Loddon Herald 1 June 2023

One of Inglewood’s lovely modern homes, built in 1985, this excellently positioned family home offers quality fixtures and fittings, all within an easy functioning family home. Offering 3 big spacious bedrooms with the Master bedroom having a deep walk in robe & Ensuite, the other bedrooms with built in robes. Large bathroom with separate Shower, Bath & Vanity along with a big Laundry with separate Toilet. Heating & cooling is from the Reverse Cycle, ducted units. Outside is a lovely patio on the East side & a small fernery on the West side. Coupled with a large double carport with enclosed fencing in the backyard, this home is very Pet friendly. A 6m x 7.5m Colorbond shed in the rear yard, compliments the home with full 240V power & cement floor.

TELEPATHIC, ESP, on the same wave length or just connected, guess that’s the message behind Bradley of Boort’s latest Treemendous Sign offering that went up over the weekend. We’re not too sure, however, whether he made sure the message made it across the Loddon Valley Highway and over to Pyramid Hill.

REASON we say that is the crew who live in the football and netball kennel of Mitchell Park ventured up to Kelly Street on Saturday night for their annual ball. And was it a case of they of little confidence when booking the band? Despite some quite convincing wins for the Bulldogs, players danced the night away to ... Drowning the Sorrows. Reports were it was a pretty jovial affair anyway.

WHILE the Bulldogs were certainly not drowning their sorrows, others may well have been as can happen on any given Saturday night at any time of the year. Where did the saying come from? Apparently, the idiom came into use sometime in the 1800s - To attempt to forget one’s troubles through the consumption of something, typically alcohol (to which the phrase originally referred).

ONE blogger looks to chocolate instead of alcohol (very wise we say at OTF). He wrote: “No matter how happy or fulfilling your life is we all have off

days. We all have times when we are down in the dumps. We feel like things fall out of place from time to time. We go through; break ups, job changes, loss of loved ones and the list of things that get us down goes on and on. When life seems to continuously throw us curve balls we look for ways to deal with the stress. Things to make us feel better about ourselves and lift us up. We all have different ways of dealing with life’s problems. Some of us turn to drinking or drugs. Some turn to more physical healthier stress relievers such as; boxing, crafts, rock climbing and what ever else. Many of us turn to food ... chocolate.”

ONE bloke drowning the sorrows at the moment is the Loddon’s No 1 Saints’ supporter. The Oracle has instead taken to exerting greater gusto with the whistle since his Sainters started slipping in the AFL stakes. And he’s like all good supporters, casting back in time when there were some great coaches in the big league. He soaked up the atmosphere at Raywood on Saturday and evoked the great styles of Richmond premiership player John “Swooper” Northey in the 1960s. The Oracle reckons the great Swooper would lift any team from the doldrums. Guess he’s well qualified to make that call. His Sainters top the wooden spoon ladder in AFL-VFL history.

BACK to Bradley, we’re sure he’s already concocting some more funnies for his sign ... perhaps tapping into your very wave lengths.

Three share in Australia Post grants

THREE district groups are among 438 organisations sharing in more than $400,000 from Australia Post’s annual People of Post Grants.

Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House will use its grant to provide art courses for the community through its Arts in Inglewood initiative that will include an exhibition.

Bealiba Reservoir Committee will create a community meeting

space around the town’s reservoir to expand community involvement and socialisation opportunities by developing the reservoir precinct. And 3570 Community group that draws members from the Raywood and Kamarooka districts will use its grant to keep residents connected.

The organisations were nominated for a grant by their local post office or postie for the $1000 grants.

Tenar Dwyer was guest speaker at Kooyoora Women’s Network May dinner. Tenar is the Inglewood Hub administrator and spoke of her life and her love of art and working at the hub. Tenar is pictured with network president Colleen Condliffe.

Pool study still to start

PLANS for a study into the future of Loddon pools and recreation areas are still to be finalised.

Council announced the study in January 2022 at the height of community concern for the five local swimming pools as a statewide shortage of lifeguards impacted opening days.

The study was to have started last July but wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said on Monday: “The recreation open space and aquatic study has not yet commenced.

“The final stages of planning are being completed. The commencement of this work has been delayed as the community

support team actively support council’s flood recovery activities and delivery of other community projects.”

Council last year said the strategy was needed to help meet community’s contemporary recreational, open space and aquatic needs, by considering current and future needs of residents at all ages and stages of life, the upgrade and renovation needs of the existing pools, recreation reserves and parks, council’s longterm financial sustainability, and future population trends.

“This strategy will replace the recreation strategy, open space strategy and swimming pool im-

provement plan and will combine these into one document that will strategically support the provision of quality recreation, leisure and open space facilities and services across the shire.

“The aquatic component of the strategy will review available swimming pool attendance data over time (including the current season) to understand user trends.

“The strategy will also analyse the condition of our swimming pool facilities and provide strategic action recommendations to ensure our aquatic facilities are fit for purpose, are efficient to operate and maintain and are

Duck inquiry

best positioned to increase use,” council said.

Mitiamo Progress Association last month told councillors retention of the town’s swimming pool built by volunteers in the 1960s was a top priority in the new 10-year town plan.

Belgavia Leisure, manager of the five Loddon pool, had reported an increase in use last season.

“We had 11 community groups make use of the pools this season and 28 events were held across the shire with movie nights, including Mitiamo’s first on the back of community feedback,” the company said in March.

Wazza’s mental health crusade taps Loddon generosity

RUOK? ambassador Warren Wright has been embraced and supported by Loddon communities as he adds to more than 6500km travelled raising awareness and funds for mental health support.

Two years after first walking the Calder Highway north to Mildura, Warren last week returned on a southward trek with Portland the next big destination.

In Wedderburn, Inglewood and Bridgewa-

ter, supporters turned out to greet him while encouragement was received from motorists on the busy highway.

He arrived in Wedderburn as an Arctic blast hit the Loddon last Thursday where he spent two nights. Hotel patrons and publican Craig Fuller donated $350 in a special whiparound the bar on Friday night.

After a morning-warming coffee at 24 Karat Cafe, Warren made his next stop in In-

glewood where Steve Weavell and patrons at the Empire State Hotel raised $425 on Saturday night. Wazza won the weekly meat raffle, drawing his own ticket, and then auctioned the prize. Warren also spoke of his walk for RUOK during the stay.

He spent Sunday night in Bridgewater before heading to Dunolly.

“Everyone is so great supporting the RUOK cause ... thank you,” Warren said.

MORE than 9000 submissions have been received as the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into duck hunting begins formal hearings. Submissions, including one from Loddon Shire in support of future duck hunting seasons, are being published on the Parliament’s website. The Legislative Council committee is looking at recreational bird hunting arrangements including the operation of annual bird hunting seasons, arrangements in other jurisdictions, the environmental sustainability and impacts and the social and economic impact.

Planned burn

A 27.41-hectare traditional burn was planned for Lake Boort yesterday. Forest Fire Management Victoria said the burn had been due to be finished by 6pm and that smoke may be visible in the district until Saturday.

Vehicle tracking

DEPARTMENT of Transport has started its triennial count of traffic using the Calder Highway at Bridgewater and Inglewood. Counter tapes have been installed in several locations. A department spokesman said the traffic count was not connected with calls in Inglewood for a reduction of speed limits in the main street.

Double digits

LODDON communities have recorded a third consecutive week of double digit COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the COVID-safe plan has been enacted at Inglewood and Districts Health Service after an outbreak in its aged care services. Only essential visitors are being admitted to the hospital.

Sports grant

BRIDGEWATER Cricket Club has received a $1000 grant through the Victorian Government for uniforms and equipment. “The Sporting Club Grants Program is giving grassroots sports clubs across our region the support they need to grow their ranks and help more locals of all ages play the sports they love,” said Ripon MP Martha Haylett.

Craig Fuller and Warren Wright talk wellbeing during Wazza’s stopover in Wedderburn last week. LH PHOTO

‘Rural winners’ in heritage bid

BACKERS of the push UNESCO World Heritage listing of the goldfields say Loddon towns will be tourism winners under the plan.

Chair of the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said a tourism masterplan being developed featured “exciting World Heritage journeys which will disperse the increased visitors – and visitor dollars – throughout the region”.

“It will take in our smaller regional and rural communities meaning there are no winners and losers, only winners,” he said, Loddon Shire is one of 13 councils across central Victoria backing the bid led by Bendigo and Ballarat.

Proponents of the listing were allocated $3.8 million in last week’s State Budget.

They say World Heritage listing of a limited number of globally significant sites will deliver real and long-lasting benefits

Cluster camping

YEAR 3 and 4 students at Tarnagulla Primary School had their annual camp last week. The students joined with cluster schools including Bealiba and Dunolly for the camp at Malmsbury.

that will be shared by communities and people right across the Goldfields region.

“World Heritage will bring world-wide recognition and attention and is a proven, powerful catalyst for unlocking transformative opportunities for local communities,” they said in a statement this week.

“It is estimated to be worth $1 billion to the region over 10 years. Connecting the world with the Victorian Goldfields will grow our global visitor market, driving sustainable tourism and jobs.”

A targeted tourism investment strategy will start delivering benefits in the short-term, major council mayors said in this week’s announcement.

According to Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf: “Traditional owners will be able to tell their own stories about the impact of the gold rush and share those with visitors in the ways they choose.”

STUDENTS from five schools across the Loddon and central Victoria were part of the work experience program at Inglewood and Districts Health Services in May. Among them was Bendigo Senior Secondary College’s Sienna Ward (pictured right) with IDHS community, consumer and volunteer engagement officer Cindy Gould explaining IDHS services to Mavis Needs during a community pop-up session last week. Sienna, of Inglewood, is a Year 11 student studying allied health subjects. Local students on work experience have also come from Wedderburn College, East Loddon College and Catherine McAuley College. LH PHOTO

No aged care announcement month out from change date

THE Federal Government is still to confirm who will provide in-home aged care services in Loddon communities from July 1. Loddon Shire will stop providing services after government reforms.

And while the Loddon Herald believes three new providers have been appointed,

the Federal Government has said no announcement will be made until contracts are finalised.

Loddon Shire has said existing clients have been told of new providers. Meanwhile, neighbouring Gannawarra Shire will decide this month its future as an

in-home aged service provider. Northern District Community Health this week said it was interested in delivering in-home and community aged care and disability services to the community if Gannawarra Shire exited its arrangements with the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Youth share flood experiences

YOUTH Affairs Council Victoria has met with Loddon youngsters in a fact-finding visit to prepare its submission to the Victorian Parliament inquiry on last October’s flood emergency.

CEO Katherine Ellis and her team spoke with people impacted by floods across Loddon, Buloke and Gannawarra Shires.

Katherine also met with North Central LLEN and Northern District Community Health to talk about their experiences and find out about initiatives to support young people as they recovered from floods under the BLG Umbrella grants.

Over lunch in Boort, a group of students from Boort District School and Summerwave performer Elias Lanyon met with the YacVIC team.

