Up the Mighty Murray! – Episode 19: Going back to Yarrawonga

 

Episode 19        Going back to Yarrawonga

 

Map of the Murray River

 

 

At Yarrawonga in the Ovens and Murray League

 

JC Lowe Oval (Grove Oval) Yarrawonga, March 2017

 

“Going back again to Yarrawonga” and “in Yarrawonga I’ll linger longer” are classic Australian song lyrics. World War I soldier Corporal Neil McBeath wrote a song from the battlefields of France describing a wounded soldier’s elation about returning to his hometown of Yarrawonga.  Originally titled “Yarrawonga”, the jaunty song morphed into “I’m going back again to Yarrawonga” when first recorded by Ella Shields in 1919 and was later popularised by the Slim Dusty version in 1962.

 

“I’m Going Back Again To Yarrawonga”

I’m going back again to Yarrawonga

In Yarrawonga I’ll linger longer

I’m goin’ back again to Yarrawonga

Where the skies are always blue

And when I’m back again in Yarrawonga

I’ll soon be stronger, then over hunger

You can have all your Tennessee and Caroline

I’m gonna get some lovin’ from that mammy of mine

I’m goin’ back again to Yarrawonga

To the land of the kangaroo

 

That is precisely what we are doing in episode 19, going back to Yarrawonga after leapfrogging the Murray River town in the last episode. Others return to Yarrawonga frequently, most notably golfers, fisherfolk and water sports enthusiasts, seeking the sunny fairways of the championship Murray River courses and the alluring waters of Lake Mulwala.

 

Lake Mulwala was created with the construction of Yarrawonga Weir, which was completed in 1939. It is situated immediately downstream of the junction of the Ovens River and the Murray and upstream of the Barmah-Millewa Forest. Yarrawonga Weir is the largest of the 16 weirs on the Murray and the only one without a lock. Prior to the weir’s construction paddle steamers could navigate the river all the way upstream to Albury, however when the weir was built the era of the riverboats was well and truly over. The purpose of the weir was to raise the water level of the Murray to a height sufficient for its diversion by gravity. The reservoir provides irrigation water to surrounding farming areas and towns via canals, the Mulwala Canal (NSW) and the Yarrawonga Main Channel (Victoria). The Mulwala Canal is the largest irrigation canal in the Southern Hemisphere. It diverts water from the Murray across the southern Riverina plains to the Edward River at Deniliquin, while the Yarrawonga Channel takes water through the Murray Valley Irrigation Area to Barmah. 

 

Water levels in Lake Mulwala are managed in conjunction with Hume Dam to ensure sufficient water to meet irrigation demand, while avoiding unseasonal flooding of the River Red Gum forests in the Barmah-Millewa. Yarrawonga Weir also assists in flood mitigation downstream by storing water in Lake Mulwala which can be released prior to the arrival of flood peaks, helping to even out the flows. Periodically the lake is partly drained to allow for maintenance work on the weir, and on those occasions felled trees from the time of the weir’s construction are exposed on the lake floor. Trees along the floodplain were cut down during the construction of the weir and many were left where they fell, soon to be submerged under the rising waters of the new lake. Hundreds of dead river red gums remain standing in the lake as ghostly reminders of what once lined the Murray and its floodplain. And naturally they provide ideal fishing spots for anglers chasing red fin and Murray Cod. Water skiers be wary of what may lie beneath the surface and what must be dodged!

 

Yarrawonga is the starting point of the annual 5-day Massive Murray Paddle (previously known as the Murray Marathon), which now ends at Koondrook rather than Swan Hill. The event raises money for local charities and community-driven programs selected by the paddlers themselves.

