Aussies turn out in city
PATRIOTISM was in full display at the King George V Gardens on Sunday morning, with people waving Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ags. Many locals attended events across the Rural City of Wangaratta to catch up with friends and re ect on what the day means to them, and also celebrate alongside the new citizen and project
award winners.
Australia Day ambassador Caz Sammon coordinates the Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Mentoring Program and she addressed the audience consisting of
several hundred people.
She said the day is an opportunity for both celebration and re ection, a day to acknowledge the many wonderful things that are happening and to express our gratitude for this place and this community for which we are so lucky to live in.
“It’s also a day to pause and acknowledge our shared history and then imagine
what our future can be together and then make a commitment to being the best that we can be,” Ms Sammon said.
“Wangaratta is a truly special place to live and the community here has a huge collective heart, a connectedness and richness like no other.”
Looking to the future, Ms Sammon said she envisages
a community where no one is le behind and a place where everyone is able to feel a strong sense of belonging, regardless of their background.
“Where strengths are recognised and di erences are celebrated, where everyone feels seen, heard and valued, where every individual has the same choices and opportunity to
thrive regardless of their identity or their means.”
The rural city’s Australian Citizens of the Year winner’s were Peter and Wendy Lester, with nominees Susan Fischer, Ken Daly and Kevin Felmingham.
Young Citizen of the Year winner was Felicity Camplin, with Lara Taylor another nominee.
■ Continued page 2
RURAL City of Wangaratta Australian Citizens of the Year Wendy (le ) and Peter Lester, Young Citizen of the Year Felicity Camplin, and Event/Project of the Year winners Aaron Werdle and Bruce Neilson. PHOTO: Steve Kelly
NUMBERS
Way of life and community leaders celebrated in harmony in rural city
■ From page 1
Event/Project of the Year was Thread Together, with other nominees Sing Australia, and Wangaratta Rod & Custom Club.
Mr and Mrs Lester, owners of Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, have been major contributors to events and projects, across multiple sectors in Wangaratta. Through their business they donate nancial and in-kind support with considerable volunteer hours of their own and their sta . They are o en the rst to volunteer, ensuring that each event, irrespective of scale, receives the resources and backing it needs to succeed.
A few examples of projects they have assisted over the last 30 years, include Wangaratta
Festival of Jazz, Galen College Wangaratta Care Packs, The Orange Door, Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Australia Day Tennis Tournament, and Wangaratta Rovers Football and Netball Club.
Felicity Camplin is a year 11 student at Cathedral College Wangaratta and she participates in leadership opportunities including being senior and junior house captain, student representative council, and several school sporting teams as an athlete, coach and umpire.
She has almost completed her Duke of Edinburgh Award undertaking a range of activities and challenges through voluntary service in the community.
Felicity has also been a domestic competition coach for junior athletes at Wangaratta Basketball, volunteered for Wangaratta Warriors and at football and netball clubs.
Last year she also spent two weeks volunteering in a school in Samoa.
Wangaratta Baptist Church’s Thread Together project collects brand-new unsold clothing from retailers around the country.
Then partners with them to operate the Thread Together Wangaratta Clothing Hub.
Felicity volunteers at the St Vincent De Paul Op Shop sorting donations and working in the retail store. She was selected for Wangaratta Warriors and North East Bushrangers representative basketball teams from U12 to U18 age groups competing all around the state.
The hub distributes the
clothing to people doing it tough and redirects it from land ll.
All clothing is o ered at no cost and in the rst year of operation, they clothed over 200 people in need.
They partner with service agencies who refer people of all ages for con dential shopping experiences.
Every person who attends Thread Together becomes a guest and can shop as they would in a retail fashion store, browse, select items, try them on, and then leave with new clothes.
Some 15 new Australian citizens from Iran, Philippines, South Africa, Ghanan, Turkey, India and Pakistan were celebrated and welcomed.
■ See Wednesday’s Chronicle for reports and photos from across the district.
Sophie and Tommy Yerondais.
Adam Enever and Sarah Dellicastelli.
Sue Aldridge and Colleen O’Shanassy.
SPIRIT DANCE: Kevin Cooper performs a spirit dance in front of the crowd.
NATURALISED: New citizens were welcomed at a a ceremony in Wangaratta by Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy (right). They were Araz Abazadeh, Arvin Joseph Bautista, Francis King, Pechy Aranez McKibbin, Morne Kruger, Merve Odemis, Nithin Thomas Reji, Faisal Iqbal, Taimur Faisal Khan, Harrold Dave Panganiban, Katrina Valenzuela, Amell Isaac Panganiban, Novito Nolasco Pavia, Monique Liwag Lim, and Lunabelle Pavia.
Ross now a Member of the Order
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
ROSS Brown said he had reacted with disbelief to news that he had been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 Australia Day honours list.
“I thought, ‘There are a lot of people who are far more deserving’,” he said.
“It’s been my peers who have made the nomination, and I am humbled by it.”
A third-generation member of the Brown Family Wine Group, Ross was recognised for his “signi cant service to the winemaking industry, and to tourism”.
“It means a great deal; the fact that you’ve put your life into an industry and business, and see it as a way of life, for someone to then acknowledge that you’ve done some good, is really special,” he said.
Ross was one of 732 Australians recognised through the 2025 honours list, which marked the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said reading recipient stories was “to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matters most to all Australians, in every sphere of life”.
“Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them,” she said.
Ross said he had enjoyed “a dream life”, working in the family business started by his grandfather, John Francis Brown, who planted 10 acres of vines in Milawa in 1885.
He has had a box seat to watch the evolution of the Australian wine industry in the
years since joining the business in 1970 a er his schooling, initially to look a er cellar door sales.
“We went through a period where wine was virtually unknown; I’d go out to a party where everyone had brought beer and I brought wine, but over the years that changed to the point where people were asking me about di erent varieties of wine,” he said.
“It’s one of the agricultural industries where you have really close contact with the customer, and that builds engagement.”
Ross’ involvement with Brown Family Wine Group (formerly Brown Brothers Wines) included roles as chief marketing o cer and director from 1977 to 2000, chief executive o cer from 2001 to 2011, and executive director from 2011 to 2020.
Now a non-executive director, his role includes ensuring the history and tradition of the winery started by his grandfather remains in view.
Ross has been thrilled to see his three daughters, Katherine (the rst female winemaker in four generations of the Brown family), Emma (marketing manager), and Caroline (corporate communications) join the company.
“It couldn’t be more special,” he said.
“There are so many opportunities within the business: you’ve got the agriculture industry, manufacturing and sales all rolled into one, so there is a real diversity of skills required.”
Tourism and promotion of the wine industry have been a key focus for Ross over his career: he is a former committee member of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
Domestic Task Force; a former member of the Australian Wine Industry Forum; a former committee member of the Wine Federation of Australia (now Australian Grape and Wine); a member of the Victorian Wine Tourism Council (1997-2002); chair of the North East Valleys Food and Wine Group (2002-2005); chair of the International Roundtable of Family Wine Companies (2005); chair of Australia’s First Families of Wine (2010-’12); an advisory board member of Victorian Regional Tourism (2015); and a board member of Wine Victoria (2015). He was also a member of the
Food Industry Advisory Committee - Tasmania (2010-’11); a member of the Rural City of Wangaratta Tourism Advisory Board (2005-’10); and chair of the Wangaratta Tourism and Development Committee (2002-’04).
Ross has previously been honoured as a Victorian Legend of the Vine by Wine Communicators of Australia (2015), and in the Legends Hall of Fame at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (2014).
“The way to develop tourism is to co-operate with other people; people don’t just come to the region to visit our winery, they come for all the di erent
experiences that are on o er,” he said.
“It’s about building a rich tapestry for the area through ‘co-opetition’.
“The most recent example of that has been the prosecco opportunity with the grape growers of the King Valley, where everyone co-operates and works together with a common vision.”
