Loddon Herald 2 May 2024

BRUTAL Razor Budget fears for our local hospitals

The State Government on Monday refused to guarantee the future of Inglewood and Boort health services.

A predicted horror Budget to be handed down next week could see hospitals north of Bendigo rolled into a single health service as the state tries to rein in spending.

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh says the Budget could mean brutal cutbacks in country towns. REPORT - PAGE 3

Anzac services well attended

HUNDREDS of people have attended Anzac Day commemorations across the Loddon.

From Dawn Services at Wedderburn, Bridgewater and Tarnagulla to traditional town acts of remembrance later in the morning, RSL leaders across the region have praised communities for their participation in commemorations on the 109th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing of Australian and New Zealand troops.

Parents with young children joined veterans of the Vietnam War, standing for the Last Post and Rouse after wreaths were placed on local memorials by RSL members, school students and community group members.

Stories of local soldiers and nurses were recalled by guest speakers including Wing Commander Stuart Waldon who addressed the Wedderburn’s Dawn Service.

Descendants of Rheola district soldiers who served in World Wars One and Two and in Vietnam were part of a special service held at the local cemetery. Inglewood’s Barry Giles recalled his deployment to Vietnam and his father who had survived being sunk in the waters off Tobruk in World War Two.

ANZAC DAY IN THE REGION - PAGES 12 & 13

St Mary’s Inglewood students Jordy Pickering and Kiarah McEwan lay a wreath at the Anzac Day commemoration. LH PHOTO

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Crafty eight put on a show

ARTISANS of Wedderburn are featured in the latest Coachhouse Gallery exhibition that opened last week.

Gallery volunteers Glenda Brooker and Margaret Bentley said the new display came just in time for one of the busiest recent weekends for visitors.

“The Anzac unofficial long weekend had many people stop-

ping in town and visiting the gallery,” they said.

“We were so busy this morning serving Devonshire teas, there was not even time for some of our normal administrative duties,” they said.

More than 25 people visited the gallery on Sunday morning where works by Elvina Heath, Leanne Holt, Hilary MacKay,

Moira Moody, Dianne Robertson, Nancy Ryan and Meryl Wiseman have been displayed. Their patchwork, embroidery, bobbin lace, linocuts and pen drawings will be on display for six weeks.

“We have some very talented craftspeople living in the district and it’s great to showcase their work,” Margaret and Glenda said.

Police site sale

LODDON Shire councillors have given CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald the authority to buy the former Wedderburn police station at its valuation. Council is proposing to move Wedderburn Historical Records Museum to the old station and sell the museum’s current site, the original Korong Shire offices.

Footpath works

MAINE Civil has been awarded a contract by Loddon Shire for footpath works in Tarnagulla. Four sections of Commercial Road between Wayman and King Streets will be funded through council’s annual infrastructure program.

Roads ‘a mess’

ROADS across Northern Victoria were still in a mess as local councils struggled to get funding to fix them following widespread flood damage. Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad told Parliament that local councils were reporting multiple layers of frustrating red tape as they tried to access appropriate funding.

Farmer forum

‘NATURAL capital’ is the latest innovative thinking about the environment and how it relates to the economy, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority wants to give farmers and an opportunity to benefit from it at a forum for next month.

Glenda Brooker hangs works for the gallery’s latest exhibition. LH PHOTO

Health horror fears

By CHRIS EARL

FINAL recommendations to restructure Victorian hospitals are expected to land on the State Government’s desk this week.

Growing fears for the future independence of health services in Inglewood and Boort come as the Government is expected to take the razor to spending in next Tuesday’s Budget.

The Health Service Partnerships Evaluation: Steering Committee Report has proposed that Bendigo takes over management more than a dozen services in a shake-up of hospital administration.

The Government on Monday did not respond to Loddon Herald questions asking if it supported the future of Inglewood and Boort services.

A spokesperson said: “Our health system - like health systems across Australia and around the world - is facing significant challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important we look at how the system is organised to ensure we are delivering the very best health care, closer to home for all Victorians wherever they live.

“No decisions have been made – the independent committee has not finalised their report to government.”

The Government says the current structure of Victoria’s health system has been in place “for over 20 years, despite massive changes in how healthcare is delivered, and the specific healthcare needs

of our communities”. “We have sought the invaluable insights of all of Victoria’s health services to contribute to the optimal design and governance of the public health service system – looking at how public health services can better work together and best utilise resources to deliver improved care for all Victorians.”

The refusal to answer questions on the future of Loddon’s two major health services came the same day Bendigo Health released information on a video explaining its regional cancer centre to educate communities and

staff “located at Bendigo Hospital and further afield in sub-regional health services”.

Murray Plains MP and Nationals leader Peter Walsh said local health services were in the Government’s firing line “with their funding already on life support and their independence almost certain to be lost, with centralised control putting Bendigo in charge of everything west to Mildura”.

“Regional Victoria is about to realise the full cost of the Allan Labor government’s crippling financial incompetence,” he said.

“Victoria is now facing a stag-

gering debt of almost $180 billion by 2027 and that will only keep climbing because Ms Allan and her incompetent Cabinet have not got a clue about managing money let alone a whole economy, and just keep writing cheques.

“Regional and rural health services across Victoria are facing forced amalgamations, service cuts and closures as the Allan Labor government slashes millions in health funding in a desperate bid to shore up our collapsing economy,” he says.

“That’s all the Big Build gives regional Victoria – a big bill, a bloody big bill and we are getting nothing in return.”

Mr Walsh said the Budget could have brutal consequences for country towns.

“Look at our roads, our shortstaffed police stations, CFA crews driving trucks more than 30 years old out of cramped, obsolete and inadequate stations.

“And now we are likely to be limping along with even less and that means we will be living with damaged roads for even longer, flood repairs still not done will wait longer, and flood mitigation will become a fantasy.

“Just weeks from the upcoming budget, reports have indicated Labor is forcing unrealistic savings targets on all of Victoria’s 76 health services, which will collectively see millions cut over coming years – that’s got to be putting the quality of service and of healthcare at risk,” Mr Walsh said.

BREAKING NEWS

Minister orders VNI West study

AN ENVIRONMENTAL effects study of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project path has been ordered.

News of Planning Minister Sonia Kilkenny’s call was released by Transmission Company Victoria yesterday. According to the project company, Ms Kilkenny said the EES process would provide a “robust, integrated and transparent assessment through which the potential environmental effects can be rigorously assessed”.

A technical reference group will be appointed by the Department of Transport and Planning to provide advice throughout the process. Agencies invited to participate in the group will include representatives from government agencies, regional authorities, municipal councils, and registered Aboriginal parties with statutory, policy, or technical interests in the project.

TCV spokesperson Claire Cass said the process would include sharing information about the EES investigations and assessments, directly in small group meetings, online and face-to-face events, concurrent with the ongoing work to narrow the current draft corridor to a final transmission easement between 70 metres and 120 metres wide.

Tours EVERY WEDNESDAY 11am-1pm

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh

Breakdown service taking back seat

RACV service contractors are leaving the sector as fewer breakdowns leave drivers stranded on Loddon roads.

Mitch Davey has just finished a threeyear stint being called out from his Raywood base at all hours to get cars running again in a service area that covered Serpentine and the Loddon Valley Highway.

And Bridgewater’s Tim Ferguson will relinquish the callout role with RACV in August after 20 years when his current contract expires.

RACV contractors at Rochester and Elmore are also expected to retire, according to Mitch who is in the process of selling his Raywood Motors business.

Mr Davey and Mr Ferguson had been alternating weekend duties.

Last year Mr Davey said he had 200 callouts compared with between 800 and 1000 for contractors in Rochester and Elmore and 10,000 for the Bendigo service agent.

“Cars are not breaking down as much these days,” said Mr Ferguson.

Mr Davey said there would be some weeks without callouts.

“You’re on call 24/7 but it’s hit and miss,” he said. “I can’t do it any more.”

RACV charges customers $129 a year for basic roadside assistance membership.

The Victorian motoring association has advertised the tender for Serpentine and Bridgewater, that stetches up the Calder Highway to Wedderburn. Bids closed last week.

Meanwhile, Mr Davey is also concerned about the capacity of Raywood’s fire brigade to respond to incidents after he leaves the area.

Mr Davey said he was raising the mat-

ter with CFA hierarchy. One of the few accredited truck drivers, he said the number of available volunteers in town during the day was an issue for the brigade capabilities.

And he said the impact was greater on self-employed members.

“When I turn out to fight a fire it costs me money,” Mr Davey said.

“There are times when good crews from Serpentine or Dingee also turn out.”

Mr Davey said he had been the only truck driver in town during the week.

The CFA says it has 51,978 volunteers although 44 per cent are in support roles or junior members.

CFA volunteer numbers across Victoria has been in decline since before COVID.

Rate tinkering won’t solve funding woes, say Holt

LODDON Shire would be tens of millions of dollars behind within a decade without changes to Federal Government funding for councils, said Mayor Gavan Holt.

Loddon councillors last week backed a recommendation from CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald to make a submission to the Federal Parliament inquiry on local government’s sustainability.

Cr Holt told councillors that the current funding model for rural councils was no longer fit for purpose.

He said tinkering with the rate base would not solve problems faced by councils. Cr Holt said Loddon Shire could increase rates “but that would not been accepted by our community”.

“We can hope that what comes out of this inquiry is a model for funding local government that helps local government meet the financial challenges it has coming,” he said.

“We have 4600km of roads ... that would take you to Perth and Darwin.”

Cr Holt said returning local government funding through financial assistance groups to one per cent of the federal taxation would solve the problems.

The base local council funding model is 0.5 per cent.

However, he said there would need to be clarity on other federal funding streams including the roads to recovery program.

“If we can’t fix the revenue side, we will not fix the expenditure side,” Cr Holt said.

Mitch Davey

Hanging on, hall makes birthday comeback

By CHRIS EARL

DECADES of termite decay have been brushed aside for a birthday bash in Derby’s iconic tin hall this weekend.

The 80th party for Christina Londsale on Saturday will be the first time the hall has been used in six years.

And Rob Pollock organised a working bee on Anzac Day of family to dust away cobwebs and dirt for his cousin’s celebration.

“The white ants have really taken hold” he said.

Outside, Keith Pollock was scaling the roof of the century-plus old building, replacing tin sheets dislodged in recent storms.

And Glenn Symons was in the tractor cutting grass around the hall and in an adjoining paddock that was once the district’s sports ground.

“We had athletics carnivals there in the 1950s,” Rob said. It was also the local cricket ground.

Kathryn Pollock said the hall had been a hub for social gatherings.

“We had a lot of dances back in the old days ... busses would come from Bendigo.”

Electricity has long been disconnected at the hall but when power came to the area in 1956, the occasion was celebrated with a dance.

Kathryn said: “The hall has a lot

of history. It’s the only thing left in Derby now ... it’s sad.”

Abandoned tennis courts last used almost a decade ago now sit within the shadow of a telecommunications tower.

Rob and Kathryn point out the old hall ticket box and the playing card symbols on the walls that selected winners of lucky spot

competitions at dances and balls.

“There used to be honour boards and a photograph of the Queen on the wall,” they said.

“But thieves took them about 20 years ago.”

One of the most photographed buildings on the Calder Highway, Derby hall will also be included in a new book cataloguing the so-

cial history of tin halls expected to be completed and published later this year by retired architect Anne Morley.

The Pollocks are excited the hall will host a birthday bash on Saturday.

“And I hope it hangs out till I turn 80 in a couple of years,” Rob said.

Architects take first look at child care site

VICTORIAN School Building Authority architects have inspected Wedderburn College land before designing the Loddon’s first child care centre.

Architects met with college leaders last week for their first planning meeting.

The State Government last November confirmed one of 50 new child care centres would be built in Wedderburn, opening for the 2026 school year.

The centre will include a kindergarten, consulting rooms and a playgroup room.

College principal Danny Forrest said more details on the government-run facility were expected shortly.

