Loddon Herald 2 March 2023

n 500 kV TRANSMISSION LINE ON LOCAL ‘IDENTIFIED LAND’

GOVERNMENT SWEETENER FOR ‘RENEWABLES REVOLUTION’

ROUTE CHANGE

COMMUNITIES and landowners have just five weeks to comment on plans to build overhead power transmission lines through the Loddon.

Australian Energy Market Regulator has ditched running the 500 kiloVolt Victoria-New South Wales interconnector from Bendigo through Prairie to Kerang.

The new option for “land of interest” running from near Wedderburn, skirting the banks of Lake Boort and through to Durham Ox, Gladfield and Pyramid Hill has been criticised for a lack of local consultation.

“The only consultation with (Loddon Shire) council was for the Prairie route,” said Mayor Dan Straub.

Prairie West’s Donald McGauchie has labelled the new option a recipe for disaster.

“It’s very curious at this late stage to throw in other ideas ... and no details,” Mr McGauchie said.

“I am astonished any government would consider a new op-

By CHRIS EARL

tion so late in the process and expect people to respond.

“You can’t consult without detail and if the is detail is there and hasn’t been released, that’s even worse.”

Cr Straub and Mc McGauchie have called for local face-toface consultation, doubting six weeks will be sufficient time.

AEMO last Thursday named its new preferred route, days after the State Government orders were issued to have

planning and design work fasttracked.

And on Friday, Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said there would be “landholder payments for communities that host crucial electricity transmission infrastructure, ensuring benefits from the renewables revolution are shared equitably ... first payments under the new arrangements will go to landholders who host transmission easements along the selected VNI West and Western Renewables Link transmission corridors.”

Antiques - Onsite: 1823 WEDDEBURN- SERPENTINE RD, POWLETT PLAINS

MACHINERY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT including “Volvo” F7 Twin Steer bogie drive truck with 24’ tray with under body hoist, “John Deer” 7520 Tractor 2793 hours, “New Holland” TR88 header with 25 ft front 1744 hours, “Vennings” Grouper bin.

FIELD BINS & AUGERS including 28T “Sherwell” field bin with Auger, “Sher-

well” field bin with Auger (320 bag) PTO drive.

ANTIQUE MACHINERY including “Furphys” farm water cart, 1937 “Sunshine” AL Harvester, “Avery” scales,Blacksmith Bellow and 1935 timber wool table, PHOTOS: www.fpnevins.com.au

IT’S the time of year for dreaming. Summer sporting combinations are playing off ultimate for glory in cricket, tennis and bowls. And Bradley of Boort has some, partially, good advice for the field combatants with his latest sign on the Treemendous Tree. The bottom line, however, was certainly not being followed by the Dingee bowlers in their preliminary final encounter on Monday. Not only did they rise early, the Dingee crew was straight into action for the roll-up practice a good half-hour before official game time ... no sleeping in for the keen crew.

WE have had it straight from the horse’s mouth that the Good Doctor and his wife struck success again last week at Bridgewater twilight bowls. Yes, two prizes snapped up in the raffle - this time a hotel voucher and more wine - to add to their booty a couple of weeks ago. While they are very good in the raffles, no verifiable reports have been have been received of their results in the competition proper.

WITH raffle form like this, we doubt whether the Good Doc will get an invite to head Calivil way. We asked one of that club’s leading players for his final-eve dinner of choice to max the chances of success and put the team in good stead. “A nice juicy

ONE of the great administrative burdens running sporting teams always comes with headaches at finals time. Yes, making sure you’ve enough players qualified for the big action. One club boss quipped at the weekend: “We’re smarter than your average team ... we make sure our list is double the number needed. Can’t take any chances,” were his words, or similar any way.

AND sport fans also have their rituals and superstitions. A UK survey into 2000 people, who watch sport, revealed that 25 per cent will carry out unusual rituals ahead of a game to help improve their luck for a good result. Of these, when watching at home, 23 per cent must sit in the same part of the sofa for any game, while 24 per cent will kiss the badge of their beloved club or nation. And to avoid cursing their favourite team, 22 per cent will refuse to watch a match with specific people they deem “unlucky”.

WHEN it comes to watching live sport, 22 per cent will sit in the same “lucky” seat in the stadium, and the same percentage won’t wash a “lucky” item of clothing. Another 18 per cent will call on a higher power and say a prayer if they feel their team or favourite athlete needs a boost.

AWHOPPING 91 per cent genuinely believe the outcome of an event has been impacted by

Big team spruces up cemetery

MORE than 20 people attended the first of two working bees at Inglewood cemetery on Sunday. Cemetery trust secretary Kim Doherty said there had been a great turnout from the community.

Shovels and brooms, whippersnippers and bobcats set about reducing grass and hazards around historic graves and in the lawn section.

Fallen branches were removed and “a good start made on tidying up the cemetery”, Kim said.

The volunteers spent more than three hours on the job on Sunday.

Many will return for a second working bee this Sunday morning and Kim hopes to see new faces lending a hand as trust volunteers and the community continue the cleanup.

Staff shortage stifles ‘unsightly’ action

LODDON Shire Council was unable to resolve issues with 52 unsightly properties in the December quarter because of a continuing staff shortage.

A report to Tuesday’s council meeting showed no change in the number and location of unsightly properties in the shire. All 52 properties had been iden-

tified in the previous quarter. “Identified unsightly properties are assessed and prioritised for compliance action. Staffing vacancies within the unsightly properties area has limited the ability for significant progress to be made in this area,” said local laws and planning compliance officer David Price.

Kim Doherty was among volunteers at Inglewood cemetery. LH PHOTO

Remote controller

A BENDIGO-BASED State Emergency Service employee has been made acting controller of the Wedderburn unit.

And one local volunteer fears the remote control command of the unit is a sign that SES heirarchy has become dominated by “pen pushers instead of practical people with the resources to solve problems”.

Former controller Reg Holt said volunteers had become bogged down chasing bureaucratic paper trails instead of being resourced to respond to emergencies.

Mr Holt said local members had been left disappointed when the SES regional office in Bendigo refused to re-appoint Paul GordonCooke as controller.

He said it was the latest setback for the unit with volunteers recently criticised by the heirarchy for using a front-end loader to remove a fallen tree and clear the highway in less than 30 minutes.

“The SES wanted us to follow protocols that involved using chainsaws. The Calder Highway would have closed for hours doing it that way,” he said.

“The front-end loader driver had all the industry qualifications to do the job and it was completed with safety of all people in mind.

“The situation needs to change so that the controller on the ground at an incident can access the equipment they need and get the job done.”

Mr Holt also claimed the Wedderburn unit had been left poorly resourced after restrictions were

put on its main rescue vehicle.

“They have given us a truck that can seat five people and carry all our equipment,” he said. “Now we have had to have the truck weighed, told to remove some of the rescue equipment and a sticker placed on the door saying only two people can ride in the vehicle,” he said.

“They (SES) are dumbing us

down and letting bureaucrats, academics and pen-pushers dictate to practical volunteers”.

Several members have spoken to the Loddon Herald saying they feared for the future of the unit.

A statement by SES yesterday morning confirmed Will Boyd, a VICSES volunteer and staff member, had been appointed controller at Wedderburn.

Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI West) Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T)

What is VNI West?

VNI West is a proposed new highcapacity electricity interconnector between Victoria and NSW that will support Australia’s transition to a net-zero emissions power system and economy. The new transmission infrastructure will unlock lower-cost, clean electricity from renewable energy zones in Victoria and better connect the energy grids across the East Coast. AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid, are jointly undertaking the regulatory assessment for the VNI West project.

AEMO Victorian Planning (VIC)

www.aemo.com.au/vni-west

1800 824 221

VNIWestRITT@aemo.com.au

Transgrid (NSW)

www.transgrid.com.au/vniw

1800 222 537

VNIW@transgrid.com.au

AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid have jointly investigated potential alternate network options for VNI West, including its connection point to Western Renewables Link (WRL) in Victoria.

This analysis is outlined in our Consultation Report, which is now available online.

We welcome community and stakeholder feedback on the proposed preferred option presented in this report. The consultation period is open until Wednesday 5 April 2023.

Your insights will help shape the Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR), to be published in May 2023. Public information sessions

AVP and Transgrid will host information sessions over the coming weeks, providing time for stakeholders and community to ask questions that will assist with making informed submissions.

Use the QR Code or visit the websites above to:

• View the Consultation Report

• Register for webinars

• Get details of drop-in sessions near you (Victoria)

IN BRIEF

Morning fire

A FIRE at Mount Moliagul last Friday morning is being investigated. Rheola brigade volunteers went to the fire just after 8am. It was the first of two call-outs for the day with volunteers also attending a fire at Bealiba assisting other district brigades and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews, Cafe’s new name

THE Boort cafe Audrey’s is taking on a new name and menu. Owner Mark Klose has temporarily renamed the cafe Troob for a March long weekend opening before a formal launch in early April as a restaurant serving lunch and dinner. The newlook restaurant will be a licensed venue.

Audit chair

ROD Baker was on Tuesday re-appointed chairman of Loddon Shire Council’s audit committee for a 12-month term. The extension of his appointment will take Mr Baker to the maximum fiveyear term.

Seeds for food

“We are working hard with the Wedderburn community to promote rewarding volunteer opportunities with VICSES,” he said.

“Our volunteers perform a diverse set of roles. We are actively working to welcome a broader range of people from the community into the unit.”

See next week’s Loddon Herald for the full SES statement.

LODDON Shire will be part of a Healthy Loddon Campaspe partnership with Grow It Local to encourage and educate residents across the region about healthy eating, cooking and growing local food announced this week by the Greater Bendigo and Central Goldfields Councils.

Former Wedderburn unit controller Paul Gordon-Cooke and volunteer Richard Lancaster and the truck now only able to carry two people. LH PHOTO

Night duty calls Deb Community at heart of health service

COMMUNITY programs at Inglewood and Districts Health Service had seen an increased focus on community health and allied health.

CEO Dallas Coghill and board chairman Robert Chamberlain told Monday’s annual general meeting that community engagement and support programs had also been part of that focus in 2021-2022.

“(We have) continued to experience high levels of occupancy in both our acute and aged care services,” they reported.

“The transitional care program continues to ensure clients’ needs are met through assistance in the re-integration back to client’s homes or assisting in transition to residential aged care services.

“We have maintained 100 per cent occupancy throughout the transitional care program.”

Their report said IDHS employed more than 120 people and the service had continued to support the graduate registered nurse program with two nurses completing their final year at Inglewood in 2021.

“We have also been able to recruit to our health care worker traineeship program which continues to be a successful program

with many staff that complete this program gaining ongoing employment with our health service,” Mr Chamberlain and Mr Coghill said.

The report also highlighted partnerships with Loddon Shire, community houses, Lions club, men’s shed, the CFA and other groups as “an important part of what we do”. “Inglewood and Districts Health Service is excited about the future direction which brings significant opportunities to develop our community programs ... this is an area of growth for our service,” they said.

“(The) board has a strong focus on the key governing areas of quality care outcomes in a safe environment for our community, financial sustainability and growth, risk management and community and cultural engagement.

“We would like to pass on our sincere thanks to the many groups and individuals who provide significant support to our health service.

“We continue to appreciate the support and assistance of the Loddon Shire as well as that received from the Victorian Department of Health,” their report said.

Hard waste collection – March

Loddon Shire Council will be conducting its annual kerbside hard waste collection of metals, e-waste, furniture and white goods.

Residents within the below township boundaries may place items up to a total of one cubic metre out on the nature strip on Sunday 5 March 2023 (not before or after).

Council sta will collect these items starting Monday 6 March 2023 in Boort, Borung, Bridgewater, Dingee, Eddington, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Laanecoorie, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla, Wedderburn and Wychitella. Items are to be sorted into piles, i.e. metal items, furniture, recyclable items, e-waste and white goods.

Total volume is not to exceed 1m3 in size. Excessive or unsorted piles will

not be collected. Please note that general waste, perishables, tyres, oils, batteries, paints and chemicals, car parts and mattresses will not be picked up.

Any unsuitable items left behind after collections are to be removed from the nature strip immediately.

More information, scan the QR code:

DEBBIE Smith was on Monday evening recognised for 25 years on staff as an enrolled nurse at Inglewood and District Health Service.