 

The scourge of carp

European carp were first introduced to Australian inland waters more than 150 years ago. However, they only became widespread in the Murray-Darling system after major flooding events in the mid 1970s. Carp have now invaded much of the Murray-Darling Basin, becoming the largest freshwater fish species in south eastern Australia. Carp are estimated to account for up to 90% of the fish biomass in some parts of the system. They have been a very successful invader due to their: tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions; biological characteristics that allow populations to increase rapidly; non-specific diet and ability to modify habitats to their advantage. Carp are also highly dispersive. As filter feeders they cause a loss of the aquatic vegetation native fish depend on, raise turbidity levels and contribute to algal blooms in the rivers and wetlands they inhabit. The pests certainly do “muddy the waters”.

 

What are the answers to the carp problem? Long-term biological control (carp virus) is under investigation under the National Carp Control Program, but understandably at this stage caution is being exercised to rule out any chance of negative impacts on native fish.  Improved environmental flow regimes (timing and quantity of flows) could also assist in native fish recovery while simultaneously denying carp the conditions that favour their reproduction. And on a lighter note, carp catching competitions, like the annual events on the Campaspe River, at Barmah on the Murray and at Lake Bonney in South Australia, can do their bit by getting rid of some of the pests while raising community awareness of the problem.

 

Native fish recovery

When weirs and dams were built along the Murray the water authorities did not fully understand the importance of fish migration. After Yarrawonga Weir was built in the 1930s, species such as Golden and Silver Perch eventually ceased to exist between Yarrawonga and Lake Hume because they could no longer move upstream.

 

A fish lift was constructed at Yarrawonga Weir in 1994 under the ‘Sea to Lake Hume’ fishway program to assist native fish in their essential migration upstream. The mechanics of the fish lift’s operation are as follows: fish are attracted to the rippling water at the hydro power station discharge point adjacent to the lift; they swim inside the lift structure; the column is gradually filled with water, which raises the fish over the weir wall; the fish are then trapped in the exit channel and transferred to a tank; carp are separated into a cage by their tendency to jump when entrapped; the native fish tank is then transferred to the other side of Lake Mulwala and from there the fish can continue upstream. 

 

And to add to Yarrawonga’s piscatorial fame, it has been reported (by Steve Strevens, Slow River, 2006) that an 8 pound Murray Cod was once caught on a flooded local football ground! 

 

A day at the football: at Yarrawonga in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League

 

 

 

Match of the day

Yarrawonga v Wangaratta Rovers
Saturday 19 August 2023
at JC Lowe Oval Yarrawonga

 

                 

Pigeons           v            Hawks

 

The Yarrawonga Football Club was founded in 1889 and played in the Benalla-Yarrawonga Line Association for all but two seasons before joining the Ovens and Murray League in 1930. The club won nine premierships in that era. The Pigeons won their maiden Ovens and Murray League premiership in 1959, defeating Wangaratta Rovers in a high-scoring, classic grand final. It ended a 30 year wait which included three unsuccessful attempts. Led by Fitzroy champion Bill Stephen, Yarra were opposed to Bobby Rose’s Wangaratta Rovers who were going for back to back flags after claiming their first O&M title the season before. It was a September day to remember at the Albury Sports Ground with top VFL umpire Harry Beitzel in charge of the match. The Border Morning Mail told the story of the game:

 

They won premiership and learned a lesson!

 Yarrawonga will always remember their first premiership as the one they had to win twice! And for this reason the 13 000 people who saw the game will always remember it as one of the most memorable grand finals of all. Tucked in beside all the glory that goes with Yarrawonga’s  premiership should be the record of a lesson which was eight points away from tragedy. For the Pigeons allowed the Hawks to get on top at a stage when they had only to tie the knots to have the game securely wrapped up. None can deny that the Hawks looked a sick and sorry side when Yarrawonga swept to a 39 point lead a few minutes after the start of the third quarter. The Pigeons unconsciously relaxed – and 20 minutes later found themselves three points down and facing the fight of their lives against 18 players in whom a fiendish new life had been suddenly awakened. The big story of the game was “written” by rival coaches Bill Stephen and Bob Rose. Stephen, forsaking the back pocket immediately the Hawks got on top in the first quarter, showed his players that bullocking determination and split-second disposal were necessary in a tough grand final. The third quarter as undoubtedly Rose’s quarter. His half time changes had proved fruitless in the first six or seven minutes after the resumption, so Rose had to lead the revival himself. Sheer determination and uncanny goal sense gave him a couple of quick goals, and that was all that was needed to inspire the flagging Hawks. Stephen must have been bewildered at three quarter time by the realization that the game had to be won over again if Yarrawonga were to get their first flag. Then he made what I thought was the match saving move. He shifted burly Lionel Ryan to the centre and Ryan turned up trumps in a position which had been controlled all day by the Rovers.

