Wangaratta Chronicle 291223

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Management and staff of the Wangaratta Chronicle wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year. Our next edition will be Wednesday, January 3, 2024

NEW W Year’s ’ E Eve v ve sparkle is sett to sp parkle year when this y ear wh w en n community the co comm munit iy gathers gather e s att the e Wangaratta Wang garatta t Showgrounds Show wgroundss massive for a ma assiv sssiv ive e night nigh ni gh ht off ffree re ee entertainment. ente terrtai ainm nmen nm entt. en Locals Louis, Scott Lo ocals L ouiis, Sc ou S ott ot Solimo and Pi Pia So Sol limo m mo look lo ok fforward orwa or ward tto o getting party gettin ng th the e pa art rty y started, with Scott starte ed, w i h Sc it Scot ottt Amanda & Aman a da a to be b opening act the op penin ng ac ct on evening.

Sunday a eve v ning n . ng story on page Full sto tory o np pa ag ge e 2.

PHOTO: O Hickling Kurt H i kl ic kling

Looking ahead with confidence

LOCALS should look forward with confidence to 2024, according to Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees.

As the current council enters the final year of its term, with elections to be held in October, Cr Rees - now the municipality’s longest-serving mayor - said there was still “a lot to get done”.

“We will get some projects completed, and we’ll start others which will be a legacy to the work of the current council,” he said.

“I think it will be a year of consolidation.”

Cr Rees said key focuses

Mayor M y says y llocals l should h ld ggett sett ffor a big 2024

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

in 2024 would include sewerage works which will enable the development of subdivisions in Wangaratta’s north-west and south, and hopefully the progression of social housing on the former Ovens College site in Greta Road.

“It would supply in excess of 200 homes, to boost affordable housing in

Wangaratta,” he said.

“We also hope to see the release of more industrial land in the next six to 12 months, which would provide opportunities for more businesses.”

Cr Rees said planned improvements to the city’s entries on Tone Road and at North Wangaratta would have Wangaratta looking even more attractive.

“You never get a second chance at making a first impression, so having a pretty town as visitors arrive adds

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to our position as a very liveable city,” he said.

The first new major works local residents will see and need to navigate in 2024 will be an Australian Rail Track Corporation project, rather than a council one, as the Green Street bridge closes for six months from January 8.

“It has to happen, and it’s going to look so much better and make pedestrian access better in that area,” Cr Rees said.

Council will lodge a

funding application with the Federal Government in mid-January, seeking $4 million for the development of a community hub and an intergenerational play and exercise area on the former Olympic Pool site on the corner of Swan Street and Sisely Avenue.

If successful, council would contribute $4 million to the project, which is the first stage of a masterplan aiming to revitalise the Wareena Park area.

■ Continued page 4

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Page 2 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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Enjoy ultimate family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration

THE countdown is on to New Year’s Eve and the Rural City of Wangaratta has a whole list of reasons for family and friends to head to the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday night.

Council will present a big night of music, entertainment and family fun which it promises will be the most spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration in the region.

Opening the musical line-up will be local favourites Scott & Amanda and their six piece band - all from Wangaratta - who are no strangers to performing at big events in the region.

They will be playing popular, fun cover songs everyone will know and love.

Scott Solimo said he has been playing live for about 33 years including every New Year’s Eve in that time - and he still enjoys the buzz of being on stage and entertaining a live audience.

“We are certainly looking forward to bringing in the New Year in our hometown,” he said.

“Playing in Wang is always special - I don’t get to do it very often.

“New Year’s Eve is always a very fun night - people are usually in party mode and lots of dancing and singing happens.

“I enjoy the interaction with the audience.”

Also taking to the stage will be Beechworth musician and vocalist Asha Bright, a rising star on the local music scene.

As the sun goes down, the crowd will need to get their

dancing shoes on, as the funky soul sounds of That Gold Street Sound take over the stage.

Rounding out the night will be the legendary Chocolate Starfish, helping everyone ring in the New Year before they embark on their The Best of Everything Tour.

There will be plenty for families and children to enjoy throughout the event including inflatables, laser tag, rock climbing, face painting, a photo booth and hair braiding.

For the food enthusiasts, a diverse range of delicious options will be available to purchase from a carefully curated selection of vendors, with something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Plus there will be two spectacular fireworks displays lighting up the night sky at 9pm and again at midnight.

Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said the showgrounds is the place to be for New Year’s Eve 2023.

“This sensational line-up promises to draw a crowd from across our region,” he said.

“I encourage our community to gather friends and family and join us for a night of music, celebration, and memories, as we welcome 2024 with open arms.”

This epic New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on Sunday, December 31 from 5.30pm at the Wangaratta Showgrounds and entry is free for all, with food and drink available to purchase.

(Official service animals only, no pets).

Have fun and be safe this New Year’s Eve

HEADLINE ACT: Chocolate Starfish will help the Wangaratta community ring in the New Year at the showgrounds on Sunday night, before they embark on their The Best of Everything Tour.

LOCAL TALENT: Along with Scott & Amanda (right), Beechworth’s Asha Bright (pictured left) will also perform during the family-friendly event to see in the New Year at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday evening.

WANGARATTA police will be out and about patrolling on New Year’s Eve to help ensure festivities are fun and not ruined by any unruly behaviour.

Police have offered the following practical tips to ensure your celebrations don’t go astray.

• Plan your night in advance and make sure you pre-arrange safe transport to and from the venue.

• If driving, leave the drinks at home or nominate a designated driver if necessary.

• Drink safely and within your limits.

• Take care of your mates; never leave someone who is drunk or passed out, get them immediate medical help.

• Be mindful of your behaviour and respectful of others.

• And in an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).

For more safety tips head to www.police.vic. gov.au/personal-safety.

Unseasonally wet Christmas and Boxing day in North East

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER STORMS and heavy rainfall caused some minor flooding in Wangaratta homes on Christmas day, while the prospect of further severe thunderstorms on Boxing day had authorities watcing water levels in the Ovens and King rivers - but fortunately neither reached the minor flood level.

In what was an unseasonally wet and mild Christmas day, the North East was lashed

by a series storms which dumped as much as 85mm of rainfall in some parts of the King catchment, while storms impacted areas of the North East on Boxing day.

Wangaratta recorded 40mm in the 24 hours to 9am Christmas day - almost the same amount it averages for the entire month of December with a further 19mm in the 24 hours to 9am Boxing day.

According to local retired CSIRO climatologist, Peter Nelson, Wangaratta’s maxi-

mum temperature of 21.1 degrees made it the city’s coldest Christmas day since 2006 - with previous colder days in 1968 and 1972.

Across the Rural City of Wangaratta Greta West with 60mm recorded the heaviest 24 hour rainfall to 9am Christmas day, with a further 20mm in the preceding 24 hours.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall totals across the North East in the 48 hours to 9am Boxing

day included 71mm at Rutherglen, 66mm at Carboor Upper, 56mm at Cheshunt, 51mm at Yarrawonga, 47mm at Bobinawarrah, 40mm at Lake Buffalo, 21.2mm at Albury and 14mm at Bright.

Wangaratta SES unit controller Jess Zuber said volunteers spent Boxing Day keeping watch on King River water levels.

“The river level is below the minor flood level, but there have been some unusual rises reported and with

a lot of campers along the river we just want to make them aware that the river can rise quickly after heavy rainfall,” she said.

Ms Zuber said around 15 Wangaratta SES unit volunteers spent part of Christmas day responding to 10 calls for assistance.

“A majority of the call were in Wangaratta, at residential addresses, between 9m to noon, with strong winds displacing roof tiles and heavy rainfall causing

flooding inside homes,” she said.

“Our crews were able to replace tiles or tarp up the roof, with mostly minor damage from the flooding.

“It was certainly one of our busiest Christmas days.

“We did have a call-out Christmas eve from some residential rainfall damage and crews have also assisted trees from roads and a tree which fell on a home, but fortunately caused little damage.”

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 3

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Local police detect 290 offences in two weeks

By LEAH ANDRESON-BYRNE

ABRUBT LANDING: A paddock in South Wangaratta became a last minute landing strip for a glider on Wednesday afternoon. Local police reported no injuries to the pilot following the glider coming down around 4.20pm near Cruse Street and Reith Road.

PHOTO: Jono Leahy

Councillors to discuss 2.75 per cent rate cap

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER and SIMONE KERWIN

VICTORIA’S 2.75 per cent rate cap for local councils will be among the items up for discussion among Rural City of Wangaratta councillors in the New Year.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne last Friday announced the rate cap for the 2024-’25 financial year, under the State Government’s Fair Go Rates system.

She said the government accepted the recommendation of the Essential Services Commission regarding the cap, which is equal to the forecast Consumer Price Index for 2024-’25.

“The rate cap limits the amount all Victorian councils can increase their total revenue from general rates and municipal charges,” Minister Horne said.

“Councils are able to apply for a higher rate cap if they can demonstrate community support and a critical need for spending on services or projects that require a rate rise above the capped amount.

“There were no applications for an exemption this financial year, when the cap was set at 3.5 per cent.”

Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said he didn’t believe council would apply for a higher cap for 2024-’25.

“Last year we went

lower than the cap, so at this stage I think we’ll stick with what we’ve got, but we’ll talk about it as a group,” he said.

Rural city ratepayers were spared the maximum rate rise of 3.5 per cent this financial year, with council only imposing a 2.9 per cent rise.

The 0.6 per cent reduction put about $10 back into the pockets of local ratepayers, a total equivalent of $171,000 in lost council revenue, based on around 16,370 rate assessments.

Ratepayers were, however, hit with an almost 10 per cent rise in kerbside recycling and organic collection service charges, which helped take the fore-

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cast total revenue for rates and charges to more than $40.5m this financial year.

That $40.5m underpins the bulk of the budget’s projected $84.5m total income/revenue, which includes government grants ($30m) and user fees ($12m), and is funding a more than $32m capital works program.

Minister Horne said under the Ministerial Guidelines, service rates and charges for the collection of kerbside waste and recycling from properties are again not subject to the rate cap.

The guidelines also detail that services that provide a general benefit to the whole municipal-

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ity, such as tree planting, graffiti removal and street cleaning, should not be funded by service rates or charges to individual ratepayers.

This is the eighth consecutive year of the Fair Go Rates system in Victoria, designed to reduce cost of living pressures.

In the decade before the introduction of the rate cap, council rates across the state increased by an average of six per cent per annum.

Victoria’s average rate cap between 2016-17 and 2023-24 was 2.25 per cent - the lowest being 1.5 per cent in 2020/21 and highest being 3.5 per cent in 2022/23.

ALMOST 300 offences have been detected by police on local roads under Operation Roadwise over the past two weeks to Thursday morning, with 7201 breath tests resulting in 11 offences for impaired driving.

Wangaratta police Senior Sergeant David Gillespie said the offences were exactly the kind he didn't want to see across the Wangaratta, Alpine and Moira shires.

"Prior to Operation Roadwise beginning I cautioned the community against making poor decisions that could be easily avoided, but many haven't taken that advice," he said.

"We've come across a number of people not wearing seatbelts, exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km and disobeying signs and because of that a number of people have been seriously injured and killed.

"We've had three collisions which all involved motorcycles and resulted in multiple admissions to hospital, which is a reminder that motorcyclists, like pedestrians and cyclists, are vulnerable road users.

"Other road users need to be very aware of their surroundings, given the vulnerability on the roads, and vulnerable road users need appropriate safety gear and equipment.

"We've still got the weekend to go, as Operation Roadwise ends at midnight on Monday, January 1, so police will maintain efforts in relation to alcohol and drug testing in this space.

"Be aware if you're detected driving impaired there are consequences; not just monetary and court summons but the potential for loss of licence or getting your vehicle impounded.

"We currently have a number of road police resources in those shires; State Highway Patrol, the Solo Unit and the Heavy Vehicle Unit, they're up here with the same focus as local police and they'll be here until it's over.

"The roads have been very busy in the last few days and we expect it to increase going into New Year's Eve, especially with the potential for better weather, so we ask people attending functions to have a designated driver, plan your trips and be aware if you have big night alcohol can remain in your system for much of the next day."

Page 4 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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Rural city looking ahead with confidence in 2024 ■ From page 1

The proposed hub building is expected to provide a long-awaited home for the Wangaratta Senior Citizens Centre.

Another project requiring external funding is council’s planned $20 million development of the Wangaratta Creative Precinct.

The precinct plan would involve co-development of the Wangaratta Art Gallery with the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre, including an upgrade and extension of the Ovens Street art gallery.

This upgrade would

ensure the gallery is able to continue attracting high-quality exhibitions, and would link cultural infrastructure with the Railway Precinct, completed in mid-2021.

The project, which could happen in stages or all at once depending on funding availability, is currently in the detailed design phase.

“We’re looking forward to the completion of the new basketball courts at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, expected to be finished around March,” Cr Rees said.

New netball courts, to

be constructed using a $3 million grant from the State Government, will also be developed at the Barr Reserve within the next year.

Cr Rees said the rural city was hoping for external funding which would enable works to be carried out on Wangaratta-Whitfield Road and BenallaWhitfield Road.

“The statistics show it (Wangaratta-Whitfield Road) is a dangerous road, and grant funding would enable improvement of Bdouble routes involving a widening of the shoulders - for the benefit of tourists,

but more importantly for locals,” he said.

Cr Rees said he expected to see strong debate on council this year about solar farms, particularly around their placement on rich, productive farmland in the district.

He believes it will be among the key issues discussed by the current elected council in its final 10 months - and his final year on council - interspersed with continued advocacy to state and federal governments.

“Our council’s doing really well,” he said.

“Traditionally, if you can

get one or two projects up in a four year period on council, you’re doing well; we’ve had at least four in every term I’ve been on council.

“Our advocacy document is spectacular, and we present well.

“We are also part of Regional Cities Victoria, which helps us advocate.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time as mayor, and I can see the difference we’re making.”

BIG YEAR AHEAD: Rural City of Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees says there is a much still to do in 2024.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Est. 1884, Incorporating Wangaratta Despatch, Est. 1861

WEATHER

TEMPERATURES: Friday

Max 29 Min 12 Mostly sunny

Saturday Max 26 Min 10 Mostly sunny Sunday

Max 29 Min 9 Mostly sunny

Monday

Max 32 Min 14 Mostly sunny

Tuesday

Max 30 Min 18 Possible shower

RAINFALL:

Last 72 hours

Last 7 days

Wangaratta

19.8 mm

59.8 mm

Lake Buffalo

33.8 mm

46.8 mm

Cheshunt

20.4 mm

57.4 mm

*NB: Rainfall totals up until 3pm, Thursday

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Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.

Member

TRACK CLOSURES: ARTC Inland Rail is hoping to minimise disruptions to V/Line traffic during the six month closure of the Green Street bridge (pictured) from January 8.

Minor track closures forecast during Green Street bridge works THE Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has downplayed the impacts of the upcoming Green Street overpass works on V/Line passengers, with services only expected to see minor interruptions throughout the six month bridge closure in Wangaratta.

Inland Rail works to replace the bridge are set to commence from January 8, with the bridge to be closed to road and foot traffic throughout the duration.

The rail line will also be lowered by 2.8 metres during the works, to allow for the safe passage of double-stacked freight trains going forward.

An ARTC Inland Rail spokesperson said much of the works

BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

impacting the train line would be done during “track possession” windows, to limit ongoing interruptions.

The first track possession window is expected to close the Albury line for 18 hours on February 5, while longer 60-hour track possessions are slated to occur in early March and September.

The works are conducted non-stop.

“ARTC Inland Rail and construction contractor McConnell Dowell are working closely with V/Line to minimise

disruption to rail services during the Green Street bridge closure,” the spokesperson said.

“Much of the construction work will be completed in track work possession windows.

“ARTC Inland Rail will work closely with V/Line to announce any service changes for passengers.”

A V/Line spokesperson said service changes would be communicated via the V/Line website, app and social media closer to the planned interruptions.

The news comes after a shift to reservation-only seating on all Albury line V/Line trains throughout the summer, amid high-demand across the network since the introduction

of the regional fare cap earlier this year.

Weekend and public holiday services transitioned to reservation-only seating as part of a trial in September, however, weekday trains will now also be subject to reserved seating through to the end of February.

Wangaratta-based Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy said the extension of reserved seating on V/Line trains over the summer will benefit North East train travelers.

“For too long the Victorian Labor Government has treated our train travelers as second class citizens,” he said.

“Let’s hope this is not the end of Labor’s interest in regional Victoria.”

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 5

Pokies losses decline, but still $3.6m in four months

GAMING losses across the Rural City of Wangaratta are lagging behind last year’s record-setting figures, despite more than $3.6m being lost to local machines in the first four months of the new financial year.

A total of $10.874m was lost to pokie machines in Wangaratta in 2022/23 $2.2m more than the 2021/22 financial year and $2m above the previous record, which was reported in 2018/19 ($8.873m).

To October 2023/24, $3.625m has been lost in Wangaratta’s four gaming venues and 154 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), according to Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) data.

During the same period last year, Wangaratta recorded its first ever loss of more than $1m in a single month in July, before repeating the feat in August and October and resulting in punters having lost some $4.168m to local EGMs to the end of October.

The $1.121m lost in August 2022 remains the rural city’s record month for pokies-related losses.

So far this financial year, August again reflected the largest losses locally, with $972,156 reportedly lost to machines in Wangaratta.

The figure represents the fourth-highest gaming loss recorded in the rural city since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year.

Across the North East, gaming losses have largely dropped in line with Wangaratta, with $1.02m lost to the Alpine Shire’s 68 EGMs across three venues to October, around $100,000 less than the

BY RYAN MALCOLM

rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

same period last year.

Some $3.575m has already been lost to Wodonga’s 150 machines across three venues, while just shy of $5m has been poured into an amalgamation of Benalla, Strathbogie and Moira shire machines, a decline of $396,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Sweeping gaming reforms are expected to be implemented across the state by mid-2024, with pre-commitment limits and carded play to be made mandatory at EGM venues in an effort to curb money laundering through gaming venues.

Load up limits will be reduced to $100 from $1000, and mandatory closure periods will be enforced for all gaming machine areas in a venue between 4am and 10am.

The Victorian Government will also slow down the spin rate of EGMs to three seconds per game, in an effort to limit losses.

Northern Victoria MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell said North East pokies trends were cause for concern.

“Although people are entitled to spend their own money as they wish, it is very concerning the number who decide to spend it through poker machines,” she said.

“Many in our community have a legitimate addiction to gambling, which causes financial stress and emotional distress within families – these people need to be able to access services locally to address these issues.”

GAMING SPEND: Punters lost more than $3.6m on gaming machines in Wangaratta from July to the end of October this year.

Have your say on council gambling policy

COMMUNITY members are currently being asked to vie and have their say on the Rural City of Wangaratta’s draft gambling policy and gambling action plan.

The policy outlines council’s future approach to protecting the Wangaratta community from gambling harm.

The policy will also guide council in making decisions on planning permit applications for electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and representing the community’s views on applications for gaming licences.

The policy acknowledges that the most predominant source of financial loss and harm in Australia comes from EGMs, and that council has the capacity to regulate the location and operation of EGMs and consider the

social and economic impacts of EGMs. Council can also ensure active participation by the community in planning permit decisions and has the opportunity to represent the community’s views on applications for gaming licences under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

Council plans to adopt a public health approach, recognising that the level of harm created by gambling ranges from no harm through to very severe levels of harm, and thatthe harm may be experienced not just by the person who gambles but also by their family, friends and the wider community.

Go to the council website to view both policies.

Public submissions close January 31, 2024.

Two lives lost in separate crashes in the North East TWO fatalities in separate crashes made for a tragic Christmas period on North East roads.

Police are continuing to investigate a collision in Euroa on Christmas eve that turned fatal.

It is understood two motorcycles, both travelling north on Euroa-Mansfield Road, collided about 4.25pm.

The rider of the first motorcycle, a 77-year-old Lemnos man, sustained lifethreatening injuries and was air-lifted to hospital where he later died.

His pillion passenger, a teenage girl received nonlife-threatening injuries.

The rider of the second motorcycle, a 34-year-old Kialla man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The passenger of this bike, a teenage girl, was uninjured.

Meanwhile, Wodonga Highway Patrol and uniform officers are continuing to investigate a fatal crash in Cudgewa, east of Wodonga, on Christmas day.

Police were notified of the crash just after 9am and on arrival at the Murray Valley Highway scene, found that a passenger vehicle had crashed into a tree.

The single occupant and driver, a 56-year-old Melton South man, was deceased at the scene.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash and are pleading with motorists to take care on the roads over the festive period.

Anyone who witnessed either crash, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 7

Optimism rises for cattle after a challenging year Cattle numbers similar to last yyear,, but p prices almost halved to $ $54.8m

BY STEVE KELLY

Yearly cattle sale totals

skelly@ nemedia.com.au

WANGARATTA Livestock Exchange’s turnover for 2023 was $35 million less than the previous year, a result greatly influenced by grim seasonal outlooks for the eastern seaboard of Australia that are now tracking better than expected.

In 2023 the exchange turned over $54.81m in cattle sales compared to $90.28m the year before, but it was mainly due to a dive in cattle prices, as the head count was only about 3000 less than in 2022.

Some 17,243 head of prime cattle and 24,833 head of store cattle were sold at the Wangaratta yards in 2023 for a total of 42,076, compared to a total of 45,172 in 2022 when prices achieved record figures.

Exchange general manager Warwick Benton explained that seasonal weather outlooks and the forecast impact of El Nino had a large effect on cattle prices.

“Everyone across the eastern seaboard was affected by the bureau’s forecast of an El Nino (drier weather) and people in the north were pretty worried about it and they started selling off quickly,” Mr Benton said.

2020: 23,948 head sold for $30,199,142.

2021: 36,468 head sold for $65,792,277.15.

2022: 45,172 head sold for $90,280,340.58.

2023: 42,076 head sold for $54,810,000.

HOPING FOR HIGHER PRICES: Better seasonal weather conditions than forecast has restored optimism in the cattle market, with two large sales coming up on January 2 and 4 at Wangaratta Livestock Exchange.

“We all knew there was going to be a correction in pricing of cattle, but in my view, and that of livestock analysts, it went too far.”