The local hospital veteran received a special presentation at the IDHS annual general meeting.

Most of her quarter of a century on staff has been spent working night shift.

Nurse unit manager Daryl Rowley received his certificate for 15 years of service.

Also recognised this year were - five years: nurses Narelle Giudice and Martin McBain and volunteer Leanne Mills. 10 years: Nurse Stuart Dawm district nursing services Michelle Kapakoulakis, support services Lee-Anne Sullivan and volunteer Joan Bradley.

15 years: Nurses Kerrie Redwood and Sue Zimmer, volunteer Robyn Noonan, 20 years: Transition care nurse Phil Goggin and support services Jenny Perry.

Grants exceed $1m

STATE Government capital grants for Inglewood and District Health service in 20212022 totalled $1.09 million, the financial report showed. Operating grants totalled $7.136 million and the service’s total turnover was $10.3 million, up from $8.9 million the previous year.

Dallas Coghill congratulates Daryl Rowley at the annual meeting. LH PHOTO

Deb Smith with son Ryder and husband Andrew after after receiving a 25year service award on Monday. LH PHOTO

Route change surprise, ‘consultation’ disputed

A NEW preferred route lacking detail was a disastrous recipie that could set the Victoria-New South Wales interconnector project back a decade.

Prairie West’s Donald McGauchie said it was astonising that a new route had been put on the table so late in the process.

He joined with Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub in questioning the lack of consultation on the new preferred route running north from St Arnaud to above Wedderburn over to Boort and Pyramid Hill.

“The current preferred path seems to take the path of least resistance,” said Cr Straub.

“There’s been no local consultation by AEMO with council. Any consultation had been through a presentation to councillors on the earlier preferred option from Bendigo and through Prairie to Kerang. There’s been no consultation on this new Option 5.”

Cr Straub said AEMO must honour its commitment for robust community consultation after ditiching the Prairie route.

“No Government sweeteners can be a substitute for proper process and community consultation,” he said.

An AEMO spokesperson said the new preferred option followed “feedback from face-toface and virtual meetings with

traditional owners, councils, industry and local communities on the Project Assessment Development Report (PADR) has seen 26 written submissions received”.

The spokesperson did not say whether a more detailed map would be released.

“Multi-criteria analysis clearly shows that connecting VNI West from near Kerang directly to WRL at a new terminal station near Bulgana (between Ararat and Stawell) outperforms all other options considered.

“This will require construction of WRL from north of Ballarat to Bulgana at 500 kV rather than 220kV and will remove the need to build a new terminal station north of Ballarat. Option 5, connecting VNI West from near Kerang to WRL at a new termi-

nal station near Bulgana is the strongest performing option once social, environmental and engineering issues are considered in the analysis,” according to AEMO.

“It outperforms all other options under the multi-criteria analysis, including the site north of Ballarat proposed for the VNI West connection to WRL in the Project Assessment Draft Report.”

AEMO says Option 5 is estimated to deliver $1.4 billion in net benefits.

Mr McGauchie said the change of preferred option late in the process was “curious”.

He said the original option from Bendigo to Kerang would have seen new transmission lines in existing easements.

WHAT AEMO SAYS ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENT

AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid published a consultation report last Thursday, this is what they said:

VNI West is a proposed new 500 kilovolt overhead transmission line connecting WRL in Victoria to EnergyConnect in New South Wales, identified to harness cleaner, lowcost electricity from renewable energy zones in both states and strengthen Victoria’s connection to Snowy 2.0.

Together, these projects will increase network resilience and energy reliability for consumers in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, increase the sharing of energy and help put downward pressure on electricity bills.

AVP Group Manager Nicola Falcon said that broad and open engagement continues for this critical project to provide reliable, secure and affordable electricity as Aus-

Duck hunting season gets okay for now

VICTORIA’S 2023 duck hunting season has been reduced to 34 days and a four-bag daily limit put on shooters.

“Option 5 will need to the creation of new easements,” he said. “It will take years.”

Mr Gauchie said: “It looks like they have caved into pressure from greens around Daylesford.”

He said the identified land of interest between St Arnaud and Pyramid Hill in the latest report was just a shaded section on a map.

“The lines could run anywhere between 20km and 30km from the central point. There’s no detail,” he said.

Mr Gauchie said a six-week consultation period on a new preferred option was ridiculous,

“I would challenge AEMO to tell us of one local landholder who has been consulted,” he said.

“Option 5 through lakes, olive groves and areas of Aboriginal significance ... it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Both Cr Straub and Mr McGauchie have called for proper community briefings and consultation.

“But you can’t consult without the detail,” Mr McGauchie. “This is a multi-billion project with little information.”

Victorian Farmers Federation has demanded the Government urgently clarify the rights of farmers set to be impacted by the huge expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure.

tralia undergoes a once-in-a-century energy transition. “The assessment of alternate VNI West corridors was brought to our attention through stakeholder submissions to the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) and through meetings with Traditional Owners, councils, industry and local communities,” Ms Falcon said.

“We’ve acted on that feedback by assessing not only the technical and economic elements for seven potential options, but also broader land planning, environmental and social factors.

“Taking all these factors into account, we now believe we have found a better option, which would connect VNI West into WRL further west at Bulgana and remove the need for the proposed terminal station north of Ballarat.”

AVP and Transgrid will now consult with

stakeholders on this assessment over a sixweek period. A final decision on the proposed, preferred option will be included in the final regulatory report, the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) in May 2023. Earlier this week, the Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio made an Order under the National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 to help fast-track VNI West in recognition of the crucial role it will play in unlocking renewable generation in Victoria and connecting with the New South Wales grid.

The order enables AVP to consider alternate VNI West options, which reduce the risk of delays, and better meet local needs.

This is consistent with the feedback AVP and Transgrid have heard from communities and the need for earlier, broader community engagement through the regulatory process.

The State Government has also announced a Legislative Council inquiry into the future of duck hunting.

Outdoor Recreation Minister

Sonya Kilkenny said duck hunting in Victoria had become “increasingly contested”

The Parliamentary committee will have terms of reference including the operation of the annual recreational native bird hunting seasons, arrangements in other Australian jurisdictions, their environmental sustainability and impact on amenity, and their social and economic impact.

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh said Government had moved its own duck hunting goalposts and belatedly announced just a fiveweek slot for the state’s hunting season. A full-length season was recommended based on harvest modelling by the experts, he said.

Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting said not banning the shoot placed “unnecessary and appalling risks on our native wildlife and regional communities”.

Dan Straub, a recreational duck hunter and Loddon Mayor, said the annual duck season brought economic benefits to local communities. He said he would be writing to local MPs asking they back the retention of duck hunting. “We are duck hunters, a community of people and labelled a minority but don’t we deserve equal rights to undertake a legal activity,” he said.

Sheep theft probe teamwork call

LODDON police at the weekend asked district farmers to report any suspicious vehicles as they continue investigations into the theft of 700 sheep from a Logan property.

Senior Constable Andrew Gibbs said: “Police are continuing regular patrols in rural areas but we cannot be in every place at the one time.

“Local farmers can help by regularly checking sheep flocks and reporting anything strange - vehicles, trailers, horse floats - to the nearest police station straight away,” he said.

Donald McGauchie Dan Straub

Presentations recognise long-serving staff

LONG-SERVING Boort District Health staff were recognised at the service’s annual general meeting.

Board chair Wendy Gladman and board member Laurie Maxted presented certificates to staff on reaching their milestones.

10 years: Helen Absalom, Beverley Taylor, Julie Puttick, Robyn Kennedy, Susan Laversha, Beryl Lacey.

15 years: Julie Wilson, Sharyn O’Rourke, Julie Walton, Kathryn Velleley, Ena Green.

20 years: Jeanette Long, Maree Stringer, Deanne Smith, Lois Seipolt.

PICTURED (from left): Sharyn O’Rourke, Wendy Gladman, Laurie Maxted, Julie Wilson, Kathryn Velleley, Susan Leversha, Julie Walton and Julie Puttick.

MINELAB

Wedderburn Detector Jamboree

11 & 12 March 2023

At

Hard Hill Tourist Reserve

FREE ENTRY FOR NON PARTICIPANTS

Saturday & Sunday Senior Detector Token Hunt $55.00 for the weekend including breakfast & entertainment on the Saturday Evening. Participants must be registered and coils must not exceeded 14 inch.

Major Prize Minelab GPX 5000 value $4999

Coiltek major prizes.

Saturday Only Registration for Inglewood & Districts Bendigo Bank Junior Gold Panning Competition $5.00 per child. 10am Competition, Tiny Tots 3 to 7 yrs, 8 to10 yrs, 11 to 13 yrs and 14 to 16 yrs.

Sunday Only Coiltek Junior Detector Token Hunt –registration 8am cost $10 per child (8 -16 years)

Children must be registered and coils must not exceeded 14 inch.

Refreshments on sale all weekend.

For Further Information: visitloddonvalley.com.au or www.wedderburn.vic.au telephone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre (03) 5494 3489

Lions’ care bid takes next step

WEDDERBURN Lions Club’s push for an aged care facility in the town will be the catalyst for a major national awareness campaign.

A Lions multi-district convention on the Gold Coast in April will discuss adopting the need for aged care in small towns as its major project.

Wedderburn Lions last week said their push was relevant to all small towns without local aged care for their elderly.

The conferenced is the latest step in the club’s 20-year campaign for an aged residential facility. A business plan released last year showed supported residential service for aged care in Wedderburn was not financially viable under current government policy.

“The main reason for this lack of viability is that they cannot transfer home care packages to a facility once a person leaves their home and goes to an SRS,” said Lions sub-committee chair Jude Raftis.

“If they enter a fully-fledged aged care facility, such as Inglewood operates, then funding is needs based and provided bythe Federal Government. This is not the case with an SRS as State legislation governs them. Despite this setback, it will not deter Lions from fighting for better outcomes for our aged residents.”

Local Lions met with Ripon MP Martha Haylett during the November election campaign to push the case for a facility.

Women’s event flood grants start to flow

WOMEN’S Health Loddon Mallee is releasing $100,000 in quick-response community grants to fund projects, events, and activities that support women’s health and wellbeing in flood-affected communities.

“We are hearing from flood impacted women, many of whom have been displaced, that they are feeling the loss of vital resources and local supports that operated in their communities prior to the 2022 floods. There is a genuine need in our region to provide opportunities for women to regroup and reconnect.” said WHLM CEO Tricia Currie.

“We understand the impacts that traumatic weather events have on communities, in part icular the unique challenges they present for women.”

Community groups can apply for grants of up to $10,000 until March 31.

Catalyst expands

CATALYST Metals on Friday announced it acquired a Toronto-based company operating in Australia to form a new mid-tier gold producer in the country.

The $55 million purchase of Superior Gold Inc. will include the company’s issued and outstanding shares along with its Plutonic gold operation in Western Australia

Catalyst continues exploration near Mitiamo and has plans for a $20 million tunnel.

2022 Winner

Fishy tale of two parts

FOR the health of Victoria’s second longest river, the story of last October’s flood emergency is a tale of two parts.

The mid-Loddon River from Laanecoorie to Loddon Weir is benefiting from the increased flows, which increase productivity of the river and food for fish and waterbirds.

The lower Loddon is a different story.

North Central Catchment Management Authority Project Officer Will Honybun said both outcomes were no surprise.

“When we experience flooding on the scale of 2022, we often see parts of the river benefit and other parts become stressed,” he said.

“The mid-Loddon River is still mostly confined to the channel, which means any poor-quality water has drained away quickly, allowing nutrients and organic matter washed into the main river stem to stimulate the food web.

“The sections of the river that span out over the landscape pick up a lot of extra nutrients, which are slow to move away. This poses a threat to water quality and native fish and fauna.

“All the indicators are showing fish populations in the lower section of the Loddon are in recovery mode, while in the upper Loddon River fish numbers have been bolstered. That’s also the message we’re getting from central Victorian anglers.”

Bendigo’s Kevin Ferguson is an avid Loddon angler and administrator of the Fishing Central Victoria Facebook group.

He has fished the Loddon for years and has noticed a big change in the past 12 months while fishing the river from Laanecoorie to Serpentine.

“Everyone knows fishing can be a struggle at times, but the recent trend in the Loddon River seems to have changed,” he said.

