Loddon Herald 4 April 2024

THE world pumpkin paddling record has been claimed by Boort’s Bradley Haw.

Three days on the Murray River over Easter saw Bradley steer his hollowedout 352kg pumpkin from Torrumburry Weir to Thule Creek, near Ultima.

The 67km trip eclipsed the current record set in the United States last October by almost 4km.

Bradley and his support crew headed by Fred Assi are now preparing paper-

work to lodge with the Guiness Book of Records to have the feat officially recognised.

“The river level was low and I was hitting logs in the river. When we arrived at the river and saw how low it was, the river was barely flowing, my heart sank but we were determined to make the attempt,” Bradley said.

“The first day was really tough going and I tipped over a few times, making modifications to the pumpkin and we travelled 13km on Good Friday.

“Things got better on the second day and with more modifications travelled 20km. I was cramping and still working out a way to comfortably sit in the giant pumpkin.”

Bradley said the answer to paddling comfort was found - a yoga ball. “We placed the ball in the pumpkin and that had me sitting higher. Cramping and body stiffness was much less on the third day and that meant going on for more than 30km and claiming the record.”

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Alice Turnbull sprinting to victory in the race for fiveyear-olds (left) to one-time Rheola Gift winner and current Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt (above right), who caught up with Leesa Catto and Matt Catto, Easter Monday’s 151st Rheola Charity Carnival brought families through the generations back for the iconic country event to enjoy traditional games

storm clouds swirled

duced

Setting the record ... Bradley Haw

LH PHOTOS

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WEEKEND FORECAST

23

Inglewood Saturday 25, Sunday 23

Pyramid Hill Saturday 31, Sunday 32

Dunolly

Charlton

Neville plots next mission as trekkers wrap up latest run

NEVILLE White has helped raise $45,000 for Motor Neuron Disease research.

He has just returned home to Wedderburn after driving his 1973 Massey 135 tractor in the Two Rivers Run that started and finished in the southern Riverina town of Berrigan.

The annual tractor trek raising funds for charity and men’s mental health awareness will come to Victoria next year with Neville

taking up the co-ordinating role with several other regional participants including John Handley, of Natte Yallock.

“This year’s trek had 30 tractors, two jeeps and five back-up vehicles,” Neville said.

Tractors travelled for seven days with stops in Blighty, Conargo, Carathool, Darlington Point, Coleambally and Bolton.

They camped overnight on the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Rat-

hool Rivers. Auctions in the town towns helped swell fundraising coffers.

Neville said tractor trekkers were looking forward to coming to Victoria in 2025.

“We’re starting to map out a course that will be centred around the Grampians,” he said.

“We enjoy being together driving great old tractors and also raising money for a vital cause,” Neville said.

Final allocations

DRY conditions have meant no additional water allocations in the Loddon and Goulburn systems. Resource Manager for northern Victoria Mark Bailey said the low water reliability share for the two systems would remain at 77 per cent. “With this being the final seasonal determination update for 2023-2024, any further resource improvements in the remaining months of this year will contribute to water availability in 2024-2025,” he said.

First burn

FOREST Fire Management

Victoria scheduled its first Loddon planned burn of the year at Nine Mile Road, Wedderburn, on Sunday reducing fuel load across 42.54 hectares,

An extra hour

THE ‘lost’ hour of sleep can be regained Sunday morning when daylight saving officially ends in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Clocks will fall back one hour at 3am but if you fancy an uninterrupted sleep, change your timepieces before retiring on Saturday night.

On the banks of the Murrumbidgee ... some of the tractor drivers in the Two Rivers Run

Loddon HERALD Thursday April 4, 2024

Road crater shocker

By CHRIS EARL

FARMERS are calling for urgent culvert works and roadside maintenance as part of the fix on a flood-damaged Loddon road.

A large crater has expanded to almost two metres wide and up to 10cm deep on the Boort-Pyramid Road at Yarrawalla.

The road, used by school buses ferrying students to Boort and Pyramid Hill, has become a shocker, according to local farmers.

But Bradley and Matthew Moon say simply repairing the bitumen surface will not be enough.

“We’re using bigger pipes in the paddock than the culvert,” Matthew said.

He said any road repairs would only be a temporary measure.

The brothers said permanent fixes must include the culvert, roadside maintenance and attention to community drains in the area.

“The water is now not getting away quickly enough,” they said. “The drains used to be good”

They say a new box culvert should be part of the solution.

Sections of the Boort-Pyramid Road were badly damaged in the summer storm floods.

Residents in the area said that a truck carrying plate glass recently had its load shatter when driving through the section with a temporary 40kmh speed limit.

They have been told that Regional Roads Victoria will start maintenance works this month.

A crew was patrolling the road

on Good Friday. However, the Moon brothers said that without tackling the main problemsflow of water through the small culvert - crews could be called back more often.

Loddon Shire’s Terrick Ward

Street data

HI-VIS vests and surveyor tripods will be seen in Inglewood’s Brooke Street this month as work starts developing streetscape plans. Loddon Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said Bendigobased Tomkinson had been appointed to undertake site and feature surveys in Inglewood as the first stage in the project. “This survey will pick up heights of the kerb and the buildings to ensure that any base design is accurate. It will also pick up existing features such as pits containing service connections,” he said.

Job numbers

The number of new jobs created in regional Victoria has grown again and Victoria’s regional unemployment rate remains the lowest in the country at 3.5 per cent, reflecting the strength of the state’s economy, according to the State Government.

Stalled funding

councillor Dan Straub told councillors last month that he had been in further talks with North Central Catchment Management Authority about community drains in the district.

Another Yarrawalla resident, Jarrod Treacey, saw his home flood in January. He also raised concerns about the culvert’s capacity to handle flood water.

Restrictions to end but grassfire risk remains

FIRE restrictions across the Loddon Shire will be lifted from Monday.

However, the Country Fire Authority still expects the grassfire risk to remain across the state over the next month.

The CFA says Victorians need to remain alert and prepared. Total Fire Ban days could still be declared.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Gunning said reduced fuel loads across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee had allowed an easing of restrictions.

“We’re urging everyone to stay safe, whether you’re living in or travelling to high bushfire risk areas.

“Please monitor the conditions on hot, dry and windy days, as we may still see some days of elevated fire risk.”

The end of the Fire Danger Period in Loddon, Gannawarra, Campaspe and Yarriambiack will see more landowners burnoff but the CFA said it was important that

residents check that local conditions are safe before undertaking these activities.

“You must still register your burn-offs, check weather conditions and follow local council laws, as well as EPA laws and applicable regulations,” ACFO Gunning said.

“Registering your burn-off ensures that if smoke or fire is reported, the incident is cross- checked with our register, which prevents firefighters from unnecessarily responding.”

“When conducting burn-offs, remain alert and always have resources on hand to extinguish the fire.

\Landowners can register their burn-off online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511. If possible, landowners should also notify their neighbours and others nearby who may be sensitive to smoke so they can take necessary precautions.

Pumpkin paddler’s river record

FROM PAGE 1

“The greatest challenge on the final day was overcoming the stink of the pumpkin. It was beginning to rot ... they can only last about three days,” Bradley said.

“The smell was quite nauseating, horrible in fact, at times but I was determined to push on.

“The modifications to the top of the pumpkin had made it much easier to paddle and if the river had have been flowing would have completed the journey sooner and would have made it to Barham easily.”

Bradley said Fred’s role in the world record attempt had been key.

“We grew the giant pumpkins together

at my father’s property and he was with me the whole time for the river paddle,” he said.

“From the moment we put the pumpkin in the water on Friday morning, beside in the support boat and guiding me through river hazards and sharing the elation of exceeding the previous record,

“Fred was amazing. It was a partnership and hopefully the 67km journey will get official recognition.”

Bradley, the mastermind behind signs on the Treemendous Tree between Boort and Durham Ox, said he had been spurred to try for the world record because of the quirky use of a pumpkin.

Regional Roads Victoria was contacted for comment on the issue.

MALLEE MP Anne Webster has accused the Federal Government of stalling funding support promised for the electorate’s 12 councils. “Labor promised ‘fair increases’ to local government funding but instead of following through with those increases they have now opened an inquiry into the financial stability of local councils,” Dr Webster said

Bradley and Matthew Moon inspect the growing crater on Boort-Pyramid Road. LH PHOTO

Love our local!

COMMUNITIES across the region have raised almost $40,000 for the 2024 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal.

For Bridgewater’s Janey Clutton and Tyler Estrada, it also meant having their locks shaved two days later after Janey’s annual raffle surpassed last year’s fundraising total.

“I didn’t think we could raise as much this year so I said the hair could be shaved if we did. In the end we raised $2200 and Tyler, being such a good sport, said he would join me in having our heads shaved,” Janey said.

