PREMIER Jacinta Allan has vowed to negotiate with Parliament’s crossbench to back the Government’s new emergency services tax that will push Loddon Shire ratepayer bills up 24 per cent.
The member for Bendigo East committed to push through with the controversial new levy and have councils as tax collection agents within hours of legislation stalling in State Parliament last Thursday.
Ms Allan batted off rising community and council anger across Victoria after opening the $17.6 million upgrades at East Loddon P12 College on Friday.
Loddon Shire councillors have told the Government to collect its own tax, fearing ratepayer backlash to the massive hike on rate notices that will be issued in September.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation wants the Government to rip up plans and start again in is bid to extend the current fire services levy to also fund 000, Forest Fire Management Victoria and other
By CHRIS EARL
disaster response and government emergency authorities.
Loddon Mayor Dan Straub and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald met with Ms Allan after Friday’s opening. They told the premier that preliminary modelling showed rate bills would jump 24 per cent and council would wear the grief.
“If council went to the State Government asking for a hike of that magnitude in our rates, it would be rejected,” one council source has told the Loddon Herald. “The Government is imposing this hike, making us collect an estimated $6 million next financial year and simply hand it over to Spring Street.”
But before those talks, Ms Allan told the Loddon Herald: “There’s no change to the collection mechanism and councils know that.”
Ms Allan said the Government now needed to negotiate with Upper House MPs asking they back the new tax “to support the SES along with fire services”.
The Government has been criticised for a doubling of the levy that councils must collect while
the Government would handle primary residence rebates for volunteers.
The emergency services levy bill, if passed would double the current tax. Debate stalled and the bill was not put to a vote in Parliament last week.
CONTINUED PAGE 4
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WEEKEND FORECAST
Ready to cactus you at carnival
DOZENS of cacti have been potted by residents at Inglewood and Districts Health Service ready for sale on the bazaar stalls at the 152nd Rheola Charity Carnival.
Residents, leisure staff and Wedderburn College student Emily Canham spent Saturday afternoon putting the tiny succulents into old tea cups for the big
day at Rheola on Easter Monday. Emily is this year participating in the school’s Duke of Edinburgh program.
Charity carnival president Matt Catto said the bazaar stalls were among the traditional highlights of Easter Monday in Rheola.
“The stalls run by our volunteers are part of the true country
fabric that continues to bring our community together and attract thousands of people to what is the shire’s biggest annual event,” he said.
The carnival will again raise funds for the IDHS, Maryborough Health’s Dunolly campus and Rheola’s recreation reserve and hall committees.
IN BRIEF
Tree watch Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action wants landowners to take the necessary steps to protect paddock trees when burning stubble on their properties. The department says native trees are protected by law and there are ways to avoid damaging them. This includes, establishing an adequate fire break around native trees and ensuring there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively with adequate water and fire extinguishing equipment accessible. Reports of destruction of trees during stubble burning should be to local councils, DEECA said. Off road for a year
A 45-YEAR-OLD Taylors Lake women has had her licence suspended for 12 months after Serpentine police clocked her speed at 160kmh on the Calder Highway at Glenalbyn about 6pm last Saturday. The woman was also fined $988.
AGM theme
FROM Little Things, Big Things Grow will be the theme at next month’s annual general meeting of North Central LLEN. This theme has been chosen to reflect NCLLEN’s cradle to careers approach to supporting children and young people to thrive in education, work and life.
Ian Jackson and Emily Canham were busy potting cacti on Saturday.
Shire pleads fairness
FARMERS face an average increase of 158 per cent in the new emergency services levy the State Government will force Loddon Shire to collect from July 1.
Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald told Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch members on Tuesday morning they faced handing over $4.1 million next financial year.
Mr Fitzgerald told the special breakfast briefing that the new levy figure compared with $1.59 million collected this year under the fire services levy.
“We (shire) will be getting grief,” he said. “It’s a fairness issue.”
“Is this money to be reinvested in Loddon? Where is this money going?”
“There will be a lot of money going out of our communities.”
The emergency services levy will fund services that Mr Fitzgerald said had been traditionally funded by GST revenue and other state taxation.
Mr Fitzgerald said a farm with a capital improved value of $8.32 million had been paying a levy of $2300. Under the Government’s planned new tax, that would be $6800.
He said shire modelling had been given to Premier Jacinta Allan last Friday.
That modelling shows the total levy collection in Loddon Shire in 2025-2026 will be $5.16 million.
Council send the money to the State Revenue Office.
The Government has said it will manage promised rebates to
CFA and SES volunteers for their primary place of residence. “The State Revenue Office will be the good guys with the rebate.”
Mr Fitzgerald said the message he and Mayor Dan Straub gave Ms Allan at their meeting in Serpentine was that the emergency services levy would put a strain on Loddon communities at a time when farmers faced dry and challenging conditions.
Farmers on Tuesday told Mr Fiztgerald the emergency servic-
es levy proposal has been raised as the No 1 issue for the VFF after a meeting this week of the Wimmera branch.
Mr Fitzgerald said council will continue its advocacy in the community and through the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria against the new levy as proposed by the Government ahead of the Bill’s expected return to Parliament for debate on May 13
But he also challenged other
MPs to stand up. “We want to hear from the Oppoisition. We need local MPs to step up and talk to the community,” he said.
“It’s not too late ... we would love to hear from the Opposition who are opposing the levy and know what they will do.”
Mr Fitzgerald also briefed Wedderburn VFF members on council advcoacy on renewable energy and maintaining the shire’s road network
He said one-on-one meetings were being organised with Loddon landowners in the path of the VNI West renewable energy transmission line project.
Meetings with VicGrid had discussed the underground transmission line proposal released last month by Syncline Energy and the need for further detail around plans to run the line from Charlton to Melton.
“Council wants to understand the plan ... we don’t have a sufficient level of detail.”
Several Loddon farmers have signed agreements with Syncline while the Government has said the plan is too costly.
Mr Fitzgerald said the release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan, expected within weeks, with renewable energy zones more targeted and including identified locations.
The emergency services levy, renewable energy and proposed mineral sands mining projects were “all adding strain” in the agricultural community,” Mr Fitzgerald told the VFF meeting on Tuesday.
Under fire Allan remains firm
Cr Straub described the meeting with Ms Allan as “a good robust discussion”.
“We explained the massive disadvantage this new levy will have on our ratepayers and also how our organisation will have to handle it,” Cr Straub said.
“The Government clearly believes the levy is necessary. The comment was that emergency services are asking for this. I am unaware of any such calls in the Loddon Shire.
“We will continueto be a voice of strong opposition and continue to lead discussions in our region as we have been doing all year.”
Cr Straub confirmed that preliminary modelling showed the new levy would be equivalent to a 24 per cent rate rise “but that rise will go to the Government”.
“We’re hopeful the Government will use this extra time to speak with rural councils and communities to better understand our concerns about the inequities built into this levy,” said Rural Councils Victoria chairman Rob Amos.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said: “while farmers would be breathing a temporary sigh of relief, legitimate concerns still linger regarding the proposed cash-grab.”
“The VFF’s focus will remain on highlighting the very real destruction that this Bill will cause and making sure the government doesn’t steamroll through with a reckless decision,” Mr Hosking said.
VFF Wedderburn branch president Chris Holt and Loddon Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald at Tuesday morning’s briefing. LH PHOTO
Country kids get lift with upgrades
A $17.6 million upgrade at East Loddon P12 College has been hailed as an investment to future proof the school.
Principal of the school with more than 260 students, Steve Leed, was the first to praise the new facilities at Friday’s official opening of stages one and two by Premier and member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan.
Ms Allan, Mr Leed and students had earlier participated in the school’s Aboriginal smoking ceremony.
The Premier said: “These new facilities will ensure more local students have the world-class education opportunities they deserve.”
“Thanks to this upgrade, we’re making sure every child has the best education facilities for generations to come,” Ms Allan said.
“Modern learning environments will help students boost creative thinking, promote STEM literacy, and inspire learning for life – critical skills for future success.”
Ms Allan thanked Mr Leed, current college council president Sharon Lister and former president Richard Hicks for their leadership during the upgrade project.
She said the upgrade made sure more students at East Loddon
College get the best education, close to home – with new specialised learning spaces delivered, making it easier for students to learn and teachers to teach.
The major stage costing $12.7 million has seen upgrades to arts and science rooms, wood and metal workshops, home economics rooms and general classrooms. Builder A.W Nicholson completed the works that also delivered a new teaching space,
partial refurbishment and landscaping. The Government said 22 jobs were created during construction including 3500 hours of apprenticeship work.
Ms Allan said: “This is not the end of a journey, but the start of a new beginning ... (and) means country kids get the same opportunities.”
She said that when the Dingee district became part of her electorate in 2014, an early visit was
made to East Loddon to learn about the opportunities and pathways available to students.
But she said the school buildings were letting students down.
Ms Allan said she had been determined to get “better buildings to match the great work (of students and teachers)”.
“The Labor Government has invested more than $17.6 million in East Loddon College to upgrade and modernise facilities.”
Let there be light! Town gives sign
NEW lighting is now showing the way at the entrances to Wedderburn.
Retired electronics technician Alan Mulraney and Dale Jackson have installed lights to complete a Wedderburn Development Association town sign project.
The pair designed the system and obtained all of the parts, retired carpenter Graeme Morgan made the control boxes and Turf Engineering made the posts for the solar panels and the covers for the lights.
Dale and Alan, along with WDA member Darryl Arnott carried out the installation.
