Loddon Herald Thursday 9 March 2023

LH PHOTO

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March 2023

Senior Detector Token Hunt $55.00 for the weekend including breakfast & entertainment on the Saturday Evening. $45.00 for one day

6.45am Breakfast & Registration (both days)

7.45am Competitors briefing (both days)

Saturday - 8am to 3pm: Token hunt – All tokens found are to be handed in by 4pm. Sunday - 8am: to 1pm All tokens found are to be handed in by 1.30pm

Rules & regulations must be adhered to and coils must not exceed 14 inches.

Saturday

10am to 4pm: Coiltek Detector demonstrations. These demonstrations are to introduce beginners to prospecting. Run every 2 hours

1.30pm Registration for Inglewood & Districts

Bendigo Bank Junior Gold Panning Competition $5.00 per child.10am Inglewood & Districts Community BendigoBank

Junior Gold Panning Competition, Tiny Tots 3 to 7 yrs, 8 to10 yrs, 11 to 13 yrs and 14 to 16 yrs 1st, 2nd & 3rd trophies for each age group.

4pm to 6pm Seniors Gold Panning Knockout (Victorian Gold Panning Association assisting with this activity) –registration $5.00

Saturday Evening – 6pm tea followed by 8pm entertainment and minor draws for competitors in Detector Jamboree (must be on site to win).

Sunday

8am Registration

8.30am to 1pm: Coiltek Junior Detector Token Hunt – cost $10 per child (8 -16 years) Children must be registered and coils must not exceed 14 inches. 1st prize Minelab Vanquish 540. 2nd prize Minelab Vanquish 440. 3rd prize Minelab Vanquish 340. Draws to occur around 1.30pm

10am to 2pm: Coiltek Detector demonstrations – These demonstrations are to introduce beginners to prospecting. Run every 2 hours

2pm to 3pm Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree

Token Draws Major Draws for senior token hunt sponsored by Minelab. Minelab GPX 5000 value $4999. Coiltek major prizes. Must be on site to win Detectors and Coiltek major prizes

WHEN gold was discovered literally laying on the rocky ground around Wedderburn in the 1850s, miners tried their luck on Hard Hill.

The historic mining reserve is where today hundreds of treasure hunters take part in the Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree every March long weekend.

The jamboree brings hundreds of prospectors equipped with technology still to be invented when miners first tried their luck on the hill where the landscape is still pitted with gullies and shafts that yielded some new wealth.

Today’s prospectors do find the old speck of gold or even a small specimen. But it’s one of the tokens that brings most excitement in the authentic gold detecting experience.

The tokens go into a competition with the winning collecting a new Minelab detector with all the technology to unearth their next special find - gold, coins, medallions, buttons and buckles overlooked by the passing decades.

Participants in the junior and open token hunts vie for generous prizes, while spectators can enjoy children’s activities, tour local attractions and test their luck with lucky draw prizes.

Entry for senior participants costs $55, which covers breakfast on both days and live entertainment, or $45 for one day. Non-participants are free.

This family-friendly event also includes prospecting and gold panning competitions for all ages and demonstrations in the art that once saw miners wash dirt in the beds of local creeks and rivers.

The weekend also has a town garage sale, live music and market stalls.

The program gets underway with breakfast on the Saturday, followed by a briefing before con-

testants head out to the bush to search for this year’s allocation of metal tokens.

Sunday sees children aged eight to 16 years encouraged to try their hand at finding the tokens, with prizes of three new detectors on offer.

The Jamboree has become a “must” on many prospectors’ calendars since its beginnings in 1998, both for the competition and the chance to catch up with fellow enthusiasts.

The event normally attracts 150-180 entrants for the token hunt, plus families and friends.

The major prize in the senior token hunt is a Minelab GPX 5000 detector valued at $4999 and other donations are from Coiltek, Wedderburn Tourism and regional and local businesses.

Treasure hunters heading to hill March-ing to fortune

GOLD was discovered in Wedderburn in 1852. The most popular story regarding the find is that a shepherd named Brady found gold while looking after sheep.

Apparently he wasn’t particularly interested in the find and passed the information on to some prospectors from South Australia travelling through the area.

The area where the first gold was found is located on the St Arnaud Road approximately 3km from Wedderburn.

The site now boasts a sign “Brady’s Find”. Although the South Australians tried to keep their find secret, word leaked out and by December 1852 there were some 6000 people in the area looking for gold.

Just under a century later, there was the second big rush. In March 1950, veteran prospector Bert Smith dug a hole in Wilson Street, Wedderburn, and found a gold nugget. It turned out to be worth £1100.

Bert’s sentiments ‘hope there’s more’ were shared by many people and his find sparked a frantic gold rush where the town’s backyards, roads and gardens were torn up in search for gold Wedderburn corner store Bert’s find uncovered

more than a lone lump of gold: it was revealed that Wedderburn resident Dave Butterick had been mining in his backyard for the past three years and had found a lot of gold. Three nuggets were spectacular: Golden Retriever was found on March 11 1950 and valued at £13000. Wedderburn Dog was found the following day and Golden Wedge, a seven-ounce nugget, was found on March 29 1950.

In April 1950, over 8000 people came to Wedderburn to see them all on display. There is still gold in and around Wedderburn.

Some people believe there is a reef under the town itself and several times in recent decades the streets have been dug up in search of it.

In 1980, schoolboys Russell Fazzani, Jim Hard and Adam Turner decided to try their luck prospecting at Beggary Hill. It was not long before their metal detector buzzed with the discovery of what turned out to be an 85-ounce gold nugget.

This March, another 70-plus years on from the second rush, the 21st century crop of prospectors will be hoping they strike gold or fortune during the Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree.

Loddon HERALD

FARMERS RALLY FOR POWERLINE DETAIL SAYING ...

UNKNOWN UNFAIR

By CHRIS EARL

FARMERS are pushing for detail on new plans for an electrical transmission line through northern Loddon districts.

More than 20 primary producers met at Woosang last Friday for a briefing by Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit.

They are wanting Australian Energy Market Operator to give more details on its VNI West (Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West) project preferred Option 5 released a fortnight ago before consultation ends early April.

Farmers are also critical of the State Government’s compensation offer of $8000 a kilometre for only the first 25 years of the 40-year project.

“Without indexation, you won’t be able to buy two pots and a pie in 25 years’ time,” Andrew Lockhart told the briefing.

Mr Nesbit said: “There’s potentially major infrastructure running through this valley in the next four years.

“The change of preferred route brings the project right through this valley and there are no details on the properties it will be on.

“The biggest problem (with the project) is having consultation without the details,” he said. “It’s hard to make comment without the details.”

Mr Nesbit said earlier preferred routes would have sent transmission lines through potato-growing country where farmers had been campaigning to put lines underground.

The earlier route would have linked with the interconnector

running from Bendigo to Kerang through Prairie.

Murray Group of Councils, that includes Loddon Shire, had a briefing on the new route last Thursday where shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said councils were told of pop-up sessions starting at the weekend.

“At the same meeting council requested additional consultation and advertising along with a longer consultation period,” Mr Fitzgerald said Mayor Dan Straub said council would formalise its position on Option 5 by the end of March.

MORE REPORTS - PAGE 9

Machinery,

AEMO talks pop up at short notice

A LITTLE-PROMOTED community pop-up session was to be held this morning in Boort by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

The Boort session to “stop by to speak to the team and learn more about the project” was listed on the AEMO website.

It was one of 10 over a fortnight between Echuca and Waubra. The first was at Stawell on Sunday.

However, no sessions have been listed for Wedderburn and Pyramid Hill although one is planned for Charlton.

AEMO says: “AVP and Transgrid are committed to engaging openly with communities through this additional consultation process to build trust and ultimately, social licence for electricity transmission.

“A series of webinars, briefings and community drop-in sessions prior to submissions closing to raise awareness of, and support understanding of the additional work being undertaken to assess potential connection opportunities between VNI West and WRL.

“These sessions are designed to consult further with stakeholders, Traditional Owners and communities, giving AVP and Transgrid an opportunity to listen to a broad range of views and gather valuable information before a final decision on the preferred option is made.”

The latest project report identifies land of interest through Loddon although a firm route has not been published. Consultation ends on April 5.

CLEARING SALE - POWLETT PLAINS

Friday 10th March 2023 - 10am Sharp!

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

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

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

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

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

10

Wanting details ... farmers gather at Woosang discussing the new preferred transmission line route that could be strung through their valley. LH PHOTO

HE’S going for gold! Bradley of Boort has been sufficiently inspired to dig deep for inspiration in coming up with this week’s Treemendous Sign. Bradley says the weekend’s gold detector jamboree was a good link to current pithy puns.

message that disturbed OTF slumber and made him restless for the rest of the night.

SHOULD our local sporting warriors boost their luck when going for gold? Sweden’s Carolina Kluft, who won the heptathlon at Athens Olympics in 2004, also believes that sport is about enjoying yourself. She carries a stuffed toy everywhere she goes, just so that she is reminded of that fact.

T

HE quest for gold was certainly at fever pitch and high on the serious scale for lawn bowlers when finals were played on Monday - Calivil and Inglewood teams were lined up for the big “games” opening ceremony in scenes reminiscent of an AFL grand final at the MCG. But they stood and waited, and waited ... for the audio to finally click in and blast out a stirring rendition of the National Anthem to signal the commencement of combat.

