The 44th Mount Beauty Running Festival is scheduled to take place this Saturday the 17th of May. And late entries will be available on the day from 9am. While it is one of the smaller running events in Victoria, the setting in the Kiewa Valley overlooked by Mount Bogong makes it one of the most scenic and the range of distances on offer gives participants of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be part of the action. A little bit of history is needed here as the event started life in the 1970’s as the Mount Beauty Marathon, with a half marathon added in. The trophy for the 80’s lists marathon winners Danny Flynn, G Beissbarth, N Hooper, T More, W Donald and J van der Ploeg.
The 80’s also saw a quarter marathon added and shortly after the full marathon was dropped and the event became the Mt Beauty Half Marathon. After Covid the half marathon was dropped and the event became the Mt Beauty Running Festival with a 14km trail run added to the offering.
This year the committee has put a great deal of effort into improving course routes, by taking them off road onto sealed walking tracks making them more user friendly and even more scenic, as well as reintroducing the 21km half marathon distance to the festival. The 21.1km and
10.6km running events follow the pristine Kiewa River and feature panoramic views of the surrounding mountains that hug the upper Kiewa Valley, while the shorter ‘pram and child friendly’ 3km event involves a circuit of the Mount Beauty pondage.
Meanwhile the 18km trail run makes use of the extensive network of forest trails that surround the town, taking athletes into the bush and pushing them to new limits with steep climbs, descents and two river crossings.
4 – 16 Kiewa Crescent, Mt Beauty Ph: 03 5754 1400 | Fx: 03 5754 4829
Em: mtbeauty@stores.foodworks.com.au
Seven Days - 8am – 7pm
Organisers have also added an Ekiden Team Marathon Challenge & School Challenge Competition. The Ekiden challenge lets teams cover the 42.2km marathon distance by combining team member’s results across the 3, 10.6 or 21.1km events. Points are awarded for the positions in which team members cross the line overall in their respective events, for example, if an athlete comes 5th overall but is the 1st female in the half marathon, this athlete will score 5 points for their team. Total combined points are then divided by the number of team members. The team with the lowest points wins.
This event would not be possible without the support of the Mount Beauty & District Community Bank, Alpine Shire and Mount Beauty Foodworks - plus, of course, a large team of volunteers from the local community and traffic control from members of the Rotary Club of Mount Beauty.
The Start Finish area will see our Alpine Radio broadcasting from the site, the Little Vintage Coffee Van (for your best start to the day) and the Playgroup Cake Stall. Organisers are set to go and looking forward to a brilliant day of running. More information and the online entry form can be found at www.hoppet.com.au. •
You may call it “stating the bleedin’ obvious” that there are reasons we weren’t able to stage the traditional Falls Creek Ice Plunge for a couple of years. Can anyone tell us what the reason might have been? OK, well after a successful event last year, we’re back to do it all again this year.
There’s only one way to kick off a Falls Creek winter, and that’s with the Annual Ice Plunge.
On June 1st for the past 18 years, loads of enthusiastic (and very brave) locals and visitors fearlessly plunge into the chilly sub 3-degree waters of Rocky Valley Dam.
The event is now part of the Big Freeze 11 campaign, which sees communities, clubs and workplaces all over Australia getting dunked and splashed by freezing cold water for a fantastic cause. All proceeds are donated to the vital work of Fight MND, an extraordinary organisation dedicated to finding a cure for Motor Neuron Disease. We’re counting on our local community to help us raise over $5000 for this great cause!
The plunge has become an iconic tradition that not only unites the community but also serves as our version of the age-old ‘snow dance’, a heartfelt offering to the snow gods, in return for a bountiful snow season ahead. Legend has it there is a tight correlation between a large number of plungers and a bumper season! So, if you’re into big snowfalls, you had better pull out the swimmers one last time before winter. Thanks to our generous local businesses, there’s over $2000 worth of prizes up for grabs for the brave swimmers who catch a duck! Prizes include dining experiences, lessons, lift ticket and retail vouchers, Bright Brewery beers and even a Season Vehicle Resort Entry Permit.
Mount Beauty locals, the Edmondson family from ‘Bumblebee for MND’ will again be bringing along their Bumblebee
wrapped 1977 Holden HX panel van. This dedicated family have raised over $80,000 in the last couple of years to assist with this critical research, clinical trials and equipment to support people and families, like theirs, affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Come along and help them build their critical contributions! You’ll be able to get your Bumblebee-nies, Big Freeze 10 Merch or donate to support Fight MND.
All participants must register to plunge for just $10. All funds raised go directly to Fight MND. Register via the QR code in the advert on Page Two.
