Greta West cattle producer Stewart Thrum is spending $200 a day on hard feed for his cattle. It’s part of the price being paid for a poor autumn break which has left many producers having to buy in feed because of a
PLANS are in motion for this year’s Wangaratta Show, with organisers hoping crowds will be similar to last year’s strong attendance of about 8000 across the two days.
The annual event will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12 at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, and
Wangaratta Agricultural Society secretary Charmane Bennett said a host of entertainment was being curated to suit all tastes.
“We have a new aerial motorbike act this year called
SincsFMX, featuring riders
Cam Sinclair - who has been part of Nitro Circus - and Jake Smith,” Ms Bennett said.
The group will stage two fully choreographed freestyle motocross stunt demonstrations on the Friday evening of the show, followed by autographsigning sessions.
“This is an incredible
opportunity to see worldclass motocross riders in action within our region,” Ms Bennett said.
Also on the Friday evening on the arena will be a revitalised dog jumping event, for which show organisers are hoping to attract significant entries.
The traditional fireworks display will follow all this
action at 8.30pm.
Local band Sweet Buzz will again perform on the main entertainment stage at the showgrounds’ front gate on Friday and Saturday. Their wide range of music, from pop to soul, will set the tone for a great show experience.
The Warby Steam Engine Club will again be situated near the Gray Street gate, and the Fergie Club of old tractors will attend on Saturday near the sheep pavilion.
■ Continued page 2
In addition, the Swagzters musical group will perform on Friday and Saturday, and mobile wildlife education program Animals of Oz will also be at the show during both days.
VETERAN
lack of pasture in paddocks.
FULL STORY PAGE 14.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Mayor says senseless acts of vandalism are escalating
SENSLESS acts of vandalism are escalating in Indigo Shire, according to Mayor Sophie Price.
“Over recent months, we’ve seen a spike in the number of attacks on public property, in particular our toilets,” she said in her weekly newsletter on Friday.
“A number of facilities have been targeted, including those that have just been refurbished, with damage ranging from smashed toilet seats and doors, broken mirrors, paper and soap dispensers as well as graffiti.
“Last weekend, there was an arson attack on the Lions Park toilets in Rutherglen, resulting in around $4000 damage and the loss of a disabled toilet.
“In addition to the vandalised toilets, the shade sail over the playground at Lake Sambell (in Beechworth) has been ripped, possibly beyond repair, through it being climbed on.
“We’ve reported all incidents to local police who’re investigating.”
Western platform takes shape at railway station
ONGOING
Office
5723 0100 After Hours: 5723 0107 Email: edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
By JEFF ZEUSCHNER
WORKS at Wangaratta and Glenrowan railway stations associated with the Inland Rail project are “continuing at pace”, according to Ed Walker, Inland Rail delivery director –Beveridge to Albury.
“Over the next few weeks locals will see construction of the new western car park, the new western platform and pedestrian ramps, stairs and lifts at Wangaratta Railway Station,” he said.
“The Green Street bridge is also being prepared for the bridge deck over the rail line to be installed in September.”
Mr Walker said fire hydrant relocation works will continue to see a reduced number of car park spaces at Wangaratta Railway Station until August 16.
He said construction work on the project in Wangaratta is happening seven
days a week, from 7am to 7pm. At Glenrowan, works are being focused on installing anti-throw screens and handrails on the new bridge, landscaping and pathways, bridge and street lighting and fencing. Construction work is happening from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 5pm on weekends.
Mr Walker thanked both the Glenrowan and Wangaratta communities for their ongoing patience and cooperation with these significant builds, which are part of the $10b Inland Rail project to facilitate double deck freight carriages on rail between Melbourne to Brisbane.
Anyone with any concerns or enquiries can contact Inland Rail via phone 1800 929 244, email inlandrailvic@inlandrail.com.au or visit the shopfront in Wangaratta at 48a Norton Street on Thursdays between 10am to 2pm.
Host of entertainment being curated for Wangaratta Show
■ from page 1
The local LARP (live action role play) group is also expected to stage a demonstration on the arena during the show, and to walk through the crowd in costume.
“The horse program will be running again, and we are hoping for even larger numbers of horses this year,” Ms Bennett said.
“All of the other traditional show events will be held, including the animal nursery, allbreeds cattle show, alpacas and sheep show.
“The all-breeds dairy heifer show is always very well supported, and it is on again on the Saturday, with excellent prizes on offer.”
With no cases of avian influenza having been reported in this region, Wangaratta Show organisers are hoping to be able to have poultry on display in October, and are waiting to hear from official bodies to this effect.
Meanwhile, anyone who may
be able to provide animals for the animal nursery at the show is encouraged to contact organisers.
In the pavilions, there will be sections for all ages covering cookery, jams, jellies and preserves, as well as salami, craft, needlework, art, photography, horticulture and fleece.
Locals are encouraged to start
thinking about their entries for these competitions. Ms Bennett said there had been several enquiries already about when the show schedule would be available, and those keen to enter the competitions could expect it to be released soon.
“Pavilion entries were up by 20
per cent last year - maybe more in fleeces, where we had to add an extra table - so we’d love to see that again,” she said.
“Getting enquiries this early is a really good sign.”
Ms Bennett said there was a waiting list for trade space vendors at the show, so there would be plenty for visitors to enjoy, complemented by a new food court located near the AFL NEB headquarters.
“We’ve received a grant from the Into Our Hands Community Foundation and Garry Nash & Co Community Fund to provide umbrellas and chairs for that space,” she said.
This was prompted by feedback from the public that there needed to be more spaces for families to sit and enjoy the tastes of the show.
Ms Bennett said show organisers had received strong support from generous local sponsors, and were looking forward to presenting the 2024 event.
ALL THE FUN OF THE SHOW: Crowd numbers were strong at last year’s Wangaratta Show, and plans are well under way for this year’s event.
PHOTO: Emma Lenihan
WORK: Safety and lighting works will continue at the new Beaconsfield bridge in Glenrowan in August. PHOTO: Inland Rail
WORK SITE: The western platform at Wangaratta Railway Station will start to take shape in August.
PHOTO: Inland Rail
Demand for winegrapes strong and still growing in King Valley
AN increase in demand for high quality, popular white grape varieties is helping the King Valley wine region remain buoyant in a challenging market.
In this year’s National Vintage Report released by Wine Australia this month, the average value for cool/temperate white varieties (such as those grown in the valley) increased by three per cent in 2024 and reached a new record of $1436 per tonne, 30 per cent above its 10-year average.
In the King Valley, the crush volume for this year’s vintage
BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au
was up eight per cent from 2023, and value was up 20 per cent on last year.
Prosecco topped the list of varieties purchased in the King Valley, at 3407 tonnes, followed by pinot gris/pinot grigio at 1367 tonnes, with red variety pinot noir coming third at 719 tonnes.
Significant volumes of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay were also purchased.
The highest value wine grape varieties of those produced in notable volumes were pinot noir with an average of $2017 per tonne (up 22 per cent) and chardonnay at $1740 per tonne (up 45 per cent), with pinot grigio averaging $1351 (up 11 per cent) and prosecco averaging $1199 (up five per cent).
The estimated total val-
ue of all wine grapes purchased originating from the King Valley this vintage was $21,653,009, made up of nearly 80 per cent white varieties.
Wines of the King Valley president Dean Cleave-Smith said demand for King Valley grapes is very strong and continues to grow.
He said in the case of some varieties, demand is significantly greater than supply, which is resulting in a significant increase in price per tonne.
“Ongoing strong demand is a reflection of the quality of wines produced in the King Valley and gives us reason for continued optimism within the local industry,” he said.
“Prosecco and pinot grigio are driving huge growth in white varieties, however production quality chardonnay for both table wines or a sparkling wine base - along with sauvignon blanc - remain in demand, and this is reflected in the pricing.
Wangaratta Digital Hub extension to November
DOCKER Street’s Wangaratta Digital Hub will continue to operate until at least November.
The hub, located to the left of the Wangaratta Library entrance in Docker Street, re-opened in August last year as part of an 18-month sustainable operating model project overseen by the Rural City of Wangaratta.
This project began in early 2023 and was funded by a $170,000 grant from the State Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, along with a $50,000 council contribution.
The aim of the project was to identify opportunities and test options which would make the hub financially independent and sustainable for the long-term, after it had closed in 2022 upon reaching the end of its three-year State Government-funded pilot phase.
The facility’s initial three years were aimed at increasing the region’s lagging digital inclusion status, and catering to locals’ needs around advancing technology, skill development opportunities and support networks.
Despite being affected by lockdowns, the hub proved a valuable local resource during COVID-19, as residents sought
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
help with navigating QR codes, preparing vaccination certificates and accessing rebates online.
Now, having moved past the 18-month project period, council director sustainability and culture Stephen Swart said the development of a business plan for the digital hub was “ongoing”.
“Some business models were proposed during the project that would require a larger space and further investment, and at this stage council is not in a position to develop this idea,” Mr Swart said.
“We have shared it with the Ovens Murray Digital Partnership for consideration.”
He said savings from the original State Government grant and council contribution would allow the hub to continue operations until November.
Mr Swart said council officers were exploring appropriate state and federal government grants to support the facility beyond this time.
“We are also considering alternate sources such as philanthropic grants, sponsorships and
“Consumer demand for medium bodied red wines sees varieties such as sangiovese, pinot noir, nebbiolo and tempranillo continue to see good price growth.”
Mr Cleave-Smith said rising input costs and workforce attraction (and retention) continue to provide challenges to growers and wine producers alike, however the growing demand kept confidence high. He confirmed Wines of the King Valley will once again be holding its annual La Dolce Vita Festival on November 16 and 17 this year.
partnerships to fund the operations of the hub in the longer term,” he said.
The hub is currently open between 9am and 5pm from Tuesday to Thursday, and houses equipment including iMac computers, PCs, printers, and offers free WiFi, a kitchenette, and video conference room.
It provides assistance
with device issues, digital mentoring, and one-onone computer lessons, and can also cater to hot desk or co-working, meetings, conferences and events.
“The staff at the hub provide a welcoming space for anyone needing oneon-one tech support for a range of queries, ranging from basic assistance with
mobile phones and laptops to creating websites,” Mr Swart said.
“The hub has also hosted gaming days for youth, and the space provides hot desks for people working remotely or studying.”
More information about the digital hub can be found at https://www. wangarattadigitalhub.com.au
POLICE and other emergency service agencies responded to a plea for help from a hiker at Mt Feathertop on Sunday morning.