They talked about the impact of the floods on young people at a critical time on the school calendar – the lead up to VCE exams.

Year 10 students from Charlton College and their teacher Meaghan King talked about their Geography project documenting the outcomes of the 2022 floods and 2011 flood comparisons/learnings on the local business community from an economic, social and community perspective.

North Central LLEN CEO Jane Hosking said it was great to hear about this timely project, and also the way in which young people were actively engaged during the floods helping with sandbagging for their neighbours and creating levies to protect the community.

“Katherine also asked them about their recollections of the 2011 floods impacts,” she said,.

“Whilst the boys were very young at the time they had vivid memories including one boy recalling being carried out of his home on a neighbours’ shoulders to be rescued by the CFA and another speaking of his family’s experience during the six months it took for their house to be repaired,” she said.

BLG Umbrella project provided support for young people across the three shires through the engagement of a project team to coordinate a range of activities between December and April

This included the YouThrive Victoria Dreamseeds program in schools in late 2022 to facilitate their workshop on resilience, as-

Pamper songs aid to recovery

QUICK response flood recovery grants totalling $90,000 have been distributed to groups by Women’s Health Loddon Mallee.

Dingee Bush Nursing Centre has received funding for a women’s pamper day and its Dairy Queens project connecting rural women to support services. And Dingee CWA will use its grant for a weekend break trip by local women.

A weekly healthy minds and body class by the Durham Ox Farming Women’s Group is also being supported by the fund while Boort Resource and Information Centre will run a lino printing program. Dunolly Gilbert and Sullivan Society will run a Sassy Songstresses series for women singing G&S favourites.

Wedderburn Community House’s recent Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was funded by one of the grants.

piration and connection; financial support for the re-scheduled Summerwave Music Festival held in Kerang in February through the provision of free bus transport for young people living in Buloke and Loddon Shires.

Loddon Shire is finalising its submission to the inquiry before Monday’s closing date.

“We heard from flood impacted women in the region, many of whom have been displaced, that they have lost access to vital resources and local supports that operated prior to the 2022 floods,” said WHLM CEO Tricia Currie These grants have been allocated across the region to communitybased organisations that provide women with opportunities to regroup, reconnect, and recover.”

Emma Gawne, Alyssa Boyd, Phoebe Malone, Katherine Ellis (YacVIC), Elias Lanyon, Rhiannon Jennings (YACVic) and Carissa Haw with (front) Matt Allan (NDCH) and Molly Meadows (NCLLEN).

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

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MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

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WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

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THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

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STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

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Cuppas for a worthy cause

THOUSANDS of dollars have been raised for the Cancer Council at Australia’s Biggest Morning Teas in the Loddon last week.

At Pyramid Hill, more than 40 people attended the neighbourhood house event.

Co-ordinator Kim Bennett said a donation of $1300 would be made to the Cancer Council. “Donations came in all week - not

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School reunion plans

A REUNION is planned next month of former Laanecoorie Primary School students

The get-together will mark 30 years since the school was closed.

The school had opened in 1864 after a petition to the Government from local residents.

The school closed in 1993 due to low student enrolments.

The reunion will be at the town’s mechanics’ institute hall on July 9 and organisers are contacting former students.

Parents surveyed on care

TARNAGULLA Primary School is surveying parents on the need for out of school hours care.

Parents have been told a demonstrated need could see the school receive government funding to establish the program over two years.

only at the event. Our community members and businesses were beyond generous to the cause,” said Kim.

Almost $380 was raised by Boort District School’s student representative council with parents and residents from Boort District Health hostel joining the Friday morning recess fundraiser. “The weather

certainly turned it on for us,” said SRC coordinator Sharon Pickering who assisted students with organisation.

Students also took part in a fancy dress parade, boosting funds raised.

And a morning tea also hosted by Dingee Bush Nursing Centre raised more than $150.

Shirley Wilson, Donna Doyle, Enna Kaur and Helen Storey at the Boort morning tea. Sam Barracllough and Grace Hall serve morning tea to students and visitors for the fundraiser.

Erin Farrar, Alyssa Boyd, Braedon Niven, Zarlie Festherby and Pheone Malone. LH PHOTOS

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm  Social Darts Night

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm  Trivia Night

Wednesday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm  Pot’n’Parma Night

Thursday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm Steak’n’Pot Night

Friday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Saturday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday  All Day Pizza Menu  Close 11.00pm

Spillway solution search starts

WORKS to upgrade Laaneecorie Reservoir spillway are at least two years from being started.

Last week’s Victorian Budget earmarked $821 000 for development of the detailed design solution to maintaining the ageing spillway.

Goulburn Murray Water’s general manager water storage services Martina Cusack said: “The Laanecoorie spillway and outlets works upgrade will address the aging outlet valves and spillway superstructure arrangements.

“The upgrade will manage the short and long-term maintenance needs, with several alternatives under consideration.

“The works will take into account the existing uses of the reservoir - water storage, boating, fishing, dam safety requirements and operational needs.”

The water corporation said this week that physical works were not planned to commence until mid-2025. Precise timing will depend on water levels in the reservoir and the final design solution.

GMW said the upgrades at the 8000MLcapacity reservoir would form part of its 2024-2028 pricing submission to the Essential Services Commission and that works would be fully funded by GMW customers.

Meanwhile, GMW said typical customer

bills would rise between two and six per cent in the new financial year.

GMW business and finance general manager Michael Gomez said: “It’s the second consecutive year that our prices have risen below CPI, which is good news for our customers.

“As a non-profit corporation, our pricing is structured to recover the costs of the services we provide to customers.

“We go to great lengths to ensure we are operating efficiently as a business, so it’s encouraging to see these efforts translating to the prices we offer.”

GMW said it had reduced operating costs in the past four years.

Crafty show entries off to Royal Melbourne

SUCCESSFUL Boort Show arts and craft competitors have starred at the Northern District Agricultural Societies Association regional finals.

And two people have won their way through to Victorian finals at the Royal Melbourne Show after judging at Cohuna.

Charlie Chambers, the 11-yearold grand-daughter of Boort’s Jeanette Wagner, saw her photograph of a playful dog selected as the Northern region junior section representative.

And Gaye Sim has again won through to the crotchet state final.

In the men’s handcraft section, it was a Boort quinella with Dave Rawlins awarded first place and Ricky Loader second prize.

Winning competitors from agricultural shows at Mildura, Swan Hill, Cohuna, Kerang, Echuca, Deniliquin, Bendigo and Boort qualified for the regional final in sections that included cookery, photography and crafts.

Boort Agricultural and Pastoral Society will be holding 2023 show in October and aims to increase pavilion section entries.

Feral animals disposed

TWO dozen feral animals were disposed by Loddon Shire Council in the March quarter, according to a report to last week’s council meeting.

Three dogs were impounded over the three months with one returned to its owner and two rehoused. Five impounded cats were found new homes.

Councillors were told 11 cat traps had been issued for the quarter.

Fashionable opportunity

MORE than 60 woman from across the Loddon and Bendigo enjoyed Newbridge CWA annual op-shop fashion parade last week.

Local models paraded the great range of clothes and accessories from the Dunolly Uniting Church Op Shop.

There was a well-stocked trading table and raffle that Newbridge branch officials said made for an enjoyable day

Charlie Chambers (left) has taken the top junior photography prize with her dog snap.

Stewart swans around

By CHRIS EARL

HIS name is Stewart ... a demanding young chap with determination and a mind of his own.

Time for consuming a daily diet of corn, water and lettuce signalled with a tapping of his beak on the cabin door of Boort Lakes Caravan Park managers Wendy and Tim James.

A swan named Stewart who learnt to fly on Little Lake Boort trying to keep up with skiers in summer.

That’s when Stewart waddled back into the park where he was rescued as a grey and fluffy cygnet by Tim and Wendy last AFL Grand Final weekend.

“We found him abandoned in the park and I thought, we don’t know what to do with a swan,” said Wendy.

The small ball of infant feathers was adopted out to Vaughan and Tanya Toose who named him Stewart.

In the heat of summer, Stewart went wandering and returned to the lake.

Tanya put out the call around town that Stewart the swan was missing. She called Wendy who spotted Stewart back in the abode where he was rescued.

“So he’s stayed here ever since,” said Wendy. “He’s popular with park visitors and we even have special instructions we send out before check-in on his strict diet of water, corn and lettuce.

“Normally people would feed

bread to the birds and swans but that’s not a good idea for swans because of the sugar it contains.

“Although we don’t think Stewart realises that he is swan. All the other black swans around the lake are ignored as he goes wandering during the day.”

Tim no longer has the need to

set a waking alarm each morning.

“At daylight, there’s a knock on the door from Stewart - time for food,” Tim said. “And if there is a campfire in the park, he’s happy to sit nearby and watch.”

Wendy said: “People might think we’re crazy but Stewart

Jed shares his strategies with students

EAST LODDON P12 College Year

11 and 12 students have met with the Health Project founder Jed Zimmer talking about the journey to better mental health.

The visit was inspired by SRC president Libby Clymo who had researched motivational speakers and was keen to find someone local, young and inspiring.

Jed, from Bendigo, spoke to students about some dark days he had and how he had often tried to hide his sadness before reaching a point where he couldn’t explain the cause but knew something was wrong and needed help. He confided in his mother who assisted him on his journey to better mental health.

Jed shared some strategies that have helped him over the years including recognising emotions and feelings and being grateful. He encouraged students to have a tool kit that helped them improve their mental health.

Gigs taking band far and wide

COVERS rock band Rusty Bearings is spreading its wings across regional Victoria since its debut in March.

Small towns, big di erence forum

Discover how small towns throughout the Mallee region have made a signi cant impact on their communities through the development of community owned models for facilities/retail, diverse funding sources, innovative service delivery methods, facility improvement and the organisation of fantastic events. Everyone is invited to attend this free event presented by the Mallee Regional Partnership and Regional Development Victoria.

Date: Tuesday 6 June 2023

Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm

Location: Charlton Park, Calder Highway

Cost: Free

Morning tea and lunch will be provided

Come along to hear about a range of exciting and successful initiatives from across the Mallee region including:

 Community-owned facility/business models

 Fabulous community events

 Diverse funding sources

 New ways of delivering services

 Improved community facilities

 Key ingredients to success.

Special guest Derek Guille (ABC Radio) and Brad McEwan (Brad McEwan Media) will be in attendance. Representatives from various Mallee communities will also share insights into their local initiatives. To register for the forum, please visit https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/small-towns-big-di erenceforum-tickets-593925716807?a =ebdso porgpro le.

is right at home and everyone loves him.”

“This park is where he started ... he wandered off and he just came back. It’s his home and we love having him around the park,” said Wendy between replenishing his bowl with more corn.

The five-piece group that rehearses in a Tandarra farm shed has seen its gig diary expand to include repeat performance in Bendigo and now also Wycheproof. Rusty Bearings has also been playing at Victoria Hotel Pyramid Hill and at Dingee and Jarklin.

Local laws apply to res in open air

With the lifting of CFA re restrictions, we ask residents to consider the local law provisions for res in the open air.