The Government’s commitment to the centre followed a three-year community campaign to end the Loddon Shire child care desert.

Upgrade milestone

CONTRACTORS have poured the slab at East Loddon P12 College as part of the $12.754 million stage two upgrade. Works will include a new classroom block containing arts and science rooms. It will also include wood and metal workshops and home economics rooms.

The project is due to be completed within 12 months.

Rob, Keith and Kathryn Pollock and Glenn Symons (top) prepare the historic hall for a birthday party. LH PHOTOS

Care program opens way for after-school activities

AN out-of-school hours program has started this term in Inglewood.

Based at Inglewood Primary School, co-ordinator Sonia Galloway said the program was available for all families in the district.

Sonia said the program was open between 7am and 9am before school and from mid-afternoon when kindergarten students finished sessions through to 6pm.

She said the accredited care program would also run during school vacations.

“I wish the program had have existed when my children were younger,” Sonia said.

Numbers vary each day and Sonia is being assisted by Kim Doherty when needed.

“It’s fully accredited care and we have programs and activities for the youngsters each day,” Sonia said as the program started its second week on Monday.

Duck season ‘as good as Easter’ for businesses

THE first weeks of Victoria’s annual duck hunting season had been as important to some businesses as Easter, Cr Dan Straub told Loddon Shire councillors last week.

Cr Straub told councillors at their monthly meeting that he had toured local areas talking with hunters and businesses.

While campaigners had pushed the State Government to outlaw duck hunting, Premier Jacinta Allan’s Cabinet overruled a

Parliamentary inquiry recommendation and allowed shooting to continue.

Cr Straub said shooters had been active around Bridgewater and Serpentine with Boort “a hive of activity”.

“It is pleasing to see the economic stimulus in the region,” he said.

According to Cr Straub, some Boort businesses had told him during a tour of the shire in the opening days of the season

that they were as busy in the opening days of the season as the Easter long weekend.

Loddon Shire pushed the benefits of duck hunting to the local economy in its submission to the Parliamentary inquiry last year.

Regular shooters including Gus Pagliano were among groups camping on the Loddon River for the unofficial Anzac weekend.

Contractor change lifts town optimism

A CHANGE in direction to deliver Pyramid Hill’s troubled $1.9 million streetscape project has excited residents, according to town progress association president Drew Chislett.

Mr Chislett said Loddon Shire’s decision to take on the project also had residents optimistic that works would be completed in a timely manner.

“We are very passionate about this and any other project in Pyramid Hill and vitally interested in their success,” he said.

“Both the community and progress association had been concerned with delays in streetscape works and that was expressed to council who we see as a partner in projects around town.”

“The streetscape delays had been a negative impact so we are now excited with the change of direction and look forward to timely completion.”

Loddon Shire last week announced it had reached “a mutual agreement for the contractor to exit the project site”.

Streetscape works were originally scheduled for completion last May before delays pushed out plans.

Audit gig mystery

AMBER Currie has been appointed a member of Loddon Shire’s audit and risk committee.

However, council has cited privacy issues for not releasing details of Ms Currie’s current employment.

A spokesperson said: “Ms Amber Currie has been appointed by council as a fourth independent member to Loddon Shire Council’s audit and risk committee, replacing Mr Rod Baker who departs the committee after 12 years. Ms Currie brings with her an extensive 23-year-long career in finance, banking and risk.”

5.30pm Steak’n’Pot Night Friday – Open Midday Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm  Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle Saturday – Open Midday Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm  Sunday – Open Midday  All Day Pizza Menu  Close 11.00pm

Thomas Rochester, Tilly Norman and Sylvie Lawson with Sonia Galloway at the care program. LH PHOTO

Tax cuts for every

Stewart off for a natter

STEWART is spreading his wings in search of a good chat with locals around town.

Boort’s favourite swan has bobbed up at Boort District Hospital’s nursing home, used pedestrian crossings to cross the road for a conversation and gate-crashed a 40th birthday party.

Stewart’s fan base has expanded well beyond visitors at Boort Lakes Holiday Park where owners Wendy and Tim James adopted the abandoned swan more than 12 months ago.

Wendy says some residents had been concerned Stewart may have sounded distressed in striking up conversation around town.

“That’s just how he talks, communicates. He’s as fit as a fiddle,” Wendy said.

“He’s only two and everyone wants to make sure he stays safe.

“Our advice to residents has been to shoo Stewart back to his home at the park.”

Wendy said other black swans around Little Lake Boort had tried to befriend Stewart.

“But he’s shunned their attempts so far. Our research has shown that a swan will not start mating until they are around three years old. We hope that eventually Stewart will find a partner and go to the other lake, Lake Boort,” she said.

While Stewart has learned to fly and fend for himself, Wendy said he still rocked up to their cabin looking for corn.

“And he’s learning the natural side of living. His life has a good balance.”

Footpath flag fee gets waiver

BUSINESS will be exempt from paying a permit fee to display up to two flags outside their shops under Loddon Shire’s proposed annual fees and charges.

Tho document, tabled at last week’s council meeting, says businesses will still be required to obtain a permit to display the banners.

Businesses will pay $58.30 to display advertising signs, an increase of $1.50 on this year.

A flat fee of $58.30 will be charged for each shop to display goods on footpaths, according to the the draft fees and charges document.

Cafe and dining street furniture fees will rise $1 for each chair and table.

Some Inglewood traders were critical of council last year when it started to push for compliance and consistency of goods displayed on footpaths to meet federal requirements for disability access.

Most permits will increase by 2.75 per cent and apply from July 1. They have been approved by council and included in the draft budget now out for public feedback.

THE night sky turned bright orange and red around Inglewood last Thursday when Forest Fire Management Victoria started its controlled burn. Loddon Herald reader Maryanne Murdoch captured the moment with this spectacular photograph.

Graeme blooms best

GRAEME Cain has dominated awards at the annual Bendigo Goldfields Chrysanthemum Association show in Laanecoorie at the weekend.

The Laanecoorie garden enthusiast again won best bloom in show and also took out the Keith Shay Memorial trophy from competitors who came from across Victoria and South Australia.

Graeme was also awarded prizes for best rose and best fruit and vegetables.

Ann Ashby won the floral art championship while students from Tarnagulla Primary School entered youth sections.

Members of Tarnagulla Fire Brigade again provided catering for the two-day championship show that was well attended.

Awards - Graeme Cain: Best Bloom in show, Best Single in show, Best Western Australian Variety, Best Spider, The Keith Shay Memorial, The Neutrog Challange. Chris Smith: Best Exhibit for vase of not disbudded chrysanthemums a single colour. Vase of not disbudded chrysanthemums minimum of three colours, second in Keith Shay Memorial.

Ken Stent: Intermediate champion. Sonia Sibley: Novice champion.

Ann Ashby: Floral Art. Floral Art Championship, Foliage with Style. Best Exhibit for Fireworks. Julia Ramsey: Floral Art Championship 2nd, Intermediate Seascape 1st, Best Exhibit for Seascape. Sandra Davies: Foliage with Style. Your Choice. Pat Saunders: Beginners’ championship. Best Exhibit for Autumn Tones. Children’s Floral Art Floating Flowers: Madison Jones 1, Shelby Jones 2, Bella Storey 3. Mary Davey: Best Dahlia. Brenda Leed:

in Cut Flowers.

Harvest Basket. Best Cactus or Succulent. Joy McLeish: Best Pot Plant. Lynette Holt: Best Vase of Foliage. Children’s section: Madison Jones Character made of horticulture material. Bella Storey: Decorated hard-boiled egg. Decorated Stone. Shelby Jones

Billy Watters: Character made of Horticulture material. Decorated stone. Olivia Watters Picture made of horticulture material .

Biggest mill in full swing

THE Southern Hemisphere’s largest olive processing mill was officially opened on Sunday.

Cobram Estate chair and cofounder Ross McGavin opened the $35 million Boort plant at a function for shareholders on Sunday.

The mill is designed to process up to 100,000 tonnes of olives each harvest when at full capacity.

“The existing mill has served us well over the past 20 years. With the additional crop coming from the maturing profile of the trees at our grove, coupled with long-term third party agreements, it was time for us to completely rebuild the mill,” said joint chief executive officer Leandro Ravetti.

“We have reutilised the tank farm and the shed of the original mill.”

With nine olive processing lines now in operation with an-

other nine rolling out over the coming years, the current capacity at the mill is up to 1000 tonnes of fruit a day and this will double over the coming years as the trees at the groves mature.

Cobram Estate has also installed a state-of-the-art tank farm at Boort with capacity to store five million litres of oil in stainless steel tanks, temperature controlled in a fully insulated building and with a nitrogen generator to provide a protective blanket against oxidation.

Last year, Cobram Estate completed a greenfield 407-hectare olive planting at Boort. increasing total olive planting to 3508 hectares with over 1,240,000 olive trees planted on site.

A $600,000 State Government grant has created 30 new full-time jobs in food production, processing and logistics.

2025 Kindergarten enrolments now open

2025 kindergarten enrolments across Loddon Shire are now open. The enrolment period has been brought earlier in the year to align with the Foundation (Prep) Victorian government primary schools’ enrolment timeline. Kindergarten is free and children attend sessions for 15 hours per week, spread across three days.

To enrol your child or children in the 2025 three or four-year-old kindergarten program, scan the QR code.

Council’s early year’s team can also post out enrolment forms to support families who may be having trouble accessing the online enrolment form. For more information or queries, please call Kindergarten Coordinator, Alycia O’Sullivan at Council on 5494 1200.

Eucalyptus Distillery Museum in Inglewood is Australia’s only museum dedicated to the history of Eucalyptus Oil production. Learn about this unique species of eucalypt that grows in our region via informative talks and watch live demonstrations of Blue Mallee Eucalyptus Oil production in our model distillery.

Date: Sunday 12 May 2024 10:00am - 04:00pm Live demonstrations at 12:00pm and 2:00pm

Entry is via Grant St, off the Calder Highway.

Leandro Ravetti, Rob McGavin and Sam Beaton at Sunday’s opening

Margaret Price, Lorna Stewart, Tina Schultz and Lyn StewartGraeme Cain and his champion bloom

Pat Saunders and Sue Brown among the flowers at Laanecooriee. LH PHOTO

Making a difference every day

Catholic Education Week is being celebrated in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Sandhurst this week.

This annual event is held to promote Catholic schools’ special ethos and highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day. The theme for this year’s celebrations is Behold, I Make All Things New.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and walk the way of the Gospel to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

Revolutionary learning

THE pioneering Science of Reading pedagogy is being embraced by students and staff at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Inglewood to support growth in reading and literacy.

Science of Reading has ignited a revolution in the classroom and transformed the way students engage with literacy.

Principal Stephen O’Shannessy said the teaching is grounded in evidence-based practices.

“Grounded in evidence-based practices, this innovative methodology has transformed the way students engage with literacy. Through systematic phonics instruction, multi-sensory

learning techniques, and personalised support, St. Mary’s is nurturing confident readers and critical thinkers, ensuring that every child receives the highest-quality education,” he says.

“The Science of Reading continues to be a strong focus of our pedagogical practice.”

Mr O’Shannessy says the program is part of St Mary’s nurturing environment where every child receives personalised attention in small, intimate classes with low student-to-teacher ratios.

“At St Mary’s, we understand the importance of individualised learning, which is why our

dedicated educators can focus on each student’s unique needs.”

The latest evidence in teaching children to read supports six key themes:

„ Phonemic awareness: the ability to identify and manipulate the individual speech sounds in words called phonemes.

„ Phonics: knowledge of the relationships between letters and sounds, and the ability to use letter-sound relationships to decode words.

„ Fluency: the ability to read accurately, quickly, and expressively. Fluent readers can focus on reading for meaning.

„ Vocabulary: knowledge of the meaning of words in isolation and in context.

„ Comprehension: the ability to extract and construct meaning from written text.

„ Oral language: the ability to understand and use vocabulary and produce sentences.

Mr O’Shannessy said students were further empowered to learn with the school’s one-toone iPad program.

