Loddon Herald 7 November 2024

CRACKING GROWTH

THE Bridgewater boom is on the cusp of acceleration

The final stages of Bridgewater Rise housing estate will be released for sale this month.

And the dormant Bridgewater Poultry site will bounce back into egg production next year with new owners promising industry leading biosecurity practices.

The double boost comes a fortnight out from a Loddon Shire push to attract new residents and grow housing development in local towns.

The two-day Loddon Lifestyle and Housing Showcase will be held in Bridgewater, pitched at developers and builders on the first day and potential home buyers on the Saturday.

Construction of the first new homes in stage one of Bridgewater Rise could start before Christmas.

“Of the 15 lots, 14 have been sold in under two years,” said McKean McGregor real estate agent Drew Stratton.

“That is a marvellous sale rate in these times and show that people are wanting to buy and invest in Loddon communities.

“Buyers have been young families wanting to stay in the area or move to Bridgewater, people looking for a lifestyle change and investors.”

Civil works on the shire’s biggest housing development have been finished and titles for the

By CHRIS EARL

15 lots were registered last week.

“The high demand for stage one has now seen developer Josh Cummins and his family consortium set the launch date of not one but the two final stages of Bridgewater Rises with 19 more lots available.”

When completed, the 34 new homes at Bridgewater Rise will increase the town’s housing stock by 17 per cent, according to 2021 ABS figures.

We want to be an industry leader for biosecurity with better practices, better equipment, animal wefare and comfort

Housing investment in Bridgewater is expected to be matched by industry after last week’s sale of the former Bridgewater Poultry in Fantasy Road, closed since 2019 after a salmonella and allegations of animal cruelty.

New owners Bridgewater Estate Eggs Property Pty Ltd this week started moving equipment into buildings at the site.

Among shareholders are the Trevanion family who own

One of

Southern Riverlands Poultry, established in Boort five years ago to supply free range chickens to Hazeldenes. Southern Riverlands now has capacity for estimated one million birds.

Michael Loader, a director of the Australian-owned Bridgewater Estate Eggs, said shareholders had extensive experiences in agriculture and would expand into egg production.

“We are spending a lot of money to get this up and running, to get operations and biosecurity right,” Mr Loader.

“We want to be an industry leader for biosecurity with better practices, better equipment, animal wefare and comfort at front of mind. We want to be the more than just ticking a box.

“Ideally, we will be generating income this financial year.”

Mr Loader said the egg production facility would initially have a staff of between five and 10.

Prevous owners of the site sold eggs under the Loddon Valley Eggs, Victorian Fresh Eggs and Country Fresh Eggs labels to major supermarket chains. The farm made up about 10 per cent of the national egg market at its peak. Closure saw a decline in enrolments at the town’s primary school.

Mr Loader said: “The site will be very operational within 12 months. We’re using local contractors to get things ready and you can expect daily movement on the site.”

still

original old homes,

1

and

The original home has 2 living areas with a solid fuel heater, 3 bedrooms (all original), and a remodelled bathroom for easy access of any elderly or disabled persons, Galley style Kitchenette. Being early 1900’s the home also offers an external Laundry along with a detached bungalow. A unique parcel of land suiting that savvy investor.

to $615,000

Inglewood’s

with massive development ability. On a grand,

Acre of land, with 3 Street frontages, the savvy investor has the potential of a 6-block subdivision with the old cottage,

front

centre.

Developer Josh Cummins and agent Drew Stratton

Loddon HERALD

Circulating in the communities and districts of Boort, Bridgewater, Dingee, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Laanecoorie, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn. Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.

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Brigades win bale battle

BRIGADES stopped the spread of a truck and hay fire on Monday, the first day of summer restrictions in the Loddon Shire.

Large bales were being carted on Blossom Hill Road, between Woodstock West and Shelbourne, about 4pm when hay burst into flames.

Woodstock West brigade was first on the scene with incident controller Trent Brister calling in support from neighbouring

brigades including Bridgewater, Inglewood and Eddington.

Crews stopped the spreading fire in a paddock and then spent more than an hour pouring water on burning hay.

Mr Brister said the truck, which was destroyed in the fire, was carrying an estimated eight square bales.

Fire restrictions for Loddon, Buloke, Gannawarra, Campaspe, Northern Grampians and Swan

Hill council areas started at 1am Monday. Restrictions for Greater Bendigo come into force next Monday.

Permits are required for burnoffs during the declared fire danger period and the CFA says farmers should avoid driving vehicles through dry vegetation in hot and dry conditions “even if it is not a total fire ban day, because of the risk posed by the hot exhaust system(s)”.

IN BRIEF

Landcare campaign

LANDCARE Victoria, the peak body for Landcare in Victoria, has launched an advocacy campaign calling on the State Government to invest $48 million into the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program over the next four years. Chair Jane Carney said that without longer-term and greater funding, the future of the program was at risk. “Critical to the success of Landcare are our 80 local facilitators and 10 regional coordinators who harness the power of tens of thousands of volunteers across more than 600 Victorian Landcare groups,” Mrs Carney said. “The funding the Victorian Government provides right now gets extended bit by bit, year by year and is not enough.”

More mozzie jabs

ELIGIBILITY for Victoria’s free Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine program has been extended to the Alpine, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield and Mitchell Shire areas. They join 20 other areas, including Loddon Shire, classified by the State Government as high risk areas for mosquito-borne diseases.

First hot timetable

PREDICTED high temperatures yesterday saw the first V/Line extreme heat timetable on the Swan Hill line. The mercury had been tipped to hit the mid 30s.

Firefighters extinguish smouldering hay bales on Monday. LH PHOTO

Crossed wires! Farmer gets mixed messages

TRANSMISSION Company Victoria’s release of its preferred easement for the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line has been branded a shemozle by one farmer.

Powlett’s Leigh Parry and wife Helen whose family owns irrigation property near Boort say they had mixed messages from TCV in the weeks up to last Wednesday’s announcement.

“On October 10 were told our property was in the easement, on October 15 we were told it wasn’t and then on October 23 we received a map showing eight towers on the property,” Leigh said.

“These letters have been contradictory and we still don’t really know what’s happening.”

“We have tried to get answers without success.”

According to Mr Parry, the line will run within 300 metres of a house on the property.

TCV said its process “to refine the initial 50km wide area of interest to a 2km draft corridor and now a 70-metre preferred easement has been shaped by 18 months of consultation with communities and individual landholders, along with field studies and technical and engineering assessments”.

VNI West program director Tony Hedley said: “Contacting

landholders over the past few weeks has been our priority. We’ve spoken with more than 180 landholders within the preferred easement and already had more than 30 follow-up meetings to answer questions on topics such as compensation, land valuation, land access, options to minimise impacts to individual farms, and to discuss the next steps.”

However farmer Barry Batters, an opponent of the project, says most landowners continued to refuse to put their signature to land access agreements.

According to TCV, its confirmed easement considered feedback including:

„ Landholders around Charlton, Glenloth East, Tragowel and Kerang providing information on areas of flooding in the 2022 floods which did not appear on public databases and maps.

„ Landholder advice on a property in the North Central section of the easement housing habitat for an endangered species population.

„ Concerns about the potential health effects of Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) expressed by residents throughout the region which helped inform adoption of a 300-metre buffer from all residences to alleviate this concern.

„ Areas such as Glenloth East and Murrabit West where likely expansion of intensive irrigation activity may occur.

TCV says the easement will “avoid where practicable” impacts to cropping and other farm activities, such as the operation

Disgruntled reference group members on verge of walking

COMMUNITY engagement for the VNI West project could face a major setback with a predicted mass walkout of reference group members.

The project has faced constant community criticism since the proposed route was abruptly changed more than 18 months ago, the Bendigo to Kerang option dropped and replaced with putting the line from Stawell to Kerang.

Amid anger that Australian Energy Market Operator was not consulting communities, the reference group was formed last year.

But according to Barry Batters, one of 16 members on the group, discontent is brewing.

“We’re not getting answers, TCV is not listening to us,” he told the Loddon Herald this week.

“The meetings are supposed to be sessions for us to get answers for our communities. We are there as the voice of the community.

“But we are not being allowed to discuss

anything other than how to make the line go through.”

Mr Batters also claimed minutes of reference group meetings were not always accurate and “reflecting the feeling of meetings”.

TCV has again called for expressions of interest for membership of the reference group that has a meeting scheduled for Charlton next week.

However, TCV is still to answer enquires about the bid for members and whether it wants an increased membership or to replace members who may resign.

One current member said: “At the moment, they’ll probably take anyone. The meetings don’t really achieve anything.”

TCV says that people wanting to ask questions are to right to reference group chair Claire Flanagan-Smith.

Although listed as an independent chair, Mr Batters said there had been questions raised about Ms Flanagan-Smith’s impartiality

- CHRIS EARL

Turbine talk blows at wrong time

LAST week’s release the VNI West preferred corridor and jockeying by wind energy companies to put turbines on farm land have hit farmers at their busiest time of the year.

With harvest underway across most of the region, Vaughan Toose his focus was on baling hay and getting crops off, not attending meetings and handling enquiries from wind farm proponents.

“The harvest is what matters at the moment. Not attending meetings,” he said.

Mr Toose also questioned whether there could be definite compensation offers for VNI West corridor landowners until there was a project partner.

The corridor will cross Mr Toose’s property.

TCV has called for expression of interest for a partner to build the transmission line and become its owner.

TCV’s Tony Hedley said: “The release of the preferred easement provides more certainty for many people, and means we can work directly with landholders in the easement to gain a comprehensive understanding of their land, farming operations and businesses. These conversations are important to help design the project while minimising impact to each property, and to ensure all landholders receive fair and reasonable compensation.”

of existing lateral move irrigators There are two locations at Tragowel and Meering West where further environmental, social and planning studies are required to better inform the selection of a single preferred easement.

New nesting place

PLOVERS have a new nesting spot in Inglewood. Their Hospital Street ground-level perch was disturbed during demolition of the former ambulance station last year. The birds have moved across the street this breeding season, laying eggs within metres of the hospital’s main entrance.

Fruit fly points

MURRAY Plains MP Peter Walsh says he is increasingly concerned at the ongoing breakdown of the state’s defences against a rampant fruit fly population. Mr Walsh says at a time when we should be ramping up the fight against this scourge of the horticulture industry, the system in Victoria is failing, and failing badly. He says he is “appalled” at the number of frontline controls points he has recently driven past which are “a complete mess”.

TAC support

PYRAMID Hill and Inglewood Football Netball Clubs are among 223 clubs named as grant recipients for the 2025 TAC Club Rewards Program.

Opponents of VNI West say most farmers on the route have signed a “no go” red form to keep TCV off their land

Federal minister maintains silence

INFRASTRUCTURE Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister continues to ignore questions about the National Search and Rescue awards.

Ms King, the minister responsible for the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority, has maintained silence to multiple enquiries over the past fortnight asking whether she will direct a review of the controversial citation.

She last year appointed Captain Jeanine Drummond as the authority’s board chair and oversees award processes.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said last week: “Everyone involved in this incident should be commended for their actions which ultimately saved a life. Nomination criteria and acceptance of nominations for the authority awards is a matter for them.”

Back off, SES tells critics

VICTORIA’S State Emergency Service

wants community criticism of unit receiving a national gong for a flood rescue performed by community members to end.

Members of the Marong unit were awarded a Australian Search and Rescue Awards last month for the January 2 rescue of a man from the swelling Nardoo Creek at Wedderburn.

The SES later acknowledged community heroes had rescued the man with a rope thrown to the man by an SES volunteer.

Calls for the unit’s professional volunteer award citation to be reviewed and include recognition of local heroes have been rejected by the Australian Safety and Maritime Authority.

An SES spokesperson said on Monday: “We are disappointed to see the ongoing criticism of our members in the local community. This is causing serious impacts to

the mental health of volunteers. Our dedicated volunteers work extremely hard to keep their communities safe during times of need, while adhering to VICSES protocols and policies when it comes to responding to emergencies.

“VICSES will continue to support our members and applaud our volunteers for their continued commitment to the service and to their communities.

“In addition to this, VICSES would again like to thank the community members who supported our members to enact the rescue at the time, and their efforts prior to our members arriving on scene. The situation was extremely dynamic and emotionally charged for all.”

SES said the six unit volunteers recognised for their efforts as part of the award, attended the ceremony held in Sydney. The trip was funded by the authority and SES.

Attendance at the awards would have cost an estimated $5000 based on current airfare prices between Bendigo and Sydney and standard accommodation costs.

In the immediate furore after the award ceremony, SES said its crew had been “integral in getting a rope” out to the man trapped in his vehicle.

“VICSES wants to acknowledge the significant role that several local members of the public also played in the rescue. We thank them for their response at a difficult and dangerous scene.

“The award-class in which our volunteers were nominated, was within the Professional Volunteer Award category for volunteers from a trained rescue organisation. “The intervention of the SES landbased swift water rescue crew was integral in getting the rope to the individual and saving the man’s life.”