Happy

Saturday

One-time hairdresser and now Bridgewater Hotel owner Virginia Hyland pulled out the clippers to perform the deed, giving Janey a glass of champagne to ease nerves while heading straight for Tyler’s ponytail when he took the chair.

Youngsters were to the fore again in rattling appeal tins in local towns.

A large group of Pyramid Hill College students were out early on Friday morning before returning full tins to Victoria Hotel publican and local appeal organiser Paul Carter for counting.

Easter Bunny helped Korong Vale Fire Brigade members collecting around the town at lunchtime.

Inglewood brigade, where veteran coordinator Joe Watts was this year assisted by Elissa Wilson, topped the appeal totals in Loddon and surrounding communities raising more than $6000.

Tarnagulla brigade ventured to district towns, including Newbridge and Laanecoorie.

COLLECTIONS at Boort Trotting Club’s two race meetings have helped the town’s Amity Club again add to the Good Friday Appeal coffers.

Members Lynette Clarke and Margaret Piccoli spent several hours on Friday afternoon counting money collected in tins at local businesses over the past year.

They waited until later in the day to allow Lynette to compete in the town’s annual tennis tournament.

The two have been co-ordinating Amity’s efforts for the Good Friday

Appeal for almost a decade while the club’s involvement went back further.

Lynette said the trotting club meetings were the major contributors to fundraising efforts.

Boort Trotting Club was also part of a state-wide Harness Racing Victoria effort last year to support the Royal Children’s Hospital.

This year’s appeal raised a record-breaking $23,368,724 with regional hospitals, including Bendigo, to be assisted through the appeal for the first time.

Margaret Piccoli and Lynette Clarke. LH PHOTO

Pyramid Hill College students out collecting last Friday. LH PHOTO

Inglewood youngsters help the local fire brigade

LH PHOTO

Off with it ... Virginia Hyland shaves the locks of Janey Clutton (left) and Tyler Estrada. LH PHOTOS

Water change campers

MORE visitors to Loddon caravan parks are taking a water change, switching from the sea to local rivers.

Bridgewater caravan park lessee Kristy Hourigan said there have been a noticeable jump in bookings from people living in Ballarat, the Surf Coast and Mornington Peninsula.

She believes the Loddon’s warmer climate was aiding the increase in visitors to the popular river caravan park.

“And pricing too ... we’re more affordable than many locations along the coast,” she said.

“The Bridgewater park is also only a few minutes walk to the hotel or bakery while there are now not as many coastal caravan parks near these key shops.

“Bridgewater is certainly seeing campers wanting a water change. They like the warmer weather and less wind.”

Mrs Hourigan said the park was booked out over Easter.

“We’re also seeing a lot of bookings from Bendigo people who have discovered that Bridgewater and the park are in their back yard,” she said.

Bridgewater’s growing popularity has seen bookings increase 64 per cent since last year.

And the park is already at capacity for the March long weekend in 2025.

The story has been similar at Wedderburn, also managed by the Hourigans under a long-term contract with Loddon Shire.

For the first time, that park was booked out at Easter, reflecting overall booking growth of 42 per

cent in the past year at Wedderburn.

Mrs Hourigan said large family groups - some booking up to eight sites - had helped Wedderburn to capacity over Easter.

Boort was also at capacity last

weekend with overflow bookings allocated to near the fire brigade track.

Laanecoorie caravan park was another Easter weekend mecca with hundreds of campers arriving in the days before Good Fri-

day. And river camp grounds at Laanecoorie and Newbridge also had large numbers of tents and vans.

Bookings are strong at caravan parks during the current school holidays.

Give regions fair go in Budget: MP

THE State Government must commit to giving regional Victoria a fair share of new infrastructure funding, said Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad.

Ms Broad said many roads and bridges in the regions were in poor condition after years of neglect by the Government.

“Under Labor, just 13 per cent of new infrastructure spending has gone to regional projects, although 25 per cent of Victoria’s population lives in regional Victoria,” Ms Broad said.

“The State Government has failed to prioritise key regional projects and the Federal Labor Government are doing the same.”

Ms Broad urged the Premier to listen to expert advice, and rather than progress the flawed Suburban Rail Loop, commit to rebuilding regional roads and bridges in the coming State budget on May 7.

School council spots

BRENTON Henderson has been elected president of Boort District School council. Vice-president is Doug Perryman and treasurer Carl Chamberlain.

Bridgewater Caravan Park’s Warick Hourigan and his family enjoy the “booked out” atmosphere. LH PHOTO

Zoe Kirk, Zara Parry, Abbey Kirk and Ava Myer joined other youngsters for the Easter egg hunt in Newbridge on Sunday. LH PHOTO

Duck hunt season starts next week

VICTORIA’S duck hunting season will start next Wednesday with new bag limits for shooters.

Duck season opening will come just five days after this Saturday’s start to the stubble quail season that was announced last Thursday.

GMW acting Water Storage Services general manager Craig Kellow asked people to make preparations before going hunting at GMW lakes, dams, and reservoirs.

Duck hunting is allowed on Gouldburn Murray Water reservoirs including Laanecoorie.

hunting is prohibited. It is important hunters are aware of these locations before they visit.

“We have maps on our website showing people where hunting is not allowed, and we encourage people to get in touch with us if they need something clarified.

“Hunters will also need to get landholder consent to hunt or pass through private property that adjoins GMW land, waterways, and storages.

“We ask everyone to be considerate of other members of the public and the environment, and to make safety their priority.”

Acting water storage services general manager Craig Kellow said: “It is important hunters familiarise themselves with the duck hunting arrangements for the 2024 season.

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

Duck hunters will have a six-bag daily limit this year after the State Government decided to allow the shoot despite a Parliamentary inquiry last year recommending its abolition.

“Duck hunting is permitted at several of our lakes, dams, and reservoirs, but there are still areas at these storages where

The 2024 Victorian duck hunting season ends on June 5.

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

For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on about

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel:

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

For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on We are in this together, and together we will get through.

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

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

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

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

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Jon Chandler and Neville White had the teabags jiggling last Thursday when Wedderburn Lions Club opened its Easter driver reviver caravan on the Calder Highway. East Loddon Lions ran a reviver stop on the Loddon Valley Highway near Bears Lagoon.

PHOTO

THE NOT A BAD VIEW BIT

At the immersive BBC Earth Experience, you’ll see the world from an entirely new perspective. It’s not the only place this happens in Melbourne either. Just wait until you find the thought-provoking art galleries, boundary-pushing theatre and sporting events that ignite something deep inside you. Get ready to see and feel it all, all over the city.

ALLIANCE COMES TO TOWN

Protest roadshow claims rejected by AEMO and State Government

SUGGESTIONS from campaigners against the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line that Transmission Company Victoria is sharing landholder information with wind and solar farm companies has been rejected by the project company.

Farmers attending a meeting organised by the Wallaloo and Gre Gre District Alliance in Boort last Wednesday said that landholders in the western section of the proposed VNI West path were being contacted one week by wind farm companies and then the next by TCV.

James Bourke questioned the connection between TCV and the wind farm company.

However, a spokesperson for TCV’s parent company, Australian Energy Market Operator, said there was no sharing of information.

“Landholder information which is accessed from publicly available sources, is used by TCV to contact landholders within the draft VNI West corridor,” they said.

“TCV uses publicly available information to contact landholders within the draft VNI West corridor.

“We regularly share project information with local community

members and directly to landowners, including via land agents assigned to each property owner.

“This direct contact will help deliver a project with the best outcomes for landholders, local communities and all Victorians as our energy supply transitions from burning coal to renewables.”

And claims that last February’s sudden change of direction was politically motivated have also been rejected.

The original preferred option was to run the line from Bendigo to Kerang, including through part

of now-Premier Jacinta Allan’s electorate.

“The change to the VNI West project was following a recommendation from AEMO and followed a public consultation that received over 500 submissions and analysis of how best to minimise impacts on communities and accelerate delivery of the project,” a Government spokesperson said this week.

“New transmission is vital for securing affordable and reliable renewable energy for Victorians – VNI West will connect new

renewable generation into the national energy grid, delivering more affordable energy to Victorians all across the state.”

Ms Allan was not the premier when the change of route to the Stawell-Kerang path was announced and she “did not have any meetings with AEMO/TCV/ Transgrid and made no representations on the route”.

The alliance roadshow has also been to Donald and is in Moulamein this week.

Alliance spokesman Ben Duxson told the Boort meeting attended by more than 100 people: “We are one year into the battle ... the Government is steamrolling this project through.”

He and key member of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation St Arnaud branch Gerald Feeny were among speakers in Boort who called for conversation on other options to VNI West.

Rupanyup farmer and former Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weideman said a federal inquiry was needed into all renewable energy projects. Mr Weideman said nuclear and hydrogen options needed a proper plan as part of the future energy mix.

Last week’s Boort meeting lasted more than three hours with farmers again critical of AEMO and the State Government.