NOW Stinga from up Calivil way has been a bit shy in telling us The Oracle (he who just remembers the last time St Kilda saw MCG glory on grand final day - when God Save the Queen was still the National Anthem) ventured north on Sunday and won the chocolates. Never fear, The Oracle tells us: “The annual grudge match at Calivil Arena had Stringa and crew simply outclassed. No need for a steward’s inquiry as the results are pretty clear with The Oracle and his partner knocking off your northern correspondent 13-8. The old northern correspondent’s typewriter must have ran out of ink if you have not received a report on your desk by now,” The Oracle gloated in a late night text

UGO Frigero is said to be one of the pioneers of the fun and enjoyment element in sport. A 10,000-metre walker, he would insist on the band at the Olympic Stadium playing music when he entered. The Italian waved his arms to help the musicians keep the right tempo and once even stopped during the race to yell instructions to the band. Is it any wonder then that he won gold medals in 1920 and 1924.

WE HAVE reported in OTF that some local players prepare for a big game with a big juicy T-bone. But what happens afterwards? According to reports received in recent days, tennis teams and juniors have pizza at No 1 spot on celebratory feasts ... and this beggars the big question of whether the famous mini-pizzas will appear at local cricket finals on Saturday. If they do, you can bet they’ll be smothered in sauce and have the kick for bowlers to give batsmen the flick.

Shop fronts to town history

THE first batch of blue plaques telling the history of Pyramid Hill buildings have been installed by the town’s historical society.

Assistant secretary Michael Gregory said the first of 32 plaques was placed at 5 Kelly Street, the building now used as the town’s op-shop. Plaques have also been added

to the facades of the chemist and butcher’s shops as part of the project funded by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

“We are progressively installing the 32 plaques and will complete the project by erecting a location map indicating the historic sites around the town,” Michael said.

Impounded cats given new homes

TEN cats impounded by Loddon Shire have been found new homes.

A report to councillors at the February meeting last week said only one cat impounded in the December quarter was destroyed.

They were told 10 cat traps

were also issued to residents during the quarter.

Two dogs were impounded with one returned to its owner while one was found a new home.

Staff also responded to 10 reports of wandering or trespassing livestock.

Historical society members Michael Gregory and Peter Reynolds attach a blue plaque to the facade of the old chemist store.

Reserve committee wants campers back mid-year

CAMPERS could return to Newbridge Recreation Reserve by the mid-year school break.

Committee secretary Sue Horsley said a June re-opening for camping was possible as volunteers and contractors continued the cleanup that started within days of the near-record level floods.

The reserve went under water last October for the second time in 11 years and the reserve committee has been working with insurance assessors and their contractors on repairs.

Work at the flood-damaged reserve this week will see painting and tiling of the main building.

Sue said struts and bearings had been cleaned to remove mould and new plaster walls installed.

Sue said confirmation on insur-

Sue Horsley

ance coverage for some damaged areas at the reserve was still to come.

The committee has dipped into its bank balance to fund some repairs and replacements while

waiting for approval of State Government grant applications.

Sue said some equipment would have been removed from the reserve if Goulburn Murray Water had alerted the town in the days before floodwaters hit on October 14.

“Even with 24 hours notice, we would have had farmers with trucks taking out electrical and other equipment,” she said.

“We weren’t given that opportunity by GMW,” she said.

Newbridge Football Club president Andrew Friswell told supporters this week that “things are looking positive” for the club to be back at its base this year”.

“Inside the main building, all of the plaster has almost been completed with painting commencing this week also and we also

expect that tiling should start in the next couple of weeks.

“All windows and doors have been repaired in the main function room.

“On the footy oval, water has finally been reconnected and all sprinklers have been repaired or replaced.

“There is still a lot of work on fencing etc that needs to be completed and our lights are a little bit away from being in working order”.

Sue said the Rock on Loddon fundraiser in January had been a significant help to funding early repair and replacement works at the reserve. She said the committee was looking at how to recognise people who contributed and made donations to the recovery fund.

Flood inquiry chance to ask questions

A VICTORIAN Parliament inquiry into October’s flood emergency needed to look at the adequacy and effectiveness of early warning systems, Northern Victoria MP Region Gaelle Broad said.

The Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Committee will report on the preparedness and response to the floods.

Ms Broad told Parliament: “Evacuation orders were issued for towns like Seymour, Shepparton and Rochester.

“But in other areas people wrongly as-

sumed that the water levels would not get higher than the 2011 and for some it was too little, too late.

“There were night evacuations in some areas, and in the inquiry we will ask why. I heard that there were restrictions on text messages for community meetings. You could send them for bushfires but not in the case of the floods.

“We also need to consider the emergency response. Certainly the experience of the 2011 did assist the understanding and re-

sponse this time around. We need to look at the mitigation measures. We should consider the benefits of ring levee programs for regional houses outside of country towns to help protect those areas.

“The committee will be able to conduct a broad review of flooding and flood preparedness across Victoria and deliver findings and recommendations to improve our response by June 30, 2024,” Ms Broad said. “We need to hold committee hearings in northern Victoria in the towns that were affected.”

Fire risk remains

CFA volunteer firefighters still faced significant grassfire risk across the state with grasslands completely cured in most areas, chief officer Jason Heffernan said last week at the release of Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn. “Grassfires travel faster than you can run and can threaten lives and property. We ask community members to continue to monitor conditions, be aware of the fire danger rating.”

Off road three months

A 21-YEAR-OLD Boort man has had his licence suspended for three months and been fined $601. Police said the man was detected driving at 134km on a 100kmh speed limit section of the Boort-Wedderburn Road last Wednesday.

Leadership talk

LODDON Mayor Dan Straub, Cr Gavan Holt and shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald spoke on leadership to this year’s Wedderburn College student representative council members last week. SRC members were later presented with their badges by Cr Straub.

Final dips

LODDON swimming pools will have their final season opening on Monday. The long weekend forecast should see two days good for a dip.

Bird watchers spend day talking technology and exploring bush

BIRD expert and bird-watching tour guide Simon Starr led more than 20 local enthusiasts on tours through Loddon bush on Sunday.

Simon was the key speaker at Loddon Plains Birds Day Out held by the Loddon Plains Landcare Network with a grant from the State Government’s volunteer innovation fund.

The day started with a presentation at the Inglewood Goodshed (LPLN headquarters) on birds of the Loddon region ranging from the flood plains

of Durham Ox to the gold country of Wedderburn, with stories relating to revegetation, better farming practices, and the impacts on bird communities and bird behaviour.

Simon also talked about technology and the way it has helped bird watchers and monitoring.

He spoke on the importance of citizen science and how volunteers are able to engage with recording data and identifying bird species and their locations.

This brought up discussions about local volunteers with

their trials and tribulations on ways to improve research, citizen science and bird volunteering.

After lunch participants spent the afternoon being guided to key hotspots throughout the Inglewood and Wedderburn area in particular the Mt Korong Nature Conservation Reserve.

“The day was a great success for the region, it was a very enjoyable day with Simon and a great feature for the bird-watching community,” said Landcare facilitator Will Sanson.

Bureaucratic hurdles behind demise of Easter egg hunt

INCREASED Parks Victoria red-tape for holding events has been cited by Friends of Kooyoora for dropping two major activities.

Convenor Robert Scholes said the annual Easter egg hunt and Kooyoora Spring Festival would not be held this year.

“Even in the light of increases in followers and members, and the success of many of our regular activities and annual events, the group has found that decreasing active volunteer numbers and increasing bureaucracy requirements to hold events in Parks Vic parks and reserves has led to the organisation deciding that many of the activities and projects that it previously conducted are no longer viable,” he said.

“The bureaucracy in terms of paperwork has got beyond a joke. It’s facing every organisation.”

Friends of Kooyoora committee has also decided not to run local bushland tours this year.

Mr Scholes said the group would instead focus on major projects including production of a new local butterfly, dragonfly and damselfly field guide, the bush colours book project, documentation of local

rare and endangered flora and establishing weather stations in Kooyoora Ephemeral Soaks.

He said the group also aimed to provide connection and resources to the community through its resource centre at Bridgewater.

Regular activities would be conducted at the centre on Sundays, Mr Scholes said.

Centenarian Nance back in home town

A CENTENARIAN is returing to her birthplace on Saturday for a birthday celebration.

Nance Esmore (nee Hancock) will mark her 101st birthday with a return visit to Dunolly.

Nance’s grandfather was George Hancock who was known as one of the grand pioneers of the Dunolly area.

Nance is looking forward to catching up with relatives and local families who have stories to tell and photos to share about

the old pioneering families of Dunolly. The family is meeting at St John’s Church on Saturday morning for an informal gathering to hear the wonderful Fincham organ and to tell stories and share reminiscences over a light lunch in the St John’s Hall. Nance married local lad Arthur Esmore who worked in Dunolly at the Crouch Reel factory and the Peter’s Soap Factory. Nance Hancock was the granddaughter of George Hancock who established the Model Farm in 1858.

Robert Scholes

Simon Starr and Will Sanson at Bird Day Out. LH PHOTO

Volunteers in ‘dark on SES’

WEDDERBURN State Emergency Service volunteers say they have been left hanging after the appointment of a Bendigo-based controller.

They have contacted the Loddon Herald with concerns about the treatment of volunteers.

“We use our initiative at incidents and keep getting pinged (by bureaucracy),” one said this week.

Volunteers said only local unit members had been last Monday’s regular training night.

A statement by current unit controller Will Boyd was sent from SES media last week

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

“As the acting unit controller, my focus is to harness the strengths of existing members and expand the unit’s membership base.

“I’m currently both a VICSES volunteer and staff member, and have been involved in the emergency management sector for over 13 years across a variety of roles, including regional agency commander and trainer.

“Over the coming months, we are keen to attract further Wedderburn and surrounding district community members to volunteer with the unit and will attempt to appoint, train and

support a new local unit controller. This volunteer role will be advertised to the community shortly, requesting local expressions of interest.

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

“The unit is currently home to a medium rescue truck capable of carrying all the necessary specialist equipment for road crash rescue and general response, complemented by two fourwheel drive vehicles to respond to community requests for assistance.