 

A tangle in the fiercely contested ‘59 Grand Final
(source Border Morning Mail, 28.9.59)

 

With only a few minutes to play the Pigeons led by two points after a great goal and mark by Flanagan. Then Clarke cleared beautifully and passed to Frawley. He played on to Newth who had led well out. Newth “flick-passed” to Burns who raced on towards goal and punted it through. Hawks supporters roared with delight, but in the meantime the whistle had gone – Newth’s pass had been disallowed and the ball was brought back for the free to Yarrawonga. Play went to the other end and finally O’Connor’s snap shot goal clinched the premiership for the Pigeons and thousands of wildly excited supporters streamed on to the ground to carry their heroes off shoulder high.

(Border Morning Mail, September 28 1959)

 

It would be another 30 years before the Pigeons claimed the premiership cup again, in 1989 with Neil Davis at the helm. In 2006 the Pigeons won their third O&M flag before a run of six grand final appearances in succession against Albury (2009-2014), for two flags. Former Carlton and Brisbane full forward Brendan Fevola helped Yarrawonga to those two premierships (2012 and 2013). In 2022 Yarrawonga narrowly lost to Wangaratta in the grand final but the result was sensationally nullified due to a breach of the salary cap by the Magpies. No premiership was awarded.

 

The Wangaratta Rovers Football club was formed in 1922 and initially competed in the Wangaratta FA, crossing to the Ovens and King League in 1925. After the war, the Rovers rejoined the Ovens and King League and won the premiership in 1948 before being admitted to the O&M in 1950. The newcomer initially struggled, but with a hard working committee, bolstered by the appointment of Collingwood champion Bob Rose in 1956, the Rovers soon hit their straps. They won the 1958 and 1960 grand finals, both against Wodonga, before establishing themselves in the 1960s and 1970s as one of the most successful clubs in country Victoria (in that era the Rovers won flags in 1964, 65, 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79). Wangaratta Rovers have won a total of 15 O&M flags, equal with Rutherglen, but surpassed by Albury’s fast-growing tally. Recent decades have not been productive for the Rovers, with only one grand final appearance since their 1994 premiership year.

 

The Ovens and Murray Football Association was formed in 1893. Beechworth and Rutherglen were the early powers among a host of clubs from North East Victoria and the NSW side of the Murray who participated from time to time in the early years. In 1911 the league was reshaped as the Rutherglen and District Football Association but reverted to its former name in 1914. The association spluttered back into life after the World War I recess in 1921 and in that decade the O&MFA was rebranded the Ovens and Murray League. After the Second World War the league soon settled into a formation comprising ten clubs, which remained unchanged for over a quarter of a century. Each of the ten clubs won at least one premiership in the period 1950 -1970. With the admission of Lavington and the amalgamation of Corowa and Rutherglen in 1979 the league experienced its first change in membership since 1950. Only two further changes to the composition of the league have occurred, Wodonga Raiders entering in 1989 and Benalla returning to the Goulburn Valley League in 1996. In 2023 Corowa-Rutherglen elected to go into recess for the season following a long struggle to field a competitive team and the impact of the floods on their facilities. We will explore Corowa-Rutherglen’s perilous position in episode 20.