Assessment says VNI West better than Plan B

THE promised independent review of Professor Bruce Mountain’s alternative Plan B to VNI West was quietly released by the State Government on Sunday.

Professor Mountain, Simon Barlett and Darren Edwards had proposed upgrades to existing powerlines across Victoria.

However, the review by engineering company Jacobs found that VNI West “is the right solution and will play a crucial role in securing Victoria’s energy future and enabling the transition to renewables”.

The report said the proposal:

„ Underestimated both the benefits of the VNI West project and the challenges posed by the alternative set out in Plan B; „ Would require significant battery and other storage investments or additional new interconnection infrastructure to work, and does not account for this; and

„ Has its own risks associated with construction and operation that have not had sufficient technical assessment or community engagement.

According to the Government: “VNI West will also allow Victorian renewable generators to sell more of their power to consumers in New South Wales when it is not needed in Victoria.”

The review was commissioned by the Government.

First decent dump in two months

THE LODDON has had its first real rainfall since mid-January after up to 50mm was dumped across the region on Monday.

Inglewood copped two bursts of rain. The first came shortly after 3pm that saw twiggs and branches strewn across the Inglewood-Kingower Road and power supplies cut to the town. Somes stores were forced to close early.

The second dump came from 5pm and saw power supplies interrupted in all Loddon towns.

Residents helped clear the Calder Highway of a tree felled by the storm at Glenalbyn soon after.

Farmer reports were of patchy rainjust 23mm at Murphys Creek but more than 50mm at Inglewood and Fernihurst.

Boort residents said they received be-

tween 25mm and 38mm at opposite ends of the town.

Rain has been scarce in February and March with each month having just one day of recorded falls of 1mm in contrast to the heavy falls in early and mid-January.

Ben Duxson addresses 100 people at the Boort meeting last week. LH PHOTO

Jenny Sanderson and Amanda Kellog had Bridgewater Post Office and Bridgewater Bakehouse customers enjoying Easter last Thursday.

Window spot gives phone service hope

Sylvia Dorrington has told the Loddon Herald that phone and internet reception at her home between Newbridge and Marong is bad.

“It is appalling here. Most days it takes up to 10 seconds before I have any connectivity at all,” Sylvia said.

“Facebook photos take much longer and messages often don’t send.

“I have performed some speed tests and I have taken screenshots as proof of the slow speeds I deal with.”

Sylvia has also questioned the service realibility for electricity in the area.

“I live on the Bendigo-St Arnaud Road, the Wimmera Highway,and without fail if we get quite a gust of wind we are also without power for hours,” she said.

“So I could be dying here and can’t contact anyone at all. That’s a dramatisation I know but in this day and age where we are expected to do so much on line, the services provided to us are not adequate.

“Our rates increase every year but the

services are getting worse. Im sitting here by the window, as it’s where I get the best reception, with one bar of 3G and no power writing and hoping that the power of newspapers and people can create some change to this Newbridge to Marong area.”

Residents in southern areas of the Loddon Shire, including Newbridge, Laanecoorie and Rheola, continue to raise concerns about poor connectivity.

While a new tower was promised three years ago for Newbridge, no details have been released by the State Government about its service area.

A Loddon Shire connectivity plan is expected to be released this year after talks between council and Telstra. It will include mobile and internet assessments.

Troubled project finish delayed again

MORE delays are plaguing the troubled Pyramid Hill streetscape project.

A revised completion date was to have seen the $1.9 million project within months but Loddon Shire says the end date is likely to be September.

Work had been at a standstill in recent weeks. Council said the contractor had suffered an injury unrelated to the project.

“This has required treatment and a recovery period. The contractor is okay and has resumed work on site,” said operations

VNI West Community Drop-in Sessions

TCV is continuing to talk to landholders, local communities and Traditional Owners as we work to narrow the route for the VNI West transmission lines.

In April, TCV will run drop-in sessions to provide community members with information on key topics of interest such as the project’s planning and approvals process, route refinement, landholder engagement and next steps.

Experts on agriculture, environment and technical matters related to VNI West will be available to answer questions and share information in their specialty areas.

The sessions won’t be “town-hall” events, and there will not be any formal presentations – the casual format means that community members can visit at a time that suits them, and speak to the project team and subject-matter experts informally about aspects of the project they are most interested in.

Drop in at a time and location that suits you

16 April 2:30pm-7:30pm Kerang Memorial Hall, 4 Nolan St, Kerang 3579

17 April 2:30pm-7:30pm Charlton Hall, 11 Armstrong St, Charlton 3525

18 April 2:30pm-7:30pm Stawell Entertainment Centre, 59-69 Main Street, Stawell 3380

Freecall: 1800 824 221

Email: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Website: transmissionvictoria.com.au

The Railway Hotel

director Steve Phillips. Mr Phillips said the completion date was now September but no additional funds would be needed for the work.

Streetscape works include Kelly Park and Lions Park and a pedestrian crossing linking the two parks.

The $1.9 million project has been plagued by delays, including contractors finding decommissioned stormwater pipes and water supply mains. Work was originally scheduled to be completed last May.

THE large crowd at Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club’s annual community day has helped raise more than $1600 for the town’s fire brigade. Second lieutenant Ash Moon and club president Bruce Moon are pictured after CFA volunteers had wrapped up their shifts collecting gold coin donations. Funds will be used to purchase equipment for the brigade’s forward command vehicle.

A LODDON Shire resident says she is forced to sit near a window at her Wimmera Highway home to have mobile phone connectivity.

Carnival smiles from above

By CHRIS EARL

DARK clouds swirled around Rheola on Easter Monday - threatening to menace the crowd of more than 3000 who had flocked to the 151st charity carnival.

They dropped only a few sprinkly showers as it was buffered from the area away, as if the spirit of pioneers in the 1890s had decreed nothing would ruin the big day.

Matt Catto, the fourth generation of his family to volunteer at the event that raises money for health services in Inglewood and Dunolly, evoked the spirit of those pioneers during the official opening. “The pioneers are looking down on us and see that it is a good day,” he said.

“And we have a great future ... just look at the crowd today.”

Mr Catto, now president of the carnival committee, was joined by Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt who was given the honour of opening the 2024 carnival.

Cr Holt said the carnival had again attracted “an amazing mix of people ... young and old”.

Many had a connection with the district’s founding families, the 21st century generations switching from volunteer roles at the fundraising stalls to participating in competitions serious and novelty.

Among the serious was the tractor pull - all 36 beasts of agricultural strength taking to the red dust competition track, the course lined with people all day.

Back closer to the luncheon hall and entertainment stage, a busload of residents cared for by Maryborough District Health Service sat under a gazebo and nearby, Inglewood and Districts Health was enticing young carnival patrons to take a ride on the smoothie bike.

The two health services are big beneficiaries of funds raised at the carnival each year.

For those fancying a flutter

on races of the horse variety, there was the on-site bookmaker, moved to a new position for the first time in 35 years, according to carnival committee member Glenn Catto.

“Right opposite the public bar ... best the bookie has done in years,” he said.

Memories of the day were shared far and wide. ABC radio turned up to do a live broadcast - its first ever from Rheola - with

former Loddon resident Angus Verley among the show’s presenters. And a portable phone tower meant photos and videos were out there without contending with connectivity blackspots, again the clouds above separated to make sure Rheola 2024 was enjoyed in person and in abstentia.

Some came from afar, others from near to Rheola. Even the

mayor of neighbouring Central Goldfields Shire, Leisbeth Long, navigated her way through three of four council boundary changes to arrive in Rheola - alernating between her patch and the Loddon Shire.

Times may have changed since Gavan Holt as a teenage winner of the Rheola Gift danced with the belle of the ball but through stormy weather on Monday, the crowd had another big ball.

Big crowds watch the tractor pull at Rheola on Monday. Top: Carnival secretary Deb Hancock. Above: Alex Langley, Maddie Langley and Maddie Hendy. LH PHOTOS

Great food infusion

TRADITIONAL rustic cooking has hit the spot with customers flocking to Inglewood’s newest food experience.

Mara Gerbino and Vic Caruso are pouring their unfettered Italian passion into creating cuisine for every taste - from burgers, pasta and pies to cupcakes and slices.

And their new Inglewood CafeBakehouse is proudly sourcing local produce to mix with recipes influenced by their life experiences. The couple have been in Inglewood for just on a decade and jumped at the chance to ignite their love of creating great food when the opportunity came up.

30 years in hospitality. “We wanted to bring something unique and special to Inglewood,” they said.

“It’s traditional rustic cooking ... heavily infused with Italian influences and made with locally-sourced ingredients.

“We believe in quality food for locals, visitors and those making a stop in town and at reasonable prices.”

Vic has kept up the skills honed in Italy - only last month he made an annual batch of salami. “We grew our own pig this year,” he said.