The lights have been set to come on at dusk and turn off at 12.30am.
The total cost of the project was $60,000 which was funded from the WDA’s annual allocation from the Loddon Shire of $50,000.
Alan said the second stage of the project was to install lights at the signs so that they could be seen at night.
“This has been completed at a cost of $3,500 and was done entirely by local community members,” he said.
“This has resulted in an estimated saving of over $2000 as compared to hiring contractors. The work of volunteers has again benefitted our community.”
College council president Sharon Lister Premier Jacinta Allan, principal Steve Leed and college leaders unveil the plaque at Friday’s official opening. LH PHOTO
Decade-long wait ends as levee rises
WORK has started on the Boort levee bank, almost a decade after the Loddon Shire flood mitigation project was funded.
A roadblock to completion of $500,000 levee has been negotiations with the Bendigo-based Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation.
Loddon Shire has confirmed spending $70,000 on compliance, including a community benefit fee for DJAARA whose CEO Rodney Carter said the community benefit was under $40,000.
Council said the community benefit agreement was consistent with the Timber Creek model after a High Court judgement, not the lesser State Government agreement that had been in place.
“Throughout the land use activity agreement process, required by Victorian law, DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, has responded promptly to Loddon Shire Council’s land use activity notifications and worked constructively with Loddon Shire Council so this work could progress,” Mr Carter said.
“DJAARA also works to improve the local environment and economy for all communities. DJAARA’s activities in the area
present opportunities for jobs and regional economic growth, achieved through ongoing advocacy to protect the area’s significant cultural heritage and its potential to attract national and international tourism, as evidenced in the Lake Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan.
“DJAARA will continue to work with the local community, the shire and partners to develop economic opportunities for the region, including the potential for tourism, future housing and commercial developments on crown land.
“By law, community benefits are provided when activities on crown land have an effect on traditional owner rights.
“Less than $40,000 is payable as monetary community benefits to traditional owners under the current levee agreement between DJAARA and Loddon Shire Council,” Mr Carter said.
Local government is also responsible legal fees of both parties.
Council has engaged local contractor Coutts Earthmoving to undertake the works, which will be delivered in stages. Stages one and two are expected to be completed within four months.
Terms ends with fun of the fete
WEDDERBURN College was alive with fun for the final day of term one on Friday.
The annual fete saw students running stalls and dispensing fun. Among the large crowd were families and groups from Bridgewater, Inglewood and Tarnagulla schools. Lianne Brett was helping her grandchildren Lucy and Sam Turnbull (left) on their home-made cake and biscuit stall.
Sheree Falzon was kept busy on the facepainting stall (below) where Aria Richardson was an early visitor while Lara Polkinghorne (below) was bouncing into the fete’s fun.
Country meets city over cake and cuppa
COUNTRY Women’s Association members soaked up the history of Inglewood’s stately Nimmatabel on Saturday.
Owner Lisa Calandro donned the hat of CWA Fraser group president to welcome members of her Melbourne branch Ashburton to Nimmatabel.
Members of the branch and other metropolitan CWA members were joined by members of Wedderburn CWA for an afternoon of famous CWA fare, history talks and tours of the home that had featured on national television earlier in the week.
Lisa said being profiled on Restoration Australia had raised greater interest in their restored Inglewood property.
“We even had a couple of people ask on Saturday to join our CWA afternoon ... we made them most welcome,” she said.
Silence on lake pledge match
THE Federal Government is yet to match a Coalition commitment to fund the Little Lake Boort recreation precinct project.
Mallee MP Anne Webster in February said if a Coalition government was elected on May 3, there would be $950,000 for the project.
It is the only commitment so far by the Coalition for Loddon communities.
No other Mallee candidates have have made commitments for local projects.
The Loddon Herald has asked Labor candidate Greg Olsen whether the Coalition’s pledge would be matched. No response has been received.
Loddon Shire’s Boort Ward councillor David Weaver has said council wanted to secure a funding commitment from all candidates.
According to Mayor Dan Straub, no candidates have been in touch with the council since the election was called a fortnight ago.
The Little Lake Boort project aims to overhaul the foreshore area with improvements to Nolen’s Park, Boort Tennis Club and the Boort Croquet Club.
CANDIDATE nominations for the May 3 federal election will close at midday today.
The draw for ballot paper order of candidates will be made tomorrow at midday.
It will be made at Australian Electoral Commissions Mallee division office, outside the electorate in Bendigo.
Early voting opens on April 22.
Cr
CWA Ashburton branch president Sheryl Long and Lisa Calandro and (left) members of the Wedderburn branch. LH PHOTOS
Year 11 students head to city
BOORT District School year 11 students have all experienced more about working full time in an area of interest as they undertook work experience in Melbourne last week.
Boort District School Parents’ Club, Boort Amity and Loddon Shire assisted with support for the Year 11 students’ trip.
Students enjoyed eating out and trying new foods, exploring the city on public transport, visiting Top Arts at the NGV Ian Potter Centre and The Outsiders Street Art
exhibition, nightly activities including Melbourne Golf Park, Escape Room, Luna Park and being the centrepiece at the Comedy Festival with Tommy Little.
Year 10 students have undertaken work experience this week as well. Students have explored working in the professions of childcare, primary teaching, electrician, builder, radio host, hairdresser, diesel mechanic, music, hospitality, health and fitness, animal husbandry, veterinary and farmhand.
Cakes for cancer
CAKES of all shapes and topped in bright yellow icing ... it was Kaye’s Day at Inglewood Recreation Reserve on Saturday with funds being raised for the Cancer Council.
Inglewood Football Netball Club again organised the annual fundraiser honouring Kaye Cohalan, traditionally held when the club plays Marong.
While players wore yellow arm bands, Mila Lewis, Aya Maher and Charlie Lewis were at the front of the queue to buy one of the special cupcakes.
THERE was banter galore when Wedderburn district octogenarians accepted the invitation from 24 Karat Cafe to attend a special 80s’ morning tea. Among them were Lance Ward, John Donaldson Edwin Holt, Ray Tonkin and Keith Ring.
From Rhode Island and up the road
BILLED as the final reunion, former Inglewood Higher Elementary School students and teachers were out in force on Saturday.
Organisers Helen Leach and Jill Hobbs had spread the word and more than 100 came.
Among them was former teacher Betty Higgs, of Arnold West. Now 97, the oldest at the reunion, Betty taught at the school for nine years from 1967.
Lesley Addlem was in her final year at Inglewood Higher Elementary when Betty arrived as a teacher.
Growing up on a farm at Powlett, Lesley was enrolled at the school as a four-year-old and finished Form 4 (now Year 10) before setting off to discover the world.
She timed her biennial return to Australia to coincide with the reunion.
“Jill had given me the heads up that the reunion was being planned,” said Lesley who has lived in Newport, Rhode Island, for almost 40 years.
Lesley’s world travels took her to Africa and then two years living in Italy.
“Flew into Quebec, Canada to see a friend, took a bus down to Rhode Island ... caught up with another friend, was introduced to my late husband and stayed,” she said.
Lesley said she had travelled extensively with her late husband who had been a sonar expert.
And while there’s a few travel adventures in Australia during her latest visit back, Lesley already has more trips planned to Europe.
It’s far away from the Inglewood school days that Lesley said had great memories of “everyone playing sport, we knew students in other schools up as far as Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill”.
“For me the classroom wasn’t fun but recess was,” Lesley said. “We were typical country kids.”
Inglewood Higher Elementary School reverted to offering primary year classes from the 1970s and old class photographs were talking points at the reunion.
Members of the primary school parents’ association catered for the reunion, raising funds to help current school activities.
Jean’s classroom return with stories for her old students
FORMER students were quickly pulled into line on Saturday by their one-time teacher Jean McClymont.
Jean, who had been a student herself at Inglewood Higher Elementary School, quickly had old primary students Mark Geyer and Leigh Parry sitting in the classroom where she had taught them as a young teacher.
“I was only 11 years older than the students I was teaching back in the early 1960s ... 45 kids there were in my class,”
Jean said. The reunion also revived memories for Mark and Leigh of being on wood duty, in the schoolyard cutting wood ready for the classroom fire in winter.
They also recalled the woodwork and home economics rooms that were adjacent to their Grade 3-4 classroom, now part of the outdoor area at Inglewood Primary School.
At Saturday’s reunion, the three were old friends ... the former students now on first name terms with Jean.