In hindsight, Mr Benton said there has been a lot of rain in the north and the season is now not as bad as the Bureau of Meteorology predicted and anyone who cares about the sustainability of the industry is hoping prices will improve soon.

He said throughput at Wangaratta’s exchange has maintained but prices have almost been cut in half from 2022 figures and people are holding

optimism for the next weaner sale on January 2.

On the export side of the equation, Mr Benton said Australia is looking as healthy as ever and it’s in the box seat as the world’s major exporter of beef at the moment.

“There aren’t many heavy cattle in the north of Australia and the northern buyers have come down in the last few weeks to replenish stocks,” he said.

“There is still that demand for meat and protein in the world and if that maintains I can’t see things deteriorating

- it’s a positive outlook.”

Producers in North East Victoria have had outstanding growing conditions with plenty of feed but it’s the northern areas of Australia that have seen a turn in conditions.

“North of Temora and around New England it has been getting pretty bad as well as out towards Burke and Wilcannia,” Mr Benton said.

“It crashed a bit but going into 2024 it should be looking okay now that the north has had a wet season.”

The cost of production is still high and producers are

banking on prices to bounce back so the job has sustainability and farmers remain in the industry.

Looking forward over the next month, there are two massive sales set for the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange, with the Corcoran and Parker and Elders’ event expected to yard 4500 steers on Tuesday, January 2 and 3000 heifers on Thursday, January 4.

At the end of January there will be the blue ribbon sale with the steers on Wednesday, January 31 and the heifers on Friday, February 2.

Council is gauging sporting club needs

By SIMONE KERWIN SPORTING clubs across the Rural City of Wangaratta are being urged to communicate their needs to council via a sporting club development survey.

While the survey is similar to the 2022 edition, to enable year-on-year comparisons, there have been subtle improvements aimed at enhancing clarity and incorporating new developments from 2023.

The survey is designed to give council a comprehensive understanding of the needs of sporting organisations within the municipality.

At least one committee member and one participant from each club is required to complete the survey.

Committee members can expect it to take 15 to 20 minutes to complete, while for participants, the survey can be completed in five to 10 minutes.

With no limit to individual responses, community members are also urged to contribute their insights to help shape an even brighter future for sport and recreation in the Rural City of Wangaratta.

The survey is accessible via https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/HZM3PY8 and will remain open until Friday, January 19.

Bargain hunters out for Boxing day sales

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER IT certainly wasn’t as bustling as Bourke Street in Melbourne, but Wangaratta’s CBD had a constant flow of pedestrian traffic seeking Boxing Day bargains on Tuesday.

Larger chain stores made up most of the businesses offering post-Christmas retail therapy, with many hundreds of shoppers looking to cash in on the special sales.

Damien Freihofer was among the shoppers looking to snag some choice buys at Adventure

Camping, Fishing and Firearms.

The Melbourne resident was visiting local friends and had a keen eye for some new gear to chase both trout and Murray cod up until the New Year.

A new Rapala five foot spinning rod, some lures and flys were the perfect additions fpr Damien.

“I’ve been after a new trout set-up for a while,” he said.

“We’ll probably head up to the Ovens (river), but will also spend a fair bit of time chasing Murray cod down on the Murray (river).”

Store owner Nathan Bradley said staff were flat out from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Boxing day, with camping, hiking and fishing gear all in strong demand.

“We were busy, but not as busy as recent Boxing days... although the lead up into Christmas was very busy,” he said.

“One of the things we noticed was that probably about 80 per cent of our customers weren’t locals.”

Mr Bradley said the store’s gun room was also the busiest he had seen it, with triple the usual staffing required.

Across Australia, retailers were hopeful consumers would spend $1.25 billion on Boxing Day., despite the cost-of-living pressures.

The Australian Retail Association (ASA) has predicted $23.9bn in spending for the sales period ending on January 15.

The ASA said retail sales had been sluggish this year as costof-living pressures hit home, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing retail turnover was down and discretionary spending was slower than usual.

SNAGGING A BARGAIN: Angler Damien Freihofer picked up some new gear on Boxing Day at Adventure Camping, Fishing and Firearms.

PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

R E S I D E N T I A L & CO M M E R C I A L P E S T CO N T R O L 2 4 / 7

Summer Pest Control WASPS

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Summer’s warm and mild climate creates the ideal conditions for wasps to flourish.

From common paper wasps to more aggressive species like yellow jackets, these insects can build nests around homes and gardens, leading to potential hazards for residents.

Wasp stings can be nasty and nests on your property are a danger to you and your family.

Don’t let wasps ruin your Summer.

Understanding the wasp problem, recognising the risks of infestations, and seeking professional help from Economic Pest Control are essential steps towards a wasp-free environment.

By following preventive measures and relying on experienced experts, you can protect your family and enjoy a pest-free home.

ALBURY-WODONGA BRIGHT MANSFIELD SHEPPARTON WANGARATTA YARRAWONGA

When it comes to wasp control and eradication, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Call us on

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Page 8 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Have your say in Wangaratta Chronicle poll

Visit our website to vote at www.wangarattachronicle.com.au

Take stock as the New Year dawns US columnist Bill Vaughan once suggested that “an optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in; a pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves”.

Whichever way your feelings are positioned as we approach the end of 2023, the dawn of a new year is a chance to reflect on the last 12 months, and to acknowledge and celebrate both what has been and what the future may hold.

The last few years have been tough for many, through the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living pressures, and the many altered circumstances they have created.

However, this period has also demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of people when faced with such experiences.

Most significantly, it has brought home the importance of connections and a strong community to dealing with change or hardship.

We are always better when we work together.

In the Rural City of Wangaratta, we are fortunate to have so many local groups and individuals committed to developing those connections, and to making life easier for their fellow residents.

A glimpse at the municipality's behindthe-scenes machinations can often put to rest everyday grumbles, and complaints which often spring too easily to the lips or the keyboard.

So if, amid making New Year party plans, formulating resolutions and considering all that's to come in 2024, your mind does flick into 'review' mode over the next few days, perhaps take some time to consider those who have made a difference in your life this year.

It may just tip the balance in favour of optimism for the arrival of 2024.

HERACLITUS, an ancient Greek philosopher, who was apparently unfamiliar with death and taxes, proclaimed ‘There is nothing permanent except change’.

Change is essentially inevitable, but all change is not for the best.

On a rare visit to Melbourne CBD last week, I was appalled by the transformation over the years.

I harbor memories of a time when the city was an Aladdin’s Cave to a wide-eyed country kid.

We dressed in our ‘Sunday best’ to go to ‘town’ in those days.

The confronting plight of homeless men and women suffering impoverishment and squalor on footpaths, and in doorways, sadly is a contemporary phenomenon.

I wandered despondently through the Bourke Street Mall amid Christmas decorations and baubles, reflecting on the horrors unfolding in the land where the first Christmas occurred.

With no pretension to countermand a Greek philosopher, the dismal reality is that man’s inhumanity to man has not changed over time.

Hark! My melancholy suddenly evaporated in an epiphany as I wandered past Bluey’s Christmas Window.

A conga line of beautiful, happy children, accompanied by parents and grandparents just as excited and animated as the kids was in progress.

Little ones perched on Dad’s shoulders, infants plucked from pushers for a better view of the magic window.

The light in their eyes, and the smile on the kids faces was all it took.

This special season gives us a chance to renew our bonds with those we love, may old wounds be healed in the spirit of giving.

A happy new year to all.

Barry McArthur, Wangaratta

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Lower voting age to

better support children

ACROSS 1 In abundance 5 Nourishes 8 City famed for witchcraft trials 10 Reduce in volume 12 Slip away 13 Emotion 14 Marsh 15 Trap 17 Ventilated 20 Part of a ship 22 Spheres 24 Drink slowly 26 Comfort 27 Hooked claw 29 Lustre 30 Gourd 32 Tree 34 Asserting positively 36 Protein present in cereal grain 37 Former Russian ruler 38 Choose by vote 39 Alloy 40 Hydrocarbon DOWN 2 Entertain 3 Augury 4 Leaks out 5 Criminals

6 Arises 7 Cleaning cloths 9 Hawaiian garlands 11 Capable of being defended 14 Measure of length 16 Thinks out 18 Detaches 19 Excavate 21 Part of the body 23 Hiker 25 Conciliate 28 Fictitious prose narratives 31 Not any 33 Once more 35 Irritation

WHEN I was a seven-year-old at the state school in Springhurst I recall a boy, same age as me.

Each day at play lunch he would sit right up close to me and say, ‘canive’ (Can I have, became ‘canive’) the core if I happened to be eating an apple or ‘canive’ the crust if I was eating a sandwich.

I always made sure that my crust and core had plenty of flesh on before I gave it to him.

In the case of the apple he would devour the flesh, the stem and the seeds.

I am now 87, so 80 years later nothing has changed; I am horrified to see daily advertisements and news items about children here in Australia at school with not enough to eat.

I have repeatedly written to the daily newspapers with a solution but sadly I am ignored.

Their ignorance will not deter me as I will keep on keeping on with my proposal to lower the voting age.

We all know that money follows votes, so let’s have free milk and other nutrition once more.

Brian Fox, Wangaratta

Make avoiding stroke your New Year’s resolution AT this busy time of year, we hear so much about making New Year’s resolutions

SOLUTION G A L O R E F E E D S M M S A L E M U M U T E C E L A P S E S E N S A T I O N T F E N P S N A R E O A I R E D S T E R N S I P E A S E O R B S G L O S S C T A L O N M E L O N A O A K B A V O U C H I N G G L U T E N A T S A R E E L E C T C I B R A S S E T H A N E

Do you believe in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions?

Times changing but Christmas spirit remains

NOT EXACTLY A LAKE BUT: Heavy rainfall earlier this week has brought a welcomed addition to Apex Park. While more of a puddle than a lake, the small pondage between Marmungun Rock and the playground area still provides a nice ambience...and the best part was that it came without the messy impacts of a riverine flood from the Ovens River.

PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

POLL RESULTS 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 Post

edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au Letters to the Editor, 37 Rowan St, Wangaratta 3677

in an effort to improve our health.

Eat better, drink less, exercise more, quit smoking, drink more water.

While these are all important steps in helping reduce your stroke risk, one of the simplest things you can do which could save your life is get your blood pressure checked.

Blood pressure is the single biggest modifiable risk factor for stroke and it can be managed with medication.

High blood pressure damages blood vessel walls and makes them weaker causing a burst blood vessel and a stroke.

Around 4.1 million of us have high blood pressure and many of us don’t realise it.

Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a silent killer, it has no symptoms.

The only way to know if it is a health issue for you is by having it checked by your doctor or pharmacist.

You can control your blood pressure by reducing your salt intake and changing your diet and lifestyle, particularly through regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

We often hear stories from survivors of stroke and their carers that stroke changed

COUNCIL MEETING OPENING PRAYER Do you think council should remove the opening prayer from council meetings?

Yes

No

THIS WEEK

44

23 21 voyteessteto noon rday

Do you believe in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions? their family’s life over the Christmas period.

Often, they miss the warning signs because they were celebrating or didn’t want to be a burden on their family.

But it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Stroke can change lives in an instant.

It attacks the brain - the human control centre – and can strike anyone of any age.

More than 27,400 people had a stroke for the first time in 2023, which equates to one every 19 minutes.

The good news is 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented.

Make having regular blood pressure checks a priority in 2024.

Be aware of your stroke risk and take steps to manage it.

Do it for yourself and do it for your family.

If you think you are too young to have a stroke, think again.

One in three people who has a stroke is of working age.

It will only take five minutes, and it could save your life.

Dr Lisa Murphy, chief executive officer – Stroke Foundation

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 9 NOTE: Comments as they appear online, without corrections.

FACEBOOK users recently commented on our weekly poll, which asked if they think the Rural City of Wangaratta Council should remove the opening prayer from council meetings.

Jackson Harrison: For sure. It is offensive to the other 25 Gods and 326 Religions.

Angus Calder: No, this Council needs all the help it can get!

Starsky Hutch: Absolutely YES, it kinda like Usman Khawaja having All lives Matter on

• • •

his boots. He is there to play Cricket Just like Council are there to work for the Community and ratepayers..

Facebook users also commented on Whitfield’s Mountain View Hotel picking up the award for best bistro regional at the AHA National Awards.

Nick Vescio: Congratulations. Will try out soon.

Patti M Austin: Well done everyone!

Wilma Bright: Fantastic, well done. We really enjoy

• • •

coming to your bistro.

Bev McPhail: Definitely the best. Well done.

Donna Bacon: Awesome Angela Neely: Mel Ryan birthday lunch after brunch Sid Baker: No surprise at all Facebook users also commented on a local group working on the continuation of the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

• •• •

•Thanks awesome Let it go • FACEBOOK users also George Dimopoulos: John Barnard:

congratulated local artist Chloe Clayton on her artwork being exhibited among the best from VCE students in the state.

Rebecca Saward: Congratulations Chloe, wonderful achievement Wayne Lovett: Congratulations Chloe. Very talented.

Lauren Weedz: Well done Chloe. What a beautiful piece of art Fay Clayton: Well done Chloe, so good.

Tania Mills: Well done, Chloe!

• • • • •

Like the

Wangaratta Chronicle Facebook page to have your say.

Our follower total is

14,519

Tweet TomAdl TWITTER users recently commented on great location, local people and Tesla charging stations.

Dobbo @Dobboinaus Wonderful Wangaratta gateway to country Dona McQueen @DonaMcqueen We said goodbye to a great man today in Wangaratta.

He started equine education building highly rated equine courses that provided great staff to many studs&stables in Vic,NSW &SA.Unfortunately in recent years it has gone backwards, but Kevin Kurrle should be saluted for his role

@AussieWirraway And last but not least, I don’t have much choice here, I have to include this beautifully restored V/line coach which I got to see and ride in Wangaratta I know buses aren’t very popular on Twitter, but I hope you’ve enjoyed some of what I think are my best bus photos of 2023

Crossing that bridge…

Blighty_photographic_images

Follow

TBritt@CBR_Britton Boxing Day Superchargers starting to load up down the east coast. North Coast lockout as well as the Vic end of the Hume. Might need some more stalls in the Euroa/ Wangaratta zone to help folk through to Albury which is underutilised. @LudicrousFeed @TeslaGong

Check out some of our best photos at our @wangchronicle Instagram account.

If you have something to say, add our handle @wangchronicle to your tweet and we will publish some each week.

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Page 10 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Community spirit was alive at Christmas lunch

By SIMONE KERWIN UP to 100 people enjoyed the Community Christmas Day Lunch at Wangaratta Uniting Church Hall on Monday.

Served up by 25 enthusiastic volunteers, the lunch again helped spread festive joy among those who may otherwise have been alone or away from family and friends.

Event organiser Jonathan Sanders said this year’s lunch attracted

slightly lower numbers than last year, due to the wet weather making it more difficult for people to get out and about, but the strong feeling of community remained the same.

“There was great food, and everyone enjoyed themselves,” he said.

“People were really happy and enjoyed the food, and we were even able to give them some leftovers to take home too.”

Monday’s lunch was open to anyone in the community interested in

attending, and was the second time Mr Sanders and business partner Mark Manson have been involved in organising the day.

“We want to do it again next year, in the same location and hopefully with the same support,” Mr Sanders said.

He thanked the Wangaratta Club, Wangaratta RSL and La Bella Rocca for their support in staging the 2023 event.

“We’d like to thank the commu-

nity for supporting it; it was really great to see how people work together and communicate and help others celebrate Christmas,” he said.

“I think it will get better and better year after year.”

ALL SET: Tables were set out with care before the arrival of guests for this year’s Community Christmas Day Lunch at the Uniting Church Hall.

Foundation tapping into generous spirit

By ANITA MCPHERSON WHAT began more than 10 years ago as a means of distributing crucial bushfire funding through the North East has blossomed into a wide-ranging foundation now channelling giving and philanthropy to the areas of the region where support is most needed.

Into Our Hands Community Foundation was created in 2012 to continue the community recovery process after one of Australia’s worst natural disasters, the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

It has since provided grants and support to more than 130 community and non-profit organisations in the North East via an annual grants program.

A local campaign began in 2019 to sustain community grant-making through a corpus of funds held in perpetuity, and they continue to make a difference across the region, supporting the needs of residents in the Alpine, Indigo, Mansfield and Wangaratta areas.

For new Into Our Hands executive officer Peter McCabe, stepping into the role late last year was the perfect opportunity not only to settle back into the North East in his Yackandandah base, but to contribute in a meaningful way.

“My philosophy is that

FUTURE PLANNING: Into Our Hands executive officer Peter McCabe says he loves seeing great things happening in the community, believing communities can have a strong influence on what their future looks like. Read more in the latest edition of North East Living magazine (inset).

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling to live in the community, you’ve got to give something back - a community is so much richer when people do - and this job fits the bill,” Peter said.

The many different ways Into Our Hands Community Foundation and Give Wangaratta are having a significant

impact on communities in the North East is shared in the latest edition of North East Living magazine.

Other stories in the edition take you on a tour through an award-winning passive home in Beechworth, find out what drew three-time AFL premier-

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ship player Steve Johnson back to Wangaratta, and learn how Mansfield and District Potters established a popular new arts festival.

We also meet Martin and Michael Schmidt at Australia’s oldest strawberry winery in Yackandandah, find out how the Pizzini family

came to settle and start a business in the King Valley, and get a taste of All Saints Estate’s flagship restaurant KIN. North East Living magazine is available for $7.95 from local newsagencies or from the Wangaratta Chronicle office in Rowan Street.

Start the New Year safely, urge police

By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE WANGARATTA Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Hart said local police are preparing for their New Year's Eve operation to keep the community safe during celebrations.

"The Wangaratta response zone will have significant resources rostered to work New Year's Eve, throughout Wangaratta, Alpine and Moira shires," he said.

"We'll have assistance from metropolitan police and we will be looking to keep the community safe and hope they enjoy bringing in the new year.

"There will be an emphasis on monitoring antisocial behaviour at licensed venues and public events as well as a significant effort to support road policing.

"It's timely to remind people to look out for their mates, look out for each other and stay safe."

The Victoria Police statewide Operation Roadwise will end at midnight on Monday, January 1.

Missing your mobile phone?

A BLACK coloured Telstra mobile phone was handed into the Wangaratta Police Station during the afternoon of Tuesday, December 26.

If you believe that you might be the owner, please contact the Wangaratta Police Station on 57230888 or drop in with some proof of ownership.

Reference: 202312-E-2231

wangarattachronicle.com.au

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 11

WHAT'S ON IN WANGARATTA

Museum exhibition in Bainz Gallery

New Years Eve at The Vine

THE Wangaratta Historical Society invites the community to step back in time with their exhibition titled “Museum@ Bainz” on display in the Bainz Gallery at the Wangaratta Library.

The exhibition includes reproduced prints taken from the valuable glass slides which are just a small part of the museum’s collection, offering a fascinating insight into Wangaratta’s past.

It is open throughout December.

Beauty & Fear at Wangaratta Art Gallery AN exhibition called Beauty & Fear bringing together recent work by artists Robert Hirschmann and Andy Pye - who share a profound connection with North East Victoria and its landscape - is open at the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

Together, the artists demonstrate their deep affinity for the natural world - the mountains, boulders, waterfalls, and birdlife captured in Andy Pye’s vibrant paintings on canvas and board, or the night sky lit and framed by an iridescent moon in Robert Hirschmann’s gestural paintings and drawings.

The exhibition runs until February 25.

COME ALONG: There will be plenty of kids’ entertainment, including jumping castles at the Wangaratta Turf Club’s Family Race Day on January 2.

Family Race Day kicks off season

KICKING off a new racing season, the Wangaratta Turf Club’s Family Race Day next Tuesday, January 2 will be packed with entertainment.

An animal farm, waterslides, jumping castles, face painting, free sports activities and free kids merchandise packs will be on offer in what shapes as a fun start to the new year for all.

The race day will be one of three for the month of January after the club lost numerous meetings in 2023

due to track upgrades.

Wangaratta Turf Club chief executive officer Sean Barrett welcomes everyone along to the day.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity to provide a great day for our community with plenty of entertainment for the kids and families,” he said.

“We can’t wait to host a great crowd of people who are home and visiting family and friends over the break. ”We’re also happy we can host our

local trainers and owners.”

The track has recovered well from the Christmas Party meeting and will be put to good use throughout the month of January.

“We’ve got three race days in January so it’s great that we can put our facilities to good use and get back in the swing on things.”

Tickets can be purchased via the club’s website with a $10 family pass on offer which includes two adults, while children get in for free.

THE Vine’s New Year’s Eve 2023 event features the fantastic band ‘Liam Blunt’s Funky Rhythm Train’; a talented ninepiece ensemble known for their electrifying cover performances.

With a wide repertoire of covers, they’re set to bring the groove and keep the party going all night long, starting at 6pm.

It’s an 18+ event and, in addition to the music, guests can enjoy delicious bistro meals, making it a memorable night to welcome the New Year with great music and good food.

Tickets are $30 from https://www.thevinehotel. net.au/.

More than beer brewing in the King Valley WHITFIELD’S King River Brewing has a range of live music coming your way over the New Year period.

Texas Crude will be playing today from 2pm to 5pm in the beer garden.

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 30, Jeff Cabalar will be playing from 1pm to 4pm and on Sunday, December 31 Claire O’Connell will be playing from 12pm to 3pm.

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Page 12 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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2023 WANGARATTA YOUNG WRITERS AWARD

The Car Accident

CAITLIN Talbot took second place in the 2023 Wangaratta Young Writers Award year seven/eight/nine story category with this piece.

The competition was again jointly run by the Rotary Club of Wangaratta, and the Rotary Club of Wangaratta Appin Park, in conjunction with the Wangaratta Library.

SUMMER FUN: Wangaratta Primary School students Mason Cook, Hudson Reid, Archie Altair and Misha Dykes were among those celebrating the end of a wonderful year. Junior students enjoyed a huge celebration day consisting of art, craft and water play, with kids relishing the opportunity to squirt super soakers and hoses at each other in the warm weather.