Vic, who came from southern Italy to Australia as a 22-year-old, is drawing on experiences as a teenager with with uncles and cousins who were among the top chefs in Italy, Germany and Austria.

He ditched work as a construction site manager to start creating the Inglewood Cafe-Bakehouse dream with Mara, the Italian who has spent

And then Vic and Mara’s family were joined by friends in making, the traditional way, tomato sauce - 40 boxes of tomatoes from Geoff Martin’s farm at Bridgewater.

Geoff’s tomatoes are used in Inglewood Cafe-Bakehouse’s pastas and burgers with meat from Steel’s Butchers in Wedderburn.

Mara and Vic will also have pizza on the menu. Perhaps not the traditional, minimalist Italian way as Aussies like their pizzas with lots of toppings.

“For me, this is not a job cooking

in the kitchen at Inglewood CafeBakehouse, it’s a passion,” Vic says.

“Mara is the one who makes the great coffees - she always has - and was really keen that we started this new shop.”

Mara adds: “We are part of the town, we’ve lived here for a few years and our son goes to school here.

“We love Inglewood and Inglewood Cafe-Bakehouse is adding to the dynamic and the vibe of Brooke Street.”

Inglewood Cafe-Bakehouse is open late from Thursday through to Sunday nights for dinner orders.

Vic and Mara’s days start before dawn, preparing for the rush on breakfast

rolls followed by morning teas and lunches.

“We are a husband and wife duo experienced within the coffee making, food chefing industry for over 30 years all over the world,” they said “Inglewood has been our desired weekend away at our farmhouse location for a decade, now it’s also home for our cafe and we’re loving it.”

FACES OF THE 151ST RHEOLA CHARITY CARNIVAL

Wheel spins away at greatest show

RORY Wakefield’s enthusiastic voice epitomised the energy at Easter Monday’s 151st Rheola Charity Carnival.

He was among the army of volunteers working overtime to make sure thousands of people had a day crammed full of traditional fun while raising money for health services in Inglewood and Dunolly.

Rory spruiking ticket sales at the spinning wheel - the moment he had spotted the buyer of each lucky last ticket, it was over to Mitchell Catto, son of new carnival committee president Matt, to send the wheel spinning in a clockwise direction.

Rotations at an end, the pair called out the winning number - outdoing the carnival’s commentator armed with the microphoneand helped lucky punters pick their prize.

Throughout the day hundreds of volunteers were on the job. From early in the morning the gates were staffed to collect $10 admission fees from patrons for what Matt Catto says remains a family day of good value for money.

Elsewhere around the recreation reserve that was readied two days earlier for Rheola’s biggest event of the year, another army of volunteers was marshalling vintage tractors into the holding area ahead of the tractor pull and sheep were unloaded into yards ready for

their release to the more subtle and nuanced voice of farmers issuing instructions to trusty dogs tackling the yard trial course. The crowd was at its peak soon after 2pm when Lindsay Soulsby backed his farm truck into its customary place near the secretary’s office ready for youngsters to step up and impress judges, vying for titles that showed they were among the best dressed next generation at an event built on history, heritage and tradition. Tiny tots, juniors and the coveted Miss Rheola section had proud mums flipping out their mobile phones, some even able to share instant photographs on social media with Telstra having a mobile tower in action, temporarily taking Rheola out of a communications blackhole.

Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt recalled that as a 17-year-old winner of the Rheola Gift, he later had to dance with Miss Rheola at the town dance that evening, more than 50 years ago. Cr Holt was among many back at Rheola sharing memories, reconnecting with family and friends, on Easter Monday. It’s the way things have been for more than 150 years. It’s why, as Cr Holt said, Rheola Charity Carnival is a Loddon icon.

- CHRIS EARL

Grab a spinning wheel ticket ... Rory Wakewfield. LH PHOTOS

Miss Rheola 2024 Tshari Brown and Ely Shia-Isaac

Miss Tiny Tot River Duke, 3, with mum Claire. Master Tiny Tot George Kirby

Junior Master Rheola Logan McCallum Junior Miss Rheola Chloe Taylor

Indie Grumley, Will and Bree Isaacs and Wendy Wilson on the bazaar stall Jayden Soulsby, Morgan Lonza and Roly Leach selling sweets

Pie time - Georgia Harriott, Eloise Mason, Annie Mason, Pat Mason and Moni Mason

Janette Mason and Jane Sharkey

At the finishing line ... Graham Roberts

Tractor pull officials John Handley and Glenn Catto

Carla Rix and daughter Rix

WEDDERBURN COLLEGE FETE

Big, bright and shiny new toys

THE first or two new graders to help maintain Loddon Shire roads has arrived.

The $350,000 grader, based at the shire’s southern works depot in Newbridge, was delivered last week. It is part of a suite of major equipment deliveries this year.

Works manager Daniel Lloyd said this year’s delivery program was two in one, with some orders first placed in 2022.

“The second grader has just landed in Australia,” he said.

A new $230,000 replacement truck is due to arrive at the Pyramid Hill depot.

Council has also received four new truck-trailer combinations and two mowers each worth $130,000.

“At the start of each financial year we start a review of equipment and as quickly as we can, place orders, as there are long delays before deliveries are made,” Mr Lloyd said.

Council is pleased to be partnering with Make a Change Australia to bring their Expand Your Impact program to our Shire.

Expand Your Impact is a collaborative initiative designed to encourage locals to think a little di erently and grow success in any area of life. Participation can be via subscribing to receive resources; attending online workshops; joining a supportive network, or all the above. From March to June 2024, this program will be available to all Loddon residents, businesses and organisations free of charge. Residents are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to grow and succeed in any area of life. Expand Your Impact explores six key areas useful for making change happen:

 Vision: Discovering and rediscovering ‘what lights YOU UP?’

 Projects: Giving thoughts and ideas the structure to MAKE THEM HAPPEN

 Story: Creating YOUR compelling narrative, to ENGAGE OTHERS

 Audience: Identifying your audience and activating participation to ACHIEVE your goals

 Team: Building networks, growing communities and enlisting SUPPORT

 People: Working together e ectively for GREATER OUTCOMES

For more information on the project and to register to participate, visit https://makeachange.org.au/expandyour-impact

Adventure Bingo encourages residents to get active by walking trails across the Loddon Campaspe region. Through the initiative, participants spot points of interest listed on a grid during their walk and once they’ve spotted three items in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line, they’ve got Bingo! To complete the Healthy Loddon Campaspe Adventure Bingo, you can use your device or download the map here https://www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/hlcadventure-bingo-bridgewater

Sale or exchange of property by the Loddon Shire Council

Notice is hereby given pursuant to

Section 181 of the Local Government Act 1989 (Victoria) and pursuant to section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020 (Victoria) of Council’s intention to sell or transfer to itself: Canning Street, Tarnagulla, Victoria, 3551, being all that piece of land contained in Crown Allotment 11

Section 4 Township of Tarnagulla Parish of Tarnagulla being more particularly described in Certi cate of Title Volume 10502, Folio 050.

Should any person be a ected by, or otherwise wish to be heard in respect to, the Council’s proposed sale of land in this matter, you are requested to contact Deanne Caserta, Manager Financial Services on (03) 5494 1200 on or before 5pm Thursday 11 April 2024.

The shire’s new grader

Bridgewater Primary School’s Marley Hutchins on the rock wall. LH PHOTOS

Isayah Edwards and Dominic Ross

Violet Stephenson and Nada ZecInglewood Primary School’s Tilly Norman

Haven Derks, Bella Wilson and Freya Dean

Kalais Crees, Tate Lovett and Libby Norman

VINEYARDS across the Loddon are wrapping up vintage and preparing to showcase local wines at a major regional festival.

Black Wallaby Wines’ Dave Lawson said his yield had been above average and grapes were now being prepared for pressing and bottling.

“We’ve only one batch of fruit left to press,” he said.

“The white wine varieties and our rose will be bottled and released towards the end of the year and the reds bottled a year or two down the track ... giving them time to age. It’s a long game for the reds.”

The Bridgewater winery will join neighbour Water Wheel along with Turner’s Crossing and Newbridge Wines at the Bendigo winemakers’ festival in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, on April 13.

“We will have a designated Loddon area within the festival complete with one of the local pop-up food stalls Little Sangria,” he said.

“Loddon Valley tourism is backing the Loddon wineries at this big regional event to promote the region’s wines and hopefully attract more tourists to the area.”

Dave is a member of Bendigo Winegrowers’ Association committee organising the festival.

“With over 100 wines to explore, delicious food, engaging entertainment, and live music, it’s a day to discover and enjoy the best of our region’s diverse wine styles,” he said.

Dave said Black Wallaby would be bottling more wine under its own labels this year to meet demand.