In the case of land that is 2000m2 (1/2 acre) or less, a re may only be lit on any Wednesday or Sunday without a written permit from Council. A camp re or re used for cooking does not require a permit on any day.

Also, all res must be noti ed to the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668511 before lighting the re or emailing a burn-o noti cation form to burno s@ esta.vic.gov.au at least 2 hours before lighting the re.

Further information about the Community Local Law can be found at https://www.loddon. vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Community-LocalLaw-2022

Stewart munches on another bowl of corn under the watchful eye of Tim and Wendy James. LH PHOTO

Wendy Murphy Inglewood

Gate calls could start from today

THE route of 80-metre tall high-voltage transmission towers through the Loddon could be known within a month.

Australia Energy Market Operation at the weekend released its new preferred Option 5A for the Victoria-NSW interconnector.

Direct talks with landowners could start as early as today, some included in “identified land of interest” for the first time after Saturday’s release of the government-owned AEMO’s third preferred route in nine months.

The new route has been moved north after Wedderburn and now straddles up to 30km each side of Boort through dryland and irrigation farms, major olive groves, significant Aboriginal sites and environmentally-sensitive areas before heading towards Kerang.

AEMO spokesman Jonathon Geddes said: “The major change from Option 5 to 5A was primarily due to stakeholder feedback to avoid sensitive cultural areas, habitat of the endangered Plainswanderer, ecotourism and prime irrigation land by crossing the Murray River north of Kerang (Murray River Group of Councils).

“Also, (it is) in response to some frustration that the previous area of interest bypassed communities wanting the infrastructure to support renewable generation development in their shire.”

The Project Assessment Conclusions Report released at the weekend says Option 5A has the potential to harness more re-

newable generation in the Murray River REZ than Option 5 and “provides greater opportunity for diversity of supply and helps maintain social licence in Gannawarra”.

Mr Geddes said that in July, once landholders who might host the infrastructure have been notified, the new AEMO company for VNI West -Transmission Company Victoria - would publish details of the corridor

By spring, an indicative route of between 200 and 400 metres wide will be identified for environmental surveys.

“This timetable will provide clarity for landholders and allow TCV to engage directly with farmers and property owners and discuss issues such as land access, compensation and benefits,” AEMO said.

Victorian planning group manager Nicola Falcon said on Saturday that “significant consultation and stakeholder feedback” had contributed to the proposed option that maximised benefits to electricity consumers and unlocks Victoria’s renewable energy potential.

“We thank all the farmers, community groups, councils and traditional owners who have contributed to the consultation, which will continue as the transmission line design is finalised,” she said.

“The feedback received has helped us identify a preferred option for the critical transmission

SHIFTING OPTIONS

August 2022 - Bendigo-Kerang through Prairie West

February 2023 - Bulgana to Echuca

May 2023 - Bulgana to Kerang

line – a variant of the previously proposed option – that delivers the most benefits for consumers and more electricity generation from three renewable energy zones in Victoria and NSW.

“By crossing the Murray River further north-west, the project can also avoid some sensitive cultural areas and prime irrigation land identified in feedback from local communities and avoid the habitat of the endangered Plainswanderer,” she said.

“The five to 50km-wide area of interest was developed using valuable information from landholders and community members, along with extensive engineering and environmental assessments, including ecology, cultural heritage, landscape and visual amenity, agricultural activities and proximity to settlements,” Ms Falcon’s statement said.

AEMO wants the project approved by early 2026 and construction finished in four years.

What will next step talks look like? Details to come

LANDOWNERS across the Loddon have been promised a different style of consultation as AEMO refines plans for a definite VNI West route through the region.

AEMO copped a barrage of complaints from farmers, Loddon Shire and other groups for its style of consultation on Option 5 released in February.

Local pop-up sessions are not on AEMO’s agenda as it reduces “land of identified interest” up to 50km north to south to a few hundred metres.

A spokesman said on Monday, that while detail was still to be released on some parts of engagement, it would include:

z Talks with regional representatives and stakeholder groups and with communities who will potentially host the infrastructure to understand priorities, opportunities, and constraints through the work to narrow the corridor to a route;

Wait on minister behind Saturday night release of new route area

A “TECHNICAL GLITCH” gave the headsup last Thursday night that AEMO had settled on its third preferred route in nine months for the VNI West high-voltage interconnector.

By 10.30 Friday morning, the Option 5A map had been removed from AEMO’s website after inquiries by the Loddon Herald.

“We had a ‘tech’ glitch with our website and apologise. We’re still working towards publishing the final report, submissions and information on next steps (consultation, compensation, land access, etc).”

AEMO later told other stakeholders: “Some information on the VNI West pro-

ject that was being prepared for publishing on the AEMO website was inadvertently published.”

Confirmation of the new “land of identified interest” map came about 5.30pm Saturday, two hours after the State Government announced a second ministerial order in three months to fast-track the project.

AEMO responded to criticism of the Saturday evening announcement saying: “Unfortunately the timing of the announcement was influenced by the gazetting of the ministerial order, apologies.”

A VNI West project specific website went live on Monday - 48 hours after the Option 5A map dust had settled.

z Establishing local community reference and consultative groups as forums for community representatives to collaborate with the project teams to further develop and refine the study corridor;

z Undertaking direct engagement with potentially affected landholders;

z Online interactive maps that can be used by community members to provide geolocated input and feedback for consideration in the route refinement process.

z Community information session events and information sessions in each Victorian local council area. A series of booths will provide information on a range of key topics such as farming and bushfire risk.

z A series of face-to-face engagement events in impacted communities in New South Wales.

Community pop-ups were held in Boort and Wedderburn during consultation in March on Option 5.

VNI West project ‘critical to deliver cheaper, renewable energy’

MINISTER for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio says her latest ministerial order means AEMO “progress the critical VNI-West project, which will better connect the Victoria and NSW energy grids”.

“Progressing critical transmission projects like VNI West is necessary to deliver cheaper, more reliable renewable energy to Victorian homes and businesses,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“There can be no energy transition without new transmission infrastructure – as Victoria moves towards 95 per cent renewables by 2035, we have a duty to modernise our electricity network.”

She said the VNI West project still required relevant planning and environ-

mental approvals, which would provide more opportunities for community members and traditional owners to share their views on the project.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the ministerial order had been implemented to progress AEMO’s preferred option, which connects VNI West to the planned Western Renewables Link at a terminal station at Bulgana, near Stawell, then linking to a terminal station near Kerang before crossing the Murray River north of Kerang.

“The Victorian Government is accelerating key electricity transmission projects to secure an affordable and reliable supply of renewable energy for homes and businesses across Victoria,” she said.

Farmer suddenly finds himself in tower zone Bulldozer power ire fires VFF

By CHRIS EARL

TYLER Nelson had been following AEMO plans to string 500 kiloVolt transmission lines across land on the south of side of Boort.

He and wife Kate had made a submission during AEMO’s six-week consultation period on Option 5.

Although their Leaghur irrigation and dryland farm was outside the shaded area on AEMO’s second bid for a preferred option released in February, Trent went to one of just two Loddon pop-up consultations to learn more about what the project meant for the area.

But on Friday morning, when Option 5A was prematurely put on the government-owned energy operator’s website, Leaghur was for the first time in AEMO’s sights and the Nelson farm firmly in the map’s shaded area.

Trent and Kate had a No Go AEMO sign ready to put on the farm gate, now expecting their first contact from AEMO any day to talk about future land use and access if the final route goes through Leaghur.

“The map now is very different to what they put out before,” Trent said. “Not many people north of Boort had been engaged but now all of a sudden we’re in the mix.”

Trent said the sudden change of preferred route came with “lots of unknowns and a lack of information”.

“We have had no interaction (consultation) with AEMO ... what will this do to land values?

“We need to raise awareness around the district. People probably think these are standard powerlines, they’re not.”

Trent also questioned the speed of the VNI West process. “Nothing good comes out of a project that rushed,” he said.

And Kate questioned whether AEMO had factored in data researched by Professor Bruce Mountain who has advocated alternatives to VNI West.

“We want consultation and information,” they said.

Premier playing games with local communities: Walsh

MURRAY Plains MP Peter Walsh has demanded Premier Daniel Andrews meet Loddon communities after the weekend’s new route announcement.

“It will be the courteous and respectful thing to do ... the right thing for local people,” Mr Walsh said.

And Loddon Mayor Dan Straub, a critic of the VNI West engagement and consultation process, said he would encourage Mr Andrews to visit the region.

“He can then hear first-hand the community concerns, the pros and the cons and what the effects will be on the ground,” Cr Straub said.

Mr Walsh, who is leader of the Victorian Nationals, said the weekend’s announcement show Mr Andrews’s disdain for regional and rural Victorians “has finally gone too far”.

“The Andrews Labor government is simply riding roughshod

Walsh

over the rights of rural and regional Victorians with its battering-ram approach to the proposed Victoria-New South Wales interconnector,” he said.

Mr Walsh said the decision to drop the “out of the blue” announcement of yet another change to the path of the project to mostly metropolitan media

around 5.30pm on Saturday was “an absolute disgrace”. “Have the Premier and the Government learnt nothing from all the concern and complaints about the way communication and consultation around this massive project leading up to the weekend?

“Have the Premier or the Government even stopped to consider they are playing games with people’s lives and people’s livelihoods – because that’s exactly what they are doing.

“Surely decisions of this size and importance would warrant a personal visit from the Premier so the people of regional Victoria can ask questions and get answers – but that doesn’t happen in the Andrews empire. In that world you do as you are told, when they finally get around to telling you what you will be doing.”

Mr Walsh said the Government invoking legislative powers from

THE State Government had been autocratic in giving AEMO “bulldozer powers” to push ahead without proper analysis.

Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Emma Germano on Tuesday slammed the Government steamroller approach to Loddon farmers.

Ms Germano said Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio was using “extreme powers to come over the top of farming communities and force transmission towers to be built on their land”.

“Farmers are being ignored by the Andrews Government in the planning for renewable energy and transmission development across the state,” she said.

“The VFF called on the Government to put a pause on these projects, take over their planning and get the policy settings right so communities are respected, and landholder rights are protected.

“Instead, they have done the complete opposite by giving AEMO unfettered powers to send the bulldozers over our farms.

“The minister is using autocratic powers to rush these projects meaning there is no requirement for a cost benefit analysis or competitive tender. Victoria’s energy rules aren’t just broken, they’re rotten.”

Ms Germano said Option 5A had included new communities to transmission development without consultation.

“Yet again, the Government has allowed AEMO to announce a new transmission route in the dead of the night, without one jot of consultation with the farmers that could be impacted.

the National Electricity Victoria (Amendment) Act 2015 (NEVA)

“to bludgeon his agenda through what should be a democratic process” makes it all the worse.

He says the purpose, and intent, of this Act was to amend the original National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 to grant rights to the minister and consumer or user groups to intervene in appeals against certain decisions and determinations made by the Australian Energy Regulator.

