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Loddon HERALD Vol 1 No 19 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

RURAL CURBS EASE

COVID restrictions will ease in country Victoria from midnight.

Businesses can open their doors after a week of closure and outdoor public gatherings of 10 people will be allowed. Schools return but visits to the home are still prohibited. Junior sport matches can resume while adults can return to training only, libraries can re-open. Country people can only travel to Melbourne with a valid reason but Melburnians cannot travel to the country until at least after the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Masks are still be be worn outdoors.. Yesterday afternoon’s announcement came as Loddon

By CHRIS EARL

businesses are counting the cost of lockdown. Caravan parks and accommodation across the region had been left near empty, apart from a few campers deciding to stay put or workers engaged in local towns. Hotels and cafes had reverted to take-away menus or closed. While community transmission case numbers continue to rise and people are being urged to be tested and have the vaccine, Bendigo Health has no plans to resume mobile testing in Loddon communities. A Bendigo Health spokesperson said: “Bendigo Health is currently providing COVID-19 screening in Bendigo and last

week visited Cohuna. These regions were our focus over the past week as they had a number of exposure sites listed. At the present time we are testing in communities with exposure sites and where there is high demand. Victoria Hotel Pyramid Hill owner Paul Carter is critical of the latest lockdown. “I can’t see how this is the answer whenever there’s a breakout of infections. Locking down the entire state? “We will be living with this flu bug for many years to come if not forever,” he said. A host of local events scheduled for last weekend were either cancelled or postponed,

MORE REPORTS - PAGES 5, 12

MASKS ARE ROLLED OUT MORE than 2500 reusable face masks were quickly distributed around the Loddon as Lockdown 4.0 kicked in. The shire council packaged up supplies and placed them at all Loddon post offices where staff, including Bridgewater’s Kaylah

Jones, has stocks of free masks for local residents. Under current COVID restrictions, masks are required to be worn when leaving home. The State Government says restrictions will be reviewed but has not ruled out an end to Lockdown 4.0 today.

2 | Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021

Impact stories charting local care challenge

HE POPULARITY of our weekly trivia quiz, to use a bit of COVID parlance, has spiked again. Picking up from the earlier encounters with reader Glen (we’re still waiting for your “proof” on the longest Australian river btw), we’ve have earnest correspondence from Will who has a weekly ritual of not only doing the quiz but going into competition with a cousin over there in the Old Dart.

ust wondering who compiles the quiz each week, Will asked. Is the person an expat Pom lol? “I send it to my cousin in England each week and she invariably beats me, dammit!”

e told Will that this week’s quiz would have a very strong Australian flavour (check it out for yourself). He replied with much gratitude, saying: “That should level the playing field somewhat hopefully. My cousin actually compiles a quiz in the UK and she didn’t get the Fleetwood Mac question either. Must say I didn’t get the Captain Melville question some weeks back, and I have actually been up to the caves many times.” Good luck this week Will, and please do let us know the result of quizzical combat with your cousin.

here’s a website devoted to the history of trivia. First off, what is the singular form of trivia? Did you realise that trivia is the plural of trivium.

rivium” in Latin, means “triple way” = tri (three) and via (way). In medieval Europe, students learned the “trivium,” which comprised of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. After students learned the trivium, they focused on the quadrivium, which comprised of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. It wasn’t until the 20th century that people began to associate trivia with random factoids like we

do now. Specifically, in British aphorist Logan Pearsall Smith’s book, Trivialities: Bits of Information of Little Consequence, first published in 1902 and popularised in 1918, we have the first recorded use of the the term trivia as we think of it today.

o history of trivia would be complete without mentioning Trivial Pursuit. In 1979, Canadians Chris Haney, a photo editor for Montreal’s The Gazette, and Scott Abbott, a sports editor for The Canadian Press, invented the game Trivial Pursuit over a couple of beers at Haney’s apartment.

n the 1980s, Trivial Pursuit was outselling Monopoly. By the time Mr Haney died in Toronto at age 59, more than 100 million copies of the game had been sold in as many as 26 countries and in at least 17 languages, with estimated sales of well over $1 billion as at 2010. The 40th edition of Trivial Pursuit was released three years ago while fans rate the Harry Potter edition as the best ever to hit the market ... must have been pretty magical. Can’t wait for the COVID lockdown edition though! Share your stories with Over the Fence email loddonherald@gmail.com

THE impact of the Loddon’s child care crisis will be chronicled in a series of videos being filmed across the region. Keep Families Local campaign organisers believe the local stories of families and businesses will strengthen their campaign for State Government action in local communities. Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest, a member of the KFL working committee, said release of videos over the next fortnight would follow the launch of a petition by local MPs Louise Staley and Peter Walsh and an online survey. “Anyone who’s anyone, the committee is making contact with,” he said. Fellow committee member Maddi Postle said: “Lack of childcare and afters-chool care has a ripple effect of impact and we want that to be known.

“Whether you are a parent/ carer, business owner, community member, past community member or future community member ... we want to hear from you! “We are well aware that this will be a long and challenging project, but our first-hand experience of this issue is fuelling our determination.” The petition is being circulated across Loddon communities with reports of businesses filling a sheet a day in the first week each petition form has room for 12 signatures.

Government gives response WHILE the State Government co-funded Wycheproof’s Early Learning Centre opened this year incorporating family day care, a Department of Education spokesperson told the Loddon Herald: “Childcare is a Commonwealth responsibility and is funded through the Common-

wealth Government’s Child Care Subsidy. “The Victorian Government is responsible for kindergarten funding, and works closely with local councils and kindergarten providers to help ensure eligible children have access to a kindergarten place.”

