Loddon Herald 11 July 2024

BUYBACKS START

Irrigators hold

‘crisis’

talks on water future

MAJOR Loddon irrigators were meeting in Boort yesterday morning as the Federal Government starts its water entitlement buyback of 70 gigalitres.

Farmers started receiving text messages and emails on the tender buyback offer from the Government within hours last Thursday’s announcement

The meeting was expected to discuss the impact reduced entitlements will have on Loddon rural enterprises and communities and price volatility across the Murray Darling basin in future drought years.

From a peak available water right of 233,000 megalitres, farmers in the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts have access to only 110,000 megalitres.

Local farmers say they have already implemented water-saving efficiencies and fear further loss of water entitlements will hit agricultural productivity and increase commodity prices.

Loddon Shire’s Boort Ward councillor Neil Beattie said temporary water right purchases in dry times would become unaffordable for farmers.

Not-for-profit water broker Water Partners says it will be irrigators who lose water under

By CHRIS EARL

the Government’s plan to divert more water for environmental flows. General manager Donna Mulcahy expects a shortfall of water for farmers will be created with concerns for the dairy industry.

“The age demographic in the dairy sector is high. If people have to pay high prices for land and water is not attached, it will be another detrimental effect on dairy, realistically making it harder to go into the sector,” she said.

Ms Mulcahy said buybacks were to have had a socio-economic test applied.

“But that’s been somewhat reduced in the legislation,” she said.

“I don’t how some communities and industries will survive.”

Water industry veteran and broker Lawrence Cameron, of Boort, said the scale of agricultural operations might need to expand, placing more pressure on country communities.

“Many are already struggling to get players for their sporting teams. Buybacks will have a big impact not only on irrigators but communities as well,” Mr Cameron said.

MORE REPORTS - PAGE 4

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WEEKEND FORECAST

135,000 push-ups tell message

BOORT students have promoted wellbeing among friends with almost 135,000 push-ups completed last month.

And the district school’s student in the national Push-Up Challenge also raised $1391 for National Youth Mental Health Foundation’s Headspace.

School captains Lucy Malone, Eddie Moresi and Eliza Perryman spearheaded the school’s participation in the challenge that saw a special assembly on the final

day of term two. “We celebrated our positive achievements as a school,” Lucy said.

“If these 134,767 push-ups translated to conversations about mental health, it could mean 134,767 people encouraged to feel less stigma around their mental wellbeing,” told the pushup assembly.

“It was heart-warming to see a cause that we’re so passionate about be so well-received among the students. Many showed great

enthusiasm in getting down and completing their daily totals.”

Sherryn O’Flaherty, who kick started Boort’s participation in the challenge three years ago, said: “It’s fantastic to see the kids come together and complete the exercises, which also provides an opportunity to have important conversations.

“It’s so important to talk to your mates, family or even support people around our local sporting clubs.”

IN BRIEF

Former hotel sold

THE disused Golden Age Hotel in Tarnagulla has been sold. Agents sealed the deal with an out-of-town buyer last week. The hotel has been closed for more than two years. Agents said the sale had been for building, not the business. Last publican of the Golden Age John Lavery died last year.

Arts trail plans

TALKS are close to finalising dates for a return of the Loddon Arts Trail weekend in 2024. The first trail showcased artists across the shire last October after earlier plans were scuttled by COVID restrictions and the October 2022 floods. An organising team is being assembled and announcement on dates is expected this month.

School return

MOTORISTS have been urged to drive safely in Loddon school precincts when students return from the midyear break next Monday. Back-to-school will also see crossing supervisors again on the job.

Managing COVID

INGLEWOOD and Districts Health Services has asked people to postpone visits while it manages a small COVID outbreak. Community health and outpatient appointments are continuing.

The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers

Boort District School students on the final day of term raising mental health awareness

Aboriginal art designs top streetscape plans

A BENDIGO-BASED Aboriginal enterprise has been given the job of designing the revamp of Inglewood’s streetscape.

DJANDAK was the only business considered by Loddon Shire Council for the project that will need government funds to became reality.

The shire says Brooke Street will have prominent representation of Djaara cultural values and expression.

Monday’s announcement by council said the design would “recognise and balance the unique heritage of Inglewood, including its history with gold and eucalyptus, as well as the significance of first nations, and proximity of the town to Kooyoora State Park”.

Djaara has been put at the centre of revamping the streetscape after community calls for revitalisation over more than 20 years.

The shire’s tourism and economic development manager David Stretch said: “The project team received a procurement exemption to appoint DJANDAK as a sole supplier with unique intellectual property and expertise to appropriately represent and integrate local first nations design elements into the urban design of the project.”

“Engaging DJANDAK directly for the design eliminates the

need to involve a third-party design firm, who would then need to engage the Dja Dja Wurrung for design input. The streamlining of the process through direct appointment has delivered best value to project and the ratepayer.”

Council says the DJANDAK design and project “will benefit from whole-of-community consultation with input from Djaara cultural knowledge holders as well as a community advisory group”.

The group will have representatives from Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee and Brooke Street retailers, health, education and transport, Inglewood Town Hall Commu-

and

Current Inglewood Ward councillor Wendy Murphy has been appointed chair of the group.

Cr Murphy is yet to make a decision on whether she will seek re-election to council when the shire goes to the polls in three months.

Manager of the DJANDAK design team and leading senior landscape architect Claire Reynolds will head the landscape design component with landscape architect Georgia Carroll. Work by DJANDAK is featured on the new Bendigo Law Courts with other recent projects in Meninya Street, Moama; Monash Drive,

Network upgrades in pipeline for two towns this year

WATER main renewal at Boort and Serpentine are top of the list this year for Coliban Water.

The water business said works were part of the first tranche of an $18 million project across the region over the next four years.

Coliban Water said it had wrapped up its largest ever program of water and sewer main renewals, with about $8.5 million invested in 2023-2024 financial year.

Chief officer assets and operations Danny McLean said the work included 16.8km of water main renewals and 25km of sewer main renewals.

“Most of us don’t think about the infrastructure required to deliver water to our taps or carry our used water away from our homes. But these ‘hidden assets’ have

been the focus of a large-scale renewal program,” he said.

“Our crews have renewed water mains at 61 sites across central Victoria, including Bealiba where 970 metres of mains were replaced.

“When renewing water mains we consider the age of the pipe, whether it’s had any leaks, and what the pipe is made of. These considerations help us prioritise and build an ongoing schedule of replacements,” Mr McLean said.

Renewal works at Bendigo, Cohuna, Echuca and Kyneton are also planned by Coliban in coming months. Mr McLean said water and sewerage network renewal was vital to “keep pace with demand today, and in the years to come”.

Swan Hill; Warrenheip Street, Buninyong; Kinglake streetscape; Cohuna CBD; Shepparton’s railway precinct linkages

“We are really excited to have engaged an entity with such expertise who has proven, demonstrated success in contemporary urban design,” Loddon Shire

Mayor Gavan Holt said.

“DJANDAK’s expertise in streetscape design to balance the needs of pedestrians, traffic, residents and visitors will ensure a functional and positive outcome for community, businesses and visitors.

“We are looking forward to seeing the evolution of the streetscape design for Inglewood.”

Entering the design phase comes after decades of advocacy to revitalise the streetscape, with the community and Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee helping develop an earlier concept masterplan for the streetscape before an Aboriginal component was was added,

Council says the new design “will concentrate on encouraging intuitive stopping for residents and visitors traveling in any direction, as well as accessibility improvements to enhance Inglewood’s retail and community experience”.

4G switch ready

ALL 3G-only towers in the Loddon Shire have been upgraded to 4G ahead of next month’s Telstra closure of the old network. Telstra regional manager Steve Tinker said: “We acknowledge where people live can be a factor in why customers may not have yet upgraded their device, especially if they are a long distance from a store or someone that can help.” Mr Tinkler said Telstra had sent 12,000 complimentary phones to some of customers who are in difficult situations, live rurally or are elderly. “Our 3G SMS checker allows for anyone who is concerned about their mobile device - to simply send the number 3 to 3498 and we will let you know if a change is needed.”

Ask on any day

ASK R U OK? Any Day will be the theme of the national wellbeing awareness day in September. “we don’t want people waiting until September to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day,” said CEO Katherine Newton.

Hemp streamlined THE STATE Government will streamline industrial hemp applications after backing an inquiry recommendation to class hemp crops as a rural industry. MP Rachel Payne said the change will help farmers wanting to grow hemp.

nity Hub

Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House that runs from the hub.

Indigenous design by DJANDAK

Ditch tender approach: Mayors

NORTHERN Victorian mayors want the Federal Government to ditch its tender process to buying water from irrigators.

Murray River Group of Councils, including Loddon Shire, wants Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to “respect regional communities and work with us to deliver genuine and lasting environmental outcomes, and a sustainable irrigation future for northern Victoria”.

They have told the Government to urgently rethink its approach to the Murray River Basin Plan.

President Ross Stanton said the rush to recover water through open tender buy backs regardless of the impact on communities was a key concern of councils.

Cr Stanton said there was also concern with “grossly inadequate “compensation” offered to communities in return for the socioeconomic harm that open tender buy backs would bring.

He said that buying back water through one-on-one deals from anywhere across the southern Basin, without a strategic plan developed with communities, would be the worst outcome for all Australians.

“Open tender buy backs will have serious negative social impacts on our communities,” Cr Stanton said.

“They will have serious negative economic impacts on our businesses and our towns.

“Worst of all, they will not restore our region’s rivers or our valued floodplain ecosystems.

“When market forces alone determine how much and where water is recovered, it actually makes achieving environmental outcomes harder.

“This is because it concentrates environmental water in dams upstream and it’s more difficult to deliver to the ecosystems that need it.”

Council representatives including Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt and Cr Neil Beattie were in Canberra for last week’s Association of Local Government conference where the push was made for a Government rethink.

Cr Stanton said there would the economic costs of open tender buybacks and impact on jobs.

“The Commonwealth’s recent

ABARES report forecast an annual reduction in farm gate production in the southern Basin of $111m per year. The last time the Commonwealth did an open tender water buy backs in our region, we lost around 1600 jobs, it cost us hundreds of millions of dollars in production, and the price of water for agriculture went up by $72 per megalitre.

“Our irrigation districts ended up looking like Swiss cheese. They are delivering about 50 per cent less water over the same sized area – that has driven up the costs for all the remaining irrigators. If that happens again, it will push districts to breaking point,” said Cr Stanton.

“It’s not just our communities either. This is going to have an effect on prices in supermarkets, on exports, it will affect GDP, all

at a time when cost of living is an issue for everyone. We all want healthy rivers, and a thriving environment, none more than those of us who live in it in our river communities.

“We also need thriving towns and businesses and relying on market forces and focusing purely on water recovery as a number through open tender buy backs will cause social and economic damage” Cr Stanton said.

The Commonwealth has recently provided more detail about its Community Adjustment Assistance fund which will be $300 million over four years across the entire Basin.

“This is woefully inadequate. It wouldn’t even simply offset the economic damage that will be done,” Cr Stanton said after talks in Canberra.

THE Government could fall short of its 70-gigalitre buyback target, said Tony Sawers.

One of the Boort district’s largest irrigators, Mr Sawers said: “I would be surprised if the Government eventually gotr all the water they are looking for ... and I don’t think they have the financial resources.”

He said easier “low hanging fruit” options for water buybacks had been picked in the last 20 years.

Mr Sawers said less available water would mean farmers had to become more efficient to be successful.

“It’s not going to be all doom and gloom. It’s how you respond and we will just have to try harder,” he said.

Mr Sawers was among several stakeholders this week to raise the possibility of

Staged, steady - Pliberseck

THE FEDERAL Government will begin receiving offers to sell back water from Monday.

Three months ago, entitlements of 1247.3 gigalitres had already been purchased from irrigators by the Government.

It now wants another 70 gigalitres with Water Minister Tanya Pliberseck saying the Government had taken “a steady, staged approach to recovering water, prioritising non-purchase options”.

“We’re soon opening tenders for the voluntary purchase of up to 70 gigalitres of water from willing sellers in parts of the southern Basin, supported by a water trading strategy.”

Meanwhile, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder last week released its seasonal water plan. No deliveries of water for the environment are planned in 2024-2025 for the Boort wetlands.

“However, as the wetlands draw down, the North Central Catchment Management Authority has considered how the wetlands could support social, recreational and economic values and uses,” the report says.

For the Serpentine Creek, the priority will be to maintain a low flow throughout the year to provide habitat for native fish, waterbugs, water rats) and platypus.

a more volatile temporary water market in drought years.

“Availability might be high at the moment but what about in two or three years time? That’s when these problems could emerge,” he said.

He said it it was obvious that buybacks would have some impact on inflation because of the reliance on irrigation for fruit and vegetable production.

Mallee MP Anne Webster said she had written to Water Minister Plibersek urging her to halt the buybacks.

Dr Webster said she welcomed Australian Local Government Association conference decision to reject the Murray Darling Basin water buybacks and the compensation package proposed by the Federal Government.

Mayors from the Mallee electorate meet MP Anne Webster in Canberra last week

Lilly gets a Head Start

YOUTH across the region have been celebrated at the North Central LLEN annual general meetings.

Students from East Loddon and Boort were featured in a Find Your Feet panel discussion sharing stories of the journey when stakeholders and leaders met in Charlton.

Youngest member of the panel, East Loddon P123 College’s Lilly Hocking is completing a schoolbased apprenticeship as part of her VCE Vocational Major studies. Lilly said she enjoyed the opportunity to spend time at both school and in the workplace, as well as getting a head start on career in agriculture.