Fi y- ve years a er his career began, Ross remains passionate about the wine industry, and has loved watching its development, including the matching of wine with food leading to lifestyle engagement opportunities.
“I got enormous excitement from having our wines in the international market; to be able to take a local product rst to the Australian market, and then internationally was wonderful,” he said.
“The industry is in a tough spot at the moment, due to the legacy of the China issue, where half of Australian exports were sent back into the domestic market, so it is still working at rebuilding itself, but I think we will see change in the next few years.”
As for his own approach to life and business, Ross said he aims to “try to do some good every day”.
Beekeeper Jodie Goldsworthy humbled by AM honour
BY CORAL COOKSLEY ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au
BEECHWORTH’s Jodie
Goldsworthy has been recognised for signi cant service to primary industry, particularly the honey bee and pollination sector in this year’s Australia Day Honours awards with her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
An overwhelmed Ms Goldsworthy - co-founder of Beechworth Honey - said she had been humbled in receiving the award.
“I think this is an award which is much bigger than me – it’s for bees and people who work behind the scenes and have supported me, our industry and also for the amazing organisations I have worked for,” she said.
Ms Goldsworthy has been a driving force in Australia and internationally for three decades working to protect bees with their vital role in food security, biodiversity and sustainability for a healthy planet.
The fourth-generation beekeeper grew up in the industry listening to problems that both bees and beekeepers faced throughout her childhood understanding the importance of bees.
“Bees pollinate two thirds of Australia’s agricultural production and are absolutely critical for our food supply, biodiversity, healthy soil, water and the planet,” she said.
Ms Goldsworthy had recognised policy makers needed to understand the complex issues facing bees and beekeepers.
“You start to get involved in organisations, and work with like-minded people who share the same passion,” she said.
Among challenges for bees have been the threat of exotic pests and diseases from outside Australia such the varroa mite, intensive land management and its impact on the environment, and climate change.
“I’ve been lucky with amazing opportunities to help shape rural and regional Australia and try and share the importance of bees with organisation such as National Farmers Federation and
Australian Food and Grocery Council.
Working at an international level Ms Goldsworthy spent eight years as Oceana regional president of the International Federation of Beekeeping Association, Apimondia, with its 128 member countries including Australia and is now Oceana regional’s vice president.
She has also a founding
member of Apimondia’s honey adulteration working group.
“This has shaped the development of international standards both in the US and in Europe,” Ms Goldsworthy said.
“It’s a complex topic where collaboration and collective global action is required.”
She has also been involved in organising the world beekeeping awards.
Ms Goldsworthy said among amazing mentors have been the late Linton Briggs, a beekeeper and a queen bee breeder from Glenrowan as well as Wheen Bee Foundation’s retired chairman Dr Max Whitten with whom she worked in creating the Foundation.
The Foundation promotes the importance of bees for food security and raises
funds for research to address national and global threats to bees.
“The Foundation this year has been funded to develop an Australian pollination strategy, and that’s something I’ve been, working on for a long time, and it’s really exciting,” Ms Goldsworthy said.
With a love of nature and the environment Ms Goldsworthy hopes her legacy will be an inspiration for everyone to have a love of bees.
“It’s rewarding to work with other people and see that you can make a di erence to help educate and inform,” she said.
Among other organisations, Ms Goldsworthy has held various board member and committee positions with Honey Packers and Marketers Association of Australia, Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.
Australian government appointments include being a member of the Horticulture Innovation Pollination Expert Advisory Panel and in previous years, a member of the Food Processing Industry Strategy Group and Deputy Prime Minister’s Regional Women’s Advisory Council.
CHEERS TO A DREAM LIFE: Ross Brown was among those to receive Australia Day honours in 2025, for his significant service to the winemaking industry, and to tourism.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Mark Flack has your back around snakes in the North East region
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
THE sighting of snakes out of their natural habitat in Wangaratta’s CBD is a common occurrence and people o en don’t know how to react to ensure their safety as well as the snake’s.
Mark Flack at Tarrawingee Snake and Reptile Relocation has been around snakes for most of his life and is a fully licensed snake handler and he has shared some advice about what to do when a snake has been found out of it’s environment.
With Australia possessing some of the most venomous snakes in the world, people can nd themselves in potentially deadly situations, however, Mark advised that if people behave in the right way they can remain safe.
“Bystanders and people trying to get a look at snakes can sometimes be our biggest hazard and snakes react to rapid movement,” Mark said.
“When there are people ducking and darting and having a look around, the snakes are reacting to that and it makes our job harder.
“We always advise to keep everyone away and only have a maximum of two people within 5-10 metres of the snake to keep an eye out for it so when the snake catcher arrives it makes the job safer and quicker.”
Mark works full-time but he takes calls when required and can attend a job day or night to assist in the snake’s removal.
He has attended a few ripper jobs, including one where two male Easter brown snakes were ghting over a female in a contest to mate with her.
“We arrived at the property and the smaller of the two males was about six foot long and two inches in diameter,” Mark described.
Another one this week involved a cat sleeping on top of a box and the owners were especially worried as their cat was sleeping right next to it.
Athleticism comes into the job as well and Mark recalled a job at the Aboriginal Learning Centre in Wangaratta.
“There was a red-bellied black near the front door and it decided it didn’t want to be there anymore so it jumped o the landing and I had to sprint down and dive under a car to capture it,” he said. It’s common for snakes to move from river embankments they live in to nearby streets in Wangaratta’s CBD to sun themselves and collect food such as skinks and frogs.
Snakes are o en unknowingly brought in from out of town under cars and several have been seen in supermarket carparks over the years.
But Mark said the whole mindset of ‘a good snake’s a dead snake’ still remains a problem and this needs to change.
Mark tries to teach people about the bene ts snakes provide for the ecosystem with pest control, for example they consume thousands of mice which helps reduce the prevalence of mice plagues.
Have your say on how council should allocate its budget
IT’S the last chance for community members and groups to make a submission or respond to a Rural City of Wangaratta Council survey.
Submissions for the revenue and rating plan 2025-29 and 2025-26 budget, will close this Friday.
Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on how future funds should be raised and invested.
Community members can have their say by completing the Wangaratta council Rates, Revenue and Spending Priorities Survey.
The survey ndings will in uence how funding is allocated in the 2025/26 budget and how revenue and rates will be raised across the municipality.
Rural City of Wangaratta organisations, community groups, and residents can also make a budget submission to the 2025-26 budget.
A budget submission is a request for funds for a speci c community project, service, or initiative that you want to see council invest in the next nancial year.
Submissions will be reviewed with councillors and o cers, and will be assessed for feasibility, nancial viabil-
“Snakes are just trying to live their lives and as populations grow, humans are displacing them by building houses right on top of their homes.
“Snakes are only deadly if we involve ourselves with them and if they’re left alone they’re in no danger of anyone.
“If a snake is within a metre of you, stay completely still no matter how scared you might be.
“It will probably li it’s head and ick its tongue but if you stay still with no fast movements, the snake will not see you as a threat and will lower its head and go on its way.”
“If fear does take over, and if you have a means to very slowly and methodically walk backwards, then do so.” If you require a snake or other reptile to be removed safely call Mark Flack on 0422 805 174.
A good Scout recognised for 50 years service
are Sarah Brindley, Allison Winters and Felicity Bate.
ity, and alignment to the council plan.
Those with a shortlisted submission will also be asked if they wish to present their idea directly to the council.
All contributors will receive responses and be informed if their proposal is adopted in the nal 2025-26 budget.
Feedback may also help to inform future planning as well as council’s next 10-year nancial plan.
The nal 2025-26 budget and revenue and rating plan documents will be published on council’s website once adopted by councillors, no later than June 30.
Irene Grant, Mayor Rural City of Wangaratta, said the budget is a shared vision of what our community wants to
achieve together.
“I invite every resident to take part in this important process by making a submission,” she said.