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$2.5m grant kick starts centre THE State Government has announced $2.475 million for stage one of the Pyramid Hill Community Centre project. Tuesday afternoon’s announcement was welcomed by Loddon Shire Mayor Neil Beattie. “This funding will enable the delivery of Stage 1 of the Pyramid Hill Community Centre – an important project for the Pyramid Hill community, which will accommodate improved facilities including allied health services and dedicated area for our senior citizens,” Cr Beattie said. Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said funding

for the centre was through the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund stimulus Round. He said Stage 1 of the community centre project would realise the detailed design of the complete Pyramid Hill Community Centre project and lead to calling tenders and construction. The first stage of the project will include construction of: ● The allied health wing; ● Standalone senior citizens room; ● New toilet facilities; ● Renovation of the existing hall and kitchen; ● Expansion of storage for kitchen and user groups;

● Development of breakout space and associated landscaping; and ● Civil works required to install car parking, kerb and channel (McKay Street) and associated drainage infrastructure The project is among a suite of successful initiatives as part of this year’s Regional Infrastructure Fund – Stimulus Round. Under the competitive fund, regional and rural councils apply for grants. Mr Gepp said the Government was committed to ensuring the region had the support needed to move beyond last

year’s challenges and thrive into the future, helping to make it an even better place to live, work, visit and invest. “This project will mean even more to Pyramid Hill locals in the future and we are working hard now to deliver improved facilities and provide the much-needed economic boost our state needs,” he said when making the announcement. The stimulus fund is part of a $156 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, to help businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, support community projects and support councils to build infrastructure.

Treasured memories of a community worker THE INGLEWOOD community is sharing special memories of Lesley Morrison who tragically died last week. The 42-year-old mother has been remembered as a “pocket rocket” who unselfishly contributed to local organisations and helping people. Lesley, a mother to three, had been employed in roles at Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House and St Mary’s Primary School. St Mary’s principal Kim Carter said: “Lesley was involved in so many things, unselfish, hardworking and having a wonderful community spirit in everything she did, “She was not only on staff but also a member of our parents and friends association,” Kim said. “Lesley had a real passion to help. The whole community has deeply felt Lesley’s passing and is wrapping arms around (husband) Scott and the kids.” Jaspa is in Year 10 at Marist College Bendigo, daughters Olivia and Lucy are in Foundation and Year 1 at St. Mary’s. “We are showing them our love and our care,” Kim said. “This has really impacted the community. Lesley was a very special lady.” Kim said Lesley had recently been promoting involvement by the school community in next month’s Active Farmers’ Run for Resilience. “We’ll be taking part in force next month to honour Lesley,” Kim said.

VALE: Lesley Morrison “She could see the big picture and had a real passion to help.” Lesley had been employed as the school’s cleaner. Neighbourhood house manager Kim Hanlon said: “Lesley was a huge part of our neighbourhood house family as an employee, a board member, a volunteer.

More local participation aim of trade skill lift LOCAL schools have welcomed the extension of Victoria’s Head Start Initiative for trade skill training. Boort District School assistant principal Tom Bleicher said two 2020 students had now entered full-time apprenticeships one in agriculture and one in plumbing. A further two are participating in school-based apprenticeships this year, both in engineering. Mr Bleicher said Head Start helped in apprenticeship retetention and support after students finished school. Boort and Pyramid Hill College are among two northern Victorian schools named in the latest program extension. Pyramid Hill College Fiona Moon said

she hoped promotion of the program would encourage students to be part of a “fabulous program offering great pathways”. Northern Victoria MP Mark Gepp announced the expansion of the initiative to have 10 additional school-based Head Start staff to support the program, which will benefit students in Loddon Campaspe region, including Pyramid Hill College and Boort District School. There are 10 Head Start clusters established across 130 Victorian schools, with 54 staff employed by schools across the clusters. The new staff will be located at one of the cluster schools and servicemultiple schools.

“And she was an incredible wife, mother and community-minded person,” Kim said. “In everything she did, Lesley always went above and beyond, She was one out of the box. “We all have great memories of what she gave and she was always positive and that speaks so much of this beautiful person. “Lesley gave 110 per cent in everything and to everyone,” Kim said. ”After working for us in 2019 and 2020, including making sure we were providing services during the first months of COVID, Lesley then came onto our board. “A couple of months ago we were again able to employ Lesley for half a day a week. “She was a real worker and a doer,” Kim said. Lesley had also been involved in other community organisations including the kindergarten committee. Marist College counselling staff and teachers supported a number of senior students who arrived to hear the news on Wednesday morning last week. “Inglewood is a very close knit community and Lesley was well known and loved by many in our college,” the college said. Police are preparing a brief for the coroner after a woman, 42, died in Inglewood on Tuesday last week. They said emergency services had been called to an address in Belmont Street to reports of an injured woman. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

IN BRIEF Region caught up in state shortage VICTORIAN councils are battling a shortage of municipal building surveyors with Loddon Shire’s search now extending to six months. Loddon council’s director operations Steven Phillips said about 20 of the state’s 79 councils were on the lookout for a building surveyor. Mr Phillips said council had been trying to secure an appointment for six months. “We are fortunate our manager development and compliance Glenn Harvey is also a registered municipal building surveyor,” Mr Phillips said., “He’s wearing two hats at the moment and that puts pressure on. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we work through this situation within a state-wide shortage.” He said where possible, building applicants were encouraged to engage a private municipal building surveyor to avoid delays. “The building surveyor’s role is critical for development in the shire. Planning and building permits assist in ensuring public safety,” he said. Loddon is again advertising the vacant position.