Sergeant Paul Pursell of Wangaratta police said the 36 year old hiker from Box Hill contacted police late Saturday afternoon calling for assistance.
“He is an experienced hiker who lost sight of the track during a whiteout yesterday and contacted police,” he said.
“Because of the conditions we were unable to recover him Saturday night so he bunkered down in his tent, waiting for assistance Sunday morning.”
Mt Hotham had 16cms of fresh snow into Sunday morning, with the temperature at minus 6.5 degrees.
Hiker calls for help on Mt Feathertop Council meet on tomorrow
MEMBERS of the public can attend the Rural City of Wangaratta council’s July monthly meeting tomorrow at 3pm in the council chambers in the Wangaratta Government Centre. Council’s expenses policy is one of the matters up for discussion.
EXTENSION: Wangaratta Digital Hub coordinator Jacob McKay in the Docker Street facility, which will remain operating until at least November. PHOTO: Simone Kerwin
Heaviest rainfall in Ovens Valley
LAST week’s persistent deep low pressure complex centered around Bass Strait brought some welcome rainfall to the North East, but the heaviest rainfalls were seen in south eastern suburbs of Melbourne and in Gippsland with major flooding at some places.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, seven day rainfall up until 9am Saturday, July 27, was heaviest in the Ovens Valley with 79.8mm at Mt Buffalo, 48.6mm at Myrtleford (Harris Lane), 42.6mm at Harrietville, 28.4mm at Bright, 31.4mm at Lake Buffalo, 38.2mm in the Buckland Valley, 26.2mm
WHAT’S UP WITH THE WEATHER?
By Peter Nelson, Peter retired CSIRO climatologist
at Eurobin and 27.8mm at Rosewhite.
Wangaratta only recorded 6mm, Rutherglen 8.6mm, and Yarrawonga 3.4mm, but it was heavier in the King Valley with Cheshunt 31.4mm, while at Greta South 16.8mm fell.
Last Wednesday’s very cold air mass did not impact strongly in our region, although it did deliver more snowfall to the alpine resorts at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek.
RECENT BIRTHS AT NORTHEAST HEALTH WANGARATTA
The Wangaratta Chronicle will be in attendance at the midwifery ward on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30am to take photos of newborns with their parents, grandparents and/or siblings.
Consent forms are available from Northeast Health Wangaratta and from Wangaratta Chronicle staff on the day.
If you would like a photo but are not at the ward at the time of visiting, you can come into the Wangaratta Chronicle office at 37 Rowan Street during office hours to organise it.
Photographs are available to purchase from the Wangaratta Chronicle office.
REDMOND Damien Doyle was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Tuesday, July 23 at 9:06pm and weighed 3.61kg (7lb 15oz). He is the brother of Vera Doyle and the son of Susie Crowe and Tom Doyle of Tocumwal.
Eliza Grace Mennen
ELIZA Grace Mennen was born at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Tuesday, July 23 at 3:27pm and weighed 3.33kg (7lb 5oz). She is the
of
and
SNOW FUN: While much of the North East got some rain last week, Mt Hotham got some welcomed fresh falls - with 24cms recorded in the seven days up until 9am Saturday, July 27.
Temperatures fell to minus 0.3 degrees at Wangaratta, minus 1.5
degrees at Rutherglen, 1.9 degrees at Benalla, minus 0.1 at Albury and
a relatively mild 3.6 at Yarrawonga.
The cold mass didquickly reach Queensland and last Thursday there were snow falls at Applethorpe.
The lowest temperature recorded was 0.5 degrees at Palmerville in the Gulf of Carpentaria region.
This was the coldest July morning in 134 years at Palmerville - the previous coldest July morning was 1.7 degrees on July 4, 1899.
Other very cold July mornings were 2.2 degrees in 1932 and 1.9 degrees on July 19, 1965, the day snow fell on the mountains just west of Townsville.
Over the past week,
it’s interesting to note that the barometer fell to 993.5mbs at 4am on Saturday morning, July 20 in Melbourne. This is the first time since April 2023 that barometric pressures fell below 1000mbs during the month. There was a longer period when barometric pressures kept above 1000mbs from January 1997 to June 1998 in Melbourne. When this ended in July 1998 it was very wet in September and November in Melbourne but the summer following was notably hot with 42 degrees in early January 1999 in Wangaratta.
GOULBURN-Murray Water (GMW) is warning people that vandalising or interfering with infrastructure can result in 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $237,108.
The water corporation manages infrastructure and assets across northern Victoria that are crucial for safe and effective water storage and delivery.
GMW water storage services general manager, Alan Shea, said the protection of this infrastructure was vital.
Monday, July 28, 2014
OXLEY Primary School is a step closer to having a nature centre, after 150 trees and shrubs were planted at the school on Friday for Planet Ark National Tree Day.
Students teamed up in pairs to plant the trees after learning about the benefits plants have on the environment.
The trees were planted in an area where the school hopes to eventually establish a nature centre which would be part of the
were no images available of Albert during his service.
Greta students look at local veterans
PLENTY of local links arose when grade three to six students at Greta Valley Primary School spent five weeks researching soldiers buried in the Greta cemetery.
In this instalment of a series we are sharing with the support of school principal Howard Gibson, student Lily Rothera tells us about Albert James Grass.
The project has given students an opportunity to hone their research skills and get a better understanding of the war experience.
ALBERT JAMES GRASS
School progresses nature centre
school’s science curriculum.
“We hope to have some paths and maybe running water down here,” school principal Jeremy Campbell said.
“But the first thing is to put some trees in.”
Bunnings Wangaratta staff helped the students with their planting and the Rural City of Wangaratta delivered the plants.
All plants were indigenous and will provide habitat for birds and wildlife.
Albert James Grass was born on May 11, 1880 in Lake Boga.
His mum’s name was Elizabeth Gillett and his dad’s name was Albert Grass.
He had six siblings - William, Revene, Wilfred, Eliza, lvy and Frances.
In 1934 he married Eva Walking.
Albert joined the army in 1915 at the age of 35.
He enlisted in World War I and fought in Palestine.
He was a Trooper in the 11th Light Horse Regiment and his service number was 1247.
He was injured and in hospital in 1918 and left Egypt on July 22, 1919 aboard the ship Morgada.
In World War 2 he enlisted in Portsea, Victoria and his service number was V91861.
Albert died on November 23, 1978 in Beechworth when he was 98 years old.
Vandalism, tampering with water assets: price not worth paying
“Tampering with assets and infrastructure can impact our ability to deliver water to customers who need it,” he said.
“We go to considerable lengths to maintain our assets and infrastructure, and this can include taking legal action against people who interfere with them.”
GMW has recently had several incidents of people interfering with its assets.
A Shepparton man was recently found guilty of tampering with a GMW regulator and meter and
convicted and fined $2500.
GMW is also pursuing incidents involving rocks being thrown at GMW assets, and people deliberately damaging guard railing.
Many GMW storages have areas the public is excluded from for safety reasons.
This includes ‘no boating’ zones near regulators, where strong currents can be particularly hazardous.
Under the Water Act 1989, entering a prohibited area, either on the water or on land, can result in a $3951 fine.
Mr Shea said people doing the wrong thing were likely to be caught.
“We have staff who frequently patrol the areas and also often carry out random compliance campaigns,” he said.
“Our regulators and meters are also equipped with sensors that alert us if anyone tampers with them.”
People who witness criminal behaviour at GMW storages and waterways are encouraged to contact GMW or their local police.
PHOTO: Mt Hotham Ski Lifts
BE WARNED: GMW is warning people that vandalising or interfering with infrastructure such as the destruction of this gate at Lake William Hovell recently can result in hefty fines or even prison.
RESEARCH PROJECT: Greta Valley Primary School student Lily Rothera (pictured) looked into the life and service of Albert James Grass. Unfortunately there
Redmond Damien Doyle
sister
Noah Mennen
the daughter of Laura and Kyle Mennen of Benalla.
GREEN THUMBS: Grade six student Leah Nolan and grade prep Jobe Currie show the results of their hard work. PHOTOS: Steven Burke
Expo informs students about council careers
BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au
THE Rural City of Wangaratta partnered with NE Tracks LLEN and GOTAFE to bring the Local Government Career Expo to local high school students in Wangaratta last week.
Students from Borinya, Wangaratta District Specialist School, Cathedral College, Wangaratta High School and Galen College all had hour long time slots to learn about the different careers available at council.
Council learning and development advisor, Jo Craig, said students got to speak to various departments and learn more about what council does and the opportunities available.
“It’s about opening up the workforce for us but it’s also for the community so we can encourage kids to stay locally,” Ms Craig said.
“We just want them to get a knowledge of the different types of roles that are in council because people don’t understand there’s around 200 jobs.
“We’re trying to address skill shortages and set up a workforce for the future.”
Ms Craig said the expo also hoped to open the door for work experience opportunities and site tours to council.
“From there we may offer school-based apprenticeships, so there’s a plan from here to show them more about the specific areas that
are at council,” she said.
Alongside the 21 council departments sharing their careers with the students, there were also members from GOTAFE who spoke to the students about study pathways for council jobs that require a qualification.
Overall, more than 220
students participated in the day, with the aged care and early childcare departments being among the most popular.
Ms Craig said the connections with GOTAFE and NE Tracks LLENS was valuable to putting the expo together.
“The three of us have been working really closely for months to develop this so we offer that whole broad spectrum to kids,” she said.
Ms Craig said they are currently planning on holding a similar event in term one next year.
WANGARATTA and district residents are being asked to help “fuel kindness” tomorrow at the city’s APCO Service Station. It’s the annual APCO Foundation Giving Day, and every donation from the public will be matched by the business. Customers who fuel up will see two cents per litre go directly to the foundation. The foundation has contributed almost $2 million to support those in crisis throughout communities where APCO operates.
THE Friends of Wangaratta Library will holding a book sale this Saturday from 12noon at the Wangaratta Library. There will be a large range of second-hand adult fiction, non-fiction and children’s books to choose from. All money raised will assist the library in providing programming and events.
Film captures Bob Brown’s life
WANGARATTA Landcare and Sustainability will host the biopic of pioneer environmentalist Bob Brown, ‘The Giants’, at a special screening at the Uniting Church hall this Wednesday, at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Entry is by donation with bookings through Humanitix. For more information contact Clare on 0498 257 228.
