The Alpine Observer in Myrtleford, Victoria | Media/news company

The Alpine Observer

Locality: Myrtleford, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5731 3308

Address: 76 Standish Street 3736 Myrtleford, VIC, Australia

Website: http://alpineobserver.com.au

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25.01.2022 A local skier is lucky to be alive after being caught in a human-triggered avalanche while skiing back country at Mount Hotham on Saturday.

25.01.2022 JUSTICE FOR EZRA Dederang Police have renewed their appeal for information on a random attack that killed two-year-old Kelpie Border Collie, Ezra in November last year.

25.01.2022 BRIGHT'S THE PLACE TO BE The property market is booming in Bright and local real estate agents are bracing for that trend to continue well into 2021.

25.01.2022 SORRY YOU COULDN’T GET ON THE BEERS, MR SUTTON // Proving that literally all of Melbourne is in Bright this weekend, we had to turn away the Victoria’s Chief H...ealth Officer, Brett Sutton, twice today! Pictured here with our long-time bar staffer Wayne, Mr Sutton was a great sport when our staff explained that under his own COVID-restrictions, we unfortunately did not have the space to seat him. We’re sorry you couldn’t, in Premier Dan Andrews’ words, Get On The Beers with us, Brett - but we hope to see you again once restrictions ease! So the lesson is: it doesn’t matter who you are - if you’re planning to come and visit us, please book ahead! That includes you, Mr Sutton! #lovebright #brightandsurrounds #getonthebeers

25.01.2022 BE PREPARED Forest Fire Management Victoria firefighters have acknowledged the anxiety some Alpine residents may be feeling as the fire season starts for another year.

25.01.2022 NEW CLASSMATE Mount Beauty Secondary College students were joined in their online classroom by Tristan Bancks, award-winning author of teenage fiction last week.

24.01.2022 READY FOR 2021 Bright's preparations for the 2021 Ovens and King season is well underway with multiple signings and re-signings confirmed.

24.01.2022 HAPPY THURSDAY The border bubble has been extended to include more Alpine Shire towns. A new Public Health Order has just been issued to include Tawonga South, Porepunkah, Ovens, Falls Creek, Rosewhite, Eurobin, Havilah, Merriang, Merriang South and Buffalo River.

23.01.2022 BIGGER THAN EVER Mount Beauty and District Men’s Shed is now twice the size and ready to take on more tasks for the community.

23.01.2022 IN THE BLUE A confusing oversight which saw Tawonga South residents unable to cross the border to New South Wales, has been corrected at last.

22.01.2022 Summer Snow this evening at Falls. Just 18 days to Christmas!

22.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Keith Pike What brought you to this area? In the mid-70s, I had started bushwalking a lot with friends met through my teaching job. A lot of our longer walks, up to five days in some cases, were in the Alps. So, we knew Mount Beauty a little. I started coming here with the family for cross country skiing in winter, and rambling the High Country in summer, with other young families, in the school holidays. Friends of ours moved up here to tea...ch at local schools, and we were holidaying here more often. By the time I retired from full-time work in the late 90s, it was an obvious choice. My wife managed to get a job at the secondary college, and we moved into a little transportable home we had placed here in 1989. What is it about the area that you like? What’s not to like!! Can I list the likes..there are four seasons, real ones, so there is always natural beauty to appreciate. We were lucky to find a lot of like-minded people to spend time with, and to engage in activities with. It is easy to find a place and time to be by yourself. For a person in the twilight years, it seems to have all of the services I need now, and I will need in the not too distant future. What would you change about the area? A totally practical and probably small thing to many, I would like to see hard shoulders on all local roads, so that those of us who use bicycles to commute and tour a lot can do it safely, and without annoying motorists. What do you do? Retired!! When I first came here, I picked grapes, worked at the now-closed timber mill, ran the Falls Creek Trade Fair with my wife for several years, and worked at Gebi’s Ski Hire until it was sold in 2003. What are your interests and hobbies? I ride a bike a bit; I like bicycle touring and look forward to doing something like a long ride when conditions are back to normal for travel. I really have come to love the garden and every part of the gardening process. There is always something which needs attention in the garden. I am part of the community band in Mount Beauty and the Bright Singers, and I am really hanging out for those activities to start up again. I am also a member of the Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club, and the treasurer for Alpine Radio (and occasionally persuaded to be on air!). If you could take a visitor to one place up here where would that be? Mountain Creek campground and the Walks in Spring when the fern trees are crowning. What are your plans for the future? Stay upright for as long as I can.