Post office listed PAUL and Julie Davis are looking towards retirement with their Tarnagulla Post Office for sale. They have owned the local post office for 27 years but feel it’s now time to enter the next stage of life. Tarnagulla is the second Loddon post office to be listed for sale. Inglewood is also on the market where Trevor Ralph is looking to retirement after 40 years at the local post office.

Footpath works WORK has started on new footpaths in High Street, Wedderburn, after extended talks by Loddon Shire with Regional Roads Victoria.

4 | Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021

Hub issues recruit call

BRA-VELLOUS SUPPORT FOR MORNING TEA

MEMBERS of Inglewood Town Hall Hub are hoping to recruit new expertise as they look for a start to restoration of the historic 1883 building. Hub committee secretary Pauline Wellman said repairs and renovations had been identified as a second stage to hall works. “The building needs repairs to the roof, gutters, the windows and the clock tower,” she said. “There are parts of the building with leaks that need to be fixed.” Pauline said stage two would complete original plans for redevelopment of the hall. The first stage saw the addition of the community hub. “We are wanting people with expertise to join the hub committee as we discuss possible plans for stage two with the council.”

THE FIRST of the Loddon’s 2021 Biggest Morning Teas was held in Calivil last week. Locals raised $800 during the morning, including $307 for the Love Your Sister Charity through the raffle and trading table. More than 20 people attended the event for cancer research and support by the Cancer Council. Among activities was a decorated bra competition where Sue Pickles was among the entrants. Sue chose Christmas as the theme for her entry. “I wanted something happy and Christmas is usually a happy time,” she said. She also had a hand in an entry made by volunteers from the Pyramid Hill op shop. One of the major raffle prizes was a 44-gallon drum painted by organiser Jo Guthrie, depicting an Australian bush scene with a kookaburra. Staff at Boort District Health also participated in the Biggest Morning Tea with a special function for residents. In Inglewood, St Mary’s Primary School event was postponed because of COVID restrictions.

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

Jan Clyno (above) and Sue Pickles display their creations in the decorated bra competition at Calivil’s Biggest Morning Tea last week. They were among more than 20 people who attended the local fundraiser this year. LH PHOTOS

Council services

CARE partnership

during lockdown

Council is proud to be a member of the Loddon Mallee CARE partnership.

Council offices in Wedderburn and Serpentine are closed until further notice due to the 7-day lockdown across the State of Victoria. You can still call us on 03 5494 1200 or email loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au for assistance if required. Library agencies in the shire are also closed. You can still access online books, magazines, movies and newspapers alongside other online reasures via the Library website.

June 2021 Council meeting date change The Council meeting for June 2021 will be held on Thursday 24 June. This meeting will be held at the Loddon Shire Council Chambers, located behind the Wedderburn Council Offices, off Peters Street, Wedderburn, commencing at 3.00 pm.

Mayor Cr Neal Beattie Boort Ward 0427 552 468

Cr Wendy Murphy Inglewood Ward 0436 457 170

National Reconciliation Week (May 27 to June 3) is an opportunity to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land comprising the Loddon Shire area on which we live and work, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Barapa Barapa peoples. We pay our respect to the Elders of these communities past, present and emerging.

AFTER a few bumper editions, this week’s 12-page Loddon Herald continues to bring you local news from local communities. During the COVID uncertainty, we encourage readers to support businesses who advertise in our local newspaper. Some, at the moment, are unable to trade but please think of them when they re-open. We’ll be here each week, sharing your stories and ready to jump back in number of pages when “normal” returns. Importantly, everyone please stay safe.

CHRIS EARL MANAGING EDITOR

The Loddon Mallee CARE partnership aims to connect, align and support organisations, clubs and community groups in their commitment to forwarding gender equality in their communities and preventing violence against women. Interested organisations and community groups in the Loddon area are invited to join the CARE partnership. For further information: https://whlm.org.au/care-framework/

To find out more about National Reconciliation Week: Reconciliation Australia https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/ Reconciliation Victoria http://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/

Cr Linda Jungwirth Tarnagulla Ward 0428 259 082

Cr Dan Straub Terrick Ward 0429 236 399

Cr Gavan Holt Wedderburn Ward 0408 943 008

WEDDERBURN 41 High Street Wedderburn 3515

SERPENTINE 37 Peppercorn Way Serpentine 3516

T: 5494 1200 F: 5494 3003 E: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au

T: 5494 1202 F: 5437 8407 E: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au

Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.45pm

Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021 | 5

Hopes hinge on Queen’s birthday ACCOMMODATION and hospitality businesses have their fingers crossed for a “return to normal” for the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park owner Pauline Wellman said the lockdown was annoying “but perhaps unavoidable”. She said many campers had hurriedly packed up when lockdown was announced. “We have one couple from South Australia who made a mad dash home to avoid lockdown. They didn’t make the border in time and are now there isolating,” she said, “We had loads of cancellations and there’s a lot of uncertainty about this weekend too. We have the long weekend coming up ... like all long weekends, our busiest trading times. Here’s hoping.” Bridgewater Caravan Park manager Rhonda Reilly said she was staying positive about a re-opening date.

“We have five workers still camping here - they are engaged on some local projects - and one couple that left hoping to travel to Queensland to see family for the first time in 16 months, didn’t make the border in time and returned to see out lockdown in Bridgewater,” Rhonda said. “We’re fully booked for the Queen’s Birthday weekend so we’re hoping we will be open again by then. “In the meantime, we’re keeping busy with maintenance,” Rhonda said. At Boort Lakes Holiday Park, a busy weekend also turned into quiet times when the Fordson tractor group’s latest attempt for a visit to the town was thwarted again by COVID restrictions The popular Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve has been closed to camping during lockdown. The reserve is also in ongoing talks with Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning on solutions for treatment of effluent at the site.