“I fish a fair stretch of the Loddon targeting mainly Murray cod and golden perch,

anywhere between Laanecoorie Weir all the way through Serpentine to the Loddon Weir, including some prime spots between Newbridge and Bridgewater.

“I do a fair amount of walking the banks and kayaking and fishing feels to be better than ever.

“I’ve been surprised how well the river above Loddon Weir has recovered from the floods. It is looking really healthy in those stretches.

“The water is clearing up well, you can see the vegetation is thriving again, and there’s plenty of healthy water for the native animals.

“Many of the members of our Facebook page fish the Loddon River and we’re noticing a lot more success in numbers of native fish.”

Mr Honybun said it’s important the

good conditions in the mid-Loddon are maintained. “We’re fortunate to be able to deliver water for the environment freshening flows during summer to maintain water quality and keep the ecosystem working well,” he said.

“In the lower sections, those flows over late summer and early autumn are all about recovery. We’ll deliver flows that inundate fish habitat and trigger native fish to move back into the better reaches to kickstart their recovery.

“These flows also give native fish an advantage over carp so in the long term we see the balance sway back the way we want it.

“And in the longer term, water for the environment can help keep the river healthy in drier times until the next flood comes along.”

Local firm on flood restoration panel

A LODDON company is among 16 firms appointed to Loddon Shire Council’s flood restoration works panel.

Pyramid Hill’s Corian Park Earthmoving was on Tuesday appointed to the panel by councillors on the recommendation of operations director Steven Phillips.

Mr Phillips said: “A panel of contractors will provide council with an efficient and flexible way to engage the necessary contractor workforce to carry out the restoration projects.

“The numerous works will be packaged into groups or packets of similar jobs based on either location or type.

“Each packet will be of a varying value that will not exceed $750,000. The average value of a packet of work is expected to exceed the current chief executive officers’ financial delegation ($300,000) for purchasing goods and services.

“To avoid the potential time for each packet that exceeds the chief executive officer’s financial delegation, specific authorisation relating to this contract is being sought.

“This will enable greater administrative efficiency in executing purchasing in relation to the delivery of this time dependent program.”

Councillors agreed to increase the delegation to $750,000 for flood restoration works.

Other companies appointed to the panel are mostly based in regional Victoria and will undertake work that could include repairs to 117 culverts, 56 floodways, resheeting 273km of gravel road, replacing should on 50km of unsealed road shoulders and rebuilding 14.25km of sealed road.

Council last month told the Loddon Herald that assessment of damage from October’s flood emergency was 95 per cent complete.

The repair bill has been put at more than $60 million.

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

We offer classic pub meals, ice cold drinks, clean accommodation and a stocked bottle shop.

Our winter trading hours are as follows

MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

POT’N’PARMA NIGHT DINNER FROM 6.00PM

THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM DINNER FROM 5.30PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY ALL DAY PIZZA MENU

Loddon angler Kevin Ferguson with a recent catch.

Indigenous design marks final year

THE symbolic final year top of VCE students has a unique design for this year’s Wedderburn College cohort.

Former student and indigenous artist Rebecca Wearne was asked to create a special piece of art for the “23” on their tops.

Student Neve Nisbet said the college had 21 per cent of its students identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander.

“Recognising indigenous culture is a big part of the school and

through (student support officer) Kerry Walker we made contact with Rebecca to come up with a special design,” said Neve. “We then worked with the manufacturer to accurately have Rebecca’s design and its colours included on our tops. The design has been really popular among all 12 VCE students and also with teachers who have ordered a top.” Rebecca’s design has also been framed and hangs in the VCE room.

Quartet toys with fundraising

AN ENTERPRISING Inglewood

Primary School quartet is looking for old toys as they plan a fundraising sale this term.

William Canham (left), Thane Bull, Jack Canham and Jayden Smith hope their toy sale will raise funds for scooters and helmets to build their riding skills, fitness

and teamwork. The boys said they were aiming to raise enough money to buy three or four scooters for the school.

Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 were forming groups to run projects that could make school and community a better place, said principal Lex Johnstone.

Students are drilled in fire safety

FOUNDATION students at Tarnagulla Primary School have experienced their first fire drill.

Principal Leigh Mellberg said: “Whilst we hope we are never confronted with this scenario, it is still good for students to learn about emergency routines so that if they are at home or in any public building, they will have some

understanding of what is happening.

“As our new Foundation students have not done a drill before, the teacher talked them through what was going to happen, where they needed to go, and how to stay safe with the group. The older students were not warned,” he said.

Neve Nisbet

VCE students (front from left) Eliza Turnbull, Neve Nisbet, Pippi Hartnell and Rachael Humphrey and (back) Zen Joyner, Brianna Sanderson and Ella Bailey. LH PHOTO

Show sells town and works

PRYAMID Hill’s Major’s Vision art show has received praise from visitors and exhibitors.

The show finished its seven-day viewing in the memorial hall last Thursday and according to an organiser Terry Wood, more than 30 per cent of paintings entered in the competition were sold.

“That’s an amazing result for any art show and more astonishing for us in our first year,” he said.

“We had so many visitors come to town to see the show. Some said they expected a little country event and were more than impressed with the quality and number of paintings in the competition.”

Among artists praising the organisers has been Des Lowry.

His portrait of Pyramid Hill’s Brigitte

Local bird hotspots attract watchers

BIRD enthusiasts will tour Mount Korong and other hotspots around Inglewood and Wedderburn on Sunday as part of Bird Day Out.

Birdwatcher Simon Starr will lead the tour as part of the Loddon Plains Landcare Network event.

Simon will talk on birds of the Loddon Plains and give an introduction to birdwatching at the network’s Inglewood base before the afternoon tour.

The new event received funding from Victorian Government’s volunteer innovation fund.

Cain was awarded first prize on its section. “When announced in the middle of last year, the show attracted my attention immediately, both for its subject categories and the prize money,” he wrote to the Loddon Herald.

“It was intriguing that such a small, and to most observers, unprepossessing town, which most travellers pass through without a second glance, had been able to attract sponsorship from local businesses and the progress association worth more than $4000.

“I wanted to paint a work for the people and portraits section, having enjoyed some success painting portraits of friends. I decided I had to make another trip to Pyramid Hill, to see if I could find a local identity who might be willing to be painted. On

the return trip from a few nights in a cabin on the banks of the Gunbower Creek last September, I called in to the bakery and introduced myself to the lady behind the counter. I’m Des and I’m looking for a local identity to paint for the Pyramid Hill Art Show I said.

“There’s one, she called out. At that very moment an elderly lady on a walker was passing. Brigitte came in and while I took a few photographs, Dee Simm told me Brigitte’s life story. What do you like about Pyramid Hill, I asked Brigitte. It’s the people; I love them,” she said.

Des said his participation in the show was pleasurable, selling three paintings. The progress association will donate money from the show for the historical society’s new historic engine display.

Dust off kilts, kick up heels

JENNY Hosking has been attending Scottish and Irish celebrations across Australia for more than a decade knitting berets in the colours normally woven into tartan kilts.

This Saturday, Jenny will be welcoming many of the people she meets at those events to her home town of Bridgewater for the Scots Day Out-Celtic Connections.

“It will be great to have people coming from across Victoria and even some from interstate,” she said.

“Bringing Scots Day Out into our Celtic Connections day will really expand what we started last year in the old railway station precinct.

“We’ve Scottish handcraft stalls coming from as far as Adelaide and Albury to be part of our special day in Bridgewater.”

Jenny said craft stalls and almost a dozen Scottish clan organisations would form an

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

avenue to the old railway station acting as a backdrop to non-stop musical entertainment between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

“We have pipe bands from St Arnaud and Castlemaine and a great lineup of Irish singers, musicians and dancers from around the region - entertainment to kick up the heels with and enjoy,” she said.

Saturday’s Scots Day Out-Celtic Connections put together by Kooyoora Women’s Network is also helping local organisations with Bridgewater Primary School running a fundraising barbecue.

“All the entertainment is free and entry is also free. It will be a great day for the community to come together,” Jenny said.

On Saturday night, Celtic band Old Melbourne Road will be playing at the Bridgewater Hotel.

Come and join us during our winter trading times. We will keep you warm with a range of specials and classic pub meals.

MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

PARMA NIGHT

EXTENDED PARMA MENU

WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00 LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

Shrinking stage! Trio plans board return

Fiona Hall joined with Bradley and Karne Hall to present a snippet from Hugh O’Brien’s stage commedy God Goes to a Shrink at Yando’s community Christmas party last year.

The trio has now put together the full comedy play to present in the Yando Hall.

“This is a hilarious little play that will be sure to entertain,” said Bradley

“After a successful dress rehearsal that was performed for the Yando Christmas tree event in late 2022, this short one-act comedy play is ready for a wider audience.

“The evening is a gold coin donation at the door and BYO drinks and nibbles where people can come along and have a night out with a few friends, enjoy some local talent and have a good old belly laugh.

“We’re really pleased to have our local theatre group BBAC productions back performing, in the local hall at Yando.”

God Goes to a Shrink follows earlier performances in the region by BBAC of other O’Brien comedies Farmer Will Swap Combine Harvester for a Wife and World Bra Unclipping Championships at Garimba.

Bradley said he hoped to tour the latest production as a fundraising event in communities across the Loddon.

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

A fine pub with 100 years of trading – supplying you with friendly service, cold beer, spirits & wine, great meals, restaurant, accommodation & bottle shop.

84 Godfrey Street, BOORT 03 5400 9650 railwayhotelboort

A FESTIVE teaser from three Loddon actors will become a full-scale production this month.

Back on the boards ... Yando’s comedic trio

Bank on main street safety

STAFF at Inglewood and District Community Bank have backed the community campaign for a reduced speed limit in Brooke Street.

Branch manager Michael Prowse said staff wanted to create awareness and urge greater safety with motorists.

“The safety of the community should be paramount,” Mr Prowse said.

Businesses in Brooke Street and residents have been calling for a 40kmh speed limit in the town’s two main shopping blocks and flashing speed check signs since a B-Double overturned on New Year’s Eve on a notorious Calder Highway bend.

They say the current 50kmh limit through the main section of town is too high and puts people at risk.

Within days of the New Year’s Eve incident that closed the highway for more than seven hours, a motorist about to open her car and go shopping was injured when a trailer axle failed

and the trailer damaged five cars.

Development and tourism president Peter Moore had earlier called for speed check signs at each end of the main shopping area.

He said purchase and installa-

tion would come with a $50,000 price tag.

Calls for a fresh review of speed zones have come with community pleas for better local consultation by the Department of Transport.

Mr Prowse said the bank would

Speed review request off to department

A FORMAL call will be made for the Department of Transport to review speed limits in Inglewood’s Brooke Street.

The town’s development and tourism committee last week agreed to lodge the request with the department and seek support from Loddon Shire Council and Ripon MP Martha Haylett.

President Peter Moore said the meeting was unanimous that action had to be taken to make the historic street - part of the Calder Highway - safer.

“The number of people approaching me in support of reduced speed limits continues and there has not been a single negative comment,” Mr Moore said.

The committee will also prepare a discussion paper for Calder Highway Improvement Committee outlining issues in Brooke Street and all possible solutions.

be pleased to take part in any review process.

“We look forward to contributing to community consultation,” he said. “Safety is the important thing here with the community’s experiences (of the street) issues invaluable for reviewers.”

Mr Moore said Loddon Shire’s representative on CHIC Wendy Murphy would table the document at that committee’s meeting later this month.

“Every idea will be included ranging from speed reduction and speed check signs to one suggestion that has been made of a truck curfew,” Mr Moore.

“Our concerns will be raised and discussed,” he said.

New mozzie traps set weekly

MOSQUITO traps are being set across the Loddon Shire weekly with Murray valley encephalitis detected early this month.

Senior public health officer Teresa Arnup told councillors on Tuesday that council had traps at Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Bridgewater, Wedderburn and two locations in Boort.

“Immediately following the October flood events the number of mosquitoes across the region exploded and this was reflected in traps that were collected in early November, whilst the number of mosquitoes was extreme at this time the type of mosquito being trapped were classified as nuisance breeds,” she said.

“As the season continues the number of mosquitoes has dropped but the breed of mosquito has changed to breeds that spread arbovirus.