Don’t forget your cossies! – and see if you can beat Grace and her team for dress up!
Five Kiewa Valley artists will be opening their studios to the public this coming King’s Birthday weekend, offering locals and tourists the opportunity to see original works being created in their natural environment.
Over the weekend of June 7 to 9, the inaugural Alpine Open Studio Arts Trail will allow visitors to access five studios within a five kilomtre radius of Mount Beauty to meet and experience how the artists’ work.
The trail is the brainchild of recently relocated painter Kate Maclurcan, who moved to the Kiewa Valley from Wollongong two years ago seeking new creative horizons and reconnecting with her love of the alpine region, having visited the area in her youth.
“It’s something I had envisaged as part of moving to this area as a visual artist,” Kate said. “I had been here before in my 20s. I love the mountains and saw an opportunity for a new chapter in my life.”
Kate said the trail presented an opportunity to connect with other artists and to showcase the artistic process.
“I want to grow and learn with my fellow creatives. To allow fellow artists and others interested to see the process – the anguish,” she laughed.
The other artists involved in Alpine Open Studio Arts Trail are Bronwyn Van de Graaff, Joanne Russell, Charlie Brown and Daniel A’Vard.
For Joanne, a watercolourist who moved to the region six years ago from Melbourne, the trail presents an opportunity to highlight her passion for the alpine landscapes and to share in the creative process at her studio, aptly named River & Snow.
“As an en plein air painter, I jumped at the chance to work with these artists,” Joanne said. “Watercolour is my medium and I am so keen to demonstrate how I approach and capture the magnificent landscapes in this area.”
Bronwyn, who moved to the region permanently three years ago from Avoca Beach, is a classical realist oil painter specialising in still life, feathers and botanical plant portraits and who has exhibited widely and won numerous Australian and international awards. She has studied in Florence and her works are hung widely, including in the Australian High Court and Kew Gardens in London.
“I love my studio – there I can create a world within a world, setting up my still lives of local seasonal flora, like quinces or lemons or
whatever,” Bronwyn said. “I want to be able to bring people into my studio and show them how this process takes place.”
The Kings Birthday trail represents what the artists hope will be an ongoing open studio trail which will include workshops and exhibitions. This event is looking to grow over time and broaden the base of artists involved.
This event is being hosted by the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. For further information including a map of the studio locations, please visit the neighbourhood centre or the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre, 1800 111 885. For map info online go to: www.mountainartscontemporary. com.au. Bronwyn’s website is: www. bronwynvandegraaff.com.au. •
Justin Bicknell
The Trina Solar Kiewa Valley BESS proposal will be voted on by Council at the upcoming meeting in May at Mt. Beauty. Tuesday 27th 5pm. Several clauses within the Alpine Planning Scheme have been forwarded to Council for consideration in their decision. In brief these are: the Farming Zone, the Significant Landscape Overlay, Environmental and Landscape - River Corridors and Waterways, Environmental Risks and Amenity, Natural Resource Management, River and Riparian Corridors, and Bushfire Planning.
Within these clauses objectives are to provide for the use of land for agriculture and to encourage the retention of productive agricultural land. Maintain a viable and sustainable agricultural industry to support the municipal economy and wellbeing. Protect the importance of primary production for the sustainable economic future of the Alpine Shire. Enhancement of the landscape values of the area, i.e., maintain contrasts in landform and land use between the valley floor and the steep vegetated valley walls. Encourage rural development of a "human" scale and form. Maintain the existing rural landscape.
Within the Trina Solar documentation for the BESS proposal there are many unanswered questions. There is no detailed design given at all about what they are planning to do. Everything is indicative and subject to change in the final design.
Some of the key concerns are bushfire and proximity to state forest. CFA Guidelines say BESS should be as far away as possible from BMO. Who is coming to fight a fire in or near the BESS. Will resources be taken away from homes and properties because there will be a line of electrical infrastructure from the road to the state forest, including two more substations?
There are waterways are everywhere on this hill and they are building across them. Neighbouring properties are deeply concerned about the impact on the underground water table. There will be environmental destruction
of the hillside. The contour map shows a massive excavation - over 65m difference in elevation levels from top to bottom. It will be like a quarry as you drive over the Dederang Gap. There is no information about this excavation in the documents. Because of the Significant Landscape Overlay the hillside should not be industrialised. It should be protected.
Visual impact has hardly been considered by Trina. All they have done is a 15-20 year future landscaping photo. No pictures from residences are provided.
Our noise consultant has said it will not meet EPA standards. Dederang Terminal Station is already being investigated for noncompliance. Ask yourself how you can add two lots of noise to existing noise and still meet the required standard?