Come in and see our Woolly Warmer of the Week

AN EMPTY SITE: Loddon caravan parks hit by lockdown.

Well drilled in remote learning SCHOOLS have quickly adapted to the return of remote learning. Pyramid Hill College principal Fiona Moon said: “It’s smooth and calm. We’re well drilled now.” Loddon schools have also had to adjust planned activities with last Friday’s East Loddon College drive-in theatre fundraiser on hold. The new lockdown meant postponement of Wedderburn College’s debutante ball for a second year with a new date likely to be in October. “This week alone we have had to postpone our Year 7 information night for

2022 and it looks like the Year 5/6 camp maybe on thin ice for two weeks’ time,” said principal Danny Forrest. “I was looking forward to the state-wide principals’ conference early next week, the first one for a few years, however it has been postponed until August. “We would just like to have a normal routine of daily in school instruction return as soon as possible. We hope the remote learning is just a short break and not extended too far into next week.” Schools have commended teachers, students and parents for their response to lockdown changes.

This week it’s our HAND woolly warmer. Made with pure Australian wool and wheat, these hand warmers are great to heat in the microwave pop on your hands to warm the cockles of your heart. Great for anyone who suffers from cold hands or poor circulation. Retail at $55 each

Order online at www.woollywarmers.com.au or in store at The Country Shop, Godfrey Street, Boort. Ph: 5455 2354

6 | Loddon HERALD Thursday June 6, 2021

Hunters want duck season extension

Dan Straub

DUCK hunters want the truncated 2021 season extended wikth COVID Lockdown 4.0 kicking in just two days after the season’s opening. Tandarra’s Dan Straub, who is president of Victorian Duck Hunting Association, said most hunters had lost a third of the season, without an extension to lockdown. Mr Straub said last week’s opening had given the Loddon an economic injection with hunters from Melbourne and Bendigo joining locals shooting on approved public water areas and with permission on private property.

But he said with the threeweek season effectively reduced, Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas had been asked to move the closing date out from June 14 to later in the month or even into July. “As a minimum, we want to reclaim the lockdown days,” Mr Straub said, “We feel there is the scope to extend the season until the end of June ... even into July. We’re waiting to hear what the minister says.” Mr Straub said the opening had been “a busy day”. “Because of the Wednesday mid-week opening, we weren’t

expecting as many as actually took time off work to hunt on local wetlands and private property,” he said. “The season’s opening brought people into the Loddon - to Dingee, to Boort and along the Loddon River between Bridgewater and Serprentine and along the Serepentine Creek at Durham Ox. “They spent money at local roadhouses and bakeries. “Lake Leaghur, where there had been a fresh influx of water, shot well and it was great to see many camping in these areas when a few of us travelled around on Wednesday af-

ternoon. I also had reports of groups at Laanecoorie. People took the opportunity to come to this region.” Mr Straub said some rural duckhunters had been able to continue with the season, recreational shooting classified as a recreational activity under the COVID 5km travel from home rule. “But that is a really a restraint and limits most people from participating in the season so far.” Mr Straub said good shooting was reported across the Loddon on opening day and there been no reports of protesters.

IN BRIEF

Tyler Douglas and Cameron Steel with their award-winning bacon.

Butchers bring home the bacon

AGED 50 AND OVER? COVID-19 vaccines continue to roll out to those most at risk. People aged 50 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at one of the selected vaccination clinics or at participating general practices. It’s voluntary, free and the best way to protect you and your community. Our Therapeutic Goods Administration continues to closely monitor the safety of all vaccines in Australia.

To find out where you can get vaccinated visit australia.gov.au or call 1800 020 080

A LODDON butcher has scooped the pool for its bacon in the Australian Meat Industry Council’s regional awards. Steel’s Butchers, Wedderburn, won gold with its middle loin bacon rasher in the the annual competition for north-west Victoria. The local business was also awarded bronze for its hot Italian continental and its traditional-style strassburg.

Pair on board LODDON pair COLLEEN Condliffe and Ric Raftis have been elected to the LEAD Loddon Murray board. The board oversees the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program established in 1998. Colleen was a graduate in the program’s first year while Ric participated in 2016.

Defibrillator installed AN AUTOMATIC external defibrillator has been installed in Bridgewater. The AED is at the town’s post office and was funded through the Inglewood Ambulance Auxiliary.

New citizen EX-PATRIOT Scot Douglas Eason became an Australian citizen in a ceremony conducted by Loddon Shire Mayor Neil Beattie last week. He is the eighth Loddon resident to take citizenship this year.

Chamber location

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

LODDON Shire Council last week confirmed Wedderburn as the location of its official chambers. Council meetings had traditionally been held in chambers adjoining council’s Serpentine offices. The new chambers, off Peters Street, provide greater space for attendance at meetings.

Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021 | 7

Local photographer Michelle Cail enjoys the exhibition.

Students, artists showcase works at exhibition return EAST Loddon Lions Club’s PhotoFest exhibition returned last week after COVID restrictions had cancelled 2020 plans. The exhibition featured works from local amateur and professional photographers and students from East Loddon P-12 College. Club charter and life member Ron Vinnicombe, who passed away earlier this year, was the main driver behind the annual event, planning and organising it each year with local photographer Shirley Hope and last week’s exhi-

bition featured some of Ron’s photos as a tribute to him. Club secretary Jo Guthrie said Shirley did an amazing job each year organising photographers to take part, collecting photographs to display and setting up the exhibition. “This year was no exception, she truly did an amazing job to pull it all together and put on a great night.” Also on display were craft works from East Loddon and Pyramid Hill College students and local artists.

