2024 is nearing its end, but that doesn’t mean we will forget the significant happenings of the year.
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From floods to fundraisers, from losses to victories, let’s take a look at some of the major news and sporting events that took place in our community this year.
January 3
Previous Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister greeted the community with a new year’s message. “The holiday season is a time of reflection, gratitude and shared joy, and it is my honour to share this special moment with the vibrant community of Mitchell Shire,” Cr Bannister said.
Fremantle games record holder David Mundy returned to the Seymour Lions, his childhood Goulburn Valley League club.
January 10
Seymour and Yea residents were evacuated as the Goulburn reached a peak of 6.8m.
The Nagambie Lakers welcomed new coaches Katie Sullivan, under-13s, Kymberleigh Rowland, under-15s, and Mahoney Fothergill, under-17s.
January 17
The federal and Victorian governments, along with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, assisted those impacted by the floods by providing financial support to affected communities, such as those within Benalla Rural City, Campaspe Shire and Mitchell Shire.
Ambulance Victoria acting Yea team manager Jacqui Graham placed third in her age group in the Ironman Western Australia competition, securing her place in the 2024 Ironman World Championship, held in France.
January 24
Cancer Council Victoria provided a wellness and exercise program to individuals affected by cancer in Seymour and surrounds.
The Seymour Lions’ pre-season training became a town-wide clean-up job, with footballers picking up and disposing of sandbags at the SES centre following the floods.
January 31
Wallan Neighbourhood House hosted the 2024 Mitchell Shire Community Awards, celebrating community members such as Citizen of the Year Sergio Prado-Arnuero, and Young Citizen of the Year Kirsten Boehm.
Fast bowler and Puckapunyal player Madison Albers was awarded a spot in the Team of the Tournament for the Australian Country Cricket Championships.
February 7
Works began in Seymour as the Australian Rail Track Corporation prepared to replace the Seymour-Avenel Rd bridge with a higher structure in the same location, which would allow for the safe running of double-stacked freight trains.
Seymour’s Nic Quigg, who captained the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League, signed with the GWS Giants’ VFL side, making the move to Sydney.
February 14
SEED Project’s Changemaker Program graduate Nytarra Buckley presented and participated in a panel discussion at Parliament House in Canberra, discussing her lived experiences with poverty in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to an audience of MPs, economists and a Brotherhood of St Laurence research fellow.
Seymour athletes, Lucy Zotti and Mandessah Wyatt, scored success at the Victorian Athletic League circuit. Zotti won the 400m women’s race at Mentone and Wyatt won the open 1600m race at Shepparton.
February 21
Seymour local Diane Wales turned 17 this month, despite having been born in 1956. Ms Wales celebrated her birthday on February 29, and called on other “leapers”, as well as members of the local community, to join her for a luncheon at Little Stones Café in Seymour.
The Melbourne Demons paid a visit to Seymour, and were welcomed by flocks of children and their parents at Kings Park Reserve, before running a clinic for Auskick players in Seymour.
February 28
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland announced the Kokoda Trek Scholarship as a new initiative, involving a $6300 grant available to Year 11 students across the Euroa electorate to go towards a Kokoda Trek with ‘Adventure Kokoda’ during the July school holidays.
The Seymour Racing Club appointed 23-year-old Cooper Lubeck as a new board member following the resignation of Lyndel Feery. SRC chief executive Chris Martin said the club was “excited by his (Cooper’s) passion and the injection of a young and community focused voice.”
March 6
Teams from the Seymour Football Netball Club, Go Seymour, Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn, Seymour Toyota and the Prince of Wales Hotel Seymour gathered at Kings Park for Clean Up Australia Day.
Paralympic silver medallist Jaryd Clifford visited the Goulburn Valley’s young track and field stars, giving a talk at the Seymour, Shepparton and Nagambie Little Athletics centres about his training methods, how he got into athletics, and his experience at world championships and the Paralympics.
March 13
Cars ranging from vintage to modern classics graced Kings Park at Seymour Show and Shine. Dave Hoskins’ bullet hole-ridden and rusted 1956 Hillman Husky with surfboards on the roof stood out among the well-polished exteriors and sleek interiors.
The Seymour VRI Bowls Club claimed the division three weekend pennant premiership, with a 16-115 to 2-66 victory over Rushworth at Shepparton Park Bowls Club.
March 20
Almost 200 riders took part in Seymour’s Black Dog Ride for mental health. Organiser Kylie Comte helped to raise $16,000 to $18,000 for the Black Dog Ride Trust, alongside 10-year-old Griffin Boote, who grew his hair to raise funds.
Northern Country Women’s League announced its first Youth Girls Team of the Decade, and amongst the squad of 24 was Seymour duo, Georgia Gall and Sophie Locke.