EXPLORING CAREERS: Wangaratta High School students (from left) Indi Elliot, Juke Maher and Olivia Wallace learnt about the aged care department at council with John Katsourakis, Carmel Kimball, Emily Snowdon, Alissa Burgan and Joanne Davey. PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke
Valley continues to produce the goods
AT a time when Australia’s wine industry is being challenged on many fronts, it’s reassuring to see the sector remains strong and robust within the King Valley.
Over the past two decades in particular, valley vignerons and wineries have experimented and introduced new grape varieties, seeking to maximise the advantages of the cold temperate climate.
Leading the charge has been the growth of prosecco, with the valley continuing to spearhead its meteoric rise in the Australian market.
Prosecco grapes accounted for around 45 per cent of the total 7129 tonnes of grapes crushed in the valley’s 2024 vintage, with a value of more than $9.5 million.
When you extrapolate that out in retail value for the bubbly bottled white sparkling variety we’re talking over $100m.
The ongoing importance of this industry, not just to the valley, but wider Rural City of Wangaratta, remains paramount.
Not only does it directly employ many hundreds locally, but it underpins many other businesses and is a pillar of the valley economy.
Of course, wine alone does not do the sector justice.
Many of the family run wineries have drawn on their Italian history to develop a vibrant culture and cuisine to complement their produce.
Wine tourism brings thousands of people to the valley each year, punctuated by two key festivals, with Wines of the King Valley confirming the annual La Dolce Vita Festival will be on November 16 and 17.
Visitors will soon have something new to welcome them to the valley, with an imposing bubble sculpture symbolising the national home of prosecco shortly to go up near the Oxley Primary School.
The Quiz No. 95
1. Which African country was formerly known as Zaire?
2. Which two women created the TV series, Kath & Kim?
3. Ichthyology is the study of what?
4. Which sport is played by the Australian Stingers?
5. Who were the four main members of the classic pop group, The Monkees?
6. In which decade were the first Pulitzer Prizes awarded?
7. What type of pastry is used to make a traditional baklava?
8. Havana is the capital city of which country?
9. The 1839 short story, The Fall of the House of Usher, is one of the best known works of which writer?
10. In February 2016, Liza Harvey replaced which person as Deputy Premier of Western Australia?
11. The Hundred Years’ War started in which century?
12. Who did Lleyton Hewitt defeat to win the 2001 US Open final?
13. Which country shares borders with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro?
14. Number 11, 1952 (aka Blue Poles) was painted by which artist?
15. How many stars were on the Eureka Flag used by the Eureka Rebellion of 1854?
16. Who plays the title role in the 2016 movie, David Brent: Life on the Road?
17. In Morse code, which letter is represented by a single dash?
18. Who wrote the 2016 autobiography, Working Class Boy?
19. Mata Hari was executed for crimes committed during which war?
Who composed the music for the famous
FACEBOOK users this week commented on local senior police inviting the community to a Road Policing/Safety Community Forum in Wangaratta in August.
• Trevor Dawson: Pedestrian crossing is needed in Riley St between Kmart and McDonalds and also outside of Chemist Warehouse that I find are a danger zone.
• Marie Higginson: As you are getting on the freeway to Wodonga the road really
needs fixing there!! It’s so uneven and should be looked at!!
• Julie Roberts: Sit on Murdoch Rd and catch the hoons doing drag races in the am hours!!!
• Cindy Knight: Julie Roberts and the side streets off Murdoch.
• Daniel Moore: Julie Roberts and Vincent road between ampol and tone rd.
• Lyn Mckinley: Cindy Knight and down Osborne and Sisley.
Government’s Palestine stance falls short
IN 2013 the Australian Government decided that a Swedish man by the name of Raoul Wallenberg should be the first person to be given honorary Australian citizenship.
This man is estimated to have saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from being killed during WWII.
While he was backed by the Swedish Government to assist them, he went above and beyond.
He used protective passports in excess of the agreed allocation.
He purchased buildings to house Hungarian Jews under the protection of the Swedish Government.
He bribed Hungarian officials to stop or delay deportations.
He stood in front of trains to prevent their departure and he tracked down passport holders and brought them back to safety.
He did everything in his power to prevent innocent people from dying.
When you think of what Wallenberg stood for, his values, and his heroism, you have to think: how do we today have this person as our first honorary citizen and at the same time have to rally to ask our government to act to stop the unnecessary deaths and violence in Palestine at the hands of the Israeli military?
The incongruence between who our first honorary citizen was and the position taken by the Australian Government in response to this war is hard to comprehend.
Our next rally for peace in Palestine will be on August 18 at 3pm, on Bpangerang land in the King George Gardens, Wangaratta.
Come and use your voice to let our leaders know that the community of North East Victoria will not tolerate the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Tegan Podubinski, North East Mums for Peace, Wangaratta
Putting homelessness crisis in spotlight
IT’S National Homelessness Week from August 5 to 11 - when the homelessness crisis that affects our country gets put into the spotlight, and where we get to advocate for those who are the most vulnerable in our community.
As the largest provider of homelessness services in Australia, The Salvation Army
• Takeshi Covac: should start putting defect notices on the worst roads.
• Cindy Knight: You guys need to sit near the roundabouts in oven street (both ends) and watch the idiots blocking them especially during end of school hours.
• Shez Mitchell: Hoons also flying down Williams Rd, one came around the corner of Appin St onto Williams and mounted the footpath and hit a sign post. Why are they not being caught?
• Neil Barassi: Bit of asphalt here and there to fix poor road conditions would be nice.
• Soula Brockwell: it’s been 1 year since my bad accident on Rowan St and Swan St roundabout I now drive slower and very carefully on the roundabouts as people dont look it took 9 months to get my car fixed.
• Shez Mitchell: RACV will be putting up insurance rates because of the frontend damage hitting big potholes.
Our follower total is Like the Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.
14,916
FIGHTING INVISIBILITY: Maria Wadley, Bernie Long, author Jane Tara, Belinda Harrison, Rachel Hogan, Donna Long, Ava Harrison-Raknes and Liz Long gathered in Wangaratta on Saturday, July 20 for an author talk on Ms Tara’s novel, Tilda is Visible. More than 30 people attended the talk hosted by Edgars Books & News at Café Prevue, where there were plenty of laughs and discussions to be had. The novel follows the title character, Tilda, as she deals with the diagnosis of being invisible and grapples with invisibility in other aspects of her life.
wants others to be aware of the key issues facing those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
We are seeing across the country that social housing waiting lists are growing, the demand for homeless services is skyrocketing and rental prices are increasing by 10 per cent every year.
There are also increasing levels of mortgage stress and ‘tent cities’ popping up around the country while there is very cold winter weather.
The Salvation Army is trying to meet the needs of thousands of people experiencing homelessness each month, made more difficult due to a winter of unaffordable housing and a cost-of-living crisis.
We can’t do this alone.
Our hope during Homelessness Week this year is to inform and educate the public about the issues surrounding homelessness and to advocate for the most vulnerable in our community as we lobby for more accommodation and support services.
As a major provider of accommodation and financial assistance in Australia, we put clients at the centre of our work.
The Salvation Army’s desire is to treat everyone who reaches out to our services with dignity, compassion, and respect.
We are passionate about seeing trans-
formation in people’s lives.
It is our privilege to meet people where they are at, whether that is rough sleeping, couch surfing, emergency accommodation or in other circumstances, and we will continue to do all we can to support people in their journey.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s work in homelessness, or if you or someone you know needs help, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/ need-help/homelessness-support-services/ homelessness-week/
Dr Jed Donoghue, national homelessness general manager for The Salvation Army
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
20.
opera, Madama Butterfly?
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Harry wants to continue to serve community on council
COUNCILLOR Harry Bussell will be channelling his love for the community while running for council re-election in the King ward in October.
After serving the past eight years, Cr Bussell said he will seek re-election for a third term so he can continue helping residents in the King Valley.
Having lived in the King Valley all his life, he believes he has a good grasp on what locals in the area want improved.
“At the moment, I’m the only councillor living rurally and so I come from many things from a different angle than people in town,” he said.
“Living here all my life makes it easy to understand what the needs of people are and it’s also important that as a councillor that you stay in your own lane too.”
Key issues he to address in his ward are infrastructure, roads and sporting facilities, with a particular passion being future development of Moyhu.
“Moyhu is such a critical township to be developed because it’s halfway along the King Valley, it’s close to Wangaratta and it’s close to Whitfield,” he said.
“To have people live there and have all infrastructures there will be a big priority.
“Physical wellbeing is also really important and Moyhu has a walking trail from the river and the township, and the community would like a little bridge over the top of the creek so they’re not walking on the road.”
Cr Bussell said council
BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au
rates are an ongoing challenge and there needs to be a rate reveiw.
“What we’re doing now, how much rates the rural sector pays is not sustainable,” he said.
“Many rural people are paying twice the rates they were a decade ago.”
Cr Bussell also hopes to support lesser-known businesses in the rural community, particularly those in manufacturing.
“There’s lots of manufacturing and different businesses all the way dotted and people don’t even know where some of them are,” he said.
“I pretty much know all of these businesses and it’s important that I as a councillor or those on council support those businesses.”
Cr Bussell said he has worked on projects to improve sporting facilities at both Whorouly and Milawa netball courts to make them more playable and hopes to do the same in other areas, including Greta “that need to be looked at”.
“The great community sport facilities need to have more love,” he said.
Cr Bussell said roads in the King Valley remain an important issue, and he was pleased to see street work projects completed in Whitfield, Cheshunt, Milawa and Oxley in the past, and hopes to continue to do so.
“Roads are always a perennial issue and in the King
What we’re doing now, how much rates the rural sector pays is not sustainable. Maany rurural peoeopl p e are paying twice the rates th t ey e wer e e a de d ca c de d ago. - Cr Harry Bussell
COMMUNITY MINDED: Cr Harry Bussell will seek re-election for a third term at the October election.
Valley we have lots and lots of gravel roads so I would like to keep working at them,” he said.
Throughout his eight years on council, Cr Bussell said he’s proud of what he’s achieved and the improvements he’s made.
Public meeting to discuss benefits of cycle tourism
A PUBLIC meeting in Wangaratta this week will discuss how community groups, businesses and tourism operators can get involved and benefit from the upcoming Great Vic Bike Ride.
Three thousand bike riders, volunteers and support staff will participate in the biggest multi-day bike ride in the Southern Hemisphere starting in Wodonga on November 23 and ending 501kms later in Healesville on December 1.
Wangaratta will play host to the massive event with overnight stops on November 25 and 26.