8 | Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021

FEATURES OPINION | QUIZ

By ANNE WEBSTER THIS week, the frustration and pain of state-wide lockdowns is being felt once more in regional Victoria. The recent outbreak of the virus in Melbourne has led the State Government to implement a full state-wide lockdown. Businesses are shut, bars and restaurants are wasting stock, and kids are missing school, with many unable to learn home from home. Some people are unable to work, and those struggling financially will be unable to pay rent. Compared to previous statewide lockdowns, it’s easier to understand why the State Government has made this de-

PERSPECTIVE cision. There have been thousands of close contacts and hundreds of confirmed exposure sites around the state, including a football game in Cohuna. However, to my mind, the decision to lockdown all of regional Victoria still does not stack up. From the perspective of the Commonwealth Government, a trigger for consideration of a hotspot in a rural or regional area is a rolling three-day average of three locally acquired cases per day. This threshold has not been reached. In fact, we have not had a single case of community spread in regional Victoria. Deakin University chair in

epidemiology Catherine Bennett said evaluation of the growing data sets from previous state lockdowns is proving that they are an unnecessary safety net, only required in extreme circumstances. In relation to the current lockdown, she said there was no evidence showing why the restrictions should apply to regional Victorians.

TRACING The State Government indicated that its contact tracers have already managed to isolate 10,000 close contacts. This is an extraordinary feat, and this work will go a long way to containing the spread of the virus. We do

need to bring in lockdowns, but only for the people who have a real risk of exposure to the virus and that’s why our testing and tracing regimes are so important. We need to trust systems we have in place to handle these outbreaks, instead of resorting to snap lockdowns. This situation speaks to the absolute necessity of being tested if you display cold and flu symptoms and getting the vaccine as soon as it is available to you. No one can escape this virus, and we cannot afford to become complacent.

* Dr Anne Webster is the federal member for Mallee

LETTER TO EDITOR

Issue affecting our community Sir, I know that it is hard to recognise the plight of a situation when it is not your own, but I urge the Wedderburn community to consider the impact that lack of childcare and after school care is having on local families and businesses. We may then realise that the complexity of this issue is directly and indirectly affecting our whole community. We have been collecting stories from locals, present and past- because, yes, some families have had to leave, and the consequence of the current situation is confronting. Families are leaving town. Families are not able to afford the cost of living. Families are

travelling up to 5 hours return for childcare. Families are having to give up jobs. Families’ mental health is suffering. As these stories are to be taken to parliament by Louise Staley, I don’t wish to yet divulge the confounding data of how many (that we have heard from) have been severely impacted, but I was incredibly disheartened by the evidence. As someone who has lived in Wedderburn and participated in the community for most of my life, I thought I was well aware of the depths of the issue, however; I could not have predicted the enormity of struggle the lack of childcare has caused many families and individuals. We need to find a solution. As a community, we must pull our head from the sand and realise that by supporting

this cause, we are supporting the longevity and prosperity of Wedderburn. We have qualified, hardworking and enthusiastic mums, dad, grandparents and great grandparents in our community ready to contribute in the form of working, studying, volunteering and utilising community recreational facilities, but their ability to do so is greatly compromised by the lack of childcare. If you still are questioning how lack of childcare impacts you, I want you to consider... who is to take over your role on a committee when you’re ready to retire, who is to coach your children in sport, who is to study to provide a skilled workforce in your community, who is to open new businesses in town and who is to be employed?

Local working families equal a prosperous local community. Support us in preventing families from having to move away, to stay at home, to travel for care and to reduce work hours. Let’s Keep Families Local. We have formed a small group to steer this campaign, and we are under no illusion that gaining childcare and afterschool care is going to be a straightforward process, but it is absolutely possible. It has to be. Determined mums are not to be underestimated. Please sign the petition that can be found in businesses around Wedderburn. If you have been impacted, we want to hear from you.

Maddison Postle WEDDERBURN

1. Australia is home to the largest cattle station in the world. What is it called? 2. What is the name of the highway that runs from Darwin to Adelaide? 3. What is the highest mountain in Australia? 4. How many UNESCO World Heritage sites are there in Australia? 5. What is the largest desert in Australia? 6. What is the name of the train that runs between Sydney and Perth? 7. In which archipelago can you find Whitehaven Beach? 8. What is the smallest state capital in Australia? 9. What is the most populated state in Australia? 10. What is the main ingredient of Vegemite? 11. Which biscuit was sent to soldiers during the war? 12. Which cake is often referred to as “the national cake of Australia”? 12. Which town is known as the “cherry capital of Australia”? 14. Which pub classic is a meat version of an Italian dish? 15. Which meringue-based dessert was invented in honour of a Russian Ballerina? 16. Which famous Australian biscuit is produced by Arnott’s? 17. What is the equivalent of Vegemite in Britain? 18. What Australian fish means “largescaled river fish” in Aboriginal language? 19. What flower produced in Tasmania is used for ice-cream? 20. What colour are post boxes?

ANSWERS 1. Anna Creek Station. 2. Stuart Highway. 3. Mount Kosciuszko. 4. 19 sites. 5. The Great Victorian Desert (348,750 square km). 6. The Indian Pacific. 7. The Whitsunday Islands. 8. Hobart. 9. New South Wales. 10. Yeast. 11. Anzac biscuit. 12. Lamingtons. 13. Young, NSW. 14. The chicken parmigiana. 15. Pavlova. 16. Tim Tam. 17. Marmite. 18. Barramundi. 19. Lavender. 20. Red.