“VICSES regularly rotates its fleet to meet operational requirements and to maximise the useful life of each vehicle. In time, this will see Wedderburn receive a heavy rescue truck.”

Unit volunteers have raised concerns that their response to incidents is being hampered by a vehicle only allowed to carry two people. Some rescue equipment has also had to be removed from the vehicle.

SES confirmed Wedderburn’s light rescue truck can only carry two occupants, as well as any operational equipment and gear.

“As a community focused organisation, it’s imperative we reflect and represent the diverse and varied communities we serve,” the SES said.

Deborah Bogenhuber

Food Next Door

Mildura, The Murray

The spirit of the Murray River is in the food we eat. At Food Next Door, we match migrant farmers to land and create ‘Out of the Box’ fresh produce boxes that supply our local cafes, restaurants and the community.It’s a beautiful cycle that brings everyone together and visitors to Mildura can enjoy our culture of creativity and inclusivity.

WOMEN’S DAY HONOUR Jenny Hosking was last week named the 2023 recipient of the Kooyoora Women’s Network International Women’s Day certificate of recognition.

Jenny, of Bridgewater, was presented with the award by network president Colleen Condliffe in recognition of her contributions to the community through the network, school and bowling club.

Guest speaker at the dinner was Kaye Nankervis who joined Colleen and Jenny (above) after the presentation.

Among more than 60 people at the International Women’s Day dinner were (left) Tricia Currie, Alison Jones and Josie McKinnon.

VICTORIA - HOTEL -

Fashions

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

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

Our winter trading hours are as follows

MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00

POT’N’PARMA NIGHT

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00

HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

ALL DAY PIZZA MENU

Second encephalitis death in region

A DEATH and two more cases of Murray Valley encephalitis in northern Victoria have been reported, the Health Department confirmed on Tuesday.

It said one case was a woman in her 60s who passed away in February. She was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes in Greater Bendigo but also spent time in Swan Hill during her acquisition period. The other new case – a man in his 70s – is being treated in hospital. He was potentially exposed to infected mosquitoes in the Shire of Campaspe.

The two additional cases bring the number of confirmed Murray Valley encephalitis cases in Victoria to three this mosquito season, with two deaths.

“These additional cases show mosquitoborne viruses are continuing to circulate, especially in northern Victoria. We’ve seen cases of mosquito-borne viruses this season in people visiting the Murray Valley, so we’re taking this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of protecting themselves from mosquito bites,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

Loddon Shire is setting mosquito traps weekly in Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Bridgewater and Boort to collect samples.

Firewood season opens

AUTUMN firewood collection season started last Wednesday.

Woodcutting for personal use is allowed in designated areas of the forest across the Loddon until June 30.

Local firewood areas include Cains Track near Kooyoora State Park, Little Bulldog Track near Bealiba and Old Leed Road at Sporting Flat near Dunolly.

Only trees or parts of trees that are already on the ground can be collected and to timber within 20 metres of rivers, creeks, lakes or dams can be taken.

CUP FASHIONS The finest in country fashion was on show at Boort Trotting Club’s cup meeting on Sunday.

on the field saw dozens of women look for the nod from judges from

Harness Racing Victoria. Horsham’s Eliza Fraser won lady of the day sponsored by Boort’s Hazel Whitmore (above left) Local lady of the day prize was awarded to Wendy James (above right).

Louy Lonsdale (below left) won hat of the day for her butterfly creation while also lapping up the atmosphere were Kirsten Burgoyne, Dot Beattie and Rhonda Marshall (below right)

Farmers question missing detail after option release

POTENTIAL modifications could increase future capacity of AEMO’s preferred option five.

The statement from AEMO last week came as it said the alternative location for the terminal station connecting VNI West and WRL was raised during previous stakeholder feedback in December.

That feedback, including 26 submissions, saw AEMO announce a new preferred route from Bulgana, near Ararat, to St Arnaud and through the Loddon Shire to Echuca a fortnight ago.

An impromptu meeting of farmers at Woosang last Friday called for more detail and an increase on a six-week of consultation. Ian Gould was critical of the State Government farmer compensation offer of $8000 for every kilometre transmission lines went over their property.

“The compensation is only for 25 years ... the project is for 40. Any compensation should be for the life of the project and indexed,” he said. “We need to know the facts and not be bullied.”

Mal Burge and Tony Holt questioned the value of the Government’s compensation package if a property was split in two and the impact on resale and lease values.

Andrew Lockhart said: “There will be a loss of productivity of land that is ongoing. In 40 years

the (government) compensation payment wouldn’t even buy two pots and a pie.”

Wedderburn VFF branch president Graham Nesbit said lack of consultation and detail were the biggest problems for farmers. Mr Burge told the meeting: “Consultation needs to be six months. Six weeks is too short of time for something as major as this.”

And farmers in the Woosang fire shed last week questioned why the latest AEMO report did not include an option for running transmission lines underground. Mr Nesbit said underground lines would more than double the project’s life to 100 years.

Evan Ferguson said AEMO should meet with local farmers.

“We want to hear from AEMO themselves and the minister too,” he said. “(All the questions) keep coming back to a lack of information.”

Free seed service

Have you been thinking about growing food at home but not sure where or how to start? Well, have we got an idea for you!

Healthy Loddon Campaspe has partnered with Grow It Local to launch a FREE seasonal seed service curated by gardening legend Costa for Loddon Shire residents.

Not only will you receive free heirloom seeds, but you will have access to an exclusive Member Dashboard where you will receive videos and how-to articles speci c to each stage in the grow-along journey, including plant origins, growing tips and recipes!

Registrations close tomorrow, Friday 10 March. Get in quick as free seed packets are limited.

To register visit growitlocal.com/freeseed-service.

VFF president Emma Germano has said despite the Government’s offer of landholder payments for impacted landholders, farmers deserved the right to a fair compensation process and the ability to have access to any documents that determine the transmission process as well as avenues to appeal transmission lines on their private property.

“We’re demanding the Victorian Government urgently clarify on what grounds farmers can appeal, how they can gain access to the materials needed to appeal and who they will appeal to. Reg

ulatory oversight must be inde

pendent and transparent.

“The future of farmers and communities along the hundreds of kilometres of new powerlines is incredibly unclear. We need to know whether the Government has decided to steamroll through these projects.”

Assessment of feedback before early April will be by AEMO Victorian Planning and Transgrid.

A spokesman said on Monday: “We’re still consulting and will provide a recommendation in the project assessment conclusion reports in May. If the project proceeds to development, additional consultation (such as an environment effect statement) on the proposed route will be undertaken with the local community.”

‘Give community a benefit’

REG Holt and Ken Pattison want a financial windfall for Loddon if the proposed transmission line runs through the shire.

The pair last week were quick out with their call for AEMO and Transgrid to commit to a community benefit.

“What could we do if there was a community benefit contribution? There could be big investment in roads and infrastructure,” said Mr Pattison who farms at Fernihurst.

“We need a community benefit for altering our vista forever. We can get a lift out of this (project).

“We know they (the Government) are fast-tracking this ... we could be looking at hundreds

of turbines feeding into the grid if this is managed properly. We need to have community benefit and farm owner benefit.”

Mr Holt, of Wedderburn, joined with Mr Pattison in calling for benefits for communities.

But he also had questions of AEMO on the proposed line’s future capacity and distance between towers. Mr Holt and Mr Pattison said they would plot a possible route on AEMO documents that only indicate identified land of interest.

Mr Holt said a wind measuring station on his property showed wind speed at 8.4 metres a second - the ideal speed - for turbines that could feed the grid.

Wedderburn residents who evacuated during the October oods were recently invited to a site visit to learn about structural improvements made to the Skinners Flat dam wall.

A community recovery bus tour included a walk around the dam wall where Council o cers were on hand to provide detail on the works, and nished with a barbecue lunch at Soldiers’ Memorial Park.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the tour, Council hopes it provided you with a great understanding of the dam and improvement works.

Reg Holt at the wind test site on his Wedderburn property. LH PHOTO

Ian Gould

CLEARING SALE POWLETT PLAINS

Friday 10th March 2023- 10am Sharp

Machinery, Collectables & Antiques

A/C DJ & JI GRIGG (Property Leased)

Onsite: 1823 WEDDEBURN- SERPENTINE RD, POWLETT PLAINS

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

FIELD BINS & AUGERS: 28T “Sherwell” field bin with Auger, “Sherwell” field bin with Auger (320 bag) PTO drive, “Sherwell” field bin with Auger (300 bag), 36’ “Sherwell” Auger, 12’ pencil Auger.

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

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

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

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

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

FULL DETAILS & PHOTOS www.fpnevins.com.au

92 Brooke Street, Inglewood Office: 03 5438 3041

Agent: James Nevins 0407 302 900 Vendor: Daryl 03 5438 3369

CLEARINGSALE

CLEARING SALE BOORT - PROPERTY SOLD

A/C M LANYON “GLENMORE”

WEDNESDAY MARCH 15 @ 10.00AM

266 BARRAPORT SOUTH RD, BOORT

PLANT & EQUIPMENT

John Deere 7210 MFWD tractor, Burder FEL c/w GP bucket & forks, 3

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

Mobilco 20’ x 8” Auger Kohler motor. Shearer fire harrows. Bartlett 3 wheel flat top trailer. Bartlett 3 wheel trailer, c/w grains sides. Seed & Super trailer. Fire fighting unit, Honda pump & attachments. 122 ltr fuel trailer 12v pump. 12’ Dolphin boat, 30 hp Mariner outboard mtr & fish finder. Assortment of old / antique ploughs and farm implements to numerous to mention. Quantity of new and used fencing material. Sundry workshop tools and equipment to numerous to mention.