Mark Geyer (left) and Leigh Parry back in their old classroom with with Grade 3-4 teacher Jean McClymont. LH PHOTO
Lesley Addlem and Betty Higgs at Saturday’s reunion. LH PHOTO
Bob Styles Gayle Smyth and Helen Leach
Brian and Neville Kelly
Sandra Allen and Deidre Bouwmeester
The Australian wool has recorded an overall increase last week, bouncing back from the falls recorded in the previous week. On the opening selling day, the market opened cautiously. By day’s end in the Eastern markets, the merino fleece Micron Price Guides (MPGs) movements ranged between plus 4 and minus 17 cents. The positive movements in the other sectors were large enough that the benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) finished the day unchanged. The day was heavily influenced by currency. Due to a weakening of the Australian dollar (AUD), when viewed in US dollar (USD) terms the market retracted. The EMI dropped by 8 US cents. The Western region selling last in the day had a noticeable increase in buyer sentiment, this resulted in spirited bidding and price rises as result. The merino fleece MPGs in the West rose by between 10 and 15 cents for the day, setting up a positive tone for the following day’s opening. This buyer positivity carried into the second day and the prices on offer for merino fleece types were generally on the rise. The MPGs movements across the country ranged between minus 12 and plus 25 cents. It was again the West selling last, recording the largest prices increases. The increases were so large that the MPGs for 19.0 to 20.0 micron closed higher than the South. The EMI closed the day and the week 4 cents higher at 1,249 cents. The EMI has now fallen only once in the last fourteen selling days. In a an almost mirror image of the previous day, a strengthening of the AUD meant that when in viewed in USD terms the rise was larger, the EMI added 9 US cents for the day, closing the week one cent higher at 787 US cents. This week there is currently 35,699 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Source: AWEX BENDIGO
109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY, EPSOM
Phone 03 5455 6333 Fax 03 8648 5816
Adam Millard | Wool | 0400 499 064
Elders Bendigo | 03 5445 6333
Craig Sharam | Branch Manager/Senior
Agronomist | 0408 188 351
Anton Mannes | Agronomist | 0499 708 044
Nigel Starick | Livestock Manager | 0408 528 322
Chris Anderson Territory Sales Manager | 0408 921 540
Glenn Jackson | Merchandise Manager | 0429 076 459
Locally-grown olives will help Cobram as US tariffs imposed
A MAJOR olive grove invested by Cobram Estate in California will buffer the company from new US tariffs.
Joint-CEO Leandro Ravetti said that while the purchase of 1340 hectares close to its existing Californian groves had not been made with a view to tariffs being introduced, the company was placed to continue local growing and production for the US market.
“Everything is produced and processed and sold in the US. That has been largely part of the success of our brand,” Mr Ravetti said this week.
“It’s the same in Australia - local is fresher and better and it’s the same path we are following the US with equal success.”
Mr Ravetti said some might see the introduction of US tariffs as a positive.
“The fundamentals in the olive oil business are pretty much the same, regardless of tariffs,” he said.
Mr Ravetti said the industry had know tariffs and European subsidies in the past. “We take these changes as they come,” he told the Loddon Herald.
Cobram Estate has the Southern Hemisphere’s largest processing plant at Boort, a $22 million investment that swung into production last harvest.
US packaged goods sales rose last year by 18.5 per cent to $23.9 million.
The company report said US sales of Co-
Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report
Today’s market saw sheep and lambs remain fully firm across all categories.
April 7th, 2025 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs
To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.
bram Estate branded products grew 103.4 per cent over the period to a total of $19. million in in the six months to December.
“The Company is encouraged by the immense opportunity to replicate its Australian business model in the US in the medium to long term. The key focus is increasing the supply pipeline of Californian produced olive oil to drive packaged goods sales at retail,” Cobram Estate said.
The company’s mature US grove area is tipped to increase from 208 hectares to 1025 hectares over the next eight years. A new milling and storage facility has been completed and the new bottling line that will increase capacity from 3500 to 14,400 bottles an hour and is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2025.
Meanwhile, the Boort harvest is expected to begin shortly.
Cobram Estate said 2025 is an ‘on’ year for Australian groves and expects the crop to be significantly higher than last year. The season is shaping up well despite challenging spring weather conditions, the company predicted earlier this year.
“Climatic conditions were favourable during the flowering period leading to normal levels of fruit set. Flowering commenced in late-October on CBO’s Australian groves, with the timing of full bloom at Boort and Boundary Bend occurring in line with long-term averages.
Meat demand will stay strong: MLA
DEMAND for beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat remained high in in the United States and in more than 100 global markets, the Meat and Livestock Australia has told farmers after the US slapped tariffs on Australian goods last week.
“We operate in a mature and diverse trading environment It’s important to note that tariffs have been imposed on Australian red meat products from other nations previously with minimal impact to producer returns,” the MLA said.
“While a range of factors can impact livestock prices, it is not expected that these tariffs will cause a major disruption to the domestic market. Incredibly strong international demand for Australian red meat will continue to support livestock prices.
“US consumer demand for high-quality Australian product is expected to remain strong despite the tariffs.”
Australia exported $5.7 billion worth of red meat to the US last year, more than three quarters beef.
MLA said tariffs were not expected to cause a major disruption to the domestic market and international demand would continue to support livestock prices.
SHEEP AND LAMBS
SUPPLY lifted to 18,200 lambs at Bendigo on Monday while nearly 15,000 sheep came forward as producers chased the hot mutton prices recorded in the north late last week.
Lamb quality was more mixed this week, with a quicker fade off in presentation and finish once off the lead lines of fed lambs.
Lamb prices fluctuated a few dollars either side of last Monday for an end-result that was similar to last week’s carcass price averages, some of the main trade categories registering modest improvements.
The sheep market couldn’t sustain the high rates achieved at sales like Wagga Wagga and Griffith late last week, prices generally firm on the Bendigo result last Monday at 500c to 550c/kg for the best lines of mutton.
Export lambs from $230 to a top of $266/head with no extra heavy pens above 35kg cwt offered today. Heavy lambs 2630kg cwt from $200 to $246/ head; best heavy trades $190 to $212, followed by the general run of mid and lighter trades at $155 to $185/head.
To sum up the market, 800c/ kg remained the baseline value with the best neat and fed lambs trending over this mark to 840c plus on select ‘sweet’ trades at times, but the general run of processing lambs from 750c to 790c/ kg cwt.
In the Merino section a heavy pen in wool reached $236; most
2024-25 Aircore Drilling Program Comple�on
better trade type Merinos $165 to $180/had; runs of lighter MK sized Merino lambs $66 to $132/ head depending on size and quality. The line-up of small crossbred lambs did get fairly scrappy at times which did drag some results down.
Best pens of small lambs $120 to $160 to both processors and store buyers; secondary small lambs $30 to $110/head.
Store buyers did pay to $170 for trade lambs to feed on. It was mostly heavier sheep that came forward in the bigger yarding of mutton.
Price results were mostly similar to last Monday, although some of the heaviest ewes didn’t match last week’s late price surge which took ewes to $225/head.
Extra heavy ewes today sold from $160 to $198/head with some Merino wethers topping hte market at $205/head.
Middle run of heavy sheep $120 to $160/head; plainer sheep $70 to $120/head with this lighter mutton in fat score 1 and 2 condition from 450c to 500c/kg cwt.
EXOTIC LAMB
J Rhodes Burraboi (18) $190. Maysleith Farms Rushworth (46) $188. A & B Rhodes Nilma North (25) $185.
SHORN LAMBS
WH Bacon Echuca West (50) $260. SJ McLeod Nagambie (7) $260. JR & KA Kennedy Pyramid Hill (28) $225.
CROSSBRED LAMBS
SN & DA Collins Bridgewater North (35) $266. DL & TM Jensen Diggora
Falcon Metals Limited (ASX: FAL), is an ASX listed explora�on company that has been ac�vely exploring in the region since December 2021. Falcon’s explora�on in Victoria is focused on finding gold deposits in central Victoria and mineral sand deposits in the areas around Boort.
Falcon would like to no�fy the community of the comple�on of its aircore drilling explora�on program for this season. Over the past four months Falcon Metals drilled and rehabilitated 205 aircore holes for 20,411m. This involved working on roadsides in the Buloke, Gannawarra and Loddon Shires as well as on 18 different private proper�es with access agreements.
Falcon Metals would like to sincerely thank all 67 landholders where it has consent to explore, local government, tradi�onal owners, suppliers and other stakeholders who have supported the explora�on program and look forward to returning for the next season of aircore drilling towards the end of 2025.
Falcon Metals ul�mately aims to make a significant discovery which would bring collec�ve benefits to all stakeholders, including the community and local government.
For enquiries, please email Falcon Metals at info@falconmetals.com.au or for more informa�on visit www.falconmetals.com.au
OUR PURPOSE: Shared value creation through major mineral discoveries
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West (13) $265. Ian Angove Echuca (16)
$265. Whisper Pastoral Yea (28) $263. MF Ryan Wanalta (35) $261. AB & KB
Broom Neereman (30) $260. JD & KJ
Steel Newbridge (62) $256. WJ Whatley Goornong (65) $253. J, S & W Brown Colbinabbin (81) $252. JM Hiscock & Sons Pyalong (75) $250. Lislea Lodge Piccola (103) $250. A Flood Donald (48)
$240. D & K Barker Nullawil (47) $230. Ilfracombe Donald (23) $224. DI & CL Palmer Bamawm (63) $224. WL & PJ Johnson Myola East (49) $222. CA & MK Arnel Strathallan (56) $220. CN & DW Slatter Boort (54) $220. Ravenshoe Pastoral Ravenswood (18) $210. RW & AL Baker Dingee (204) $209. SJ & CM Foott Litchfield (114) $198.
MERINO LAMBS
SN & DA Collins Bridgewater North (55) $236. D & K Barker Nullawil (233)
$180. PS & M Hurse Moolort (52) $161. K. Clark (61) $160. AH Bear & Sons Loddon Vale (20) $160. VP Byrne Axedale (68) $158. RL & AH Rollinson Mysia (146) $143.
CROSSBRED WETHERS
H Scomos Campbells Forest (29) $195. Ceramet Bridgewater (20) $195.
MERINO WETHERS
DL Parry & Co Charlton (367) $205. CROSSBRED EWES
GJ Hooper Culgoa (66) $200. SJ McLeod Nagambie (19) $194. JM Hiscock & Sons Pyalong (10) $185. Ilfracombe Donald (20) $185. R & N Comer Drummartin (46) $185. R Crossley Booligal (193) $180. K Clark (50) $175.
