www.awnw.com.au
Issue #240 – Wednesday, 16 July, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
Furst among finalists It’s certainly not too hot in the kitchen for one of the best young chefs to come out of Wodonga yet – Zachary Furst. The 21-year-old is relishing in competition, making his way to a place in the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award national final, with eyes on an international final in France. FOR THE FULL STORY TURN TO PAGE 2
Border scores goal By KRYSTEN MANUEL FOR a small group of Bhutanese boys who kicked around make-shift soccer balls year after year in a refugee camp, the tide has turned. Now settled across the Border, the boys not only got a chance to kick a real ball, but to hold the Australian Bhutanese Interstate Soccer Championship (ABISC) trophy proudly above their heads. Plus, thanks to their big win, the Border has been chosen to host the next ABISC, bringing thousands of dollars to the community. “Because we have been given the opportunity to settle in Albury Wodonga, we feel very fortunate, we have a new life,” Albury Bhutanese Association president Teju Chouhan said. “We feel we have to give back to the community for the favour we’ve received. We’re proud because next year we’re going to host the championship, so we will draw a big crowd and help the community financially. “At the same time, we have challenges. Our association was set up a little over three years ago and now we are hosting the national level championships. “We call on the Border community for any possible support that will assist us build our capacity to provide the best opportunities to these youth. This will also provide a foundation for hosting next year’s event successfully.” The ABISC has been running for three years and is part of the Bhutanese Youth Festival 2014, where nine soccer teams from different States of Australia participated. This is the first year a team from Albury Wodonga has played. What began as a friendly game of soccer has now become a source of pride and hope among the entire Bhutanese community. “We formed the team because the community was growing and everyone felt it was something they already
“
Life is pretty basic there. You don’t really dream big and you don’t feel you have a future. You live for the day and be happy if you live through it ...
National winners: Back row: Durga Gurung, Santi Adhikari, Ranga Neopaney, Ram Poudel, Ravi Bhandari, Subash Poudel and Madhu Subedi. Front row: Khem Acharya, Ramesh Basnet, Sajit Bhattarai, Lalas Magar, Indra Guragai and Dilip Chauwan.
- Teju Chouhan on life in refugee camps. ting the group started. Of course, we don’t have a qualified coach and we are under resourced, but it’s the spirit and the motivation that got the group going for this long. “The championship also started three years ago in Brisbane - that was also a trigger to form the team.” Having been in training for three years, Three Star Albury Wodonga were faced with the three time defending champions - Adelaide Dragon Red. “They were hoping to have their third win, but we crushed them,” Mr Chouhan said. “Our boys are proud,” he said.
knew - they wanted to start a team,” Mr Chouhan said. “Most of these kids have been born and bred in the refugee camps. They have had a humble beginning. “As they grew up they never had a proper soccer ball. They often recall their past experiences of making a soccer ball out of plastic and wrapping it up with tape. “Life is pretty basic there. You don’t really dream big and you don’t feel you have a future. You live for the day and be happy if you live through it. “This all started off as social soccer. The boys were so motivated about get-
The boys celebrating their big win.
1144850-EG29-14