March 27
The SEED Project in Seymour launched Women’s Wardrobe, an initiative aiming to help women in Seymour and surrounding areas to gain access to free clothing, which they can wear confidently at their current workplace or when interviewing for a new job.
Bowlers from the Goulburn Valley were given the opportunity to bowl on the Parliament House lawns, an event which was organised by State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
April 3
Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner and Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent visited the Recovery Hub, Kings Park, Vietnam Veterans’ Commemorative Walk and the Seymour SES unit as part of a tour to flood-affected communities in the Murrindindi, Mitchell and Campaspe shires.
Former Seymour premiership footballer Brett Spargo participated in the Herald Sun/Transurban Run For The Kids event, raising thousands of dollars for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Spargo was pushed to complete the 14.4km long-course event in just over 54 minutes with the motivation of aiding his workmate’s daughter, Mia Depuit, who has cancer.
April 10
Autism Awareness Month highlighted awareness, acceptance and inclusion surrounding autism in the community. The Telegraph interviewed 23-year-old Cody, who, as part of VMCH’s Employment Pathways program, had been working at Puckapunyal ADF base kitchen in order to get one step closer to his dream career in the IT industry.
In a gut-wrenching match, the Seymour Lions lost to Tatura by three points, after Tatura’s Chaz Sargeant kicked a goal after the final siren.
April 17
Seymour CFA strengthened their skills in responding to mass casualty incidents in a CFA-led multi-agency exercise involving 90 first responders from CFA, SES, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police and St John Ambulance, as well as 27 students from La Trobe University who acted as casualties.
Six young athletes from Seymour, including Lucy Zotti, Liv Attard, Mandessah Wyatt, Hayden Anderson, Isabella Morgan and Cooper Lubeck, took part in the Stawell Gift. Cooper Lubeck and Liv Attard both came first in their respective events.
April 24
St Mary’s Church in Avenel closed due to dwindling numbers after almost 132 years in operation.
The Seymour District Cricket Association announced its player awards for the 2023-24 campaign. Among the winners was A-grade player Ben Bryant who took home his second consecutive Frank Zanelli medal.
May 1
Members of the Seymour RSL Sub-Branch, veterans, military officers and community members gathered at the memorial gates at Seymour Health to honour ANZACs in a march through Anzac Ave, as well as at a dawn service.
The Seymour Lions suffered a loss against the Shepparton Bears during the ANZAC round held at Kings Park.
May 8
Avenel Cemetery Trust set up their website with old documents dating back to the 1890s, allowing Avenel residents to trace their ancestors online.
The Seymour Bowling Club hosted its inaugural charity day to not only raise awareness of the club, but gift the winning team’s nominated charity, which turned out to be Seymour SES, with $1000.
May 15
Seymour said farewell to Miriam Schnabbel, a Year 12 student from Germany who came to Seymour as part of an exchange program 10 months prior.
The Seymour Lions welcomed back ex-Fremantle star David Mundy in an 86 to 80 defeat against Kyabram.
May 22
A patient-led fundraiser at Seymour Health raised over $1600 for the Kids’ Cancer Project, in a day which saw patients and staff across the hospital dress up as pirates and sell raffle tickets.
Seymour Lions triumphed 39 to 36 against Mooroopna during the Goulburn Valley League’s A-grade netball contests.
May 29
The Coroners Court sought assistance in tracking the final movements of 18-year-old Jodus Murphy, whose body was found on the banks of the Goulburn in June 2023.
Chris Roberts and Peter Lawrence were the victors of the 2024 Finnigan four-ball tournament held at Nagambie Golf Club.
June 5
The Seymour Junior Netball Club raised $2100 at its Annual Pink Day, supporting breast cancer awareness.
Nagambie family, the Ezards, scored a cricketing victory, with 14-year-old Ryan and father Jeremy combining for Nagambie’s Cricket Shepparton E-grade flag.
June 12
The Seymour Men’s Shed highlighted the importance of International Men’s Health Week, with member Peter Dover saying that the most important thing about Men’s Sheds was their “mateship”.
The Seymour Racing Club opened its doors to the Euroa Magpies, with Euroa Football and Netball Club members receiving free entry at the final seasonal weekend meeting.
June 19
During Reconciliation Week, the Taungurung Land and Waters Council hosted young leaders from Strathbogie Shire primary schools in an event at the Euroa Arboretum, guided by the wisdom of Taungurung Elders.
The Seymour Lions scored a 32-point victory against the Demons in Round 10, after a season of close losses and injuries.
June 26
Seymour Coles’ Big Freeze Ice Dunk Challenge raised $18,500 for FightMND.
Among other guests, century goal-kickers Bill Hannam and Daniel Cleary were celebrated at the Avenel Football Netball Club’s Red and White Royalty Reuinion.
Cadet Journalist