Mundoona Farms Numurka (253) $175. Charles Leone Moorilim (69) $174. Somerville Feeds Pty Ltd Tragowel (27) $165. M & R Bennett Mia Mia (84) $164. A Amon Wahool (18) $164. AR & JM Wiltshire Mitiamo (10) $164. HA & ER Westblade Kerang (45) $144.
MERINO EWES
Fairfields at Myola Myola (53) $180. P McRobert Toolleen (26) $175. OST Elmore (116) $170. AR & JM Wiltshire Mitiamo (60) $168. PS & M Hurse Moolort (108) $152. Kiriwina Pty Ltd Durham Ox (44) $145. TS & GG O’Neil Canary Island (22) $138.
DORPER EWES
Gardner Bros Caldwell (331)
Token candidates in a safe seat?
Where are the wannabees who want to get your vote, asks Chris Earl
THERE’S a federal election campaign happening somewhere in Australia but if you’re looking for wannaebees shaking hands and kissing babies on Loddon streets, looks like you’ll be disappointed.
Deep in the south of the ultrasafe Mallee electorate, you might spot a few candidate signs (very few). In fact, chances are that on the border with the neighbouring seat of Bendigo even the casual eye will more likely spot the signs put up by the National candidate.
The seven contenders for Mallee, supposedly vying for your No 1 on the ballot paper are lucky to have stopped in Bridgewater for a famous vanilla slice since the election was called.
No funding commitments from any party have been forthcoming. Even the Loddon Herald inbox has been markedly barren when it comes to candidate media releases arriving after a swirl in cyberspace. Their social media
accounts pretty much trotting out generic party pronouncements.
Current MP Anne Webster three years ago chaired a Federal Parliament committee that recommended government spend at least a quarter of the advertising budget with rural newspaper. The current government has for whatever reason ignored that report,, sending millions of dollars out of the country into the wallets of overseas social media corporates. Their lack of investment in local business, so far, is being matched by Mallee candidates.
Of course, the cynical could be forgiven if they think candidates are merely of the tokenistic variety in Mallee. Surely, not just because this is a safe National Party seat (on voting at the last election). It would not be asking too much of candidates to be up to speed on what our local communities, the shire council and other
groups want to make life better in this part of the world.
Sure, there are the overarching issues like the economy that pervade every one of the 151 House of Representatives seats up for grabs on May 3. Yet the candidates are wanting you, the voter, to entrust them with being a local champion taking issues, concerns, hopes and dreams to the national capital where they knock on doors, badger and convince decision makers that our local projects are worth backing.
So it is sad to see, with the official election campaign almost at the half-way point, an unhealthy lack of interest being displayed by the Mallee wannabees in the future of local communities let alone trying to engage with the people. Good representation is not driven from the top down. It comes from the bottom up. Like you, I’ll looking forward to candidates saying more than boo, soon.
Policies are wasting water
Bad decision impacting farm economies, writes Geoff Kendell
FARMERS across the MurrayDarling Basin — the lifeblood of Australia’s food and fibre production — are under increasing pressure.
Government changes have reallocated 3200 gigalitres of irrigation water to environmental flows, much of it unmetered and flowing out to sea, creating dire consequences for regional food production.
The Gannawarra Region alone is losing $1.3 billion annually— and these impacts are expected to worsen. The reduction in water availability for farm use is severely affecting food and fibre production, directly influencing the current cost of living for Australian households.
As more farmers are forced out of the industry due to ineffective policies, the situation at the supermarket is set to deteriorate compromising the nation’s reliable and safe food supply.
Environmental water flooding is now real and with no on ground mitigation work in sight,
it will continue to disrupt rural communities’ livelihoods.
Water that could be used to secure our future is instead wasted, and the effects on businesses and families are profound. With no immediate action, rural communities continue to shoulder the burden of poor management decisions.
The disappearance of rural services is another blow to farmers. From the closure of bank branches to a lack of medical and dental services, rural Australians are increasingly being forced to travel longer distances on deteriorating roads just to access the basics.
The loss of vital infrastructure is leaving our agricultural sector more vulnerable to both economic and logistical pressures.
The policies that seem to punish rural Australians are piling up. The government’s decision to end live sheep exports by 2028 will wipe out an industry worth $84 million annually.
The VNI West Project, which would see a 500 KV transmis-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Loddon Herald welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Preference will be given to letters of 300 words or less and must include your name with address and phone number provided for verification (not publicaton). We reserve the right to edit letters for legal reasons. Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com
OPINION PIECES
sion line installed across pristine farmland, shows the prioritization of metropolitan interests over rural communities.
Adding insult to injury, primary producers, who are also the Service’s volunteers, now face a staggering increase in the Fire Services Property Levy, with landholders seeing hikes of over 100 per cent some accumulating into the tens of thousands of dollars.
These are just the latest in a series of decisions that have left rural Australians feeling abandoned.
If politicians are serious about national security and our agricultural future, they need to start prioritizing the needs of rural and regional Australians. It’s time to stop ignoring the crucial role farmers play in feeding our nation.
Geoff Kendell is co-chair of the Central Murray Environmental Floodplains Group
1. The longest international land border in the world is approximately 8900km between which two countries?
2. Which colour moves first in a game of chess?
3. Karl and Theo Albrecht founded which supermarket chain in 1946?
4. Which former tennis player is known as the “king of clay”?
5. In a game of pool, what colour is the 9 ball?
6. How old was Elvis Presley when he died?
7. In which capital city would you find the area named Elephant and Castle?
8. What word represents the letter ‘L’ in the phonetic alphabet?
9. If an animal is described as being ‘cetacean’, how would it travel?
10. Queen Elizabeth II favoured which dog breed?
11. Who lead the team trying to create the first atomic bomb?
BEAUTIFUL weather ... the crowds were certainly out and about for the first round of football and netball on Saturday. OTF did a little trip around a few of the grounds. Arrived at one soon after the canteen lunch rush to be told the chips had sold out. Loyal volunteer cooks said they were frazzled and fried after the queues had dissipated.
BEEN sitting on this gem for a while but after the draw at Calivil on Saturday, had OTF delving back into the emails to locate one from the Good Vet Doc. Greg had been moved to make contact earlier in the cricket season when a match was reported as being a draw. “I think this would have more accurately described as a tie, which is a big deal in cricket rather than a draw where there is no result under the rules.” Thanks Greg, filed away for future reference.
BUMPED into Loddon Mayor Dan Straub early Saturday morning at the first Pyramid Hill parkrun. You may remember earlier in the year, Dan went on the record with a promise to enter an artistic piece in the next Pyramid Hill Major’s Vision Art Show. He tells us the painting is
buSHy TaLES BY IAN JONES
12. What is the primary ingredient in rum?
13. During which phase of sleep do most dreams occur?
14. Which flower is typically associated with remembrance?
15. According to legend, who was Robin Hood’s second in command?
16. What is the opposite of convex?
17. What name is given to a young swan?
18. What is amber?
19. How many bones do sharks have?
20. The song “Auld Lang Syne” is mostly sung on which holiday?
progressing. And holding “pollies” to account, Dan also said he planned to tackle the Pyramid Hill parkrun course shortly. Many heard the latest promise ... we’re now all waiting
PRIME spot: There was a bit of a battle for the best camping spots on Saturday. Heaps of vans and tents at Newbridge Recreation Reseve in competition with hundreds, nah make it thousands, of pesky corellas swarming around.
NOW first round of football and this column the week after has a tradition to maintain. The Oracle again had whistle in hand. Putting on the olive livery for the first time in almost six months, he tried to say that weight had been shedded. “The shirt fits better now,” said The Oracle, feeling proud of himself.
Loving mother and mother-in-law of Russ & Lyn, Doug & Julie, Bill & Leanne.
Loved Grandma of Meagan, River; Brianna, Luke, Gabrielle; Katie, Stacey & Emily; and their partners.
Loved Great Grandma of 9 great grandchildren.
For funeral details see adamsfunerals.com.au
TOLL - Kenneth Walter (Bill)
11/06/1931 – 05/04/2025
Loved Husband of Audrey (Dec). Loved Father and Father-in-Law of Robyn, Roger and Julie, Philip and Michelle, Kerry and Kirk.
Loved Pa of his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
TOLL
A Graveside Funeral Service for Mr Kenneth Walter (Bill) Toll Will be held at the Boort Lawn Cemetery on Monday April 14th at 1.30 PM. To view by Live Stream go to adamsfunerals.com.au
GROUNDWATER FOR SALE
Mid Loddon Groundwater Management Area
Landsend Water Services Pty Ltd has been engaged to facilitate the sale of a parcel of 200 megalitres of groundwater in the above area.
This is a rare opportunity to obtain a parcel of water that is of a size that could change the productivity of a farm in the area.
Such an opportunity should be given thorough consideration by any person wishing to take the next step in irrigated agriculture within this Groundwater Management Area.
The sale of this groundwater will be via written Expressions of Interest to Landsend Water Services Pty Ltd via email at landsendfirst@activ8.net.au
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2025.