“Students dive deep into their studies, access interactive learning materials, and collaborate seamlessly with classmates and teachers. From interactive textbooks to educational apps, the possibilities are endless.

“Whether it’s conducting virtual science experiments, practising math skills through engaging games, or exploring historical landmarks through immersive experiences, our students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.

“But it’s not just about technology—it’s about unlocking potential. At St Mary’s, we believe in harnessing the power of technology to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

“Our one-to-one iPad program isn’t just a tool; its a gateway to a world of limitless learning opportunities,” Mr O’Shannessy said.

Opening of new arts building

ST MARY’S is preparing for the official opening of its new arts building in the former convent.

The arts building offers spacious areas and break out rooms for instrumental and drama lesson. And it doubles up as a community space used by the parish and other local partners of St Mary’s. With a full kitchen available along with toilet facilities, the school’s playgroup is already utilising this space on Monday mornings.

A parent-ran initiate, the playgroup is open to all children up to 5 years of age and offers a warm and inviting environment where children and parents can connect with the locals, develop essential social skills, and forge lifelong friendships.

From sensory exploration, play and creative expression, children are encouraged to learn through hands-on experiences that capture their natural sense of wonder while parents catch up over a coffee and discuss the important things in life.

Community partners

The school recognises the importance of developing strong partnerships with the community and organisations. For many years, the school has worked closely with the Aged Care Hostel and Men’s Shed and continues to seek out organisations that provide a mutual benefit to the school and the community. Recently, we undertook a revegetation project with Parks Victoria.

St Mary’s played a key role during the Anzac Day Ceremony and also takes part in important fundraisers such as Run for Resilience to support local farmers and their families. The school is also growing ties with local schools and kindergartens

Shop in Loddon for SPECIAL GIFTS

MOTHER’S Day is just around the corner and local Loddon businesses have great gift ideas to make mum’s day extra special.

Chrysanthemums or ‘chrissies’ are the traditional Mother’s Day flower and Helen Garchitorena has been lovingly tending plants in her Chrysanthemum Garden at Serpentine to be in full bloom ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14.

Helen first planted her chrysanthemums eight years ago and hopes this year’s bunches will bring joy to mothers when received as gifts of thanks from family for Mother’s Day.

People travel from across the region to select locally-grown blooms from Helen and Paul’s garden.

Start a conversation

CARLIE Clothing and Accessories in Wedderburn has great gift ideas that will put a huge smile on mum’s face.

Charlie Woodman has a large range of boots and shoes on the shelves again for those looking to buy mum a unique present. The comfortable footwear in colourful and contemporary designs are a great conversation starter.

There’s also handbags - matching accessories for any outfit. And Carlie Clothing and Accessories also has winter-warming cardigans and a range of other clothing in classic and modern styles.

Warmth and love

FROM perfumes to handbags and the range of Heat Holders to keep heads, hands and feet warm in winter, Inglewood Phar-

macy has lots of ideas when you’re shopping for mum’s special present,

Kal, Izzie and staff at the pharmacy can help you select a memorable gift for Mother’s Day. They also have a range of photo frames and novelty gifts.

Inglewood Pharmacy also stocks Mother’s Day cards to complete your gift buying.

Colours of life

WHETHER mum’s an indoor or outdoor person, Bridgewater Nursery has ideal gifts on offer.

The nursery’s indoor gift centre is a Loddon must-visit destination for wall art, knick-knacks and home decor additions.

Bianca Rothacker has a large range of pots in all sizes and the shrubs and plants that mum is able to enjoy on Mother’s Day and every day of the year.

Feasting at the table

DIGGER’S Diner at Tarnagulla is setting the table for Mother’s Day lunch.

A special menu of roast beef, lamb or pork - complete with all the trimmings say owner Kelly Whitton - tops the menu along with a choice of desserts.

Digger’s Diner continues the tradition of families being together on Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Australia and the United States. The tradition began when Anna Jarvis, of Philadelphia, whose mother had organised women’s groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother’s Day.

Dawn Services are uniquely Australian

AUSTRALIA was unique in its commemorative services to recall the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women.

Wing Commander Stuart Waldon, a Royal Australian Air Force reserve specialist capability officer, told Wedderburn’’s Dawn Service last Thursday that Australians had started the custom of a Dawn Service on the Western Front in World War One.

He said the significance of the observance was in its timing - the most vulnerable time of the day for defence personnel was between dusk and dawn.

And Anzac Day itself was also unique with Britain and other countries remembering the sacrifices of soldiers on Remembrance Day each November.

Remembrance Day, that marks the Armistice that ended fighting in World War One highlighted another difference for Australia, he said. Anzac Day observed a battle that was at the start of war.

Wing Commander Waldon was visiting Wedderburn with wife Jo White, a former dux of Wedderburn College and now director of Questacon science and technology centre in Canberra.

He said the Wedderburn district had a strong record of service in war - Victoria Cross recipients Albert Jacka and Albert Borella and Charlton’s Brigadier General

Harold (Pompey) Elliott in reclaiming the French village of Villers Bretonneux on Anzac Eve 1918.

And he said local memorials recorded the names of many brothers and cousins who had served in that war. One family was the Bakers from Berrimul with seven names on the honour roll.

Wedderburn-Korong Vale sub-branch president Roger Paterson recited The Ode before bugler Jake Murphy played the Last Post and Rouse.

Solemnity, pride on beaches of Gallipoli

VISITING Gallipoli for the Dawn Service had been a life-changing moment for Will Stringer.

The Bridgewater man was one of six East Loddon P12 College students who travelled to Turkey in 2018. Six years later, he shared those experiences in an address at Bridgewater’s Anzac Day service last Thursday,

“We were offered the privilege of attending and experiencing a Gallipoli Dawn service. This was something that was deeply personal to me and fellow student Jasmine Lawry, following the discovery of a World War One connection between our two families.” he said.

“Part of the preparation for our trip to Gallipoli was researching our family history ... this was where we discovered a letter, which would have the most profound impact on the whole experience of visiting this sacred site.

“This letter was found by my relative who wrote an article in 2004 and was how I discovered that I had a great-great-great Uncle, George Stringer who had fought in World War One and in particular, Gallipoli. The letter included details about his injuries and also about who wrote the letter whilst he was unable due to his injuries.

“George Stringer, lay dying in a hospital in Malta, with his close friend Henry Lawry who sat by his side and wrote a letter, with his last ever words to his mother.

“The pair were mates from back home in central Victoria and following the outbreak of World War One, the pair had enlisted together, trained, travelled and fought together.

“They had survived Gallipoli together, before a grenade attack wounded George, and Henry was injured in a separate attack.

“In the mayhem of Gallipoli, the two had been separated for some months before they were reunited at the British Military Hospital in Malta, While Henry recovered well from his wounds, George’s condition deteriorated, and he died nine days after the letter was written.”

Will said the letter read: Dear Mother, I am still in the above

hospital and improving slowly, but expect to be here for some time yet as I cannot use my arm and also my leg.

Will recalled: “As I imagined Henry sitting by George’s side, penning those last words to comfort George’s mother, I felt a mixture of sorrow for their loss and admiration for their courage. “These two great mates had grown up together and now were facing the harshest realities of war together.”

Will said visiting Gallipoli was one of the most amazing experiences of his life. :It was a lifechanging moment that most people will never get to experience and that I was so fortunate to have. It was a sombre occasion but also something I took great pride in, knowing my family members had been there and contributed to the war effort that gives us this great country.”

Remember mates and their heroic deeds

...

Anzac Day

AUSTRALIA today needed to remember the mateship that drove men and women to heroic deeds in war.

That was the message of former Royal Australian Navy sailor Glenn Hudson at Boort’s Anzac Day commemorative service.

“I don’t mean heroes on the football field as such, because they get paid for their loyalty and skills,” he said.

“I mean true mateship, of looking after each other and being there for others with no expectation of reward. No service member suddenly decides to earn a medal, as medals cannot be earned, they are awarded.

“I have served with such people, and I know that with certainty, that there is no other field but the military, that you will

find such people that know their mates as well as you do.

“You must know what their role is, respect what their role is, and if necessary, do their job for them should the worst happen.”

Mr Hudson said mateship made Australia’s military strong in camaraderie and teamwork “if not in a material sense”.

“It’s truly what all Veterans miss when they discharge. My wish is that all Australians remember their mates, when times get hard,” he said.

Mr Hudson said mateship was an Australian cultural idiom that embodied equality, loyalty and friendship.

“It once was concept central to the Australian people. Mateship derives from mate, meaning friend, commonly used in

Australia as an amicable form of address,” he said.

Several hundred people attended the Boort service where Mr Hudson also recalled the life of Edward Sheean VC. The Tasmanian-born sailor was killed in a battle off the coast of Timor in 1942 when HMAS Armadale was sunk.

“Many of the survivors credited their lives to Sheean and he was posthumously mentioned in despatches ... (later) upgraded to the Victoria Cross for Australia.

“What does this have to do with mateship? It’s what drives us to do remarkable actions.

“Teddy Sheehan was 19 years old and yet understood mateship and gave his life, in the hope, that his shipmates may survive,” said Mr Hudson.

Glenn Hudson

guest speaker at Boort’s

commemoration service

Ned Cartwright raises the Australian flag at East Loddon P12 College’s ceremony. Cooper Smythe and Billie Addlem recited In Flander’s Fields, and Oscar Balic and Ruby Cullen recited The Anzac Requium.

Stacey Keller shares stories of local veterans at Korong Vale

RSL sub-branch president Michael Hobson and bugler Sally Sparke at the Bridgewater-Inglewood match

Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt

Will Stringer

Wing Commander Waldon with Wederburn College students Blaz Cramp and Will Huisman. LH PHOTO

FAMILIES and younger generations were well representated in crowds at Anzac Day services in local communities last Thursday, Lucy Rollinson and Jamie Primrose (above) placed flowers at the base of Inglewood’s war memorial in Grant Street on behalf of the football club. Hudson, Scott, Kate and Emmy Lou Huson, of Llanelly, attended the Newbridge service.

NEXT WEEK’S LODDON HERALD WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PICTORIAL COVERAGE OIF ANZAC DAY

grave of Edward

ANZACs gave with their life, today give with your time

PEOPLE have been encouraged to attend Anzac Day services for as long as they could to help keep the Anzac spirit alive forever.

Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest told more than 200 people at the Inglewood commemoration that passing on the memories of Anzacs would sustain that spirit.

“In my role as a school principal, I am lucky enough to have a leadership position that can positively influence, teach and encourage students and staff and community members to be MVPs,” he said.

“That is not a sports award most valuable player but as an MVP as a Most Valuable Person. It is what I believe that the ANZACS were, all MVPs, most valuable people.

“They were the ones that sacrificed themselves for others, they showed us what being a good mate was, how to look after your cobber, a way of being a resilient human in the face of adversity, being selfless, being humble. All qualities of an excellent most

valuable person. It is the selfless ANZAC lessons learnt by doing the hard work facing great adversity that we can learn from and encourage others to be better citizens.”

Mr Forrest said it was up to his and the older generations to encourage the young people of Australia to ensure the Anzac spirit

remains alive and helped develop a stronger more inclusive, volunteer-based Australian community with young people not seeking praise but a willingness to be part of a stronger Australian community.

“... knowing full well they are only giving up time, the greatest gift you can give to a community is your time, not like the ANZACS who gave their lives. By being present here today it shows that you care, you care that we are honouring the names on the monument, you care that the ANZAC story and spirit never dies.”

Inglewood’s service included students from the town’s primary school leading the singing and Josh Akers playing the Last Post and Rouse after earlier performing the poignant bugle calls at Bridgewater, Rheola and a special service for residents at Inglewood and Districts Health Service.

RSL members and students marched to the Grant Street memorial before the service

THE

Webb (right), who returned to Rheola after serving in the tunnelling company during World War One now has a marker after he was buried with in an unmarked grave in 1924. His greatgreat nephew Ken Webb (above) was among descendants of soldiers buried in the Rheola Cemetery who took part in a special Anzac commemoration last Thursday. Descendant had earlier attended a service at the town’s war memorial.