Happiness is a girl after town’s morning drama

THE Pyramid Hill community is this afternoon celebrating an unexpected birth in the town.

A woman gave birth to a baby girl midmorning after stopping in the town. The mother and baby were safely taken to Bendigo hospital by ambulance.

The community quickly swung into action just before 10am when customers at the Coffee Bank were asked for blankets and towels.

“A lady came in and told us a baby was being born in the toilets at Kelly Park, asking for towels or blankets,” said local Lions club president Tania Quinn who was about to start the club’s regular meeting.

“Coffee Bank owner Janine Worth bundled up towels and I quickly went to the cafe and got more off owner Abi Umali.

SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2024 11AM — 4PM

“We got the towels to the toilet ... we couldn’t hear anything and then we heard the cry of the newborn.” Tania said a recently-retired midwife about to order coffee also helped at the birth as did former local CERT ambulance officers Vaughan Herrick and Rachel Cain.

“Vaughan was working at Millers Ag and Rachel at the supermarket. They quickly came to help.”

Pyramid Hill’s CERT team was disbanded by Ambulance Victoria last December.

“Vaughan and Rachel were good hands to have helping,” said Tania.

“Everyone pitched in. It’s wonderful news the mother and baby are well and we hope to hear news of their progress.”

Tania said locals also helped a man, believed to be the woman’s partner, while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Ambulance Victoria said it could not provide any other information on the early birth in the Kelly Park toilet block.

Dry winter behind channel thirst

THE irrigation season is shaping as one of the busiest in memory, according to Goulburn Murray Water,

The water business has delivered 373,000 ML of water since the season started in August, more than twice the average for this stage of the season.

Water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said the high demand was due to a culmination of factors.

“We have come off a few very wet years, which has meant our dams have been well-stocked and water availability has been high,” he said.

“However, a dry winter meant we received far more orders in the first weeks of the irrigation season than we would usually expect, and so far, the spring rains have also been minimal,” according to Mr Blyth.

Courting cuisine crowns

FOUR members of one tennis team have been crowned show stars.

Max Curnow, Helen Stone and her daughter Alyssa and Narelle Earl all took out major awards at the Bendigo Show last week.

The Woodstock team quartet had tested some of their cooking in opening rounds of the tennis season before wowing judges.

Max, 12, picked up three first prizes in junior cooking sections.

“I like cooking and do taste testing sometimes as I prepare slices and biscuits,” hj\e said.

The Year 6 student at Marist College Bendigo says biscuits are his favourites.

Alyssa had her big successes in the crochet and photography sections.

It was her second year of putting handiwork up for scrutiny by judges.

“I wasn’t expecting to do so well, It’s quite exciting,” said Alyssa who received sashes for best exhibit and most successful exhibitor.

Mother Helen also picked up prices in the novice photography

section, including a swag of section first places.

And Narelle was awarded most successful exhibitor in senior cooking plus best exhibit prizes for Anzacs.

Alyssa, Max and Narelle have also earned a place in the agricultural show regional finals next year.

Afternoon tea at the Woodstock courts last Saturday saw teams enjoying refreshments from top cooks.

Max’s choc-chip cookies were the big winner.

Poll result declaration

THE make-up of the new Loddon Shire Council will be confirmed tomorrow afternoon.

Victorian Electoral Commission officials counting votes in the Inglewood and Tarnagulla Ward polls at their Serpentine election office will head to Wedderburn to make the announcement in the shire chambers at 1pm.

Final votes and distribution of preferences were to have been finished yesterday.

Miki Wilson was ahead in the Inglewood Ward primary vote count last week and is expected to receive strong

preference flows from former councillor Colleen Condliffe that could see Wendy Murphy defeated after one term on council.

Second-time candidate Nick Angelo was leading the Tarnagulla Ward count from sitting councillor Linda Jungwirth, Carly Noble and Charmain Shepherd.

An induction session will be held for the new councilors before their first meeting later this month and elect the shire’s next mayor for the first year of the four-year term.

Driver’s minor injuries in rollover

A WOMAN was taken to Bendigo hospital Tuesday night after the car she was driving rolled on the outskirts of Inglewood.

Senior Constable Denis Farrell said the driver received minor injuries in the crash about 7pm on Inglewood-Dunolly Road. Emergency services attended the scene.

„ Thefts and attempted thefts have been reported to police in the past week. Among items stolen were a generator from a house in Tarnagulla Road, Inglewood.

Miki Wilson (left) and Nick Angelo lead the vote count

Courtside winners ... Narelle Earl, Alyssa Stone, Helen Stone and Max Curnow. LH PHOTO

Paralympian wellbeing talk at school

BOORT District School highlighted the importance of mental and physical health with their wellbeing day.

The school had a variety of health and community services in attendance for the day as well as a visit from Paralympian Col Pearse.

Pearse talked with the students about his disability and wellbeing. Pearse also brought in his Paralympic and Commonwealth medals to share with staff and students.

The Anglicare KIT Van also made an appearance during the day to provide students with the tools to achieve and maintain positive mental health and inform them of the help available if they are struggling.

The positive behaviours prize was drawn with Eliana Haw winning the secondary school prize and Daisy O’Flaherty the primary school prize

Large crowd attends anniversary book launch

MORE than 150 years of Wycheproof and surrounds’ history has been encapsulated by Alan ‘Prof’ Milburn.

Alan’s book, ‘Wycheproof and District the Way it Was’ was launched on the 150th anniversary of the founding of Wycheproof and celebrates the long history by preserving the towns past in physical form.

The book launch on Sunday garnered a crowd of over 100 people, who came to purchase the book and listen to Prof speak about how the book came to be. With assistance

from the Wycheproof and District Historical Society and Ken Arnold, the paperback includes parish maps, historical photographs and advertisements, documenting the history of the area, as well as businesses, houses, schools and institutions.

Accompanying the book launch, the local museum opened its doors to the public to view artifacts curated over the years including the the Wycheproof Shire volunteers autographed flag, containing the signatures of World War 1 soldiers

Minutes of reflection

SILENCE will fall on Loddon communities at 11am on Monday during Remembrance Day commemorations.

The November 11 services will mark the anniversary of the Armistice in World War One In Pyramid Hill, portraits of 17 men with a connection to the town who were in the famous Rats of Tobruk in World War 2 will be unveiled at the former RSL hall.

The portraits have been donated by the Descendants of the Rats of Tobruk Australia Association.

Ron Peacock will be guest speaker at the service starting at 10.45am At Molga, a service will be held at the local memorial organised by the local Landcare group.

President Bill Boyd said: “We will pay respect to these brave men who have fought for our peace.” Commemorations are also planned for Inglewood, Bridgewater and Wedderburn. In Boort, the service ar the RSL memorial will start at 10.30am.

RSL sub-branch president Paul Haw said: “It is important for us to celebrate and mark Remembrance Day ... it is all about memory. Remembrance Day is a day to honour and remember their lives and their sacrifices”.

Local Rats - Page 19

Paralympian Col Pearse talks with students at Boort District School

Billions trashed for cash

LODDON communities have played their part in putting one billion containers into recycling bills over the past year.

The first anniversary of Victoria’s container deposit scheme came as it was revealed four Loddon collection points had received 850,590 containers.

Almost 60 per cent of returns in Boort, Inglewood, Wedderburn and Pyramid Hill have been cans with cartons making up two per cent, glass 17 per cent and plastic 23 per cent.

The scheme’s north zone operator Visy said one billion containers had been returned through the scheme “reducing litter and putting money back into Victorians’ pockets”.

“The scheme not only benefits the environment but has injected nearly $100 million back into the community, including over $918,000 to charities and community groups through donation partners.”

Visy has 245 refund points across the Loddon, Mallee, and Hume regions and the inner north and eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

These return points include reverse vending machines, which offer self-service automated returns, over-the-counter refund points operated by local businesses and community organisations, and depots, capable of processing larger quantities of containers. General manager of the scheme for Visy Tim O’Donnell said: “The success of the scheme proves people care about the environment and love recycling. We’re honoured to have worked with local communities and partners to play our part in making CDS VIC the most accessible scheme in Australia.”

Victorians are recycling an average of 145 containers in each return, with more than 26 million containers deposited the week after the AFL Grand Final – the biggest week in the scheme’s first year.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said: “Victorians have gone gangbusters for our Container Deposit Scheme –saving one billion containers from landfill, putting $100 million back in their pockets and making it the number one scheme in the country.”

Retired Pyramid Hill farmer Arthur Kerr has celebrated his 100th birthday with family. Arthur now lives in Shepparton but was born in Canary Island and later moved to Pyramid Hill. Daughter Wendy organised a centenary party for family and friends in Bendigo last week.

Showcase unlocking new land

Loddon Shire’s largest residential land release will be officially launched at the inaugural Loddon Housing and Living Showcase, on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November, 2024.

McKean McGregor Real Estate who are representing the land development, will officially open sales for stages two and three for the Bridgewater Rise development at Loddon Shire’s two-day housing and living showcase event.

Following the success of the now-titled stage one, where 14 of 15 lots have already been sold, the stage two release includes 19 allotments priced from $208,000, with block sizes ranging from 838m2 - 1,192m2.

McKean McGregor agent Drew Stratton advised that there had been interest from both investors from outside the Shire and locals looking to downsize and remain within their community; with the largest interest generated from a younger generation of local families who are keen to build their family homes.

“Loddon has excellent opportunities for both young families and retirees looking to buy affordable land and build the home they want” said Drew Stratton.

“Relocation to a region with strong community connections, and stunning natural landscapes and waterways has been attrac-

tive to many kinds of buyers”. Specific information about relocating to and living in the Loddon Shire to assist interested families and couples to find out more about the region’s close community appeal, and what opportunities and processes are required will be presented at day two of the Loddon Housing and Living Showcase event.

Exhibitors at the showcase will include local builders, developers, real estate agents, local banks, and other community support groups. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss their questions with local experts and are encouraged to take the time

to experience the region by immersing themselves in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Loddon’s vibrant communities and exploring the wider region on the day.

The Saturday event will also provide activities to keep children entertained whilst parents connect with the variety of services available, including a jumping castle, free ice-cream and a Bridgewater Fire Brigade truck on site.

David Stretch, Loddon Shire’s Manager for Tourism and Economic Development advised that “Residential development in Loddon will interest people who are

looking to experience a more affordable, community and natureconnected lifestyle in a regional setting”

“Day one of the showcase event will ensure that future investors, developers of all sizes and current residents who are curious to find out more about their land potential, the value or process requirements for their existing property can connect with industry experts”

“Day two is for people who are keen to consider Loddon as their potential new home to find out what a life in Loddon could look like”.

All attendees on both days will

have an opportunity to connect with representatives from Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water, F.P Nevins & Co, Homes By CDLS, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Josh Cummins Land Surveyor, McKean McGregor, Property Plus, Tomkinson, Villawood Properties, other regional home builders and Loddon Shire Council’s Town Planners and tourism representatives.

The Loddon Shire Settlement Strategy estimates that the existing residential zones could accommodate more than 1000 new homes, presenting a unique and attractive opportunity for developers and investors of all sizes to consider Loddon for significant investment.

The Loddon Housing and Living Showcase will be held in Bridgewater at the Memorial Hall located at 37 Eldon Street. Day one is open from 1pm - 5pm and day two from 10am - 4pm.

Attendees can also enjoy complimentary barista coffee on both the Friday and Saturday sessions, and a free community BBQ on Saturday November 23.

More information about showcase, the Bridgewater Rise land release and registration for the event can be found at https:// housingshowcase.loddon.vic.gov. au/.

Register now for your free ticket and be one of the first 50 to receive a FREE double pass to Cork and Fork!

November 22 1pm - 5pm Saturday, November 23 10am - 4pm

PATRONS crammed Inglewood’s Empire State Hotel on Tuesday hoping a gallant winning knight would bring fortune from their annual Melbourne Cup flutter. While Knight’s Choice greeted the judge at Flemington, local punters who had eyes glued to television screens were left mustering laughs and muttering optimistic words of “well, maybe next year” after their fancies fell short at the finish line. LH PHOTO

School crossing safety warning

STUDENTS and motorists have asked to take greater care at the Hospital Street crossing outside Wedderburn College.

Principal Danny Forrest said primary school students had been reminded how to use the school crossing safely.

Mr Forrest said the school had also reinforced the importance of wearing helmets while riding bikes and scooters.

“It is an unmanned crossing and we need drivers and students to do the right thing,” Mr Forrest said.

“The police have also been in contact recently and will be patrolling the area a lot more.

“Please don’t be relaxed about our stu-

dents safety as today while watching the crossing, a vehicle stopped illegally in the middle of the road when parking was available 10 metres away.”

Mr Forrest also said: “Disappointingly there have been a number of near ‘misses’ recently around town that have been reported to members of staff due to lack of care and safety awareness. In particular around the Hospital Street and Chapel Street intersection.