Regions without trigger points

Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021 | 9

Rains give sowing ‘best start in years’ MURPHYS Creek farmer Glenn Heather has experienced good seasons and bad in his 20 years sowing grain crops in the Tarnagulla and Newbridge districts. But he says conditions this year are the best he has seen. Glenn was last week sowing in his final paddocks after the district received another 25mm of rain. “The rain a few weeks back was well timed and then the follow-up has been just perfect,” he said. “There’s a nice bit of green around and some really good moisture in the paddocks. “And not just on the surface ... this latest rain has gone down to make ideal conditions for sowing. They are the best I have seen in 20 years.” Glenn has this season planted about 450 hectares of organic barley and 350 hectares of oats for hay. “We did the oats early. We like

IN BRIEF Weaning data DATA from a St Arnaud ewe and lamb evaluation will be discussed in the Agriculture Victoria Beef Sheep Networks webinar next week. Steve Cotton, of Dynamic Ag, and Agriculture Victoria mixed farming development officer Rachel Coombes will cover results from an on-farm demonstration that measured the outcomes for both ewes and lambs from weaning at 12 to 14 weeks, compared with commonly termed sucker lambs. Miss Coombes said the St Arnaud BestWool/BestLamb group set up an on-farm demonstration in 2019 to evaluate production benefits from weaning prime lambs. It was co-funded by Agriculture Victoria and the MLA. “The group were keen to explore and weigh up the impacts of weaning on live weights and dressing percentage, as well as seeing if the lambs had any setbacks.”

Glenn Heather loads grain for his next lap sowing paddocks at Newbridge.

Grain prices

to get them in as soon as possible,” he said. “And it was a case of watching the weather and getting the timing right to sow the barley. With a bit of luck, the conditions will mean a good crop.”

BIDDING to Tuesday for Boort Grain Co-op holdings: Wheat - H1 $285, H2 $285, APW1 $283, ASW $283. Barley - PL1 $242, SP1 $242, BAR1 $238.

MARKET REPORT THERE was a lift in lamb numbers to 14,500 while sheep supplies declined to a low 3500 head at Bendigo livestock exchange on Monday. There were some very well fed lines of heavy lambs available, however, there was a lot of mixed quality types in the trade and light lambs. Consistent fat cover and finish remains an issue for many lambs being sold off grass after the dry autumn. Two major export companies didn’t operate and other regularbuyers were quiet. There was virtually no restocking interest on light lambs and price falls of $5 to $15 were recorded over a lot of the lamb yarding with some of the best trade pens up to $20/head cheaper after selling strongly at Bendigo a week ago. The best pens of 24 to 26kg

heavy trade lambs made from $199 to $214/head. Lambs 22 to 24kg made from $188 to $200/ head and averaged 780c to 790c/kg cwt. The normal run of plainer trades, including the Merino run, averaged from 730c to 780c/kg cwt. There was a large spread of prices for heavy export lambs over 30kg, making from $231 to a top of $294/head. Mutton was the highlight of the market, with carcase averages for quality sheep lifting above 700c/kg cwt. The mutton sale was driven higher by a handful of export processors who were chasing numbers, with other buyers just watching on. Heavy sheep sold to animated bidding to reach a top of $294 for big crossbred ewes with a lot of sales between $220 and

$250/head. Heavy Merino wethers made from $200 to a top of $249/head.

Tandarra (64) $184, Wanalta Ag Colbinabbin (110) $182.

AVERAGES

David Wallace Mitiamo (166) $249, G & L McGurk Charlton (172) $235, G & R Dickinson Heathcote (75) $235.

CROSSBRED LAMBS G & K Weston Wedderburn (95) $298, M & M Ryan Kilmore (65) $280, GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (124) $275, Pascoe Farms Raywood (50) $272, J Osborne Dingee (42) $ 270, TB & B Cail Kamarooka $270, DG,CC & MG Sellick Woomalang (72) $259, YirrabbaPast Yea (117) $258, Russell Nicol Echuca (23) $257, C & C Reid Wycheproof (57) $255, Saxilby Park Past Kyalite (74) $250, GR Dobson Echuca (27) $246, WH Bacon Echuca West (24) $246, J Stone Eastville (11) $236, G Heath Nagambie (33) $230, EJ Cay & E Goerse Epsom (53) $226, Lombardy Ent Elmore (41) $223, Mirnee Partnership P/L Hunter (83) $217.

MERINO LAMBS Andshara Family Trust Berrimal (114) $223, Goudie Farms Woodside (52) $196, RO & BJ Pollock Bridgewater (55) $195, Link Ag Wycheproof (92) $195, BJ Taylor Tandarra (103) $192, James Taylor

MERINO WETHERS

CROSSBRED EWES MJ & BH Lloyd Echuca (20) $294, A & D Freeman Carapoee (31) $290, GR & KL Wishart Macorna (10) $258, J & L Cartwright Raywood (14) $256, W Riley Teddywaddy (28) $255, Goulburn Valley Water Shepparton (113) $255, Merrifield Partners P/L Raywood (22) $254, Jack McKinley Leichardt (18) $242, Milojevic Family Trust Echuca (18) $233, BV & EC Kelly Kilmore (45) $210.

MERINO EWES Guinan the Springs Mathoura (62) $243, Saxilby Park Past Kyalite (23) $235, PRS Farming P/L, Charlton (33) $230, K & R Carter Marong (25) $225, Braefoot Shepparton (30) $223, K & T Flood Shelbourne (20) $218, GB & CT Kelly Broadford (20) $201, G Nesbit Glenalbyn (35) $182.