22.01.2022 READY TO LAUNCH The Bright Food Co-op will launch on Saturday, November 28 at Dumu Balcony Café and aims to provide bulk dry goods and locally grown produce to residents.

22.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Elene Wood What brought you to Tawonga? My husband brought me up for the Easter break not long after we were married because he knew that I had never been to this beautiful part of Victoria before....Continue reading

21.01.2022 DOING IT FOR JOHN Bright's Madeleine Wijsma completed 27 walks over 27 days to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease in October.

21.01.2022 MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS Alpine Shire has a female majority council for the first time in history. Three of them are under the age of 35.

21.01.2022 EYES IN THE SKY Tawonga drone pilot, Matt Vaia, was out and about last week working with his drone, surveying an area for a prospective project in Tawonga South.

20.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Susie Price How long have you lived in Bright? I’ve lived here for just over a year. We moved here for work. ... What do you do for work? My partner Nick and I manage Bright Motor Inn and Centenary Peaks Townhouses in Bright. What do you do for play? I enjoy running (trail running now, since moving to Bright), motorbike riding (road and track), listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. What is your favourite thing about Bright? All the different activities that are available, from mountain biking and cycling to running or hiking, to motorbike riding and kayaking through to hand-gliding. We have all these available on our back doorstep! How lucky are we?! What's the one thing you would change? We haven’t been here long enough to suggest any changes, we are still learning things! If you could give anyone a tour of Bright, who would it be and what would you show them? It would be Dolly Parton (I know...I love her music) or Aussie motorbike legend Mick Doohan. I’d definitely show them a sunset at the top of Mystic, a sunrise at top of Mount Buffalo, a walk along the river, and drive up to Mount Porepunkah for the 360-degree views. Then dinner at one of the great restaurants in town.

20.01.2022 FINDING THEIR PLACE Ben Reid and his wife, Erin, are settling into their new lifestyle in Porepunkah and the AFL star hasn't ruled out a return to Bright Football Club.

20.01.2022 SPRING SNOW Big soft snowflakes in Harrietville this morning. Mount Hotham has also reported 20cm of fresh snow overnight with temperatures plummeting to -3.5 degrees. Have a great snowy day ... John Gertsakis

20.01.2022 CRITICAL WORKS APPROVED A $730,852 State Government grant will help Alpine Health upgrade water treatment, fire and electrical safety systems across all three of its facilities in Bright and Mt Beauty and Myrtleford.

19.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Professor David Wood What brought you to Tawonga? Sometime in the 1980s I wanted to have a decent drive in my newly acquired MGB Roadster. I drove to Canberra from Melbourne and then on to Mount Beauty where I had some vehicle problems and stayed overnight. I fixed the car in the morning and went into town where many people made me feel very welcome. Some years later Elene and I drove to Mount Beauty for a break and we were so impressed that... we put down the deposit on a house in Tawonga which we have now owned for almost 30 years. What do you like about the area? The cleanliness, fresh air and beauty of the surrounds including the mountains. Also the friendliness of the locals. Is there anything you would like to add or change about the district? This is God’s Country and I wouldn’t change a thing. What did you do before retiring? I was Dean of Engineering at The University of Melbourne and I pursued a significant research program involving cleaning the waste from Aluminium smelters and cleaning coal to make it a less polluting combustion fuel. I also taught graduates and undergraduates in chemical engineering. I had qualified in chemical engineering and chemistry at the University of London and I had worked in the oil and contracting industry. What are you interests and hobbies I love walking, meeting people and reading, including many scientific journals. Elene and I enjoy discussing political and social issues of the day. I also enjoy Alpine U3A and Probus activities. If you had visitors come to the area where would you take them to showcase the Upper Kiewa Valley and surrounds? We do have visitors and we take them for walks along the Kiewa River, drives to nearby communities such as Falls Creek and Yackandandah and coffee at the Tawonga Store. A number of eminent scientists including a Nobel Prize Winner and an astronaut have been our guests.