Terms:

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

Directions:

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

Vendor – Mark Lanyon

M 0407 053 393

Agent – Nick Byrne

M 0428 546 825

Agent – Zak Johnson

M 0477 282 569

FOR LEASE BY TENDER

323.75 Hectares – 800 Acres

To

be offered in 2 Lots

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

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

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

Lot 2: ”Wehla”

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

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

Lease document and inspection by appointment

HIGHEST OR ANY TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED

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

Further Particulars:

Abbey’s Golden Shears first

LAANECOORIE’S Abbey Curnow at the weekend became the first Australian to win the junior wool handling title at the Golden Shears championship in New Zealand.

Abbey was the Victorian ambassador in Shearer Wool Handler’s exchange program with Elite Wool Industry Training that saw ambassadors attend a two-day pre-Golden Shears workshop before competing and representing Australia in the titles.

She was a clear winner for the event that was first added to the Golden Shears program 38 years ago.

After starting as a roustabout in shearing sheds when finishing school four years ago, Abbey last year completed 12 months of woolclassing training.

And achievements in theoretical and practical assessments saw Abbey named the Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia ambassador for her excellent workmanship, top attitude, and ability to work well in a team.

Abbey has worked closely with trainer Marion Kelly who is a former Australian wool handling representative at Golden Shears.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

A significantly cheaper market on lambs, with heavy lambs most affected. Heavy and trade lambs $10-12 cheaper. Sheep $5-8 dearer.

Monday, March 6th 2023 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 14,500 Sheep - 5,500

MARKETS

ONLY a slight change to supply at 12,600 lambs at Bendigo on Monday, however there was a noticeable decline in buyer demand.

The two major supermarkets were again absent and many other key processors were quiet amid reports most companies have good supplies of stock around them.

Slaughter lambs over 24kg cwt were $8 to $18/head cheaper in a sometimes erratic market. In contrast there was some stronger sales in the light lamb run including for any of well-bred little stores that were offered in bigger one-mark lines.

There was no super heavy lambs in this yarding. The 30kg plus export lambs sold from $225 to a top of $255, and buyers still gave reasonable support to the lead two or three pens in each agents draft.

Where the market lost the most momentum was on the heavy 26-30kg lambs which ranged from $191 to $228, the main run of fat score 3 crossbreds averaging $205.

Heavy trade lambs, 24-26kg, $172 to $192 to av $180. There was a wide price range of 650c to just on 800c/kg across processing lambs, with the majority of weights and grades averaging between 690c to 750c/kg cwt. Once under 20kg most lambs $80 to $140.

There was some dearer sales of well-bred crossbred lambs in the 12-16kg range to the pad-

dock at $74 to $113. Bigger yarding of sheep at 7600 head and competition for heavy mutton improved by $5 to $15.

Heavy ewes $115 to a top of $143 at an estimated 330c to 400c/kg for most. Bigger selection of Merino wethers made $71 to $124 to also be dearer.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

Colvin Family Trust Eppalock (51) $244, Wokanmel Past Co Ballandalla (46) $234, IL Filbey Creek View (70) $220, P Webb Bridgewater (31) $213, J & J Wright Charlton (37) $194, W & J Roberts Charlton (31) $183.

CROSSBRED EWES

ALB & R McIntosh Wanalta (106) $245, DJ & ED Lees Rochester (110) $233, WJ Whatley Goornong (22) $228, SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (40) $227, Robert Niven Elmore (14) $222, Mirnee Partnership Hunter (43) $215, CA & TR Borger Colbinabbin (100) $208, DL & TM Jensen Diggora West (100) $205, AB & KB Broom Neereman (31) $195, D & M McKinnon Marong (34) $125.

MERINO EWES

Rich River chaff and grain Strathallan (22) $140, M Hartland, Huntly Nth (41) $134, SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (53) $125, Mooraview P/L Rushworth (31) $120, B & E Kerlin,

GRAIN

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.

Champion junior woolhandler Abbey Curnow. LH PHOTO

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

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

MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

PARMA NIGHT

EXTENDED PARMA MENU

WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

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

84 Godfrey Street, BOORT 03 5400 9650

railwayhotelboort

CELTIC CULTURE Hundreds soaked up Celtic culture in Bridgewater on Saturday when kilted clansmen joined locals for a day of music and action of the first Scots Day Out in the town.

Among them was Bridgewater’s Lewis Benny who stepped back to Medieval times with Bendigo Swordcraft’s Sam Lines (above).

The kilt dash up to the old railway station was won by Tom Bailey (right) who strode out in his makeshift tartan kilt.

February falls below average

RAINFALL across the Loddon in February was well below average with Wedderburn recording the highest fall for the month.

Wedderburn had 5.8mm after receiving 42mm in January, according to the Bureau of Meterology.

Durham Ox recorded a slightly above average fall of 58.2mm in January but only 4mm last month while at Carnary Island 14.2mm was measured in January but no falls registered in February.

Prairie had 37.8mm in the gauge in January and 4mm last month.

Inglewood’s figures for the two months were 35.6mm and 3.8mm with Tarnagulla recording 22mm and 4.6mm.

Rainfall across the Loddon on Monday ranged from 12.4mm at Wedderburn and 11.4mm at Inglewood to 6mm at Prairie and just 4mm at Canary Island.

Planning approvals make good time

ALL planning permit applications to Loddon Shire in the December quarter were assessed and issued within the statutory timeframes, statutory planning co-ordinator Louise Johnston told councillors last week.

“This is 31 per cent above the rural average,” Ms Johnston said in her report.

“In addition, the median processing days for council to make a determination on applications is 33 days, well below the rural average of 78 days, a great result for council and its planning team.”

New building permits issued for the quarter totalled $12,575,231. The total so far this financial year is more than $21 million.

Among musicians were members of pipe bands from St Arnaud and Castlemaine (below) who entertained throughout the day and performing Celtic songs from the railway station verandah was harpist Alison Walsh (below left).

Kooyoora Women’s Network partnered to bring Scots Day Out to the Loddon and received event sponsorship from the shire council and Victoria’s Multicultural Commission to stage the day.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Bluey says hello to all the young readers of the Loddon Herald ... with special activities on our young reader’s page this month.

Winners of last month’s competition are Angela H and Bronte P. Entries for this month’s special hats colouring competition close April 2.

Send your entries to Bluey, Loddon Herald, PO Box 1188

Kangaroo Flat 3555 or email loddonherald@gmail.com

And remember to include your name, age and address so Bluey can pick the right prizes for our lucky winners of the colouring competition.

Where’s underground option?

Sir, If this new western option is No 5, what on earth were the other options (VNI West project, Loddon Herald, March 2, 2023)

What number was the underground option? We know the option one was disputed cleverly, but that group had two years to thoroughly research their case.

They raised one interesting dilemma though. You cannot drive a header under the new power lines. In the western option number five many bigger farms will be cut in half.

The government will pay $8000 a year to rent their land. Multiply this by 25 years, as it will cut off after that, and you get $200,000.

Not enough to buy a new header to farm the other side of the powerlines.

Oh dear have they ordered the towers already? Is this why the consultation has been shut down? Where has all the machinery gone that tunnelled the brilliant water pipes in our region?

YOUR ONLINE WORDS

Appointment of a Bendigo-based controller for Wedderburn State Emergency Service unit has had reaction from Loddon Herald readers

Ian Marriott wrote: With so many SES units across the state in crisis it begs the question why?

Mick Korong wrote: The hierarchy has been destroying the SES for over 20 years. Just need to ask various volunteers. But then some volunteers have a God complex too. Doing more harm than good in situations they know nothing about (I’m not talking about the local volunteers, the incidents were in Melbourne) it’s usually these power hungry-people who go into the hierarchy then proceed to hinder the volunteers.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We need this infrastructure. It is such a shame that the more expensive option, the longer lasting option, the less maintenance needed option, the less money wasted on legal disputes option seems to be off the table.

GillianMillie Wedderburn

Preference is given to letters to the editor of 300 words or less. All letters must include full address and phone number for verification (not publication) and should be sent to loddonherald@ gmail.com or PO Box 1188 Kangaroo Flat 3555. The Loddon Herald reserves the right to edit contributions for legal or space reasons.

1. What nut is used to make marzipan?

2. What element does ‘O’ represent on the periodic table?

3. Who was British Prime Minister before Theresa May?

4. What’s the name of the river that runs through Egypt?

5. In metres, how long is an Olympic swimming pool?

6. Can you name the actors who played Rachel Green, Joey Tribbiani, Phoebe Buffay, Chandler Bing, Monica Geller and Ross Geller in Friends

7. What’s the name of the Royal family’s castle in Scotland?

8. What five basic senses do humans have?

9. Who did Orlando Bloom play in Pirates Of The Caribbean?

10. Which English town has football teams called United and Wednesday?

11. What three ingredients typically make a margarita cocktail?

12. What five colours are the Olympic rings?

13. What’s the highest mountain in the world?

14. How many wives did Henry VIII have?

15. What’s the name of Andy Murray’s tennis playing brother?

16. Where would you find the Golden Gate bridge?

17. What year did World War Two end?

18. What’s the capital of Spain?

19. How many makes up a baker’s dozen?

20. What is the main fruit in Ribena?

Ian Walsh wrote: Vollies should all be paid ... and paid admins do the admin work ... not handball it to the road crews.

From the Loddon Herald Facebook page

Community Bank Inglewood

Musos strip rusty chords

By CHRIS EARL

WHEN Rohan bumped into Hayden at Pyramid Hill’s Victoria Hotel a few months back, they were just a couple of rusty musicians without a band or any gigs in the diary.

The pair had played cover bands for years in Bendigo before drifting away from the live music scene.

Hayden White, a farmer at Tandarra, had his drum kit gathering dust in the shed.