Bicycle Network CEO, Alison McCormack, said this Wednesday’s meeting at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre, between 5.30pm to 6.30pm, will give locals the chance to learn how they can make the most out of the event and get information about how it will operate.
She said the floor will
be open at the meeting for locals to discuss the ride and see how they can be a part of the festivities.
“The event presents great opportunities for community groups like schools, sporting clubs and businesses,” Ms McCormack said.
“Each rider spends an average of $35 a day on the Great Vic, injecting more than $100,000 each day into the region.
“Three out of four riders also tell us that they are likely to come back to towns again within 12 months after first visiting on the ride.”
Planning information including details of campsite locations and changes to traffic conditions will also be discussed at the meetings.
For more information on the event, and details for those who can’t make it on the night, visit greatvic.com.au
“It’s important not how long you’ve been in the job but what you’ve actually done and why you’re in the job,” he said.
“To be able to drive around and talk to the community and have them tell me it’s so much better now
than it was decade ago has been a pleasure.”
Cr Bussell said if reelected he hopes to continue working with the community to make it a better place.
OCTOBER COUNCIL ELECTION
RURAL City of Wangaratta voters head to the polls, via a postal ballot, in October to elect seven councillors for the next four years. This year’s election will be different as a state electoral review will see the rural city’s current council ward structure of four wards (one city ward with four councillors, three rural wards electing one councillor each) being replaced with a new seven singlecouncillor ward structure. Voters in each of the seven wards (Appin Ward, Bullawah Ward, King River Ward, Ovens Ward, Warby Ward, Wareena Ward and Yarrunga Ward) will only get to choose between those candidates standing in their ward. Nominations for council open September 9 and close September 17. For more details, including enrolment to vote details, visit the Victorian Electoral Commission website: https://www.vec.vic. gov.au/voting/2024-localcouncil-elections
“I’m there 24 hours a day, seven days a week...they can ring me, it’s important for people to know that,” he said.
“It’s been really good helping the community all through the Rural City of Wangaratta and that really excites me to work with the community.”
COMING: Wangaratta will play hosts to thousands of cyclists on the Great Vic Bike Ride this November.
PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke
SCHOOLS TREE DAY
Nature’s future caretakers dig in at ‘Tarra’
GLENROWAN Primary School students celebrated Schools Tree Day on Friday by heading to the former Tarrawingee Railway Station to plant trees, go for a bush walk, listen to a biodiversity talk and enjoy a barbecue.
The event was a chance for the Rural City of Wangaratta’s environment and sustainability team to teach students about the importance of giving back to nature and inspire them to learn about the local environment while playing an active role in their community.
Team leader Andrew Snowden said students deserved a pat on the back for their hard work.
BY JORDAN DUURSMA jduursma@ nemedia.com.au
“I think it’s lovely to get them involved because they’re the ones who are going to be looking after the environment when people like me are gone,” he said.
“These guys are going to be the caretakers of the future, if we don’t get them involved in caring for the environment then that future’s pretty bleak.
“The students have been really good, no one winged or complained.
“We took our time so they could plant properly and they all seemed to be having fun out there.”
Two groups of students took part in the initiative, with the first group planting more than 200 trees before lunchtime.
Toyota Australia is celebrating more than 20 years as the major sponsor of Planet Ark’s National Tree Day and Wangaratta Toyota was present to show their support.
“It’s great for the kids to be getting involved with the community and learning new things, and we want to thank them for coming out,” said Wangaratta Toyota’s Jordan Mills.
Council hosted a community tree planting day yesterday at the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail at Londrigan.
Students beautifying Appin Park with native trees
APPIN Park Primary School students and teachers teamed up with Park Lane Nursery for a tree planting day to beautify their school as part of Schools Tree Day last Friday.
More than 20 grade three and four students helped plant 40 trees around the school’s water tanks.
Appin Park principal, Fiona Carson, said the idea for the planting day stemmed from a student run Easter fundraiser back in April.
“We wanted to beautify this space, so we got in touch with Park Lane Nursery, and it was Grant (Allen) who suggested we make it part of Schools Tree Day,” she said.
Ms Carson said the students enthusiastically took part in the planting day and the school plans on having students look after the plants for years to come.
“The kids love anything that’s outdoors with a chance to get outside of the classroom and get dirty,” she said.
“Being in grades three and four they still have a
BY CHLOE JAENICKE cjaenicke@ nemedia.com.au
couple years left here so they’ll actually get watch the trees develop take care of them with things like watering.”
Grade four student, Eadee Knapton, said she enjoyed the planting and can’t wait to see the trees grow.
“We enjoy planting trees a lot because we love doing things in nature,” she said.
“When you plant trees not only are you helping other people but you’re helping the environment.
“When these trees grow big and strong we will always remember the day we planted them.”
Ms Carson said the school was grateful to partner with Park Lane Nursery to complete this project to improve the appearance of the school.
“We’re really proud of the yard and natural environment that we’ve got at Appin Park, and this just an add on to the space,” she said.
“We’re really grateful for
the connection we’ve got with Park Lane Nursery and how supportive they’ve been.”
Mr Allen from Park Lane Nursery said it was great to work with the Appin Park students and he hopes to work with schools on similar projects on a regular basis in the future.
SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION: Maddison Doig and Eadee Knapton (above) enjoyed being in nature while planting trees.
HELPING THE ENVRIONMENT: Students, including Lucy Waide and Audrey Hill (pictured right), also received a One Tree Per Child bag filled with seeds and supplies.
WORKING TOGETHER: Appin Park students (from left) Kerrie-Ann Godde, Max Pundang and Ty Reid joined with Grant Allen from Park Lane Nursery to help plant 40 trees at the school on Friday. PHOTOS: Chloe Jaenicke
BBQ LUNCH: Neil Jarrott, Louise Baker and Max Baker from the Lions Club cooked up a barbecue for the students to enjoy after their hard work.
SMILES ALL ROUND: Andrew Snowden, Vanessa Thompson, Una Morgan, Georgie Unwin, Annabelle Flood and Reighan OcKallihan enjoyed the day.
TEAM EFFORT: Cr Harvey Benton, Andrew Snowden, Oliver Burgun, Cr Harry Bussell, Ziggy Dickson, Vanessa Thompson, Alby Schreiber and Cr Dave Fuller worked together to give back to the earth.
FUTURE CARETAKERS: Grade four students Emma Flynn and Maddie Flood were part of a group of Glenrowan Primary School students who plated trees to celebrate Schools Tree Day.
PHOTOS: Jordan Duursma.
EPA prosecution sees $100,000 to Winton conservation project
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By JORDAN DUURSMA BJORDANDUURSMA
CONSERVATION at Winton Wetlands will receive a $100,000 boost after a Benalla particle board manufacturer was ordered by a local Magistrate’s Court to pay for the project as part of its penalty on environmental charges prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Victoria.
The money will fund native seed collection, fencing off a seed collection area, tree planting for a wildlife corridor between Winton Wetlands and the Warby-Ovens National Park, and the establishment of a bush tucker garden space and corroboree circle at an education centre to produce materials for activities including basket weaving and bush tucker cooking.
Winton Wetlands restoration manager Dr Lisa Farnsworth said both Winton Wetlands and the northern
Victorian region will benefit from the proceeds of this Restorative Project Order.
“The funding will enhance the region’s capacity for growing, sourcing, collecting and storing native seed, and provide further opportunities for traditional owner’s to reconnect to country here at Winton Wetlands,” she said.
Monsbent Pty Ltd and its director David Henderson entered a plea of guilty on two charges of breaching conditions of the company’s EPA licence to operate.
The court did not record a conviction but ordered the company to pay $100,000 to the environmental project, and a $20,000 fine.
The company director was placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond, and both the director and the company are liable for EPA’s court costs of $10,000.
EPA officers laid the charges after finding dust or nuisance airborne particles escaping the property on nine occasions between
July 2021 and April 2022.
The dust affected air quality and settled on vehicles and a neighbouring residential property.
The company manufactures particleboard at a premises on Yarrawonga Road, Benalla.
Along with Winton Wetlands, the project will involve
the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank and local community organisations such as Regent Honeyeater Project, Swamps, Rivers and Ranges, Boys to the Bush and Benalla Garden Club.
EPA North East regional manager Ben Kneebone said the environmental project at Winton Wetlands will produce practical benefits for the community and biodiversity in the district affected by the pollution.
“The seed collection and planting aspects will support native plants and wildlife,” he said.
“While the Restorative Project Order benefits the local environment, the size of the financial penalty sends a clear message to businesses that the conditions in their EPA licences are to be taken seriously.
“EPA conducts inspections and examines monitoring data, and members of the public can easily report pollution, so there is no option to just ignore the rules.”
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/ report-pollution/reportingpollution.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Winton Wetlands set to receive $100,000 after Monsbent Pty Ltd and its director entered a plea of guilty on two charges of breaching conditions of the company’s EPA licence to operate.
PHOTO: Winton Wetlands
Young musician plays historic town hall organ
By CORAL COOKSLEY
A YOUNG musician delivered deep and rich sounds of the Beechworth Town Hall’s historic pipe organ to a captivated audience at this year’s Winterwords Festival.
Beechworth’s Flynn Chalmers said he has been learning to play the organ for the last two years.
The talented 16-yearold mastered the cello for nine years at the Murray Conservatorium with his love of music and musical instruments stretching from playing piano to bagpipes, trumpet and bass guitar too.
“I took up learning the organ as I enjoy the sound that it can produce, how it works, the songs you can play on it and its history,” the year 10 Galen College student said.
“I love the different styles of music from classical/traditional to modern rock.
“It was an honour to play as part of the Winterwords concert in the Town Hall alongside local musician Sandra Williams who has been very encouraging.”
Flynn said he learns the organ at Wangaratta Holy
Trinity Cathedral under its musical director Dr Keiran Crichton.
“I have been fortunate enough to be given permission from the Organ Historical Society to use the Town Hall organ for practice as well as the organ in the local Anglican Christ Church,” he said.
The Town Hall organ
originally housed in the building in 1886 was built in London in 1852 by Hills Organs until sold around two decades later with a relocation to Melbourne.
Rediscovered in a Melbourne location in 2018 the magnificent instrument was brought back to the Town Hall and restored by the Beechworth Organ Society.
Flynn joined local musicians Sandra Williams, Mark Stephens and singer Kath Buckingham at the Winterwords event.
Sandra, Mark and Kath combined music to explore the seasons as well as poetry while Flynn’s music showcased the beauty of the organ.