“As part of this program council’s public health staff are setting traps in six locations

across the municipality on a weekly basis.” Ms Arnup said Murray valley encephalitis had been detected at Boort in January and February while earlier virus detections had been at Pyramid Hill, Serpentine and Wedderburn.

“Along with the weekly trapping program, council is undertaking treatment of public locations in townships,” she said. “The treatment methods being undertaken include barrier treatments, adulticiding and larviciding. Currently these works are prioritising Boort and Pyramid Hill based on the finding of the trapping program.

Victoria’s Health Department on Monday said a survey of more than 800 people in northern Victoria has found the Japanese encephalitis virus had infected more people than first thought, as the vaccination eligibility criteria against the virus has been expanded beyond Loddon to include Buloke and Bendigo.

Commuity bank staff Ruth Penny, Michael Prowse, Lachie Scarff and Macauley Senior join the Inglewood campaign for speed reduction in Brooke Street. LH PHOTO

Britnell holds road talks

THE Coalition has held talks in northern Victoria with farmer leaders on the condition of roads.

Shadow minister for ports and freight Roma Britnell included a meeting with VFF grains group member Russell Hocking, of Prairie, when touring the region.

“I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by farmers and manufacturers due to the condition of our roads,” she said.

“I have been working with the Victorian Farmers’ Federation

and other peak bodies who are frustrated with the condition of the roads and the impact this is having on their ability to get their produce to market.

“I had received some very concerning accounts about the condition of the roads and I needed to see the roads for myself.

“It is now four months since the floods and many roads remain unrepaired, unsafe or closed: it’s simply unacceptable. It is obvious that the Andrews’ Govern-

PRIVATE SALE - “Glenloth”

2130 - Ac Avoca River District - 862 HA

ment does not care for regional Victorians as in Jacinta Allan’s own electorate, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure’s own electorate, there are arterial roads that have been closed since October.”

Meanwhile, work started last week repairing a section of the Raywood-Dingee Road that had been in poor condition before the floods.

Further damage in October worsened the road surface.

Versatile Cropping & Grazing Property Adjacent to Avoca River

MARKETS

THERE was a 10 per cent increase in supply with 11,700 lambs and 5200 sheep at Bendigo on Monday.

Once again quality was an issue with properly finished lambs difficult to find across the yarding.

The two major domestic processors didn’t operate. The market continued to fluctuate around quality and supply factors.

As a rule heavy lambs over 26kg cwt were firm to a few dollars dearer, costing an estimated 780c to 820c/kg cwt.

Lambs under 24kg cwt showed a softer trend at 740c to 780c/ kg for the majority of trade pens sold to processors.

Quality also played a role in the light lambs, with some of the bigger and better bred lines of genuine store lambs dearer but secondary and odd penlots often cheaper.

The market reached a high of $289 for a pen of extra large crossbred lambs agents said had weighed 94kg liveweight after a curfew.

Most export weighted lambs $235 to $265/head. The main run of heavy crossbreds, 26-30kg cwt, sold from $200 to $238 to av $219 at a ballpark 782c/kg.

Lot of trade lambs from $160 to $185, the 22-24kg fat score 3 crossbreds averaging $173. Small store lambs $63 to $115, lambs with more frame size to the paddock $110 to $148.

In the sheep Merino ewes and wethers were up to $10 dearer

and reached $127; heavy crossbred ewes similar at $90 to $123/ head.

Still a lot of sheep which sold from $60 to $90. Most sheep were estimated as costing processors from 300c to 350c/kg, with higher rates paid for a quality offering of young Merino wethers.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

RL & KD Mountjoy Neilborough (84) $289, Lyndoch Farming Macorna (68) $260, B & J Tuohey Serpentine (57) $260, O’Sullivan Trading Elmore (73) $255, Cambrae Invest Bears Lagoon (92) $251, A & T Cole Neilborough (103) $244, FS Cockroft & Sons Myall (37) $243, S & R Snelson Tongala (54) $243, WL,LG & RK Boyd Pyramid Hill (90) $243, Pogue & Jones Echuca (71) $240, R & D Last Fiery Flat (53) $238, M Palmer Echuca (57) $238, D Anderson Heathcote (14) $230, PD Reynolds Pyramid Hill (48) $227, T & K Campbell Macorna (52) $226, Andshara Family Trust Berrimal (99) $223, RA Caldwell Echuca (49) $220, CA Brown & Son Bridgewater (105) $220, Fairfields @ Mysia Boort (29) $212, G & L Langley Newbridge (60) $208, J & M McDonald Woodstock (65) $195.

MERINO WETHERS

Kiriwana P/L Durham Ox (320) $127, TJ & LA Tobin Costerfield (117) $110, Blair & Lloyd Charlton (65) $106.

CROSSBRED EWES

Blue Rock Romsey (8) $126, Allan Rodda, (23) $126, Trengoff Past Longwood, (36) $120, Black on Green Maindample (101) $113, Yentrac Nominees Tatura (30) $98.

MERINO EWES

Elysian Downs Raywood (77) $123, DJ Fatt & JA Gallagher Raywood (40) $117, A & T Cole Neilborough (38) $115, D & M Curnow Woodstock (36) $114, K & S Canfield Salisbury West (52) $110, G Repper Quambatook (44) $110, M Palmer, Echuca (47) $100.

FOR LEASE BY TENDER

323.75 Hectares – 800 Acres

To be offered in 2 Lots

Commencing: 30th March 2023. Finishing: 29th March 2026

Lot 1: ”Home Block”, “Old place”, “Woodies”

226.63 Hectares equalling 560 Acres. Approx 12 paddocks, water to Dams. Grazing and cropping allotment, sandy loam soil 60% - 70% arable with undulating land parcels and shelter belts

Lot 2: ”Wehla”

93.07 Hectares equalling 230 Acres. Undulating land parcel in 5 paddocks. Water from 4 Dams and waterways. Some timber shelter belts – 85% arable Mixture Mallee Ironstone & loam top soil to a Clay base. Currently mix of natural grass and dry wild oat.

Terms: 3-year period with a 2 year option payable quarterly in advance. Further option available.

Lease document and inspection by appointment

 Suitable to all broadacre dryland cropping

 Proven livestock production (sheep & cattle), wool growing and finishing history

 4 stand shearing shed, steel sheep yards and cattle yards, 7 silos included

 Well fenced with Wimmera Mallee pipeline connected, tanks & troughs included

 9 main paddocks & holding paddocks with ideal sheltered timber grazing areas

 Typical Avoca River flood plain soil types receiving periodical beneficial flooding

 Situated 14km east of Wycheproof, 20km north of Charlton with access to grain receival sites and store sheep selling facility.

Historic “Glenloth” situated adjacent to the Avoca River provides an ideal opportunity to secure improved cropping and grazing land in this proven & renowned area.

Price: $2,500.00 per acre.

For further details and price contact the selling agents.

Elders Wycheproof 03 5493 6400

Jim Coffey 0419 830 682

Kevin Thompson 0419 857 377

HIGHEST OR ANY TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED

Tenders Close: Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at the offices of leasing agent

Further Particulars: 92 Brooke Street INGLEWOOD VIC 3517

Office: 03 5438 3041 James Nevins: 0407 302 900 www.fpnevins.com.au

JBS Australia’s Steve Chapman gives an update on the protein market outlook last week during sessions run by McKean McGregor for Loddon farmers. Looking on is McKean McGregor’s Alex Collins. LH PHOTO

Willera has ewe beaut day

WILLERA Merino stud at Serpentine has won the inaugural Loddon Valley Field Day pen of three paddock-run ewes.

The competition this year was named in honour of Ninuenook Stud’s Doug Todd who died last year.

Woodpark Stud, of Hay, was second and Errol Hay’s Kamarooka Park was third.

In the pen of three rams, honours went to Woodpark. It was the second time Steve Huggins had taken out the award, previously winning in 2015.

Judges awarded second to Tamaleuca (Ouyen) with Koole Vale (Costerfield) third.

CLEARINGSALE

CLEARING SALE BOORT - PROPERTY SOLD

PLANT & EQUIPMENT

John Deere 7210 MFWD tractor, Burder FEL c/w GP bucket & forks, 3 PL, 5000 hrs. John Deere 4455 2 WD tractor, duals, 8000 hrs. John Deere 3130 tractor Kerfab FEL c/w bucket & forks. Gold Acres Praire 21mtr boomspray, 2500 ltr c/w foam marker. Sitrex Magnum Evolution 16 whl hay rake with splitters. 2 x Vicon 6 whl Sprint Master hay rake with dual hitch. 1411 New Holland disc bine. Allis Chalmers L2 header 24’ front bat reel & PU front. 2 x Ahrens field bin c/w auger, Nelson field bin c/w auger. Sherwell field bin c/w auger. Campbell fert field bin. Connor Shea 28’ airseeder, F/T harrows. Grizzly 40 plate offset disc. Coolamon hydraulic fold harrows. John Shearer 5140 cultivator, John Shearer 29 tyne scarifier, F/T harrows. Chamberlain 33 tyne scarifier c/w ridge dividers. Macey grouper, 13’ x 7’ base, R/O tarp, Honda motor. 1974 Ford D series truck c/w bulk bin. 1956 Commer truck, Slant 6 eng. c/w grain sides. Yamaha Grizzly 350 quad bike c/w spot sprayer, 6000 kms. Kawasaki KLF 300 quad bike. Keogh 45’ x 7” PTO auger.

Mobilco 20’ x 8” Auger Kohler motor. Shearer fire harrows. Bartlett 3 wheel flat top trailer. Bartlett 3 wheel trailer, c/w grains sides. Seed & Super trailer. Fire fighting unit, Honda pump & attachments. 122 ltr fuel trailer

12v pump. 12’ Dolphin boat, 30 hp Mariner outboard mtr & fish finder. Assortment of old / antique ploughs and farm implements to numerous to mention. Quantity of new and used fencing material. Sundry workshop tools and equipment to numerous to mention.

Terms: Strictly Cash / Settlement on day of sale. EFTPOS available.

Directions:

From Boort take Wycheproof Rd. Approx 15 km, Barraport South Rd. Signs erected on day of sale.

Vendor – Mark Lanyon

M 0407 053 393

Agent – Nick Byrne

M 0428 546 825

Agent – Zak Johnson

M 0477 282 569

CLEARING SALE

CHARLTON

Friday 3rd March 2023 10.30am

Farm Machinery, Equipment & Sundries

A/C Jeff D Cox

Onsite: 159 Cox’s Road, Wooroonook, Charlton

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT: Cougar Steiger ST 280 Tractor (13064Hrs), 325 HP, 1982 “Snoopy” 3388

Case Tractor (9000Hrs), 2008 Case Puma 140 tractor with Howard Q65 FEL (5750Hrs) FWA, complete with Trimble Ez Pilot auto steer &1050 screen, 1970 Chamberlain MK4 FEL 236 Perkins MTR, 1971 686 International tractor (not going), 2003 Case 2388 exclusive Axial Flow Header with Case 1042 36’ front, 2009 Goldacres Prairie 4500 Ltr Tritech Boom Spray (100 ft) with controller, Ellsworth 12 Wheel V Rake, Goldacres 2000 Ltr 42 ft Boom Spray Shearer 5-160 scari bar (72 tyne), Connor Shea + 8 33 tyne Scarifier with roller Harrows, Simplicity 4500 Ltr Bin/ Howard Bagshaw 31ft seeder bar (41 tyne), New Holland 1431 mower conditioner 13ft, Shearer 33’ Springtyne Fieldspan Cultivator bar, Horwood Bagshaw 42’ Harrows, Leith hydraulic 30’ Pea Plucker, Melway 15’ stubble mulcher, John Berends 6’PTO Slasher, 4 wheel fowler trailer, 28 plate offset disc. Hurschfeld Drain Former, 3PL post hole digger, Hardi 30’ Boom Spray, Roller Bar Hay Rake, Bates portable 800 Ltr fuel tank, 2 X o’head fuel tanks Swingsaw BSA motor, Peerless Air Compressor, 5HP B-S reduction motor.