“Whether it’s a new idea, a priority project, or improvements to existing services, your input helps us build a budget that truly re ects the needs and aspirations of our community.”
The annual budget enables council to manage and deliver over 50 services as well as invest in works like roads, footpaths, community facilities and other infrastructure.
HowtoGetInvolved
Visit the Connect Wangaratta website to have your say https://connect.wangaratta. vic.gov.au/25-26-budget-andrevenue-and-rating-plan
Monday, January 26, 2015
By SHANE DOUTHIE
OVER 50 years service with the Scouting movement has earned Wangaratta’s Liz Golec an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in this year’s Australia Day honours.
For Liz, who is currently Group Leader at 1st Yarrunga Scout Group, the honour ranks right up there with meeting her husband Ed as one of the bonuses of her involvement in Scouts.
“Ed was a leader at 1st Yarrunga Scouts and I was with the 3rd/4th Wangaratta Scout Group at the Barr Reserve when we first me so you could say I have certainly received a lot out of the Scouts,” Liz said.
Liz first became involved with Scouts Australia in 1963 at Deepdene (Melbourne) when she was just 15 years of age.
“They were struggling to get leaders at the local group, which is an ongoing challenge for Scouts, and a neighbour asked my older sister if she was interested,” Liz recalled.
“My sister was getting married and didn’t have the time so I got involved.”
Liz, who had been a member of Guides, was now leading a pack of 20 8-11 year old boys and lifetime commitment to the Scouts had begun.
“I was overwhelmed when told of the award,” Liz said.
“Anyone involved in community groups will tell you, you don’t do it for personal rewards but to think someone has taken time to nominate me makes me very proud.”
The benefits of her involvement in Scouts are many according to Liz.
“I was a shy person really when I started
but getting involved in so many different roles on a local and district level has helped me develop many new skills including training future Scout leaders,” Liz said.
Liz served at all levels of the Scouting movement including Group Leader at the local level, Scouts Australia Commissioner for Victoria, District Commissioner for Alpine Gateway District and Region Commissioner for Northern Region (Victorian Branch) and Leader Trainer and Assessor for Victorian Branch.
“The major advantage Scouting brings to families is that it enables parents to get more involved with their children,” Liz said.
“That’s the most important thing in any youth movement. It also provides an opportunity for the children and the parents to mix with people outside their normal networks.”
The Golecs followed that philosophy with their sons Matthew and Dael also becoming involved with Scouts.
Liz said she aims to retire (for the 3rd time) from the Scouts at this year’s August meeting of 1st Yarrunga Scout Group.
“We have 10 enthusiastic young leaders at Yarrunga and 40 children involved. We have worked hard to get the families involved and that has really paid off.”
PLAY IT SAFE: Mark Flack at Tarrawingee Snake and Reptile Relocation has some good words of advise if you come across a snake.
PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling
INFO CENTRE: The Rural City of Wangaratta team at WSAC on Friday were ready to field questions from the public. Pictured
WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT: Liz Golec, pictured with her husband Ed, was surprised to receive an OAM.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Largest cattle sale in living memory in Wangaratta city
BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au
THE largest single cattle sale in local living memory will be held at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange on Friday from 9am with the rst of two Blue Ribbon sales takes place.
It will also be the Some 5000 head will be yarded by Corcoran and Parker with agency manager Justin Keane con rming it will be the largest ever sale by a sole livestock agency in Wangaratta’s history.
Recent sales have seen a big push from interstate buyers from QLD and NSW who purchased 65 per cent of the total yarding and there is an expectation of similar results this week.
Corcoran Parker Wangaratta livestock agent Reiley Murtagh said the Blue Ribbon sale on Friday has become more popular each year and will present strong competition with buyers and condence in vendors.
“Friday’s sale is coming together with 5000 plus cattle ready to go,” Mr Murtagh said.
ken up into two due to large
numbers and the other sale will be held on Wednesday, February 5, with a combined total of about 9500 cattle.
“We predict a large in uence of interstate buyers who will make a strong presence from southern QLD and NSW who will look to buy in numbers keeping the price drive rm.
“Cattle producers have put in their heart and soul in over the last 12 months to prepare their cattle for this week’s sale to present the absolute best quality in their stock.
“Friday’s sale is the biggest day on our calendar year, and we expect to see a large showing of local presence who will also be looking to re-stock numbers who will be up against interstate competition which as a result, will see a boost in the market prices.
“The cattle industry is sitting in a great position with a great consensus among producers and buyers that the market is moving forward, instilling a breath of fresh air in con dence and the sale on Friday will most de nitely show a re ection on where we are all heading.”
Angus steers: KENYA PASTORAL, BROCKLESBY NSW
3x 5in1, Multimin, VB, Weaned, GF.
AM DOBSON & SON, ACHERON VIC
100 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Connamara & Banquet Bld, Vacc 2x 5in1, VB, Weaned, GF.
AW & K BAILEY, TATONG VIC
65 Angus Steers, 1011 mths, Rennylea Bld, Drenched Moxistar, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, Weaned, GF.
BERDUE PASTORAL, BUXTON VIC
60 Angus Steers, 10 mths, TeMania Bld, Vacc 2x 7in1, Multimin, B12, Cydectin Platinum, Easy Dose, VB, Weaned, GF.
DAVILAK PASTORAL CO, MANSFIELD VIC
50 Angus Steers, 9-10 mths, Glendaloch Bld, Vetmec Inj, Lev PO, Vacc 3x 5in1, Selovin LA, Bovi Shield, VB, Weaned, GF.
AD & DS MCMILLAN, KILFEERA VIC
50 Angus Steers, 10 mths, Reiland & Alpine Bld, Fasitak, Vacc 7in1, VB, Weaned, GF. Angus heifers: ARULUEN ANGUS, DOCKER VIC
30 Angus Heifers, 11 mths, Aruluen Bld, VB, Weaned, GF M BROWN, GOOMALIBEE
mths, Fernhill Bld, VB, Weaned, GF AD & DS. MCMILLAN, KILFEERA VIC.
STAMLEA, LIMA VIC
26 Angus Heifers, 9-10
25 Angus Heifers, 10 mths, Reiland & Alpine Bld, Fasitak, Vacc 7in1, VB, Weaned, GF.
20 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, AI Bred, Sterling Paci c, Texus Top Gun, Dectomax, Ivomec Plus, Vacc 2x 5in1, Selovin LA, VB, Weaned, GF.
RAHEEN PARTNERSHIP, MANSFIELD VIC
15 Angus Heifers, 10-11 mths, Kunuma, Wilgunya, Muwurra Bld, Cydectin Platinum, Vacc 2x 7in1, VB, Weaned, GF.
Lower driving age to 17: MP Broad
By STEVE KELLY
THERE have been renewed calls for Victoria’s probationary driving age to be reduced to 17, bringing it in line with other states and reduce disadvantage for young people in rural areas.
Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia that still requires P-plate drivers to be aged 18 or over.
Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad said the move would be a game-changer for many rural and regional families.
“Young people, especially those living in rural and regional areas are at a disadvantage by not being allowed to access their provisional license at the age of 17,” Ms Broad said.
“In the last week I was con-
tacted by many young people and their families who are very keen to see the P-plate age lowered.
“One young driver said: ‘a lot of kids would be absolutely stoked’.
“People who live in rural and regional areas o en do not have access to public transport to get to work, apprenticeships or study.
“They rely on their families to transport them to and from these commitments, but not everyone has someone who can drive them around when they need it.”
Ms Broad raised the issue in parliament in July 2024, but the State Government did not support the idea.
“I will raise the issue again when parliament resumes next month,” Ms Broad said. Wangaratta instructor at
Torque Driver Training Kim Dent said the choice to apply for a driver’s licence is the choice of individual families.
She said if a teenager requires a licence to commute to work or education, they should have that option.
“If they have a traineeship or job they should have the opportunity to attend their vocation,” Ms Dent said.