The Trina Solar consultation is a joke. Consulting after the fact is not consulting
anyway. This project was imposed upon the Dederang and Glen Creek community. It was also discovered within the planning documents that a future project is also planned. This has to be read this in planning documents!
Trina Solar desire energy storage to be a rising industry in the area and Mint Renewables also state they wish to be an example for others to follow. For those who are unconcerned about the proposals or think they are a good idea you need to realise that once it starts that will be the end. Others will follow. Transmission lines are already here The Kiewa Valley will be industrialised. •
As many in the community are aware there was a spate of cars broken in to with some stolen around Mount Beauty and surrounds over the ANZAC long weekend.
We are very fortunate to live and work in this wonderful community and for these crimes to be committed is very rare. Unfortunately,
got a load for the tip? call
we are not immune from this ‘ordinary’ behaviour.
Your local Police want to encourage you not leave valuables in your car and especially not your car keys.
Youth offending is not something new, but Police continually try to evolve from the information they glean from offenders and one thing is common, these offenders will go for the weakest link, which is the unlocked car that has readily available items to be stolen.
These recent crimes are being actively investigated by the Wangaratta Criminal Investigation Unit. If you have information, please call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. But, the message here is simple – lock your vehicles and don’t assume everyone in the community is an honest person! •
POLICE (non-emergency) 131 444 Falls Creek 5758 3424
Mount Beauty 5754 4244
Wangaratta 5723 0600
REGIONAL ROADS VICTORIA 133 778
Falls Creek 5758 3287
This item just appeared on the computer – sent in by a wonderful community-minded person. It’s to do with recycling and how we can improve the process.
The first part is a plea to continue to support our local Op Shops first and foremost! But when items become too big and bulky, or when the Op Shops are overwhelmed, there is now a new option in the Alpine Shire.
AH Recycling are going to be doing the rounds of the towns in the Alpine Shire on the 1st Monday of every month all year round!!!
AH Recycling are a Melbourne based company. They collect FROM YOUR DOOR, and the donate to 41 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
They take secondhand clothing, shoes, bags, sheets, pillows, doonas, toys, and other textiles from your home.
Residents of Mount Beauty used this service last week, along with the op shop, to help clear excess stock. And they were reliable, quick and easy to utilise.
AH Recycling Group sound too good to be true. Located right here in Melbourne, you can contact them via Facebook, Instagram, or message on 0423 509 733
Contact them directly using contact details below. Bag all items. You don’t have to be home for collection.
Great article on AH recycling here https:// www.weekendnotes.com/ah-recycling-groupchanging-the-game/ •
WILDLIFE RESCUE – Alpine Shire
Jody Michelle
Ingram
Swinton
DISTRIBUTION: • All accommodation houses, restaurants, businesses, club lodges & apartments in Falls Creek, Bogong Village, Mount Beauty, Tawonga South, Tawonga & Dederang, plus the RMB’s between Dederang & Tawonga & selected venues in Bright & Myrtleford.
ONLINE: • Available in PDF form at: www.fallscreek.com.au/whatson/
WEBSITE: • www.thisweekinfallscreek.com.au
ADVERTISING RATES:
DISPLAY: • 1 column (6cm wide)
CLASSIFIEDS: • Like the Trading Post. Send in your Classifieds and pay when you sell.
BUSINESS DIR.: • $6.50 per line per Edition.
DEADLINE: • Friday 2.00pm prior to publication date
CONTRACT: • A Green Season Contract is available for advertising in all 14 editions of the Green Season offering a 15% Discount – invoiced four editions in advance. Invoice Dates are: 22.11.24; 24.01.25; 21.03.25; 09.05.25.
Payment, Placement of Adverts or Subscriptions, please forward to: Ph/Fax: 03 5754 1346
If you know Amy, you know that she is the heart of every room - an incredible mother to her biggest inspiration 10 yr old Lollitta, a loyal partner to Ticks, a generous friend and a deeply loved member of our community.
Amy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and with strength and determination put it into remission in 2017.
When it returned in 2020 through multiple rounds and kinds of chemotherapy and radiation, she's overcome challenge after challenge with grit and grace.