Beechworth choir gears up for next performance
MUSIC lovers will be whisked away to the savannah of Africa, provincial France and downtown San Francisco as Beechworth Singers present a number of classic melodies from ‘Songs of the Stage and Screen’ next weekend.
The choir’s new director Colleen Arnott said she looked forward to showcasing the choir’s best while bringing joy to choir members singing and performing together.
“It’s so beneficial on a number of levels,” she said.
The event is Colleen’s first choir performance conducted since she recently took up the reins as director.
Beechworth Singers member Catherine Bijker said the afternoon will be full of lush harmonies, a little bit of spice and lots of fun.
Among hits will be Elton John (The Lion King), Cole Porter (‘I Got You Under My Skin’ from ‘Born to Dance) and Irving Berlin (‘Cheek to Cheek’ from ‘Top Hat’).
Well-known local musician Sandra Williams will be on keyboard.
Catherine said the audience is bound to be tapping and humming along by the end of the show.
Colleen said she hoped the audience experiences the pleasure of the performance and hearing great music.
“I also hope some members of the audience may see themselves joining us in the future,” she said.
Performances will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 starting at 2.30pm on both days with tickets at the door and EFTPOS availability.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, concession is $15 while children are free.
Admission includes afternoon tea.
Lending a guiding hand
New Leaf Indigo to offer support for potential council candidates before upcoming election g pppp g
INDIGO voters are collaborating to encourage a robust, competitive shire election in October by hosting a practical campaign workshop for potential candidates in Chiltern on August 17.
New Leaf Indigo has been formed by people with professional and community campaign experience to provide free, non-partisan information, advice and support for people thinking about contesting this year’s local government election.
New Leaf spokesperson Jamie Kronborg, from Beechworth, said the network’s goal was to bring about informed, constructive change to the way in which Indigo communities are represented by their council.
“We think one of the best ways to do this is to encourage active competition for the seven councillor positions available so our communities have a clear choice,” he said.
“The New Leaf network includes people from Rutherglen, Chiltern, Yackandandah and Beechworth who have campaign knowledge and skills and it’s offering these at no cost to anyone contemplating a run in this election.
“This experience is like a ‘toolkit’ or library for candidates wanting information and support.
“The New Leaf network can help them to do things like build profile and teams, engage their communities, identify issues, communicate values and goals, engage media, plan doorknocking, understand preference allocation, learn how proportional voting works and stage events.”
New Leaf’s offering these opportunities by starting with a campaign skills workshop led by councillor coach and candidate trainer Ruth McGowan at Chiltern Neighbourhood House on Saturday, August 17.
“Ruth has a wealth of experience as a former mayor and councillor and has written a highly successful book about
getting elected,” Mr Kronborg said.
“The workshop will discuss candidate and councillor values, positive language, door-knocking, candidate forums, social media, and networking – the nuts and bolts of what a candidate’s campaign could look like in Indigo Shire.
“It’s free, open to anyone and will run for about half a day,
including bring-your-own lunch.
“We already have a few prospective candidates looking to attend, and we reckon it could be of interest to current councillors deciding to re-contest this postal ballot election.”
He said many people the New Leaf network had talked with were looking for candidates who want to collaborate, truly engage
with Indigo communities, are positive and future-focussed.
“Since we started developing the network a few months ago, we’ve also heard quite a bit about the challenges that Indigo communities face today,” Mr Kronborg said.
“These include climate change and sustainability, our capacity to care for people in our communities as they age, available child care and early years education, effective planning and housing development, including community housing opportunities, business and job resilience, diversity, environment and heritage care, protection and and promotion, farm sustainability and reconciliation.
“Communities are looking for partnership and leadership on these issues and the upcoming election provides a great opportunity to talk about how we can all help to respond to them in positive ways.”
Interested people can find more information on New Leaf Indigo’s Facebook page, and register for the workshop by emailing newleafindigo@gmail.com.
Victorian Local Government Election 2024
• Voter roll closes August 7.
• Nominations for candidates open on September 9 and close on September 17.
• The election is by postal vote.
• Ballot papers will be mailed to voters by the Victorian Electoral Commission from October 7.
• Voters need to return a completed ballot paper to the VEC by October 25.
PERFORMED: Flynn Chalmers (left), Kath Buckingham, Sandra Williams and Mark Stephens delighted music lovers with their performance at the recent Winterwords event.
PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
COME ON GET HAPPY: Beechworth Singers will hold their next concert on August 3.
HERE TO HELP: (From left) Peter Matthews, Scott Landells, Trudi Ryan, Jamie Kronborg, Roberta Baker, John Hennessy and Joan Simms are ready to support council candidates. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
GARDEN DELIGHTS: The exhibition by Brigid Hanrahan includes works like A Bird in the Garden Under the Sun 2023 glaze, earthenware, 15 x 13 x 1 cm.
See The Enchanted Garden at Benalla Art Gallery
AN exhibition called The Enchanted Garden by artist Brigid Hanrahan is being presented by the Benalla Art Gallery and Arts Project Australia, in the gallery shop during winter.
Brigid is a mid-career artist who works in painting, drawing and ceramics.
With a focus on creating fictional narratives, she is interested in domestic settings, including gardens and animals.
Dancers are also a common theme, particularly those from the Australian Ballet.
Her figurative works are delicate and expressive, evoking a lyrical sense of movement and storytelling.
Brigid has worked at Arts Project since 1999 and she has participated in numerous group and national touring exhibitions.
Her work is held in the National Gallery of Australia and Tallis Foundation collections, as well as corporate and private collections throughout Australia.
Arts Project Australia is a creative social enterprise that supports artists with intellectual disabilities, promotes their work and advocates for their inclusion in contemporary art practice.
For 50 years, APA has been recognised and celebrated for the quality of the work produced by the artists in its studio which is exhibited in the APA gallery and around the world and represented in multiple public and private collections.
The first full-time art studio in Australia for artists with an intellectual disability, APA has worked to develop a world-class creative program for Australian artists, enabling professional and lasting careers in the arts.
Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash described the exhibition as a vibrant and joyous experience on entering the gallery, complementing a suite of current exhibitions in its Bennett Gallery which explore the native landscape.
The works will be on display until the end of August.
Upbeat approach from Deceptive
A MANSFIELD band with an intriguing name and an upbeat pop/rock setlist will be among those contesting October’s Wangaratta Battle of the Bands at The Vine Hotel.
Deceptive Biscuit Tin draws its name from a conversation in French class which involved a former band member.
The discussion centred on the classic blue ‘Royal Dansk’ biscuit tin which, in the experience of many, never actually contained the yummy biscuits depicted on the outside, but was instead used to store a sewing kit.
“It started as a sort of joke, but stuck, so we still use it today,” drummer Will Wettenhall said.
Will said Deceptive Biscuit Tin was looking forward to competing in Wangaratta’s heat of the North East Battle of the Bands series on October 20 at The Vine.
Along with Will, the band comprises bassist Ben Von Blanckensee, guitarists Ethan Nealon and Reef Bruce, singers Matilda Leon and Molly Diepeveen, and keyboard player Declan Bowen.
All band members are drawn
BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au
from Mansfield Steiner School, with the line-up having altered a little since the group’s inception in early 2023.
“We formed as a sort of teacher’s passion project, and an opportunity for students to play something different to classical music,” Will said.
The group competed in last year’s Mansfield heat of the North East Battle of the Bands series, which was won by another Mansfield school band, Blue Curtain.
Will said Deceptive Biscuit Tin was currently looking for local opportunities to play, and was eagerly anticipating the Battle of the Bands in Wangaratta.
“We are looking forward to having another fun competition, and an opportunity to play for a ‘foreign’ audience,” he said.
Expressions of interest from local bands, duos and solo artists keen to take part in Wangaratta
Battle of the Bands are open from now until October 4.
Entry to the competition is free of charge, and open to artists of all genres aged between 12 and 25.
Artists must perform two or three songs per act, or for a maximum of 15 minutes, at the event, and performances must be appropriate for viewing by a young audience.
Songs do not have to be original, but a bonus point will be awarded for each original song.
Performers from the Rural City of Wangaratta, Mansfield, Benalla, Alpine, Indigo, Moira, Strathbogie, Towong and Albury shires are eligible to enter the competition, and other events which form part of the North East Battle of the Bands series.
Once a performer has won one of the events in the series, they cannot participate in others, as they will have already advanced to the final.
To sign up for the Wangaratta Battle of the Bands, visit https://forms.office.com/r/QqTG6A8mgn
Arrival story shared in The Visitors at WPACC
AFTER its Sydney Theatre Award-winning premiere production at the 2020 Sydney Festival, Muruwari playwright Jane Harrison’s ‘The Visitors’ has been reworked for a new production directed by one of Australia’s most celebrated directors, Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch.
The Visitors tells the story of the First Fleet landing from the perspective of First Nations people watching, with an incredible cast bring to life
a hugely entertaining study of how communities respond to change and the unknown.
Co-produced by Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company, it is described as a riveting, deeply researched insight into one of the most impactful and painful days in Australia’s history. See it at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Saturday, August 10 at 7.30pm with tickets available at wpacc.com.au.
Sculptures and watercolours has opened at Art Gallery on Ovens
A JOINT exhibition featuring the rustic sculptures of Ron Ahl and watercolour paintings by Jana Brook has opened at the Art Gallery on Ovens .
Working primarily in fountain pen and watercolour, Jana’s Winton Wetlands paintings are part of an ongoing series depicting the changing moods of site, while Ron’s sculptures reflect his interest in local flora and fauna.
See the new exhibition at the gallery in the laneway off Murphy Street until Monday, August 5.
The gallery is open Thursday to Monday from 10am till 4pm and entry is free.
The Good exhibition at art Gallery
THE Good, a major new solo exhibition by artist Anna Louise Richardson, is open at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Working primarily in charcoal and graphite, Richardson’s work explores ideas of intergenerational exchange, parenthood and identity based on her experiences of living and working on a multigeneration beef cattle farm in rural Australia. It explores the complex relationships between humans and the natural world, tinged by grief and the competing demands of nurturing new life, and will run until August 11.
Tapestry weavings by Flossie Peitsch
FEARLESS is an exhibition of tapestry weavings by Flossie Peitsch which is open in Gallery 2 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery until August 4.
The artist’s textile practice is informed by the history of women’s craft work, particularly the quilting traditions passed down through the matrilineal generations of her family.
Fearless brings together a body of work created over the past seven years, informed by her experiences as an educator in very remote Indigenous communities and her close familial relationships, as one of four sisters.