After completing work experience with a stock agent in Year 10, and in the Elders Wool Room last year, Lilly started her apprenticeship through the Head Start program in Year 11 with Mansbridge Pompapiel Company.

She will complete a Certificate III in Agriculture as part of her VCE Vocational Major.

Lilly was also East Loddon P-12’s inaugural recipient of a Nutrien Ag Scholarship facilitated across all North Central schools in 2023 as part of the Department of Education’s Secondary School Agriculture Fund.

During her two farm days Lilly works with cattle and sheep and helps with the cropping program.

“I love getting out and learning new things every day and my employers are trusting and giving me responsibilities.” she said.

Also on the panel was Braedon Niven who completed Year 12 at

Boort District School in 2022 and is now a trainee at the Wycheproof Early Learning Centre . He has Certificate III Community Services over the last two years.

Former Chalrton College student Darby Fitzpatrick spoke of turning his love for trucks into a vocational career pathway.

Darby said he was young to drive trucks when starting his

apprenticeship - working on them the next best thing. He started with a school-based apprenticeship before taking the course full-time.

Also on the panel was Tahlijia Sheahan, a compliance officer with Teys Australia in Charlton, combined with a one-day a week position teaching VET Agriculture at the North Central Trade

Lions keep care commitment

BRICK walls from state and federal governments would not deter Wedderburn Lions Club from continuing its push for an aged care facility in the town.

Outgoing club president Jude Raftis said in her report to Friday’s club handover dinner that governments continued to pass the issue between each other with no real commitment for Wedderburn.

“This will not deter us from pushing ahead for some sort of facility for our community,” she said.

“It is important that we continue to fight as many elderly members rely on us - we are all going to need to go somewhere in the future.”

Jude said the Lions club provided an amazing service to the community.

“We have a huge amount of respect in our town which will only continue because of the work you all do,” she said.

Jude said contributions by members in

the past year had included catering at the detector jamboree and on Australia Day, assisting at the Coach House Gallery and supporting the cemetery trust.

Members had worked to make the club a success, she said.

Guest speaker at the dinner was Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest who updated members on upgrade works at the college and planning for the child care centre.

New president for Wedderburn Lions is Barry Finch with vice-presidents Robyn Vella and Roger Paterson. Jon Chandler continues as secretary and Barry Woodward is treasurer.

The installation ceremony was conducted by Charlton Lions member Harry Brindley.

During the evening, the club inducted new members Linda Turner and Sam Boudoloh.

Long-time board member retires from network

CHERYL McKinnon has retired from the board of North Central Local Learning and Education Network ending an association that stretched back almost a decade.

Mrs McKinnon was first on the board representing Loddon Shire and returned as a community representatives following her retirement from council in 2020.

She was thanked for service to Noeth Central LLEN, including terms as deputy chairman, by current Loddon Shire representative and network chairman Dan Straub.

The annual general meeting saw Boort’s Brooke Arnold and Anthony Hogan (Donald) reelected to the board.

More than 50 board members, staff, partners, stakeholders, and community members attended the annual general meeting.

North Central LLEN was formed 22 years ago to creating opportunities for children and young people to be confident, resilient and to thrive in education, work and life.

Training Centre in Charlton. “I have gone and tried other jobsbut agriculture is something I’ve always been drawn back to,” she said.

The panellists answered a series of questions ranging from what they wanted to be when they were younger to later career planning while being interviewed by Jacinta Sutton.

In his report, Cr Straub said: “The pathways that the North Central LLEN and their partners facilitate for our young people are important - especially those that enable them to stay and live in our rural communities.”

He said initiatives in 2023 had included the Umbrella Flood Recovery project in Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra Shires, VET transport funding and HeadStart co-ordination.

The North Central LLEN panel shares stories of pathway journeys

Bob Steel, Linda Turner, new president Barry Finch, Harry Brindley and Sam Boudoloh at the Lions changeover dinner

HOTEL

EST. 1874

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

Call goes out to boost summer fire force

VICTORIA’S summer fire fighting force will be boosted with Forest Fire Management Victoria this week starting its annual seasonal recruitment campaign.

FFMVIC wants to add project firefighters to its teams at Inglewood, St Arnaud and 14 other bases in the Loddon Mallee region.

FFMVIC Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Scott Falconer said successful applicants would boost Victoria’s firefighting and land management efforts in the lead-up to summer and throughout the warmer months.

“Being a project firefighter can bring a sense of purpose and personal achievement knowing your efforts contribute to protecting Victorian communities and the environment,” Mr Falconer said.

“Recruits will have the opportunity to train and work alongside FFMVic’s fire-

fighting staff, responding to emergencies such as bushfires and floods, as well as work in land management and reduce bushfire risk through planned burning, weed control, maintaining the public land road network and managing strategic fuel breaks.

“Planned burning and emergency response deployments can occur anywhere across the state, providing opportunities to travel and work in different locations. In previous seasons, some recruits have also been deployed to support firefighting efforts across Australia and internationally.”

Mr Falconer said recruits at Inglewood would join part of a team of 1800 frontline personnel and 1200 accredited incident management personnel this bushfire season.

Three-legged champions turning 90

SCHOOL mates and Pyramid Hill legends John Carroll and Don Farrar will celebrate their 90th birthday next week.

The pair sat next to each other at school in Pyramid Hill. “We won the three-legged race on year,” Don and John recalled ahead of a community party for the “birthday twins” on Sunday.

Both were born on July 17, 1934 - John in Pyramid Hill and Don in Castlemaine,

Love our local!

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm  Dinner from 6.00pm

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

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

moving to Pyramid Hill four years later. John is the only surviving member of Pyramid Hill’s last football premiership side in 1950 and a member of the local fire brigade for 72 years.

Don said he and John had maintained a close friendship since their school days. Daughter Jean Mann said: “Don and John are two of Pyramid’s favourite blokes and they’re looking forward to the party.”

Weed control funding pegged in new year

THE State Government has pegged its roadside weeds and pests program funding for councils at $85,000.

Loddon Shire last year had its first increase in a decade when funding was lifted by $10,000.

“The funding will assist councils with a range of activities along their rural roadsides, including treating and preventing blackberry, boxthorn and serrated tussock weeds, as well as managing rabbit populations,” the Government said.

Lunch from 12.00pm

Trading hours

Dinner from 6.00pm

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

Dinner from 6.00pm

Thursday – Open Midday

Social Darts Night

Dinner from 5.30pm

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

FAMILY MATTERS

Friday – Open Midday

Dinner from 6.00pm  Trivia Night

Lunch from 12.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Lunch from 12.00pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Dinner from 6.00pm  Pot’n’Parma Night

Thursday – Open Midday

Saturday – Open Midday

Dinner from

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 5.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday  All Day Pizza Menu

Close 11.00pm

Pyramid Hill’s birthday twins John Carroll and Don Farrar. LH PHOTO

Podium talks aiming to drive change

COMMUNITY leaders will take to the podium in Boort and Bridgewater sharing ideas to prepare for future weather patterns.

The events are part of shirewide Let’s Talk About the Weather initiative.

A Living with Water lunch in Boort will hear perspectives about the challenges of living with too little and too much water.

Speakers will be Djaara water manager Caitlin Dunolly-Lee on using Djaara values to inform the water delivery to Lake Boort, Canary Island sheep farmer Jo Bear discussing challenges and opportunities in rejuvenating the natural landscape while maintaining a successful farming business, Agriculture Victoria’s Rebecca Mitchell and Boort District Health CEO Donna Doyle.

Revitalising Our Towns, will be the theme for a dinner at Bridgewater.

Speakers will be CFA brigade captain Tim Ferguson, Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program director Jude Hannah, local policeman Senior Constable Mick Balazs and Inglewood Ward councillor Wendy Murphy.

Program organiser Karen Corr said: “These events are crucial for our community as we face increasing challenges from extreme weather.

“By coming together, we can learn from each other, share practical solutions, and build a stronger, more resilient future,” she said.

“I encourage everyone to attend these gatherings to not only gain valuable insights but also to contribute their ideas and experiences. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community’s ability to thrive in changing conditions.

“Let’s Talk About the Weather invites residents, businesses, and community groups to share experiences and develop local solutions. This includes completing a questionnaire about their own experience of the weather, as well as attending local gatherings over July and August.”

Ms Corr said topics covered at in the Big Weather program included Living with Water, Revitalising Towns, Liveable and Resilient Homes, Creative Recovery, and Women Strengthening Towns.

Anglers catch on at big fish meeting

VICTORIAN Fisheries Authority kicked off its annual forum roadshow in Boort on Tuesday night.

District anglers were keen to talk about big native fish and hear of the authority’s plans to

Inglewood Streetscape update

The work to develop civil and landscape design for the Inglewood Streetscape upgrade is continuing with Tomkinson’s work to locate services and surveying nearing completion. Last week, DJANDAK’s landscape design team met with Djaara members and the project team in Inglewood to tour the streetscape and discuss future design directions.

Nine key community stakeholders will also discuss forming a community advisory group. This group will act as a key conduit between the project and the community.

To stay updated on the project, visit https://www. loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Current-projects/ Inglewood-Streetscape-Project or scan the QR code

boost numbers of Murray cod, golden perch and other native species. They heard that Boort and other northern Victoria areas would be big beneficiaries of of the authority’s Arcadia hatch-

ery expansion. The hatchery, near Shepparton, will produce the bulk of the native fish stocked for the region. Tuesday’s forum was the first of 12 across the state in July and August.

The enrolment period has been brought earlier in the year to align with the Foundation (Prep) Victorian government primary schools’ enrolment timeline. Kindergarten is free and children attend sessions for 15 hours per week, spread across three days.

To enrol your child or children in the 2025 three or four-year-old kindergarten program, visit: www.loddon.vic.gov.au Council’s Early Years Team can also post out enrolment forms to support families who may be having trouble accessing the online enrolment form.

For more information or queries, please call Council’s Early Years Team on 5494 1200.

Enrolments close Friday 26 July 2024.

VFA’s Mark Adams (left) chatting to Boort Angling Club president Alan Wilson

T ouring plans put artists on rural stages

AUSTRALIAN television star Jane Clifford will hit the stage in Boort next month for the first BWF on the Road Show.

Bendigo Writers’ Festival has introduced three country town shows to its 2024 program.

Clifton will perform her oneperson show A Day at a Time in Rhyme at Boort Memorial Hall, Elmore and Heathcote before two shows during the main festival in Bendigo.

Showbiz veteran Clifton, who starred in the 1980’s television hit Prisoner, has written her show using the four seasons as a framing device.

A Day at a Time in Rhyme takes audiences into a year of Jane’s life as she peels back the layers to share her witty – and often

poignant – observations on life, particularly from an older woman’s perspective.

Supported by sound effects, music pads and projections, Jane will perform about 35 of the original 365 poems in a dramatised monologue.

Clifton’s show is described as an intimate hour of fun and reflection that will leave the audience feeling uplifted and more connected to themselves – and the people around them.

August will also see the return to Inglewood of Lyster Opera Company for the tour season opening of its latest show, Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers.

Lyster Opera attracts large crowds to its season opening shows in Inglewood.

Learn how to beat scammers

INGLEWOOD Community Bank has put together a 30-minute presentation to help organisations improve their digital capability and security.

Manager Michael Prowse said that with online scamming on the rise, it was important for groups to recognise online dangers.

“Bendigo Bank has an ongoing

commitment to helping customers bank safely. It’s important to know how to stay safe online and recognise potential dangers,” he said.

“We are offering sessions for local organisations and groups. Thirty minutes is all it takes to improve your digital capability, confidence and security.”

STUDENTS played a key role in celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Wedderburn College. Student helped unveil a welcome to country plaque next the the new water tank mural while a choir conducted by teacher Maddi Postle sang an Aboriginal folk song during the ceremony on the last day of term two last month.

Stephanie weaves her artistry in indigenous conversations

CULTURAL tours at Kooyoora State Park on Sunday will wrap up NAIDOC week activities in the Loddon Shire.

The week started with a smoking ceremony on the Inglewood Town Hall last Sunday before the opening of an exhibition featuring the work of indigenous artist Stephanie Taylor.

Stephanie also gave two weaving workshops during the day. The Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta artist and experience

weaver who runs her own workshops in the Goulburn Valley area.

Local partnerships and $55,000 funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria flood recovery hub saw NAIDOC Week celebrated from Sunday with Stephanie’s exhibition open until Saturday.

Storytelling sessions have been held at Loddon librarys in Inglewood, Wedderburn, Pyramid Hill, Dingee, Tarnagulla and Boort throughout the week.

Loddon Shire Council will be hosting a housing and lifestyle expo on Friday 20 th September and Saturday 21 st September, 2024 in Inglewood.

The purpose of this expo is to promote the lifestyle o ered in Loddon to prospective residents and highlight the opportunities for new residential development in the existing towns to land owners.

Loddon Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from exhibitors for this expo. There will be no charge to participate in the expo.

Exhibitors that we think would bene t from this expo include: builders, developers, real estate agents, land surveyors, community groups, neighbourhood houses, schools, employers looking to attract sta …

If you are interested in participating in the expo, please email your details to: business@loddon.vic.gov.au

For further information regarding the expo, please contact David Stretch, Manager Economic Development dstretch@loddon.vic.gov.au Ph. 5494 1200

The Railway Hotel BOORT

Artist Stephanie Taylor at the opening of her exhibition on Sunday. LH PHOTOS

Loddon artists Greg Holland and David McTaggart try their hands at weaving

Jean McClymont, Fiona Love, Hannah Wright, Alex Wright, Georgie Wright, Alison Wright and Ryan Love at Sunday’s exhibition opening

The corner for fashion

FASHIONS for the ages will bring new life to the historic main corner of Inglewood from Saturday.