“It was never intended to be hijacked by an agenda-driven government which clearly doesn’t give a damn about the little people who get in the way of its bluesky vision that is already bankrupting our state,” Mr Walsh says.

“Once again regional and rural Victorians are the ones who will pay the price for the incompetence of the Andrews Labor Government and its total inability to manage an economy.”

“The minister’s order states that she has consulted with the Premier, the Treasurer and AEMO. Nowhere does it say she has consulted with the farming communities that will be impacted by these projects.”

First banners, now campaign T-shirts

FARMERS around Wedderburn and St Arnaud are stepping up their public campaign against the VNI West project.

A fortnight after the first batch of No Go AEMO started being bought by farmers to erect at farm gates, opponents of VNI West and Western Renewables Link have joined forces as Regional Victoria Power Alliance for a state-wide campaign.

They are producing Tshirts with the slogan Stop Labor’s Towers.

Peter

NOW IN THE PATH: Leaghur farmers Tyler and Kate Nelson. LH PHOTO

BACK IN TIME Brian and Jill Hussey had eyes turning in Brooke Street, Inglewood, when they arrived in town with scores of vintage vehicle enthusiasts for the inaugural pre-World War Two rally organised by three car clubs. Their 1913 T-model Ford was one of the popular vehicles parked in Brooke Street while its owners went browsing local antique stores. And later the vista stepped back a century as Brian drove to the recreation reserve. Brian has owned the car - restored to its original colours of grey, green, blue, and red - for more than 50 years. And it was not the first time he had visited Inglewood. “We’ve been here before ... it’s a beaut town,” said Brian who is head scrutineer with the Veteran Car Club of Australia.

Time for a home loan health check!

Plibersek’s blunt call on buybacks

FEDERAL Water Minister Tanya

Plibersek has told a group of Victorian council mayor’s that Murray Darling Basin buybacks will be delivered.

Loddon’s Cr Dan Straub was part of the Murray River Group of Councils delegation to meet Ms Plibersek in Canberra last.

“The answer from the minister was blunt and given with brute honesty,” Cr Straub said.

Mayor told Ms Plibersek that local communities could not bear more water buybacks.

“We told the minister that more buybacks would be disastrous,” Cr Straub said.

He said councils in the region wanted to be part of finding solutions for the Murray Darling Basin plan and seeing it assist with regional economic and population growth.

“We don’t want to receive (funding for) trinkets. We want real investment for the future,” he said.

The delegation also met with basin authority chief executive officer Andrew McConville gathering information on what the next two years would be in the plan’s rollout.

“We hope to be part of the consultation and make it clear councils will not be just bad news messengers.”

The delegation also met with federal Local Government Minister Christie McBain.

LH PHOTOS

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This brand new estate is directly adjacent to the Bridgewater Recreation Reserve and offers a rare opportunity to own a parcel of land within walking distance to town amenities, primary school and the Loddon river. The level allotments with power, water and sewerage connected, range in size between 677m2 - 969m2, are affordably priced and would suit a variety of buyers.

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Light falls come in nick of time

RAIN is needed to support germination of early sown crops across the Loddon, according to soil analysis released last week by Agriculture Victoria. Wind and frosts have dried the surface since good rains fell across the region in April. About 20mm was recorded across the Loddon on Thursday and Sunday - the highest since mid-April.

Josh Turnbull and Jeremy Sait are among local farmers watching forecasts for more substantial rain.

They were last week preparing a paddock at Glenalbyn for sowing.

“There’s not a lot of moisture under the ground at the moment,” said Josh who is leasing land in the Wedderburn district

and at Koondrook to sow wheat, barley and canola crops. “Paddocks have dried out a lot since the rain in mid-April.”

A probe of soil at Raywood last week recorded 51 per cent available plant moisture.

The Agriculture Victoria analysis shows a likely drier rainfall and likely warmer temperatures for the next three months.

THERE was a cheaper lamb market with price cuts of $15 to $30 per head common across the yarding on Monday, noting Bendigo was coming off a relatively strong sale last Monday.

Supply increased with 15,000 lambs yarded, 6000 more. Both major supermarkets remained absent and two regular buyersa southern processor and a key northern exporter - were also missing this week.

Lamb quality was mixed although there was still a very good lead run of lambs off grain.

On a carcass basis the market was dragged under 650c/kg cwt, the best heavy lambs at an estimated 600c to 630c/kg for most. But any plainer heavy lambs in untidy skins and the general run of tradeweight lambs slipped below the $6 threshold at 550c to 590c/kg averages.

Secondary light lambs struggled for support, as did plainer Merino lambs which lacked fat cover, and these were often under 400c/kg.

Export lambs over 30kg cwt from $196 to a top of $214/hd. Pens of heavy crossbred lambs, 26-30kg, $155 to $200, the better score 3 types av $182/hd.

Heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg, $143 to $165 to av $152, and medium trades $133 to $150/hd.

Once under 20kg cwt the market was mostly $60 to $110; the most secondary small lambs sold down to $4/hd.

Sheep were cheaper by $10 to

$20 per head. Heaviest crossbred ewes $106 to $130 and Merinos in wool to $145.

General run of sheep $60 to $90 at a ballpark cost of 330c to 380c/kg cwt.

CROSSBRED LAMBS Bridgewater Park Farming Bridgewater (234) $214, Ian Angove Echuca (18) $212, B & J Weeks Echuca (81) $211, Adam Fox (105) $208, Giffin Farms Hunter (54) $202, G & K Pink Boort (102) $200, Cambrea Investments Bears Lagoon (102) $188, C Graham Family Arnold (46) $188, RJ & DM Johnston F/T Boort (52) $185, F & M Schimdt Pyramid Hill (32) $175, Liphuyzen Farming Deniliquin (84) $175, R & N Comer Drummartin (195) $171, J Davidson Pompapiel (15) $171, A & C Branson Colbinabbin (181) $166, J & S Cox Bamawm (74) $166, OR & BE Osborne Neilborough (45) $162.

MERINO LAMBS MA & SJ Lang Burraboi (135) $160, C Graham Family Arnold (37) $132.

CROSSBRED EWES J Davidson Pompapiel (15) $130, J & S Cox Bamawm (66) $126, R & N Comer Drummartin (28) $120.

MERINO EWES

Liphuyzen Farming Deniliquin (81) $126. SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK

AGENTS

GRAIN

Boort Grain Co-op prices

Tuesday. Wheat – H1 $388 FIS. H2 $360 FIS. APW1 $351 FIS. ASW $351 FIS. AGP1 $351 FIS. SFW1 $351 FIS. FED1 $341 FIS. Barley - PL1 $333 FIS. SP1 $333 FIS. Bar1 $295 FIS. Bar2 $277 FIS. Bar3 $257 FIS JUNE. Bar4 $237 FIS

JUNE.

Josh Turnbull and Jeremy Sait prepare to sow wheat in a leased paddock at Glenalbyn. LH PHOTO

Plant pumping new oil

THE first units at Cobram Estate’s new olive oil processing plant at Boort have already doubled daily production.

Specialist equipment imported from Italy as part of the $25 million expansion is extracting oil from fruit grown at the company’s 3500-hectare grove and other Loddon groves.

“In a fairly short time, we have seen the first equipment installed and straight up and running. It’s been great,” said general manager horticulture Ruth Sutherland. Investment will grow the processing mill to the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Harvest started early May and is scheduled to be finished at the end of June.

“We’re now processing close to double the volume a day than we were before,” Ruth said.

“This is an on-year for olives and is looking to be better than average.

“There is a really good quality and this adds to the excitement of using the new mill equipment for the first time.”

Ruth said new processing units in the expanded mill, four times the size of Cobram Estate’s previous building, were part of a significant investment by the company when also coupled with planting of additional groves at Boort.

This is Ruth’s sixth harvest. “There has been lots of changes

with redevelopments, and now, the mill, that is very satisfying,” she said.

Ruth said additional staff had been employed for the 2023 harvest, joining returning backpackers and grey nomads who had

previously worked in Boort during the picking season. When completed, the mill expansion will lift full vertical integration production capacity at Boort to 80 tonnes of fruit an hour.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Positive results for the heavy sheep & lambs were seen in this week’s market while there was a slight decrease in cents per kilo for the lighter lambs.

Land tax move bad for farms - inquiry told

A VICTORIAN Parliament inquiry has been told that using land tax to replace stamp duty on property sales was not acceptable for farmland.

Speaking to the Legislative Council economy and infrastructure committee’s inquiry into land transfer duty, Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Emma Germano said a move to abolish stamp duty should not lead to the imposition of land tax on farm properties.

“Victoria’s farming community has very deep reservations about any move to replace stamp duty with a broad-based land tax that would include land tax for primary production land,” Ms Germano said.

“You have read in other submissions put before the inquiry, and from representatives from other organisations, that stamp duty should be replaced with a broadbased annual land tax.

“These submissions have however totally ignored the impact that a land tax would have on agriculture.

“The dependence that agriculture has on land, means that any form of taxation on that land, disproportionately impacts farm businesses, compared to any other business,” the VFF president said.

Vanessa Ohngemach checks oil flowing from the new processing mill. LH PHOTO

Ruth Sutherland

RSVP awaited on Premier’s visit

SATURDAY in country communities across the Loddon are spent participating as a player or enthusiastic supporter in sport and then relaxing with family and friends after the game,

But for the State Government and Australian Energy Market Operator, that’s when they chose to drop a landscapechanging report and issue a ministerial order to fast-track process and decisions.

This newspaper believes the timing was appalling, the engagement with our local communities even worse and still we are waiting to be told the benefits for our part of the state when a spider web of transmission lines is strung across valuable farmland.

No fanfare of a visit by the Premier accompanied with flashing media cameras to capture the moment a monumental change is announced, unlike the glamour

that accompanies big announcements in Melbourne.

We agree with local MP Peter Walsh. Premier Andrews should, must, visit the Loddon Shire to meet the people who will be impacted by the bulldozing attitude of implementing AEMO’s Option 5A. He should see the landscape now, because it will be forever changed once construction starts.

And our communities need to hear just how social licence - defined as when a project has the ongoing approval within the local community and other stakeholders, ongoing approval or broad social acceptance and, most frequently, as ongoing acceptance - will be achieved by the Government.

To not travel 221km to the Loddon from his office in Spring Street before the announcement or at any time in the very near future would only add weight to claims by opponents of the AEMO process that the Loddon has become a dumping ground for bad policy and for the Government, a route of inconsequential resistance.

The Government to date has left the can-carrying to AEMO. But twice in four months, it has been the Government that has set the timetable with the issuing of ministerial orders.

Now the Premier should issue a timetable for his visit to meet our local communities - face-to-face - tell us the benefits and take us on the journey.

Broke state on way to being broken

By PETER WALSH

UNDER the Andrews Labor government, Victoria is basically broke.

And on its way to being broken as well.

In its latest failure, this government has handed down a brutal State Budget which, despite all its bloodletting, has done nothing to slow our state’s soaring debt – the latest projections state that will hit $171.4 billion by 2027 and our current punitive interest payments will more than double to an eye-watering $22 million a day.