Quilts on display at My Little Patch
A SELECTION of quilts made by local quilter Di Lazzarotto are on display at My Little Quilts in Reid Street for the month of July.
KVA Film Club screening in August
THE King Valley Arts Film Club will hold its next screening at the Cheshunt Hall cinema on Tuesday, August 13 at 7.30pm.
The film is the 1959 classic On The Beach starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins and Fred Astaire, a sci-fi romantic drama set in 1964 in Australia, which becomes a temporary safe haven after an atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere.
Doors open at 7pm and an annual club membership of $40 (for six screenings) is available by visiting kingvalleyarts.com.au/ film-club.
RIVETING STORY: The Visitors is an entertaining and deeply researched insight into one of the most impactful
PHOTO: Daniel Boud (featuring 2023 cast)
STRAIGHT OUTTA MANSFIELD: Deceptive Biscuit Tin members Declan Bowen, Matilda Leon, Molly Diepeveen, Ethan Nealon, Will Wettenhall and Reef Bruce (absent: Ben Von Blanckensee) will compete at Wangaratta’s Battle of the Bands.
ACROSS
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
4 What is an optical illusion (6)
7 Which term describes tea, or the like (8)
8 Name a renowned movie dog (6)
9 To be rich, is to be what (8)
11 What is an onslaught (7)
13 When something explodes, it does what (5,2)
15 To be devilish, is to be what (7)
17 To see or recognise, is to do what (7)
20 Name a banned fireproof mineral (8)
23 Which term suggests very nearly (6)
24 What is payment paid for the use of money borrowed (8)
25 What is an atelier for an artist (6)
DOWN
1 To be hard of hearing, is to be what (4)
2 What is an alternative name for a chap (6)
3 Name a rabbit-like mammal (4)
4 When something dissolves, it does what (5)
5 Name another term for a knave (6)
6 To question deeply, is to do what (5)
9 To have walked with an easy pace, is to have done what (6)
10 What are nappies called (7)
12 Name a renowned court game (6)
14 To be in harmony, is to be in what (6)
16 To be indecisive, is to be what (6)
18 What is a narrow passage between islands (5)
19 Name the relation between two similar magnitudes (5)
E-QUATIONS
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in
21 What are small pieces of things (4)
22 To expel from a place, is to do what (4)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
1 FETID (a) Heraldic (b) Having a strong offensive smell (c) Joyful
2 INTERPOLATE (a) To translate (b) To question (c) To tamper with
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:
Free from (3)
Highly unusual (7)
Human Immunovirus (3)
Arabic: forbidden to Muslims (5)
Protein in hair, nails, etc. (7)
Rebel (abb) (3)
Salutation for married woman (3)
Selects by ballot (5)
Shaving blade (5)
Stripped (5)
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four
Tough year to date, but producer does see glimmer of hope ahead
BY KURT HICKLING khickling@ nemedia.com.au
LOCAL producers are continuing to feel the ripple effects of a poor autumn break.
While more than 50mm of rain has fallen in the Wangaratta region this month, severe frosts and a lack of rainfall over recent months has seen pasture growth stunted, with insufficient feed to sustain livestock.
Greta West cattle producer Stewart Thrum, who has been working on his 400-acre farm for more than 60 years with his wife Mary, is among those hardest hit, buying in feed for his stock.
“I have been a producer with my wife for a long time and we have had some very tough years, however, this year has been very frustrating on the land and the cattle sales as a result on what was a very poor autumn break,” he said.
“The end of the summer period and beginning of autumn looked promising, but as things dried out and
continued to do so, the pressure has mounted ever since.
“Not only do we have little feed on our property, but we have also been forced to make some changes in our strategy on how to sustain the farm, protect our future generation of cattle and make a profit moving forward.
“We currently have 85 cows and are feeding out 54 of them with two round bails per day which is an ongoing expense at $100 for each bail.
“The cost of insurance and farm expenses including hay have gone up which again, adds pressure on the farm.”
Mr Thrum said some
farmers have had to sell their cattle to reduce overall costs and preserve the future generation of younger stock.
“Up until the July cattle sale, prices have been well below average that have seen a lower return for farmers at the store sales creating a lack of confidence in the
market,” he said.
“At the July store sale at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange my steers fetched $3.89/kg and heifers $2.94c/ kg, which is up on previous months with a glimmer of hope the market is finally on the move.”
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the outlook is currently at
La Nina Watch, meaning there are some signs that a La Nina may form in the Pacific Ocean by October 2024 which could see average to above average rainfall.
A La Nina Watch does not guarantee that a La Nina will develop.
Mr Thrum believes that a good monthly rainfall average in August could set the scene for later in the year.
“August is one of the most important months for farmers leading into spring,” he said.
“If we see good totals fall during this month, it will put substantial moisture in the soil that will help trigger growth in paddocks as the climate starts to warm up and we see the last of the frosts.
“These conditions coming into the warmer months will see rapid growth in paddocks and pastures, relieve the pressure of hard feed and fill the sheds and silos for next year.
“Moving forward I believe things will definitely ease later this year including more confidence building at the store sales.”
Free business transition and succession planning session for local farmers
FARMERS in North East Victoria have the opportunity to develop skills to assist with successful family farm succession and business transition, at a free Rabo Client Council-hosted information session in Albury on Wednesday, August 14 from 9:30am to 2:30pm.
The session will be facilitated by Transition Partners director Jim Benson, providing practical information, such as why family and business communication can be difficult and how to improve it and how to take account of differing family goals.
FREE SESSION FOR
Rabobank regional manager for Riverina and Northern Victoria, Sarah Bull encourages farming families to secure their seat before the session is booked out.
Rabobank regional manager for Riverina and Northern Victoria, Sally Bull, said as a successful shift between generations can be understandably complicated and challenging to execute, and that business transition and
succession planning skills are crucial for most family farming businesses.
“There will be a chance to explore the key elements of setting up that first meeting to discuss next steps, thinking about management, business, property and wealth transition,” she said.
“It offers farmers a rare opportunity to take a break away from their daily business demands and engage in shared knowledge.”
The information session is limited to 30 participants and is not restricted to the bank’s clients. Register to participate at https://rabobankaunz. eventsair.com/au-succession-family-communication-workshops/successionsessions/Site/Register.
Grants to prepare for ag show season
LOCAL agricultural and pastoral societies are encouraged to apply for a new round of grants that will help prepare them for the upcoming 2024/25 show season.
The Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 for infrastructure development and other business activities to celebrate Victoria’s agricultural communities, industry, and produce.
The grants can be used for a variety of reasons, including upgrading facilities and infrastructure, improving public amenities, creating new activities, and promoting local shows. Applications close on August 23. To learn more about the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program or to apply today, visit agriculture.vic.gov. au
FARMERS:
COSTLY BUSINESS: Cattle producer Stewart Thrum feeds out expensive and hard to find hay to his cattle. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677
Finding
CONCRETING, big or small jobs, paths, driveways, shed slabs, verandahs, 15 years experience. For a free quote phone Trev Anderson on 0422 200 761.
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.
TRAINEESHIP
Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership
Are you keen on working outdoors?
Are you interested in working with young people?
Outdoor School – 15 Mile Creek and Bogong Campuses are seeking young, enthusiastic people who have an interest in Outdoor Education to apply for their 2025 traineeship intake.
Positions are available at both campuses for a 12 month appointment starting early December 2024
Further information on the position and how to apply is available by calling 03 57666247 or emailing Rhys.Evans@education.vic.gov.au
Applications close Friday 23/8/2024 at 5.00pm
MULTIPLE ROLES AVAILABLE
Casual, Part Time, Full Time, Traineeships
The Pinsent Hotel, located in Wangaratta are looking to boost their team.
This busy venue incorporates a large bistro/dining area, Sports Bar, Gaming Room, Bottle Shop and Accommodation. We have roles available in all areas of our bustling venue just waiting for the right people to take them on.
What we’re looking for:
• Passionate people who love what they do
• Reliability
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• A willingness to learn and grow with the business
• Flexibility to work across days, nights, weekends and public holidays
• Leaders - not just to lead but to join in and work as part of a team
• Great personalities - do you like a laugh, like to talk to people, are kind and understanding of other people’s needs
• Enthusiasm
• People who strive to provide a great customer experience
CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA
A school of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)
The College seeks applications from suitably experienced persons for the following position:
Cleaner
This is a full-time position. Please refer to our website for more information. The salary will be determined based on the applicant’s experience but will range between $61,515 and $67,915 plus a split shift allowance.
Please forward your application by Monday August 5, 2024 to the Human Resource Officer, Noelia Araya at recruitment@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au
Cathedral College Wangaratta is a Child Safe School and an Equal Opportunity Employer
The following are beneficial, but not essential
• RSA
• RSG
• Gaming License
• Food Safety certificate
• Experience. Don’t have any? That’s ok, it may be a great opportunity for you to join our Traineeship program
Perhaps you’re looking for a ‘change of scenery’ and wanting a new career opportunity, this might just be the right place for you!
Please apply today by sending us a cover letter and resume to phemployment@southfork.com.au. We look forward to meeting you.
We are not offering sponsorships for these positions.
SADLY I must part w ith my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (too many cars), only one previous owner, and in immaculate condition, all up to date service books, always garaged, only been off-road twice, all hwy kms, 3 litre diesel motor, 3.5 tonne towing capacity, Redarc electric brakes, RWC provided, 166,400km, reg (WAG541), $10,950 ono, IMMACULATE. Ph 0407 050 979.
2018 Toyota Prado, 4WD, Auto, white, 7 seats, bull bar, snorkel, towbar, caravan and horse float ready, current RWC, 145,005km, (IVL 7VT), $46,500. Ph 0437 762 668.
SPRINTER Van, diesel, reg till April 2025, roadworth y April 2024, 160,000km, camper/work van / w eekend relax plus 12volt system, excellent condition, no rust, $16,000, VIN: WDF90366228908307. Ph 0459 899 884.
2020 Toyota Hilux SR5 Auto 4x4 Double Cab, SR5+ premium interior, with Nebula Blue op tional paint, black leather accented interior trim and standard Apple/Android car play, features include: side steps, 3500kg braked and 750kg unbraked towing capacity, heavy duty suspension, trailer sway control, satellite navigation (GPS), bought new from dealer, comes with full dealer service history, only one owner, currently registered and will come with roadworthy certificate (BKS063), 94,400km, $49,990 excluding govt charges. Ph 0418 361 935.