Danny Forrest

Jack Gould,Alina Gould,jasmine Twigg,Jed Stewart, Rylan Chislett,Sophie Twigg,Cooper Gould, Zeb Gould,Edie Gould,Tia Gould and Max Twigg attend the Anzac Day service at Mologa

Ize Pantig and Pyramid Hill service MC Adam Caspani (left) and flag bearer Jennifer Prior

WOOL REPORT

The Australian wool market has continued to climb overall, generally adding further increases to those experienced in last week. The strong finish seen in the West at the end of last week, where some of the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) finished above the East, carried into the series opening in the Eastern centres. Buyer sentiment was strong from the start, and it was evident from the first few lots, that solid price increases were on the cards for the day. By the end of the first day the MPGs in Sydney and Melbourne had risen by between 9 and 57 cents. In the West the increases were smaller (between 0 and 10 cents) as the West generally started from higher opening levels. With positive movements across all sectors, the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) gained 19 cents for the day. The EMI has enjoyed a small upward run, the EMI rose for the previous five selling days, adding 41 cents across these sales. The last time the EMI had a longer sequence of positive movements was back in June 2022, when the EMI rose for six consecutive selling days. The second day the market was more subdued, losing some of the first day gains. In the merino fleece, the MPG movements nationally were between plus 2 and minus 30 cents. The EMI dropped 5 cents for the day. The EMI closed the week 14 cents higher at 1,172 cents. Minimal currency fluctuations this series, meant that the upward market movements were driven more by buyer demand rather than currency. The EMI also rose in USD terms, closing the week 21 US cents higher at 764 cents.

The AWEX Four Week Forecast shows the national offering reducing over the coming weeks. This week there are currently 41,433 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

Source: AWEX

Branch Manager & Senior Agronomist

Craig Sharam 0408 188 351

Wool - Adam Millard 0400 499 064

Livestock - Nigel Starick 0408 528 322

Wade Broadstock 0427 337 231

Lachie McAlister 0428 717 403

Chris Anderson 0408 921 540

Merchandise - Glenn Jackson 0429 076 459

Agronomy - Anton Mannes 0499 708 044

Josh Mcleod 0447 678 609

SHEEP AND LAMBS

LAMB supply lifted to 11,385 head at Bendigo on Monday as a full trading week resumed after Anzac Day.

The make up of the yarding was fed weights showing plenty of weight, very few good trade lambs, and then plainer and light lambs. It influenced results with some much dearer sales of any neat trade lambs which went well over 700c/kg cwt at times, but there wasn’t enough of these higher sales to really boost the overall trend as plainer and woolly lambs were no dearer.

The overall quote for good processing lambs was $2 to$8 stronger at 660c to 695c/kg cost averages to processors. Underneath this was the plainer trade types at less than 650c/kg cwt.

Lighter weight lambs suiting MK ‘bag lamb’ orders were dearer amid reports air freight to key Middle East destinations has opened up again.

Any well finished Merino lambs with shape were dearer, but plainer types were unchanged.

There was a reasonable run of lambs weighing above 30kg cwt and these sold from $200 to a top of $254, with most sales from $210 to $235/head at an estimated cost of 680c/kg cwt.

The heavy 26-30kg cwt lamb sold from $170 to $218 and these category had some price spikes when domestic processors clashed on the best pens in the 26-28kg range for a ballpark average of 695c/kg cwt.

General run of trade lambs including plainer types in untidy skins mostly $125 to $155/head.

Light processing lambs in the 12-20kg cwt range from $90 to $119/head. Similar number of sheep at 5650 head, but demand was weaker particularly across heavy mutton categories.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

A strong market across most categories with heavy sheep & lambs seeing a healthy increase in price per head.

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team. Monday, April 29th 2024 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 12,500 | Sheep - 4,000

Most sheep $8 to $12 cheaper, although some of the best lines of trade Merino ewes held firm.

Extra large crossbred ewes to $117 but most sales were pegged under $100/head. Majority of sheep from $50 to $80 regardless of weight.

The estimated mutton cost was 230c to 280c/kg cwt.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

DG & EJ Rathjen Colbinabbin (32) $254. SD & R Snelson Tongala (84) $240. DW Francis Echuca (58) $234. G & I Watson Rochester (11) $233. WJ Whatley Goornong (30) $231. Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (149) $230. Lislea Lodge Picola (66) $230. D O’Donoghue Kamarooka (61) $230. DC & AM Martin Barham (51) $229. DL & TM Jensen Diggora (25) $226. R L Turner Spring Hill (179) $215. B & F Moon Pyramid Hill (145) $199. W Bennett & L McElroy Moulamein (69) $198. MF Steel Kerang (40) $198. M Hall Wychitella (28) $188. Zac Morrison Tandarra (48) $177. RAMJ P/L Knowsley (20) $173. G & B Ford Diggers Rest (61) $170.

MERINO LAMBS

T & G O’Neill Canary Island (40) $175. R Filmer Burraboi (63) $140. BC & AM Martin Barham (6) $130.

CROSSBRED EWES

D O’Donoghue Kamarooka (6) $117. Borholm P/L Banbartha (5) $93. Tavistock Ag P/L Toolleen (67) $85. B Bates Gifford (83) $84. P Weeks Elmore (12) $83. MERINO EWES Fairfields @ Mysia Mysia (102) $97. Goulburn

Order of sales at Bendigo next week: Elders, Nevins, Nutrien, Nuttall, McKean McGregor.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

STUDENTS from Pyramid Hill College and Boort District School have returned from a tour of Longerenong Agricultural College. The Years 9,10 and 11 youngsters were accompanied by Pyramid Hill principal Fiona Moon and North Central LLEN staff Susan Gould and Barb Bear as part of the trip supported by the 21st Century Agriculutural Careers Project. The campus tour include the data farm, wool classing room, lecture theatres and the cropping machinery used at the college. Workshops focused on grain identification, soil testing and lambing ewes.

Sowing starts as autumn break ‘on hold’ for weeks

FARMERS across the Loddon have started sowing new crops while still waiting for the traditional Anzac Day break in the weather.

Some long-range forecasts say it could be another month before the break.

Glenalbyn farmer and president of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch Graham Nesbit said current soil moisture levels could also put up weed control challenges.

“It’s only the top (soil) that’s dry, the top 50mm. Some weeds will shoot but they’re not growing actively and are small,” he said.

“Chemical application rates will have to be high. Many farmers will be relying on pre-emergent chemicals but they only last so long ... two weeks yes but not three or four weeks with some forecasters saying

the break is not until the end of May.” Mr Nesbit said some areas across the Loddon had enough soil moisture for dry-sowing.

“Around Wychetella it’s full steam ahead this week. For some areas, however, it’s a waiting game,” he said.

Rainfall across the region in April was above average although the heaviest falls were recorded at the beginning of the month.

Inglewood received 21.4mm on April 2, Wedderburn 39.8mm and Dunolly, the heaviest, 53.4mm. Rainfall was lower in northern districts with 14.6mm at Mincha, 25mm at Prairie West and 17.2mm at Charlton.

Most areas received between 1mm and 12mm for the rest of April. Again, Dunolly had the better follow-up rain with 18.4mm for the rest of April.

Fertiliser trends expected to reverse: report

A REDUCTION in demand for fertiliser was expected for the upcoming season, according to a report released this week.

Rabobank said the decline would mark a departure from the recent trend which had seen fertiliser application rates increasing.

Analyst Vitor Pistoia expects a total “nu-

trient reduction” of approximately seven per cent for the season ahead, driven by a decrease in nitrogen application and a similar drop in phosphate fertilisers. In the two years to 2022, nitrogen demand had grown 25 per cent, with phosphorus only seeing a three per cent increase.

Rural Bank are experts in farm Þnance. We understand the seasonal nature of farming and what it takes to help grow your business.

So partner with someone who’s with you for the long term. Someone who supports you today, and is focused on tomorrow.

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FEATURES | OPINION AND QUIZ

Country kids are getting the best

By MARTHA HAYLETT

ONE of the reasons I stood for Parliament back in 2022 was to fight for great public schools in our rural communities.

Having grown up in country Victoria and attended a small public school myself, I’ve always known how important it is to have access to a great education – no matter where you live.

I went to a run-down public school that was neglected during the years of the Kennett LiberalNational Government. The classrooms were freezing cold in winter and boiling hot in summer, with no maintenance or upgrades ever.

We were considered one of the lucky schools that weren’t shut down at the time, but the quality of our classrooms and schoolyard never seemed fair to me.

I always knew that rural kids deserved modern classrooms just as much as kids in Melbourne. And that’s why I am so proud of what we’re achieving across the Loddon Shire right now.

In Wedderburn, the State Labor Government is delivering a $12.8 million upgrade of Wedderburn College – with modern classrooms and an upgraded school hall on the way.

We’ve also secured funds to build a brand-new early learning and child care centre on site, so local parents in and around Wedderburn can finally have childcare options locally. It will avoid the double drop-off, make child-

STATE PERSPECTIVE

care and early learning more accessible and convenient for working parents, and make the transition to school easier.

It will also be free, with three and four-year-old kinder fees now covered by the state government, saving families up to an extra $2500 per child per year.

In Inglewood, we have completed $150,000 of upgrades to Inglewood Primary School so staff and students can get the best space possible for teaching and learning – including upgrades to the roof and internal refurbishments, with $235,000 for more maintenance works on the way.

In Bridgewater, we have delivered $500,000 to upgrade the playground and oval with new synthetic turf that looked fantastic when I visited late last year. We’re also addressing maintenance issues for the school, so that local students have the best possible classrooms that match the quality of teaching they’re receiving.

And in Tarnagulla, a $2 million upgrade of the primary school is almost complete with a more modern main building, brandnew portable classroom on site, and new basketball court. Principal Leigh Mellberg, students, and parents cannot wait to celebrate works being complete by midyear.

I called Leigh with even more great news recently – to let him

know Tarnagulla Primary School will soon receive $250,000 from the Australian Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund to build a brand-new playground for students. He was over the moon and told me how excited the school council and broader community would be.

In my travels around the Loddon Shire and Ripon electorate, many people often say to me that “Melbourne gets everything” and “country Victoria misses out.” But when it comes to education, our Labor Government is making sure rural Victorian kids get the very best too.

With 54 schools across the electorate I represent, I know there is always more work to be done and I will continue to work closely with Principals, teachers, and school communities to make sure students get the best possible education wherever they live, and whatever their background. Because that’s exactly what our country kids deserve.

If you have an education issue or idea in the Loddon Shire, or want to raise another state government matter with me, contact my office.

I will be hosting more mobile offices across the Loddon Shire soon too, with dates to be published in this newspaper. I hope to see you around soon.

* MarthaHaylettisthe memberforRipon

Inquiries can only delay action

SOMEWHERE along the track, local government has been more than short-changed by governments. It’s been dudded of an equitable share of taxes and made to carry the can for decisions of federal and state governments.

Loddon Shire, like neighbours and counterparts spread around rural Australia, could have a far better local road network if not for the share of federal funding being halved.

The current State Government has constantly complained to Canberra that Victoria is missing out on its equitable share of the GST cash pie. In percentage

IAN jONES

EDITORIAL

terms, Spring Street has a strong case to push.

But Spring Street also needs to add its weight and voice to the pathetic treatment by Canberra of local councils.

The Federal Government has launched an inquiry into the sustainability of local government. Locals on the ground know the answer - without fair, reasonable and adequate funds flowing from Canberra, life will only become harder for the level of democracy closest to local people.

Bureaucrats, of course, will back an inquiry over action any day. They often have a tin ear to the needs outside of the bubbles where decisions are influenced, made and readied for implementation.

We can only hope that this latest inquiry will produce real recommendations to support local councils that are accepted by the Government ... before heading to an election due within a year. Otherwise, like many inquiries, the talk will amount to nothing.