In a budget that highlights total financial incompetence, Labor will make life harder for regional Victorians with funding slashed in key areas such as roads, health, and agriculture.

Which is the last thing regional Victorians wanted to hear, with our road network already teetering on the verge of collapse after years of decay and neglect being compounded in many areas by last year’s floods and/or the incredibly protracted wet season.

Any investment of taxpayer dollars into agriculture, regional Victoria’s economic engine room, would be welcome, but Andrews Inc keeps clawing back money from staffing, research, extension, and support services, forcing farmers to turn to commercial experts for the help they should be getting from government as a small reward for the billions of dollars generated for the state’s bottom line.

On health, there is no plan in this budget to solve regional Victoria’s workforce issues. Not only will this leave more regional and rural Victorians on waiting lists, struggling to receive the urgent care and treatment many desperately need, it will also

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Transparency chorus doesn’t ring true

Sir, Another option. Now Option 5A. “The preferred option is a double circuit overhead transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales… Crossing the Murray River, north of Kerang.” (Option 5 had crossed the Murray River at Echuca).

“The preferred option 5A is a variant identified through responses to the additional Consultation Report published in Feb 2023. 5A presented fewer environmental constraints and avoids intercepting the Patho Plains – a grassland habitat known to support the endangered Plainswander. It also avoids passing near Ghow Swamp, a place of national cultural significance ...”

Little to no comfort to the farming communities who woke to the news of Option

STATE PERSPECTIVE

force more of them onto our increasingly dangerous roads making long trips to bigger regional hubs, or Melbourne, for treatments they could, and should, be receiving much closer to home.

In fact, Labor has cut a further $1 billion form the health system after cutting $2 billion in the previous year’s budget, despite the crisis gripping the system.

There was also no funding in this budget for the desperately needed hospital infrastructure in Mildura, or Shepparton, or Bairnsdale, or countless other regional communities that have been waiting, and waiting, for any sign Daniel Andrews and his ‘governing for all Victorians’ will include them and their communities. And the answer, as usual, would be no.

Labor is also further risking the lives of Victorian motorists by taking money from the Transport Accident Commission to try hide its mountain of debt, leaving lifesaving road safety initiatives on the cutting room floor.

Our road toll must be a number which keeps going down, but once you start dismantling the very positive programs which have helped achieve that, you are asking for trouble.

Daniel Andrews knows the trauma of road accidents, he has been through his own high-profile crash so surely he can see the need for more, not fewer, road safety campaigns.

Added to which our crumbling regional roads will also be left to disintegrate with maintenance funding slashed by 45 per cent since 2020, with a $260 million cut

this year alone. These savage cuts come despite 124 deaths on Victorian roads in 2023 by the day of the budget, up a shocking 30 per cent on this time last year and follows Federal Labor’s slashing of $1.3 billion from Victoria’s roads.

The regional development budget has been halved from $211.5 million to $106.6 million in this year’s budget in a devastating slash of 80 per cent since 2020.

Funding for agriculture hasn’t escaped the axe either with a 34 per cent slash from last year’s budget, and AgVic could be set for more job cuts and service reductions with a further 4000 public service jobs set to pay the price for the Premier’s total inability to manage an economy.

The Andrews Labor Government has also signed the final death warrant for Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry, a senseless and unnecessary kowtow to the green fringe of inner-city voters whose lack of understanding on how this industry works, and has done for almost 200 years, is jeopardising the very future of entire communities in the state’s east. Despite promising a staged transition through to 2030, Labor has brought the industry’s death day forward to 1 January 2024 in a shameless attempt to win back those voters.

Simply put, regional Victorians are being punished for the Government’s own incompetence.

PeterWalshisthememberforMurray Plains

1. What is the national flower of Japan?

2. Which species of kangaroo has the largest population?

3. True or false – The Incan empire did not have a written language?

4. What does EFTPOS stand for?

5. George Lazenby played the lead role in which James Bond film?

6. What is Roald Dahl’s best-selling book of all time?

7. That book was adapted for screen in 1971, but what was the name of the film?

8. Aztecs were native to which modern-day country?

9. A 90 degree angle is also known as a _____ angle?

10. A violin normally has how many strings?

11. Someone who is Scouse comes from which English city?

12. What is the largest national park in Australia by area?

13. Composer Joseph Haydn was born in which country?

14. Is Mars’ day longer or shorter than Earth’s?

15. What plant does tequila come from?

16. Lemurs are native to only one island. Which island is it?

17. What is the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet?

18. In the TV series Bewitched, what is the name of the nosy neighbour?

19. What do we call a baby deer?

20. What is the longest muscle in the human body?

ANSWERS

5A. Option 5A minimally different to Option 5, a wider area now.

But still impacting the same farming communities who have voiced their concerns loudly with over 500 submissions detailing concerns to their communities, livelihood and wellbeing, but now impacting additional communities, who haven’t been consulted.

I wonder how they will learn about this devastating proposition being dumped on them?

Will it be like us, via text message and facebook and whisperings in the community. AEMO’s chorus about transparency appears to be blatantly false.

What has not been explained is why a detailed report by independent experts in energy transmission, has been disregarded.

Professors Bruce Mountain and Simon Bartlett in a detailed report state that

all that needs to be achieved with future renerawbale energy can be achieved in a more efficient and effective manner without AEMO’s proprosed transmission lines.

AEMO simply must not be allowed to continue its ‘no care’ course of destruction through regional Victoria.

GlendaWatts

Charlton

ONLINE WORDS

‘INADVERTANT’ MAP RELEASE AND QUICK REMOVAL FROM WEBSITE BY AEMO DRAWS RESPONSE FROM LODDON HERALD READERS

Jack van den Dungen wrote: But they did consult the community. They didn’t listen but they did consult.

David Price wrote: What an absolute circus.

Lynne Sinclair wrote: Really! Does their left hand know what their right hand is doing? And now this map has been taken down from website! I stand by my original comment!

Michelle Lawrence wrote: No one will be happy for this

From the Loddon Herald facebook page

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Preference is given to letters 300 words or less. Letter should contain contact phone number and address (for verification). Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com

DAVID McTAGGART TAKES THE LODDON HERALD’S CHRIS EARL BEHIND RUSTY WALLS

Century of creative recycling

PETROL was 73 cents a litre when cars last stopped for fuel in Korong Vale.

Tyre pressure was checked by a gauge running from a converted Bridgewater gas lamp pole back in the Great Depression.

The doors of McTaggart’s garage and agricultural equipment showroom an invitation for district farmers to come and chew the fat.

The garage was a place where solutions were found and machinery fixed inside the walls made from old 44 gallon drums once filled with bitumen.

“It was a place where everything was fixed, a positive vibe and a functional part of the community,” says sculptor David McTaggart of the garage built by grandfather James.

David is the third generation of McTaggarts to live in Korong Vale after James arrived a century ago.

“He arrived in a T-model ford - he was a man of the times,” David said of the coachbuilder and wheelwright who learnt his trade at Colbinabbin.

“James moved into the Vernon’s garage the other side of the railway line when they moved to Swan Hill. When the landlord wanted to put up the rent during the Depression, grandpa was backed by local farmers and bought the land and built this garage out of recycled bitumen barrels.

“I remember him assembling wagons ... the one outside the old Mysia store was built by my grandfather.

“When I was four, grandpa had me holding one of the blacksmith tools while he shaped the steel. And childhood was often spent swinging up and down on the bellows handle.”

David also recalls the fine pinstripe paintwork applied by his grandfather to carriages and wagons.

He would join James and father Ted at that same shed “where mates would hang out ... the Matthews brothers, John Murnane and others”, sometimes heading to the front forecourt to pump petrol into a customer’s car.

But the creative side, perhaps inspired by his grandfather’s handiwork would come to the

forefront when David headed off following his passion in the arts.

He studied at Bendigo in the 1970s, met fellow student Rhonda who would later become his wife and both, eventually school teachers.

David took the longer route to school teaching - an artist in St Kilda during the punk era, two years working in a factory and also exploring the art of print making for the fashion industry.

The couple moved to Orbost when art teacher Rhonda was posted there.

It was at the time more Australian fashions were being produced off-shore and there was already no shortage of school art teachers.

David opted to do a degree that led to him becoming a mathematics teacher.

The lure of the old garage back in Korong Vale was always present and when his father Ted

died in 1996, David kept the time capsule full of family memories accumulated since 1923.

Retirement brought him back to the Vale and a ready-made workshop for artistic creations using eight-gauge fencing wire.

“It’s ideal for acetylene welding and I have been fortunate to have work displayed at Swan Hill, in Bendigo and Dunolly,” David said.

“The Buckrabanyule area is good for finding old wire.”

Surrounding the old tin garage that he has salvaged from the destructive might of white ants, David has created a fence of old tools and implements, bicycles and other discarded equipment.

“The outdoor wall just keeps growing ... it’s a work within itself,” he said as another piece of rusted steel is methodically put in place.

A bit like his wire sculptures, there can be a plan or design.

“Yes, sometimes there is a plan

and at other times I will free up and try different things. I might integrate bolts into the sculptures too. However, I tend not to be representational most of the time ... I did do a motorcycle once.”

That motorcycle now stands sentinel outside, neatly placed beside one of the old bowsers.

And like his father and grandfather, David is making the old garage a place where solutions are found.

A century ago James McTaggart would make hot water services for Korong Vale residents or a blood and bone tank for the local butcher or produce his own pigment for pinstriping wagons and carriages.

“The garage was always a stimulating place ... a place that made things possible and solved problems.”

David has caught up with Roy Mann, the former Balranald panel beater and Anglican priest now

restoring an Edwardian house in Wedderburn. David once designed a T-shirt for Roy’s business.

Or helping a car enthusiast from Mitiamo who found a key part sitting in the old garage.

“There’s huge enthusiasm for old equipment,” David said.

One of his next projects is to restore the old forge that once put heat into the work of blacksmiths

David rates the old wheelwrights as being at the forefront of technology and creativity.

It’s his passion for creativity, and perhaps honouring grandfather James, that keeps David crafting sculptures. His works, along with those of wife Rhonda are part of an exhibition of sculptures, print making, painting and ceramics by central Victoria artists now showing in Marong.

And then, it will be back to finding more wire and adding to rusty art wall at the old garage.

A buggy made by James McTaggart James McTaggart

Artist David McTaggart soaks up the vibe of a creative hub built by his grandfather James who arrived in Korong Vale 100 years ago.

JONESAlbert Ernest

Died peacefully on May 25th 2023. Aged 90 years.

Loved Husband of Brenda (dec.)

Loving Dad of Jenny (Cossar), Pam (Treble), Karen, Sue and their families. Much loved Brother of Wilma, Philip and Patricia (All Dec.)

“Love Does Not End”

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Mr. Albert Ernest Jones will be held by the graveside at the Inglewood Cemetery on Friday (June 2) at 11.00am.