TIPPER FARM UTE, 1998 Ford Courier (unreg) petrol / gas, 4WD, manual, straight single cab, steel tray, drop side tray, tow bar, could be re-reg, runs well, VIN: JCOAAASGHCVB78825, $4,500 firm. Ph 5729 3669.
2007 Nissan Tiida, gold colour, (WRF170), 6 speed manual, new front and back shockers, 2 new front tyres, 235,600km, $5000. Ph 0458 859 959.
Hilux 2023 workmate ute, automatic, as new, 3300km, reg till Oct 24 (TGH121), $33,000. Ph 0414 428 544, located Mansfield.
PACKAGE Deal, for genuine sale 2004 Ford F250, 7.3hr Diesel, 291. 685km, has near new bravo a/t Maxxis 980 tyres, plus 2 spares on back, rear camera, rear airbag suspension, 274ltr fuel capacity plus 100ltr tank under rear canopy, rear slide on picnic table, central locking system, Hayman Rees tow ball, top winch to help load the boat, plus 5000 pound bull bar winch, lots storage includes 2x60ltr fridge slides, plus boat motor slide, 2 large draws in canopy, lots storage above canopy and below 3x120 Uni solar panels, has pro star solar controls wired ready to go, 4 glass matt batteries, plus built in charger, built in compressor. Side steps and bull bar all aluminum, driving lights CB radio, electric brake system to suit caravan, fully services and will sell with road worthy. Caravan, 2004 Kedron Cross Country, made in Brisbane, 20ft inside, electric brakes, pullout awning, has matching wheels as the F250, dual axle plus 2 spares. 2 x jerry can, holders at rear, in front bin has 4 x glass matt batteries, pro star solar controls invertor, has 4x120 Uni solar panels on roof, tv antenna, fold up side cooking table built on side, steps that fold up on the door, single beds with inner spring mattresses, wired for CPAP machines x 2, lots storage cupboards, built with Tasmanian oak, 4 burner stove with grill and oven, 240ltr Vitri
Frigo, full sink, wired for TV, reverse cycle air con, Island bench table with storage under seats, storage under beds, brand new elec and gas hot water service (never used), water filters and hoses, electric legs, A-Trail Jack plus ockie wheel, 2 wind stiffeners pegs and mat (outside 8x4m) original tyres and rims for caravan, out door shower, 5 water tanks, one tank for drinking only, carpet or vinyl flooring, wired for 12 volt or 240 volt, full annex plus extra plus sun shade, never used, new wheel bearings (never used), 2 gas bottles, front bin and generator compartment, very clean and neat, has lots of extra’s as well. $139,900 ono package deal, will consider splitting, but they do compliment one another. Boat not included. Ph 0427 936 630.
HYSTER forklift, new gas bottle, new battery, $5200. Ph 0427 936 630.
FISHER and Paykel Dryer, $300, as new, Snow chains, 2 sets, diamond pattern, $50 each. Ph 0438 279 335.
DIFFEY (Sessions), Lois Mary.
Passed away at Northeast Health Wangaratta on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Aged 87 years.
Loved wife of Rex and Russell (dec). Loving Mum of Doreen, Ronnie, Lynette, Irene, Kathy, Jeff, Gavin, Gary and step-mum of Ted, Dot, Kenny (dec), Jeannie (dec), Melissa, Sonia and Bronwen. Nan of 31 and Gran-Nan of 32. In God’s Garden, you rest above, In our hearts, you rest with love.
DIFFEY, Lois.
Passed away peacefully July 25, 2024.
Loved mother of Ted and Irene, Nana of David and Alison, John and Sharon, Lorraine and Steve. Nana of 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Rest in peace Nana.
DWYER, Catherine “Cath”. The Committee of Management, Management, Staff and Residents of St Catherine’s extend our deepest sympathy to Agnes, John, Filipa, Rosemary and family on Cath’s passing.
GARDNER, Ann.
Loving sister-in-law and Aunt of Laurie, Beat and families. Fly free.
KNOX, Thelma.
Precious friend of Laurie, Beat and families.
Had a great last hour with you.
NORMAN, Stephen Douglas. 3/4/1950 - 21/7/2024
Aged 74 years. With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beautiful Dad, brother, and Poppo.
Son of Eddie and Enid (both dec). Husband of Barbara (dec).
Brother of Graeme and Bronwyn, Daryl and Trang, Helene and Richard. Adored father of Amanda and Jamie, Karl, Khaela and Jonathan.
Treasured Poppo of Chase and Lennox, Archie and Sonny.
My beautiful brave Dad, Not a day goes by without thoughts of you. Some with tears, but lots with smiles. I adored you in every way, and could always count on your kind, but brutally honest advice.
Your love for us was obvious and unconditional, and we will love, miss and remember you always - be seeing you.
~ Amanda, Jamie, Archie and Sonny x
Dad, or as I like to call you Stevie. It’s still hard to believe you’re gone; you fought like crazy for all of us.
You were not just a great dad but a great man.
Until we meet on the other side, I will miss you more than you can imagine. Love you.
~ Karl.
My dearest Dad, My heart hurts so much! The day you left us, a piece of me went too.
No man will ever measure up to you. You fought so long and hard, and the memories we shared will give me strength. I will love you always.
~ Your little girl Khaela, Jonathan, Chase and Lennox.
SPEAKMAN, Dawn.
7/8/1951 – 20/7/2024
The family of Dawn Speakman regret to announce her sudden passing on July 20, 2024.
Much loved wife of Carl, and mother of Gavin and Crystal. The funeral service for Dawn will be held at the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 2pm.
A private cremation will follow the service.
“Always in our hearts.”
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
FUNERALS
DIFFEY
The funeral service for Mrs Lois Mary Diffey will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome or if preferred a donation can be made in memory of Lois to the Cancer Council at www.cancer.org.au/
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
NORMAN
Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service of Mr Steve Norman to be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 commencing at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Wangaratta Lawn Cemetery. A donation to Northeast Health’s Palliative Care Unit in memory of Steve can be made online at https://givenow.com.au/nhw
Mason Park Funerals 5721 5060 masonpark.com.au
WHEEELER
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Valerie May Wheeler will be held at St John Apostle Catholic Church, Jamieson on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 1pm. Followed by a burial at the Jamieson Cemetery. Instead of flowers, please donate to donate.vinnies.org.au
is a direct way of helping us to continually improve patient care and comfort, ensuring the availability of comprehensive health services in our local community. Family and friends can make a donation in lieu of flowers in recognition of the medical care and attention provided.
The bereaved family will be notified of your memorial gift according to your wishes and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.
To make a donation or to request information about memorial service donations or remembering Northeast Health Wangaratta in your will, please contact -
Community Engagement Team (03) 5722 5069 or PO Box 386, Wangaratta, Vic 3676.
• All personal photos submitted for printing in this issue must be collected within the next 4 weeks. All engagement and marriage notices must carry the signatures of BOTH parties, if under 18 the parents’ signatures as well.
• Birth Notices require signatures
Phone: 03 5723 0101
WINNERS AND LOSERS
GOALS: KING VALLEY: unavailable. GRETA: C. Crawford 8, B. Newbold 3, T. Arrowsmith 2, B. Whinray 2, J. Bell 1, A. Green 1, J. Kelly 1, J. McClounan 1. BEST: KING VALLEY: No best players have been selected. GRETA: Cody Crawford, James McClounan, Tyler Arrowsmith, Bradley Whinray, Stewart McLeod, Jack Kelly.
*Ladder correct at time of print from Ovens and King website.
AGRADE: Milawa 81 def Benalla 39 North Wangaratta 24 def by Bonnie Doon 77 Moyhu 36 def by Tarrawingee 45 Whorouly 44 def Bright 32
B GRADE: Milawa 72 def Benalla 20; North Wangaratta 27 def by Bonnie Doon 62; Moyhu 32 def by Tarrawingee 35; Whorouly 47 def Bright 43;
B RESERVES: Moyhu 44 def by Tarrawingee 52; North Wangaratta 23 def by Bonnie Doon 72; Whorouly 50 def Bright 26;
C GRADE: King Valley 43 def Greta 42; Milawa 41 def Benalla 20; Moyhu 43 def Tarrawingee 26; Moyhu 43 def Tarrawingee 26; Whorouly 24 def by Bright 45 15 & UNDER: King Valley 17 def by Greta 26; North Wangaratta 13 def by Bonnie Doon 51; Milawa 22 def Benalla 14; Moyhu 42 def Tarrawingee 18; Whorouly 8 def by Bright. No other scores available at time of print.
ROUND 18
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
BENALLA vs NORTH WANGARATTA
GRETA vs TARRAWINGEE
GOORAMBAT vs MILAWA
KING VALLEY vs BONNIE DOON
WHOROULY vs MOYHU
BRIGHT - BYE
GOALS: MILAWA: J. Lea 6, J. Baker-Swain 4, B. Bartlett 2, C. Dunn 2, B. Kearns 2, T. Dunn 1, K. Collisson 1. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: D. Button 1. BEST: MILAWA: C. Dunn, A. Bihun, B. Bartlett, J. Lea, J. Baker-Swain, T. Dunn. BENALLA ALL BLACKS: D. Nero, D. Button, S. Cox, R. Nedeljkovic, D. Lancaster, P. Mcdonald.
GOALS: NORTH WANGARATTA: J. Nanson 2, J. Devine 1, T. Nanson 1, T. Wilson 1, L. McDonell 1, J. Barker 1, D. Williams 1. BONNIE DOON: M. Hedin 5, L. Murray 3, A. Bennett 2, C. Smedley 1, B. Smith 1. BEST: NORTH WANGARATTA: K. McQuade, J. Barker, P. Kelly, A. Knights, S. Gales, M. Curtis. BONNIE DOON: M. Hedin, J. Goonan, J. Smart, L. James, J. Law, B. Smith.