19.01.2022 PUT TO THE TEST New project firefighters will be based in Ovens, Bright and Mount Beauty among other North East towns this bushfire season.

19.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Lyn Junor How long have you lived in Tawonga South? I have lived here for four years, I bought the house 25 years ago and rented it out, while I travelled overseas.... What do you like about living here? I love living in my own home after travelling away for so long. The design is an "A-Frame" that has magic views of Mt Bogong, Mt Beauty, and Mt Emu. Sitting on the balcony upstairs at sunset is my favourite thing to do in summer, watching the shadows rise up on the surrounding mountains and the beautiful colours that form on the trees. What would you change if anything? I'm working on renovating my home, the next project being the upstairs bathroom. However, that has been on hold due to the availability of tradesmen. I wouldn't change anything about the area. What are your hobbies and interests? Walking in the beautiful surroundings and snow skiing. I also do Latin dancing whenever I get the chance to go down to Melbourne. What sort of work do you do? I'm not working at present; I am a qualified dressmaker having experience at Marianna Hardwick Bridal Company. I plan to set up my own studio when things get back to normal, I do work with Libby Reid Catering for the Cup carnival and silver service private functions.

19.01.2022 BRIGHT'S CONUNDRUM Bright's economy is thriving, with the last month providing a lead-up to Christmas like no other for local businesses, as travellers from Melbourne and further afar inundate the township.

18.01.2022 LARGE ANTI-MASK GROUP Mandatory mask-wearing has been objected to by almost 90 per cent of people who replied to a survey set up by local state MP Bill Tilley. What do you think?

18.01.2022 FOR HIS MATES For most cyclists, one ascent of Tawonga Gap is enough for the day, but Mount Beauty’s Mitch Cook is not like most cyclists.

18.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Ray Connelly What brought you to Mount Beauty? In 2003, Carol Moig and her mother, the late Noelene Selke, asked me to accompany them to Cedar Lodge Mount Beauty to do some carpentry work on the lodge. I would truly like to thank them both for introducing me to this unique part of Australia. Driving through the lush, green Kiewa Valley with views of the snow-capped mountain ranges, it struck me how similar it was to my homeland and the Scottish ...Continue reading

18.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Phyl Swindley How did you end up in Bright? My partner Bill and I moved to Bright about five and a half years ago. I bought the house here in December 2014, moving from Warranwood (Melbourne). Before that I lived in Warrandyte for 30 years. I’d been coming up here for many, many years because my mum had moved up here and she moved up here because my two sisters were up here. I thought I’m getting close to retirement age and this is where I’d like to r...etire too. What do you do? My partner Bill and I moved to Bright about five and a half years ago. I bought the house here in December 2014, moving from Warranwood (Melbourne). Before that, I lived in Warrandyte for 30 years. I’d been coming up here for many, many years because my mum had moved up here and she moved up here because my two sisters were up here. I thought I’m getting close to retirement age and this is where I’d like to retire too. of different things! I direct plays and directed three out of the last four autumn productions. I enjoyed directing Almost, Maine, which is set in a little town in Canada. I have been involved in theatre for 30 years. I met my partner 20 years ago, not in the theatre, but he’s been acting a lot longer than me probably 45 years. Though he doesn’t want to think about how long it’s been! We’ve been lucky enough that the local businesses lend us props and costumes for the plays. In the last one, the ski shop lent us all these ski outfits, and the op shop lends us lots of stuff, even furniture and ornaments. In the last 12 months, we’ve just joined the bowls club! It’s just a shame it’s only got a small membership because it’s such a great game. In the last few months, I’ve also been making hundreds of face masks. What do you love about Bright? I love being able to see both of my sisters, Joan and Lesley, particularly with the lockdown and not being able to see my kids and my grandkids in Melbourne and Brisbane. I absolutely love Bright. I love the amount of sunny days. You just seem to get so many beautiful days up here clean, fresh, sunny days. And yes, you get some cold weather but we normally go away for winter and we can’t this year! We usually take our caravan to Queensland for six weeks through the winter. We were just saying today how green and beautiful it is, and how moving here is the best thing we ever did. I love it when my grandkids come to visit. There’s so much to do the walks, the bikes, waterpark. I can’t think of a nicer place to be.