That unplanned reunion with bass guitarist Rohan Eckart struck a chord and the musical juices were flowing faster than a turbo-charged disco beat.

They hit the phones to old band mates to hand-pick a new combo. First to sign up was friend Helen Garchitorena who they knew from her days in Pyramid Hill but now lived in Serpentine.

Ken Richie has moved from Bendigo to Serpentine and was quickly brought into the band by Helen.

The quartet still had one spot to fill. Rohan had been in bands with Axedale’s Sonia Atherton - bingo, the vocalist was in and the Rusty Bearings was formed over some ales at the Dingee Hotel.

Rehearsals started last month in Hayden’s shed. On another visit to his local in Pyramid Hill, Rohan spoke to publican Paul Carter and the first gig later this month was in the diary.

“We’re just warming up,” said Hayden in a break during the band’s second rehearsal putting together repertoire, dusting off the cobwebs and stripping away the rust after a few years of musical suspension.

“We aim to play at gigs about once a month,” said Helen. “When we were putting the band together, I immediately had my new neighbour Ken in mind.”

Ken has long been part of the central Victorian music scene and Bendigo Blues Club. He says forming Rusty Paddocks will be good for music in Loddon towns.

“Pubs are an important meeting place where our music can bring people together,” he said. “The music scene has changed

a lot in places like Bendigo. Live music is not as strong unless you are a solo or duo act.

“We don’t want to be playing every week ... that would quickly saturate the scene but it’s great to already have gigs in the diary.”

Hayden, who runs his 350-hectare farm and feedlot, said the diary also included a Mitiamo Football Club function and a wed-

ding. “Word has spread pretty fast since we decided to form,” he said.

“We’ve even had my neighbour and Loddon Mayor Dan Straub drop in to hear how we are going.”

As the only non-Loddon performer in the Rusty Bearings line-up, nurse Sonia says she enjoys the trips to Tandarra for rehearsals. And besides, it’s catching up with like-minded musos whose paths were

crossed or shared in the days before COVID lockdowns shutdown live music.

For now, Rusty Bearings will play covers at its gigs but Rohan said the quintet will get to work on some originals too.

By the end of the band’s second rehearsal, they weren’t sounding rusty at all as the pencil gets sharpened for more gig entries in the diary and the Loddon’s own rock band takes to new stages.

Scraps and scrapes on incident-filled day

By JULIE PIENING

THE 28th Rheola Charity Carnival of 1898 was not without incident.

There were a few versions of what happened- during a race, one horse galloped into a crowd and collided with several people. One woman was knocked down and received head lacerations, while the boiler attendant received severe scalp wounds and broken ribs.

The other story was that a young man, Foster Dawson, a son of a well-known resident, was riding his horse in an event and it fell and some of Mr Dawson’s teeth were broken.

The following year was reported to be incident free much to the relief of everyone.

In 1903, the attendance was the smallest for many years. owing to the counter attractions at Bealiba, Newbridge and Berrimal. Adults paid sixpence for admission. Gross takings for the day were reported as just over £110 and expenses just over £39.

The 38th carnival on Easter Monday 1908 was held at the recreation reserve for the first time. A committee of management had been granted the area as a reserve. There were 15 events on the program and included footraces, cycle races, horse trots and gallops and a ladies’ driving competition.

While the Sports afternoon was in aid of the Inglewood and Dunolly Hospitals, the evening entertainment was in aid of the

Recreation Reserve Improvement Fund.

The following year, woodchop competitors were to find their own logs. The logs needed to be truly round and solid, 50 inches in girth, green-grey box with bark to be left on for purpose of identification.

The Judges had the power to disqualify any competitor who did not fulfill these instructions.

The 1913 carnival saw the novelty of Mr. C.J. Ansett’s motor car which had been engaged by the committee to run short trips. The privilege of enjoying this means of locomotion was eagerly awaited and the venture proved an exceedingly profitable one for the charity.

The lead up to the 1916 Carnival was not without drama. A number of local newspapers reported of a standoff between two committees over the hire of the local hall for the evening of April 24 and where the proceeds of the evening should be allocated.

The Rheola Sports Committee determined that the funds raised from their annual sports carnival would be devoted to the two local hospitals. The proceeds of the

bar, concert and ball would be devoted to the fund established for building the local hall.

Mr. A. Lyle, secretary to the Patriotic Committee, considered his fund should have precedence over the local claims and booked the only available hall for Easter Monday night for World War One patriotic purposes and thus prevented the sports committee from carrying out its intentions.

A deputation from the Sports Committee of Messrs, J.J. O’Brien, W. Leach snr. and R. Catto interviewed Mr. Lyle with the

view of persuading him to forego his claim on the hall but was unsuccessful. A meeting was held and determined that the committee would forgo the concert and ball for 1916 but the community was in favour of still holding the sports carnival.

Therefore the 1916 Carnival was advertised for Easter Monday April 24, 1916. “A new building has been erected by the trustees of the recreation reserve committee.

“The building is not ready for use at the time of the carnival and as another committee has booked the usual McPherson’s Hall that has been used for the last 45 years, there will be no concert and ball held after the sports meeting this year.

“We look forward to the carnival, concert and ball next year in 1917 in the new hall.”

The Golden Jubilee of the Rheola Charity Carnival saw the unveiling of a painting of two ‘old timers’ meeting after a long absence that has hung over the maintenance in the Rheola Hall since it was painted in 1920 by H. Robinson of Moliagul.

The words read “Back to Rehola We Meet Again” The spelling of Rheola was incorrect.

The painting was redone in 2018 due to the ageing and fragile state of the original. Both are on display in the Rheola Hall now.

NEXT WEEK: A look at the carnival during years of depression and war

Rusty Bearings jamming tunes in Hayden’s woolshed and the lineup (from top) Hayden, Sonia, Ken, Helen and Rohan. LH PHOTOS

EMPLOYMENT

The Rollinson family would like to thank family, friends and the Boort/Fernihurst communities for the sympathy, support and kindness conveyed to us following the passing of our mother, Flo Rollinson.

We also wish to thank the fabulous BDH/Loddon Place staff and Mubarak for the individual care, respect and love provided to Flo.

The Wheelhouse family would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers and support that has been extended to them following the passing of Cliff. The generosity and kindness of family and friends from far and wide has been a great comfort.

PUBLIC NOTICES

SALES POSITION - FULL TIME

Miller Ag Supplies - Pyramid Hill Miller Ag Supplies is seeking an enthusiastic and energetic person to work in our Pyramid Hill shop.

Miller Ag Supplies is an independent locally owned business, committed to providing great products and service to our customers. This position would suit someone looking to commence or continue their career in Agricultural retail.

This position is full time, and you will be required to work some Saturday mornings on a roster. For a full job description please check our website millerag.com.au/job-opportunities/ Applications close on Monday March 20, 2023.

AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE INDEPENDENT MEMBER VACANCY

Loddon Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably quali ed persons to be appointed as an independent member of its Audit and Risk Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee has been established to support Council in discharging its oversight responsibilities related to nancial and performance reporting, risk management, fraud prevention systems and control, maintenance of a sound internal control environment, assurance activities and Council’s performance with regard to compliance with its policies and legislative and regulatory requirements.

The appointment is for a period of up to four years, with potential for two additional four-year terms.

Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience in nancial management, risk or public sector management, together with a strong community focus.

Further information, including the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Information Pack can be found on Council’s website, https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/ Our-Council/Council/Audit-Committeemembership-and-meetings or by contacting Lisa Clue, Manager Governance on 5494 1200.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 15 March 2023.

WANTED

AGISTMENT WANTED

Agistment for 100 sheep in exchange for fencing, plumbing or maintenance

Salisbury West area

Phone Neil 0417353929

WANTED TO BUY

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

Apart from exceptional verbal and written skills, the right candidate will possess excellent time management and the ability to work towards tight and competing deadlines.

Skiers selected in national team IN BRIEF

THREE Bridgewater Water Ski Club members have been selected to represent Australia at the IWWF under 21 world titles in Mexico in June. Ben Cosgriff, Corey Saddington and Layne Moroney are training from the club’s Loddon River base for the championships. President Dean Cosgriff said: “It is great to have that level of representation from our club.”

Golf pennant

PYRAMID Hill has finished run-

Draft draw lands with clubs

ners-up in the Northern District Golf Association summer pennant. Pyamid Hill contested the final against Kerang No 2 after finishing second in the nineteam competition.

Blake Gibson and Luke Roberts won their match while pennant captain Jason Deller and David Mann and president Steve Marshall and Steve Gibson went down in their games in the season finisher.

CLUBS have been given a draft draw for the new AFL Central Victoria under 18 football competition.

The draw includes a possible three ‘blockbuster’ rounds featuring all six teams playing at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval on a Friday night.

Distribution of the draft draw has been welcomed by clubs across the Loddon following frustration last week that without a draw, their season planning

and team recruitment was being hampered.

Competition manager Michael Hartley told the Loddon Herald: “The QEO would be great but nothing is confirmed.” Hartley said he was meeting with Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Bridgewater, Marong, East Loddon Rams and the new Dockers side to talk about the draw possibilities.

The first round is due to kick off on April 15.

Clubs have expressed frustra-

LODDON HERALD BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

tion with delays in releasing the draw with one official saying at the weekend that a draft draw was a good first step to easing angst and giving clarity on the season. The official said the concept of selected blockbuster rounds would boost the new league’s profile.

Hartley last week confirmed that most matches would be played on Loddon club grounds after mid-week games had been earlier been floated.

HARNESS RACING

Guarantee’s blanket success

BOORT Trotting Club’s cup meeting on Sunday turned out a guaranteed success.