Carlie’s Clothing and Accessories opens in the former historic Porter building on the corner and Brooke and Verdon Streets.

“Latest fashions and footwear in a historic Inglewood building transformed with a purpose shop fit-out making our new home for Loddon fashion,” said owner Charlie Woodman.

There’s irony and fate in Charlie’s move south down the Calder Highway and creation of a new destination for Loddon residents and visitors who flock to the town at weekends and during holiday periods.

“For years I had travelled past the shop, sitting empty, thinking it would be a grand location for the store. It was only when having a chat with Pauline and Jerry Wellman after the purchased the historic buildings, that the dream started to materialise.”

For more than a decade, Charlie has been bringing latest fashions to the fore, creating unique Australiana-theme giftware and contemporary jewellery.

Carlie’s Clothing and Accessories started as a pop-up stall at major markets and events and a shop front in Kyneton before Charlie and wife Carol made the move north. Carol returned to teaching and accepted an appointment at Wedderburn College, Charlie opened his shop there.

Charlie says the move to Inglewood meant that for the first time he had premises able to adapted for the display of quality lines in fashion, footwear and a separate “more Bohemian section”.

“Our clothing and footwear range sees people travel from far and wide,” he said.

“A couple of years ago, one of our customers purchased footwear that she tells us has become a walking talking conversational promotion for Carlie’s great range.

“People travel up the Calder Highway to check out our latest stock of fashion -

dresses, skirts, cardigans and knitwear, tops hats and scarves, and of course the shoes and boots and quality handbags

“They love the unique and special range of rings, pendants and earrings that bring a contemporary touch to the wardrobe.”

The giftware lines stocked at 66 Brooke Street Inglewood by Carlie’s Clothing and Accessories is unique and inspiration - additions include light-up canvases, bamboo wind chimes leather tarot card bags, crystal pyramids and there are the specially designed wind spinners designed by Charlie of Australiana and farm animals.

Charlie’s new store has an expansive range of quality Cabello footwear.

“Customers keep coming back and saying they’re the most comfortable shoes they’ve ever put on their feet,” Charlie said.

“When customers seek ladies’ shoes that strike the perfect balance between much needed comfort and much loved style, you can trust Cabello shoes to truly deliver on both fronts.

“Cabello is the trusted name for high quality, orthotic-friendly ladies comfort shoes that never compromise on style.

With a comprehensive range of women’s shoes, everything from boots to heels, and flats to sandals, our customers can enjoy true Cabello comfort.

“And the range that spans summer and winter seasons, that blend of comfort and style will last all year round.”

Charlie says he is excited for the next chapter in the life of Carlie Clothing and Accessories.

“I think our store will help with bring more people to visit historic Inglewood and add to the experience of finding that something special, something different when they spend even more time wandering historic Brooke Street,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming customers to our new store in Inglewood.”

Bringing fashion to Brooke Street ... Carol and Charlie Wooman

Law fills Nathan’s footy void

BREAKING a leg became the catalyst for Nathan Holt immersing himself in a legal career.

The three-time Wedderburn premiership footballer shared the story when 2014 flag team mates held at a reunion on Saturday.

Timing of the injury when playing with Golden Square in the Bendigo league came in Nathan’s first year out of law school.

“When I had the 12 months off footy this was the catalyst for immersing myself in work,” he said

“I have always been and remain supremely competitive and a lot of my work is litigation and disputes-based so I scratch my competitive itch through work and never really got that drive back with footy.

“It is hard to explain but I am a bit of a nerd in that respect, and I do fundamentally love the cut and thrust of what I do so that replaced the void left by footy.”

Nathan’s experiences have come through Bendigo law firm Petersen Westbrook Cameron.

“I was only 17 when I left school and like most 17-year-olds I did not really know what I wanted to do except play footy,” he said.

“I really struggled with trying to work out what I wanted to pursue as a career and Dad (Leon) was on a footy board with Greg Westbrook and mentioned he seemed like a bloke who got to do a variety of different things. Dad always said doing something with variety was great, so you didn’t get bored. So I put down law as my first preference and got accepted.

“As cliché as it sounds, I also got introduced to the TV series

Suits in my first year of uni which helped. Of course, real world practice is very different to a reality TV drama, but I didn’t know that at the time!”

Nathan said his professional journey at Peterson Westbrook Cameron started in 2015 with a university holiday break.

“I had to work hard and cut my teeth with the bad jobs ... I had to archive the firm’s files held in our off-site storage facility. The records stretched back decades and took me all weeks to complete. That was character building, but

gave me an appreciation of the firm’s history.”

Nathan also had his stint answering the phone and acting as receptionist.

Since last July, Nathan has been managing the law firm.

“I have been very lucky to also have two incredible mentors, being Greg Westbrook and also Andrew Burnett (who is a barrister at the Victorian Bar). Greg always provided an environment where I felt like I was working with him not for him, and put his trust in me which helped me grow. An-

drew moved my admission to practice, and I have spent hours and hours talking on the phone about cases we are involved in together and just about the law generally,” he said.

“A lot of what we do is people management as much as law so knowing how to interact with different personalities is important to succeeding in the industry.

Nathan was admitted to the bar of the Victorian Supreme Court in 2019 and the High Court of Australia in 2020.

He acts for clients across the region and interstate. “And currently my largest case is for a Chinese client who lives in mainland China who I was connected to through a barrister who I work closely with. Being able to practice broadly has opened my world up to engaging with different people from all different backgrounds.”

“I am eager to strengthen my business relationship with Wedderburn and surrounding areas. One of the main messages that comes across in my dealings with people is perceived lack of access to legal services and the impediment is has for parties in seeking advice. By being a familiar face, I hope to cure some of the stigma that comes with approaching lawyers that I know exists.

“One of the striking things is that you don’t know what you don’t know. For example, I am engaged in any number of succession related matters ... being a rural town, I want to encourage discussions so that people appropriately deal with their affairs.”

Get ready to say goodbye to 3G.

Our 3G network will be switched off on 31 August. So if you’re currently using a device that relies on the 3G network, like a phone, watch, medical device, or EFTPOS machine, you’ll need to upgrade as soon as possible to ensure ongoing service.

Unsure if your mobile phone will be affected?

Just SMS the number 3 to 3498 and we’ll text you back to let you know if you need to take action.

Steady falls on paddocks

STEADY rain on Tuesday dropped up to 10mm on paddocks across the Loddon.

The soaking followed up on 10mm on July 1 as farmers look for more falls this month.

Birchip Cropping Group’s Grace Hosking said: “While it has been a challenging start to the season and the seasonal outlook is still unclear, we see each year how farmers are becoming more adept at navigating these.

“The dry start to the season has created challenges including juggling feeding livestock with spreading nutrition on crops, managing staggered germination and weed and pest management issues,” Grace said this week.

Stargazers perch on Pyamid Hill

MEMBERS of RMIT Astronomy Society will base themselves in Pyramid Hill this weekend.

The group will travel by train for the stargazing visit. Members say the visit is a chance to get away from the city lights and enjoy the stars after leaving Melbourne on Saturday morning.

We’re always here to help. If you need more information or any help with the change, drop into your nearest Telstra store, visit: telstra.com/3Gclosure, or call us on 13 22 00.

Nathan Holt

WOOL REPORT

The Australian wool market opened the 2024/24 wool selling season softly, recording an overall loss for the third successive series. For an opening sale the national quantity was relatively low, there was a total of 34,231 bales available to the trade. The bulk of the losses were felt on the first day of selling, particularly in the fleece. This was reflected in the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) in this sector, which across the country dropped by between 3 and 38 cents. The other three sectors also recorded overall negative results. As a result of these falls, the benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell by 13 cents for the day. The second selling day the market settled to a degree, with generally single digit market movements recorded, the exception being the 18.0 micron and finer MPGs in the North, where the losses were larger. Worth noting, the West selling last recorded a small overall increase in the Western Indicator, driven by gains across all MPGs 18.5 micron and coarser. The EMI dropped another 4 cents for the day. The EMI lost a total of 17 cents for the series, closing the week at 1,125 cents. Despite the losses experienced this week, clearance rates remain relatively high, only 8.2% of the offering was passed in. Many were hoping for a strong start to the new season, like the opening of the previous season. Week 1 last season the EMI rose by 36 cents, mainly because of rises in the merino fleece MPGs of between 13 and 77 cents.

This week the national offering is expected to fall. There are currently 32,398 bales on offer. Fremantle will now be a one-day sale, due to limited quantity, selling on Tuesday. If this full quantity eventuates it will be 11,299 bales less than Week 2 last year, where there were 43,697 bales on offer.

Source: AWEX

109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY, EPSOM

Phone 03 5455 6333 Fax 03 5448 3936

Branch Manager & Senior Agronomist

Craig Sharam 0408 188 351

Wool - Adam Millard 0400 499 064

Livestock - Nigel Starick 0408 528 322

Wade Broadstock 0427 337 231

Lachie McAlister 0428 717 403

Chris Anderson 0408 921 540

Merchandise - Glenn Jackson 0429 076 459

Agronomy - Anton Mannes 0499 708 044

Josh Mcleod 0447 678 609

SHEEP AND LAMBS

PRICES strengthened again at Bendigo on Monday amid another small winter yarding of less than 14,000 lambs and sheep.

Good processing lambs gained another $10 to $20/head with buyers chasing all types and breeds a lot harder, including the plainer and smaller penlots of stock.

One northern exporter was absent but with the other regular buyers showing more intensity for numbers the entire market shifted-up.

Although the mutton market nearly over-shadowed the stronger lamb results, sheep prices lifting by $20 to $40/hd in an auction that gathered pace as it went.

The sale peaked at $310 for a pen of extra heavy lambs estimated around 37kg cwt, with most of the export lambs in the 3034kg cwt range from $250 to $280/hd.

The heavy 26-30kg crossbred lambs mostly $200 to $248, and the best of the heavy trades at $200 to $221/hd. Basically any decent crossbred bred lambs over 24kg cwt commanded over 800c/kg, reaching 900c on occasion, and recording averages of 830c to 855c/kg cwt.

The medium and light processing lambs were a lot more mixed for quality and fat cover with the bulk of sales from $140 to $175 to show a greater carcass price spread of about 700c to 800c/kg over the majority.

The better style light MK processing lambs from $90 to $138/head. It is worth noting that Merino lambs in the trade and light categories were significantly dearer in places as buyers dropped back onto these for numbers.

Sheep were arguably the highlight of the market, prices gaining momentum as the sale progressed. Trade and light sheep under 30kg cwt tsold at much dearer levels. There was times during the auction when

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Another significant lift in both sheep and lambs. $10-20 increase across both categories.

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team. Monday, July 8th 2024 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 9,000 | Sheep - 4,000 Alex Collins - 0408 314 768

Drew Stratton - 0414 576 371

the second cut of ewes out of a line sold for more money than the heavier tops. The heaviest ewes were impacted by the absence of a northern exporter which usually dominates extra heavy mutton. The main runs of Merino ewes in the nice weight range of 24-30kg cwt sold from $110 to $164/hd to be costing processors over 500c/kg cwt. But there was a reasonable amount of price variance in c/kg terms across the mutton run as buyers tried to calculate values amid the rising market.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

ALB & R McIntosh Wanalta (100) $295. GF & CM Rathjen ColbinabbiD Last Fiery Flat (46) $186. D & H McKinley Leichardt (57) $186.

MERINO LAMBS

R McEvoy (11) $112. S Reid Sedgwick (30) $101. KJ,GM & RL Kelly Strathfieldsaye (13) $93.

MERINO WETHERS

D & F Lanyon Charlton (340) $115. KJ, ER & JP Leach Rheola (154) $110. T Soulsby Rheola (36) $100. CROSSBRED EWES

GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (33) $148. R Lockhart Speewa (49) $132. Everdale Holdings Calivil (62) $130. G Ryan Mathoura (11) $124. Slater Farming Corack East (32) $120. Ghin Ghin Station Ghin Ghin (38) $115. D & DH Scott Bunnaloo (8) $112. JM Fencing Malmsbury (10) $110. JB Burns Lancefield (3)

(60)

Stoke Family Woomelang (30) $120. Order of sales next Monday: Nutrien, Nuttall, McKean McGregor, Elders, Nevins. SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

Zeb Broadbent - 0447 002 844 Will Holt- 0417 686 814

Alex Pollock - 0409 145 832 Henry Bugge - 0403 671 917 Will Lowe - 0498 381 584

BENDIGO

Rural job term of learning

VOCATIONAL major students at Boort District School have spent a term immersed in the agriculture sector.

The Year 11 and 12 students were part of North Central LLEN’s Youth Take Over project.

They spent 10 years learning about jobs in the agricultural industry, teaming with staff at Nutrien Ag.

North Central LLEN’s Sue Gould said students enjoyed an immersive experience in the world of ag services.

“Nutrien staff generously gave their time to work with small groups of students, sharing their personal career journeys and the nature of the work they do.

The cohort spent time marking and weighing lambs before market and spent time in the field with agronomists assessing crops and identifying weeds.

Merchandise manager Cam Mitchell explained the complex nature of the supply chain the logistics of moving products.

Manager Teagen Welsh gave her group of students an insight into the Nutrien corporation and an overview of branch management that is safe and customer focused.

The project was celebrated on the last day of term where students, staff, parents and farmers heard from students on their experiences.

Hosted by Year 12 students Jett Hird, Alby Bear, Nick Scott and Josephine Ceballos, each student spoke shared their agricultural stories and highlighted what they had learned about jobs at Nutrien and the wider agricultural industry.

The function also marked Teagan’s last day at Boort after two years before taking up a position with the company in Kerang.