18.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Matilda Xerri When did you move to Bright? I moved here in 2017 from London with my family. We came here because we didn’t want to live in busy London anymore.... Where do you go to school? I’m in Year two and I go to Porepunkah Primary School, we have the best teachers. How will you spend your school holidays? I’ll play with friends and family. I might ride my bike to Nightingales one day to get the best apples! Now that we’re not in lockdown we are also going to Lakes Entrance. What is your favourite thing about Bright? The beautiful trees and mountains and fresh air. What's the one thing you would change? Nothing really, I love it the way it is. If you could give someone a tour of Bright, what would you show them? I’d invite my friend Hazel who lives in America. I’d like to show her the mountains like Apex to hike up and the river, the kangaroos out in my backyard, and the cool bike tracks for kids.

17.01.2022 $2000 WORTH OF FREE PETROL

17.01.2022 TOP HONOURS The Mount Beauty Medical Centre can be very proud of two of the resident doctors practicing there, who have been recognised by their peers in recent weeks.

17.01.2022 TOUGH QUESTIONS A local community environment group has put Alpine Shire Council candidates in the hot seat, last week questioning them on what environmental and sustainability issues motivate them most.

17.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Harry Borthwick How long have you lived in Bright and what brought you here? My wife and I moved to Bright just a little over a year ago. We originally moved to Australia from California, as I was there for university and work for about eight years. Then, we moved to Melbourne while we explored the state for a town we felt we could settle down in. We came up to Bright for a mountain biking weekend and we fell in love with all it had to offer. Alas, we... had found our place to live. What do you do for work? I get to manage the bar at Bright Brewery and that means I work closely with a wide range of beer and people on daily basis. It’s my duty to make sure there’s more than enough fresh beer flowing for everyone to enjoy. What do you do for play? The region’s activities really drew us here as there are plenty of our favourite activities to choose from. Besides tasting crafty pints, I love to go mountain biking up Mystic or taking my two happy dogs up around the trails. Then, when the season is just right, I like to get out skiing and go fly fishing. What is your favourite thing about Bright? Of course, there are many reasons that I love this place. For me, the best part about living here is the sense of community, where I can bump into familiar faces and know that I am supporting locals and their businesses. It’s nice to see a small town like this strive to support itself after such a difficult year. What's the one thing you would change? By seeing the effects of the pandemic on the town, it would be great to have the local economy become more self-sufficient to where we can rely more on our local community and less on the varying tourism crowds. If you could give anyone a tour of Bright, who would it be and what would you show them? It would be my best mates from California who would love to come mountain biking here with me. I’d show them the world-class mountain bike trails a few kilometres away, the beautiful swimming holes, the crafts of the artisansespecially all the coffee, food and drinks they have to offer.

17.01.2022 FOUR DRINK DRIVERS BUSTED Police in the Alpine Shire are urging motorists to think before they get behind the wheel of their vehicles this holiday season after an operation in Bright over the weekend resulted in four drink driving offences.

17.01.2022 HARDEST HIT The latest JobSeeker statistics have revealed Bright and Mount Beauty residents have been the hardest hit in the federal electorate of Indi by the coronavirus pandemic.

15.01.2022 SUPPORTING 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM As the holiday season nears, local police and health authorities have urged Alpine Shire residents to speak up and seek help about gender-based family violence.

15.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Brendan Edmondson How long have you lived in Mount Beauty and what brought you here? I left for a while after finishing school but the valley drew me back. I love this area and my partner Louie and I intend to stay in the area.... What do you do? For the past two years I have worked with Kim at Alpine Valley Real Estate. I started as a Property Management Assistant and am now working with clients in sales. I really enjoy my job, I’m passionate about real estate and working with people to achieve their real estate goals get great results is really rewarding. What do you like about the area? I really enjoy the community and the country town spirit. We are surrounded by so much natural beauty and there is so much to enjoy in this area. What are your hobbies and interests? I enjoy spending time with family and friends, I’m a keen gardener and I enjoy the outdoors. What are your plans for the future? My partner Louie and I intend to stay in the area and we are looking to buy our first home which is really exciting. I’m excited about my future in sales at AVRE and looking forward to helping more people realise their property dreams.