 

Preview

The last time they met: round 8 2023 Wangaratta Rovers 15.9 (99) defeated Yarrawonga 9.13 (67) at WJ Findlay Oval Wangaratta. The Rovers came from behind, booting nine of the last 11 goals after trailing  by 12 points midway through the third quarter.

 

Former Geelong football magician Steve Johnson has Yarrawonga in the box seat for September, and along with Albury and Wangaratta loom as one of the top three contenders for the 2023 premiership. Yarrawonga are in a battle with Albury to claim the minor premiership, which carries the huge advantage of having to win only one game, as opposed to two, to make the grand final. The unpredictable Rovers are in fifth place and will be looking to repeat their round eight upset victory over the Pigeons. With a place in the Elimination Final in two weeks time now secure, they have nothing to lose.

 

The match

On a typically cold August afternoon in Victorian Murray River country, Yarrawonga demolished Wangaratta Rovers by 80 points and showed other premiership contenders that they have multiple goal kicking options. Five players kicked two goals or more, with last year’s top O&M goal kicker, Doug Strang* medallist Leigh Williams, well supported up forward. The Rovers have dropped their last three games and will be desperate to avoid going into the Elimination Final in a fortnight’s time with a fourth loss. 

 

Pigeon Jess Koopman in the action against the Rovers
(source: Yarrawonga FNC on Facebook)

 

*Doug Strang was a champion footballer in the 1930s with East Albury, Albury and Richmond. He and his brother Gordon, who later captain coached Wodonga, were recruited by Richmond in 1931. But it didn’t start or end there. Their father, Bill, played 70 games for South Melbourne. And Gordon’s son, Geoff, was a Richmond premiership player in 1967 and 1969. The Strang family were part of six Richmond premierships, won three club goal kicking awards and earned a place in the Tiger’s Team of the Century (Gordon Strang at CHB).

 

Scores

Yarrawonga 7.3 13.4 18.8 20.17 (137)
Wangaratta Rovers 3.1 5.1 8.2 9.3 (57)

 

Goals – Yarrawonga: Casey 5, Williams 4, Fothergill 3, Conway 2, Wheeler 2, Bruce, Urquhart, Howe, Gibbons

Wangaratta Rovers: Marklew 4, Boyd 2, McCarthy, Allen, Williamson

 

Best – Yarrawonga: William Wheeler, Matthew Casey, Brayden Coburn, Ryan Bruce, Leigh Williams, Lach Howe

Wangaratta Rovers: Thomas Boyd, Cody Schutt, Alexander Marklew, Toby Murray, Alex McCarthy

 

Around the grounds of the Ovens and Murray League

The second last round of home and away matches were one-sided contests with the top three teams, Yarrawonga, Albury and Wangaratta, flexing their muscles before the finals. Wodonga and Wangaratta Rovers will play finals, but look to be just making up the numbers in September.

 

Albury 16.11 (107) defeated Wodonga 4.6 (30)
Wangaratta 21.14 (140) defeated Myrtleford 2.11 (23)
Lavington 18.9 (117) defeated Wodonga Raiders 5.10 (40)
North Albury – bye

 

Next week’s last round of matches before the finals sees Wodonga (4th) at home to Yarrawonga (1st), the Rovers (5th) hosting the Hoppers (6th), Lavington (7th) taking on Albury (2nd) and Myrtleford (8th) ending the season at home to Wodonga Raiders (9th). Wangaratta have the bye. Our match of the day is the Panthers (Lavington) v Tigers (Albury) fixture at the Lavington Sports Ground.

 

Golf at Yarrawonga

There are now two great golf courses on the Murray at Yarrawonga-Mulwala. The 45 hole Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort situated on the NSW side of the river at Mulwala and the newcomer, the Black Bull Golf Course around the shores of Lake Mulwala on the Victorian side. Have any Almanackers played golf at the challenging but rewarding Yarrawonga- Mulwala courses?

 

Next episode: to Albury-Wodonga, via Corowa, in the Ovens and Murray League.

 

All photos by the author unless otherwise designated.

 

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