CATTLE A small yarding came forward again this week at Bendigo. Quality and competition was very good and held very firm across the yarding from the previous market . Bullocks made to a top of $3.80 per kilo, Vealers sold extremely well reaching a top of $4.92 per kilo. Steers sold to a top of $4.68 per kilo. Steers: L & M Wright Huntly $2587.50, Minerva Run P/L Epsom $2264.17, Lombardy Ent Elmore $2247.75, Max Carson Calivil $1951.60, Frank Hill Heathcote $1633. Cows: Frank Hill Heathcote $1552. Heifers: H Butcher Kyneton $1740, D & S McQueen Lockwood Sth $1,635, Max Carson Calivil $1491, Frank Hill Heathcote $1,466.92. Bulls: R Caldwell Maiden Gully $1568.70.

MARKET REPORT SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

10 | Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021

Loddon HERALD CLASSIFIEDS Deadline - Tuesdays 4pm - Phone 0419 549 743 or email loddonherald@gmail.com DEATH NOTICES

HELLSTEN - Jean Passed away 27-5-21 Adored wife of John for over 67 years. You were the love of my life Pansie and you are forever in my heart. Best friends forever Love always, John

EMPLOYMENT

PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice of Application for an Exploration Licence (EL007629) Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 – Section 15(5) Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Minerals Industries) Regulations 2019 – Regulation 22(1) and Schedule 1

Louise STALEY MP LIBERAL MEMBER FOR RIPON

Shadow Treasurer | Shadow Minister for Economic Development LouiseStaley.com.au

LouiseStaleyRipon

LouiseStaley Authorised by Louise Staley MP, 177 High Street, Maryborough 3465. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

EMPLOYMENT

Name and address of applicant: Ironbark Mining Pty Ltd, PO Box 98, Mt Clear, VIC. 3350

HELLSTEN - Jean Passed away 27-5-21 Dearly loved and adored Mum of David and mother-in-law of Susan. Treasured Nana of Ben and Samantha. We will miss your smile and your wonderful sense of humour. Rest now Mum, we love you!

Contact details of applicant (for map and other information requests): Jason Fothergill. Telephone No. (03) 5327 2555. Email: jfothergill@ cgt.net.au Applicant’s website: Further information about this application is available at the following website or other location: www.ballaratgoldmine.com.au/exploration www.earthresources.vic.gov.au/licensingapprovals/have-your-say Details of the Application Application Number: EL007629 Locality of the land to which the application relates Wedderburn; see attached map. Approximate area of application 181 graticules

MORRISON (Fithall) Lesley June 9-2-1978-25-5-2021of Inglewood (Result of accident) Loving wife of Scott, mother of Jaspa, Olivia and Lucy; daughter of Bernice and Noel Fithall (of St Arnaud), sister and sister-in-law of Sharlene and David Bertalli; Glen and Emily Fithall; Brett (dec’d); Mark and Sue Fithall aunty of their children. Daughter-in-law of Evelyn and Mervyn Morrison of Powlett Plains; sister-in-law of Wayne and Tania Morrison; Tammy and Anthony Gray; Kelly and Duane Bough and aunty to their children. Granddaughter of Iris Farnsworth

RETURN THANKS

ROBERTS, DESMOND (Des) Ellen, Joan, Karen, Neil and the family would like to thank everyone for cards, flowers, phone calls, food and offers of help on the passing of Des. His farewell was overwhelming. Many thanks. Special thanks to Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Stephen Geyer and staff from Napier Park Funerals.

Date of the application 7th May 2021 Term the licence is applied for Five years Outline of proposed program of work: Initial exploration work will consist of oﬃce based activities collecting historic exploration, mining and geology information to develop a database of past work to assist in the understanding of geology and mineralisation and further areas warranting exploration. Assessment of communities and environment within the licence area will be undertaken to understand sensitive areas. Exploration programs of mapping, rock chip sampling and soil sampling with minimal impact to environment will be completed. Initial exploration work may identify areas for further exploration that may include drilling techniques. Should higher impact exploration methods be determined as warranted this will require preparation of Work Plans, Rehabilitation Plans, monitoring, auditing and reporting. Through the exploration process the Company will undertake Community Engagement, informing communities of planned and completed work. Access to any private land will require consultation and agreement with land oweners nd occupiers. Objections or Comments Any person may object or comment to a licence being granted by: a. putting the objections or comments in writing; and b. including the grounds on which it is made Objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to:

Careers at Loddon Shire Municipal Building Surveyor – ref no. J/99 A generous salary package is negotiable based on qualiﬁcations and experience of the successful applicant for this position. You will be supported in meeting your obligations to provide proper administration of the Building Act, Regulations and Council policies to ensure public safety. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, enthusiastic registered Building Surveyor to join a rural Council whilst still within an easy drive to major regional centres. The position is offered with the opportunity to be flexible with the offer of either full-time or part-time with some opportunity to work remotely for the right candidate.

Careers at Loddon Shire Loddon Shire has a proactive and enthusiastic workforce of approximately 200 employees. The Council is the largest employer in the municipality providing a broad range of services to the community. Loddon is now seeking applications for the following position from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a difference and help shape our future.

Mechanic – Workshop and Field Service – ref. J/97 ● Full-time permanent role with a fortnightly rostered day off ● Classiﬁcation – Mechanic – Workshop Field Service Tradesman – on commencement - $35.70 per hour plus employer superannuation Applications for this position close Monday 7 June 2021 at 5:00pm. For further information in regard to this position including a detailed position description please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisational Development Unit on (03) 5494 1202.

WANTED TO BUY

Further enquiries regarding this position may be directed to Glenn Harvey, Manager Development and Compliance 5494 1241. Assessment of applications for this position will begin on Thursday 17 June 2021. For further information in regard to this position including a detailed position description please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisational Development Unit on (03) 5494 1202.