Young auctioneer makes final for second year

WEDDERBURN’S Will Holt will contest his second Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition in October.

The McKean McKean stock and station agent earned his spot in the final after last week’s Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association school for young auctioneers in Melbourne.

Will was also among competitors selected for the state final in 2023.

The competition started in New South Wales in 1989 and has grown to include state finals in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia with the final held at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show.

Will has been with McKean McGregor since 2019 after gaining experience at saleyards with the McKean McGregor team during his school years.

GRAIN

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1000L Poly Water Tank, Fencing Materials

4 x Gates & Posts, 55 x SH Galvanised Iron Workshop Sundries

1000l Green Round Stock Trough 2 x HD trolley jacks

Drop saw corner 19’ extension ladder Commodore 1999 VT auto (unreg.)

Brochure and further information: greg@propertyplusre.com.au

Jane Reid, Nick Scott and Boort District School principal Todd Woodfine at the program presentation

Buybacks cannot become buyouts

by ChRIS EARl

GOVERNMENTS can be very good at opening the cheque books ... apart from when it comes to investing in what really matters for the people.

The latest and sorry example is another attack on rural productivity, country communities and in fact sustainability of enterprise.

The Federal Government is trying to twist the arm of primary producers in northern Victoria to offload their water entitlements.

From next week, irrigators will have the chance to “voluntarily” give up 70 gigalitres of water used on their farms, flows diverted in the name of the environment.

There’s also likely to be compensation to those communities impacted by this latest ideologically-driven attempt that shows how little bureaucrats understand about food production.

Their attitudes, and those of ruling political masters, may have been discoloured by all the talk of alternatives to meat - plant-based food some would have us dishing up at the meal table.

But hang on a minute, even plants need water to grow and thrive.

What happens when the Government does not reach its buyback target? More political pressure from the fringes could well lead to the offer becoming compulsory. Government finding more money ... and some may wonder why when the country,

Centuries of service

lOCAl PERSPECtIVE

and the state of Victoria, has serious financial challenges.

Every cent used on taking water away from farmers will end up being many millions of dollars denied to maintenance of roads, provision of basic services and infrastructure ... and the first to miss out will probably be rural communities.

We don’t know how much is in the Federal Government’s kitty to pay for these buybacks. We do know, that in the Loddon Shire alone, there’s a likely shortfall of $40 million dollars over the next decade for council meeting the cost of basics like roads.

Whether the money for local roads comes direct from Canberra or through the State Government is irrelevant.

It remains that governments can find the cash - taxpayer dollars - to fund water buybacks as one example.

And there’s no transparency in how much money is spent. That is increasingly the place ordinary people, the taxpayers and voters, find themselves in.

Likewise, there was recently the announcement of $5 million given to the State Government to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Commission.

Enquiries of how that money will be spent have yet to draw out any details. We could hope that some will be invested at Lake Boort where the announcement was made. Concept plans

NEWBRIDGE FIRE BRIGADE SERVICE MEDALS

Lynne Pickering wrote: Congratulations to all the recipients of service medals. All these guys and Ladies are volunteers. We would be lost without them.

HARNESS RACING MEETINGS CUT

Jill Lamson wrote: Very sad to hear, spent many Saturdays at Boort and Wedderburn trots with my father, Hughie Davidson many years ago. Dad had a few horses win at both tracks.

- award-winning at that - have already been completed to boost visitation to the scar trees.

On Aboriginal culture, it would appear that Inglewood has been chosen as the Loddon gateway to connecting visitors with indigenous history.

Loddon Shire Council said as much last week when explaining the reason for a series of activities for NAIDOC week being staged in Inglewood.

That came only months after councillors accepted a report showing indigenous art and information would be incorporated into concept plans for an Inglewood streetscape project the council will pitch to governments for a slice of the funding pie.

Community consultation on the streetscape ideas will no doubt bring feedback on what local people want their main street to be like and how artistic ideas are able to show a balance between the heritage of Brooke Street and the inclusion of Aboriginal culture at the gateway.

But back to our farmers. They carefully manage the land and the environment - eking a living, in many cases employing people - to make sure there is fresh and healthy produce.

They have to account for every cent to survive in an increasingly leaner and efficiency-driven world. For their sake, let’s hope the government buybacks don’t become buyouts.

BRIDGEWATER’S CORELLA PROBLEM

Michelle Mead wrote: The corellas are a native species. Leave them alone!

Joelz N Chris Simsen wrote: Arent these birds on the decline also?

Catherine Dowden Gunston wrote: Not if you see them in Bridgewater.

Bernard Bracken wrote: The roots of the trees will be supporting river banks. Trees die off and have massive erosion.

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Potassium is especially present in which fruit?

2. ‘The Three Stooges’ were known for their performances that used what style of comedy?

3. And what were the names of those characters?

4. Computer software Adobe Flash Player was discontinued in which year?

5. Which body part is missing from the Great Sphinx of Giza?

6. According to biblical tradition, which fruit is said to have 613 seeds?

7. Surströmming is a traditional Swedish dish, but what is it?

8. What colours make up the flag of Senegal?

9. When were trains first introduced into Australia?

10. In a standard game of Sudoku, to which number do

you fill in the blank spaces?

11. What is Australia’s largest extinct volcano?

12. What is the first line of the song ‘Y.M.C.A.’?

13. Who won five consecutive Wimbledon men’s singles titles between 1976 and 1980?

14. Which major religious event began in 1509 and continued throughout the 16th century?

15. In Monopoly which property sits between Trafalgar Square and Strand

16. What is the chemical symbol for Silicon?

17. Who wrote the Bridget Jones series of novels?

18. How many square meters are there in an acre?

19. Where is the bicep muscle located on the human body?

20. In Greek mythology, who killed the Minotaur?

ANSWERS

BRADLEY of Boort has remembered ... to hop in the paddock and throw a boomerang. He says its his NAIDOC Week sign erected on the Treemendous Tree.

ONE should hope that Bradley has not been out practising at dawn these last few weeks. Frosts have whitened the Loddon landscape and if morning had been any colder, those lakes around Boort would have had the boomerang slip, sliding away.

SPARE thought on these cold mornings for our local gardeners. Pam told us at the weekend that her winter vegie patch has been harshly treated by the frosts. She was lamenting to loss of broccoli. Broccoli plants can survive temperatures as low as minus five. The green thumbs would know that at this extreme,

the leaves may suffer frost burn, but the flower head (the part we eat) can generally still be harvested. In good news, croccoli can be planted up to a month before the last appearance of Jack Frost of the season!

J ACK Frost is a personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, winter, and freezing cold. He is a variant of Old Man Winter who is held responsible for frosty weather, nipping the fingers and toes in such weather, coloring the foliage in autumn, and leaving fern-like patterns on cold windows in winter

D ID you know? In Norse mythology, Jack Frost is a minor demi-god called Jokul Frosti meaning “icicle frost”.

WHAT other vegies can survive his chilling morning visits? They say garlic can beat the frost.

1. Bananas 2. Slapstick 3. Moe, Larry, and Curly 4. 2020. 5. Nose 6. -Pome granate 7. Fermented Baltic Sea herring 8. Green, yellow, red 9. 1831

Nine 11. Tweed volcano (NSW)

Young man, there’s no need to feel down

Björn Borg 14. English reformation 15. Fleet St 16. Si 17. Helen Fielding

18. 4046 19. Upper arm 20. Theseus.

bUShy tAlES by IAN jONES

Ken Arnold peels away his family history with a look at LADY MARMALADE

THE NEXT time you enjoy a thick wedge of orange marmalade on your toast, give thanks to a rogue Spanish ship captain and a resourceful woman named Janet Keiller.

Keiller, Kelleher, Killer, Keler or Keelerdepending on where you were and when.

Folklore has it that the Keiller family originated in Ireland where they were known as Kelleher.

The original Kelleher was engaged to a wealthy young orphan girl, who had become the ward of a bishop, hence it must have been customary that the latter had the girl on the night prior to her marriage.

This must have enraged Kelleher, as it was not long before he killed the bishop, and the young couple fled across the North Channel to Scotland, settling close to Perth.

Kelleher must have been successful, as he built a castle on the main route from the highlands to the lowlands known as Rankeilour or Rankeillour, around 25km from the now famous St Andrews golf course and 31km from Dundee.

Kelleher had great trouble trying to defend his castle from warring clans, and it was burnt out with everyone killed except a nurse and a young Kelleher boy.

The nurse took George Kelleher to Dundee, around 1605. It appears that this is when the surname became Keiller. George in turn had a son, also named George, who had a son John, who married Elspeth Ferguson on October 18, 1669.

As a result, John junior was born in 1670. He married Katherine Ramsey, who gave birth to James on September 29, 1711, at Dundee.

James Keiller married Janet Robb on October 29, 1730, and they had four children including John, 1737(9)-1804, who was to marry Janet Mathewson in 1762. They had eight children including John and James.

The Keiller family had a small grocery and confectionery shop in Seagate, Dundee, where Janet made jams, biscuits, jellies, cakes and sweets.

Commercial marmalade

In 1797 a Spanish ship became stranded in a raging storm, finally docking at Port Broughty. As the bulk of the cargo was Seville oranges the captain feared they would soon spoil, so he thought he could con John Keiller and sold the consignment to him, much to the surprise of his wife.

Not being able to make jam from the oranges owing to their bitter taste, Janet began to peel off thin strips of rind before adding it to her mixture. Thus, Janet Keiller is credited with being the first to make commercial marmalade in Great Britain, the new business being named James Keiller.

James Keiller married Barbara Robertson (1789-1817) and they had seven children including James (1810-49). Keiller later married Margaret Spence (1800-50) and had another nine children including Alexander Riddoch (1821-77). Janet Keiller (1737–1813) and her son James conducted the shop for some time, but it was not until 1828 that the business became known as James Keiller & Son, af-

ter James junior joined the business.

As James Keiller senior, had died, his widow Margaret and son Alexander continued to conduct the jam, boiled sweets and butterscotch business, moving to an area known as Albert Square in 1845.

Sugar tax

To avoid paying sugar tax, a factory was established at St Peter Port, Guernsey, in 1857, managed by Wedderspoon Keiller (1835-66), and around this time the business became known as Keiller & Sons.

When the was abolished in 1874 a new factory was opened at Tay Wharf in London. By this time Keiller & Sons marmalade was being marketed in Australia, China, New Zealand and South Africa. The Tay Wharf factory was destroyed by a fire in late 1899 but it was rebuilt, before being bombed and razed to the ground in 1940.

Meanwhile the Dundee factory too was destroyed by fire, after which a much larger factory was built and opened in 1870.

This multi-storied building was in turn gutted by fire on May 10, 1900, making 600 employees idle. A new factory was built on the site, which closed in 1947 before being demolished in 1972 so a new shopping centre could be built. It was called The Forum, but has been more recently renamed the Keiller centre.

In 1928 a new Dundee factory was rebuilt at Mains Loan, Maryfield. Alexander Keiller married Elizabeth Mitchell (1815–1907) and they had two children including John Mitchell (1851–99).

When Alexander R Keiller died in 1877 he was succeeded by his son John M. Business expands rapidly

Although Dundee cake was introduced to the public around 1877, it took some 50 years to become a commercial success. Under the guidance of John M it was not long before Keiller & Sons had eight bakery shops, most in Dundee, with one in Perth.

When John M died the business employed a general manager and the Keiller family had little or no further involvement with the business, which merged with or was purchased by Crosse & Blackwell in

Janet Keiller

1919. The business was sold a number of times, at one stage being part of the Robertson & Son group.

Although the Keiller factory was the largest confectionery firm in Britain, as was often visited by royalty, the business name of Keiller & Sons ceased in 1992. The Mains Loan building lay idle and was targeted by vandals before being demolished in 2018.

The Keiller family

James Keiller was one of the founders of Dundee Orphan Society in 1815. Wedderspoon Keiller patented a process for preparing marmalade with a machine during 1864.

John Mitchell Keiller and his family often stayed at Morven Lodge, also known as the “Shooting Box”, close to Balmoral Castle, until he had Invercauld built at Ballater in 1891. Today it is known as Craigendarroch, a luxury hotel.

Alexander (1889–1955), son of John M, funded the 1913 establishment of SizaireBerwick (France) Limited, a car company. This 20hp four-cylinder vehicle had a radiator that looked like a Rolls-Royce. Due to World War One, the company became bankrupt, however Alexander’s car can now be seen in a museum at Avebury in Wiltshire. Keiller also owned a HispanoSuiza, nicknamed “The Tulipwood car”, an

MG Midget, Bugatti racing cars and the strange looking Citreon Kegresse, a halftrack car that was useful during excavations.

Alexander Keille junior joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve but was soon invalided out. As a result, he formed a friendship with O. G. S. Crawford to make aerial surveys in south-west England.

He was actively involved with Avebury Manor and the Morven Institute of Technology, but he will be best remembered for purchasing 950 acres of land including Windmill Hill, where a number of intact skeletons were found, in Avebury.

Here he cleared the land to locate and raise many standing stones, and for the excavation of West Kennett Avenue, which is around 6000 years old.

Although married four times Alexander had no children, so some of the land, museum and probably most of the village was sold off to form a trust which was finally gifted to the National Trust.

Today Avebury is a tourist town, complete with the thatched roof Red Lion Hotel, which stands at the crossroads, while the now famous Silbury Hill stands nearby. Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles. One of the marvels of prehistoric Britain, it contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world, about 340m in diameter, which is thought to be about 4500 years old. This circle once consisted of around 100 stones, but many were broken up while others were used in buildings.