“We know accidents can happen but please take the risk out of these fun activities. We want everyone to be safe,” he said. Police can fine bike and scooter riders for not wearing an approved bicycle helmet.

RESTORING OUR RIVERS 2024

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - NOW OPEN

REF: ATM_2024_2750

The Australian Government, represented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to sell water from water rights owners the Southern Connected Murray-Darling Basin who were not eligible for the Restoring Our Rivers: 2024 Selected Catchments Open Tender. This includes water right owners from within Irrigation Infrastructure Operator areas

The expressions of interest will close soon at 12 midday AEDT, 27 November 2024.

LIST OF CATCHMENTS:

NEW SOUTH WALES

Murray River

Murrumbidgee

Lower Darling

VICTORIA

Broken Kiewa

Goulburn Mitta Mitta

Campaspe Loddon

Ovens & KingVictorian Murray

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian Murray

Owners of eligible water rights in the catchments listed above, including unregulated entitlements and section 51 licences, are invited to express their interest stating the proposed volume and price at which they want to sell their permanent water rights to the department

Healthy Loddon Campaspe (HLC) projects are designed to focus on those parts of the community that are the least supported to help encourage healthy eating and get more people more active more often. HLC has announced their next round of projects, which include:

Our Spaces Are Open project

HLC is partnering with Loddon Shire and local community groups to promote physical activity and enhance the use of our local outdoor spaces through the “Our Spaces Are Open” project.

This initiative will deliver a variety of programs throughout Loddon Shire, including sports equipment libraries, lighting up ovals and public areas, and community activities designed to bring residents together and encourage the use of local outdoor spaces.

Pilot programs will also take place at the Pyramid Hill Swimming Pool.

Healthy Schools project

HLC is excited to work with East Loddon P-12, Pyramid Hill College

The decision to participate is completely voluntary. You must submit an EOI through this process if you want to be considered for any subsequent water purchasing in 2025

To read the Request for Expression of Interest and register your interest, please visit AusTender www.tenders.gov.au - and search for Restoring our Rivers.

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on voluntary water purchasing, visit www.dcceew.gov.au/ watertender

ASSISTANCE:

For help with using AusTender, visit help. tenders.gov.au If you can’t access AusTender or have questions about the expression of interest process, please email watertenders@ dcceew.gov.au

and St Mary’s Primary School on the Healthy Schools Project.

This initiative aims to support, promote and encourage healthy eating and physical activity within schools.

HLC has been working with the three schools to plan simple, sustainable changes to improve student and community health outcomes.

Each school has chosen to focus on establishing or further developing their kitchen or garden programs.

Healthy Sports Clubs project with Upper Loddon Cricket Association

HLC is pleased to announce that all Junior Clubs in the Upper Loddon Cricket Association are on board with the HLC Healthy Sports Clubs project.

This initiative promotes healthy changes to player rewards and

game day food o erings. HLC would like to thank Upper Loddon Cricket Association and local businesses for supporting this important project.

Planning underway for Pyramid Hill parkrun

HLC has been working with Loddon Shire, Pyramid Hill Progress Association and Pyramid Hill Golf Club on the suggested route for a parkrun in Pyramid Hill.

The parkrun is a free community event where participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

This 5km parkrun takes place every Saturday morning and is designed to be positive, welcoming and inclusive. There is no time limit and everyone is encouraged to participate - no one nishes last. For more information, please visit https://www. healthyloddoncampaspe.au/

VICTORIA HOTEL

Love Our Local!

The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm  Dinner from 6.00pm

The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Elias picks up BLG top gong

LODDON singing sensation Elias Lanyon has picked up another golden gong.

Elias collected BLG Loddon Shire youth of the year award on Friday night applauding his work advocating for mental health and rural communities.

North Central LLEN chair Dan Straub presented the award.

“The Loddon Shire has a strong sense of belonging throughout and Elias amplifies everything this community is about.” Cr Straub said.

markable voice. The awards night, held at the Rex Theatre in Charlton, celebrated the achievements of young people who live, work or play in the Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra shires.

Representing the Loddon Shire at the awards was Elias, Lily Locking and players from the Rams under 18 football team among others.

Lunch from 12.00pm

Trading hours

Dinner from 6.00pm

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

Dinner from 6.00pm

Thursday – Open Midday

Social Darts Night

Dinner from 5.30pm

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

Along with the top award, Elias was also awarded the legacy music award acknowledging his time on The Voice representing the spirit of the Loddon Shire and its agricultural backbone as he showcased his re-

Other awards went to; Tom Ayars community service, Ned Cartwright leadership, Brylie Clough art achievement, Jenna Alday agriculture, Birchip Watchem girls football team, team of the year, Keely Allan Buloke youth of the year and Rory Martin Gannawarra youth of the year.

Dinner from 6.00pm  Trivia Night

Friday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Lunch from 12.00pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Pot’n’Parma

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Saturday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 5.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday

All Day Pizza Menu

11.00pm

Would you like to learn more about the VNI West project?

Come and meet with the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) team to learn more about the route refinement process and project impact assessments. Specialists will be available to discuss agriculture, compensation and environmental issues.

VNI West Community Reference Group seeking new members

TCV is looking for residents from the areas of Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon and Northern Grampians to join the VNI West Community Reference Group (CRG).

TCV is seeking community-minded people who are ready to get involved and share ideas, to help minimise impacts and deliver long-lasting community benefits from the VNI West project. Members of the CRG independently represent the needs and interests of their community, providing essential local knowledge as the VNI West project team plans and seeks approvals for this important infrastructure project.

The CRG has been running since 2023. The group has met five times and will look to meet every two months either in person or online.

Have your say on VNI West

STREET

PYRAMID HILL 03 5455 7391

These sessions will be one of many opportunities to engage with the project as it progresses. We’re here and we’re listening - in the near future, you’ll see our team on a more regular basis at pop ups across the project area. We will provide details of these sessions as they are confirmed through our website and social media.

Head to our website to complete our survey and help us understand what could change as a result of the VNI West project, including potential negative impacts and opportunities for the project to support positive change.

This information can help with the design programs, policies and initiatives that minimise negative impacts and maximise positive impacts.

Elias Lanyon receives the BLG award from Dan Straub

Scary! Spooky night works treat

HUNDREDS of spookily dressed children took to the streets last Thursday more interested in treats than tricks for Halloween.

Spiderwebs and danger tapes helped guide more than 150 youngsters around Inglewood Recreation Reserve.

“That’s how many we had registered but there were more,” said an organiser of the annual parent initiative, Kathryn Paton.

“It all started for just my family a few years ago, then I invited some friends and now the community has really embraced our Halloween hunt.”

Kathryn said the atmosphere had grown each year “and families love it”.

In Wedderburn, members of the Country Women’s Association branch dressed as witches and handed around baskets full of sweet treats.

Youngsters also took to the streets in search of more treats, homes leaving out a pumpkin or being draped with spiderwebs as a sign that trick or treaters were welcome to knock on the door.

A hall story: Santa plays support role

FATHER Christmas makes his first appearance of the festive season tomorrow night.

It will be a support role for Santa at Yando where comedian Damian Callinan will present the latest act in his evolving play Hall Stories for the district’s annual Christmas Gathering.

Callinan has been researching local stories for the performance.

“I’ll be heading up to the Yando Public Hall for the next instalment of Damian Callinan’s Hall Stories Project - it’s 70 years since they nicked the hall from the nearby community of Oakvale, so they’re bringing me up to celebrate the anniversary of the heist,” he said. “The show is part of their annual Christmas gathering, so I’m told Santa is my support act.”

Callinan has been acclaimed for combining his skills as a storyteller, standup and character actor, to pull back the curtain on his tour stories and examine the quirks, traditions and characters of rural Australian halls.

He says he documents “the culture, characters, history and stories of Australia’s beloved meeting places, through live comedy show podcasts.

The Leisure and Lifestyle Raffle winner was Evelyn, Congratulations.

Thank you to our raffle prize sponsors and everyone who supported our stall at Inglewood Alive-

Bush to Beach Gallery Inglewood

Palette Knife Painting -Loddon River Between Bridgewater & Newbridge

Both Banks Winery Kingower

Water Wheel Winery Bridgewater

Inglewood Pharmacy

The Fat Butcher Inglewood

JL King

Wheelhouse Group

Inglewood Takeaway

Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Products

Champions IGA Inglewood

Kelsey Pearce at the Inglewood celebrations for Halloween. LH PHOTOS

Trick or treaters in Inglewood and Wedderburn where (right) Brock Osseweyer is pictured with Leanne Holt

Captain’s trio of awards

BRIDGEWATER Fire Brigade captain Tim Ferguson was the surprise recipient of the Country Fire Authority’s highest service award on Sunday.

Mr Ferguson was presented with the outstanding service medal by CFA deputy chief officer Adrian Gutsche.

The medal recognising contributions and service to the brigade was one of three awarded to Mr Ferguson.

Brigade and CFA officials had kept the outstanding service medal presentation off the program prepared by Mr Ferguson for Sunday’s luncheon.

He was also presented with the national emergency medal roles with strike teams during the Black Summer fires of 20102020 and a 30-year CFA service medal.

Mr Gutsche praised the leadership of Mr Ferguson within the brigade and the Bridgewater community.

That exceptional service had been seen at fires, in floods that had hit the town and on CFA strike teams, Mr Gutsche said.

Mr Ferguson said: “It’s not

about medals. We just want to get the job done and come home.”

Last year, he was one of five finalists in the Community Achievement Awards for Victoria community hero award, nominated for his on-ground leadership during the October 2022 flood emergency.

The nomination said he “exemplified selflessness during the October 2022 floods”.

“Tim is a local mechanic and devoted CFA Captain. As a dedicated RACV representative, he gave his time to aid individuals trapped in floodwaters, offering invaluable support and assisting with insurance claims. Tim also orchestrated flood protection and recovery efforts, maintaining open communication with the SES and local authorities.

“He was instrumental in the distribution of sandbags, organised a local strike team, and led the cleanup, ensuring residents could swiftly get back on their feet. He has arranged strike teams for fires embodying a deep love for his community and a sense of duty.”

Arthur Harrison, Mr Fergu-

son’s predecessor as captain who served in position for 37 years, was honoured with the national emergency medal and a 55-year life service award.

The national emergency medals were also presented to brigade lieutenant Pat O’Toole and Steve Fawcett. Mr Fawcett, a deputy officer with the Loddon South group, was recognised with a 45-year service medal and Mr O’Toole for 10 years.

Mr Ferguson said the brigade had been formed in 1947 and the town’s urban and rural brigades merged in 2009.

He said there were currently 37 members and the brigade responded to about 60 incidents each year. “I thank all our members and express gratitude for their unwavering commitment and service to the community.”

Captain Tim Ferguson is congratulated by family after receiving the top CFA award. LH PHOTOS

Pat O’Toole, Debbie Abbott, Nick Collins, Leanne Scholes and Mitch Collins with Mr Gutsche

Tim Ferguson, Gordon Turnbull, Mr Gutsche and Trevor Scholes

Arthur Harrison and Ron Brown

Jeff Hobbs, Gary Collins, Steve Fawcett, Graham Morse, Malcolm Christensen and Mr Gutsche

Malcolm Murdoch, Debbie Lamprell and Maryanne Murdoch

Inglewood Lions Club ran a barbecue

Holly Martin and Mark Troy check out the shining cars

Blake Smyth had a busy day selling cool drinks

Inglewood Alive! hits the fun target for Abby Wilson

Thousands get that Alive! feel

BROOKE Street was buzzing and jumping on Sunday when an estimated 4000 people soaked up the fun of Inglewood Alive!

The town’s annual one-day festival brought together local businesses and organisations to promote the community.

Businesses were stocked and ready for the first customers before the official start time of 10am. Cafe 3517 created a window servery selling slushies to the crowd basking in the 30-degree sun while the town’s famous antique and collectable shops provided a relaxing contrast to bustle on the street.

Local organisations including the football club, schools, pony clubs and Inglewood and Districts

Health Service raised funds totalling in the thousands of dollars with stalls and raffles. The bowl

ing club ladies did a roaring trade with Devonshire teas.

The woodchop events had the cream of the sport enthralling spectators at the bottom end of Brooke Street. John Coffey had assembled woodchop royalty for the events - Laurence O’Toole Snr and Laurence O’Toole Jnr, world champion Dave Coffey and a string of current Australian under 21 team members.

Vintage and veteran cars and motorcycles were a hit. Vehicles being driven from across the Loddon Shire to go on display and adding shine to the day of celebration.

Party time in Brooke Street for Louise Bewley and thousands of people at Inglewood Alive! LH PHOTOS

Michael Ghalayini opened his gallery in the old bakery

Helping the day run smoothly were volunteers Petra Barwick and Paul Costa

Woodchop competition organiser John Coffey and Amanda Kellogg from sponsor Bridgewater Bakehouse surrounded by the sport’s royalty on Sunday

Wedderburn SES unit controller Michael George, volunteer William Bone and Charles George

SHEEP AND LAMBS

THERE was a modest dip in numbers for Melbourne Cup week at Bendigo on Monday, down to 23,480 lambs and 7700 sheep.