A large crowd that included Harness Racing Victoria chairman Dale Monteith saw Pas Guarantee storm home by half a neck in the Beattie Family Pacing Cup.

Rochester trainer Mark Thompson came close to cup quinella with Cee Cee In America trained by Charlton’s Joe Thompson edging out Pas Guarantee’s stablemate Missed The Truth in the blanket finish.

Leading out from gate two, Missed The Truth was given no peace by Major Watson (gate four) after the pair crossed polemarker Cee Cee In America who was able to angle off the markers to settle one/one after Major Watson galloped causing a slight chain reaction before being shuffled back a spot with Pas Guarantee going forward for Jack Laugher from three back to race outside his stablemate, this relegated Major Watson to three back in the moving line.

With runs coming from all directions in the last lap, the favourite Sew What was pushed four wide from the tail as Cee Cee In America came out ahead of her. Driven desperately on turning, Missed The Truth kept on giving with Pas Guarantee issuing a strong claim and Cee Cee

In America joining in. In a blanket finish Pas Guarantee in quarters of 31.8, 32.4, 29.4 and 28.6 after a lead time of 46.7, got the judges nod by a narrow margin, with Missed The Truth who was probably a certainty beaten a half neck away third considering the petrol he used up at the start. Prosecco Boy after trailing the leader was fourth after using the sprint lane.

The mile rate 2-00.8 was just 1.5 seconds outside both Anothermasterpiece (2021) and Perspective’s (2019) track record of 1-59.3.

Boort, the oldest Victorian harness racing club, was praised for its successful cop meeting by Monteith who joined the large

crowds at Boort Park. hey witnessed top racing across the card’s eight events with the major cop races both carrying $14,000 in prizemoney.

In the Peter Walsh Trotters’ Cup, Salt Creek via Great Western owners Phillip and Tammy Giles victorious with 6Y0 Majestic Son-Wee Sun Lass gelding Double Helix who emulated his St Arnaud Trotters’ Cup success in January. Trained by Phillip and driven once again by Hamilton’s Jackie Barker, Double Helix pinged the tapes from barrier two, leading easily from Downunder Barkers (gate three) which trailed, Get Lucky (three pegs) and old timer Glorious Finale four back from 20m.

The outside division changed throughout the race with Show Me The Moolah lobbing in the breeze before gaining cover from 30 metre equal backmarker Hatchback who shortly after eased to take a trail when Beau Garcon was set alight from midfield to race exposed.

Rated an absolute treat, Double Helix bounded away on the home turn with the race safely in his keeping to register a 6.8 metre margin over Show Me

The Moolah (one/two mid-race –three wide home turn. Hatchback which moved to second in the last lap after Downunder Barkers galloped wildly held third 4.5 metres back.

In quarters of 30.5, 31, 29.7 and

30.9 after a lead time of 83.4, Double Helix returned a mile rate of 2-06.6 - 3.5 seconds outside Well Defined’s record set in 2021.

- LEN BAKER

Stalwarts made life members

COLIN Osborne and Ray Stomann were awarded Boort Trotting Club life membership during Sunday’s cup meeting.

The announcements were made by member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh who spoke of the pair’s oustanding conrtributions over many decades.

Osborne has notched up 40 years on the committee and continues to act as number’s clerk on race days.

He said encouragement from Bruce Kirk when the club was looking for younger members four decades ago had been the start of his involvement.

“I just do my job ... I don’t know where those 40 years have gone,” Osborne said after receiving the life membership badge,

only the 22nd to be awarded in the club’s 132-year history.

“I just want to see the club continue as it is going now, run by volunteers.”

Ray Stomann has been Boort’s policeman for 34 years and the trotting club was one of the first groups he joined after arriving in the town.

His understanding of administration had served the trotting club well throughout that time on the committee.

But he joked: “I don’t have a happy history of picking winners here.”

Mr Walsh and club president John Campbell praised the two life memberships for their service to the club and their spirit of being good volunteers.

John Campbell and Neil Beattie rug up cup winner Pas Guarantee. LH PHOTO Trotting cup winning driver Jackie Barker with Peter Walsh. LH PHOTO

Dale Monteith

Pas Guarantee (centre) storms to victory at Boort. LH PHOTO

Second pennant from third spot

BOORT claimed its second consecutive North Central midweek pennant bowls flag with a 25shot win over Wedderburn.

After finishing third on the ladder, Boort defeated St Arnaud by 10 shots in the semi-final and Wedderburn in the grand final played at Donald. Boort will now compete at regional level on March 22 with matches to be played at St Arnaud Country Club.

The premiership team was (from left) Tania Noles, Alan Gould, Gillian Tweddle, Ian Mercer (skipper), Yvonne Cashen, Laurie Maxted (skipper), Dorothy Gibson, Jo. Maxted, Thelma Moresi (skipper), Phyl. Baker, Pam Gould (team manager), John Gibson, Margaret Nelson, Tony Matley.

Loddon two battle right to the end

AFTER magnificent performances all season by Inglewood’s division five team, a flag proved elusive in Monday’s midweek grand final.

Inglewood fell six shots short against Strathfieldsay in the final at Bendigo East.

The team propelled along by the “Queens on the Green” gave it a good shot after getting away to a slow start.

They were threatening the opposition towards the end, but couldn’t quite maintain their momentum and eventually had a narrow loss.

Midweek grand final day also ended with another Loddon team, Dingee, unable to snare a flag.

Lyn Demeo’s rink was the best performed in the division four final, winning 24-19.

In Saturday pennant, Inglewood’s division five bowed out after a preliminary final loss to Kangaroo Flat.

Inglewood couldn’t quite maintain their good form, of the season, into the finals.

The preliminary final was played at Eaglehawk, with the green running quite fast and combined with the wind it made it quite difficult, which Inglewood couldn’t master as well as their opponents who ran away with a convincing win. The club

are very proud of this team’s accomplishments this year, after finishing on the bottom the previous year.

PENNANT RESULTS

Division 5 - Preliminary final: Inglewood 69-1 lost to Kangaroo Flat 94-17. P Lyndon, P Kelly, H Leech, I Bradley (s) lost to R Sparke, T Hurford, J Friswell, J Grant (s) 20-21. R Stranger, T Birthisel, A Noonan, A Harrison (s) drew C Verbeek, J Ritchie, J Griffiths, B Duncan (s) 22-22. G Sommers, B Moffat, D Whitehead, J McClymont (s) lost to M Verbeek, B Hansen, N Davies, K Packer (s) 17-29. C McEwan, K Stewart, D Rowe, V Tierney (s) lost to W Wigmore, B Cullen, D Martin, D Densley (s) 10-22. Midweek: Division 4 – Grand final: White Hills 60-14 d Dingee 48-2. E Bell, N Attrill, A Churchill, F Gargiulo (s) d Andy Hay, Val Sproull, Kevin Pollock, Megan Grieves (s) 17-13. M Carter, M Shawyer, A Fielder, D Fielder (s) d Susan Cail, Pamela Plant, Bruce West, Fyfe Grieves (s) 24-11. G Gardner, G Austin, L Aiello, H Walklate (s) lost to Norma Thomas, Sue Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) 19-24. Division 5 - Grand final: Inglewood 36-2 lost to Strathfieldsaye 42-12. Joan Roberts, Kevin Stewart, Arthur Harrison, Pam Kelly (s) lost to R Riley, J McGregor, G wells, M Filan (s) 14-27. Edna Patterson, Phyllis McEwan, Daniel Garrett, David Whitehead (s) d R Clemson, R Rogister, R Tickner, S Curnow (s) 22-15.

INGLEWOOD

Patsy Lyndon, after attaining the age of 80, received her veteran’s badge in a ceremony at the Marong Bowling Club last Thursday.

She is still representing the club in midweek division one, playing weekend pennant in division five as well as attending

weekly practice and also fits in some tournaments.

Patsy says that the best part of playing bowls is the people you meet and enjoying everyone’s company.

BRIDGEWATER

The mens’ club singles championship final had a good roll up of members watching.

Reigning champion Nick Saunders was challenged by Allan Harrison. Ironically these two bowlers won the last pairs championships played in 2021.

Perfect weather last Saturday, saw only one shot scored on each of the first five ends. Then the match developed with Allan getting four on a long end.

The next opportunity Nick got, he went for a short end and retrieved three.

After 11 ends, Allan was leading 13-7. The match went 24 ends and Allan had skipped away, to take the championship, 27-12. Allan won last singles title in 2011.

The women’s championships is at the semi final stage with Marg Wright to play Denise Smith, and Barb Catto to meet Robyn Shea.

The Napier Park evening comp has its last round next Wednesday. Browns Plains went one better last week toi take victory last week ahead of Allsorts.

MIdweek division five runners-up Inglewood. LH PHOTO

DIngee finished runners-up in the division four midweek pennant competition. LH PHOTO

Inglewood’s Patsy Lyndon received her veteran’s badge last week. LH PHOTO

Powlett’s double delight

INGLEWOOD association flag favourites Powlett was almost upstaged in Saturday’s Inglewood association grand final at Wedderburn.

Co-Inglewood team Loddon Eagles stunned Powlett in the men’s sets with tenacity to the fore from the first set decided on a tie-break when Smith and Rob senior won out.

Eagles were five games up as the men’s sets were wrapped up.

The women’s sets were equally as close but saw Powlett regain a slender lead helped by Eagles being a player down and missing out on valuable game points.

Powlett then took resounding control in the mixed sets although Senior and Annie Higgs (Eagles) pushed Luke Last and Shasta Maher to a tie-break.

By the time the final two sets were underway, Powlett was assured of its second successive association premiership.’

The final margin of just 13 games was one of the tightest grand final results for some years.

Eagles put in a display worthy of the grand final in what was also its best performance on the court this season.