Nobody knows the significance of Silbury Hill and the many other man-made hills that stand in the area.

George Keiller emigrates

John Keiller married Isabella Anderson, who gave birth to George (1804-1858), who in turn married Margaret Maxwell on November 13, 1827.

Although they had six children, only the two youngest Thomas (1842-1914) and Andrew (1846-1924) travelled with them when they emigrated to Australia. The Bloomer docked at Portland on November 22, 1854.

The couple were encouraged to come to Australia by their daughter Isabella, who had married George Ireland, and along with her married sister Jean Todd had emigrated on June 27, 1852, on board the Diadem.

George and Isabella Ireland settled at Forest Creek where Agnes Isabella was born on September 3, 1855.

Although George Ireland was a painter, he spent some time as an overseer with Messrs. Cornish & Bruce, who contracted to build the Melbourne to Sandhurst railway line. His wife made a little extra money as a dressmaker.

They both wrote poetry under the pen names of Tom Rattaray and Isa respectively, much of their verse being published in the Mount Alexander Mail newspaper. Keiller was also a baker at Aberdeen Hill, Forest Creek, trading as George Keiller & Sons.

Agnes Isabella Ireland married Thomas Scott on February 7, 1877, and they had 12 children including Isabella (Isa) Keiller (1879-1954), who married William Arnold (1877-1959). They had four children including Keith (1921-1990), who was my father.

GRAEME HAYES

ABOUT US

Graeme Hayes Real Estate is a trusted, family-owned business with a legacy spanning from Bridgewater in the south to Moulamein in the Southern Riverina and throughout the Mallee region, serving 6 different shires. With over 55 years in the industry, Principal Graeme Hayes embodies a wealth of knowledge and trust.

Led by Graeme and his two qualified sons, Nathan and Travis, our team of 13 dedicated local staff operates seamlessly from our offices in Kerang and Swan Hill. We specialise in real estate sales, property management, water trading, and clearing sales. Our deep local roots ensure a profound understanding of the community's unique needs.

Our sales team includes 4 fully licensed real estate agents, 3 of whom hold dual NSW licenses. Our Swan Hill sales agent Colin contributes 40 years of invaluable experience.

With 6 full-time property managers on board, we expertly manage strata titles, residential, rural, commercial, and storage shed leases, providing regular inspections, detailed reports, and maintenance to uphold the highest property care standards.

Integral to our operations is water trading, offering solutions for both temporary and permanent water sales to support agricultural and commercial interests. Adapting to the evolving landscape, we also conduct online clearing sales post covid while remaining flexible with onsite sales as needed by vendors or specific circumstances.

Born and bred locals, Graeme, Nathan, and Travis are deeply connected to and passionate about meeting the real estate needs of our country community. We pride ourselves on being just a phone call away, ready to assist with any real estate matter.

For personalised service backed by decades of experience and a steadfast commitment to our community, contact Graeme Hayes Real Estate today.

m EETIN g

Brendan Hancock

Brendon was a well respected and popular member of our Club and will be sadly missed by all of us.

Deepest sympathy to all his Family and Closest Friends on their sad loss. All the Members of the Bridgewater Bowling Club.

HANCOCK Brendan

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

MARGARET WILLIAMSON

Members of the Pyramid Hill & District Historical Society are saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Williamson, and offer their condolences to Margaret’s family.

Margaret worked tirelessly for the Historical Society and the community. She was largely responsible for many of the vast array of publications for sale at the Museum, having spent years researching and collating information that enables people from all over the world to trace their roots back to our district. Margaret has left a lasting legacy and her contribution, dedication, generosity and friendship will long be remembered.

WANTED TO BUY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

KORONG VALE GOLF COURSE INC

Notice is given of a PUBLIC meeting to be held at Korong Vale Golf Clubhouse on Monday 5th August at 7.00pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less than three (3) or more than nine (9) persons as the Committee of Management for the Korong Vale Golf Course Inc for a term of three years. The current committee’s term will expire on 31st August 2024. All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior or on the night. Nominations from women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged.

Further information, nomination forms and declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action office or at the meeting.

For further enquiries please contact the Secretary John Gibson on 0407 908 294

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Big fields at first tournament

BOORT golf champion Andrew Kane has added another notch to his belt, breaking the course record at Mitiamo’s annual tournament with an off-the-stick 63.

Kane’s record highlighted a spectacular four days, with 120 players taking to the course in four different formats.

The men’s 36-hole event saw 42 players hit off in the morning frost, with Paul Kuiper’s nett 69 the best score. Kane’s 63 (nett 62) dominated the afternoon when 12 players took part.

Men’s 36 holes - A Grade 18-hole nett: AM P. Kuiper 69, PM A. Kane 62, B Grade 18-hole nett: AM G. Kerr 70, PM P. Hamley 68. A Grade 36-hole scratch: A. Masters 139, nett A. Kuiper 135 (C/B C. Burns). B Grade 36-hole scratch: R. Lister 172, nett H. Condliffe 140. NTP No.2 M. Miles, NTP No.6 S. Mancer, NTP No.11 T. Mancer, NTP No.16 A Kane. Long Drive No.18: 0-18 J.Currick, 19 and over J. Stewart, veterans B. Lawry. Ladies 4BBB - Winners L. Wilson and J. Wiltshire 46pts. R-Up S. Davey and & K. Batter 43pts. NTP No.2 D.Bish, NTP No.11 C. Pearce, NTP No.16 Humbert. Long Drive D1 K. McNaughton D2 J.Holt. Men’s 4BBB - Division 1 winners T. and S. Barnes 47pts. R-Up A. Palmer and M. Giorgianni 46pts. Div 2 winners A. Gould and B. Homes 47pts. R-Up W. Williams and R. Ballantyne 45pts. NTP No.2 B. Homes, NTP No.4 P. Kuiper, NTP No.11 P. Hamley, NTP No.16 P. Carmody. Second shot No.7 A. Gould. Long Drive 0-18 J. Wright, 19 and over J. Smith, veterans G. Smith.

3 Person Ambrose - Mixed winners D. and M. Stewart and A. Gould 54.5. R-Up L. and P. Richardson and J. Wiltshire 57. Men’s winners were P. and H. Condliffe and D. Vanstan 55.5. R-Up J. Roberts, J. Mann and D. McNamara 58.5. NTP No.2 K. Harrison, NTP No.11 P. Richardson, NTP No.16 P. Richardson. Second shot No.5 P Condliffe. Second shot No.17 D. Stewart. Pyramid Hill

Following the fourth and final championship round, Grant Mooney (226) has been

crowned 2024 club champion. The A Grade handicap winner was Don Stewart (208), B Grade champion was Tony Mullins (264) and handicap winner was Jarad Smith (223). C Grade champion was Jed Stewart (298), with Paul Walters (221) taking out the handicap. The winner of the day was Jed Stewart (88-27-61) and the runner up was Jason Deller (79-12-67).

This week will see the annual Carmody Shield competition, a three-person ambrose. Golfers are welcome from other clubs, with assembly at midday.

Boort

With a few members away at tournaments or on holiday, half a dozen took advantage of the sunny conditions in a stableford event.

Di Johnston beat all the men with her score of 34 points. Damien Lanyon and Rob Johnston rounded out the ball pool, and along with Di also claimed all five nearest the pin prizes between them. Next weekend will see a stableford event on Sunday at 11am, with the club’s annual tournament held the week after.

Results: Di Johnston (10) 34pts, Damien Lanyon (8) 33, Rob Johnston (10) 32, Ray Taylor (31) 31, Tom Gross (4) 29, Peter Eicher (20) 25. NTP No.1 Rob Johnston, No.8 Di Johnston, No.9 Di Johnston, No.15 Damien Lanyon, No.18 Damien Lanyon.

David Knight, Adam Gould, Brett Holmes and Ron Delmore at Mitiamo. LH PHOTOS

Mitiamo captain Matt Miles

Simon Ray, Craig and Ross Lister at the Mitiamo tournament

(131)

(0)

GOALS - Nullawil: S. Goldsmith 9, M. Poyner 2, Z. Kelly, A. Forrester, L. Braine, S. Hogan, M. Hogan, J. Box, G. Forrester.

seniors

Inglewood

8.5 (53) Bridgewater 24.11 (155)

GOALS - Inglewood: W. Allen, D. Gorrie 2, T. Kilcullen, A. Lister, L. Marciano, L. Harris. Bridgewater: L. Sharp 9, H. Conway, J. Martyn 4, J. Neylon, M. Brooks 2, B. Derrick, T. Estrada, J. Symons.

BEST - Inglewood: M. Conlan, L. Matheson, S. Gorrie, C. Stobaus, L. Ford, D. Gorrie. Bridgewater: J. Mayes, J. Neylon, L. Sharp, L. Coghlan, D. Wood, B. Alexander.

Pyramid Hill

2.3 6.4 11.4 11.5 (71) Marong 2.2 5.4 6.7 9.12 (66)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: B. George 3, J. Sheahan, D. Collis 2, D. Hemphill, Z. Alford, S. Relouw, B. Morison. Marong: K. Robins 5, B. Gregg 2, L. Lee, C. Gregg.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: T. McGregor, B. George, B. Knight, D. Hemphill, B. Morison, D. Morison. Marong: B. Hartland, L. Frankel, B. Gregg, K. Robins, C. Gregg, N. Devanny. Newbridge 1.2 3.3 6.6 6.9 (45)

BL Serpentine 6.1 12.7 17.7 23.8 (146)

GOALS - Newbridge: T. Hobson 3, W. Copland, T. Constable, A. Padbury. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: F. Priest 13, A. Gladman, R. Turner 3, D. Nihill, J. Bailey, J. Murley, J. Laird. BEST - Newbridge Seniors: T. Hobson, K. Friswell, R. Cathie, L. Costelow, B. Etherington, T. McLeod. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: F. Priest, D. Nihill, J. Bailey, C. Gadsden, R. Turner, J. Hancock.

Maiden Gully

2.6 5.12 13.14 18.17 (125)

Mitiamo 2.2 3.5 6.5 10.8 (68)

GOALS - Maiden Gully: D. Phyland 3, X. Emmerson, E. Crisp, J. Farrer, R. Strauch 2, D. Turner 2, L. Pigdon, J. Doolan, J. McHutchison, W. Anderson, M. Whitham.

GOALS - Mitiamo: M. Hocking 3, L. Shiell 2, A. Cussen, B. Laird, K. Galvin, K. Coatsworth, R. Duncan. BEST - Maiden Gully: A. Monfries, J. McHutchison, E. Crisp, T. Pridgeon, J. Farrer, J. Worsley. Mitiamo: Z. Morrison, L. Lougoon, Z. Myers, J. Diss, O. Hocking, M. Hocking.

Marong 11 10 1 0 1 333.33 40

Bridgewater 11 9 2 0 1 207.74 36

BL Serpentine 11 9 2 0 1 178.83 32

Pyramid Hill 11 8 3 0 1

UnDer 18

Pyramid

Marong 8.6

GOALS - Marong: C. Murphy 7, M. Lowery 5, W. Thomson 4, R. Doorty 3, J. McMurray, K. Harris, T. Jennings, L. Bowen 2, W. Baird, J. Bird, S. Vinnicombe, R. Hayden.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: R. Hutton, B. Gibson, L. Stubbs, J. Hercott, M. Caspani, J. Mitchell. Marong: C. Murphy, M. Lowery, W. Thomson, K. Harris, J. Bird, J. McMurray. Inglewood 12.8 (80) Bridgewater 7.5 (47)

GOALS - Inglewood: R. Smith 5, T. Murphy 3, K. McClellan, W. Schepers 2. Bridgewater: J. Larson 2, M. Armstrong, C. Larson, O. Clapp, B. Tyrrell, L. Lonsdale. BEST - Inglewood: H. Noble, T. Lovett, R. Smith, T. Murphy, C. Hancock, J. Luckman. Bridgewater: M. Armstrong, C. Larson, R. Smith, H. Daldy, O. Clapp, L. Bartlett. Marong 11

BEST - Nullawil: S. Goldsmith, Z. Kelly, L. Braine, B. Forrester, M. Hogan, W. Hogan. Donald: E. Landwehr, D. Gowlett, B. Morgan, S. Pearse, K. Green, D. Hawkes.

N

- Wycheproof Narraport: H. Senior 2, K. Butcher. Sea Lake Nandaly: B. Poulton 4, C. Allan 2, C. Michael, Z. Wemyss, I. Tait.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: J. Turner, J. Coatsworth, H. Catto, W. Ringin, K. Butcher, W. Allan. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Elliott, C. Allan, C. Michael, W. Landry, N. McClelland, P. Roberts.

(40)

- Wedderburn: M. Lockhart 2, J. Van de Wetering. Charlton: L. Holmes-Brown 3, A. Nisbet, J. Roberts. BEST - Wedderburn: A. Younghusband, H. Polglase, C. Lang, S. Carroll, D. Tricarico, C. Ward. Charlton: M. Thompson, Z. Sullivan, L. Holmes-Brown, J. Dean-Gilley, B. Roberts, R. Welch.

seniors

Wedderburn

GOALS - Wedderburn: T. Campbell 5, J. Miller 3, J. Hayes, J. Lockhart 2, O. Holt, M. Zelencich. Charlton: B. Sexton. BEST - Wedderburn: J. Lockhart, T. Campbell, J. McEwen, D. Jackson, D. Benaim, J. Miller. Charlton: B. Lanyon, B. Dixon, P. Soulsby, B. Sexton, J. Thompson, K. Blow.