Recently Amy received devastating news that the latest treatment has stopped working, but true to her spirit Amy is not
VALLEY FUN & FITNESS CLASS
Every Tuesday at 9am at the Ladies Facility, Dederang Recreation Reserve. Bring a drink bottle and towel. $10 per session. Classes by Narelle Jones. Enquiries: Sharon McEvoy 0438 289 293 (the6maccas@bigpond.com) THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“Don’t just teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything. The value of an education is not the learning of many facts – it is the training of the mind to think!” George Carlin FOR SALE
Metal sofa bed with thick futon mattress which has always been covered. $25 Ph: 0477 443 964 FOUND
Gold Band wedding Ring picked up near Ariel’s Laundrette. Give me a call & describe it. 0400 350 488. FOUND
GPS found up the West Kiewa by a fisherman. Give me a call with details and it’s yours. Ken: Mb 0400 350 488 MISSING BOOK
A hard-bound copy of Dr Ruth Lawrence’s Thesis titled ‘The Interaction between Land Use, the Environment and the Hydrology of the Bogong High Plains between 1850 and 1985’ was given to this community in the care of the late Bill Sutton. It has been loaned out –and not returned. This is a vital piece of the history of this area and it would be fabulous to have it returned. Any news, please call 0400 350 488.
backing down and she's not ready to give up!!
And there is hope in a new treatment called sacituzmab govitecan, nicknamed sassy g. This treatment is given in three week cycles (two weeks on - one week off) and each cycle costs $6000. After reaching a total of $36000 the treatment will be provided free of charge.
She's already started her first round and it's taking a toll on Amy physically and financially. Amy is unable to work during the treatment and the costs of care and daily living is quickly adding up.
So we are asking for your help - urgently!
Every donation no matter the size will help Amy continue her treatment and support her family during this incredibly difficult time so please dig in.
Amy has beaten cancer before, with our love support and generosity, let's help her do it again.
Please consider donating, sharing this page or simply keeping Amy, Lolly and Ticks in your thoughts and prayers. Here is the link for any contributions you may like to make. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-amygreene-fight-cancer
Opening Weekend Party @ Halley’s Lodge and fundraiser for our wonderful Amy Greene.
Door prizes donated from FCSL, FCAR, Brett and Falls Creek Gin and many more. To get an idea of numbers so there is adequate catering for all who attend please RSVP on event page or directly with me Shanky on 0419 589 861.
Where: The balcony / lounge area at Halley’s Lodge, Falls Creek.
When: Saturday 7.6.25
Time: 12pm to 5pm
LIVE MUSIC - Roasts, BBQ and sides all supplied. Plus a couple of surprises on the day - otherwise BYO.
$50 per person
We want to gather together and take this opportunity to support Amy in her fight with cancer. Amy’s type of cancer treatment isn’t funded so any contribution will be much appreciated. •
BOWEN THERAPY & MASSAGE
Tawonga South. Ph: Heather: 0428 993 125
BUILDING & ELECTRICAL
Duggan & Hanlon, your complete building service. Please cal Justin Mb: 0458 220 879.
CAR DETAILING
Give Steve a call in Tawonga South. Ph: 0423 499 086.
CARPET CLEANING
Call Nathan of NatWest Home Maintenance, your local Carpet Cleaning Service. 0429 933 492.
CARPENTRY & BUILDING SERVICES
Oztek Constructions Pty Ltd. We do local building work, renovations, extensions and maintenance. Email Dave at: oztekconstructions@gmail.com. Or Ph: 0466 990 862
CIVIL CELEBRANT – HEATHER MULL Quality Ceremonies – All Types. Mb: 0428 993 125.
COLLECTABLES & HOMEWARES
I Dream Of Snow - Vintage snow collectables & brand new homewares. Open on-line all year round. www.idreamofsnow.com
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Altitude Electrical – No job too big or too small. Domestic, Commercial & Industrial. Ben Svarc. Mb: 0419 801 109
FREIGHT – ALB – MTB – FALLS CREEK
Remo’s Transport from Albury/Wodonga to Mount Beauty and Falls Creek Tues to Fri inclusive. Refrigeration available. Ph: John or Esther 0417 414 320.
HAIRDRESSER
Natalie Raymond, Birds Nest Salon, 26 Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty. Open Six days a week and evenings by appointment. Ph: 03 5754 1177.
LANDSCAPING
Design and landscaping - quality work. Contact Hamish at External Solutions: Em: admin@externalsolutions.com.au. Mb: 0400 160 532.
LD’S HOME PET CARE
Pet Care and Dog Walking. Ph: Lisa 0407 541 695.
LOCKSMITH & HANDYMAN
Codi Coutts – servicing the Kiewa Valley & North East Victoria. Ph: 0475 388 990. Em: kiewavalleylocksmith@yahoo.com
PAINTING SERVICES
Interior/Exterior, Domestic/Commercial.