“If they’re not con dent or capable or they feel they haven’t got enough experience before they are 18 years old, of course they can wait until they’re 18.
“The requirement is for learner drivers to clock up 120 hours experience including 100 hours during daylight and 20 hours at night.
“As long as they’ve got this experience, it doesn’t matter if they’re 17 or 18 years old.”
ACTION PACKED: Corcoran Parker Wangaratta agent Reiley Murtagh is ready for a strong presence of competition this Friday with the largest yarding in living memory locally.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling.
OPTION SOULD BE THEIRS: Kim Dent at Torque Driver Training believes that young people should have the option to get their licence at 17 to assist with transportation to work but the decision is up to individual families.
PHOTO: Steve Kelly
What’s it mean to you to be Australian?
AUSTRALIA Day has been and gone, albeit most of the general public will be lapping up a day off on Monday.
Hundreds of people from across the rural city, including Wangaratta and all of the district’s towns, would have thought for a moment about what a great place Australia is to live.
Moreso, there were several assertions at the Wangaratta morning ceremony that proclaimed Wangaratta is a great place to live.
There was talk about a rich community and the people and volunteer organisations that actually help the Rural City of Wangaratta be the place that it is and continue to make it thrive as a regional centre.
You only have to look at the 15 new citizens from a whole range of backgrounds who call North East Victoria their home.
The city’s leaders were celebrated in front of their family, friends and it’s day’s like our national day that allow the wider community to realise what these people do for our municipality and its people.
Many people are nominated every year for their outstanding contributions and all of these people should feel immense honour in their achievements.
Wangaratta district towns are well connected and it’s this adhesive culture that builds on what has been achieved in the past.
There will be physical changes to Wangaratta over the next decade in terms of infrastructure, population growth and more traffic on our roads, but let’s hope the spirit of community is not lost.
Being Australian is looking out for one another and helping a stranger who is in need.
As we progress into 2025, let us all rejoice what we have.
The Quiz No. 119
1. In 2017, who succeeded Ian Britza as the member for the electoral district of Morley?
2. What are the two of cial languages of Cyprus?
3. Zoysia, Bermuda, Couch and Pampas are all types of what?
4. What is the main ingredient of biryani?
5. Who played the role of Robbie Ray Stewart on the TV show, Hannah Montana?
6. What name was given to Australia in 1644 by Abel Tasman?
7. Which celebrity chef has a daughter called Petal Blossom Rainbow?
8. The Triton Fountain is a popular tourist attraction in which Italian city?
9. Which telecommunications company released the XZ Premium smartphone in 2017?
10. In the 1970s, which band had the hit song, Sultans of Swing?
11. What type of animal is a Cornish Rex?
12. Renal physiology is the study of the physiology of which organ?
13. Which car manufacturer makes the Yaris?
14. What nationality was surrealist painter, Salvador Dalí?
15. Which mountain range dominates the centre of Romania?
16. The son of which actor was accidentally shot and killed while lming the 1994 movie, The Crow?
17. Which sport uses an Épée?
18. Who wrote the Tales of the City series of novels?
19. What is the name of the nal segment of the human vertebral column?
20. Which company was established in 1928 by Sir Leslie Joseph Hooker?
FACEBOOK users commented on a proposed citizenship policy announcement from the Federal Coalition making citizenship ceremonies mandatory on Australia Day.
• Raymond Andison: Dutton has strange priorities. Plenty about the indigenous. Nothing about addressing the cost of living, interest rates, Housing cost and availibty Healthcare, Climate Change,Labour Costs and Productivity
• John Barnard: Raymond Andison neither does the current government
• Ross Benton: Raymond Andison I think you’re talking about the Labor Party. Dutton is right on top of all the issues you mention. That’s why Australia is going down the tube. It will end up broke just like Victoria also under Labor.
• Leslie Matthews: The Liberal Party, out of touch, out of office.
• Craig McDonald: It seems very un Australian to
We need a licence to make money
I HAVE a proposal to put to the board regarding stimulating economy etc in the Rural City of Wangaratta and would love to get as much feedback as possible.
This is a bit out of the square thinking, however, I think it has tremendous possibilities for our region.
• RCOW to strike its own coinage.
• Coins to be in multiples of $5; $10 $20; $100.
• Coins to be named WANG.
• All donations given by RCOW to be in WANG currency. Replacing Australian dollars.
• All invoices received from RCOW including rates can be paid or part paid in WANG currency.
• Organisations who receive a grant will be able to spend that WANG currency grant with local compliant traders.
• Traders will be able to settle any invoice from our RCOW either partly or wholly with WANG currency.
NOTE: Comments as they
enforce this jingoism. Facebook users also commented on local sprinter Andrea Hearne and her return to competing at the Wangaratta Gift over the weekend for the first time in 15 years.
• Madison Goff: YAY!
• Jessica Louise: Well done
• Sarah Lloyd: Whoo hoo... Go Andrea...
• Jo Mich Butler: Way to go Andrea Hearne very inspiring
• Tania Vickery: Amazed ng effort. Well done Andrea.
• Georgia Mahoney: Andrea Hearne legend Facebook users commented on charges laid over an alleged extortion and arson of a Wangaratta tobacco business.
• Alexis Baillie: Aren’t they silly. You do get caught
• Dianne Guppy: Amazing
• Debra Jean Crowther: Awesome
• Caroline Sunshine: Great job vicpol
without
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
15,141
• Organisations who Receive a grant will be able to pay any debts owing to council with WANG currency.
• Businesses and or individuals who received payment in a WANG currency can spend that currency with RCOW or other compliant traders.
I am putting forward this idea through the Wangaratta Chamber of Commerce to dissuade grant recipients organisations, be they sporting or other pursuits, from making purchases on the Internet from distant traders where the grant bene t may not lter through RCOW economy.
An example is say a sports club receives an Australian dollar grant from RCOW and then sources player t-shirts from a distant supplier.
I’m sure there will be situations where my theory will not work but try as I may I can’t think of one.
Brian Fox, Wangaratta Chamber of Commerce president
One flag, one poem for united Australia Day
IN a time of international unrest many are opting to take the heat out of Australia Day.
Truth telling as a response to mythmaking might go part of the way to healing the division that political propaganda has created.
The investment in disunity that the Voice Referendum has represented needs to be addressed by quiet voices bringing us back
to the table and batting for the same teams we approach our national day.
The famous Australian Poem “My Country” beginning at the second stanza “I love a sunburnt country” can still be heard echoing around the nation across the generations that rst recited it in bush schools and private city colleges decades ago.
This proud narrative linking us to the beauty and the challenges of our landscape and environment was heard again at our church service on Australia Day.
So too will the re ection of Professor Geo rey Blainey, a national treasure and beyond his 90th year be heard through the agency of the Member for Farrer Sussan Ley as she too comments upon all that joins Australians town and country together.
The recent episode when political leaders held hostage in the church service lectured by a collared leader will not be repeated locally.
Despite her best intentions the female Bishop of Washington Mariann Budde has probably sown discord rather than love when she appealed for mercy from President Trump.
She might as well have bloodied his nose and expected him just to take it but the public nature of the confrontation and that he was unable to respond is politically and democratically and spiritually at odds with the nature of the event.
If the marriage problems between church and state were played out in the public forum we could not expect anything but
polarisation and this is exactly what we’ve got. Suddenly it’s David and Goliath, Achilles and Hector, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. Granade throwing and bible bashing, however well intentioned, will never have a satisfactory outcome if the result is to publicly humiliate or back your antagonist into an internationally illuminated corner.
The barricades of propaganda with little foundation in uncontested history have no place on our national day.
Whether we have been here for thousands of years or are only recent arrivals our love and devotion to our nation is the only focus that will lead to peace.
Carrying old resentments and entitlements in our tuckerbag will inevitably hinder Waltzing Matilda or anyone else into a uni ed future.