Birchip Watchem 8.7 12.9 20.12

St Arnaud 2.0

reserVes

Newbridge 3.1

BL Serpentine 2.2 4.4

(161)

(22)

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 10, M. Rippon 5, J. Reid 3, N. Rippon, S. Hogan 2, P. Veszpremi, R. Hogan. GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Hicks, T. Petrie, Z. Phillips. BEST - Birchip Watchem: M. Rippon, N. Rippon, J. Reid, S. Hogan, A. Butterfield, B. Edwards. St Arnaud: Z. Phillips, S. Driscoll, T. Bertalli, D. Gifford, J. Male, O. Lowe.

Nullawil 3.0

Donald 5.2

(50)

(43)

GOALS - Newbridge: L. Hoskin 3, C. Grant 2, B. Carr, S. Brynhildsen, D. Whan. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: M. Frecker 2, B. Epworth, S. Gladman, J. Gladman. BEST - Newbridge: B. Carr, C. Grant, T. Wilson, J. Dawkins, D. Whan, S. Brynhildsen. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: D. Boulton, J. Gladman, L. Murley, M. Frecker, Z. Hollis, B. Epworth.

Pyramid Hill 0.0 2.3 2.7

Marong

(104)

(82)

GOALS - Nullawil: A. Thomson 5, M. Wade 3, R. Smith, M. Farmer 2, D. Isbister, Z. Caccaviello, A. Casey, A. Oberdorfer. Donald: J. Papalia 4, R. Young, J. Potter 2, T. Heuston, B. Grant, R. Leeder, H. Geddes.

BEST - Nullawil: M. Wade, D. Putt, D. Isbister, A. Thomson, H. Lawrence, Z. Caccaviello. Donald: J. Wallin, R. Young, D. Bell-Warren, J. Potter, J. Papalia, R. Bath.

Wycheproof N 1.3

(21)

(39)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: T. Nunn, N. Moon. Marong: D. Blume 2, L. Hale, Z. Justice, R. Wakefield.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: M. Moon, B. Moon, N. Coyle, G. Quinn, A. Holland, D. Lovell. Marong: D. Bourke, T. Grant, K. Thomson, S. Taylor, F. Waters, H. Baker.

Inglewood

2.0 3.1 5.3 5.4 (34)

Bridgewater 1.2 4.7 5.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS - Inglewood: S. Erharter 2, J. Barnett, J. Sleep, B. Reddin-Jowett. Bridgewater: J. Campbell, A. Woodman 2, P. Wardell, J. McKinley, S. Dewar, B. Irvine.

BEST - Inglewood: F. Opie, J. Phillips, J. Tatti, J. Mills, C. Dolan, J. Woods. Bridgewater Reserves: J. Green, A. McDowell, J. McKinley, J. McKenzie, O. Horan, D. Valentini.

Maiden Gully 2.3 6.4 7.4 8.6 (54) Mitiamo 2.3 3.5 7.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS Maiden Gully: C. Sungalis 4, K. Kerrison, P. Delahenty 2. Mitiamo: S. Atkinson 4, J. Hocking 2, L. Hocking, K. Pentreath.

BEST - Maiden Gully: P. Delahenty, B. Barker, J. Pickering, C. Geary, C. Sungalis, K. Kerrison. Mitiamo: E. Hocking, A. Mckean, L. Hocking, N. Ramskill, D. Mitchell, N. Hicks

Marong 11 10 1 0 1 370.45 40

Bridgewater 11 10 1 0 1 287.99 40

Pyramid Hill 11 8 3 0 1 242.38 32

Inglewood 10 6 4 0 2 114.62 24

BL Serpentine 11 5 6 0 1 142.99

UnDer 17

- Nullawil: L. Cooper, T. Vearing, W. Gilchrist, T. Perry, M. Austin, D. Coles. Donald: B. Donnellon, E. Vallance, L. Rice, C. Campbell.

- Birchip Watchem: J. Daniel, R. Hogan, C. Daniel, M. Pettersen. St Arnaud: B. Donald, C. Zander, B. Greenaway, F. Donald, J. Batters, O. Lowe.

- Wedderburn: J. Dingfelder,

B. Cunningham, B. Cramp. Charlton: M. McGeown, I. Bourke, S. Zagame, J. Roberts.

UnDer 14

(123)

(42) Sea Lake Nandaly 4.6

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: W. Mitrovic 2, T. Trewin, R. Allan, M. Murgov. Sea Lake Nandaly: M. Cahoon 4, M. Elliott, B. Weir, T. Cox 3, W. Simpson, R. O’Sullivan 2, B. McInnes.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: K. Hommelhoff, R. Fawcett, T. Rumbold, B. Bish, M. Fawcett, J. Grabowski. Sea Lake Nandaly: K. Donnan, W. Donnan, T. Cox, M. Cahoon, R. Osullivan, J. McMahon.

Birchip

Birchip Watchem

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: M. Berry 3, J. Ryan, D. Ferrier, L. Randall, J. Goldsmith, St Arnaud: J. Hicks 4, T. Petrie, S. Goode, S. Elliott, J. Hilton.

BEST - Birchip Watchem: J. Randall, L. Randall, N. Ryan, J. Goldsmith, J. Ryan. St Arnaud: C. Zander, J. Kell, H. McNally, F. Donald, C. Campbell, B. Knight.

- Wedderburn: A. Ward, R. Amor, C. Gault, W. Collins. Charlton: M. Fitzpatrick, C. Zagame, L. Monaghan, J. Nisbet, S. Good, C. Dixon.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: R. Harrison, F. Polzin, F. Mitrovic, K. Browne. Sea Lake Nandaly: R. Newick, R. Allan, C. Wight, H. Cox, H. Wight, M. Bailey.

BEST - Birchip Watchem: O. Sharp, D. Coffey, L. Cullen. St Arnaud: A. Reyne, F. Evans, N. Saludes, F. Wilson, A. Reyne, L. Lowe.

BEST - Nullawil: B. McPherson, H. Humphreys, S. Morrison, C. Kelly, M. Seddon, L. Poyner. Donald: O. Brennan, H. Funcke, S. Mortlock, R. Needs

norTH CenTrAL

LoDDon VALLeY

We’re going where? Brooke heads straight for the map

By ANDREW MOLE

WHEN Brooke Arnold first heard of Boort, she needed a map to find it.

And when she realised where it was, she turned to her husband with a “no way” look.

Brooke was already away from home that had been Melbourne, at university in Bendigo because it was the only place she could get her preferred mix to do physical education and health care in the one degree. But Boort. Had she not gone to Bendigo for study, bumped into Kane Arnold, a wastrel from Wedderburn way who had also moved to the “big smoke”, Brooke’s life would not have changed,

Now, all these years later, Brooke wouldn’t change a thing. Except maybe to see the Boort Magpies win a few more flags in netball and football.

Her immediate priority, however, is her beloved C Grade team defending its 2023 premiership.

After a perfect home and away season, a slip-up in the semi-final put Brooke and her girls “on a mission” and they swept through the rest of the finals.

That was then. Now the team is battling hard to maintain its foothold in the top four.

Which means it’s time for Brooke’s secret weapon. Donuts. Donuts?

Donuts, Brooke says, drove the C Grade to its stellar 2023 and now she is bringing them back as she pulls out all stops to get her girls into the post season.

“They’re back for the second half of the year,” she announced.

“It all started last season after I had been a regular at the Wycheproof bakery and buying their donuts,” Brooke says.

“And I thought they would be perfect for the team, so we introduced an idea where everyone got a donut if we won – and we ate a lot of donuts in 2023,” she laughs.

“Now I am expecting the donuts to help our season turn the corner – finals here we come.”

Like so many country netball teams, keeping a side together from one year to the next is a challenge. The premiership C

grade side has lost two players to babies, a couple to university and promising young ones to the higher grades leaving Brooke with a vastly different unit.

But now the donuts are on the table it’s a whole new ball game.

Not unlike Brooke’s life when she finally agreed on the move to Boort and told Kane “okay, if this is really what you want, let’s get the butcher shop”.

It was, and they did, running it for several years before selling it to Kane’s brother Jye and his wife Kristy, who still run it.

After that it was a café for a while, which they also loved, but more recently

Hargreaves leads big upset

A 3-3 draw with top of the ladder Charlton saw the Wedderburn women’s hockey team make a statement of intent on a beautiful Saturday.

A major upset was on the cards when the Redbacks led 3-1 coming into the final quarter. It was a much-changed team since they last played Charlton, with Carlie Turnbull, Annabelle Hargreaves, sisters Neve and Kelsea Nisbet and new member Leanne Martin coming into the lineup.

Charlton began strongly and scored an early first-quarter goal, but the Redbacks returned fire in the second term, with Brittany Faduk scoring after a string of unsuccessful short corners.

Wedderburn hit the lead after half-time when a clever pass from Faduk was clipped in by Shannon McMillan. Shortly after that came a third goal from Taryn Roberts sitting on the post. Charlton battled hard but couldn’t score.

In the last quarter the Redbacks fought bravely against a marauding Navy Blues outfit, but two goals saw an open and evenly

contested game end in a stalemate. Best on ground was Hargreaves for her efforts in controlling the ball and directing play.

Encouragement award went to Faduk, Coach’s awards: Johanna Meagher and Jade Cramp.

The Minkey team worked well and was able to score a few goals, with Heath Polkinghorne named best player

RESULTS

Under 12: Birchip Watchem 1 lost to St Arnaud 2. Wycheproof-Narraport 4 d Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 0. Ladder: St Arnaud 100, Charlton 86, Wycheproof-Narraport 63, Birchip Watchem 57, Donald 25, Sea Lake Nandaly 17, Boort 4. Underage: Birchip Watchem 3 d St Arnaud 1. Wedderburn 0 lost to Charlton 7. Wycheproof-Narraport 0 lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 3. Ladder: St Arnaud 90, Donald 78, Sea Lake Nandaly 70, Charlton 59, Birchip Watchem 46, Boort 37, Wycheproof-Narraport 11, Wedderburn 0. Women: Birchip Watchem 0 lost to St Arnaud 4. Wedderburn 3 drew with Charlton 3. Ladder: Charlton 83, Wycheproof-Narraport 79, Sea Lake Nandaly 70, St Arnaud 70, Boort 37, Wedderburn 27, Birchip Watchem 13, Donald 11. Men: Birchip Watchem 0 lost to St Arnaud 11. Wycheproof-Narraport 14 d Sea Lake Nandaly 0. Ladder: Boort 90, Donald 86, Wycheproof-Narraport 75, St Arnaud 43, Charlton 33, Sea Lake Nandaly 17, Birchip Watchem 0.

they have gone from entrepreneurs to the ranks of the employed – she works as children’s services manager with Gannawarra Shire, and he keeps count of 1.5 million hens at a Barraport egg business.

Brooke is now so Boort you could swear she has been there for generations.

She recalls thinking about the move, wanting to make sure their son Finlay didn’t miss out on anything, in school, in life, in opportunities and she’s pretty sure he hasn’t.

He’s just come back from nine weeks at a leadership school at Dinner Plain in the High Country and back to his under 14

football side, currently sitting second on the ladder under coach Nathan McNally, who has taken a big raft of new young players into the team and is, as Brooke says, “getting it together and getting it done”.

Playing footy puts Finlay way ahead of dad – who may, or may not, have played one game somewhere back in his primary school days. Indeed, forget footy, he’s just not that into sport of any kind. That didn’t stop him being president of the Boort club for six years, or Brooke from being its secretary since 2019 – and counting.

Which has all been part of Brooke’s Boort experience.

“Everyone in this town looks out for everyone else, this is a real community, and we are a community very focused on the next generation,” she explains.

“Initially I was just worried about Finlay missing something, but in Boort you quickly discover everyone wants every kid to finish their schooling here as well rounded individuals with a good understanding of the whole world around them.

“Just look at the C Grade, we have last year’s dux at school and 2023 best and fairest, Phoebe Malone, doing medical imaging at university.

“Early in the season she was on a placement at Deni, so played every weekend, but now we just hope to get three, maybe four more games but she will be here for the finals,” she says.

“We have three mother-daughter combinations, players aged 17 to 40 (and a bit) with some of the older ones wondering what possessed them to turn out for one more season (probably donuts) and we have supersmart players like captain Kristen Gooding, or our team manager Tracy Bird, who did an ACL last year and would only take the job if I agreed to play with her next year,” Brooke laughs.

“I would have to say Thursday nights are one of my favourite things about playing, about coaching, about Boort. Sitting down for dinner with your teammates, your friends, and sharing that connection is the heartbeat of why this is the best place in the world to be. I love it, we love it.”

Donaldson Park set as scene of season deciders

NORTH Central football, hockey and netball grand finals will be played at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.

The league board announced at the weekend that finals venues had been decided on current ladder positions.

The September 14 season decides will follow the first semi-finals at Birchip, second semi-finals at Donald and preliminary finals Charlton. he board said venues had been decided after considering current ladder positions and may be reviewed later in the season.

Loddon Valley league is expected to decide its finals venues shortly with the grand final also on September 14.

Boort’s Brooke Arnold ... passionate for Pies and donuts. LH PHOTO

Brittany Faduk and the scoreline of smiles

Battlelines are set

A LODDON Valley derby that doubles as a critical top-of-the-ladder clash, this Saturday’s netball battle between Wedderburn and Boort will go a long way to shaping the North Central season.

Wedderburn sit atop the table, with Birchip Watchem leapfrogging Boort into second spot after the Magpies’ bye last weekend.

Boort’s shock loss to Charlton the week before saw the side lose first place, but a win against the Redbacks at Wedderburn could see the Magpies at the summit again in a fiercely contested battle for the premiership.

Wedderburn coach Emma Lockhart viewed the game as a chance to help shore up a finals berth.