MOYHU 3.1 5.4 6.5 8.7.55
TARRAWINGEE 3.3 5.6 6.7 9.10.64
GOALS: MOYHU: J. Hansted 3, D. West 2, H. Grant 1, G. Hearn 1, N. Campbell 1. TARRAWINGEE: J. Hoggan 3, S. Piper 2, S. Coonan 1, L. Allan 1, D. Savage 1, O. Sharp 1. BEST: MOYHU: M. Thrum, N. Stewart, D. McDonald, G. Hearn, J. Hansted, L. Reynolds. TARRAWINGEE: B. Igri, O. Sharp, P. Byrne, D. Hearne, T. Heywood, H. Amery. WHOROULY 3.2 3.2 3.3 4.4.28 BRIGHT 4.4 9.10 13.13 22.18.150
GOALS: WHOROULY: B. Duffy 1, S. Piazza 1, C. Wood 1, B. Harrington 1. BRIGHT: C. Thomason 6, D. Bren 5, L. Quirk 4, P. Bren 3, R. Arguello 1, C. Cambridge-Dillon 1, J. Love 1, M. Rampling 1. BEST: WHOROULY: E. Bramich, S. Piazza, D. O’Shannessy, G. White, B. Duffy, X. Vogrig. BRIGHT: C. Thomason, P. Bren, A. Dalbosco, J. Gray, K. Jamieson, R. Jamieson.
the winning run or just had a great day. Get a permanent reminder with great sports shots from The Chronicle
Dees show their class, Bombers ground North Wangaratta Hawks MATCH REVIEWS
CLEARANCE: North Wangaratta’s David Killen boots the ball from the centre before he’s taken down by Bonnie Doon’s Campbell Smedley.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
CONTESTED: Josh Owen crashes the pack and hangs onto the mark.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
By NATHAN DE VRIES
OVENS and King senior football finals-bound sides proved they’re in fine form on the weekend, with Milawa, Bonnie Doon, Greta and Bright all recording wins.
The Demons were at their offensive best, booting 18.16 (124) to Benalla All Blacks 1.2 (8) on their way to a 116-point win.
The match was essentially over by half time, with the Demons heading into the long break with a 69-point lead on the back of 21 scoring shots.
Benalla slotted a major in the opening term but didn’t bother the scoreboard too much after that, only recording a behind after the first quarter.
For their part, Milawa’s forward line shone, with Jared Lea leading proceedings with six goals, assisted by Jordan BakerSwain (four goals), Brady Barlett, Corey Dunn and Braydon Kearns (two goals each).
Milawa’s defensive unit was on song, while Kyle Collisson was busy across the park.
For Benalla, David Nero and Sam Cox were among the best on ground, while big man Ryan Nedeljkovic put in the time at the contest.
Elsewhere, reigning premiers Bonnie Doon survived an early scare from a sprightly North Wangaratta outfit, taking the points 12.15 (87) to 8.4 (52).
The Hawks kicked two straight to take a narrow three-point lead into quarter time, before the Bombers hit their straps.
Bonnie Doon’s midfield brigade was stunning in the second,
delivering the ball into the forwards to produce 10 scoring chances.
While they were up at the main break, the Bombers could’ve been more efficient when they had their opportunities, leading 4.10 to 4.0 at the half.
The Hawks bat tled away but once Bonnie Doon put their goal kicking boots on, it was all but put away.
Kyle McQuade was immense for the Hawks, with Josh Nanson their only multiple goal kicker, while Matt Hedin slotted five for the Bombers in a best on ground performance.
Bright’s forward unit produced another stunning performance, the triple threat of Cooper Thomason, Declan Bren and Luke Quirk kicking 15 between them.
The Mountain Men walked over Whorouly after quarter time, taking the win 22.18 (150) to 4.4 (28).
A lively and contested opening term ended with just eight points the difference, but a five goal second term saw Bright streak out in front.
Thomason (six goals), Bren (five) and Quirk (four) were talismans up forward, kept well supplied by their mids.
For the Lions, Ed Bramich was exceptional at the contest, while Sam Piazza and Darcy O’Shannessy turned in brilliant performances.
Greta triumphed over King Valley in their hit out at Whitfield, the Blues home 19.15 (129) to 8.11 (59).
Cody Crawford was damaging up forward, while James McClounan and Stewart McLeod were among the best on ground for Greta.
Tarrawingee hands harrowing loss to Moyhu Hoppers, snatch third win of the season
■ From back page
Brandon Igri took out best on ground honours for the Bulldogs for his exceptional defensive work on Moyhu’s Jordan Hansted.
“The midfield really stepped up, and the guys down back definitely played their role,” Hoggan said.
“Brendon Igri got set the task of playing on Jordan Hansted when he went forward and completely nullified his impact.
“Jordie started the game on ball then went forward, and you know how dangerous he is as a forward - ‘Iggers’ put his hand up and Jordie only had a couple of touches when he was playing on Iggers in the last
three quarters of the game.
“It was probably three or four times we jumped out to that 1520 point lead, but we had to keep emphasising to them it’s not all over, they’re always going to keep coming, like us they haven’t had too much success this year and they wanted to get another win on the board.”
The loss means Moyhu are unlikely to feature in finals, sitting two games out from the top six with just a pair of matches left in the season before their bye in round 20, while for the Bulldogs, it’s all about building towards brighter days.
“We’re trying to get a culture shift and making sure everyone’s
there and doing it together, not having individual performances and not having guys come in for two to three games throughout the year – we want everyone to stick by and stick together because it’s what local footy clubs are all about,” Hoggan said.
“We realise we’re not world beaters but in my footy career I’ve always focused on saying if the result on the scoreboard doesn’t go your way, as long as you can look around the playing group at the end of the day and know everyone game their all for four quarters, then you should be celebrating that as a win.”
REWARD FOR EFFORT: Sam Piper and the Bulldogs recorded their third win for the year on Saturday.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
200 A grade games for Grady
HANNAH Grady has played 200 A grade games for Wangaratta.
The superstar defender added the milestone to an already glistening career against Myrtleford on July 20 where her side recorded a seven goal win.
Grady said she’s proud to reach the milestone.
“I’ve spent a lot of time watching a all of the Yarrawonga girls hit milestones and I always thought that that’s a lot of netball games but it would be a cool thing to achieve,” Grady said.
“I’m really proud to get to 200 games though and the best part is the friendships I’ve made along the way.
“We’ve had a core group for years now that allowed us to not only bond well on the court but also develop
BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au
amazing friendships off the court.”
Grady started her A grade career as a 17-yearold in a side that didn’t make finals but fast forward 11 years and she’s a dual premiersh ip player.
“Early on it was a slog and we were sitting towards the bottom,” Grady said.
“I think in my first year we missed out on finals because of a few results not going our way in the last round and then the next year we finished top three.
“To go on and win a few premierships a few years later makes me really proud of the club.
“To come from strug-
gles and not much experience in finals to winning premierships is something I’m p roud of and to still be driving for success in all grades is great.”
The Magpies sit two wins clear in second position and just a win from first and are looking a key threat for this year’s premiership.
“We’ve got nice depth on our bench this year and it’ll only get better with Brooke (Thorp) coming back from holidays,” Grady said.
“Things are going well at the moment and it’ll be good to have a break this weekend to get the legs going again and then push for the last four games of the season before finals.
“It’s also been great to have Shea (Cunningham) come in and coach us this year, she’s been a good fresh set of eyes.”
Opportunity for all girls to join in the football fun
By JORDAN DUURSMA
COME along to an hour packed full of football fun at the Wangaratta All Girls NAB AFL Auskick Centre in August.
The Wangaratta All Girls Auskick program will run on Monday evenings at the HP Barr Reserve from 4pm to 5pm from August 12 for five weeks.
The program allows girls within Wangaratta and surrounding communities to come together and experience the fun of football in a safe and encouraging environment.
AFL participation coordinator, Laura Gorman said pairing fun Auskick and football activities with a group of like-minded girls will encourage the love for the sport and hopefully the desire to continue with their football careers.
“Creating a pathway for girls’ football in a country region is vital to supporting the growth of women’s football across Australia,” she said.
“Not only are we encour-
aging a healthy and active lifestyle through participating in football, but we are also encouraging special bonds and friendships to be made through sport.
“We want to see all those girls who come through our program really flourish into amazing footballers and take their careers to the next level.
“However, having fun and being involved is our main priority.”
The skills based around AFL will be learnt within this introductory program.
Gorman said this may help shape participants into elite AFLW stars in the future.
“Friendships and connections are also lasting factors when an individual participates in a program like this all-girls program,” she said.
“We want these girls to be smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves with a football in their hands.”
Community sporting programs like this are helping break down the barriers between what is considered a male or female
sporting code.
“We are one inclusive game, and we would like to see equal representation within the sport,” Gorman said.
“All-girls programs like such provide the opportunity that hasn’t been given in the past.
“The program can create a pathway for those who wish to partake in a sport that was traditionally male dominated.
“We encourage all girls who have ever thought about running around having a kick with the football to sign up.”
The program is open to girls aged between five and 12 years and begins on Monday, August 12, and you can register right up until then.
The first 40 registrants receive a $35 discount (program cost is $50), so be quick, use the code E2BBB448 to receive your discount.
If you have any questions about the program or would just like some more information, contact laura.gorman@ afl.com.au.
FOOTBALL FUN: Don’t miss out on the exciting opportunity to learn some AFL skills and have some football fun.
200 GAMER: Hannah Grady played her 200th A grade game for Wangaratta on July 20.
PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
DEES THUMP PANTHERS
MILAWA’S Aden Graham finds space in the Demons 116-point thumping of Benalla All Blacks at Milawa Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The victory sees Milawa further solidufy themselves in fourth spot.
■ O&K: Page 18
Tarrawingee hands harrowing loss to Moyhu Hoppers, snatch third win of the season ggypp,
MOYHU senior footballers’ finals aspirations were dealt a crippling blow by Tarrawingee after the Bulldogs had a day out to remember on Saturday.
Tarrawingee led at every break to leave the Hoppers nine points in arrears by the final siren, 9.10 (64) to 8.7 (55). It was a deadlocked match
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
throughout, with neither side holding any ascendancy for long before being reined back in by their opponents. It took until the fourth and final term for the
teams to be split.
While Moyhu fought hard and generated four scoring shots, the Bulldogs put together one of their best terms for the year, booting 3.4 to run over the top of the Hoppers.
Tarrawingee co-coach Justin Hoggan said it was a great reward for all the effort his side’s put in this year.
“We emphasised during the week with the list we’ve got to battle as hard as we have every week,” he said.
“This was our opportunity to get some reward for our effort in the season, so it was good to get back on the winners list.
“We started off really well, I think we jumped out to a
three-goal lead early on, but then had one of our lapses because we’re such a young side – we’ve got 11 guys 18 or younger in our senior side.
“We’ve been focusing on those and trying to limit the duration of the lapses we have during quarters where opposition teams can kick a couple on us.
“In the end, it was a four quarter effort, we kept sticking to it and that’s what got us the result in the end.”
Hoggan booted three goals himself, well assisted by Oliver Sharp who may not have kicked a bag, but provided a brilliant target in the air all day.
