Articles by Athos Sirianos

  • Gold Dredging History Uncovered

    A WIDELY unknown chapter of Snake Valley’s history has been uncovered in a new book exploring the area’s two gold dredges. Local author and member of the Historical Society, Joan Wilson’s new book ‘Gold Dredging at Snake Valley’ dives into the story behind the Valley’s gold dredges of the early 20th century, as well as […]

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  • The Art of rucking

    AT the centre bounce stands a footballer and a ruckman by his trade. And he carries the reminders of the hit-outs to advantage and subsequent goals his team scores with every knee, bump and block each time he competes at a stoppage. To the untrained eye, a ruck duel is nothing more than a behemoth […]

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  • Brian ‘Scatter’ Walkley, one of Avoca’s favourite sons

    REGARDLESS of the sport, Brian Walkley’s coaching philosophy remains the same. “They have to enjoy it,” he said. “It’s no good them going out and have people yell and scream at them. They have to enjoy it, because if they don’t they’re going to give it away.” Not only has this mantra served him for […]

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  • Popular Moonambel resident honoured in exhibition

    THE late Jacqueline Drever will be honoured with an exhibition in Avoca this month, featuring her best paintings from over the last 25 years. Avoca’s Gallery 127 will dedicate several rooms throughout August to the popular Moonambel resident, who unexpectedly passed away last December after a seven-year battle with Parkinson’s. A “dedicated” artist, who worked […]

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  • Holden HQ SS to celebrate 50th birthday in Avoca

    PETROLHEADS across Australia will head to Avoca later this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Holden’s HQ SS. A model which surpassed all expectations at GMH, which only released 1600 in 1972, has since garnered a group of die-hard followers nationwide, many of whom are set to drive down in their beloved HQ’s to […]

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  • Avoca Arts and Gardens seeks clarity over lease

    AVOCA Arts and Gardens is at loggerheads with Pyrenees Shire Council over lease agreements for Gallery 127 and the land which includes the silo. The Avoca committee hoped to be given a lease for the land on the northern side of the railway line similar to its arrangement with GrainCorp, which sold the land to […]

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  • Police community after another Avoca crash

    A THIRD collision involving drivers failing to follow traffic signs in Avoca has seen local police issue a call-out for drivers to remain vigilant. An Avoca man was conveyed to Ballarat Base Hospital to check for injuries after his vehicle was hit by a Melbourne driver, who failed to stop at the stop sign at […]

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  • Lucy Walkley brings up 400 games

    THERE is a reason why Avoca is just so damn good at netball. And Lucky Walkley personifies it. Last Saturday, she became the latest of Avoca’s golden generation to reach the 400-game milestone; adding a memorable day to a career devoted to celebrating with her teammates and doing it for her local town. It is […]

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  • The Run Home: MCDFNL

    LIKE the student attempting to cram in weeks of study into one night, a mad rush to the finish of this season’s Maryborough-Castlemaine District competitions looms. Both football and netball leagues have their own riveting tales to unfold over the next few weeks, many of which have Pyrenees-based sides front-and-centre. With three matchdays to go, […]

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  • Peter O’Roure steps down as Beaufort’s librarian

    USUALLY when your interviewee rings a few minutes before your scheduled meeting, you brace yourself for the worst. A cancellation? An eleventh-hour change of heart about speaking to the media? Thankfully it was no such news which would have sent the Advocate’s brains trust scrambling for another story. And I should have known better. I […]

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