Fr Peter MacLeod-Miller, Rector of Albury
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
SUMMER SIZZLE: Ti any Hine, Melissa Duguid and Aten Dennehy cooked up a storm at Wangaratta’s outdoor pool party on Friday.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Casella announces Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification
AUSTRALIA’S largest familyowned winery, Casella Family Brands (CFB), has announced the certi cation of its winemaking sites, vineyards and grape supply, under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia scheme.
CFB-owned Riverina, Barossa, Rutherglen and Glenrowan wineries are now certi ed by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, with the 2025 vintage release of brands Yellow Tail wine, Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, Casella Family Wines and Atmata, to carry Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certi cation.
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is Australia’s national program for grape growers and winemakers committed to making sustainable wine.
CFB’s says its involvement demonstrates its dedication to sustainable practices and the long-term growth of Australia’s wine industry.
In 2024, CFB contributed 12 per cent of Australia’s annual wine grape crush and as a result, more than one in 10 grapes har-
are now certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, according to (from le ) Nicholas
Chris Molineaux and
vested will now be grown under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program.
CFB sustainability manager Joey Sergi said the certi cation was a signi cant step in the company’s sustainability journey.
“A er investing in installing our large-scale solar farm last year, we’ve focused on achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certi cation across
our wineries and grower base,” he said.
“Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritise sustainability, and with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certi cation, they can trust our wines are produced with environmental care.”
CFB grower services manager and senior winemaker Nic Schirripa acknowledged the enor-
mous e ort and commitment to obtaining the certi cation from winery sta and the company’s grower network. He said the program formalises its current operations by providing a structured framework to document sustainability practices, which will help it identify risk areas and uncover opportunities for improvement going forward.
MAMA to hold Open Call
THE Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) will hold an information session in February about MAMA’s Open Call 2026 program, led by head of curatorial and collections, Michael Moran.
Each year, through a competitive application process, artists are selected to hold an exhibition at MAMA, supported throughout the process by its curatorial team.
The program is dedicated to presenting the work of artists from the local region as well
as artists from beyond the region whose work is locally significant.
The information session is designed to guide artists through the online application process, key dates and objectives of the program.
The 2025 Open Call program has already been announced and will feature five artists presenting works in solo exhibitions, including local Ashe, Jessie Bullivant, Glennys Briggs, Albury-based okwhynot.wtf, and Ava Collie.
Applications for the 2026 exhibition program are now open and artists from all backgrounds and levels of experience are encouraged to apply, with all artistic approaches welcome.
Information will be provided at the session about how to best write about yourself and your artwork, how to prepare support material for application, and how to draft an artist cv.
The information session will cover what do if you’ve never
Gauge your financial, mental stress with online tool
By SIMONE KERWIN
A NEW online tool designed to help people recognise their level of financial and mental stress is proving popular amid post-festive season spending and cost-of-living pressures.
The Money and Mental Health Quiz, developed by Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia, has been used by almost 7000 people since its launch last year.
The quiz allows people to better understand where they sit on a financial and mental wellbeing scale, and to be linked with free resources and support, helping them to take action earlier.
Latest data shows that over 70 per cent of people who have completed the quiz fell into either the ‘struggling’ or ‘critical’ categories of the financial and mental wellbeing scale.
‘Struggling’ is where results have shown respondents are experiencing some financial stress, may be feeling sad, worried or unsettled, while the ‘critical’ category indicates a high level of financial stress, and where respondents may be feeling desperate and hopeless.
The quiz prompted respondents to take immediate action, including contacting a financial or mental health counsellor earlier than they otherwise would have.
Beyond Blue’s most recent Australia’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check found financial pressure was the leading cause of distress for nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents.
Distress over financial pressure was even higher for those aged 25-34 (65 per cent), 35-44 (59 per cent) and 45-54 (53 per cent).
FInd it at www.beyondblue.org.au/mentalhealth/financial-wellbeing/money-quiz
WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?
By Peter Nelson, retired CSIRO climatologist
Extreme weather in WA heading towards North
East Victoria
DURING the past week there were outstanding weather events in Western Australia which will have a significant effect on weather in Victoria and most of NSW in the coming weeks.
Severe tropical cyclone Sean with central pressure of 953mbs delivered heavy rainfalls mainly along the Pilbara Coast.
Karratha recorded 274.4mm on January 20, easily a daily record not only for January but also the highest on record for any other month .
The month’s total has reached 391mm at Karratha and this is also the highest on record for any month in 53 years of records.
The previous wettest month at Karratha was 348mm in February 2011 which certainly set up very heavy rain after high temperatures in early February in North East Victoria.
exhibited before, as well as how to approach an application if you are an experienced artist - with plenty of time also allowed to ask questions. Sessions will be held in person on Wednesday, February 12 from 4pm to 5pm and online from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and registration is required by visiting www.mamalbury. com.au/open-call-info-session-2026.
Applications for the 2026 exhibition program close on Tuesday, March 25 at 3pm.
Fierce heatwave conditions invaded the Central West of WA .
Geraldton recorded a record high temperature of 49.3 degrees Celsius on January 20 despite the closeness of tropical cyclone Sean.
Previous highest January temperatures at Geraldton were 47.7C in 1954, 47.3C in 1969, 47.1C in 1979 and 46.1C in 2014.
Each one of these very hot days certainly set up very hot days over all of Victoria and most of NSW up to the middle 40s about six days later. Near the end of January of 1954, 1969 and 2014 we had significant rainfalls with thunderstorms. but not much rainfall until late in March.
PHOTO: Murray Art Museum Albury
SIGNIFICANT STEP: CFB-owned Riverina, Barossa, Rutherglen and Glenrowan wineries
Schirripa, Joey Sergi,
John Casella, from Casella Family Brands.
PHOTO: CFB
Junior Reporter Club
ACROSS
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
3 What is a small settlement (8)
7 Name a tall tree-like tropical grass (6)
8 What might we call one who presents facts aggressively (8)
9 Name the practice of growing very small trees, etc (6)
10 What are long, narrow excavations in the ground (8)
11 What is the lower part of anything (6)
14 Which house is built for a dog (6)
17 Name a writer of stories (8)
18 Name the second sign of the zodiac (6)
19 What is another term for midday (8)
20 To be closer, is to be what (6)
21 When one defers or postpones, one does what (8)
DOWN
1 Which metal urn is used for heating the water for making tea (7)
2 To be profane, is to be what (7)
3 To tether, is to do what (2,5)
4 Name another term for a delegate (7)
11 Name pulpy nutritious pieces of fruit (7)
12 To be covetous, is to be what (7)
13 What is a skirt-like garment (7)
14 What are young cats called (7)
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
RECONDITE
(a) Acting in return (b) Hidden (c) Cowardly
2 UDOMETER
(a) A vessel for holding ointments
E-QUATIONS 7
5 To make inartistic, is to do what (7)
15 Name the dark patches in the sky (7)
(b) A rain gauge
6 What is a sunshade called (7)
Letters have a number value
16 When one tolerates, one does what (7)
Some values are in the right hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
E-QUATIONS
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
(c) An instrument attached to a wheel for measuring distance travelled
BIYWORD
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.
CLUES: Be relevant (7) Cold (coll) (5) Fermenting agent (5)
Fragrant blooms (5) However (3) Reception (abb) (3) Repentant (5) Take small swallows (3) Utter (3) Villains (coll) (7)
New direction for Riddellvue Angus
EMBARKING on a new path in 2025, Riddellvue Angus will continue its commitment to breeding genuine, hard-working bulls and elite outcross females out of a small spring herd.
This February the stud is o ering a unique opportunity for beef breeders to secure top-tier foundation females at the stage two Autumn Herd Dispersal Sale on Friday, February 7 from 1pm, on-property in Markwood and online with AuctionsPlus.
Showcasing an exceptional line-up of elite outcross genetics that will t into any program, the female group includes 100 premium PTIC cows; M-N-P-Q-R-S-T including 30 spring joined U heifers plus an additional 30 autumn V heifers.