The Australian wool market has closed lower last week, falling for the third successive series. After being forecast to be nearly 5,000 bales higher, after 6.4% of the offering was withdrawn prior to sale, the final amount on offer was very similar to last week, with 44,437 bales available to the trade. This week the sales in Sydney were held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This was the first time the auction has been held at the show since pre COVID. This provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Australian wool auctions to the lager community. The major downward impact on the market, was felt in the fine merino fleece types. The individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for 18.5 micron and finer, fell by between 20 and 61 cents. There was noticeable buyer interest in wool measuring between 19.5 and 21.0 micron, the downward movement in the MPGs in this range less severe, with some small increases recorded. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dropped 10 cents for the series, closing at 1,142 cents. The EMI continues to track down for the calendar year. The EMI opened 2024 at 1,212 cents, losing 70 cents for the year, a fall of 5.8%. The small reduction in the EMI highlights the stagnant nature of the market. In the twenty-nine selling days of the year, the EMI has only had a double figure movement on four occasions. For the 2023/24 season the EMI is trading higher.

The EMI opened the season (July 2023) at 1,126 cents. Since then, the EMI has risen by 16 cents, a modest 1.4% increase.

The oddments continue to trend higher, in contrast to the rest of the market. Strong competition pushed prices higher, the three merino Carding Indicators (MC) closed up by an average of over 6 cents.

Next week the market heads into the annual Easter recess. Sales resume week beginning Monday the 8 th of April.

Source: AWEX

MORE efficient shearing hands trained at industry workshops are bringing benefits to Loddon sheds as the sheep industry navigates a depressed market.

Glenalbyn’s Graham Nesbit last week wrapped up March shearing, putting 3100 poll Merinos through the shearing shed.

“While we had the same number of shearers, we didn’t use as many shed hands,” said Graham, who is president of the Victorian

Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch.

“Shed hands are getting better thanks to the shearing schools and the improved efficiency is allowing us to keep a lid on costs.

“The investment by contractors sending. shearers and shed hands to these schools is certainly paying dividends,” he said after wrapping up shearing.

Two schools will be held in the Loddon this year.

Time has arrived to canvas new options

By CHRIS EARL

THIRTEEN months have passed since the dramatic change of route was announced for what has become a highly controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project.

Proponents have made tweaks of a sort to early plans that will string the lines between Stawell and Kerang.

Australian Energy Market Operator, a majority “controlled” government entity with most seats at the table determined by the Federal and State Governments, has copped the brunt of criticism from landholders and communities along and near the proposed route.

When it comes to early consultation, there has been almost universal acknowledgment that it was appalling. Later efforts have been dogged by a combination of poor, late or what in some quarters has been labelled tokenistic efforts. What continues to rile is that engagement listens but may not hear.

Last week in Boort, a group from the western end of the route brought its roadshow to town. The Wallaloo and Gre Gre Alliance assembled speakers who outlined their concerns, frustrations, annoyances and at times sheer anger at the tactics they claim are part of the steamrolling approach through agricultural land to make VNI West happen and to heck with other plans, alternatives and consequences on livelihoods.

The narrative, tinged with the more dogmatic approach of people opposed to the Western Renewables Link on the other side of the Great Dividing Range, contained nothing new for people in northern parts of the Loddon Shire. We had heard it all before and from our own local people.

For these past 13 months, the plans and the counterplans, arguments for and against, have been well covered in the Loddon Herald. Barely a week has gone by in this time without a story or two on VNI West.

Emotive opposition had its place early on when, without warning, AEMO changed its preferred route, ditching Bendigo to Kerang plans for Stawell to Kerang. The real reason for change, it has been claimed, may have been more political than anything.

All along, it has been AEMO and its project entity Transmission Company Victoria that has copped

yOUR ONLINE WORDS

Connected to the world for a day

“The

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the flak. They have sometimes made themselves easy targets with missteps and giving free kicks to opponents.

But for any opposition to be truly effective, an alternative vision must be articulated. Nuclear and even hydrogen energy options have been put out there yet still need to be better explained and planned in delivery by VNI West and WRL critics. Unless they become more strategic, it will be easy for the Government in Victoria primarily, and in an overarching sense the Feds, to simply,ignore the voices.

And this leads me to consider how “well” the State Government has avoided engagement with local communities - 13 months and not a single on-theground effort to sit down with Loddon residents and talk about VNI West. Why? Surely this is not an example of contempt for country voters from a government, like all governments, that promises to govern for all Victorians?

The State Government, and remember the Premier Jacinta Allan is the local MP for part of the Loddon Shire, has been far from fullsome in explaining what role Loddon communities have in its grand design for renewable energy.

There are multiple solar farms approved in the southern end of the Loddon Shire including Derby and Campbells Forest, energy producing paddocks that were to have been built and connected to the grid. Still no movement on the ground. Loddon Shire is within a renewable energy zone. Without the full picture being painted that shows what goes where, how it connects, how can local people have any idea of the impacts - good and bad - on land and communities. The landscape of renewable energy is a canvas looking as patchy as predicted electricity supplies in the future after the rapid demise of coalfired power stations.

On one point, the roadshow that arrived in Boort last week is right. Nuclear and hydrogren can be part of the energy future. Governments at the moment appear fixated with a single replacement to energy creation. Do they have the will to be truly visionary with nuclear and hydrogen. A large degree of valour will be required.

POOR PHONE AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY CONTINUES TO ANNOY IN LAANECOORIE

Mike Akers wrote: Need it all the time, not for just one day That’s what the people are paying Telstra for ... unless they want to only charge its customers for one day a year? Telstra knows there’s massive black spots out here.

Anne Maree Fiscalini Hansen wrote: Only took 150 years, fantastic

news. I hope it’s been tested and can handle access by thousands of patrons at one time and doesn’t crash.

Dizzy Brett wrote: Can they bring the tower to Laanecoorie after.

Dizzy Brett wrote: Mike Akers, just got some marginally usable internet back after nearly 10 hours of nothing. Telstra should be putting one of those mobile towers at Laanecoorie Lakeside caravan park on weekends and holidays. Tthere would be close to 500 people here at the moment.

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Hongi is a traditional Maori greeting in which two people press what body part together?

2. Palomino is a variety of which fruit?

3. Eczema is a condition effecting which part of the human body?

4. What is the name of the building where a Salvation Army congregation gathers?

5. Stevland Hardaway Judkins is the birth name of which singer/musician?

6. Which organisation has the copyright ownership of the laws of cricket?

7. Londinium is the former name of which city?

8. Diabolism is the worship of what?

9. Loosehead is a position in which sport?

10. In physics, what term means the speed in combination with the direction

of motion of an object?

11. Name the four original members of The Beatles.

12. Which playing card has the nickname ‘The Curse of Scotland’?

13. In which part of the human body would you find the Eustachian Tube?

14. The first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia was opened in which city?

15. And in which year did this take place?

16. Linguine is what type of food?

17. What is a male ferret called?

18. The American jazz musician John Coltrane is famous for having played which instrument?

19. Who is the Roman God of thunder?

20. Which artist is reported to have the largest number of missing works?

ANSWERS

THE great raffle ticket scandal continues on the banks of the Loddon River. While the prez who was scooping the pool at twilight bowls was barred recently from joining the weekly swindle, things were still kept in the family. His good wife stepped up and brought home the goodies.

SAME pair rocked along for the Royal Children’s Hospital fundraising finale in Bridgey on Sunday. Five prizes were drawn in the big raffle and not once were the names of the previously unstoppable couple drawn out. We’re told they were under strict instructions to make monetary donations only.

LOOKING at lucky winners, we came across multimillionaire Richard Lustig of Orlando who has taken out top prize in lotteries a magnificent seven times.

DOING the rounds of a few Easter egg hunts, smart youngsters came up with the perfect excuse for quickly cracking the eggs. They were melting in the warmer weather, more than one said.

THE early Easter meant balmy weather. Over the next couple of years, there’s a few Good Fridays even earlier in March.

AND THE latest? April 23 which happens about every two decades when Easter falls with the Anzac weekend.

YOU know football season is close and serious when one of the doyens of the Loddon spent Easter avoiding lovely chocolate eggs. We have Poss, who’s got a big game milestone this season, put footy fitness before sweet indulgences.

1. Nose 2. Grape 3. Skin 4. Citadel 5. Stevie Wonder 6. MCC -(Maryle

bone Cricket Club) 7. London 8. The devil 9. Rugby 10. Velocity 11.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best 12. Nine of diamonds 13. Ear 14. Melbourne 15. 1901 16. Pasta 17. Hob 18. -Saxo phone 19. Jupiter 20. Pablo Picasso (1147 missing)

A look at Easters past across our region

History on the hop

By CHRIS EARL

WHEN miners and farmers arrived to settle in Loddon districts more than 150 years ago, Easter was one of the few “big breaks” in years spent toiling the land for riches.

They came from Britain and Europe, the traditions they observed growing up in countries on the other side of the world not to be forgotten.