For more information please contact Richard Carter on 0438 457 283 or landsendfirst@activ8.net.au
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ENTER INTO A LEASE
Loddon Shire Council gives notice, in accordance with Section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020, of its intention to enter into a lease with Northern District Community Health (NDCH) with the proposed lease terms outlined below:
Premises: Portion of Pyramid Hill Community Centre, 10 McKay Street, Pyramid Hill
Permitted use: Provision of community health services
Lease Term: 10 years
Option to Extend: Additional 5 years, plus 5 years
Rent: Subject to independent valuation
Rent Review: Market review at 5-year intervals
Notification by Buyer Intention to Apply for
the Permanent Transfer of a Licence to Take and Use
Surface Water
GMW Reference No: BPTWE0007-25
We David Collins, Sue Collins & Andrew Collins of Marong-Serpentine Road BRIDGEWATER VIC 3516
Refer to Vic Roads Map 44 B2
Intend to make application to Permanently Transfer Entitlement to our existing Licence to Take and Use
Groundwater and increase the licensed volume from 140.0ML/Year to 220.0ML/Year.
The volume sought in this application is 80.0ML/Year
The water will be used for the purpose of: Irrigation
To be used on lands described as:
Volume Folio Lot No Plan
Any person able to demonstrate that their interests will be affected by the transfer of this Licence including any intended Surface Water use, is invited to make a formal submission setting out the nature of the impact within 14 days of receipt of this written notification.
Community Farewell
to Rae & Jan Broadbent and Mal Chambers
Sunday 13 April 2025
from 1.30pm at Campbells Forest Hall Tea, co ee & sandwiches provided. Please bring a plate of slice or cake and BYO drinks and chairs.
All welcome
meetin G
TARNAGULLA COMMUNITY CENTRE
Notice is given of a PUBLIC MEETING to be held at the Tarnagulla Community Centre on Monday 12th May, 2025 commencing at 7.30pm. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate a new Committee of Management for a term of three years. The current committee’s term will expire on 20th May, 2025.
CAMPBELL - Ronald William Thomas (Ronnie)
Passed away 28th March 2025
Carmel and family would like to thank all those who offered their condolences and support during Ronnie’s short illness and subsequent passing.
Special thanks to the staff at St John of God Bendigo and to the Wedderburn Football Club
e family of Neville Turnbull would sincerely like to thank family and friends for the cards, owers, phone calls and expressions of sympathy on the passing of their much loved Husband, Father and Pa.
Outgoings: Payable by Tenant Council will accept community feedback on the proposed lease, which must be in writing and received by 24 April 2025.
Feedback can be submitted via: Email: Loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au
Mail: Loddon Shire Council, PO Box 21, Wedderburn VIC 3518
Douglas Amos Rickard late of Kara Court Nursing Home, 52 North Western Road, St Arnaud, VIC, 3478, Bricklayer, deceased.
CREDITORS, next of kin, and others having claims in respect of the will of the above named deceased, who died on 2 August 2024 are required by the executors, Maurice Neil Rickard and Anthony Rodger Rickard, c/- the undermentioned solicitor, to send particulars of their claims to them by 16 June 2025 a er which date the executors may convey or distribute the assets having regard only to the claims of which they then have notice.
MCL LEGAL
78 Napier Street St Arnaud VIC 3478
To nominate or for further information, please attend the meeting or call secretary Jeanette Shipston on 0408 191 738. All nominations are encouraged
To make a submission please read the information available to download from Make a submission about a licence application - Goulburn Murray Water (g-mwater.com.au) or contact GMW to arrange a copy to be posted to you. Submissions must be lodged using the GMW template available by either mail or email to, licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au or PO Box 165, TATURA VIC 3616. bereavement t H anks
Lanyon hot on first day of season
BOORT Golf Club kicked off its new season last Saturday, with 11 players taking part in a draw-forpartner stableford event.
And club president Damien Lanyon played the round of his life on the dry, quick course, scoring 49 points off a handicap of 11, with his putter running hot.
His effort, along with his partner Kevin Linehan who scored 34 points, saw the pairing finish with a remarkable 83 points, 19 ahead of their nearest rivals.
Dot Beattie and Andrew Kane were runners-up with 64 points, two ahead of Gaye Sim and Stuart Tweddle.
Unsurprisingly, Lanyon also took home two of the nearestthe-pin prizes, with Beattie and Kane each claiming one.
This weekend sees the first round in the Mercer Cup, with a stroke event kicking off at 11.30am on Sunday.
TARNAGULLA
TARNAGULLA Golf Club’s annual Greenkeepers’ Games has brought almost 30 players onto the course for the first event of
the season. Played over a modified seven-hole course, the day saw a couple of unusual birdies scored.
Club member Peter Sanderson hit an excellent drive from the fourth tee, which other competitors saw land in the centre of the fairway.
The bright yellow ball attracted the attention of one of the course’s resident crows, which swooped, picked it up and flew off.
Later, another golfer confessed her orange ball had suffered a similar fate a week earlier. That crow was seen to drop the ball onto a tree branch and promptly sit on it, somewhat optimistically expecting to hatch an egg.
Crows aside, Dave Shay won the tournament on a countback from the unlucky Sanderson. Nearest the pin was taken out by Mary McNamee.
The club is now looking forward to its Easter Cup, held on Easter Saturday morning, with a tee off at 9.30am. The event is a three-ball Ambrose over nine holes.
Darci Tierney sends Pyramid Hill into attack against Newbridge in Saturday’s A Grade netball clash. LH PHOTO
NORTH CENTRAL HOCKEY
Under 12: Sea Lake Nandaly 0 drew Wedderburn 0. Donald 0 lost to Calder United 4. Charlton 1 d Birchip Watchem 0. St Arnaud 4 d Boort 0. Ladder: St Arnaud 3, Calder United 3, Charlton 3, Sea Lake Nandaly 1, Wedderburn 1, Birchip Watchem 0, Donald 0, Boort 0. Underage: Donald 4 d Calder United 2. Charlton 12 d Birchip Watchem 1. St Arnaud 11 d Boort 0. Ladder: Charlton 3, St Arnaud 3, Donald 2, Sea Lake Nandaly 0, Calder United 0, Birchip Watchem 0, Boort 0. Women: Sea Lake Nandaly 0 lost to Wedderburn 4. Donald 0 lost to Calder United 10. St Arnaud 6 d Boort 2. Charlton Bye. Ladder: Calder United 3, St Arnaud 3, Wedderburn 3, Charlton 0, Boort 0, Sea Lake Nandaly 0, Donald 0. Men: Sea Lake Nandaly 1 lost to Wedderburn 4. Donald 1 lost to Calder United 5. St Arnaud 2 d Boort 1. Charlton Bye. Ladder: Calder United 3, Wedderburn 3, St Arnaud 3, Charlton 0, Boort 0, Sea Lake Nandaly 0, Donald 0.
AUCTION - ONLINE ON AUCTIONSPLUS ‘‘FIERY FLAT”
313.5 Hectares / 775 Acres
Thursday 17th April 2025 - 10:30am
‘The River Farm’ in 5 Titles
Loddon West Road
To be offered as a whole:
Extensive frontage of the Loddon River with a mixture of strong Black & Grey loam, with Red loam pockets
Fertile soils, in 4 paddocks
Access to Loddon River & “Hope Creek”
2 Meg/ Ltr HR water right
3 phase power available
90% Arable area with small shelter belts throughout
Terms: 10% Deposit on signing of contracts, Balance 30/60 Days
Immediate working condition (T & C’S Apply) & payment of deposit Register at www.auctionsplus.com.au
Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents Inspection by appointment
James Nevins: 0407 302 900
Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au
www.fpnevins.com.au
www.realestate.com .au
www.domain.com.au
reserVes
UnDer 18
seniors
Calivil 2.2 4.7 8.8 10.10 (70)
Maiden Gully 4.1 5.2 6.4 10.10 (70)
GOALS - Calivil: J. Lawry 4, L. Stephens 2, F. Clymo, S. Maher, B. Baker, B. Wagner. Maiden Gully: E. Crisp 4, T. Delahey 3, T. James 2, J. Worsley.
BEST - Calivil: M. Stephens, J. Lawry, R. Lourie, T. Miles, W. Hamilton, S. Maher. Maiden Gully: G. Brown, D. Russell, M. Hill, S. Moyle, E. Crisp, J. Magnusson.
GOALS - Inglewood: G. Nevins, S. Erharter 3, K. Cavallaro, B. Cotchett. Marong: R. Taylor 3, J. Ede 2, K. Robins, J. McCaig, B. Gregg, K. Manley.
BEST - Inglewood: G. Nevins, B. Cotchett, H. Veitch, B. Miller, S. Erharter, T. Hywood. Marong: J. Gadsden, R. Tibbett, M. Willox, D. Johnstone, B. Gregg, J. McCaig.
Newbridge 2.1 4.3 6.6 8.8 (56)
Pyramid Hill 7.3 9.9 13.11 16.12 (108)
GOALS - Newbridge: B. Schilling 3, H. McGillivray, A. Willett, C. Argus, J. Clark, B. Carr. Pyramid Hill: B. Bisset 7, M. Langan 3, B. Knight 2, M. Cheesman, M. Dingwall, P. Bogers, R. Semmel.
BEST - Newbridge: C. Sanders, W. Copland, A. Willett, T. Hobson, D. Lloyd, K. Friswell. Pyramid Hill: B. Bisset, A. Hildebrandt, K. Daniels, G. James, B. George, R. Semmel. Bridgewater 5.4 12.7 14.9 19.11 (125)
BL Serpentine: 1.3 4.6 10.11 12.12 (84)
GOALS - Bridgewater: L. Sharp 6, L. Ellings 3, O. McKinley 2, A. Powell, J. Neylon, N. Naughton, B. Alexander, T. McKinley, D. Wood, O. Muggleton, C. Clapp. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Mellington 8, J. Laird, N. Twigg, A. Brohm, L. Crawford.