Golding wins club championship

BOORT Lawn Tennis Club played its last home and away game on Saturday.

Leaghur 87 d Mysia 79. Barraport 117 d Marmal 92. Ladder. Barraport 20, Mysia 18, Leaghur 14, Marmal 12.

Finals start on March 18. The boys’ singles championships were played on Sunday with Cooper Gooding defeating Luke Boyd 8-4.

Association president Aaron Lock presented Powlett captain Shasta Maher with the premiership trophy and commemorative glasses to premier players and runners-up.

He thanked clubs and players for the assistance throughout the season that had seen all matches played at Wedderburn and Korong Vale after October’s

heavy rains prevented preparation of the Inglewood courts.

Loddon Eagles 106 lost to Powlett 119

Reef sneaks home in real thriller

WILSONS Reef and Harcourt will play off in the Marong association grand final.

Wilsons Reef won two more sets than its semi-final opponent but just one game more as Lockwood recorded some great results in the mixed.

In the other semi, Derby lost to Harcourt. Wilsons Reef 10-80 d Lockwood 8-79

A LADIES: J. Fitzgibbon G. Thompson d D. Wells T. Miller 6-5. J. Fitzgibbon J. Taylor d D. Wells R. Coutts 6-3. G. Thompson J. Taylor lost to T. Miller R. Coutts 5- 6. B LADIES: C. McKinstry d L. Knight A. Wells 6-3. B. McKimmie E. Molenaar d L. Knight C. Shevlin 6-2. C. McKinstry F. Lucas d A. Wells C. Shevlin

A MEN: S. Taylor B. Taylor d L. Nixon A. Doyle 6-3. S. Taylor S. Taylor lost to L. Nixon J. Coutts 4-6. B. Taylor S. Taylor d A. Doyle J. Coutts 6-3.

B MEN: H. Taylor J. Taylor lost to R. Wells C. Scoble 2-6. H. Taylor Z. Porlai d C. Dixon T. Jensen 6-3. J. Wilkinson Z. Porlai lost to R. Wells B. Wells 3-6. MIXED: G. Thompson S. Taylor lost to D. Wells L. Nixon 1-6. J. Fitzgibbon B. Taylor d T. Miller A. Doyle 6-3. J. Taylor S. Taylor lost to L. Knight J. Coutts 2-6. E. Molenaar H. Taylor lost to R. Coutts R. Wells 1-6. B. McKimmie J. Taylor lost to A. Wells T. Jensen 2-6. F. Lucas J. Wilkinson d K Mannix, C Scoble 6-2.

Harcourt 12-84 d Derby 6-63

A LADIES: E. Landy W. Kelly d L. Naughton P. Normoyle 6-2. E. Landy S. Blake d L. Naughton M. Simons 6-2. W.

CALIVIL North has claimed maximum points in its 40-year game victory over Yarrawalla in Saturday’s final home and away round of Loddon Valley tennis.

Some resounding set victories were recorded but Yarrawalla also took the ladder leaders to a number of tie-breaks.

The final series starts on March 18, this weekend a general bye for the association.

Kelly S. Blake d P. Normoyle M. Simons 6-0.

B LADIES: M. Atkin N. Trethowan d D. Normoyle K. Galea 6-4. M. Atkin P. Erny lost to D. Normoyle T. Hayes 3-6. N. Trethowan

B. Trethowan lost to F. Dangerfield T. Hayes

0-6.

A MEN: N. Kelly S. Gearing d S. Saunderson M. Dineen 6-1. N. Kelly L. Tunn d

S. Saunderson N. Pollock 6-3. S. Gearing L.

Tunn lost to M. Dineen N. Pollock 4-6.

B MEN: C. Green L. O’Brian lost to S. Bruce N. Naughton 2-6. C. Green M. Blake d S. Bruce D. Daldy 6-0. L. O’Brian A. Trethowan lost to N. Naughton D. Daldy 0-6.

MIXED: W. Kelly N. Kelly d D. Normoyle

S. Saunderson 6-2. M. Atkin S. Gearing d M. Simons N. Pollock 6-2. S. Blake L. Tunn

d F. Dangerfield M. Dineen 6-4. N. Trethowan C. Green d P. Normoyle S. Bruce 6-4. B. Trethowan L. O’Brian lost to K. Galea

N. Naughton 3-6. P. Erny D. Gearing d L. Naughton D. Daldy 6-3. GRAND FINAL - Wilsons Reef v Harcourt at Marong on March 18.

Clymo B. Clymo 3-6. J. Demeo M. Ludeman lost to C. Hicks B. Clymo 5-6. C. Sinclair M. Ludeman lost to J. Hicks B. Clymo 2-6. C. Sinclair S. Demeo d J. Hicks L. Clymo 6-1. J. Demeo C. Sinclair lost to C. Hicks J. Hicks 5-6.

MIXED: M. Collins S. Demeo d R. Hicks C. Hicks 6-1. J. Sinclair J. Demeo lost to N. Marlow B. Clymo 1-6. P. Harris M. Ludeman lost to M. Gunther L. Clymo 2-6. T. Zahle C. Sinclair d F. Clymo L. Sinclair 6-1. Lake Meran 1-81 lost to Serpentine 4-96

MEN: J. Anderson C. Chamberlain d S. Tuohey J. Gladman 7-1. J. Anderson A. Chamberlain lost to S. Tuohey J. Addlem 5-7. C. Chamberlain A. Chamberlain c J. Gladman J. Addlem 7-5. E. Moresi B. Moresi lost to C. Tuohey N. Cockerell 4-7. E. Moresi N. Pickering lost to C. Tuohey A. Addlem 0-7. R. Fawcett N. Pickering lost to C. Tuohey A. Addlem 0-7. R. Fawcett N. Pickering lost to N. Cockerell A. Addlem 1-7. LADIES: C. Downs C. Moresi lost to P. Cockerell K. Addlem 3-7. C. Downs L. Hosking d P. Cockerell N. Rose 7-1. C. Moresi L. Hosking lost to K. Addlem N. Rose 4-7. K. Bloomfield I. Hosking d T. Twigg M. Twigg 7-1. K. Bloomfield T. Pickering d T. Twigg J. Cockerell 7-2. I. Hosking T. Pickering lost to M. Twigg J. Cockerell 1-7. MIXED: J. Anderson C. Downs d J. Gladman P. Cockerell 7-4. C. Chamberlain C. Moresi d J. Addlem K. Addlem 7-5. A. Chamberlain L. Hosking lost to S. Tuohey N. Rose 3-7. E. Moresi K. Bloomfield lost to C. Tuohey T. Twigg. 5-7. N. Pickering I. Hosking lost to N. Cockerell J. Cockerell 2-7. R. Fawcett T. Pickering lost to A. Addlem M. Twigg 3-7. Dingee 0-80 lost to Mincha West 5-103

MEN: A. Hocking B. Duncan d D. Mann D. Stewart 7-6. A. Hocking R. Ellis lost to D. Mann C. Mann 4-7. B. Duncan R. Ellis lost to D. Stewart C. Mann 2-7. M. Lister J. Diss lost to P. Gargen V. Herrick 4-7. M. Lister M. Hosking d P. Gargen J. Pepperell 7-3. J. Diss M. Hocking lost to J. Pepperell V. Herrick 6-7.

LADIES: A. Hay S. Hay lost to E. Prout J. Wagner 5-7. A. Hay E. Lawry lost to Em Prout T. Prout 4-7. S. Hay E. Lawry lost to J. Wagner T. Prout 0-7. N Hocking K. Pay d M. Stewart C. Pickles 7-4. N. Hocking K. Ellis d M. Stewart J. Stewart 7-3. K. Pay K. Ellis lost to C. Pickles J. Stewart 3-7.

MIXED: A. Hocking A. Hay lost to D. Mann E. Prout 1-7. B. Duncan S. Hay lost to D. Stewart J. Wagner 4-7. M. Lister E. Lawry lost to C. Mann T. Prout 1-7. R. Ellis K. Pay d P. Gargen M. Stewart 7-2. J. Diss K. Ellis lost to V. Herrick C. Pickles 4-7. M. Hocking N. Hocking d J. Pepperell J.

Stewart 7-1. LADDER

MEN: S. Smith R. Senior d

Victorious Powlett after winning a second straight Inglewood association premiership pennant. LH PHOTO

Powlett’s Ben Leech wins his mixed set in a tie-breaker (left) and captain Shasta Maher received the premiership trophy from assocation president Aaron Lock.

SPORT

Redbacks’ second crack

REIGNING Upper Loddon premiers Arnold had luck on side to make this season’s finals.

The Redbacks for a second week will face the dominant Wedderburn when semi-finals are played on Saturday.

In their three meetings this season, Wedderburn has easily had the wood on Arnold.

From Isaac Holt’s stirring 75 with the bat in round 10 to Adam Postle’s three wickets in round 10 and the all-round bowling attack last Saturday, Wedderburn has shown every intent in denying the Redbacks any hope of defending their title.

Redbacks’ skipper Cam Dale has continued to lead by exam-

ple despite still recovering from an off-season injury. He has support but depth has regularly been at the root of Arnold falling short this season.

Wedderburn has the greater hunger to finally claim a flag after watching from the sidelines last March when Arnold knocked off Boort Yando and being well placed against Bridgewater the previous season when rain washed out play in the grand final.

Bridgewater goes into its semifinal against Kingower with a good record this season.

When the two met for the first time last year, Bulls’ skipper Harry McKinley had a good

knock of 42 and brother Tom took five wickets for the day and helped their side to victory.

The second meeting in round 14 had the Bulls equally on top and Harry scoring one of the season’s highest scores, hitting 110 runs.

When they met a fortnight ago, Kingower turned the tables thanks to a four-wicket haul by Kyle Simpson.