Maldon Bicycles

are offering the residents of Inglewood and surrounding area a free pick up/ drop off service for bicycle repairs. Basic services $65.00. Also buying and selling vintage bicycles

Our workshop is located at 4/8 High Street Maldon.

Phone or text Glen 0499 876 594

Email ballingerglen@y7mail.com

Notice of an Application for Planning Approval

The land a ected by the application is located at: Road Reserve, Ch260m to ch1520m, Newbridge Road, NEWBRIDGE VIC 3551

The application is for a permit to: Native vegetation removal (for road safety upgrades)

The applicant for the permit is: LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL

The application reference number is: 5893

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the o ce of the Responsible Authority. Loddon Shire Council O ces – 41 High Street Wedderburn VIC 3518

This can be done during o ce hours and is free of charge.

Please direct any queries to the Planning Department by calling (03) 5494 1200 or emailing planning@loddon.vic.gov.au

Any person who may be a ected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.

An objection must:

 be in writing

 state how you will be a ected by the granting of the permit

 be sent to the Responsible Authority at PO Box 21 Wedderburn 3518

The Responsible Authority will not decide on this application before: 15 June 2023

If you object, the Responsible Authority will tell you its decision

MEETING

KORONG VALE COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Are you interested in developing a community plan for Korong Vale?

A meeting has been organised to drive this community planning process, with the establishment of a community planning committee being an important first step. Interested community members are encouraged to come along and see how they can contribute to the community planning committee, and ultimately the new community plan for Korong Vale.

Date: Tuesday 6th June 2023

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Venue: Korong Vale Memorial Hall

For further information and apologies please contact: Lyn Chapman on m: 0484572125

EMPLOYMENT

AGISTMENT WANTED

Agistment for 100 sheep in exchange for fencing, plumbing or maintenance

Salisbury West area

Phone Neil 0417353929

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

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WALSH MP YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

Redbacks show spirit

WEDDERBURN women put up a spirited fight in Saturday’s higher-ranked North Central hockey opponent Birchip Watchem.

Carlie Turnbull was named the Redbacks’ best in their 1-4 defeat in the women’s grade.

Meanwhile, Boort will be without Lucy Malone when the Pies resume from the bye this weekend after a collar bone injury at home.

Under 12: Charlton d Sea Lake Nandaly

1-0, Donald lost to St Arnaud 0-11, Wedderburn lost to Birchip Watchem 0-2.

Ladder: St Arnaud 12, Wycheproof Narraport 12, Charlton 12, Birchip Watchem 9, Donald 6, Sea Lake Nandaly 3, Wedderburn

3, Boort 0.

Under 15: Charlton lost to Sea Lake Nan-

daly Tigers 0-2, Donald lost to St Arnaud

0-4, Wedderburn lost to Birchip Watchem

0-12.

Ladder: Sea Lake Nandaly 12, Birchip

Watchem 12, St Arnaud 9, Boort 9, Charlton 6, Donald 6, Wycheproof Narraporft 3, Wedderurn 0.

Women: Charlton d Sea Lake Nandaly

Tigers 11-0, Donald lost to St Arnaud 1-5, Wedderburn Redbacks lost to Birchip

Watchem 1-4.

Ladder: Charlton 15, Wycheproof Narraport 13, Birchip Watchem 9, St Arnaud 7, Boort 7, Wedderburn 3, Sea Lake Nandaly

1, Donald 0.

Men: Charlton lost to Sea Lake Nandaly

0-1, Donald lost to St Arnaud 1-3.

Ladder; Boort 12, Wycheproof Narraport

9, St Arnaud 9, Sea Lake Nandaly 6, Donald

3, Charlton 3,Birchip Watchem 0.

LODDON HERALD BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

Wool buyer

Cash payments

On-farm appraisals

92 Rowena Street, East Bendigo Ph 5406 0629

HOCKEY

Neve Nisbet

Maddison Hendy LH PHOTOS

SPORT

NORTH CENTRAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL UNDER 14

GOALS - Wedderburn: B. Cunningham, details incomplete. Birchip Watchem: E. Bergman 3, W. Ryan, J. Knights, C. Daniel, E Dean, O. Sharp, A. Tyler.

- Wedderburn: T. Lovett, B. Cunningham, B. Treuel, T. Clarke, W. Huismann. Birchip Watchem: C. Daniel, R. Goss, O. Sharp, L. Cullen.

Canfield sinks longest putt

NEW players have joined the ranks at ladies’ golf on Wednesdays at Inglewood.

Last week’s play saw members enjoy the pleasant company, weather and course conditions.

Winners tied were Carol Canfield 6125-36 and Pam Kelly 57-21-36 playing solid golf. Winner of the longest putt on the fourth was Carol Canfield who is showing nice touch around the scrapes.

Sunday competition saw softer conditions after up to 25mm of much-needed rain was recorded in a few gauges since Thursday. Players also negotiated a passing squall on course to add a little more spice into the day’s proceedings.

Rob Stranger was unable to repeat his previous week’s superb eagle on the par five 16th but continues to light up the club’s ‘birdie board’ with another fine effort on the eighth.

Nathan Joyner managed conditions best on the day overall and continued his steady improvement in recent weeks with 33 points. Nathan also took the nearest the pin on the ninth which the course had not given away in over a month.

WEDDERBURN

Saturday’s golf at Wedderburn saw a

small field of eight players take on the fairways as a few members are away or otherwise busy on farm work.

John Donaldson took out the opposition with a 78 off the stick and a net 62 very impressive.

Runner-up two strokes behind was Owen Bailey with an 80 and net 71.

This Saturday is the first round of the club championship starting at 12.30pm. Annual dues are to be paid before tee-off.

BOORT

Despite cool and showery conditions, nine intrepid members took part in Saturday’s stroke event.

Returning to form reminiscent of his younger days, Rob Johnston blew the opposition away with a wonderful 78 off the stick and nett 66, four clear of the in-form Graeme Ball.

Rounding out the ball competition a further shot back were Tim Lanyon and Andrew Kane.

In the nearest the pins, Kevin took out two of them, while Tim and Andrew claimed one each.

The monthly Lanyon Fencing award for May also concluded and with Stuart Tweddle not playing and Kevin Linehan unable to pick up any points for the day, it was Rob’s extra six points from the day that helped him take out the award on seven points.

This week will see the start of the club championships with the best three scores counting over four consecutive weeks.

PYRAMID HILL

The early morning rain had an impact on the number of players with a small field of seven on Sunday.

Winner: Wayne Maxted (36 points) Runner-up: Ted Carmody (34 points) Wayne and Ted played their second round of singles knockout with Wayne progressing to the next round.

LADDER: Sea Lake Nandaly 20, Donald 20, Charlton 16, Boort 12, Birchip Watchem 12, St Anraud 8, Nullawil 4, Wycheproof Narraport 4, Wedderburn 0. UNDER 17

- Wedderburn: R. Whyman. Birchip Watchem: C. Boyle 8, J. Woods 6, S. Hogan 4, H. Cook 3, C. Frank, R. Hogan 2, C. Lee, J. Daniel 1. BEST - Wedderburn: N. Crow-Williams, B. Hartnell, W. Cunningham, T. Blair,. Birchip Watchem: R. Hogan, C. Frank, C. Boyle, N. Dean.

Ladder: Boort 20, Birchip Watchem 20, St Arnaud 20, Wycheproof NArraport 12, Sea Lake Nandaly 10, Nullawil 6, Donald 4, Charlton 4, Wedderburn 0.

CENTRAL VICTORIA

GOALS - East Loddon: J. Addlem 3, L. James, M. Hocking. Marong: Z. Conroy 4, K. McCaig 3, Z. Justice 2, H. Roberts, D. Tannock, S. Taylor, Z. Rowe, H. Bourke.

BEST - East Loddon: C. Tuohey, J. Addlem, M. Hocking, M. Hancock, J. Rasmussen. Marong: K. Harris, D. Tannock, L. Hale, H. Bourke, J. Bird, Z. Justice.

(138)

GOALS - Bridgewater: S. Hewett-Scull, O. Taylor, details incomplete. Inglewood: L. Harris 8, T. Murphy 3, Z. Joyner 2, D. Kennedy, J. Luckman, J. Wendels, M. Gray, K. McClellan.

BEST - Bridgewater: W. Salau, C. Orton, L. Lonsdale, W. Hope, R. Smith. Inglewood: T. Murphy, C. Hackett, G. Nevins, J. Wendels, L. Harris, R. Aggenbach.

In front of goal: 26 (8) Lachlan Harris (Inglewood), 19 (4) Zachary Conroy (Marong), 13 (1) Mason Hocking (East Loddon), 12 (2) Zac Justice (Marong), 12 (1) Zachary Rowe (Marong), 10 (3) Kobe McCaig (Marong), 9 (1) Spencer Taylor (Marong), 8 (1) Lachlan James (East Loddon), 8 (0) Lochie Hale (Marong), 8 (0) Lewis Stubbs (Pyramid Hill),8 (3) Tyler Murphy (Inglewood).

This week: Pyramid Hill v Marong at Pyramid Hill. Inglewood v East Loddon at Inglewood. Bridgewater bye

NET SET GO: The junior netball program has kicked off in Wedderburn and on Saturday among eager players were (from left) Archie Polkinghorne, Blake Collins, Stella Polkinghorne, Gabby Jaques, Mia Collins, Lucy Turnbull, Sofia Caserta, Elizabeth Marr, Lara Polkinghorne, Heath Polkinghorne, izabel Baker and Zane Polkinghorne. To cap off the weekend, the youngsters were back on Donaldson Park on Sunday morning for Auskick.

James Ritchie putting for birdie at Pyramid Hill

Keith Lewis, Owen Bailey and Keith Bird at Wedderburn on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Steady final term gains four points

EXPERIENCE and steadiness has seen Wedderburn hold off a determined Birchip Watchem in the North Central A Grade clash of the round.

Victory was vital for the Redbacks to stay close to current top ladder teams.

Both teams played a fast-flowing style in the opening quarter with Wedderburn just four goals up. That same edge continued in the second quarter with Olivia Lockhart in the centre and goalkeeper Ella Turnbull intercepting the Bulls to send Wedderburn back to the hoop.

The Bulls turned the tables in the third quarter, outscoring the home side 18-12 before cool heads of Wedderburn regained the momentum and a win that now puts a two-game buffer between fourth and fifth spots on the ladder.

NORTH CENTRAL

14 AND UNDER A

Charlton 4, 5, 8, 9, (9) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 7, 16, 23, 29, (29). Wedderburn 3, 7, 8, 8, (8) lost to Birchip Watchem 6, 14, 29, 39, (39). Wycheproof Narraport 2, 3, 5, 9, (9) lost to Nullawil 10, 23, 32, 37, (37). Donald

NETBALL | SPORT

Panthers prowl senior top spots

BRIDGEWATER kept pace with Marong for the first quarter before the visiting Panthers broke away in their clash on Saturday. Marong is quickly challenging Maiden Gully for the dominant mantle in senior grades.