“I have always trusted my gut when selecting sires to use and never got hung up on numbers but have been mindful this is what the industry is looking for,” Ian Bates, Riddellvue stud principal, said.
“I’m really proud of this elite line of females we are putting up at the February auction.”
Then on Thursday, March 13, around 30 high calibre 18-month-old bulls will be o ered at the annual autumn bull sale.
Mr Bates said the sale will feature a dra of structurally sound, high-performing
sires bred for calving ease, fertility and temperament.
“There is a bull in the catalogue to suit all types of beef breeders, and we take pride in breeding cattle that meet the needs of commercial producers,” he said.
“Both the females and bulls up for auction represent years of careful selection based on structural soundness, fertility and outcross genetics.
“They will t seamlessly into any program, o ering proven performance and longevity.”
The females only will be on display during the stud’s Beef Week Open Day on Tuesday, February 4 and are also available to view by private inspection prior to the February 7 auction.
“Buyers can expect full DNA genomic pro les and a supplementary sheet detailing pregnancy status on all females available at Beef Week,” said Mr Bates.
There will be a pre-sale inspection day for the bulls with the date to be announced closer to the March sale.
For more information, visit www.riddellvue.com.au or follow Riddellvue Angus on Facebook and Instagram.
RIC farm business loans interest rate on hold at 5.18%
AUSTRALIAN Govern ment farm business lend er, RIC (Regional Invest ment Corporation) has announced the variable interest rate on all conces sional farm business loans will remain at the rate of 5.18 per cent effective from February 1 for 6 months un til the next review period.
RIC chief executive offic er John Howard said RIC’s low interest rates continue to provide a concessional benefit to farm businesses in financial need.
“RIC concessional inter est rates will stay the same which is welcome news for thousands of RIC farm busi ness loan customers across Australia, providing muchneeded breathing space, greater certainty to manage cash flow, and stability to strengthen their long-term financial position,” he said.
SUPPORTING FARMERS: RIC chief executive o icer John Howard said low interest rates continue to provide a concessional benefit to farm businesses in financial need.
“Our RIC Farm Loans Customer Insights Brief 2024 revealed that high interest rates and farm production costs remain the biggest concerns for farmers.
“RIC low-cost loans continue to provide a concessional benefit to help ease that cost pressure.”
Mr Howard said RIC interest rates are only reviewed twice a year, bringing some certainty to RIC customers in planning their financial forecasts.
“One of the key benefits of RIC loans is inter-
est rates are only reviewed every six months and are based on the average of the Australian Government 10year bond rate, not Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cash rate movements,” he said.
“Since the start-up of RIC in July 2018, RIC concessional loans have saved our customers an estimated $307 million in interest repayments.”
Farm businesses with a concessional RIC loan also benefit from no application fees, no ongoing management fees, and no penalty
fees for extra or early repayment.
RIC loans have a 10-year term with interest-only repayments for the first five years, followed by principal and interest repayments for the remainder of the loan term.
Farm businesses can borrow up to $2 million.
Farm-related small businesses can borrow up to half a million dollars.
Eligibility and assessment criteria apply. For more information on RIC loans, visit www.ric. gov.au.
IN PERSON BY PHONE
Have you adopted your dog, through an adoption agency in the last 6 months?
Apply now to claim your free training session!
There are 5 free training sessions a month.
There is also one Full Scholarship of ongoing training position open at a time.
Phone: 0434 189 452 www.thedoggiediplomat.com
Apprentice Printer Full-Time Position
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 Juliano 0412 597 482.
WHEELER Earthworks, available for all your earthworks needsyard clean ups, stump removals, driveways, material supply and spreading, rural work and more. Call Marcus on 0491 094 545.
HC Truck Drivers
Full time and part time work for Grape Vintage.
Phone Bruce
TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED
For the 2025 Grape Season. MUST BE OR HAVE: CURRENT HC LICENCE, OVER 25 YEARS OLD, FORKLIFT LICENCE, EXPERIENCED WITH GENERAL FREIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 8 WEEKS WORK, STARTING EARLY FEB. Above Award Wages for the right applicants. PHONE GREG 0429 306 679 or email jenveytransport@gmail.com
Award winning newspaper publisher, North East Media, has a vacancy for an apprentice printer to work at our state-of-the-art press facility in Wangaratta, where the Wangaratta Chronicle and more than 20 other regional newspapers are printed.
The successful applicant will be committed to completing the four years of training,during which they will be taught all facets of newspaper printing. Applicants must be self motivated, reliable and be able to work in a close team environment.
This is a full-time position of 38 hours per week, but some flexibility will be required.
If you are looking for a new challenge in an energetic and stimulating environment with a long standing publisher, we would encourage you to forward your covering letter and CV (including three referees) to:
Danny Fogarty, Print Manager, North East Media 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677 dfogarty@nemedia.com.au
All applications are regarded as private and confidential. Award wages apply.
Truck Driver/Meat Lumper
Wangaratta Abattoirs requires a reliable person able to be a delivery driver to distribute carcass meat throughout Victoria and the Riverina to local butchers and supermarkets. Early morning starts to allow delivery to butchers during the day and some heavy lifting is involved.
We are prepared to teach the suitable person lifting techniques to assist with carcass deliveries.
HEAVY RIGID LICENSE ESSENTIAL.
This is an opportunity to build towards a long term position with our company. Apply by return response to this advertisement, call Peter Booth on 5721 2349 or come in and see us at 53 Greta Road, Wangaratta.
Two male Jack Russell pups, Microchip numbers 956000015988134, 956000015984585 tri colour, microchipped, vet checked and vaccinated, available now, $750 each. Source code MB330031 Phone 0400 671 577.
QUINTREX BayHunter runabout, 1992, 4.4 metre aluminium V-hull, with canopy and side window panels, trailer and 40HP Mercury engine, life jackets, reg to Sep 25, $12,500 ONO. Ph 0419 870 472.
USED once going outback/near new (built Nov 2019), top rack and additional annex included, $6000 neg. Ph 0417 154 229 or 0401 422 650.
CUB Supamatic hard floor camper trailer, towable by smallish car, excellent condition, light enough to push into position, very easy to set up, central walking between 2 single beds, ready for caravan park or bush camping, reg (W37396), see erected opposite Tarra Pub 17th-19th Jan, $7500 ONO. Phone Charlie 5725 1761.
YAMAHA XJR1300, excellent condition, only 17,600km, regretful sale due to ill health, $6000. Ph 0427 500 800.
Brayden
BENALLA
6/0/18/0.
A GRADE
Wangaratta & District Cricket Association
Geeth Alwis
SCOREBOARD:
Dylan Bursill (c)
Conner Forde
James Neary
Thomason
harris
Impink
BEECHWORTH WANDERERS VS CITY COLTS
CITY COLTS 1ST INNINGS
Mitchell Giggins c: Austen Fendyk b: Jack Ryan 59 Tyler Nanson c: Will Prebble b: Timothy Cogger 10 Aaron Thrum c: Brenton Surrey b: Timothy Cogger 22
ROVERS UNITED BRUCK VS YARRAWONGA MULWALA
YARRAWONGA MULWALA 1ST INNINGS
Reid Clarke c: Jeremy Wilson b: Daniel Jones 10
Ben Welsh b: Jacob Schonafinger 3
Angus McMillan (vc) c: ? b: Jacob Schonafinger 0
Brock McCabe c: Lakpriya shantha Gangabadawatta
Arachchilage b: Jacob Schonafinger 3
Van Kreeck b: Jacob Schonafinger 10
Kyle Archibald (c) c: Jacob Schonafinger b: Jeremy
Wilson 26
Adam Dodd c: Jacob Schonafinger b: Jeremy Wilson 6
A RESERVE
Mitchell Purcell c: Austen Fendyk b: Jack Ryan
Bowling: Matthew Ryan 13/2/51/3, Timothy Cogger 12/4/25/3, Kayde Surrey 15/8/18/2, Jack Ryan 8.2/1/27/2, Brenton Surrey 5/0/18/0, Will Prebble 4/0/22/0.
