunne booting 10 goals between them.

Bright proved too strong for Whorouly in their clash, the Mountain Men winners 21.14 (140), while the Lions failed to register on the scoreboard.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

on

ENTRY: Will Sharp sends the Bulldogs inside their forward 50.

MARK: Josh Roman intercepts the ball in Milawa’s 104-point win over Tarrawingee. PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

‘Pies hearts broken in loss to Pigeons

By WILLSON MACK

WANGARATTA’S hearts were broken after they came awfully close to snatching their first win of the 2024 season against Yarrawonga at JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.

After a final term that saw multiple lead changes it was Yarrawonga who just edged out Wangaratta in the 15.7 (97) to 14.11 (95) affair.

Wangaratta young gun

Will O’Keefe put the ‘Pies four points in front with four minutes to go, however, Perry Lewis-Smith kicked a classy snap from the right hand pocket in the dying minutes to put Yarrawonga back in front and ultimately win the game.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid was proud of his boys’ efforts.

“I’m proud of the way the boys fought especially after we were down to one or two on the bench,” Reid said.

“I thought we did enough to win the game but we let ourselves down in a couple of key moments where we’d like to have our time again.

“It was a better performance than it has been and we played some good footy so if we take anything out of the game it’s that we can match it with the best.”

Wangaratta trailed by 29 points at half time but put on a six goal to one third term to get back in the game.

“The third quarter was as good as we’ve played,” Reid said.

“We didn’t do anything flashy either, we were just doing everything solid and then I reckon we went away from that a little bit in the last quarter.

“The boys fought hard though and we were up until the last minute or two.

“It’s disappointing to lose but I think as a whole it was pretty positive that we were able to grit our teeth.”

O’Keefe starred in his first senior game for the season after dominating at reserves level in the opening weeks of the season.

“Will O’Keefe played really well I thought,” Reid said.

“Him and a number of the younger guys stood up –Fraser and Charley HollandDean were good too.

“Charley is still learning senior footy, but I think all three of those boys will take a bit out of yesterday (Saturday).”

Wangaratta are now sweating on the results of a scan of star midfielder Daniel Sharrock who left the field with a knee injury.

Rovers roll Tigers

Wangaratta Rovers romp to impressive win over Albury at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday gppyyy

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

A whopping 49-disposal performance from Sam Murray saw Rovers lead at every change to run away 10.9 (69) to 7.7 (49) victors.

Murray was stoked with the result.

“I definitely think it’s one of our most impressive wins thus far, Albury are a really good side,” Murray said. “We got the game on our terms and when Albury got a

bit of a roll on, we responded which we haven’t been able to do in previous years.

“Last year we played Albury at Albury and kicked seven goals in a row to get in the lead but then we let Albury kick six in half a quarter.

“We’ve struggled with stemming the flow but we managed to do that yester-

day which I think shows some maturity, that was the most impressive part for me.”

Rovers’ backline starred in the victory holding a powerful Albury forward line to just seven goals for the match.

“Our backs were super strong,” Murray said.

“I really respect Mat Walk-

er but Jace McQuade did such a good job on him and held him goalless until the last five minutes.

“Kolby Heiner-Hennessy is another of their forwards that I rate and young Charles Ledger probably got the points over him which was impressive too.”

Rovers were dealt a blow before the game started with

Will Christie failing to get up for the game with a knee injury. Their loss of Christie was only made bigger with the tall task of facing arguably the competition’s best ruckman, Isaac Muller.

However, the ever-reliable Shane Gaston stepped up and impressed.

■ Continued page 16

WANGARATTA Rovers grabbed arguably their most impressive win for the season with a 20-point victory over Albury at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.