PHOTO: Zoe Henschke

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Let us work twice as hard for you 5722 1428 Level 1, 40 Reid St, Wangaratta apex@email.propertyme.com

(While fictitious, this story was written after seeing a rolled vehicle along the freeway. It may act as a trigger for others who have been in or witnessed a vehicle incident.)

Anna As we rounded the bend, I let out a gasp of horror. “Dad, it’s the Rileys!” I screamed.

In an instant, I’d undone my seatbelt and was out of the car running across the bitumen until I had reached the scene of disaster.

Caleb Riley was my best friend.

Our families had just attended our year 12 graduation night and were on our way home.

The ute, crashed and rolled, still spun from the momentum of the great force.

Smashed glass littered the road, the car was so badly battered, I doubted that anyone inside would come through without serious injuries.

Mrs Riley lay slumped, limp on the dashboard.

Beside her, Mr Riley, bloody with an open wound, had been thrown sideways until his head hit the roof.

Stephanie lay sprawled across the back seats, Caleb was nowhere to be seen...

Suddenly Dad was behind me. “I’ll call 000,” he told me, trying to stay calm.

I was sure Caleb was here somewhere.

What if he’d been thrown out?

Suddenly my feet came to life, I turned away from the horrid sight.

My first instinct was the ditch; careful not to sprain my ankles, I ripped off my high heels.

Down there in the ditch lay Caleb, his dark hair matted in blood, his t-shirt soaked a rich dark colour...

Caleb I struggled to open my eyes. Was that Anna? That dark form leaning over me?

What was she doing here? My head hurt abominably. The pain was great. I felt myself slipping out, but with a struggle I remained conscious. What was she saying?

“We’re gonna get you out of here,” Anna promised.

No matter how much it hurt, I had to ask the question.

I rolled to my side painfully. “Mum and Dad are…?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

“They’ll be fine,” Anna answered, but I could tell that she wasn’t telling me the whole story.

Alarm bells started to ring in my head, but I chose to ignore them.

Why was I in so much pain? I could barely control myself it hurt so badly.

At last, I saw something that took my focus away from my agony. A smile

DRAMATIC PIECE: Caitlin Talbot was the second prize winner in the 2023 Wangaratta Young Writers Award year seven/eight/nine story category. came over my distressed face.

“You’ve... got... n... no shoes... on,” I choked.

Anna For a moment, I thought I would burst out laughing.

I guess I looked pretty funny in my floral evening gown without shoes.

Somewhere in the distance though, I heard the wailing of sirens and I pulled myself together, “Yes, wretched heels, good for nothing. I’d probably sprain my ankle if I’d came down here in them.”

There was a moment of silence in which Caleb struggled to talk, “… Roll me... over... it hurts” I hated to disappoint him, but I knew it wasn’t a good idea. “Just wait until the ambulance arrives. They’ll only be a minute.”

All of a sudden I felt a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll need you to get out of here, Miss,” a police officer told me.

I stepped back obediently, making way for the stretcher bearers.

Then turning to the ute, I watched as it was cut open and Mr Riley taken out.

For one second all I could see was a blur of flashing lights and then all of a sudden I started to sway. A big set of arms grabbed me.

“She’s fainted,” was the last I heard him say.

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 13

House fire, but no injuries

Actors cast for world premiere of Clarissa and Pip

WANGARATTA Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters were called to a house fire in George Street, Wangaratta, around 4pm on Boxing day.

Firefighters arrived within four minutes to find a fire in one room and crews in breathing apparatus worked to extinguish the blaze, with the scene declared under control at 4.17pm.

FRV said the sole inhabitant of the home had evacuated the property and was uninjured.

By SHANE DOUTHIE

Defibrillators being fitted on V/Line trains

A WELL-blended mix of youth and experience is how director Jo Pane describes her cast for the world premiere of Margaret Hickey’s first full length play, Clarissa and Pip, presented by the Wangaratta Players.

“There were some well-known actors and many new faces who auditioned, in fact the whole cohort auditioned fabulously, but unfortunately only 13 could be cast,” Jo said.

“We had many new youth audition also which bodes well for the future of Wangaratta Players.”

She described the auditionees as enthusiastic, talented and experienced which augurs well for the production to be performed in March 2024.

Cast in the pivotal roles were Brenda Spilva as adult Clarissa and Kirsty Woods as adult Pip, with Laura Gundrill as 20s Clarissa, Brianna Robison as teen Clarissa,

THE State Government has begun installing Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) on V/Line trains to provide vital assistance to passengers in case of an emergency.

Acting Minister for Public and Active Transport, Steve Dimopoulos, said the devices can be operated by either V/Line staff or members of the public to help save lives.

He said 90 AEDs have already been installed on V/Line trains, including 65 on VLocity trains – with more to be progressively rolled out over the coming months.

“Defibrillators on trains will help ensure critical assistance can be given to a person on board in the vital first few minutes after an incident of cardiac arrest,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

According to Ambulance Victoria data, combining CPR with defibrillation can increase a person’s survival rate by up to 70 per cent.

HIGH HOPES: Wangaratta Players director Jo Pane (centre) with her leading ladies (left) Brenda Spilva (Clarissa) and Kirsty Woods (Pip).

PHOTO: Elevated Media Aleeta Carmody as 20s Pip and Hannah Walton as teen Pip. Adding the romantic interest will be Drew Wighton as Tom, and Rick Harnwell as Roger, with the ensemble including Jeremy Kaup as Blake, Owen Guy as Will, Neil Foster as the doctor, Shane Douthie as the Scottish guy and Jeff Faithful as Michael.

“We will hold a meet and greet in early January with rehearsals to begin on January 14,” Jo said.

“For anyone else interested in theatre Wangaratta Players is always looking for volunteers in all aspects of backstage work, including set making, wardrobe, makeup, hair,

lighting and sound so just contact us via Facebook or any members of the Wangaratta Players and you will be made welcome.”

It was a busy 2023 for the group with three adult productions and a Youthies production attracting bumper crowds at the Stage Door and at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre for Ladies in Black.

“Consistently, the Wangaratta community has shown the Wangaratta Players a wonderful level of support, and for that we would like to thank them,” Jo said.

“All of the shows for 2023 have been to sell out audiences, this is a

testament to our community’s support and to the wonderful talent that we have both on and off stage here at Wangaratta Players.

“On behalf of the Players I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

“We look forward to an exciting 2024 which will see us continuing to provide theatre to the Wangaratta community.”

Clarissa and Pip will be performed over two weekends at the Stage Door in Evans Street with opening night on Thursday, March 14.

For more information about this production and the Wangaratta Players check their Facebook page.

Celebrating 2023 - another great year at our college!

G A L E N C AT H O L I C C O L L E G E

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W A N G A R AT TA

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G A L E N .V I C . E D U . A U

Page 14 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

January Wednesday, January 4 Murder charge POLICE have estimated it could be up to 16 weeks before an autopsy is obtained following the alleged murder of a 19-yearold Wangaratta man on Christmas Eve, whose body was found in a burning car near Shepparton.

Emergency services were called to the car fire on Loch Garry Road at Bunbartha around 10am, extinguishing the blaze before locating the body of Charlie Gander inside the vehicle.

from dispensing Schedule 4 drugs of dependence, and Schedule 8 medications, including opioids such as Endone, fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone.

Monday, January 16 Hoons remanded

THE Rural City of Wangaratta has been given a green light by the State Government to raise its rate revenue by up to 3.5 per cent in the 2023/24 financial year.

Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, announced the 3.5 per cent cap for all Victorian councils last week.

Monday, January 9 Tourism thrives

Wednesday, January 18 ‘Dangerous’ act

TOURISTS have flocked back to the North East this summer, with bustling trade helping Wangaratta and district tourism operators recover from a flood impacted spring.

Doing it harder than most over the spring was the Painters Island Caravan Park, which experienced multiple closures due to flood waters, losing hundreds of bookings.

A MELBOURNE man accused of attempting to hit a group of children with his car while he allegedly did burnouts through the centre of Apex Park in Wangaratta last week will remain in police custody for the foreseeable future.

The 45-year-old appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court in police custody on Monday, attempting to secure bail after he and a 57-year-old co-accused allegedly drove erratically around the popular park around 7pm last Thursday.

Wednesday, January 11 Super gift lift WANGARATTA Sports Carnival 2023 received a massive boost over Christmas with two major sponsors allowing an increase in prizemoney to $3000 each for the men’s and women’s gifts.

Wangaratta council will be the major sponsor of the Women’s Gift through its Community Sponsorship Program for the next three years while Optus Wangaratta will continue its sponsorship of the Men’s Gift.

Friday, January 13 Painful decision A BAN on a local GP from prescribing certain pain suppressant medications, including opioids, has left hundreds of Wangaratta patients scrambling to find alternative doctors for treatment and medications.

Last month Dr Julian Fidge was banned

 January 18 KEEPING THE GARDEN: Brooke TIME IN , Tom (1) and Hugh (8) Carson and Ha nnah and Will (2) Scantleton enjoyed the chance to test out their bongo dru mm in Wangaratta’s King Ge ing skills org at the accessible drumm e Gardens ing session yesterday morning. The sessions are a Rural City of Wangaratt a initiative and ably hosted by Emma Phillips and Bri Slattery from In the Gro ove drumming. In the Groove community also hold community drumming classes on Wednesday nights from 6pm at The Centre.

PHOTO: Belinda Harris on

ST FE IN THE FA d his  January 9 LI ured) an ict (p er alk W K LANE: MAR passion er both share a parter Ang Cork le now up co tta ra ga Wan for speed. The hicles ve of on cti colle have an enviable Ford T-bucket hot 23 including this 19 OTO: Shane Douthie PH rod.

TWO men accused of driving erratically and doing burnouts through the centre of Apex Park have been charged and remanded in police custody.

A 57-year-old with ties to Wangaratta was arrested by police on Thursday evening, after he allegedly drifted a Nissan Navara through the busy park, driving along the bike path underneath the Parfitt Road bridge before hitting and dragging a bicycle belonging to a teenager swimming at the nearby Frank Garth Reserve.

Friday, January 6 ‘Sober’ talks on council budget

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Friday, January 20 Immy’s spirit lives on A WANGARATTA family has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community support which allowed them to farewell their bubbly six-year-old in just the way they’d hoped, following her sudden passing just after Christmas.

In life, Imogen Booth was a smiley ball of energy who loved dancing, singing and finding the joy in every day.

Monday, January 23 Wheels in motion A MOUNTAIN bike track off Wilson Road at Wangandary is on Wangaratta Cycling Club’s wish list, an idea proponents believe will create an actively used facility for local families, allow up and

t and dh if sales, l which hi h saw nearly l steer heifer more than 6000 head of cattle auctioned.

On Friday 2211 heifers were yarded, with the top pen making $1940, for an overall average of $1347 a head, bringing a $2.9m gross turnover.

Wednesday, February 8 Facing the chop  February 22 READY TO RIDE: The RoadSafe North East Bike Education program is off to a great start this year with students at Yarrunga Primary School including (from left) Lily Britton, Indie Hickson (with RoadS afe North East bike educator Glenn Clarke), Jack Simpson and Benji Gardne r, among those enjoying the opportunity to learn how to ride safely, be confident and have fun.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling coming MTB riders to train, train and incentivise tourists to visit the area.

The club is proposing to council that a mountain bike park be developed in a plot of land that the Scouts currently use.

Wednesday, January 25 Burger shop blaze A FIRE which largely gutted a Muntz Street eatery in the early hours of yesterday morning was the result of an electrical fire, investigators have confirmed.

A total of five Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA vehicles responded to the Buyin Time restaurant shortly after 1am, arriving within four minutes to find the shop ablaze following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000).

Monday, January 30 Wine chat positive AUSTRALIA will stand firm on a wine agreement with Italy to maintain use of the Prosecco name following a high level meeting between the two countries’ governments last week.

Federal Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tim Ayres met with the Meloni Italian Government to discuss the strengthening of the bilateral trade relationship and advocate for the AustraliaEU free trade agreement.

February F b Wednesday, February 1 NEMA gets disaster support cash boost THE Northeast Multicultural Association (NEMA) is set to initiate a potentially life saving disaster support program to multicultural communities in the North East, thanks to $220,000 in grant funding.

The grant is funded jointly by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Friday, February 3 Inland Rail launches THE Inland Rail project took an important step forward on Wednesday with the beginning of major construction works in Victoria.

It means construction is now underway in two of the three states.

Monday, February 6 Cattle gravy train THE Blue Ribbon Feature Cattle Sales in Wangaratta totalled $9 million in turnover over the Wednesday’s and Friday’s weaner

THE building industry is not the only o one suffering from a timber shortage a across Victoria caused by a statewide ban o on logging, with Australia’s oldest sport of w wood chopping staring down the barrel of e extinction.

VicForests is currently not conducting a any timber harvesting operations in any F Forest Management Areas across Victoria due to a court order.

Friday, February 10 Export growth WANGARATTA district’s largest wine company says it is making inroads, but more still needs to be done to find alternative global markets since China imposed hefty tariffs in March 2021.

In an effort to offset the China downturn, Milawa-based producer Brown Brothers has been developing new and existing markets and relaunched wine varieties into the UK last year with a strong uptake.

Monday, February 13 Emergency spike MORE than 600 people in the Wangaratta area required ambulance responses for potentially life-threatening emergencies late last year, with new Ambulance Victoria figures revealing the strain on local paramedics was its highest in recent memory.

Response time data released on Friday for the October to December quarter showed paramedics were required at 606 code 1 emergencies throughout the Wangaratta Local Government Area (LGA), almost 100 more than the previous quarter.

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 15

wangarattachronicle.com.au

Wednesday, February 15 Fatal concerns DISTRACTION is just one of a number of driving behaviours contributing to road safety concerns according to local authorities, with around two thirds of the state’s 49 deaths so far this year occurring in regional Victoria.

Some 32 lives have been lost (to February 13) on rural roadways, with a striking majority occurring in high-speed areas with speed limits between 80 and 110kph.

Friday, February 17 Ease the burden COUNCIL is more likely than not to keep a municipal rate rise under the State Government’s recommended 3.5 per cent maximum figure for 2023–24 to ease the burden on rural city homeowners, according to Mayor Dean Rees.

With inflation at 7.8pc in the December quarter and rising mortgage interest rates squeezing family budgets even further, Cr Rees “has a feeling” council will opt for the reprieve option prior to the draft budget being released for community engagement in April.

Monday, February 20 Roadway drama A DRIVER who allegedly “muscled” cars out of his way as he towed a trailer at speed through the Wangaratta CBD remains in custody, after he was captured by police attempting to escape on foot on Thursday.

Bernard Jarman, 40, was charged with more than 30 offences late last week, after he allegedly reached speeds of up to 90kph while running red lights at Reid Street, Green Street and Sisely Avenue shortly after 5pm, following a collision with another car at the Faithfull Street roundabout.

 March 6 SHOVEL READY: Minister for Environme nt Ingrid Stitt (centre) with councillor s Irene Grant and Harry Bussell at the sod turning event at the Glenrowan West Solar Farm site this week.

PHOTO: Steve Kelly

Friday February 24 Friday, Funding secured FUNDING has been secured to ensure Wangaratta’s Grit and Resilience Program can continue its community-led approach to driving positive mental health and wellbeing.

Through the State Government’s Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) funding, the program will receive ongoing funding of $213,334 per year as part of a $9.1 million investment by the government in early mental health care to establish groups in 10 local government areas.

Monday, February 27 Rise of the machines LABOUR shortages are still a real challenge for local businesses with a Wangaratta manufacturing company turning to machines to fill the void.

Alpine Truss in Wangaratta invested more than $2.7 million to extend its business footprint and purchase machinery that will effectively replace unavailable human resources.

March Wednesday, March 1 Solar upsize aim PROPONENTS behind a solar farm at North Wangaratta are looking to upsize, increasing the facility from a 33MW capacity to 40MW. A planning permit for a renewable energy facility was granted by Wangaratta council in 2016 and since then Clean Peak Energy has purchased an adjacent 17.5 hectare parcel of industrial land at 109 WangarattaEldorado Road, North Wangaratta.

Monday, March 6 M Solar So o farm boost

Wednesday, March 15 Labour of love

CONSTRUCTION on the 102MW Glenrowan Solar Farm has begun and it’s Gle expected to create 150 jobs during the ex peak of works, boosting the Rural City of pe Wangaratta’s economy.

Wa Victorian Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt turned the first sod of the project last week and once operational the facility with its 300,000 panels will power 45,000 Victorian homes.

Wednesday, March 8 Former Bruck trio front court COMMITTAL proceedings against three former Bruck Textiles executives are expected to continue into next month, following the cross-examination of a number of key witnesses commencing earlier this week.

Former chair Philip Bart, chief financial officer Ron Johnson, and chief executive officer Geoffrey Parker, each face charges linked to withholding or significantly reducing access to employee entitlements following the Wangaratta-based business’ sale to Australian Textile Mills (ATM) in July 2014.

Friday, March 10 Parking squeeze PARKING arrangements outside Wangaratta District Specialist School will be reviewed by council over coming weeks, after concerns raised by parents including carers being fined while dropping off or picking up their children at the Appin Street campus.

Rural City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure, Marcus Goonan, said all stakeholders in the area, including residents and schools, would need to be consulted as part of the review.

Monday, March 13 Traffic woes

Wednesday, February 22 Housing boom bust

Friday, March 3 Spirit of Australia

ONE profession that accelerated during the doom and gloom stages of the pandemic was the building industry, with the HomeBuilder and renovation grants in the 2020-21 financial year creating massive demand.

But the purple patch is tapering off with houses approved for construction down 21.8 per cent nationally last calendar year.

AN elderly Wangaratta woman who was deemed too ill to fly late last year has won her campaign to have the flight refunded, despite purchasing a non-refundable ticket.

Phyllis Varcoe, 85, was set to fly to Queensland with Qantas as a surprise guest to her granddaughter’s baby shower in late October, however, was hospitalised prior to the flight and deemed too medically unwell to make the journey.

TRAFFIC congestion in Wangaratta’s CBD has been under the microscope to give insight into where and how problems could be addressed to help commuters and freight get to their destinations quicker.

Council employed the assistance of consultants One Mile to assess traffic profiles in the CBD and surrounding areas, with detailed records gathered of the number of vehicles, their location and frequency accessing the city.

Responsibility

Integrity

Prosperity

M: AKING ROO  March 10 M rict Specialist School st Di student Wangaratta Jackson, with THE Labour Day long weekend principal Alysha hopes there is scope , provided many local businesses with Tash Contessa rking arrangements in pa for change to much of a much needed fillip, as visitation and et area, where the Appin Stre ing space is deemed booking numbers flourished across the rk the potential pa ng’ or restricted to five Rural City of Wangaratta. ther ‘no standi hool pick-up and ei d A jam-packed events calendar attracted g sc minutes durin . several thousands to the rural city, es tim ff -o e Kerwin drop PHOTO: Simon attending events including the Pride Fair p.

Day, the All GM Day and the Harness Cup.

Friday, March 17 Power bill surge A PROPOSED 30 per cent surge on Victoria’s default energy bill prices is set to add to the rising cost of living bills in households and business within the North East.

Victoria’s Essential Services Commission released its Victorian Default Offer (VDO) for state electricity prices for the next financial year on Wednesday, which is proposing an average annual bill for domestic customers to rise just over 30 per cent on this financial year prices, with small business customers facing increases of 33 per cent.

Monday, March 20 Lock the doors A MARKED rise in theft and burglary offences has seen Wangaratta’s criminal offence rate remain above the state average for the 10th consecutive year.

According to recent data released by Crime Statistics Victoria (CSV), criminal offences throughout the rural city rose by 4.7 per cent last calendar year, having reached a decade-low in 2021.

Wednesday, March 22 Hope for jobs WANGARATTA will pilot a new environmental trial in the state to help reduce carbon emissions, which if successful, could lead to a major new facility and more jobs for the region.

The ground-breaking project will see biosolids from Wangaratta’s wastewater treatment plant mixed with the city’s green waste then processed in Melbourne into biochar - a carbon-rich form of charcoal used to improve soil health and boost agricultural productivity.

Friday, March 24 Fatal stabbing DEFENCE lawyer Daniel Sala has urged jurors to put the prejudice of drug activity out of their minds, following the fatal stabbing of a Wangaratta teenager during

Diversity

Excellence

g deal in 2021 an attempted dr drug 2021.

Zachary Johnson, now 20, faced Wangaratta Supreme Court earlier this week, pleading not guilty to a charge of murdering fellow teenager Jaxen Henderson-Gillespie, who was fatally stabbed in the neck during an altercation at Wangaratta’s Scout Park on August 21.

Monday, March 27 Melee “wasn’t right” A LOCAL man has told Wangaratta Supreme Court he “felt like something wasn’t right,” when he allegedly saw two men wrestling at Scout Park 18 months ago.

Giving evidence at the ongoing murder trial of Zachary Johnson on Friday, Corey Smith said he had been driving west along Vincent Road with his son when a thick-set man ran in front of his vehicle from Ryan Avenue towards two men who appeared to be wrestling with each other in the park.

Wednesday, March 29 Cash injection A $160,000 State Government injection into veterinary clinic equipment at Tone Road’s GOTAFE campus is ensuring more aspiring vet nurses will be trained to cater for rising demand in the sector.

Victorian Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney, visited the campus yesterday to inspect the world-class surgical equipment available to those studying Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Friday, March 31 Final remarks A MURDER trial currently taking place is Wangaratta is expected to close in the coming days, with opposing counsel to offer their final remarks to jurors today.

Zachary Johnson, 20, is charged with murdering fellow teen Jaxen HendersonGillespie during an altercation at a Vincent Road park in August 2021, when the deceased was stabbed in the neck with a knife.  April, May and June Year In Review in Wednesday, January 3 edition

Page 16 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

Wangaratta Annual Rainfall January to June (mm):

Lowest Temperature ever recorded

Lowest temperature ever recorded in Australia was at Charlotte Pass in New South Wales on June 29, 1994, it was minus 23 degrees Celsius.

Wind Record

The wind record in Australia was taken at Learmonth (south of Exmouth) in Western Australia on March 22, 1999 during Cyclone Vance, winds gusted to 267 kilometres per hour (166mph).

Wettest Town

The wettest town (on average) in Australia is Tully in north Queensland with an annual average rainfall of 4270mm.