Lamb quality was plainer with less weight and a lot more dried skinned young lambs appearing.

Prices generally weakened by $2 to $10/ head, with only the very best trade and heavy new season lambs that still showed a lot of freshness selling above 800c/kg to a peak of around 830c/kg cwt.

There was an abundance of general trade lambs in the 20-25kg cwt range and most of these lambs were estimated between 720c to 780c/kg cwt depending on quality and visual appeal.

There was less weight and condition in the lead pens of young lambs this week, the limited number over 28kg cwt selling from $230 to a top of $263/head.

This was followed by the pick of the heavy trades at $182 to $220/head. By supply the biggest numbers were in the 2224kg cwt range with these young lambs selling from $166 to $195 to average $178/ head; and the 20-22kg cwt weight lambs which sold from $150 to $177 to average $164/head.

There was still reasonable competition on good MK processing and quality lines of store lambs at $122 to $156/head, although carcass price estimates were still at lower levels than a week ago. Small crossbred lambs $52 to $116/head.

and light mutton still sold reasonably well underneath this at $55 to $85/head to be still costing processors over 300c/kg cwt on the better runs.

A local agent paid from $133 to $137/ head for a line of big framed young Merino wethers.

MERINO SUCKERS

BM Maclachlan Merriwagga (413) $155.

SUCKERS

JM Hiscock & Sons Pyalong (143) $263. S Walters Euroa (51) $254. M Borger Colbinabbin (68) $251. CN & DW Slatter Boort (53) $245. MA Piccoli Boort (61) $244. BJ & TA Phillips Prairie (50) $240. Colvin Family Trust Eppalock (101) $232. W Wishart Macorna (36) $222. M Hartland Goornong (69) $212. A-C Dalrymple Narrewilliock (58) $205. Rob Neilson Baringhup (40) $195. Andshara Family Trust Wychitella (64) $193.

Boort Co-op Grain Prices on Tuesday: Wheat – H1 $327. H2 $312. APW1 $302. ASW1 $295. SFW1 $247. AUH2 $297. AGP

$262. Barley – Spartacus 1 $293. Planet 1 $298. Maximus 1 $293. Bar1 $275. Bar2 $265. Lentils – Nip1 $800.75. Canola – GM $685.

GrainCorp’s has received 37,550 tonnes in the last week at its Victoria silos, bringing the total to 41,300 tonnes. Deliveries are largely coming in across the northern Mallee and Swan Hill clusters of sites. While the rest of the state is still to get fully underway.

One agency did lead their sale with shorn young lambs which sold to a top of $244, some very neat pens over 800c/kg cwt. In the sheep run there was less export competition on extra heavy mutton which gave back $10 to $20/head.

Big crossbred ewes $90 to $115 at an estimated 260c to 280c/kg cwt. But then trade

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Lambs with good handle and skin condition remained strong, while the drier lambs saw a slight decline.

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team. Monday, November 4th, 2024 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 18,000 | Sheep - 8,500

Alex Collins - 0408 314 768

Drew Stratton - 0414 576 371

Zeb Broadbent - 0447 002 844 Will Holt - 0417 686 814 Alex Pollock - 0409

East Loddon P12 College students have visited Calmo Farms at Calivil operated by Belinda and Jade Clymo. During their immersive North Central LLEN Broader Horizon experience at the dairy farm, students learned about dairy production and practiced milking and cupping.

Recycle posts taking on pesky roos

FARMERS seeing crop yields hit by kangaroos are looking for solutions to protect future harvest.

Inglewood’s Brett McEwan said there had been a big spike in kangaroo numbers across the district after three wet winters.

“They have been breeding and are now eating whatever they can find ... wheat, barley,” he said after a fencing field day at Campbells Forest last Wednesday.

“And they are laying in crops before harvest. That can do as much damage as eating it and certainly cuts the yield.”

Mr McEwan was among farmers and fencing contractors learning about the Westonfence developed and manufactured at Parkes, New South Wales.

It’s one possible solution that has taken the eye of Mr McEwan.

Bridgewater Farmware’s Dave Edwards brought the Westonfence team to the region.

“It’s becoming harder for local farmers to control wild pigs, dogs, roos,” Mr Edwards said.

“Roos are a massive problem now. Where you would see tens, you are now seeing hundreds.”

Mr Edwards said he had seen benefits in using the Westonfence system - fences up to 1.5 metres high, partly electrified and with flexibility to stop animals pushing through the wires.

““This fencing system is training animals to be deterred,” he said.

Westonfence’s Duncan Abbey said the fencing system was similarly priced to conventional fencing.

The posts are manufactured from recycled Drumaster drums.

“We collect the drums, crush and return them to resin that makes the droppers,” he said.

“The full 1.65-metre fence has flexibility to absorb pressure from roos.

“We’ve now rolled out 27,000km of the fencing on farms across Australia.”

“The idea came from owner Peter Weston who wanted to im-

WOOL REPORT

proved his pastures and here we are 30 years later with a product helping farmers everywhere do that.”

Mr Edwards said the Campbells Forest had been one of the first to install Westonfence.

“The farm adjoins bushland and where kangaroos would eat away at crops, starting on the boundary, crop yield and growth has improved because roos are not coming on the farm,” he said.

Despite many industry observers predicting a dearer market, due to a weakening of the Australian dollar (AUD) compared to the US dollar (USD), the Australian wool market has recorded another small overall losses last week, the third consecutive week where this has occurred. When the market opened, it was immediately apparent that the lower AUD was not going to have the expected impact on prices, instead losses were generally recorded, wool 18.5 micron and finer most affected. Across the country the merino fleece Micron Price Guides (MPGs) movements ranged between plus two and minus 33 cents. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dropped by 3 cents for the day, small rises in the crossbred sector preventing a larger fall. The second day of selling was very similar to the first. The merino fleece MPG movements ranged between plus 2 and minus 21 cents. The EMI fell by another 3 cents, with small general increases in the crossbred sector again preventing a larger fall. This 3 cent drop in the EMI was the sixth consecutive daily fall in the EMI, although no fall has been larger than 4 cents. The EMI dropped 6 cents for the week, closing at 1,125 cents. Since the close of the previous series the AUD has dropped sharply compared to the USD, currently trading at 65.42 US cents, a fall of 1.34 cents. Due to this fall, when viewed in USD terms, the fall in the EMI was greater. The EMI fell by 19 US cents for the week, closing at 736 cents, a reduction of 2.5%. This was the largest weekly fall in USD terms in the EMI since January

This week holds an unusual selling pattern, Sydney and Fremantle selling on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Melbourne will sell Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate a Tuesday Public Holiday.

There are currently 37,991 bales rostered nationally.

Source: AWEX

Jayden Stratton with Brett and Ethan McEwan and Leanne Edwards (top) checking the fencing design while local contractor Hayden Steel discusses recycled droppers with Dave Edwards. LH PHOTOS

FEATURES | OPINION AND QUIZ

Nuclear can avoid pain of VNI West

By ANNE WEBSTER

FARMERS and communities

along the proposed VNI West corridor learned their fate this week as the route for the 240km of Victoria–New South Wales Interconnector West (hence VNI West) through Mallee was finalised to a 70-metre-wide easement.

If constructed, VNI West will run north from Bulgana past St Arnaud, Charlton and Boort, tracking east through Tragowel then north past Kerang to cross the river border at Murrabit.

While nine Loddon properties are affected, an unknown number of Gannawarra shire properties are in the line of fire, plus another 54 in Buloke and 78 in Northern Grampians.

I understand that most farmers and landholders in the proposed corridor will not be opening their gates to Transmission Company Victoria – the local arm of the Australian Energy Market Operator, AEMO. Locked gates strongly suggest compulsory acquisition will be necessary, and I expect everyone will be lawyering up.

Farmers are not convinced by Victorian Government claims they will soften the blow by paying $8000 per kilometre hosted per annum over 25 years – chicken feed compared to the state government earning $177,000 per kilometre annually in taxes over the same period.

There is no transparency on the subsidies ‘renewable’ energy gains from taxpayers and customers who are battling energy bills. The amount paid to landholders to host wind turbines is also chicken feed compared to the windfall gains proponents will earn.

Here in Mallee companies that negotiate the construction of

wind turbines have sold the project after completion. I have been warning farmers to get legal advice on liability to remove the turbines or panels at the end of a hosted project.

At the end of the 15 to 30 year operational life, allegedly turbines will cost upward of $700,000 each to remove and dispose of. If the company that signed the deal isn’t held liable, every cent the farmer earned from hosting the turbine – if not a lot more – will be needed to decommission them.

The secrecy, division, angst and heartbreak in communities has been unnecessarily caused by a combined State-Federal Labor Governments hell-bent on ramming through a globally unproven renewables-only approach to our energy grid.

The material falling off turbines in Victoria, and the need to replace the turbine blades or panels are not the same kind of ‘renewable’ the proponents are spruiking.

Renewables secrecy extends to a lack of accurate carbon accounting on their footprint for construction and replacement of the turbines and panels, let alone the impact on the local environment. Mallee constituents along the corridor fear the impacts VNI West and ‘renewable’ projects will have on local flora and fauna. Environmental impacts are swept aside by those purporting to ‘save the planet’. ‘Renewables’ zealotry looks more like a money-making scheme for the doomsayers of global warming who jet around to climate conferences claiming they’re saving the world.

The Liberal-National Coali-

REACTION TO SES UNIT’S NATIONAL RESCUE AWARD

Diane Gordon-Cooke wrote: Although I was not present at this rescue I’m confident that the dozens and dozens of people there at the time have not collaborated and made up a story of the event! It’s not really possible for the “rescue recollections to vary” is it? Stop insulting the townspeople that were first hand witnesses. This is disgraceful !!! The only positive here is that this is not a reflection on the new Wedderburn ses crew members and we need to acknowledge that difference. I may as well also add, if there had not been so much misaligned and targeted

tion’s energy policies will deliver reliable, 24-7 electricity. No matter how many batteries Labor dumps in communities like Joel Joel in the Grampians without consultation, ‘renewables’ are no substitute – for now - for gas or coal underpinning our energy grid as they are phased out in a sensible fashion. New generation, zero emissions nuclear energy is a proven technology relied upon by major economies and an increasing number of developing economies to guarantee baseload power.

People with net worth upwards of $100 billion like Bill Gates are investing in nuclear technology as computing power demand grow exponentially. Artificial intelligence (AI) and, to a lesser degree, cryptocurrency ‘mining’ is pushing data centre energy to 2.5 per cent of total demand, projected to triple in the next five years alone. When the grid is already under strain from increasing population and inner-city electric vehicle uptake, zero emissions nuclear technology makes sense to everyone but the Albanese Labor Government.

The Coalition backs the growing global consensus supporting zero emissions nuclear power. Nuclear power for Australia means new plants at the seven nominated sites – well clear of Mallee, I might add –using existing transmission infrastructure corridors. Labor’s plan for 28,000km of new transmission lines would be significantly curtailed, and perhaps – if it is not too late – the VNI West pain for Loddon and other Mallee communities can be avoided.

*DrWebsteristhefederal memberforMallee

idiocy going on in the background the town would have had a local crew at the time of this event!

Carol Forsberg wrote: This happened in front of my house. I have pictures and video of the event. From what I remember there was no SES vehicle. The fire engine was there with two young male volunteers. I remember vividly the moment the car washed off the road and saw people rushing along the path above the channel. Someone had asked us for a rope before this happened and I guess it was this rope which was thrown to the victim. It was a day or so later after the water had gone down that we noticed some SES personnel with a boat parked opposite.

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Which Australian capital city has the postcode 2600?

2. Where can you find The Magician, The High Priestess, and the Fool?

3. What is the both the name of a Scottish town, and a fabric pattern that features a teardrop-shaped motif?

4. Cabbage tree, kentia, and parlour are types of what?

5. The Big Merino is found where?

6. By area, which country is larger – France or Spain?

7. ‘Rhombus’ is another name for which shape?

8. What is the title of the 3rd book in the Harry Potter series of books?

9. Words that have different meanings but sound the same are what?

10. How many holes are in a standard ten pin bowling ball

11. Why don’t birds fall off branches when they are asleep?

12. Chemicals from the plant Foxglove can be used to treat which human organ?

13. To the nearest 0.01 seconds, what was Usain Bolt’s fastest 100m time?

14. Which animal has the greatest strength relative to its weight?

15. In which year did the colour of tennis courts at the Australian Open change from green to blue?

16. That change coincided with a move from the surface called rebound ace, to what?

17. Prior to Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee, who was the last English Monarch to celebrate that milestone?