The Christian element of Easter was observed and so, too, the coming together of families and friends in Loddon communities for displays of sporting prowess and the chance to stamp their mark in a new land.

Our local communities to this day have Easter events that have stood the test of time, headlined by the Rheola Charity Carnival on the calendar for more than 150 years and backed up by the bowls tournament in Wedderburn that is now into a second century and Boort’s tennis tournament approaching seven decades.

Newspapers held at the National Library in Canberra show how some Easter events are a continuation of the sporting character that has helped Loddon communities grow since the 1850s.

Of course, not all have been about sport. So, let’s take a look at a few Easter highlights over the past 170 years.

Back in 1891, there was an Easter Carnival in aid of Inglewood Hospital and the local benevolent asylum in Wedderburn with athletic races on the program and decent prizemoney to boot.

Just over a century later, and it was the big back-to weekend of 1998 in Wedderburn with celebrations including an arts and craft fair, a “genuine old time ball”, school reunions, the Easter street procession and market square stalls. And there was a concert featuring local artists.

They would have shared memories of the great “Easter egg” hunt of 1950 when rumours swept the town of a 30-ounce nugget strike just as trotters were arriving for the Easter racing meeting.

One newspaper report quoted First Constable A. Morgan who said in a telephone interview that no one seemed to know who had found the nugget, where it was found, or whether it had been found.

“I’ve heard of it being found in three different streets, and also in a place about three miles from town,” he said,

“It is claimed that two men from Korong Vale found a 30 oz. nugget. I know one chap from Korong Vale who has been here, but I haven’t seen him around lately.”

“Most of the diggers coming to Wedderburn now were experienced miners, he

said. Amateurs seemed to have given up hope of getting rich.”

Bruce Skeggs, a popular harness racing writer with the Herald and later a member of Parliament, was all over the new riches of Wedderburn when the harness racing club’s new half-mile raceway to be named Donaldson Park, was christened at Easter 1953.

Churches cashed in on captive congre-

grations at Easter. At Boort in 1887, sports in aid of the Church of Engand Building Fund were held and “have proved a great success. It was a splendid day, tho running track was in good order, and the contests proved very exciting, especially in the Sheffield and hurdle races, where the judges gave several dead heats, which had to he run over again. The proceeds are hardly known yet, but are calculated to be about £100, which is very good for a coutry district, and reflects great credit on the commuties and management”.

Also in the 1880s, there was a cricket match played between Boort and Kerang.

It was reported: “The Kerang team, having chartered a coach and four horses, started at an early hour in the morning, and, under the able guidance of Mr J W Taverner, Boort was reached shortly before 11am. Upon arrival it was discovered that the members of the Boort club were evidently dubious as to the chances of being able, unassisted, to cope successfully with their opponents, and had consequently secured the services of Rosser (the crack South Melbourne batsman), and Sherard, of Ballarat fame. Subsequent events proved the wisdom of this procedure as these two batsmen made the major portion of the runs compiled by the Boort side.

“Play was commenced at 12 o’clock. Mr R Calvert, the Boort skipper, having won the toss from Mr W G Moon (who captained the Kerang team), decided to go to the

wickets. Rosser and Sherard were the first to donthe pads, and, despite the excellent bowling of Alger and Stranger, runs came freely. With the score at 20, Alger succeeded in getting one past Sherard, who retired for a rapidly made 17. Gribbin filled the vacancy, but after obtaining four runs in a cricketer-like style. he was smartly stumped by Johnson off Malcolm’s bowling. Hynes followed, and after making six was clean bowled by Alger.

“The next man, Jackson, exhibited a sturdy defence, leaving Rosser to do most of the. scoring. This the latter was quite capable of doing, and it was not until 77 had been scored that he was disposed of by a clever catch from Fawkner at midon. the outgoing batsman had contributed 35. With the exception of Jackson (12) and Calvert (1), none of the others made any stand-the innings closing for 86 runs. Alger bowled remarkably well throughout, as a glance at his analysis will show; and Stranger, although not credited’with any wickets, was successful in keeping down the runs.”

Kerang made a good fist of its time at the crease “but owing doubtless to the dull evening light, and a manifest over-anxiety to score as quickly as possible, the wickets fell with great rapidity - the record being eight for 19, when the stumps were drawn. Boort therefore won the match by four runs on the first innings”.

In the years after World War One, Boort’s township improvement committee held an annual Easter sports carnival.

Only a few decades before the Boort tennis tournament started, Inglewood was conducting its big tennis event at Easter,

In 1925 the women’s doubles handicap was won by Misses M and K .J Anderson who defeated Mrs. Jennings and Miss Ashton,6-2 6-2.

Luck and timing were on the side of A Renshaw and Miss Harcourt in the mixed doubles final to be played on Easter Tuesday,

Carmichael and Miss Ashton had levelled the score in the final, only to forfeit the third and deciding set “owing to the departure the Melbourne train”.

In an era when football didn’t start until well after Easter, Pyramid Hill and Yarrawalla deferred their cricket decider of 1930 to avoid clashing with other Easter week events in the area.

Back in the 19th century, and more than 700 people flocked to the Terricks and Mitiamo races on Easter Monday.

And just a handful of years before the first Rheola Charity Carnival in 1891, a sports meeting was raising funds for the Tarnagulla Fire Brigade on Easter Monday.

Competitors pitted strength and speed against each other at the reservoir reserve.

One report said: “The day was very dull in the morning and, no doubt, kept many from rolling up as early as usual, but, before the procession left the town hall, the sun had dispersed the clouds, and a better day could not be desired. There were between 800 and 900 people on the ground in the afternoon, aud they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“The racing was very-close in almost every event, and the judge had some trouble in deciding who was the winner in some of the events, but he did his work well, and his decision was never disputed in a single instance. The concert in the evening was well patronised, the theatre being packed. The singing was excellent, many good amateurs taking part.”

Easter in Loddon communities has created golden history over the past 170 years.

If

about this exciting opportunity, please email Larissa Scanlon Larissa.Scanlon@vline.com.au

by 5pm Thursday 25 April 2024 F40861

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.

Grader Operator – Loddon Gold elds –ref.J/262



· Full-time, permanent position

 GOCOM salary $74,435.25$77,562.67 per annum plus employer superannuation

Payroll O cer – ref.J/263

 Full-time, permanent position

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

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn O ce Applications for the above positions close on Monday, 08 April 2024

Community Compliance Team Leader –ref.J/259 *Readvertised

 Full-time, permanent position

The Upper Loddon Cricket Association will be holding an extraordinary meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 15th April at the Bridgewater Hotel to discuss the future of its senior and junior competitions. All interested persons are welcome to attend this important meeting.

For further information contact

President Wendy Murphy ph. 0417338578

Secretary Michael Rose Ph. 0428509942

 Band 6 salary $87,987.51-$95,316.86 per annum plus employer superannuation

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn O ce Previous applicants need not apply.

Casual Early Childhood Educator –ref.J/123

 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

 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.

or 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.

RHEOLA CHARITY CARNIVAL RESULTS

TRACTOR PULL

Rubbers super classic open: TJ Nicholson 1, John Wright 2. Under 20hp: Russel Begelhole.

Under 25hp: Russel Begelhole 1, Belinda Paine 2. Under 30hp: TJ Nicholson 1, Alan Lendon 2. Under 35hp: Alex Lendon 1, Rob Heritage 2. Under 50hp: Ned Callow 1, TJ Nicholson 2. Open: TJ Nicholson 1, Murray Kennedy.

DOG TRIALS

Open (judge Ged Bibby): Chloe Latty (Kelvale Jazz) 156, Josh Latty (Kelbar Dennis) 153, Gary Sharrock (Guv) 145, Josh Latty (Woodja Ale) 134, Chloe Latty (Skyblue Connie) 118, Rob Hart (Duke) 116.

Novice (judge Rob Hart): Laurie Jardine (G.V Jade) 163, Ged Bibby Rouge (River Ed) 153, Michelle Whyte (The Lee’s Hairy) and Laurie Jardine (G.V Sandy) 144, Neville Williams (Yanto) 143, Kim Brasser (Kip) 116.

FOOTRUNNING

5-Year-Old: Alice Turnbull 1, Jack Gleisner 2.

6-year-old: Billie McNamee 1, Tex Harugtty 2.

7-year-old: Addison Wright 1, Blake Collins 2.

8-year-old:

Ivy Wickham 1, Fletcher Andrews 2. 9-year-old: Izzy Corker 1, Max Harper 2. 10-year-old: Holly Gleisner 1, Shem Cunico 2. 11-year-old: Kailey Kinsley 1, Nate Corker 2. 12-year-old: Lexey Hoober 1, Jackson Hoober 2. Rheola Gift: Charlie Sullivan 1, Will Soulsby 2, Henry Laussen 3. 70-metre: Will Laussen 1, Henry Laussen 2, Mia Schodde 3.