Highest Rainfall

The highest rainfall recorded in a day was at Crohamhurst in Queensland on February 3, 1893, it received 907mm.

Your local freight people Local Service Areas Benalla Violet Town Euroa Yarrawonga Wangaratta Milawa Oxley Myrtleford Bright Mt Beauty King Valley Tatong Swanpool Lima Albury Wodonga Beechworth

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 17

Regional Areas in Country Vic & Nsw Albury Wodonga Cobram Echuca Bendigo Ballarat Swan Hill Mildura Horsham Ararat Warrnambool Deniliquin Finley Hay Narrandera Wagga Wagga Melbourne *Serviced Daily

We’re your local TGE Depot

5753 3112 admin@midlandfreight.com.au 17 Enterprise Drive, Benalla VIC 3672

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Jan 4.6 44.0 141.1 17.3 21.9 59.0 5.6 0.0 25.4 3.6 25.0 226.7 30.0 50.1 54.6 14.0 4.6 4.3 89.4 34.8 40.8 2.3 64.9 73.1 8.1 2.1 6.1 10.2 50.4 7.1 28.9 126.8 34.8 65.5 0.0 7.4 28.2 100.4 11.4 63.4 67.7 5.9 5.8 21.8 11.9 28.2 13.3 106.9 8.2 53.5 57.7 173.4 19.8 45.4 26.3 60.0 20.8 17.8 65.2 31.4 14.6 142.6 20.0 3.0 27.6 26.0 3.0 10.3 140.0 27.0 99.2 29.8 148.2 89.0 17.4 8.4 77.8 6.4 35.6 8.8 24.0 4.4 32.2 26.2 10.0 63.0 10.6 22.6 70.0 56.4 2.8 54.4 69.6 75.0 29.8 97.6 11.0 29.8 51.0 115.8 29.0

Feb 0.0 50.1 99.8 0.0 21.9 189.0 38.4 8.3 7.6 28.2 0.0 59.5 63.3 12.3 12.0 17.1 235.2 2.3 37.3 39.7 21.3 3.6 3.2 142.6 45.8 62.9 56.6 78.2 35.3 2.5 29.9 8.6 117.1 15.8 32.8 41.7 52.2 16.2 14.2 5.6 46.9 15.5 0.8 34.1 6.8 1.0 108.0 6.6 39.8 77.2 182.7 42.3 30.2 16.8 85.6 2.4 0.0 0.6 42.6 1.4 32.6 17.0 1.0 12.8 37.2 21.0 10.0 78.5 0.8 22.8 60.2 136.4 31.2 58.8 11.4 17.2 1.4 33.4 86.4 37.4 19.0 6.8 149.6 11.4 13.6 28.6 17.6 96.2 181.4 107.2 23.6 28.4 23.0 12.6 19.4 1.2 23.4 25.8 59.0 16.2 11.6

Mar 4.3 71.6 14.8 75.2 7.8 85.7 10.4 7.6 93.7 115.8 14.0 71.7 34.9 21.6 23.5 4.8 132.3 8.1 131.0 40.1 5.3 14.8 2.8 64.0 56.2 1.8 87.8 124.6 21.1 31.0 5.9 9.1 60.9 124.6 48.7 46.5 47.3 4.3 50.9 65.8 36.0 13.7 2.3 60.1 30.0 18.1 70.4 66.7 20.7 4.8 88.1 58.1 52.6 12.8 40.0 55.0 34.2 17.4 31.6 46.2 84.0 29.4 58.4 0.4 24.0 34.4 131.3 8.0 19.7 25.8 49.8 41.4 0.6 44.0 28.0 0.6 89.6 21.4 40.4 48.0 0.8 2.4 4.6 21.2 39.0 39.6 22.2 122.2 29.4 170.8 64.0 66.8 7.6 19.6 34.0 17 29.4 85.4 35.4 53.0 93.4

Apr 0.0 72.7 5.1 130.7 1.0 35.3 74.5 29.8 99.3 126.5 15.2 103.8 106.1 58.0 24.7 38.4 201.9 109.2 6.4 20.1 53.4 45.3 7.9 56.1 22.2 38.2 15.3 37.6 46.1 80.6 25.0 53.3 9.7 104.1 19.3 6.7 57.3 54.4 57.0 54.4 17.6 60.0 19.8 17.0 6.3 72.6 54.8 108.0 63.3 24.3 109.1 176.8 11.2 3.4 6.2 49.6 41.6 54.6 6.2 17.0 52.2 19.8 35.2 44.8 50.6 40.8 135.0 101.0 11.8 56.4 3.6 14.0 48.8 42.4 6.0 83.4 24.2 34.0 41.2 25.2 66.8 20.8 5.6 28.8 38.0 16.0 40.2 30.8 34.6 12.6 12.2 83.0 30.6 14.8 61.0 4.6 11.0 111.4 4.8 46.0 66.0

May 66.9 31.2 31.3 92.1 44.5 46.4 32.0 49.0 144.7 5.9 67.5 0.0 8.7 29.0 28.1 21.2 22.7 27.0 16.5 121.5 16.3 59.0 13.9 36.1 22.4 53.1 47.0 49.0 78.2 151.3 42.8 29.2 40.0 123.4 11.3 75.9 19.8 131.2 15.0 111.7 112.2 37.7 55.6 52.4 15.3 149.5 75.5 28.7 63.8 24.9 85.4

Jun 142.3 88.1 75.3 86.3 21.3 74.7 42.7 18.0 200.5 92.4 83.7 40.7 53.8 93.4 44.7 87.4 150.1 14.2 51.6 97.8 41.8 17.3 93.9 50.9 53.8 54.7 43.5 22.4 98.8 114.1 79.7 43.1 89.1 109.4 109.2 11.3 34.8 17.9 39.8 67.2 109.9 102.0 17.3 44.6 37.8 61.0 21.9 52.5 33.9 17.0 95.7

61.9 11.2 65.8 80.0 63.0 38.2 52.6 37.8 95.2 12.0 57.4 50.0

6.8 19.5 77.1 64.4 44.0 59.0 171.8 32.8 51.0 10.4 38.0 21.0 89.5 88.4 91.0 61.3 145.2 43.8 29.8 90.0 125.2 125.0 29.6 51.0 44.6 88.8 77.4 57.0 73.6 82.2 115.6 23.4 37.2 22.0 66.6 45.0 32.0 22.6 55.2 74.2 56.2 78.8 3.8 48.4 46 45.8 104.6 64.0 98.00

183.6 115.3 99.4 6.0 119.5 50.0 26.5 106.0 76.6 70.2 5.6 104.4 80.4 17.0 34.0 43.6 69.8 5.0 22.6 74.2 36.0 16.2 53.6 35.4 29.4 52.8 60.8 19.8 110.2 38.4 32.6 73.6 24.8 37.4 41.8 46.8

Wangaratta Annual Rainfall July to December (mm):

2024

www.wangarattachronicle.com.au

Rainfall Chart

and Rainfall History for Wangaratta JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Total mm Prog Total

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Jul 104.3 47.9 71.6 57.3 68.1 51.2 19.0 42.6 69.9 68.5 71.8 83.5 79.2 126.0 17.4 57.0 26.9 43.7 71.5 41.7 43.2 44.7 48.2 95.1 122.0 25.9 50.1 47.0 92.2 70.2 62.2 40.5 104.9 119.1 56.7 113.2 18.6 95.0 58.5 49.7 70.5 114.6 51.3 55.2 26.2 73.0 118.4 43.1 50.7 39.1 53.8 85.4 25.4 34.0 91.4 22.6 66.0 149.4 12.6 108.0 91.8 35.4 187.8 79.4 75.4 50.4 112.2 66.6 69.3 127.4 26.0 133.5 77.4 12.4 81.6 28.8 59.8 40.8 35.4 89.4 56.6 46.4 55.4 67.2 89.2 53.4 253.0 74.0 64.2 59.0 35.6 56.8 100.0 67.2 23.6 57.8 36.6 81.2 24.2 42.4

Aug 32.1 107.5 48.6 97.8 85.2 14.7 53.0 87.1 67.8 89.9 41.8 87.2 62.9 103.2 62.5 43.9 138.3 21.3 17.0 72.8 68.5 1.3 100.0 53.5 58.0 28.9 13.3 32.1 59.3 51.6 101.7 65.9 102.0 42.2 24.3 122.3 46.3 64.8 83.9 91.4 79.9 29.0 95.5 82.0 75.8 67.8 25.2 107.0 65.3 74.4 136.8

Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL 35.1 56.9 2.9 63.4 512.8 43.8 90.5 121.2 69.1 837.7 46.7 13.5 24.0 0.0 571.8 34.8 60.7 10.4 29.3 691.9 32.7 71.6 25.3 22.3 423.6 32.0 76.1 1.8 6.1 672.0 75.0 20.1 11.7 59.0 441.4 33.0 131.9 31.7 152.5 591.5 61.2 63.4 61.5 1.3 896.1 63.5 40.1 45.2 26.5 706.1 90.0 47.1 48.3 117.7 622.1 51.2 115.2 113.3 39.6 992.4 61.7 96.5 9.5 36.6 643.2 26.5 36.1 12.6 109.6 678.4 58.0 78.6 20.3 60.7 485.1 12.8 7.8 0.5 0.8 305.5 45.7 103.8 89.9 7.4 1158.8 63.3 7.9 22.1 41.7 365.1 30.7 62.8 25.4 13.9 553.5 37.6 43.0 76.1 19.8 645.0 48.3 48.4 17.3 2.0 406.4 11.9 49.3 26.1 46.0 321.6 29.2 58.7 76.2 11.4 510.3 9.7 28.9 78.6 13.5 702.1 52.2 48.1 35.8 119.8 664.4 29.0 71.5 78.4 81.0 527.5 51.6 126.3 134.8 7.2 639.6 77.3 81.8 73.0 9.9 643.1 36.1 84.2 22.4 11.9 636.0 64.5 97.5 96.2 40.7 807.3 85.8 73.1 38.1 5.9 579.0 42.9 58.3 151.7 171.4 800.8 218.1 122.0 45.0 37.1 980.7 71.4 125.0 37.9 22.2 960.6 18.8 54.3 10.7 65.3 451.4 73.7 83.3 59.0 14.5 655.5 44.4 66.8 9.7 29.8 455.2 124.6 20.9 42.7 105.9 778.3 47.6 28.0 48.6 27.2 482.1 63.4 51.4 66.8 60.1 750.9 76.5 69.9 23.4 33.7 744.2 119.7 127.7 37.3 40.2 703.3 62.0 43.2 67.8 76.5 497.9 110.0 106.7 65.5 103.4 752.8 22.6 55.5 1.8 8.1 298.1 19.1 52.7 42.0 37.2 622.8 69.4 44.8 32.6 44.3 678.6 83.3 14.1 52.8 38.2 707.9 43.9 35.9 97.7 25.5 548.7 11.2 14.5 34.1 3.0 378.0 62.9 178.7 35.1 68.0 1154.0 95.7 99.2 56.7 10.0 712.2 92.6 135.8 174.4 18.4 139.2 828.1 33.4 87.2 66.6 52.2 34.2 408.1 14.4 22.6 13.8 25.6 5.0 416.4 59.0 85.6 60.6 104.8 79.0 792.0 92.2 131.0 102.8 73.0 2.4 627.6 62.4 46.6 41.4 15.6 70.4 490.0 148.8 47.8 86.4 24.8 27.2 854.4 12.4 26.0 7.8 4.8 8.8 239.0 82.6 112.6 30.4 49.6 28.8 741.6 131.2 43.4 62.0 10.0 16.2 585.8 130.4 30.4 63.4 81.6 93.6 644.8 77.4 63.8 120.2 40.8 47.4 669.4 41.7 30.8 50.4 47.2 23.4 501.8 28.2 64.6 36.8 95.8 88.0 783.0 107.6 40.7 71.6 36.8 13.9 806.6 92.4 33.2 51.4 11.6 14.8 674.1 86.4 58.0 0.8 12.8 64.8 612.9 112.0 145.6 132.0 100.8 105.8 960.8 30.6 115.4 116.2 37.6 95.0 814.8 14.0 25.2 32.0 38.0 12.6 485.9 30.0 34.0 72.4 85.4 9.6 824.9 65.0 89.2 42.4 33.2 32.6 775.6 67.0 67.8 18.0 0.8 4.6 333.2 33.8 89.2 46.0 110.4 8.6 535.8 91.8 36.8 52.0 59.4 57.0 667.8 80.0 61.4 38.0 30.4 7.0 541.0 53.2 55.4 105.8 14.2 10.2 577.6 35.2 51.0 14.4 64.0 4.8 415.2 94.0 44.2 63.0 61.2 78.0 657.6 42.4 55.0 10.6 54.4 87.0 492.0 78.0 78.8 107.6 72.4 32.4 728.2 26.2 42.4 0.2 18.2 7.0 283.0 11.8 12.8 10.8 52.8 74.4 441.8 44.8 17.0 8.6 75.0 48.8 488.6 38.8 53.6 32.0 56.8 12.6 420.6 102.8 59.0 134.6 46.4 44.8 1011.0 66.2 46.8 22.2 68.6 39.6 700.2 43.6 23.2 33.6 17.0 24.2 604.8 79.6 48.2 33.0 12.6 49.4 492.6 5.2 55.2 16.4 24.8 93.2 598.0 56.2 13.4 33.0 68.2 36.2 470.6 94.2 153.6 55.4 35.8 30.8 780.8 87.2 17.6 47.4 21.6 81.0 508.4 46.8 13.4 15.8 43 93 437 25.6 21.6 6.8 25.4 11.8 342.6 37.8 30.4 74.8 28.8 18.2 549.6 30.0 92.8 41.2 100.2 10 541 101.0 79.8 184.0 106.6 30.0 862.4 42.2 9.8 73.6 37.2 76.8 626.8 *Dec 2023 rainfall total up until 9am, December 28

Wangaratta monthly rainfall for 2023 (as recorded by Bureau of Meteorology at its station at the Wangaratta airport) Month

2023

Mean rainfall (1987 - 2023)

Jan Feb March April May June July August Sept Oct Nov Dec

29mm 11.6mm 93.4mm 66.0mm 46.8mm 98.0mm 42.4mm 42.2mm 9.8mm 73.6mm 37.2mm 76.8mm

44.6mm 41.2mm 42.2mm 39.3mm 55.8mm 65.8mm 62.4mm 57.4mm 53.1mm 52.1mm 51.2mm 44.2mm

(until 9am Dec 28)

TOTAL

626.8mm 609.3mm

RAIN

HAIL or SHINE

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Page 18 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

Cathedral College year nine students make a difference IN the spirit of giving and community engagement, Cathedral College year nine students recently embarked on a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the Wangaratta community.

Throughout the last week of term, they visited St John’s Village to lend a helping hand with various activities that aimed to bring joy and support to the residents.

The activities included maintenance of the grounds and building, creating Christmas cards, writing heartfelt letters to loved ones, and assisting with catering and meal preparation.

“These tasks were designed not only to contribute to the welfare of the St John’s Village community but also to foster meaningful connections between our students and the residents,” Cathedral College year nine coordinator, Glenn Wyatt, said.

Ann Sutton, social care coordinator of St John’s Residential Aged Care, expressed her gratitude and admiration for the year nine students and the friendships they built and said the effort, kindness, and compassion shown not only made a difference in the lives of the residents but have also set the stage for future collaborations between our school and St John’s Village.

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Murray Art Museum Albury appoints new CEO

BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS: St John’s resident Joyce Barry bonded with students Sophie Weir and Madison Donald.

P POSTIVE IMPACT: Lily Gibb spent time with St John’s resident N Norma O’Neill.

M MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS: Students Elizabeth Bonica, Amelie K Kerr and Eva Siperki played music for some of the residents.

“It would be lovely to see you all again,” she said.

“You really have pioneered the way for this to become a regular event.

“To have such a wonderful community come in to support us is almost overwhelming.

“The residents will be talking about this for a long time.”

Mr Wyatt said that beyond the tangible tasks accomplished, the week-long engagement served as a reminder of the importance of community involvement and the positive influence volunteering can have.

“It was an opportunity for personal growth, empathy development, and the cultivation of a

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sense of responsibility towards the well-being of others for the students,” he said.

“Their efforts during the week were not only a testament to their character but also an inspiration for all of us to seek out ways in which we can make a positive impact in our own communities.”

BLAIR French has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), by Albury City Council and MAMA Ltd. Mr French comes to the museum with extensive leadership experience within the not-for-profit arts and cultural sector, most recently as CEO of Carriageworks, Sydney (2019-2023).

His prior roles include director, curatorial and digital at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, executive director of Artspace Visual Arts Centre and associate director of Performance Space.

Albury City chief executive officer, Frank Zaknich, announced the appointment after a nationwide search for the museum’s next leader.

“AlburyCity is confident that Blair will be a great asset for the museum, and for the region more broadly,” he said.

The museum’s independent board, MAMA Ltd, said it was thrilled with the appointment.

As an experienced curator and writer with a longstanding engagement with Australian photography, Mr French has been following the work of the museum for many years.

“MAMA has continually challenged the notion of a regional art museum - it has been ambitious and intelligent in its artistic choices,” he said.

Mr French will commence in January 2024 and says he looks forward to his regional move.

Murray Art Museum Albury is now one of the most visited art museums in New South Wales.

Farm documentary screening at Oxley THE Ovens Landcare Network will screeen the farm documentary, Rachel’s Farm, in the Oxley Shire Hall on Friday, January 19 from 6pm to 9pm.

This documentary by actor-director Rachel Ward sets out to regenerate her northern NSW beef farm with the help of experts and neighbours.

This is the free event and includes a barbecue dinner and kids activities from 6pm, with screening starting at 7pm.

Cathedral College Wangaratta wishes our students, staff, families and the wider community

Love, Peace and Joy Įåèħ ßÍħĮèńÍ ħÍ«ħćĂ Have a wonderful Christmas &and a Happy New Year.

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THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 19

WANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

 CLASS OF ‘73: Anne Baumgarten, Ian Boucher, Nolene Lindsay (Freestone), Annette Taggart (Johnston), Lareen Gibson (Bovill), Anne Shanley, Rhonda Dunstan (Stamp), Ros Gardner (McNeil), Julie Aldridge (Batey), Peter McNeil, Glenice Lack (Campbell), Bev Tripp (Suter), Rosa Vescio, Jenny Finn (Turk), Graeme Prowd, Merrilyn Dews, Gavan Brown, Norina Paola (Smith), Harvey Dike, Helen Lewis (Barton), Louise Myring, Greg Larkins, Gary Porter and Shane Peake enjoyed catching up at the reunion.

Class of ‘73 reunites

 Annette Taggart, Bev Tripp, Rhonda Dunstan, Ian Boucher, Julie Aldridge, Gary Porter, Jenny Finn and Lareen Gibson.

By SIMONE KERWIN

A WEEKEND of reminiscing was enjoyed

by Wangaratta High School’s Class of 1973, as it celebrated its 50th reunion in the rural city recently.

Held on November 25 and 26, the event started with lunch at The Railyard Wangaratta on the Saturday, followed by a gathering at the Wangaratta RSL that evening.

Guests enjoyed the chance to peruse a table of memorabilia from their school days, and a slide show of photos from their HSC years loaned to the group by Mr Blair.

Former teacher Harvey Dike addressed the reunited students, saying what a pleasure it was to see them again enjoying each other’s company.

The following day, the group headed back to The Railyard for brunch and to say final goodbyes.

 Lareen Gibson and Allan Bovill.

 Greg Larkins and Harvey Dike.

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Page 20 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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SOCIAL FOCUS

FESTIVE FUN: Dawn Rowan and Esme Pearson enjoyed meeting Santa.

SANTA’S VISIT: Maj Smith and Win McDonald joined in the Christmas fun with Santa.

Santa visited St Catherine’s

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SANTA came early to St Catherine’s in Wangaratta and visited all the residents during lunch on December 21.

While at St Catherine’s Santa mingled with everyone and gave them all a small gift.

CHRISTMAS CHEER: Noel Wise met Santa before Christmas.

PHOTOS: Kurt Hickling

FESTIVE SPIRIT: Santa visited Pat Heffernan at St Catherine’s.

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Bettye Rickard received a gift from Santa.

CHRISTMAS JOY: Letty Parker and Hazel Hehir had fun meeting Santa.

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THE C CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 21

OBITUARY O BITUARY

Family man had passion for motor racing

s ff Whitten direct AT THE HELM: Je 120 motorsport an one of more th w. sa er ov he ts en ev

NORTH Eastern Car Club life member and local publisher Jeff Whitten passed away this month, aged 81.

Husband of Betty for 58 years, father of Carolyn and Peter, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of one, Jeff had a passion for cars from a young age.

He moved to Wangaratta in 1947 with parents Bill and Doris and older sisters June and Ruth.

Bill was the estate officer overseeing a local postWorld War 2 housing boom, and was responsible for the construction of Housing Commission homes, collecting the rents and organising maintenance of them.

Jeff started his schooling at Chisholm Street.

In 1953, aged 11, he listened to the ReDex Trial, a round-Australia rally broadcast on the ABC. That same year, he pestered his father to take him to the Coronation Day car races at the Wangaratta Common Track, and from then on he was hooked.

Trains became another fascination.

The Wangaratta to Whitfield train, ‘The Whitty’, was an iconic steam locomotive, and he watched it travel through town every lunchtime from his front yard on the corner of Vincent Road and Ryan Avenue.

There were moments of mischief as he grew up…

With two friends, he formed the Victorian Railway Enthusiast Club, with trainspotting capturing the youngsters’ imaginations.

Before school, they would crawl under the railway track while the Spirit of Progress thundered inches above them at 100kph.

This dangerous habit

LIFELONG PASS IO Ford Escort in 19 N: Jeff competing in his 80.

OBITUARY:

Jeff Whitten

28.10.42 - 6.12.23 came to light when a passenger flushed the toilet as the carriage passed above them, and when they arrived at school, their teachers wanted to know why they smelled so awful.

The Whitten family attended a choral society one night a week in the CWA rooms, and Jeff collected the spare car keys, put on his dad’s hat and scarf and ‘borrowed’ the car to drive about the district.