18. Forget-me-not flowers are typically what colour?

19. Which lubricant was originally called ‘wonder jelly’?

20. Apart from the United Kingdom, which two European countries are members of the Commonwealth?

IT’S been the (long) weekend of kings ... Melbourne Cup fever and all that. One bowler thought he was top of the heap after a breakthrough win on the greens and his decree to fellow Sunday night card players to bring a throne on which he could sit when dealing out kings and queens. OTF has been told The Oracle might be better sticking to bowls (and that’s a big call, according to mates).

WEEKEND traffic had so many cars, trucks and buses hurtling the highways that the wait to cross one major route was excrutiatingly long for a local road traveller on Friday afternoon. But when suggested traffic lights were needed on the Loddon Valley Highway at Durham Ox, he replied: “I’m originally from New South Wales ... a roundabout will do the trick.” BTW, he reckons traffic was so heavy his wait to continue travelling between Boort and Pyramid Hill was five minutes.

POPPED into Inglewood bowls on Saturday, just in time to hear the afternoon tea bell being rung. Noticed absence on tables of four-egg cream sponges but the hedgehog was pretty good and some of the blokes were hocking into the steamed dimmies.

T ALKING of scumptuous rapasts, full marks to the cooks of pork pulled from the spit roast at Bridgewater Fire Brigade luncheon on Sunday. Passed every test - meat moist and tender, the crackling as it should be!

FINALLY this week, a joke. What do you call a pig with no clothes on? Streaky bacon!

Canberra 2. In a deck of tarot cards 3. Paisley

Palms 5. Goulburn 6.

France 7. Diamond 8. The Prisoner of Azkaban 9. Homophones 10. Three 11. Tendons of the feet tighten under weight keeping the

Plexicushion

Queen -Victo

ria (1897) 18. Blue 19. Vaseline 20. Cyprus and Malta

BUShy TAlES

Rats from the Hill

FOR

240 days, Australians were holed in the desert sands of north-west Libya refusing to surrender to the might of Rommel’s Afrika Corp.

It was the darkest of days in World War Two as British and Allied forces from Commonwealth countries were on the frontline in a battle for democracy and freedom.

From April 1941, Australian soldiers would be part of the siege at Tobruk. Throughout the campaign, there would be a total of 14,000 diggers who spent part of the war in the garrison city.

Among them, 17 soldiers with a connection to the Pyramid Hill district who on Monday, Remembrance Day 2024, will be honoured with the unveiling of portraits commissioned by the Descendants of Rats of Tobruk Australia Association,

Men who gave rise to an Australian military legend akin to the feats at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in World War One and in the jungles of New Guinea and along the Kokoda Track in later years of World War Two that saw the sons of original Anzacs again thrown into battle.

The very men who accepted a snide German propaganda tag as a badge of honour. The Australian War memorial says Tobruk was vital for the Allies’ defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal. “Tobruk was subject to repeated ground assaults and almost constant shelling and bombing. The Nazi propagandist Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce) derided the tenacious defenders as ‘rats’, a term that the Australian soldiers embraced as an ironic compliment.”

Pyramid Hill men like Malcolm McGillivray and Stuart McIntosh. Some of the 17 would be wounded, Doug McAlister and Gordon Moss made the supreme sacrifice.

The 17 portraits carrying the service records will be unveiled in Pyramid Hill’s RSL Hall.

For association member Ray Windlow, honouring the Rats is a project of passion and one that next week reconnects him with the district where his grandparents lived.

Walter and Annie Ogilvie were from Yarrawalla, Ray’s mother and sisters were born in the district.

And the ceremony will come three months after the last of those 14,000 young Australians to serve at Tobruk, Victorian-born Tom Pritchard, died in Adelaide just shy of his 103rd birthday.

Tom’s death has meant that most state Rats of Tobruk associations have disbanded. According to Ray, that was the wish of the ex-servicemen.

It’s now up to descendants to see their legacy and memory are forever cherished and the stories of those men shared with today’s generations.

Ray has also assisted in the production

of more than 3500 portraits of the Rats.

“Some are now being made into plaques like the 17 for Pyramid Hill. Each plaque has a photograph of the soldier and their war record,” he said.

“These records are also in a series of books called Faces of Rats - 500 in each volume and I’m now working on volume eight.”

Ray said his interest in exploring soldiers from Pyramid Hill stemmed from a Queensland researcher who contacted him with questions.

“That triggered the interest, I thought about Pyramid Hill and spoke with historical society secretary Cheryl McKinnon and it’s taken off from there,” Ray said.

His own research had helped some local families fill gaps in their knowledge of service by fathers and grandfathers.

“That’s intensely satisfying being able to help families,” he said.

“It was a tough campaign. Running the docks in Tobruk was far from being in a

who found themselves there in World War Two.

“I had an uncle there ... that’s my connection. But what I found remarkable was for a rural town the size of Pyramid Hill to have so many leave the farms, their families and enlist was a huge sacrifice in the first place.

“Being at Tobruk must have been a real eye-opener for these guys coming off the land and suddenly being on the other side of the world, in a foreign country.

“What we are doing is a way of repaying these servicemen for what they did ... never forgotten,” Ray said of his association that has more than 3000 members across Australia.

The Aussie Rats in Libya were backed over those 240 days by the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy who provided the garrison’s link to the outside world, the so-called ‘Tobruk ferry’.

According to the Australian War Memo-

rial, those ships included the Australian destroyers Napier, Nizam, Stuart, Vendetta and Voyager. Losses comprised two destroyers, including HMAS Waterhen, three sloops, including HMAS Parramatta, and 21 smaller vessels.

AWM says half the Australian garrison was relieved in August, the rest in September-October. However, 2/13 Battalion could not be evacuated and was still there when the siege was lifted on December10 , the only unit present for the entire siege. Australian casualties from the 9th Division from April 8 to October 25 numbered 749 killed, 1996 wounded and 604 prisoners.

The total losses in the 9th Division and attached troops from March to December were 832 killed, 2,177 wounded and 941 prisoners.

All of the 14,000 were happy to be called Rats - 17 of them from Pyramid Hill who will be honoured on Remembrance Day.

holiday resort for any of the Australians

- CHRIS EARL

A project of passion ... Descendants of the Rats of Tobruk Australia Association member Ray Windlow. LH PHOTO

Australian soldiers at Tobruk in 1941 and (right) the last Rat, Tom Pritchard

BOORT NEWSAGENCY

BRIDGEWATER BAKEHOUSE

BRIDGEWATER CARAVAN PARK CAFE

BRIDGEWATER HOTEL

BRIDGEWATER NURSERY

BRIDGEWATER POST OFFICE

BRIDGEWATER SERVICE STATION

CHARLTON NEWSAGENCY

DINGEE STORE

FOUR POSTS JARKLIN

INGLEWOOD IGA

INGLEWOOD POST OFFICE

STEVE’S EMPIRE HOTEL

KANGAROO

INGLEWOOD CAFE AND BAKEHOUSE CAFE 3517

KERANG IGA

KORONG VALE HOTEL

MARONG GENERAL STORE

MITIAMO STORE

NEWBRIDGE STORE

NEWBRIDGE HOTEL

PYRAMID HILL POST OFFICE

PYRAMID HILL BAKERY

COFFEE BANK PYRAMID HILL

VICTORIA

TARNAGULLA

DUNOLLY FRIENDLY GROCER

GOLDEN SQUARE NEWSAGENCY

EAGLEHAWK NEWSAGENCY

KANE - Hugh Maxwell “Max” 25/02/1934 – 03/11/2024

Loving Husband of Doris (Dec).

Loving Father and Father-in-Law of Vikki, John and Anne, Andrew and Darai.

Loving Pa of Matthew and Stacey, Joe and Amy; Eliza, Jonathan; Nadia and Macks.

Loving Great Pa of Beau and Lexie.

Loved Son of Bill and Eva (Both Dec).

Loved Step-Son of Doug (Malone) (Dec).

Loved brother of Gwen, June, Betty and Patsy (All Dec),and Robert (Malone).

NISBET - Alice Ellen (nee Roulston)

Passed away peacefully at Inglewood & District Health Services on November 4, 2024 Aged 95 years

Loved wife of Victor (dec.).

Eldest daughter of the late Arthur and Johanna Roulston,

Loved sister of Ruby and Bill (dec.) Yorston, Aunt of Gary, Helen and families. Resting peacefully

WALKER, Donald

The Chairman, Board, Management, members of CFA North West Region and District 20 regret the passing of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.

Board Director Opportunities at Boort District Health

The Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, is pleased to invite applications for part time board director positions at Boort District Health. The positions start on 1 July 2025 and appointments are for up to three years.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for Victorians to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional experience, knowledge, and skills that contribute to the strategic leadership and oversight of health care for the Victorian community.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. This includes diverse leadership of the health system that represents the variety of backgrounds and cultures of Victorian communities to enable the vision of achieving the best health, wellbeing and safety for everyone.

To build an empowered and engaged leadership across the health system, our priority areas are people of all ages, First Nations people, people who live with a disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, the promotion of gender equality and upholding human rights. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the capabilities identified in their applications.

Applications close at midnight Sunday 24 November 2024.

Further information about Victorian health service boards and how to apply can be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/board-applications

KANE

A Graveside Service for Mr Hugh Maxwell “Max” Kane

Will be held at the Boort Lawn Cemetery on Wednesday November 13th at 11AM.

To view by live-stream go to adamsfunerals.com.au

NISBET - Alice Ellen

The Funeral Service for Mrs. Alice Ellen

Nisbet will be held by the graveside at the Wedderburn Lawn Cemetery, on WEDNESDAY (November 13) at 2 pm.

Brooke

Inglewood. 5438 3189

Board Director Opportunities at Inglewood and Districts Health Service

The Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, is pleased to invite applications for part time board director positions at Inglewood and Districts Health Service. The positions start on 1 July 2025 and appointments are for up to three years.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for Victorians to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional experience, knowledge, and skills that contribute to the strategic leadership and oversight of health care for the Victorian community.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. This includes diverse leadership of the health system that represents the variety of backgrounds and cultures of Victorian communities to enable the vision of achieving the best health, wellbeing and safety for everyone.

To build an empowered and engaged leadership across the health system, our priority areas are people of all ages, First Nations people, people who live with a disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTIAQ+, the promotion of gender equality and upholding human rights. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the capabilities identified in their applications.

Applications close at midnight Sunday 24 November 2024.

Further information about Victorian health service boards and how to apply can be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/board-applications

ON THE BULL’S BACk

GEOFFREY Tripcony has set a challenge. He says a “hobby” he used to pursue was a particularly brutal sport and wants me to guess what it was - Football? No. Rugby? No. Sorry, I’ve got no idea. A broad grin spreads across his face: “Bull riding.”

Wedderburn’s Tripcony is both a maker of custom fishing rods and a taxi driver in Bendigo. He’s a big man who looks much younger than his 56 years, but there’s not a lot about him that shouts “bull rider”.

That’s until he shows you his right hand, with its broad scar from a bull’s horn that looks like a river delta from above. And he tells you some of his stories.

Tripcony didn’t start bull riding until he was 31, an age when many are choosing – or are forced – to retire from the sport. Over the next 20 years, he says he spent 15 taking part in competitions.

He entered rodeos in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, won the event one year at the infamous Deniliquin Ute Muster, and appeared in a bull riding competition at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne when the tennis court was covered over with dirt

By GARY WALSH

for a rodeo fit for city slickers. In 2013, he was sitting in a Mercedes van parked on the side of the road in Melbourne when a 20-tonne truck slammed into the van’s rear.

Tripcony says a $3000 car seat his boss had bought for him just before the accident so he would be more comfortable saved his life. The crash compressed the van into something resembling a concertina.

Tripcony miraculously suffered no broken bones but had severe internal injuries and received a massive concussion. For the next three years he was basically house bound, with any exertion likely to trigger a blackout episode. Bull riding, you might think, was not the best hobby to try to resume.

But Tripcony is nothing if not determined, to a fault.

He compares himself to the ever-optimistic Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, shouting “It’s only a flesh wound!” as another limb is lopped

off by King Arthur. By 2017 he was ready to climb once again onto the back of a onetonne bull that wants nothing more than to throw you off and then skewer you with its horns.

Somehow, despite the obvious risks, he did get back, at almost 50 years of age.

At a competition near Ballarat, he leapt onto a cantankerous beast, and when he was finally launched towards the stratosphere he had ridden it for only half a second less than one of his rivals, at the time ranked in Australia’s top 10.

Sensibly, Tripcony is no longer challenging himself on a behemoth’s back. At one rodeo he was thrown by a giant that then tried to gore him. He says he did what he was trained to do and gripped the bull’s head as tightly as he could while rodeo clowns tried to distract it.

Afterwards, he says he couldn’t sneeze

happily for three weeks thanks to the pain in his ribs, despite there being no breaks.

“I don’t bruise, but a couple of days later I counted 27 marks on my arms from his horns,” Tripcony says. The prizemoney, he says, made the pain worthwhile. The Black Knight lives on.