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Samite what type of fabric?

2. In Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’ suite, which planet is the bringer of jollity?

3. If something coruscates, what does it do?

4. On which part of the body is a tarboosh worn?

5. In which year did Morocco gain independence from France?

6. Which birthstone belongs to September?

7. What was the first item to be sold on the website eBay?

8. How many medals did Emma McKeon win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?

9. What item was invented in 1957 by Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes when attempting to create 3D wallpaper?

10. What is half a sphere called?

11. To the nearest km, how long is a half marathon?

12. Melbourne’s Eureka Skydeck opened in which year?

13. What is the collective noun for a group of Morris dancers?

14. Anthomania is the intense fondness for what?

15. Which gas has the chemical symbol F?

16. And is this gas the least or most reactive of all chemical elements?

17. How many strings are on a standard guitar?

18. What is the national animal of Pakistan?

19. What crop does a Colorado beetle attack?

20. Stephen King is an author famous for writing in which genre?

ANSWERS

I T WAS Earth Day last week and Bradley of Boort used his Treemendous Sign to share the message. He tells us The theme for Earth Day 2024 was Planet versus Plastics. All about a call for the end of plastics “for the sake of human and planetary health.” The theme’s goal is to reduce the production of plastics by 60 per cent by 2040.

GOT us thinking about all these “special days” that crop up. Apparently there’s at least one for each 365 days (remember 366 this leap year). And while Mother’s Day is just around the corner, badged as one day all about prosperity, good fortune and having a bit of fun along the way is Put a Pillow on Your Fridge

Day coming up on May 29 in the US and Europe.

M AY was originally named after Maia, the Greek Goddess of Fertility, and today is put aside to celebrate the products of fertility with Baby Day.

M AIA can translate as “great,” “mother,” and “nurse”. She was the oldest of the Pleiades’ seven daughters and also the most beautiful and the shyest.

A LSO coming up this month somwhere in the world are International Family Day, National Nylon Stocking Day and National Straw Hat Day.

T HOSE Greeks had a hand in the early straw hats, calling them petasos.

1. Silk 2. Jupiter 3. Sparkles 4. Head 5. 1956 6. Saphire 7. A broken laser pointer 8. Seven 9. Bubble wrap 10. Hemisphere 11. Twentyone 12. 2006 13. A side 14.

Markhor (goat)

BUSHY TALES BY

FESTIVAL OF WRITING, READING AND TALKING INSPIRED BY

The love of words

By CHRIS EARL

PASSION for the English language of Boort District School literacy specialist Sharon Pickering triggered the arrival last week of authors, songwriters and journalists to inspire students.

Sharon’s plans for the school’s first writers’ festival had grown beyond a couple of guests talking to students.

Her crusade had captured the imagination of students from prep all the way through to current school captains Eddie Moresi, Lucy Malone and Eliza Perryman who praised “Pickers” love of words and drive in staging the one-day event.

Sharon looked outside the square. She assembled a panel to talk about how English was used in everyday working life.

Former students Renae Chambers and ABC radio journalist Angus Verley along with Tori Gentle from North Central LLEN and Loddon Herald managing editor Chris Earl shared their experiences of school, learning and taking those experiences into professional careers.

Angus was keen to be part of the festival, taking time out from holidays back on the family farm helping with shearing, to be part of the panel discussion on Zoom.

And then there were the authors of children’s books across all genres - Amy Doak, Fleur Ferris, Jack Henseleit and Andrew Kelly, singer/songwriter Connor Dougan and illustrator Chris Kennett.

Students explored how authors used real life experiences and workshops with the writers in morning and afternoon sessions.

A final festival assembly saw students presented with prizes in special literacy competitions.

“Pickers” was quick to tell students that there was an amazing team behind the festival’s success.

“Please make sure to mention that it was a team effort from Sue Gould, Annie Meadows, Molly Meadows and Matt Allan,” she said straight afterwards. It was the team, Pickers said, that had gained the support of businesses across

the district to provide prizes for the festival.”

Sharon and her team said there were plans for future writers’ fes tivals, perhaps not every year, but with the potential to involve more youngsters from across the region.

Established writers’ festival in Melbourne and other large cities include days aimed at engaging students.

But Boort’s literary initiative is one of the few to have quickly en gaged a school cohort in its own backyard.

“The day was a definite career highlight for me, and the feedback we’ve received from students, staff, parents, guests and helpers has been overwhelmingly posi tive,” she said.

Until the next Boort festival, Sharon hopes students will contin ue to be inspired by words.

- Emily Henderson

STORMS

Late at night

Loud sounds Swept up in a dream, Can’t hear a thing. Windows rattling Monsters growling

Light flashes striking Beauty sleep destroyed.

Hayley Stringer

TOP AND ABOVE: Students with their awards for writing in the Boort school’s festival. LH PHOTOS

Jack Henseleit, Sharon Pickering, Amy Doak, Chris Kennett and Fleur Ferris at the inaugural fesitval

CARTER - Peter Robert 10.04.1964 – 21.04.2024

Very much loved husband to Kylie-Anne.

Loved and loving father to Stuart, Megan and Darcy, and Laura. Pa to Aria and bonus Poppy Pete to Eloise and Isaac.

To the world you were but one, To us you were our world

FISCALINI - Marie Patricia 04.08.1939 – 29.04.2024

Rest in Peace, from all the Fiscalini family.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Marie’s life will be held at the Inglewood Town Hall, 25 Verdon Street, Inglewood, on FRIDAY (May 10th) at 12:00 noon, Marie’s coffin will be open for those wishing to pay their last respects between 10:30 – 11:00am.

A Livestream of the Service will be available to view at www.napierpark.com.au

The Burial for Marie will be held on SATURDAY (May 11th) at the Greendale Cemetery, Napoleon Street, Greendale timed to commence at 12:00 noon

Nixon - Joy Lorraine

25/02/1937 – 24/04/2024

Loved Wife of Ronald.

Loved Mother of Leona, Dianne, David and Ruth.

Loved Nanna of Sascha

fu NE r A l NOT ic E s public NOT ic Es

NIXON

A Graveside Committal Service for Mrs Joy Lorraine Nixon will be held at the Terrappee Cemetery on Monday May 6th at 10.30 AM

A Thanksgiving Service will follow at the Boort Baptist Church Commencing at 12 Noon.

SWAP MEET

Feedback for Proposed Budget 2024/25 (which includes Draft Fees and Charges Schedule)

Loddon Shire Council has prepared a Budget for 2024/25 and after consideration at the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23 April 2024 is now requesting feedback on the Draft Budget (which includes the Draft Fees and Charges Schedule).

CARTER - Peter Robert

A Service to Celebrate the life of Mr. Peter Robert Carter will be held at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, 67 Sullivan St., Inglewood on FRIDAY (May 3) at 11am. A Private Burial will be

Gates open to the Public 7am Entry (cash only) $2 adults Children free

Saturday 18th May 2024 Engine Park, cnr Racecourse Rd and Calder Highway, Wedderburn Turn your unwanted goods into much needed cash Sites

Copies of the documents will be available for inspection from Monday 29 April 2024 to Monday 27 May 2024. Council has made these nancial documents available on Council’s website on https:// www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/ Documents-for-public-comment. Copies are also available to be posted on request by calling Council’s Customer Service O ce on (03) 5494 1200.

Any person wishing to provide feedback on any of the draft nancial documents is requested to do so before close of business on Monday 27 May 2024. Feedback should be referenced with ‘Draft Financial Documents Feedback’ and can state whether they wish to provide their feedback in person at the June Council Forum.

This feedback can be sent via mail to Loddon Shire Council, PO Box 21, Wedderburn VIC 3518, or via email at loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Council will meet to consider any feedback at the Council Forum on Tuesday 11 June 2024. Council will then consider adoption of the Draft Budget at a Meeting of Council on Tuesday 25 June 2024. Council will give public notice of its decision.

Lincoln Fitzgerald Chief Executive O cer

CAREERS AT LODDON SHIRE

Loddon Shire Council is seeking applications for the following positions from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a di erence and help shape our future.

Casual Early Childhood Educator –ref.J/123 - Readvertised

 Casual position with exibility to choose your own days

 Early Childhood Educator 1.1 - $32.24 per hour (inclusive of casual loading)

 Positions available at all of our services

Casual Early Childhood Teacher–ref.J/124 - Readvertised

 Casual position with exibility to choose your own days

 Early Childhood Teacher 1.1 - $42.10 per hour (inclusive of casual loading)

 Positions available at all of our services

Applications for the positions above will be considered as they are received.

Customer Service O cer – ref.J/264

 Permanent, full-time position

 Band 4 salary $66,374.18-$70,993.84, plus employer superannuation

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn O ce

Applications for the position above close Monday, 20 May 2024.

For further information, including a detailed position description and details on how to apply, please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisation Development Unit on (03) 5494 1200.

The Bridge is excited to announce our first movie screening on Tuesday the 7th of May. Doors open from 10am with morning tea served. The movie will start at 10:30. $10 entry. The Bridge is at Holy Trinity, 44 Calder Hwy, Bridgewater.

Isaac finishes in top tier at inaugural Ballarat Marathon

BOORT’S Carly Isaac has maintained her outstanding long-distance running form with a second place in the women’s 20-24 section of last weekend’s inaugural Ballarat Marathon.

Her time of three hours, seventeen minutes and 10 seconds saw her finish 17th of 240 women’s entries after two laps of the Steve Moneghetti-designed course.

WEEEKEND GOLF

Wedderburn

Carolyn McHugh won the K.O. qualifier with 37 points off a handicap of 19. Runner up was Byron Bird on 34 points playing off six. Graham Nesbit won the 2 on 2 prize, while nearest the pin on the 13th hole was Owen Bailey. Other results: Keith Lewis 23 points, Jon Chandler 31, Owen Bailey 31, Graham Nesbit 32, Glenda Bird 32, Keith Bird 31, Jill Millie 32 and Geoff Weston 28.

Tarnagulla

Tarnagulla had its special Par Three ParTee event, with the course laid out by Mick Radich as a par three on every hole. Score cards showing the distance from tee to pin helped players negotiate the changed layout. The course played beautifully and as the ground was still firm from summer, players’ shots ran further. Men’s winner was “Bird” Corry, while runner up was Peter Ravenhall. In the women’s contest

Isaac, also a star with Boort’s A Grade netball side, finished second in the women’s section of the Cadbury Marathon in Hobart in January.

Her Ballarat time was exactly a minute slower than she achieved in Hobart, on a course that included two circuits of Lake Wendouree.

NORTH CENTRAL HOCKEY

Isaac is also expected to make a return bid in the Noosa marathon next month.

She was named the Loddon Herald’s sports star of the month for January and is in the running for the annual award in October.

The key Boort netballer shot to running fame last September when who took out the arduous Queen of the Mountain race at Wycheproof.

Jenny Honeyman was successful over Lyn Wells. Garry Harwood took out the nearest the pin prize.

Mitiamo

In stableford competition the A Grade winner was Noah Condliffe with 36 points, while runner up was Phil Hamley with 34 points. B Grade was won by Nathan Dennis with 31 points, ahead of Peter Meighan with 29. Nearest the pin on hole 11 was Matty Miles, who also took out the Miti’s Mini Excavator Hire metre beater with a shot that hit the flag. Nearest the pin second shot on hole nine was Dale Anderson.

Pyramid Hill

A small turnout saw the day become a single stableford event, which was taken out by Maree Ring with 38 points. Club captain Jason Deller was a whisker away from a hole in on the second. His shot hit the flag but stubbornly refused to drop into the cup.

Men: St Arnaud 9 d Birchip Watchem 0, Sea Lake Nandaly 0 forfeited to Wycheproof-Narraport 5. Women: Charlton 14 d Wedderburn 1, Sea Lake Nandaly 0 lost to Wycheproof-Narraport 1,St Arnaud 6 d Birchip Watchem 0. Underage: Charlton 12 d Wedderburn 0, Sea Lake Nandaly 2 d Wycheproof-Narraport 0, St Arnaud 5 d Birchip Watchem 1. Under 12: Sea Lake Nandaly 0 lost to Wycheproof-Narraport 4, St Arnaud 7 d Birchip Watchem 0.