15.01.2022 STRESS LESS Wandiligong Primary School students are taking part in yoga, mindfulness and art therapy as part of a new wellbeing program.

15.01.2022 ALL SMILES After a year like no other, a little rain couldn’t stop Harrietville Primary School students from toeing the start line for their own Junior Harrietville Half last Thursday.

15.01.2022 ROCK LEGEND ON AIR Broadcaster Alpine Radio interviewed its most iconic talent yet with brunch presenter, Fay Mason, welcoming Glenn A Baker to local airways last week.

14.01.2022 TEACHER LAUNCHES BOOK Amelia Mellor's debut novel, The Grandest Bookshop in the World, is a magical middle-grade novel set in Melbourne’s iconic Cole’s Book Arcade in the late nineteenth century.

14.01.2022 ULTRAMARATHON The Rona Relay virtual baton has been passed from runner to runner across Victoria and on Monday it was carried from Myrtleford all the way to Wandiligong.

14.01.2022 POWER BACK Mount Beauty will turn its attention to tomorrow's game against Dederang after the opening round of the Cricket Albury Wodonga (CWA) district season was called off.

14.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Kate Davison How did you arrive in Porepunkah? My husband and I moved here in November 2017 from Macedon. We lived in Macedon for about 30 years, have three children, two grandchildren, and also a couple of adopted children. We have always loved coming to Bright for our holiday breaks and always said we would move here one day. Well, after working in a cafe/catering business for 15 years we decided we should make our dream come true and move here. A...t the time there were very few properties on the market, so we had little choice. We found a house in Porepunkah and have made it home. What do you do for work? I was lucky enough to obtain a job at the Bright newsagency and now work there part-time. What do you do for play? Alan and I love to entertain and love to travel, which we hope to do more when we can. What do you love about Porepunkah? I love Porepunkah, love the quietness and love the people, and have made some really good friends. What would you change? One thing that does bother me is the shortage of rental accommodation for those seeking to come to Bright to work and be part of our wonderful community! If you could invite anyone to visit, who would it be and what would you show them? The first person that comes to mind is Anh Do because I just love his personality, his vitality and his smile! I would take him to the Bright Brewery where my husband would cook us up a storm, he could try the local beers and I could tell him about amazing Bright and surrounds.

13.01.2022 BUSINESS IS BACK Bright businesses have celebrated the news they can safely welcome metropolitan visitors back on November 8.

13.01.2022 CO-OP LAUNCHED A group of Bright locals have joined forces to open the community’s first food co-op based in Dumu Balcony Café.

13.01.2022 STAFF CRISIS Hospitality venues in Bright and surrounds are struggling to find enough staff to operate as visitors flood back to the region.

12.01.2022 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT No sooner had they issued flood warnings last week than volunteers at Bright SES were out sharpening their floodwater operation skills.

12.01.2022 The single border region has been extended either side of the border, now to include Alpine towns Harrietville, Wandiligong, Smoko, Freeburgh, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. The new border region and ‘border region resident’ permit will come into effect tomorrow. Justin Clancy, Member for Albury

11.01.2022 CYCLISTS ARE PEOPLE TOO

11.01.2022 TOURISM DRAWCARD Tuesday's state budget delivered Premier Daniel Andrews' promise for $15 million to further develop the Falls to Hotham Alpine crossing project.

11.01.2022 GREEN LIGHT FOR UPGRADE The revised concept design for the Mount Beauty Airport Upgrade has been approved for funding under the Federal Government’s Regional Airports Program (RAP), giving the green light for the project to go ahead.

10.01.2022 BIG THANK YOU Local student Grace Tomasoni last week delivered a heartfelt poem to local emergency services to say thanks for taking care of the Alpine Shire this year.