“It will be important to really confirm our position, but there are still plenty of games to go and you can move from topfour to out of the four pretty quickly,” she said.

The Redbacks suffered two major injuries last week, with star centre Meg Lowry suffering what is feared to be an ACL tear, and wing defence Anna Meade also going down, and player absences are starting to take their toll.

“We just have to soldier on,” Lockhart said. “We’re no certainties going in to Sat-

LODDON VALLEY

A Grade

Newbridge 9, 19, 34, 48, (48) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 14, 23, 32, 40, (40). Inglewood 8, 20, 26, 36, (36) lost to Bridgewater 15, 28, 45, 64, (64). Maiden Gully 13, 26, 38, 49, (49) lost to Mitiamo 22, 36, 51, 70, (70). Pyramid Hill 19, 35, 46, 61, (61) d Marong 14, 31, 45, 55, (55).

Mitiamo 176.80 36

Pyramid Hill 153.06 36

Bridgewater 134.48 32

Newbridge 107.05 30

BL Serpentine 111.45 24

Marong 91.67 18

Maiden Gully 91.17 12

Calivil 53.97 4

Inglewood 41.18 0

B Grade

Pyramid Hill 16, 30, 42, 52, (52) lost to Marong 12, 26, 42, 53, (53). Inglewood 3, 7, 12, 18 (18) lost to Bridgewater 16, 38, 54, 74, (74). Newbridge 16, 27, 42, 58, (58) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 2, 9, 14, 20, (20). Maiden Gully 12, 23, 37, 42, (42) d Mitiamo 10, 18, 24, 35, (35).

Newbridge 160.97 40

Pyramid Hill 141.73 36

Marong 136.85 36

Bridgewater 115.65 26

Maiden Gully 108.57 20 Mitiamo 88.96 14

BL Serpentine 74.24 12

Calivil 63.64 8

Inglewood 45.51 0

C Grade

Inglewood 11, 19, 30, 42, (42) d Bridgewater 10, 19, 29, 40, (40). Maiden Gully 10, 18, 31,

urday. And we will have to play at our best and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”

Boort coach Georgia Haw believed her team’s strong defence, which has given up the fewest goals in the competition, would be a key to victory.

“Emma Darker, our goal defence, is back, and I think the players will have a really big crack after the loss,” she said.

Goal shooter Amy Driden will miss again as she holidays overseas, with Haw stepping up herself in attack as she juggles A and B Grade duties, with player numbers low.

Haw gave the team a full week off during the bye, cancelling training to help players freshen up and get over niggles. “I think we needed it,” she said.

Haw admitted playing at Wedderburn was a disadvantage for the Magpies: “It’s become a bit of a fortress, so I’d rather play them at home.”

Wedderburn’s hard-fought 46-34 win over Charlton was in large part due to the efforts of coach Emma Lockhart, who backed up in A Grade after playing a quarter in B Grade and was named the Redbacks’ best.

Nikki Lockhart also impressed, while players’ choice awards went to Holly Lockhart and Maddison Postle.

41, (41) lost to Mitiamo 11, 26, 39, 48, (48). Newbridge 13, 25, 36, 47, (47) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 7, 15, 22, 31, (31). Pyramid Hill 12, 22, 33, 46, (46) lost to Marong 12, 28, 35, 48, (48).

Pyramid Hill 137.88 38 Newbridge 127.79 32

124.32 28

113.39 28

Gully 103.26 26

Serpentine 104.68 20

91.94 12

62.60 4

C Reserve

Donald 124.00 22

58.30 8

N 29.70 0

C Grade

15 & Under

Maiden Gully 9, 20, 31, 44, (44) d Mitiamo 11, 17, 23, 31, (31). Inglewood 6, 15, 22, 30, (30) lost to Bridgewater 14, 25, 38, 47, (47). Pyramid Hill 5, 14, 18, 19, (19) lost to Marong 10, 19, 26, 30, (30).

4

Maiden Gully 9, 16, 32, 46, (46) d Mitiamo 6, 13, 20, 22, (22). Newbridge 10, 21, 30, 40, (40) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 10, 13, 22, 31, (31). Pyramid Hill 10, 20, 30, 41, (41) lost to Marong 10, 19, 30, 42, (42). Inglewood 9, 17, 27, 36, (36) d Bridgewater 11, 21, 24, 33, (33).

Marong 175.93 40 Maiden Gully 144.03 40

134.57 32

Hill 122.31 28

114.94 20

Serpentine 84.96 16

74.84 8

55.24 8 Calivil 46.91 0 17 & Under

Pyramid Hill 7, 17, 25, 33, (33) lost to Marong 8, 21, 29, 43, (43). Newbridge 4, 8, 12, 23, (23) lost to Bears Lagoon Serpentine 14, 33, 48, 61, (61). Inglewood 7, 11, 15, 18, (18) lost to Bridgewater 14, 27, 43, 59, (59).

Blue joy! C Graders’ have first win in three years

IT HADN’T been a great season for Inglewood’s senior netballers, with A, B and C Grade teams all winless and rooted to the bottom of their respective ladders. But there was joy last Saturday when the C Grade side saluted for the first time in three years, with a narrow victory over secondplaced Bridgewater.

The thrilling 42-40 win wasn’t enough to pull the Blues off the foot of the table, but the players will be quietly looking ahead to round 16 when they play Calivil, who have also only won a single game this season.

In A Grade, second-placed Pyramid Hill snuck home against Marong to keep the pressure

on leaders Mitiamo, who had a strong 21-goal win over Maiden Gully.

Bridgewater, third on the ladder, stormed home to a 28-goal victory after a tight first half against Inglewood.

Newbridge shaded Bears Lagoon Serpentine by eight goals in a close-fought game as they battle out fourth and fifth spots on the table.

Marong’s one-goal win over Pyramid Hill in B Grade brought them onto the same number of points, and they now sit in third trailing only on percentage. Newbridge remains a game ahead on top after a crushing 38-goal win over Serp.

Maiden Gully 2, 10, 18, 21, (21) d Mitiamo 0, 3, 7, 12, (12). Inglewood 9, 19, 26, 33, (33) d Bridgewater 6, 11, 17, 23, (23). Pyramid Hill 3, 3, 6, 7, (7) lost to Marong 14, 25, 38, 48, (48).

Inglewood

NORTH CENTRAL

A Grade

Nullawil 8, 19, 29, 40, (40) d Donald A Grade 15, 21, 27, 34, (34) . Wedderburn 16, 28, 36, 46, (46) d Charlton 5, 18, 29, 34, (34). Wycheproof Narraport 3, 11, 15, 21, (21) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 14, 28, 39, 51, (51). Birchip Watchem 13, 28, 44, 59, (59) d St Arnaud 8, 14, 23, 33, (33).

Nullawil 16, 34, 50, 68, (68) d Donald 2, 5, 6, 10, (10). Wedderburn 15, 29, 42, 54, (54) d Charlton 7, 12, 19, 27, (27). Wycheproof Narraport 1, 5, 6, 13, (13) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 23, 37, 55, 61, (61). Birchip Watchem 9, 19, 27, 41, (41) d St Arnaud 10, 18, 27, 30, (30) Birchip Watchem 165.31 36

Wedderburn 142.31 32 Nullawil 211.72 32 Boort 174.92 28

Sea Lake Nandaly 147.66 26 St Arnaud 68.24 16 Donald 52.29 8 Charlton 44.01 4

Wycheproof n 36.18 4

C Reserve

Wycheproof Narraport 9, 15, 28, 37, (37) drew with Sea Lake Nandaly 11, 19, 29, 37, (37). Birchip Watchem 10, 21, 32, 42, (42) d St Arnaud 7, 15, 25, 38, (38).

Nullawil 238.35 24

Sea Lake Nandaly 175.53 22 Birchip Watchem 71.90 16

Wycheproof N 100.84 14

Wedderbur n 79.28 8

St Arnaud 54.62 0

17 & Under A

Nullawil 19, 35, 50, 70, (70) d Donald 4, 7, 10, 13, (13). Wycheproof Narraport 2, 7, 13, 20, (20) d Sea Lake Nandaly 7, 12, 14, 19, (19). Birchip Watchem 6, 13, 20, 26, (26) d St Arnaud 4, 5, 10, 18, (18). Wedderburn 9, 16,

& Under A Wycheproof Narraport 8, 9,

B Grade

Nullawil 11, 18, 31, 42, (42) d Donald 10, 18, 26, 36, (36). Wedderburn 10, 25, 37, 50, (50) d Charlton 9, 14, 21, 26, (26). Wycheproof Narraport 6, 12, 14, 19, (19) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 13, 22, 41, 59, (59). Birchip Watchem 26, 42, 65, 79, (79) d St Arnaud 3, 6, 9, 14, (14).

Lily Campbell sends Charlton into attack against the Redbacks. LH PHOTO

GOALKICKING

LODDON

- Newbridge

18 - (0) - Mitchell Dingwall - Pyramid Hill 18 - (1) - Ben Irvine - Bridgewater 16 - (1) - Jayden Gladman - BL Serpentine UNDER 18

31 - (5) - Max Lowery - Marong

26 - (2) - Jack McMurray - Marong

22 - (7) - Cooper Murphy - Marong

20 - (3) - Riley Doorty - Marong

20 - (0) - Harrison Goodes - Pyramid Hill

19 - (2) - Kyle McClellan - Inglewood

19 - (4) - Wilhelm Thomson - Marong

17 - (0) - Mason Hocking - East Loddon

14 - (0) - Jayden Leach - Inglewood

12 - (0) - Mitch Hore - Calivil

12 - (0) - Bradley Matthews - Marong

NORTH CENTRAL SENIORS

71 - (10) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

33 - (5) - Tom Campbell - Wedderburn

33 - (0) - Joshua Jenkins - Sea Lake Nandaly

30 - (2) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil

28 - (2) - Nicholas Rippon - Birchip Watchem

25 - (0) - Trent Grant - Donald

24 - (3) - Joseph Reid - Birchip Watchem

21 - (1) - Billy Mcinnes - Sea Lake Nandaly

21 - (0) - Jack Exell - Nullawil

19 - (0) - James Keeble - Boort

19 - (0) - Nicholas Grabowski - Wycheproof N

19 - (0) - Anthony Zelencich - Wedderburn RESERVES

27 - (4) - Billy Poulton - Sea Lake Nandaly

24 - (9) - Sam Goldsmith - Nullawil

23 - (0) - Chris O’Rourke - Boort

22 - (0) - Andrew Oberdorfer - Nullawil

20 - (3) - Matthew Berry - Birchip Watchem

18 - (0) - Chris Hargreaves - Wedderburn

18 - (0) - Harry Harcourt - Sea Lake Nandaly

18 - (0) - Anthony Judd - Charlton

15 - (0) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

14 - (0) - Joseph McGrath - Charlton

13 - (4) - Joshua Hicks - St Arnaud

THIS WEEK

LODDON VALLEY

Bridgewater v Pyramid Hill

Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Marong

Newbridge v Inglewood

Mitiamo v Calivil Maiden Gully bye

NORTH CENTRAL

Charlton v Wycheproof Narraport

Sea Lake Nandaly v Birchip Watchem

St Arnaud v Nullawil

Wedderburn v Boort Donald bye

League teams available on Thursday nights at www.loddonherald.com.au

Brilliant bursts and one relentless rover

WEDDERBURN has retained the Woosang Shield on the back of a gritty and driven four-quarter performance from rover Joe Lockhart.

Lockhart was key to the Redback’s 89-point win over Charlton at Donaldson Park on Saturday.

He was at centre bounces picking up knocks and palms from ruckman Jordy Hargreaves.

The Donaldson Park complex wing had commanded with a dogged perseverance that frustrated Charlton defenders and forwards.

Lockhart, named best on ground, chipped in with two handy goals. He was in the action pushing the ball forward to Tommy Campbell, who led well all day and broke the Navies’ checking defenders after quarter time.

Campbell finished with five goals. Three came in rapid fire mid-way through the third term and Wedderburn snapped the spoiling of Charlton that had reduced play to “a game of tennis” for the first 12 minutes.

Ruck-rover Jackson McEwen had a day out too as Wedderburn’s onballers contributed to what coach Tom Metherell later called the side’s best four-quarter performance of the season.

THE Redbacks for the second time in the past few weeks let one slip away in the reserves.

After leading at each change, the Redbacks were unable to hold the Navies at bay in a low scoring contest. Both teams had little problem scoring points, goals being somewhat more difficult to procure. There was little between the two teams all day with the Redbacks hoping to get back on the winner’s list after the decent touch up they received against the Navies at Charlton early in the season. They were in the contest up until the last couple of minutes when the Navies put on

Jake Hayes in his 200th senior games chipped in with two goals and Junior Miller, flashy and fast around the packs, finally found accuracy in front of sticks for a couple of final term goals.

However. the match was not all Wedderburn’s way. Charlton coach Mitch Collins was bobbed up around the ground with some telling marks as he battled to bring players into the game.

Billy Sexton kicked the Navies’ only goal late in the second term and that only came after a free kick and 50-metre penalty brought right into the square.

Ben Lanyon and Bailey Dixon were among the Navies’ better contributors but could not match the Redbacks’ resolve.

Wedderburn’s tight defence was again orchestrated by Danny Benaim who put in a stellar per-

a couple of quick goals to run out 11-point winners.

Coach Ash Younghusband again led from the front for the Redbacks. Always up for the contest, dropping back to help out in defence. Good hands and usually finds a target with his kicks. Hayden Polglase pulled on the red and black once again and still shows plenty of poise and class in defence.