Good signs early in season

INGLEWOOD’S Division 5 outfit has lowered its colours to top side Strathfieldsaye in Bendigo bowls.

But with a win and a loss from the first two games is a good start to the season and it is encouraging to see so many of this team turning up to practise and doing the drills set out.

The best rink on the day was the team of Ian Bradley (skip), Patsy Lyndon, sub Kath McNaught and Edna Patterson with a four-shot loss.

The Division 1 team is still to greet the judge, after two games, and have a tough game this week against Golden Square.

The game against White Hills on Saturday was close all day and the Woodies just fell away at the end.

Best result for the day came from the team of Craig Kelly (skip), Lindsay Kelly, David Whitehead and Simon Laird with a 16-all draw.

Thanks to all the women who supplied food on Saturday afternoon and then again for the after

Northern District

Division 2 Kerang 3 51-2 lost to Pyramid Hill 1 83-10. B. Williams, B. Theobald, G. Tate, H. McBain (s) lost to C. Cauchi, M. Noelker, N. McGann, L. Mann (s) 10-33. H. Pendlebury, A. Peel, J. Harrison, M. Coobs (s) lost to T. Stobaus, K. Wood, R. Price, S. Bennett (s) 14-30. G. Morris, D. Sutherland, M. Sutherland, J. Adams (s) d R. Harris, I. Bartels, T. Dzufer, J. Leed (s) 27-20. Kerang Golf 2 74-11 d Cohuna 2 54-1. Barham 4 48-2 lost to Cohuna Golf 3 59-10. Ladder: Cohuna Golf 3 44, Kerang Golf 2 35, Cohuna 2 22, Pyramid Hill 1 22, Barham 4 13, Kerang 3 8. Division 3 Barham 5 83-12 d Pyramid Hill 2 47-0. M. Daffy, S. Lange, G. Kennedy, C. Gent (s) d M. Mahoney, A. Harris, R. Fidler, A. Roberts (s) 31-14. K. Lange, F. Graco, E. Schelbert, B. Berry (s) d G. Godward, A. Fidler, A. Bennett (s) 32-15. P. Waldron, H. Dumbrell, S. Slingo, P. Slingo (s) d A. Dzufer, W. Boyd, J. Cauchi (s) 20-18. Wakool 2 60-12 d Gunny Golf 1 40-0. Kerang 4 53-10 d Cohuna 3 47-2. Leitchville 2 55-9 d Kerang Golf 3 52-3. Ladder: Wakool 2 42, Gunny Golf 1 31, Kerang Golf 3 27, Cohuna 3 24, Kerang 4 24, Barham 5 16, Leitchville 2 15, Pyramid Hill 2 13. Division 1 Kerang Golf 1 60-10 d Pyramid Hill 1 58-2. A. Medson, S. Hutchinson, L. Ritchie, F. Ritchie (s) drew C. Cauchi, K. Wood, S. Bennett, R. Opie 19-19. B. McLeish, G. Hayes, S. McLeish, J. McLeish (s) d I. Bartels, J. Cauchi, M. Noelker, A. Cantwell (s) 20-18. C. Hicks, C. Pay, I. Charles, L. Murray drew R. Harris, H. Crichton, J. Leed, M. Scott (s) 21-21. Cohuna Golf 1 57-8 d Barham 1 56-4. Cohuna 1 64-10 d Kerang 1 46-2.

Ladder: Cohuna 1 37, Kerang 1 32, Barham 1 32, Kerang Golf 1 17, Cohuna Golf 1 16, Pyramid Hill 1 10. Division 2 Barham 4 56-8 d Pyramid Hill 2 34-0. K. Lange, S. Lange, L. Mues, C. Gent (s) d W. Boyd, D. Kaye, R. Fidler, A. Fidler (s) 30-13. E. Schelbert, H. Archard, G. Graeme, B. Berry (s) d G. Godward, A. Harris, L. Dingwall, A. Bennett (s) 26-21. Kerang 2 30-0 lost to Barham 2 54-8. Cohuna 3 53-6 d Leitchville 1 36-2. Cohuna 2 34-2 lost to Cohuna Golf 2 37-6. Kerang Golf 2 49-8 d Barham 3 34-0. Gunbower 1 bye. Ladder: Kerang Golf 2 26, Gunbower 1 25, Barham 2 22, Barham 4 21, Cohuna Golf 2 19, Cohuna 3 17, Cohuna 2 15, Kerang 2 14, Leitchville 1 12, Barham 3 12, Pyramid Hill 2 5. Goldfields

Division 2 Dunolly Gold 78-15 d Bridge-

water 39-1. D. Mortlock, K. McKenzie, C. Spiteri, J. Smith (s) drew D. Payne, R. Simons, D. Wilson, C. Brooshooft (s) 17-17. G.

match function. The small band of women do a sensational job for the club.

In Monday pennant. Division 5 are continuing with their good form with another strong performance by beating South Bendigo 55 shots (14pts) to 23 shots (0pts).

The best rink on the day was the team of Joan Roberts, Patsy Lyndon, Daniel Garrett and Arthur Harrison (skip) with a 19 shot win.

Division 1 are still struggling to find form. They were out gunned last week with the final scores being Inglewood 52 shots (2pts) to Bendigo East 68 shots (14pts)

Best rink on the day was the team of Helen Leach, Rhonda Gallagher, Pat Schram and Geoff Wilson (skip) with an 11 shot win.

SERPENTINE

The Purple and Gold’s first home game for the season and a loss to Bendigo East.

Serpentine had an overall lead going into the break but whatever was in the tea did no good

Waters, R. Mebbrey, K. Waters, F. Delconte (s) d D. Grant, G. Harrison, R. Brown (s) 2712. K. Stephens, A. Parkes, A. Britten, I. McKenzie (s) d S. Miller, H. Fagan, G. Mabon, I. Clutton (s) 34-10. Maryborough Golf 77-16 d Dunolly Green 32-0. Maryborough Highland 39-0 lost to Carisbrook 74-16. Avoca 49-2 lost to Talbot 77-14. Maldon 63-14 d Newstead White 552. Newstead Blue bye. Ladder: Newstead Blue 78, Maryborough Golf 78, Carisbrook 62, Maldon 60, Talbot 48, Dunolly Gold 40, Maryborough Highland 34, Avoca 34, Dunolly Green 22, Newstead White 21, Bridgewater 3. North Central Division 1 Charlton 61-0 lost to St Arnaud 74-12. R. Porter, D. Finlay, D. Gretgrix, K. North (s) lost to D. Shepherd, C. Marchment, P. McRae, A. Dyke (s) 14-19. S. Perry, C. Brien, L. Southwell, W. Keenan (s) lost to T. Marland, M. Wood, A. Welsh, T. McSwain (s) 22-26. D. Beaty, W. Southwell, D. McCallum, K. Willey (s) lost to T. Amos, G. McNally, G. Hancock, S. Zsigmond (s) 25-29. Wedderburn 89-12 d Donald 51-0. A. Roberts, G. Burnside, B. Montebello, L. Witham (s) d R. Collins, R. Gravestocks, W. Hegarty, H. Wingfield (s) 34-12. L. Holt, M. Guelfo, B. Hargreaves, D. Mason (s) d M. McEwen, P. Wyllie, G. Euvrard, P. Kelly (s) 29-15. R. Guelfo, A. Benaim, A. Holt, A. Jackson (s) d I. McEwen, L. Morgan, L. Kelly, N. Hollis (s) 26-24. Wycheproof 91-12 d Boort 53-0. D. Denney, H. Grylls, J. Grylls, N. Coles (s) d P. Waters, A. Matley, K. Walton, K. Depiazza (s) 27-19. A.

as the rinks then struggled in the second half of the day.

Dianne Walker’s four, featuring debutante Adam James, getting up 21 to 18 in a tight finish.

This week it’s off to Harcourt, where hopefully it will all be apples!

BRIDGEWATER

The mid-week team played at home last week and secured an eight-shot win over White Hills to back up the win from the pre-

PENNANT BOWLS RESULTS

Jones, E. Rayes, A. Mead, P. Wellington (s) d G. Carrall, J. Maxted, T. Moresi, L. Maxted (s) 2819. P. Coles, A. Coatsworth, D. Groves, P. Allan (s) d K. Birt, D. Gibson, C. Newsome, S. Morris (s) 36-15. St Arnaud Country 48-0 lost to Donald Golf 83-12. Ladder: Donald Golf 44, Wedderburn 40, Wycheproof 26, St Arnaud 26, St Arnaud Country 24, Donald 14, Boort 14, Charlton 4. Division 2 Charlton 41-0 lost to St Arnaud 104-12. W. Roberts, B. Patton, E. Rosewall, G. Wain (s) lost to G. Smith, A. McNally, L. Goodwin, K. Dyke (s) 9-39. Z. Irwin, S. Harper, M. Hamley, J. Headon (s) lost to D. Ostarcevic, M. McIntyre, J. Prendegast, P. Micallef (s) 12-34. B. Chester, W. Laffin, B. Catherine, G. Bateson (s) lost to J. Barron, C. Cheesman, G. McIntyre, L. Goddard (s) 20-31. Wedderburn 93-12 d Donald 64-0. R. Tonkin, R. Ashley, J. Matthews, L. Standfield (s) d M. Quick, C. Perry, R. Gravestocks, W. Meyer (s) 31-17. S. Standfield, N. White, A. Noordennen, I. Hall (s) d K. Wyllie, J. Subprom, E. Adams, N. Barber (s) 30-29. R. Little, S. Steel, R. Hall, J. Grant (s) d S. Robertson, A. McEwen, M. Hollis, T. Farrer (s) 32-18. Wycheproof 103-12 d Boort 40-0. L. Nicholls, V. Grant, P. Bagley, J. McKay (s) d G. Charles, Y. Cashen, J. Earl, J. Gibson (s) 24-20. C. Rayes, D. Nicholls, S. Barratt, M. Nicholls (s) d L. Carrall, S. Polack, J. Hampson, G. Smith (s) 36-9. S. Wellington, J. McLean, P. Connolly, R. Grylls (s) d I. Allison, L. Newsome, A. Gould, G. Hudson (s) 43-11. St Arnaud Country 54-0 lost to Donald Golf 70-12. Ladder: Wedderburn 34, Donald Golf 32, St Arnaud Country 31, Wycheproof 29, St Arnaud 26, Charlton 16, Donald 12, Boort 12. Bendigo

Division 1 Inglewood 56-1 lost to White Hills 66-17. S. Laird, D. Whitehead, L. Kelly, C. Kelly (s) drew D. Murphy, B. Wakefield, J. Brennan, N. Sonego (s) 16-16. B. Jackson, D. Garrett, V. Tierney, G. Jackson (s) lost to S. Arbuckle, P. Arscott, J. Hubber, R. Jardine (s) 15-16. B. Smyth, A. Harrison, I. Chamberlain, G. Wilson (s) lost to R. Armstrong, G. Julius, D. Fiedler, W. O’Connor (s) 11-15. R. Stranger, B. McClymont, D. Wilson, D. Vanston (s) lost to N. Thompson, H. Jansen, D. Kaye, J. Turley (s) 14-19. Bendigo East 68-6 lost to North Bendigo 84-12. Castlemaine 100-18 d Kangaroo Flat 44-0. Strathfieldsaye 86-16 d Golden Square 58-2. Ladder: Castlemaine 34, Strathfieldsaye 32, North Bendigo 28, White Hills 19, Golden Square 16, Bendigo East 8, Kangaroo Flat 4, Inglewood 3. Division 2 Serpentine 67-2 lost to Bendigo East 93-16. L. James, L. Baber, W. Hasty, N. Tonkin (s) lost to B. Clough, J. Clough, S. Vowles, M. O’Connor (s) 14-23. B. Tuohey, G. Addlem, K. Canfield, B. Long (s) lost to F.

vious week. All players did well on the day.

The Division 5 side played South Bendigo at home on a very quick green and windy conditions, which made it a some what difficult day, ended up going down by 20 shots overall.