Bill may have been a little suspicious when the family left the choir and the car was parked in a different spot.

Growing up in a happy, stable, loving family, Christian faith was central to Jeff ’s family life.

Bill was a lay preacher, and Jeff would go on to become a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader, serving on the local Methodist and Uniting Church committees, and raising his children in the faith.

He attended church every Sunday of the year - except for the first Sunday in October, when his attention turned to the Bathurst car race.

Jeff left school early to start work, and took opportunities as they arose.

He left his first job, as an apprentice mechanic, after two months.

Stints with a range of electrical stores, Phoenix Biscuits and Edments followed.

He found a niche with Patersons Home Furnishings, and in 1970 he and Betty decided to accept the posting as manager of the Swan Hill store.

With Carolyn, they lived

STRONG PARTNERSHIP: Betty and Jeff Whitten on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015. there for two years, welcomed Peter, and Jeff started a car club, but it was 200 miles away from family.

The Whittens moved on to Benalla, where Jeff was store manager at Patersons Home Furnishings.

Betty and Jeff did not want to keep uprooting their family with constant moves, so when an opportunity to work with the Housing Commission with his father came up, Jeff accepted and they returned to Wangaratta.

In 1987, Jeff bought Imprint Printing, added Glen Avon Printing, and ran these businesses until he sold them in 1995.

In 1989, he started Australia’s first rallying-specific newspaper, Australian Rallysport News.

Jeff was publisher, Peter was editor, and Carolyn the

More blood donors are urgently needed

Firearms seized over illegal hunting in parks

THE Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued its final call for the festive season, asking people to make a life-changing blood donation as the year draws to a close.

Some 1200 donors per day are still needed to give blood, plasma and platelets to help ease demand from patients during this critical holiday period.

Lifeblood was buoyed by the response to its Christmas blood blitz – but hundreds of donations are still urgently required.

Donor centres, including Wangaratta, are open throughout the New Year break.

To book a donation – and check which donor centres are open over the holiday season - call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com. au, or download the free Donate Blood app.

VICTORIA Police, in connection with Parks Victoria and the Game Management Authority, seized 16 firearms in a joint agency three day operation targeting illegal hunting in the state’s alpine region earlier this month.

Firearm and hunting exclusions began in the alpine region from December 16, with dogs also banned from the National Park areas, due to public safety with increased recreational visitors.

Police said from December 16 to 18 patrols started from Myrtleford, Mansfield and Heyfield before deploying into the National Park.

In addition to the seized firearms, four infringement notices were issued for offences including illegal hunting and bringing a dog into a park.

Further investigations and prosecutions are to be pursued by Parks Victoria against an additional eight alleged offenders for offences including possessing a firearm and hunting in a National Park not open to hunting, and illegal spotlighting.

business manager, and they worked out of offices Jeff built at the back of the family home in Wenhams Lane.

In 2005, Jeff began publishing RallySport Magazine, a glossy monthly publication sold in Australia and overseas; around 230 editions of both publications were printed over a 17-year period.

Jeff also edited and wrote the North Eastern Car Club magazine ‘The Good Oil’.

He enjoyed journalism, and it was a natural progression to writing books on motor sport.

His first was ‘How to Start Rally” (two editions), cowritten by Peter.

It was followed by a history of the North Eastern Car Club called ‘From Sump Oil to Dust - The First 50 Years of the North Eastern Car Club’.

Few people know there was a race track at Barjarg, but Jeff decided to keep the memory alive in his book ‘A Rock and a Hard Place - The Real Story of the Barjarg Motor Racing Circuit’.

The books were meticulously researched and written with the great passion he had for motor sport.

The North Eastern Car Club became a place that involved the Whitten family, and eventually Jeff turned this passion into an income and a way of life.

Jeff joined in 1965, fell in love with rallying, and enjoyed lots of success.

He competed in 125 rally events, has owned 34 different cars, and became a life member of the club in 1970.

He was club president five times, secretary 13 times and club champion 11 times

- a record that’s h t’ likely lik li kelly to to stand for years to come.

But it was a family affair.

Betty joined the car club, and while pregnant with Carolyn, she drove their Morris Mini Deluxe in rallies for two firsts and a third, with Jeff navigating.

Betty is also a life member of the club.

The couple first met at a Methodist Church Youth Group, before friendship blossomed into romance, and they were married in February, 1965 at the Rutherglen Methodist Church.

They welcomed Carolyn in November 1967, and Peter in October 1970.

Watching their grandchildren play sport was a great joy for the Whittens, and retirement offered them the chance to spend more time with family and follow car races; Jeff also enjoyed reading - especially books on rallying, trains, railways and railway lines.

A serious fall damaged Jeff ’s health, and soon after he was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.

He passed away peacefully on December 6.

One of the most respected individuals in the motor sport fraternity, Jeff was inducted into the Victorian Rallying Hall of Fame in March, 2015.

In the same year, he was inducted into the Australian Rallying Hall of Fame.

Rallying in Australia is better for the involvement of the Whitten family, but family is Jeff ’s lasting legacy.

With his beloved Betty, he developed a set of family values based on respect and consideration for others.

Jeff will be remembered for his gentle manner, warmth and cheerful smile.

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Page 22 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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FRIDAY, December 29

December 29, 2023 - January 3, 2024 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 The Homes That Built Australia. 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.30 Rulla’s Cooking On Country. 10.00 The Truth About Menopause With Myf Warhurst. 11.00 The Great Australian Bee Challenge. Final. 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Vera. 2.25 The Cook And The Chef. 2.55 Sydney Symphony Orchestra Live Gala. 5.00 Back Roads. 5.30 Hard Quiz.

6.00 Back In Time For The Corner Shop: 1980s – 1990s.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Death In Paradise.

9.00 Doc Martin Christmas Special.

10.05 Farewell Doc Martin.

10.55 Life.

12.00 Wakefield.

12.50 Rage.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. 10.20 Paddington Station 24/7. 11.10 Wonderful World Of Baby Animals. Final. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.15 Britain’s Most Luxurious Hotels. 3.10 Mastermind Australia. 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. 4.10 The Supervet.

5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 History Of The Amalfi Coast.

8.25 Brooklyn Bridge: Engineering Masterpiece.

9.25 Megadams.

10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 L’Opera.

11.50 Sisi. 2.50 Nine Perfect Strangers. 3.45 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 4.45 Bamay.

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 4. Morning session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage). 12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 4. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 4. Late afternoon session.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 18.

Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers.

11.00 MOVIE: Unforgiven. (1992) 1.40 12 Monkeys.

3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. 11.30 Mr Mayor. 12.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 1.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1. Group stage. Spain v Brazil. 5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. 8.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1. Group stage.

Great Britain v Australia. From RAC Arena, Perth.

2.00 Cross Court.

2.30 Good Chef Hunting.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

4.00 Postcards Summer.

4.30 Global Shop.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.

6.00 Morning Programs. 7.00 Everyday Gourmet. 7.30 Ent. Tonight. 8.00 Farm To Fork. 8.30 Judge Judy. 9.00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders. 9.30 Neighbours. 10.00 Studio 10. 12.00 Bondi Rescue. 1.00 Dr Phil. 2.00 My Market Kitchen. 2.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 3.00 Entertainment Tonight. 3.30 Judge Judy. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 Bondi Rescue. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. 8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. 9.00 MOVIE: Rambo: Last Blood. (2019) Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Paz Vega. 10.55 MOVIE: Mission: Impossible III. (2006) Tom Cruise. 1.25 The Project. 2.25 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 3.30 Home Shopping.

ABC TV PLUS

(31) 6.00 WorldWatch.

10.00 Shortland St. 12.00 The Indian Pacific: The Full Journey. 3.15 WorldWatch.

5.15 Shortland Street. 5.45 Vs Arashi. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Hoarders. 9.25 Sex Actually With Alice Levine. 10.20 Planet Sex With Cara Delevingne. 11.15 Limetown. 12.15 MOVIE: Vice Versa: Chyna. (2021) 1.55 Couples Therapy. 2.25 NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.

(22) 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.30 Ben And Holly.

7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 MOVIE: A League Of Their Own. (1992) Tom Hanks. 10.35 Would I Lie To You At Christmas?

11.05 QI Christmas Special. 11.35 Ghosts.

Final. 12.10 Killing Eve. 12.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Christmas Spaces. 1.45 Close. 5.00 Kids’ Programs.

ABC ME (23)

6.00 Kids’ Programs. 11.55 Odd Squad. 12.40 Malory Towers. 1.10 Merlin.

1.55 Horrible Histories. 2.20 Danger Mouse.

3.10 Karma’s World. 3.35 The Deep. 4.20 Odd Squad. 4.45 Little Lunch. 5.05 Kung Fu Panda.

5.25 Miraculous. 6.00 Born To Spy. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 6.45 Merlin. 7.35 Phoenix Rise. 8.35 Good Game Spawn Point. 9.15 The Legend Of Korra. 10.00 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 11.15 Close.

SBS VLND

NEWS (24)

6.00 Morning Programs. 1.30 Close Of Business. 2.00 News. 3.30 ABC News Regional Roundup. 4.00 ABC News Afternoons.

5.00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien. 5.30 India Now: Summer Special. 6.00 Evening News.

6.45 If You’re Listening. 7.00 National News.

7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 ABC News Tonight. 8.30 Australian Story. 9.00 ABC Nightly News. 9.30 Close Of Business. 10.00 News. 10.30 Foreign Correspondent. 11.00 Late Programs.

SATURDAY, December 30

ABC TV (2) 6.00 Rage.

7.00 Weekend Breakfast.

9.00 Rage.

12.00 ABC News At Noon.

12.30 Death In Paradise.

2.00 The Gospel According To Marcia.

3.25 Doc Martin Christmas Special.

4.30 Farewell Doc Martin.

5.20 Landline Summer.

5.50 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Celebrating 70 Years.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 All Creatures Great And Small.

9.10 Vera.

10.40 The Capture.

11.40 Rage.

7MATE (64)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Blokesworld. 10.30 The Car Club. 11.00 Storage Wars. 11.30 American Restoration. 12.00 American Pickers. 1.00 Pawn Stars. 2.00 Motor MythBusters. 3.00 Timbersports. 3.30 Hustle & Tow. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 MOVIE: Air America. (1990) Mel Gibson. 9.50 MOVIE: Get The Gringo. (2012) Mel Gibson. 11.50 Late Programs.

9GEM

6.00 The (52) Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 NBL Slam. 7.30 Becker. 8.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 The King Of Queens. 11.00 Frasier. 12.00 Becker. 1.00 The Big Bang Theory. 1.30 Seinfeld. 3.00 The King Of Queens. 4.00 Becker. 5.00 Frasier.

6.00 Friends. 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. 9.30 Seinfeld. 11.00 How We Roll. 12.00 Shopping.

1.30 Stephen Colbert. 2.30 King Of Queens.

3.30 Bold. 4.30 Shopping. 5.30 Joseph Prince.

9GO! (82)

BOLD (53)

Gideon’s Way. (81) 6.00 7.00 Creflo. 7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Days Of Our Lives.

12.55 The Young And The Restless. 2.00 Dr Quinn. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Southwest Passage. (1954) 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1. Group stage. Spain v Brazil. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 MOVIE: Notting Hill.

(1999) Hugh Grant. 10.00 Madam Secretary.

11.00 Rizzoli & Isles. 12.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Kids’ Programs.

1.00 Bewitched.

1.30 Raymond. 2.30 Full House. 3.00 Seinfeld.

4.00 Family Ties. 4.30 The Addams Family.

5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Kids’ Programs. 5.40 MOVIE: Wedding Daze. (2006) 7.30 MOVIE: The DUFF. (2015) 9.30 MOVIE: The Edge Of Seventeen. (2016) 11.35 Dating No Filter. 12.05 Under The Dome. 1.05 Life After Lockup. 2.00 Surfing Australia TV. 2.30 Full House. 3.00 Kids’ Programs.

PEACH

6.00 Home Shopping.

8.00 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 9. Perth Glory v Macarthur FC. Highlights. 8.30 Dr Phil. 9.30 Diagnosis Murder.

11.30 Jake And The Fatman. 12.30 JAG. 2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder.

5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull.

8.30 NCIS. 9.25 NCIS: Hawai’i. 10.20 NCIS: Los Angeles.

11.15 A Million Little Things. 12.15 Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder. 4.05 JAG.

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Outside: Beyond The Lens. 10.05 Love Your Garden. 11.00 Rick Steves’ Europe. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 PBS NewsHour. 2.00 The World’s Best Film. 3.35 Ethnic Business Awards. 5.35 Wonders Of The World I Can’t See. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses & Gardens.

8.40 Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call Of Freedom.

9.40 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys.

10.30 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. 11.20 Rex In Rome. 1.10 Mister8. 3.25 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 4.25 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 9.30 Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Second Test.

Australia v Pakistan. Day 5. Morning session.

(Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage).

12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 5. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 5. Late afternoon session. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. 7.30 MOVE: Kindergarten Cop. (1990) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed. 9.55 MOVE: Spy. (2015) Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law. 12.30 12 Monkeys. 2.30 Home Shopping. 4.00 Get Clever. 5.00 My Greek Odyssey.

6.00 Hello SA. 6.30 A Current Affair. 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Mr Mayor. 10.30 Tennis.

United Cup. Day 2. Group stage. Czech Republic v China. Netherlands v Norway. 5.00 News: First At Five. 5.30 Country House Hunters Australia.

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Jurassic Park. (1993) 10.00 MOVIE: The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

(1997) 12.20 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything.

1.10 World’s Greatest Man Made Wonders. 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. 2.30 Country House Hunters Australia. 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 4.30 Global Shop. 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 5.30 Helping Hands.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 I Fish. 8.30 Farm To Fork. 9.00 Everyday Gourmet. 9.30 10 Minute Kitchen. 10.00 Jamie’s 5 Ingredient Mediterranean. 11.00 The Dog House. 12.00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders. 12.30 The Yes Experiment. 1.00 GCBC. 1.30 Exploring Off The Grid. 2.00 Healthy Homes. 2.30 Luca’s Key Ingredient. 3.00 Jamie Oliver: Cooking For Less. 4.00 My Market Kitchen. 4.30 Farm To Fork. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 MOVIE: Clifford The Big Red Dog. (2021) Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall. 7.55 MOVIE: Sahara. (2005) Matthew McConaughey, Penélope Cruz, Steve Zahn.

10.25 MOVIE: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. (2011) Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner.

1.00 Home Shopping. 4.30 Authentic. 5.00 Hour Of Power.

ABC TV PLUS (22)

6.00 Kids’ Programs. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.30 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Karma’s World. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 QI. 8.30 Live At The Apollo. 10.00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 10.45 Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2021: Opening Night. 11.40 Brian Johnson’s A Life On The Road. 12.45 MythBusters. 1.35 Portlandia.

2.25 Close. 5.00 In The Night Garden. 5.25 Wallykazam! 5.55 Kids’ Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch.

10.00 Shortland Street. 12.00 Christians Like Us. 2.10 Planet A. 2.40 Lee Lin Chin’s Fashionista. 2.55 WorldWatch. 4.55 Vs Arashi.

5.50 American Runestone: A Viking Mystery.

6.45 The Toys That Built The World. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Greatest Hits Of The 80s. 10.20 Letterkenny. Return. 11.25 Fear The Walking Dead. 1.10 The X-Files. 3.00 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

ABC ME

Morning (24) 6.00 Programs. 1.00 ABC News. 1.30 Kitchen Cabinet. 2.00 ABC News. 2.30 Throwback. 3.00 ABC News. 3.30 Compass. 4.00 ABC News. 4.30 Close Of Business. 5.00 ABC News. 5.30 The World In 2023. 6.00 Evening News. 6.30 Project Wild.

7.00 National News. 7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 News Tonight. 8.30 Aust Story. 9.00 Nightly News. 9.30 India Now: Summer Special. 10.00 Late News Weekend. 10.30 Late Programs.

Kids’ (23) 6.00 Programs. 2.10 Horrible Histories. 2.35 Operation Ouch! 3.35 Odd Squad. 4.00 The Penguins Of Madagascar.

4.30 Mystery Lane. 4.55 Miraculous. 5.15 Total Drama Island. 5.40 100 Things To Do Before High School. 6.05 The Next Step. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 7.00 Horrible Histories. 7.40 Space Nova. 8.25 TMNT. 8.50 Mustangs FC. 9.15 School Of Rock. 9.35 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 11.15 Close.

7TWO

Morning (62) 6.00 Programs. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC Today. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 I Escaped To The Country.

2.00 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.00 Animal SOS Australia. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 I Escaped To The Country. 5.00 Pie In The Sky. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 8.30 Escape To The Country.

10.30 Escape To The Perfect Town. 11.30 Late Programs.

SBS VLND (31)

7TWO (62)

6.00 Shopping.

8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Country. 12.00 Horse Racing. Royal Randwick Race Day, Saturday At The Valley and Magic Millions Prelude. 5.30 RSPCA Animal Rescue. 6.00 Extreme Animal Transport. 6.30 The Yorkshire Vet In Autumn.

7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 10.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 11.30 Carol Drinkwater’s Secret Provence. 12.30 Last Chance Learners. 1.00 Late Programs.

NEWS

Morning (64) 6.00 Programs.

12.30 Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 My Road To Adventure. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Boating. Australian V8 Superboats Championship. Round 2. Replay.

4.00 Secrets Of The Supercars. 5.00 Counting Cars. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 Air Crash Investigations: The Accident Files. 8.30 Disasters At Sea. 9.30 Mighty Trains. 10.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (81)

6.00 Thunderbirds.

6.30 Rainbow Country. 7.00 Leading The Way. 7.30 Gideon’s Way. 8.30 TV Shop. 9.00 Turning Point. 9.30 TV Shop. 10.00 Helping Hands. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 MOVIE: Devil Girl From Mars. (1954) 12.35 MOVIE: The Green Man. (1956) 2.15 MOVIE: The Honey Pot. (1967) 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 2. Group stage. Czech Republic v China. Poland v Brazil. Netherlands v Norway. Italy v Germany. 2.00 Late Programs.

7MATE

Kids’ Programs.

(82) 6.00 1.45 MOVIE: HouseSitter. (1992) 3.45 MOVIE: Kicking & Screaming. (2005) 5.45 MOVIE: Yours, Mine And Ours. (2005) 7.30 MOVIE: What Happens In Vegas. (2008) 9.30 MOVIE: Couples Retreat.

(2009) 11.45 Dating No Filter. 12.15 Yorkshire Job Centre. 2.05 Starting Up, Starting Over.

3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade Burst Surge. 4.00 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens. 4.30 Pokémon.

4.50 Monkie Kid. 5.10 Kids’ Programs.

PEACH (52)

6.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 Seinfeld. 8.00 Becker. 9.00 Neighbours. 11.00 Farm To Fork.

11.30 Seinfeld. 12.00 Frasier. 1.00 The King Of Queens. 2.00 Becker. 3.00 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Middle. 6.00 The Big Bang Theory. 10.00 Friends. 12.00 Home Shopping. 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 2.30 South Park.

3.30 Just For Laughs: Montreal. 4.30 Home Shopping.

9GO!

Shopping. 9.00 (53) 6.00 Exploring Off The Grid. 9.30 Diagnosis Murder. 11.30 On The Fly. 12.00 Escape Fishing. 12.30 Dr Phil. 1.30 Luxury Escapes. 2.00 Jake And The Fatman.

3.00 JAG. 7.00 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 10. Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United.

10.15 MOVIE: The Murder Of Nicole Brown Simpson. (2019) Mena Suvari. 12.00 FBI: International. 1.00 A Million Little Things. 2.00 Late Programs.

BOLD

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Outside: Beyond The Lens. 10.05 Love Your Garden. 11.00 Rick Steves’ Europe. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.05 Dance In Focus: Still Life. 3.30 Best Australian Dance Short Films 2021. 4.35 Dancing At The Royal Palaces. 5.15 Wonders Of The World I Can’t See. 6.10 Dinner For One. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives.

9.45 Billy Joel: Live At Yankee Stadium.

11.20 Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler.

1.10 MOVIE: La Belle Époque. (2019) Daniel Auteuil, Guillaume Canet, Doria Tillier. 3.10 Child Genius Australia. 4.10 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. 12.00 The Chase. 1.00 MOVE: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. (1977) Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon. 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 20.

Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars.

11.00 7NEWS Spotlight.

12.00 134th Rose Parade.

2.00 Home Shopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Fishing Australia. 6.30 A Current Affair.

7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 GolfBarons.

Return. 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 3. Group stage. USA v Great Britain. Canada v Chile. 5.00 News: First At Five. 5.30 RBT. 6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 MOVIE: Hairspray. (2007) Nikki Blonsky.

9.15 MOVIE: The Hustle. (2019) Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson.

11.00 City Of Melbourne: New Year’s Eve. 12.10 MOVIE: Can’t Stop The Music. (1980) 2.30 Good Chef Hunting.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory.

4.30 GolfBarons.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today.

6.00 Morning Programs. 7.00 Leading The Way. 7.30 Tomorrow’s World. 8.00 Everyday Gourmet. 8.30 Freshly Picked. 9.00 Taste Of Aust. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Jamie’s 5 Ingredient Mediterranean. 11.00 What’s Up Down Under. 12.00 4x4 Adventures. 1.00 My Market Kitchen. 1.30 Destination Dessert.

2.00 Food Trail: South Africa. 2.30 Everyday Gourmet. 3.00 My Market Kitchen. 3.30 Good Chef Bad Chef. 4.00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders.

4.30 Farm To Fork. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 MOVIE: Sonic The Hedgehog 2. (2022) Jim Carrey, James Marsden. 8.25 MOVIE: The First Wives Club. (1996) Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton. 10.30 MOVIE: Hustlers. (2019) Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu. 12.30 Home Shopping. 4.30 CBS Mornings.

(22) 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 4.00 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.35 Bea’s Block. 5.05 Tabby McTat. 5.30 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.30 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Karma’s World. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 QI. 8.30 Louis Theroux: Gambling In Las Vegas. 9.35 You Can’t Ask That. 10.05 Doc Martin. 10.55 Penn & Teller: Fool Us. 11.35 MOVIE: L.A. Confidential. (1997) 1.55 Close.