WOODCHOP

Novice underhand handicap: Adele Deverell 1, Dave Roberts 2, Reagan O’Toole 3. Ladies’ underhand: Adele Deverell 1, Georgie Anderson 2. Open standing block handicap Division 1: Clayton Draper 1, Scott Anderson 2, Rod Meyer 3. Division 2: Mark Hansford 1, Chris O’Toole 2, George Millman 3. Underhand handicap Division 1: Rod Meyer 1, Clayton Draper 2, Steven New-

combe 3. Division 2: Chris O’Toole 1, Mark Hansford 2, George Millman 3.

Ken Sutton Memorial Underhand Championship: Clayton Draper 1, Rod Meyer 2, Ian Newcombe 3. Two-man butcher’s block: Rod Meyer and Clayton Draper. Two-person cross cut sawing handicap: Adele Deverell and Mark Hansford 1, Rod Meyer and Clayton Draper 2, Scott Anderson and Dave Roberts 3.

Under 18 underhand handicap: Reagan O’Toole 1, Georgie Anderson 2.

Modified hot saw championship: Chris O’Toole 1, Pat O’Toole 2, Scott Anderson 3. Veterans’ underhand: Dan Hansford 1, George Millman 2, Dick Johnson 3.

CARNIVAL GIRL

Miss Rheola Carnival Girl (open): Tshari BrownBendigo. Miss Junior Rheola Carnival Girl: Chloe Taylor - Eltham. Miss Rheola Tiny Tot: River Duke - Alexandra. Master Rheola Tiny Tot: George Kirby - Geelong. Master Rheola Junior Carnival Boy: Logan McCallum - Carisbrook.

RAFFLES

Art Union: Joan Earl 1, Val Florence 2, Craig 3. Payne. Mini raffles - Chocolate hamper: Jay Lenay. Fruit Cake: Bev Walker. Easter Bear: Stacey Keller

NOVELTY

Bowling at the wicket: Riley Leach. Sheaf toss: Dave DeJong. Golf nearest the pin: Elliot Hallworth. Egg toss - seniors: Louis Holt (Logan) and Oscar Holt (Logan). Juniors: Jackson Hoober (Maryborough) and Isla James (Carisbrook)

PONY CLUB

Under 15 - Champion: Ella Parker (Pirate - Bealiba Pony Club). Reserve: Violet Stephenson (Sunny - Bealiba Pony Club). Under 18 - Champion: Victoria Heywood (Zarzoo - Bealiba Pony Club). Reserve: Abbey Gretch (Riddells Creek Pony Club). Open - Champion: Victoria Heywood (Fizz - Bealiba Pony Club)

Paul Mason, Ella Allasmom and Jock Catto check sprint race resuls. LH PHOTO

Charlie sprints to Gift victory

CHARLIE Sullivan became the latest member of his famiy to achieve success in the Rheola Gift at Easter Monday’s charity carnival.

The 13-year-old Maryborough student emulated the feat of brother Jesse back in 2018 and quickly added that he was the better runner in the family.

Charlie was one of five heat winners to run off for $300 top prize purse.

It was one of the biggest en-

tries in many decades for the premier amateur footrunning event at the carnival.

Veteran official Graham Roberts was again holding the finishing tape as Charlie broke through for his win.

Charlie has been a member of Little Athletics in Maryborough since he was seven and also runs in senior athletic events in Bendigo.

He said sprint races were his forte and had no preference be-

Sophie shows young, old can have fun

IT WAS an all-age affair for the Bealiba Pony Club at the Rheola Charity Carnival.

Just take, for example, eightyear-old rider Sophie DeJong, who confidently took to the jumps with her 22-year-old pony Gem, both decked out in matching pink My Little Pony outfits.

Sophie and a range of other youthful riders took part in Freshman’s showjumping, bush gymkhana and novelty events during the day.

Victoria Heywood was the star of the show, winning both the under 18 championship and the open event. Under 15 champion was Ella Parker.

Riders took part in a bending race, stake race, mug race and barrel race, along with a keyhole event and the showjumping. There was also a handy mount training Course comprising of 10 obstacles.

Events at the carnival were halted for more than an hour after a young rider took a nasty tumble when his horse suddenly took off at a canter.

A boy was taken to hospital by ambulance, amid initial fears he

may have suffered serious injuries. Fortunately, tests found no damage other than bruising, and he is already looking to get back in the saddle.

- GARY WALSH

tween 70 metres and the gift distance of 120 metres. “They feel the same to run,” he said.

Charlie’s training routine varies in regularity and challenge.

“It all depends on the day,” he said.

This year’s gift field attracted runners from across the region for one of the few amateur gifts left in country Victoria.

Carnival officials say the prizemoney is worth the effort for 12 or 13 seconds on the track.

Gippsland chopper stars with sharp carnival axe

AXEMEN – and women – from throughout the state put on an impressive show of strength and technique at the Rheola Charity Carnival on Easter Monday.

While numbers were limited because many elite axemen were in Sydney for the Royal Easter Show competition, entrants fought out 10 categories ranging from the novice underhand handicap to the Ken Sutton Memorial Underhand Championship.

Gippsland’s Clayton Draper was the star of the day, taking out the main contest as well as other events.

Entrants ranged from teenagers to 86-year-old Doug Hansford from Castlemaine, who took out the veterans’ underhand event.

Dick Johnson, 79, took part in the veterans’ chop, as well as sharing the master of ceremonies role.

He has been coming to Rheola for 40 years. “It’s a lovely day - a really friendly country show.”

However, Johnson said finding younger people to try the sport was becoming increasingly hard.

“We have the under 18s, but there are only two today,” he said.

“There are not many novices any more, so we’ve created different divisions so they can all have a bit of success.”

The logs were donated by Wimmera Axeman’s Association president David Coffey and his wife Sue, who also provided the memorial trophy for the main event.

And the entrants managed to create some nice firewood as well, with four metres of quality messmate selling for a bargain $200 at the end of competition.

- GARY WALSH

Sophie DeJong takes part in pony club events at Rheola on Monday. LH PHOTO

Charlie Sullivan takes out the 120-metre Rheola Gift. LH PHOTO

Rodda retains top billing at tournament

BOORT Lawn Tennis Club’s 65th Easter Trophy event attracted 226 players over the four-day championship, with entrants managing to dodge the worst of the fierce thunderstorms on Monday.

Tournament director Alister McDougal said players came from all over Victoria, with a couple of people with local connections flying down from Sydney to take part.

“The weather was on our side on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but on Monday we had to skedaddle off the courts for five to 10 minutes around 3 o’clock when the storm hit,” he said.

Defending titleholder Jarrod Rodda took out the men’s singles championship on Friday, winning 6-2, 6-1 over Travis Nagenthiran, who came through a tough threesetter to make the final.

Just two women competed in the ladies’ championship singles, with Allison Whitbread taking out the title over Kate Handley in a hard-fought battle, 6-4, 6-3.

Attracting more female players remains a struggle, McDougal said. “Even in the juniors, there are more boys than girls. For some reason or other, there always seems to be more men on the courts.”

RESULTS

Men’s Singles: Jarrod Rodda d Travis Nagenthiran 6-2, 6-1.

Ladies’ Singles: Allison Whitbread d Kate Handley 6-4, 6-3.

Veterans Mixed Doubles: Section 1: Carole Houlihan and Steve Doherty; Section 2: Allison Whitbread and Brett Inifer; Section 3: Carole Nyitrai and Steve Brough.

+60 years Veterans Mixed: Carolyn Thorn and Steve Moore.

Ladies’ Graded Singles: Gen Daly

Men’s Graded Singles: Section 1: Noah Low; Section 2: Eddie Wu; Section 3: Mitchell Soon; Section 4: Jeremy Soon; Section 5: Nicholas Fletcher.

Fast 4 Tennis RR Mixed: Section 1: Danielle Jones, Allison Whitbread and Michael Cannington; Section 2: Carole Houlihan and Glenn Weaver; Section 3: Anna Ward, Brett Hayes and Mitchell

Soon; Section 4: Karen Dzin and Hayden Becker; Section 5: Linda Fitzpatrick and Jackson Inifer.

Fast 4 Tennis Men’s Doubles: Section 1: Jeremy Soon and Mitchell Soon; Section 2: Luke Boyd and Jacob Tran; Section 3: Greg Bear and Stuart Gould; Sec-

tion 4: Brett Inifer and Jackson Inifer.

Fast 4 Tennis Ladies’ Doubles: Sec-

tion 1: Allison Whitbread and Gen Daly; Section 2: Susie Ward and Anna Ward

Family Mixed Doubles: Section 1: Riley Wagner and Jeannie Wagner; Section 2: Kody Whyte and Lana Whyte; Section 3: Evie Martin and Josh Martin; Section 4: Lucie Watson and Paul Watson.