The only winning rink was lead by Glenn Mangan and Craig Payne playing well at third. Curtis Mangan’s rink salvaged a draw after being 11 shots a drift at the break, with Lachlan Catto, Vern

Pekarsky, D. Clough, M. Rowley, I. Cail (s) 17-22. M. Mathews, K. Collins, S Rudkins, B. Gladman (s) lost to K. Frank, J. Knott, P. Michell, J. Clough 15-30. A. James, F. Maher, R. Gladman, D. Walker (s) d I. Lacy, S. Lord, J. O’Bree, D. Watts (s) 21-18. South Bendigo 85-14 d Eaglehawk 64-4. Kangaroo Flat 57-2 lost to Harcourt 89-16. Bendigo 96-16 d Strathfieldsaye 70-2. Ladder: Harcourt 32, South Bendigo 28, Eaglehawk 22, Bendigo 20, Bendigo East 18, Kangaroo Flat 16, Strathfieldsaye 6, Serpentine 2. Division 4 White Hills 82-14 d Calivil 734. M. Zadow, P. Brock, P. McGuire, B. Colbert (s) lost to P. Hercus, W. Lourie, J. Pickles, M. Dennis (s) 17-21. B. Sheen, B. Carter, G. Austin, M. Kelly (s) lost to R. Boyd, R. Lourie, M. Collett, G. Maxted (s) 18-30. M. Carter, C. Jansen, P. Fogliani, A. Charlton (s) d K. Richards, A. Dennis, G. Ray, L. Gronow (s) 30-6. R. Parmenter, F. Gargiulo, D. Ahdore, G. Gardner (s) d G. Lourie, B. Meighan, W. Miles, A. Leech (s) 17-16. Dingee 62-1 lost to Kangaroo Flat 81-17. B. Cail, J. Hocking, K. Pollock, F. Grieves (s) drew M. Bickley, L. Grant, D. Johnson, H. Hornstra (s) 18-18. L. Hocking, J. Monaghan, B. West, L. Demeo (s) lost to S. Teasdale, C. Wiegard, E. Caine, G. Teasdale (s) 18-21. T. Kavanagh, N. Hocking, L. Demeo, B. Lawry (s) lost to B. Duncan, B. Smith, H. Crow, C. Madden (s) 9-24. S. Cail, P. Plant, R. Thompson, N. Lister (s) lost to A. Ferguson, D. White, T. Brennan, K. Brennan (s) 17-18. Bendigo East 69-4 lost to Bendigo 92-14. Harcourt 98-16 d Marong 72-2. Ladder: Harcourt 30, White Hills 30, Bendigo 28, Kangaroo Flat 21, Calivil 20, Bendigo East 8, Marong 4, Dingee 3. Division 5 Bridgewater 68-3 lost to South Bendigo 88-15. T. Estrada, M. Wright, A. Harrison, R. Smith (s) lost to J. Smith, J. Adams, L. Fraser, E. Bullow (s) 16-24. B. Catto, N. Saunders, P. Short, J. Fagan (s) lost to W. Grogan, J. Freeman, R. Poulter, J. Geldart (s) 7-34. P. Gath, G. Catto, C. Payne, G. Mangan (s) d R. Challinor, K. Doolan, B. Rosewall, J. McIntosh (s) 28-13. L. Catto, V. Wilson, R. Broadbent, C. Mangan drew P. Griffin, S. Howe, T. Watson, D. Campbell (s) 17-17. Inglewood 61-0 lost to Strathfieldsaye 91-18. E. Patterson, P. Lyndon, I. Bradley (s) lost to J. Davis, M. Filan, N. Dewhurst, T. Phelan (s) 18-22. D. Shay, D. Roberts, J. McClymont, H. Leech (s) lost to B. Toomey, J. Dole, S. Curnow, J. Cummins (s) 10-20. B. Scoble, W. Concol, W. Wilson, B. Taig (s) lost to A. Hingston, R. Clemson, G. Sargeant, P. Schultz (s) 18-27. M. Chamberlain, D. Shay, K. Stewart, C. McEwan (s) lost to R. Thomas, D. Curnow, L. Wynd, K. Toomey (s) 15-22. Bendigo 80-14 d Woodbury 66-4. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 35, Bendigo 30, South Bendigo 19, Campbell’s Creek 16, Inglewood 14, Bridgewater 5, Woodbury 5, Golden Square 2.

Wilson and Razor Broadbent contributing well to bridge the gap.

The Goldfields side travelled down the road to Dunolly to play on their greens for the first time, once again the Goldfields teams have welcomed the club, with their hospitality.

Best rink of the day was lead by Chris Brooshooft who managed a draw, and with more game time our new bowlers are starting to improve.

Division 1 Inglewood 47-2 lost to White Hills 60-14. S. Laird, C. McEwan, L. Kelly, L. Witham (s) d N. Thompson, E. Bell, J. Brennan, W. O’Connor (s) 19-14. H. Leech, A. Caserta, D. Wilson, G. Wilson (s) lost to M. Carter, D. Bambrough, H. Jansen, C. Jansen (s) 13-20. M. Chamberlain, B. Taig, B. McClymont, I. Chamberlain lost to R. Sheen, E. Cooney, D. Fiedler, D. Kaye (s) 15-26. Bendigo 66-12 d Eaglehawk 64-4. Golden Square 52-2 lost to Kangaroo Flat 64-14. Bendigo East 61-8 drew South Bendigo 61-8. Ladder: Kangaroo Flat 53, Eaglehawk 48, Bendigo East 41, Bendigo 34, Golden Square 31, South Bendigo 24, White Hills 24, Inglewood 7. Division 4 Dingee 65-2 lost to Bendigo 69-14. J. Monaghan, S. Lawry, L. Demeo, L. Demeo (s) lost to L. Thiele, M. Kelly, L. Trahair, R. Matthews (s) 22-26. K. Pollock, N. Hocking, F. Grieves, M. Grieves (s) lost to D. Penfold, M. Mitchell, J. Wells, A. Champion (s) 24-26. T. Kavanagh, P. Plant, B. West, S. Cail (s) d M. Whiffin, B. Bell, L. Hocking, B. Whiffin (s) 19-17. Calivil 41-0 lost to Strathfieldsaye 70-16. R. Boyd, J. Clymo, K. Richards, C. Maxted (s) lost to K. Rogister, R. Tickner, N. Dewhurst, S. Curnow (s) 14-20. H. Gronow, J. Wiltshire, S. Hope, M. Collett (s) lost to I. McIndoe, J. McGregor, P. Jardine, P. Schultz (s) 14-22. L. Dennis, M. Boyd, L. Gronow, C. Mitchell (s) lost to L. Millard, R. Rogister, V. McLoughlin, T. Probert 13-28. Harcourt 90-16 d Golden Square 36-0. Bendigo East 41-0 lost to South Bendigo 77-16. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 58, Harcourt 50, South Bendigo 48, Bendigo 46, Dingee 18, Bendigo East 18, Golden Square 16, Calivil 2. Division 5 Golden Square 31-0 lost to Inglewood 51-14. J. Watson, M. McKinstry, J. Holcombe, W. Stammers (s) lost to J. Roberts, P. Lyndon, D. Garrett, A. Harrison (s) 19-22. D. Long, G. Blease, V. Bayliss, K. Watson (s) lost to E. Patterson, P. McEwan, I. Bradley, D. Whitehead (s) 12-29. Campbell’s Creek 52-14 d Woodbury 360. South Bendigo 42-14 d White Hills 27-0. Strathfieldsaye 33-0 lost to Marong 39-14. Ladder: Marong 54, Inglewood 42, Campbell’s Creek 41, South Bendigo 40, Strathfieldsaye 21, Woodbury 18, Golden Square 7, White Hills 1. Division 6 Bridgewater 44-14 d Golden Square 26-0. B. Catto, G. Harrison, J. Fagan, A. Harrison (s) d S. Rooke, T. McManus, T. Cantwell, L. Marshall (s) 25-12. R. O’Toole, V. Wilson, C. Mangan, M. Wright (s) d L. Watt, S. Benney, H. Penning, T. Cope (s) 19-14.

Inglewood’s Lindsay Kelly

Dave and Doug Shay are first-year pennant players with Inglewood. LH PHOTO

Loddon trio face tough court time

SETS were hard to win for Loddon’s three sides in the Marong Tennis Association on Saturday.

Powerhouse sides Marong and Harcourt have again asserted early season dominance and accounted fo Newbridge and Woodstock.

Derby, after several close calls in opening rounds was unable to quell the fire of Wilsons Reef.

MARONG

Marong 14-93 d Newbridge 4-55

Ladies: S Hardingham J Cornish lost to E Jenkyn N Jenkyn 1-6. S Hardingham

G Turnbull lost to E Jenkyn d McCluskey 3-6. J Cornish G Turnbull d N Jenkyn D McCluskey 6-1. S Thompson H Turnbull

d K Graham Partner 6-2. S Thompson S Turnbull d B Sutherland Partner 6-1. H Turnbull S Turnbull lost to K Graham B Sutherland 4-6.

Men: L Frankel Z Turnbull d D Graham D Stewart 6-4. L Frankel C Hardingham

d D Graham A Broom 6-2. Z Turnbull C Hardingham d D Stewart A Broom 6-1. N McCaig D Turnbull d Newbridge 6-5. N McCaig K McCaig lost to A Broom Partner 1-6. D Turnbull K McCaig d A Broom Partner 6-2.

Mixed: S Hardingham C Hardingham

d E Jenkyn D Graham 6-2. J Cornish L Frankel d N Jenkyn D Stewart 6-1. G Turnbull Z Turnbull d D McCluskey A Broom 6-4. S Turnbull N McCaig d Newbridge 6-1. S Thompson D Turnbull

d K Graham Partner 6-3. H Turnbull K McCaig d B Sutherland A Broom. Woodstock 3-52 lost to Harcourt 15-99

Ladies: F Curnow N Earl lost to K Walters S Blake 0-6. F Curnow H Stone lost to K Walters K Eastwood 3-6. N Earl H Stone lost to S Blake K Eastwood 3-6.

A Andrews-Stone E Ruthledge lost to B Trethowan H Brane 1-6. A AndrewsStone P Morris lost to B Trethowan E Minster 3-6. E Ruthledge P Morris lost to H Brane E Minster 1-6.

Men: G Leach D Tolly lost to L Tunn B Bickford 1-6. G Leach N Punton lost to L Tunn H Eastwood 2-6. D Tolly N Punton d B Bickford H Eastwood 6-3. T Heather A Curnow lost to M Blake P Brane 1-6. T Heather K Punton d M Blake S Gaskin 6-3. K Punton A Curnow lost to P Brane S Gaskin 2-6.

Mixed: F Curnow G Leach d K Walters

L Tunn 6-3. H Stone D Tolly lost to S Blake B Bickford 0-6. N Earl N Punton lost to K Eastwood H Eastwood 5-6. A Andrews-Stone A Curnow lost to B Trethowan Partner 5-6. E Ruthledge T Heather lost to H Brane P Brane 4-6. P Morris K Punton lost to E Minster M Blake 3-6. Derby 5-64 lost to Wilsons Reef 13-90

Ladies: T Leerson P Normoyle d E Molenaar J Fitzgibbon 6-2. T Leerson K Galea d E Molenaar B McKimmie 6-4. P

Normoyle K Galea lost to J Fitzgibbon B McKimmie 3-6. D Normoyle C Harrison lost to J Taylor C McKinstry 3-6.

D Normoyle T Flood lost to J Taylor F Lucas 3-6. C Harrison T Flood lost to C McKinstry F Lucas 0-6.

Men: L McCullagh B Galea lost to S Taylor B Taylor 5-6. L McCullagh N Pollock lost to S Taylor J Wilkinson 4-6.

B Galea N Pollock lost to B Taylor J Wilkinson 1-6. N Naughton L Naughton lost to J Taylor S Taylor 4-6. N Naughton F Dangerfield d J Taylor Z Porlai 6-4. L Naughton F Dangerfield lost to S Taylor Z Porlai.

Mixed: L McCullagh P Normoyle lost to B Taylor E Molenaar 5-6. N Pollock

T Leerson d S Taylor B McKimmie 6-1. N Naughton D Normoyle d S Taylor J Fitzgibbon 6-1. B Galea K Galea lost to J Taylor J Taylor 2-6. F Dangerfield C Harrison lost to J Wilinson F Lucas 1-6. L Naughton T Flood lost to Z Porlai C McKinstry 3-6. Ladder

LODDON VALLEY

Serpentine 1-88 lost to Dingee 4-99

Men: S Howard J Gladman d A Hocking N Condliffe 7-3. S Howard C Tuohey d A Hocking M Harvey 7-3. J Gladman C Touhey lost to N Condliffe M Harvey 4-7. D Addlem N Cockerell d M Hocking D Condliffe 7-3. D Addlem J Ketterer lost to M Hocking J Diss 3-7. N Cockerell J Ketterer d D Condliffe J Diss 7-6. Ladies: P Cockerell H Addlem lost to C Whitfield A Hay 4-7. P Cockerell A Johns lost to C Whitfield S Hay 0-7. H Addlem A Johns d A Hay S Hay 7-5. N Rose T Twigg lost to K Pay K Ellis 2-7. N Rose J Carlin d K Pay E Hay 7-5. T Twigg J Carlin d K Ellis E Hocking 7-6. Mixed: S Howard P Cockerell lost to A Hocking C Whitfield 6-7. J Gladman H Addlem d M Harvey A Hay 7-3. C Touhey A Johns lost to N Condliffe S Hay 3-7. D Addlem N Rose lost to M Hocking K Pay 1-7. N Cockerell T Twigg d D Condliffe K Ellis 7-2. J Ketterer J Carlin lost to J Diss E Hay 2-7. Lake Meran 0-55 lost to Calivil North 5-110

on Loddon

Men: C Chamberlain A Chamberlain d L Maxted O Balic 7-3. C Chamberlain E Moresi lost to L Maxted K Maxted 3-7. A Chamberlain E Moresi lost to O Balic K Maxted 0-7. J Dowling R Fawcett lost to T Smith J Smith 3-7. J Dowling V Moresi lost to T Smith A Lister 1-7. R Fawcett V Moresi lost to J Smith A Lister 3-7.