But fortune was not all Kingower’s way with Tom McKinley having a good day with 40 off the bat.

Player availability could be the key for both teams in their semi. Whether Kingower skipper Braydon Welsh takes the field

after his recent football training injury scare could determine Kingower’s fortunes. And if he does, will it be as big hitting with the bat or stretching to run between wickets?

Bridgewater may be without Jay Bowen who has been returning some handy results with the ball, particularly since play resumed after the Christmas break.

The Bulls have probably been the most improved side of the season, overcoming a lacklustre start.

They have demonstrated capacity to beat Kingower and a bit like Wedderburn, have a thirst to be part of the grand final action on March 18.

Shelton proves a Scrooge with ball

LOCHIE Shelton kept a tight rein on Arnold batsmen when Wedderburn further cemented its lunge for an Upper Loddon flag.

Shelton may have only claimed one wicket but half his six overs were maidens and Arnold was limited to just four runs off his 36 deliveries.

Arnold openers Ryan Metelmann and Phil Scholes had the Redbacks off to a solid start, Metelmann in a paradoxical performance that saw him well beaten by one Adam Postle delivery before finding the boundary with the next.

Metelmann belted five boundaries against Wedderburn’s opening bowlers before taking aim at an Isaac Holt ball that was caught by Brad Holt near square leg.

Four runs later, the combination joined to dismiss Scholes in a carbon copy performance that saw Arnold 2-37.

Mike Dale and Jaspa Wendels gave some hope that Arnold would secure a final spot on its own merits but Will Holt and Shelton changed that and with Arnold 4-63, Wedderburn soon demolished the tail.

Dale had been lucky to surive a drop before Will Holt’s strong bowling proved too good.

Wendels had also shown some style with a big boundary before

a backfoot shot went straight into the hands of Tom Kirk.

Kirk finished with four wickets, James Vander-Wetering took out Kale Hewett-Scull in his one over with the ball.

Wedderburn then set about chasing the 106-run target with Shelton and Brad Holt top scoring on 34 each - Shelton dismissed by the Dale boys and Mike Dale bowling Brad Holt.

The Band had easily passed the target when Louis Holt was dismissed and batted on to complete 25 overs before declaring with Will Holt and Steve Giorlando not out.

Cam Dale was the best of Arnold’s bowlers.

Repeat hopes are snuffed out

BRIDGEWATER lost just one wicket in securing its spot in the final four on Saturday.

In what was a must-win game for Boort Yando, Tom McKinley had other ideas and made his presence felt with bat and ball.

Two wickets, including opener Will Gould for just two, signalled the start of a good day for McKinley and had Boort in all sorts of trouble at 2-13.

Skipper Hodoras, Cockerell and Smith all tried to steady the

ship but were unable to overcome the bowling of Harry McKinley with three wickets, Bowen and Naughton.

Boort’s score was lifted by 12 extras during the innings that was held together in the tail by Drew Crilly.

Bridgewater wasted little time chasing 97 runs.

Tom McKinley made an unbeaten knock of 50 with Harry also not out on 31.

The Bulls were almost half-

Bowling averages

LADDER

O M R W B Av Str

way to the total when Gould bowled Jay Bowen for a modest 10. Boort’s bowling over the 25 overs conceded just two extras. Saturday’s loss saw Boort drop out of the top four in the last home and away round of the season.

Boort had been unable to repeat its stirring form of 12 months ago that would propel it into the grand final.

Cockerell was the best of its bowlers on Saturday.

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

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

Tom McKinley (Bridgewater) 80 11 245 22 5/22 11.14 21.82

Fergus Bear (Boort Yando) 80 4 387 20 5/49 19.35 24.00

Tom Kirk (Wedderburn) 44.1 13 139 17 6/24 8.18 15.69

Batting averages

M NO HS Runs Av

Braydon Welsh (Kingower) 10 2 133* 421 60.14

Harry McKinley (Bridgewater) 12 2 110 384 42.67

Will Deason (Kingower) 12 1 67 271 24.64

Matthew Rowe (Kingower) 12 0 54 261 21.75

Jarrod Hodoras (Boort Yando) 13 0 59 257 20.08

Lochie Shelton LH PHOTO

Jaspa Wendels LH PHOTO

Mike Dale LH PHOTO

sport

FAMILY FORTUNES

CALIVIL wants to go one better when it meets Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s Bendigo bowls division five grand final.

The 2020-21 runners-up missed the finals last season before steadily regaining form this year to finish on top of the ladder and push for the flag.

Crucial to the reversal of fortunes have been Allan Dennis

DENNIS ‘RINK’ EYES FLAG GLORY AFTER MINOR PREMIERSHIP

and sons Nathan and Matt - almost one formidable family rink on their own.

Allan resumed the skipper’s position from Matt in the final home and away games and was undefeated as Calivil lifted itself from being in contention to pip-

ping Inglewood for a No 1 finish.

The veteran of the family trio, Allan has been a regular in Calivil’s pennant line up for the past eight years.

His first taste of bowls came through the club’s social night bowls 30 years ago.

Nathan, 26, tagged along to social bowls a decade ago when a bee allergy prevented him from playing cricket.

Matt, 30, also got the bowling bug through social night bowls but only rook up the sport seriously after the demise of Calivil’s cricket team.

The “odd one” out in the strong performing Calivil family rink is lead bowler Ian Mansbridge.

The quartet hope they can con-

tinue the form of recent months in Saturday’s grand final against Kangaroo Flat who secured the second berth after defeating Inglewood in Saturday’s preliminary final.

Inglewood had finished the home and away season second on the ladder, equal on points and just five per cent behind Calivil. “Our Calivil rink has had no losses the past few weeks. Want it to stay that way,” said Allan.

Calivil’s Nathan, Allan and Matt Dennis ready for grand final action against Kangaroo Flat on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Music gold

Latest equipment links with history

THE bush around Wedderburn has been worked for gold over and over again since the 1850s.

And every time, there’s been treasure of some kind found in later years by prospectors using a Minelab detector.

Minelab is the major sponsor of the Wedderburn Detector Jamboree and makes sure modern prospectors are armed with the best equipment to use in their quest for gold.

They know that once you’ve made the decision to buy a metal detector and get home with it, you no doubt can’t wait to get started with some detecting.

But where exactly should you start? You can take your detector with you practically anywhere – the opportunities are endless and limited only by your imagination.

Finds can be made anywhere; you only need to take a look at any recent detecting magazine or website and you will see that there is an abundance of amazing finds being made. This shows there are still plenty of treasures waiting to be found, but some sites are more productive than others, so it helps to know the best type of places to go detecting.

All it takes is a little bit of research to identify the most promising and productive goldfields or treasure hunting sites to detect.

There are many different types

of valuable objects you can find with your metal detector, such as rare coins, ancient relics, lost jewellery and gold nuggets. Nuggets are generally found in different places to where you would typically find coins, relics or jewellery, so where you go detecting depends greatly on what you would like to find.

The best places to detect for gold nuggets are where gold has previously been found, and surrounding areas with similar geology. So again, do your research to find out about historic goldfields. Such as:

z Tailings from goldmine sites

z Old diggings (areas where pros-

pectors dug for gold in the 1800s)

z In or near streams where gold can be panned

z Dry-blowing locations (usually in arid areas where water was scarce)

z Old reef mine dumps and slopes

“When detecting for coins, relics or jewellery, use your imagination –anywhere people are likely to have left things behind – you are likely to make good finds,” says Minelab.

“Also, don’t forget the places right under your feet; you never know what you might dig up even in your own backyard.

“Ideal sources for research are the local library or historical society, Government Department of Mines, newspaper archives, local town plans, etc. Don’t forget to talk to the local people. They’ll often tell you about the popular swimming holes they used when growing up, the field that used to be a sports ground or perhaps a park that was used for a local market.

“These links to the past are all potential hot spots for you and your detector. The older the site is, the better – as your potential to find coins and relics from long ago increases.”

And Minelab tells its customers: Always remember to obtain permission to enter and detect on private property.

Enjoy Saturday night entertainment at the Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree with local artist Mikala McNeil.

Create your own adventure in the Loddon Valley region this Autumn.

From canoeing picturesque waterways, to iconic views in National Parks, from treasure hunting that must-have vintage piece or cold brews in stunning beer gardens, your adventure awaits.

AUTUMN EVENTS

Minelab Detector Jamboree

Saturday and Sunday, 11 – 12 March (Labour Day Weekend)

Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, Wedderburn

Twilight Colour Run

Saturday, 12 March

Nolens Park, Boort

Vintage Sports Car Club Sprints

Saturday, 25 March

Eddington Playfair St, Eddington

Wedderburn Bowls Easter Carnival

Thursday to Saturday, 6 – 8 April Chapel St, Wedderburn

Rheola Charity Carnival

Monday, 10 April (Easter Monday) Rheola Recreation Reserve, Rheola

Wedderburn Annual Swap Meet

Saturday, 20 May

Racecourse Rd, Wedderburn

AUTUMN MUST DO’S

your adventure awaits

Picnic: Enjoy a picnic on the banks of bustling rivers, spectacular lakes or natural wonders.

Take to the water: Glide the stunning waterways and lakes via canoe or kayak.

Iconic Views: Admire and take in the breathtaking views of the region at our many National and State Parks and Reserves.

Stargaze: Look up in wonder at some of the clearest night skies in Australia at Mount Hope and Pyramid Hill.

Cultural heartbeat: Go back in time at the Wedderburn Coach House Gallery and Museum or experience a sensory overload at the Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery.

Retail therapy: Visit the vintage and collectables precinct in Inglewood to unearth your own treasure, or visit some of the creative artisans in Bridgewater.

For a full list of events and experiences: www.visitloddonvalley.com.au