09.01.2022 KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING The David Vigo Youth Music Scholarship has provided $1000 to the Mount Beauty primary and secondary schools’ music departments to go towards a new saxophone.

08.01.2022 MEET THE MAYOR Newly elected Alpine Shire Council mayor John Forsyth believes the next 12 months will be about resilience and relationships.

08.01.2022 BUILD A BRIDGE More than $1 million will be spent to strengthen Myrtleford's Nimmo Bridge while Kiewa Valley’s Bay Creek Bridge will be upgraded from a six tonne gross limit to a 68 tonne limit.

08.01.2022 NEW RULES Anyone wanting to sit in a pub, café or restaurant in regional Victoria must now show their ID before they are allowed inside and it will be up to workers to ensure every patron is checked to ensure they are not from Melbourne.

08.01.2022 MOORCROFT NEWS The United Bright Football Club is excited to announce that Father son duo Gary and Beau Moorcroft, have committed to the club for the 2021 seas...on! Gary is a former AFL live wire who has since gone on to carve out one of the most decorated local football resumes you could read, including multiple best and fairest awards, premierships, and an abundance of league and club goal kicking awards. Beau is a quick and silky mid/fwd who has a very good footy brain and is also capable of taking a big mark like his father. Beau won the competition best and fairest in his u19 season and has since gone on to become a regular senior player at Bundoora. The club is thrilled to welcome the entire Moorcroft family including Belinda, Chloe and Trehy. More exciting announcements to come!! #GoBright

08.01.2022 WELCOME BACK Businesses in Bright welcomed back regional Victorian visitors this week with many restaurants and cafes already booked out for this weekend.

08.01.2022 NEW WHEELS FOR CFA The Ovens Valley CFA group has been bolstered ahead of the upcoming bushfire season with a new Forward Command Vehicle added to the fleet.

08.01.2022 POLAR PLUNGE We may have just had our last snow dump for the year but it sure was magical!

08.01.2022 UNOFFICIAL ROD RUN Normally the second Sunday of November Bright is chock full of hot rods and class and custom cars but this Sunday, the streets were empty. A sole hot rod on Gavan Street the reminder of what should have been noisy hundreds gathering for Rod Run celebrations.

07.01.2022 SUPPORT FOR LEGEND Falls Creek skiing legend Steve Lee's life has been turned on its head. Donate to Steve Lee Fightback: http://bit.ly/SLFightback

07.01.2022 BEN'S BACK Bright's Ben Reid has returned home to the Alpine Shire and will play in the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League with Wangaratta Magpies next season.

07.01.2022 CATHY'S STORY The inspirational story from growing up on a farm in Indigo Valley to gaining national attention is detailed in Cathy McGowan's first book, ‘Cathy Goes to Canberra Doing Politics Differently.

07.01.2022 KEEPING BUSY Despite the current lockdown, the Lions Club of Bright is still quietly working away in the community.

07.01.2022 YOUR COUNCILLORS The Alpine Shire councillors have been declared. Myrtleford’s Ron Janas was the first to be re-elected with an overwhelming 1525 first preference votes.... Kelli Prime, Tony Keeble, Charlie Vincent, Katarina Chalwell, Sarah Nicholas and John Forsyth have also been elected for a four-year term. Across the shire there was 9355 votes counted, 83.7 per cent of the total enrolment.

07.01.2022 FIRE SEASON HERE The Fire Danger Period has been declared to start on November 30.

06.01.2022 GOOD NEWS Alpine Valley producers are looking forward to a bumper harvest after the Bureau of Meteorology declared a La Niña event across Australia.

06.01.2022 NATS REVIVE DAM PLAN Nationals member Tim McCurdy wants to use federal funding to conduct a feasibility study into expanding Lake Buffalo into a million-megalitre Big Buffalo.