5.00 Beep And Mort. 5.40 Kids’ Programs.

ABC TV PLUS

(31) 6.00 WorldWatch.

9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Shortland St. 12.00 Patriot Brains. 12.55 The Kimberley Cruise: The Full Journey. 3.50 The Casketeers.

4.15 WorldWatch. 4.45 The Buildings That Fought Hitler. 6.35 MOVIE: Super Mario Bros.

(1993) 8.30 Billy Connolly: Great American Trail. 9.25 Taskmaster’s New Year’s Treat. 10.20 History’s Greatest Of All-Time With Peyton Manning. 11.10 Late Programs.

ABC ME

Morning (24) 6.00 Programs. 1.00 ABC News. 1.30 The World In 2023. 2.00 ABC News. 2.30 That Pacific Sports Show. 3.00 ABC News. 3.30 The Pacific. 4.00 ABC News.

4.30 ABC News Regional Roundup. 5.00 ABC News. 5.30 Y2K: The Bug That Didn’t Bite. 6.00 Evening News. 6.30 7.30. 7.00 National News.

7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 News Tonight. 8.30 Aust Story. 9.05 Nightly News. 9.30 The World In 2023. 10.00 Late Programs.

SUNDAY, December 31

ABC TV (2) 6.00 Rage. 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through Portugal.

10.00 Takeover Melbourne 2022. 10.30 The World In 2023. 11.00 Compass. 11.30 Songs Of Praise. 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline Summer. 1.00 New Leash On Life. 1.30 Gardening Australia. 2.30 All Creatures Great And Small. 4.10 You Can’t Ask That. 4.40 Grand Designs. Final. 5.25 The ABC Of. 5.55 Spicks And Specks: AusMusic Special. 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering 2023.

8.30 New Year’s Eve: Welcome To NYE. 9.05 New Year’s Eve: Concert From Sydney Harbour.

11.30 New Year’s Eve: Countdown To Midnight.

12.00 New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks.

12.20 Rage New Year’s Special.

Kids’ (23) 6.00 Programs. 3.35 Odd Squad. 4.00 The Penguins Of Madagascar.

4.30 Mystery Lane. 4.50 Miraculous. 5.15 Total Drama Island. 5.40 100 Things To Do Before High School. 6.00 The Next Step. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 7.00 Horrible Histories. 7.40 Operation Ouch! 8.10 MOVIE: The Midnight Gang. (2018) Oliver Zetterström, Alan Davies.

9.15 MOVIE: Zombie Town. (2023) Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase. 10.45 Rage. 11.45 Close.

SBS VLND

Morning (62) 6.00 Programs.

12.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 1.00 Carol Drinkwater’s Secret Provence. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Extreme Animal Transport. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet In Autumn.

4.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 5.00 I Escaped To The Country. 6.00 Escape To The Country. 7.00 The Vicar Of Dibley. 8.30 Call The Midwife. 11.05 Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railways. 12.05 Late Programs.

7TWO

Morning (81) 6.00 Programs. 7.30 In Touch. 8.00 Beyond Today. 8.30 The Incredible Journey. 9.00 Turning Point. 9.30 TV Shop.

10.00 My Favorite Martian. 10.30 The Baron.

11.40 Iconic Australia. 12.40 MOVIE: Bikini Beach. (1964) 2.45 MOVIE: Kings Of The Sun. (1963) 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 3. Group stage. USA v Great Britain. Canada v Chile. 7.00 M*A*S*H. 8.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 3. Group stage. China v Serbia. 2.00 Late Programs.

NEWS

6.00 Morning (64) Programs.

12.00 The Fishing Show By AFN. 1.00 Hook, Line And Sinker. 2.00 Merv Hughes Fishing. 2.30 Step Outside. 3.00 Fishing Addiction. 4.00 Pawn Stars. 5.00 Storage Wars: Texas. 6.00 Border Security: International. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. 8.30 MOVIE: Danger Close: The Battle Of Long Tan. (2019) Travis Fimmel, Luke Bracey. 10.55 MOVIE: New Jack City. (1991) 1.00 Late Programs.

9GEM

6.00 The (52) Middle.

7.30 Friends. 12.10 The Middle. 4.10 MOVIE: UglyDolls. (2019) Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Emma Roberts.

6.00 The Big Bang Theory.

8.30 Two And A Half Men. 9.30 South Park.

11.00 Friends. 12.00 Home Shopping. 1.30 MOVIE: Child’s Play. (2019) 3.20 The Bold And The Beautiful. 4.30 Home Shopping.

7MATE

Kids’ Programs.

(82) 6.00 12.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. Day 1. 7.00 Raymond.

7.30 MOVIE: Safe House. (2012) 9.45 MOVIE: The Land. (2021) Anna Lise Phillips. 11.45 Dating No Filter. 12.15 Ashlee And Evan. New. 3.30 Beyblade Burst QuadStrike. 4.00 Yu-GiOh! Sevens. 4.30 Transformers Bumblebee: Cyberverse Adventures. 4.50 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 5.10 LEGO Friends: Girls On A Mission.

5.30 Tom And Jerry.

9GO!

Home Shopping.

(53) 6.00 7.30 Key Of David.

8.00 The Offroad Adventure Show. 9.00 All 4 Adventure. 10.00 Escape Fishing With ET. 11.00 JAG. 1.00 On The Fly. 1.30 What’s Up Down Under. 2.30 Taste Of Australia: BBQ. 3.00 Tough Tested. 4.00 JAG. 5.00 iFish. 5.30 JAG. 6.30 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 10. Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory. 9.30 NCIS. 11.20 NCIS: Los Angeles. 12.15 A Million Little Things.

1.10 NCIS: Hawai’i. 2.05 48 Hours. 4.00 JAG.

REGISTER NOW CLEANUP.ORG.AU

PEACH

BOLD

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 23

wangarattachronicle.com.au

WEDNESDAY, January 3

TUESDAY, January 2

MONDAY, January 1

December 29, 2023 - January 3, 2024 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 Makers Of Modern Australia. 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.30 The Cook And The Chef. 9.55 Movin’ To The Country. 10.55 Keep On Dancing.

12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Vera. 2.30 New Year’s Eve: Welcome To NYE. 3.05 New Year’s Eve: Concert From Sydney Harbour. 5.30 New Year’s Eve: Countdown To Midnight. 6.00 New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks.

6.30 Tabby McTat. 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Pick Of The Litter.

8.50 MOVIE: The Imitation Game. (2014) 10.40 Lucy Worsley: Agatha Christie Mystery Queen. 11.40 Nude Next Door. 12.40 Rage Vault. 3.30 Classic Countdown. 4.30 Rosie Batty’s One Plus One. 5.00 Makers Of Modern Australia.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. 10.15 Patrizio Buanne: Celebration.

12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Second Edition.

2.00 Sesame Street: 50 Years Of Sunny Days.

3.30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. 4.10 The Supervet. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers.

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2023.

9.15 MOVIE: Amazing Grace. (2018) 10.55 Blanca. New. 12.00 Partisan. 4.20 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVE: The Amazing Mr. Blunden. (2021) Vinette Robinson, Samuel Barnett. 2.00 Border Security: International. 2.30 Surf Patrol. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 22.

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers.

11.00 Motorway Patrol.

11.30 Highway Cops.

12.00 Bates Motel.

1.00 Travel Oz. 1.30 Harry’s Practice.

2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer.

10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 4. Group stage.

Poland v Spain. Croatia v Norway.

4.30 9News Afternoon.

5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat.

6.00 9News.

7.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 4. Group stage.

Australia v USA. From RAC Arena, Perth.

France v Germany. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.

2.00 Good Chef Hunting.

2.30 Global Shop.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory.

4.30 Hello SA. 5.00 9News Early.

5.30 Today.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 Farm To Fork.

8.30 GCBC. 9.00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders.

9.30 Judge Judy. 10.00 Hungry. 10.30 Luxury Escapes. 11.00 Food Trail: South Africa. 11.30 Planet Shapers. 12.00 Bondi Rescue. 1.00 Dr Phil. 2.00 My Market Kitchen. 2.30 Bold.

3.00 Ent. Tonight. 3.30 Farm To Fork. 4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 Bondi Rescue. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. 8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. 9.00 MOVIE: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. (2022) Daniel Radcliffe, Rainn Wilson, Julianne Nicholson. 11.05 MOVIE: Transformers. (2007) Shia LaBeouf. 1.50 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC TV PLUS

(31) 6.00 WorldWatch.

9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Shortland St. 12.00 The Kimberley Cruise: The Full Journey. 2.20 Sidelined: Women In Basketball.

3.25 WorldWatch. 5.45 The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross. 6.15 The Fast History Of. New. 6.40 Jeopardy! Return. 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Taskmaster. 9.25 Scrubs. 12.45 The Devil You Know. 1.35 Late Programs.

(22) 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.40 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 7.05 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 MythBusters. 9.20 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 10.55 Louis Theroux’s LA Stories. 12.00 Would I Lie To You? 12.30 QI. 1.00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 1.45 Brian Johnson’s A Life On The Road. 2.30 Close.

5.00 Beep And Mort. 5.35 Kids’ Programs.

ABC ME (23)

6.00 Kids’ Programs. 3.00 Hanazuki: Full Of Treasures. 3.25 Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! 3.40 The Deep. 4.00 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 4.20 Odd Squad.

4.45 Little Lunch. 5.00 Planet Lulin. New. 5.25 Miraculous. 5.45 Hotel Transylvania. 6.00 Born To Spy. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 6.45 Merlin. 7.35 Space Nova. 8.25 TMNT. 8.45 Mustangs FC. 9.10 School Of Rock. 9.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.55 Rage. 11.15 Close.

SBS VLND

NEWS (24)

6.00 Morning Programs. 1.10 Andrew Olle Media Lecture. 2.00 ABC News Day. 2.30 Cabinet Papers 2002. 3.00 News.

3.30 Foreign Correspondent. 4.00 News. 4.30 Heywire. 5.00 ABC News. 5.30 China Tonight: Summer Special. 6.00 ABC Evening News. 6.30 Cabinet Papers 2002. 7.00 ABC National News.

7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 News Tonight. 8.30 Australian Story. 9.00 ABC News Special. 10.00 The World. 10.30 Late Programs.

7TWO

Morning (62) 6.00 Programs. 9.00 DVine Living. 9.30 NBC Today. 10.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 I Escaped To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld.

3.30 Last Chance Learners. 4.00 RSPCA Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes And Gardens.

5.30 I Escaped To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour. 10.30 Fortitude. 11.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (64)

6.00 Morning Programs.

12.00 Border Security. 1.30 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Australian Rally Championship. Round 1. Rally of Canberra.

Highlights. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator. 3.30 Counting Cars. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers.

6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters.

8.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 Swamp People: Serpent Invasion. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GEM

6.00 The Big (52) Bang Theory.

10.30 Friends. 3.30 The King Of Queens. 4.30 Becker. 5.30 Frasier.

6.30 Neighbours.

7.00 The Big Bang Theory.

8.30 Two And A Half Men. 10.00 Rules Of Engagement.

11.00 Frasier. 12.00 Home Shopping. 1.30 South Park. 2.30 Two And A Half Men. 3.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 4.30 Home Shopping.

9GO! (82)

BOLD (53)

Morning (81) 6.00 Programs. 10.00 Danoz. 10.30 Bondi Vet. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 The Young And The Restless. 2.00 Dr Quinn. 3.00 M*A*S*H. 4.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 4. Group stage. Poland v Spain. Croatia v Norway. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise.

8.40 MOVIE: The Negotiator. (1998) Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse. 11.25 Madam Secretary. 12.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Kids’ Programs.

10.30 Pokémon Ultimate Journeys. 11.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 11.30 Bakugan. 12.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. Day 2. 6.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. Night 2. 11.00 MOVIE: Young Guns. (1988) 1.10 Under The Dome.

2.05 Life After Lockup. 3.00 Bakugan. 3.30 Beyblade Burst Surge. 4.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 4.30 Ninjago: Crystalized. 5.00 Pokémon Journeys. 5.30 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens.

PEACH

6.00 Home Shopping.

8.00 Luxury Escapes.

8.30 All 4 Adventure. 9.30 Reel Action. 10.30 JAG. 12.30 Star Trek: Voyager. 2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder.

5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull.

8.30 NCIS. 10.20 NCIS: Los Angeles.

12.15 Home Shopping.

2.15 Diagnosis Murder. 4.05 JAG.

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 Makers Of Modern Australia. 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.30 Ask The Doctor. 9.55 Dream Gardens. 10.25 Barrie Cassidy’s One Plus One. 11.00 Keep On Dancing. 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Vera. 2.30 Muster Dogs. 3.25 Tenable. 4.10 Antiques Roadshow. 5.10 Love Your Garden. Return. 6.00 Back Roads.

6.30 Hard Quiz.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 A Symphonic Odyssey With Professor Brian Cox. 9.00 Brian Cox: Seven Days On Mars.

10.30 A Life In Ten Pictures. 11.25 Baby Surgeons. 12.15 Love Your Garden. 1.00 Tenable. 1.45 Rage. 3.35 Classic Countdown.

4.35 Rosie Batty’s One Plus One. 5.00 Makers Of Modern Australia.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. 10.10 Paddington Station 24/7.

11.00 Secret Cities. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Egypt’s Lost City of Canopus. 3.00 Mastermind Australia. 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw.

4.10 The Supervet. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.20 Spike Milligan: The Unseen Archive.

9.25 Australia Uncovered: The Truth About Anxiety With Celia Pacquola.

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Das Boot.

12.55 Dear Mama. 3.15 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 4.15 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVE: Morning Show Mysteries: Murder Ever After. (2021) Holly Robinson Peete, Colin Lawrence, Karen Robinson. 2.00 Border Security: International. 2.30 Surf Patrol. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 23.

Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades.

11.00 Ambulance: Code Red. 12.00 Bates Motel.

1.00 My Impossible House.

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 5. Group stage. Czech Republic v Serbia. Greece v Chile. 4.30 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides.

8.30 MOVIE: Gladiator. (2000) Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix.

11.30 New Amsterdam.

12.15 MOVIE: Black Water: Abyss. (2020) 2.05 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory.

4.30 A Current Affair.

5.00 9News Early.

5.30 Today.

6.00 Morning Programs. 7.30 Ent. Tonight.

8.00 Farm To Fork. 8.30 Judge Judy. 9.00 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day. 9.30 Neighbours. 10.00 Hungry. 10.30 Luxury Escapes. 11.00 Food Trail: South Africa. 11.30 Planet Shapers. 12.00 Bondi Rescue. 1.00 Dr Phil. 2.00 My Market Kitchen. 2.30 Bold.

3.00 Ent. Tonight. 3.30 Farm To Fork. 4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day. 5.00 10 News First. 6.30 The Project.

7.30 Thank God You’re Here. 8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. 9.00 MOVIE: Star Trek. (2009) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana. 11.30 MOVIE: Transformers: The Last Knight. (2017) Mark Wahlberg. 2.35 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 3.30 Home Shopping. 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC TV PLUS (22)

6.00 Kids’

Programs. 4.35 Bea’s Block. 5.20 The Adventures Of Paddington. 5.55 Octonauts.

6.40 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 7.05 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 Bliss.

8.55 Rosehaven. 9.25 Portlandia. 10.30 Back.

10.55 Would I Lie To You? 11.25 MOVIE: A League Of Their Own. (1992) 1.35 Close. 5.00 Beep And Mort. 5.40 Kids’ Programs.

ABC ME

Kids’ (23) 6.00 Programs. 3.00 Hanazuki: Full Of Treasures. 3.25 Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! 3.40 The Deep. 4.00 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 4.20 Odd Squad.

4.45 Little Lunch. 5.00 Planet Lulin. 5.25 Miraculous. 5.45 Hotel Transylvania. 6.00 Born To Spy. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 6.45 Merlin. 7.35 Space Nova. 8.25 TMNT. 8.45 Mustangs FC. 9.10 School Of Rock. 9.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.55 Rage. 11.15 Close.

SBS VLND (31)

6.00 Morning Programs.

10.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer.

12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 I Escaped To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 RSPCA Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.30 I Escaped To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 A Touch Of Frost. 10.50 Law & Order: UK. 11.50 Late Programs.

NEWS

Morning (64) 6.00 Programs.

8.00 NFL 100 Greatest. 9.00 America’s Game.

10.00 American Pickers. 11.00 Pawn Stars.

12.00 Aussie Salvage Squad. 2.00 Aussie Lobster Men. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator.

3.30 Counting Cars. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers.

6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Truckers. 9.30 Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under. 10.30 Ice Road Truckers. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch.

10.00 Shortland St. 12.10 In My Own World.

1.00 Rhod Gilbert: Stand Up To Shyness. 2.10 Cat Ladies. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 Counter Space. 5.45 The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross.

6.15 The Fast History Of. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Dark Side Of The 2000s. New. 9.25 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 10.15 Hudson & Rex. 11.55 Late Programs.

Morning (24) 6.00 Programs. 1.30 The Pacific. 2.00 ABC News Day. 3.30 Foreign Correspondent. 4.00 News. 5.00 ABC News.

5.30 China Tonight: Summer Special. 6.00 ABC Evening News. 6.40 If You’re Listening. 7.00 ABC National News. 7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 ABC News Tonight. 8.30 Australian Story. 9.00 ABC Nightly News. 9.30 Compass. 10.00 The World.

10.30 Foreign Correspondent. 11.00 News.

11.30 Late Programs.

7TWO (62)

9GEM (81)

6.00 Gideon’s Way. 7.00 Creflo. 7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop. 9.30 Newstyle Direct.

10.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Bondi Vet. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Days Of Our Lives.

12.55 The Young And The Restless. 2.00 Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. 3.00 M*A*S*H. 4.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 5. Group stage. Croatia v Netherlands. 11.00 Madam Secretary. 12.00 A Wedding And A Murder. 1.00 Late Programs.

7MATE

Kids’ Programs.

(82) 6.00 10.00 Ninjago: Crystalized. 10.30 Pokémon Ultimate Journeys.

11.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 11.30 Bakugan. 12.00 Tennis. Brisbane International.

Day 3. 6.00 Tennis. Brisbane International.

Night 3. 11.00 MOVIE: Heat. (1995) Al Pacino.

2.30 Life After Lockup. 3.30 Beyblade Burst Surge. 4.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 4.30 Ninjago: Crystalized. 5.00 Pokémon Journeys.

5.30 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens.

PEACH (52)

6.00 Stephen Colbert. 7.00 King Of Queens. 8.00 Becker. 9.00 Rules Of Engagement. 10.00 The Middle. 10.30 Frasier.

11.30 King Of Queens. 12.30 Becker. 1.30 The Big Bang Theory. 2.30 Rules Of Engagement.

3.30 The King Of Queens. 4.30 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Neighbours. 7.00 The Big Bang Theory. 8.30 Two And A Half Men. 10.00 Rules Of Engagement. 11.00 Frasier. 12.00 Shopping.

1.30 Stephen Colbert. 2.30 Late Programs.

9GO!

Home Shopping.

(53) 6.00 8.00 Luxury Escapes.

8.30 Diagnosis Murder. 9.30 Jake And The Fatman. 10.30 JAG. 12.30 Star Trek: Voyager.

2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull.

9.30 FBI: International.

10.30 Asian Cup Preview Show. New. 11.00 SEAL Team. 11.55 48 Hours. 12.50 Home Shopping. 2.20 Diagnosis Murder. 4.10 JAG.

BOLD

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6)

NINE (8)

TEN (5)

6.00 Makers Of Modern Australia. 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.30 Poh’s Kitchen. 10.05 The Princes And The Press. 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Vera. 2.30 Muster Dogs. 3.25 Tenable. 4.10 Antiques Roadshow. 5.15 Love Your Garden.

6.00 Back Roads.

6.25 Hard Quiz.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Mad As Hell Does Hard Quiz.

8.05 Spicks And Specks.

9.05 Changing Ends. New. 9.55 A Life In Ten Pictures.

10.45 Catching A Predator. 11.45 Love Your Garden. 12.30 Tenable. 1.15 Life. 2.15 Rage. 3.35 Classic Countdown. 4.35 Rosie Batty’s One Plus One. 5.00 Makers Of Modern Australia.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. 10.10 Paddington Station 24/7. 11.00 Secret Cities. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 PBS NewsHour. 2.00 Massacre On Hadrian’s Wall.

3.00 Mastermind Australia. 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. 4.10 The Supervet. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 How To Make It In Comedy.

8.30 Monster: The Mystery Of Loch Ness: The Monster Lives On? 9.30 Fargo.

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 COBRA. 11.50 Vienna Blood. 3.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 4.30 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 1. Morning session. 12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 1. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 1.

Late afternoon session.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 24.

Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat.

9.10 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 25. Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers.

12.30 Parenthood.

2.30 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 6. First quarter-final and Group stage. France v Italy. 4.30 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 8.30 Clarkson’s Farm: Melting.

9.30 Police Rescue Australia.

10.30 The Equalizer.

11.20 La Brea.

12.10 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 1.05 World’s Greatest Natural Wonders. 2.00 Explore TV. 2.30 Global Shop. 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. 4.30 A Current Affair. 5.00 9News Early. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Morning Programs. 7.30 Ent. Tonight.

8.00 Farm To Fork. 8.30 Judge Judy. 9.00 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day. 9.30 Neighbours. 10.00 Hungry. 10.30 Luxury Escapes. 11.00 Food Trail: South Africa. 11.30 Planet Shapers. 12.00 Bondi Rescue. 1.00 Dr Phil. 2.00 My Market Kitchen. 2.30 Bold. 3.00 Entertainment Tonight. 3.30 Farm To Fork.

4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day. 5.00 10 News First. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. 8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers.

9.00 MOVIE: Star Trek Into Darkness. (2013) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana. 11.35 MOVIE: Star Trek Beyond. (2016) Chris Pine.

2.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

3.00 Home Shopping. 4.30 CBS Mornings.

(22) 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.40 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 7.05 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 Doc Martin. 9.20 Bay Of Fires. Final. 10.15 Killing Eve. 10.55 Would I Lie To You? 11.25 Louis Theroux: Gambling In Las Vegas. 12.25 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

12.50 Lucy Worsley’s Royal Palace Secrets. 1.50 Close. 5.00 Kids’ Programs.

ABC TV PLUS

(31) 6.00 WorldWatch.