BEST - Bridgewater: L. Ellings, A. Powell, O. Muggleton, C. Clapp, D. Ferguson, D. Wood. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: N. Twigg, J. Addlem, J. Mellington, R. Turner, J. Taig, A. Brohm.
Inglewood 3.1 4.1 4.1 4.2 (26)
Marong
(52)
GOAL - Inglewood: J. Stokes 2, J. Rouse, K. Payne. Marong: S. De Napoli 2, B. Matthews, T. Kenworthy, H. Baker, T. Grant.
BEST - Inglewood: S. Gorrie, D. Gorrie, K. Payne, J. Barnett, D. Mackay, C. Martin. Marong: B. Matthews, D. Highgate, Z. Justice, C. Hale, P. Gretgrix, H. Baker.
Bridgewater 2.3 5.4 6.6 11.10 (76)
BL Serpentine 0.1 0.3 2.4 3.4 (22)
GOALS - Bridgewater: B. Holt 4, T. Estrada 2, J. Campbell, M. Brooks, T. Naughton, D. Valentini, M. Baker. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Gladman 2, D. Tineo.
BEST - Bridgewater: J. Bowen, E. Woodhatch, J. McKinley, O. Horan, B. Holt, M. Baker. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: M. Frecker, T. Hawker, C. Tuohey, Z. Stone, D. Tineo, J. Gladman.
Calivil 1.4 4.5 6.7 8.9 (57)
Maiden Gully 0.3 4.4 4.8 6.8 (44)
GOALS - Calivil: T. Piazza 3, H. McGregor, J. Bonanno, D. Ryan, T. Harcourt. Maiden Gully: M. Lines 3, K. Kerrison, C. Sungalis, J. Leech.
BEST - Calivil: T. Piazza, J. Manderson, J. Lea, D. Ryan, J. Scott, H. McGregor. Maiden Gully: H. Devanny, M. James, L. Bosley, J. Berry, D. Lloyd, K. Kerrison.
Newbridge 0.1 0.4 3.4 8.4 (52)
Pyramid Hill 4.1 10.4 13.8 16.10 (106)
GOALS - Newbridge: D. Smith, J. Dawkins, C. Van Aken, C. Dixon. Pyramid Hill: R. Pollock 7, J. Simpson 5, B. Reaper 2, M. Stewart, D. Lovell.
BEST - Newbridge: T. Wilson, O. Friswell, C. Dixon, N. Gray, J. Murray, C. Van Aken. Pyramid Hill: J. Simpson, D. Lovell, G. James, B. Reaper, S. Gallagher, R. Mitchel.
Bridgewater: 1 1 0 0 0 345.45 4
Pyramid Hill 1 1 0 0 0 203.85 4
Marong
(60)
(57)
GOALS - Inglewood: R. Smith 3, T. Murphy, M. Pickering, K. McClellan. Marong: W. Thomson 3, R. Hayden, L. Thomas, C. Quinlan, J. Taylor, B. Hale.
BEST - Inglewood: B. Smyth, E. McCoy, R. Murphy, M. Pickering, W. Schepers, R. Ing. Marong: W. Thomson, J. Taylor, R. Doorty, R. Hayden, L. Henson, W. Baird.
Bridgewater
Pyramid Hill
GOALS - Calder United: H. Senior 6, G. Forrester 4, A. Forrester, S. Hogan, B. Barker, D. McLennan, Z. Kelly 2, J. Bish, J. Morrison, T. Trewin, S. Kelly.
BEST - Donald: J. Johnson, E. Clapham, N. Atkins, J. Melino, J. Sheridan, D. Hawkes. Calder United: C. Fawcett, Z. Kelly, D. McLennan, S. Kelly, G. Forrester, H. Connolly
Charlton
(34)
(60)
GOALS - Bridgewater: S. McMahon 3, S. Hewett-Scull, J. Larson. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes 5, X. Emmerson, O. Emmerson, R. Fergusson.
BEST - Bridgewater: A. Lawson, S. McMahon, T. Woodhatch, L. Lonsdale, R. Hobbs, L. Bartlett. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes, X. Coghill, M. Caspani, T. Caine, S. Battiscombe, X. Emmerson.
East Loddon
Maiden Gully
GOALS - East Loddon: A. Weeks, Z. Ralphs, K. Maxted, J. Ketterer, T. Rasmussen. Maiden Gully: L. Hancock, D. Bown 2, H. Carter, O. Taylor, L. Budge, O. Bowman.
BEST - East Loddon: J. Smith, Z. Ralphs, T. Rasmussen, O. Balic. Maiden Gully: M. Lines, J. Wittingslow, H. Carter, O. Taylor, J. Ladner, T. Brook.
Maiden Gully
(5)
(123)
GOALS - Birchip Watchem: C. Lee 4, A. Hay, T. Gibson, C. Boyle 3, B. Baxter, M. Berry, J. Lee, R. Hogan, C. Goode. BEST - Charlton: B. Roberts, C. Boyle, M. Heenan, T. Salmon, J. Leathan, L. Holmes-Brown. Birchip Watchem: T. Gibson, C. Lee, J. Lee, R. Hogan, B. Colbert.
- St Arnaud: G. Gorrie, J. Mckenny, S. Elliott. Boort: A. Cockerell 4, C. O’Rourke 2, R. Wagner, J. Mulquiny 1,. Hird, C. Ross, J. Coleman, M. Beattie, H. Weaver. BEST - St Arnaud: L. Jackson, H. Meagher, C. Campbell, H. McNally, G. Gorrie, S. Elliott. Boort: J. Mulquiny, A. Cockerell, H. Weaver, A. Potter, B. Hewlett, A. Trethowan.
(159)
(6) GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Clohesy
B. Allan, C. Elliott, Z. Wemyss 3, C. Allan, J. Bath 2, C. O’Sullivan, E. Ellis, R. McGarry. Wedderburn: H. Pidoto.
BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: B. Weir, J. Clohesy, R. McGarry, C. Allan, Z. Wemyss, C. O’Sullivan. Wedderburn: F. Turnbull, J. Hall, A. Younghusband, C. Hargreaves, D. Caruana, H. Pidoto.
norTH CenTrAL
seniors
Charlton
Birchip Watchem
(21)
GOALS - Charlton: E. Fitzpatrick, R. Woods, A. Schofield. Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 13, N. Rippon 4, D. Bell 3, J. Reid, M. Buchanan 2, M. Rippon, R. Hogan, R. Conboy, L. Foott, B. Lakin, W. Lee.
BEST - Charlton: B. Xiriha, P. Soulsby, L. Dunne, M. Collins, S. O’Connor, B. Lanyon. Birchip Watchem: M. Rippon, B. Edwards, H. Hosking, D. Bell, M. Buchanan, C. Wilson.
Donald 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1 (13)
Calder United 4.3 11.12
(164)
GOALS - Donald: B. Arho, H. Forrest. Calder United: J. Exell 8, M. Farmer 5, K. Lloyd, Z. Caccaviello, Z. Keighran, M. Wade 2, K. Hommelhoff, D. Putt.
BEST - Donald: D. Bell-Warren, D. Pearce, D. Harrison, C. Campbell, E. Landwehr, R. Walker. Calder United: Z. Keighran, J. Exell, Z. Caccaviello, B. Bish, D. Munro, M. Farmer.
St Arnaud
UnDer 17
BEST - St Arnaud: A. Lowe, A. Reyne, J. Batters, B. Donald, D. Kay, E. Hilton. Boort: C. Gooding, R. Wagner, L. Boyd, D. Perryman, C. Hird, R. Chislett.
Sea Lake Nandaly:
S. Barbary, T. Borlase, R. Newick, C. Dowler. Wedderburn: A. Smith, D. Tansley, J. Dingfelder, S. Piazza, M. Dean.
(49) Boort
(118)
GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Tillig 3, M. Hungerford 2, S. Holroyd, J. Kirwood. Boort: J. Baddeley-Kelly 4, K. Rutley 3, J. Keeble, C. Egan 2, J. Wilson, J. Fitzpatrick, L. Hall, R. McGhie, P. Barbopoulos, E. Coleman.
BEST - St Arnaud: T. Petrie, M. Hungerford, J. Kirwood, B. Organ, O. Lowe, B. Nicholas. Boort: T. Potter, J. BaddeleyKelly, K. Rutley, K. Wilson, J. Keeble, C. Egan. Sea
UnDer 14
(76)
(28)
GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: L. McClelland 3, T. McKenzie, A. Pattison 2, M. Cahoon, O. Brownless, B. Delmenico. Wedderburn: M. Jensen 3, M. McEwen.
BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: O. Brownless, W. Donnan, R. O’Sullivan, J. Keogh, J. Donnan, C. Roberts. Wedderburn: M. Jensen, Z. Pallpratt, I. Holt, J. Mortlock, B. Bacon, D. Benaim.
- St Arnaud: F. Wilson, J. Wait, D. Kirk, C. Hendy, J. James, O. Goode. Boort: S. Muller, N. Howe, C. Nuttall, L. King, Z. Gould.
- Sea Lake Nandaly: H. Cox, A. Smith, H. Wight, H. Landry, R. Allan, M. Conlan. Wedderburn: C. Gault, J. Dierickx, B. Cramp, W. Huismann, N. Turnbull.
LoDDon VALLeY
Rising star puts Bears ahead in final minutes
BEARS Lagoon Serpentine was in front at the right time in a seesawing A Grade battle with Bridgewater in the first round of Loddon Valley netball.
After looking the winners for most of the match, the Bears fell behind in the last quarter as the Mean Machine made a late run.