Mentor magic moves Bulldogs to top spots

By GARY WALSH

AFTER three rounds of Loddon Valley netball, Pyramid Hill sits unbeaten in Loddon Valley A, B and C grade. And it’s not an accident.

The Bulldogs in recent years have introduced a mentoring system led by senior players to help the development of juniors.

That, along with a strong club culture, has seen Pyramid Hill become a powerful force in the competition.

Imogen Broad, last year’s league rising star winner, is an example of the buy-in from senior players to the club’s ethos.

Local product Broad, 19, travels three-and-a-half hours from Geelong, where she is studying an accelerated optometry course at Deakin University, twice a week for training and matches.

She also mentors under 17 player Shamica Castro, dominates the court as centre for the Bulldogs A Grade team, and coaches youngsters in the NetSetGo program.

A Grade coach Chelsea Emmerson says the mentoring program “aims to bridge the gap between juniors and when they move into the seniors”.

It’s a measure of Broad’s ability that she has shifted into midcourt after playing last season as goal keeper due to a limited stock of players.

“I’d never played in defence before,” Broad says. “I’d always been a mid-courter – I do like running around.”

Emmerson, her new coach, also happens to be her aunt. And Broad says she’s a hard marker: “She tells you how it is. She’s not afraid to put people in their

FROM PAGE 24

Derby battle of defences

Wedderburn, on the other hand, will have two weeks off the court after facing Boort, with the bye in round five before the whole league takes a weekend off the following week, which Lockhart said would be an unwelcome extended break at this stage of the season.

The last time the teams met was in the 2023 semifinals, in which Boort got home by six goals.

This season, the Redbacks’ scorers stood out against Charlton in their 29-46 round-three win, with Holly and Aliza Lockhart swapping the goal attack and goal shooter bibs throughout the game.

Experienced Charlton goal

defence Kate Burton – who forged a fine career in the BFNL – played her first game for four years against Wedderburn, offering a stern test for the Redbacks goalers. They will need to stand up again when they confront the Magpies and their renowned defence on Saturday.

place.” It’s the first time Broad has played under a non-playing coach, and she is a fan.

“They see the game differently,” she says, with the ability to watch the whole court rather than having the distraction of trying to play their own game as well as coach the others,” she said.

Broad has no ambition to play netball at a higher level – apart from packing a seven-year course into three-and-a-half years, she says simply: “I like coming home.”

The Bulldogs led all day against

Marong, winning 44-64 at Malone Park.

Goal shooter Jess Holdstock with her towering height was imperious, while goal defence Abbey Dingwall was named best player.

Elsewhere in A Grade, last season’s premier runners-up Mitiamo won 57-34 over premiers Maiden Gully and and Bears Lagoon Serpentine, who won their first game for five years last week, lost narrowly at home to Newbridge, 35-38. Bridgewater defeated Inglewood.

LODDON VALLEY

A Grade

BL Serpentine 11, 18, 26, 35, (35) lost to Newbridge 11, 21, 30, 38, (38). Mitiamo 10, 29, 43, 57, (57) d Maiden Gully 8, 17, 23, 34, (34). Marong 10, 22, 35, 44, (44) lost to Pyramid Hill 15, 31, 49, 64, (64). Bridgewater 14, 34, 52, 65, (65) d Inglewood 5, 10, 20, 28, (28).

Charlton 7, 17, 20, 29, (29) lost to Wedderburn 13, 23, 34, 46, (46).

B Grade

Marong 9, 22, 35, 45, (45) lost to Pyramid Hill 12, 20, 34, 46, (46). Mitiamo 12, 19, 25, 29, (29) lost to Maiden Gully 14, 25, 33, 49, (49). Bridgewater 13, 26, 40, 46, (46) d Inglewood 9, 17, 22, 31, (31)]. BL Serpentine 7, 9, 24, 31, (31) lost to Newbridge 14, 22, 36, 47, (47).

166.29 12

Hill 151.00 12

Gully 121.31 8

92.54 8

105.22 4

Serpentine 77.78 4

67.57

Mitiamo (29) lost to Maiden Gully (44). Marong 12, 20, 26, 42, (42) lost to Pyramid Hill 12, 24, 38, 45, (45). BL Serpentine 11, 23, 32, 37, (37) lost to Newbridge 11, 26, 35, 48, (48). Bridgewater 13, 28, 38, 53, (53) d Inglewood 2, 5, 9, 11, (11).

Lake Nandaly 20,

(64) d

Narraport 6, 15, 18, 21, (21). Donald 11, 24, 34, 42, (42) lost to Nullawil 8, 21, 33, 49, (49). Charlton 5, 11, 21, 26, (26) lost to Wedderburn 22, 42, 57, 72, (72). St Arnaud (18) lost to Birchip Watchem (75)

1, 5, 7, 16, (16). Charlton 10, 15, 27, 35, (35) lost to Wedderburn 16, 32, 47, 68, (68). St Arnaud 2, 4, 10, 14, (14) lost to Birchip Watchem 15, 27, 30, 44, (44). Donald 4, 6, 11, 15, (15) lost to Nullawil 9, 21, 33, 48, (48).

C Reserve

Marong 11, 23, 33, 48, (48) d Pyramid Hill 9, 19, 27, 34, (34). Bridgewater 13, 25, 40, 55, (55) d Inglewood 10, 22, 30, 42, (42). BL Serpentine 2, 13, 20, 30, (30) lost to Newbridge 13, 25, 37, 49, (49). Mitiamo 9, 13, 24, 27, (27) lost to Maiden Gully 8, 22, 37, 48, (48). Marong 197.30 12

Gully 193.42 12

Hill 112.50 8

110.20 8

97.46 4

Serpentine 81.68 4

80.00 0

United 43.00 0 Mitiamo 42.59 0 17 & Under

BL Serpentine 12, 27, 41, 57, (57) d Newbridge 4, 11, 20, 25, (25). Bridgewater 16, 31, 49, 65, (65) d Inglewood 5, 8, 14, 20, (20). Marong 6, 18, 32, 44, (44) d Pyramid Hill 8, 13, 21, 31, (31)

268.18 12

15 & Under

Marong 7, 12, 26, 38, (38) d Pyramid Hill 2, 6, 9, 14, (14). Bridgewater 11, 14, 26, 38, (38) lost to Inglewood 9, 20, 29, 41, (41). Mitiamo 7, 13, 17, 23, (23) lost to Maiden Gully 14, 22, 35, 51, (51).

Reserve St Arnaud (31) lost to Birchip Watchem (45). Sea Lake Nandaly 11, 20, 30, 42, (42) d Wycheproof Narraport 7, 10, 14, 25, (25).

17 & Under A

Donald 1, 5, 6, 7, (7) lost to Nullawil 18, 34, 41, 53, (53). St Arnaud 3, 14, 19, 20, (20) lost to Birchip Watchem 8, 15, 27, 39, (39). Charlton 6, 20, 34, 46, (46) d Wedderburn 11, 15, 21, 24, (24) d Sea Lake Nandaly 7, 14, 22, 31, (31) lost to Wycheproof Narraport 13, 22, 30, 39, (39).

13 & Under

Bridgewater 5, 9, 13, 13, (13) lost to Inglewood 8, 13, 27, 35, (35). Mitiamo 8, 12, 18, 23, (23) d Maiden Gully 2, 5,

14 & Under A

Charlton 4, 9, 16, 27, (27) d Wedderburn 5, 9, 13, 17, (17). Sea Lake Nandaly 17, 30, 31, 31, (31) d Wycheproof Narraport 0, 1, 1, 1, (1).

11, 25, 34, 40, (40) d Nullawil 7, 9, 14,

Chelsea and Imogen after Saturday’s game. LH PHOTO

BRIDGEWATER A Grade cocoach and centre Caz Wood was named most courageous player in Saturday’s Anzac weekend clash against Inglewood. Bridgewater took control of the match early and finished winners by 37 goals.

GOALKICKING

LODDON VALLEY

35

35

9 - (2) - Kain Robins - Marong

9 - (3) - Ryan Wellington - Marong

8 - (2) - Todd Delahey - Maiden Gully

8

7

6

10

7

7

6

10

10

9

8

8

7

6 - (5) - Kyle McClellan - Inglewood

6 - (0) - Riley Doorty - Marong

6 - (5) - Jett Bird - Marong

NORTH CENTRAL

SENIORS

23 - (8) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

10 - (4) - Anthony Zelencich -

Jones - Wycheproof Narraport

8 - (3) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil RESERVES

13 - (0) - Billy Poulton - Sea Lake Nandaly

10 - (10) - Andrew Oberdorfer - Nullawil

10 - (0) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

9 - (9) - Perry Roberts - Sea Lake Nandaly

8 - (7) - Anthony Judd - Charlton

Love and hate clash

IT’S THE week when the North Central footy league turns its focus to the Loddon Valley – Boort versus Wedderburn in the Loddon Derby.

“They dislike us, and we dislike them,” said Boort coach Dale Cameron, savouring the prospect of the traditional clash.

“There’s a bit of rivalry there harking back to a few grand finals back in the day. It’s good – that’s what it’s all about in the end.”

Opposing coach Tom Metherell has not experienced the local derby before but understands its importance.

“It’s big, and the match is big in the scheme of the ladder too. It’s really important. I know it’s only round four, but it’s an eight-point game,” he said.

“We’re under no illusions, it will be a tough game.”

Both teams have already played Charlton and Sea Lake Nandaly, so the form lines are there to be studied early in the season.

Boort defeated Charlton by 45 points, while

The contest was fierce between last year’s grand finalists Pyramid Hill and Marong when they met on Saturday. LH PHOTO

the Redbacks beat the Navies by 54 points. Wedderburn pushed the reigning premiers all the way, leading at three-quarter time before losing by 16 points. The Magpies lost by 41 against the Tigers, but the margin was between 10 and 20 points for much of the game.

The unknown factor is how Boort will return after their bye in round three.

“I’ll tell you after the game,” Cameron said. “It might take us a little time to get going. We’ve got 10 new players, so how they come back is yet to be seen.”

Boort will be missing several key players including midfield recruit Wade Broadstock, who has done the unthinkable and gone on honeymoon during the footy season.

“We definitely have played our best footy in patches, but the team is still figuring out how everyone plays,” Cameron said.

“As long as they give their all and hold up the values of the club, you can’t fault them if they win or lose.”

Wedderburn will be without Sam Lockhart,

PLAYER milestones

A HOST of Loddon Valley footballers have notched significant milestones this season.

Pyramid Hill’s Scott Mann celebrated his 100th game for the Bulldogs, having begun in Auskick and worked his way through the grades. ‘Scoota’ travels from Ballarat each week to play.

Marong’s Nathan Devanny also reached the century in round one, while Inglewood’s Matthew Rowe played his 100th club game in the same round.

Marking their 50th-game milestones were Maiden Gully’s Josh Covington and Newbridge’s Nick Dempster, while Tyler Murphy has brought up his 50th junior match for Inglewood.

Marong youngster Kep Thomson, who is captain of the Under 18s, made his senior debut against Pyramid Hill in the grand final rematch last Saturday, continuing a proud family tradition.

His father Paul is a member of the Panthers’ ‘Team of 50 Years’.

who has a long-term wrist injury, but it is hoped Lewis Holt, who was a late withdrawal last week with a calf issue, will return.

The Redbacks come into the Boort clash in good form, having beaten Charlton by 56 points last Saturday.

“It was a comfortable win, but they definitely challenged us in the second quarter when we went away from focusing on the things we were doing in the first quarter,” Metherell said.

Wedderburn has two weeks off after meeting Boort, with a bye followed by the leaguewide break.

Metherell planned for the fortnight off in the pre-season, playing four practice matches to replicate the effects of the fixture.