Xavier Mitchell c: Matthew Whitten b: Jeremy Wilson 0
Matt McCabe b: Jeremy Wilson 0
Oliver Cope lbw: Paddy McNamara 0
Angus Heslin not out 0*
Extras 15
Total 10 / 70
Overs 31.3
Bowling: Gregor Fraser 8/1/26/1, James Neary 10/2/39/0, Conner Forde 4/0/26/0, Josh Harris 8/0/39/0, Geeth Alwis 23/8/40/4, Glenn White 8/2/23/0, Cooper
BEECHWORTH WANDERERS 1ST INNINGS
Clancy Ellett not out
Jackson Cull not out 4*
Timothy Cogger
Austen Fendyk
Tristan Lenaz
Phillips not out 6*
Hunter North
Will Prebble
Jack Ryan
Ryan
Surrey (c)
Surrey
Bowling: Josh Nanson 6/2/10/0, Jed Marek 5/2/5/0, Tyler Nanson 2/2/0/0, Matthew Lister 1/1/0/0.
Bowling: Paddy McNamara 11/3/16/1, Jacob Schonafinger 11/3/12/4, Daniel Jones 5/1/11/1, Jeremy Wilson 4.3/0/20/4.
ROVERS UNITED BRUCK 1ST INNINGS
Luke Whitten c: Brock McCabe b: Angus Heslin 7
Charith Perera c: ? b: Angus Heslin 0
Ryan Collier c: Ben Welsh b: Angus Heslin 4
Paddy McNamara (c) c: Ben Welsh b: Van Kreeck 10
Reid McNamara c: Ben Welsh b: Angus McMillan 8
Matthew Whitten not out 4*
Jeremy Wilson (c) c: Angus McMillan b: Angus Heslin 0 Lakpriya shantha Gangabadawatta Arachchilage not out 0*
Jacob Schonafinger -
Charlie Lugg -
Daniel Jones -
7
6 / 40 Overs 40
Bowling: Conor Brodie 3/0/5/0, Charlie Bull 2/0/4/0.
Bowling: Angus Helsin 12/7/16/4, Angus McMillan 10/7/5/1, Aneeque Azam 5/3/6/0, Van Kreeck 7/4/11/1, Matt McCabe 6/5/1/0.
B GRADE
C GRADE
UNDER 16
No cricket played - competition bye.
No cricket played - competition bye.
UNDER 14
UNDER 12 GOLD
Delatite 9/76 Max O’Loughlan 18* Kieran Radcliffe 4/15 def by Wangaratta Magpies 10/269 Brandon Fitzpatrick 109 Max O’Loughlan 5/2. Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/211 John Taylor 70 Ben Feldtmann 2/49 def City Colts 7/157 Max Marek 50 Gary Browning 3/16. Benalla Bushrangers 10/70 Vishal Sharma 19 Adriano Speziale 5/21 def by Rovers United Bruck 8/209 Dean Shaw 81 Dale Stratton 2/7.
Beechworth Wanderers 8/205 vs Rovers United Bruck. Ovens Valley United 10/195 vs Benalla Bushrangers. Delatite vs City Colts 7/200.
Ovens Valley United 2/15 vs Beechworth Wanderers 10/72. Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams vs Rovers United Bruck Gold - match abandoned. Benalla Bushrangers Red 5/182 vs Wangaratta Magpies Black. Wangaratta Magpies White vs Rutherglen United - results unavailable. Benalla Bushrangers Blue vs City Colts 6/156. Greta White vs Greta Blue - results unavailable.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 6/81 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 6/122. Benalla Bushrangers Red 4/109 def Benalla Bushrangers Green 9/69. Wangaratta Magpies White 5/68 def by Benalla Bushrangers Blue 6/90. Delatite Gold 8/69 def by Delatite Blue 5/70. Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers 2/130 def Wangaratta Magpies Black 8/65.
UNDER 12 BLUE
Ovens Valley United Orange 1/78 def Ovens Valley United Black 5/64. Rovers United Bruck Gold 7/89 def by City Colts 1/91. Greta vs Rovers United Bruck Green - results unavailable. City Colts Blue 2/73 def Rutherglen United 6/72.
AERIAL: Josh Hunter belts the ball over the field.
PHOTOS: Melissa Beattie
RUN OUT: Jack Dean dashes to the stumps to a ect the run out.
EFFORT BALL: Isaac Parkinson puts a bit extra into his delivery.
Wangaratta & District Cricket Association
2024/25 season
MATCH REVIEWS: Saturday, January 25
By NATHAN DE VRIES
THE Bushrangers are in a very commanding position at stumps on day one of their red-ball showdown with Ovens Valley United.
Benalla Bushrangers’ bats were on re, clobbering 234 runs before skipper Brayden Stepien declared the innings closed ve down.
Winning the toss and batting rst on a at track with a fast out eld, the runs came quickly, with Stepien leading the way at the top.
His clean hitting was on display, belting his way to 60 o 62 deliveries before he tried to reverse sweep Geeth Alwis and was trapped in front LBW, Benalla 1/93 a er 17 overs.
The wicket would bring Ross Cavill to the crease, who played an anchor
role while also turning the strike over, nishing unbeaten on 73*.
James Carboon (28 from 67 balls) and Lucan Ham (31 from 62) occupied the crease and allowed Cavill to play with freedom no matter who was bowling.
Alwis would be the main bowler the Tigers turned to, taking wickets and keeping the run rate down, nishing with 4/40 from his 23 overs.
Gregor Fraser (1/26) was the only other wicket taker, with seven players having a trundle throughout the innings in hopes of nding the breakthrough.
The declaration came late in the day, and Ovens Valley successfully faced out the ve overs, set to resume at 0/9 needing a further 226 runs for victory.
Elsewhere, Beechworth Wanderers’ bowling attack will be happy with their
■ From back page
“The wicket o ered plenty to the bowlers and we made the most of it,” McNamara said.
“With Yarrawonga’s batting, we thought it was going to be a long grind and we’d have to tough out the 75 overs, but to knock them over in 31.3 was a superb display from everyone who bowled.
“You want it to be a good batting deck, and unfortunately over the last couple of weeks it hasn’t been up to scratch.
“In saying that, both sides bowled really well, bowled to their plans, it was really tough for batters to get away.”
One of the few immutable facts of the game is a pitch can’t be judged until both teams have batted on it, and the pitch at WJ Findlay Oval still had plenty of life le in it.
Opening dynamo Charith Perera was back in the sheds in the third over for a globe, and Ryan Collier managed just four runs before a leading edge was taken in the ninth, the Hawks 2/6.
Luke Whitten found scoring incredibly di cult, absorbing over a er over before he was dismissed for seven runs o 76 deliveries.
Paddy McNamara dug in, working singles where he could on his way to 10 from 78, the only player in the second innings to reach double digits thus far.
Matthew Whitten (4*) will be joined at the crease by wicketkeeper Lucky Shantha when day two commences, the Hawks on 6/40.
“It all just happened in the last six overs, we just fell in a heap,” McNamara said.
“Sometimes that’s cricket, I guess – we just put a little bit of pressure on ourselves by not batting positively, we went into our shell trying to get through the day, and it came back to bite us in the end.
“We’re not down and out – obviously we’re disappointed in the last half an hour, but at the same time I think we’re still in a very commanding position.
“At the end of the day, we only need 31 runs to win and we’ve still got plenty of batting in the sheds.
Play resumes at 1pm on Saturday, February 1.
BATTING
Benalla’s bats fire against OVU
work a er cleaning up City Colts for 165 runs at Baarmutha Park.