GRAIN HANDLING & EQUIPMENT: Sherwell 42 ft PTO Auger 9.5”, GBH Grouper 14 ft, 10 ton, with roll over tarp & 6HP motor, 3 X Sherwell 28 ton Field Bins with Augers, Ackland 28 ton Field Bin with Auger, Sherwell 240 bag Field Bin, 20’ 4” Pencil Auger with electric motor, Jachmann portable grain cleaner with 5HP Mitsubishi motor, 1973 2050A Acco Tray Truck with 18’ tipper (Hoist- Not going) & 120 bag bulk bin. 1964 Bedford (44,000 Miles) with 14’ tray (telescopic hoist), silo sprayer, QTY crop lifters. QTY lentil lifters, Bottom Riddle (Case 2388), Cowra stock feeder, Addlem stock feeder, Peerless 240AMP arc welder.

COLLECTABLES & SUNDRY: Sunshine McKay 8’ Header, old bag loader, Dray swivel arms, 2 X Trewella jacks, old grain thrower, leg vice, old heavy duty vice, bag truck, Qty Jute bags, Qty garden tools, roll out irrigation flume, Qty farm gates, tow cable, Harland 6” pump, poly tank (13,500 Ltr), 2 x Lister Shearing Plants, Ajax single box wool press, Hay Caps (25), fire lighter, 6 x electric fence coils & energiser, oversize safety signs, jerry cans, Qty rubber belting, assorted il filters, lamb feeder (5 nip), 2 X RHS steel (8m), water pods, redgum stumps, pellet solid bricks, Polymaster water troughs (2), Qty gal iron & host of sundries.

TERMS Numbers system operating - I.D required. Cash, Cheque payment accepted & EFTPOS available. Light luncheon available.

DIRECTIONS: 159 Cox’s Rd, WOOROONOOK. Take Donald Rd, 10km turn right onto Cox’s Rd - Follow signs.

Ewe competition judges Elizabeth Todd and daughter Lou Hanmer at Serpentine.

Will Hooke, Mitch Avard and Karl Hooke with Willera stud’s winning ewe trio.

Ram competition judges Phil Toland and Murray McKenzie insepct entries at the field day.

Woodpark stud’s Steve Huggins with association president Kevin Hynam and Drew Bunt

Kamarooka Park’s Errol Hay and grandson Jasper Williams with their pen of three ewes.

Willera stud’s Simon Coutts

LH PHOTOS

Breeders beat the challenges

LODDON Valley Merino studs conquered a challenging spring to put their best ewes and rams forward at last Friday’s field day.

Ewes lost condition last October carrying too much wool as studs waited for shearers to get through floodwaters and grazing areas were reduced or waterlogged. “But they have recovered well,” said Terrick West’s Ross McGauchie.

That optimism for the industry was echoed by Robert Hooke at Willera Merinos, one of four on-property displays for the annual field day with another 11 association member studs based at Serpentine recreation reserve.

He said floods had impacted local studs and while wool prices could be tough, a lift was around the corner.

Loddon Valley Stud Merino Breeders’ Association president Kevin Hynam said members had proven again that they were breeding sheep to withstand environmental challenges.

Pen of three rams judge Murray McKenzie backed up the assessment of recovery since the floods.

“The rams we judged today looked really good,” he said.

“The studs were hard to split and we really did come down to the finer details - an even three rams ... their structure.”

Co-judge Phil Toland said quality and quantity of wool also came into the assessment.

“Some have handled the wet better than others,” he said.

“There’s a big range of environments the rams come from - some areas have far greater rainfall than others and last year you could double it.”

Mr Hynam said while crowds were down slightly this year, the field day was an opportunity for members to show “a range of Merino types bred selectively by each stud breeder to suit their goals and environments”.

“Although 2023 has shown a correction in lamb and mutton markets, Merino wool prices have increased closer to a sustainable level.”

Kamarooka Park’s Errol Hay is among Loddon breeders continuing to invest in genetics for improvement of sheep.

Mr Hay said he aimed for a bold crimp-style fleece that was averaging 18.5 microns.

While winning the field day pen of three rams last year, he

had higher hopes in 2023 for the new ewes competition and was rewarded with third place.

Mr Hynam said the inaugural ewe competition was named in honour of the late Doug Todd. From next year, the award would become a memorial event for all former members of the association, he said.

Mr Todd’s wife Elizabeth and daughter Lou judged the ewe

Friday 10th March 2023- 10am Sharp

Machinery, Collectables & Antiques

A/C DJ & JI GRIGG (Property Leased)

Onsite: 1823 WEDDEBURN- SERPENTINE RD, POWLETT PLAINS

MACHINERY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT: “Volvo” F7 Twin Steer bogie drive truck with 24’ tray with under body hoist, “John Deer” 7520 Tractor 2793 hours, “New Holland” TR88 header with 25 ft front 1744 hours, “Vennings” Grouper bin, Massey Ferguson 240 Tractor 2336 hours- new tyres with 3PL, “Chamberlain” Tractor with FE loader, “McCormick Int” 511 combine with small seed box 24 Tyne with finger Tyne harrows, “Grizzley’ 36 plate scarifier, “Chamberlain” 29 Tyne scarifier, 23’ “Napier” cultivator bar, “Gold Acres” 60’ boom spray- 2000L tank & PTO drive, 2 yard golden scoop, “Golden” land grader-10’, “Lockston” 15’ mower (good condition), 8 leaf stump harrows, round bale hay feeder, “Gold Acres” 33’ boom spray (suit quad bike), portable fuel tank with electric pump & meter, sheep feeder, 22,500L water tank, John Deere ride on mower.

FIELD BINS & AUGERS: 28T “Sherwell” field bin with Auger, “Sherwell” field bin with Auger (320 bag)

PTO drive, “Sherwell” field bin with Auger (300 bag), 36’ “Sherwell” Auger, 12’ pencil Auger.

SHEARING EQUIPMENT: “Stevlyon” electric wool press good cond, “Lyco” electric wool press, rectangle wool table, 4 “Lister” overhead shearing plants, 12V shearing hand piece, grinder, assorted hand pieces, stencils.

ANTIQUE MACHINERY: “Furphys” farm water cart, 1937 “Sunshine” AL Harvester, “Avery” scales, Blacksmith Bellow, 1935 timber wool table, “Sunshine” gate, “Furphys” spike roller, 5’ stump jump plough, 5’ Mulboard plough, “Chas Smith” wool press, 12 plate one way disc plough, 21’ Coltipacker, homemade smudger, 2 x mud scoops (homemade), blacksmith tools, old trailer, grader blades, 5 draft horse collars.

SUNDRY ITEMS: MIG welder, ”Stihl” MS170 chainsaw, butchers band-saw, rail line, 3PL ripper, stock crate (Ute), round bale carrier- 3PL, JIB, assorted harrows, cement posts & stays, crop lifters, “B&S” 5HP engine, fire harrows bar, 8 ½ HP “Honda” engine, Trehella jack, egg boxes, quantity of points, gates, cement mixer, roper maker, hydraulic ram, quantity gal iron, troughs, piping, X cut saw, 4 x 1000L containers, qty tiles, windows, tyres, post driver, wood hot plate heater, sundry tools & a host of sundries too numerous to mention.

TERMS Numbers system operating - I.D. required. Cash, Cheque payment accepted & EFTPOS available. GST applicable. Light luncheon available.

DIRECTIONS: From Serpentine take Bridgwater, Serpentine Rd, turn right at Wedderburn- Serpentine Rd, follow for 8km and the sale will be on your right-hand side. From Bridgewater, take Serpentine, B/Water Rd for 7km- turn left onto Wedderburn Rd, follow for 8km and the sale will be on your right-hand side. Follow the signs

FULL DETAILS & PHOTOS www.fpnevins.com.au

Ageing drinkers milking market

THE liquid “drinking” milk market remains of key importance to Australia’s dairy sector – with improved domestic retail pricing and opportunities for further export growth, Rabobank says in a new industry report.

In Australia’s Drinking Milk Markets: from Loss Leader to Improving Performer, the agribusiness bank says the liquid milk category – which in recent years had struggled with a number of challenges including discounting by retailers – is a major “pillar” for Australia’s dairy sector, accounting for 30 per cent of milk production and generating more than A$4 billion in revenue annually.

And this is important not only for revenue generation, but also strategically for supply chain efficiency, helping to support the Australian “dairy value chain and lead to stable farmgate milk prices over multiple seasons for milk suppliers servicing the drinking milk market, the report says.

competition last Friday and said Doug would have been thrilled to have the inaugural prize named in his honour.

Lou said her father always enjoyed the field day and being with fellow Merino breeders.

His Ninuenook stud became known for high lambing percentages and great mothering abilit-

“Drinking milk, being a staple product in the consumer basket, will remain a large and important category for Australian milk utilisation,” the report says.

Australia’s domestic drinking milk market is, however, “very mature” with falling domestic consumption. but this is being offset by growing exports of liquid milk, says report author,

Duncan and Forbes Kirk from Berrimal’s Longford Park helped parents Rodney and Nicola at Serpentine on Friday. LH PHOTO

Consultation conundrum

DESIST from the haste! Last Thursday’s release of a new preferred route for the Victorian-New South Wales electricity interconnector - one never seen before and equally one without route detail - must have more than a six-week consultation period.

To put out a preferred option, without detail, and expect to ram it through in such a short time is dangerous and wrong.

Making the option release even more disturbing is that Loddon Shire Council knew nothing about the dramatic change of direction until the report was released.

No one locally has put the hand up yet to say they were consulted about the new preferred op-

YOUR ONLINE WORDS

Suggestion of a ‘mullet round’ in the new AFL Central Victoria junior football competition raised the hairs of some Loddon Herald readers last week

Heide Polkinghorne wrote: How is their hairstyle connecting them to their footy? This isn’t primary school, where they have crazy hair days. How about having a round where some ex afl footballers come and play against them, or they dress as the footballer they aspire to? Something to actually do with footy.

Nathan Joy wrote: Respectfully, AFLCV needs some high level leadership, support and resources made available here. There are ideas being put forward which is fine, but there is the clear absence of a plan. Weekday games will guarantee a drop in participation, interest and engagement.

Sonya Taylor wrote: Weeknights is crazy with most of these boys having part time jobs! Our whole family enjoy our day at the football Saturdays and the under 18 boys stay afterwards to support their fel-

EDITORIAL

tion. No one locally has said they have been part of any consultative process.

The haste and disregard of Loddon communities through which these new powerlines will likely travel is breathtakingly staggering beyond belief.’

The State Government has already announced a number of decisions to fast-track design and likely approvals of the transmission lines. On the surface, it appears an unhealthy disregard for our communitiers. Six weeks should become six months of consultation and detail.

Loddon HERALD sport

HALF A DOZEN

low club members, not having them play beforehand would take this culture away.

Angie Webster-Thomson wrote: Our kids have work commitments and basketball commitments weeknights and look forward to playing on a Saturday. As for the mullet round, let’s just stick to the thing the kids love, footy!

From the Loddon Herald Facebook page

1. How many stars are on the European Union flag?

2. How many countries have purple in their flag?

3. Any name those countries.

4. Who was the first monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1066?

5. What flavor is Cointreau?

6. Which country is Prague in?

7. Which planet has the most gravity?

8. Which horoscope sign has a crab?

9. Which company owns Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, and Ducati?

10. What is the diameter of Earth?

11. What is the symbol for potassium?

12. What is allspice alternatively known as?

13. Which desert is the largest in the world?

14. What’s the first letter on a typewriter keyboard?

15. What is the fastest fish in the ocean?

16. What’s the medical term for bad breath?

17. How many time zones are there in the world?

18. How long is an eon in geology?

19. Where would you find the Sea of Tranquility?

20. What is someone who shoes horses called?

Teacher’s family turfed out for night

19th Rheola Charity Carnival was held on Easter Monday and has done so ever since.

That was also the year Dunolly Hospital was added as a beneficiary of the carnival, up until this point it had always been held solely in aid of the Inglewood Hospital.

Julie Piening looks at the first 25 years of Rheola’s charity carnival

THE very first Rheola Charity Carnival was held on Wednesday May 25, 1871, at the local cricket ground. Back then the area was known as Tyler’s or Berlin.

The carnival was advertised in the Tarnagulla and Llanelly Courier. The first carnival included a monster procession, sports including foot and horse racing, quoits, cricket and a bowling match. Amusements were in the form of The Richardson Show, Wheel of Fortune and refreshments were on offer. The night entertainment was held at the schoolhouse and included fireworks display, concert and concluded with a grand ball.