He said he would likely give the players a week off, with a fitness program to follow, and then ramp up training before their first home game for the year, when their new clubrooms will be unveiled.

- GARY WALSH

Seven streak in second half

WEDDERBURN streaked away after half-time to record a handy 56-point win over Charlton in round three of North Central football.

The Redbacks, playing away from home again as they await the opening of their new clubrooms, were outscored by the struggling Navies in the second quarter, but hit their straps after the long break with a seven goals to one second half.

Jayden Jones off half-back was Wedderburn’s best, along with onballer Jackson McEwen, Oscar Holt, Darcy Jackson, Tom Campbell and playing coach Tom Metherell.

Recruit Anthony Zelencich’s four-goal haul sees him sitting second on the league goalkicking table with 10 majors.

The Redback reserves suffered a 105-point defeat, with the highlight of the day a spectacular diving mark in the goal square by Ben Huismann, who then went back and coolly slotted one of the side’s three goals for the day.

The Under-17s fought hard against a physically stronger Navies team before going down by 50 points. Liam Budge and Luke Boyd were best for Wedderburn.

A better physically equipped Charlton side controlled the game for the first three quarters and had established an unbeatable lead by three quarter time.

It was a similar story for the Under-14 side, which managed only one goal to Charlton’s 7.7 (49). Trai Clarke, who scored the Redbacks goal, and Blaz Cramp stood out.

The Redbacks mosquito fleet was mostly up against bigger opponents but did not stop giving every contest all that they had.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp snaps another goal

LODDON VALLEY Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater Marong v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Inglewood v Newbridge Calivil v Mitiamo

Under 18: Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater, Marong v East Loddon (at Marong). Inglewood bye NORTH CENTRAL Wycheproof Narraport v Charlton Birchip Watchem v Sea Lake Nandaly Nullawil v St Arnaud Boort v Wedderburn

Dogs had their chances

By GARY WALSH

A FIVE goals to one second quarter was enough for Marong to continue its long winning run in the Loddon Valley league with a hard-fought eight-point victory over Pyramid Hill at Malone Park.

The Bulldogs had their chances in the grand final rematch and will rue some missed opportunities late in the game as they tried to end the Panthers’ 34-game winning streak.

The 11.13 (79) to 10.11 (71) result leaves Pyramid Hill with one win from three and in fourth place on the ladder, while Marong remains on top and undefeated.

The Bulldogs took the game up to the reigning premiers early, with their pace and crisp ball movement making the home side look slow and reactive.

Livewire midfielder/forward Brodie Carroll was causing mayhem as he zipped around the field – he was to finish with four goals after having one disallowed for running too far.

Marong’s decision to use Todd Davies as a run-with player quelled Carroll’s influence later in the game.

Pyramid Hill led by 11 points at the first change, but Marong revved up a gear in the second term, turning the game around and leading by 14 points at halftime with big-bodied defender Matt Willox proving to be an immoveable object.

Injuries saw the Panthers down to one player on the bench before half-time, and the third term was an arm wrestle, with the Bulldogs cutting the margin by a single point.

The final quarter was a tense

affair as Pyramid Hill peppered the goals but could only manage 3.3.

A long goal from Marong’s Lachlan Frankel late in the term after a 50-metre penalty when he was bumped after marking settled the contest, could easily have gone the other way.

Marong’s ability to fight

through its mounting injury list and restricted interchange rotations made the win particularly meritorious.

They took home the four points and the Michael Herrick Memorial Cup, while Willox won bestafield honours.

Lachlan Lee was strong in midfield and across the half-back

Mean Machine drives home goals

TEN minutes of fightback from Inglewood was soon shrugged off by a faster, more determined and physical Bridgewater in Saturday’s Loddon Valley league Anzac clash.

The Blues were left flat-footed as Bridgewater quickly racked up four goals - Sharp, McKinley, Conway and Martyn had their names on the scorecard.

It took a few smarts from Mitch Conlan for Inglewood to cause major movement on the scoreboard. The Blues would add two more for the term in a flurry that saw ruckman Tom Kennedy laying foundations for a courageous performance all day while Liam Marciano was also putting his body on the line.

Down by 21 points at the first break, that would be as close as the Blues could get to the Mean Machine.

Harry McKinley quickly found Andrew Collins and Bridgewater had its first major of the second term.

Cody Stobaus emerged as the Blues’ most effective player for the term, keeping Lachlan Sharp

to just one goal. But the depth and experience in the Mean Machine shined. Tyler Estrada chipped in a nice goal, Conway milked the free and subsequent 50-metre penalty to extend Bridgewater’s lead. Lee Coghlan, too, was in the action but an injury could see him miss a week or two.

Not to be overshadowed, Broden Alexander on a forward flank was a consistent contributor in the first half. He was in multiple passages of constructive play, creating opportunities and would keep up the effort for all four quarters.

Alexander was one of the vital cogs linking strong defence and agile midfield to generate inwards 50s.

A late goal to Inglewood’s Marciano did little to change the match dynamic.

Bridgewater up by 13 goals systematically zapped the spirit of Inglewood in the second half despite the Pollak brothers, Kennedy and Marciano trying to counter the tsunami that was unleashed every time the Blues got anywhere near their forward 50.

But the real highlight was still to come. Sharp had eight goals at three-quarter time.

The final quarter became an exhibition in skill and sharpshooting as he slotted through seven majors and directed traffic in the forward line with the focus of a battle-hardened general and finished the day with 15.

Some came from outsmarting two opponents in the square, others from quick running to the space, others with a level of luck only good players have created.

Sharp’s main opponent for the term was Luke Matheson who tried hard to contain one of the league’s new goalkicking sensations. When Inglewood’s defence did get on top, the turnovers were only metres up the ground.

The rapidity of Bridgewater’s inside 50s swamped the Blues who was valiant in defeat.

None more so that Kennedy who was named the match’s most courageous player and received the 2024 Eddie Harrison Medal presented by Inglewood-Bridgewater RSL sub-branch.

- CHRIS EARL

THIS WEEK’S LODDON VALLEY PREDICTIONS

Glenn Catto

line, while Ryan Wellington’s three goals were critical in the Panthers’ win.

Carroll was the Bulldogs best, with speedy Damon Hemphill also putting Marong under pressure all day. Jesse Sheahan’s four goals were important, and cocoach Zach Alford kicked Pyramid Hill’s other two goals.

Although the Bulldogs fell short of ending the Marong streak in the seniors, the Panthers’ 50-match winning run in the reserves ended when Pyramid Hill got home by 10 points. It was the home side’s first defeat since August 2019.

Marong faces Bears Lagoon Serpentine and gun forward Josh Mellington this weekend, while Pyramid Hill has a tough task to get its season back on track when it comes up again Bridgewater, led by ace goalkicker Lachlan Sharp.

„ Maiden Gully won their second match of the season against Mitiamo, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the ladder.

Their 12-point deduction before the season began sees them in fifth place behind Pyramid Hill despite having won one more match.

The Eagles’ four-point win was snatched with the last goal of the game, which was an incredibly tight contest – Maiden Gully led at every change but never by more than four points.

Josiah Farrer kicked the final goal, his fourth of the afternoon, to be the Eagles’ best. Onballer Luke Deslandes managed two goals and worked hard inside, while ruckman Mathew Crooks was influential. For the Superoos, Andrew Cussen was best,

WELL, I’ve got a trip planned this week to see Peter Moore.

The local supermarket owner will see his shelves stripped of Windex and bug remover as I give the crystal ball a real polish after the hazy insights that came in predicting winners in Loddon Valley football last week.

Really thought it was the round for upsets - even some thought I had rocks in the head.

Turns out that apart from the boys off the leash from the Mitchell Park kennel in Pyramid Hill more than troubling Marong, I was way off beam.

Inglewood was disappointing and simply didn’t have the cattle to counter Bridgewater. Mitiamo, the young side it is, lacked the experience in the final minutes to lock out Maiden Gully.

Pyramid Hill sees itself 1-2 after three rounds and faces Bridgewater in what will be a real big one this Saturday.

I’m going for Pyramid. Just think its last four or five players picked for the seniors are better than the Mean Machine’s bottom handful.

And besides, the match is at the great graveyard of visiting sides, Mitchell Park.

In what is probably the best round of Loddon Valley football in more than a decade, we also have Bears Lagoon Serpentine taking on Marong, a side I thought may have dropped back a cog or two this season

Another week before clash of big guns

BEARS Lagoon Serpentine’s goal machine Josh Mellington added 15 to his season’s total in his side’s 80-point win over Newbridge.

Mellington and Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp are in a two-man race to the century in the Loddon Valey league, with both now on 35 goals after three rounds.

Round five will see the two goalkicking titans go head-tohead when the Mean Machine hosts the Bears in a clash that will be pivotal to the 2024 season’s outcome.

Newbridge were not disgraced in their defeat against the unbeaten Serp, whose nine-goal last quarter doubled the margin at three-quarter time.

Mellington’s best-afield performance means he has kicked almost two-thirds of the Bears’ goals for the season.

Playing coach Jake Wilkinson was next best, along with the consistent Justin Laird.

Will Daly continued his stellar form for the Maroons, while Tyler Constable and Sam Gale each kicked three goals to be among the team’s best.

Bears Lagoon Serpentine hosts unbeaten Marong this weekend in a massive match, while Newbridge will travel to Inglewood hoping for their first win of the season after a horrendous fixture in the first three rounds which has seen them face the Bears, Marong and Bridgewater.

It’s the round that will give a good indication of how the race for fifth spot could pan out and see a bit of clarity at the bottom of the ladder.

but the Panthers so far are proving me partially wrong. They did go down to Pyramid Hill in the seconds.

At home, Marong may just have the edge over Bears, likely to still be without bigman Nathan Twigg, who have shown they’re good, real, good, at going inside 50.

Inglewood has another river appointment, this time against Newbridge. The winner will move into box position to have at least half a claim to finishing in fifth spot. My tip is the Maroons by less than a kick.

And in the battle of Prairie plains wanderers Calivil and Mitiamo, the experience of Calivil’s Ant Dennis and couple of others are likely to be the difference.

The grapevine says Calivil can also expect to have ruckman Justin Hynes in the side for the match that could well shape the bottom end fortunes on the ladder.

The ol’ Oracle could return to a perfect tipping record or end up with a big fat zero come.

- GLENN CATTO

Marong’s Ryley Taylor about to be smothered. LH PHOTO

seniors

Bridgewater 6.4 13.10 19.14 29.17 (191)

Inglewood 3.1 4.1 5.4 6.5 (41)

GOALS - Bridgewater: L. Sharp 15, H. Conway, J. Martyn 3, H. McKinley, A. Collins 2, H. Donegan, J. Neylon, B. Alexander, T. Estrada. Inglewood: L. Marciano 2, T. Kilcullen, M. Conlan, B. Cauchi, M. Rowe.

BEST - Bridgewater: L. Sharp, J. Mayes, X. Walsh, A. Collins, B. Alexander, J. Neylon. Inglewood: L. Matheson, L. Marciano, T. Kennedy, L. Ford, S. Polack, D. Polack.

BL Serpentine: 4.2 10.2 15.4 24.9 (153)

Newbridge 3.1 4.4 8.7 11.7 (73)

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Mellington 15, A. Gladman 3, H. Gadsden, J. Rippingale, C. Gadsden, J. Bailey, J. Wilkinson, J. Addlem. Newbridge: S. Gale, T. Constable 3, A. Padbury, C. Dixon 2, J. Aujard

BEST - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Mellington, J. Wilkinson, J. Laird, J. Addlem, J. Bailey, A. Gladman. Newbridge: J. Hufer, K. Friswell, W. Copland, R. Cathie, M. McArthur, J. Aujard.

Marong 3.3 8.6 10.9 11.13 (79)

Pyramid Hill 5.2 6.4 8.8 10.11 (71)

GOALS - Marong: R. Wellington 3, R. Taylor, K. Robins 2, B. Stewart, L. Frankel, L. Lee, J. Davis. Pyramid Hill: J. Sheahan, B. Carroll 4, Z. Alford.