05.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Dan Neville How do you end up in Bright? I was born in Bright Hospital in 2001, so I’ve been here from the get-go. My parents are originally from Sydney. ... What do you do for work? In winter, I’m a ski patroller up at Falls Creek. At the moment, I’m a greenskeeper out at Bright golf course. I’m also the president of Alpine Little Athletics Club. What do you do for play? I play a bit of golf I love it. I also play a lot of tennis. I’ve taken a massive break but I want to get back into it. I’ve also played the guitar since I was really young and I write my own music. I’d love to start a band. What is your favourite thing about Bright? There are a lot of things about Bright that are great. There’s a ridiculous amount of stuff you can do outdoors in your backyard: mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, and so much more. What's the one thing you would change? Bright definitely needs a local soccer pitch one where kids can join a soccer club and play. If you could give anybody in history a tour of Bright, who would it be and what would you show them? I’d give Abraham Lincoln a tour of Bright so he can see what it’s like in a different country and a completely different time.

05.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Robyn Quick How long have you lived in Mount Beauty? My association with Mount Beauty began in a large hall at Frankston Teacher's College. My name was called out together with my new school, Mount Beauty. What followed was 35 years of teaching at Beechworth Primary School, Tawonga Primary School and many years at Mount Beauty Primary School, mostly teaching infants and middle school.... What do you like about Mount Beauty? Mount Beauty is a perfect place to raise a family. I married Ron, from Donald in the Wimmera. He had arrived with a friend to this area to work, as they had heard of Diana Lodge being constructed at Falls Creek. We married with three children, two daughters and a son. Their schooling was very well provided and the children had a choice of many activities and interests - Brownies and Cubs, Swimming Club, Calisthenics and Dederang Mount Beauty Football and Netball Club. We as parents were involved as well and we were fortunate to meet many wonderful and friendly people. What are your hobbies and interests? My interests are taking nice walks, listening to all genres of music, learning French, line dancing and taking trips to Melbourne with my friends to see my beloved Saints play football. My line dance teaching began when I met two ladies new to town at the local coffee shop. They asked me to teach them a few line dance steps. So with a little group of six and the encouragement of Shirley Hall at the Mount Beauty Workman's Club, we began our dancing. This little group has now grown to two larger groups meeting on Wednesday and Friday. If you had visitors, what place would you like to show them? I would take my visitors to Bogong Village. We would walk around Lake Guy. Following that we would sit down to a barbeque lunch in the beautiful gardens. Next would be a guided tour of the Power Station. On the way down the mountain, I would point out the lovely views of the Kiewa Valley and our township and Pondage. Is there anything you would change about Mount Beauty? I love the character of this little town and the opportunities it provides for all. So I don't think major change is necessary. Although perhaps one day I would like to envisage the local swimming pool being converted to an All Seasons Pool.

05.01.2022 DANCER'S DREAM Bright's Maddie Hewitt has recently been selected to attend Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance for a two-year course, with the hope of pursuing a professional dance career.

05.01.2022 LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION

05.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Kelli Prime Where do you live and how long have you been here? I grew up on our family dairy farm in Tawonga. I was born in Mt Beauty and went to school at Tawonga Primary School and Mt Beauty Secondary College. I attended Charles Sturt University (Albury Campus) and after working in Australia and the UK for a few years my partner Michael and I moved back here in 2018 (he grew up in Tawonga South). We now own a beef farm together in Upper Gundow...ring. What do you do for work? During the week I am a physio and specialise in Men's and Women's Health. I typically treat postnatal women to manage issues like incontinence and prolapse and men for pre and post prostate surgery treatment. My weekends are spent working on our farm and milking cows for a local dairy farm. What are you hobbies and interests? I love exercise - this is a big part of why I became a Physio - and I play netball for the Dederang Mt Beauty Bombers. I also enjoy reading, drinking coffee and love a good trivia night. What do you like about the area? It wasn't until I became an adult that I realised how lucky I was to grow up here. It is such a beautiful part of the world and we are fortunate to have a large regional centre nearby so we can get most things we need. I am not a city girl, so I love the space and the peace and quiet. What would you change about the area? The frosts in winter! Also, from a Physio perspective, I would love to see improved access to health services, but this is an ongoing issue for rural and regional areas everywhere. What are your hobbies and interests? I love exercise - this is a big part of why I became a Physio - and I play netball for the Dederang Mt Beauty Bombers. I also enjoy reading, drinking coffee and love a good trivia night. What are your plans for the future? Well now that Michael and I own a farm here, we are here to stay. Both of our families still live in the Alpine Shire so it's nice being close to family.