However, with last year’s rising star Ava Francis in good early-season shooting form, Serp managed to pull ahead for a nailbiting 43-45 win.
Bridgewater ended the Bears’ season in last year’s finals, so there was a measure of revenge in the result.
Serp’s new defensive pairing of Casey Zass and Ash Egbers impressed for the winners.
With the 2024 premiers Mitiamo having a bye, runners-up Pyramid Hill travelled to Newbridge for a match with the team that
finished third after the homeand-away season last year.
The Bulldogs opened their account for 2025 with a seven-goal win over the Maroons, who were well served by star recruit Abbi Wells and new captain Hayley Martiniello.
It was a costly loss for Newbridge as first-gamer Cass Henderson dislocated her kneecap and was awaiting scans to see if she had injured ligaments, while defender Jorja Hufer dislocated her shoulder.
It is a recurring problem for Hufer, whose protective strapping came loose before her shoulder popped out.
Pyramid Hill coach Chelsea Emmerson said the match was played at a really high standard, with her team’s early lead proving crucial.
She said Morgan Dingwall im-
pressed in her debut as centre, with Newbridge’s strong midcourt lineup a good early challenge.
Inglewood, which was winless in 2024, has had a turbulent preseason with coach Abbey Hayes leaving the job a week before the first round, although she has remained with the club as a player.
The Woodies struggled at home against Marong, losing by 27 goals, with the final score 23-50.
In a battle between sides that finished seventh and eighth last year, Maiden Gully made it four wins from four for the away teams, defeating Calivil 49-55.
Mitiamo begins its premiership defence next Saturday against Calivil, while Marong takes on Pyramid Hill, Bears Lagoon Serpentine hosts Inglewood, and Maiden Gully is at home to Bridgewater.
Debutante and the legend guide A Grade to opening success
WEDDERBURN has begun its North Central netball premiership defence with an eight-goal win over Sea Lake Nandaly, a team that new Redbacks coach Susie Lockhart predicted “will be right up there this season”.
Lockhart was thrilled to win away 30-38 against the Tigers, who were the first team to beat Wedderburn last season in A Grade.
“We were dominant,” she said, “and the final margin probably should have been bigger”.
The Redbacks led by eight goals at half-time, but the two sides traded scores in the second half after Sea Lake Nandaly made some personnel changes.
“We had three new players who
are still learning about how each other plays, so I was very happy with the four points,” Lockhart said.
One of those new players, Sophie Cockerell, was best on court playing at wing defence, while veteran captain Maddi Postle also stood out as goal defence. Cockerell, who played in the Ballarat league last season, previously played with Boort as a junior and then in A Grade, so she is something of a steal for the Redbacks.
She is the partner of Wedderburn footballer Finn Turnbull.
Boort had a big win against St Arnaud in Carly Isaac’s first match as A Grade coach.
The Magpies won 36-67 away
NORTH CENTRAL
A Grade
Charlton 3, 11, 20, 27, (27) lost to Birchip
Watchem 14, 35, 47, 63, (63). Sea Lake Nandaly 8, 14, 23, 30, (30) lost to Wedderburn 11, 22, 29, 38, (38). Donald 11, 24, 35, 43, (43) lost to Calder United 7, 21, 36, 46, (46). St Arnaud 0, 12, 22, 36, (36) lost to Boort 0, 15, 29, 67, (67)
Watchem
LODDON VALLEY
from home, after leading comfortably all day.
Despite that, former coach Georgia Haw said the team “took the best part of a half to get going as we hadn’t really played together before” and finally kicked away in the third quarter.
She said goal shooter Amy Kane and new wing attack Poppy Watson were Boort’s best players.
Best for St Arnaud, which finished last in 2024, were veteran goal shooter Georgia Taylor and centre Lucy Gorrie in her first game with the Saints.
Isaac said she was happy with the win given the unavailability of four A Grade players, with most of those expected to return this week.
B Grade
Charlton 4, 10, 16, 23, (23) lost to Birchip Watchem 18, 32, 48, 64, (64). Sea Lake Nandaly 5, 16, 27, 36, (36) lost to Wedderburn 13, 26, 42, 56, (56). Donald 9, 13, 23, 31, (31) lost to Calder United 16, 35, 43, 57, (57). St Arnaud 4, 12, 19, 41, (41) lost to Boort 6, 24, 39, 53, (53). Birchip Watchem 4 Calder United 4
4
4
Arnaud 0
Lake Nandaly 0
0
C Grade
Charlton 6, 13, 18, 24, (24) lost to Birchip Watchem 13, 26, 33, 44, (44). Sea Lake Nandaly 12, 19, 33, 43, (43) d Wedderburn 6, 15, 24, 30, (30). Donald 2, 5, 14, 19, (19) lost to Calder United 17, 36, 55, 77, (77). St Arnaud 0, 14, 18, 34, (34) lost to Boort 0, 18, 26, 38, (38).
Calder United 4 Birchip Watchem 4 Sea Lake Nandaly 4 Boort 4 St Arnaud 0
0 Charlton 0
Donald 0 C Reserve
Sea Lake Nandaly 10, 25, 37, 62, (62) d Wedderburn 3, 7, 10, 16, (16). St Arnaud 1, 8, 11, 12, (12) lost to Boort 10, 25, 41, 58, (58).
Boort 4
Sea Lake Nandaly 4
Wedderburn 0
St Arnaud 0
Birchip Watchem 0
Calder United 0
17 & Under A
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 13, 24, 35, 47, (47) d Wedderburn 7, 18, 23, 38, (38). Charlton 6, 16, 29, 38, (38) lost to Birchip Watchem 17, 38, 51, 65, (65). Donald 2, 5, 9, 15, (15) lost to Calder United 30, 55, 75, 102, (102). St Arnaud 6, 13, 25, 35, (35) lost to Boort 6, 18, 26, 39, (39).
Calder United 4
Birchip Watchem 4
Sea Lake Nandaly 4 Boort 4
St Arnaud 0
Wedderburn 0
Charlton 0
Donald 0
14 & Under A
Charlton 0, 1, 1, 1, (1) lost to Birchip Watchem 11, 24, 31, 31, (31). Donald 9, 19, 32, 39, (39) d Calder United 1, 4, 8, 9, (9). Sea Lake Nandaly 5, 10, 16, 23, (23) d Wedderburn 3, 3, 7, 10, (10). St Arnaud (10) lost to Boort (26).
Birchip Watchem 4 Donald 4 Boort 4
Sea Lake Nandaly 4
Wedderburn Redbacks ..............0
& Under B Donald 5, 5, 7, 8, (8) drew Calder United 2, 5, 6, 8, (8). Sea Lake Nandaly 0, 0, 2, 6, (6) drew Wedderburn
Inglewood’s Georgia Harrison looks for the options against Marong. LH PHOTO
GOALKICKING
LODDON VALLEY
8 - (8) - Josh Mellington - BL Serpentine
7 - (7) - Benjamin Bisset - Pyramid Hill
6 - (6) - Lachie Sharp - Bridgewater
4 - (4) - Jake Lawry - Calivil
4 - (4) - Ed Crisp - Maiden Gully
3
3
3 - (3) - Luke Ellings - Bridgewater
3
3
3
3
7 - (7) - Rowan Pollock - Pyramid
5
4
3
3
5
3
3
3 - (3) - Ryder Smith - Inglewood U18
NORTH CENTRAL SENIORS
13 - (13) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem
8 - (8) - Jack Exell - Calder United
5 - (5) - Mitch Farmer - Calder United
4 - (4) - Nicholas Rippon - Birchip Watchem
4 - (4) - Jhye Baddeley-Kelly - Boort
3 - (3) - Lachy McClelland - Sea Lake Nandaly
3 - (3) - Jacob Tillig - St Arnaud
3 - (3) - Kayne Rutley - Boort
3 - (3) - Mitch Jensen - Wedderburn
3 - (3) - Daniel Bell - Birchip Watchem RESERVES
8 - (8) - Joel Clohesy - Sea Lake Nandaly
6 - (6) - Heath Senior - Calder United
4 - (4) - George Forrester - Calder United
4 - (4) - Connor Lee - Birchip Watchem
4 - (4) - Alex Cockerell - Boort
3 - (3) - Brayden Allan - Sea Lake Nandaly
3 - (3) - Alexander Hay - Birchip Watchem
3 - (3) - Zachary Wemyss - Sea Lake Nandaly
3 - (3) - Codey Elliott - Sea Lake Nandaly
3 - (3) - Tom Gibson - Birchip Watchem
3 - (3) - Connor Boyle - Birchip-Watchem
WEEK
LODDON VALLEY
Maiden Gully v Bridgewater Marong v Pyramid Hill
Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Inglewood Mitiamo v Calivil Newbridge bye
NORTH CENTRAL
Calder United v Sea Lake Nandaly Birchip Watchem v Donald Boort v Charlton Wedderburn v St Arnaud
League teams available on Thursday nights at www.loddonherald.com.au
All the way with JBK
A POSITIONAL tweak for Boort star Jhye
Baddeley-Kelly has coach Dale Cameron enthusing about his team’s more potent attack after a big opening-round win over St Arnaud.
Baddeley-Kelly won the Magpies’ best-andfairest award last season and finished third in the league’s Feeny Medal count playing predominantly as a midfielder.
“He was initially recruited as a forward, but we needed him in the midfield last season,” Cameron said.
With a strengthening of its onball ranks, Boort could afford to send Baddeley-Kelly forward for longer periods.