The Panthers are now heading the B and C Grade ladders while breathing down the necks of Maiden Gully in A Grade and C Reserve.

The reigning Eagles had a convincing win over Calivil on Saturday, rarely troubled for the afternoon.

And Pyramid Hill bounced back with a 29-goal victory over Inglewood that gave a boost to its percentage, the lowest of the top four sides.

Mitiamo had the biggest win of the round, downing Bears Lagoon Serpentine by 59 goals.

LODDON VALLEY

13 AND UNDER Bridgewater 4, 14, 21, 22, (22) d 1, 3, 3, 7, (7). Bears Lagoon 5, 11, 15, 16, (16) d Mitiamo 0, 3, 4, 5, (5). Calivil 12, 24, 42, 61, (61) d Maiden Gully 4, 7, 10, 11, (11). Pyramid Hill 1, 2, 4, 12, (12) lost to Inglewood 1, 5, 14, 16, (16).

15 AND UNDER

Pyramid Hill 8, 15, 22, 27, (27) drew Inglewood 11, 16, 21, 27, (27). Bridgewater 6, 17, 26, 37, (37) d Marong 5, 11, 21, 28, (28).

Lagoon Serpentine 16, 24, 45, 61, (61)

Mitiamo 1, 1, 2, 2, (2). Calivil 19, 25, 34, 46, (46) d Maiden Gully 6, 14, 19, 28, (28).

Redback’s goal attack Aliza Lockhart sends her team forward in a tight game. LH PHOTO

Calivil’s Lily Buckingham Jayne Norton and Ava Broderick doing battle in the A Grade Demons-Eagles clash Wedderburn’s Georgia Fry leaps to defence in the B Grade game.

SENIORS

GOALS - Donald: S. Dunstan

rest, B. Grant, H. Geddes, C. Lynch. St Arnaud: W. Bertalli, J. Tillig, S. Male.

BEST - Donald: S. Dunstan, C. Lynch, T. Grant, H. Geddes, R. Hards, J. Potter. St Arnaud: B. Organ, J. Male, M. Egan, N. Birthisel, D. Gifford, M. Birthisel.

GOALS - Wedderburn: D. Benaim 3, M. McEwen, J. Rosengren 2, T. Campbell, C. Lowry, S. Barnes. Birchip Watchem: N. Gordon 6, D. Castellano 3, T. Batarilo, N. Rippon, L. Sirett 2, D. Batarilo, L. Foott.

BEST - Wedderburn: J. Rosengren, M. McEwen, A. Postle, D. Benaim, L. Holt, J. Guan. Birchip Watchem: M. Rippon, J. Reid, N. Rippon, J. Randall, D. Hinkley, L. Ryan.

(142)

GOALS - Charlton: C. Gavaghan, N. Thompson 2, R. Thiesz. Sea Lake Nandaly: W. Simpson 6, B. Mcinnes 5, J. McMahon, M. Elliott, W. Donnan 2, A. Mertz, J. Summerhayes, B. Weir T. Cox.

BEST - Charlton: S. Woods, K. Clifford, C. Gavaghan, J. Cowling, R. Woods, J. Thompson. Sea Lake Nandaly: W. Donnan, K. Donnan, W. Simpson, M. Elliott, R. O’Sullivan, A. Mertz.

(103)

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: J. Coatsworth, G. Hommelhoff, C. Green 2, J. Bateson. Nullawil: A. Oberdorfer 4, M. Farmer, A. Thomson 3, M. Quigley, D. Smith 2, P. Kelly, A. Casey.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: J. Walsh, J. McHutchison, G. Hommelhoff, K. Hommelhoff, J. Coatsworth, L. Van Schaik. Nullawil: J. Humphreys, P. Kelly, J. Casey, D. Putt, D. Watts, M. Farmer.

Sluggish start fading memory

BIRCHIP Watchem is hitting its straps after a sluggish season start by North Central league reigning premiers.

The Bulls were challenged well by Wedderburn in the first quarter of Saturday’s clash against the Redbacks at Donaldson Park.

But an eight-goal second term that had Nathan Gordon dangerous up forward and solid work in defence put the Bulls in a commanding position that they would not surrender.

The Redbacks started full of energy and had the first goal on the board within a minute of the opening bounce when Mitchell McEwan put the ball through.

Lochlan Sirett was back for Birchip for the first time since a hip injury in round one and proving dangerous, initiating turnovers and that saw the Bulls constantly heading deep into attack but getting only behinds added to the scoreboard.

Darcy Jackson repelled many of those

forward thrusts until Gordon capped off two minutes of manic pressure and put the Bulls into the lead.

Wedderburn coach Sam Barnes put his side back in the lead minutes later and the Redbacks were on course for another when a free kick gave the momentum to the Bulls.

Slick chip work across half-forward between Rippon and Foott was capped off by a Sirett goal.

Veteran Danny Benaim brought Wedderburn back to a point down before Bulls’ Daniel Batarillo booted truly from 25 metres out and put the Bulls seven up at the first break.

From then, Birchip had an extra metre or two and was able to extend its lead in each quarter.

Two quick goals in the opening minutes of the second term showed the ferociousness of the Bulls.

Christodoulou was having a big influence in the midfield and the Bulls’ de-

fence rarely penetrated by the home side. Tom Campbell had one good run deep and the passage was capped with a Benaim goal.

Adam Postle again rucked like a champion and more than tested Will Marks and Jonty Randal who were put into the pointy end of combat by Bulls’ coach Trevor Ryan.

Postle was named in the Redbacks’ best along with Rosengren, McEwen and Benaim.

For the Bulls, they now have a positive ledger after six matches. And two of those losses, including a fortnight ago to last season’s runners-up Donald, have been by a kick or less.

The win came without key forward Ben Edwards who is off on holidays but still leads the league goalkicking.

For the Redbacks, Saturday’s performance and the scoreboard showed they have the capacity to hold top sides, they just need to do it for four quarters.

Defence strength and accurate kicking could get points

BOORT needs the points when the Magpies head across to Birchip in a North Central round emerging as crucial for clubs wanting to secure a top four finish.

The Pies are coming back from the bye after lowering colours by two points to Loddon rivals Wedderburn.

Dale Cameron’s game plan will be put to the test by Birchip Watchem with the Bulls having a strong percentage from

SENIORS

their four wins of the season. Part of Cameron’s plan revolves around a strong Boort defence and that will be tested by Castellano and Gordon.

In Boort’s favour is the strong season so far by ruckman Nathan Twigg and some useful work by midfielders.

They will need to get the ball down forward with speed and accuracy to pull the Bulls up in their tracks.

IN FRONT OF GOAL

27 - (0) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

25 - (9) - Sam Dunstan - Donald

20 - (5) - Billy Mcinnes - Sea Lake Nandaly

18 - (2) - Gedd Hommelhoff - Wycheproof N

18 - (3) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

15 - (3) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil

14 - (3) - Daniel Castellano - Birchip Watchem

14 - (1) - Sam Barnes - Wedderburn

13 - (6) - Nathan Gordon - Birchip Watchem

13 - (2) - Cody Green - Wycheproof N 12 - (1) - Tom Campbell - Wedderburn 11 - (6) - Will Simpson - Sea Lake Nandaly RESERVES

18 - (5) - Callum Goode - Birchip Watchem

16 - (3) - Ben Brennan - Wycheproof N

12 - (3) - Gerald Riley - Wedderburn

12 - (0) - Patrick O’Rourke - Boort

12 - (2) - Sam Goldsmith - Nullawil

If Boort has a near-full list for selection, including Lanyon and Biggs plus the every-improving Tom Potter, Pies could fly back into the four.

Wedderburn will have too much skill and commitment when the Redbacks travel to St Arnaud.

Expect a more settled Redbacks team in coming weeks, one that cannot be discounted in a tight race.

THIS SATURDAY

LODDON HERALD TIPS

St Arnaud v Wedderburn

Birchip Watchem v Boort

Nullawil v Donald

Sea Lake Nandaly v Wycheproof Narraport

Charlton bye

RESERVES

GOALS - Charlton: R. Welch 2, A. Judd, L. HolmesBrown, B. Dixon. Sea Lake Nandaly: B. Poulton 4, C. Allan 2, B. Crowe, N. Wight, R. Mcclelland, J. Clohesy, D. Bailey, D. Hickey, Z. Wemyss.

- Charlton: M. Giri, A. Judd, A. Johnstone, B. Dixon, B. Sexton, R. Welch. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Michael, C. Noonan, J. Clohesy, B. Poulton, A. Collins, L. McClelland.

Watchem

(30)

(120)

GOALS - Wedderburn: G. Riley 3, C. Hargreaves. Birchip Watchem: C. Goode 5, T. Wiantara, R. Doran 3, B. Hogan, J. Goldsmith 2, B. Colbert, L. Randall, M. Finster.

BEST - Wedderburn: M. Lockhart, W. Harvey, J. David, L. Last, G. Riley, S. Carroll. Birchip Watchem: B. Colbert, B. Hogan, A. Noonan, R. Doran, T. Wiantara, J. Boyle.

Donald 3.3 3.6 6.6 7.11 (53) St Arnaud 2.2 3.5 4.9 5.9 (39)

GOALS - Donald: J. Heslop 3, B. Dixon 2, G. Morgan, A. Schofield. St Arnaud: B. Hammerstein 2, K. Torney, O. Lowe, C. Leach.

BEST - Donald: K. Green, J. Heslop, J. Adams, B. Dixon, G. Beckham, T. Letts. St Arnaud: K. Torney, O. Lowe, Z. MacDonald, Z. Notting, B. Hammerstein, J. Pickthall.

(23)

(62)

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: B. Brennan 3. Nullawil: J. Taylor, S. Goldsmith 2, D. Kelly, M. Poyner, J. Perry, J. Vearing.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: T. Trewin, R. Jones, D. Allen, A. Hogan, M. Hall. Nullawil: L. Braine, D. Kelly, J. Vearing, M. Hogan, J. Taylor.

Wedderburn’s Jacob Hernan goes the spoil in a tight opening term at Donaldson Park on Saturday.

LH PHOTO

A game for the ages

YOUTH and veterans cheered from both sides of the fence to give Calivil its second Loddon Valley league victory of the season in the club’s heritage round at Raywood on Saturday.

The old Northern United headquarters saw Calivil coach Anthony Dennis play his 100th game for the Demons on a ground now with short pockets at the Bendigo end.

But it was across the centre that Calivil United, to give the club its full name following the merger with Northern United back at the end of 1996, set up a consecutive win, this time over Maiden Gully.

Winger Rhys Lourie was awarded the Kevin Demeo medal for his relentless skill and speed over four quarters.

Lourie chipped in two of the Demons’

13 goals that brought pride to the maroon and gold jumpers of Northern United brought out of mothballs for the game.

Justin Hynes was another of the great four-quarter contributors while Ben Baker proved influential with telling marks in defence in the second and third terms when Calivil firstly withheld an Eagles’ push and then put a five-kick difference on the scoreboard at the final break. Both teams at times played a very indirect brand of football, kicking back or across ground to frustrate their opponents.