04.01.2022 PERSON AROUND MOUNT BEAUTY Geordie Thompson What brought you to Falls Creek? I came to Falls Creek to follow my love of all things snow. My parents first brought me to ski here when I was seven and it is one of my fondest childhood memories.... What is the best thing about living there? The people - the friends I’ve made I hope to be lifelong. Would you like to change anything about the area? This is hard. I love Falls and it’s surrounds. I suppose an expansion of the ski area wouldn’t go astray. What do you do for work? I am the on-site manager for QT. I’ve worked for QT at a variety of properties around the country including Port Douglas and Melbourne over the last four years. What are your hobbies and interests? Snowboarding, cooking and I will confess to wasting a few too many hours in front of an Xbox. What are your plans for the future? At this stage, I’m hoping to continue to pursue my career in hotels. I love creating memorable and lasting experiences for guests, which is what QT is all about.

04.01.2022 SOUNDSHELL'S NEW LEASE OF LIFE Bright's Sibley Soundshell is set to receive a fresh new look.

04.01.2022 COUNCIL TO CONSTRUCT BRIDGE A 19.5 metre pedestrian bridge will be built in Harrietville to connect local walking trails to the town centre.

04.01.2022 JUST IN: COUNCIL ELECTS MAYOR Alpine Shire Council has elected Cr John Forsyth for a one-year mayoral term. Cr Sarah Nicholas was appointed deputy mayor.

04.01.2022 JUST IN Yesterday there were 2 new cases and the loss of 0 lives reported. The rolling 14-day average is down in metro Melbourne and stable in regional Victoria on 0.6. ... More information will be available later today.

04.01.2022 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Independent federal member Helen Haines this week launched an ambitious power plan, calling on the Federal Government to invest $483 million over 10 years to develop locally-owned renewable energy.

03.01.2022 BORDER PAIN Tawonga South business owners have felt an immediate effect from the town’s exclusion from the extended NSW-Victorian border bubble, which has left the entire town under financial pressure.

01.01.2022 WELL DONE NOLA

01.01.2022 Our SES crews hard at work last night

01.01.2022 SUSTAINABLE LIVING A survey conducted by community-based environment group, Sustainable Upper Ovens, found many Alpine Shire locals have transitioned to sustainable lifestyles since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

01.01.2022 PERSON AROUND TOWN Tayla Newman What brought you to this area? I first came to Falls Creek for the 2017 snow season. My partner and I chased winters for a year and a half and continued to work for the company that we do now. My partner has now received a management role which has made us stayed in Falls Creek.... What do you like about the area? I'm obviously drawn to the snow and winters here at Falls Creek but as we are coming into the warmer weather going for a hike around the mountain or a drive to the surrounding towns has been amazing. Beechworth, Beauty and Bright are so beautiful and fun in the sunshine. What would you like to change about Falls Creek? That is a hard question; I don't think I would want to change anything about Falls Creek. What are your hobbies and interests? My new hobby is my 11-week-old lab puppy named Artie, he is quite a handful! I also love animals, snowboarding and traveling. What are your future plans? It’s hard and funny to try and talk about my future plans due to the current climate we are in with COVID-19 but I am currently studying an animal course which I am hoping will lead me into a Zoo Keeping job.

01.01.2022 PERSON AROUND BRIGHT Dubsy Tell us about yourself. I’m a handsome 13-year-old English Springer spaniel with no hearing.... What do you do for play? I love to sneak out when Dad (Jake Russell) is busy at work and go explore this beautiful town and all of its humans. (You may have spotted Dubsy on some of his solo adventures around Bright Ed.) What’s your favourite thing about Bright? I love the warm weather and swimming in the river with everyone. Anything you would change about Bright? I would tear down all these fences and get rid of doors! What’s your favourite treat? I don’t care much for food, I’d rather go for a walk, swim, or play with the kids in the water park. Can you do any tricks? I’m great at sneaking under fences or through small spaces!