And there was an instant return, with him kicking 4.4 alongside new mid-forwards in Carlos Egan and Kayne Rutley.
Baddeley-Kelly amassed 35 disposals to go with his four goals and was best afield, closely followed by Tom Potter.
Another mid-forward, Potter’s pressure
was a highlight, laying 10 tackles, with the local Boort product emerging as a young player to watch.
Boort won under lights at St Arnaud by 69 points, 17.16 (118) to 7.7 (49), with the Magpies in control all game.
Cameron said the team now had eight to 10 players capable of running through the midfield, which allowed him to give BaddeleyKelly more time in attack.
He was reluctant to give much away –“You’ve got to keep them guessing” – but he said a forward line that also featured James Keeble, Egan and Rutley gave him great flexibility.
The four players kicked 11 goals between them, illustrating Boort’s scoring potential.
The Magpies host Charlton this week in what was planned to be a night match, but the Navy Blues refused to play under lights.
Skipper shouldered out for season
NEWBRIDGE has suffered a major blow with key forward and acting captain Brandon Dimech set to miss the rest of the season with a severe shoulder injury.
Dimech was hurt in a hip-andshoulder clash early in the Maroons match with Pyramid Hill and will require surgery on his AC joint.
Undermanned Newbridge battled bravely against last season’s runners-up, whose summer recruiting spree paid immediate dividends with a 52-point win.
The Bulldogs’ three best players were first gamers for the club,
led by full forward Ben Bisset, who kicked seven goals.
With last season’s top goalkicker Zach Alford suspended, all six of the starting forward line were new to the club, and among nine new faces in the lineup.
Dynamic ruck-forward Kai Daniels stood out around the ground, with Archie Hildebrant, who only joined the Bulldogs last week, also named in the top three best players.
The Maroons were jumped in the first quarter and trailed by five goals but were much more competitive for the rest of the
game. Coach Matt McArthur said Newbridge was missing eight of its top dozen players, and the performance suggested the team’s depth had improved from last season.
He said ruckman Will Copland was outstanding against the athletic Daniels, with his tap dominance contributing to a strong centre clearance effort.
Recruit Andrew Willett was among their best players, while Billy Schilling kicked three of his team’s eight goals in his Newbridge debut.
- GARY WALSH
Depth evident despite loss
WEDDERBURN faced the toughest task of all North Central football teams in round one – travelling to play the reigning premiers on their home turf.
Sea Lake Nandaly won comfortably against the Redbacks by 48 points, but with Wedderburn missing five of its best senior players, coach Tom Metherell was confident better days were to come.
Among those players unavailable were captain Joe Lockhart, vice-captain Jayden Jones and highly regarded recruit Jake Pallpratt. Their absence gave an indication of the Redbacks’ depth for 2025.
“It was disappointing, but we didn’t play great footy,” Metherell said. “But we were only four goals behind at three-quarter time and they kicked a few late ones.”
The Tigers won 10.16 (76) to 4.4 (28), with recruit Oscar Brownless best afield and showing the benefit of having been on Geelong’s senior list for three seasons.
Metherell said his team’s depth was impressive, with many of the more senior players “off” and the less experienced players carrying much of the burden.
“You can’t be too impressed with a 50-point loss but there were definitely signs there.
“We can work on a few things and try to generate more scores.”
Four recruits in Mitch Jensen, Zach Pallpratt, Jye Mortlock and Ben Bacon were named among Wedderburn’s best, along with stalwarts Oscar Holt and the ageless Danny Benaim.
Redbacks’ defence endured relentless pressure
ROUND one was tough for Wedderburn reserves with a face off against previous finalists Sea Lake Nandaly. The Redbacks refused to let the Tigers have an easy win with their defenders making Sea Lake work for their points. The Redbacks were under the pump from the first bounce in this game, as the well drilled Tigers slipped into playing mode quickly. The Redback defence was under pressure from the outset, with the Tigers’ Brody Weir constantly pumping the ball forward.
Redback defenders led by Josh Hall and Finn Turnbull were always between a rock and a hard place as endless opportunities arose for the Tigers’ forwards. Redbacks’ coach Ash Younghusband, Josh Hall and Finn Turnbull battled manfully with solid support from Chris Hargreaves Dylan Caruana and Hudson Pidoto.
In the Under 17s, The scoreboard showed a convincing win to last year’s premiers the Tigers against Wedderburn’s under 17s. The Redbacks played under manned and under pressure throughout, and yet they man-
aged to put together some handy passages of play.
Aaron Smith in his first game for the red and black was in everything, showing plenty of pace and strong attack at the ball.
Deacon Tansley, Jye Dingfelder, Slater Piazza and Max Dean all contributed well in a team effort which promises improvement going forward. Blaz Cramp, Caleb Gault and Will Huismann were all in good form even after playing in the under 14s earlier in the day.
The Redbacks’ under 14s midget fleet put in a mighty effort at Sea Lake despite the scoreboard
perhaps indicating otherwise. Up against stronger opponents the Redbacks contested determinedly throughout the match and gave every indication that they will provide plenty of entertainment for supporters as the year progresses.
With top age players being at a minimum, the upcoming younger brigade are heading in the right direction under the guidance of coach Clint Turnbull.
Caleb Gault, Jack Dierickx, Blaz Cramp, Will Huismann and Nate Turnbull led the way for the Redbacks in a team effort.
Final quarter desperation in the clash between Newbridge and Pyramid Hill. LH PHOTO
Tom Potter
Loddon HERALD sport
Thursday APRIL 10, 2025
CRACKING START
BUMPER crowds greeted the first round of Loddon Valley football and netball last Saturday, played in perfect autumn weather.
Stocks of the league’s Elvee match booklet were exhausted more than an hour before the start of the game at all venues, car parking was at a premium, and food was running scarce by the end of the day.
Fans were treated to some spectacular football, with a thrilling
draw between Calivil and Maiden Gully, a major scare for reigning premiers Marong against Inglewood, and a statement victory by Bridgewater over Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
In netball, two of last season’s finalists in the Mean Machine and the Bears fought out a rollercoaster of a game, with Serp sneaking home by two goals.
And the 2024 runners-up, Pyramid Hill, staved off a brave challenge from Newbridge to start the season on a winning note.
League chairman Richard Hicks said crowds at the opening round were “absolutely fantastic”.
He was at the Calivil-Maiden Gully match and said Elvees were unavailable there long before the first bounce.
For Hicks, highlights of the round included “surprise packet” Inglewood’s effort, and seeing how much Calivil and Maiden Gully had improved.
After a big start to the season and a fixture full of intriguing clashes in round two, including a
Mellow Yellow? Grumpy Bear
stirs from opening bounce
OPENING day of the Loddon Valley football season, and ‘Mello’ was anything but mellow.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s combative full-forward Josh Mellington kicked off his year with a goal off the ground early in the first quarter, and then a protracted jumper-punch wrestling match with Bridgewater’s Jack Symons.
After missing the second half of 2024 with a serious hamstring injury, Mellington was in the mood for a contest.
Over the course of the game the senior assistant coach tangled verbally with umpires, teammates, his bench and Bridgewater fans.
Interspersed with all the argybargy were eight goals – some from strong chest marks, some from free kicks, and almost all snapped left-foot around the body.
Mellington, as is his want, didn’t stray beyond the 50m arc,
By GARY WALSH
and rarely departed far from the goal square.
He could see enough, though, to complain loudly to the bench about a teammate kicking on the wrong foot, to which came the plaintive reply, “It’s not my fault!”
By the second quarter he was lying on the grass stretching his right hamstring and starting to limp. In the third term, when the Bears took control, he kicked five goals from a mix of frees and marks, but also lost focus, complaining vociferously to the umpire when his opponent wasn’t penalised in a marking contest.
Play continued around him as he berated the umpire, leading a Bears official standing near the Loddon Herald to suggest, albeit quietly to a colleague, that Mellington should get on with the game.
He leant on the goal post and talked to the goal umpire as play
went on, and he got a pat on the back from a field umpire after another animated discussion.
Amusingly, he tried to pinch a free kick from a teammate about 30m from goal, who declined his offer, had the shot and missed, to Mellington’s chagrin.
At three-quarter time, the former Fremantle player lay on the turf having his hamstring worked on, and in the final term he could barely raise a gallop.
Midway through the last quarter he slowly limped towards the bench, leaving the 50m area for the first time, and signalled to the runner that his day was over.
Mellington’s departure from the field was accompanied by some warm advice from cheerful Mean Machine fans, and soon his troublesome hamstring was heavily iced. The combustible Mellington is the league’s most watchable and divisive player –for all the right and wrong reasons
WOODIES THE WEEKEND’S BIG ‘WINNERS’ - PAGE 23
grand final rematch in the football, the league will take a week off for Easter.
The loss of momentum, both on and off the field, is a frustration for many, with calls for the league to schedule a signature stand-alone match that would potentially draw in the large number of visitors to the region over the Easter break.
League boss Hicks said clubs were given the opportunity to have a general bye at either Easter or King’s Birthday, and a
strong majority chose the first option.
“Clubs say they struggle to find volunteers at Easter, and that families take the chance to go away, so we listened to the clubs in making the decision,” he said.
“We were happy to go with whatever the clubs wanted.”
The neighbouring North Central competition has four leaguewide byes during the season, with weekends off for Easter, King’s Birthday, a hockey break and July school holidays.
Josh Mellington remonstrates with his Mean Machine tagger Jack Symons early in Saturday’s clash. LH PHOTO