These days we associate the Rheola Charity Carnival with Easter Monday but this wasn’t the case in the early days. The first carnival was held on Queen Victoria’s Birthday, then various dates including New Year’s Day, St George’s Day and the occasional Easter date until 1889 when the

The location of the carnival during this period varied. Often it was held at the original cricket ground located off what is now the Rheola–Llanelly Road but the schoolhouse grounds were used as well. The night entertainment was shared between Wayman’s Hotel with its associated assembly hall known as McPhersons and the school building.

The use of the school building was not without drama though. In 1879 there was some controversy concerning the use of the state school as a venue. As reported in The Argus, the head teacher was a married man with nine children.

As there were no quarters for them to live in, they had set up residence in the apartment behind the school room. The teacher had divided this room at his own expense into three sections for living quarters for his family.

The Rheola Charity Carnival Committee had applied to the Education Department for use of the school for the evening for the concert and ball. As the application had been granted the head teacher and his family were compelled to give up their home for the night.

Health policy reform can benefit the regions

By ANNE WEBSTER

WE recently had the first sitting week of Parliament for 2023 and for me, in the shadow regional health portfolio.

Healthcare has always been a major focus of mine and since I stepped into Parliament I have fiercely advocated for better healthcare in our regions.

In my first speech in the House this year I highlighted how distressing this issue is for so many in Mallee.

The fact is, those who live in regional Australia do not have equitable and fair access to healthcare compared to our city counterparts.

The current Federal Labor Government helps perpetuate this disparity in disinterestedly expanding the Distribution Priority Areas, resulting in international medical graduates able to now choose an outer-urban practice rather than a regional area as their bonded commitment.

Rural Doctors Association of Australia president Megan Belot states a number of general practitioners are reporting a decrease in application for positions as well as resignations and late withdrawals of applications with the DPA being put into

FEDERAL PERSPECTIVE

effect. Almost all clinics advised doctors moving to a capital city or large inner regional town, with only three years or less in a rural location.

In a recent survey I ran across Mallee for people to tell their story about their access to healthcare in Mallee, the results were not good. Nearly 2000 people responded, and:

z 30 per cent of respondents said they do not have a regular GP,

z 40 per cent of respondents put off seeing a GP because it is too hard to get an appointment

z 33 per cent of people have presented to their local hospital because they could not see a GP.

Best health outcomes occur when patients have long standing relationships with a doctor who can provide ongoing care.

As one doctor said to me recently: “When you have been seeing the same patient for 16 years, you know when they walk into the room that something is not right.”

Continuity of care is everything in primary care and that is what this government does not understand when it invokes policy that contributes to a lack of access to GPs in the regions.

The Grattan Institute’s A New Medicare: Strengthening General Practice report highlights that people in small rural towns have about 35 per cent fewer GPs, see their GP about half as often, and are 30 per cent more likely to report waiting too long for an appointment.

GPs without much local competition are likely to charge higher prices and bulk-bill fewer of their patients.

As a result, rural patients pay higher out-of-pocket costs to see their GP. GPs in small rural towns also work about 20 per cent longer per day than their city counterparts and attend call outs about five times per often.

The RACGP’s 2022 Health Of The Nation Report states almost three in four GPs (73 per cent) reported they have experienced feelings of burnout over the past 12

months. Also, almost half of GPs (48 per cent) surveyed reported that it is financially unsustainable for them to continue working as a GP.

There aren’t any silver bullets that will immediately fix the situation, and it would be naïve to think so.

Without meaningful intervention things will move beyond crisis.

Fifty-eight per cent of GPs in Mallee are aged 55 years and above. That means many are heading to retirement.

Doctors are so overloaded that taking on new patients is not an option.

Today marks day two of the Regional Health Workforce Summit I have facilitated in Mildura.

This summit has peak health bodies out in the regions to answer regional workforce issues presented by local healthcare professionals.

My aim is to develop reform policy to benefit all who live and work in the regions.

It is clear – we need solutions and they must come from the grassroots level.

*AnneWebsteristhefederalmember forMallee

Wayman’s Hotel was an early venue for night entertainment for revellers attending the Rheola Charity Carnival.

Yung Balug Keeping Place

The Museum is situated on the property of Paul & Cathie Haw.

Well worth a visit to see the amazing Artefacts collected from the Boort Region.

A recent addition is 34 photos taken by John Hunter Kerr in the 1850s. This was made possible by the State Library of Victoria.

Everyone is welcome. but please call or Email before visiting.

Phone - 0417 333 171

Email - paulcathiehaw@gmail.com

The role will suit a candidate with true passion for community sport. You will create unique sporting coverage of events ranging from Auskickers playing their first game to the our local clubs battling for grand final glory. You will engage with our audience via traditional print as well as online and social media.

Apart from exceptional verbal and written skills, the right candidate will possess excellent time management and the ability to work towards tight and competing deadlines. Send us your resume by March 10 2023

Finals days to sign up for new composite teams

LODDON Valley Football League will accept expressions of interest from players for a new Bendigo junior competition side until tomorrow.

Executive officer Laura Naughton said there had been steady interest in the new side since the call went out for players. The league aims to have at least one team the Bendigo com-

Frustration with draw delay

FROM BACK PAGE

petition this season, drawing players aged between eight and 12 from Loddon communities.

Laura said the league was keen to encourage junior players to be part of the team wearing Loddon Valley colours. While expressions of interest officially closed yesterday, Laura said the league wanted to maximise participation of youngsters.

Justice has praised AFL Central Victoria for finding a sixth club in the new competition.

Dockers will draw players from unaligned Loddon Valley clubs and list extras in the Bendigo league for the combine side to play the existing five former Loddon Valley junior teams. But he said ideas floated in last week’s letter to clubs from Hartley were not the answer greater connection.

“Country footy is all about being engaged with your club. All this (midweek matches) does is remove the boys further from that,” Justice said.

When Loddon Valley opted out of running a junior competition, league and club officials believed that the majority of matches would be at local grounds.

They remained committed to the new format competition as the most viable way to reinvigorate junior football in the re-

LODDON HERALD BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

gion. However, while reluctant to speak publicly on continued delays within AFL Central Victoria in releasing final details for the new league slated to kick off on April 15, some have privately expressed concern that implementation is being botched.

Hartley late yesterday morning said: “Things are ever changing, draft fixture will be sent out soon for clubs to review. Games will be played mostly at Loddon Valley grounds.”

Dennis return putting fire in Demons’ menacing culture

ANTHONY Dennis is back at Cal-

ivil with a mission to rebuild the Demons’ menacing style of play and rise up the Loddon Valley league football ladder.

The Demons’ 2017 premiership coach took the team through its paces on Friday night, the first run at Calivil after training all year at Raywood.

Dennis said the club had recruited well in the off-season but could still slot in a few more talls.

“You ring 3000 people to get

three or four players,” Dennis said of the challenges that have faced country clubs since the COVID-interrupted or abandoned seasons.

“It’s good to be back home at Calivil but COVID really did put a dampner on country footy and it’s now harder to recruit.”

But recruit Dennis has done in the quest to make Calivil more competitive over four quarters and avoid a repeat of 2022 when the Demons won just two matches, losing multiple games

Cup spotlight ready to shine

THERE’LL be fierce competition on the track and heaps of fun off it when the Victorian country cups spotlight lands on Boort this Sunday.

Feature races are the Councillor Neil Beattie Family Boort Pacing Cup and the Peter Walsh Boort Trotters Cup both with $14,500 prizemoney.

Other events include with the E W (Ned) Fitzpatrick Tribute, Patrick Dwyer Tribute, D W (Bill) Foley Tribute, Keith and Dawn McClelland Tribute and Robert Coutts Tribute among the other feature races on the card.

Sunday’s meeting also kickstarts the lucrative Victorian Harness Racing Club Super Bonus Race Program.

Owners can claim $1500 and trainers $500 for victory in one of the afternoon’s events.

Andy Gath prepared and Jordan Leedham drove Hes Under Wraps to win last year’s pacing cup, while Garshaway claimed the trotting feature for Laura Crossland and Damian Wilson.

Both races are part of season-long country cups championships, with Boort following on from last weekend’s Horsham Pacing Cup meeting.

Fields for this year’s Boort Cup meeting card were to be released on Wednesday, with Sunday’s racing likely to start around midday.

The meeting also includes fashions on the field and music entertainment,

Admission is free and also includes a race book.

Sunday’s Boort meeting is the local club’s second for the year after a successful Northern Oasis event in January.

by less than a kick and picking up the wooden spoon.

Major signings have been defenders Jack Maher and Henry Miller, ruckman Justin Hymes and onballer Cody Thompson. Dennis said Calivil would also give opportunities to half a dozen East Loddon Rams juniors tied to the club with development through the reserves.

“That’s what country clubs are about ... helping juniors and making for a sustainable future,” Dennis said.

INGLEWOOD IGA Community Chest has chipped in $800 for junior and senior clinics this year at the town’s golf club. Secretary David Vanston is pictured receiving the cheque from IGA’s Peter Moore and said the popularity of last year’s clinic had created a foundation for the club to expand lessons. He said the support of Inglewood IGA meant the number of clinics could be expanded this year. LH PHOTO

Tom Wakefield

Jayden Manderson

Corey Henson

Corey Pearce

Henry Miller

Coach Anthony Dennis. LH PHOTOS

Young

brigade relishes final’s action return

KORONG Vale had been almost a decade away from Inglewood and District Tennis Association finals’ action when taking to the courts at Wedderburn last Saturday.

The last time the ‘Vale had fronted up was in the junior finals between 2012 (below) and 2016 when its youngsters snared multiple flags. Four members of those teams were in the line-up for Saturday’s semi-final clash against Loddon Eagles - Brodie Keller, Eliza Turnbull, Jayde Turnbull and Taylor Gibson.

Powlett out to defend title

inGLeWOOD

LODDON Eagles will try to snatch the Inglewood association crown from Powlett in Saturday’s grand final.

The reigning premiers were pushed by Fentons Creek in last weekend’s semi-final while Eagles proved too classy for Korong Vale who made a rare finals’ appearance.

Fentons Creek women pushed Powlett to some great tie-breakers and saw similar challenges mounted in the mixed sets.

Powlett 118 d Fentons Creek 100

MEN: B. Isaac L. Last d P. Turnbull S. Lockhart 8-3. L. Last B. Leech lost to S. Lockhart L. Holt 7-8. B. Isaac B. Leech lost to P. Turnbull L. Holt 1-8. T. Johns L. Lamprell d R. Holt J. Hayes 8-3. L. Lamprell F. Lock lost to R. Holt J. Hayes 3-8.

LADIES: A. Leech S. Maher d M. Lowry

E. Lockhart 8-7. S. Maher H. Martin lost to E. Lockhart S. Turnbull 6-8. A. Leech H. Martin lost to M. Lowry S. Turnbull 5-8.

D. Wayman C. Ugle d G. Fry K. Bainbridge

8-3. C. Ugle J. Martin d K. Bainbridge R.

Ellsmore 8-7. D. Wayman J. Martin d G. Fry

R. Ellsmore 8-1.

MIXED: L. Last A. Leech d S. Lockhart M.

Lowry 8-2. B. Isaac S. Maher d P. Turnbull

S. Turnbull 8-7. B. Leech H. Martin lost to L. Holt E. Lockhart 4-8. L. Lamprell D. Wayman d J. Hayes G. Fry 8-5. T. Johns J. Mar-

tin lost to R. Holt K. Bainbridge 4-8. F. Lock

C. Ugle d J. Hayes R. Ellsmore 8-6. Loddon Eagles 125 d Korong Vale 75

MENS: S. Smith R. Senior d J. Turnbull B.

Keller 8-1. R. Senior M. Senior d B. Keller P. Gibson 8-4. S. Smith M. Senior d J. Turnbull

P. Gibson 8-5. R. Senior M. Higgs lost to B. McDonald S. Keller 4-8. M. Higgs G. Madden d S. Keller G. Dehne 8-2. R. Senior G.

Madden d B. McDonald G. Dehne 8-0.

LADIES: C. Smith A. Higgs d J. Turnbull

S. Keller 8-6. D. Bouwmester A. Higgs d

S. Keller T. Gibson 8-6. C. Smith D. Bou-

wmester d J. Turnbull T. Gibson 8-5. D. Col-

lins R. Madden lost to D. Williams A. Gib-

son 5-8. D. Collins R. Madden d A. Gibson

E. Turnbull 8-0.

MIXED: S. Smith C. Smith d J. Turnbull J.