Obligation Free Quotes. Quality & Service Guaranteed. KLM Alpine Painting Services. Ph: Laif: 0437 023 921.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Kiewa Valley Sports & Spinal Therapy, 5A Hollonds St, Mount Beauty. Out of Hours & Home visits available. HiCaps. Ph: 03 5754 1270.
PILATES
Reformer, Group or Individual for a better quality of life. Wildflower Pilates Ph: 0433 017 660.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
Altitude Physio, Massage & Myotherapy. Ph: 03 5758 3766
STORAGE
Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-Up Units. Ph: 0428 361 497. www.alpinewarehousing.com
On 2 May, over 220 guests came together at the Albury Tigers Club for Traverse Alpine Group’s annual Pre Mother’s Day Lunch – a powerful and heartwarming fundraising event in support of Betty’s Place Women’s Refuge in Albury.
Now in its sixth year, the sold-out luncheon raised an extraordinary $140,000, smashing last year’s total of $102,000 and setting a new fundraising record. Attendees included women from Falls Creek and Mount Beauty, who showed up in force to support this vital cause.
The event featured a beautiful three-course lunch prepared by TAG’s talented chefs, a high-energy raffle with over 60 prizes donated by local businesses, including Falls Creek Distillery, and a lively auction.
TAG Proprietor Rosy Seaton said she is absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community.
“To raise $140,000 in one afternoon is just incredible. We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, donated, bid, bought raffle tickets, and gave so generously,” Ms Seaton said.
“It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to support women and children in need.”
TAG Fundraising Specialist Terri Hollis said the event isn’t just about raising money.
“It’s about showing women and children facing domestic violence that they are seen, supported, and not alone,” Ms Hollis said.
“Every dollar raised helps provide a safe space and critical support through Betty’s Place –and we’re not done yet.”
Tickets are still on sale for the Traverse Alpine Group Car Raffle – a major part of the fundraising total. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each, and once they’re gone, not only will the winner be drawn, but 100% of proceeds from the raffle will be added to this year’s total and donated to Betty’s Place. You can purchase your ticket online at traversealpinegroup.com.au/pre-mothers-daylunch. Every ticket counts and every dollar helps. •
MAY 24, 31 Park Run. 8am at Bicentennial Park, Lakeside Ave. All welcome. Enquiries to: mountbeauty@parkrun. com
MAY 17 Mount Beauty Running Festival. Starts 10am Mount Beauty Secondary College Oval. This is one of Australia's most scenic foot races with an emphasis on fun for all the family. https://www. visitmountbeauty.com.au/listing/mt-beautyrunning-festival-mount-beauty/
MAY 17 TDFL Rd 7: Dederang Mount Beauty V Thurgoona
MAY 24 TDFL Rd 8: Yachandandah V Dederang Mount Beauty
MAY 31 TDFNL Rd 9: Dederang Mount Beauty V Tallangatta @ Dederang
JUN 1 Falls Creek Ice Plunge – a traditional welcome to winter where residents and guest plunge in to the chilly waters of Rocky Valley Dam to retrieve ducks and prizes. 10am. Ph: 03 5758 1200
JUN 2 – 4 Snow Sports Technicians Training Course. Venue: Bright Chalet. Details from Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Ph: 03 5754 1166
JUN 6 – 9 King’s Birthday weekend Official Opening of the 2025 Snow Season. Fireworks at 6:30pm in the Village Bowl.
JUN 7 12noon to 5pm Fund Raising party at Halley’s Lodge to raise money for a dear friend. See report elsewhere in this paper.
JUN 7 – 9 Alpine Arts Trail Open Studios weekend. Visit five unique studios in the Kiewa Valley. See report elsewhere in this paper.
JUN 14 TDFNL Rd 10: Chiltern V Dederang Mount Beauty.
JUN 21 TDFNL Rd 11: Dederang Mount Beauty V Barnawartha @ Dederang
For further details on coming events, go to: https://www.fallscreek.com.au/whats-on/events/
WHERE 2D Tawonga Crescent.
WHEN 8:30am – 5pm Mon – Friday 10am – 12noon Saturdays. HOW Ph: 03 5754 3400 for appointments
WHO Doctors: Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delanay, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton, Lauren Cusson, Damian Heman, Daniel Florisson and Jacinta O’Neil.
WHAT Fully accredited General Practice with 43 years of service to the Upper Kiewa Valley.
CONTACT Ph: 03 5754 3400
Em: enquiries@mbmc.com.au Wb: https://www.mbmc.com.au/
If you need to see a doctor please contact Mount Beauty Medical Centre on 03 5754 3400. You may be directed to a doctor for a tele-health appointment. Our Doctors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a
Your local practice – supporting the community!