10.00 Shortland Street. 12.20 The Indian Pacific: The Full Journey. 3.20 WorldWatch.

5.15 Counter Space. 5.45 The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross. 6.15 The Fast History Of. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Vault. (2021) Freddie Highmore, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey. 10.45 MOVIE: Looper. (2012) 1.00 VICE. 2.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

ABC ME

Morning (24) 6.00 Programs. 1.30 The Pacific. 2.00 ABC News Day. 3.30 Foreign Correspondent. 4.00 News. 5.00 ABC News.

5.30 China Tonight: Summer Special. 6.00 ABC Evening News. 6.40 If You’re Listening. 7.00 ABC National News. 7.30 Back Roads. 8.00 ABC News Tonight. 8.30 Australian Story. 9.00 ABC Nightly News. 9.15 Outback Musical. 10.00 The World. 10.30 Foreign Correspondent. 11.00 News. 11.30 Late Programs.

Kids’ (23) 6.00 Programs. 3.00 Hanazuki: Full Of Treasures. 3.25 Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! 3.40 The Deep. 4.00 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 4.20 Odd Squad.

4.45 Little Lunch. 5.00 Planet Lulin. 5.25 Miraculous. 5.45 Hotel Transylvania. 6.00 Born To Spy. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 6.45 Merlin. 7.40 Space Nova. 8.25 TMNT. 8.50 Mustangs FC. 9.15 School Of Rock. 9.35 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.10 Rage. 11.15 Close.

SBS VLND

Morning (62) 6.00 Programs. 7.30 Under The Hammer. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC Today. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 I Escaped To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 RSPCA Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.30 I Escaped To The Country.

6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Lewis.

10.45 Law & Order: UK. 11.45 Late Programs.

NEWS

Morning (64) 6.00 Programs. 10.00 American Pickers. 11.00 Pawn Stars. 12.00 Outback Truckers. 2.00 Aussie Lobster Men. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator. 3.30 Counting Cars. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Pickers. 6.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Game 24. Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. 9.30 Beach Cops. 10.30 Surveillance Oz. 11.30 Late Programs.

GOT SOMETHING WORTH SHARING?

7TWO

Gideon’s Way. (81) 6.00 7.00 Creflo. 7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 10.30 Bondi Vet. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 The Young And The Restless. 2.00 Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.

3.00 M*A*S*H. 4.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 6.

Second quarter-final and Group stage. Greece v Canada. 2.00 Manifest. 3.00 Rainbow Country.

3.30 Bondi Vet. 4.30 My Favorite Martian. 5.00 Animal Tales.

9GEM

6.00 Stephen (52) Colbert. 7.00 King Of Queens. 8.00 Becker. 9.00 Rules Of Engagement. 10.00 The Middle. 10.30 Frasier.

11.30 King Of Queens. 12.30 Becker. 1.30 NBL Slam. 2.00 The Big Bang Theory. 2.30 Rules Of Engagement. 3.30 The Neighborhood. 4.30 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Neighbours. 7.00 The Big Bang Theory. 8.30 Two And A Half Men. 10.00 Rules Of Engagement. 11.00 Frasier.

12.00 Shopping. 1.30 Late Programs.

7MATE

Kids’ Programs.

(82) 6.00 10.30 Pokémon Ultimate Journeys. 11.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 11.30 Bakugan. 12.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. Day 4. 6.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. Night 4. 11.00 MOVIE: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) 1.10 Under The Dome. 2.05 Life After Lockup. 3.00 Bakugan.

3.30 Beyblade Burst Surge. 4.00 Transformers: Cyberverse. 4.30 Ninjago: Crystalized. 5.00 Pokémon Journeys. 5.30 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens.

PEACH

9GO!

Home Shopping.

(53) 6.00 8.00 Luxury Escapes.

8.30 Diagnosis Murder. 9.30 Jake And The Fatman. 10.30 JAG. 12.30 Star Trek: Voyager.

2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull.

8.30 NCIS. 9.25 Hawaii Five-0.

10.20 NCIS: Hawai’i. 11.15 A Million Little Things.

12.15 Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder.

4.05 JAG.

BOLD

We’re always on the lookout for news.

Contact us on 5723 0113 or edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au

Page 24 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

TARRAWINGEE FIRE 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Honouring the fallen in horrendous 1943 blaze

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER and RYAN MALCOLM

REMEMBERING THE 10 WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

E

Godfrey Spencer, 53, school teacher, Wangaratta Andrew Joseph Guthrie, 45, farm manager, Tarrawingee John Wolstenholme Marks, 29, farmer, Markwood Arthur Willesley Wellington, 46, farmer, Markwood Theodore Luke Lea, 32, foreman Huttons Bacon Factory, Wangaratta Joseph Louis Ryan, 38, postal linesman, Wangaratta Edward Laurence Seymour, 33, telephone linesman, Wangaratta Norman John Robinson, 49, postal linesman, Wangaratta Kevin Dunkley, 14, schoolboy, Londrigan Henry Claude, 14, schoolboy, East Wangaratta

ighty years on from the horrific grassfires which claimed the lives of 10 local volunteer firefighters near Tarrawingee, their sacrifice continued to live long in the memories of those who celebrated their bravery last week.

Around 100 people gathered last Friday for a service at the Great Alpine Road monument erected in honour of Godfrey Spencer, Andrew Guthrie, John Marks, Arthur Wellington Theodore Lea, Joseph Ryan, Edward Seymour, Norman Robinson and schoolboys Kevin Dunkley and Henry Claude Hill (both 14), who perished after the fire turned south towards Tarrawingee on December 22, 1943.

John and Jan Lewis, formerly of Wangaratta but now residing in Wodonga, were among family members who sat in the shade, resting a large floral wreath they would later lay at the memorial in honour of John’s mum's brother, Kevin Dunkley.

The 14-year-old was watching the fire with his mother at their Londrigan property, and with his dad moving sheep to evade the danger, the 14-year-old jumped on the back of a truck laden with 44 gallon water drums, intent to help keep hessian bags wet for men to fight the fire.

"He just wanted to do his bit," said John.

"Days like today remain important so we never forget the sacrifice Kevin, and the nine others made."

Country Fire Authority chief officer, Jason Heffernan, told those present at the service that the CFA honoured the memory of the 10 fallen heroes by working tirelessly to keeping communities across the state safe, and continuing to learn from tragedies of the past so they won't be repeated.

Sixty year veteran of the Tarrawingee CFA brigade, Graeme Norman - considered the leading luminary on the 1943 tragedy vividly painted a picture of what unfolded on the afternoon of December 22, 1943, after the blaze was first spotted at Bowser around 4.30pm.

In horrendously hot conditions that had the bitumen roads bubbling, strong winds whipped the fire at lightening speed across the 100 per cent cured pastures and grassland.

Volunteers from Wangaratta and the local districts - some armed with knapsacks and others tree branches - tried to quell the flames, and helped save more than one home, but the fire front was growing in size and intensity.

Mr Norman said three trucks and those aboard tried to head the fire off at Petticoat Lane, but the fire split into two fronts and they "copped it", engulfed by smoke and flames, with one of the trucks stuck in a table drain and occupants doing what they could - hiding behind logs and trees, fleeing on foot - but unfortunately to no avail.

TIME FOR REFLECTION: Around 100 people assembled at the monument on the Great Alpine Road to remember the 10 brave souls who lost their lives, and the many others impacted by the horrendous grassfire on December 22, 1943.

PHOTOS: Jeff Zeuschner

FOR KEVIN: John and Jan Lewis attended and laid a wreath in honour of 14-year-old Kevin Dunkley, who was John’s mum’s brother.

Amid the horror and bravery, tales of survival did emerge, with injured souls ferried by any and all means to the local hospital, and the Red Cross in Melbourne dispensing an emergency supply of blood serum which arrived by car within three hours, helping save several people's lives.

Mr Norman said in the immediate aftermath the Premier visited and promised new fire trucks and the Victorian Governor visited all the families, and that $18,500 pounds was raised in a relief fund, and locals donated $160 pounds to build the existing monument near the tragedy.

Marya Spencer, the great granddaughter of Godfrey Spencer, travelled from her home in New Zealand to attend the service.

Herself a member of the Mangatangi Volunteer Fire Brigade, she spoke about Godfrey's war service in World War One and his commitment to the local community.

D

REMEMBERING: CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan addressed the large crowd (below) at last Friday’s service.

espite being unable to attend last Friday’s service for his grandfather (Godfrey Spencer) and his nine colleagues, Wodonga’s Bruce Gregory said he had shown his appreciation for their heroic act in the days prior to the service.

“I actually visited the site on December 16 because there was a huge storm which went through and there was a lot of trash which was around there,” he said.

“I cleaned some of it away from the site at the time, and there was

FLORAL TRIBUTE: Wangaratta Group official Lachie Gales and junior firefighter Kayla Jose were among those to lay a wreath.

a bit of rubbish had been blown around.

“I’m very proud of my family – there are other family members that we have that are involved in firefighting and have been, and I’m proud of them for doing that and it takes a huge effort.”

Mr Gregory, who is related to the late firefighter through his mother’s side, said he had never met his grandfather but had heard stories about his excellence as a woodwork teacher in Wangaratta.

He said his family had

befriended property owners near where the Tarrawingee monument still stands, and had spent significant time in the area as a young person.

“I was always told he was a very good tradesman – we’ve got a lot of furniture which he’d made still today and they’re beautiful pieces – he’s obviously been an excellent tradesperson,” Mr Gregory said of his grandfather.

“He was obviously brave getting out on the fire truck – we weren’t told too much about that side of it, but I believe it was a voluntary service before the CFA basically, that it was pretty rough and ready and I was told about what the truck didn’t have.

“It was basically just a farm truck with pretty ordinary facility really to be fighting any sort of fire.

“It’s a connection to that part of the world (Tarrawingee), even though I don’t live in Wangaratta anymore – my cousins have spent time there and there’s definitely a family connection.”

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 25

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IN PERSON BY PHONE BY EMAIL 37 Rowan Street, classifieds@ 5723 0101 Wangaratta nemedia.com.au 3677

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We would like to wish all our advertisers and readers a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!

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DOG TRAINER, Frank Vickers, behavioural solutions, 0418 314 610.

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attributes, and motivation you would bring to this role.

Application close on 03 January 2024.

EMPLOYMENT

ACCOMMODATION available in Springhurst and Wangaratta, ideal for holiday or room rentals. Ph 0428 217 493.

HOLIDAY house in Ocean Grove, available for rent for selected dates in January and from February 2024 onwards Contact Leanne 0403 386 945.

GARAGE SALES GARAGE/MOVING sale, 7 Wood Court, Wangaratta, Saturday, December 30, 9am-4pm, Sunday, December 31, 9am-2pm, household items, cupboards, plants, shed items, a few antiques, tubs, make an offer, all must go.

M OV I N G h o u s e , vintage furniture, established plants in large pots, bric-a-brac, tools, 43 Evans Street, Saturday, December 30, 8am - 2pm.

TAMMY 20’s BUSTY CURVY PASSION GFE

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ANGEL! New to Wangaratta Sweet lady, slim and sexy No rush

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Page 26 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

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EMPLOYMENT

Galen Catholic College

Our Vision is to provide pathways for all to succeed based on their individual gifts and talents. Join our amazing team of educators and a professional environment that is passionate, collegial and focused on learning for all.

We are currently seeking applicants for the following ongoing position for 2024:

#ûÝõåğâʇ}ʨÀâÊěʇɜ ʨěğʇȤʇɨʇȞȟɣ Applications close on Wednesday 10th January, 12pm.

For further details on how to apply please visit our website âŕĘğɋɖɖĿĿĿɉݨõÊûɉľåÀɉÊÆīɉ¨īɖÊúĘõāŅúÊûĦɖ Our school community promotes the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children.

Galen Catholic College embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

ݨõÊûɉľåÀɉÊÆīɉ¨īʇʇʇɓʇʇʇoɘʇȝȠʇȢȤȟȞʇȣȠȟȟ

EMPLOYMENT

DEATH NOTICES BURROWES, George Marshall

Assessment Transition Coordinator - Full Time, Ongoing Earns $74,580 $90,558 plus superannuation We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team at Beechworth Correctional Centre, a minimum-security prison for men with a focus on preparing offenders for their release back into the community.

using the approved CV assessment instrument, facilitates the parole application processes including liaison with the Adult Parole Board and Community Correctional Services and provides a range of support and services to assist prisoners to transition into, through and out of prison.

This position will require direct prisoner contact.

As our ideal candidate, you will possess: t

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Passed away peacefully at Harbourside Haven Shoal Bay on December 23, 2023.

Aged 97 years.

Loving wife of Bill (dec).

Loved mother of Elizabeth, John, Pam, Michael, Paul and partners.

Previous Nanny of 14 and Great Nanny of 14.

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The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications.

CARMODY, Margaret.

The Assessment and Transition Coordinator undertakes prisoner risk assessments

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GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

“Pompey”.

29/3/1933 – 23/12/2023 Beloved husband of Pam. Loved father and father-in-law of Peter and Rita, Ian and Michelle, and Gary and Roz. Adored grandfather to 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

7( %&$ PS DPOUBDU 4IFSZM .JUTDI BU 4IFSZM .JUTDI!KVTUJDF WJD HPW BV Applications should include a resume and cover letter that details the skills, attributes, and motivation you would bring to this role.

CARMODY, Marg.

Dearly loved and respected friend of Gwen and Colin, Loving Nanny of Beau and Great Nanny of Annabelle.

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication classifieds@nemedia.com.au

Phone: 03 5723 0101

Reunited with Bill.

"QQMJDBUJPO DMPTF PO +BOVBSZ

Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.

Central Vic – Concrete Site Maintenance – COSM006 Wangaratta – Concrete Truck Driver – WACC002 Shepparton – Concrete Cartage CONTRACTOR – CCSSHEP011 Berrigan – Quarry Operator – FUZQ001 Shepparton – Concrete Truck Driver – SHEP006 Cohuna – Asset Maintenance & Support Co-ordinator – TRAA001 Wangaratta – CONTRACT Concrete Cartage Services – CCSWANG04 Deniliquin Region – CONTRACT Concrete Cartage Services – CCSDENI03 Deniliquin – Concrete Truck Driver – DENI003 Bendigo – Concrete Truck Driver – BEND004

www.mawsons.com.au/careers/join-us

Food & Domestic Assistants Permanent Part Time – 0.70 EFT Contract Casual Contracts available ÂʽĬȤǶ̹ơƚύ ɡɡȟ Casual Contract For further information please contact Belinda Achammer, Essential Dining Experience Supervisor - (03)5728 0273 Endorsed Enrolled Nurses (Level 2) Permanent Part Time Contracts available.

Registered Nurses Casual Contracts available For further information please contact Angela Clement, Director Clinical Services - (03)5728 0316

WHITE Ford Futura Sedan 2004, as is, motor goes well, auto, needs work, alloy rims , unregis te re d, (6F9AAAJG 4.6 Fibre Glass boat/ SW4E51127), $1200 trailer, 70hp Yamaha, very little use, all ono. Ph 0418 582 938 safety gear, new seats, awning, paint and gel coat, totally refurbished, new transom, GPS, CARAVANS & S o u n d e r, $ 11 , 9 0 0 .

CAMPERS Ph 0407 161 665.

JAYCO Sterling 2013, 22ft, (V71417) with sway control, immaculate condition, slide out queen bed, ensuite with washing machine, large dining area with leather seating, full annex and verandah, new tyres, and a new awning with led lighting, a full service one year ago and lots of extras, $45,300.

Ph 0438 511 958.

HIGH GROVE BERRY FARM Pick your own berries!

Open daily 8am-4pm.

Mt Stanley Rd, Stanley Ph (03) 5728 6526 EŽ ŌƉŽƐ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ͘

FREE shed 30ftx22ft approx, need all the g a l l i n e t a ke awa y, 5ftx4ft approx bird ave r y f r e e , 7 f t x 7 f t approx fernery free.

Phone 0484 297 122.

PEERLESS Air Compressor, Honda Motor with retractable air hose, 12 months old, $2000. Ph 0400 652 622.

If you don't use it...

Find us on Facebook ĨŽƌ ƵƉĚĂƚĞƐ͘

9/7/1936 – 20/12/2023 Late of Wangaratta.

Dearly loved husband of Maree (dec) for 38 years.

Much loved father of Nick and Julie.

Father-in-law of Larry and Jo. Cherished Poppy to Bec, Josh and Ben. A full life well lived, now reunited with his true love.

COE, David Russell.

COE, David Russell.

Son of Arthur and Mary Coe, brother of Jean Ryan and Shirley Thomas, brother-in-law of Lex and Tassy (all dec).

Remembered with DৼHFWLRQ E\ WKHLU families.

Much loved and cherished Uncle of Christine, friend to Robert, Great Uncle of Adam, Christopher, Matthew, and Angela.

His strength and determination is admired by us all.

Our love and sympathy to Nick, Julie and families.

HONEY, Val “Billie”.

FOR SALE

ȤɡʡǶɃǒύ$ĬʭơʡΈύώ̀͊Θ̀͂Θ͈̈́̀̈́ Application instructions can be found on our website As we are an Aged Care Facility, the COVID 19 vaccinations, ƒɡɡʡʭơʉύ̂ĬƓƓǶɃĬʭǶɡɃύĬɃƚύ^Ƀ̺ʽơɃ̱ĬύǶȽȽʽɃǶʡĬʭǶɡɃύǶʡύ ȽĬɃƚĬʭɡʉ̉ύǐɡʉύĬȤȤύʡʭĬ̶Άύ ύƓɡʄ̉ύɡǐύ̉ɡʽʉύ̂ĬƓƓǶɃĬʭǶɡɃύʡʭĬʭʽʡύ ǶʡύʉơʇʽǶʉơƚύʽʄɡɃύĬʄʄȤǶƓĬʭǶɡɃΆύ ȤȤύʡʭĬ̶ύ̃ǧɡύ̃ɡʉȟύǶɃύɡʽʉύ ʉơʡǶƚơɃʭǶĬȤύĬǒơƚύƓĬʉơύʽɃǶʭʡύĬȤʡɡύʉơʇʽǶʉơύĬύƓʽʉʉơɃʭύ $^ÔύƓǧơƓȟ

Sell it!

To apply and for full details on the positions, please log on to: www.beechworthhealthservice.com.au

Chronicle Classifieds get results.

5723 0101

Emailyouradvert______________classifieds@nemedia.com.au

COE, David Russell.

26/5/1930 – 23/12/2023 Passed away peacefully.

Loved wife of Henry Honey (dec).

Loving mother of Neil, Ann (dec), Dawn (dec) and families.

Adored grandmother and great-grandmother.

Loved by all.

classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 27

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DEATH NOTICES McNUFF, Karen Joy. 11/2/1963 – 21/12/2023 Late of Wangaratta and formerly of Urana.

Passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Loving partner of Garry.

Loving mother and mother-in-law to Jody and Jason, Adam and Cindy, Stacey and Ben. Proud Nan of Caleb, Cody, Deacon, Jamie, Ryley, Aiden, Emily, Mia and Timmy. $ WUXH ¿JKWHU WR WKH YHU\ HQG )RUHYHU LQ RXU KHDUWV :H ZLOO UHPHPEHU WKH JRRG WLPHV

McNUFF, Karen.

Forever in our hearts.

Much loved and adored sister and sister-in-law to Eileen and Rob. Because someone we love is in heaven, There is a little bit of heaven in our home.

We may have lost our sister, but we have gained an Angel.

MCNUFF, Karen.

Remembering times on the farm at Urana as kids, brings a smile to my face and happiness to my heart.

You fought so hard to stay with the ones you loved.

Gone to soon.

Rest in peace my dear cousin.

- Noelene Allan and family.

SAUNDERS, Julia

“Joan”.

Passed away at St Catherine’s Hostel, Wangaratta, on Monday, December 25, 2023.

Aged 86 years.

Loving wife of Noel.

Loved Mum of Alan, Greg and Buster.

Adored Nanna of 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Always loved.

Always remembered.

SEYMOUR, Joan Lorraine.

Passed away at Cobram Hospital on Monday, December 18, 2023.

Aged 83 years.

Loving mother of Laurence, Rodney, Shelley and Anissa-Dee. Sister of Desmond.

So dearly loved, so sadly missed.

As per Joan’s wishes a private cremation has taken place.

FUNERAL NOTICES

BURROWES A graveside funeral service to honour the OLIH RI 0DUVKDOO ZLOO EH KHOG DW :KLWH¿HOG &HPHWHU\ :DQJDUDWWD :KLW¿HOG 5RDG DQG &HPHWHU\ /DQH :KLW¿HOG DW DP RQ Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

COE

The funeral service for Mr David Russell Coe will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Thursday, January 4, 2024 commencing at 10.30am.

A private cremation will follow. ,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV D GRQDWLRQ FDQ EH PDGH online in memory of David to Camp Quality at www.campquality.org.au/ David’s service can be viewed via Livestream at www.masonpark.com.au/live-streaming/

The only family owned funeral home in Wangaratta Proud Member of Australian Funeral Directors Association

John & Christine Haddrick

5722 2525

A funeral experience... not just a funeral service

Mason Park Funerals

P. 03 5721 5060 W. masonpark.com.au All Hours

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Emailyouradvert classifieds@nemedia.com.au

HONEY A funeral service to honour the life of Val will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at North East Funerals, 184 Greta Road Wangaratta commencing at 1pm.

A private cremation will follow the service.

McNUFF The funeral service to celebrate the life of .DUHQ -R\ 0F1X൵ ZLOO EH KHOG LQ WKH 0DVRQ Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta TODAY )ULGD\ 'HFHPEHU FRPPHQFLQJ DW SP 3ULYDWH FUHPDWLRQ ZLOO IROORZ ,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV D GRQDWLRQ PDGH LQ PHPRU\ RI .DUHQ WR WKH 1RUWKHDVW +HDOWK 3DOOLDWLYH &DUH WHDP ZRXOG EH JUHDWO\ DSSUHFLDWHG 'RQDWLRQV FDQ EH PDGH RQOLQH DW ZZZ JLYHQRZ FRP DX QKZ

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SAUNDERS

The funeral service for Mrs Joan Saunders will be held in the Mason Park Chapel, 95 Mason Street, Wangaratta on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 2pm.