Turnbull 8-7. R. Senior A. Higgs d B. Keller

S. Keller 8-0. M. Senior D. Bouwmester d

P. Gibson T. Gibson 8-4. R. Senior R. Mad-

den lost to B. McDonald A. Gibson 4-8. M. Higgs D. Collins d S. Keller E. Turnbull 8-1.

G. Madden D. Collins d G. Dehne D. Williams 8-2.

MAROnG

DERBY has easily made the Marong association finals after

rival for one of the top spots Marong forfeited to Woodstock in last weekend’s final home and away round.

And Derby finished third after Woodvale chose to sit out the end of season round and not venture to Bridgewater.

Derby will now meet Harcourt at Harcourt in the semi-final this Saturday while Wilsons Reef plays Lockwood at Marong

The grand final on March 18 will be at Marong, association delegates decided at a meeting on Monday night.

Newbridge 3-62 lost to Harcourt 15-97

A LADIES: A. Sherlock E. Jenkyn d J. Cox

H. Wild 6-3. A. Sherlock A. Price lost to J. Cox K. Walters 1-6. E. Jenkyn A. Price lost to H. Wild K. Walters 3-6. B LADIES: S. Wallace N. Jenkyn lost to S. Blake N. Trethowan 1-6. S. Wallace T. Higgs lost to S. Blake P. Erny 3-6. N. Jenkyn T. Higgs d N. Trethowan P. Erny 6-2.

A MEN: A. Broom D. Graham lost to S. Gearing L. Tunn 4-6. A. Broom partner los to S. Gearing J. Trethowan 4-6. D. Graham lost to L. Tunn J. Trethowan 5-6.

B MEN: D. White D. Jenkyn lost to C.

Green M. Blake 4-6. D. White A. Broom lost to C. Green D. Gearing 1-6. D. Jenkyn A. Broom lost to M. Blake D. Gearing 4-6. MIXED: A. Sherlock A. Broom d J. Cox S. Gearing 6-2. E. Jenkyn D. Graham lost to K. Walters L. Tunn 2-6. A. Price partner lost to C. Green H. Wild 4-6. S. Wallace D. White lost to J. Trethowan N. Trethowan 0-6. N. Jenkyn D. Jenkyn lost to S. Blake M. Blake 4-6. T. Higgs A. Broom lost to P. Erny D. Gearing 4-6. Wilsons Reef 12-88 d Lockwood 6-68

A LADIES: G. Thompson J. Taylor lost to D. Wells L. Knight 4-6. G. Thompson J. Fitzgibbon d D. Wells K. Mannix 6-2. J. Taylor J. Fitzgibbon d L. Knight K. Mannix 6-4. B LADIES: B. McKimmie C. McKinstry d C. Shevlin partner 6-1. B. McKimmie F. Lucas d C.

LODDOn VALLeY

L. Roberts T. Whinfield lost to J. Sinclair J. Harvey 1-7.

T. Whinfield R. Forster lost to J. Harvey P. Harris 0-7. M. Scott R. Forster lost to A. Demeo P. Harris 0-7.

LADIES: I. Broad K. Broad lost to S. Demeo M. Ludeman 4-7. I. Broad M. Schmidt lost to S. Demeo R. Demeo 6-7. K. Broad

X. Emmerson d M. Ludeman C. Sinclair

7-0. X. Emmerson S. Gale d C. Sinclair

H.Vinnicomb 7-4. M. Schmidt S. Gale d R. Demeo H. Vinnicomb 7-1.

MIXED: L. Forster I. Broad lost to J. Sinclair S. Demeo 4-7. M. Schmidt M. Scott lost to M. Collins M. Ludeman 2-7. L. Roberts

X. Emmerson d A. Demeo R. Demeo 7-3. T. Whinfield K. Broad d J. Harvey C. Sinclair

7-6. R. Forster S. Gale lost to P. Harris H. Vinnicomb 1-7.

Mincha West 5-83 d Calivil 0-44

MENS: D. Mann D. Stewart d J. Clymo N. Marlow 6-2. P. Gargan J. Pepperell lost to

N. Verley Partner 3-6. D. Mann P. Gargan lost to J. Clymo M. Gunther 4-6. D. Stewart

J. Pepperell d N. Marlow N. Verley 6-0. D. Stewart P. Gargan d N. Marlow M. Gunther

6-1. D. Mann J. Pepperell lost to J. Clymo N. Verley 4-6.

LADIES: E. Prout J. Wagner d L. Clymo

C. Hicks 6-0. T. Prout M. Stewart lost to F.

Clymo B. Clymo 3-6. E. Prout T. Prout d L.

Clymo F. Clymo. 6-4. J. Wagner M. Stewart

d C. Hicks B. Clymo 6-2. J. Wagner T. Prout

d C. Hicks F. Clymo 6-1. E. Prout M. Stewart

d L. Clymo B. Clymo 6-0.

MIXED: D. Mann E. Prout d J. Clymo

B. Clymo 6-1. D. Stewart J. Wagner d N. Marlow C. Hicks 6-0. P. Gargan T. Prout d

L. Clymo M. Gunther 6-3. J. Popperell M. Stewart lost to N. Verley

J. Smith d I. Hosking M. Smith 7-1.

A. Maxted J. Smith d T. Pickering M. Smith 7-0.

MIXED: O. Balic M. Balic d J. Anderson C. Downs 7-3. R. Maxted G. Maxted d A. Chamberlain C. Moresi 7-2. C. Smith L. Strachan d E. Moresi L. Hosking 7-0. J. Smith

K. Maxted d T. Meehan I. Hosking 7-0. D. Rogers A. Maxted d B. Moresi T. Pickering 7-0. L. Strachan J. Smith d R. Fawcett M. Smith 7-0.

Serpentine 1-65 lost to Dingee 4-113

MENS: S. Tuohey J. Gladman d A. Hocking B. Duncan 7-4. S. Suohey J. Addlem lost to A. Hocking R. Lawry 4-7. J. Gladman J. Addlem lost to B. Duncan R. Lawry 6-7. C. Tuohey N. Cockerell d M . Loster J. Diss 7-6. C. Tuohey A. Addlem d M. Lister M. Hocking 7-1. N. Cockedrll A. Addlem d J. Diss M. Hocking 7-4.

LADIES: K. Addlem N. Rose lost to C. Whitfield A. Hay 1-7. K. Addlem T. Twigg lost to C. Whitfield S. Hay 3-7. N. Rose T. Twigg lost to A. Hay S. Hay 4-7. J. Ketterer M. Gladman lost to E. Lawry K. Pay 2-7. J. Ketterer M. Addlem lost to E. Lawry K. Ellis 0-7. M. Gladman M. Addlem lost to K. Pay K. Ellis 0-7. MIXED: J. Addlem K. Addlem lost to A. Hocking C. Whitfield 1-7. J. Gladman N. Rose lost to B. Duncan A. Hay 4-7. S. Tuohey T. Twigg lost to R. Lawry E. Lawry 2-7. C. Tuohey J. Ketterer lost to M. Lister S. Hay 2-7. N. Cockerell M. Gladman lost to K. Pay 3-7. A. Addlem M. Addlem lost to M. Hocking K. Ellis 5-7.

BOORt

Mysia 96 d Marmal 93. Barraport 115 d Leaghur 85. With one more round before finals the ladder is: Mysia 18, Barraport 16, Marmal 12, Leaghur 10. Doubles championships were held on Sunday. A-Grade- Steve Lanyon and Ewin Collins d Greg Boyd and Matt Kane 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. B-Grade- Cooper Gooding and Nick Scott d Tayla Gooding and Beau Herrington 8-6.

Loddon Eagles’ Steve Smith. LH PHOTO

First spot booked

CALIVIL is through to its second Bendigo playing area division five grand final in three seasons.

Saturday’s 16-shot win over Loddon rivals Inglewood went some way to erasing the demons of 2021-22 when Calivil failed to make the finals.

Graham Maxted’s rink had the most commanding win for the day, the skipper saying there was renewed commitment at the club this season.

Inglewood was going along nicely and led by nine shots at the break.

Then the rain came, slowing down the green dramatically, which Inglewood couldn’t master as well as its opponents who then ran away with a convincing win.

Inglewood luckily has the double chance which sees them come against a strong Kangaroo Flat side this Saturday.

In midweek division five, Inglewood turned in a dominating performance in the second semifinal over South Bendigo to book a grand final berth.

The winning margin was 29 shots. Both rinks had wins with the rink of Joan Roberts, Pam Kelly, Arthur Harrison and

Vicky Tierney recording a big 35 to 7 shot win.

The other rink of Edna Patterson, Phyliss McEwan, Daniel Garrett and David Whitehead had to fight hard all game and ended up having a one-shot win.

A wonderful performance by this team all season.

The grand final will be played on Monday.

BRIDGEWATER

Both midweek and weekend teams have survived in their Divisions.

The best Skips for the season both with equal match wins and only points separating them, were Kathleen McNaught ahead of Marg Wright and Glenn Mangan from Brian Oughtred.

Thanks to Inglewood IGA for its incentive vouchers, adding interest throughout the pennant season. Presentation night is on April 15.

The last match of the Napier Park evening series is on March 15.

All teams eventually meet each other, so still some fun encounters ahead.

Equal winners last round were Gatkins and Loddon Larrikins. Browns Plains were runners up.

Club championships are progressing slowly with the women.

Barb Catto is the only player through to the last eight at present.

Very close men’s matches last Saturday in the championship. Nick Saunders survived a very close semi-final against John Fagan, while Allan Harrison just defeated Robert Smith.

Allan now plays Glenn Mangan, with the winner meeting current champion Nick Saunders in the final.

PENNANT FINALS

Bendigo Division 5 - Calivil 91-16 d Inglewood 75-2. K Richards, R Boyd, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) d P Lyndon, K Stewart, T Schill, D Rowe (s) 27-18. I Mansbridge, M Dennis, N Dennis, A Dennis (s) lost to P Kelly, D Smyth, C McEwan, V Tierney (s) 10-29. R Lourie, H Miles, G Ray, G Maxted (s) d R Stranger, T Birthisel, A Noonan, A Harrison (s) 29-8. B Meighan, G Lourie, W Miles, A Leech (s) d G Sommers, B Moffat, D Whitehead, J McClymont (s) 25-10. Kangaroo Flat 84-18 d Marong 55-0. Midweek - South Bendigo 63-2 lost to Dingee 66-14. R Challinor, A Howe, T Doolan, M Kirkpatrick (s) lost to S Cail, P Plant, B West, F Grieves (s) 13-24. J

NORTH CENTRAL GRAND FINALS

Griffin, M Grogan, L Cairncross, S Bryan (s) lost to A Hay, V Sproull, K Pollock, M Grieves (s) 15-21. R Punton, I Murrell, D Roberts, C Adams (s) d N Thomas, S Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) 35-21. Grand final – White Hills v Dingee at Bendigo East on Monday North Central midweek grand final - Wedderburn 55-2 lost to Boort 8010. S Standfield, N White, A Caserta, A Roberts (s) lost to M Nelson, P Baker, J Maxted, L Maxted (s) 18-27. R Witham, J Murnane, I Hall, L Witham (s) lost to P Gould, A Matley, D Gibson, T Moresi (s) 10-29. H Stephenson, S Steel, R Hall, A Jackson (s) d Y Cashen, G Tweddle, T Noles, I Merce (s) 27-24.

Full report next week,

Donald Golf (above) defeated Wycheproof in the division one grand final played at Wedderburn on Saturday 79-10 to 67-2. While Wycheproof (below) finished the home and away season on top of the ladder, Donald Golf had been more dominant throughout the competition. LH PHOTOS

St Arnaud Country (above) had a thrilling six-shot win over Wycheproof (below) in the division two grand final at Wedderburn, winning 68-8 to 62-4. St Arnaud turned the tables on Wycheproof after the sem-final loss and earned a second tilt by defeating Wedderbun in the preliminary final. LH PHOTO

Skippers Graham Maxted (Calivil) and Arthur Harrison (Inglewood) assess the state of play. LH PHOTO

SPORT | JUNIOR CRICKET

Bowlers in final control

ARNOLD has taken home the Miller Premiership Shield for the second year in a row following its nine-run victory over Kingower as the Upper Loddon Junior cricket season came to a close on the weekend.