BEST - Marong: M. Willox, L. Lee, T. Davies, R. Wellington, M. Bradbury, N. Devanny. Pyramid Hill: B. Carroll, D. Hemphill, G. James, L. Sidebottom, Z. Alford, S. Gunther.

Mitiamo 2.4 6.6 9.7 11.8 (74)

Maiden Gully 3.1 7.4 10.5 12.6 (78)

GOALS - Mitiamo: A. Lloyd 3, K. Galvin, B. Laird, B. Baines 2, J. Matthews, L. Shiell. Maiden Gully: J. Farrer 4, L. Deslandes, T. Delahey, W. Farrer 2, W. Noden, T. Pridgeon.

BEST - Mitiamo: A. Cussen, R. Duncan, K. Galvin, A. Lloyd, D. Walters, B. Laird, Maiden Gully: J. Farrer, L. Deslandes, E. Crisp, M. Crooks, J. Worsley, W. Farrer.

UnDer 18

Marong

GOALS - Marong: J. Bird 5, K. Harris, W. Thomson 4, M. Lowery, H. Mannix, J. Taylor, T. Jennings, R. Kerr 3, J. McMurray 2, R. Hayden. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes 2. BEST - Marong: R. Kerr, H. Mannix, W. Thomson, K. Harris, C. Murphy, J. Bird. Pyramid Hill: B. Gibson, H. Goodes, L. Stubbs, J. Hercott.

Bridgewater

Inglewood

(40)

(73)

GOALS - Bridgewater: O. Clapp, J. Friswell 2, J. Pidoto, T Pidoto. Inglewood: K. McClellan 5, J. Luckman 2, D. Gilbee, A. Lamprell, T. Murphy. BEST - Bridgewater: J. Friswell, T. Pidoto, J. Pidoto, J. Hetherton, S. McMahon, O. Clapp. Inglewood: T. Lovett, E. McCoy, J. Luckman, M. Lonza, H. Noble, A. Lamprell.

seniors

reserVes

Marong

(62)

Pyramid Hill 0.3 6.4 9.5 11.6 (72)

GOALS - Marong: D. Blume 3, L. Gray, S. Taylor 2, J. Hall. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes 4, G. Quinn, N. Moon, M. Dingwall 2, W. Perryman.

BEST - Marong: F. Stewart, R. Gretgrix, L. Hale, L. Gray, Z. Justice, G. Dowler. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes, M. Gunther, M. Moon, J. Douch, B. Delamare, M. Dingwall.

Mitiamo 2.3 4.7 6.12 9.13 (67)

Maiden Gully 1.3 2.5 2.7 3.8 (26)

GOALS - Mitiamo: H. Danziger, C. Milne, J. Pianto 2, J. Rasmussen, J. Rawlings, K. Pentreath. Maiden Gully: C. Sungalis 2, D. Bice.

BEST - Mitiamo: N. Hicks, W. Draper, J. Rawlings, J. Pianto, J. Doherty. Maiden Gully: W. Anderson, C. Whitfield, D. Bice, K. Griffin, W. Donaczy, H. Clark.

BL Serpentine 2.2 4.7 10.11 13.13 (91)

Newbridge 0.1 4.2 4.2 4.3 (27)

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: C. Anstee 7, P. Simmons 3, D. Tineo 2, A. Edwards. Newbridge: I. Formentera, B. Butler, L. Oberin, R. Hipworth.

BEST - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: C. Davies, C. Anstee, D. McKay, Z. Stone, C. Tuohey, T. Clarke. Newbridge: J. Teasdale, O. Friswell, I. Formentera, B. Butler, T. Wight, A. Moore. Bridgewater 3.2 7.5 9.6 12.8 (80) Inglewood 2.3 3.4 7.6 8.8 (56)

GOALS - Bridgewater: K. Lukies 4, T. Naughton 3, M. Brooks 2, H. Terry, J. Campbell, A. Woodman. Inglewood: C. Dolan, S. Erharter, A. Lister 2, T. Stevenson, L. Harris.

BEST - Bridgewater: H. Terry, O. Horan, K. Lukies, A. Woodman, M. Brooks, D. Maher. Inglewood: D. Hogan, L. Harris, T. Kendal, J. Rouse, J. Sleep, A. Lister.

Bridgewater 3 3 0 0 0 384.88 12

Donald

GOALS - Donald: T. Grant, J. Potter, B. Grant, R. Young 3, A. Browne, H. Forrest, D. Kerr, H. Geddes. Nullawil: M. Farmer 3, R. Smith 2, A. Thomson, M. Wade, C. Fawcett, L. Caccaviello, D. Putt.

BEST - Donald: R. Barrack, T. Stevenson, D. Pearce, D. Kerr, A. Browne, D. Bell-Warren. Nullawil: J. Humphreys, M. Quigley, M. Farmer, M. Wade, R. Smith, Z. Caccaviello. Sea Lake Nandaly 5.5 11.10 16.13 19.17 (131)

Wycheproof Narraport 0.4 0.5 1.5

(12)

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: B. McInnes 5, M. Cahoon, L. McClelland 3, C. Noonan, W. Donnan 2, B. Weir, L. Martin, B. Poulton, B. Delmenico. Wycheproof Narraport: W. Allan. BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: T. Cox, W. Donnan, J. Poulton, B. Weir, B. Delmenico, A. Collins. Wycheproof Narraport Seniors: B. Bish, J. Walsh, M. Murgov, W. Allan, J. Marlais, C. Cox.

St Arnaud

Birchip Watchem

(38)

(109)

GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Caddy 2, T. Petrie, S. Driscoll, K. Torney. Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 8, N. Rippon 3, D. Reid, D. Bell 2, M. Buchanan. BEST - St Arnaud: H. Durward, Z. Phillips, S. Driscoll, R. Lempa, K. Torney, D. Gifford. Birchip\ Watchem: N. Rippon, D. Bell, L. Ryan, M. Rippon, M. Buchanan, J. Reid.

Charlton

Wedderburn

(42)

(98)

GOALS - Charlton: N. Thompson 3, B. Lanyon 2, B. Dixon. Wedderburn: A. Zelencich 4, T. Campbell 3, O. Holt 2, M. Lockhart, C. Lowry, M. McEwen, H. Lockhart, D. Jackson. BEST - Charlton: T. Fehsler, B. Lanyon, R. Woods, P. Soulsby, J. Thompson, M. Collins. Wedderburn: J. Jones, J. McEwen, O. Holt, D. Jackson, T. Campbell, T. Metherell.

reserVes

GOALS - St Arnaud: J.

D. Baldock, S. Male, H. McNally. Birchip Watchem: M. Berry 3, B. Colbert, B. Baxter 2, J. Ryan, L. Sirett, T. Wiantara, N. Ryan, S. Milne, M. Rickard.

BEST - St Arnaud: J. Needs, S. Elliott, L. Ezard, S. Male, R. Kirk, R. Newton. Birchip Watchem: N. Ryan, M. Berry, B. Colbert, J. Ryan, C. Lee. Donald

(18)

(144)

GOALS - Donald: J. Foott, B. Burke, J. Adams. Nullawil: A. Oberdorfer 10, S. Kelly, G. Forrester, B. Forrester, J. Coghlan 2, M. Trollope, M. Poyner, J. Perry, S. Nicholls.

BEST - Donald: D. Gowlett, J. Adams, B. Griffiths, G. Beckham, E. Landwehr, G. Morgan. Nullawil: A. Oberdorfer, J. Morrison, S. Hogan, D. Kelly, S. Kelly, J. Coghlan.

(20) GOALS - Charlton: A. Judd 7, D. Roberts 4, L. HolmesBrown, P. Sait 2, H. Sait, J. Dean-Gilley, J. Zagame, B. Roberts. Wedderburn: C. Lang, J. Piccoli, B. Huismann.

BEST - Charlton: A. Judd, B. Sexton, P. Sait, D. Roberts, L. Holmes-Brown, B. Roberts. Wedderburn Reserves: J. Hayes, A. Younghusband, R. Tonkin, C. Hargreaves, G. Payne, J. Van de Wetering.

(22) GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: P. Roberts 9, C. O’Sullivan 4, H. Harcourt 2, J. Stacey, J. Clohesy, J. Newick, T. Considine, C. Elliott, D. Bailey. Wycheproof Narraport: J. Coatsworth, J. Harrison.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Elliott, P. Roberts, B. Stadon, I. Durie, Z. Martin. Wycheproof Narraport: J. Coatsworth, W. Ringin, T. Allan, R. Botheras, J. Harrison, T. Mason.

UnDer 17

O. Huismann 2, E. Clarke.

BEST: Charlton: S. Zagame, I. Bourke, S. Olive, J. Bird, J. Monaghan, E. Soulsby. Wedderburn: L. Budge, D. Tansley, O. Huismann.

UnDer

14 Charlton

GOALS - Charlton: J. Nisbet, M. Fitzpatrick, J. Chamberlain 2, M. Boyle. Wedderburn: T. Clarke 1, BEST - Charlton: H. Ramsden, M. Boyle, J. Chamberlain, S. Good, H. Lanyon, T. McGurk. Wedderburn: C. Jones-Moore, B. Cramp, L. Martin, W. Huismann, N. Turnbull.

Donald 12.11 (83) d Nullawil 4.6 (30), St Arnaud 7.7 d Birchip Watchem 1.3, Sea Lake Nandaly 9.8 d Wycheproof Narraport 2.2

LoDDon VALLeY

norTH CenTrAL

Loddon HERALD sport

Thursday May 2, 2024

Awarded for the game’s most courageous players, Kennedy with tightly-contested tussles over four quarters with Bridgewater’s Sam Dewar

DYNAMIC DERBY

BOORT and Wedderburn face a tight and willing contest on Saturday to decide early North Central netball favouritism.

The two are first and second on the ladder; both have played and beaten Charlton - the Pies by 15 goals, the Redbacks by 16.

The outlier is that Boort have beaten Sea Lake Nandaly, while Wedderburn lost narrowly in a surprise round two defeat.

By GARY WALSH

The Loddon Derby prospect has Redbacks’ coach Emma Lockhart ready to test of where her side stands in a very competitive league.

“Boort looks like the side to beat along with Nullawil, so it will be a big challenge for us. We hope we can take it to them,” she said.

Lockhart expected the match

to be won in the tussle between Wedderburn’s goalers and Boort’s tough defence.

She said the core of the defence that took the Magpies to last season’s grand final remained in place this year, while their attack was still bedding in new players and was something of an unknown quantity after Boort’s only two matches this season.

Boort coach Georgia Haw said clashes with local rival Wedderburn were always tough, and she

expected strong opposition all over the court. “It will not be a blowout,” she said.

Boort had the bye last week, which Lockhart believed would be an advantage for the Magpies.

“It’s not so bad to have a rest,” she said.

Haw agreed: “It will definitely be good for us. We had a couple of little injuries, so the week off will help.”

CONTINUED PAGE 20

Nevins’ season in doubt

GUN Inglewood youngster Gabe Nevins faces months on the sidelines.

Injured in the Blues’ first Loddon Valley match of the season, doctors last Thursday confirmed he had a cracked fibula and cracked kneecap.

The two-time league under 18 best and fairest became a key player in the Blues’ surge up the ladder last year.

Still a junior, he quickly cemented his place in the senior side.

Club sources say Nevins faces at least eight weeks away from the training track and will be in a race for fitness to push for senior selection before the end of the season.

He has further medical tests scheduled this week. Nevins was one of two key omissions from Saturday’s Anzac weekend clash between Inglewood and Bridgewater.

Coach Fergus Payne was the other selection table omission for the Blues. However, he is expected to be clear for this Saturday’s clash against Newbridge

Gabe Nevins

LH PHOTO

INGLEWOOD ruckman Tom Kennedy was rewarded with the Eddie Harrison Medal after Saturday’s Anzac weekend clash against Bridgewater.