Tom Wakefield had timing down to the split-second when about to be tackled, his kick clearing the pack on the square and bouncing through for six points late in the third quarter.

Jordan Lea’s work in the midfield was capped off by a Jake Lawry goal within seconds of the final term starting. Rhys Lourie popped through his second for the day straight after.

Play become frenetic and tense - Maiden Gully made the most of a Calivil lapse that saw Murley run into an open goal after Bacon had sent the Eagles into attack. A string of free kicks and ball-ups turned the final half of the term into a scrappy affair.

The old members’ bar erupted when the siren sounded - the old Swallows’ nest successful for Calivil in a season that Dennis says is about setting little goals and achieving them.

- CHRIS EARL

Opening stanzas and surging third quarters

USING the league ladder as a guide, hosting Inglewood was going to be a challenge for Pyramid Hill in both Seniors and Reserves.

In the opening stanza in both grades this proved to be the case. The Dogs reserves, hoping to bounce back after an unexpected loss the previous week were made to earn the points by a speedy Blues outfit. Accurate kicking however, meant the hosts got “bang for their buck” and despite having two fewer scoring shots at the main break they lead by three goals.

Eventually this told on the visitors. Rowan Pollock was back to his dangerous best with eight goals, and with tough four quarter efforts from the returning Dylan Tonkin and second gameplayer Dylan Lovell, Pyramid Hill was able to

SENIORS

GOALS - Bridgewater: H. Donegan. Marong: B. Grenfell 7, K. Robins, M. Riordan 4, R. Taylor 3, J. Davis, N. Devanny, J. McCaig, M. Bradbury, C. Gregg.

BEST - Bridgewater: J. Symons, H. Donegan, L. Allison, D. Wood, B. Derrick, T. Estrada. Marong: M. Bradbury, N. Devanny, K. Robins, R. Taylor, R. Tibbett, J. McCaig.

GOALS - Calivil: J. Lawry 3, J. Sinclair , M. Avard, R. Lourie 2, T. Wakefield, B. Pickles, L. Brook, J. Lea. Maiden Gully: J. Covington 2, N. Murley, B. Dimech, C. Hale, T. Birch.

BEST - Calivil: R. Lourie, J. Lawry, J. Hynes, E. Ritchie, M. Avard, L. Brook. Maiden Gully: J. Burns, W. Noden, N. Murley, J. McDonald, H. McCartney, T. Miles.

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Laird 3, S. Gladman, C. Gadsden, D. Poulter 2, C. Anstee, D. Tineo, C. Draper. Mitiamo: J. Reynolds 5, J. Pianto, A. Cussen, R. Turner, C. Milne, D. Walters. BEST - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Taig, J. Laird, C. Gadsden, D. Poulter, K. Zass, J. Bailey. Mitiamo: D. Proud, J. Reynolds, D. Walters, D. Clohesy, L. Lougoon, R. Turner.

Pyramid Hill 5.3 12.6 16.11 22.11 (143) Inglewood 2.2 5.3 10.7 12.10 (82)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: Z. Alford 6, B. George 4, W. Perryman, S. Mann 2, M. Dingwall, A. Holland, T. Brennan, B. Micevski, S. Relouw, B. Carroll, E. Caburnay, M. Gunther. Inglewood: B. Cotchett 4, D. Polack, T. Kendal, C. Ingham 2, C. McGaw 1, S. Dorevitch.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: Z. Alford, B. Morison, J. Sheahan, D. Slingo, B. George, T. Brennan. Inglewood: B. Cotchett, S. Dorevitch, D. Polack, C. Ingham, C. Wright, C. Marchi.

lead from start to finish. The seven-goal victory was also built off the back of big contributions from Rylan Delamere, Brad Moon, Connor Gibbins and Dylan Goulding, and promising efforts from youngster Blake Gibson and first gamer Darcy Woodward.

The Dogs improved their percentage and put a small gap between themselves and the fourth and fifth teams. Inglewood was served best by Deklen Gorrie, Kyle Simpson and Zach Schmidt.

In similar fashion to the opening game, the senior clash was full-on from the opening bounce. End to end football saw seven goals posted in the opening term, but with five of those to the hosts it saw them with a three-goal lead at the first change. The Blues had a fair share of the ball but the Dogs were more polished

once they ventured forward. A seven goal second stanza saw the Bulldogs blow the game blown wide open, and set up what would be a 10-goal final margin.

To the Blues credit they kept surging, and with noticeably more on-field depth than the previous season, they were able to narrowly claim the third term.

Led by Zach Alford (six goals) and Bailey George (four), the Bulldogs kept the flag wavers busy and finished with more than twenty goals.

Key performers for the home team were Zach Alford, Bailey George, Billy Micevski, Bryden Morison, Brodie Carroll, Zac Dingwall and Dylan Morison. Bregon Cotchett (4 goals), Sam Dorevich and Cody Wright all contributed over four terms for the visitors.

- GEOFF HICKMOTT

Bounceback Blues will exorcise mid-season Demons

INGLEWOOD had better be wary when the Devil arrives in town on Saturday.

The Blues will need to be on their A game for four quarters against the steadily improving Calivil.

The Demons put in sufficient patches of direct and disciplined play to be the fifth team this season to clip Maiden Gully’s wings.

Inglewood had the tough assignment of a road trip north, meeting Pyramid Hill

and found the Bulldogs still a few steps ahead in skills and strength.

The Blues should bounce back this Saturday but will need a four-quarter effort - still to be realised in 2023 - to take the points and in a manner, one should expect from a club pushing for a top three berth.

Pyramid Hill is again at home, this time against Newbridge. The Maroons will be without a few key players again, reducing its options up forward.

The sheer strength of Bears Lagoon Serpentine will be too much for Maiden Gully. Although with a few players out, Serpentine has shown its ability to bombard goal and ruthlessly cut off opposition thrusts and Saturday will be no different.

Mitiamo may have been buoyed to push Serpentine last Saturday but that will be but a distant memory when Marong lines up for another win in season 2023 on Satuday.

- Calivil: T. Piercy, S. Fawcett. Maiden Gully: C. Sungalis 5, H. White, W. Donaczy, J. Doolan 2, M. Dean, M. Clark, A. Cazar.

- Calivil: S. Fawcett, N. Vine, B. Coates, J. Manderson, D. Ryan. Maiden Gully: T. Hudson, W. Anderson, W. Donaczy, C. Sungalis, T. Durston, M. Dean.

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Gladman 4, M. Niezen, C. Davies 3, Z. Hollis, P. Russell, A. Edwards. Mitiamo: T. Irvine, C. Collins, K. Galvin, A. White. BEST - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: M. Quinn, C. Davies, C. O’Shannessy, J. Gladman, T. Clarke, J. Wingrave. Mitiamo: A. White, H. Storey, K. Pentreath, D. Saliba, M. Storey, T. Campbell.

(34)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: R. Pollock 8, N. Moon 2, P. Walker, R. Delamare. Inglewood: Z. Schmidt 3, K. Simpson.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: D. Lovell, P. Walker, B. Moon, B. Gibson, D. Goulding, C. Gibbins. Inglewood: D. Gorrie, K. Simpson, J. Rouse, J. Sleep, K. Healey, Z. Schmidt.

(7)

(78)

- Bridgewater: J. Roberts. Marong: B. Matthews 5, R. Gretgrix 2, Z. Turnbull, H. Baker, T. Thach,

BEST - Bridgewater: O. Horan, L. Harrison, J. Campbell, J. Higgins, J. Roberts, M. Flood. Marong: B. Stewart, C. Thiesz, H. Baker, C. Ling, B. Matthews, P. Gretgrix.

Demons’ skipper Jordan Lea, George Thompson and coach Anthony Dennis. LH PHOTO

Demo medal winner Rhys Lourie and president Rod Lea. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD sport

Thursday June 1, 2023

Panthers dominate representative picks

JUNIOR JERSEYS

THE LODDON’S top young junior footballers will don representative jumpers for central Victoria’s gala day on Sunday.

AFL Central Victoria on Monday announced the 24 players selected for the new under 18 competition’s first appearance in the round robin matches at Maiden Gully.

Last year’s Loddon Valley league under 18 best and fairest and leading Inglewood senior player this season, Gabe Nevins, heads a list dominated by 11 youngsters from Marong.

Four of the new under 18 league’s five clubs have players in the side to be coached by Inglewood’s Leigh Lamprell.

Lamprell said: “We have some great young players running around in the AFL Central Victoria competition.

“Gala day allows all Loddon clubs to give players pathways to grow and develop their skills, be challenged and go back to their clubs and pass on new skills to teammates,” he said.

“Players in the squad who made

themselves available for selection were all eager and committed at our training sessions and this has flowed through to the 24 selected on this occasion.”

Marong has been unassailable in the AFL Central Victoria competition’s first five rounds after Loddon Valley handed over running of junior football this season to boost youth participation and engagement.

North Central league was having the final training run of its 43-strong squad in Wycheproof last night.

League development officer

Zane Bigmore said the final session would be a chance to check on player injuries before team selection.

AFL Central Victoria teamMarong: Fletcher Waters, Riley Kerr, Lochie Hale, Josh Hall, Zac Justice, Kepler Thomson, Hudson Bourke, Liam Reilley, Kai Terrill, Spencer Taylor, Kobe McCaig.

Pyramid Hill: Harrison Goodes, Blake Gibson, Lewis Stubbs, Riley Hutton. Inglewood: Jaspa Wendels, Gabe Nevins, Tyler Murphy. East Loddon: Cade Tuohey, Jaxon Addlem, Mason Hocking, Jye Rasmussen, Tyler Rasmussen, Josh Diss.

Lights on for under 14 side

NORTH Central league under 14 players will have their first interleague experience at Boort next week.

League development officer

Zane Bigmore said the under 14s would play a Central Murray

Young Archie already a history maker

ARCHIE Lamprell, 11, has written his name into Inglewood Football Club’s history books after just one game.

in honour of the family’s contribution to the club since the late 19th century.

Football League side under lights on June 9.

“This is the first time we have organised an interleague game for our under 14s and it will be a great experience for them,” said Bigmore.

He became the fifth generation Lamprell to play for the Blues when lining up in the under 18 side last Saturday against Bridgewater.

Archie had trained with the Blues at their Inglewood base along the Lamprell Wing named

The family tradition started in 1895 when great-greatgrandfather Harry was part of the Blues’ premiership side in his first seeason and later captained the 1903 flag team. Harry’s son Bill led the 1946 team to the Loddon Valley premiership while Archie’s grandfather

Des was a Blues player in the 70s before injury cut short his career. Des’s sister Elizabeth was a champion netballer with Inglewood in the 1970s.

Father Leigh played 322 games in a 31-year stint at Inglewood and now coaches the under 18s.

Archie said he hoped to gain selection for more games this season.

True Blue history ... Inglewood’s Archie Lamprell the fifth generation to play for the club.

LH PHOTO