USED SHUTTLE COLLECTIONS RING ED ON 0408 710 000

The Minister for Resources c/- Manager Licensing Earth Resources Regulation GPO Box 4509 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 It is recommended that objections or comments are lodged online to ensure timely consideration: https://rram.force.com/ObjectionSubmission

PUBLIC NOTICES

Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356 Other Statutory Requirements: a. Subject to other statutory requirements being satisﬁed, an exploration licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to explore and search for minerals in the relevant land, but does not entitle the holder to undertake mining. b. Further information regarding the requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken is available on the department’s Community & Land Use page: https://earthresources.vic.gov.au/community-andland-use

The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers by Newsprinters Pty Ltd McKoy Street, West Wodonga, 3690.

Loddon HERALD Thursday June 3, 2021 | 11

SPORT

WEEKEND OF BIG CLASH ... MAYBE

Career over

SPORTING clubs had been waiting anxiously for announcements on whether play will resume at the weekend. The enforced week off, expected to now be at least two, has given Loddon Valley top-tier clubs Bridgewater and Mitiamo some extra recovery time as players look to be fit. They had been scheduled to clash this Saturday. The top-of-the-table sides have amassed injuries to some key players in the first six rounds. Coming off a fortnight lay-off, the Mean Machine and Superoos will have put spark back into life if they allowed to take the field - the home team’s system versus the reigning premier’s skill. Both are undefeated. Bridgey has seen off aspirant Marong, Mitiamo another early season contender Pyramid Hill. Of other Loddon Valley games slated for the weekend, most interest would have centrec on the equally injury-plagued Pyramid Hill up against Bears Lagoon Serpentine. These would have been our tips:

PRE-LOCKDOWN ACTION - 21 players took the courts in last week’s Boort badminton competition.

NECK surgery has ended the football career of Pyramid Hill’s Matt Pollock but the respected midfielder is in good spirits. Pollock was hurt in a tackle just before half-time, in the Bulldogs’ clash with Marong last month and later transferred where he underwent surgery. Bulldogs’ president Bruce Moon said Pollock was keeping contact with the club and had been attending matches since discharge from hospital. Pollock was in his first year with Pyramid Hill, crossing from Leitchville Gunbower. “He had been a good contributor in our opening games,” Moon said.

Bridgewater v Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill v Bears Lagoon Serpentine, MGYCW v Inglewood, Marong v Newbridge In the North Central League, the improving Boort would also have benefited from the enforced break with an injury list that had mounted. The Pies had a hard-fought victory two weeks back but this weekend were to face the competition slayer Sea Lake Nandaly. While the Tigers would have started big favourites, the game had loomed as a yardstick opportunity for Boort to at least go part of the distance. Wedderburn did that a fortnight ago before the Tigers ran away in the second half. In this week’s draw, the Redbacks were up against Donald and should rebound well. And our tips for another “lost” round”

Wycheproof Narraport v Charlton, St Arnaud v Birchip Watchem, Wedderburn Redbacks v Donald, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Boort The Loddon Herald will update its website and social media pages with the status of the scheduled games as information is released by the North Central and Loddon Valley leagues.

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Loddon HERALD

sport

Thursday June 3, 2021

KEEPING ’EM FIT JOHN Vanston hasn’t put on a pair of football boots in 30 years but every Saturday he’s still helping players get on the ground. After a career that started in Inglewood, took him to Serpentine and South Bendigo, John is back as a trainer with Inglewood. John farmed at Salisbury West before moving into Bendigo and is a qualified myrotherapist. A knee injury ended his playing days in 1982 and he took up being a football trainer in 1989. He is a life member of the Serpentine and South Bendigo clubs. These days, John does his work from the sidelines, delegating on-field attention of players to his offsider Tanya Leach. “I hope we can encourage a few more locals to become trainLH PHOTO ers,” John said.

LIMBO TIMES By CHRIS EARL

NORTH Central league officials were to meet yesterday to decide the fate of last weekend’s round of matches.

A decision on postponement or cancellation was left in abeyance a week ago when clubs and board members assessed the implications of COVID lockdown 4.0 introduced last Thursday. Discussions could extend to this weekend’s round with the extension of lockdown restric-

Decisions loom on fate of ‘lost round’

tions announced by State Government yesterday. The Loddon Herald has been told clubs strongly rejected transferring last Saturday’s round - including the Loddon Derby between Wedderburn and Boort - to the football-free Queen’s Birthday weekend. North Central also has a scheduled mid-season break on July 3.

The decision on last weekend’s round of football and netball will also be observed by North Central Hockey Association, said president Angela Poxon. Meanwhile, Loddon Valley league confirmed late Friday morning that its matches scheduled for the weekend had been transferred to the long weekend. which had been scheduled as a

bye for all clubs - the only week off for the competition. In a media release from AFL Central Victoria, the league said a special board meeting the previous night had made the decision and in-principle adopted the AFL Victoria COVID Functional Framework. Under the framework, where an entire round of matches (up to three) is abandoned, no points or percentage are awarded to any team and the season recommences with the next scheduled round. If between four and six consecutive rounds are abandoned,

then the season shall recommence at the next scheduled round following a minimum seven-day training period. Following the announcement of Lockdown 4.0 restrictions from midnight last Thursday, AFL Central Victoria advised clubs not to train that night. Meanwhile in the North Central league, a merger of the Wycheproof Narraport and Charlton clubs has been overwhelmingly rejected at a meeting of Blues’ members. Befor the Charlton meeting, Demons members had given solid backed the merger proposal.