Ladies: C Downs C Moresi lost to M Balic H Vinnicombe 1-7. C Downs L Rothacker lost to M Balic T Smith 0-7. C Morsei L Rothacker d H Vinnicombe T Smith 7-2. L Hosking C Bell d S Lister P Balic 7-3. L Hosking T Pickering lost to S Lister P Maxted 1-7. C Bell T Pickering lost to P Balic P Maxted 2-7. Mixed: C Chamberlain C Downs lost to O Balic M Balic 1-7. A Chamberlain C Moresi lost to L Maxted H Vinnicombe 3-7. E Moresi L Rothacker lost to T Smith T Smith 5-7. J Dowling L Hosking d K Maxted P Balic 7-4. R Fawcett C Bell lost to J Smith P Maxted 0-7. V Moresi T Pickering lost to A Lister S Lister. Yarrawalla 4-107 d Raywood 1-75

Men: D Mann L Forster lost to J Sinclair M Collins 1-7. D Mann M Scoot lost to J Sinclair A Demeo 3-7. L Forster M Scott lost to M Collins A Demeo 5-7. H Emm-

erson T Stevens lost to P Harris A Wall 3-7. H Emmerson T Broad lost to P Harris N Marlow 5-7. T Stevens T Broad d A Wall N Marlow 7-4.

Ladies: E Prout C Emmerson d B Zuidema S Demeo 7-2. E Prout C Challis-Broad d B Zuidema R Demeo 7-2. C Emmerson C Challis-Broad d S Demeo R Demeo 7-2. S Glae G Scott d M Haythorpe M Ludeman 7-3. S Gale M Schmidt d M Haythorpe B Adams 7-0. G Scott M Schmidt d M Ludeman B Adams 7-3.

Mixed: D Mann E Prout d J Sinclair B Zuidema 7-4. L Forster C Emmerson d M Collins S Demeo 7-5. M Scott C Challis-Broad d A Demeo R Demeo 7-6. H Emmerson S Glae lsot to A Wall M Ludeman 6-7. T Stevens G Scott d N Marlow M Haythorpe 7-1. T Broad M Schmidt d P Harris B Adams 7-1. Ladder

Mincha West 4.83

Calivil North 4.17

Dingee 3.5

Yarrawalla 2.67

Raywood 2.5

Serpentine 1

Lake Meran 0.13

INGLEWOOD

Powlett lost to Korong Vale 5-19

Men: B Isaac T Johns d J Turnbull B Keller 8-3. T Johns B Lock d B Keller J Keller 8-4. B Isaac B Lock d J Turnbull J Keller 8-7. G Dehne R Turnbull lost to K Walton P Gibson 1-8. R Turnbull D Williams lost to P Gibson R Weston 4-8. G Dehne D Williams lost to K Walton R Weston 5-8.

Ladies: B Wilson A Higgs lost to S Keller J Turnbull 3-8. A Higgs T Alexander lost to J Turnbull E Turnbull 4-8. B Wilson T Alexander lost to S Keller E Turnbull 5-8. S Simons K Dean lost to A Gibson S Keller 4-8. K Dean S Simons lost to S Keller A Gibson 6-8. S Simons lost to A Gibson 0-8.

Mixed: B Isaac A Higgs d J Turnbull E Turnbull 8-5. T Johns B Wilson d B Keller J Turnbull 8-6. B Lock T Alexander lost to J Keller S Keller 5-8. G Dehne S Simons lost to K Walton S Keller 3-8. R Turnbull K Dean lost to P Gibson A Gibson 4-8. D Williams K Dean lsot to R Weston A Gibson 5-8.

Fenton’s Creek lost to Wedderburn Junction 10-14

Men: O Holt L Holt lost to P Turnbull T Lockhart 5-8. L Holt S Lockhart d T Lockhart C Harg 8-6. O Holt S Lockhart lost to P Turnbull C Harg 6-8. M Burge G Bird lost to J Hayes R Carrol 2-8. G Bird A Benaim lost to J Hayes K Weston 0-8. Ladies: G Lockhart O Lockhart d S Lockhart M Postle 8-5. O Lockhart J Millie lost to M Postle S Turnbull 6-8. G Lockhart J Millie lost to S Lockhart S Turnbull 3-8. A Guerini C Day d R Ellsmore C Drinkwater 8-1. C Day R Black d C Drinkwater J Wanda 8-0. A Guerini R Black lost to R Ellsmore J Wanda 5-8. Mixed: S Lockhart G Lockhart lost to T Lockhart S Lockhart 7-8. L Holt O Lockhart d P Turnbull S Turnbull 8-5. O Holt J Millie d C Harg M Postle 8-3. M Burge A Guerini d J Hayes C Drinkwater 8-6. G Lockhart C Day lost to R Carrol R Ellsmore 7-8. A Benaim R Black d K Weston B Hughes 8-5. BOORT

Barraport 6-52 d Leaghur 5-40 A Poffer L Boyd lost to G Boyd H Lanyon 3-6. J Bear J Malone lost to J Nuttall K Hare 5-6. G Cunningham M Stringer d C Hird A Poffer 6-2.

Polyanna Hayes, Alice Turnball and George Chalmers get some tips from Rachel Black at Wedderburn. LH PHOTO

Abbie Potter in action at Boort on Friday night. LH PHOTO

Two right royal bowling spells

BOORT Yando has shown they are royal performers with the ball in Upper Loddon junior cricket.

The Kings - Declan and Liambrought Kingower’s time at the crease to an end on Saturday.

Despite a strong opening stand from Tyler Murphy and Morgan Lonza, the middle order and tail collapsed at the hand of Boort Yando’s pair.

Declan conceded just eight runs in his three overs, claiming two wickets.

Then it was Liam’s turn for an even more impressive four wickets off six overs and just five runs scored. Boort Yando v Kingower Boort Yando

Zanker 3-2-1-0, L. King 6-1-5-4, S. McClelland 2-1-3-0, C. Gooding 4-1-4-1.

1-0-1-0.

Fergus Bear was a lone hand for Boort Yando in Saturday’s senior match against Wedderburn.

PHOTO

Big Poss: a grinch with the ball

ADAM Postle was at his meanest and best on Saturday for Wedderburn Band.

The opening bowler’s six overs against Boort Yando at Market Square snared three wickets.

And every over was a maiden as he frustrated and cajoled Boort’s batsmen into taking a swing.

Postle set the scene for a dominant Band performance that saw just three batsman remotely rattle the scoreboard.

It was left to Fergus Bear to register the only respectable score for Boort.

But his solo hand came to an end on 26, falling to the bowling of Cam Steel and Boort on just 7/35.

Steel struck two overs later with the wicket of Garry Zanker while youngster Beau Hartnell helped finish off the tail with two wickets.

The Boort side included six of its juniors stepping up to senior ranks.

The club has lost the experienced Al Knight this season and it is uncertain whether former skipper and wily batsman Jason Hodouras will pad up this season. His inclusion in the Boort side

would be a massive boost to its fortunes and create some headaches for opponents.

Chasing a target of just 39 runs, Boort quickly set to work only to see Boort senior debutante Luke Boyd put an early spanner in the works when he bowled Fin Turnbull for 7 and the score on 17.

But it was Steel who on Saturday found better rhythm at the crease and hit a handy 26 to almost single handedly win the match for Wedderburn.

Steel’s knock included four fours and two sixes.

His dismissal in the ninth over saw Wedderburn declare.

The Band sits well clear on the ladder with a perfect start to the season and has the bye this Saturday.

Arnold will be at home to Boort Yando and Kingower hosts Bridgewater.

With the Redbacks starting to settle and show glimpses of the form that took them to the premiership last season, they could break the ladder deadlock with Boort and start securing a top four place.

Kingower will have greater depth on display in its match against Bridgewater.

Heroic Harry puts life in Bulls

AN UNBEATEN knock of 88 from Bridgewater opener Harry McKinley sent a warning to Upper Loddon rivals that the re-emerging Bulls will be capable of causing havoc this season.

Back after a year in recess, the Bulls experienced hands are showing an example of youngsters playing down the order.

McKinley’s 35 overs at the crease against Arnold on Saturday came off 88 deliveries.

Eight were driven straight to the boundary, one over the fence.

Brother Tom gave solid support, facing 87 balls before caught behind by Phil Scholes off

the bowling of Michael Dale. That would be the only wicket taken by the Redbacks.

Toby Naughton joined Harry at the crease and contributed 19 runs as Bridgewater batted out the overs and the team posted an impressive 151 runs.

The Bulls created an early headache for Arnold when Scholes was bowled by Ben Power.

At 1/22, there was a good battle underway but fellow opener Ryan Metelmann proved a sure and steady hand.

His 81 off 82 balls would prove the difference. Skipper Henry McCullough was good in the sup-

port role with 22 runs before dismissed for 22 and Cam Hancock’s 23 was enough to get Arnold in front after 31 overs.

Metelmann and Hancock featured in an impressive 74-run partnership.

While the Bulls were economical in the extras department, they were unable put down deliveries that hindered the steady run rate orchestrated by Metelmann.

Dale and Hancock proved their worth with the ball to be Arnold’s most economical bowlers.

Seth Hewett-Scull had those honours for the Bridgewater Bulls.

JaydenLeach(Kingower)3 80 8 10 22.88 2.62 StevenGiorlando(Wedderburn) 4 51 7 7.29 15.43 2.83

Devastating form ... Wedderburn’s Adam Postle. LH PHOTO

Bridgewater’s Harry McKinley. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD sport

Thursday NOVEMBER 7, 2024

NIGHT FEVER SWITCH

By CHRIS EARL

FRIDAY night pennant tennis has seen an immediate jump in player numbers at Boort.

The lawn tennis club has ditched traditional Saturday afternoon matches for its 20242025 season that started last Friday.

“We’ve gone from four teams of six players to now having eight players in each side,” said club treasurer Alister McDougal.

“A couple have dropped out from last season but we’ve picked up a dozen players with some returning after a year or two off from the competition.

“The change to Friday nights also suits families and allows people to play other sports on a Saturday.

McDougal and club president Greg Bear said the switch had been under consideration for several years.

“The proposed redevelopment of the Little Lake Boort precinct includes lighting for the tennis courts,” McDougal said.

While funding is still to be secured for the Loddon Shirebacked project, Boort’s tennis club has brought in temporary lighting to play on Friday nights.

“The change has also lifted the number of youngsters taking part in our junior program,” said Bear.

BOOSTS PLAYER NUMBERS

KAIN Robins and Paul Thomson will lead Marong’s Loddon Valley football premiership defence in 2025.

The Panthers’ have looked in-house in the search to replace three-time flag coach Linton Jacobs who will have charge of Heathcote league’s side Colbinabbin next season.

Robins has been a vital cog in Marong’s hat-trick of flags and was Jacobs’ assistant in 2022 and 2023.

He was the assistant senior coach at Eaglehawk in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, coached Hopetoun in 2011 and 2012, spent a year as assistant coach at Mt Pleasant in 2014 and was head coach at Charlton in 2018 and 2019. Thomson this year coached the Panthers’ under 18 side that lost the grand final to East Loddon Rams.

“Last year we had only eight youngsters on a Saturday morning, tonight we had 20 turn up for coaching before the pennant would halt the decline in participation experienced in the last five years.

and team numbers and is aiming to grow a family-friendly culture.

juggle sporting commitments on a Saturday,” he said,

The Boort change comes as Inglewood and District Tennis Association leaders have also started talks on future format options with that competition now

Loddon Eagles last week withdrew from the new season after playing just one match. Eagles had been unable to muster player

The Inglewood association, like Boort, has seen a drop in player

Wedderburn Lawn Tennis Club has organised January junior clinics the last two years. The club’s next generation of players is with parents at Saturday matches, taking to the courts between competitive sets and the afternoon tea break.

According to McDougal, the return of several families to the Boort competition had been a big positive from the Friday night decision.

“Families had been having to

“Those in the local cricket sides travel pretty much every second week to other towns and that can make it impossible to be back in Boort to play tennis in the afternoon.

“We also have some now also earning a spot in the senior cricket side.

“Scheduling our competition on Friday night gives them the opportunity to continue playing both sports and creates family time.”

Marong’s weekend announcement said: “With over 10 years experience in coaching with particular strength in player development, Paul will continue to work with our younger boys to build the transition into senior football from junior level.”

“Aiming to build on the current game structure and expectation Marong has become accustomed to, Kain and Paul have hit the ground running with no intention of slowing down.”

Jacob Mulquiny is among players taking to Boort courts on a Friday night. LH PHOTO

Kain Robins