Mitch Giggins (59 from 71 deliveries) and Aaron Thrum (22 from 104) provided the bulk of the resistance, with Josh Newton facing 57 balls for his 29 runs.
Timothy Cogger picked up some early wickets on his way to 3/25, while Kayde Surrey was at his miserly best, nishing with 2/18 from his 15 overs.
The Colts younger batters struggled to make an impact, with Will Petersen, Jed Marek and Archie Crispin all dismissed for ducks.
A er the 10th wicket fell, there was still plenty of time for the run chase to begin, with Beechworth seeing out the 14 overs without loss.
They will resume on Saturday at 0/16 with another 150 runs still required.
Bowlers dominating early in Rovers United Bruck v Yarrawonga Mulwala showdown, 16 wickets fall
TOUGH TO PLAY: Geeth Alwis went for fewer than two runs an over with figures of 4/40 from 23 overs. PHOTO: Janet Watt
FOR TIME: Luke Whitten faced
tough batting deck.
BOWLED HIM: Jeremy Wilson celebrates a er getting one to turn through the gate and onto Matt McCabe’s stumps.
STRIKE BOWLER: Jacob Schonafinger started the Lakers’ collapse, picking up 4/12 from his 11 overs.
Field of dreams for Wangaratta Sports Carnival winners
STORIES
BY SHANE DOUTHIE sdouthie@ nemedia.com.au
WANGARATTA Sports Club
president Anna Pasquali was thrilled with the running of the 104th Wangaratta Sports Carnival in her rst year at the helm.
“The weather was perfect, it was warm but nice and still for the runners and there were plenty of close nishes including in both gi s,” she said.
“It all ran on time and the feedback from athletes and spectators was positive.
“We had a gold coin collection at the gate and that saw a big increase on last year, I think the woodchopping helped that starting earlier in the day, and that will keep the carnival running for next year.
“It takes many hands to stage such an event so I want to thank all the volunteers and the sports club committee for their support, particularly Greg O’Kee e, and Paul Hughes, as well as Bernie Grealy for getting the ground ready, and of course our major sponsors the Rural City of Wangaratta and Yes Optus.”
Pasquali said her track highlights included Callum Bott’s win in the Ken Eales Memorial 400m Handicap, Wangaratta Sports Club secretary Paul Hughes’s win in the Masters 120m and Andrea Hearn’s third place in the Rural City of Wangaratta Women’s Gi .
Breakthrough win a lifelong dream for Corey
PERSONAL TRIUMPH: Corey Baker winning the the 2025 Wangaratta Men’s Gi .
IT was an emotional victory for 32 year-old Corey Baker from Happy Valley South Australia when he took out the Yes Optus Wangaratta Men’s Gi in a time of 12.313sec from 9.25m.
In one of the closest n-
ishes on the night, Baker maintained his form and calm to hold on against the fast nishing Jared Glover (12.329 from 7.25m) and Hayden Anderson (7.50m in 12.352sec).
A er turning his back on the sport as a 19 year
Local teen blitzes the 400m Men’s
WANGARATTA teenager Callum Bott stunned the crowd when he won the prestigious Ken Eales Memorial 400m Handicap off his 20m mark in a sizzling time of 46.595sec ahead of Archer Jones (54m) on 47.861 sec and Seb Hadaway (16m) on 47.930sec.
It’s the 16-year-old’s first season on the pro-circuit under the expert guidance of Jason Boulton.
“I’ve only been training with him for a year and half and this is my best time yet,” he said. Bott, who also plays football with Wangaratta Magpies, said he would still aim to compete at age levels in national championships with the goal to win medals, as well as continue on the professional circuit in the hope of more cash rewards, primarily to buy his first car.
old due to personal and mental health problems he returned as a 29 year old to his original coach Paul Young determined to make the most of his talents.
“Everything was stable in my life I had a wonderful partner, Adam, and he’ll
be the rst person I call tonight,” he said.
“I was determined to get a sash one day but I never honestly thought it would be here.
“Wangaratta has so much history, it’s been going for over 100 years, this
has been my dream, it’s mind-blowing.”
Baker also thanked the physios trackside, who work miracles each meeting to enable the runners to compete at their best.
More stories in Wednesday’s Chronicle.
Switch to the flat proves a winner for Jasmine Rowe
■ From back page
“I won at Bay She eld at the end of last year and was h in Maryborough and Rye and I felt like a win was coming,” she said.
“I’m just so stoked to win today and in Wangaratta.
“It’s the biggest victory I’ve had and I just want to thank Todd for taking me under his wing and all of Team Ireland for their support.”
Rowe has her eyes rmly set on Stawell now and the added selfbelief from the Wangaratta win has her aiming high.
“Like everyone else when they head o to Stawell, I just want to make the nal,” she said.
For Hearne it was mixed feelings a er such an impressive run.
“It was a good result but I was hoping for a di erent nish,” she said.
“I guess I was a little disappointed because I would have loved to have won because it was my home gi .
“It was good to hear
people screaming my name from the sidelines during the gi .” Hearne was still happy with her day, running a PB in the semi of 13.74sec and almost equaling that in the nal.
“All my times were very consistent so I’m stoked with that,” she said.
“I’m in good hands with John (coach John Gannon), when I started I was doing 15.5s for the 100m, now I’m down to 12.49 in not even two years.
“He knows what he’s doing.”
Hearne said she may compete at Shepparton in a few weeks or may go into harder phase of her training in the leadup to Stawell.
his proud father Warrick.
PHOTO: Shane Douthie
CONGRATULATIONS: Cr Harvey Benton presents Jasmine Rowe with her trophy for winning the Wangaratta Women’s Gi . PHOTO: Shane Douthie
DESPITE needing just 31 runs with four wickets in hand to claim victory, the clash between Rovers United Bruck and Yarrawonga Mulwala could still go either way.
The Hawks entered stumps at 6/40 a er bowling the Lakers out for 70 in 32 overs a er day one at WJ Findlay Oval.
BY NATHAN DE VRIES
Yarrawonga Mulwala won the toss and elected to bat, a decision which back red in the eighth over when Jacob Schona nger got one to sneak through Ben Walsh’s defence before nding the edge of Angus McMillan’s bat the very next ball.
Reeling, the Lakers tried to nd avenues to score, but the Hawks kept bowling a tough line and length.
The deadlock would be broken by Schona nger, dismissing Brock McCabe who played when he should have le , caught behind to see the visitors in trouble at 3/15.
Oppressive bowling tactics
prevailed, with Schona nger and skipper Paddy McNamara (1/16 from 11 overs) hammering away for 16 overs before the rst bowling change.
Welsh import Dan Jones (1/11 o ve) copped a bit of stick early, but soon found his mark to dismiss Lakers captain Reid Clarke for just
ROWE’S A WINNER
SWITCHING from 400m hurdles to the flat has proved successful for Jasmine Rowe from Boronia who powered home to win the Rural City of Wangaratta Wangaratta Women’s Gi final and collect her biggest payday to date. Rowe came home in 13.632sec from her 12m mark, ahead of Ruby Crisp (13.75m13.780sec) and Wangaratta’s Andrea Hearne (10m - 13.782sec) finishing impressively in third.
It’s only Rowe’s second year at the gi distances but under the experienced coaching of Todd Ireland she has been on the verge of a major triumph this season.
■ CContinued page 15
PHOTO: jamiesonphotography.
10 in his second over, getting one to bounce a bit more with Clarke top edging the pull shot.
At 5/32, momentum was all going the Hawks’ way, but Yarrawonga’s Kyle Archibald and Adam Dodd held rm.
The duo added 22 runs to the total before tweaker Jeremy Wilson cleaned up both Dodd and Xavier Mitchell in successive deliveries.
The nal three wickets would fall in under four overs, Yarrawonga Mulwala all out for 70 runs, with Schona nger (4/12 from 11 overs) and Wilson (4/20 from 4.3) sharing top honours.
■ Continued page 14