A private cremation will follow.

BRETHERTON

FUNERAL NOTICES

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

The family of the late Arthur Bretherton would like to thank all those who have sent their love and support over the past few weeks.

Personal Notices may be placed before 2pm the business day prior to publication classifieds@nemedia.com.au Phone: 03 5723 0101

Your award winning local newspaper is also available as a digital edition.

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Golden start for OVU’s ‘Gosi’

Former Blue lands at WJ Findlay Oval

SPORT

OVENS Valley United’s Canadian import Gurjot Gosal is having a blast playing cricket down under.

The off-spinner has featured in just six matches in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association’s A grade competition, but has already made a major impact.

‘Gosi’, as he’s affectionately known around the club, sits in the top five wicket-takers in the A grade at the halfway point of the season, having taken 15 poles at an average of 12.20, with best figures of 4/31.

His economy rate is a similarly spectacular 1.96, with his 80 overs bowled only going for 157 runs, boasting 22 maiden overs.

Gosal said the bouncier Australian wickets had really helped him take batters down.

“With me being an offspinner, bounce is really helping, which I believe is making batters here struggle with the bat,” he said.

“It’s easier to play when the ball’s turning, but it’s harder to play when it’s bouncing too much, that’s what I feel.

“I’ve been doing well with the ball, but not so much with the bat – it was good to have some runs on the board before going into the break.

“It was good to be back on the winners’ list, we had a really rough patch when the twoday stuff came on, but it’s good to take that winning momentum into the next year.”

Coming into a new club, let alone in a new country, is always a daunting prospect, but Gosal said the Tigers had welcomed him with open arms.

“The club is amazing, everyone here treats me like family, the guys are amazing,” he said.

“We all go out after games, it’s kind of like an after-game ritual, we go down to the pub.

“It’s been really hot, but

BY NATHAN DE VRIES

■ From back page

ndevries@ nemedia.com.au

the boys keep telling me ‘this is nothing, mate, you have to wait until its plus 40’, which I’m not looking forward to at all.

“There have been times where I’ve been standing in slips getting a cramp but I don’t show it so Dylan (Bursill, A grade captain) won’t take me out of the bowling.

“It started off great and still is going great, and I believe it will be the same when we get to the second half.”

The Tigers sit 6.5 points clear on top of the one day ladder at the midpoint of the season, but sit on the bottom of the two-day competition following a string of collapses facing the red ball.

Regardless, Gosal feels the team has what it takes to launch a compelling campaign in both formats.

“It was good to be back on the winners’ list, we had a really rough patch when the two-day stuff came on, but it’s good to take that winning momentum into the next year,” he said.

“I personally haven’t played enough two-day cricket or red ball cricket, so the boys have been helping me a lot with how you should take the game forward with bat and ball.

“I think the second half of the season’s going to be a great half of the season for us, we’re looking to be in the grand final for the one-dayers for sure, but hopefully we can be in the grand final for the whole thing.”

The A grade season will resume on Saturday, January 6, with the Tigers taking on Rovers United Bruck at WJ Findlay Oval.

SPIN TO WIN: Gurjot Gosal will play a major part in the Tigers’ premiership aspirations in 2024.

PHOTO: Janet Watt

“I still wanted to stick to a high level of football and get the best out of myself.

“My AFL careers over but I want to be playing the best level of footy I can.”

O’Brien said he’s keen to jump back in to country football.

“In terms of the week to week commitments of AFL I’m looking forward to taking a bit of a step back,” he said.

“When you’re a fringe player like I was this year it can be tough having to train and play while stressing about whether or not you’re going to get picked or keep your job.

“It’ll be good to enjoy my football without the stress which I’m sure will lead to playing well.”

Despite still living in Melbourne, O’Brien said he’s looking forward to throwing himself into life at the Hawks.

“Being contracted at Carlton next year has sort of worked out well in the end,” he said.

“I can now focus on getting my university degree done and it will also give me the freedom to get up to Wangaratta on a Thursday night.

“I want to make sure I do my part at the club and get to know everyone.”

The signing of O’Brien continues a busy off-season at WJ Findlay Oval.

The Hawks have signed Essendon District Football League club captains Samuel Cattapan and Xavier Allison, along with Essendon VFL forward John Jorgensen and former Myrtleford ruckman Tom McDonagh.

O&K fixture locked in, season to start on Good Friday

LOCKED IN: The O&K season will kick off on March 29 with the grand final to be played on September 14.

THE Bank WAW Ovens and King Football Netball League has officially released it’s 2024 fixture that will no doubt compliment a fantastic finals series that occurred in 2023, with big crowds returning to the football and netball after a challenging few years.

The 2024 season will kick off on Good Friday, March 29, which will shine a spot light on some of the league’s key Easter weekend matches such as Moyhu hosting Greta and the 2023 premiers Bonnie Doon hosting Benalla on Good Friday, while the holiday makers in the Valley will see King Valley host Milawa and a big crowd will swarm to Pioneer Park to see Bright take on Tarrawingee, both games on Easter Saturday.

With a weekly bye, and considerations around club preferences and neighbouring league fixtures, the fixture is

always one of the more challenging aspects of running the league.

“Every year there are challenges and as a league we do our best to ensure that clubs receive a fair and balanced fixture, while taking into account complexities of the Easter round, a weekly bye, and neighbouring league fixtures,” outgoing OKFNL League Manager Pranav Menon said.

“With 11 clubs, playing 18 games across a 20-week fixture, it is not always possible to accommodate a consistent home and away fixture, however, we have done our best to provide all clubs with a fair and equitable outcome.”

The OKFNL have maintained similar timeframes for their season, with the finals series scheduled to start on August 24 and the league’s showpiece event scheduled for the September 14.

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 29

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Page 30 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

 Res Hartwig

 Leon Quartermain

Tennis

Bowls January Wednesday, January 4 Vale Rex Hartwig THE tennis world is mourning the loss of local legend Rex Hartwig, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 30, at 93 years of age.

Fondly known as ‘Wrecker’ for his powerhouse volley prowess and sublime ground strokes, Hartwig represented Australia in three Davis Cup teams, and won four grand slam doubles titles and two grand slam mixed doubles championships from 19531955.

Friday, January 6 Two-dayer test WITH Christmas well in the rear-view mirror, cricketers are back in the nets preparing for two-day cricket to return to the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association.

For the first time since the 2020/21 season, A grade and A reserve cricketers will play matches over two weekends, with a cracker of a match between A grade top of the table squads Wangaratta Magpies and Rovers United Bruck scheduled for the Wangaratta Showgrounds tomorrow.

Friday, January 13 Rovers’ massive recruit

Friday, January 20 Mouthwatering clash

Friday, January 27 Christie returns home

WANGARATTA Rovers have signed talented VFL big man Daniel Hughes.

The 195cm ruckman/forward has joined the Hawks for the 2023 season after a two year stint at the Northern Bullants.

YARRAWONGA Mulwala will be looking to find themselves in second place after this round’s two-day clash with Wangaratta Magpies.

After round 11, the Lakers find themselves just three points behind the second placed Magpies with a chance to leapfrog their opponents.

TALENTED ruckman Will Christie will return home to Wangaratta Rovers after a two year stint at Bell Park in the Geelong Football Netball League.

The 201cm rising star has signed on at the Hawks for two years but will juggle VFL commitments with Geelong.

Monday, January 16 Magpies hold on IT was a nail-biting finish at the Norm Minns Oval on Saturday, as the first twoday match of the A grade season came to a head between Wangaratta Magpies and Rovers United Bruck.

The Magpies began the day on 3/29 chasing 96 for victory, and passed the total in the 59th over after losing eight wickets.

Wednesday, January 18 Rye Gift success BELLA Pasquali has stamped herself as one to watch leading into the Wangaratta Sports Carnival and Stawell Gift meets after victory in the 120 metre women’s Rye Gift last weekend.

Pasquali ran off a handicap of 7.25 to win with a time of 13.852 ahead of Halle Martin and Kiara Reddingius.

Monday, January 23 Terrific Tigers OVENS Valley United’s A grade squad fired back from last week’s near-outright loss in a major way, securing a result over City Colts on the first day of their scheduled WDCA two-day match at Barr 2 on Saturday.

The Colts were bowled out for 104 in the 44th over, with Ovens Valley sitting at 3/132 at stumps.

Wednesday, January 25 Tarra’s top Dogs TWO Bulldogs stalwarts will lead the senior side for the upcoming Ovens and King season, with Danyon Hearne and Evan Benton stepping up to share the load at the Kennel.

Tarrawingee locked in the replacement structure for outgoing coach Xavier Norden before Christmas.

Monday, January 9 ‘Pies’ quicks disturb RUB NORM Minns Oval was wreaking havoc for batters on Saturday.

In the first two day round for the season, it was a low scoring affair between last year’s WDCA A grade grand finalists Wangaratta Magpies and Rovers United Bruck, with the away side being bundled out for just 95 after 51 overs.

Monday, January 30 Gift’s photo finish THE 102nd running of the Wangaratta Men’s Gift couldn’t be decided by the naked eye Saturday night, with just nine hundredths of a second separating winner Matt Rizzo from training partner Jack Newman in a thrilling finish.

The backmarker of the race off 3.25m, pre-race favourite Rizzo stormed home in the final 25m to clock 12.429 and snatch what looked like certain victory for Newman (8.00m) with third placed runner Jack Lacey (8.25m) not far behind.

February Wednesday, February 1 Roos future cloudy THE future of the CorowaRutherglen Football Netball Club remains in doubt with the club calling a crisis meeting of members and supporters for tomorrow night.

The Ovens and Murray Roos released a statement yesterday afternoon saying the club was “entering a period of unprecedented uncertainty ahead of the 2023 Ovens & Murray Season”.

Friday, February 3 Racing says thanks

Wednesday, January 11 Magnificent comeback SUNDAY saw scenes of fortitude and incredible courage at the Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre, where the Wangaratta Warriors women’s basketball team came back from a 9-22 first quarter deficit to take the win by five points over Albury Cougars.

The Cougars, currently second on the ladder, came out with intent as Albury’s Tahli Smith (20 points for the match) opened her account.

Football  STAR-STRUCK: Young Saints supporters Rex Purtle and Abel Lewis were lucky enough to meet a couple of their heroes Tuesday afternoon at the Wangaratta Showgrounds in rising stars Nick Coffield and Max King. The Saints ran a clinic for local young footballers, with photo chances and signings galore.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

For news, results, events & information

AFL North East Border

AFTER a tough few years of COVID-19, lockdowns and now flooding in recent times, the Wangaratta Turf Club and Country Racing Victoria will get the opportunity to reward the community.

As part of the Country Racing Says Thanks initiative, the broader community, town leaders, SES, volunteers, frontline workers and individuals will be thanked for their tireless efforts.

Monday, February 6 Runs are on the board WANGARATTA Magpies are well

placed to take another win in the A grade following a positive performance from their top order batters, setting Benalla Bushrangers a total of 199 for victory at the Norm Minns Oval on Saturday.

In overcast conditions, the Magpies won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision which seemed to backfire after Cooper Matheson top edged one to midwicket for just three runs.

Wednesday, February 8 Flown the nest WANGARATTA Rovers’ consistent talent Raven Jolliffe will leave WJ Findlay Oval ahead of season 2023 to join Hume League premiers Holbrook.

After four years and 47 games in the gold and brown, the 2022 Bob Rose Medallist will ply his trade closer to his home and family.

Friday, February 10 Danger liaisons ONE of the AFL’s most popular and best players will speak in Wangaratta tonight.

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield will be running a sportsman’s night at Wangaratta Rovers.

The Brownlow Medallist will start the night taking the thirds players for training, followed by addressing the senior group before taking centre stage.

Monday, February 13 ‘Pies win outright THE first outright victory in the WDCA A grade competition was completed in stunning scenes at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday, as Wangaratta Magpies ran right over the top of Benalla Bushrangers with the ball.

Defending 198 runs, the Magpies executed perfectly with the ball, knocking over the Bushrangers for just 18 from 65 deliveries before claiming another 10 wickets for 47 runs.

Wednesday, February 15 Phillips joins Rovers WANGARATTA Rovers have secured the services of another social media superstar.

Just months after signing Tom Baulch (Prime Train), the Hawks have brought in Baulch’s housemate Louis Phillips who crosses from Kyneton in the Bendigo Football Netball League.

www.aflneb.com.au @AFLNEB

@AFLNEB

Wangaratta Sports Development Centre, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta Ph: 03 5722 1993 | Wodonga Ph: 02 6056 1993

THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023 - Page 31

wangarattachronicle.com.au

 Super Suparaz

Golf

 JUBILEE GOLFERS: (L-R) Ray Hyland, Greg Hogan and Jeff Hemphill

March

Friday, February 17 Surrey’s 200 not out BEECHWORTH Wanderers stalwart Brenton Surrey will bring up his 200th senior match for the club this weekend and mark himself as one the finest servants of the club.

After growing up in Beechworth and working his way through the grades, Surrey shifted to the Wangaratta Magpies when the Wanderers dropped out of A grade, where he won three two day premierships in four years.

Monday, February 20 Menon’s the master HISTORY was made at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday, as Pranav Menon smashed the ninth highest innings ever recorded in WDCA A grade cricket with a glorious knock of 198 runs.

Menon’s innings helped the Magpies to a very healthy total of 4/315 at the end of their 75 overs.

Wednesday, February 22 Country Week victory COUNTRY Week tennis has wrapped up in Yarrawonga for the six Wangaratta men’s teams that tried their hands against the state’s best.

It was a relatively successful week for all teams with the A grade, Special B1 and one of the C2 teams making finals but it was Wangaratta Legionnaires in C2 who ran away with the chocolates.

Friday, February 24 Spectacular Sienna WANGARATTA’S Sienna Sims is on top of the world after her unbeaten 152* knock secured Carlton a spot in the Kookaburra Women’s Premier Thirds grand final this Sunday.

Sims came in at 2/32 in Carlton’s semifinal against Essendon Maribyrnong Park last Sunday, and proceeded to clobber 152 runs from 102 deliveries, striking at 149 in an innings which included 24 fours.

Monday, February 27 RUB’s Pienaar does it all ROVERS United Bruck’s import Koot Pienaar carried his side to a crushing outright victory over Delatite on Saturday, backing up a century with a five-wicket haul.

The Hawks resumed their innings at 0/139 with the result already secured and made it to 3/205 before declaring, and bowled Delatite out for 110.

Wednesday, March 1 Bound for Bushies A CROP of nine up-and-coming stars from Wangaratta’s two O&M football clubs have been picked in the Murray Bushrangers under 18 boys squad for the upcoming Coates Talent League, formerly the NAB League.

Joe Berry (Wangaratta Magpies), Harrison Hewitt (Wangaratta Magpies), Charley Holland-Dean (Wangaratta Magpies), Xavier Laverty (Wangaratta Magpies), Charles Ledger (Wangaratta Rovers), Will McCarthy (Wangaratta Rovers), Joshua Tweedale (Wangaratta Magpies), Darcy Wilson (Wangaratta Rovers), and Daniel Young (Wangaratta Magpies) have all earned selection in the 51-man squad.

Friday, March 3 Unchanged fixture THE Ovens and Murray’s fixture will not be altered after the exit of the CorowaRutherglen Football Netball Club.

It was announced on Monday that after a vote among the Roos community, the club would not field any senior football sides, while they will not have an A and B grade netball team in a bid to return bigger and better in 2024.

Monday, March 6 Yarra’s Wonderful Wheeler A CHANCELESS knock from Yarrawonga Mulwala’s Harrison Wheeler got the Lakers to a competitive total of 183 in their clash with ladder leaders Rovers United Bruck at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.

Wheeler belted 90 from 170 deliveries to mount a strong case against the Hawks in the last match before the finals.

Horse Racing

Friday, March 10 A knife’s edge

Friday, March 17 Lakers’ big blow

YARRAWONGA Mulwala has the chance to attack finals with confidence by downing the reigning premiers tomorrow.

Rovers United Bruck will resume at 1/6 at WJ Findlay Oval, chasing 184 for victory to claim this season’s minor premiership.

YARRAWONGA Mulwala have been dealt a massive blow on the eve of their all-important semi-final clash against Wangaratta Magpies.

Fresh off taking a match winning five wicket haul against Rovers United Bruck last weekend, Corey McIntosh has been handed a one match suspension for an abusive language charge.

Monday, March 13 Yarra’ on the rise YARRAWONGA Mulwala sent a message to the rest of the A grade WDCA finalists that they mean business after downing last season’s premiers Rovers United Bruck (RUB) by 48 runs at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.

Resuming at 1/6 chasing 184 for the win, RUB power hitter Koot Pienaar failed to fire, dismissed for nine runs off the bowling of Corey McIntosh.

Wednesday, March 15 Brilliant Brisbourne BEN Brisbourne enjoyed a stellar weekend of racing, coming away with three winners.

Brisbourne kicked Saturday off with Bromeo ($1.40) win his maiden in in race four at Corowa, followed by Elveena ($4.60) giving her trainer back-to-back Towong Cups.

Monday, March 20 Hawks and ‘Pies succeed in semis THE Wangaratta and District Cricket Association A grade grand final will be fought out between rivals Rovers United Bruck and Wangaratta Magpies, after a tense weekend of semi-final cricket action.

Wangaratta Magpies relied heavily on their bowling to secure a win against Yarrawonga Mulwala, while a gutsy half-century and a wagging tail delivered Rovers United Bruck a semi-final victory against Ovens Valley United.

Wednesday, March 22 Devils two from two WANGARATTA City is officially rolling.

The Devils made it back-to-back wins to start the season on Sunday, downing Albury City 3-1 at South Wangaratta Reserve.

 WDCA 2023 Premiers - Rovers Untied Bruck Cricket Cub

Stoycho Ivanov put the first goal on the board for his side in the third minute and then Dan Kelly followed slotting two goals in the 10th and 45th minutes.

Friday, March 24 Hell Queen ready BEN Brisbourne’s Hell Queen will take her place in tomorrow’s group three TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200) at Flemington.

Fresh off winning her maiden by a whopping three and a half lengths at Bendigo last start, the two-year-old filly has drawn barrier 10 and has been quoted a $4.40 second favourite in the $200,000 race.

Monday, March 27 RUB go back-to-back ROVERS United Bruck (RUB) are premiers of the WDCA once again, taking out the Geoff Welch Shield by six wickets over arch rivals Wangaratta Magpies for the second consecutive year.

Resuming at 4/41 chasing a total of 85 for victory, Blake Nixon and Paddy McNamara showed nerves of steel on Sunday to guide their team to just its second premiership since its merger without losing another wicket.

Wednesday, March 29 ‘Pies’ flag stripped WANGARATTA has sensationally been stripped of its 2022 Ovens and Murray premiership after being found guilty of breaching the Allowable Player Payment Rules.

The O&M advised a special board meeting was held Monday night to address the recent sanctions handed down by the AFLNEB disciplinary committee to the Wangaratta FNC in relation to salary cap breaches.

Wednesday, March 8 No numbers crunch

Friday, March 31 Home double-header

THE Ovens and King Football Netball League remains buoyant at the prospect of a full 2023 season in both seniors and reserves football competitions.

Numbers across multiple codes of community sport were of concern following the COVID pandemic and subsequent complications, however, an uninterrupted and seemingly ‘back to normal’ 2022 season seems to have stabilised participation numbers in the O&K.

MURRAY Bushrangers are in for a massive double-header tomorrow when both the girls and boys teams clash with Northern Knights at Norm Minns Oval.

The Bushrangers’ girls will be looking to put a tough 69-point loss to Sydney Swans Academy behind them, while the boys will want to bounce back from a 37-point defeat to Gippsland at Morwell in their season opener.  April, May and June Sports Year In Review in Wednesday, January 3 edition

For news, results, events & information

AFL North East Border

Cricket

www.aflneb.com.au @AFLNEB

@AFLNEB

Wangaratta Sports Development Centre, Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta Ph: 03 5722 1993 | Wodonga Ph: 02 6056 1993

Page 32 - THE CHRONICLE, Friday, December 29, 2023

wangarattachronicle.com.au

O&K fixture locked in

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Page 28

O’Brien’s a Hawk Wangaratta g Rovers land former Carlton winger g Lochie O’Brien in huge g recruiting g coup p

BY WILLSON MACK wmack@ nemedia.com.au

I had a few good chats with Sam (Murray, coach) and Rovers sounded like a really good club that wants to go all the way next season and that’s what everyone wants.

- Lochie O’Brien

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WANGARATTA Rovers has landed arguably the biggest recruit of the O&M’s off-season.

Former Carlton player Lochie O’Brien has signed at the club after 66 games in the navy Blue in a huge boost to Rovers’ aspirations of silverware.

The speedy winger was delisted

by Carlton in September after playing six games in 2023 and was contracted until the end of 2024.

Wangaratta Rovers football operations manager Barry Sullivan said the club is elated to land O’Brien.

“It’s a fantastic pick up,” Sullivan said.

“Our list is pretty much set now, going into the off-season we were looking for someone who can beef our midfield up with good skills to deliver the ball forward and that’s what Lochie is.

“He’s just an athlete and can run all day so we’re fortunate that everything has aligned.”

O’Brien had a breakout season in 2022 playing 19 games but managed just six in 2023 before being delisted.

It took little time for the 24-yearold to get back out on the park, signing with PINT in the Northern Territory Football League where he played two games earlier this month before the Christmas break.

“People saw that I was playing up in Darwin which probably indicated that my AFL career was over so from there Sam (Murray) got in touch with my manager and we organised a meeting,” O’Brien said.

“I had a few good chats with Sam and Rovers sounded like a really good club that wants to go all the way next season and that’s what everyone wants.”

O’Brien joins a number of ex-AFL players in the O&M with former Carlton teammate Michael Gibbons playing at Yarrawonga.

“I still speak to Michael Gibbons and he’s told me how good of a standard the O&M is, it’s as close as you can get to VFL football,” he said.

■ Continued page 28