Younger players could learn a lot by watching him play. Cameron Lang was in good touch again on ball, read the play well being in the right place at the right time. Sam Carroll at full back is in good form at present. Has found good

Pies want to brush off bye slump

BOORT coach Dale Cameron is hoping his side can banish the post-bye blues when they face local rivals Wedderburn in the North Central league on Saturday. It is a critical clash for both teams as they aim to play finals footy. Wedderburn are fourth on the ladder, a game and a decent chunk of percentage ahead of Boort, who sit in seventh spot, but have already had their two byes for the season.

The unknown factor, according to Cameron, is how the Magpies perform after their bye.

“The last couple of times after the bye we haven’t played well. It’s probably the disruption to momentum, but the players switch off a bit as well,” he said.

While many sides struggle after a bye, Camreron lamented that the impact “seems to be worse for us unfortunately”.

Redbacks coach Tom Metherell didn’t want to single out this match for special status, taking a business-as-usual approach. “Every game from here on in is crucial,” he said.

Wedderburn is coming off an 87-point thumping of Charlton, in what Metherell said was the team’s best four-quarter performance for the season.

formance as former team mates in the Redbacks’ 2014 side gathered for their reunion. Metherell and Jake De Araugo was equally as dogged.

Saturday’s match saw the return of Adam Postle who was injured in his 300th senior game a fortnight earlier. Postle was rotated off the bench, giving support in the ruck, Charlton’s defence had to work overtime. They couldn’t stop 14 goals being kicked but close checking in the square meant saves with more than half of Wedderburn’s 16 behinds being rushed.

And while Metherell praised the four-quarter effort, it was the intensity of Wedderburn’s tackling that hit a peak in the final term.

The win has lifted Wedderburn back into the top but still to shake off challengers for a shot at the finals action.

Boort, Nullawil and Wycheproof Narraport are still in the hunt.

Wedderburn’s more consistent game plan last Saturday and the bursts of brilliance from Joe Lockhart and Campbell will be needed for the Redbacks to lock in that fourth spot.

- CHRIS EARL

touch again and is defending the fort well. Damien Tricarico with his Redback career in its infancy found plenty of the ball and Cree Ward after a game in the under 17s put his hand up for another gig and acquitted himself more than admirably with his desire to get the footy.

The Navies with coach Ben Roberts leading the way were best served by Matt Thompson, Zane Sullivan, Lachie HolmesBrown, James Dean-Gilley and Ricky Welch The Redbacks under 14s returned to the winner’s list against the Navies. The inclusion of sons of former players in Archer Ward

“Our structures stayed intact for the whole game,” he said. “Previously we have had a little lapse here and there, which is disappointing. With a new game style and a new coach, it will take a bit of time.”

Charlton is something of a measuring stick for this clash. Boort played the winless Navy Blues before the bye, winning by 51 points on a wet and miserable day. “It was a slog in the second half, and we missed to chance to improve our percentage,” Cameron said.

“Our performances after a bye are something we definitely identified as an issue,” Cameron said. “We got some good running sessions in. We’re fit enough, so it’s just a matter of playing four good quarters of footy.”

and Max Gould adding experience and strength to the forward line . Both players finding the goal opening twice and helped build confidence in the younger Redbacks around them, who are in the early stages of hopefully long careers in the Red and Black.

A consistent performance four four quarters saw the Redbacks lead throughout against a Charlton team which also contains many little tackers finding their way in football.

Ryleigh Amor on ball was another handy inclusion for the Redbacks as he found plenty of the ball. Caleb Gault continued his good form.

Jake Hayes

Joe Lockhart and Tom Metherell

Junior Miller among Wedderburn’s Woosang best on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Mitchell Park masters

By ANDREW MOLE

CAN Pyramid Hill climb the mountain in season 2024? You bloody betcha.

The Bulldogs turned Marong’s 42-game winning streak into a trainwreck at Mitchell Park on Saturday afternoon with its 11.5 (71) to 9.12 (66) victory.

The last team to defeat Marong in 2022 and on the losing end of an eight-point loss earlied this year, the Bulldogfs showed real bite on home turf.

A scoreline which does not fully reflect the home team’s dominance through the game – it led at every turn.

Even when Marong jumped two goals clear in the second quarter it did not faze the Bulldogs – bang, bang, bang, and they were a goal up going into the long break.

And while Pyramid Hill kicked enough to win, it was a rock solid defence, marshalled by an inspired Tom McGregor, which simply smothered the reigning premiers all day long.

At the pointy end of the ground, Bailey George booted three and Jesse Sheahan was a target over and over, constantly paralysing the Marong defenders, and he finished with a pair of his own.

While Ben Knight was workhorse from go to whoa, and another of the day’s stars – along with Damon Hemphill and Bryden and Dylan Morison.

When the final siren went, Mitchell Park erupted, with coach Nathan Fitzpatrick pumping the air in jubilation.

Although moments later – after hearing the club song belted out in the rooms – he made it very clear it is just July and there are still six long weeks of homeand-away football to go.

Including this week’s showdown with Bridgewater and the chance to lock in a top three spot for the finals.

“For more than a year we have been saying ‘we can get them, we can get them’,” Fitzpatrick said in the rooms post-game.

“Well we got them today, and now we can get them again,” he

said. “But let’s not get too excited, it’s the first week in July and I don’t want us to put too much in one win at this stage of the season.

“Right now Bridgewater is all that matters, and first thing we will be doing this week is having a look at our last quarter today.”

The Bulldogs were 27 points up at three-quarter time but managed just one more point for the game.

Under siege throughout the last quarter, Fitzpatrick’s plan to restrict Marong’s flowing, run-

Vital percentage booster

By GARY WALSH

THE RESULT of last Saturday’s clash between Inglewood and Bridgewater seemed almost an afterthought given the Mean Machine’s star forward Lachlan Sharp’s bid to reach a century of goals in just 11 games.

But in the end it was a significant outcome and a decent percentage boost for Bridgewater, which ran out 102-point winners over a Blues side that never gave up the fight.

Pyramid Hill’s win over unbeaten Marong has opened up the Loddon Valley premiership race, with next Saturday’s round pitting the Bulldogs against the Mean Machine, and the Panthers against Bears Lagoon Serpentine in crucial top-four match-ups.

Inglewood came out of the blocks strongly with the first goal of the game, but by quarter-time Bridgewater had established a four-goal lead that only increased as the match wore on.

Sharp, who needed nine goals to reach 100 for the season, looked likely to get there quickly when he kicked the Mean Machine’s first two majors early in the first quarter, but a corked thigh and the tight checking of Inglewood full-back Cody Stobaus meant he had to earn his goals. He also sparked a melee in the

first term when he laid a late hipand-shoulder on Callum March after the Blues defender kicked out following a behind.

The ensuing scuffle saw Bridgewater’s Bo Alexander yellow-carded and sent from the field for 15 minutes.

Five goals to none in the second term gave Bridgewater a 54-point half-time lead, with Sharp sitting on four goals. He kicked another two in the third quarter, although struggling with his thigh injury, as his side stretched the margin to 68 points.

Two quick goals saw Sharp on 99 for the season before he won a dubious high tackle free against Stobaus and brought up

ning game almost unravelled –but didn’t.

Marong managed three goals but need almost 30 minutes to achieve that, and in the end they simply couldn’t find enough space and enough loose men.

Pyramid Hill’s disciplined slowdown tactics clearly unsettled the Marong juggernaut, with several melees breaking out early in the third quarter.

But the home team won most of those as well – with Marong’s Ryan Wellington literally having the shirt ripped from his back in one fracas.

“We took everything they had to throw at us, we set up well, and yes, the last quarter got a bit tense, but we stuck to the plan to keep possession of the ball as much as we could,” Fitzpatrick added.

“And we were really good at stoppages all day long. I think a couple of errors on our part in the first half let them get as close as they did then, but we rebounded well from those, and our control of the stoppages is what kept us going as well as we did.

“Right now we are juggling four or five injuries but today showed the real depth and determination of this group.”

With the Loddon Valley competition clearly split in half, this week’s game against Bridgewater is Pyramid Hill’s last in the home and away season against a side in the top four.

If Fitzpatrick and his team have another masterplan up their collective sleeves that top three spot could be a lock.

HAVE BEEN popping the brave pills at my crystal ball sessions to come up with insightful and worthy predictions for this Saturday’s megaround.

The odds are stacked against me in getting all four winners correct let alone one (must note, the editor had a full house last round).

The top four teams are up against each other.

Pyramid Hill’s defeat of the premiers was not unexpected, coming at Mitchell Park and indicating another grand final between the Bulldogs and Panthers looks increasingly likely.

Can the Bulldogs put together another good one? I think they will against Bridgewater.

THIS WEEK’S LODDON VALLEY PREDICTIONS

the century as he kicked truly from 20 metres.

A crowd invasion held up the game for a few minutes before Sharp limped from the field as his team pushed on to a massive win.

Despite giving up nine goals, Stobaus was among Inglewood’s best along with centre halfforward Mitch Conlan, whose strong marking was a highlight, Luke Matheson, Sam Gorrie and Deklan Gorrie, who kicked two of the Blues’ eight goals.

Joseph Mayes and Jack Neylon starred for Bridgewater, with Lee Coghlan and youngster Darcy Wood also prominent, while Alexander had a strong game despite being sent off.

In favour of the Mean Machine is this match being played at home. They know how to direct play on the small ground.

They also have centurion Sharpe to have around goals. How well he pulls up from the milestone is another thing.

What will really work in the Bulldogs’ favour is their defence lead by the General McGregor. And looking at the bottom six players, Pyramid Hill has the better complement.

Bears Lagoon Serpentine has improved. The winning margin against Newbridge last Saturday was 20 or so points better than ther first meeting with Newbridge, and it was

done with Josh Mellington second time around.

Now the Bears have another crack at Marong on the road for a second week. Bears at home could get the chocolates. And I think it wlll be the same for Newbridge - for them it’s donuts of course - against Inglewood. This is a vital match, if not deciding who finishes fifth, will certainly have a big influence.

The Calivil Demons will jump across the Waranga Channel for a shot at Mitiamo.

A win is vital for the Demons to still be in the hunt for a taste of finals action. Chances are slim but any slip by Inglewood or Newbridge, and it’s game on.

The other interesting thing to watch is whether Maiden Gully picks up points in the second half of the season. An upset here or there and the Eagles could be the fourth side pushing for fifth spot in a season where three wins might be enough.

- GLENN CATTO

Glenn Catto

Hill

Walsh

Loddon HERALD sport

GIVE ME A FLAG

Goal centurion’s Sharp focus on quest for big season accolade

BRIDGEWATER

co-coach

Lachlan Sharp is ready to trade his 100 goals this season for the Loddon Valley league flag.

The season’s first goal centurion had the focus firm within minutes of bringing up the milestone in the Mean Machine’s 102-point romp home against Inglewood.

“The premiership is our main focus. I will trade 100 goals for a premiership medal any day of the week,” said Sharp who had been mobbed by players and supporters moments before the final siren on Saturday.

Among those who ran onto the field to celebrate with Sharp and his teammates were children Tige, 4, and Rumi, 2, as well as a young posse of co-coach Rick Ladson’s kids and their friends, who had spent the afternoon chanting Sharp’s name behind the goals.

“That’s something I will treasure for a long time,” he said postgame.

“It’s a special day, with my two running out it was a great moment. That’s what I’m loving about being here, with all these kids running around. It’s a pleasure to be out here.”

Coming into the clash needing nine goals to hit the magic ton in his first season in the Loddon Valley Football League, Sharp admitted he doubted at times whether he would get there.

A severely corked thigh in an eventful first quarter – Sharp was also involved in a wrestling

By GARY WALSH

bout with three Blues opponents after a late bump on Inglewood’s Callum March – had him playing sore for the rest of the game. “It was good to get it out of the way,” Sharp told the Loddon Herald after the match, admitting that the milestone played on his mind at times throughout the contest.

“It’s a distraction for the other players as well, and now we can focus on the three big games ahead of the club.”

The Mean Machine, second on the ladder after 12 rounds, faces the other three sides in the top four in succession – Pyramid Hill next week, which knocked off reigning premiers Marong last Saturday, followed by Bears Lagoon Serpentine and then Marong.

Sharp kicked centuries twice when playing for Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo Football League, but said this achievement was more special.

“I love the Bendigo League, don’t get me wrong, but this is country footy. I grew up in the country, and this is as close to home as I could possibly get.

“The club itself and the people around have just been so welcoming.”

Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Josh Mellington was racing Sharp to the century until a season-ending leg injury stranded him on 93 goals. “It’s devastating for Josh, who’s a ripper footballer who can kick them from anywhere, and I wish him all the best.”

One significant point of difference between Mellington and Sharp is that the former Fremantle forward kicked a much greater proportion of his team’s goals than Sharp. “You can’t be too onedimensional,” Sharp said. “We’ve focused on rewarding blokes in the right spots and letting them have a shot on goal. We like to celebrate each other’s good efforts and goals.”

Now that the personal milestone is out of the way Sharp, as Mean Machine co-coach, has bigger things on his mind - a flag in his Loddon Valley debut season.

Victory record stays with Demons

CALIVIL remains the Loddon Valley record holder for the longest winning streak. Reigning premiers Marong was almost poised to eclipse the 44-game record set during the Demons’ record set early this century.

But along came Pyramid Hill at Mitchell Park last Saturday to inflict the first defeat on Marong

since early 2022 and end a winning run of 42 games. The Bulldogs were also the last team to down Marong.

Saturday’s stirring five-point win at Mitchell Park was set up in the third quarter.

Calivil’s intact record was set during the club’s golden era of six flags between 2003 and 2008.

Tige, 4, and Rumi, 2, rushed on to the ground to say well done Dad on 100 goals. LH PHOTO