The grand final, played at Bridgewater on a well grassed ,lush outfield was always going to be a challenge to the junior players in trying to pierce the infield and so it proved as only three batsmen were able to reach double figures for the game.

No boundaries were hit in both innings with the bowlers being able to control the game.

The game commenced on Saturday under the watchful eyes of umpires Harry Mc Kinley and Toby Naughton with Arnold winning the toss and electing to bat.

They were soon in trouble with Kale Hewitt being run out without scoring attempting a second run that was never there.

Campbell Hancock was playing a lone hand as wickets tumbled around him and it wasn’t until Seth Hewitt joined him at the fall of the fifth wicket before a partnership of substance was achieved.

The pair added 21 runs before Hewitt was dismissed just short of the lunch break. The innings was wound up shortly after the break with Hancock finally being dismissed scoring 38 of the 51 runs scored of the bat in a final total of 63.

Three Kingower bowlers took two wickets, Isaac JohnstoneMcCloud, Tyler and Riley Murphy with Evan McCoy and Ryder Smith each claiming one.

Although only defending a total of 63, Arnold was still in the game if they could strike early in the 50 odd minutes left until stumps. Hancock was again in the action, being instrumental in taking two of the three wickets

By MICHAEL ROSE

to fall early and have Kingower struggling at three for 15.

Jackson Luckman and Riley Murphy however were able to steady the ship and Kingower went to stumps, three wickets down for 34 with the game still in the balance.

Start of play on Sunday saw Luckman and Murphy take their partnership to a game high of 22 before Murphy was well caught by Ryan Smith at backward square leg.

Luckman and Morgan Lonza pushed the score onto 48 before Flynn Lock was introduced into the attack. Lock struck a huge blow when he cleaned bowled top scorer Luckman in his second over for 17 and then proved more than a handful for the Kingower tail claiming the last four wickets for just one run.

Lock finished with the impressive figures of 5-4 and along with Hancock’s two wickets and Seth Hewitt’s three helped bowl Arnold to a premiership.

Immediately following the game, Arnold’s captain Campbell Hancock was presented with the Miller Premiership Shield along with medallions to all of his team mates.

It was certainly no surprise that Hancock was awarded the player of the final medallion by the two umpires.

ARNOLD d KINGOWER Arnold

C. Hancock c Luckman b Johnstone-McCloud 38

K. Hewitt run out (J. Luckman) 0

F. Lock c E. McCoy b Johnstone-McCloud 1

M. Whitton c M. Lonza b R. Murphy 0

R. Smith b R. Murphy 1

C. Alexander b E. McCoy

S. Hewitt c R. Smith b T. Murphy

Boort grandly shakes off monkey to claim cup

AFTER heartache over the past five years in junior cricket grand finals, the monkey is finally off the back of the young Boort Yando side.

The young Pies dispensed the monkey in style winning the Northern District under 16 premiership over Kerang on Saturday to complete an undefeated season.

Boort Yando won the toss and elected to bowl. It was a slow start for Boort with Kerang racking up some quick runs.

A nervous catch from Cooper Gooding off Jake O’Flaherty’s accurate bowling got the boys up and about.

A brilliant bowl from Deklan King got Kerang’s Harry Pearson out for seven which really built the confidence.

Superb bowling by Jacob Malone who took two vital

wickets and another dead eyed delivery by Finlay Arnold saw Kerang 4/64.

Boort went into bat very shakily with some tough bowling competition.

Cooper and Jake were dismissed within the first five overs which saw the hearts racing within the crowd. The monkey was felt creeping up the back again.

But the monkey was soon sent packing with the brilliant batting performance of Owen Byrne who steadied ‘the ship’, with a superb 28 runs not out and with help of the King boys, Finlay Arnold, Jacob Malone and Brodie McPherson the boys sailed the ship home to a much deserved and brilliant win.

Owen Byrne was named best in the final while NDCA Fielding award went to Jacob Malone.

Arnold’s Ryan Smith is clean bowled by Riley Murphy. LH PHOTO

Campbell Hancock Riley Murphy

Boort Yando junior celebrate their premiership victory

Postle delivers hat-trick

A FIVE-WICKET bag that included his first-ever hat-trick has seen Wedderburn veteran Adam Postle strengthen the Band’s claim to premiership favouritism.

Postle claimed key wickets of top-scoring Boort Yando skipper Jarrod Hodoras and opener Gould before returning to finish his seven-over allocation when the Boort tail was wiped out. Zanker, Austin Malone and Metcalfe were sent back to the pavilion in rapid succession and without adding to the scoreboard.

Postle’s brilliant final spell had Boort all out for 126.

Wickets had been eluding Postle since the Christmas break despite returning some of the most economical figures with the ball for Wedderburn.

Saturday was breakthrough day with wickets joining figures of two maidens and conceding just 17 runs.

And for good measure, Postle also took a catch in the field. It was Postle’s day and an ominous warning to other clubs in the competition ahead of the finals series.

His first wicket of Gould when Boort was on 31 was backed up moments later by Fergus Bear being caught by Luke Holt off a

Dash into Woods before fatal fall

BRIDGEWATER tried somersaults at the crease, sweeps and big hits as they attempted to stem the bowling attack of Kingower on Saturday.

A dash back to the bowler’s end by Darcy Wood proved his only piece of action with the bat, soon after clean bowled by Tom Nunn.

The wickets of Murphy and skipper Harry McKinley had already fallen and Bridgewater was on 28 runs.

Tom McKinley proved harder to move as he solidly swept and hooked to a match-high 40 before bowled by Ben Rose.

Tom Staniforth tried to make an impresseion with big-hitting moves but no sooner had he found an opening than he was caught off square leg by Stewart.

Will Deason was running the field well for Kingower and Jayden Leach took a key wicket of opener Murphy while Kyle Simpson’s five-wicket hail wiped out Bridgewater’s mid-order and tail.

The Kingower trio then systematically set about overhauling a very modest 74-run target.

While Matt Rowe was dismissed early and Braydon Walsh was caught and bowled by Harry McKinley for an uncharacteristic eight runs, the other three were steady.

Deason finished with 23 while Leach was unbeaten on 24 and Simpson also unfazed on 17 when Kingower declared with four overs to spare.

Wood would be the best of Bridgewater’s bowlers in a difficult afternoon. His six overs delivered Rowe’s scalp and included a maiden.

SPORT

BRIDGEWATER

Will Holt delivery. Luke ended the innings with three catches behind the stumps.

Hodoras would yet again prove the mainstay of Boort’s innings before another Luke Holt catch off a well-placed Postle ball.

Despite a very shakey start that saw opener Brad Holt bowled by Cockerell for a duck, Shelton and Luke Holt took control at the crease - Shelton posting an unbeaten 69 while Holt was caught and bowled by Bear four short of a half-century.

The return of Bear to Boort’s lineup was a boost to the side’s strength but not enough to overly trouble the buoyed Wedder-

burn who have hopes to cracking a premiership next month.

The bowling pair of Hodoras and Cockerell was once more the mainstay of Boort’s field attack.

Cockerell also claimed the wicket of Kirk during his brief spell supporting Shelton with the bat.

Wedderburn had overtaken the target set by Boort when it declared at 3-132.

Saturday’s win was Wedderburn’s ninth for the season after a patchy start last October that saw four losses in early rounds.

Wedderburn is now a game and half clear at the top of the ladder.

Final round holds plenty interest

BOORT Yando and Bridgewater have season’s hopes in their own hands in Saturday’s final home and away round.

Again at home, a win is the only way into the finals for Boort Yando who have been unable to repeat the glamour run achieved after the break last season.

Boort Yando has just four wins for the season - Kingower in the opening round and against Bridgewater in rounds five, 10 and 15 - and the lowest percentage in the competition.

Another win over Bridgewater would propel Boort Yando into third place on the ladder and leave percentage to separate Bridgewater and Arnold for the final spot in the four.

Arnold, the reigning premiers, has a superior percentage but with an encounter against ladder leader Wedderburn, may face a challenge too great.

The Redbacks have been dogged by off-season injury with Cam Dale not fully at his dominant best, however, still able to

cause havoc with the ball against most sides.

‘And that presents the final scenario in the ultimate home and away season round. An upset win to the Redbacks would not dislodge Wedderburn from top spot. It would just give even greater importance to the outcome of Bridgewater and Boort.

Arnold v Wedderburn

Boort Yando v Bridgewater Kingower bye

Bowling averages

LADDER

O M R W B Av Str

Kyle Simpson (Kingower) 87.2 17 287 26 4/6 11.04 20.15

Jayden Leach (Kingower) 83.5 29 151 23 4/13 6.57 21.87

Tom McKinley (Bridgewater) 73 11 227 20 5/22 11.35 21.90

Fergus Bear (Boort Yando) 76 4 356 20 5/49 17.80 22.80

Blake Pickles (Kingower) 71.2 7 319 15 3/34 21.27 28.53

Batting averages

M NO HS Runs Av

Braydon Welsh (Kingower) 9 2 133* 413 68.83

Harry McKinley (Bridgewater) 11 2 110 353 39.22

Will Deason (Kingower) 12 1 67 271 24.64

Matthew Rowe (Kingower) 12 0 54 261 21.75

Jarrod Hodoras (Boort Yando) 12 0 59 250 20.83

Bridgewater’s Tom McKinley on his way to a match high of 40 runs. LH PHOTO

Redbacks’ colts claim second flag

ARNOLD has gone back-to-back in winning the Upper Loddon Cricket Association junior premiership.

The depleted Redbacks lined up with just 10 players in the weekend’s grand final at Bridgewater against Kingower.

The season’s two leading sides found runs hard to score - Arnold was all out for 74 on Saturday but caused havoc with the ball on Sunday to claim the flag by seven runs.

Redbacks’ skipper Campbell Hancock was named player of the match. Hancock batted a top score of 38 runs in the grand final and also took two wickets.

Coach Aaron Lock praised the teamwork of his side that had battled to field full numbers all season.

REPORT, SCOREBOARD, PHOTOS - PAGE 23

FRUSTRATION

By CHRIS EARL

ANNOYANCE has brewed to frustration for Loddon junior football sides.

They fear AFL Central Victoria is botching the new under 18 competition with no draw released just weeks before the season kick off.

The regional body that gained agreement from Loddon Valley League clubs almost a year ago for the new format has been told to forget scheduling midweek games.

And thought-bubble ideas for a “mullet round” and a bye to let players attend an all-aged li-

RELEASE DRAW WITHOUT DELAY - CLUB CHIEFS

cenced rock concert have also come in for criticism from some clubs and supporters after a letter from new league manager Michael Hartley to clubs last week.

Coaches at reigning Loddon Valley junior premiers Marong, Inglewood and Bridgewater want the draw released.

Marong’s Matthew Justice said the draw scenarios were laughable. “Do they not realise that these boys work week night’s

and have other commitments?

A mullet round, are you serious? The boys want to play football not engage in stupid laughable theme rounds.

“We are trying to prepare these boys for a season of football and the draw is a still a month away.

“What do we tell them? We don’t know where or when or who you will be playing but keep coming to training.”

Inglewood mentor Leigh Lam-

prell said uncertainty on the draw was creating difficulties for clubs wanting to keep and build playing lists.

“Everyone wants the new competition to work. Releasing the draw will be a real sign that it is happening,” he said.

Lamprell also said any proposal to move matches in the new competition to mid-week nights would work against Loddon Valley clubs building connection with local communities with the only likely available grounds in Bendigo. “We want local Saturday games bringing communities together,” he said.

Bryden Morison, leading the return of Pyramid Hill to jun-

ior football ranks, last week said Bulldog supporters wanted to turn up on match day to see local youngsters in action.

And new Bridgewater co-coach Harry McKinley wants Hartley to quickly meet with coaches and clubs to understand the local scene.

“Just to have a meeting (with him) would be nice,” he said. Hartley, a former Essendon and Hawthorn defender, was appointed last month to manage the new league. AFL Central Victoria before Christmas released plans for the competition after an earlier review and consultation was to be been finished in August.

CONTINUED PAGE 17

MEDAL TIME ... Victorious Arnold juniors after receiving their premiership medallions from Inglewood and District Community Bank’s Michael Prowse and Linda Youghusband. LH PHOTO