Mixed Doubles: Section 1: Vikki Moresi and Ash Ross; Section 2: Charlie Telford and Jacob Tran; Section 3: Sandie Richmond and Josh Richmond; Section 4: Liliana Telford and Eddie Wu; Section 5: Anna Ward and Chris Ward; Section 6: Shelley Gross and James Gross; Section

7: Meg Weir and Matt Kane; Section 8: Tessa Sheahan and Harry Weaver.

Family Male Doubles: Section 1: Cooper Boots and Kevin Boots; Sec-

tion 2: Jacob Malone and Grant Malone

Family Female Doubles: Section 1: Piper

Boots and Nicole Boots.

Men’s Doubles: Section 1: Michael

Cannington and Travis Nagenthiran; Section 2: Ash Ross and Jason Nalder; Section 3: Gary Gibson and Ross Gibson; Section 4: Will Hetherington and Glenn Weaver; Section 5: Jack Daly and Nicco

Daly.

Ladies’ Doubles: Section 1: Charlie Telford and Allison Whitbread; Section 2: Gen Daly and Susan Kamau; Section 3: Linda Fitzpatrick and Maggie Geals

Boys’ Junior Singles: Section 1: Winner Riley Wagner, runner-up Brody Hooton; Section 2: Winner Connor Fletcher, runner-up Jacob Malone; Section 3: Winner

Toby Robe, runner-up Finn Byrne.

Girls Junior Singles: Section 1: Winner Abby Potter, runner-up Evie Martin; Section 2: Winner Nyree Hooton, runner-up Sophie Byrne

Boys’ Junior Doubles: Section 1: Winners Luke Boyd and Cooper Gooding, runners-up Harry Gibson and Brody Hooton; Section 2: Winner Archer Tolford and Crosby Whitbread, runners-up Finn Byrne and Toby Robe.

Girls’ Junior Doubles: Section 1: Winners Lucie Watson and Milena Golic; runners-up Indie Gouring and Abby Potter.

„ The Easter weekend tournament also included social activities, the highlight was the ferret races. Boort Tennis Club and volunteers also provided catering for the weekend.

Jarrod Rodda powers his way to retaining the Boort tennis tournament men’s single’s crown on Good Friday.

Ian Rodda is an institution at the annual Easter tournament where for decades he has been ready to assist players with racquet repairs. Ian was again kept busy of the weekend.

LH PHOTOS

Women’s runner-up Kate Handley

Allison Whitbread takes out the ladies’ championship

Travis Nagenthiran

World chief gives tick at centenary show

WEDDERBURN Bowls Club’s 100th annual Easter Tournament attracted about 200 participants, including bowls royalty.

Neil Dalrymple, the CEO of World Bowls, attended – and played – in the event, along with Pat Schram, president of Bowls Victoria.

Club president Lance Standfield said Melbourne-based Dalrymple finished second in his event on Saturday, “and made a nice financial gain”.

Understandably, the boss of world bowls expressed his interest in returning next year.

It was the first time Dalrymple had visited the Wedderburn club.

He had been CEO of Bowls Australian before taking up the international appointment two years ago.

He had previously been CEO of Softball Australia and Cricket NT in addition to holding senior management roles at Cricket Australia.

The pairs competition on Thursday attracted 22 teams, with Matt Vernon and Brian Daly from Talbot winning the event.

The triples on Friday was won by Wedderburn’s experienced trio of Laurie Witham, Alan Jackson and Andrew Casserta, while the Gold Letter Fours on Saturday was taken out by Grant Banks, Melissa Reid, John Cassatt and S.J. Malcom.

Standfield said the three-day tournament was such a success that some people were pushing for a four-day event next year. The tournament used to be run over a full seven days.

He was full of praise for the volunteers and donors who helped with the tournament.

“It’s a fantastic effort from our ladies and members who get in and help, and make it such a success,” Standfield said.

The season is not over for Wedderburn bowlers with its premiership sides about to compete for regional honours.

Wedderburn’s Allan Jackson shows winning form in the triples. LH PHOTOS

Golden Square’s Judy Brown plays sun smart

Donald’s Hunter Wingfield

Boort’s Joan Gibson

Phil McRae

Ruth Hall and Glenda Hunter enjoy play at the tournament

Pensive moments in the triples competition

Warmth at new home

On the wings and part of Thunder’s new action

FAITH Wattie-Reid is grateful that she is now home, among family. Her warm, loving football family.

The 20-year-old aspiring AFLW player has done it tough growing up in Bridgewater, living with her loving grandparents since she was nine, and sport has always been a big and comforting part of her life.

She began playing cricket for Bridgewater at nine and stayed there until she was 15. That was when her football career began with Kangaroo Flat junior women’s team.

Like most girls in rural and regional areas, Faith found she needed to travel to keep playing football, with small towns generally unable to field women’s teams, especially at senior level.

Last year she joined Golden Square in the highly competitive Central Victoria Football League, but for a range of reasons the move was not a success.

Faith suffered a serious ankle ligament injury playing cricket early in 2023, which impacted on her football season. As well, her beloved grandfather died after battling cancer.

“I had to stop football to focus on myself,” she said. Then, after finding full-time work at an Inglewood café, she felt able to “go back to my footy, go back to my cricket … go back to my normal sports life”.

Fate then intervened to see Faith move to the football club she now sees as her second family.

“My housemate (Laura Stilo) was going to join Bendigo Thunder, and I didn’t know whether I wanted to join her yet. It was a hard decision to make, with everything that was happening in my life,” Faith said.

“But I decided to just go to one training session and see how everyone is, what their training’s like.

“The first training came, last November or December, and it went pretty well, so I decided to go there. And I’ve loved it –they’re like my second family.”

Among the things that made Faith fall in love with Bendigo Thunder was the club’s flexible approach to training.

“Working full time at the café, I’m just wrecked after work, so I couldn’t go to training a lot of the time last season,” she said. This made it difficult to win selection for Golden Square which, in Faith’s view, placed a premium on success. “With Thun-

Words of Faith

By GARY WALSH

der, we just want to have fun. It’s girls footy, everyone wants to have a go. We care about our teammates. We care about loving the game,” Faith said.

Her new coach, Mick McInnes, formerly senior coach of the Echuca senior women’s team, has been happy to give Faith some leeway in her preparation for the season.

“The coach is really good about it, because he knows I live pretty far away at Bridgewater, looking after my grandmother’s place,” Faith said.

“He’s happy if I can get to one training session a week.”

She also praised McInnes’ teaching ability as a coach who explains why he asks his players to do something, rather than just demanding it.

McInnes has given Faith a new role on the wing, who has played all her football at half-back: “New team, obviously new coach, and he decided to put me on the wing, and said I did a pretty good job at it. And he’s very supportive with what’s going on in my personal life.”

Bendigo Thunder finished fifth last season, with a 5-7 win-loss record, one spot below Golden Square.

The league will look quite different in 2024, with three new teams in Marong, Sandhurst and White Hills joining the competition and Strathfieldsaye dropping out.

Powerhouse club Castlemaine is looking for its third premiership in a row, and it shapes as the team to beat once again.

For Faith, the key to growth and success is getting more players into women’s football, including at Thunder, which has only about 20 players on its books for this season. “Not enough girls want to play,” she lamented.

But Faith does, and she’s looking forward to using her speed in her new role, as well as her favourite football skill, tackling: “I can be pretty quick, but overall, I really love tackling. Everyone says I just tackle people out of nowhere.”

And her hope for the future is a mixture of the simple and the ambitious: “I want to get healthier, fitter – and I just want to get onto that stage, AFLW footy. And I’ll be like, ‘Look, I got there’.”

We just want to have fun. It’s girls footy, everyone wants to have a go. We care about loving the game

Faith Wattie-Reid ... relishing new opportunities at Bendigo Thunder

Loddon HERALD sport

Club switch puts light into life

Park date: Redbacks’ June debut looks good

WEDDERBURN legend

Adam Postle could play his 300th senior game of North Central football at the rebirth of Donaldson Park.

The multi-premiership ruckman and defender is just six games off the milestone that could coincide with the Redbacks’ first home game of the season on June 1.

President Chris Hargreaves said the club was hopeful the new Donaldson Park complex would be ready for the round seven clash with Birchip Watchem.

The league last week confirmed a revised draw that will see Wedderburn play scheduled home games at Sea Lake and Boort as Loddon Shire contractors work to make the $7 million Donaldson Park complex fire safety compliant.

The complex in Feburary failed tests needed to have an occupancy certificate Wedderburn also has the bye in round five.

Hargreaves said Boort and Sea Lake Nandaly clubs had been prepared to switch home games in the first part of the season while Wedderburn waited on extra compliance works to be completed.

The club is able to use showers and toilets for Thursday night training sessions and Hargreaves says alternative plans were being made for traditional post training functions until full use could be made of the new complex.